Cupid’s arrow points directly to Northern Ohio for romantic dinners, delicious chocolates and wonderful getaways.

Time to plan your romantic Valentine’s Day! With only a few more weeks to make your Valentine’s Day plans, Northern Ohio couldn’t be a more perfect place to celebrate this romantic holiday. From romatic getaways to elegant and award winning restaurants to delicious “Made In Ohio” gifts Northern Ohio has so much to offer.

And to help you plan this special holiday, NorthernOhioTourism.com has put together just a few ideas to help inspire you.

Valentine’s Day Chocolate
Here are our favorite places to purchase Chocolate!!

Ben Heggy’s Candies
743 Cleveland Ave., N.W., Canton, OH 447020
website

Buckeye Chocolate Company
14646 Ravenna Rd., Burton, OH 44021
website

Coblentz Chocolate Company
4917 State Route 515, Walnut Creek, OH 44687
website

Malley’s Chocolates
Various locations throughout Northern Ohio.
website

Whitehouse Chocolates
14607 Kinsman Rd, Burton, OH 440621

Chocolate not your thing? How about Cupcakes??

Main Street Cupcakes @mscCupcakes
Various locations: Hudson, Rocky River and Medina, OH
website

Wine?
Make sure you grab a bottle of Ohio Wine from one of our area’s Wineries.

Unique Gift from
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
437 Crouse St., Akron OH, 330.253.6268
website

Maybe a Spa package:
Spa West
29109 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH
440.899.SPAW
website

A White Pond Paradise Salon & Day Spa
566 White Pond Dr., Suite D., Akron, OH
330.865.7800
website

Places to Eat on Valentine’s Day

Angelo’s Nido Italia
Little Italy, 12020 Myfield Rd, Cleveland, OH
216.421.0221

Blue Canyon
8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, OH
330.486.2583
website

Blue Point Grille
700 West St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH
216.875.7827
website

Don’s Lighthouse
8905 Lake Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102
216.961.6700
website

Don’s Pomeroy House
13664 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, OH
440.572.1111
website

Ferrante Winery and Ristorante
5585 State Route 307, Geneva, OH
440.466.8466
website

Flying Fig
2523 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH
216.241.4243
website

Giovanni’s Restaurant
25550 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood
216.831.8625
website

Iacomini’s Papa Joes @papajoes_status
1561 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron, OH
330.253.2999
website

JohnQ’s Steakhouse
55 Public Square, Cleveland, OH
216.861.0900
website

Ken Stewart’s Lodge
1911 N. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Bath, OH
330.666.8881
website

LockKeepers
8001 Rockside Rd., Valley View, OH
216.524.9404
website

Lola
2058 East 4th Street, Cleveland, OH
216.621.5652
website

Pier W
12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood
216.228.2250
website

Raven’s Glenn Winery & Italian Resturant
56183 CR 143, West Lafayette, OH
740.545.1000
website

Spennato’s Restaurant
10446 Northfield Road, Northfield, OH
330.468.8688
website

The Oaks Lakeside
5878 Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake, OH
330.769.2601
website

Thyme
716 N. Court St., Medina, OH
330.764.4114
website

Valentine’s Day Getaway Ideas

Celebrate your love with a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway in Northern Ohio.  Here are a few of our romantic getaway ideas:

Valentine’s Day Winery Tours
Northcoast Grapevine Tours LLC
1319 West 35th Street, Lorain, OH
216-587-1965 or 440-282-6598
Website

Landoll’s Mohican Castle
561 Twp. Rd. 3352, Loudonville, OH
800.291.5001
website

Punderson Manor Lodge – Ohio State Park
11755 Kinsman Road,
Newbury, Ohio 44065-9684
440-564-9144 or 800-282-7275
website

Shady Oaks Farm Bed & Breakfast
241 Highland Road, Northfield Center, OH
330-468-2909 or 800-785-9769
website

Inn at Honey Run @innathoneyrun
6920 CR 203, Millersburg
330.674.0011 or 800.468.6639
website

Red Maple Inn Bed & Breakfast
14707 S. Cheshire Street, Burton, Ohio
440-834-8334 or 1-888-OH-MAPLE
website

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake @lodgeatgenevaoh
4888 North Broadway, Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH
440.466.7100 or 800.801.9982
website

Polly Harper Inn Bed and Breakfast
6308 South River Road, Geneva, OH
440.466.6183
website

Market Street Inn
356 N. Market Street, Wooster, OH
330.262.4085
website

And let us not forget the all important Valentine’s Day card.  Did you know that according to the U.S. Greeting Cards Association Valentine’s Day is the second-most popular card-giving day of the year?  Make sure you support American Greetings an Ohio company when making your card choices.

For more Valentine’s Day ideas make sure you check out our Valentine’s Day page on our website.

Martin Luther King Day – Free Events

Time to gather the family and take advantage of all the FREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events being held around Northern Ohio.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend – Fee-Free Days!
James A. Garfield National Historic Site

(Photo courtesy James A. Garfield Museum)

8095 Mentor Avenue, Mentor January 14, 2012, 12:00pm-5:00pm The Secretary of the Interior has designated Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend as fee-free day at all National Park Service sites. Visit during the site’s normal hours for free entrance to the site. Walk the grounds, check out the museum exhibits, watch the film, and take a guided tour of the Garfield home for free! www.nps.gov/jaga or
440-255-8722

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Children’s Craft Cleveland Botanical Gardens
January 16, 2012 1:00 – 4:00 pm Admission FREE
Children make a seed headband craft in honor of African-American contributions in agriculture. No registration required. For more info website.

On Monday, January 16, 2012, The Western Reserve Historical Society will offer free admission to all guests visiting the History Center in University Circle to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Museum hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Children and their families will explore the museum exhibits, Do You Know Your Lincoln, Rally ‘Round the Flag, Through the Lens of Allen E. Cole, and Meet Clio the WRHS Digital Curator. Then, they can spend time in the Kidzibits Family Education Center. The Hay-McKinney House will be open for all guests to enjoy tours of the main floor. The Research Center will be open for families to discover their history. The WRHS Reference staff and genealogy volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about how to get started on researching family history. Finally, a few vehicles from the Crawford Collection will come out of storage and be on display for this day only. History Center – 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 For additional information www.wrhs.org

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage presents Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration January 16, 2012, 11am—5pm – Free Admission to all Museum galleries and special programs! 1:30pm Special Musical Performance

Participate in our tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. with guided tours of the American Story Gallery, where the stories of how individuals overcame discrimination, prejudice and adversity come to life. Young and old alike will enjoy the special jazz, blues and traditional musical performance Unchained: From Slavery to Civil Rights featuring vocalist Evelyn Wright accompanied by Roots of American Music artists bass-master Ray DeForest, keyboard player Joe Hunter and guitarist Kevin Richards. For more info: www.maltzmuseum.org

Discovery Days at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland J
anuary 16, 2012, 9:00am-5:00pm
Bring the children to experience life on a farm making ice cream, meeting newborn calves, piglets, and sheep, and more at the annual free Discovery Days. For additional info www.lakemetroparks.com 440-256-2122 or 800-366-3276

(Photo courtesy of GLS)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Great Lakes Science Center
January 16, 2012 – 10 am – 6 pm Free
General Admission! Come to Great Lakes Science Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and enjoy a day of free general admission* between 10 am – 6 pm. Explore your fears in the special exhibition, Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear! Enjoy “electrifying” Big Science Shows at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm; Tour the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and BioMedTech Gallery; Have a ball in the Polymer Funhouse (ages 7 and under);Experience hundreds of hands-on and interactive exhibits, plus live demonstrations throughout the day. And so much more! *Free general admission only. Offer does not apply to parking garage or OMNIMAX films.For more information: website

Cleveland Museum of Art
Join in the museum’s celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reflection of the Dream, on Monday, January 16, 2012. FREE activities for all ages. Celebrate the day with gallery talks presented by CMA curators; docent-led tours; hands-on art projects; art and twister games designed and presented by our Museum Ambassadors; and band, choir, quartet, and jazz music.

Attend a free screening at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. of the soul-stirring film Rejoice and Shout, an uplifting new documentary that traces the history of African-American gospel music.

Join us for a Teen Poet Open Mic with featured performances by local poets from 1:30–3:00 p.m. in the Recital Hall.  For additional information: website

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Winter Discovery Days
Enjoy free admission to the museum on January 16, 2012 from 10am to 4pm. Explore the Smead Discover Center; Watch a mini-planetarium show for on $1; Make a craft project to take home;Meet Cleveland’s neighborhood wildlife in special live animal presentations and more.Admission to the Museum is free all day; the Museum parking fee is $5. For additional information: website.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland Ohio
To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will once again open its doors to the public free of charge on Monday, January 16 in a celebration of community spirit and civic pride. This marks the 11th straight year that the Museum offers FREE admission to the public.

The festival will feature an array of musical talent throughout the day on the Museum’s Main Stage, beginning with performances at 11 a.m. by the Antioch Spiritual Arts Choir, followed by Cleveland poets Nina Borsay and the Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word, vocalists Londyn and Indianapolis’ Whitney Coleman, and headlined by Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter, Ledisi. The event will be emceed by Jason Walker of Terry Macklin Entertainment. For more information see website.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Wild Style at the Akron Zoo

AKRON,Ohio- The Akron Zoo will be hosting their fourth annual adult only Valentine’s Day event, Animals Do It Too, on February 11, 2012. The event will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. in the zoo’sKomodoKingdom and will focus on animal mating rituals and reproduction. For an extended experience, guests can also spend the night at the zoo. 

The evening will start with a gourmet buffet dinner and drinks. After dinner the zoo’s veterinarian and education staff will give an educational and humorous look at the way animals mate and the elaborate way many of them try to attract their mates. During the presentation visitors will get to participate in these informative games and activities. The evening will also include up-close animal encounters and photos for guests with an animal.        

The sleepover option, Snooze at the Zoo, will be held in the zoo’s Education Center, Komodo Kingdom, following the conclusion of Animals Do It Too at 9 p.m. Guests sleeping over will enjoy a night hike and then in the morning, after a continental breakfast, get to feed the zoo’s penguins.

The cost of the dinner and program, which runs from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., is $35 per person for Akron Zoo members and $41 per person for non-members. For Akron Zoo members attending the dinner, program and sleepover the cost is $64 per person and non-members is $79 per person. For reservations call (330) 375-2550 ext. 7231 or online at www.akronzoo.org. The event is limited to 100 guests.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Winter hours, through April, are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $6.00 per person. The parking fee is $2.00. Starting May 1, 2012 the Akron Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults, $8.50 for senior citizens, $7 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $2.00. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation Zoo with over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the Zoo strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest centered animal experience that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

(Information submitted by David Barnhardt, Akron Zoo.)

Did someone say Chili?

The weather may be getting colder outside, but the weather inside is getting “chili” hot! Time to grab your spoons, pack your water bottles and enjoy some chili!

Here are just a few local Chili Cook-off’s happening in Northern Ohio:

January 27, 2012

The NEO Roller Derby League will host their 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off at The Lounge, located at 370 Paul Williams Street, on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 6pm to 9pm.

The league has limited space available for entrants with a $20 fee. Forms to participate must be turned in by January 5, 2012.

NEO Roller Derby invited the public to attend the Chili Cook-off and sample the entries. Tickets are $6 in advance from a team member, or $8 at the door.

For additional information: website

Feb 25, 2012

Chili Cook-Off Sat 11am to 4:30pm A great way to beat the winter doldrums! Family friendly indoor event with individuals and businesses competing for prizes. Purchase a “sampler pack” and taste the best chili in the county, then cast your ballot for the Peoples Choice Award.  Many freebies and give-aways.  Musical entertainment.  Middlefield Market Pavilion (indoors) 440-632-3196.  www.middlefieldmarket.com  Middlefield Market Pavilion  440-632-3196

March 24, 2012

The 20th Annual Great Chili Cookoff sponsored by Mobile Meals of Toledo
Location: Stranahan Great Hall
Corporate, Amateur, Media and Restaurant Competition.
Taste a variety of award-winning chili’s. Vote for your favorite People’s Choice Award.
For additional information contact (419) 255-7806 or website

MORE CHILI

And if you just can’t get enough of chili, then may we suggest you stop at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers in Richfield, Ohio.  Whitey’s has been making their famous chili since 1953.  Located just 20 minutes from Akron or Cleveland this area landmark has been serving up some of the areas best chili, hamburgers and fresh cut fries. Whitey’s is located at 3600 Brecksville Road, Richfield, OH 44286.  Phone # 330.659.3600. For further information  website.

An “Ohio Made” Holiday Breakfast Table

In an effort to promote Ohio, we have put together our Holiday Breakfast table made completely from Ohio Made products. We challenge you to do the same.

Item	Contact
DINNERWARE
Harstone Pottery – Zanesville Gingerbread Dinnerware	website
COFFEE
City Roast Coffee, Cleveland Westside Market	website
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Smith Dairy – Orville	website
EGGS
Malabar Farm State Park – Lucas	419.892.2784 or website
PANCAKE MIX
Fowler’s Mill – Munson Twsp	website
PANCAKE SYRUP
Geauga County Maple Producers Geauga County	Complete list: website
Stan Hess Family Maple Syrup – Ashland	website
SAUSAGE/BACON
Bob Evans Sausage	Found at local stores
Sugardale Bacon – Massillon	Found at local stores
BREAD
Reinecker’s Bakery – Macedonia Old World German Breads	website
Schwebel Baking Company – Youngstown	Found at local stores
JAM
Smucker’s – Orrville	website
Ohio’s Best Amish Jams – Middlefield	website
FRUITS/VEGETABLES
Countryside Farmers’ Market – Akron	website

Wishing you a very Merry “Ohio” Breakfast. We would love to hear how you plan to make your holiday an “Ohio holiday.”

The Long Wait is Over…Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Toboggan Chutes Open November 25, 2011

Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, eat well and build your strength. Then, skip “Black Friday” shopping and head over to Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Toboggan Chutes! Grab a toboggan and carry it up the stairs and enjoy the cool breeze traveling down the ice chutes at 45 mph! The Chalet Toboggan Chutes season is ready to start!

With many family and friends in town for the holiday weekend, bring them over to the heart-pounding twin, refrigerated ice chutes with an initial drop of 70-feet traveling over 700 feet of ice. And, best of all, the Chalet Toboggan Chutes operate with or without snow!

Tobogganing hours for this season are:
* Thursdays * 6 to 10 p.m. (Jan & Feb 2012)
* Fridays * 6 to 10:30 p.m.
* Saturdays * noon to 10:30 p.m.
* Sundays * noon to 5 p.m.
* Holiday Schedule: * call for holiday hours
(Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, 2012)

The daily admission fee for tobogganing is ONLY $8 for adults and $6 for children, 11 & under. One-time ride tickets are available for $3. Group discounts during public hours are available, too        Plus, if you want to shop, now on sale are Chalet Toboggan Season Passes: $35 for adults, $25 for children, ages 11 and under, and $100 for families (up to four individuals, all living in the same household).

And the great value doesn’t stop there: the Chalet toboggan staff is offering an even greater deal to encourage winter thrill enthusiasts to purchase Season Passes now! If purchased before December 24, the Season Passes are discounted 20% off the standard price – that’s $28 for adults, $20 for children, and $80 for families! A 20% savings worth 110% of winter fun! What a deal!

Season Passes for tobogganing are good to use during public hours all season long. That means unlimited rides on the only public ice chutes in Ohio for the entire tobogganing season – November 25 through March 11, 2012 (weather permitting).

In addition to tobogganing on the refrigerated ice chutes, the Chalet facility features a main gathering area with a large-screen television, a snack bar, a loft area with video games, two fireplaces (indoor and outdoor), and indoor restrooms.

Personal toboggans are not allowed at the facility. All riders must wear gloves or mittens. Children must be at least 42 inches tall to ride, and must be accompanied by an adult.

The Chalet Toboggan Chutes Promotional Schedule features some great give-aways and discounts this December. Be sure to vote for your favorite holiday tree, with the winning group receiving a free toboggan party. Cheer on your favorite hockey team with the Lake Erie Monsters Street Team and have a chance to race “Sully” down the chutes. And don’t miss out on the ever-popular $1 Hot Dog and Soda night!

This season’s November and December Promotional Schedule for the Chalet Toboggan Chutes is:

Friday, November 25 – CHALET OPENS FOR THE SEASON!
Sunday, November 27 – FREE Winter Hat for Your Noggin
Friday, December 2 – Holiday Tree Decoration Contest
(Vote for Favorite Tree by Dec. 19)
Sunday, December 4 – Family Four-Pack – $30 for 4 Toboggan Passes, 4 Hot Dogs & 4 Sodas
Friday, December 9 – Lake Erie Monsters Street Team Activities 6 – 8 p.m. Drawing to Race “Sully” the Mascot at 8 p.m.! AND, Receive a Discount Ticket to the December 28th Monsters Game.
Sunday, December 11- Dollar Day – $1 Hot Dogs & $1 Sodas
Friday, December 16 – Tis’ the Season – 12 & Under Receive a FREE Treat   Sunday, December 18 – Wear an Ugly Holiday Sweater and Save $2 -AND- Last Day to Vote on the Tree Decoration Contest
Saturday, December 24 – Tis’ the Season – 12 & Under Receive a FREE Hot Chocolate
Sunday, December 25 – CLOSED – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Friday, December 30 – Cleveland State Vikings Street Team, Cheerleaders & “Magnus” the Mascot with Activities. AND, all kids will receive a FREE ticket to the December 31st Vikings Game.
Saturday, December 31 – FREE Ice Scraper

The Chalet Recreation Area is located at 16200 Valley Parkway in Mill Stream Run Reservation, between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville – just a short distance from I-71 and the Ohio Turnpike.   For more information and updates to the promotional schedule, call 440-572-9990.

Enjoy all the tasty food on Thanksgiving, then enjoy the laughs and giggles down the only public ice chutes in Ohio.

(Information submitted by and credit given to Cleveland Metroparks)

Geauga County Holiday Passport Tour 2011 & Christmas in the Country Holiday Open Houses

November 10th thru December 10th, 2011 Pick up your Holiday passport rack card today at any of the fourteen participating Middlefield area shops who make up this year’s Christmas in the Country. Visit each of the businesses, get your passport stamped, enter their in-store raffle, and check out their holiday gift ideas. After you get your holiday passport stamped at all 14 shops, write your name, number and address on the back and leave it at the last shop visited. With this entry you now have a chance to win 1 of 3 Holiday gift baskets. You may start your passport adventure today to locate the Christmas in the Country shops and to get your passport stamped, but please come back the first two weekends of December and enjoy the open houses. Passports must be turned in by Saturday December 10th , please call ahead as all shops have varying hours.

The Christmas in the Country Open House takes place Friday and Saturday December 2, 3, 9 and 10 from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. for most. We will be offering Christmas in the Country Open House specials, refreshments, raffles and more. Country Arts & Jewelry has a Chinese Raffle table set up selling tickets for the chance to win many great gifts & baskets from all over Geauga County. This event will be on going through Dec. 10th from 10am-5pm daily. Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen will host a Chinese Auction on December 3rd tickets $15.00 with box lunch and tickets. Tickets also available day of event from 3pm-5pm.

On Saturday Dec. 3rd. You can finish the evening by joining in on a 1st Annual Holiday Wreath Silent Auction at Crossroads Country Cafe, Local area businesses donate decorated wreaths and you can view them between Nov. 29th & Dec. 3rd. On Saturday at 6:00pm a social hour with wine and hor d’oeuvres will begin with the silent auction at 7pm. This event sponsored by the East Geauga Kiwanis Club.

The fourteen shops of the 2011 Christmas in the Country are:

Middlefield Cheese 440 632-5228 featuring their holiday gift boxes and trays to take home or ship;

The Craft Cupboard 440 632-5787 offers holiday craft projects, card making, home decorating and holiday gifts;

Tiny Stitches Quilt Shop 440 632-9410 is filled with quilts, placemats, fabric, books and patterns, with great gifts for the home, visit them at Settler’s Village of shops;

Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen 440 632-1939 where you can enjoy Amish cooking family style, and every meal smells, tastes and feels like a holiday feast, don’t forget to shop their bakery and gift shop;

Warm up at J.M.J. Enterprises 440 632-0780 where they offer a full line of alternative heating fireplace inserts, free standing wood/pellet stoves, and more;

Country Collections Antique Mall 440 632-1712 stroll through 4500sq.ft. of formal, country, farm, & primitive furnishings for any collector;

Countryside Furnishings & Amish Gifts 440 632-0248 features Amish hand-crafted furniture and gifts that last a lifetime;

Country Arts and Jewelry Southwestern Bead Shoppe 440 632-5343 is a shop filled with treasures of unique, one-of- a-kind jewelry, crystals, pottery, and gifts, be sure to visit the bead and jewelry making section ;

Rennaisance and Rainbows Stained Glass 440 632-0800 creates customs windows and doors, unique gifts, classes and stained glass repairs;

Crossroads Country Café 440 632-0191 offers home- style cooking, homemade pies and desserts. They offer sit- down breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have a Party room & catering is available;

White House Chocolates 440 834-3133 creates Delicious Holiday treats of milk chocolate, rich dark chocolates, and fresh hand-made fudge, truffles, and chewy caramels, chocolate covered pretzels, and Sugar-free candies;

Maggie’s Donuts 440 632-5222 offers the best Apple Fritters, donuts, brownies and muffins. Enjoy a cup of coffee or cappuccino;

Amish Home Craft and Bakery 440 632-1888 serves up fresh bakery featuring fry pies, they also sell hand-woven baskets, placemats, rugs, wooden puzzles, Amish made quilts & gifts.;

Sparrow Christian Bookshop 440 632-0011 is a full service Christian Book store offering Bibles, music, cards, gifts & laser printing.

These fourteen shops will offer old-fashion holiday service and the charm and hospitality of yesteryear. If you are looking for unique gifts without the crowds, come shop 2011 Christmas in the Country Holiday Open House & Tour, where you can help us support Shop with a Cop and Middlefield Cares!( Food Pantry) by buying a raffle ticket at any of the in-store raffles for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. To take a chance on our Grand Prize this year stop at one or both of these two businesses: Middlefield Cheese House on Rt. 608 (Old State Rd.), & Country Arts and Jewelry on Nauvoo Rd.,are selling in store raffle tickets and Grand Prize tickets for a chance to win a sleigh ride from Ma and Pa’s, dinner for two from Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, and an overnight stay at The Red Maple Inn. The tickets can be purchased for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. All monies collected will go to support the two police charities listed above. These shops will also take in canned goods and new toys to give to the local food cupboard which supports Middlefield and the surrounding area.

We appreciate your business and we thank you for supporting small businesses during this holiday season. We wish you a Happy Holiday Season from 2011 Christmas in the Country! For more information call Debbie at Country Arts and Jewelry 440 632 5343 or www.TourGeauga.com 1-800-775-TOUR * or 440-632-1538

(Submitted by Lynda Nemeth, Geauga County Tourism)

The Twelve Days of Christmas “Ohio Style”

Need a few holiday gift ideas? Here is our version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas with an “Ohio Twist.”

On the First Day of Christmas our Ohio friends gave to us:
One – Troyer’s Trail Bologna (Winesburg, OH – Holmes County)(Trail Bolgna was named after Trail, a village in Ohio that is too small to have a zip code of its own. The Troyer family has been making their wood smoked Trail Bolgna for four generations.) To purchase click here.

On the Second Day of Christmas our Ohio friends gave to us:
Two bottles of Ohio Wine: A bottle of Roadhouse Red from Breitenbach Winery (Dover, OH – Tuscarawas County) and a bottle of Iced Wine from Raven’s Glenn Winery & Restaurant. (West Lafayette, OH – Coshocton County)

On the Third Day of Christmas our Ohio friends gave to us: Three Warther Cutlery Knives. To be specific the Chef Set which included a 3″ Paring Knife, 5″ Sandwich Knife and a 7″ French Chef Knife. (Dover, OH – Tuscarawas County)

On the Fourth Day of Christmas our Ohio friends gave to us: Four Fowler’s Mill Desert Lover’s Mixes. Included in my Gift Box were 1lb. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix; 1lb. Apple & Spice Cake Mix; 1lb. Sugar Cookie Mix and 1 lb. Shortcake & Cobbler Mix.  (Chardon, OH – Geauga County)
On the Fifth Day of Christmas our Ohio friends gave to us: Five Bags of Shearer’s Potato Chips, in five unique flavors. Barbeque, Rippled, Classic, Sour Cream and Chive and Kettle Cooked.  (Brewster – OH – Stark County)

On the Sixth Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Six Maple Leaf Bottles from Richards Maple Products filled with Ohio Maple Syrup. (Chardon, OH – Geauga County)

 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Seven types of Ohio Cheeses: (From Ohio Amish Country)

From Heini’s Cheese Chalet I received Amish Bacon Cheese and Amish Milk Can Cheddar

From Guggisberg I received Original Baby Swiss and Classic Swiss From Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op (Middlefield), I received Pepper Jack Longhorn and Colby Longhorn and from Broadrun Cheesehouse I received a Danish Blue Cheese.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Root Candle Factory Bayberry Tapers – “A bayberry candle, burned to the socket, puts luck in the home, food in the larder & gold in the pocket.” (Medina, OH – Medina County)

 

On the Ninth Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Nine Fresh Lavendar Aromosoaps from Daybreak Lavendar Farm(Streetsboro, OH – Portage County)

 One the Tenth Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Ten quarts of The Original Stricklands Frozen Yogurt (Original Store Akron, OH – Summit County).

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Eleven Bags of Great Lakes Popcorn. I received the following flavors: Original, Island Mix, Caramel, Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Vanilla Butternut, Autumn Vanilla Butternut, Caramel Krunch, Nutty Vanilla Butternut, Bacon and Cheese, White Cheddar and Wild Walleye. (Port Clinton, OH – Ottawa County)

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas our friends gave to us: Twelve delicious Harry London’s Chocolate Buckeyes. (Canton, OH – Stark County)

We hope you enjoyed our version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. For more information about Northern Ohio attractions, events, places to stay, shop or eat please visit our website: NorthernOhioTourism.com.  For more Ohio Made Products click here. Please remember to “Shop Ohio!”

Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

It’s that time of year…
Here’s all the information you will need to get the hottest holiday ticket in town: Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

Advanced ticket purchase is required as Country Lights sells out quickly!
Country Lights tickets go on sale November 8 for Lake County Residents
Lake Metroparks Farmpark member presale begins November 1*

Event nights: December 2 to 23, 2011
5:00 to 9:00 pm

Lake Metroparks Farmpark
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH  44094
Ticket hotline: 440-256-2158

Enjoy a fun-filled celebration of the season featuring wagon rides through a winter wonderland trimmed with a quarter of a million of holiday lights lining the buildings, trees, rails, and the farm-themed displays.  Festively decorated Christmas trees deck-the-halls of the Visitor Center and the classroom is filled with the sights and sounds of model train layouts.  Santa’s Workshop is a special treat for families – where they can watch their child make a wooden toy to take home.  In the arena, meet some of Farmpark’s animals and enjoy shows presented by the Lake Metroparks Volunteer Mounted Posse and the Light Horse Brigade.

Country Lights runs December 2 – 23 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.  Tickets must be purchased in advance as this event sells out.  There is a purchase limit of 15 tickets per person.  Groups of 25 or more need to call Lake Metroparks Development and Corporate Services at 440-256-2139, 440-256-2138, or 800-366-3276 (Monday – Friday; ask for group sales).  A $2 handling fee applies to orders placed by phone.  Duplication of tickets is prohibited. Tickets will be electronically scanned the evening of the event.  There are no refunds on Country Lights tickets. Unused tickets may be used for general admission to Farmpark through April 30, 2012

Ticket Prices for Country Lights:
·         Ages 12+, $7;
·         Ages 2 – 11, $5;
·         Younger than 2, Free 
·         Farmpark members receive a 50% discount. Discount is limited to the people listed on the membership.

Pre-sale tickets schedule:
Ticket pre-sale for Lake Metroparks Farmpark members begins at 10:00 am November 1.
Must be a Farmpark member as of October 31 to purchase tickets November 1 – 7.
Note: Farmpark member discount not available online: members must call 440-256-2158 or purchase in person to receive member discount.

For more info click here.

(Info submitted by John Venen, Promotions and Advertising Manager, Lake Metroparks)

United Way of Medina County Celebrates 21 Years of Taste of Medina County- “The Premier Networking Event of the Year!”

Medina, Ohio, September 23, 2011 – United Way of Medina County welcomes 4 new and 16 returning Restaurants for the 21st Annual, Taste of Medina County. This event, which has been called the “premier networking event of the year” will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Weymouth Country Club in Medina. All are invited to attend!

“For over two decades this tremendous event has linked together the best restaurants and the caring hearts of our communities to raise nearly $350,000 for friends in need. This event has severalnew creative social entrepreneurial twists which will make for an exciting place to be. Ourmotivation is to help improve lives, and if we can network and have fun along the way, then we should enjoy ourselves for one evening” said Seth Kujat, executive director at United Way.

The event would not be what it is without the talented chefs who go above and beyond to make this a spectacular event. The following Restaurants make up the 2011 line-up which includes:

Abbottino’s (Seville), A Cupcake a Day… (Medina), Bianca’s Ristorante Italiano (Brunswick), Blue Heron Banquet & Conference Center- River Styx Grill (Medina), Coppertop at Cherokee Hills (Valley City), Corkscrew Saloon (Medina), Main Street Café (Medina), Medina Steak & Seafood Company (Medina), Melrose Grille- Mapleside Farms Bakery (Brunswick), Miss Molly’s Tea Room & Gift Shop (Medina), Oasis Grill & BBQ (Medina), Old Schoolhouse Catering (Litchfield), Rito’s Italian Bakery-Deli-Catering (Brunswick), Riverstone Taverne (Valley City), Rustic Hills Country Club (Medina), The Center Café at MCCC (Medina), The Galaxy Restaurant & Banquet Center (Wadsworth), Thyme the Restaurant (Medina), Westfield Group Country Club (Westfield Center), and Weymouth Country Club (Medina).

The event format is simple – move from one restaurant’s display to another while sampling the finest cuisine in Medina County. Come dressed in business casual and be prepared to enjoy gourmet food and good conversation with friends while donating to a great cause.

In addition to great food, drink and conversation, 20 eye-catching food and entertainment raffle baskets will also be available. Themes include: Cash Basket, Restaurant Gift Certificates, Lottery Tickets, Westfield Golf Basket, Weekend Getaway, Ohio Wines and many others! All baskets are valued at $200.00 or more and the winner does not need to be present to win. Raffle Tickets are Contact: Ashley Waite, Community Outreach & Events Coordinator, United Way of Medina County, (330) 725-3926 ext. 223
2573 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256 Tel: 330.725.3926, Fax: 330.725.3000, http://www.unitedwaymedina.org/

(as submitted by Medina County Convention & Visitor Bureau)