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 The Great Big Home & Garden Show is February 4-12 at the IX Center. The LCVB will be there and we want you to be there too. Click the link above and enter the promo code for $4 off tickets then stop and see us at booth 813! |
A sneak peek into 2012
It is 2012, and that means it’s time to consistently write 2011 on everything, then carve an ink-heavy 2012 over top of it. But beyond that frustration, it means time for a whole new calendar year of incredible Lake County Ohio adventures.
The goal this year is easy: If you’re a local – explore parts of your hometown you never knew were there. If you live outside our Lake Erie community – take a day or two and visit us…we won’t disappoint.
So what can we all look forward to in Lake County in 2012? Awesome events, of course! Some old ones, some new ones and all of them are crowd pleasers. Let’s preview a quick run down of what to expect in 2012…
February 10 – March 21
Quilts 2012 – Lake Metroparks Farmpark
One of Ohio’s finest quilt shows, with more than 200 quilted works on display.
March 3, 10 & 17
Ice Wine Festival
Join the Grand River Valley wineries for Ohio’s 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival, a progressive tasting of the Ice Wine produced in Northeast Ohio.
April 27 through late summer
Vanishing Act Exhibit – The Holden Arboretum
A summer-long, family exhibit exploring the outdoors and learning how you can help save over 8,000 endangered trees worldwide.
May 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013
An Artist Visits the White House Past: Paintings by Peter Waddell – James A. Garfield National Historic Site
In this special exhibit fourteen paintings examine the history of The White House. Exhibit is on loan from the White House Historical Association.
July 14 – 15
Civil War Encampment and Re-enactment – Lake County History Center
Lake County Remembers with one of the largest encampments and battle re-enactments in Northeast Ohio featuring nearly 300 participants and many activities for all to enjoy.
July 20 – 22
Party in the Park – Veteran’s Park, Painesville
Ohio’s largest FREE Music Festival with over 30 acts from around the country and Ohio performing on three stages.
August 3 – 4
Vintage Ohio – Lake Metroparks Farmpark
More than 20 wineries offer samples at this festival of wine, which also features arts and crafts, music, food and kids activities.
September 15 – 16
Village Peddler Festival – Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Enjoy a fall afternoon in the country at this outdoor marketplace filled with more than 150 craftsmen, music and the aroma of food cooking outside.
November 23 – December 30, 2012
“Wise Men Still Seek Him” Nativity Exhibit – Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center
Come celebrate the birth of Christ with hundreds of Nativity sets from around the world donated by the community.
Be sure to request our 2011 …oops… 2012 Cultural Calendar of Events and Visitor Guide to find all there is to do and see in Lake County and have a happy and safe New Year!
Madison Bender – Lake County Visitors Bureau, Social Media Specialist
A spotlight on Maple Ridge Vineyard
Maple Ridge Vineyard is unique from other Northeast Ohio wineries in several ways, but mostly due to its signature wines produced in a natural, chemical free environment right in Madison, Ohio – and its Chardonnay!
Maple Ridge Vineyard has made its mark in the area by offering organic and safe wines grown locally. The vineyard was certified organic from 1997 to 2007 and now practices sustainability using bio-diversity and a select set of organic practices. Owners Jim and Patti keep grape yields limited to less than two ton per acre, where most vineyards average five to ten tons per acre, protecting the vines. After working with professionals, Jim and Patti were able to achieve a balanced soil and foliar on the six-acre property by using highly sophisticated, aerated compost teas. Then specially selected clones of French varietals were planted to achieve old world style wines.
All this work resulted in wines that are generally dry and made in the style of a food-friendly European wine. Chardonnay is the signature wine at the vineyard since the vineyard’s terrain is blessed with a micro-climate very similar to Bourgogne, France, where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines excel. Two types of Chardonnay are produced at this estate winery, barrel-fermented and a stainless steel version. High quality French Oak barrels are imported from Bourgogne France and stainless steel tanks from Italy to produce just the right taste for the wines. Other wines available at the tasting room include Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and a Red Blend, called Red Meritage.
The wines are only available through the tasting room, open on most Saturday afternoons (call ahead at 440-829-8783). There is generally a waiting list for a membership which includes many benefits including first-hand experiences during harvest season and access to the owners for wine and wine-food pairing recommendations, but it’s a deal!
For more info, please visit Maple Ridge Vineyard online.
Mentor’s Historic Sawyer House to be new home to popular restaurant
If you remember Frank and Pauly’s Italian American restaurant from Cleveland in the 90’s, you’ll be happy to hear the popular restaurant will be reopening its doors in Mentor at the beginning of 2012. Recently the empty Historic Sawyer House on Mentor Avenue found new tenants in Frank & Pauly’s and the owners of the restaurant anticipate opening to the public in mid January.
Previously, the restaurant has won several awards as the Best Italian Restaurant in Cleveland. The menu is proudly prepared from scratch (the old fashioned way – by hand) and made from the freshest and finest ingredients available. Frank and Pauly’s imports all of its pasta and cheeses from Italy and guests will taste the difference.
We will be sure to update you with the official opening. In the meantime, for more information please call 440-392-9500.
Snowshoeing, ice caves and birding activities to keep busy at Holden
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors! In fact here are some amazing Holden Arboretum hikes and classes that are well worth a visit to Kirtland, Ohio this winter.
Children’s Events
Kids get restless this time of year, but cabin fever can be cured with any one of these classes made for families.
In the Snow: Who’s Been Here – January 21
Kids will have tons of fun seeing whose tracks they find and where they lead.
Family Snowshoe Hikes – February 19
Ever wonder how snowshoes work or better yet, how to keep them on? Find out!
Nighttime Winter Wonderland Snowshoe Hike – January 27
Explore the winter woods at night and finish the night with hot cocoa by a fire.
Flowers in February – February 5
Flowers in winter? Well not quite yet. Learn about bulbs and create a basket of future flowers to enjoy when spring comes around.
Icicles and Frozen Waterfalls Photo Tour with Ian Adams
This January 21, brings a new class for anyone who enjoys the beauty of the outdoors. Ian Adams, author of the new book, A Photographer’s Guide to Ohio, hosts a one-day photo tour of some of his favorite places for photographing icicles and frozen waterfalls.
Ice Caves
January 28 may be one of the coolest adventures Holden Arboretum offers all year. Hikers will explore the hidden trails and secret passageways of Nelson Ledges State Park to gaze upon ice formations such as frozen waterfalls and unusual needle ice.
Birding for Beginners – Winter Residents
Birding is becoming very popular among several generations – and with Lake County now being part of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, birding classes would be a great way to start a new hobby. The program is only available February 18.
Please note, guests need to register for these classes ahead of time and can do so by calling 440-602-3833 or clicking the class links above.
A new way to golf: Lake County Chili Open
The Lake County Chili Open is more than another golf tournament…it’s a golf tournament in the snow! So get your team of competitive golfers and see who wins this challenge Saturday, January 21.
The first tee time is 9 a.m. at Mentor’s Black Brook Golf Course. Golfers will play nine snow covered holes of golf and as a treat at the end of the round golfers can enjoy a warm bowl of chili in the Black Brook Golf Course clubhouse.
Sound easy? Well, golfers will have to drive shots across frozen greens and putt balls covered with ice. Luckily the golf balls will be orange so golfers won’t lose them on the 65–100 yard holes.
Prizes will be awarded. The cost to enter the Chili Open is $18 per person which includes golf fees, chili, prizes and more.
Get your teams registered now, after all, how many times have you played golf in the snow? For more info call the city of Mentor at 440-974-5720 or view their upcoming events on their site.
More Outdoor Events
LaMalfa Bridal Experience
We are getting to the very beginning of wedding season. No, we aren’t confused about which season it is – bridal shows start this time of year in preparation for spring and summer. This year, Mentor’s LaMalfa will be changing up its annual show on January 13.
The LaMalfa Bridal Experience show will be an evening event this year (5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.) and will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a martini and champagne station, a three-course formal sit down dinner and LaMalfa’s trademark dessert presentation. But that’s just the tasty part! Over 25 preferred vendors with entertainment and bridal fashions will be on site as well to help brides plan and shop for their perfect day.
LaMalfa has been recognized as the premiere event planning facility in Northeast Ohio for elegant events for nearly 40 years and has been awarded a three-star rating from the Knot Magazine.
Admission is $15 per person and reservations are required. For more information call LaMalfa at 440-357-9333.
Bocce…at a bowling alley?
The Cleveland area has a well-loved heritage of playing bocce for hours on end on summer days. And now you don’t have to wait for warmer months to play, for Wickliffe’s Freeway Lanes has four new indoor courts to play on all year round!
If you think bowling alleys are just for family fun and bowling leagues you may have to re-evaluate that once you see Freeway Lanes’ bocce courts.
The playing surfaces of the courts were impressively imported directly from Italy. The courts are open now and are a great way to get your friends and family out of the house and experiencing something new and fun.
The Bocce Club is available daily for Open Play 9 a.m. to close for varying rates. Leagues, tournaments, team building, birthday parties and more are also available. For more information call 440-585-5800.
Keep the kids busy at Discovery Days & Fun Day Monday
A day off of school never looked so smart as Lake Metroparks prepares to host two family friendly events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16. School is out so it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors in Lake County and learn something too!
Discovery Days
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Discovery days at Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark will get kids busy (and maybe sticky too!) with ice cream and bread making, learning about renewable energy, watching sheep shearing and herding and so much more! Adults and kids alike will learn a thing or two during the day’s activities.
Free admission for ages 2-11 with paid adult
Fun Day Monday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kids and families are invited to the Nature Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation to participate in new activities including a fun and educational scavenger hunt, kid-friendly crafts or to take a hike in the park.
Admission is free!
As a bonus, February 20, when school is out again for President’s Day, Lake Metroparks will repeat both events so there is no reason to miss out on a great day with the kids!
A fantastical adventure at the Fine Arts Association
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland will be enchanting Willoughby audiences this February as the Yarnell Youth Theatre production actors – ages eight to eighteen – recreate this family favorite at the Fine Arts Association.
Thirty-three young actors, under the lead of director David Malinowski, will entertain audiences February 10, 17 & 24 at 7:30 p.m. and February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26 at 2 p.m. in the Corning Auditorium.
The Fine Arts Association is also supporting a coloring contest for kids between the ages of five and thirteen and prizes will be awarded in multiple age groups. Kids can download the coloring sheet here.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online or by calling 440-951-7500.
