Washboard Festival: feet tappin’ fare for Father’s Day

by Jamie Rhein on

Here’s another Father’s Day weekend option. Not to pull you away from the Duct Tape Festival plans you may have made, but the Washboard Festival, June 13-14 would make a fun day trip if you live close enough to Logan, Ohio. The Washboard Festival celebrates the music traditions that stretch from Appalachia to the Louisiana bayou. Dating back to the mid-1800s, this is the kind of music that is guaranteed to put you in a happy mood.

The musicians are renowned, and if you’ve ever heard a Zydeco band, you’ll know that it’s impossible to stay still once the music starts. Dixieland Jazz and Jug Music are part of the two day event. If you haven’t been to town-run festival, you’re missing out on one of the greatest parts of summer. This one is particularly special because tours of the Columbus Washboard Factory are included. This is the last washboard company in the United States.

Logan is at the threshold of Hocking Hills, one of the most beautiful areas in Ohio. If you can stretch your weekend into another day, take some time to see where your exploration takes you.

Drives to pies and what’s nearby: Converse, Indiana

by Jamie Rhein on

Herschberger Essen Haus is another worthy stop on the fabulous pie hunt. This restaurant, according to Aaron who left a comment on the strawberry-rhubarb pie post, serves up a strawberry-rhubarb pie to drive for–even though it’s 40 miles out of his way. When going from Indianapolis to Detroit, Aaron swings by Converse where there’s a slice of this very pie with his name on it.

The red dot in the white rectangle is where you’ll find the pie, or therabouts. The red rectangle in the map of Indiana marks Miami County where Converse is located.

I’m curious how Aaron found Herschberger Essen Haus. Was this a pie tip someone gave him? Converse isn’t exactly a tourist hot spot. I’m sure it’s a terrific place to live, but the population is teeny. At 1,147 in 2006, that’s smaller than most high schools. The Oak Hill Winery, also in town, looks like another worth-the-effort palate pleaser. Housed in a 1895 carriage house, the winery offers a pie wine chaser to fill out a decent afternoon.

If you pair your trip to Converse with a visit to the rest of Miami County, more specifically, Peru, Indiana, there are more reasons to travel this unbeaten path.

Cole Porter, for example, was born in Peru. You can see the house where he lived from 1891–1901, but restoration on the building isn’t finished. Unfortunately, it was divided into apartments and left to disrepair. Even worse, one of the apartments was used as a meth-amphetamine lab by a tenant. Tsk, tsk. The building, however, is lovely and worth saving. The committee that’s in charge of the project is in the process of turning it into a museum and bed & breakfast. The before and after pictures show progress. This is a project to root for. A big hurrah to the folks who are pouring their energies into it.

Also in Peru is the Grissom Air Museum at the Grissom Air Reserve Base. There are 25 aircraft and a F-4 you can climb into, plus little known details about World War II history.

Another stop is the Miami County Historical Society Museum where there is something to learn about everything. You can see some of Cole Porter’s belongings, including his Cadillac, plus learn about the rich history of the area. For starters, Miami County has a past linked with Native Americans, Tom Mix and the circus. As a fan of historical society museums, this one looks like it’s one of the best and the hours are plentiful.

Because Peru is the “Circus Capital of the World,” in the spirit of circus love, there is an amateur circus each July which includes the Circus City Festival. In addition to the displays at the historical society, you can learn more about Peru’s circus past and present at the Circus City Museum.

While in Peru, also check out the Crane’s Nest Store operated by the Miami Nation of Indians. There are affordable crafts like handwoven baskets and proceeds help out the Miami Nation of Indiana.

Whatever you do in Peru, don’t forget that pie in Converse–it’s the reason to head to Miami County, at least if you’re Aaron.

Photo of the Day (6/11//08)

by Jamie Rhein on

I love this sign for a few reasons. One reason is how it would look great on a T-shirt–a snippet of faded Americana if you will. Also, I am drawn to the glimpse of Superman history in each face. Which version did you grow up watching? Metropolis, Illinois does have The Super Museum. It’s not as faded as the shot of this mural by Zengrrl, although, I’m not sure exactly what’s on display. The Web site is a tad vague–but for a summer stop, it might be fun.

If you’ve taken a photo of some interesting snippet of where you have been, send it our way via Gadling’s Flickr photo pool. That’s where we find our Photo of the Day feature.

So that’s why the Japanese are so spunky

by Grant Martin on

Walking through Tokyo’s Harajuku the other day, I happened to stumble upon a safe sex store — and when you’re in a place as strange and foreign as Japan, you’re pretty much required to go in.

As Matthew frequently points out in the Big in Japan series, Japanese are obsessed with looks, improving their appearances and improving their sex lives. Check out the F cup cookie if you don’t believe me.

They’re also obsessed with cartoons, anime and make believe creatures.

And what happens when those two passions intersect? You get Pokemon’s Pikachu style condoms. As to how well they work (and/or if they’re meant to work), I’m not sure. There is a disclaimer on the box that says “For entertainment uses only, will not prevent STDs”. But is that entertainment as in “look at it on the mantle” or entertainment as in actual use?

All that I know is that it looks terribly uncomfortable for both parties involved. Needless to say, I did not spend the 800 yen.

T-Mobile: The cell phone for Couchsurfers

by Aaron Hotfelder on

It’s nice to see Couchsurfing getting some mainstream publicity, but did it have to happen this way?

In the commercial, a self-proclaimed Couchsurfer waxes poetic about his T-Mobile cell phone, saying that without the great coverage of his phone, he’d be “outta luck” as far as surfing couches goes.

I wouldn’t go that far, but as much as it pains me to admit it, having a cell phone probably would make Couchsurfing a lot more convenient. Especially since pay phones have virtually disappeared.

[via World Hum, who is slightly more cynical]