“This was a tough decision to make,” said Dr. Dave Smith, president of Freshwater Farms of Ohio, “but with the festival drawing over 5,000 people last year, we could not see a way to safely host the festival this year.” He said that restrictions on large gatherings will likely still be in place in September, and added, “We had to let our wonderful vendors and musicians know well in advance.” Recognized by OhioFestivals.net as one of its favorites, the Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival, Smith said, “has become well known for the high quality of musical entertainment we schedule year after year, and, of course, the delicious seafood and other menu options our vendors offer, and activities for the whole family.” He said the festival will return bigger and better in 2021. “We’ll be expanding the festival grounds and infrastructure to make room for more kids’ activities and vendors. We’ve been making the push to have more arts and crafts vendors this year, and we’ll continue that push for next year.” In the meantime, he said, business has been strong at the farm’s retail store (fwfarms.com/retail-store/), which is open for curbside pickup 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Customers can call in orders at 937-652-3701 for merchandise from the farm market and for stocking fish and minnows. Smith added that in the near future, the farm will have an expanded online store for ordering their fresh and frozen trout fillets, smoked trout and shrimp products, other “Dr. Dave-approved” seafood selections, and many other local foods and wines. Submitted by Freshwater Farms of Ohio Program also archived in YouTube
Dan Walter of the Champaign County Historical Society was interviewed on the program and displayed artifacts associated with Tecumseh, Simon Kenton, John Quincy Adams Ward, Addison White and others.
“Diana Bergemann, producer at WOSU, contacted us last fall and indicated that they were doing a series on museums, etc. located in neighboring counties and would like to come over and shoot a segment at our museum,” said Walter. “They asked that we pull items ‘from the vault,’ if possible, as that was to be a sub-theme of the show. “I met Diana at the museum for a preliminary visit on Sept. 11. On the morning of Nov. 13, Diana and her full crew arrived and proceeded with the shoot, which lasted about two hours,” he added. “They said that when the segment would air in the spring that it would only last 5 to 7 minutes, however, as it turns out, we occupied about one-third of the half-hour show.” The segment can be watched by going to https://columbusneighborhoods.org/video/champaign-county-history/ Click here to read full article on Urbana Daily Citizen.
The decision was based on the COVID-19 virus situation and the uncertainty as to when the “social distancing” and “stay-at-home” orders would be reversed. In addition to health concerns, the time required to organize the tour was becoming limited. A tour takes months of planning and although the committee is experienced at their tasks, it would be difficult to schedule 250-300 volunteers on short notice.
Some volunteers already had decided they could not help this year due to the virus scare. In addition, a few of the homeowners decided they are not comfortable with people going through their homes. Organizing the publicity, gathering info for the program book, meeting with homeowners and determining room descriptions and signage for each site require a lot of time and preparation. “We are simply running out of time,” said Sandy Gonzalez, tour chairperson. “Our sincere thanks to the homeowners who have offered to open their homes, the volunteers who have worked the homes and driven the shuttles in the past and to the dedicated tour committee who make it happen. We will see you in 2021. “We would be unable to present the tour without the monetary support of our benefactors, sponsors, donors and program booklet advertisers, Gonzalez said. “We would be uncomfortable in approaching them considering the shutdown they have endured for months. The florists who supply the arrangements in the homes, Paradiso and Farmer’s Daughter, who sponsor the breakfasts for the homeowners, and White’s Auto Group and SVG Motors, who supply the vans for the shuttle service, all have been impacted by the work stoppage. The tour is not possible without the community’s support. We wish to thank them for their years of support and look forward to working with them next year.” Proceeds from the tour finance the Matching Residential and Commercial Facade Grants awarded annually. The grants offer a building owner or homeowner support in the restoration of the facade of their structure. The grants are open to all Champaign County residents and have played a vital role in the preservation of downtown Urbana buildings and homes throughout the county. “If an alternative event cannot be arranged, the grant program will have to be postponed until 2021,” Gonzalez said. “We sincerely hope this is not the case, but it is definitely a possibility.” Donations are always welcome and may be made on line at www.ccpapreserveohio.org or mailed to CCPA, POB 749, Urbana, Ohio, 43078. Urbana's Cobblestone Hotel is nearing completion and the final touches are going in! All of Champaign County is eager to see the finished product! The three-story, 54-room hotel is being built at intersection of 68 & 55 on the south end of Urbana. The project is expected to be completed by Summer 2020. Click here to learn more about the project and what it will mean for Champaign County!
The Visitors Bureau estimates more than 10,000 attendees stopped for information on Champaign County. Representatives of the Visitors Bureau committee, Freshwater Farms of Ohio, Café Paradiso, Folck Winery and 1868 Italianate Casa handed out community guides, event listings, and brochures on local destinations and attractions. Travel show attendees were encouraged to sign up for the Visitors Bureau email list for their chance to win a Champaign County “getaway package” worth over $300.
The mission of the Visitors Bureau is to promote Champaign County as a premier destination of leisure travel, highlighting the area’s historical, cultural, and recreational attractions. The Visitors Bureau distributes the annual Champaign County events rack card, which is available now at the Chamber & Visitors Bureau office at 127 West Court Street. They will soon publish 20-page visitors guide that will feature dining establishments, attractions and lodging options. The Visitors Bureau meets monthly and invites anyone interested in being involved in the Visitors Bureau to its meeting on March 25th at 8 AM at The Farmer’s Daughter. Please contact the Chamber at 937-653-5764 or email info@champaignohio.com for more information on the Visitors Bureau or to RSVP to the March meeting. Story submitted by Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
The trail adjacent to Mosquito Creek goes through the heart of the remaining wetland, an ideal location for these birds of prey.
The hike will begin at the trail head near the kiosk, 3975 Kiser Lake Road, St. Paris. For more information, contact Michelle Comer, the West District regional manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, at michelle.comer@dnr.state.oh.us or 937-537-6173. Click here to read full article on Urbana Daily Citizen. |
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