Posts with tag 'Things to Do'
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12
10 Places for a Family Weekend Getaway Around Ohio
Who's ready to get out of the house and get away for a weekend? These last few months have brought our families together closer than ever. Unfortunately, that also meant pretty close quarters at home. While many of our summer vacation plans may be postponed until next year, there's still plenty of time to make the most of a quick trip around the state. Load up the kids, pack a handful of snacks, and head to one of these destinations that are perfect for a family weekend getaway.
Put-in-Bay
Distance From: Cleveland (85 miles) | Columbus (130 miles) | Cincinnati (235 miles)
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Looking to get away only to kick back and relax? Then stay put in Put-in-Bay! This island in Lake Erie is a fantastic play to have an enjoyable yet relaxed family vaca. You can either stay on the island itself or take the ferry back and forth to the mainland. Perry's Cave Family Fun Center is a must-do as it has everything imaginable: mini golf, rock climbing, a maze, and even gemstone mining. There are also tons of hiking trails, nature walks, and on-water activities to fill your getaway!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Distance from: Cleveland (20 miles) | Columbus (129 miles) | Cincinnati (235 miles)
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Super close to Akron, your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park will make you feel worlds away from the city. This wonderful natural space is a great place to camp and get your family in touch with nature. Hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, and stargazing are just the tip of the iceberg! Bring a few coolers of food for unforgettable picnics or eat one of the restaurants just outside of the park. You can stay in lodging within the park or camp at a nearby campground just outside of the park's limits.
Geneva-on-the-Lake
Distance From: Cleveland (53 miles) | Columbus (190 miles) | Cincinnati (296 miles)
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Whether you're looking for indoor or outdoor family fun, Geneva-on-the-Lake is the place to be! Charter a fishing boat or play mini-golf. Take a zipline canopy tour or go canoeing down the Grand River. If the weather isn't cooperating, a roller rink and multiple arcades will deliver indoor fun. Just be sure to hit the beach when you can as no trip to Geneva-on-the-Lake is complete without actually being on the Lake.
Hocking Hills
Distance From: Cleveland (197 miles) | Columbus (57 miles) | Cincinnati (135 miles)
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If your family can't spend enough time outdoors then set a course for Hocking Hills! Southeastern Ohio's scenic wonderland has two nature preserves, five state parks/forests, and six natural attractions. Hike to the Old Man's Cave or Cedar Falls. Camp in a tent or stay in a cabin. Plus, there are plenty of other family-friendly attractions like High Rock Adventures, Skyview Drive-In, Rollerball Lanes, and R Adventure Park.
Sandusky
Distance From: Cleveland (63 miles)Columbus (112 miles) | | Cincinnati (225 miles)
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Have an adventure on the shores of Lake Erie in Sandusky. This town is home to adrenaline-pumping action including Cedar Point amusement park, Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark, Castaway Bay Waterpark, and Kalahari Resort. Add a new interesting museums and lovely state parks into the mix, and you've got an active weekend that your kids will love!
Mason
Distance From: Cleveland (227 miles) | Columbus (85 miles) | Cincinnati (24 miles)
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Travelers to the Cincinnati area know that there are hours of fun to be had just a few miles north in Mason. Home to King's Island, the largest amusement park and waterpark in the Midwest. In fact, there are so many great family-friendly attractions around Warren County that Mason is a great home base. Jump & Jack's playground, the WEB Extreme Entertainment, and EnterTRAINment Junction are a few miles east.
Cumberland
Distance From: Cleveland (136 miles) | Columbus (77 miles) | Cincinnati (185 miles)
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Looking to get a little wild on your family getaway? Then head to Cumberland and visit The Wilds. This unique zoo features animals from around the world and you can go on your own safari through the park. You can take a zipline tour, learn about animals in the nature center, and even spend the night on the property and let the sounds of wildlife rock you to sleep.
Yellow Springs
Distance From: Cleveland (195 miles) | Columbus (56 miles) | Cincinnati (70 miles)
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There's a reason Yellow Springs is known as "Everyone's Favorite Place." Arts, culture, local cuisine, and outdoor recreation all combine to give you an awesome weekend trip. Take a family bike ride through the trails within John Bryan State Park or hike around Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve. Grab fresh food from Flying Mouse Farms then dust off your new favorite book at one of the two Yellow Springs independent bookstores. With events nearly every weekend in downtown, there's always something fun to see and do for the whole family in Yellow Springs.
Amish Country
Distance From: Cleveland (78 miles) | Columbus (84 miles) | Cincinnati (200 miles)
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If you've never visited Ohio's Amish Country, then you're in for a yesteryear treat! Amish Country is full of unique little towns that give you a sample of true Amish life. Take an Amish Heartland Tour in Millersburg, eat at the Amish Door Restaurant in Wilmot, and visit the "Little Switzerland of Ohio" in Sugarcreek. Whichever towns you stop in, be sure to sample the fresh cheese and pick up a few handcrafted souvenirs around Berlin.
Toledo
Distance From: Cleveland (114 miles) | Columbus (146 miles) | Cincinnati (202 miles)
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Instead of heading to the three Big C cities, head to Toledo and experience a different side of Ohio. The Toledo Zoo, Imagination Station, National Museum of the Great Lakes, and Wildwood Park are just a few of the great destinations inside Toledo. With dozens upon dozens of indoor and outdoor attractions that are ideal for all ages, Toldeo may just become your new favorite urban getaway in Ohio!
Family Roadtrip
Where is your favorite place to take the family for a weekend getaway? Tell us where we should plan our next family staycation in the comments!
24
Northeast Ohio: 9 Places for Furniture Shopping Around Amish Country
If you've ever looked at a new piece of furniture and thought, "They just don't make them like they used to," you've surely been shopping at the wrong furniture stores. Luckily, Stark County is a short drive to Amish Country, granting us access to fine handmade wooden furniture. Here are a few of our favorite places to go furniture shopping around Amish Country.
Walnut Creek Furniture
3473 OH-39, Walnut Creek, OH 44687
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If you've ever been to Walnut Creek Furniture, then you know that it is not your traditional Ohio furniture store. They believe that their customers deserve a quality piece of furniture that meets their standards in style and form. Walnut Creek Furniture invites all customers to collaborate with their decorators and designers to create the piece that they've always dreamed of. You can even bring in other paints or stains from home, and they'll gladly use them in the custom creation of your piece so that it matches your other furniture perfectly.
Dutch Craft Furniture
4774 US Route 62, Berlin, OH 44610
Dutch Craft Furniture understands that sometimes you can't wait up to 10 weeks for furniture to arrive. Thankfully, their showroom conveniently keeps their most popular items always in stock. Visit their store and browse their newest items. Locally handcrafted furniture is fantastic, but the folks at Dutch Craft Furniture make these pieces even better by offering exceptional pricing in their clearance section. Imagine taking home a beautiful custom piece of furniture for a bargain!
Schlabach Furniture
11463 Harrison Road, Apple Creek, OH 44606
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With a 16,000-square-foot showroom dedicated to their handcrafted hardwood furniture, you'll surely find what you're looking for at Schlabach Furniture. We love their wide selection that covers all of the bases. For example, they're ready to outfit your entire office with wooden bookcases, computer desks, file cabinets, rolltop desks, and executive/secretary desks. Schlabach even produces children's furniture like bunk beds, nightstands, and chests. Trust us, one stop at Schlabach Furniture, and you can check off every room of your home.
Schrock's Heritage Furniture
4760 E. Main St., Millersburg, OH 44654
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Experience exceptional beauty and extraordinary quality at Schrock's Heritage Furniture. Living rooms, bedrooms, offices, kitchens, dining rooms, and entertainment rooms — Schrock's has a unique piece of handcrafted Amish furniture to fit any space. If they don't happen to have exactly what you're looking for, their designers will build any piece according to your specifications and allow you to choose the wood type and finish.
Swiss Country Lawn & Craft
2131 OH-39, Sugarcreek, OH 44681
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Swiss Country Lawn & Crafts wants you to enjoy their Amish furniture indoors and outdoors! Their expansive collection of the finest Amish outdoor furniture includes garden décor, swings, gazebos, and lawn furniture. For the interior of the home, their gift shop has plenty of crafts, décor, candles, rhythm clocks, and gifts. Their outdoor handcrafted furniture made from polyethylene is maintenance-free and comes with a lifetime warranty so you'll never have to worry about purchasing outdoor furniture again.
Homestead Furniture
8233 OH-241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660
If you're searching for refined furniture for your beautiful home, look no further than Homestead Furniture. Blending quality Amish craftsmanship with stylish and trendy design, Homestead Furniture prides itself on impressive pieces that you won't believe are featured in an Amish furniture store. While their showroom showcases a variety of different pieces, these items can all be customized to fit your home aesthetic. All upholstery, outdoor, and hardwood pieces can be modified — including color with their in-house color lab — to match any home design scheme. Come and discover custom furniture that will last your family a lifetime.
Weaver's Fine Furniture of Sugarcreek
7011 Old Route 39 NW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681
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What can you expect to find at the number one furniture destination in Ohio's Amish Country? A 25,000-square-foot showroom with everything you need for your indoor and outdoor spaces. Browse their incredible selection and choose the furniture design that best suits your home. Weaver's Fine Furniture of Sugarcreek will then take the design and turn it into a handmade custom piece, complete with your choice of hardware options, wood, stain, finish, upholstery selection, and more. As one of the most expansive showrooms in the area, Weaver's has earned a reputation for exceptional service, craftsmanship, and the integrity you deserve from a trusted local supplier.
Troyer Furniture
985 W. Main St., Sugarcreek, OH 44681
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Troyer Furniture understands the value of a simple yet elegant handcrafted piece of furniture. They're known for simplifying the Amish furniture selection process by providing customers with an experience like no other. Instead of allowing you to become overwhelmed by so many options, Troyer's staff guide you through the store by first getting to know how you want your living space to reflect your style. Come in for a spell and tell them about your ideas. You can bring photographs, sketches, or even just describe what you're looking for, and Troyer Furniture will be happy to make it to your exact specifications.
Yoder's Oak & Cherry
5911 S. Kansas Road, Apple Creek, OH 44606
Yoder's Oak & Cherry Furnishings has a full line of high-quality hardwood furniture ready to find a spot in your home. They have 10 species of wood to choose from and are happy to offer you a free quote on your next piece of custom furniture. From entertainment centers and office desks to rockers, coffee tables, and pie and jelly cupboards, Yoder's is a must-visit stop when shopping for authentic Amish furniture.
Fitting Furniture
Do you own a fantastic piece of Amish furniture? Let us know where you purchased it in the comments below!
15
Northeast Ohio: 10 Places for Charcuterie Board Picnic Ingredients
Whether the occasion is a romantic getaway with your significant other or a rowdy, light-hearted family gathering, a charcuterie board is a great selection for a picnic. Sliced meats and cheeses, bite-size veggies and finger foods provide a nice variety of items that are perfect for day-long nibbling.
When it's time to start planning, you'll find everything you're looking for and more at these wonderful specialty food and beverage shops around Northeast Ohio.
SPECIALTY DELIS
DiStefano's Authentic Italian Foods
5600 Highland Rd., Highland Heights, OH 44143
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DiStefano's Authentic Italian Foods has been a Northeast Ohio tradition since 1972. Their imported and domestic cold cuts, ranging from prosciutto to turkey breast, are sliced fresh to order for the highest quality. While you're there, pick up some imported olives and ready-to-eat salads to complement your meal. If you have a larger group, DiStefano's offers party and antipasto trays for a minimum of 10 people. Hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Larder Delicatessen & Bakery
1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
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Native son Jeremy, accompanied by culinary school pals Allie and Kenny, came home to open Larder Delicatessen & Bakery in the historic Ohio City Firehouse building. In their first year, the trio was rewarded with a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant. True to its name, Larder stocks a sizable variety of meats, cheeses, and other groceries to fill your picnic basket. Save time by purchasing one of Larder's traditional or vegetarian charcuterie boards. Larder is open noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Gust Gallucci Company
6610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103
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The namesake of the Gust Gallucci Company arrived in Cleveland from Faeto, Italy during the early 1900s and found a number of fellow transplants longing for food from their native land. Gust's first "shop" was a large wooden cart, and succeeding locations grew to accommodate the booming business. The Gallucci family still operates the store with its fine selection of deli meats, gourmet cheeses, and Italian and Hungarian specialty items. Hours are 8 a.m - 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday.
CHEESE SHOPS
Old Brooklyn Cheese Co.
4138 Pearl Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109
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How good are the products from Old Brooklyn Cheese Co.? Brides have actually ordered "wedding cakes" made with their cheese wheels. Old Brooklyn makes their own cheeses using non-GMO-certified cow's milk aged for at least 90 days. Their pickled and beer-infused whole mustards were developed for use in-house, but they proved to be so popular that Old Brooklyn began selling them at retail. With 48 hours' notice, Old Brooklyn will prepare one of their specialty charcuterie boards or create one customized to your request. Hours are 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Grandpa's Cheesebarn
668 U.S. Hwy. 250 E., Ashland, OH 44805
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How could you resist a name like Grandpa's Cheesebarn? There really was a Grandpa Baum, and the third generation of his family recently entered the business to carry on his tradition. Product selection includes local and imported, smoked and grilling cheeses along with homemade cheese spreads and cheese curds. Grandpa's beef jerky, beef sticks, and summer sausage pair nicely with the cheeses. In 2018, granddaughter Misty Ankerman opened Best of Grandpa's Cheesebarn at 3916 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. in Norton. The original location is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. Hours at Best of Grandpa's are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday.
Shisler's Cheese House
55 Kidron Rd., Orrville, OH 44667
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Yes, Shisler's Cheese House is literally a house. John Shisler opened his modestly charming shop in 1958 for the purpose of showcasing local cheeses and gourmet foods to the community and passers-by on the Lincoln Highway. Its success led to the opening of a second location at 1275 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. in Copley as well as a thriving business shipping products around the world. The third generation of Shislers now runs the shops with the same emphasis on customer service pioneered by their grandfather. Shisler's Orrville location is open daily from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. except Sunday, when doors open at 9 a.m., while the Copley location's hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday.
PRODUCE MARKETS
West Side Market
1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
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Originally opened in 1912, West Side Market is such an institution that it's a popular tourist attraction featured on Travel Channel and Food Network. The market is home to more than 100 vendors selling every food item imaginable, from meats and seafood to spices and nuts. With more than a dozen produce vendors on hand, you'll find the widest assortment of fruits and vegetables direct from the field. While you're there, pick up some crusty breads and other fresh baked goods for your picnic basket. West Side Market is open 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and now 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday as well.
Ziggy's Produce & Farm Market
4641 Broadview Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109
If you're looking for a slick, modern "food shoppe," Ziggy's Produce & Farm Market isn't the place for you. But if you want a modest, family-run store where the focus is on high-quality produce, this is it. Butternut squash, watermelon, apples and other fruits and vegetables come fresh from local Amish growers. Have a sweet tooth? Slip some of Ziggy's imported chocolates and candy into your order. Customers especially appreciate the friendly, helpful service from Ziggy's staff. Hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily except Sunday, when Ziggy's closes at 4 p.m.
WINE SHOPS
The Wine Spot
2271 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
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Owners of The Wine Spot aim to be more than just a purveyor of the finest brands of red and white. Their goal is to be a valued Cleveland Heights neighbor as a gathering place and resource for the local community. The Wine Shop is housed in the former Seitz-Agin Hardware, whose sign is still lovingly displayed above the coolers, and the store serves as the student-run gallery of Cleveland Institute of Art. Store hours are 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon - 4 p.m. Sunday.
The Little Birdie Wine Nest
6060 Broadview Rd., Parma, OH 44134
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Named Best Wine Shop on Cleveland Hot List, The Little Birdie Wine Nest is one of a trio of businesses that grew out of owner Robin's passions. The Little Birdie is joined by The Morning Owl Coffee Bar and The Balancing Flamingo Yoga Lounge. Robin is a professional sommelier who uses her extensive knowledge to curate the shop's selection of more than 1,000 wines from around the world. Still can't find the right wine? Special orders are cheerfully accepted. The Little Birdie is open 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
A Loaf of Bread, a Jug of Wine, and Thou
What's your favorite picnic spot around Northeast Ohio? Don't worry, we won't tell!
17
Pitch a Tent at These Northeast Ohio Campgrounds
There's no doubt that summer vacations will be different this year, but that doesn't mean you can't get out of the house and enjoy some family fun. If you're looking for the ultimate socially-distant vacation, camping is a great idea!
There are a ton of excellent campgrounds in Northeast Ohio, some of them with just as many amenities as a luxury resort. Take a look at a few of our favorite camping getaways.
Timber Ridge Campground
51900 Portman Road, Amherst, OH 44001
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If you're looking for a full-service campground with plenty to do, Timber Ridge is a great option. They have 30- and 50-amp RV hookups, and you can choose from either shaded and wide-open spaces.
The entertainment options at this campground are virtually endless, from game rooms and playgrounds to an indoor lap pool and a catch-and-release pond. Gather up the family to enjoy some time on the shuffleboard and basketball courts and don't forget to set aside some time for adult activities like cornhole, bingo, and musical entertainment.
Pier-Lon Campground
5960 Vandemark Road, Medina, OH 44256
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A campground known for its Christian Family Values, Pier-Lon is popular among both overnight and seasonal campers. One of the most popular attractions is the 5-acre lake where you can swim and enjoy catch-and-release fishing.
Other fun things to do here include paddleboard, hayrides, horseshoes, ladder golf, disc golf, baseball, and volleyball. There are also plenty of craft opportunities and planned activities. The campground offers full hookup sites, water/electric sites, and group camping areas.
The Lake
2678 S. Hametown Road, Norton, OH 44203
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A favorite among locals since 1955, The Lake is a fun, family-friendly campground where you'll find weekly social events, a gorgeous 6-acre swim lake, a goat petting zoo, batting cage, miniature golf, and an arcade. The campgrounds also offer basketball, tennis, disc golf, and GaGa ball.
There's no tent camping here, but if you have an RV, you'll enjoy the daily, monthly, or seasonal campsites with both water and electricity.
Wood's Tall Timber Resort
1921 Tall Timber Road NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
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If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, you'll love the 157-acre Wood's Tail Timer Resort. A favorite among locals and visitors, this campground features a 7-acre lake and incredible amenities including miniature golf, ziplining, and a target range. You can also go fishing, boating, or hiking and the kids will love the playground and game room.
This resort offers a wide variety of camping experiences, including tent camping with no electricity and 30- and 50-amp electric RV hookups. If you're looking for a bit more luxury, you can also rent a house, cottage, mini-cabin, or a camper cottage.
Hickory Lakes Campground
23 Township Road 1300, West Salem, OH 44287
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For a fun and relaxing getaway with your family and friends, you can't go wrong with Hickory Lakes Campground. The grounds feature several private lakes where you can boat, fish, and swim. There's also a swimming pool and bike trails. You'll never have to worry about getting bored — there are plenty of fun planned activities that are guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.
This campground offers tent camping with water and electric, RV hookups, or cabin rentals. They also have a recreation barn that's perfect for larger activities.
Lake Wapusun Campground
10787 Molter Road, Shreve, OH 44676
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Located in Ohio's Amish Country, this huge campground is popular among both locals and visitors. They have 300 campsites, most of which are in wooded areas, 30-amp RV hookups, and A-frame and trailer rental cottages.
You'll love spending your time at the swimming beach, fishing in the five lakes (the largest is 23 acres), and enjoying live entertainment. There's also a game room, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and rowboat and paddleboat rentals.
Atwood Lake Park
9500 Lakeview Road NE, Mineral City, OH 44656
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This campground offers both RV and tent camping, patio cabins, and vacation cabins. It's also known for its incredible amenities including a beach, fishing pier, playgrounds, activity center, basketball court, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, and even a dog park!
If you want to get out and enjoy the area, you can spend some time on the campground's hiking trails or climb up the observation tower to take in the incredible review.
American Wilderness Campground
17273 Avon Belden Road, Grafton, OH 44044
American Wilderness offers primitive camping, tent and RV camping with electric and water, and cabin rentals. The campsites are all quite large, giving you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the peace and quiet.
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You'll never get bored here — there's a swimming lake with a sandy beach, an 11-acre stocked fishing lake, two playgrounds, and a huge game room. You can also try your hand at adventure gem mining, rent a boat, go hiking or biking, play basketball or volleyball, or spend some time at their adventure park! There are plenty of planned activities for campers and pets are also welcome.
Clay's Park Resort
13190 Patterson St. NW, North Lawrence, OH 44666
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This 500-acre facility gives visitors plenty of space to spread out. They offer cabin rentals, motorhome camping, "glamping" tents, travel trailer camping, and traditional tent camping. Best of all, when you rent a space, you'll also get access to the resort's 10-acre Adventure Water Park.
This resort also features an indoor heated pool, 18-hole miniature golf, and 20-acre fishing lake. You can also visit John O's Restaurant and Pub, visit the country store, rent a boat, and rent golf carts to get you from place to place. Looking to get active? Pick up a game of tennis, basketball, or volleyball, or head out to the trails to go hiking or biking.
Akron-Canton Jellystone Park™
12712 Hoover Ave. NW, Uniontown, OH 44685
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Located in Stark County, this campground offers visitors over 80 tent camping and RV sites and 8 luxury cabins. Once you're settled in, there's plenty to do, including an 18-hole miniature golf course, a giant activity barn, a gem mine, and even visits from Yogi Bear! They even have a shop where you can enjoy handmade ice cream and rootbeer.
If you have children, you'll definitely want to consider this exciting family-friendly adventure.
Summer Under the Stars
Are you ready for your next summer camping adventure?
15
Where to Donate Homemade Masks Around Northeast Ohio
Let's be honest — these last few weeks have been tough on everyone.
To say that COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has disrupted life around the world is an understatement. Within a matter of weeks, our everyday lifestyles were completely altered in unprecedented ways — so much so that the CDC recommends that all men, women, and children wear protective masks over their mouth and nose when leaving the house. This is, understandably, a scary reality for all of us, but it's an especially frightening way of life that our essential workers have to adopt.
At Cutler Real Estate, we want to support our family members, friends, neighbors, and service workers in the communities throughout Northeast Ohio in any way we can. One way that we can unite and proactively slow the spread of coronavirus is to make, wear, and donate homemade masks. You can make these masks from many items that you already have in your home. Let's go over a few ways that you can make these masks at home, why you can protect yourself by wearing them in public, and how do donate these masks and other vital medical supplies to facilities around Northeast Ohio.
Why Make & Wear Homemade Masks?
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Sadly, there are thousands of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ohio. Until widespread accessibility to testing, more effective treatment options, and a better understanding of the virus itself become a reality, we need to take every opportunity we can to slow the spread. This means practicing social distancing by staying in our homes as much as possible and always wearing a protective mask whenever we leave home.
Although the virus itself is microscopic and can pass through most face coverings, the virus often attaches itself to water molecules that come out of our noses and mouths when we sneeze or cough. Many types of fabric can effectively contain most of these molecules, which means any type of face covering is better than none at all.
While officials ask that all non-medical personnel refrain from purchasing the N95 surgical masks and procedure masks so that our healthcare workers who come in contact with this virus on a daily basis have access to them, the CDC encourages all individuals to make their own face masks. Currently, JOANN fabric and craft stores across the nation have free tools, supplies, and guidance available for anyone wanting to make masks. Many other businesses and organizations around Northeast Ohio are also providing supplies to those who want to join the effort and support the community.
How to Sew a Homemade Mask
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There are two ways that you can make a homemade mask, the first of which is to sew one. Here are the abridged UH-approved steps to make your own (full directions and materials needed available at this link).
- Step 1: Print out a pattern (composed of A and B pieces) and cut them out on paper. Place these paper cut-outs on the fabric and cut out two of the A and two of the B.
- Step 2: Align both A pieces together and sew the pattern together with ¼" seam. Repeat for the B pieces.
- Step 3: Sew the exterior piece of the mask to the interior piece of the mask.
- Step 4: Thread a sturdy wire like a pipe cleaner or paperclips underneath your stitching.
- Step 5: Insert a fabric tie and secure it with stitching.
- Step 6: Insert a filter material such as a coffee filter into the center of the mask between the fabrics.
How to Make a Homemade Mask Without Sewing
An alternative way that you can make a mask is with a simple pair of scissors. While you can use any fabric on-hand, it's suggested that you use at least two layers of cotton. A bandana, old shirt, or pillowcase are good options. You can fold and tie these fabrics around your face, with or without a filter inserted into the center. You can also cut out ear holes or use ties, rubber bands, or other straps to secure it around your face.
Ideally, this fabric will completely cover your face from the bridge of your nose down underneath your chin. It shouldn't restrict your breathing or speaking, but it must be thick enough to prevent water molecules from passing through the fabric. Please also remember to refrain from touching the front of your mask as that could place your hands in contact with the virus, which you could potentially spread to other parts of your face or to others you come in contact with.
Why You Should Make & Donate Homemade Masks
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You have the option of either disposing of your mask or washing it in the washing machine for safe reuse. If you're social distancing, you'll ideally only need to wear your mask a limited number of times throughout our quarantine. Unfortunately, our healthcare workers are constantly exposed to potentially infected patients which means their supply usage is drastically higher.
Believe it or not, healthcare workers in Ohio will use 13 N95 face masks, 14 protective gowns, and 36 pairs of medical gloves while caring for a patient in the Intensive Care Unit over a 24-hour period. As potential new coronavirus cases continue to rise, as well as the daily need for medical care not associated with the virus, our healthcare workers will need more masks than ever before.
Where You Can Donate Homemade Masks in Northeast Ohio
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There are dozens of medical facilities around the area that desperately need masks. Here are a few that you can send homemade masks and other supplies to right now:
- Summa Health System is in need of homemade masks, which can be delivered to their Corporate Office or mailed to their Volunteer Office.
- University Hospitals in need of masks and other medical supplies that can be mailed in or dropped off at various UH locations. Many UH locations also have mask-making materials available for pick-up. They are also sourcing corporate materials and manufacturing capabilities that can be arranged via email.
- Akron's Children's Hospital is in need of homemade masks, donations of which can be arranged through email.
- Cleveland Clinic is in need of medical supply donations which can be dropped off at curbside delivery sites throughout Northeast Ohio.
- Mercy Medical Center is in need of medical equipment donations and cleaning supplies which can be arranged for donation through the Mercy Supply Chain department.
- Aultman Health Foundation is running low on all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and is asking for donations of PPE, materials to create masks, and seamstress assistance in creating the masks. Donations can be arranged on their website.
In This Together
If you know of any other healthcare or frontline facilities that need masks or other vital medical supplies for their essential workers, please tell us in the comments below.
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