Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July! Celebrate with some special holiday themed outings in the area. All the festive specials and none of the holiday stress, sounds like a plan to me.

Don Mould's Plantation, which has stores in North Ridgeville and Amherst, is having their annual Christmas in July sale! It's your chance to get a gift and treat yourself to something from their beautiful selection of plants and flowers that are buy one get one free.

For the kids, or inner children at least, Sundaes in the Park at Columbia Reservation will be serving up snacks, mini golf and sponsoring movies in the outdoor theater! For this weekend's picture the park will show "The Grinch" featuring Jim Carrey Friday, July 27th.  The show starts at 9pm so bring your chairs and take advantage of the kitchen, which will  be open til 9:30!

Tree House Gallery and Tea Room,
Olde Avon Village

An area really getting in the spirit is Olde Avon Village. The shoppes include Sassy's, an amazing chick boutique with all kinds of great gifts. They are always updating their merch so check their facebook for pictures and sales! Also there's the Tree House Gallery and Tea Room where you can enjoy sales on their unique items, see all their fun antique displays and have meal that's got taste and class. If you are more of an afternoon shopper there's always happy hour/dinner at Strip Steakhouse, definitely one of the area's premiere spots known for their quality ingredients.

Owner Tim Kiedrowski with Snoogles

You can also find some great eats at Kiedrowski's Bakery on Cooper Foster in Amherst where they are rolling out the Christmas cookies. Their cutouts with homemade frosting are definitely crave-able but I don't think anyone would tell if you picked up a signature Snoogle or two while you're at it.

Also your favorite pubs and restaurants kept back some holiday ale with your name on it like Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield. You can get the seasonal brew by the pint, tall or tanker today. If you're looking for some other options Moss' Prime Rib and Buffalo Wild Wings have Christmas Ale on tap too!

Jet Express at Black River
Landing by Lorain Port Authority

If you're feeling an adventurous night out you have to go with a cruise on the Jet Express from Black River Landing. This Friday will be a special Christmas in July Cruise to Put-in-Bay. This trip departs at 4:00pm and returns at 12:00am and if your schedule isn't open this week there are plenty of cruise options through October.

Get the details and buy tickets online through the Lorain Port Authority.

Merry Christmas and a happy New...school year?

Get Hooked on Lorain County

Lake Erie is known to some as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” to others as the “Smallmouth Capital of the World,” and to many more the surrounding area is simply called “home." With titles like these, it should come as no surprise that Lorain County has a wealth of public fishing opportunities, including some that aren’t called “Lake Erie.”

If you do plan on fishing Lake Erie, there are a number of public accesses and boat launches, including three in Lorain, one in Sheffield Lake, and another in Avon Lake. Once on the water, drifting or trolling is usually a surefire way to catch walleye. For perch, just anchor down. Many anglers anchor down and jig by the artificial reefs to catch smallmouth bass. For crappie, bluegill, perch, and bass, a favorite fishing method is to fish off of the rocks. You can also catch steelhead, northern pike, and carp on the lake.

If you don’t have a boat, or if you just want a guide who knows the Lake well, there are plenty of fishing charters available as well, including two in Vermilion, four in Lorain, and one in Huron. There are also a few marinas around, such as Beaver Park North in Lorain, Copper Kettle Marina in Lorain, and Romp’s Marina in Vermilion. Looking for gear, need some bait, or just trying to find someone knowledgeable to talk to about how the fishing is for a particular day? Check out some of the local bait shops, such as Bad Boy Bait, Tackle, & More, Erie Outfitters, Grumpy’s Bait Bucket, or Molnar Outdoor.

Don’t forget about the AIM Pro Walleye Series, which takes place from June 28th through June 30th of this year. You can sign up as a pro and take your shot against the biggest names in pro walleye fishing or sign up as a co-angler and have the big-water fishing experience of a lifetime, fishing alongside a pro! It is a Catch-Record-Release (CRR) tournament, wherein the anglers competing will photograph a caught fish on an official ruler, record that length on an official scorecard, and immediately release the fish safely back to the water. The seven longest fish for each day will be the ones “turned in” for the competition. Check out their website for more information and to register!

Now for places that aren’t Lake Erie. First up is Findley Lake, in Findley State Park. Spend the day fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike. If you want to use a boat at Findley, keep in mind that only electric motors are allowed. Next on the list of places to check out is the  
Duck Pond, at Carlisle Reservation of the Metro Parks. Here you can find smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, and sometimes some northern pike. The Duck Pond also has a Raptor Center if you want to check out some birds of prey. You’ve also got the Vermilion River in Mill Hollow, with excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and occasionally steelhead. Keep an eye out for the bald eagles that nest there!

Elyria, too, gets in on the public fishing action. One popular place for carp, smallmouth, and catfish is the Black River, often via Cascade Park. One very important thing to keep in mind with fishing from the Black River is the Fish Consumption Warnings that the EPA has put out for the main stem of the river, both the East and West Branches, and Findley Lake.

Oberlin Reservoir is another public fishing area in the county. Catch bluegill, crappie, catfish, walleye, perch, and bass there, just by fishing off of the shore, as long as you don’t mind navigating the rocks. You can use a boat here as well, but only if you have an electric motor. Also keep in mind their special rules and regulations, some of which--not all--can be found here. 


The Grafton area has a few areas to publicly fish as well. One is the Grafton Reservoir, across the street from Willow Park. While there are special regulations there, it is also home to many bluegill, bass, perch, and crappie. The Black River also runs near Grafton, by Parsons Road. It can be fished for smallmouth bass, catfish, and the occasional northern pike.

Lastly, Wellington has both an Upground and a South Reservoir. Catch bluegill, crappie, catfish, and bass in abundance here, either from the shores or from a boat with an electric motor. One difference is that the Upground Reservoir is more likely to have walleye and perch as well. The Upground Reservoir also has a rockier coast to fish off while the South Reservoir is much greener and has a lot of brush. Again, keep in mind that there are often special regulations for the reservoirs regarding what you can and can’t keep.

Even after all of these, this blog only scratches the surface of Lorain County's possible fishing holes. The county is a welcome place for anglers of all skill levels, and most places are very family friendly as well; fishing in Lorain County is meant to be shared and enjoyed, so get out and do it!

A Summer of History in Lorain County

From historical landmarks, to art; Lorain County, OH is the heart of many significant historical movements and events, as well as home to many important historical figures. The Lorain County Historical Society and Museum, the Spirit of '76 Museum, and the North Ridgeville Historical Society and Museum are just three of the many historical landmarks Lorain County has to offer. Spend some time this summer exploring north central Ohio’s historical roots. Who says learning has to stop during the summer?

The Lorain Historical Society, itself, has an appealing history that dates back to over 120 years, when it was established in 1888. In 1975 the Lorain Historical Society purchased a former mansion known as the Hickories in Elyria, OH to use as the headquarters for the museum and historical society, where it remains today.

Photo courtesy of The Lorain County Historical Society

This home once belonged to Arthur L. Garford, local inventor, industrialist, politician, and philanthropist. Visitors can tour the museum Tuesday through Friday, 1–4pm and Saturday, 1–3pm. The Lorain Historical Society provides information on Garford’s past and influence upon Lorain County, as well as various educational programs and art displays that relate to the overall history of Lorain County.

The Spirit of ’76 Museum in Wellington, OH serves as an important historical tribute to Archibald Willard and his painting “Yankee Doodle”, now known as “The Spirit of ‘76”. The museum includes over 4,000 artifacts from the surrounding time period including Revolutionary and Civil War artifacts. The museum is open April 1–October 31, Saturday and Sunday, 1–3:30pm. (Photo courtesy of Town of Marblehead, MA)

Visitors will learn the history behind the local artist and how his painting has transformed into American and Revolutionary iconography and regarded as the nation’s most inspirational painting of all time.

Spirit of '76 Museum photo by Rona Proudfoot

Another facet of Lorain County’s history can be found in North Ridgeville, OH. Visitors can experience local history by touring the historical society’s museum, located on the first floor of the Olde Towne Hall.

The extensive collection of artifacts and mementos including farming/agricultural items, military items, antique furniture, historical papers, photographs, etc. were gathered over the years from area residents. The museum is open on the last Sunday of every month (except December) from 2–5pm. Also available for touring is the historic Jaycox School, a one-room school house on Jaycox Rd., also open on the last Sunday of every month (April–October) from 2–5pm. The North Ridgeville Historical Society is currently celebrating their bicentennial anniversary with special programs and events through October 2010. (Olde Towne Hall courtesy of North Rideville Historical Society)

Jaycox School photo courtesy of North Ridgeville Historical Society

For more information on Lorain County, visit our website, email us at visitors@visitloraincounty.com, call us at (440) 984-5282, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on other historical organizations or museums in Lorain County, take a look at our member directory.