2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace

Page created by Ricardo Simon
 
CONTINUE READING
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE
     Crafted Edition
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
Cherry Valley Reimagined.
                 A Polished, New Style                                                 Dining Options Worth Exploring
          An extensive $21 million dollar renovation                          Enjoy The Craftsman Kitchen & Terrace, The Lobby Bar,
               for a spectacular revitalization.                              O&E Taphouse, full-service catering, and The Granville
                                                                               Pantry featuring We Proudly Serve Starbucks™ Coffee.
 New spacious rooms with king beds, and practical comforts
such as a mini-fridge, coffeemaker and complimentary Wi-Fi.
                                                                                       Ohio’s Nature-Inspired Lodging
                    Meetings & Events                                        Two large interior courtyards featuring the Gazebo Garden
                                                                              and the Cascade Garden, our own certified Arboretum,
 60,000 square feet of meeting space: Dividable ballrooms,
                                                                                    over-the-water gazebo and outdoor firepits.
  14 flexible meeting rooms, and the addition of the new
           45,000 square foot Ohio Event Center.

                                                                                          The Lobby

 The Craftsman Kitchen & Terrace                                                                                  The Lobby Bar
                                                   New Spacious Rooms with King Beds

                                   2299 Cherry Valley Road SE | Newark, OH 43055
                                     p: 740.788.1200 | www.cherryvalleyhotel.com
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
Licking County
    SCOOPIN’ UP GOOD TIMES IN

Since 1914 Utica, OH has been the home of Velvet Ice Cream
and Ye Olde Mill serving up sweet traditions for four generations.
Join us May through October
FREE Factory Tours, Restaurant, Ice Cream Parlor and Gift Shop
Ohio’s only Ice Cream Museum
Voted #1 Favorite Frozen Treats by Columbus (OH) Parent Magazine

@velveticecream
www.velveticecream.com
1-800-589-5000 | 11324 Mt. Vernon Road, Utica, Ohio 43080
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
An Introduction
 4 Welcome to Licking County
 8 Licking County Map

Artist Features
12 More Than Just a Brick in the Wall
		 Brick sculptor Allen Moran

16 Bringing the Beat Back
		 Musician Tom Atha

20 Paint as a Healing Agent
		 Painter Gayla Smith

24 Spreading the Word of Glass
		 Glass studio director Larry Tuber

Local Journeys
28 Celebrating Life
		 Linda’s Journey

34 The Good Times Keep Rolling
		 Megan’s Journey

40 Enjoying What’s Around You
		 Jake’s Journey

Let’s Go
46 Plan Your Visit

    explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   3
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
E X P LO R E L I C K I N G C O U N T Y
                  ( 7 4 0 ) 3 4 5 - 8 2 2 4 • E X P LO R E LC . O R G
                  5 S O U T H 3 R D S T. , N E WA R K , O H 4 3 0 5 5

Special thank you to
Denison Art Space
f o r u sexplore
          e o f licking
                 the g    allery
   4                    county 2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
EAT                                                         SHOP

STAY                                                        MEET

         101 Beer Kitchen, Asian Gourmet and Sushi Bar, Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders, Blue Agave, Brio Tuscan Grille,
Cap City Diner, Charlotte & Olivia's Sublime Ice Creams, Chi Thai Restaurant, Eagles Pizza, FireFly American Bistro,
Flanagan's Pub, Fox in the Snow, Freshii, Greek Express, Hudson 29 Kitchen + Drink, Jet's Pizza New Albany, Jimmy
John's Gourmet Sandwiches, Johnson's Real Ice Cream, Max & Erma's, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks,
Mellow Mushroom New Albany, Mitchell's Ocean Club, Nazareth's Deli & Restaurant, New Albany Dairy Queen,
Rooster's Wings, Rusty Bucket Restaurant, Smith & Wollensky, Soulshine Tavern & Kitchen, Starbucks, Swensons
Drive-In Restaurant, The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek, Whits Frozen Custard of New Albany

          Ace Hardware New Albany, Board & Brush Creative Studio, C. Krueger's Finest Baked Goods, Cheryl & Co,
Edible Arrangements, Elliott Cooper, Floor & Decor, Griffins Floral Design & Wine Shop, Hayley Gallery, Mrs. Turbo's
Cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nth Degree Interiors, Oakland Nursery, Prairie House, Red Twig Farms, Sherwin-
Williams, The UPS Store, Trove Warehouse, Truluck Boutique, Veloscience Bike Works, Vintage Restyled

         Courtyard by Marriott New Albany, Hampton Inn & Suites New Albany, Home2 Suites by Hilton New Albany,
Double Tree Hotel by Hilton Newark, Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport, Granville Inn, Hilton Columbus at
Easton, Holiday Inn Express Columbus Easton, SpringHill Suites & TownePlace Suites Easton, Springhill Suites
Columbus Airport Gahanna

         Jorgensen Farms, New Albany Country Club, New Albany Links Golf Club, Noah's Event Venue, Philip Heit
Center for Healthy New Albany, The Estate at New Albany

NEW ALBANY, OHIO
has plans for you.                                                                         NewAlbanyChamber.com
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
Committed to the Arts
                                      and Licking County
               Join us for local, student, and visiting
              exhibitions at Denison’s Swasey Chapel,
             The Eisner Center for the Performing Arts,
               and the Denison Art Space in Newark
                                                                                                       Explore Licking County
                                                                                                             5 South 3rd St.
                                                                                                          Newark, OH 43055
                                                                                                            (740) 345-8224
                                                                                                   explorelc.org • info@explorelc.org
                                                                                                                 Dan Moder
                                                                                                              Executive Director
                                                                                                                Carol Thress
                                                                                                       Director of Partner Engagement
                                                                                                               Garrett Martin
                                                                                                      Creative Director & Photographer
                                                                                                                Alex Trujillo
                                                                                                               Web Developer
                                                                                                                 Jobe Moder
          @denisonu
                                                                                                                    Intern

          @DenisonU

          @denisonuniversity                                                                     Published by CityScene Media Group
                                                                                                          1335 Dublin Rd., Ste. 101C
     denison.edu/arts                                                                                       Columbus, OH 43215
                                                                                                                (614) 572-1240
                                                                                                           cityscenecolumbus.com
                                                                                                               Kathleen K. Gill
                                                                                                               President/CEO
                                                                                                                Gianna Barrett
                                                                                                             Vice President/Sales
                                                                                                               Dave Prosser
                                                                                                            Chief Creative Officer
                                                                                                              Amanda DePerro
                                                                                                              Managing Editor
                                                                                                        Mallory Arnold, Rocco Falleti,
                                                                                                             Lydia Freudenberg
                                                                                                                   Editors
                                                                                                                 Zoë Glore
                                                                                                               Assistant Editor
                                                                                                              Jamie Armistead
                                                     Plan your visit to charming Granville,                    Sales Manager

                                                           Ohio with the help of the                      Paula Harer, Diane Trotta
                                                                                                             Advertising Sales
                                                    Granville Area Chamber of Commerce!                        Jessica Flowers
                                                                                                               Office Manager

                                                    Find business listings, event calendars,
                                                                 and more at:
                                                               granvilleoh.com
                                                                       and
                                                           visitgranvilleohio.com

                                                                                                The information in this directory was gathered
                                                                                                  and carefully compiled to ensure accuracy.
                                                                                                Explore Licking County and CityScene Media
                                                                                                   Group cannot and do not guarantee the
                                                                                               correctness of all information furnished to them,
                                                                                                    nor the complete absence of errors or
                                                                                                  omissions, hence, no responsibility for the
                                                                                                 same can be, nor is, assumed. Reproduction
                                                                                               for commercial distribution of any material from
                                                                                                  this publication is strictly forbidden without
                                                                                                  written consent from the publisher. ©2019

6   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
Connected to Nature

Situated on 94 acres with miles of scenic and well-
maintained trails, Kendal at Granville is connected to
nature. Our campus has been awarded Level I accreditation
as an Arboretum with over 60 species of trees or woodsy
plants—step out your door and hit the trails, hop in a
canoe, go birding or simply relax and unwind. You’ll also
enjoy exploring the surrounding area, just a short drive
to Columbus and within minutes of numerous historic
museums and gardens in Licking County. And with the
                                                            KAG.Kendal.org | 740-321-0428
security of lifecare, you’ll have peace of mind.
                                                                   A Not-for-Profit Life Plan Community
Call us, today, to schedule a visit!                            Serving Older Adults in the Quaker Tradition

                                                                              © 2019 KENDAL
2020 TRAVEL MAGAZINE - Squarespace
HOME OF THE
                                                                    HARTFORD FAIR

8   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
BLACKHAND GORGE

                                      5 S. 3RD ST. NEWARK, OH 43055

                  explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   9
Meet. Play. Dine. Stay.
  A Denison University and community tradition—with endless possibilities.

Denison Golf Club   l   555 Newark Granville Road l Granville, Ohio 43023   l   740-587-4653   l   denisongolfclub.com
12   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
i    n Licking County, art and
     artists exist in every corner
     you look. Maybe you prefer
the visual art that colors Licking
                                        uniquely Licking County. But anyone
                                        who’s been to the Bowerston
                                        Shale Company lot or has seen
                                        the incredible sculptures by Allen
County’s walls or the convergence       Moran knows that.
of emotional strength and expert        Visual art catches your eye,
performing chops at the many            and musical art can influence
performing arts centers. Maybe          your mood in a moment. Licking
you prefer the natural beauty that      County’s many restaurants and
leaves everyone in the county –         breweries are proof that art can
artist or not – inspired, or even how   have a delicious smell and taste,
brewers bring together modern           too. But when you’re compelled to
technology and old traditions to        reach out and touch a piece of art,
create one-of-a-kind flavors at the     to feel what the artist felt not just
incredible number of breweries and      emotionally but physically, you
restaurants throughout the region.      forge a new type of connection to
Even if you’re not seeking out art,     the arts.
even if you’re just enjoying a Sunday   And the best part of Moran’s
drive through Licking County’s          sculptures? You’re welcome to
vast sunflower fields and decide        touch; his sculptures aren’t fragile.
to stop off on a side road, you’re      In fact, his pieces will exist long
bound to stumble onto something         after we’re all gone, because
that evokes emotion and awakens         they’re carved from brick.
a new perspective. Something

                                                      explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   13
major, and took a summer job at
                                                                                                         Bowerston Shale in 1974, helping
                                                                                                         to ship and manufacture brick. The
                                                                                                         company had its own brick artist at
                                                                                                         the time, and Moran was instantly
                                                                                                         gripped by the medium. He began to
                                                                                                         learn the craft, and in 1989, Bowerston
                                                                                                         Shale hired Moran as its full-time brick
                                                                                                         artist. The end of 2019 marks Moran’s
                                                                                                         retirement, and he considers himself
                                                                                                         lucky to have found a company that
                                                                                                         supports his artistic endeavors.
                                                                                                         “I think, with anyone, you finally get
                                                                                                         to do what you love and it’s worth it,”
                                                                                                         Moran says. “Without this place, I
                                                                                                         wouldn’t have had that opportunity. I
                                                                                                         can’t tell you what I would be doing.
                                                                                                         Honestly, I don’t know. This has
                                                                                                         worked out great.”
                                                                                                         Walking through the Bowerston Shale
                                                                                                         lot is quite remarkable. Outside, bricks
                                                                                                         are stacked wide and tall, dwarfing
                                                                                                         cars parked nearby. Employees walk
                                                                                                         through the lot, their hands rough
                                                                                                         and clothes covered in dust. But if
                                                                                                         you walk into the studio Moran has
                                                                                                         occupied for the last three decades,
                                                                                                         the lot transforms from a rugged brick
                                                                                                         manufacturing facility into a quiet and
“It’s an interesting medium because it                     stacks green brick, or pre-fired bricks, in   cozy studio, the walls obscured by
is three-dimensional, but you combine                      the formation it’ll be mortared in. Using     floor-to-ceiling Moran-carved brick.
perspective drawing with the one-                          clay carving tools, Moran carves directly     One of the sculptures features a mill
dimensional drawing, so you get a                          into the soft bricks, forming three-          and river, and even has water running
combination of both,” Moran says.                          dimensional shapes on a one-dimensional       through it – the only one of Moran’s
“Even though it’s only a couple inches                     surface. Imagine the art you find on the      brick pieces to incorporate water.
deep, you make it appear much deeper                       quarters in your pocket; they’re formed
                                                                                                         He enjoys trying new things, improving
through perspective.”                                      and sculpted, but set against a flat
                                                                                                         his craft. And though his full-time work
There are very few artists like Moran                      background. Then, the green bricks are
out there, and that’s because few artists                  taken down, fired in a kiln and shipped
have access to the sheer amount of brick                   out to be mortared onsite.
the medium requires. To create his                         Moran attended the Columbus College
sculptures, Moran makes a sketch, then                     of Art and Design as an illustration

                                                                                                                       Is It a Moran?
                                                                                                          While many Moran pieces are in private
                                                                                                         spaces, like the Ohio Governor’s Mansion,
                                                                                                          you can still catch his work as you walk
                                                                                                                   throughout the county.
                                                                                                               Licking County Veterans’ Park
                                                                                                                    Don Edwards Park
                                                                                                                   Newark Fire Station 1
                                                                                                              Newark Ohio Police Department
14   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
with Bowerston Shale may be at its end,
he has no intentions to stop creating. In
fact, he wants to explore new mediums
in retirement. He’s interested in bronze,
but is truly inspired by large stones he
encounters outside.
“Once I started cutting, I didn’t really
do much of anything else. That’s why,
when I’m out of here, I want to either
carve in wood, but I think my desire is
to do rock carving,” Moran says. “I’m
just curious. You see a rock out there,
sitting anywhere, and I want to see
what I can turn that into.”
Moran has completed so many
sculptures that, when asked how
many he’s created over the years,
he can’t give an accurate estimate,
but it’s in the hundreds. He’s carved
works of all sizes, from relatively
small signs to a 32-by-9-foot piece for
a church in Michigan. His work can
be found all over the country, because
his work was a marketing tool for
Bowerston Shale. When the company
was in competition with other brick
manufacturers for large projects,
Moran would create a brick sculpture
to accompany the bid.
“It was busy here, but we had
something we could offer that other
brickyards couldn’t,” Moran says. “It
was a good hook for the company and
vice versa for my work.”
Moran draws inspiration from the
spaces around him, both natural and
manmade. A Licking County native, he
can’t imagine himself anywhere else,
and has been heartened to watch the
transformation throughout the region.
“All the buildings downtown have
awesome paintings on them. Downtown
Newark is nice, and everybody has
gotten on the bandwagon in really
fixing things up,” Moran says.
“Everybody’s taking pride, it looks
like, in downtown Newark. You see all
the buildings getting refurbished and
cleaned up and the work that’s been
done is impressive. It really is.”
                                                             Curious for more public art in Licking County?
So whatever corner of Licking County
you find yourself in, keep an eye out.      Look out for Wind Sculptures in Motion at Dawes Arboretum, new as of spring 2020,
You might just come upon a stone that            but you can check out some of these longer-standing pieces of public art:
was carved by Moran himself. He does                             Historic murals at Canal Market District
plan to stay here – in the community he         Gary Lee Price’s bronze sculptures around Central Ohio Technical College
loves – after all.                                               and The Ohio State University at Newark
“I really have no complaints
                                                                 The family of cyclists at T. J. Evans Trail
about my life. I don’t. I’ve done
what I really have loved to do and            Welcome to Utica mural, the result of a collaboration between the Utica Area
everything’s just turned out fine for                Foundation, Optic Nerve Art Corp and artist Brian Clemons
me,” Moran says. “I wouldn’t want to
leave, and I never will.”                         Works by, or made possible by, the Cultural Alliance of Licking County

                                                                              explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   15
16   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
i    n 2005, the site at 1 S. 3rd
     St. in downtown Newark
     was in a state of disrepair.
The ceiling had collapsed years
                                           Then, in went a piano. In went
                                           heavy duty recording equipment,
                                           and guitars of all shapes and sizes.
                                           And soon after, in went musicians,
earlier, and plastic sheeting was          eager to record their work.
all that protected the building from       In went Denison University
the elements. It was in a prime            students, excited to learn about
location, but it was in bad shape.         the art of music production.
Downtown Newark visitors walked            Earthwork Recording Studio
past the spot on the corner every          opened July 2007. The building
day, ignoring what lay inside.             that was once quiet save for the
So there it existed. Dark, quiet, empty.   drip-drop of rain falling through
That is, until a 22-year-old Tom           the collapsed ceiling was now loud
Atha decided to shake things up.           with music, passion and life.

Downtown Newark residents and              “Sometimes I think the only reason
workers watched as Atha carried            I’m here is I’m the only guy that
old, damaged pieces out of the             was willing to hop in here and do
building. He would emerge every            the really nasty hard work – not
evening, a fire in his eyes, exhausted     for a paycheck,” says Atha. “I feel
after a long day of manual labor. He       like I’m from a different time; the
may have been young, but he was            willingness to do whatever it takes,
the only one willing to restore the        and especially the dirtiest jobs.”
dilapidated building. In went new          At just 4 years old, Atha began
walls, in went a new ceiling, in went      taking violin lessons. He moved
new doors.                                 on to piano, then to guitar at age

                                                         explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   17
turned to a vacant building, this time
                                                                                                        Newark’s former Crystal Ballroom, to
                                                                                                        create Thirty One West.
                                                                                                        “We have people that, instead of
                                                                                                        playing in the corner of a restaurant,
                                                                                                        should be on a stage where people
                                                                                                        appreciate what’s happening instead
                                                                                                        of their salad,” he says. “So, the
                                                                                                        importance of music, specifically, and
                                                                                                        the arts being respected is a big part of
                                                                                                        what Thirty One West is about.”
                                                                                                        Before 2005, Atha admits, he didn’t
                                                                                                        think he’d stay in Licking County.
                                                                                                        Instead, the musician imagined making
                                                                                                        a name for himself in Nashville or
                                                                                                        New York City. But now, with a family,
                                                                                                        two businesses and a true love for the
                                                                                                        community, he’s not going anywhere.
                                                                                                        “The people here are really
                                                                                                        remarkable. The way that people are
                                                                                                        working together to better this place
                                                                                                        they call home is really stunning to
                                                                                                        me. And, you know, if I hadn’t dug in, I
                                                                                                        never would’ve recognized that,” Atha
                                                                                                        says. “That makes me really proud to
                                                                                                        be from this place and see all these
                                                                                                        folks who are all on the same team.”
                                                                                                        Now, as he brings in acts both to
10, and that’s when he fell in love. But                   studio owner gave him a set of keys and      Earthwork and Thirty One West,
Atha wasn’t just satisfied with playing                    invited him to use it whenever.              he’s found himself becoming an
others’ music; he wanted to create it,                     “I like building stuff. I built this         ambassador. People who never would
too. The Granville native and a few                        building, but building a song is similar,”   have visited Licking County are now
friends formed a band in high school,                      says the soft-spoken Atha, sitting in the    coming for the weekend, either to enjoy
Fate Hates Us, and Atha spent most                         recording studio of Earthwork. “That         others’ art at Thirty One West or to
of his free time in a recording studio                     creative process where you get it to a       produce their own at Earthwork. One
on the former Clark Motor Company                          tangible form where you can give it to       particular project Atha is proud of is
property. In fact, he spent so much                        somebody and they have an emotional          the Bud Light Platinum Series at Thirty
of his time there that the recording                       response, hopefully, to that work. I         One West. During each performance,
                                                           think that’s kind of what lights me up       house band The Reissues plays a
                                                           out of anything I do; it’s that process.”    platinum album front to back, from the
                                                                                                        Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces to Led
                                                           Earthwork became home to musicians           Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV.
                                                           both local and from around the
                                                           country, and Atha found himself in a         “Honestly, it’s just an amazing musical
                                                           predicament; he didn’t know Newark           endeavor to dig that deep into someone’s
                                                           outside of Earthwork’s walls. But he         catalog and gain an appreciation for.
                                                           wanted to change that, especially            Why the heck was this so popular, and
                                                           ahead of his new idea: to open a             is still so popular?” he says. “I think it’s
                                                           venue that could host his musicians.         amazing. You can put 150 or 200 people
                                                           Atha joined the Downtown Newark              in a room who deeply appreciate a
                                                           Association and started to get to know
                                                           his neighbors. Eventually, he would
                                                           become president of the organization.
                                                                                                            Got the bug for performance arts?
                                                           At first, his goal was a small venue.
                                                           Perhaps a coffee shop with a miniature        You’re in luck in Licking County. Find the
                                                           stage, he thought. But when he looked         drama in these performing arts venues:
                                                           at existing local venues, especially               Legend Valley Concert Venue
                                                           what was offered nearby in Columbus,
                                                           he saw a need for medium-sized                         Licking County Players
                                                           venues instead. Small coffee shop                     Weathervane Playhouse
                                                           gigs and huge stadiums were covered.
                                                           What about the bands that drew                 Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra
Earthwork Recording Studio                                 300-person crowds? Again, Atha                       at The Midland Theatre
18   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
record, and I think that kind of musical     hosted students at Earthwork for six               he doesn’t take credit for the movement
appreciation has changed.”                   years. However, now that the Michael               he’s been an integral part of.
                                             D. Eisner Center for the Performing                “There was a time when people
Though you’re welcome to sample a Bud        Arts is open, he and his students will
Light Platinum at The Bootlegger at                                                             wanted to be entertained. They
                                             stay on campus. He also helped create              wanted to be together, and the
Thirty One West, getting a taste of the      the Newark Organization for the
local libations is always a treat. Whether                                                      conveniences of life have changed the
                                             Creative Arts, a new non-profit that               way we all act,” Atha says. “So, when
you’re hankering for a Passion the Sour      aims to educate others and support
Flower from DankHouse Brewing Co.                                                               I see people get together and enjoy
                                             their creative endeavors.                          the architecture and entertainment
or the Ulysses from Homestead Beer
Co., all it takes is a little curiosity.     Atha may not have imagined himself in              and each other in a common space like
                                             the leadership positions he’s in today             Thirty One West, then I know we did
Atha has taken an active role in             when he was renovating the Earthwork               the right thing. And I can’t take any
fostering musical appreciation in            space in 2005, but he’s become a valuable          credit for it, because it was an idea
students, too. As a visiting instructor      stitch in Licking County’s arts fabric. Still,     that happened in 1902.”
in studio recording at Denison, Atha

                                                                                     explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   19
20   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
j   ust a few short decades
    ago, Buckeye Lake was
    a major destination for
Midwesterners of all backgrounds.
                                         soon learned the bass, ukulele
                                         and guitar. Eventually, she even
                                         learned the accordion. Smith is a
                                         natural performer, and doesn’t let
Suit up to hit the beachy shore of the   anyone off the hook; if you’re not
lake, grab a drink and relax under       dancing, singing along or reacting
the hot summer sun. Familiar faces       to the music at one of Smith’s gigs,
are everywhere you look. Smiles          she’ll throw everything she’s got at
surround you as people talk about        you until you begin to move. And
nothing in particular; they’re simply    she’s a stubborn one.
enjoying the moment, fleeting as it      “Picking a cover that’s going to
may be. Eventually, you might take       provoke reactions – that’s the one
shelter from the sun or refresh your     you want to do, because that’s
drink in Club 51, the site of modern-    what makes them happy,” Smith
day Papa Boo’s. As you enter, the        says. “You want to look up and
chatter gets quieter, but the music      see everybody singing, and when
gets louder, stirring you and making     they don’t, I’ll try to musically beat
your heart beat faster. At the helm is   them into submission.”
a 22-year-old Gayla Smith.               Being a musician was a key part
Smith played that gig for two            of her identity. Until one day
years, her crooning, mesmerizing         when she woke up, walked past
voice as quintessential Buckeye          her guitar and instead picked up a
Lake as the lake itself. She started     pencil and paper. She was 40.
playing the piano as soon as             “I loved round suitcases. I had
she could reach the keys, and            a thing for round suitcases, so I

                                                        explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   21
Garden. Looking back, she calls it the
                                                                                                      “happiest day.”
                                                                                                      “I think when you’re going in the
                                                                                                      direction you’re supposed to go in,
                                                                                                      things come to you that you can’t
                                                                                                      picture,” Smith says. “I couldn’t have
                                                                                                      pictured this. I couldn’t have pictured
                                                                                                      what happened at the governor’s
                                                                                                      mansion; I could’ve never pictured that.
                                                                                                      Things just started happening for me
                                                                                                      that you couldn’t make up.”
                                                                                                      That’s not to say hard work wasn’t
                                                                                                      involved – Smith is a powerhouse.
                                                                                                      Her home on Buckeye Lake, where
                                                                                                      she’s lived since 1978, is filled with
                                                                                                      odds, ends and inspiration. Her own
                                                                                                      work lines its walls, classic rock fills
                                                                                                      the air and mere feet away from her
                                                                                                      kitchen table lies Buckeye Lake itself.
                                                                                                      She wants her house to give guests
                                                                                                      the same thing her art classes give her
                                                                                                      students: healing.
                                                                                                      “The world is in dire need of
                                                                                                      good experiences. … People want
                                                                                                      experiences. They want good ones.
                                                                                                      They need them. They need them for

started by drawing those,” she says.                       last couple decades, Smith’s visual
“Then I started drawing millions of cats                   art has taken her far. She brought her
and fish. I had a thing. An obsession.”                    performing chops to Ohio Tourism
Smith continued to perform, but she                        Day 2019 for a live painting. The result
became more and more focused on her                        was The Statehouse, which highlights
visual art, which moved from graphite                      cornerstones of the Buckeye State,
to paint. Clearly influenced by Buckeye                    from the cardinal and the state flag
Lake, her home since she was 10, her                       to, of course, the Ohio Statehouse.
paintings are colorful, whimsical and                      Then, in July, she presented the work
cheerful, featuring sea creatures like                     to Governor Mike DeWine at the Ohio
mermaids, fish and turtles. And in the                     Governor’s Residence and Heritage

                                                                                                      Gayla presents The Statehouse to Governor
                                                                                                      Mike DeWine

                                                                                                                     Grab a brew
                                                                                                       Buckeye Lake Brewery is always a great
                                                                                                      choice to grab a cold one, but it isn’t alone
                                                                                                       with these inspired breweries throughout
                                                                                                                    Licking County:
                                                                                                                     1487 Brewery
                                                                                                                  Buck’s Brewing Co.
                                                                                                            DankHouse Brewing Company
                                                                                                                 Earthworks Brewing
                                                                                                             Granville Brewing Company
                                                                                                                 Homestead Beer Co.
                                                                                                           Three Tigers Brewing Company
The Ohio Statehouse                                                                                             Trek Brewing Company
22   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
their life,” she says. “If, when those      after being thrown into the dark waters          “I couldn’t go to the lake for four
people come to you and you can              below. She may not have been around              years,” Smith says. “At that time, it was
conduct a class and experience, they        for many of those stories, but she feels         four feet away. I still couldn’t go.”
walk out feeling somewhat healed            they’re a part of her. These stories             However, the spirit of the lake wasn’t
that day, that’s no crap. That’s an         – these pieces of history – are all              gone. And now, with the lake back to
accomplishment. I don’t want them to        ingrained in everyone who visits, lives          normal, she sees enthusiasm again, she
just stand up there and swing a brush.”     and works in Licking County.                     sees parties on the lake, she sees places
Smith’s home reflects her life; it          “Over the years, I guess, my love for it         like the Chef Shack, North Shore
wasn’t always the bastion of peace and      – you know, I can’t describe it. I should        Coffee Co. and The Boatyard at
serenity that it is now. She moved to       learn to describe it,” she says. “It’s just      Buckeye Lake exemplifying the relaxed
Buckeye Lake with her family before         a thing that gets in your veins.”                history of the area, and Buckeye Lake
there were any full-time residents, and     Her stories are plentiful, but the               Brewery embodying the essence of the
she remembers cutting overgrowth and        most tumultuous years she’s spent                Buckeye Lake she knew as a 22-year-old,
clearing the lot where her childhood        in Licking County are more recent.               banging on the keys of Club 51’s piano.
home would be built. She can still feel     One night, she came home to a chain              And her art – colorful, calming, delightful
the water as she swam at the Crystal        link fence backed against her home.              – is the perfect reflection of the new
Swimming Pool. She can still see the        Heavy machinery lurked in her back               Buckeye Lake. It’s a place with so much
piano and the chandelier in the Crystal     yard, looming high over her house                history, so many ups and downs, and so
Ballroom, and remembers how it              – evidence of a four-mile-long dam               much growth that it almost doesn’t feel
looked as it slowly deteriorated. She       remediation going on at the time.                real. And yet, every morning and evening,
loves retelling stories about Buckeye       The construction took on a life of its           the sun rises and sets, the light dancing
Lake that had been told to her, stories     own. She says the equipment looked               off the lake, bringing with it new joys and
kept alive by the Buckeye Lake              like dinosaurs. The land she’d spent             new challenges.
Historical Society, like when the           nearly her whole life on began to                “I like escape. That’s the biggest word:
Black Diamond wrecked. She gets chills      change in a way she didn’t recognize             escape,” Smith says. “The reason why
talking about when, in 1924, the dance      or understand.                                   I paint is because I don’t want to stay
hall floor fell in, and seven people died                                                    real. I have enough reality in my life.”

                                                                                  explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   23
f       irst, raw materials including
                                             sand are heated up to 2,100
                                             degrees Fahrenheit to create
                                     glass. The molten glass is gathered
                                                                               Tuber was a photography major
                                                                               at Kent State University. He
                                                                               created a business photographing
                                                                               glassblowers’ work for their
                                     onto a blowpipe and reheated in           portfolios, and soon found himself
                                     the glory hole, which sits at around      gripped by the art form. He began
                                     2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In the          trading his photography expertise
                                     glory hole and on a metal bench, the      for glassblowing lessons. To
                                     glass is meticulously molded using        have more time in the studio, he
                                     various other tools including the         took glassblowing classes every
                                     punty, tweezers and shears. Soon, the     semester, and got good at it. When
                                     artist has a fully formed vase, goblet,   he graduated, he was almost
                                     sculpture or whatever else they have      more interested in glassblowing
                                     imagined. Glassblowing is hard,           than photography, and took a job
                                     tedious work inside a very hot room.      with a paperweight company in
                                     To the untrained eye, glassblowing        Columbus. He both blew glass and
                                     isn’t quite that scientific. Actually,    photographed the products, and
                                     to the untrained eye, glassblowing        soon became a master craftsman.
                                     looks like magic.                         But he didn’t want to spend the
                                     “It’s fire. The sound of breaking         rest of his life just making small
                                     glass. I loved it,” says Larry Tuber,     pieces like paperweights. So, in
                                     glass studio director at The              1989, Tuber left to found his own
                                     Works: Ohio Center for History,           company and stationed it in what’s
                                     Art & Technology. “Making art             now Columbus’ Arena District.
                                     out of goo is something. It’s cool.”      Back then, it was an area rife

24   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   25
auctioning works he’s created right off
                                                                                                        the blowpipe as attendees enjoy drinks
                                                                                                        and food, and become dazzled by the
                                                                                                        glassblowing process.
                                                                                                        While most of his creating is through
                                                                                                        The Works nowadays, he still finds
                                                                                                        plenty of time for his own artistry,
                                                                                                        too. You can find his art all over
                                                                                                        Licking County, including at Denison
                                                                                                        University. He created a piece for
                                                                                                        one of the university’s dining halls,
                                                                                                        constructed of 24 red glass disks and
                                                                                                        a large glass sphere, illuminated from
                                                                                                        the inside. He also helped curate a glass
                                                                                                        show at The Works in 2017, which
                                                                                                        includes both his art and work from
                                                                                                        artists around the world.
                                                                                                        Thanks to Tuber’s tutelage, The Works’
                                                                                                        glass studio has begun to generate a
                                                                                                        profit for the first time ever, and the
                                                                                                        studio, despite being blazing hot even
                                                                                                        in winter, is so packed with spectators
                                                                                                        that it’s often standing room only.
                                                                                                        Licking Countians, Tuber says, aren’t
                                                                                                        immune to glassblowing’s charm. It’s
                                                                                                        hard not to love; Tuber himself still
The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology                                                    finds thrill in creating glass both for
                                                                                                        utility and for pure art.
with artists, studios and radical self-                    a fixture of The Works as its science        “You know, I’ve always been a vessel
expression. However, the good times                        labs. The job made financial sense;          maker. And functional glass, I love
couldn’t last forever, and rising rent                     Tuber didn’t have to buy the equipment       making functional glass. I love making
prices and change in Columbus pushed                       or pay the astronomical costs required       drinking glasses,” Tuber says. “I make
out the resident artists. So, he closed the                to run a furnace and other heavy duty        100 for our Cocktails by the Fire. … Me
business in 2004, and dabbled in various                   glassblowing equipment, he was earning       and my friends drink out of nothing but
ventures for a few years, but always                       a salary, and his studio doors are           my glasses.”
stayed with glassblowing, creating art                     always open to visitors of The Works –
from glass in colleagues’ studios.                         something he enjoys immensely.
Then, in 2010, he got a new job. One not                   “It’s been terrific,” Tuber says.
too far away. One in Newark. One at The                    “(Residents) know me as the glass guy
Works. Tuber took complete control of                      – the glass guy at The Works. I could
the studio, and soon became as much                        be at a restaurant and some kid will go,
                                                           ‘That’s the glass guy!’”
                                                           Tuber works well under pressure and
                                                           he’s quite animated. Tell Tuber you have
                                                           an hour to talk about glass and he’ll talk
                                                           with you for three. He loves sharing
                                                           his art with others, discussing the
                                                           incredibly long and fascinating history
                                                           of glassblowing, and teaching others the
                                                           practice. Glassblowing is a trial by fire,
                                                           and Tuber rarely gets burned.
                                                           “I’m showy, and I’m one of those
                                                           people who do better under pressure,”
                                                           Tuber says. “So, I do my best work                     Catch Larry for lunch!
                                                           when I’m under a lot of pressure with        Licking County’s most visible glassblower’s
                                                           people watching.”                                       favorite lunch spots:
                                                           Tuber is an old-school glassblower,                       Skorpios Gyros
                                                           and typically works alone. However,
                                                           at least once each year, The Works               Elliot’s Wood Fired Kitchen & Tap
                                                           brings in a few more glassblowers                          Barrel & Boar
                                                           and hosts Cocktails by the Fire. Tuber
                                                           shows off his chops to an audience,                  River Road Coffeehouse
26   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
However, his position at The Works
has enabled him to focus more closely
on his artwork and teaching, too.
Because he doesn’t have to worry about
paying the high gas bill and the cost
of equipment upkeep, he’s not forced
to spend his time making pieces of art
he’s less passionate about, but that he
knows will sell. When he owned his
own glass company, for instance, he
had two full-time employees who did
the same thing day in and day out to
earn extra money for the shop: make
holiday ornaments.
“I don’t have to constantly think
about paying the bills here. I teach
glassblowing and I really feel like I’m an
evangelist here. I’m spreading the word
of glass,” Tuber says. “Many who come
here have never seen glassblowing,
so I spend a lot of my demonstrations
talking about what glassblowing is.”
Glassblowing doesn’t just require an
artistic eye; it takes a massive amount of
hand-eye coordination to roll the cooling
glass evenly on the bench, to keep the
blowpipe centered in the glory hole
and to manipulate the glass in general.
When glass comes out of the glory hole,
it has the consistency of soft taffy, and
can melt downward off the blowpipe if
the artist isn’t careful. Tuber frequently
teaches private lessons, either to
couples who want to come create a
paperweight or ornament or to families
who want to try a new experience
together. The lesson he’s learned is
that, while everyone is creative, no one
is born good at blowing glass. It takes
practice and perseverance.
“Nobody walks into a glass studio and
is a natural. Some have better hand
skills than other people,” Tuber says.
“Everyone has a place in their lives
where they’re creative; it’s learned stuff.
I don’t draw well but I draw every day.”
Tuber still lives in Columbus and has
kids to go home to at the end of the day,
so he doesn’t spend much free time in
Licking County. Still, he’s watched the
county change alongside his coworkers
and The Works visitors over the last
decade. That change and revitalization
in the community at large has reflected a
change in the local arts community, too.
“The change I have seen is amazing.
It’s been an amazing renaissance
here,” he says. “I feel like we’re at the
forefront of the arts community here
at The Works and we bring people
here. Just the change that’s happened
culturally is amazing.”

                                              explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   27
28   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
w          alking into a high-end
           restaurant for the first
           time is exciting. You’re
overcome with delicious smells
                                       comfortable and familiar dining
                                       space, like mom’s, and a high-
                                       end restaurant where you’re
                                       excited to dress up and tell your
– fresh herbs, smoky meats and         friends about. Parks decided the
baked delights – as you drink          perfect journey for her would be
in your surroundings. Whether          something she does often; prepare
you’re sitting down at your favorite   for and host a dinner party for the
local diner or sampling one of         people she loves.
the best restaurants in the area,      Her husband, Javon; daughters,
atmosphere is the first thing          Alexis and Jordan Hampton;
you notice. From the tablecloths       granddaughter, Payton Cobb;
and silverware to the seating          mother, Marie Dacus; and friends,
and immersive decor, all good          Amy Gatlin, Paula Hesselgessser,
restaurateurs know how to make         and Jim and Annette Kurzawa;
a spectacle.                           joined her at various parts of
But no matter how hard they work       the journey.
or how meticulous they are from        So, they set out on a Monday. How
the decorations to the garnishes,      better to spend a few days with
there’s one kitchen that will always   the people you love – especially
be No. 1: mom’s.                       the important women in your life
Linda Parks, longtime Newark           – than by starting out shopping?
resident, loves to host. And when      Parks and company started at
she does, she tries to nail that       Cedar & Thread, a clothing and
perfect middle ground between a        home goods retailer in Granville.

                                                     explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   29
out the antique offerings at Matilda
                                                                                                       Charlotte Antiques Etc. There’s
                                                                                                       always something new to see, as the
                                                                                                       shelves rotate frequently, so Parks
                                                                                                       ensures she doesn’t miss a thing by
                                                                                                       going to Matilda’s often.
                                                                                                       “I go at least once a month looking
                                                                                                       for neat items to adorn our home,”
                                                                                                       says Parks. “They have an array of
                                                                                                       antiques, they have clothing, they
                                                                                                       have houseware, they have jewelry,
                                                                                                       they have a lot of nostalgic pieces
                                                                                                       there like paintings.”
                                                                                                       Parks nearly bought two glass trays,
                                                                                                       but a friend talked her out of it. Parks
                                                                                                       has similar trays in her basement
                                                                                                       storage. Still, you can never have
                                                                                                       enough home decor.
                                                                                                       “I may just go back and get them,”
                                                                                                       Parks says.
                                                                                                       After that, it was time to flex her
                                                                                                       artistic muscles. Parks bid farewell to
                                                                                                       her friends for now, and set off alone
                                                                                                       for The Ohio State University at
                                                                                                       Newark campus. When she’s creating
Lynd Fruit Farm
                                                                                                       a new table setting or a new design for
                                                                                                       her dining room, she typically doesn’t
                                                                                                       need to draw it out; it’s all in her mind,
They searched for inspiration for dinner                   and fit in biscotti, cannoli and fudge      she says. Still, she was ready to try
decoration the next day, and found the                     cake afterward. Plus, you’ll certainly      something new and put it down on
perfect centerpieces: glass candelabras.                   want to pick up a bottle of the Rosa di     paper. There was a perfect spot to get
“They have things you would like to                        Sera; Palumbo’s is the only place in the    inspired to put pen to paper and think
wear in Ohio in the fall time; cute little                 country where you can find it. Of course,   about her designs, so she might as well
earrings and bracelets and necklaces,”                     loving the food is made that much easier    put it to use.
Parks says. “It’s really nice and brings us                when you know the owner, as Parks
                                                           does. When asked what she ate that day,     Parks’ passion for creating one-of-a-
right into the fall, giving us ideas what to                                                           kind table settings didn’t just crop up
do and how to decorate our home.”                          Parks answers quickly and decisively.
                                                                                                       out of nowhere; Parks’ mom worked
Next stop was the delectable Palumbo’s                     “What I order every time,” she says,        dinner parties and often took Parks
Italian Market, close by in Granville.                     laughing. “The eggplant parmesan            along for the ride. She quickly fell
With authentic Italian grocery items                       with extra sauce and bowtie pasta.          in love with watching others marvel
and freshly prepared meals, Palumbo’s                      I love it there. … It’s amazing; it’s       at her hard work, dazzled by the
is a resident favorite. If you’re planning                 homemade, it’s not something that’s         intricate decorations and perfectly
a trip to Palumbo’s, you’d better come                     been reproduced.”                           planned details.
hungry. Very hungry. After all, you want                   Not to be kept from shopping too long,      “I love seeing people enjoy the food,
to be able to enjoy your gourmet meal                      the group headed to Newark to check         I love seeing people look at a table
                                                                                                       setting. I love to do it,” Parks says. “I
                                                                                                       watch people as they enter a room and
                                                                                                       see how their eyes light up when they
                                                                                                       see a beautiful table setting.”
                                                                                                       The next morning, Parks and her family
                                                                                                       stopped by the Nutcracker Family
                                                                                                       Restaurant in Pataskala. Parks,
                                                                                                       a New York native, spent plenty of
                                                                                                       time in diners. However, she says, it’s
                                                                                                       tougher to find good diners in Ohio. The
                                                                                                       Nutcracker is one of them, especially
                                                                                                       when you consider its award-winning
                                                                                                       dish, the double decker banana cream
                                                                                                       cake. The name alone is mouthwatering.
                                                                                                       “Very beautiful place. Beautiful place.
                                                                                                       You know, diners have homemade food,
Palumbo’s Italian Market                                   Nutcracker Family Restaurant

30   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
so that was a great choice to go to the
Nutcracker,” Parks says. “They have
such a hometown feel and that was one
of the things I noticed about them. …
How they presented the meal to us, it
was just awesome and it wasn’t a show.
This is what they do.”
Their journey took place at the start
of fall, so it’s just natural to kick off
the season with a visit to Lynd Fruit
Farm. But it wasn’t just to sightsee or
enjoy the simple art of togetherness;
Parks made good use of her findings                                                   Lynd Fruit Farm
from the open air market.                   Nutcracker Family Restaurant

“I ended up utilizing the Jonathan
apples from Lynd Fruit Farm and                                                            Want a homegrown dining experience
making a pie filling out of it,” Parks                                                        to treat your own loved ones?
says. “I did it with brown sugar,                                                             Try these quintessential Licking
granulated sugar and cinnamon and
                                                                                                       County spots:
vanilla. … Everyone loved it.”
                                                                                                           Trout Club
With breakfast covered and the pie
filling purchased, it was time to go                                                   DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Ohio
home and get to cooking. Parks is no
                                                                                                     Cherry Valley Hotel
stranger to serving others, and dinner
was an event. She asked her guests                                                                        Granville Inn
to dress nice; no need for floor length
                                                                                                           Buxton Inn
gowns and suits and ties, but Parks

The Ohio State University at Newark

                                                                           explorelc.org    explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   31
and her friends take any opportunity                       That’s precisely why Parks chose           awarded her the OhioMBE Publisher’s
to simply celebrate, relax and enjoy                       the group that she did to accompany        Award in 2019. Some may find
the moment. Parks, a breast cancer                         her on this journey. Because of her        loneliness in their darker moments, but
survivor, knows better than most how                       survivorship, Parks’ passion for life,     after Parks’ diagnosis, her friends rallied
important it is to celebrate for the                       love of celebration and value for          around her, reflecting her own strength.
sake of celebration. Wasting a single                      friendships are well fortified. In fact,   Now, when it comes time to celebrate
moment is unacceptable.                                    her outspokenness for health advocacy      or mourn, laugh or cry, Parks calls upon
                                                                                                      this group of ladies and vice versa. Their
                                                                                                      bond was forged in fire, and that makes
                                                                                                      it stronger than anything.
                                                                                                      So, Parks served only the best. First
                                                                                                      came apps in the form of delicious
                                                                                                      deep fried tortilla shells with pico
                                                                                                      de gallo before the main course,
                                                                                                      baked salmon and chicken breast.
                                                                                                      Her secret is to marinate the chicken
                                                                                                      breast in her usual spices, then add
                                                                                                      Hellman’s mayonnaise. Sure, it may
                                                                                                      sound strange, but Parks promises it’s
                                                                                                      the best way to keep a baked chicken
                                                                                                      moist. As a side came her favorite dish
                                                                                                      of all: macaroni and cheese. It seems
                                                                                                      simple at first, but anyone who knows
                                                                                                      Parks should also know that nothing
                                                                                                      she does is simple, especially when
                                                                                                      it comes to flavor. Finally, no good
                                                                                                      dinner party is complete without a
                                                                                                      dessert, and Parks opted for two: the
                                                                                                      pie she made with Lynd Fruit Farm
                                                                                                      apples and pound cake, from an old
                                                                                                      family recipe.
                                                                                                      And, of course, the thought that went
                                                                                                      into dressing the table was just as
                                                                                                      important as the thought that went
                                                                                                      into the food. Parks chose a color
                                                                                                      scheme of tan, brown, seafoam green
                                                                                                      and gold. White china plates with
                                                                                                      gold trim sat atop gold chargers,
                                                                                                      flanked by silver flatware and brown
                                                                                                      linen napkins. Guests drank from
                                                                                                      water goblets. In the center of Parks’
                                                                                                      two tables sat the candelabras
                                                                                                      purchased from Cedar & Thread, and
                                                                                                      inside the candelabras Parks placed
                                                                                                      eucalyptus from Village Flower
                                                                                                      Basket in Granville.
                                                                                                      Celebrating with her friends and family
                                                                                                      couldn’t have been better, Parks says.
                                                                                                      And with the vast amount of growth,
                                                                                                      excitement and newness throughout
                                                                                                      Licking County, the dinner party
                                                                                                      perfectly reflected the desire to simply
                                                                                                      enjoy what’s happening right now.
                                                                                                      “I’m so proud of Newark and the
                                                                                                      Licking County area, where people
                                                                                                      are taking pride in where they live,”
                                                                                                      Parks says. “I heard a former leader
                                                                                                      say that, ‘I cannot make the change;
                                                                                                      the change cannot come from the
                                                                                                      top always. It has to be a grassroots
                                                                                                      effort.’ And this is what’s taking
                                                                                                      effect: grassroots and leadership are
                                                                                                      coming to meet together.”
32   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
34   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
a        bout eight years ago,
         Megan Evans returned to
         her hometown of Newark
from Miami, Florida. She was a
                                        your cheeks and lifting your
                                        spirits. Everything around you is
                                        so quiet you can almost hear the
                                        snowflakes falling onto the roofs
little apprehensive; excited to be      above. You feel like you’ve walked
close to family again, of course, but   into a postcard, and just for a few
she loved the city, and had been        days until the snow melts, you
thriving there for two years.           feel like you’re in a world entirely
As soon as she returned, though,        your own.
Licking County’s charm pulled her       Maybe moving back isn’t so bad
back in. You might have lived here      after all.
your whole life or you might be         “I got a job that I love,” Evans says.
visiting just for the weekend, but      “I bought a house and I found a
you’ll never meet a stranger in the     great group of friends that I love
county. In summer, you’re always        spending time with.”
craving an ice cream cone from
Velvet Ice Cream, dying to stop         Evans decided that her journey
and enjoy an unforgettable new          would consist of just that: spending
flavor. You drive past children         a weekend with her closest
playing in their back yard; you can     friends. Couples, Chase and Cory,
hear their shrieks of excitement        and Bethany and Tyler; and friend,
through your open window as you         Taylor; all live close by in Newark,
fly past them. In winter, you might     and all except Tyler work in
find yourself strolling through         Newark, too. So, they began their
Granville, the brisk air stinging       journey close to home at the Draft

                                                       explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   35
“Downtown Newark is great to go out
                                                                                                         to now. You can easily make a Saturday
                                                                                                         on a nice day of going out, hitting a
                                                                                                         few spots on the Beer Trail. There’s a
                                                                                                         great vegan taco place in Alexandria,
                                                                                                         Village Taco,” she says. “It’s a
                                                                                                         beautiful place and it’s nice to have
                                                                                                         such a warm, inviting outdoor space
                                                                                                         for people to gather in and enjoy being
                                                                                                         outside. … It’s a small town or a small
                                                                                                         city, but it’s just like the community
                                                                                                         that everyone’s looking for.”
                                                                                                         Soon, it was time to turn in. So, the
                                                                                                         group eventually emerged from Draft
                                                                                                         House into the streets of downtown
                                                                                                         Newark to head home and rest up
                                                                                                         before the days to come.
                                                                                                         The next morning, Tyler and Evans met
                                                                                                         up at Everest Gear in Granville to get
                                                                                                         some last-minute camping supplies.
                                                                                                         Their plan was to camp out at the
                                                                                                         Ohiolina Music Festival. They were
                                                                                                         excited, especially considering this
                                                                                                         was the first year that the festival was
                                                                                                         stationed in Licking County. Evans is
                                                                                                         an avid outdoorswoman, so finding the
Draft House                                                                                              time to get to a brick and mortar store
                                                                                                         for backpacking gear is always a treat.
House, the perfect place to converge                       Draft House is the ideal location to get      Next, they met up with Chase, Cory and
for drinks and dinner, and talk about                      a taste of Licking County. It’s a no-frills   Bethany at Aladdin Restaurant for
the weekend to come.                                       spot for the unofficial Newark burgers:       some classic hometown diner food.
“That’s our favorite downtown spot,”                       the Benji Boy and Benji Girl. In fact,
                                                                                                         “It’s so picturesque and it has a classic
Evans says. “The ladies who own it,                        since Evans has moved back, she’s
                                                                                                         diner feel,” Evans says. “I’ve been
they’re characters. Great food, cheap                      seen a new side of Newark that didn’t
                                                                                                         there a few times, but it’s a great
beer. I think you can get a draft there                    quite exist when she left for Miami
                                                                                                         spot if you’re in for breakfast. There
for $2 and you get it in a mug from                        after college. It’s a Newark she feels
                                                                                                         are a couple good breakfast spots in
the freezer.”                                              comfortable in as a young adult, and
                                                                                                         Granville, but Aladdin’s is downtown.”
                                                           a Newark with a downtown that feels
                                                           alive, electric and exciting.                 Evans chose the breakfast special
                                                                                                         with dry sourdough toast, bacon,
                                                                                                         hash browns, cheese and onion. She
                                                                                                         didn’t order the sausage gravy, which
                                                                                                         she immediately regretted when her
                                                                                                         friends’ orders came to the table.
                                                                                                         There’s always next time.
                                                                                                         Finally, the group headed over to their
                                                                                                         camping spot at Infirmary Mound
                                                                                                         Park. While Evans had been to the
                                                                                                         park plenty of times to visit the dog
                                                                                                         park or sightsee, the group chose a spot
                                                                                                         she’d never visited to station the tent.
                                                                                                         “It was this beautiful space I didn’t
                                                                                                         even know existed,” Evans says. “We
                                                                                                         all had tents and a little picnic table
                                                                                                         and you could either listen to the
                                                                                                         music or hike down the hill a little bit
                                                                                                         to be where the music and dancing
                                                                                                         was. There was stuff all day.”
                                                                                                         Ohiolina isn’t your average music
                                                                                                         festival. Though it’s new to Licking
                                                                                                         County, its atmosphere fits the region
                                                                                                         perfectly, and offers plenty of ways
Everest Gear

36   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
for attendees to get involved, whether
you prefer to just dance and enjoy the
September air, kayak, or get your om
on during morning yoga. Of course,
the food is often as important as the
music, and Ohiolina didn’t disappoint.
Attendees stopped by local food trucks
like Moe’s Original Bar B Que and
Weathervane Kettle Corn.
Without the backdrop of Licking
County, the festival wouldn’t be quite
the same. Living in Newark, Evans
and her friends get a different daily            Aladdin Restaurant
experience in Licking County. But
wherever you are in the county, you              The county has grown, changed and             But soon, the sun would rise and the
can always feel that subtle tug at               evolved over the last few years. But          chirping crickets and buzzing cicadas
your heart. Natural beauty is close,             sometimes it’s not the homemade               would be drowned out by Ohiolina’s
and it’s begging you to run to it. Stop          food, laughter with friends or exciting       Southern inspired line-up. Cedric
by Lobdell Reserve to get away                   attractions you need, all of which you        Burnside, Woody Pines and the
and blow off some steam at the disc              can find in the county. Sometimes it’s        Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, among
golf course. Breathe deeply and take             simply the quiet.                             others, started off the weekend with
the tension out of your shoulders at             “We camped out of the city a little bit       some soul. On Saturday, The Dip
Blackhand Gorge State Nature                     and it was a perfect spot to camp,”           ended the night after a day of bluegrass
Preserve, where you can experience               Evans says. “Waking up in the middle          inspiration by Todd Albright, Erica
both natural and human history of the            of the night, the stars were out and you      Blinn and more. On Sunday, Men of
gorgeous county. You just might run              could see them all. … It was beautiful.”      God’s Heart brought it home with
into Evans while you’re there.                                                                 gospel, taking Licking Countians to

Infirmary Mound Park | Ohiolina Music Festival

                                                                                    explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   37
church before they headed home in                          by local musicians and a room full of      “Any time you go out, if you go to a
higher spirits than they’d arrived.                        residents, drinks in hand, tapping their   restaurant or local bar, you can always
But the music didn’t end with Ohiolina.                    feet along to the music. Or, head to       find local music somewhere. It’s
Everywhere in Licking County, you                          Legend Valley Concert Venue, where         great,” Evans says. “When Barefoot
can find the bass pumping and the                          you can get a taste of a major outdoor     McCoy is going to be playing at Three
soul radiating through the region.                         music venue, where the thumping beat       Tigers Brewing Company, or when
Oftentimes, Evans and her friends                          will draw curious visitors from miles      other local musicians play at Barrel
walk into a bar on a Friday or Saturday                    away. Take a deep breath; you can feel     & Boar; any of these restaurants
night only to be unexpectedly greeted                      the passion emanating from every           downtown have live music.”
                                                           Licking County resident.                   With small bar venues mixed in with
                                                                                                      larger venues like The Midland
                                                                                                      Theatre and Thirty One West, the
                                                                                                      music never stops in Licking County.
                                                                                                      And if residents or visitors feel they
                                                                                                      have to leave the county to find the
                                                                                                      music that gets them moving, they’re
                                                                                                      simply not looking. Walk into the
                                                                                                      many bars throughout the region.
                                                                                                      Stroll through downtown Newark.
                                                                                                      Open the door. Whatever it is you’re
                                                                                                      looking for, it’s here.
                                                                                                      “It’s constantly exciting. Things feel
                                                                                                      fresh. It’s fun to experience them. ... It’s
                                                                                                      neat to have those opportunities close
                                                                                                      to home,” Evans says. “For my normal
                                                                                                      day to day, it’s a fantastic community to
                                                                                                      live in. … I’m so happy here.”

                                                                                                          Looking for a camping, glamping,
                                                                                                          traditional or even luxury lodging
                                                                                                                     experiences?
                                                                                                       Licking County does all four. Book a plot
                                                                                                        of land, cabin or unique room at these
                                                                                                         places, each idyllic in their own right.
                                                                                                                      Buxton Inn
                                                                                                                    Welsh Hills Inn
                                                                                                          Orchard House Bed and Breakfast
                                                                                                                  Buckeye Lake KOA
                                                                                                                Lazy River at Granville
                                                                                                                  Cherry Valley Hotel
                                                                                                                     Granville Inn
                                                                                                       DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Ohio
                                                                                                       Courtyard by Marriott Newark Granville
Infirmary Mound Park                                                                                      Hampton Inn Heath-Newark Hotel

38   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
40   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   explorelc.org
l     ook up.
       While the meticulously
       placed bricks in downtown
Newark’s sidewalks and the tree-
                                       from Denison University, the
                                       Licking County Foundation and
                                       the Ohio Arts Council. We don’t
                                       just mean the historic and incredible
lined paths throughout Granville       Louis Sullivan Bank Building,
are beautiful, look up.                which stands tall and proud, even
                                       as it undergoes vital renovations.
The worry of the day might be          We mean all of it; the passionate
heavy on your mind, and your           performances that grace Pataskala’s
thoughts might be a million            Sterling Theater stage, the
miles away from where you              works that adorn the Bryn Du Art
stand; maybe in a different city,      Center walls. Even the Newark
maybe in a different decade.           Earthworks, created by indigenous
But in the moment, you’re here.        peoples more than a thousand
You’re in Licking County, passing      years ago, which command awe,
warm, welcoming residents and          introspection and respect.
adventurous, daring visitors. You’re
passing stunning and thought-          Licking County native Jake McCoy
provoking art, crafted right here      decided to pull inspiration from
by artists who were influenced by      the journeys of those indigenous
the beauty that exists around you,     peoples for his own journey. But
waiting to be noticed.                 to start things off, who could turn
                                       down some energy to begin the
But when we talk about the arts        day? So, McCoy started at the
in the county, we don’t just mean      Coffee Shack Coffee Roasters
recent art, like the provocative       & Cafe LLC, the delightfully cozy
billboard installations seen in 2017   coffee shop where you feel more

                                                     explorelc.org   explore licking county   2020 travel magazine   41
You can also read