blog - clinton county

Festivals have always been a favorite of my family.  What better way to get a taste of the hometown flavor of a place than at one of their festivals?  I know that’s true of the midwest festivals that take place in my backyard - Wilmington, Ohio.

The first one to hit the calendar in the new year is the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival.  It takes place in March and November and is the only indoor Bluegrass music festival in the area.  Are you ready for some foot tapping?  It’s two straight days filled with live music.  It may be in my backyard, but I truly love this fantastic event.

Next up in May is the Snappin’ Asparagus & Strawberry Festival.  You guessed it right.  It’s all about two tasty foods, asparagus and strawberries.  Pick your own and enjoy entertainment down home on the Branstrator Farm.

June brings about the Banana Split Festival!  It’s the only one in the nation.  Celebrating the invention of the banana split by hometown business owner Ernest Hazard in 1907 gives us something to hang our hat on.  It’s all about the fab ’50′s with live music, classic cars, the Banana Split Master’s Contest, great food, things to buy and the make-your-own banana split booth.  Get your sugar rush that’s tasty and fun all at the same time.

Next up is the can’t miss Summer Solstice Lavender Festival in mid-June.  It’s calm, it’s relaxing, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.  Have you ever hand-picked lavender from the field?  Here’s your opportunity.  Artisans, special workshops relaxing music and lavender food are all part of a visit.

I don’t know if you consider a county fair a festival, but our locals sure do.  July rolls in the Clinton County Fair, eight days of music, rides, concessions, games, and a chance to get up-close-and-personal with all kinds of live animals.  City folks just love our fair.

August brings a wealth of artisans to the county with the Wilmington Art & Pottery Festival.  Held indoors, there are no rain outs for this event.  Come rain or shine and take home that special object you can’t live without.

Corn is the name of the game in early September when the Clinton County Corn Festival celebrates this tasty vegetable.  Try corn chowder, corn ice cream, corn meal pie and more.  Live music and entertainment go on for three days with antiques, collectibles, crafts and commercial items available for sale.  And then there’s the Corn Olympics where organizations pit their members against each other in the outhouse race, the tricycle obstacle race and more hilarious contests. 

Late September is a Bavarian hoot with the Oktoberfest Festival taking place in downtown Wilmington.  It offers all the activities you would expect at a German infused event, but it’s the heart of the festival that sets it apart.  Party with the locals.

Anybody up for the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival in October at Bonnybrook Farms?  It’s a lot of fun and caters to families.  How far will your pumpkin go?

The weekend after Thanksgiving is the Hometown Holidazzle Illuminated Parade & Festival.  Nothing is prettier than the parade entries all lit up as they come down Main Street.  Santa will be on hand for the kids and there are activites all day long to get you warmed up for the night time parade. 

What’s my favorite you might ask?  I’ll never tell because choosing one would be too hard.  I go to them all and enjoy every minute.

Written by Debbie Stamper, Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau

If you are looking for a place to visit that offers the essence of Americana, then you need to visit Clinton County, Ohio.  There is a lot to do and it is an affordable destination.  Why go there you might ask?  Here are the top 10 tourist attractions not to miss in no particular order.

Historic Murphy Theatre – Built in the 1920′s, this theater hosts year-round live performances and is located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Ohio. 

Clinton County History Center – Not your average museum, this venue has collections and exhibits that are unusual and profound.  A visit will be unforgettable with a curator who makes history come alive.

Quaker Heritage Center – How much do you know about the Quakers?  You’ll learn their history and how they are still very active today in activism on issues such as peacemaking, civil rights, racism and social justice.  Special traveling exhibits add to the experience.

World’s largest horseshoe crab structure – Named one of the top 5 roadside attractions in the U.S., this unusual and quirky structure has an interesting history.  Big enough to hold 60 people within its frame, it’s a sight to behold.

Cowan Lake State Park – Boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are favorite pastimes at this beautiful state park. 

Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival- The only indoor Bluegrass festival in the area with continuous live music for two days.  The event takes place in March andNovember.

Martinsville Covered Bridge – One of the few left in the state of Ohio,  see a covered bridge built in the 1800′s.  It is still open for crossing.

Barn Quilt Trail – Fifty-four barns in the county are now graced by unique barn quilt designs.  Take the self-guided driving tour.

Banana Split Festival – A festival named in honor of the first banana split being created by a hometown entrepeneur, Ernest Hazard, takes place the second weekend in June.  Celebrate the fab ’50′s with live music, classic car cruise-in, commercial and craft vendors, all kinds of food and the make-your-own banana split booth. 

Hometown Holidazzle Illuminated Parade and Festival – Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, all the parade entries are lighted as they make their way down Main Street at 7 pm.  Santa Claus, carolers, games and food ring in the holiday season at this day long event.

So, there you have it.  Lots of reasons to come to Clinton County and there’s much more to do.  It’s all on our web site at http://www.clintoncountyohio.com.

Written by Debbie Stamper

Any time of the year, when it’s really hot outside, nothing does a body as much good as jumping into a cool body of water! And now that summer is but a stone’s throw away, it’s time to start planning your next dive.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options right around the corner in the Clinton County area. Here are three of the most stellar swimming spots this gem of southwest Ohio has to offer.

Cowan Lake State Park

Located in the Little Miami River watershed, this 692-acre recreational lake is accessible from U.S. Route 68 and State Routes 350 and 730 and is approximately 7 miles southwest of Wilmington, 35 miles southeast of Dayton and 40 miles northeast of Cincinnati.

Not only can you rent boats for sailing and cruising, but those with a valid Ohio fishing license can also use them for trying to catch some of the lake’s plentiful stock of muskie, largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie. Keep in mind that there’s a 10-horsepower limit on the lake.

After a long day on the water, spend some time in it and then relax on the 1,000 foot public beach located on the south lake shore. Afterwards, spread out your basket on a nearby picnic table!

For those interested in making it a multiple day affair to take in some of the hiking and mountain biking trails, reserve a cottage or stake your claim on one of the available campsites. Find out how by visiting Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources’ website, here.

Caesar Creek State Park

For some of the best boating, hiking, camping and fishing that southwest Ohio has to offer, visit the 3,741-acre Caesar Creek State Park, situated four miles east of Waynesville and two miles west of I-71 along S.R. 73 and approximately 30 miles northeast of Cincinnati and 15 miles southeast of Dayton.

In addition to campgrounds (283 electric sites) complete with playground equipment and a basketball court, 30 equestrian sites are available on a first come, first served basis! Bring your horse and mosey over to the four bridle trails or leave Mr. Ed at home and hike or bike on some of the other trails in the park.

Cool off from your outdoor recreational activities by diving in to the 2,830-acre lake – the deepest in Ohio! – and lounging around on the 1,300-foot public beach. Fishing is also available for licensed sportspeople.

For more information on Caesar Creek, you can go here.

Swimming Tips and other Clinton County Considerations

No matter which Ohio State park you visit (or which one you visit first!), here are some general tips to remember:

• No late-night dips: swimming is permitted during daylight hours only
• Swim at your own risk
• Keep an eye on the kids
• No pets allowed on swimming beaches
• Check for weather and water quality advisories before heading out
• There are no trash cans available: Bring your own trash bags to comply with the “Carry In Carry Out” policies of the park

Clinton County YMCA

For more indoor-oriented folks, trek on over to the Sabina Community Pool operated by the Clinton County Family YMCA. Located at 449 Jackson Street in Sabina, the pool is accessible to members and non-members alike.

And the best part about the pool is how affordable it is to swim there! For those who have not purchased annual pool passes, members of the Y can use the pool for $2.50 for the whole day or $1.00 after 5 p.m. whereas non-members must pay $5.00 for a full day of swimming or $4.00 after 5 p.m. Generally, the pool is open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and on Sundays from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., with adult supervision required for children under the age of 12.

Be sure to check out the YMCA’s website before visiting the pool to make sure the above information applies.

Do you know any other secret spots for swimming in the Clinton County area? What about other nearby locations for fun summer activities you know about that you can share?

Jeffrey Ferraro is a travel enthusiast and expert. He is the Director of Marketing of Diamond Tours, the leading provider of charter group bus tours in the US and Canada, which includes tours of major cities, bus trips to shows and casinos. Jeffrey loves uncovering lesser known travel destinations and sharing them with his customers.

Well, it looks like spring has finally made its self known to southwest Ohio.  Warmer weather and sunny days have created a blooming frenzy among the daffadils and flowering trees.  I just saw a tulip tree the other day that was absolutely gorgeous.  Have you taken a moment to welcome spring?  I did and here’s how.

We are so fortunate to have Cowan Lake State Park located in Clinton County.  The other night my husband and I hurried home from work, got in our comfy clothes and headed to Cowan with our dog for a picnic.  Picking up fast food along the way, we arrived at our favorite spot overlooking the lake and spent the next hour and a half taking it all in.  It was quiet, relaxing and the perfect way to end the day.   A particular highlight was the sighting of a “blue bird.”  You know, the one that’s supposed to bring you good luck.  Hope it works!

Do you have a favorite spot you like to go to and take in nature in all its beauty?  If so, tell me about it.  We’re always looking for new places to visit and in the mean time give Cowan Lake State Park a try. 

Written by Debbie Stamper, Executive Director, Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Racing returns to Wilmington, Ohio and the whole nation is hearing about it.  A recent article, http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130325/NEWS/130329867/1005, talked about the East Coast Timing Association’s four land speed racing events that will take place at the Wilmington Airpark this year.  Rather than racing against another driver, it’s a one-mile stretch in which an automobile or motorcycle sees how fast they can go from a stand still at the start line to the one-mile finish line.  Many of those who run in the ECTA events exceed 200 mph.  The first event of the season is April 27 and April 28.

Autocross racing will also be taking place at the Wilmington Airpark this year.  Autocross racing is an obstacle course marked with cones that the driver runs with their speed and time being captured.  The first autocross racing event put on by the Sports Car Club of America of Cincinnati is on the horizon – April 6 and April 7.

Spectators are welcomed at both ECTA and SCCA events. 

Check out our calendar of events for a complete schedule of racing events. http://www.clintoncountyohio.com/calendar.php

Lights, Camera Action!

There are times when a series of events will just fall into place and bring people together that otherwise would never have met.  This is the story of such an event.

Kody and Katie Zenger are a young couple who have been involved in missionary work for a number of years.  Kody’s passion is videography, one that is taking the couple from a church where they have been serving in Colorado to a mega church of 8500, Jubilee Christian Church, in Boston.  Their stops on the 23 hour drive included Wilmington as Katie had spent a year on a mission trip around the world with local Audrey Powell and they had some catching up to do. 

Kody had been asked by the pastor of Jubilee to provide him with video of a potter on the wheel, a visual he would use in an upcoming sermon.  There had to be a potter somewhere along the 23 hour trek, right?  Right.  Katie’s friend Audrey told them about Ray Storer, Clinton County’s own accomplished potter.  Ray was especially enthralled to participate as he is a retired pastor himself.  So a time was set up and the rest is history. 

Armed with lighting and top of the line digital video equipment, the Zenger’s set up a filming studio in Ray’s shop where he does his magic. One piece after another, Ray created beautiful objects from lumps of clay.  After 50 years’ experience on the wheel, Ray made it look easy.  The Zenger’s moved quietly and deliberately around the room, shooting Ray from many angles, capturing the moving simplicity of this art form. 

You never know what situation might bring someone to Clinton County.  Thanks to Audrey Powell, the Zenger’s have experienced a bit of the place we call home, and Ray Storer’s artistic talent will be shared at a church in Boston.

Grandparent travel is all the rage these days.  Today’s grandparents are in their prime and interested in traveling with their grandchildren.  They desire one-on-one time together especially as extended families often live great distances from one another.  “Grandcations,” as I like to call them, also offer a great excuse for grandparents to get out and enjoy life.

The key to where grandparents and grandchildren travelling together choose to go depends on what they can do at the destination.  Can they both be entertained?  What is the shared experience?  Even repeat visits to a destination can take on a whole new meaning when seen through the eyes of a child.  Grandparents literally go into rediscovery mode when a tried and true attraction is the focus. 

That’s not to say that grandparent and grandchild travel doesn’t require planning, some effort and of course stamina, but it’s all worth it.  One of the most important details is the documents that you will need to have on hand while your grandchild travels with you.  

Some travel authorities suggest that you obtain a limited power of attorney if traveling abroad with grandchildren. At least you should have documentation showing that you are traveling with your grandchildren with parental permission. There is no single standardized form for this purpose. If a grandchild’s parents are divorced, it is especially important that documents are signed by both parents, as sometimes children are transported across borders during custody disputes.

Also needed is a Medical Consent Form which is a notarized letter from the parents giving permission for medical care. Copies of the grandchildren’s insurance cards are also needed. Don’t forget prescription cards, cards for dental insurance and secondary insurance cards if applicable.

And then there is the Travel Consent Form.  If you are traveling in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or many areas of the Caribbean, your grandchildren 15 and under can travel using certified copies of their birth certificates instead of a passport.  A Travel Consent Form will save you trouble at the border.  Other countries will require a passport.

So now that you are thinking about where you are going and what papers you will need, it’s time to get in shape so you can keep up with the boundless energy of your grandchild. 

Good luck!  Get packed and have a great time on your “grandcation.”

Are you a blog reader that specifically looks for ideas of places to go and things to see with your family?  If so, you should know Tonya Prater, someone that has her own blog and does just that.  Tonya recently agreed to answer some questions for me:

1.       When you look for a new Ohio destination for your family to visit, what do you look for?

As a mom, I understand the difference between a trip with happy, content kids and one without. As a result, I’ve learned to seek out destinations that appeal to my three teenagers and that applies to travel in and out of Ohio. Fortunately, my family has varied interests and  is pretty easy to please, most of the time. Since we have traveled quite a bit as a family, I also look for attractions that are unlike anything we’ve visited before. That doesn’t mean that we won’t visit another zoo or science museum, it just means that if we do, there has to be something there that we’ve not seen before.  We’re apt to visit attractions that may be less well known, or of local or historical significance.

As a travel blogger that focuses on fun, family friendly and educational travel, I also seek out destinations that can meet all three of those criteria. My kids love fun, my husband and I appreciate family friendly and since we homeschool, if my kids can learn something while we’re there, that’s even better.   

 2.       Are you equally interested in the larger cities as well as smaller more rural destinations?

If you ask my teenagers this question, they would tell you no, they’re only interested in larger cities. They forget that some of our most memorable experiences have taken place far from civilization. While my kids are attracted to the hustle and bustle of city life, my husband and I often enjoy visiting smaller populated areas in search of historic home tours and antique stores.

3.       What is the best trip your family ever experienced?

That is such a difficult question! We’ve been fortunate to have visited some really amazing places and many have become family favorites. If I had to narrow it down to the best trip ever, I think one of our trips to Assateague Island National Seashore and nearby Chincoteague in Virginia would be a top contender. You know, Chincoteague also happens to be a small, more rural destination!

The area holds a special place in my heart, as the first place I vacationed with my mom and dad. When I had children, I couldn’t wait for them to fall in love with the wild ponies for themselves so we read Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry and planned a visit. Though it certainly wasn’t one of our first family vacations, it may have been the first one that my kids really remember.  

4.       Do you have any special trips planned for 2013?

One of my goals for the year is to explore Ohio more fully. There is so much to see, close to home, that I really want to experience as much as I can right here in the Buckeye State. I may be a bit ambitious, but I hope to visit each of the 88 counties as well as many attractions and destinations that I’ve just never taken the time to explore.

My family will also head to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in March, the Lake Erie Region in April and possibly a surprise road trip in May, but that’s completely up in the air. My teens plan to participate in a mission trip or two over the summer, while I’ll travel solo to at least three blogging conferences.

That still leaves plenty of days here and there, or full weekends to explore our home state.  

5.       I’ve love to have you visit Clinton County?  How can I get you here?

Just tell us when to pack our bags! Clinton County has many attractions of interest to my family. I’d love to take a stroll through Downtown Wilmington, visit the historic Murphy Theater and stay at the General Denver! I’m also interested in visiting the Quaker Heritage Center while my kids would love a visit to the World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab, some hiking and outdoor play in one of the nearby parks. The Banana Split Festival sounds pretty yummy too! I don’t know anyone who would turn down ice cream and who doesn’t love a great roadside attraction?

6.       How large is your following as a travel blogger?

I started blogging nearly four years ago when my family hit  the road in an RV with my husband’s job. My intent was to use my blog as a way to keep in touch with family and friends but I soon realized that blogging kept me sane during those days. I noticed that I had quite a few readers that were full-time RV families as well as many homeschool families, interested in learning how we managed to learn on the road. I considered myself a “Homeschool Blogger” and won a HSBA Post Homeschool Blog Award and have since been nominated twice in various categories.

Last year, I decided to begin blogging professionally and switched my focus to “family travel blogger”. I write primarily about fun, family-friendly, educational travel and since I do have older teens, I’ll also share an occasional couple getaway. Since that time, traffic to my site has doubled and I continue to pick up new readers each week.

Wow, it sure sounds like Tonya and her family love to travel.  Want to talk to Tonya?  You can find her at http://twitter.com/travelermom. 

 Hope to see you in Clinton County this year Tonya!

Debbie Stamper, Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau

We all think we know how to run a meeting.  We’ve been doing it all our lives, right?  But there are best practices involved in running a successful meeting.  In the January/February issue of Connect, Donald Rumsfeld, the two-time former secretary of defense, shared his tips.  I felt like they were worth repeating here.

Start the meeting on time.  End it on time, too.

• Think a lot about who your attendees are.  Think about what they want to hear and what’s important to them.

Call for clarity in presentation.  Ask presenters and others leading meetings to be clear and concise and not waste time with useless jargon.

Let presenters expand on thier subjects before passing judgement or making assumptions.

Have stand up meetings.  They tend to be short when they need to be short and longer when they need to be longer.

And a final tip from me, don’t have a meeting just for the sake of having a meeting.  Monthly meetings with no real purpose can kill attendees passion and interest.  Value their time and plan accordingly.

Debbie Stamper, executive director, Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions regardless if we keep them or not.  I challenge you today to make a resolution to include travel in your list of important things to do in 2013.  According to Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

No one says you have to travel to distant lands.  There are treasures in your own backyard.  “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted” – Bill Bryson  What’s around that deserves a closer look?  What travel opportunity have you taken for granted?  Let’s face it, we’ve all done it.

Recently I visited the historic theater in Wilmington, the Murphy.  I’ve been through its doors hundreds of times but on this particular occasion, I decided to approach the visit as a first timer.  Afterwards I went home and wrote about my experience and how it affected my senses.  Here it is:

In a time when IPads and smart phones are the mainstay of entertainment, it’s easy to forget what makes a live stage performance so special.  Not only do the actors and actresses weave their spell over the audience, but it is the experience of being in a grand theater that adds to the ambiance as well.  Clinton County is very fortunate to have a historic theater right in its own backyard.

When you drive down Wilmington’s Main Street, you can’t help but see the marquee of the Murphy Theatre, nostalgic of another era.  Although the marquee has graced downtown Wilmington since 1918, it is merely a prelude to the experience that can be enjoyed upon entering through the theater’s doors.

Once in the Murphy’s lobby, immediately visible are crystal chandeliers, tiled floors, and richly polished wood.  If you close your eyes for a moment, you might be able to imagine what it was like on opening night 90+ years ago, when 3000 people turned out for three separate performances.

Upon entering the actual theater, the red upholstered seats await the audiences’ arrival, as do the red velvet curtains that grace the stage.  It’s an exciting time on show night; you can feel it in the air.  Lights go down, curtains go up, and it’s show time again, five decades later.

We have so many attractions in Clinton County that warrant a close up look and I say that as someone who refuses to take them for granted.  Call for ideas on things to do. And when it’s all said and done, “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

Written by Debbie Stamper, Executive Director of the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau