2012 Visitors’ Guides Have Arrived

We are super excited to tell you that the 2012 Vinton County Visitors’ Guide is now available. Sponsored by the Vinton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB), this publication serves as a guide to local events, lodging, shopping, food, services and other places of interest.

Your 2012 Guide to Fun in Vinton County Has Arrived!

The 40-page full color book features stories and pictures that highlight this beautiful community. It was created with the help of the Vinton County Courier/Athens Messenger this year.

The CVB produces 20,000 copies to be distributed at Ohio Travel Information Centers, regional visitors’ center, area businesses and local events. The guides are also sent to potential visitors who request information via telephone and internet. Additionally, the publication is used as a reference guide for many local residents.

Pick up your guide at the Vinton County Visitors’ Center at 104 W. Main St., McArthur or look for it in other local businesses. Would you like to have guides to place in your business? Contact me at 596-5033 or marketingdirector@vintoncounty.com to make this arrangement.

You can also listen to our latest “Experiencing Vinton County” podcast to learn more about the guide. Click here to listen now.

Lest We Forget

Today the Vinton County Historical and Genealogical Society honored the memory of a Navy veteran. But this wasn’t just any veteran – it was James Bryce Boring, Vinton County’s first World War II casualty.

The 21-year old was a fireman aboard the USS Oklahoma when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 70 years ago yesterday. While there is a marker for Mr. Boring in Bowen Cemetery near Vales Mills in Vinton County, his final resting place is aboard that ship thousands of miles from home.

The youngest of 12, James Bryce Boring simply went by Bryce. His mother died when he was only three months old and his father died when Bryce was six. Consequently, he and three of his sibling spent most of their childhood in the Vinton County Children’s Home (that building now houses Twin Maples Nursing Home on Rt. 93 N of McArthur).

Bryce graduated from McArthur High School and joined the Navy on January 2, 1941. He was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma on that Sunday morning when Japan staged a surprise attack on the naval base.

The USS Oklahoma was moored in battleship row when it was hit by multiple Japanese torpedoes. Bryce was one of 429 crew members to go down with the ship.  He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Today members of the Historical and Genealogical Society gathered along with the public and some of Bryce’s family to remember the young man who would be 91 years old had he been spared that day. It was chilly on that rural hilltop this morning and it is hard to imagine this boy from Radcliff, Ohio,  stationed in the warmth of Hawaii, giving his life for this country.

I am told that this is the second in a series of memorials the Historical and Genealogical Society is hosting and I was glad to be there. It is important to remember those who came before us and to remember the sacrifices they made so that we may someday live in peace.

The nice ladies and gentlemen who hosted the event invited us all back to Alice’s House, a wonderful museum of Vinton County history, to share in their holiday party. I’m just back from there and have to say it was a most enjoyable lunch. Alice’s House is run by volunteers from the Historical and Genealogical Society and is packed full of good things to help us remember where we came from.

While there, I was honored to speak with a lady who had her own World War II story. She was a young woman, at home with three small boys when her husband went missing in Germany. He was injured and held in a German POW camp but it was months before she knew what had happened to him. She wrote him everyday despite the fact her letters were always returned stamped “Missing in Action.” But she never gave up and one night answered a knock on the door to find him standing there.

She told me she will never forget how frightened and helpless she felt during that dark time in her life. And I do not doubt her word.

I tell you this story as a reminder to always ask questions when you get a chance. I didn’t know Vinton County had lost a sailor at Pearl Harbor nor did I know this lovely lady’s war story. But my day has been made richer because of my contact with these stories of humanity and I am truly glad I went.

Thanks to the volunteers at the Historical and Genealogical Society for helping us remember where we come from and for always being willing to share the stories.

Want to know more about the USS Oklahoma? Click here to visit a memorial webpage. Want to know more about Alice’s House and the Vinton County Historical and Genealogical Society? Call them at 596-0253. They would love to hear from you.

Christmas in Downtown

A snapshot from Christmas in Downtown a few years ago.

Today is December 1 and that means Christmas is Downtown is just a couple days away. This year’s event is this Saturday – December 3 from 3 – 6 p.m. We’ll have lots of other events going on before and after the 3-6 plans though so be sure to pay special attention to the program.

First things first. When you arrive at Christmas in Downtown be sure to pick up a program. It will contain the below list of activities complete with a map to help you navigate all the sales, free stuff and fun activities. It will also contain the $100 Giveaway Card. You just have to take that card to 10 participating businesses and have it marked. Then return your card to the Chamber Office by 5:55 p.m. to be entered in a drawing for $100 cash! Thanks to Juvenile/Probate Judge Bob Grillo for sponsoring this contest.

The program also contains a Decorating Contest Ballot. Be sure to vote for your favorite business! Thanks to the Vinton County CVB for sponsoring our contest this year.

There will be a Craft Sale and Chinese Auction starting at 11 a.m. plus there’s a parade at 6 p.m. and a dance at 7 p.m. to name just a few things going on. Here’s the complete list of offerings:

1. Visitors’ Center/Chamber Office: Refreshments provided by McArthur BPW. Detailed event programs and $100 drawing tickets available. Joy Dickerson will offer Holiday Instant Poems. People’s Choice Decorating Award presented at 5:50 p.m. – view the local businesses’ lights and VOTE HERE for your favorite. Thanks to the Boy Scouts for distributing programs tonight!

2. Bright Star Satellite: Door prize.

3. McArthur Village Hall/Police Department: Door prize drawing for $25.00 cash.

4. Remember When . . . Antiques and More: Twenty percent off any purchase of $50 or more. Drawing for free gift certificate.

5. Vinton County Courier: Refreshments and giveaways.

6. Salyer and Griffith, Attorneys at Law: Door prize drawing and live choir.

7. Vinton County National Bank: Decorate farm animal cookies, coloring. Christmas stories by Vinton County Unity. VCU will also sell suckers, soda and Blingo tickets outside. Outside: Beckie’s Home Bakery will be outside with baked goods for sale and free samples.

8. Mama Renie’s Restaurant**: 12 inch, 1 item pizza for $5.00 (3p.m. to 6 p.m. only). Al Harper will perform from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

9. Style Shop: Door prize. Open house with refreshments.

10. Booth Real Estate and Insurance: Free goodies and refreshments.

11. Percellis Pizza (417 S. Market)**: Santa Buck’s coupon available at the Chamber Office.

12. United Methodist Church: Sanctuary- front entrance: Christmas Caroling from 3:15 – 3:45 and organ music from 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each family will receive a remembrance item when they visit. Church basement – rear entrance: Shepherd’s House Chinese Auction and Silent Auction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drawing at 4 p.m.

13. Sheriff’s Office: Cookies and cider.

14. Vinton County Court House: Visit Santa after the parade. Live Music on the Courthouse steps. See program for schedule. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be open. Little Vikes Child Care will have cookie decorating for kids. Coloring contest pictures, including winners, will be displayed (the elementary schools were invited to participate). Social Services Council will sell popcorn to benefit the Warm Winter Project.

15. Goodwill: Free cookies and punch.

16. Mullins Pizza**: Free hot chocolate and cookies. Cheeseburger and small fries for $2.99 and pizza by the slice for $1.50.

17. Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library: Festival of Trees. 4-H/Extension: Petting zoo and horse rides (weather permitting). Vinton County Unity: will teach line dancing (Cha-Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Macarena, and the Electric Slide), will do face painting/tattoos for $1 and will sell suckers, soda and Blingo tickets.

18. Circle Pizza: 18” 1 item pizza for $9.99 (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. only).

19. Subway**: Any regular footlong for $5 (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. only).

20. Vinton County Floral: Door prize.

21. McArthur BP: Live Radio (WKOV) Remote from the Big Red Boombox from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Grange Insurance Company. See Radio for giveaways.

22. Vinton County National Bank Customer Service: The Commoner Journal: “Deck Yourself Contest” where the CJ will encourage participants to decorate each other in the garland/Christmas ornaments provided. The CJ will take pictures of all participants and people can visit their site later to vote for their favorites. Fudge tray raffle. Southern Ohio Gymnastics Association: split the pot. VCHS Pep Club: VC Christmas ornaments for sale, raffle for a VC wreath and baked goods.

23. WesBanco: Drawing for a movie basket (includes a portable dvd player, movie and snacks) and treat bags for kids and adults.

24. Dodrill Realty: Cookies and door prize.

25. Vinton County Treasurer Vicki Maxwell: Free hot chocolate outside the Eagles.

26. McClure’s**: Buy any sandwich and get a small shake for $.50.

27. The Main Eatery: Free hot chocolate and cookies for the kids. Bring your camera for pictures with Santa from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

28. R & C Quickstop (US Route 50 West)**: Large fountain drink & hot sub for $3.99 (3p.m. to 6 p.m. only).

29. Presbyterian Church: Vinton Industries will host a craft sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Moonville Rail Trail Assoc. will sell light food including lunch foods and baked goods.

30. Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home: Remembrance Tree. Free wagon rides will begin and end here. Although free, tickets are needed & can be picked up here. Rides sponsored by Garrett Cardaras Funeral Home. VCHS Choir/Drama Boosters will sell coffee.

31. Vinton County Clerk of Courts, Title Department: Lisa Gilliland, Vinton County Clerk of Courts, will host an open house at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with cookies and candy, a door prize for adults and one for kids.

Entertainment Schedule

11 —4 p.m.  Chinese Auction and Silent Auction United Methodist Church

11 —6 p.m.    Craft Sale at the McArthur Presbyterian Church

3 —4:30   4 This Cause at the Courthouse Gazebo

3– 3:45  Zaleski Freewill Baptist Church Choir at the Chamber Office

3 – 5:30 p.m.  Free Wagon Rides sponsored by Garrett-Cardaras Funeral                               Home. Rides begin and end at the Funeral Home. Rides are   free but tickets are required.

3-6 p.m.  Line Dancing Lessons by VCU at the Library

3-6 p.m.  Christmas Stories by VCU in the Vinton County National   Bank Lobby

3 – 6 p.m.  Instant Holiday Poems by Joy Dickerson at Chamber Office

3:15-3:45   Methodist Church Choir in the Church Sanctuary

3:30—4   Maranatha at the Courthouse Steps

3:45—5:30  Methodist Church Choir Caroling around town

4-4:15 p.m.  Tower of Refuge Junior Choir Bell Ensemble at Courthouse

4:30-5  VCHS Choir on the Courthouse Steps

5-5:30   Tower of Refuge Jr. Drama Team on the Courthouse Steps

5:30-6  Tower of Refuge Drama Team on the Courthouse Steps

5:55  p.m.  Decorating contest ballots and $100 Punch Cards Due in Cham  ber Office. Drawing to will be at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Pro  bate/Juvenile Judge Bob Grillo

6 p.m.  Christmas Parade. Santa will appear at the Courthouse following the parade

7 p.m.   The Sleigh Bell Ball sponsored by the VC Jaycees   at the Fire Hall

**Free Children’s Christmas activity books provided by Remy’s Mobile Homes at these locations.

To cap off the day, the Vinton County Jaycees will host a Sleigh Bell Ball at 7 p.m. at the McArthur Fire Hall. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per couple and can be purchased in advance at the Chamber Office. Semi formal dress is requested but not required.

This is the Vinton County Chamber of Commerce’s gift to the community and we sincerely hope you will come out and spend the day with us. There are lots of free things to do and inexpensive things to buy and we do have a wonderful time!

Shop local this Small Business Saturday

Support your local economy this weekend by shopping in local stores on Small Business Saturday. This second annual event was founded by American Express and is supported by more than 200 partners who believe in the power of small businesses.

Vinton County has no big box stores or large department store chains but we do have a host of small businesses that can sell you everything from archery gear to handmade stained glass. Don’t give your loved ones cookie cutter gifts from the malls this year. Instead, consider giving them something one-of-a-kind from a Vinton County shop.

What are some gifts you can buy in Vinton County? We already mentioned archery gear but you can also buy hunting and fishing gear. You will find beautiful handmade jewelry, carved wooden walking sticks, quilts,  Fenton Glass, lovely vintage and antique furniture, paintings, ceramics, aprons, cookbooks, handmade candles……

The list just goes on and on and on…..

Want to know more? Listen to our latest episode of “Experiencing Vinton County” to hear about some specific members of the Vinton County CVB who would love to have your business. You can also visit us online at www.vintoncountytravel.com.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels as you are out and about visiting family, shopping and enjoying the holiday weekend.

Christmas in Downtown will be here soon!

Are you looking for something fun to do with your loved ones that won’t break the bank this holiday season? Consider joining us for Christmas in Downtown on December 3!

The Vinton County Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this event for eight years and considers it a  Christmas gift to the community. I for one am very excited about this year’s schedule as it seems to be growing every day. This year’s theme is “Christmas Down on the Farm.”

Christmas in Downtown is a one day event meant to attract people to downtown McArthur for an afternoon and evening of music, food, shopping, family fun and Christmas cheer.  It also features a craft sale, a Chinese auction, a parade and a Sleigh Bell Ball sponsored by the Vinton County Jaycees.

Other activities that day will include sales, raffles, a petting zoo,  giveaways and free refreshments offered by participating downtown businesses. There are always activities for the kids, free wagon rides and plenty of good things to eat. Those activities will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  During these hours, visitors are invited to participate in the $100 punch card drawing. Each person who takes a punch card to a specified number of participating businesses can be entered in a drawing for $100 cash.

Here are a few images from past Christmas in Downtown celebrations:

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Shepherd’s House will hold a Chinese Auction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McArthur United Methodist Church. Many beautiful crafts, gift certificates and other great items will be available for the Chinese Auction. There will also be a silent auction with autographed photos, autographed books and original oil paintings. Food and baked goods available too. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the drawings will begin at 4 p.m. All proceeds will be used to assist victims of domestic violence and their families in our community. Call 596-9271 if you would like to make a donation.

Another big event that day will be a Craft Sale at the McArthur Presbyterian Church. That sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature an array of crafts and handmade items. Crafters are now being sought for this sale.  And of course the thing that most youngsters look forward to the most is getting to meet the jolly old elf himself – Santa Claus! Santa will be escorted into McArthur during the 21^st  annual Christmas parade that starts at 6 p.m. He will visit with all the good little girls and boys of Vinton County at the courthouse following the parade.

While visiting the Courthouse be sure to check out the Community Christmas Tree that is sponsored by the Vinton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB). This tree is decorated with ornaments that have been donated over the last few years in honor or in memory of a person or family. You can donate an ornament for the tree by dropping it off at the Vinton County Visitors’ Center/Chamber Office. The staff will attach a tag identifying who donated the ornament and who the ornament honors or memorializes. There is no cost to participate and the ornament will be kept year after year.

To cap off the evening, the Vinton County Jaycees will host a Sleigh Bell Ball at the McArthur Fire Hall. Social hour will begin at 7 p.m. with the dance at 8 p.m. Formal or semi-formal attire is preferred. Admission is $10 per person, $15 per couple or $90 for a reserved table of 10. Must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets required and can be purchased from Jaycee members, at the Vinton County Courier and the Vinton County Visitors’ Center. They also are having a dessert auction that evening.

The hope is to involve as many community members as possible in Christmas in Downtown. The Chamber is now recruiting churches and local musicians to carol that day and is seeking organizations, school groups, 4-H clubs, businesses, churches or anyone that wants to join in the fun to register for the parade.  Non-profit organizations are invited to participate and crafters are beings sought to register for the craft sale.

Want more information on Christmas in Downtown or to find out more about any of these events? Contact Brandi at 596-5033 or at marketingdirector@vintoncounty.com. You can also listen to the Christmas in Downtown episode of “Experiencing Vinton County.”

Have you ever handfed a hummingbird?

Photo by Jim Slonaker

Have you ever fed a hummingbird as it hovers over your hand? Here in Vinton County, the naturalist at Lake Hope hosts a program every summer where you can do just that. The Handfeeding Hummingbird program has been going on for a few years now and is one of the park’s most popular attractions.

Every Wednesday through Sunday through the end of August, you can participate in the program where you learn how to make a small feeder to attract these amazing little creatures. Then they show you how to sit or stand perfectly still so the birds will come to your feeder. It’s an amazing experience and one that you won’t soon forget.

Don’t believe me? Check out this video posted by a park visitor.

The program is held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday at the Lake Hope State Park Nature Center. It is FREE but donations to the Friends of Lake Hope are encouraged. Large groups should call ahead.  Call 740-596-3030 or check out their web page for information.

CVB announces 2011 Photo Contest Winners

First Place People in Action AND Grand Prize

Vinton County is one of Ohio’s most beautiful places. That is why the Vinton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB) sponsors the Vinton County Beautiful Photography Contest every spring. The CVB aspires to recognize amateur photographers for their skills while gaining pictures that can be used in marketing the county for tourism. The hope is to have a selection of photos depicting local landmarks, events and people in a positive light. Photo contest entries can then be used to tell the story of a Vinton County vacation through the annual visitors’ guide, website and other forms of promotion.

This year, the contest received nearly 98 entries from numerous photographers. Entries portrayed everything from local scenery to portraits of 4-H kids with their fair animals to artistic still lifes. Vinton County Marketing Director Brandi Betts said that the categories were People in Action; Landscapes, Streetscapes and Landmarks of Vinton County; and Open. She said the categories have changed some over the years to better encourage entries but the heart of the purpose behind the categories remains finding images that can be used for promotion.

This year’s grand prize winner was Vinton County resident Ned Hall whose picture “Get Out of the Way” caught the eye of the judges. “This picture shows someone participating in an activity that the county is known for. It also is nicely composed with beautiful colors and a sense of movement. Hall received the grand prize of $250 for his wining picture.

Check out the winning entries below. Leave a comment and tell us which one is your favorite!

First Place People in Action AND Grand Prize

First Place, Landscapes, Streetscapes and Landmarks category

Second Place, Open category

Second Place, Landscapes, Streetscapes and Landmarks category

Third Place, Open category

Second Place, People in Action

Third Place, People in Action category

Third Place, Landscapes, Streetscapes and Landmarks category.

First Place, Open category

The CVB plans to announce the 2012 contest categories and rules in the next few weeks. That information will be accessible on www.vintoncountytravel.com where photos can be submitted electronically. Rules will also be available at the Vinton County Visitors’ Center, 104 W. Main St. in McArthur.

The contest has no residency requirement but it is open only to amateur photographers. Photographs must have been taken in Vinton County in the last three years. The Grand Prize winner is selected from the best photos from each of the categories. The Grand Prize winner typically receives a monetary prize. Want more information? Contact the Visitors’ Center at 596-5033 or at marketingdirector@vintoncounty.com.