Basil 1791, Hamilton Ohio

I hated to see Ryan's Tavern (a Hamilton tradition operated by great friends) go last year, but I was interested to try Basil 1791, the new restaurant that took its place at 241 High Street in Hamilton (the “1791” part of the name is a reference to the year Hamilton--as Fort Hamilton--was founded).

The inside of the restaurant looked bigger than Ryan's, but I couldn't figure out why, because the bar and the staircase still define the west and east walls of the restaurant, and some of the furnishings seemed unchanged. But the menu was quite different. It's an Asian bistro (stir fry, sushi, Pho, Pad Thai, etc.) but with burgers and vegetarian options as well. I ordered the pineapple rice stir fry with chicken, and it was delicious. And a huge portion. I took a good bit of it home. 

According to a newspaper article on the restaurant, more is planned: a garage door (at right in the photo above) will allow for outdoor dining and a thirty-bottle bourbon bar is in the works. 

Basil 1791 is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. 

Trinity Episcopal Church, Hamilton OH

I love the church, and churches. So I seized the opportunity yesterday to worship at the historic, beautiful Trinity Episcopal Church in Hamilton, Ohio--a church I had passed and admired often but had never joined for worship.

I parked on the street so I could enter through the Lychgate, a replica of the one which stands before the home parish of Sir Winston Churchill in the United Kingdom.

The 10:30 am Eucharistic Service was led by the Reverend Suzanne LeVesconte, the rector of the church. I so enjoyed the warm welcome I received (even encountering an old friend from my pastor days!) and the liturgy, sermon, and familial atmosphere only added to my worship. The flock and its church home are clearly lovingly and capably cared for.

Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 115 N 6th Street in Hamilton, Ohio.

Hamilton

Finally! I have long wanted to see the hit stage musical, Hamilton, and last Wednesday I finally did, tagging along in the company of the lovely Robin with my nephew Vince Montemurro as he treated his mother, my sister-in-law Mariruth, for her birthday.

It wasn't cheap but it sure was fun. The CIBC Theatre in Chicago is a stately place for Hamilton, Burr, Washington, Jefferson, and the Schuyler sisters to sing, rap, and dance their way through the momentous events of America's founding. I managed to refrain from singing along and only cried a few times. Being in the room where it happened was an experience I will long remember.

Festival of Lights with the Family at Cincinnati Zoo

Ohio Star Theater, Sugarcreek OH

The lovely Robin and I indulged in a performance at the recently-built Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek, Ohio, last Saturday.

The theater is beautiful and spacious, and the show--"Our Christmas Dinner"--was enthusiastically performed by a cast of eight. 

Though I was disappointed in the quality of the script and some of the acting, both of which were quite awkward at times, a few of the musical numbers in the show were extremely enjoyable. 

The Ohio Star Theater is located at 1387 Old State Route 39 in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Holmes County Largest Book Signing, Berlin OH

Last Saturday, J. M. (Joan) Hochstetler Shoup and I met up again at the annual Holmes County Largest Book Signing at Gospel Bookstore in Berlin, OH. We were there to sign our two coauthored historical novels (based on our Hochstetler ancestors' experiences), Northkill and The Return.

The event was well attended, we met a lot of old and new friends (both "plain" and "English"), and had a great time. Oh, and we signed a goodly number of books too. 

Spiritual Formation Retreat, Chicago IL

Earlier this week, I had the joy and honor of speaking to an avid group of Salvation Army cadets (in training for ministry) at the College For Officers Training in Chicago, IL. The venue for the event was the historic Tilt Mansion (above), built in 1914 for shoe manufacturer Joseph E. Tilt, just a few blocks from Wrigley Field, which was built the same year.  

It was my first visit to this amazing structure, which has been a holy place to generations of Salvation Army officers and delegates to the Brengle Holiness Institute.

My room (above) was comfortable and commodious in every detail. 

Most importantly, I couldn't have asked for a better reception from the cadets (who had finished finals the day before) and staff. I felt perfectly at home and prayerfully hope that my participation was helpful and effective.