46. Seeing Friends in the Grocery Store. Seriously. I know this will seem ridiculous to many folks, but for the first fifteen years or so of my adult life, I had not lived in a town more than a few years, so I didn't get to know many people in the community at large. But now, after being in this area for eighteen years, I enjoy seeing friends new and old in the grocery store, which happens more often than not. Some days it's like "Old Home Week" when I go grocery shopping. Sometimes I'm feeling rushed and frazzled, so it's not as fun as it as at other times when I have a little more time to chat...but still, even for an introvert like me, this is something I like about living where I do. And it's not just the grocery store, but also restaurants, movies, etc.
Thing #46 I Like About Living Where I Do
46. Seeing Friends in the Grocery Store. Seriously. I know this will seem ridiculous to many folks, but for the first fifteen years or so of my adult life, I had not lived in a town more than a few years, so I didn't get to know many people in the community at large. But now, after being in this area for eighteen years, I enjoy seeing friends new and old in the grocery store, which happens more often than not. Some days it's like "Old Home Week" when I go grocery shopping. Sometimes I'm feeling rushed and frazzled, so it's not as fun as it as at other times when I have a little more time to chat...but still, even for an introvert like me, this is something I like about living where I do. And it's not just the grocery store, but also restaurants, movies, etc.
Thing #45 I Like About Living Where I Do
45. Cappel's. You can buy a lot on the internet, I know. But it's tremendously helpful to this particular pastor to have a store like Cappel's in the area. The lovely Robin and I first discovered Cappel's decades ago in our early days of ministry. They used to have only a large store downtown. I think that was it. But now they have four different locations throughout the city--and, most helpfully for us, one of them is northish, in Blue Ash. So, when I feel the need to deliver a message in hippie garb, or need a skin cap (and costume glue) to appear more Egyptian than usual for VBS, or anything of that sort, Cappel's is the place I go. And, in case you were wondering, yes, that IS me in the photo at right. But the blonde afro didn't come from Cappel's. It was borrowed from Cindi, my son's mother-in-law. And no, I don't know what in the world she does with it.
Thing #44 I Like About Living Where I Do
44. Flub's. Places like this proliferate in the Midwest, with names like "Tastee-Freez" and "Dari-Whip," and so on. Many have disappeared, of course, over the years. I'm glad Flub's has not. I'm also glad it's called "Flub's.""Flub's" is an old-fashioned (at least in Hamilton, it is) ice cream shop that is part of the fabric of this community. Little-leaguers crowd its windows after a game, and grandparents and parents love to introduce their children and grandchildren to a pleasure they have long enjoyed. It is a tradition for many...and a seasonal threat to weight-loss plans.
Thing #43 I Like About Living Where I Do
43. Jolly's Drive In. I have to admit, I often forget it's there, but Jolly's Drive In on N. Brookwood, just a couple miles from our house (there's another on Erie Blvd in Hamilton), is a wonderful local icon that's been around for 70 years. Take a trip back in time to "Happy Days" of yore with a frosted glass of root beer. Like the Holiday Drive In Theater up the road, places like Jolly's have mostly succumbed to the onslaught of chains and multiplexes and so on. But I like living in a community that still has such places....and I hope they stick around for many years to come.
Thing #42 I Like About Living Where I Do
This past Monday I started listing some of the things I like about living where I do (in Hanover Township, just outside of Hamilton, in Butler County, Ohio). Hamilton's IceFest is reason #42...and it starts today! 42. IceFest. The Hamilton-based organization, City of Sculpture, is making the most of the cold weather with the return of IceFest, which last happened in 2008 and was discontinued due to the poor economy. This two-day event (January 21 – 22, 2011) features awesome ice sculptures, ice carving competitions, hot chocolate and family activities.
The 2011 theme is “Great Books In Ice.” It will feature ice carvings of characters from such works as Gone with the Wind, Fahrenheit 451, The Wizard of Oz, and The Cat in the Hat. An estimated 200 blocks and 40 tons of ice will be used in the event, which is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors.
The event will kick off with its signature “Fire & Ice” gala, which will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton, the host hotel of IceFest.
IceFest schedule is as follows:
Friday: 5:00 p.m. Technicolor Ice Walk begins (free event)
Fire and Ice Gala held at the Courtyard by Marriott
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. Professional Ice Carvers Competition begins (free event)
2:00 p.m. Competition ends
2:00 p.m. Speed Carving Competition (free event)
3:00 p.m. Human (dog) Sled Race (free event)
All Day BookFest at IceFest at Ryan's Tavern all day on the 2nd floor
All Day Arts and Craft Show at the Government Services Building
Thing #41 I Like About Living Where I Do
41. Snow days. Nothing can compare to the joy and beauty of sitting by the fire and cozying up to the lovely Robin while the snow is blowing and accumulating outside. While no one in my household works at a place where they ever get a workday cancelled because of the snow (except for me, who gets a snow day every day, more or less), still, once everyone is safe at home and the cars are in the garage, I LOVE enjoying the fire and the company.
10 Even More Things I Like About Living Where I Do
This past Monday I started posting about some of the things I like about living where I do (in Hanover Township, just outside of Hamilton, in Butler County, Ohio). Well, I found out twenty just wasn't enough. So I added ten more. And that wasn't enough. So here are ten MORE things I like about living where I do:
31. The Victoria Theater in Dayton (right). Even with all the entertainment options in Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati, every once in a while I'm so thankful for the beautiful Victoria Theater. We've seen 42nd Street and Spamalot there, and maybe one or two others. With our crazy schedules, the more options the better...and the Victoria is a fine venue anytime!
32. Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis (left). Not quite two hours from us is the fabulous downtown of Indianapolis, Indiana's state capitol. Unlike many Midwest downtowns, there is a lot to do in Indy, day and night. And the Circle Centre Mall and its surrounding businesses are a great place to spend some time.
33. Affordability. I'm cheap, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Therefore, it would be a ghastly trial for me to live in many metropolitan areas. I've done it, and the prices are outlandish. Not for me. I like the relative affordability of the area I live in. In many communities--some just minutes away--I couldn't afford the home I live in. Eating out and going to a movie don't cost an arm and a leg. Groceries are reasonable. Gas--well, gas is too high everywhere. But, as a rule, this area keeps me from going stark raving mad.
34. The Hocking Hills. Some of the most beautiful country you'll ever see is in the Hocking Hills, in south-central Ohio. It's been too long since I've been there to enjoy it, partly because my dear friend Jim isn't around to con me into going on some cockamamie winter hike. But Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, it's a blessing to live this close to the Hocking Hills.
35. The Dayton Dragons. First, let me say that it's amazing to live between such major-league cities as Cincinnati (Reds, Bengals, Cyclones) and Indianapolis (Colts, Pacers), along with some great college teams in any number of sports (especially the Miami Redhawks). But another advantage of living in this area, believe it or not, is the Dayton Dragons AAA baseball franchise. Taking in a Dragons game at Fifth-Third Field in Dayton is a genuine baseball experience. Reminds me of the good old days of Crosley Field. Yes, I AM that old.
36. The Abbey of Gethsemani. Okay, so it's not exactly in the area, but this Trappist monastery, just over three hours' drive from home, has been such a blessing to me over the last eleven years or so, I can't even begin to describe it. I estimate I've been blessed by somewhere around twenty prayer retreats I've taken there. Having it as close as that is a very big reason I like living where I do.
37. Cincinnati Christian University. The lovely Robin and I have both earned degrees from this fine Christian university, and count many faculty, staff, students--and the school itself--as valued friends. It's located just a 45-minute drive from our home, atop Price Hill on the west side of Cincinnati.
38. Cincinnati Music Hall and CSO (left). Okay, so I haven't been to Music Hall since a Nutcracker performance a dozen or so years ago. But still, this historic concert hall (and Memorial Hall next door), along with the world-class Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (and Cincinnati Pops) are wonderful assets and enrichments to our lives and community.
39. The Air Force Museum in Dayton (right). The National Museum of the United States Air Force, less than an hour away from us outside Dayton, is an amazing place to visit. I suppose I should have mentioned it in my Monday post when I lumped together all the great museums in the area. Now I feel bad about not giving the Cincinnati Art Museum, in particular, its due. But hey, it's my blog, I can do whatever I want. And I want to say I like living here in part because this great museum is nearby.
40. Hot Fun in the Summertime. During the Summer months, Oxford presents a weekly music festival uptown in the park at High and Main. I LOVE going uptown, spreading a blanket, setting out a couple chairs, opening a cooler, greeting friends, and taking in the music every Thursday night, weather permitting. It's a great, great time, and a big reason I like living around here.
All right, I'm gonna stop there. I could keep going. But I think I've made my point. I like living where I do. Unless and until my children move, I don't want to live anywhere else. And, even in the middle of winter, I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else in the world. Unless my kids and grandkids and friends and church could come, too.
31. The Victoria Theater in Dayton (right). Even with all the entertainment options in Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati, every once in a while I'm so thankful for the beautiful Victoria Theater. We've seen 42nd Street and Spamalot there, and maybe one or two others. With our crazy schedules, the more options the better...and the Victoria is a fine venue anytime! 
32. Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis (left). Not quite two hours from us is the fabulous downtown of Indianapolis, Indiana's state capitol. Unlike many Midwest downtowns, there is a lot to do in Indy, day and night. And the Circle Centre Mall and its surrounding businesses are a great place to spend some time. 33. Affordability. I'm cheap, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Therefore, it would be a ghastly trial for me to live in many metropolitan areas. I've done it, and the prices are outlandish. Not for me. I like the relative affordability of the area I live in. In many communities--some just minutes away--I couldn't afford the home I live in. Eating out and going to a movie don't cost an arm and a leg. Groceries are reasonable. Gas--well, gas is too high everywhere. But, as a rule, this area keeps me from going stark raving mad.
34. The Hocking Hills. Some of the most beautiful country you'll ever see is in the Hocking Hills, in south-central Ohio. It's been too long since I've been there to enjoy it, partly because my dear friend Jim isn't around to con me into going on some cockamamie winter hike. But Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, it's a blessing to live this close to the Hocking Hills. 
35. The Dayton Dragons. First, let me say that it's amazing to live between such major-league cities as Cincinnati (Reds, Bengals, Cyclones) and Indianapolis (Colts, Pacers), along with some great college teams in any number of sports (especially the Miami Redhawks). But another advantage of living in this area, believe it or not, is the Dayton Dragons AAA baseball franchise. Taking in a Dragons game at Fifth-Third Field in Dayton is a genuine baseball experience. Reminds me of the good old days of Crosley Field. Yes, I AM that old. 
36. The Abbey of Gethsemani. Okay, so it's not exactly in the area, but this Trappist monastery, just over three hours' drive from home, has been such a blessing to me over the last eleven years or so, I can't even begin to describe it. I estimate I've been blessed by somewhere around twenty prayer retreats I've taken there. Having it as close as that is a very big reason I like living where I do. 37. Cincinnati Christian University. The lovely Robin and I have both earned degrees from this fine Christian university, and count many faculty, staff, students--and the school itself--as valued friends. It's located just a 45-minute drive from our home, atop Price Hill on the west side of Cincinnati.
38. Cincinnati Music Hall and CSO (left). Okay, so I haven't been to Music Hall since a Nutcracker performance a dozen or so years ago. But still, this historic concert hall (and Memorial Hall next door), along with the world-class Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (and Cincinnati Pops) are wonderful assets and enrichments to our lives and community. 
39. The Air Force Museum in Dayton (right). The National Museum of the United States Air Force, less than an hour away from us outside Dayton, is an amazing place to visit. I suppose I should have mentioned it in my Monday post when I lumped together all the great museums in the area. Now I feel bad about not giving the Cincinnati Art Museum, in particular, its due. But hey, it's my blog, I can do whatever I want. And I want to say I like living here in part because this great museum is nearby. 
40. Hot Fun in the Summertime. During the Summer months, Oxford presents a weekly music festival uptown in the park at High and Main. I LOVE going uptown, spreading a blanket, setting out a couple chairs, opening a cooler, greeting friends, and taking in the music every Thursday night, weather permitting. It's a great, great time, and a big reason I like living around here. All right, I'm gonna stop there. I could keep going. But I think I've made my point. I like living where I do. Unless and until my children move, I don't want to live anywhere else. And, even in the middle of winter, I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else in the world. Unless my kids and grandkids and friends and church could come, too.
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