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HOCKING HILLS TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Newsletter December, 2016 explorehockinghills.com
By: Lindsay Friedman I’ll be the first to admit, I’m one of those people who starts listening to holiday music early in the season. Early, as in before Thanksgiving, early. I love the music and sentiments. Most importantly, I love the spirit. The season of giving, family, love and cheer. Of sharing your love and appreciation with those who matter most. Getting cozy by the fire and admiring those twinkling lights. Warm sweaters and boots are certainly a plus, as well. There’s something about the time of year that convinces even the big-gest critic that anything can happen. Miracles don’t just hap-pen on 34th Street. It’s because of this sensation, I was inspired to take a photo of my family in church together last Christmas Eve while the lights dimmed and our candles shown bright as everyone sang Silent Night. Full of anticipation for this year’s holiday season, I’ve been searching for examples of people sharing the holiday spirit in the Hocking Hills region. It wasn’t hard. I found a mother’s blog showing a fun Elf on the Shelf “Elf-cation” with the family and old recipes, along with memo-ries, shared on our own Facebook page. I even ended up sitting next to a woman holding her almost three-week old baby boy who got married in Hocking Hills last holiday season. She gushed about her husband. In her mid-thirties, she was beginning to wonder if she’d ever find a special someone. Her friends encouraged her to try the online dating realm. Shortly after, they met and a year later they were engaged. Sharing the story with others, a close family friend even re-vealed that she and her husband honey-mooned many years ago in Hocking Hills during the holiday season. Each of these instances were shared with joy, the spirit evident every time. This year, when you feel the holiday spirit infection, I hope you don’t hold back. I encourage you to embrace it, to take a moment and act on its inspiration. Don’t question it, don’t hesitate. The people and their hard work — YOU — are what make Hocking Hills such a magical place. The spirit you inspire and share with others, everything you do, it doesn’t go unnoticed. The stories, appreciation and memories folks have from Hocking Hills are more than enough proof. So, turn up that holiday music as loud as you want. Snap that picture. Dance in your office. Give lots of hugs and pre-sents and accept it, enjoy it, when others do the same for you. You deserve it. I, and the HHTA (among others), thank you for your dedication and the #HockingHoliday spirit that lasts year round!
Embracing the Hocking Holiday Spirit
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MEMBER NEWS GUIDELINES The Member News section of the HHTA Newsletter allows members to inform fellow members of business-related news. Our intention is to give the membership a space to publicize or announce something new or special in their business. News submitted should be fewer than 100 words, apolitical in nature, and text may be edited to fit the space available. HHTA reserves the right of final approval of submissions. Submit news to [email protected] by the next-to-last Tuesday of the month for the next month’s newsletter.
Welcome New Members (new since the last newsletter)
Member News Member news items are written and submitted by member businesses
Ohio Glass Museum: Christmas in the 1940’s is present-ed by George W. Johnson in the current tree display at the Ohio Glass Museum during the holiday season this year. His collections of toys and ephemera exhibit the decorations used at that time and the period of history we as a country were experiencing. The emerald green in our Erickson glass on exhibition in the museum’s gallery provides a brilliant background for the setting. Also the Tiffin Glass Co. is well represented in the Fred and Terri Malone Collection on loan to the museum. Visitors will see the Manhattan glass pattern by Anchor Hocking in a table setting and more when touring the museum from 1 to 4pm, Tuesdays through Saturday from now through February. The museum is currently closed on Mondays and Sundays. Contact us for glass clas-ses and flameworking classes at 740.687.0101 for more details, or view our website at [email protected]. Athens Farmers Market: The Saturday Athens Far mers Market will move indoors December 3rd. There will be vendors both indoors and outdoors up until April. The last Wednesday Market will be December 21st. We still have some spots left for our Dec. 11th Cookie Baking Class! Inn-keepers Ellen and Terry have carefully hand selected five different recipes for you to bake and taste! Class includes instruction, recipes, lunch, and a take home bag full of cook-ies! The cost is $55/person. If you don’t fancy getting up early to drive in for the class,stay with us and receive a 25% discount on your lodging. Call 800-65-FALLS to reserve your spot today, as space is limited!
High Rock Adventures will be open for eco/nature tours and rappelling tours this winter, weather permitting. If your guests are looking for an outdoor adventure over the holidays or during winter visits, please let them know we will do our best to accommodate them. We encourage guests to book early but require at least 48 to 24 hours advance notice, and tours will be dependent on weather and safety of the guests on the rocks. Please feel free to contact us for more information or to get flyers for your business or cabin binders. Email at [email protected] or leave a message at 740-385-9886. Starbrick Gallery announces expanded hours for the Holiday season. For the month of December, we will be open Mon through Wed, 10am to 5pm. Extended hours will be Thurs, Fri, & Sat. from 10am to 7pm. Sunday, noon to 5.Our Holiday Specials include, Free Handmade Ornament with every purchase. Also, for every $10 spent, you get 1 chance for an incredible gift basket, full of hand-made goodies by the Artists of Starbrick Coopera-tive. Each basket is worth $160+ Country Textiles will be having their annual Chr ist-mas Open House: December 2 & 3 2016. 10-4 each day.Location: Chickencoop Hill Farm at 3350 Chicken-coop Hill Road Lancaster, Ohio 43130.for sale: hand-woven rugs, placemats, tablerunners and handwoven pinkeeps, some in antique containers.Weaving loom shop will be open along with country store. See rare breed long wool sheep in field.more in-fo: www.JudyRobinsonsCountryTextiles.com
Lake Logan Marina – owner, Nathan Gerken, featuring Pontoon rentals of all sizes, canoe rentals, paddle boats, kayaks and more! 740-380-2956-0443; Paradise Cabin – owners, Jake & Ruth Clark, their cabin features a secluded cabin on 20 acres is located 5 minutes from Old Man’s Cave in a peaceful and relaxing setting, nestled in the woods, with pond for fishing and paddle boats. 740-385-9315; The Smoke Stack Hobby Shop – owner, Don Riordan, his hobby shop features the largest supply of trains, R/C, and model kits. His location is 342 Lincoln Ave. Lancaster.740-653-0404; Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservation Center – owner, Chris Kline, his mission is to develop habitat for pollinators in general and butterflies specifically and to teach others to do the same. Located at 17864 State Route 374, Rockbridge (740) 777-7548; Zinn Music – owner, Dave Zinn, his shop offers new and used musical instruments and repair/maintenance services. 27382 Darl Rd. Rockbridge 740-385-7064; Old Man’s Antiques Collectibles Music and Arts – owner, Mac Zinn, his shop features everything from true antiques to rare col-lectibles, vintage furniture, housewares and local handmade crafts and arts. Located at 27382 Darl Rd. Rockbridge, (740) 385-7064; Lotus Lake Lodge – owner, Steve Chambers, his cabin features 3 bedroom deluxe lakeside cabin with all the amenities tucked away in the scenic Hocking Hills 614-795-6887; 1st Choice Wedding Venue Facilities – owners, Bernie & Jennifer Roell supplies great wedding facilities offering two scenic locations adjacent to Wayne National Forest to choose from to create a memory of a lifetime! (740) 856-7848; Journey Ridge Cabins – owners, Greg & Jennifer Niemeyer, their cabins are a collection of two-person cabins that each sit on their own three to five acres and are surrounded by Hocking Hills forest. (877) 238-4470; Western & Southern Life Financial Advisors - agents, Erin Spackey and Chelsie Dearing, Financial Advisors offering Simple, Significant, Solutions preparing your financial future for success. 740-279-5904, Located at 1301 River Valley Blvd. Lancaster
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Welcome New Members (new since the last newsletter)
Board Minutes October17, 2016 – CIC Building Conference Room
Board President Doug Parker called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m.
Roll Call:
Board Members & Officers present: Dani Bell, Blaine Davidson, Eric Hoffman, Lorraine Carlson, Barry Harle, Doug Parker, Dave Brimner, Larry Gerstner, Rick Webb, Larry Beal, Kevin
Claus, Joyce Gerstner
Board Members not present: Rebecca Miller
Ex Officio Members present: Karen Raymore, Steve Roley, Mark Hoffhines
Ex Officio Members not present:
HHTA Staff present: Audrey Martin, Lindsay Friedman
Guests:
Public Forum: Rick Webb shared the America in Bloom trip to California. Logan won 3 awards. Rick talked about the positive economic impact relating it to the revitalization efforts of
Logan.
Secretary’s report: Motion was made by Rick Webb, seconded by Lorraine Carlson, to approve the minutes of the September board meeting with the correction of the spe lling of
Klinger. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Joyce stated that the budget committee met and we are reaching amount limits with the two savings accounts at Century Bank and Vinton County Bank. The Budget
Committee is recommending opening a savings account at the Citizens Bank. Motion was made by Rick Webb to open the additional account at Citizens Bank, second by Lorraine
Carlson. Motion passed unanimously.
President’s Comments: Doug had no comments.
Executive Director’s Report: Karen passed out the results of the State mandated Audit. There were no exceptions. Karen shared the member correspondence from William Phillip on
Visitor Guide deliver times. We have re-evaluated our Visitor Guide process and adopted new procedures for those visiting earlier than the normal 12 day bulk mail time limit. The state
park arranged to bus visitors from the dining lodge to Old Man’s Cave during the month of October to assist with the parking issue on the weekends. Karen stated that her meeting with
the staff of Director Zehringer resulted in the park staff not turning away anyone from the parks. Karen shared the efforts of providing information to less visited areas through pod-
casts, the in-house created brochures and in Midwest living ads with added suggestions to come mid-week.
Hocking Hills State Park – Mark Hoffhines shared that the Old Golf trail connecting to the Dining Lodge is now open. The bridge is still being worked on. When completed there will be
a ribbon cutting. Mark stated he met with the Trail Access committee; he is looking at the suggested areas for hiking. There are plans to put in 140 space parking lot by the heliport, to
help with the parking issue. There have been discussions for placing road counters at the entrances of the 4 parks. The dining lodge roof project is slated to be completed by Thanksgiv-
ing. He added that 30 of the 40 cabin renovations are complete the remaining cabins are being worked on. The green flush at Conkles Hollows did not last the projected 1.5 months.
They were at capacity in 2 days.
Operations Director’s Report – There is a flurry of work going on with preparation for the Holiday Treasure Hunt, Comfort Food Cruise, 2017 Visitor Guide and the most important
event, the Volunteer Holiday Party. This year, the date is December 6th, at the Urban Grill. Look for your invitations in mail. If you would like to donate a door prize, the deadline for
drop-off is December 5th, at the Welcome Center. Membership renewal is coming to an end. The cut off for inclusion to the Visitor’s Guide is nearing. To date there are 14 new members
and 8 that have dropped their membership.
Digital Coordinator’s Report- Lindsay stated that she is working on moving the website to the new server. The blog, which was done on WordPress platform, is not supported on the
new server and will need to be housed by a 3rd party until the new site is built. Karen added that the authentic voice that Lindsay brings to our social media platforms has already had
positive results.
Building and Grounds – Received bids for the much needed new carpet and better lighting for the Welcome Center. The end of the season garden clean-up is currently going on.
Committee Reports:
Audit Committee – Larry stated that everything is in balance.
Budget Committee – Joyce stated that Budget Committee met and she discussed the results of the third quarter budget. Joyce restated the cash balance is high. Joyce discussed the budg-
et committees recommendation to help the CIC with the cost of a feasibility study up to the amount of $2500 for to bring in a dining experience with bar and entertainment. Motion
made to accept the budget committee’s recommendation to help with the cost of the feasibility study up to $2500 made by Rick Webb and second by Larry Beal. Motion passed unani-
mously.
Joyce stated that the 2017 budget will be mailed to the board 2 weeks prior to the November Board meeting. Karen added that the 2017 will look different, as stated earlier in the year
includes departments. The board is asked to review the budget prior to the November 28th Board Meeting and encouraged to call with any questions.
Ethics Committee – No Report
Scenic Byway Committee – No report
Woolley Adelgid Committee – No report
Pools and Hot Tubs Regulations – No report
Organization Reports:
Bowen House – Larry Beal discussed the new exhibits at the Bowen House.
Friends of Hocking Hills State Park – Eric Hoffman shared the ribbon cutting of the John Glen Astronomy Park. Eric added details of the 2017 events to include the Friends Annual
Meeting and Shoot the Hills.
Hocking County Historical Society – No Report
Hocking County Township Trustee Association – No Report
Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen – Dave Brimner gave details of the HHACA Fall Show. He added that several non-runners came to the water stop for information and to have a
treat, in return, they donated money. All money that was collected was placed in the Pipe Safes. He stated that next year there may be an opportunity for the Friends to put donation
containers out.
Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce – Dani Bell talked about the membership campaign and upcoming Chamber events. She added the results of the board of elections with two new
board members, a new location of the Chamber and the need of a new website. Karen added there are two new after hour’s music venues – Application Listen Room at Art Break Alley
by Piano Works and Maya at Night every Friday and Saturday evenings.
Other Reports:
Logan Town Center – Karen gave the reason for the 1898 Engel Trial Re-enactment cancelation. The decision to cancel came from a request from the matriarch of the family, not wanting
the family story told. Bi-Centennial is moving along and Logan’s Revitalization meeting held today at 3. Karen added the 2017 HHTA Budget will have a line item for Product Develop-
ment. That will include $25000 ear marked to bring in an expert consultant like Rodger Brooks.
Hocking County Soil & Water – No report
Old Business: Karen discussed last month’s board meeting to putting together a committee for the website rebuild. After reviewing all the proposals, everyone on the committee agreed
that the proposal from Aristotle was the best. Currently our site has been moved to Aristotle’s servers and Cement is no longer involved with the website. Karen added that there may
be additional things that were suggested we may want to look at doing that was not part of the RFP. We will be looking at those suggestions that were made, some of the suggestions
made a lot of sense to include that we did not think of. Karen added that next we will be reviewing proposals for a Digital Agency. A committee will be put together and proposals will
be reviewed. Next board meeting will be held at 11:30 on November 28th.
New Business: No New Business
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Minutes compiled by Audrey Martin on November 10, 2016.
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Volunteer Activities Volunteer Holiday Party Planning As we finalize the plans for our special party in early December for our volunteers in appreciation for their hard work and dedication, we’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the many members that contributed to the event and offered a door prize to give out that evening. If you would still like to make a donation, they are still being accepted until Dec. 5. Our volunteers do so much more than just greet our visitors; they share knowledge of our area, provide information on what there is to do in the area as well as, assist with special projects throughout the year. Many of you find ways to thank our great volunteers at various times of the year, but the Holiday Party provides a special opportunity to join us in expressing our appreciation for everything they do for our association.
For this year’s Halloween, the Hocking Hills Tourism Association Volunteers got into the spirit with full costumes!
Congrats Genlaurel Inn! The Glenlaurel Inn was named the 2016 Property of the Year at this year’s annual Ohio Conference on Tourism. The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls was nominated, as well. Not only was Glenlaurel recognized at the conference but Ohio Magazine also recognized the Glenlaurel as the best Inn in its annual “Best of Ohio” listings. Congratulations! Hocking Hills was also recognized on the “Best Of” list for the following: Best Trail (Old Man’s Cave), Best Winter Destination (outdoor), Best Place to See Fall Leaves, Best Roman-tic Destination, Best (in-state) Long Weekend Destination, Best Music Festival (Nelsonville Music Festival)
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Welcome New Members (new since the last newsletter)
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Q & A Session
and
Meet and Greet
with your local financial advisors at
Hocking Hills Winery
December 7th, 2016
4:30 -6:30
Retirement Planning
Business Succession planning
Employer/ Employee benefits
Sponsored by : Erin Spackey/Chelsie Dearing/Chris Schrader
Hocking Hills Tourism Association 13178 State Route 664 South Logan, OH 43138
Presorted STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Logan, Ohio
PERMIT NO. 62
This newsletter is a publication of the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, 13178 State Route 664 South, Logan, Ohio 43138 Phone: 740-385-2750 or 740-385-9706 Official Website: explorehockinghills.com
In October, 2016 . . . 5,596 visitors came through the
Welcome Center
1,722 visitors came through the Visitor Center in
Laurelville
Mark Your Calendars! Tickets for the Bicentennial Ball and the annual Comfort Food Cruise are now available!
The Bicentennial Ball is scheduled to take place on Dec. 30 at the Urban Grille featuring the Al Horsky Tribute Big Band and an unveiling of the vision for Downtown Logan’s Revitalization. At this formal event, pick your favorite fashion from the last 200 years and join the festivities while enjoying music, food and adult beverages. Beginning at 7 p.m. and end-ing at 10 p.m., tickets are available for $25 for individuals and tables of eight are available for $250. Tables must be reserved via email at [email protected], individual tickets may be purchased at Hocking Hills Welcome Center in person or over the phone at 740-385-2750. The Annual Comfort Food Cruise is scheduled to take place Jan. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29. Featuring 12 of some of the region’s yummiest restaurants and food, take a tour of dishes from across the area. Tickets are $18 with $5 of each ticket sold benefiting a local food pantry. Purchase tickets online at explorehockinghills.com/comfortfoodcruise, email [email protected] or call 740-385-2750.
HHTA is also having a Holiday #CookieChallenge. Our staff will select the best recipes to place in
a new Hocking Hills Cookie Cook Book. Submit your recipes to [email protected] by Dec. 31st, 2016.
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