Opening the doors to what’s inside local specialty shops.
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th!. Here are some great gift ideas for that special Dad!
Father’s Day Gifts
Key Attraction – Is This Heaven? No, Its CINCINNATI!
June 12, 2013 By
Highlander Team
With his handlebar moustache, the heavy wool uniform and the knickers and stockings, Jim “Colonel” Mattingly is a historical relic. He’s also captain of the Norwood Highlanders, a local team at the center of a recent revival in vintage baseball.
What is vintage baseball? Think 1869. Think water buckets, team flags and players marking their own runs. Think “Huzzah!” and “Leg it!” and “Rabbit to Shack to Mule – double play!” For fans, it’s free, family-friendly fun.
Cincinnati’s legacy, its collective obsession, has always been baseball. In the home of the first professional team, it’s only natural that this marriage of history and baseball would catch on. And no other sporting event lets you get closer to the players; just bring a chair and watch for foul balls. You might even find yourself talking to players during the game. “We like to involve the fans, or as we call them, ‘cranks,’” says Colonel. “We’ll ask the cranks to help out and decide a close play.” (Umps aren’t always used in this gentleman’s game.)
The Norwood Highlanders play about 25 games a year, often against two other local teams, the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Cincinnati Buckeyes. They’ll also barnstorm to any town within 100 miles that has a team, such as Batesville, Tipp City, Dayton, and Rising Sun–the list grows every year.
If you go to a game, you’ll notice a few differences right away. No balls and strikes are called. The “hurler” (pitcher) throws underhand. And, most surprising of all, no gloves are used by the “ballists” (players). “That’s how the game was played back in 1869,” explains Colonel. “We try to stay true to the spirit.”
One thing is clear right away: these guys really do play for the love of the game. “We’ve played in 95 degrees in a hay field. We’ve played in pouring rain where you couldn’t see home.” Once, a Highlanders-Red Stockings match had to pause to let a horse-drawn covered wagon pass through left field. True story.
Colonel is no Kevin Costner, and this is no Field of Dreams. But if you asked vintage ballplayers or their fans “Is this heaven?” they might say “Yes!”
Underhand Pitch_The Colonel
Big Swing_Honeymoon
Bare Handed_Mustard
Grass Infield_Chuckwagon
Upcoming Games
- June 8: 10am, Queen City Festival – Sharon Woods Heritage Village Cincinnati Buckeyes and Red Stockings host the Cleveland Blues, Ohio Village Muffins, and Champion Hill Toppers.
- June 15: 1pm, Cincinnati Red Stocking vs. Louisville Cardinals – Sharon Woods Heritage Village
- June 23: 1pm, Highlanders vs. Rising Sun Belle Rivers and Champion City Reapers (Doubleheader) – Dorl Field in Norwood
- June 29: 1pm, Highlanders vs. Indianapolis Blues and Cincinnati Red Stockings (Doubleheader) – Dorl Field in Norwood
- July 7: 11am, Heart of Gold Vintage Base Ball Tournament – Coney Island Norwood Highlanders host eight clubs from southwest Ohio and southeast Indiana in a first-ever regional tournament.
Admission is free.
For full schedules and more info: norwoodhighlanders.com cincinnatibuckeyes.com 1869reds.com
Dining Unlocked June 2013
June 12, 2013 By
Dining Unlocked – Opening the doors to what’s inside the area restaurants
With the warm weather upon us here are some great outdoor area’s to dine, have drinks, listen to live music or even play Bocce Ball.
Pompilios Patio
Mantra Patio
Behle Street Patio
Boswell
Key Dining – A Spectacular Show
June 12, 2013 By
T he Cincinnati skyline is the star of a spectacular show every evening and you can have a front row seat while enjoying an exquisite meal at Chart House. Dennis Chastang proudly shares, “We offer world class service and exceptional food to go with the best view on the river.” The perfect accompaniment to the view is a glass of wine from the extensive list the Chart House has to offer.
Now that you have a glass of wine and have taken in the spectacular view start off with an appetizer. Choose from the cold selection offering Crab, Avocado & Mango Stack, Lobster & Shrimp or Oysters on the half shell. If you would like a hot selection choose Oysters Rockefeller, Coconut Crunchy Shrimp or the Shrimp, Brie and Artichoke Melt which is baked to perfection.
Since your appetite has been teased it’s time to move on to the fresh selection of fish Chart House offers. Although the selection changes daily Chart House offers Mahi, Ahi Tuna, Alaskan Halibut, Atlantic Salmon, Atlantic Swordfish, Gulf Snapper, Tilapia and King Salmon. Signature fish favorites include Grilled Citrus Salmon with tempura-fried sweet potatoes, shitake mushrooms and asparagus, served with lemon scanted sticky rice and Macadamia Crusted Mahi with warm peanut sauce with a hint of Frangelico, mango relish, soy glaze drizzle & served with Asian green beans.
If you would prefer Seafood the Pan Seared Scallops are delicious, served with ginger soy sauce & wasabi cream with wasabi mashed potatoes and Asian green beans. And if you would like a bit of land and sea choose the New Wave Surf & Turf consisting of fork tender short ribs with Cabernet demi glaze paired with your choice of seared scallops or grilled citrus salmon with a side of Yukon mashed potatoes.
The final act of this spectacular show is the Chart House Signature Desert of Hot Chocolate Lava Cake, a rich chocolate cake with molten center, made with Godiva® liqueur, served warm, topped with chocolate sauce, Heath® bar crunch and vanilla ice cream.
A Spectacular Show
The Queen City
June 10, 2013 By
Cincinnati, also known as the Queen City, is a city rich in history and culture with exceptional visual and creative arts, professional sports teams and top notch museums. Whether you are a resident or a visitor there is always something to learn, see and do in Cincinnati and our neighboring cities of Covington and Newport. For those reasons and many more, it’s no surprise that in 2012 Lonely Planet Travel Guide named Cincinnati number three of the top ten travel destinations in the United States. Cincinnati offers all the benefits of larger cities like Chicago and New York while maintaining the small hometown hospitality. In this section we like to bring interesting facts and opinions. This is what we have for you in this month’s issue:
Ludlow Lagoon Amusement Park
Minutes from downtown Cincinnati, in a suburb of Covington is the historic city of Ludlow. Some might think an interesting fact about the city of Ludlow would be that the 1993 movie Lost in Yonkers used the quaint town as a one of its locations. Interesting, but even more interesting is that Ludlow was once home to a popular regionally known amusement park.
In 1894 Pleasant Run Creek, which empties into the Ohio River, was dammed to create a large lake on the western side of Ludlow. The fresh water lake was large enough to accommodate five small islands and was an excellent spot for swimming, boating and fishing.
White sand was placed along the lakes edge to give visitors a beach to bask in the sun and build sand castles.
A large Victorian style clubhouse was added along with a pavilion which became known as the Lagoon Dance Pavilion. The pavilion attracted thousands to the park since it could accommodate hundreds of dancers and a large orchestra. Also at the Lagoon was an amphitheater for live performances accommodating 2,500 spectators. There was even a Japanese Fair including a small exhibit and authentic teahouse.
Along with rides like a 100’ Ferris wheel (located on one of the islands) and a $10,000 merry-go-round, scenic railway, a Chute the Chutes and an elevated automobile ride, there was also a gold mine replica, large midway, picnic grounds and walking trails. There was also a large motorcycle racetrack that could seat 8,000 spectators.
In 1913 a flood and an accident at the motorcycle racetrack were two of four tragic events that led to the closing of the Ludlow Lagoon. The flood damaged many of the attractions and when a motorcycle lost control and went into the stands hitting a gas light causing a fire that claimed nine lives and over a hundred people were treated for burns and injuries. In July of 1915 a tornado caused over $20,000 damage to the park. The Lagoon continued serving Bavarian Beer that was made in Covington, but when WWI started the government halted alcohol sales and with that the Lagoon Amusement Park closed for good in 1918.
Walking Tour
On June 8th the Ludlow Historic Society is hosting a guided tour of what was once the Ludlow Lagoon. The tour is free and open to the public but you are invited to join the LHS for an annual membership fee of $20. Call 513-801-2253 to reserve your spot on the tour.
LaRosa’s Balloon Glow at Coney Island
June 10, 2013 By
Wednesday, July 3rd will be the 13th annual LaRosa’s Balloon Glow. Enjoy a fun-filled day with all Coney Island has to offer then relax and enjoy the view as hot air balloons of every color “glow” take to the evening sky. And that’s not all, the event concludes with a spectacular Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display over Lake Como.
Schedule of Events
- 5-7 pm: Q102 Live (Python Coaster)
- 6 pm: Stilt-Walkers and Jugglers (Moonlite Square)
- 6:30 pm: Live Music (Moonlite Square Gazebo from the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Band Jazz Ensemble)
- 6:30 pm: Live Music (Moonlite Mall from the Anderson Township Symphony Orchestra)
- 8 pm: Balloon Glow
- 10 pm: Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks
PLUS – All of Coney’s Classic Rides will be open until 11:00pm