Search Results for: marietta

March 30, 2017 · 32 Comments

The Castle and The Betsey Mills Club in Marietta, Ohio

Disclosure: I received free tours of these locations as part of a press trip. My opinions were not influenced by this and all opinions are my own, and may differ from yours.

The Castle in Marietta, Ohio

Marietta, Ohio is full of history and beautiful attractions. I found this out on my recent trip to Marietta. I’ve lived in Ohio my entire life, and the only visits “to” Marietta I’ve made have been a drive by on my way south. I had no idea how much fun could be found in this small town. I’d love to share two historical places you’ve got to visit when you are in Marietta: The Castle and The Betsey Mills Club.

The Castle in Marietta, Ohio

As you can see from the sign, made by Sewah Studios which is located in Marietta as well, The Castle was built in 1855 in the Gothic Revival architectural style. Melvin Clarke bought the property to have this home built, but he sold it in 1858 to John Newton who lived there until his death in 1886. In 1887, The Castle was purchased by E. W. Nye who died unexpectedly the next year. His daughter, Lucy Nye Davis, inherited the property and lived there with her husband and two daughters, Jessie and Grace.

Jessie married in 1896 and her reception was held at The Castle. At sometime during her marriage, she either divorced or was separated from her husband. Jessie inherited the castle in 1955 where she lived until her death in 1974, 5 days before her 100th birthday. The home had fallen into disrepair during Jessie’s later years, as some parts of the home were no longer used.

The Castle was purchased by Stewart Bosley and his sister shortly after Jessie’s death. The structure was intended to be Stewart’s home, but after twenty years of renovations, Stewart passed away before he could inhabit the home. After Stewart’s death, The Castle was deeded to the Betsey Mills Corporation who still owns it today.

I asked the director, Scott Britton, if there was a reason Stewart would have deeded The Castle to the Betsey Mills Corporation. He said, “There was no direct connection between the Betsey Mills Club and the Bosley’s that I’m aware of at this time, but The Betsey Mills Club had already been a staple in the community since the 1920s. Stewart wanted to make sure an organization with a long and positive track record in our area would continue on the legacy that he and his sister Bertlyn had helped to restore.”

Everything from the home was sold after Jessie’s death, and most of the items in The Castle are not original to it. Some people have given Jessie’s possessions that they or their family purchased back to the home, so people can see them in The Castle today. All of the items in the home are period appropriate pieces and are beautiful.

The Betsey Mills Club

When I heard how the Betsey Mills Club was formed, I had to smile. It was founded in 1911 as The Girls’ Monday Club where like-minded women got together to sew. Our host, Executive Director Jocelyn Adelsperger, suggested that it was thought the club was more of a political club than just a sewing club. I read a fiction book a few months ago in which the women had a club just like this. It was a “knitting club” that was really a club for women business owners to get together to discuss business and politics. This makes me think that this must have been common to the time period.

Betsey Mills was born in the house which makes up part of the Betsey Mills Club as it looks now. The club is actually Betsey’s birthplace and the neighboring house adjoined by an addition. After Betsey’s death, her husband donated the home to the community of Marietta to be used to help women.

The Betsey Mills Club still serves women and the community in many ways. Some of the services The Betsey offers include child care, swimming lessons and water therapy, fitness classes, meeting rooms and more. Part of the Betsey has dorm rooms that women can rent by the month, and they are utilized by a variety of women including traveling nurses and college students.

Painting with Cory

As part of my press trip visit to The Betsey, the bloggers I traveled with and I got to have a night of painting with Cory Wilson, owner of The Painted Sparrow Tattoo Studio and Art Gallery. It was a blast. Even though most of us had no clue what we were doing, Cory made it a really fun experience. This was the painting Cory did for us to use as an example.

Here is my attempt at recreating Cory’s picture. I was too scared to add a silhouette, but now that I’m home, I might try one. My kids are pretty impressed with my mad skills.

If you take a trip to Marietta, Ohio, The Castle and The Betsey Mills Club should definitely be on your lists of places to visit. Be sure to stop by Cory’s shop, The Painted Sparrow too.

Follow The Castle on Social Media

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Call The Castle for information on tours: (740) 373-4180

Follow The Betsey Mills Club on Social Media

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Visit The Betsey Mills Club online for information on all of their programs, or give them a call: (740) 373-4981

Follow The Painted Sparrow on Social Media

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Contact The Painted Sparrow for information on paint parties: (740) 371-5135

March 27, 2017 · 39 Comments

The Lafayette Hotel and Hidden Marietta Tours in Marietta, Ohio

Ohio Travel· Travel

Disclosure: I received a free stay at The Lafayette Hotel and a tour with Hidden Marietta as part of a press trip in Marietta. This did not influence this review. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours.

The Lafayette Hotel

When you are looking for a place to stay in Marietta, Ohio, look no further than The Lafayette Hotel. The Lafayette has 13 different room types from which to choose. There are 77 rooms in total, and they are all unique and are decorated in Victorian themes.

My room was a queen room with a sitting room and a view of the Ohio River. I loved it! It was so comfortable, and I had room to spread out.

The Lafayette is a pet friendly hotel too! For a $50 deposit, you can bring your pets with you. When you check out, as long as your pets haven’t done any damage, you’ll get your $50 back. The manager was sure to point out that extra cleaning goes into the rooms after pet owners check out. Rest assured, your room will be clean and comfortable.

The history of The Lafayette Hotel

One of the great reasons to stay at The Lafayette Hotel is its interesting history which the hotel manager graciously shared with us. I am sure you can request a meeting with her during your stay to learn about its history from her as well.

The Lafayette Hotel is the oldest hotel in Marietta and was originally called The Bellvue. The Bellvue was built in 1892 as a luxurious hotel featuring steam-heated rooms and hot and cold baths. In 1916 The Bellvue was destroyed by a fire. The Lafayette was built on the site and opened in 1918. In 1936, the Hoag addition was added to the third floor of the hotel. The hotel was owned by the Hoag family until 1973. The hotel went through several changes and was more modernized. In 2004 the rooms were brought back to the Victorian themes which you see today.

And here is where our Hidden Marietta tour guide, Jessica, took over and told us about the haunted history of the hotel.

Hidden Marietta and The Lafayette Hotel

Hidden Marietta’s office is located in The Lafayette Hotel in the basement level where Jessica tells us, three spirits are purported to have been seen. She told us that several of the staff refuse to use the women’s restroom on that level since a woman’s spirit is said to have locked the doors and turned out the lights. Some have also claimed to have seen a little boy outside of the women’s restroom. Mr. Hoag is also said to be hanging around, mostly on the third floor. I asked Jessica if any major paranormal groups had been to The Lafayette to investigate. She told me that Marietta had been very hush hush about the “haunted” history of its town until 2008. Who knows? Maybe the guys from Ghost Adventures will take a trip to Marietta now.

Ghost Trek

My tour group was taken on Hidden Marietta’s Ghost Trek through the town which started right outside of our hotel on the banks of the Ohio River. From the bank, you can see a small island which once held a hospital where people were pretty much sent to die. If you did make it off of the island, you were very fortunate. After the hospital shut down, a carnival was built on the island where during the day families enjoyed food and fun. At night, the island turned into “sin city.” In the early 1900’s everything on the island was washed into the Ohio River during a flood, and the island has been uninhabited since. This island is also purported to be haunted.

Our guide took us through the streets of Marietta and stopped to show us where claims of ghostly sightings have occurred. Some of the locations are places where murders took place and others are ones where people have claimed to have experienced sightings. Along your tour, you’ll visit sites of brothels and saloons. You’ll see the site of a former sanitorium and a grocery store, and you will learn a lot of interesting history during your trek. I don’t want to give away the facts because you will want to take this tour on your own!

Other tours from Hidden Marietta

Regardless if you believe in ghosts or not, this was a really fun and informative tour. Hidden Marietta offers other tours such as the DISASTER! Fires & Floods. It was really interesting to learn that the first floors of many buildings are now the basement since the town had to be built up a level. You can see signs of the floods and fires all over town.

Take a tour

Hidden Marietta offers the following tours:

Putnam Street Ghost Trek on Fri. and Sat. at 8pm May-Oct.
Front Street Ghost Trek on Thurs. and Sun. at 8pm May-Oct.
Ancient Earthworks Tour twice a year or private tours for groups of 4+
German Heritage Tour for groups of 4+
DISASTER! Fires & Floods twice a year or for groups of 4+
Marietta’s Mansions for groups of 4+

You can find out more about the tours and how to schedule on their website.

Follow Hidden Marietta on Social Media

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Book a room at The Lafayette Hotel

To book a room at The Lafayette Hotel, you can call 740.373.5522 or toll-free 800.331.9336. There are special package rates available which you can find on their Specials & Packages page.

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March 26, 2019 · 1 Comment

Fabulous Hobby Ideas for Foodies

Food

As a foodie, you might think that your only hobby should be eating delicious foods and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. But those aren’t the only hobbies that you can do as a committed foodie! There are so many different pastimes that you might want to try out, all of which involve lots of tasty food and drink. So, are you ready to try something new?! Here are some fabulous hobby ideas for foodies that you can try out.

Hobby Ideas for Foodies

Brew your own beer

I’m sure you’ve already spent hours in your kitchen experimenting and trying out new, delicious meals and dishes that you and your whole family can enjoy. But why not start experimenting with making some drinks? For instance, you might want to try brewing your own beer.

This isn’t as difficult as it may sound, and you won’t have to buy lots of expensive equipment. In fact, beer brewing kits are very reasonably priced these days, and you will find them in most houseware stores. You’ll be able to find various kits that make different kinds of beers, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find your favorite, whether that’s a wheat beer or a lager.

Distill your own whiskey

Beer isn’t the only drink you can make. Another hobby idea for foodies is distilling your own whiskey. As with the beer, you will need to find a whiskey making kit, which can usually be found in a homeware store or online. As well as the basic kit, it’s also a good idea to invest in some extras like an oak whiskey barrel so that you can add some different flavors to your whiskeys. You’ll find that the bottles of homemade whiskey that you make will make the perfect birthday and Christmas gifts for your friends and family!

Make some wine

Another great DIY drink that will make an excellent gift is homemade wine. In fact, did you know that wine is by far the most popular drink for people to make themselves at home? It’s a lot easier to do than both beer and whiskey, and the fermentation process doesn’t take too long. Before you know it, this hobby idea for foodies will give you some delicious bottles that you can enjoy with your home-cooked meals. Whether you want to try making white or red, you’ll be able to find various kits for different grape varieties.

Start a food blog

Of course, lots of foodies enjoy documenting things they have eaten and the dishes that they’ve cooked in their own food blog. If you don’t already have a blog, this could be your brand new hobby. Do you love cooking and creating your own recipes? You could publish your recipes on your blog for others to try out in their own homes. If you prefer to eat out, then you might want to start a blog that documents all of your culinary adventures. Make sure that you start Facebook and Twitter profiles for your new blog so that you can build up a sizable readership. If your following grows significantly, this hobby idea for foodies might even earn you a second income if you monetize your site.

Take a food related course

Some foodies may love sampling yummy meals, but their own cooking skills might not be quite up to recreating these tasty dishes themselves. Are you one of them? If so, you will be able to greatly improve your cooking skills by attending a course.

It’s my goal to take a cake or cookie decorating class to improve my skills in that area! There are lots of baking-focused courses for anyone who wants to learn about making bread, pastry, and other baked treats. These are great hobby ideas for foodies because you’ll also be learning a skill that you can use at home.

Some cooking and baking courses last for a few weeks while others will be one class. You can find classes that focus on specific kitchen skills too. If you want to learn knife skills or Sous Vide cooking, look into taking classes focused on those.

Start a food-focused Instagram channel

Do you like the idea of documenting your foodie adventures online but don’t have the time to dedicate to a blog? There is another way to show off your food creations and discoveries – on Instagram! All you need to do is take a picture of anything you bake or cook and add it onto your Instagram. When you eat out, you can take a picture of all the yummy meals that you enjoy. You should then add a few relevant hashtags to the posts so that other people who are also interested in food will see them too. Just like with a blog, if you are able to build up a significant following, you could reach influencer status and might be able to make some extra cash through your Instagram.

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Christmas and gingerbread just go together! The smell of gingerbread always brings Christmas to my mind. This Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf is inspired by the original recipe. It’s topped with delicious cream cheese frosting! You’re going to love it! #gingerbread #gingerbreadloaf #christmasfood #foodie #recipes
A post shared by Christy Maurer (@christy41970) on Dec 6, 2018 at 5:15am PST

Pickle things

Have you ever thought about pickling anything? This hobby idea for foodies is a great way to fill your cupboard with various pickles that you will be able to enjoy with your meals and as snacks. There is pretty much nothing you can’t pickle, and you’ll be able to enjoy things like pickled eggs, watermelon, cauliflower, and beets to name a few.

Again, these pickles will make a really nice gift for friends and family as well. All you need to do is add a bow to the jars to make them look really pretty! That’s not all, though – pickled and fermented foods are really important for our gut health. So, making and eating more pickles could actually help you become healthier!

Restaurant reviews

If you are a good writer, you might want to see about reviewing restaurants and cafes for your local newspaper. This is something that the publication will pay you for, so it’s a nice way to earn a bit of extra money. You might have to pitch the idea to them first, so make sure you know how to sell yourself!

So, which of these fabulous hobby ideas for foodies do you like most? Do you have a foodie hobby? I would love to hear about it!

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February 22, 2019 · Leave a Comment

10 Interior Decor Ideas for Restaurants

Lifestyle

When you recommend a restaurant to your friends, what are the reasons for your recommendations? Of course, the quality of the customer service and good food are probably the most important reasons you suggest a particular restaurant. But, the ambiance of a restaurant can make or break it. It should feel inviting. You wouldn’t send your friends to a crowded, bland, boring restaurant. It’s got to have great ambiance, and a restaurant’s interior décor plays a big part in the feel of a place. Customers want to be comfortable and relaxed while enjoying their meals.

Restaurant owners need to keep these things in mind, or they won’t succeed.

10 Interior Decor Ideas for Restaurants

1. Seating capacity

To make the interior of a restaurant comfortable and relaxing you need to concentrate on seating capacity. Some restaurants pack in more customers for profit, but remember that the ambiance and customers’ comfort is crucial for repeat business. Try to concentrate more on the ambiance than on “packing them in”. Though you might not consider this an interior design idea, it really is. Providing a comfortable feel makes the place seem bigger, and customers will be more apt to return.

2. Feature plants

Adding a few plants to a restaurant’s interior is a great way to update any décor. Owners can opt for fake outdoor plants since they need less maintenance. This makes it easy to change artificial plants seasonally or for special events. It also makes the interior of the restaurant colorful and bright when you use different types of plants.

3. Artwork

The interior of a restaurant should not only have “restaurant” elements. It should feel unique. A variety of artwork including paintings, photos, and sculptures. I’m sure you’ve been to themed restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe where they have tons of things hanging around. This makes a place so much more interesting. By choosing a theme, a restaurant can really stand out.

One of the restaurants I’ve been to that has amazing artwork both outside and in is Pinstripes.

4. Lighting

The room size should be taken into account when it comes to lighting, and opting for appropriate lighting is necessary. If there are big windows in a restaurant, then natural lighting would be best. Another way lighting can be a great or awful interior design choice is what fixtures a place uses. The lighting should fit the type of restaurant: trendy light fixtures, candles, industrial type Edison bulbs…these are all great choices depending on a restaurant’s theme.

5. Colorful interiors

Usually the first thing you notice when you walk into a restaurant is the appearance. Colorful interiors can grab your attention, but if you’re looking to relax, you don’t want the walls painted neon green like you might expect at a juice bar. A polished look and appropriate colors are crucial elements in restaurant interiors.

6. Mirrors

Interior spaces look larger when the light is reflected. A lot of restaurants use mirrors to reflect light in different ways. The mirror style and size, should again fit the theme of the restaurant.

7. Variety of seating options

When a restaurant has a unique seating option, it stands out from the rest. There are many unique seating options such as stools, tables (high and low) and booths. A trendy, eclectic place might make their chairs a highlight would be different styles and colors of chairs at the same table. The tables would be different from each other. A cohesive theme would fit an upscale place better. It all depends on what a place’s target demographic is.

8. Know the history

A restaurant may have its own history, and it would be a good to put some research into that history and share it with diners. Posters, decorative items, and photographs highlighting the history really make a place stand out.

9. An oversized plant

There are plenty of artificial trees for outdoor use. Having one large tree or plant inside makes a great focal point. A tree can totally change the look of a place.

10. A cohesive theme

I’ve already mentioned some themes, but here are a couple more examples. Some restaurant owners love cars, so everything inside is related to cars and their parts. Other themes include outer space, cartoons, bikes, fishing, music, etc. Themes make a restaurant stand out in the crowd.

More things restaurant owners should keep in mind for a restaurant’s interior

Interior décor

There are tons of ideas for restaurant interior décor. Ideas can be found on websites, books, magazines, and good friends. Restaurant interior décor requires good planning and out of the box thinking to make it unique. The basics (colors, seating, accessories) are great places to start, but all of the little details are what makes a restaurant stand out. This leads to my next point.

Be unique

Unique stands out. Shelves full of books or oil cans or purses, an old collection of stones, watches, pearls, cutlery, maps, car parts…these could all be used in a restaurant depending on its theme. When you think out of the box, your restaurant will stand out from the rest.

Artificial trees and plants

Placing artificial trees and plants has been the latest trend today in all places. Restaurants, commercial buildings, corporate offices, malls etc. often opt for installing artificial gardens, waterfall walls, trees, flowers, and plants. This is because artificial elements need less maintenance, and they look fresh all the time. The durability and quality are lifelong, and installation services are usually available. Browse through different buildings and see how they use artificial plants. You never know where your next idea will come from.

Apart from providing installation services, companies that provide artificial plants can usually custom design any greenery you want for your place. Qualified professionals plan, design, and manufacture these items. You can leave the plant planning to them while you focus on different elements of your interior and exterior décor.

These are a just few ideas for a restaurant’s interior décor. There are lots of ideas available online too. Hello, Pinterest! You can mix these ideas with your creativity to make the restaurant look the best. If you are thinking of opening your own restaurant or renovating one you own, take all of these ideas and use the ones that resonate with you.

You’ll find that more customers opt for your restaurant because of its different look and feel…and, of course, the food! And more customers means more profit. If you’ve got a restaurant, I’d love to see it! Feel free to contact me by email in my work with me section. I love seeing photos, and if I’m close enough, I’d love to visit!

February 8, 2019 · 1 Comment

Advice on Avoiding Debt While Traveling

Travel

Thinking about seeing the world? What about taking an extended holiday? Life’s too short, and you should definitely get out there and see as much as you can! For many people, however, the dream of traveling is just too costly. I’ve got some advice on avoiding debt while traveling.

Get everyone involved in vacation planning. They’ll be more excited about saving money for traveling.

There are a few ways you can make your money travel just as far as you do. It’s all about being careful. Recent studies have shown that almost three-quarters of US citizens have added vacationing costs to their debt. Even the simplest of holidays can cost thousands of dollars! While it’s tempting sometimes to jump onto the next plane you see, the reality is – you’re going to need to do some serious planning if you want to be able to travel without falling into debt.

Millions of people go on vacation without breaking the bank. But how? It’s not always about how much you earn – it’s about what you do with your money that counts. Here’s our brief guide on how you can prepare yourself financially for your future travels. Alternatively, if you’re currently in debt and seeking help, sites like National Debt Advice can help.

Save, Save, Save!

It may be a fairly obvious point to make, but the easiest way of avoiding debt while traveling is to save up beforehand. It’s easier said than done sometimes, of course, but every dollar is going to help you further down the line.

Think about your ideal trip or vacation. I know I’d love to take my family back to Disney World. We’ve got to think about a lot of things ahead of time. How much is it likely to cost you, taking into account food, transport and everything in between? Take a look at your salary, as well as your partner’s and children’s (if applicable). Mine both work now and can chip in! How much could you feasibly save, per month, as a family? You could set yourselves some goals to work towards.

It’s really tempting to just get away right now! However, that’s not always possible in practice. The more you save now, the less you’ll have to scramble around for later

Keep a Credit Card on Hand

When it comes to emergencies, some credit may be absolutely necessary. You may have saved up for months for your travels, but what if something unexpected happens?

For this reason, we seriously advise you take a credit card with you in case of emergency. You can, of course, use credit however you wish – but if you limit card spending on absolute necessity, you’ll be less likely to return home to creditor demands.

If you do wish to take out a credit card before your vacation, make sure you’re able to use it abroad. Read through card issuer terms carefully, and do be careful with interest payments. Consider how much you can feasibly pay off in months to come, interest included. Lower interest rates for this credit purpose may be your best avenue.

Pay for What You Can Afford Right Now

Found a great hotel deal that’s time-sensitive? Are the airlines offering lower rates off-season? If you can afford to book them now, absolutely do so. Paying in advance for bigger vacation elements such as accommodation and travel will take serious strain off your mind and finances in the weeks and months to come.

It may also be worth you paying a certain amount off what you owe ahead of time. There’s little point in holding onto cash you readily have available until the time comes. Avoiding debt while traveling could involve arranging to pay for traveling costs now. This means it’s less for you to think about on the road. And that’s always a good thing.

So many people and so many families actively spend their vacations worrying about money! It’s not hard to understand why. At the same time, you can actively relieve this stress by dealing with the bigger bills up front, if you can.

Sell Your Possessions Before You Go

If you really want to make a break of it for some time, it may be worth looking at your existing possessions and assets. Is there anything you own which you’re unlikely to need or want while you’re away? Will you seriously still treasure that biker jacket a year after going backpacking? If not, it’s time to start thinking about yard sales.

Yard sales, or eBaying, can help massively with drumming up vacation funds. If getting up and away is your main priority, it’s time to start thinking about selling things now that are less important to you. I’m not saying you should sell your precious family heirlooms! Just think carefully about what’s important to you in the here and now.

Don’t Let Money Hold You Back!

Find local places to eat when you go on day trips. Don’t bother with chain restaurants that you can eat at anytime!

Taking time out is good for your health. In fact, many studies have shown that it’s absolutely necessary to take vacation time once in a while. If you can’t afford a big trip right now, think smaller! Take short trips or local adventures. Day trips are great. Eat at local places and visit local shops. Whatever your situation may be, never let money hold you back from taking some time out – you deserve it.