Tag Archives: restoration

Beautiful Rural Winery in Ohio: Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery

I narrowly escaped a torrential downpour as I entered the charming Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery in Eaton, Ohio.  I took the last open stool in the corner of the tasting bar and began to review the wine menu.  A group of regular patrons were finishing up their order for several cases of wine, so I was eager to hear what they purchased.  I knew this would be a great start for coming up with my list of samples for my tasting.

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery is Preble County’s first winery.  Located in the 1890’s brick Oklahoma Schoolhouse Number Four, the beautiful renovations to the property include beautiful rustic golden walls framed with dark trim, floor to ceiling windows, keeping the original stone sills and the  elegantly stained wooden floors.  The result of the restoration was absolutely stunning considering the building had been vacant for over thirty years.

This young winery is already off to a great start winning several awards both in Ohio as well as Indiana.  Olde Schoolhouse won Best Amateur Wine at the INDY International Wine Competition, which was quite an honor and award winning wine maker, Mr. Z was invited to judge the competition the following year.  Another grand accomplishment for Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard was that they were the featured winery at the Ohio State Fair at the Taste of Ohio pavilion.  I was excited to try some of these amazing wines, starting with the Noiret, a gold medal winner at INDY.

  • Noiret: Described as a dry, medium-bodied wine, the hint of oak compliments the smooth texture of the wine.   Priced at $8 per glass or $14.99 per bottle, this wine is rich with color as well as taste.
  • Nightberry is one of Old Schoohouse Vineyard and Winery’s new additions. A lovely blend of semi-dry red wine and blackberry makes this wine perfect for any occasion.  It is described as a fruit forward wine that finishes nice and dry.  Price for a glass is $6 and bottle priced at $14.99.
  • The Riesling is another semi-dry wine, white with a light body.  Surprised by its perfect balance, I tried a sample at the winery’s recommendation and found it to be airy with a classic finish.  A glass of this wine can be purchased at $6.50 per glass or $16.99 per bottle.
  • The Traminette is a popular varietal in Ohio and Olde Schoolhouse took the silver medal at the INDY International Wine Competition. A semi-sweet wine with tropical aromas and flavors, I enjoyed the texture of the wine and would consider it medium bodied.  Perfectly sweet, this wine is priced at $6 for a glass and $14.99 for the bottle.

  • With a hint of cherry, this bronze medal winner, Rebel Red is a fruity blend of Fredonia and Chambourcin grapes. Perfectly priced at $6 per glass or $12.99 per bottle, I knew this would be a hit with my sweet-wine loving friends.
  • The Valvin Muscat, made with a grape similar to the Moscato, will please all wine drinkers who enjoy sweet wines. This Silver Medal winner at the Indy International wine competition would be a great summer wine, chilled and carefully sipped on a hot afternoon.  I learned from another customer that this wine makes an incredible slushie paired with Olde Schoolhouse’s blackberry wine. Winning a double gold award, the blackberry wine is obviously one of the winery’s most popular wines as it was sold out during my visit.
  • My final sample was the Pinkaliciouz, a pretty-in-pink colored wine made of a blend of grapes and berry wine. The wine was priced at $6 per glass and $15.99 per bottle.

Having finished my wine tasting, I ordered three bottles of wine, the Riesling, the Noiret and the Rebel Red and found the perfect spot overlooking the vineyards to enjoy my glass of Noiret.

One thousand grapevines replaced the former pasture in the spring of 2015.  Crops of Marquette and Le Crescent will be ready in approximately four years. This will be a welcome addition to the winery as it continues to grow, producing over 6,000 gallons of wine each year.

History buffs will enjoy some of the memorabilia that hangs from the walls of the winery.  From an annual school photo of children dating back to 1913 to an original Montgomery Seed Company bag, the winery preserves some of Preble County’s historical treasures.

The Olde Schoolhouse Winery is a wonderful place to host an event regardless of whether it is a corporate meeting or a baby shower.   The party room boasts a 53 inch screen television and holds up to 50 guests, while the patio can accommodate 60.  At the time of my visit, the winery was exploring the opportunity of purchasing a food license.  For a list of current events as well as a schedule for their weekend entertainment, The Olde Schoolhouse’s Facebook page is a great way to stay connected.    Their wines are sold at nearly 40 different locations such as Sutton’s Food in Arcanum and Ray’s Wine Spirits and Grille a local restaurant in Clayton.

Have you had the opportunity of visiting Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery?  What were some of your favorite wines?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my lovely visit to Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery
152 State Route 726 North
Eaton, OH  45320
Telephone:  937 472 WINE (9463)

Where to Stay:

Whispering Oaks Bed & Breakfast
1881 Route 127 North
Eaton, OH  45320
Telephone: 937 456 1121

Where to Eat:

Ray’s  Wine Spirits Grill
8268 N. Main Street
Clayton, OH  45415
Telephone:  937 890 0300

The fish tacos were exceptionally fresh, creamy and full of flavor.  I ordered the asparagus with my entree.

The Historical Simon Kenton Inn in Springfield, Ohio

Growing up in Springfield, I was well aware of several historical names associated with my town.  From George Rogers Clark to Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, one name stands out in the history of our city, Simon Kenton.

Friend to Daniel Boone, Kenton traveled to Ohio from Virginia and settled on 50,000 acres of land between today’s Springfield and Urbana.   Building a cabin on the outskirts of Springfield, his former property is now the Simon Kenton Inn and was the first white settlement in the state.

As a result of financial hardship, Simon would lose the land, passing it down to the McCord family in the early 1800s.  In 1828, the land was divided into parcels and sold.  The Hunt family, having made their wealth in textiles, moved from Princeton, NJ and settled on land they had purchased from the McCords.

Katie had taken my reservation and kindly greeted me when I arrived.  I decided to visit on Wine Wednesday with $1 off glasses of wine and found a great wine that would pair nicely with my meal.  I ordered the High Note, a Malbec with cassis and raspberry fruit flavors with a touch of chocolate and sweet spice.  Reservations are highly recommended for Fridays and Saturdays, where waits can take up to thirty minutes.

The Inn offers live music on certain weeknights and weekends.  Enjoying the music and the beautifully restored historic home, I was introduced to current owner, Theresa Siejack.  Energetic and passionate about her new adventure, Theresa was eager to talk about Simon Kenton Inn and her life experiences that led her here.

The house had been empty for three years.  There were lots of potholes on the road and many trees were down.  There was only one lit candle in the window.

Because of the holidays, Theresa was unable to go inside of the home until mid-January but as soon as she was able to visit, she made an offer within 10 minutes.  At the time of purchase, the housing market was doing well and she was able to secure the money for the purchase. With no inspection, she purchased this dilapidated old house on four acres for 250,000.  She had a vision, becoming the third owner of this property.

Originally from Baltimore, Theresa’s parents died when she was young and she was raised by her grandparents until they too passed.  Brought up in foster homes, she would marry young and join the Air Force as a flight nurse.  She retired after thirty years and one day, realizing she wanted to run a bed and breakfast.

With plans to stay in Ohio, she found her first opportunity in South Charleston and later decided that she wanted to make a home in Clark County.  Driving on the outskirts of Springfield with a friend on a cold and rainy day in December, Theresa noticed that the property was for sale.

My meal had arrived and it was absolutely delicious selecting the pistachio crusted salmon and cheesy risotto.

I was happy to continue our conversation as Theresa detailed the defining moment when she knew she had to purchase this  beautiful place.  She explained that in between the process of signing the papers and meeting for the official close,  she would drive up to the property to watch the sunset and enjoy the view from atop of the hill.  One morning, she noticed a woman on the property who was throwing feathers in the air as if conducting a ritual of some sort.  Theresa went to meet with this mysterious woman.  What the woman would say, was a foretelling of Theresa’s ownership of Simon Kenton Inn.

This woman stated that Theresa was going to be the next owner of the house, just as the spirits had told her.  She mentioned Simon Kenton’s Indian name and explained that she, herself, was a descendent of the Shawnee.  Theresa knew that this was the confirmation she needed and thanked Barbara for her visit. They would become long friends and Barbara would be able to provide additional information about the property and its role in the lives of the Kenton and Hunt families.  Barbara was also instrumental in developing the logo.

Theresa mentioned that when she cleared the attic of the home, she found wooden crates with the name Ischy Hunt, who was part of the Hunt family.  They were most likely used to carry their belongings for the east all the way out to this area in Ohio.

The property had a barn towards the back, but it was falling apart and she felt it could potentially be a hazard as children liked to go back to check it out.  She had it imploded and the remains were buried in the spot where it once stood. During construction, Theresa lived above the kitchen and there were loft rooms above the laundry as well.

In 2005, the property underwent a 1.1 million dollar renovation and an expansion was added in 2009.  A breezeway was later built to connect the two.

Recently the Inn hosted a Craft Beer and Wine event during their anniversary where 160 people attended. With 52 wines and 27 craft beers from 7 Ohio wineries and 12 Ohio breweries, the event was a huge success.

The inn is also a popular wedding venue with a large, covered seating area, gorgeous setting for photographs and overnight accommodations.

Theresa has big plans for Simon Kenton Inn to include further expansion and more events.  I’m looking forward to seeing what she  has in store for this, beautiful, historic place where the spirit of the Indians still roam.

Have you visited Simon Kenton Inn?  Did you enjoy a meal here?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my dinner and discussion with Theresa at Simon Kenton Inn and wishing you many Happy Travels.

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What to Do and What to See:

Simon Kenton Inn
4690 Urbana Road
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone:  937 399 9950

Where to Stay:

Simon Kenton Inn
4690 Urbana Road
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone:  937 399 9950

Where to Eat:

Simon Kenton Inn
4690 Urbana Road
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone:  937 399 9950

More favorite Springfield eateries:

  • Schuler’s Donuts:   Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
  • Simon Kenton Inn:  This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue.  With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
  • Guerra’s Krazy Tacos:  One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
  • Salato Deli:  I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
  • Le Torte Dolci Bakery;  Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
  • Mike & Rosie’s Deli:  This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink: 

What to Read:

  • The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
  • Springfield, Ohio:  A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
  • Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
  • Still Standing:  A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
  • Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:  

  • Hartman Rock Garden
  • Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
  • Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Heritage Center of Clark County
  • Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
  • Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio

Ohio’s Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, Part II

Attracting thousands of visitors each year, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum was a beautiful way for me to spend a lovely fall afternoon.  Rolling hills, vast open spaces and sporadic woods total nearly 500 acres of canvas displaying over 80 contemporary works of art.

I have assembled a list of sculptures that cover the areas of the park’s North Woods, Central Valley and Overlook Hill as Part II of my visit.  In addition to the artwork, the Ancient Sculpture Museum showcases terra cotta sculptures and old coins, an Egyptian sarcophagus and several other displays within a 10,000 square foot space.  Check out my earlier post that covers the East Ridge of the park.

NORTH WOODS:

Extent / Clement Meadmore

Australian-born, Meadmore’s Extent was created from painted aluminum in 1981.

Ohio Star / Joel Perlman

New York native Perlman’s Ohio Star was commissioned by the park and stands 18 feet tall.  It is one of three of his sculptures displayed at the park.

Still Life / Ed Benevente

California sculptor Benevente claims that his work “is a product of the sum of my life experiences up to that point.”

Adam’s First Breath / Sam McKinney

McKinney’s Adam’s First Breath sculpture was created out of 1800 pounds of bronze.

Keepsake / Antoinete Prien Schultze

Made from granite and glass, Prien Schultze’s Keepsake is over 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Off Minor / Richard Heinrich

Heinrich’s work can be seen at various outdoor sculpture parks as well as galleries in both the United States and abroad.

Untitled / Ken Valmaki

Two Thumbs Up / Ed Casagrande

Ed Casagrande is a Cincinnatian known not only for his metal sculptures, but also his jewelry.

Untitled / John Leon

John Leon is a Cincinnati sculptor who also teaches and provides consulting services.   According to John’s website, the figure seated on the bench is Harry Wilks, the park’s founder.

CENTRAL VALLEY:

Laocoon / Alexander Liberman

Liberman’s Laocoon was constructed from wielded steel in 1982.

Tory’s Comet / Harry Gordon

Gordon first studied ceramics until working with Borias Blai in Philadelphia.

Sky Walk / Joel Perlman

Perlman has studied at Cornell University and continued his education in London and Berkeley.

Wherefore Art Thou / Sam McKinney

The second of McKinney’s pieces at the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, he has been a freelance painter and sculptor over 30 years.

Abracadabra / Alexander Liberman

Liberman’s Abracadabra was made of painted steel and created in 1992.

Pteasuaurus II / John Parker

Having attended the Cleveland Institute of Art, Parker has worked extensively with metal fabrication and welding.

Long Wall / Joel Perlman

The Cube / Tony Rosenthal

Rosenthal’s The Cube can also be seen in New York City and on the University of Michigan campus.

J.S. Bach’s Fugue #1 / Tony Rosenthal

White Face / Jon Isherwood

Restoration / Jim Agard

Agard’s restoration measures 10 and a half feet tall and 18 feet wide, constructed from steel.

Cincinnati Story / George Sugarman

Sugarman’s Cincinnati Story was commissioned by the Chiquita Corporation to be placed in front of their corporate offices.

Clash of Arms / Dan Kainz

Kainz, born to a family of stonecutters, spent many hours cutting stone, creating his first sculpture at the age of 9.

Serpentine Column / Christoph Spath

German-born Spath came to the US in 1982.  Serpentine Column is carved from African black granite and stands 126 feet tall, 32 feet wide and 16 feet deep.  Plate glass layers are enclosed in the center giving off a green tint.

Pier Portal / Barry Tinsley

Tinsley’s sculpture was created using steel and cast concrete.

This concludes my second post about my experience at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum.  For more information about the park, check out my initial post which covers the East Ridge area of the property.

Photos cannot adequately describe my amazing experience exploring this phenomenal sculpture park and I highly recommend you visit in person.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum?  What was your favorite sculpture and why?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reviewing my post and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road
Hamilton, OH  45013
Telephone:  513 868 1234

  • Admission Fee:   General admission to the park is $8 for general admission and $3 for children between the ages of 5 – 12.  Art cart rentals are available for $20 for the first hour and $15 per hour thereafter.  Members receive a discount of $15 for the first hour and $10 thereafter.
  • Hours:  From April  – October, the park is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM.  On Saturdays and Sundays they are open from 8AM to 5PM.   During the months from November to March they are open from 8 AM to 5PM seven days a week.  The museum is open from 12 to 5 PM year around.
  • Amenities:  Concerts in the Park, museum, Holiday Lights on the Hill and Annual Art Fair.
  • Length of Visit:   To visit all of the sculptures by car, give yourself at least a couple of hours.  If walking, you will need more time.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Visit the park and museum’s website for upcoming events and the most up-to-date information. There are benefits of becoming a member and you can research this information on the parks website!

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton
1 Riverfront Plaza
Hamilton, OH  45011
Telephone:  513 896 6200

Where to Eat: 

Hyde’s Restaurant 
130 South Erie Blvd.
Hamilton, OH  45011
Telephone:  513 892 1287

Serving the community since 1946, Hyde’s is an amazing restaurant to try some down home cooking.  I ordered the breaded cod sandwich with a side salad with ranch.  Should you visit Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum on a Thursday, save room for Peanut Butter Creme Pie.