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Tag Archives: The Merchant House

Things to Do in Ohio in the Month of July

24 June 202514 May 2025

As the summer heats up, enjoy some time outside with some of these fine ideas for exploring Ohio in the month of July.

  • July 1st:   Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail in Hocking Hills
  • July 2nd:  The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • July 3rd:  National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • July 4th:  Stop by The Old Bag of Nails in Hilliard
  • July 5th:  Stroll an exhibit at the Springfield Museum of Art
  • July 6th:  Sample craft beers at Yellow Springs Brewery
  • July 7th:  Stop by Jungle Jim’s to explore International  Foods
  • July 8th:  Book a table at The Merchant House in Greenville
  • July 9th:  Listen to some live music at the Blind Lemon in Mount Adams
  • July 10th:  Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail in Hocking Hills
  • July 11th:  Grab a cup of coffee at Coffee Expressions in Springfield
  • July 12th: Enjoy the Cuisine of Cuba at Starliner Diner in Hilliard
  • July 13th:  Sip on fabulous wines at Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery
  • July 14th:  Book a romantic dinner at Kona Grill in Liberty Township
  • July 15th:  Dine at Sam and Ethel’s in Tipp City
  • July 16th:  Explore the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright at Westcott House
  • July 17th:  Drive the Shawshank Trail in Mansfield
  • July 18th:  Sample some of the best wines in Ohio at The Winery at Versailles
  • July 19th:  Practice your photography skills at a local park such as Inniswood
  • July 20th:  Support a Cause by ordering coffee at Bowtie Cafe, Mount Adams
  • July 21st:  Return for another art exhibit at Springfield’s Art Museum
  • July 22nd:  Snow Hike Dyer’s Mill Trail at Battelle Darby Creek in Galloway
  • July 23rd:  Learn more about the local Indians at Olentangy Caverns
  • July 24th:  Stop for lunch and a couple of beers at Brewfontaine in Bellefontaine
  • July 25th:  Explore historical Clifton Mill for dessert
  • July 26th: Smell the flowers at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati
  • July 27th: Enjoy an exhibit at Cincinnati’s Art Museum
  • July 28th:  Hike Glacier Ridge MetroPark in Columbus
  • July 29th:  Hike to see Eagle Sightings at Highbanks
  • July 30th:  Photograph Your Favorite Spots in Columbus, Ohio
  • July 31st:  Entertain Yourself at an Exhibit at Cincinnati Museum Center

 

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Sampling Some Redneck Love at Kennedy Vineyard, New Madison, OH

25 June 201918 September 2024

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Kennedy Vineyard was a welcome sight among the crops of corn and soybean of Darke County.    As I approached the graveled driveway leading to the winery, grapevines were loaded with juicy varietals most popular in the Ohio wine region.

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Having just opened for the afternoon, I entered the warm and welcoming winery with a casual and country style.  There was plenty of seating but that would not last for long. As I took my place at the tasting bar, I was greeted by winery co-owner, Louisa Kennedy.

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The large windows looking out into the vineyard provided stunning views of the DeChaunac grapes, planted over 10 years ago, by Barbara Kennedy, Louisa’s mother-in-law.   Fields of corn were converted to vineyards and after many years of producing wine, the winery opened over two years ago.  Additional varietals that thrive at Kennedy Vineyard are Chambourcin, Vidal, Cayuga, Concord, Steuben, Niagara and Catawba grapes.

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The first wine I sampled was Lone Cedar Red, described as “a well-balanced and full-bodied wine with notes of sweet cherry”.  Winning the 2015 Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition, this wine was very smooth and beautiful in color.  Named after the sole cedar tree which stands on the property, it is perfectly paired with a steak or can be enjoyed as a casual drink after a long day at work.

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My next wine was “a semi-sweet wine full-bodied  with bold flavors of blackberry and lingering black cherry.”  Made with a blend including DeChaunac grapes, I enjoyed the wine’s subtle finish and beautiful label. I was not surprised to learn that it had won the 2015 Silver Medal Winner, Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

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One of the qualities that I admired about Kennedy Vineyard was their passion to give back to their community.  By purchasing their wine Resilient, proceeds from the sales are provided to help fund epilepsy research.  I learned from Louisa that the teens that were photographed for the label are from a local high school. Although these students were diagnosed with epilepsy, they were excited for the opportunity to bring awareness of their illness and to show that they can live healthy productive lives.

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While sampling the apple wine, Louisa explained their future plans to convert their barn into a processing room and to further expand the winery.   She has an intense passion for wine and she is currently pursuing a degree in viticulture.  Eager to share her knowledge and expertise, I enjoyed learning more about Kennedy Vineyards and the process of making wine.

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I was ready for my next sample, Kennedy’s Redneck Girl.  This is a beautifully colored blackberry wine which is one of their top sellers.   A “soft sweet wine with lots of character and soft notes of cherry and raspberry”, this wine was awarded the 2015 Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

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Louisa poured me a sample of Love at First White.  A chilled sweet wine, this “elegant sweet white blend with bold flavors of the Niagara grape” is perfect  for a hot summer day.

So what do you have when you combine Redneck Girl with Love at First White?  Redneck Love, a perfect wine combination.  I decided to purchase both bottles so I could enjoy these wines at home.

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Spending time with the Kennedys was a great way to enjoy my afternoon.  I was off to find a place for dinner when John recommended The Merchant House in Greenville.  He insisted I try the Pig Candy and mentioned that the restaurant had recently opened about a month ago.  Apparently it was already creating a local buzz, so I knew I had to check it out, but not without resisting the temptation to play with the winery’s adorable kittens one last time.

Have you visited Kennedy Vineyard and have a favorite wine that you would like to share?  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 amazing visit to Kennedy Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH  45346
Telephone:  937 273 8381

  • Hours: The winery is open from 6 PM to 9 PM on Friday and 2 PM to 9 PM on Saturday.  The winery is closed from Sunday thru Thursday. Hours are seasonal and are subject to change. Please refer to the winery’s Facebook page for any updates to its hours of operation and listing of events.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, wine tastings, wine club, wine baskets, wine, gift shop, private events and scheduled events
  • Tips for Your Visit:  During the nights when the winery provides entertainment, wine tastings are not available.  As always, please drink responsibly.

Find Kennedy Vineyard on Facebook and don’t forget, they can also ship wines directly to you as well!

Where to Stay:

Best Western Monroe Inn
40 New Garver Road
Monroe, OH  45050
Telephone:  513 539 4400

Where to Eat:

The Merchant House
406 S. Broadway Street
Greenville, OH  45331
Telephone; 937 459 4405

Pig Candy is hands-down my favorite appetizer on the menu! Smoked, candied bacon, with cinnamon, sugar and unique blend of spices makes this selection a favorite of the restaurant’s patrons.  The Pig Candy BLT is also a popular offering, which includes the amazing appetizer on bread with lettuce and tomato.

For pizzas, I can’t get enough of the Detroiter and Cherry Margherita pies!

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Reflecting Back Over 2018 Travel and Blog Posts

29 December 201827 July 2024

What a great year for travel!  From conquering France to exploring the Wild West of the United States, it was a wonderful year of exploring 2 continents and 5 countries. There were past memories of travels gone by as well as discovering amazing sites in my own back yard! Here are some of my favorite photos from this years’ travel blogs and the amazing journeys I experienced in 2018!

Asia

Philippines

Naomi’s Heart Mission in the Philippines:  A Day of Travel 

Flying Into Hong Kong Before Reaching the Philippines

Caribbean

A Port Day in Dominica

The View of the Cruise Ship in Dominica

Puerto Rico

Walking Tour of San Juan:  Part 1

The Raices Fountain in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Walking Tour of San Juan:  Part 2

The Cementerio de San Juan

Raices Restaurant

Authentic Puerto Rican Costumes at Raices Restaurant

Sunny San Juan

My First Mofongo Experience

Europe

Italy:  Rome:  St Peter’s Facade

St. Peter and the Keys

Monaco:  A City of Wealth

The Wealth of Monaco

Monaco: The Port of Monaco

Strolling the Port of Monaco

Spain:  Barcelona and Its Architecture

La Sagrada Familia

Middle East

Israel

Bethlehem:  Shepherd’s Field

The Chapel of the Angels

Bethlehem:  The Church of the Nativity

The Altar of the Nativity

Turkey:  The Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace

United States

United States:  California

Joshua Tree National Park

The Joshua Tree

La Jolla Cove, California

+120312 La Jolla Cove Beach

Beautiful La Jolla Cove, California

+120312 Seals on the South End of La Jolla Cove

Seals at La Jolla Cove, California

A Day in Morro Bay

Visiting the Rock at Morro Bay

A Weekend in San Diego

The Coronado Hotel 

United States:  Connecticut

East Haddam

United States:  Georgia

Savannah

Strolling Through Savannah

United States: Maine

Acadia, Whale Watching and Visiting the Doubling Point Lighthouse

Acadia National Park

Enjoying the Coast of Maine in Rockland

Kayaking Near Owl Head Lighthouse, Maine

United States:  Massachusetts

Salem

Touring the House of the Seven Gables

United States:  Michigan

Oswald’s Bear Farm

Feeding a Baby Bear at Oswald’s Bear Farm

United States:  Nevada

Harrah’s, Las Vegas

008 Harrah's Hillbillies

Slot Winners at Harrah’s

Las Vegas

001 Las Vegas Airport

Welcome to Las Vegas!

United States:  New York

An Afternoon at Niagara Falls

The Gorgeous Falls on the US Side

United States:  Ohio

Cincinnati:  The Blind Lemon

The Patio in Winter

Cincinnati:  Krohn Conservatory

Exploring Krohn Conservatory

Columbus:  Inniswood Hike

Strolling through Inniswood Metro Park during Winter

Columbus: Zoo Lights

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

 

Ohio Festivals:

The Banana Split Festival

Making our own Banana Splits at the Banana Split Festival

Medieval Life at the Renaissance Festival

Exploring the Ohio Renaissance Festival

United States:  Ohio Wineries

A.R. Winery

Buckeye Lake Winery

Gervasi Vineyard

Entering Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, Ohio

Charcuterie Plate at Gervasi Vineyard

Henke Winery and Restaurant

Hundley Cellars

Lakehouse Inn and Winery

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant

Vinoklet Winery

Winery at Versailles

Yellow Butterfly Winery

United States:  Rhode Island

Cliff Walk

A Furry Friend on Cliff Walk

United States:  South Dakota

Deadwood

Mount Rushmore

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Visiting Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

United States:  Wyoming

Wyoming, Cody

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Beautiful Landscape from Cody, Wyoming

It is amazing how much ground one can cover in a year!   This year will be another amazing travel year!  Where did you go in 2018?  Do you have any plans for this year?  I would love to hear from you! Leave a message in the comments section!   Happy Travels!

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

 

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A Photographic Review of My 2017 Travel Blogs

5 January 201816 September 2024

I have had so much fun writing about my many travels that took place in 2017 and past travel as well.  Here is an overview of my blog posts for this past year.  Don’t forget to select the link to check out more photos and additional information regarding each attraction.  Enjoy!

Indonesia:  Bali

Kuta Beach

An Evening Stroll Along Kuta Beach

North Bali

Ulun Danu Temple:  The Most Photographed Temple in Bali

Mexico:  Cabo San Lucas

El Arco in Cabo San Lucas

Mexico:  Mazatlan

The Port of Mazatlan, Mexico

Mexico:  Puerto Vallarta

A Port Day in Puerto Vallarta

Turkey: Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

DSC_2204, hagia Sophia

The Facade of the Hagia Sophia

United States:  Arizona

The Grand Canyon

The Colorado River Runs Through the Grand Canyon

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Indian Settlement at Montezuma Castle National Monument

The Painted Desert

The Spectacular Colors of the Painted Desert

Rawhide

Rawhide, Arizona

United States:  California

San Diego

Spectacular California Sunset

Sebastiani

An Amazing Visit to Sebastiani

Viansa Winery

Acres of Vineyards in Sonoma, California

United States:  Colorado

The Rocky Mountains

Camping in the Rocky Mountains

United States:  Louisiana

Mardi Gras

Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans:  Black & White Photos

The Old Absinthe Bar

United States:  Ohio

The Farm Restaurant in Adena

Enjoying a Fabulous Dinner at The Farm

The Merchant House

Enjoying a Fabulous Dinner at the Merchant House

The Old Arcana Restaurant

The Bourbon Praline French Toast

Cincinnati:  National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Columbus: Inniswood

Having Fun with my New Camera

Columbus:  Ohio Village

Celebrating 100 Years of Beatrix Potter at Ohio Village 

Springfield:

Farmer’s Market

The Historical Springfield Farmer’s Market

Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright

The Westcott House

Clifton Mill Lights at Christmas

Gorgeous Holiday Lights in Clifton

Ohio Wineries:

Bardwell Winery

Brandeberry Winery

Hafle Winery

Knotty Vines Winery

Meranda Nixon Winery

Plum Run Winery

United States:  Tennessee

Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville

United States:  Washington DC

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

United States:  West Virginia

New River Gorge

Floating down the Lower Gauley at the New River Gorge

I hope you enjoyed checking out all of my travels and post-related photos for 2017! I look forward to seeing what 2018 brings! Happy New Year!

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

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From Ordinary to Extraordinary: The Food at The Merchant House

17 November 201616 September 2024

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Recommended by Louisa at Kennedy Vineyards, I was eager to dine at The Merchant House in nearby Greenville, Ohio.  There was hardly a seat in the house, so I took a place at the bar, which was just as busy.  The bartender, Joanne, recommended a great wine and took my order for Pig Candy as a starter.   Enjoying my glass of bold red, I took my time admiring the rustic, contemporary architecture and looked over the menu.  The exposed brick and hardwood beams added to the charm of this popular new restaurant.

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As my appetizer arrived, I could smell the smokiness of the spices along with the sweetness of the brown sugar.  My first bite was the perfect blend of nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon and I could have honestly placed another order, it was that extraordinary.

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The Merchant House has a gift for taking ordinary food items and turning them into delectable gourmet dishes,  The combinations are unique such as fried chicken & mac n’ cheese waffles.

Butter burgers, seafood jambalaya and BBQ are some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, but I had my eye on the Monte Cristo sandwich.  All I could think about was a crispy, deep fried sandwich to dip into homemade strawberry preserves.  This “thick cut ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich between two pieces of Texas toast” is “dipped in egg batter, breaded, then deep fried golden brown.” The sweet potatoes fries were billowy with a lovely light texture and seasoned perfectly.

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The Head Chef of the restaurant, Eric, was taking a break and took a seat next to me at the bar.  Joanne, who is married to Eric, explained that they had recently moved to the area from Detroit to help start the restaurant.  Since the age of fifteen, they have both been working in restaurants which is where they met Chris and Cassie Campbell, co-owners of The Merchant House. Joanne is also a talented baker opening up her own business, the Delightfully Decadent Bakery while Eric enjoys creating new recipes exploring unique flavor combinations.  Many of his creations are listed on the menu.

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I had the opportunity to take some photographs of the restaurant, pay my bill and exchanged contact information with Eric and Joanne.  Eric was kind enough to introduce me to Cassie and her family and I thanked them for their  hospitality, wishing them great success.  I know that I will be making a return visit and can’t wait to try the restaurant’s Chicago-style pizza, which will be added to the menu next month.

Have you had the opportunity to visit The Merchant House in Greenville?  What menu item did you choose?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave your comments below.  Many thanks for reading about my delightful dining experience at The Merchant House and wishing you many Happy Travels!

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Eric and Joanne for their generous hospitality and time during my visit at the Merchant House.  Please note that all comments and opinions are my own.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Where to Eat:

The Merchant House
406 South Broadway
Greenville, OH  45331
Telephone:  937 459 4405

Where to Drink: 

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH  45346
Telephone:  937 273 8381

Where to Stay:

The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH  45380
Telephone:  937 526 3020

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About Me!

I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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