Boardwalk Business Owners are Expanding Their Put-in-Bay Footprint!

Axel and Harry's Waterfront Grill and the adjacent marina has new owners! New dining in "The Keys Island Grille" will add some new experiences for visitors to Put-in-Bay this year.

Many will know the marina and docks as the boarding area for the Jet Express and the Goodtime vessels. The Bookers are a class act and this is sure to be a well run business venture.

For info on the new marina visit: http://www.parkplaceboatclub.com

or call 419-285-3695.

Mid-American Boat Show: IX Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Plenty of time to catch the Mid-American Boat Show

at the IX Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

January 13th to the 22nd

www.ClevelandBoatShow.com

Make sure to visit the Put-in-Bay area!

New Liberty Aviation Museum at Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport

I recently stopped at the Lake Erie Islands & Shores visitor center at 770 S. E. Catawba Rd off State Route 53. This is a fantastic facility for visitors to the area, and provides a wide range of information and resources. Executive Director Larry Fletcher and I spoke about the "happenings" around our favorite area - Ohio's "Vacation Land" and he mentioned the new Liberty Aviation Museum building under construction just around the corner.

I stopped and shot some pictures and was amazed at the size of the structure being built and the amount of activity at the construction site. The centerpiece will be a B-25 Bomber manufactured in 1945. The George V. Woodling Jr. Foundation has provided $2 million of the #3.5 million project. The museum will also feature a PT boat, and will be the workshop for "Tin Goose" project workshop for the Experimental Aircraft Association. There are plans for many other attractions at the facility - stay tuned!

Follow the construction daily with their "Live" cam:

http://www.trimotorheritagefoundation.org/camera/camera1.html

Ohio's Northcoast Gardening Clubs & Organizations

Ohio is truly a hotbed of gardening activity during the growing season. All of the pent-up energy, garden catalog browsing (of which I am a participant) and planning are released within our region by individuals and groups. Here are just a few links to help you plan for your gardening and garden experiences:

Cleveland Botanical Garden An amazing group of gardens - and a fantastic program.

GardenWalk Cleveland GardenWalk Cleveland is a free, self- guided tour of some of the Cleveland, Ohio's lovely gardens, urban farms, vineyards and orchards. Their website for more info on the 2012 tour planned for July 21st and 22nd.

Ohio City Farm This farm is located near the Westside Market and within the growing Ohio City neighborhood. I drove around it several times this summer and it is much larger and nicer than I expected. A truly wonderful project and one of the largest urban farms in the U.S. Check out the website for additional info.

Bay Village Garden Club Bay Village is filled with beautiful gardens in lovely established neighborhoods. Check out their website for more info or to become involved.

Schoepfle Garden A wonderful 70 acre jewel in Northern Ohio. It's unfortunate more people don't stop and enjoy this lovely garden along the beautiful Vermilion River. I've been going there for years, and several times sat with Otto Schoepfle on his bench near the Magnolia tree discussing gardening. Take the time to visit this Birmingham, Ohio garden located just off of Route 113. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hostas, shade plants, and varieties of shrubs, topiary and trees.

Put-in-Bay Garden Club The third annual Garden Walk will be held on Wedneday, July 18th from 10 am to 2 pm. The tour will include 4 or 5 Island Gardens with a luncheon included. Mail for info (if anyone has an email please post it) at P.O. Box #814, PIB Ohio 43456. The next tour isn't until 2014 so get your tickets.

Do you have a garden club in counties along Ohio's shores and islands? Please let me know so we can highlight your events, meetings and membership info!