The SHORE Line

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What’s it like to live on an island in the Great Lakes? There are several unique challenges and fun perks to island living. But first, get ready for a fall season full of fun at Shores & Islands Ohio! Jill and Dayton preview some of the events coming up in October. Then, they welcome in two guests from the organization, Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA). Peter Huston is a Put-in-Bay resident, local business owner, and film maker. As part of GLIA, he helps organize the group’s annual meet-up – the GLIA Summit.  Phillip Rice is the Communications Specialist for GLIA and a full-time resident of Mackinac Island in Michigan. GLIA’s mission is to connect all the island communities in the Great Lakes together. Today there are somewhere between 25-30 island communities spread across all the Great Lakes. The GLIA Summit gives these communities the opportunity to share what makes them unique, but also to find the common issues and potential solutions. Some of the challenges of island living include transportation, housing shortages, and health-services limitations. We also learn about an annual high school basketball tournament that was born from GLIA – four island schools get together each December for friendly competition and island comradery. Remember, fall is an awesome season to visit our Lake Erie islands, with events scheduled throughout the rest of October. Learn more about the Great Lakes Island Alliance at GLIAlliance.org. 

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Welcome to the fall season in Shores & Islands Ohio! Jill and Dayton preview several upcoming events in the region, including fall festivals, Halloween events, and more. Don’t blink, because October events are coming at us fast and furious! Today, we head back to the lovely coastal town of Vermilion. Joining us on the podcast is Main Street Vermilion Executive Director, Kate Repola. First, we learn a bit about the Main Street organization and its many partner projects including public art, the arts guild, and the folks who volunteer their time to provide the amazing floral displays throughout town. Kate even previews a new public art piece, celebrating the community’s ship-building heritage, which will debut at Main Street Beach and Park soon. Then, we get back to embracing the fall season by talking about a fun downtown-wide event – Shake, Rattle, & Stroll! Hear how you can visit the downtown area and vote on your favorite skeleton display. We continue with other events sponsored by Main Street Vermilion including a casino night, holiday events, and the enchanting Ice-A-Fair held annually in February. Kate tells us how locals can get involved and visitors can enjoy these events and amenities. Get the details at MainStreetVermilion.org.

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In this episode we head to our beautiful Lake Erie for some fishing action. The Midwest Crappie Alliance is bringing their 3rd annual tournament and fishing expo to Sandusky October 24-26th and we couldn’t be more excited. Joining us on the podcast are Daniel Elko and Bill Phillip, Midwest Crappie Alliance Executive Director and Tournament Organizer. Daniel and Bill tell us what is special about Crappie and why Sandusky Bay is a great place to enjoy fishing for this species. They educate us about their grass-roots effort and how the MCA came to be. We learn about the upcoming fishing tournament – three days of sport fishing action – and how you can support the anglers at their daily weigh-ins while also enjoying local food trucks. Midwest Crappie Alliance also hosts an open-to-the public fishing expo during the event, filled with vendors and exhibitors showcasing the latest in fishing gear, accessories, and more. Plus, the expo offers daily seminars featuring top anglers sharing their knowledge and expertise. This free, family-friendly expo will be at the Cedar Point Sports Center. Join the tournament or visit the expo by visiting MidwestCrappieAlliance.com.

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Fully embracing the Autumn season, in this episode Jill and Dayton talk to two guests from Erie MetroParks about the parks system, their new nature center, and the upcoming Osborn Fall Fest. Erie MetroParks operates and maintains 14 parks or preserves in Erie County, Ohio and offers a variety of free public programming. Joining first is Executive Director Melissa Price, who started with Erie MetroParks more than 20 years ago and has been in the role of director since the beginning of this year. She tells us a little bit about the park system and her favorites parks and events. Then, she tells us all about the brand-new Roger Johnson Nature Center, opening in just a few weeks at Osborn MetroPark in Huron, Ohio. We learn what visitors to this new attraction can experience and see, including a turtle pond, diorama, window-on-wildlife, and the “Big Tree Experience” children’s play area. Then, Naturalist and Events Coordinator Katie Burnsworth joins us to talk about her favorite park programs and events, and to preview the upcoming Osborn Fall Fest. This popular festival is coming up on September 21, 2024 from 11 am-5 pm and includes all kinds of displays, activities, and entertainment and coincides with the Grand Opening of the new nature center. We’re FALL-ing for Erie MetroParks! Get the details at ErieMetroparks.org.

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Burnham Orchards in Berlin Heights is one of Ohio’s oldest family-owned businesses, celebrating 210 years of growing and selling fruit in the Shores & Islands Ohio region. Home not just to orchards, but also a farm market, deli, bakery, and craft cider tasting room, the fall season is when they really shine with their annual Fall Festival weekends. 7th-generation Burnham, Alexis, joins us on the podcast today to preview this year’s festivities and share all that is new for the season. Guests will love the space-themed activities in honor of the recent Total Solar Eclipse viewed in our area. Enjoy attractions like a corn maze, petting zoo, craft vendors, apple and pumpkin cannons, inflatables, hayrides, games, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, and more. Specialty weekends include a rib fest and costume celebrations. New this year is an outdoor hard cider tasting station, located in a refurbished fire truck.  Also new are Sensory Saturdays, meant to provide a safe and fun environment for anyone who has sensory concerns. These quieter hours include fewer crowds, no music, trained staff, and quiet rooms available. Alexis shares all her favorite stories of growing up on a farm and hosting this annual autumn tradition. Plan your visit at BurnhamOrchards.com.

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Local entrepreneurs Lisa and Justin Brady recently opened the Explorer Rest & Recreation, a year-round boutique lodge with several different room types. Transforming an older property into a real gem, Explorer not only offers pet-friendly and family-friendly accommodations, but an inviting atmosphere with outdoor lounging areas, fire pits, games, and an onsite food truck. Owner Lisa Brady joins Jill and Dayton on today’s episode to tell us how Explorer R&R came to be and discuss the different rooms available and who might want to stay there – family fun, romantic getaways, team bonding, and more. She also shares her dreams for the future of the property. The Brady’s also own Lake Erie Adventure Co., specializing in kayak and paddle rentals in two locations. We learn how easy it is to get out on the water and the amazing wildlife and beautiful sites you can see with an excursion at either spot. A perfect accompaniment to any Shores & Islands Ohio getaway! Plan your stay at ExplorerLodge.com and get on the water at LakeErieAdventure.com.

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Catawba Island peninsula has a rich history of fruit orchards, known for growing peaches, apricots, and apples. When Quinton Smith “retired” he went back to his roots on the farm, buying an overgrown orchard. His son Cory, a hobby home brewer, was looking for a place to showcase his passion for beer. Utilizing fresh from the orchard produce, Cory was able to bring this dream to fruition, creating Twin Oast Brewery, now a fantastic destination. Cory Smith, owner and visionary, joins Jill and Dayton on today’s episode to share his story. Hear about this family-friendly destination brewery, where the name “Twin Oast” comes from, and the variety of weekly, monthly, and huge annual events they host. Namely, Oastoberfest, their version of a traditional German Oktoberfest, which is coming up next month! We talk a bit about plans for this festive event and how people can even host their own special celebrations at Twin Oast Brewery. Even in the winter, as they have quaint, outdoor igloos which can be rented by small groups. Learn all about the beers, the brewing process, and the fun at TwinOast.com.

In this episode, we take off for a high-flying adventure with Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum. One of the region’s most loved year-round attractions, this museum is home to historical, operational aircraft and vehicles, as well as several unique collections. Joining us on the podcast today is the museum’s communications and marketing coordinator, Jim Priebe. Jim shares how a certain collection of television memorabilia, along with other interesting organizational stories, lured him out of retirement and into promoting this gem of a facility. We talk about the museum’s exhibits, including the full-scale restoration project of a historical aircraft with ties to the islands – a Ford Tri-motor, aka a “Tin Goose.” Being adjacent to the Erie-Ottawa International Airport has its advantages, as historical aircraft from other organizations often visit, and even offer flight experiences to the public. The museum also hosts many special events throughout the year including the upcoming annual Military Show on September 7-8. The facility is also home to the region’s only authentic 1950’s-era diner, now known as the Tin Goose Diner, serving up tasty breakfasts, burgers, and milkshakes. Take flight at the Liberty Aviation Museum! Visit LibertyAviationMuseum.org for more.

On today’s episode, we’re reaching for the sky and zipping through the trees like Tarzan. Common Ground Canopy Tours in Oberlin, Ohio provides experience-based programming to foster life-long exploration, learning, and growth of youth and adults. Jill and Dayton chatted with Jen Libertowski, Marketing Manager at Common Ground. Jen shares the ziplining experiences available to guests at this 30-acre woodland oasis in the Vermilion River Valley. They’ve recently introduced Twilight Tours through the nighttime landscape with the full moon. She also tells us about various team building opportunities offered both at their facility and off-site – they can come to you! We also talk quite a bit about some of the special events they host, including summer camps for kids and the upcoming 17th annual Fire Walk on September 21. Ziplining is offered March through November and fall is a fantastic time to be up among the Autumn leaves. Schedule your tour and find out more at CommonGroundCenter.org.

Join us as we head back out on an island-hopping adventure! Today we are back on Kelleys Island and talking all things wine with Abbey Rosado, general manager of the Kelley’s Island Wine Co. and owner of the Monarch Winery. These two island businesses are must-visits, and each have their own distinct vibe. Kelley’s Island Wine Co. is a multi-generational family operation, which has been producing wine on the island since 1982. Offering a full-service restaurant, wines and wine tasting, plus a welcoming outdoor area, complete with playground and farm animals for the kids, and even an on-site cantina, Abbey tells us about the wines served here and what a visit is like. She also walks us through the experience at Monarch Winery, known for their build-your-own charcuterie and a variety of fruit wine slushies. These two wineries will join with the island’s third winery, Crooked Tree Vineyard, and the Charles Herndon Galleries & Sculpture Garden (See episode #20) for the upcoming Kelleys Island Wine, Art, and Food Faire on September 14, 2024. Each location will host artisans and crafters, along with live music, plus food and wine. The art gallery will also be hosting art demonstrations, including glass blowing. Touring the island and visiting each location is free and a wine-tasting card can be purchased for a tasting at each winery – a discounted rate off the regular cost of tastings at three wineries. Abbey also tells us about other special events the wineries host throughout the year and why fall is a wonderful time to visit Kelleys Island. Get the details at KelleysIslandWineCo.com.