The Queen City – Goetta – Another Cincinnati Original

goetta-foodCincinnati, 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:

goetta-festad

GOETTA – ANOTHER CINCINNATI ORIGINAL

Founded in 1788, the city of Cincinnati had a large number of German settlers. That number increased into the 1850’s and by the 1900’s 60% of the population was of German descent. There were even four newspapers that were written in the German language and German was spoken in schools.
The influence of the German settlers is seen and celebrated in “Zinzinnati” from her architecture and breweries to the Oktoberfest celebrations that take place all over the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. But one of the most cherished gifts given from our German ancestry is the local delicacy of Goetta.

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Our founder, Robert Glier with wife, Louise and son, Dan.

Our founder, Robert Glier with
wife, Louise and son, Dan.


This year’s Goettafest kicks off in a big way with national recording artist, Casey James! Come for the goetta, stay for the FUN!

This year’s Goettafest kicks off in a big way with national recording artist, Casey James! Come for the goetta, stay for the FUN!

Goetta was not always considered a delicacy and it is not a known dish in Germany. With little money the Germans of Cincinnati, in an attempt to stretch their meat rations into several meals, added steel cut or pin head oats with salt, pepper, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme.

This dish is so loved by locals here that there is a four day festival celebrating the various concoctions created with Goetta. Although loved by locals this festival draws from around the world.” At the History booth we have a map with pushpins for event goers to mark where they’re from, last year we had visitors from 50 states and 35 countries represented,” shared Dan Glier. Everyone from near and far enjoy favorites such as Goetta omelets, rolls, gumbo and even nachos.

Glier’s Goetta, which sponsors the event, has set some ground rules for each vendor participating.
1. Each booth must have three Goetta dishes.
2. Each booth must have two Non-Goetta specialties and one dessert.
3. There can be no duplications among vendors.
These guidelines have led to some interesting recipes including Goetta Calzones by Papa John’s and Goetta Fudge Brownies by Busken Bakery. This year’s participants are sure to have some new creations of this Cincinnati original to be enjoyed at the 2013 Glier’s Goettafest.

Key Attraction July 2013 – Cincinnati Zoo Africa

AFRICA-LION-LOGO_CMYK-131x150

Its-closer-than-you-think-title

The grassy plains of Africa, cascading waterfalls, flowing streams and a communal watering hole give you the experience of an African Safari here at the Cincinnati Zoo. Phase III of the Africa exhibit features a footpath that winds under a wooden bridge, naturalistic rocks and termite mounds. And Pride Rock the new home of the African Lions that you can see up close and personal through the twelve foot tall glass wall.
The path continues and leads to the Cheetah Encounter where cheetahs can be seen racing at top speeds and other cats including fishing cats, African servals and Anatolian shepherds can be seen frolicking through the quiet grasslands. You can also see a red river hog at the Cheetah Encounter.
See the Zoo’s herd of Maasai giraffes from the expanded Giraffe Deck that now features a covered Tree-house reaching out to the giraffe yard taking visitors closer than ever to the Zoo’s tallest residents. In addition, there’s a new Circle of Love animal encounter where guests can meet unique African animals from 10a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
The Zoo is still in the midst of a campaign to complete Phases IV and V which will bring Zebra, gazelles and some of the most beautiful birds to the Savannah portion of the exhibit and a much anticipated hippo area with both above and below water viewing.
“Because most people don’t get the opportunity to visit Africa, taking in the natural beauty of its landscape and wildlife, the zoo has decided to bring Africa to you,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Zoo. “Africa is what most people think of when they picture wild animals in their natural habitat. Our hope is for the zoo visitors to leave here feeling connected with Africa and feeling inspired to help save wildlife in wild places. We want them to experience their own African safari – one that they can enjoy in the near future and remember for a lifetime.”

Green Building Standards
The “greenest zoo in America” is keeping it green, the Africa site restored almost the entire area from an existing parking lot and features underground storage tanks that hold roughly 400,000 gallons of water that is collected, stored and reused. 75% of all the construction waste was diverted from landfills and sent to recycling centers.

Editors Pick July 2013 – Ride the Ducks

editors-Pick-0713-ride-the-ducks

Ride, Splash, Quack!

The Duck tour is a fun way of touring the Greater Cincinnati area. Travel on land and water in one vehicle while touring the streets of Cincinnati and Newport and by making a big splash into the Ohio River. Ride the Ducks is truly a unique way to see the area.

The Queen City

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:

 

Washington Park

Washington Park

Select your favorite song from tne listed composers from your mobile device @ classicalwalkoffame.org to be added to the Washington Park Fountain Jukebox queue.

Select your favorite song from tne listed composers from your mobile device @
classicalwalkoffame.org
to be added to the Washington Park Fountain Jukebox queue.

Washington Park
In Over-the Rhine and surrounded by the largest collection of early Italian architecture in the U.S., Music Hall and the new School for Creative and Performing Arts is an eight acre park that has been a meeting place for the community since 1855. The park was renovated in 2012 with consideration to the features allowing them to add new amenities while preserving unique historic elements. Here are some of the old and new features available at Washington Park.

The Bandstand

The Bandstand

The Bandstand
In the heart of the park is the bandstand that was originally constructed totally of wood. The Mission Revival style bandstand now in its place was built in 1911 and is constructed of concrete and has a tile roof. Tivoli lights illuminate the night while park goers enjoy live music and entertainment.

Cannon from Farragut Fleet at Mobile Bay

Cannon from Farragut Fleet at Mobile Bay

Cannon from Farragut Fleet at Mobile Bay
Donated by T.W. Seib of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the cannon has been at the park since 1870. Used in the Civil war, it was used when Union Rear Admiral David Farragut successfully attacked Mobile Bay, Alabama blocking the last port in the Gulf of Mexico supplying Confederate troops. It serves as a commemorative monument to soldiers inducted in the park.

Children Playground 1

Children Playground 1

Children’s Playground
This safe and creative playground is 18,000 square feet of fun. Activities include a sandbox, climbing wall, dual slides, play castle and a canal boat
in a stream all inspired by Historic Cincinnati Structures.

Mosaic Art Bench

Mosaic Art Bench

Mosaic Art Bench
The Mosaic Art Bench was a community project uniting the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Miami University’s Center for Community and the Peaslee Neighborhood Center. Lead artist Suzanne Fisher collected images of peace from area residents and local artists then taught the children the technique to create the functional work of art entitled “I Have a Dream of Peace”.

And Much More
An Interactive Water Park, Dog Park, the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, live music, plays, dances, movie nights and even fitness activities like Zumba and Yoga are a few more examples of how Washington Park has accommodated the needs of the community.

Key Attraction – Is This Heaven? No, Its CINCINNATI!

Highlander Team

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

Underhand Pitch_The Colonel

Big Swing_Honeymoon

Big Swing_Honeymoon

Bare Handed_Mustard

Bare Handed_Mustard

Grass Infield_Chuckwagon

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

 

LaRosa’s Balloon Glow at Coney Island

Larosa Balloon Glow at Coney IslandWednesday, 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