At the end of August, the weather was perfectly glorious and we thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday by stopping at Kicks Mix Bookstore in Newark, Ohio to pick out some free paperbacks from their outside tables.  Next, we drove to Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio to eat lunch al fresco on the patio at the Warehouse.  We shared a wood grilled pizza with handmade crust; the “Mama’s Mediterranean” hit the spot with fresh spinach, fresh tomatoes, red onion, smoked provolone, and mozzarella cheeses as well as a garlic butter sauce.  After enjoying our lunch, we were ready for shopping throughout Roscoe Village; our especially favorite stop was the candy store, Sweets & Treats.  There were several unique tins with little hard candies; we selected Scooby-Doo, Jaws, Godzilla, an alien head, and a gift for a family member based on one of his favorite sci-fi television series.  My husband also surprised me with some Crows (black licorice gumdrops) and he got us each a Whatchamacallit candy bar.      

Onward, we thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful historic horse drawn canal boat ride, the Monticello II, also included in the Historic Roscoe Village Experience.  We learned the history of the canal and the canal boat rides and more.  We love Roscoe Village and wish there were more places like it.  It’s so warm and makes history come alive. 

We wrapped up our day in Coshocton by shopping at the Coshocton Antique Mall, which is two floors full of antiques.  Every time we visit, we see something we are getting to see for the first time.  The unique homemade vulture perched on a tree scene sculpture is so cool!  If you visit and spot it, would you let us know what you think? 

Last Friday was a beautiful day for a day trip to Clifton and Springfield, Ohio.  Our first stop was for lunch at the historic Clifton Mill, which was established in 1802.  We walked around the property taking photographs of the mill and the water and even got some shots from a covered bridge.  Daily homemade chicken salad on white bread with kettle chips and a pickle spear was my main entree for lunch and a mushroom cheese omelette was my husband’s choice.  The dessert is what stole the show!  We opted to have dessert first: Flapjack Stacked Cheesecake with Maine blueberries, three tiered maple cream and buttery cake- YUM!

Next, we got to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House in Springfield, just shortly before our 1:00 pm scheduled tour time.  The tour guide was very informative and we enjoyed getting to know the others on the tour a bit too.  We got to tour all throughout the house and the grounds; we learned a great deal about the history of the house, the family who had it built, and of course, the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.  The gift shop, which is located in the site’s garage, was a delight to browse; we purchased a trivet of Wright’s art.

Lastly, we only had time to shop at one antique store in Springfield and that was Springfield Antique Center.  There was so much to look at there; it was easy to get overly stimulated.  I found a couple of old books and got a good deal on them!  This is one of our favorite antique stores to shop.  It never disappoints as we always see some unique item(s) for the very first time each visit.

We experienced one of the most peaceful shopping experiences on Saturday, July 11, at the Lilyfest located in the Bishop Educational Gardens in Rockbridge, Ohio.  After parking our car in a field, we were greeted with a map and welcome at no costs and entered the Viking area, which really takes you back to a time when everything was handmade.  My husband had been looking for an Iceland spar crystal and we found one at the first vendor’s tent we visited.  The spar is combined with a leather string to make a necklace.  Shortly after, we came across the opportunity of axe throwing and my husband jumped on that!  Again, there was no charge, but donations were welcome. 

As we continued to meet different vendors (over 60 artists and craftspeople offering pottery, jewelry, stained glass, leather, nature photography, and garden art, etc…) and shop through the woods, the lush green scenery was gorgeous and eventually along the path we discovered the lily pond where beautiful pink lilies bloomed and frogs croaked.  Gnome and fairy gardens were also scattered throughout the woods along with large sculptures incorporated creatively into the landscape.  Live musicians performing during our visit added to the folk ambiance of the artistic and natural atmosphere.     

The Lilyfest runs over a span of three days in July and this year marks their 34th year.  We would recommend taking cash as even though some vendors accept credit cards, the cell service is spotty.  We still were able to purchase a photography and informational book on owls by James N. Brown, the spar necklace, and a beautiful rose quartz.  If you visit next year, would you please leave us a note and share about your experience?      

Last Saturday, after the snow stopped falling and didn’t stick, we ventured on an afternoon trip to Coshocton, Ohio.  Our first stop was the Main St. Station Restaurant with its railroad décor and marquee appropriately located near the local train tracks and old railroad station.  We ordered 8 oz. sirloin steak topped with sautéed green peppers; we both selected a side of broccoli, which was flavored just right topped with cracked black pepper and covered in vegetable butter (would be my guess).  I also selected a loaded baked potato as my other side and it was perfect.  For dessert, I couldn’t pass up on the homemade bourbon pecan pie and I’m so glad I got it!  This pie was delicious and surrounded by three dots of fresh cream.  I learned from our server that the owner’s wife makes the pies.  I would visit the Main St. Station Restaurant again just for a piece of this pie! 

After enjoying our meal and friendly service, we headed over nearby to the Coshocton Antique Mall, which offers two floors of antiques and collectibles.  There are at least over 50 vendors housed in this eclectic store!  We had fun spotting some unique items like a sculptured landscape scene, which included a small tree branch painted black to appear dead and scorched, a vulture made of two painted sea shells for its wings and a painted pinecone for its body, and a little crab claw repurposed as a beak for the vulture.  Also, an 1800’s Stereoscope viewer is provided to view the viewing cards available for sale; we enjoyed a couple of these cards especially: one black and white of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem and one of a couple fishing while surrounded by a vast array of colorful flowers.  I almost purchased these at a very fair price, but I did not as I don’t have a Stereoscope viewer at home.  The one available at the Coshocton Antique Mall is not for sale, still, it’s helpful that they provide it for use.  If I ever do purchase a Stereoscope viewer, I will know where to go to get some good deals on viewing cards.

Last Saturday, it was a cool, crisp late morning into the early afternoon and we attended the “Haunted Newark: A Ghostly Walking Tour” hosted by Doug Stout, Local History Coordinator for the Licking County Library in Newark, Ohio. Our tour group met in the Downtown Newark Library foyer and proceeded to follow our welcoming host. Our first stop was the Licking County Players Theatre and additional stops included Veterans Park, the old YMCA, and more before reaching our last stop, which was the old First National Bank. At one point, we got to walk through the recently and most impressively renovated Arcade and around the Newark Courthouse Square along our tour path.

At each haunted site destination, Doug shared about the haunted history of downtown Newark with captivating stories, photos, and information. There are more tours scheduled and the last one is scheduled for Friday, October 31st at 5:00 pm. We highly recommend this free, most enjoyable and exploratory historically spooky tour!

Last weekend, in effort to complete our Passport to Licking County that we purchased from the Licking County Historical Society at the beginning of the summer, we visited two covered bridges amidst beautiful settings in Frazeysburg, Ohio, some historical sites in Newark like the Cedar Hill Cemetery and a church on Mt. Vernon Rd., which wasn’t too far from the Ye Olde Mill in Utica, Ohio.  We took advantage of our proximity and stopped for lunch; we ordered two cheeseburgers with a side of watermelon and I could not pass up the opportunity to get my favorite: Wild Black Cherry ice cream- two scoops!  This ice cream has the perfect consistency and is packed just right with delicious cherries. 

We enjoyed our meal alfresco near the mill we heard and watched turning, which was built in 1817.  Cloggers were setting up to entertain outside while people dined, but we did not get to stay to experience their show as we had one stop left on our passport.  To end our time traveling around Licking County, we shopped here and there at some staple stores.

The next day, we headed to Alexandria to visit one of our favorite greenhouses, Baker’s Acres.  We really enjoyed seeing their beautiful and full mums as well as all of their unique tropical plants and of course, the fun Halloween décor weaved in among their plants makes for a fun stroll through the grounds.  Along the way, we ate lunch for the first time at the Coffee Vault in the heart of Alexandria.  We don’t know if they make their own bagels, but the asiago bagels certainly tasted like they were freshly baked.  Yes, indeed, our BLT bagel sandwiches were tasty and our iced shaken espressos with brown sugar and oat milk were the best we have ever had!  This is a quality little coffee and sandwich shop with scrumptious freshly baked double chocolate chip cookies; we give it five stars! 

Lastly, we traveled further south to pick out our pumpkins and gourds at Dupler’s Pumpkin Land on Jacksontown Rd. in Newark, Ohio.  It is in a beautiful wooded setting, which includes a historical farm house built in 1823.  We chose two classic pumpkins, a black little pumpkin with two orange eyes reminding us of Mothman, and a handful of unique gourds.  Wagons are provided for use to help make the load lighter; we chose a Radio Flyer to gather our Autumn selections.  Photo ups are set up for people to enjoy during their visit and there are even some EMUs on the property that people can choose to purchase pellets to feed.  The sunlight hit the EMUs eyes just right and the reflection gave a gorgeous amber glow, which was such a surprising and beautiful sight!  I tried to capture this in a photo, but was not able to do so.  We really appreciate this place and family business and try to visit every year when fall comes to town.    

At the end of August, we went digging for flint at Nether’s Farm in Hopewell, Ohio.  It’s located in Muskingum County just across the Licking County line.  When we arrived around 11:30 am, there were already four vehicles parked near the woods, but we easily parked and walked to the station nearby, which shares all of the rules and details of digging on this farm property.  The cost is $10 per person and $1 per pound of flint that you take with you.  Conveniently, there is a weighing machine provided at the station and a bucket if you need to let go of any treasures to get your desired weight. 

 We ended up with 20 pounds of flint.  Hammers, weeding tools, and plastic bags were the tools we took with us, but next time, chisels and buckets will most likely be our chosen equipment for excavation.  We were wearing our glasses, which helped protect our eyes, but I did get my glasses scratched, so I will be wearing my old pair next time.  We would recommend safety glasses.  How are we using the flint?  We are making a border for our shed and on some on the edging of our patio.  We plan to visit again and pick up bigger pieces to use as a border around our bushes.  Also, bringing the outside in is a habit of ours, so flint rocks are periodically throughout the inside of our house along with drift wood, shells, sticks, and other rocks.  We had a lot of fun and Nether’s Farm is such a flint treasure!  Flint abounds in these woods!