June 26, 2008
Origins Game Fair
Whether you play Yahtzee or suit up in chain mail to wallop your opponents with a foam broadsword like some wanna be Spartan, the Origins Game Fair has something for you. The expo offers tons of games (from boardgames to live action role playing) and enough demonstrations to make it a fun stop for families this weekend. My personal favorite: the U.S. Space Marines and their ongoing battle with hostile extra-terrestrials. Oh, to suit up and unload a clip full of yellow pellets into a guy dressed as a space zombie... Fulfilling in ways you can understand only if you play.

June 24, 2008
Hook, Line, and Stinker
You might not think it to look at me, as I'm so refined and all, but I looooove goin' fishin'. Problem is, I'm no darn good at it. Let's put it this way: The only thing I've ever caught in my life was bluegill. The other day, my 4 year old caught a largemouth bass within minutes of his line hitting the water. I've NEVER caught a bass. So, I hooked up (no pun intended) with Rich Carter from the Division of Wildlife for a crash course in angling. He took me to beautiful Indian Lake and Mac-A-Cheek Creek where he ably demonstrated bass, sauger, and crappie-catching techniques. He even gave me a primer in the romantic art of fly fishing. The bottom line (again, no pun intended) is that fishing is a fine way of visiting some of Central Ohio's most idyllic spots.

June 23, 2008
Pickaway County Fair
I've covered a lot of fairs around Central Ohio but I've never come across an outhouse race. Not a race TO an outhouse, but racing the outhouse itself. One guy gets inside of it while three other guys pick it up and make a mad dash for the finish line against other racers. It's a bizarre sight, but great fun. You can check it out tomorrow at 5 at the Pickaway Co. fairgrounds.

June 20, 2008
London Strawberry Festival
Now in its 26th year, the London Strawberry Festival is more a celebration of the town than it is its namesake fruit. Coming late on the heels of the strawberry harvest, there aren't a whole lot of fresh Ohio strawberries to be had. There are, though, plenty of strawberry-laden treats and fun and entertainment. It ends tomorrow night so get out there while you can. Did you know the LSF was once a marigold festival? True.

June 17, 2008
Spotted Horse Ranch
Yet another cool spot tucked away in the lush green foliage of Hocking Hills -- the Spotted Horse Ranch. The name refers to the type of horse they raise there: the beautiful Appaloosa (a Southwestern equine first bred by the Nez Perce peoples). And you can saddle up and ride along one of Spotted Horse's 25 miles of wooded trails. The ranch is a working one, so be sure to call ahead to schedule a ride time.

June 10, 2008
Into the Wild!
Go on safari at The Wilds (south of Zanesville) a conservation center on 10,000 acres of Muskingum County. Hop on a bus and come face to face with giraffes, zebras, rhinos, camels, cheetahs, African wild dogs, bison, and something called takin (pronounced "tokken) -- an Asian goat that looks like a bear mated with a yak. Awesome! The Wilds is the largest such conservation in the U.S. You won't believe you're on the same continent, let alone that you're in Ohio.

June 9, 2008
Ohio Historical Society Summer Camp
Blast from the Past is OHS's take on the summer camp tradition. Kids sign up for specific focus groups like one on 19th century theatre or archeology or Victorian-era cooking, dressmaking, or trade work. The camp is designed to get the kids outside and educate them while showing them a grand time. Learning has rarely been this fun.

June 4, 2008
Old Man's Cave
Hocking Hills State Park is home to some of Ohio's most spectacular geography, including Old Man's Cave, a dramatic facade of sheer rock that legend says houses the remains of an old mountain man who was breaking some rocks apart with the butt of his rifle when it went off sending him to his maker. He was found by some local Indians who are said to have buried him there... somewhere.

June 3, 2008
Tecumseh!
That's "Tecumseh!" with an exclamation point, which only means one thing: it's summertime in Central Ohio and outdoor drama is underway in Chillicothe! The town's officials should add an exclamation point to the name in honor of the play about the Shawnee leader who fought to unite the Native American nations against the whites and died for his troubles in the War of 1812. "Tecumseh!", again, is one of those things that I've ignored over the years but shouldn't have. The Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre is a sight to behold tucked away as it is, the set fully integrated into the surrounding forest. In fact, the actors (some of whom come from as far away as Trinidad) live in cabins behind the stage for the length of the play's run through August. "Tecumseh!" is one of only 103 outdoor dramas in the country and is consistently voted one of the best. Now in it's 36th season, the play opens on Friday. Make the trip to Chillicothe! with an exclamation point.

June 2, 2008
Ohio Craft Museum
First of all, who knew there was such a thing; and, secondly, who'da thought you'd find it on 5th Avenue near Grandview: bank, bank, Wendy's, bank, Ohio Craft Museum... ?! Next time you pass it, turn around and pull in for a stop. Right now, the museum features a truly amazing exhibit called the Best of 2008 which showcases the works of some of Ohio's finest artists. Their work falls under the umbrella of "craft" because of the materials and techniques they use. From "body-type" specific furniture to sculptures that look like they've emerged from the pages of Sendak, the Best of 2008 exhibit might be one of the most exciting displays in town right now.