"I'm knitting a uterus."

To contact us Click HERE

My friend Gretchen knits uteri.

She emailed me and said she was going to send me one of her knit uteri, but when the box arrived there were two, along with a note explaining that she couldn't bear the sight of one lonely uterus in a box, so there you go.

I have previously noted that diagrams of the female reproductive anatomy make me think of someone performing jazz hands, but Gretchen's uteri are different. Gretchen's hand-crafted uteri go beyond a simple dance move, although they do look as though they might spring into a series of cartwheels any minute.

I love the way Gretchen's uteri victoriously display their fallopian tubes, the way they reach for the sky instead of drooping downward. I love the way the ovaries beckon the world like waving hands.


My friend Gretchen's uteri are proud of what they are.

Gretchen's uteri are so powerful they somehow soften the weirdly angular word uteri, which in any context other than being assigned to a knit cartwheeling reproductive plush, might evoke intimidating medical journals or unfriendly aliens from an ancient Star Trek episode.

Gretchen told me that, when asked what she is doing when she is knitting a uterus, answering with, "I'm knitting a uterus," gives her singular satisfaction. Who could argue? Not me. Hence the title of this post.

I am unsure what I will do with my two uteri. For now, it's easy enough just to bask in this honeymoon period, during which my humble household becomes accustom to the uteri and vice versa.

That is all.

*  *  *

Worth a thousand words

To contact us Click HERE

This image is a protest. It depicts Romney/Ryan engaged in something we all know they oppose. That is what whomever created this pic wants to highlight: the anti-gay aspect of the Romney/Ryan ticket. No one looks at this image and thinks it's making fun of either man's homosexuality. It's making fun of their opposition to it.


This image is racism. Whomever created it wants to reinforce derogatory stereotypes. He believes that Obama fits those stereotypes. Everyone who looks at this knows it's deriding Obama because of his lineage and the color of his skin.


Now this? This is just funny as hell.

*  *  *

CHAGRIN FALLS: Ohio's New England

To contact us Click HERE

So you want to go to New England, but you’re afraid of running into Teddy Kennedy or John Kerry? Try Chagrin Falls close to Cleveland. Nestled in the hills of northeast Ohio on the border between Cuyahoga and Geauga Counties, Chagrin Falls is about as close to New England as you can get within a 60 mile radius of Youngstown. They film movies here, folks. It is a stunner, and the numero uno place where my wife and I go to get away for a few hours on the weekend. (Wait a minute…there’s Dennis Kucinich. Ohhhh Nooooo!!!!).
Chagrin Falls was built on the Chagrin River next to….guess what… the falls!!!! It is a four -seasons kind of town that offers its own delights any time of the year. In the summer, the entire village is strolling the streets, eating ice cream or candy purchased at the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop located right above the falls. The falls and the river are actually kind of impressive, and you can take the frame steps down into the gorge for an up close and personal. Across the street is the village park, lined with benches and trees and a playground filled with people enjoying a sunny day or a cool evening with their kids and dogs. And these are classy dogs. Where’s Norman Rockwell when you need him?
Autumn is probably the busiest time of year. No matter how you get there, the way into the village is tree lined and the foliage is spectacular. At Christmas, the village dials Hollywood for its absolutely perfect Christmas decorations, and the village stores do their fair share in helping you feel the love. Even the dead of winter offers its delights, especially if you are a tad moody on a gray winter’s day. Stop in at the Gamekeeper’s Tavern and have a drink in its convivial bar, or a hearty lunch or dinner in the restaurant. The atmosphere is as warm as it is cold outside.

Did I mention the Gamekeeper’s Tavern? The restaurant is located in The Inn at Chagrin Falls, which offers a diverse range of overnight accommodations for those looking for a weekend getaway, at prices that are surprisingly reasonable for the Cleveland area. (This is a rapidly growing regional hospitality group owning several venues. It recently purchased and renovated the Welshfield Inn on Rt. 422 about 15 miles east towards Warren). The restaurant is terrific and will be the subject of a coming review in Youngstown Eats. Another place to enjoy drinks and dinner is Blake’s (a Hyde Park Group restaurant) which is located overlooking the falls. Both of these places tend to be a tad pricey, but the food is good, and you can’t beat the ambience. There are also numerous other foodie choices located throughout the village, from pizza to burgers, to suit all price points and tastes.
Our favorite thing to do in Chagrin Falls, besides eating, is to shop. This is a great place for the ladies. Unlike many of these trendy areas which end up being nothing more than an extension of the local mall and attendant national chains, most of the boutiques are operated by locals. (No Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma here). Chico’s is the most glaring exception. Prices run the gambit. The ladies will always find something. Find Me is a more pricey choice that has found favor with a number of Tippy wives (I mean Canfield women), but it has really good sales.
While the ladies go one way, the guys can head to several clothing stores catering to men. But I would skip all of them and go to Chagrin Hardware. How they keep inventory at this place is beyond me. You can spend an hour just looking at all of the different things this place sells, some of which I suspect have been there since the town was founded. Those that only shop at Home Depot don’t know what they are missing. This place alone is worth the trip.
Street parking is plentiful. Blake’s offer valet parking if you are desperate at dinner time, but it usually isn’t a problem.
Take the Ohio Turnpike to the Route 44 exit. Go north on Route 44 about 10 miles to Route 422. East on Route 422 (it is 4 lanes here) to Route 306 (the Bainbridge exit). Turn right off the exit; then take an immediate left onto Chagrin Road into Chagrin Falls. Allow an hour to get there, about 2 hours to shop and 2 hours for drinks and dinner. If you have some time, Breezewood Gardens is located in Bainbridge on Route 306 just north of Chagrin Road, and is worth the stop, especially in the spring and fall (Christmas is fabulous at this place).

Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works

To contact us Click HERE
Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities…and one of my favorite things about my favorite city is the neighborhoods. Anyone who has attempted to get around Pittsburgh knows that the hills make it nearly impossible to get from here to there unless you know exactly where you are going. Add the rivers and bridges to the mix, even those who live there have established enclaves unto themselves, creating neighborhoods that are individual destinations. Pittsburgh’s Southside is one of those neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh’s Southside is geographically located between the Monongahela River to the north and Mount Washington and the Southside Slopes to the south. The main drag is East Carson Street in which there are three main subdivisions. Station Square is the furthest west of the various developments, located at the end of the Smithfield Street Bridge. As you drive to the east, you will encounter a gritty, eclectic neighborhood with second hand bookstores, tattoo parlours, antique stores, head shops, and restaurants to suit every taste and pocketbook, mostly local. This is a fun area, but is rapidly gentrifying as evidenced by increasing property values. Both of these, especially the two lane East Carson corridor, are worth separate trips to explore and enjoy.

At the top of the East Carson Street corridor, where two lanes turn into four, is the brand new SouthSide Works, located along the river. On its face, it resembles Legacy Village in Cleveland, much smaller, and Easton in Columbus, much bigger. Where it differs is that it was actually built into pre-existing buildings associated with a steel mill formerly located on the property. For the most part, it maintains an industrial feel, as do most of the new developments being built the further east you drive along East Carson Street.

For some reason, the developer opened the area in stages. In the beginning, there wasn’t a whole lot there. But progress has been steady, and as new buildings and stores have opened up, it is a pleasant place to walk around and enjoy, especially on a warm summer’s evening. All of these areas are defined as “mixed use”, in which the developer tries to intermingle condo housing, offices, and retail. Some of the efforts succeed, some of them don’t. But the nature of the Southside neighborhood is pushing this to success. If you want to live in the Southside but don’t want to have to put a ton of money into renovating the very old, existing housing stock, and would like to have a place to park your car, this is the place to go.

The SouthSide Works is built around a town square, the center of which boasts a Cheesecake Factory which can be described as nothing less than a Greek temple. When you walk into the square, you feel like you should pray to it. Surrounding the square are various establishments, including a Cineplex, and various other restaurants such as Claddagh Irish Pub, which is one of my favorite places. Upscale restaurants include the Hot Metal Grille (currently closed for renovations) and McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.

There is no major retail anchor such as Macy’s located here. But there is an assortment of smaller retailers, some of which have come to be standard in these types of developments such as the Z Gallerie and Sur la Table Kitchen Store. I really like its version of the Joseph-Beth Booksellers chain, which tends to get some big name people into the establishment to sign books, especially Pittsburgh sports figures.

Big things are in store for the SouthSide Works. Approval and financing have just been granted for a $10.5 million 17 dock project giving river access to the development, as well as a major hotel and spa to be constructed on the opposite side of East Carson Street. When built, this area will become a major hub of Pittsburgh activity and recreation. In the meantime, it’s worth a visit. There is ample parking on the street and several decks. One word of warning, parking is paid for at vending machine type apparatii that can be a bit intimidating and don't always work.
The SouthSide Works
East Carson at 27th Steets
1-877-977-1880

"I'm knitting a uterus."

To contact us Click HERE

My friend Gretchen knits uteri.

She emailed me and said she was going to send me one of her knit uteri, but when the box arrived there were two, along with a note explaining that she couldn't bear the sight of one lonely uterus in a box, so there you go.

I have previously noted that diagrams of the female reproductive anatomy make me think of someone performing jazz hands, but Gretchen's uteri are different. Gretchen's hand-crafted uteri go beyond a simple dance move, although they do look as though they might spring into a series of cartwheels any minute.

I love the way Gretchen's uteri victoriously display their fallopian tubes, the way they reach for the sky instead of drooping downward. I love the way the ovaries beckon the world like waving hands.


My friend Gretchen's uteri are proud of what they are.

Gretchen's uteri are so powerful they somehow soften the weirdly angular word uteri, which in any context other than being assigned to a knit cartwheeling reproductive plush, might evoke intimidating medical journals or unfriendly aliens from an ancient Star Trek episode.

Gretchen told me that, when asked what she is doing when she is knitting a uterus, answering with, "I'm knitting a uterus," gives her singular satisfaction. Who could argue? Not me. Hence the title of this post.

I am unsure what I will do with my two uteri. For now, it's easy enough just to bask in this honeymoon period, during which my humble household becomes accustom to the uteri and vice versa.

That is all.

*  *  *

Small moment, big space

To contact us Click HERE
Much has been written about the new atrium at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and when Michael Gill of CAN Journal asked me to write a little something about it, I collected the data and conducted a pertinent interview. I sat down to list a bunch of numbers and spit out another article that was like all the ones that came before it.

Fortunately, the other Erin chimed in:

Really Erin? To hell with that. Write about the magic instead.

Okay.
Oh how I love this town.

*  *  *

CHAGRIN FALLS: Ohio's New England

To contact us Click HERE

So you want to go to New England, but you’re afraid of running into Teddy Kennedy or John Kerry? Try Chagrin Falls close to Cleveland. Nestled in the hills of northeast Ohio on the border between Cuyahoga and Geauga Counties, Chagrin Falls is about as close to New England as you can get within a 60 mile radius of Youngstown. They film movies here, folks. It is a stunner, and the numero uno place where my wife and I go to get away for a few hours on the weekend. (Wait a minute…there’s Dennis Kucinich. Ohhhh Nooooo!!!!).
Chagrin Falls was built on the Chagrin River next to….guess what… the falls!!!! It is a four -seasons kind of town that offers its own delights any time of the year. In the summer, the entire village is strolling the streets, eating ice cream or candy purchased at the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop located right above the falls. The falls and the river are actually kind of impressive, and you can take the frame steps down into the gorge for an up close and personal. Across the street is the village park, lined with benches and trees and a playground filled with people enjoying a sunny day or a cool evening with their kids and dogs. And these are classy dogs. Where’s Norman Rockwell when you need him?
Autumn is probably the busiest time of year. No matter how you get there, the way into the village is tree lined and the foliage is spectacular. At Christmas, the village dials Hollywood for its absolutely perfect Christmas decorations, and the village stores do their fair share in helping you feel the love. Even the dead of winter offers its delights, especially if you are a tad moody on a gray winter’s day. Stop in at the Gamekeeper’s Tavern and have a drink in its convivial bar, or a hearty lunch or dinner in the restaurant. The atmosphere is as warm as it is cold outside.

Did I mention the Gamekeeper’s Tavern? The restaurant is located in The Inn at Chagrin Falls, which offers a diverse range of overnight accommodations for those looking for a weekend getaway, at prices that are surprisingly reasonable for the Cleveland area. (This is a rapidly growing regional hospitality group owning several venues. It recently purchased and renovated the Welshfield Inn on Rt. 422 about 15 miles east towards Warren). The restaurant is terrific and will be the subject of a coming review in Youngstown Eats. Another place to enjoy drinks and dinner is Blake’s (a Hyde Park Group restaurant) which is located overlooking the falls. Both of these places tend to be a tad pricey, but the food is good, and you can’t beat the ambience. There are also numerous other foodie choices located throughout the village, from pizza to burgers, to suit all price points and tastes.
Our favorite thing to do in Chagrin Falls, besides eating, is to shop. This is a great place for the ladies. Unlike many of these trendy areas which end up being nothing more than an extension of the local mall and attendant national chains, most of the boutiques are operated by locals. (No Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma here). Chico’s is the most glaring exception. Prices run the gambit. The ladies will always find something. Find Me is a more pricey choice that has found favor with a number of Tippy wives (I mean Canfield women), but it has really good sales.
While the ladies go one way, the guys can head to several clothing stores catering to men. But I would skip all of them and go to Chagrin Hardware. How they keep inventory at this place is beyond me. You can spend an hour just looking at all of the different things this place sells, some of which I suspect have been there since the town was founded. Those that only shop at Home Depot don’t know what they are missing. This place alone is worth the trip.
Street parking is plentiful. Blake’s offer valet parking if you are desperate at dinner time, but it usually isn’t a problem.
Take the Ohio Turnpike to the Route 44 exit. Go north on Route 44 about 10 miles to Route 422. East on Route 422 (it is 4 lanes here) to Route 306 (the Bainbridge exit). Turn right off the exit; then take an immediate left onto Chagrin Road into Chagrin Falls. Allow an hour to get there, about 2 hours to shop and 2 hours for drinks and dinner. If you have some time, Breezewood Gardens is located in Bainbridge on Route 306 just north of Chagrin Road, and is worth the stop, especially in the spring and fall (Christmas is fabulous at this place).

Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works

To contact us Click HERE
Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities…and one of my favorite things about my favorite city is the neighborhoods. Anyone who has attempted to get around Pittsburgh knows that the hills make it nearly impossible to get from here to there unless you know exactly where you are going. Add the rivers and bridges to the mix, even those who live there have established enclaves unto themselves, creating neighborhoods that are individual destinations. Pittsburgh’s Southside is one of those neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh’s Southside is geographically located between the Monongahela River to the north and Mount Washington and the Southside Slopes to the south. The main drag is East Carson Street in which there are three main subdivisions. Station Square is the furthest west of the various developments, located at the end of the Smithfield Street Bridge. As you drive to the east, you will encounter a gritty, eclectic neighborhood with second hand bookstores, tattoo parlours, antique stores, head shops, and restaurants to suit every taste and pocketbook, mostly local. This is a fun area, but is rapidly gentrifying as evidenced by increasing property values. Both of these, especially the two lane East Carson corridor, are worth separate trips to explore and enjoy.

At the top of the East Carson Street corridor, where two lanes turn into four, is the brand new SouthSide Works, located along the river. On its face, it resembles Legacy Village in Cleveland, much smaller, and Easton in Columbus, much bigger. Where it differs is that it was actually built into pre-existing buildings associated with a steel mill formerly located on the property. For the most part, it maintains an industrial feel, as do most of the new developments being built the further east you drive along East Carson Street.

For some reason, the developer opened the area in stages. In the beginning, there wasn’t a whole lot there. But progress has been steady, and as new buildings and stores have opened up, it is a pleasant place to walk around and enjoy, especially on a warm summer’s evening. All of these areas are defined as “mixed use”, in which the developer tries to intermingle condo housing, offices, and retail. Some of the efforts succeed, some of them don’t. But the nature of the Southside neighborhood is pushing this to success. If you want to live in the Southside but don’t want to have to put a ton of money into renovating the very old, existing housing stock, and would like to have a place to park your car, this is the place to go.

The SouthSide Works is built around a town square, the center of which boasts a Cheesecake Factory which can be described as nothing less than a Greek temple. When you walk into the square, you feel like you should pray to it. Surrounding the square are various establishments, including a Cineplex, and various other restaurants such as Claddagh Irish Pub, which is one of my favorite places. Upscale restaurants include the Hot Metal Grille (currently closed for renovations) and McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.

There is no major retail anchor such as Macy’s located here. But there is an assortment of smaller retailers, some of which have come to be standard in these types of developments such as the Z Gallerie and Sur la Table Kitchen Store. I really like its version of the Joseph-Beth Booksellers chain, which tends to get some big name people into the establishment to sign books, especially Pittsburgh sports figures.

Big things are in store for the SouthSide Works. Approval and financing have just been granted for a $10.5 million 17 dock project giving river access to the development, as well as a major hotel and spa to be constructed on the opposite side of East Carson Street. When built, this area will become a major hub of Pittsburgh activity and recreation. In the meantime, it’s worth a visit. There is ample parking on the street and several decks. One word of warning, parking is paid for at vending machine type apparatii that can be a bit intimidating and don't always work.
The SouthSide Works
East Carson at 27th Steets
1-877-977-1880

Clark and Devon, 1914-2012

To contact us Click HERE


Bird's Eye View of the Northeast corner of Clark and Devon, 2012


To the right is a bird's eye view of the site, which I'm hoping is useful for orientation.  Below is a map chronology of the northeast corner of Clark and Devon, adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps accessed through the website of the Chicago Public Library.  These maps were originally developed to help insurance companies evaluate risk, and remain some of the best and most accurate documents to track development over time.  I've simplified the information and redrawn them.  The Ellantee Theater, the main focus of this study, is shown as dark red.  It opened for business in 1919.
Not a single building represented in 1914 is on the block presently. This is in part because an entire portion of the block was swept clean to allow an extension of the Ashland Avenue right-of-way in 1929. Here's a colorized version of the subdivision map for a bit more clarity. 



From 1929 to at least 1988 Ashland ran through what had functioned as the alley behind the buildings fronting on Clark, creating an awkward triangular greenspace to the west. 

Changes in Street Configuration

The changes in the street pattern are peculiar, but it helps to map them out.  When Ashland was extended south it was also widened, which explains why the buildings along Clark had to be removed.
The section of Schreiber which extended west to Clark was abandoned. This simplified the traffic pattern and also allowed for the creation of Schrieber Playground Park, which incorporates part of the former right-of-way.
Below is a 1958 photo from Clark Street looking North toward Schreiber.

Looking Northeast Across Clark Street in 1958.  Photo from the UIC Digital Collection accessed through CARLI.

Northeast Corner of Clark and Devon, c. 1910.

Some time after 1988 Ashland was routed back to its original location, and the vacated right-of-way became a parking lot.  Perhaps this was a traffic-calming device or in response to a need for public parking.  But the photo to the right shows what was on the same corner about a hundred years ago.

 This building would have made any neighborhood proud.  It was an impressive example of a mixed-use development, with storefronts on the first floor and residential above.  I would describe the style as Italian Renaissance Revival.  But pay special attention to the arched windows on the third floor.  According to the 1928 Criss-Cross directory this was the space for the Rogers Park American Legion Post 108.  It's location on the top floor would have taken advantage of the roof trusses for additional height.


Possible Relocation


There's an undated account of the north section of this building being relocated behind the Ellantee Theater after the main portion was demolished.  If you look at the map to the left you can see that the buildings behind the theater bear a striking resemblance to part of the footprint of the building above.  I'm still trying to find a better photo of these apartments for confirmation, but the ornament on the cornice looks very similar...

As the terminus of the Clark streetcar this corner would have been a hub of commercial traffic, making the area uniquely attractive from a development standpoint.  Instead it was subjected to decades of experimentation and alteration.  

Of things dreamt

To contact us Click HERE



Dear friends,

When I become an eccentric billionaire, I shall build things like giant legs along the roadside. I shall build them such that they look distressed; representative of what once was. People will enjoy my roadside curiosities. Children will point. Fathers will grin and shake their heads. All shall wax nostalgic and wistful, sighing at the vague feeling of having received an unconditional gift.

Forward I go now.

Love,

Your humble hostess

*  *  *

"I'm knitting a uterus."

To contact us Click HERE

My friend Gretchen knits uteri.

She emailed me and said she was going to send me one of her knit uteri, but when the box arrived there were two, along with a note explaining that she couldn't bear the sight of one lonely uterus in a box, so there you go.

I have previously noted that diagrams of the female reproductive anatomy make me think of someone performing jazz hands, but Gretchen's uteri are different. Gretchen's hand-crafted uteri go beyond a simple dance move, although they do look as though they might spring into a series of cartwheels any minute.

I love the way Gretchen's uteri victoriously display their fallopian tubes, the way they reach for the sky instead of drooping downward. I love the way the ovaries beckon the world like waving hands.


My friend Gretchen's uteri are proud of what they are.

Gretchen's uteri are so powerful they somehow soften the weirdly angular word uteri, which in any context other than being assigned to a knit cartwheeling reproductive plush, might evoke intimidating medical journals or unfriendly aliens from an ancient Star Trek episode.

Gretchen told me that, when asked what she is doing when she is knitting a uterus, answering with, "I'm knitting a uterus," gives her singular satisfaction. Who could argue? Not me. Hence the title of this post.

I am unsure what I will do with my two uteri. For now, it's easy enough just to bask in this honeymoon period, during which my humble household becomes accustom to the uteri and vice versa.

That is all.

*  *  *

Debatable

To contact us Click HERE
Earlier this week, my fave news show moderator Warren Olney interviewed long-time political consultant Samuel Popkin for the "Reporter's Notebook" segment of his Oct. 2 edition of To the Point.

Why Popkin?

In 1980, as President Jimmy Carter prepared for his debates with GOP challenger Ronald Reagan, Popkin "played" the part of Reagan during the practice sessions. In his To The Point segment, Popkin offers up commentary on Carter and the obscure and mysterious phenomenon of presidential practice debates. It's a great interview that I cannot recommend highly enough. It's only about 10 minutes long and starts at the 40:40 point in the podcast.

I had listened to the Popkin interview before the Wednesday night debate and his insights were spot on. Obama's unease was precisely the sort that Popkin described incumbent presidents falling into for a variety of reasons. The segment was also loaded with great details. This one was my favorite: former Michigan Governor and Dem sweetheart Jennifer Granholm "played" Sarah Palin for Joe Biden while he prepared for the 2008 vice-presidential debate.

You cannot fully appreciate that delicious little tidbit until you dig a sample of Granholm for yourself:



Who is your mama?

*  *  *

Let them eat pizza

To contact us Click HERE

Behold one of my homemade pizzas:


This one is piled with fresh mozzarella, sausage (original Bob Evan's from the tube, browned in advance), Mama Gallucci's pizza sauce and black olives on one half (the Goat detests olives and I love them). I use my trusty Panasonic bread machine to make the dough (2 1/4 cups bread flour, 1 t. salt, 1 1/2 t. olive oil, 3/4 cup water, 1 t. yeast)

Garlic press that looks like a speculum.

Sometimes I push a few cloves of garlic through my garlic press that looks like a speculum and let them soak in a bit of olive oil for a couple of hours. I add that to the Ma G's pizza sauce in order to make an extra-garlic version of my pie. Sometimes I buy extra-thin sliced Boar's Head sandwich pepperoni and cut it into sixths and cover the pie with the darling little triangle-shaped pieces, which will crisp up into some kind of serious heaven if you bake that mother proper in a reeeeeeally hot oven.

Yes, you always have to use a pizza stone, preheated for at least 30 minutes in a 500-degree oven. I use a pizza peel and a parchment paper trick to get the pie on and off that hot stone. There's probably stuff I'm forgetting, but tough luck. After all, it took me years to get this good at making pizza and you have to pay at least some of your own dues.

I am so enamored with my homemade pies that carry-out leaves me flat (except for the sheet pizza [authentic Italian style with a delicate sauce and not too much cheese] that they sell by the slice at the little Italian deli where I buy the Boar's Head pepperoni).

Hence, the usual joy that inflates most Americans when faced with the prospect of carry-out or delivery pizza is for me, well ... eh, no thanks.

So be it. Eat either too impatiently and the bubbling cheese will peel the skin from the roof of your mouth. For in every act, something is lost and something is gained. Droughts give way to floods. Wheat shimmers in the sun somewhere in between. A low animal roots in filth; a heifer lows in a meadow afar.

You chew; the slaughterhouse looms.

*  *  *

University of Pittsburgh: Back to School In Style

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In the Youngstown area, one is either a Pittsburgh person or a Cleveland person. I am a Pittsburgh person. My father attended graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. He would catch the 6:00 AM train out of the B&O Station in downtown Youngstown to the B&O Station in downtown Pittsburgh (now Station Square), then take the trolley to the University.

The biggest complaint about Pittsburgh from us Youngstowners is that it is hard to get around. Traffic patterns are a bit strange. But because he went to school there, my father knew his way around, and in turn, showed us. We took many train trips with him into “the city”. It is a great place, and filled with all sorts of day trip things to do.

One of my favorite places to visit is the University of Pittsburgh. Located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the entire university area is “educational gothic” personified: think Jones Hall from YSU, only on steroids. It is like stepping back into another era. Yes, there are modern buildings all over the campus, but the two dominant structures, the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel, transport you right back to the big steel era and the robber barons. Is that Andrew Carnegie’s ghost walking around the corner?

The University itself is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States. It was founded in 1787. It is now a state supported institution with approximately 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to its liberal arts college, it has a law school, medical school, dental school, and nursing school, all of which are topped ranked. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is one of the topped ranked research facilities in the United States. Most notably, it is where the polio vaccine was developed. The Katz Business School is ranked as most bang for the buck by rating agencies, which is important in business. Of personal interest to me is its ranking as one of the main centers for the study of Eastern European languages, culture and history.

It is a member of the Big East Conference. (Remember last fall when it stunned West Virginia?) The Pitt Panthers lay claim to 9 NCAA National Championships, and have a roster of alumni and coaches that would take up the rest of this article. My father used to take me to the old Pitt Stadium to see Notre Dame when the Irish came to town. In 2001 the University moved to the new Steeler stadium downtown. It's just not the same without that long walk up the hill to see the big game.

What makes Pitt worth a visit is its architecture. And it takes at least a day to do it justice. All universities have that college feel and atmosphere. Pitt has more than most, and its buildings are stunning. Oakland was built as a utopian urban environment, and Pitt was its designated centerpiece. With names like Mellon, Carnegie, Frick, and Westinghouse on the Board of Trustees, the money poured in. And we can see every penny.

Building after building sports a national, state, or city historical marker. At the top of the list is The Cathedral of Learning. It is a 43 story tall gothic masterpiece. It is the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere, and second only in height worldwide to Moscow State University (good ole’ MSU). Built in the late 1920’s, this is not your usual college building. It is a breathtaking space inside and out, with soaring ceilings and fireplaces in the student common areas. Of particular note are the “nationality” rooms located on the lower three floors. Countries donated “rooms” to the university done in the style of the donating country. There are 26 of these “nationality rooms,” with 8 more on the drawing boards. Tours are available. Check for times before going.

Even more spectacular is the nondenominational Heinz Memorial Chapel, located steps away from the Cathedral of Learning. The Heinz family donated the money to build this gothic stunner to memorialize Anna Heinz, the mother of Henry John Heinz. This building alone is worth the trip to the University.

I have been in many churches in many places. This one is the perfect storm. In scale, design and beauty, this hits the mark right on. You can spend an hour plus simply studying the floor to ceiling stained glass windows which honor American industry and history right up there with God Almighty. These windows are 73 feet tall, among the tallest in the world. The chapel’s organ is the third installed instrument; each represented the height of technology when installed. The current Reuter Organ was installed in 1995 with 4300 pipes 73 ranks, and 2 consoles. (I don't know what that means, but it sounds impressive, both the statistics AND the organ). There is a Sunday afternoon organ recital series offered at various times throughout the year. Call for details. The University of Pittsburgh Choir offers several concerts in the chapel, the Christmas Concert being the most popular. Its several performances are usually sold out by the beginning of October. If you are ever looking for God, go to one of the concerts. If you go on a Saturday, you may have to skirt the weddings which are weekly and hourly events. The chapel is the site of more than 1500 individual events each year.

Space does not permit me to list the numerous other buildings that grace this lovely campus. That being said, you may want to check out the Stephen Foster Memorial along Forbes Avenue. It is the home of the Stephen Foster Museum and Center for American Music. It also houses two performing arts theaters for the University of Pittsburgh Theater Arts Department. Gothic again, and again.

I have never had any problem finding metered street parking on the weekend in front of the chapel or up Fifth Avenue a little above the chapel. Restaurants are abundant in the Oakland area, from white table cloth to college hangout joints. No space here to elaborate, but look around online. Go Panthers.

THE MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE; Beachwood, Ohio

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If you would like a day trip that transports you both in time and space, try The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, Ohio. I have driven past this place a thousand times on my way to the Beachwood Mall and Legacy Village. Located on Richmond Road midway between Chagrin Blvd. and Cedar Road, it is easy to miss as it is built down into a ridge. But the “wow” factor hits you when you turn into the driveway. It is quite a complex.

Here is a place I would never have thought to visit. Although the neighborhood I grew up in was ethnically mixed, with the vast majority of my neighbors being either Jewish, Greek or Irish, mostly Jewish, my sense was that the Maltz was just another boring, local museum. Last summer, there was some publicity in the local paper that The Maltz Museum was a hosting a traveling exhibit featuring pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Not knowing when I would get another opportunity to see segments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, my wife and I and some friends drove to Cleveland to see the exhibit.

The Maltz Museum was opened in 2005. It is a beautiful and impressive 24,000 sq. ft. facility, certainly a worthy center for preserving Jewish history and archiving the Jewish contribution to Northeast Ohio. It is the progeny of Milton Maltz, a media mogul whose home was Cleveland, and now is operated through a consortium consisting of The Maltz Family Foundation, The Temple–Tifereth Israel, The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

It was clear from the minute one enters the building that this is a world class museum. While the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit was interesting, it is the museum’s 2 major permanent exhibits, the American Story and the Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery, that knock your socks off.

The American Story chronicles the migration of the Jews to Northeast Ohio. It is the quintessential immigrant story told in pictures, artifacts, and multi-media interactive displays. Whether you are Jewish, or of Italian extraction like me, or any other immigrant group, the story hits home as you wander through the twists and turns of the exhibit’s labyrinth pathways. It doesn’t tell the Jewish story. It tells the American story. Towards the end of the exhibit there is a section dedicated to World War II, and a Holocaust exhibit that hits just the right balance.

The Temple-Tifereth Israel Exhibit is a stunning collection of Jewish artifacts. These are not only impressive for their historical value, but as items of art and beauty. The Exhibit is filled with tapestries, ritual silver and pottery and china, scrolls, paintings and statuary, the most exquisite Jewish art from all over the world. It will leave you awe struck.

Our mistake was not allowing ourselves sufficient time to appreciate all that this museum has to offer. If you visit, allow yourself at least 4 hours to do any kind of justice to these exhibits.

Located in the heart of Beachwood, there are plenty of restaurants to visit…but to keep the Jewish theme intact, try Corky and Lenny’s just east of the freeway on Chagrin Boulevard.

The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Richmond Road @ Shaker Boulevard; Beachwood, Ohio. Telephone: 216-593-0575. The museum is opened 11–5 on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. It is opened Wednesday 11-9; Saturday 12-5. Closed on Monday. There is an admission fee between $7.00-$12.00 based on the nature of the special exhibits. Worth every penny!!

East Liverpool....Really??

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My family traveled a lot when I was small. And my mother and father brought me to some really interesting places, including NYC, DC, LA, San Fran, the Big Easy, and Boston….great trips. But they rarely day tripped around here. That translates to we never went to Lake Erie or anything associated with it other than Camp Fitch, nor did we go to anyplace located along the Ohio River. The only time I ever saw East Liverpool was when I traveled with my high school football team to play the Potters.

Let’s face it. East Liverpool, Steubenville, Wellsville…not exactly the garden spot of the world. To be honest, sometimes that area is just plain depressing. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t places worth visiting down there, and having some fun.

A settlement was established in East Liverpool around 1800, and it was originally called St. Clair, then Fawcettstown, and finally incorporated as East Liverpool in 1834, reflecting the nostalgia for Liverpool, England, from whence most of the inhabitants came. The “East” is there to differentiate it from a Liverpool that is located in Medina County.

Those people that came there from Liverpool, England, were potters, and we all know that the heart of the American pottery industry was in East Liverpool. At one time, there were more than 300 potteries in the area. Today, there are only three: The Hall China Company, The Homer Laughlin China Company across the river in Newell, West Virginia, and the Pioneer Pottery.

If you haven’t been to either of the two big potteries listed above, it’s a great day trip. Each of the potteries has outlets that you can pick up some really neat china at great prices. These are seconds, but a little inspection will save you a lot of money. My claim to fame with Hall China is my Ronald Reagan teapot. Several hundred were originally ordered by Nancy Reagan to give as Christmas gifts, but with his nose as the tea spout, the caricature was a bit much, and she returned them all. I picked up several for 10 bucks each, gave some away as gifts and kept one. That sucker is now worth $200.00. Far out.

Homer Laughlin is the home of the famous Fiesta Dinnerware. This china producer is still humming along. Its factory outlet is primo when it comes to the variety of choices. In addition to Fiesta Ware, there is an abundance of institutional china available through the outlet, as well as second and unpaid for restaurant china from all over the United States. These always make for good conversation pieces.

And for those of you who aren’t visitors to Mountaineer Park and Casino, you get to cross the Newell Bridge, which is like stepping back in time. I make the sign of the cross every time I get to the opposite side of the river.

After spending some time at the potteries, visit the Pottery City Antique Mall in downtown East Liverpool. This is a good one, folks. It has 40,000 square feet of stuff spread out of 4 floors with over 200 vendors. I have always been intimidated by these large antique places, but the way this one is laid out, it is not overwhelming.

I like the first floor items located immediately located to the left after you walk into the place. Many items are available here that you won’t find anywhere else, that includes on line. It also has a large black memorabilia collection, one of the largest I have seen, scattered throughout the entire retail area. Give yourself at least several hours to visit the Pottery City Antique Mall.

If you are so inclined, the Ohio Historical Society operates the Museum of Ceramics in the old City Post Office building. The building itself is an impressive structure, both in and out, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to numerous exhibits and displays about the history of the area and it potteries, it has the largest display of Lotus Ware in the country. Lotus Ware was made in East Liverpool and considered to be the finest porcelain ever produced in the United States. It is beautiful stuff and worth the trip to see.

Would I put East Liverpool at the top of my list of places to visit? I don’t think so. But on a dreary day, or a cold day, or even a sunny when the town doesn’t look so bad, take the 30 minute drive down Route 11, and have some fun.
PS: Also on the list to visit, although I haven't seen it personally, is the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame!!Hometown boy makes good...Cheer, Cheer for old Notre Dame!!

HOMER LAUGHLIN CHINA COMPANY: The Homer Laughlin China Co., 672 Fiesta Drive, Newell, WV 26050 Tel: (800) 452-4462.THE HALL CHINA COMPANY: 1 Anna Avenue; East Liverpool, Ohio 43920THE MUSEUM OF CERAMICS: 400 East Fifth Street East Liverpool, Ohio 43920; Telephone: 330-386-6001 or 800-600-7180POTTERY CITY ANTIQUE MALL: 409 Washington Street,East Liverpool, Ohio 43920Tel: 330-385-6933LOU HOLTZ HALL OF FAME: 120 East Fifth Street,East Liverpool, Ohio 43920Tel: (330) 386-5443

Punderson Manor Resort and Conference Center

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Ohio has a wonderful state parks which over the years I have never utilized. There are lodges all over the state, as well as lesser parks for daytime enjoyment such as Lake Milton here in Mahoning County. While driving to Cleveland on SR 422 last year, we drove just past Ladeu Reservoir, east of Welshfield, and decided to turn north on SR 44. When we reached Kinsman Road (SR 87), we saw a sign for Punderson Manor, and decided to check it out and followed the sign turning east on Kinsman Road. This is a really great place. Who knew it was there?

I learned that it is part of the Ohio State Park System. It has an 18 hole golf course, boating and fishing, an indoor swimming pool, hiking trails through the beautiful woods, tennis, and fancies itself as a place for winter activities including snowmobiling and cross country skiing.

The manor house is impressive. Built overlooking Punderson Lake, it is an English Tudor “step back in time” hoot, with over 30 guest rooms and suites and 26 two bedroom cottages. The interior public space is as impressive as the outside. No, it is not brand spankin’ new, but that’s the character of the place. The entire building is just a perfect scale and comes together like somebody’s English countryside retreat.

The Cherry Dining Room is a beautiful facility overlooking the grounds. It was lunch time when we visited and it was fairly busy. Although we didn’t eat there as we were on a schedule, the restaurant was busy, and the staff was personable as they showed us there extensive menu. There is an extensive buffet on Sunday which we were told is a hot ticket item. The front desk even let us go into one of the cottages to give them a look-see. Not the Ritz, but what a great place to spend a summer’s night with your radio and a bottle of…your favorite beverage. It is a state park, after all, no booze allowed.

In addition to the activities the park has to offer, there is plenty to do outside of the facility. Down the road to the east is Burton, with its maple syrup exhibits and antique stores. Further down SR 87 is Middlefield, Ohio, which is the heart of Ohio Amish country, the 4th largest in the world. Horse and buggies are everywhere, as well as numerous Amish food stores. To the west, is The West Woods Nature Center, consisting of 902 beautiful acres and an exhibit center featuring all types of exhibits and information relating to the natural history of Geauga County. It is part of the Geauga County Park System. For downhill skiing, the Alpine Valley Ski Area is just minutes away.

This place is for a get-a-way. I guarantee nobody will be able to find you here. The location is stunning all year around. It is on my short list of things to do this year. Put it on yours also.

Punderson Manor
PO Box 224
11755 Kinsman road
Newbury, Ohio 44065
Tel: 440-564-9144

Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works

To contact us Click HERE
Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities…and one of my favorite things about my favorite city is the neighborhoods. Anyone who has attempted to get around Pittsburgh knows that the hills make it nearly impossible to get from here to there unless you know exactly where you are going. Add the rivers and bridges to the mix, even those who live there have established enclaves unto themselves, creating neighborhoods that are individual destinations. Pittsburgh’s Southside is one of those neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh’s Southside is geographically located between the Monongahela River to the north and Mount Washington and the Southside Slopes to the south. The main drag is East Carson Street in which there are three main subdivisions. Station Square is the furthest west of the various developments, located at the end of the Smithfield Street Bridge. As you drive to the east, you will encounter a gritty, eclectic neighborhood with second hand bookstores, tattoo parlours, antique stores, head shops, and restaurants to suit every taste and pocketbook, mostly local. This is a fun area, but is rapidly gentrifying as evidenced by increasing property values. Both of these, especially the two lane East Carson corridor, are worth separate trips to explore and enjoy.

At the top of the East Carson Street corridor, where two lanes turn into four, is the brand new SouthSide Works, located along the river. On its face, it resembles Legacy Village in Cleveland, much smaller, and Easton in Columbus, much bigger. Where it differs is that it was actually built into pre-existing buildings associated with a steel mill formerly located on the property. For the most part, it maintains an industrial feel, as do most of the new developments being built the further east you drive along East Carson Street.

For some reason, the developer opened the area in stages. In the beginning, there wasn’t a whole lot there. But progress has been steady, and as new buildings and stores have opened up, it is a pleasant place to walk around and enjoy, especially on a warm summer’s evening. All of these areas are defined as “mixed use”, in which the developer tries to intermingle condo housing, offices, and retail. Some of the efforts succeed, some of them don’t. But the nature of the Southside neighborhood is pushing this to success. If you want to live in the Southside but don’t want to have to put a ton of money into renovating the very old, existing housing stock, and would like to have a place to park your car, this is the place to go.

The SouthSide Works is built around a town square, the center of which boasts a Cheesecake Factory which can be described as nothing less than a Greek temple. When you walk into the square, you feel like you should pray to it. Surrounding the square are various establishments, including a Cineplex, and various other restaurants such as Claddagh Irish Pub, which is one of my favorite places. Upscale restaurants include the Hot Metal Grille (currently closed for renovations) and McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.

There is no major retail anchor such as Macy’s located here. But there is an assortment of smaller retailers, some of which have come to be standard in these types of developments such as the Z Gallerie and Sur la Table Kitchen Store. I really like its version of the Joseph-Beth Booksellers chain, which tends to get some big name people into the establishment to sign books, especially Pittsburgh sports figures.

Big things are in store for the SouthSide Works. Approval and financing have just been granted for a $10.5 million 17 dock project giving river access to the development, as well as a major hotel and spa to be constructed on the opposite side of East Carson Street. When built, this area will become a major hub of Pittsburgh activity and recreation. In the meantime, it’s worth a visit. There is ample parking on the street and several decks. One word of warning, parking is paid for at vending machine type apparatii that can be a bit intimidating and don't always work.
The SouthSide Works
East Carson at 27th Steets
1-877-977-1880

Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works

To contact us Click HERE
Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities…and one of my favorite things about my favorite city is the neighborhoods. Anyone who has attempted to get around Pittsburgh knows that the hills make it nearly impossible to get from here to there unless you know exactly where you are going. Add the rivers and bridges to the mix, even those who live there have established enclaves unto themselves, creating neighborhoods that are individual destinations. Pittsburgh’s Southside is one of those neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh’s Southside is geographically located between the Monongahela River to the north and Mount Washington and the Southside Slopes to the south. The main drag is East Carson Street in which there are three main subdivisions. Station Square is the furthest west of the various developments, located at the end of the Smithfield Street Bridge. As you drive to the east, you will encounter a gritty, eclectic neighborhood with second hand bookstores, tattoo parlours, antique stores, head shops, and restaurants to suit every taste and pocketbook, mostly local. This is a fun area, but is rapidly gentrifying as evidenced by increasing property values. Both of these, especially the two lane East Carson corridor, are worth separate trips to explore and enjoy.

At the top of the East Carson Street corridor, where two lanes turn into four, is the brand new SouthSide Works, located along the river. On its face, it resembles Legacy Village in Cleveland, much smaller, and Easton in Columbus, much bigger. Where it differs is that it was actually built into pre-existing buildings associated with a steel mill formerly located on the property. For the most part, it maintains an industrial feel, as do most of the new developments being built the further east you drive along East Carson Street.

For some reason, the developer opened the area in stages. In the beginning, there wasn’t a whole lot there. But progress has been steady, and as new buildings and stores have opened up, it is a pleasant place to walk around and enjoy, especially on a warm summer’s evening. All of these areas are defined as “mixed use”, in which the developer tries to intermingle condo housing, offices, and retail. Some of the efforts succeed, some of them don’t. But the nature of the Southside neighborhood is pushing this to success. If you want to live in the Southside but don’t want to have to put a ton of money into renovating the very old, existing housing stock, and would like to have a place to park your car, this is the place to go.

The SouthSide Works is built around a town square, the center of which boasts a Cheesecake Factory which can be described as nothing less than a Greek temple. When you walk into the square, you feel like you should pray to it. Surrounding the square are various establishments, including a Cineplex, and various other restaurants such as Claddagh Irish Pub, which is one of my favorite places. Upscale restaurants include the Hot Metal Grille (currently closed for renovations) and McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.

There is no major retail anchor such as Macy’s located here. But there is an assortment of smaller retailers, some of which have come to be standard in these types of developments such as the Z Gallerie and Sur la Table Kitchen Store. I really like its version of the Joseph-Beth Booksellers chain, which tends to get some big name people into the establishment to sign books, especially Pittsburgh sports figures.

Big things are in store for the SouthSide Works. Approval and financing have just been granted for a $10.5 million 17 dock project giving river access to the development, as well as a major hotel and spa to be constructed on the opposite side of East Carson Street. When built, this area will become a major hub of Pittsburgh activity and recreation. In the meantime, it’s worth a visit. There is ample parking on the street and several decks. One word of warning, parking is paid for at vending machine type apparatii that can be a bit intimidating and don't always work.
The SouthSide Works
East Carson at 27th Steets
1-877-977-1880

Geneva on the Lake, Ohio

To contact us Click HERE
What better way to start the summer season this Memorial Day weekend than a trip to Geneva on the Lake. Back in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s, most Ohioans made the trip up to Lake Erie’s North Coast to spend a week at Geneva on the Lake. Families would rent cottages, and spend the week brushing away the flies and bugs. Teenagers would go there for adolescent trysts, and for the rite of passage “after-prom” binge. It was, and is, a honky-tonk paradise of the old school. As we say here in Mahoning County: “We’re goin’ up the lake!”

But I didn’t discover it until a few years ago. My family was too “genteel” for the fun stuff. But a friend of mine told me he was biking up to Geneva on the Lake, and was going to meet his wife at Eddie’s to drive him home. I had heard of the place, and didn’t know the significance of Eddie’s, so I googled a map, and my wife and I drove there to surprise him. He was a “no show” as he crashed his bike outside of Canfield and broke his arm. Notwithstanding, it started an annual trek up to this "step back in time", old fashioned resort.

Located in Ashtabula County in the heart of Lake Erie wine country, there are actually two Geneva on the Lakes. There is the old fashioned resort filled with cottages, arcades, fast food and amusement rides. You can park your car at your cottage, get out the beer cooler, and forget about the rest of the world for awhile. Any kind of penny arcade game, or miniature golf, or junk souvenir stand you could want is within walking distance. The piece de resistance for food is Eddie’s Diner, a monument to the old fashioned hamburger and hot dog beach joints, blasting tunes from the 1950’s as you chow down on your “resort cuisine” and guzzle your root beer floats. Numerous donut stands to take care of any and all breakfast issues. The city park is at the end of the drag, giving good access to the beach.

Then there is the “limo and latte” Geneva on the Lake. For those yearning for a “Sideways” Sonoma Valley vacation but can’t afford the trip to California, here is an ersatz alternative. Start with the newly constructed Lodge at Geneva on the Lake, which is beautiful. Surrounded by tranquil grounds with stunning views of Lake Erie from its gorgeous restaurant facility, it is a classy way to spend a weekend getaway.

You can shun the “pedestrian” main drag during the day, by turning right out of the lodge parking lot, instead of left, and go to Geneva, Ohio, which has a myriad of antique shops to wile away the day. The hotel folks will also give you numerous brochures as to the locations of several of Ohio’s fine wineries, all within a ½ hour drive. Ferrante’s Winery is one of my favorites, with a California-esque new building that allows you to sit inside or outside to enjoy their tasting samples, as well as their great restaurant serving better than average Italian cuisine.

I will be honest, I am not a big fan of Ohio wines, but I enjoy getting to taste what we can produce in our own backyard. These are serious wineries, and Ferrante’s is known for its dessert “Ice Wine” made from pressed frozen grapes. These are a tad pricey, but a great way to end a meal.

Take the time to check out some of the other wineries that are less ambitious than Ferrante’s, but tend to be a tad more authentic in their approach to experiencing a wine tour. Several times during the year, the wineries band together and offer up joint promotions and specials on tasting both wine samples and appetizers. These are a lot of fun, but make sure you have a designated driver.

With gas at $4.00/gallon, Geneva on the Lake offers an interesting and diverse alternative for those looking to vacation close to home.

Geneva on the Lake Tourist Bureau
The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake
Ferrante’s Winery

Ligonier, PA

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When I retire, it will be to Ligonier, Pennsylvania. What a great little town!!! Ligonier is one of those places I would hear about from time to time growing up, but I had no idea where it was. Two years ago, my wife and I attempted to visit a china outlet store somewhere southeast of Pittsburgh in what is known as the Laurel Highlands. When we got there, it was closed. The town we were in was a tad dumpy, so we looked at a map and saw that Ligonier was about 20 miles away…and decided to check it out.

Ligonier is one of those places that you can’t get there from here. It is not a particularly easy drive. It is not close to any freeway or the Pennsylvania Turnpike, although that is the best way to get there (Donegal exit off of the turnpike). It is located at the intersection of Route 30 (the old Lincoln Highway) and 711 in Westmoreland County, Pa., with not too many ways in or out. It is separated from the rest of the world by 2 relatively innocuous “mountains,” down in the valley, towards where Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania come together.

I suppose getting there could be deemed a pain in the neck, except that it is a spectacular drive. It is called the Laurel Highlands because it is up high. Here, the Pennsylvania mountains are more like rolling hills, and the way in and out is lined with manicured farms, some old time ski resorts (think rustic cabins in every sense of the word), clubs and golf courses accented by stunning vistas. It was fun exploring the area, taking side trips to visit what was advertised along the side of the roads.

Ligonier was originally one of a series of British forts built on the road west from Philadelphia, and played a major role in the French and Indian War, marking the site of a major French defeat at the hands of the British, allowing the Brits to march to the abandoned Fort Duquesne, renaming it Fort Pitt at the juncture of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. A replica of Fort Ligonier is built in its original location, and opened to the public for tours.

The town of Ligonier is built around a “diamond” which acts as the town square. It is neat and well kept, and loaded with stores offering all sorts of goods, including several jewelry stores, gift stores, and some spectacular ladies clothing stores. Its public buildings and facilities are new, and about as clean as you could want. Within the city limits, there is a Ramada Inn that is a step above the normal Ramada experience, as well as several Bed and Breakfasts. The Ligonier Tavern is probably the most upscale of the several local restaurants. But try one of the coffee houses. This is a town where everybody knows your name, and you can listen in on some of the local gossip.

Ligonier is a functioning town, and any tourist activity seems to be secondary to its daily business. Fort Ligonier Days, an October fall festival, is the centerpiece of the town’s celebrations. Christmas offers a town light up night, complete with a Santa parade and store open houses. Think Christmas in the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. People actually live like this. The Mountain Playhouse and Green Gables Restaurant, about 10 miles from Ligonier, provides some serious theater to the area, as well as rustic-chic accommodations in The Huddleston Court.

After our visit, I checked out some of the real estate thinking it would be a very expensive place to live…and the entire Laurel Highlands area seems to be relatively affordable. Maybe it’s because of its isolation, or maybe it’s because the weather can be dicey in the winter, or maybe it’s because I can get to downtown Pittsburgh for an urban experience faster from my home in Canfield than from Ligonier, or maybe it’s because time simply forgot the area. Whatever the reason, Ligonier is worth the trip for a day, or for a weekend.

Shiloh, Ohio

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Let’s go to Shiloh, Ohio. Okay. Where is Shiloh, Ohio? What is Shiloh, Ohio? Well, you get on SR 224, and drive west for about a hundred miles and then turn left. It is 10 miles down that country road. Be careful!! The road is “dippy” and you can’t see over the hill down the road apiece. Watch out for the buggies. The Amish are everywhere. Most important, when you get there, don’t blink. It has a railroad track, but still hasn’t installed a traffic light.

Welcome to small town America, USA. Located on Route 603 in Richland County about 15 miles northwest of Mansfield, Shiloh is the quintessential American small town. I know…we like to think of small towns as places like Salem or Warren. Those aren’t small towns. Those are cities. Shiloh is the real McCoy.

The 2000 census puts its population at about 750 people. It has a main street, a railroad crossing, several churches, and a factory which is going great guns, employing several hundred people. That is down from when I first visited there. The population was 850 way back then. It has its own water and sewer system, and a consolidated school system with the bigger town about 8 miles to the west, Plymouth, Ohio, pop: 1,852; 903 males and 949 females. Plymouth has several traffic lights and a town square. Moving up to the big time.

Seriously, we read about small town America and envision it as someplace in Iowa or Nebraska. The fact of the matter is that Ohio has its fair share of Americana, and it is only a short drive away. Shiloh is farm country. But for those of us from cities like Youngstown and Cleveland with a large ethnic population, it is exotic as anything you will find overseas. My wife is from Shiloh. Believe me, my first trip there was like visiting a brave new world. It was hard to believe I was in the same state.

Some of the “big” cities around Shiloh are Plymouth, Willard, and Greenwich (pronounced Green Witch). Smaller towns also abound like Shenandoah (pronounced Shawnador…don’t ask. I can’t figure it out either!). Towns akin to Salem would be Bucyrus (home of Ohio’s largest Bratwurst Festival), and Shelby, one of the centers of Ohio’s railroad industry.

Located nearby is the “muck” outside of Celeryville. The dirt here is rich and black and wet, and lends itself to growing, you guessed it, celery, as well as any kind of root vegetable like beets, and pretty much anything else you can think of. During harvest season, it is the home for hundreds of Mexican migrant workers. Some of them have found their way to Shiloh. During the season you can see them sitting outside cooking Mexican down home cuisine on grills and outdoor portable ovens.

This is one of the unheralded Amish population centers in the state. The Amish have quietly been buying up all of the local farms, and have made their presence known with buggies everywhere, and their schools and churches scattered throughout the countryside. The Amish store located a few miles outside of town sells dry goods and produce for unbelievably inexpensive prices, and draws people from all over Richland County.

But here’s the thing. If you want to get away from it all, there is no better place. When I would visit my wife’s home located on 40 acres on top of a hill, I could look up into the night sky and see stars as they were intended to be seen. The nights would be perfectly calm and totally quiet to the point where it was eerie. And in the background, you could hear the train and its whistle chugging through the center of town several times each hour. It doesn’t get any better than that.

And here is the other thing. Shiloh has a volunteer fire department, probably the most well equipped volunteer fire department in the state. Each year, it sponsors the Shiloh Ox Roast Festival. Tons of beef in a special seasoning are cooked for hours underground in a pit located on the outskirts of town. And the beef is devoured like nothing you have ever seen before. They start selling the sandwiches on Friday afternoon, and by Saturday night they are pretty well gone. Even the passing trains stop to buy these marvelous beef sandwiches.

In addition to the food which includes homemade baked goods, fries, and roasted corn, there is an old fashioned tractor pull, bingo at the town parlor, and plenty of beer in the VFW hall located next to the tracks.

But the highlight of the Ox Roast is the parade on Saturday night. It is one of the largest in the State of Ohio with floats and bands coming from as far away as Cincinnati and Toledo. The parade will last a good 2 – 2 ½ hours, and the town’s population swells from 750 to a good 20,000. And you would swear you saw Grandpa McCoy and Little Luke sitting in the folding chair in front of my late father-in-law’s barbershop.

I am not sure I would make Shiloh a sole destination when visiting this part of the state. But get a map and do some research, and you will find all sorts of interesting places to visit with a 30 mile radius. Accomodations are few and far between, but Mansfield has the standard chain motels giving you easy access to everything that northcentral Ohio has to offer.

By the way, the Shiloh Ox Roast is the weekend of July 25. More information available at http://www.shilohfire.net/.

Route 224 to State Route 61 south to Plymouth. Route 603 southeast to Shiloh.

Put-in-Bay, Ohio

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Last summer, some old law school buddies called me and asked if my wife and I would like to get together for a mini-reunion. Sounded like fun to me. Both of these guys owned condos in Port Clinton, Ohio, and suggested we drive there and visit Put-in-Bay. I had never been there, and my wife had always wanted to visit one of the Lake Erie islands…so off we went. It is a little bit west of Cedar Point, so allow at least 3 hours for driving time.

So you like to party? Folks, this is the place. Just a short jet express boat ride from Port Clinton, and it is time to Paar-tay!!!!

What a great place. I’m not sure how to describe it. We were only there for 4 hours; but one thing for sure, you can drink, and drink a lot, and the only thing you have to be concerned about is falling into Lake Erie. We got there around 1:00 in the afternoon, and the booze was flowing, the people were singing, and…well, it was a bit much to take in. If you are looking for classy summer resort stuff, this ain’t it. This is get down and boogie heaven.

I am not sure how the island handles the excessive alcohol imbibing. You can ferry your car there with proper reservations, but for the most part you get around riding bikes or driving golf carts. The marina is huge, and at first blush, it would appear that the drinking would be more of a boating issue as opposed to a driving issue. Folks were plastered, on the boats, off the boats, and everywhere in between.

The center of the action is a place called the Roundhouse Bar. True to its name, it is round. No little kidders allowed. This is a party place. Open from noon until 2:30 AM, the entertainment is non stop. When we were there, it was provided by Mike “Mad Dog” Adams, and the name is appropriate to the provided entertainment. The guy was hysterical, and XXX rated. This guy is on the road 200 days a year, and hits all of the major party spots in Canada and the United States. He is THE headliner for the summer on Put-in Bay. CD’s are available in the lobby.
The jet boat to Put-in-Bay drops you off at the entrance to the town square. It is definitely picturesque to say the least, with a park and picnic tables being the center that the businesses are built around. There is some shopping, but mostly touristy stuff and resort wear…lots of gift shops. Great fudge and ice cream.

There are plenty of places to chow down. I didn’t see any white table cloth places, but mucho aquatic themed restaurants serving Lake Erie perch sandwiches, among other delicacies. We ate at a place called The Boardwalk which offers walk up counter service for all sorts of cuisine as well as spirits. Its sit down restaurant is called The Upper Deck, upstairs, of course. Food is great and the place is fun. It is located right in the Marina, and is the first place you see when you de-board the boat.

Once your appetite is curbed and you are still sober enough, you can visit several of the sights on the island, the most prominent of which is the Commodore Perry Memorial of the War of 1812 fame. It is hard to miss being 352 feet high, with an observation deck. The island also boasts a Lake Erie Historical Society museum, as well as a winery, caves, island tour trains, and a carrousel.

I haven’t figured out the hotel situation yet. There are several on the island. You can check the web site as to what is available. Quality assurance is not guaranteed from what I can see, but then again, who cares when you have been drinking with Mad Dog for several hours after riding the elevator to the Perry Observation Deck!

I wouldn’t recommend Put-in-Bay for everyone, and I am not sure it is a family destination. If you have been to Key West, this is the northern version. But it definitely should go on your YOLO (You Only Live Once) list of things to do.