Southeast Ohio Winter/Spring 2018
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Decades of DELIVERY ALSO INSIDE Go fish! Spin a few at Apollo Records Escape to Georgetown Vineyards LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Southeast The kind of hard work and dedi- cation it takes to keep a community humming is difficult to find—unless OHIO you’re in Southeast Ohio, that is. My years in this region have shown me that EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the only way to accomplish anything is M.C. Tilton by digging in with your own two hands, MANAGING EDITOR and the rewards of that harvest are Sydney Dawes abundant in this issue. The key to the drive of this place is COPY CHIEFS the people behind it, of course. People Elizabeth Backo like Vera Crow, a 92-year-old Pome- Julia Brown roy spitfire who still rises with the sun EDITORS each day to ensure smooth operations Charlee Cobb at her family-owned chain restaurant Robbie DiPaola (page 12). Like Chad Latta, a firefighter Sarah Franks gone dirty amidst heaps of waste at his Adriana Navarro self-started composting business (page Sam Parker 14). And like the Nicolozakes family, be too cute to resist, but they serve Calli Whaley whose Georgetown Vineyards draws some important practical uses as well DIGITAL EDITOR visitors for its energy-saving practices (page 30). If this area’s unbeatable Ethan Felderstein and hilltop views of Cambridge, not collection of fishing holes doesn’t get to mention its wine and craft beer you going outside (page 32) perhaps WRITERS (page 24). the boundless spirit of the rescue Will Edmonds This region beats on in tribute to dogs and horses at Bella Run Equine Jordan Horrobin its past, too. The Skyview Drive-In will (page 41). Michael Powell Cristina Sicard Theatre, the last of its kind here, With so many strong hands tending Allie White lights Lancaster with computers and the fire in Southeast Ohio, the flame LEDs now instead of film reels and may never go out. I hope you’ll find CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oldsmobile headlights (page 36). The these and more stories as inspiring Becca Ryan Civil War era owes much to Benjamin and affirming as we did when we wrote Lundy, a prominent abolitionist memo- them. If you just can’t get enough of us DESIGNERS Megan Fogelson rialized in Flushing’s Underground or want to chat, we hope to also see you Ashley Marchetti Railroad Museum (page 20). We even at southeastohiomagazine.com and our Kristin Martin delve into the making of moonshine Twitter and Facebook pages. Madeline Schroeder that still freely flows in the Hocking Happy reading to you! Sarah Whitmore Hills (page 22). And what’s a farm country without M.C. Tilton PHOTO EDITOR its animals? The gentle fluffballs at Kelsey Brunner Timberlane Llamas in Somerset may PHOTOGRAPHERS Francesca Benedetto MISSION STATEMENT Lexi Browning Southeast Ohio strives to spotlight the culture and community within our Erin Clark 21-county region. The student-run magazine aims to inform, entertain and Patrick Connolly Alex Driehaus inspire readers with stories that hit close to home. Daniel Linhart Austin Janning EDITORIAL OFFICE Haiyun Jiang E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Haldan Kirsch 1 Ohio University Drive, Athens, OH 45701-2979 Nickolas Oatley Natascha Toft Mack Wagner ON THE COVER Drake Withers Mail carrier Jim Pullins walks the streets of Pomeroy on his daily route. Photo by Francesca Benedetto. FACULTY ADVISER Ellen Gerl Southeast Ohio Magazine @SEOhioMagazine 22 || Southeast Southeast Ohio Ohio RIGHT | Vines crawl up the hill leading toward the shops and patio at Georgetown Vineyards. FEATURES Photo by Haldan Kirsch. 24 An Eco-Sweet Escape Welcome to Georgetown Vineyards, an eco-conscious destination featuring a winery, micro-brewery and pizzeria 30 Donna’s Llamas Once considered exotic, these lovable creatures go mainstream with help from Somerset’s Timberlane Llamas 32 Hooked The sport of fishing reels in Southeast Ohio families 36 Classic Nights For a slice of Americana, drive to the Skyview Theatre 41 Stable Family Looking to adopt? This farm finds homes for horses, dogs and even ducks IN EVERY ISSUE THE SCENE 14 A Man and his Microbes 4 Final Vinyl Changing the compost Apollo Records keeps landscape in Athens County Southeast Ohio spinning 16 Lunch Period 6 Paint the Town School’s out. Café’s in at the Triggering a successful former Alexander Elementary paintball business 17 Package Deal 6 First Impressions This duo doubles as mail carriers Artist brings paintings and neighborhood watch to court 20 Lundy’s Legacy BEHIND THE BITE Belmont County museum 8 Chill Spot preserves message of equality Dolan’s treats customers like family 22 Time to ‘Shine Prohibition favorite enjoys 9 Sharper with Age a comeback Monroe County’s go-to place for cheese, jams TALKING POINTS and more 44 Almost Home At Serenity Grove, women 10 Made by Millie guide each other toward new Here you’ll find everything beginnings is crafted by hand WHAT’S YOUR STORY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD 46 Into The Wilds 11 Beyond the Ice Meet an animal expert who The voice of OHIO hockey has worked in the U.S. and 12 Colonel Crow abroad Vera Crow commands her small restaurant with a big heart SoutheastOhioMagazine.comSoutheastOhioMagazine.com || 3 THE SCENE 4 | | Southeast Southeast Ohio Ohio FINAL VINYL Chillicothe’s Apollo Records keeps Southeast Ohio spinning Story by SAM PARKER | Photos by DRAKE WITHERS n West Union Street in Athens sits an empty lion since 1993, yet more people still stream music storefront that once served as a haven for online or purchase CDs. Studies show that CD sales vinyl collectors. The former shop, Haffa’s have fallen by 119.2 million since 2011, but in 2016, ORecords, closed in late September after nearly two there were 104.8 million CDs compared to 13.1 mil- decades of patronage. However, the region finds lion records sold. One aspect that streaming and hope in the current success of Chillicothe’s Apollo compact discs do not have on the vinyl sound, how- Records, owned by former Haffa’s regular Jesse ever, is the passion that so many people feel for it. Mitten. There may be a record-sized hole left in the “It’s a lot harder to just hit skip when you’re listen- heart of Athens, but do not count the vinyl trend ing to a record. It’s a little bit more of an immersive out just yet. thing,” Lampela says. Apollo Records, named lovingly after Mitten’s Chris Pyle, owner of Donkey Coffee and Espresso Saint Bernard, celebrated its second year of business in Athens and a former Haffa’s customer, whole- last November. Though opening a record store in a heartedly agrees. “I can’t stand just having something small town, or anywhere, is risky, Apollo Records has with MP3s because the quality is not nearly as grown since it first opened its doors. good, and there’s just something really roman- “We’ve had to reorganize the store two or three tic and fun about records,” Pyle says. “You get the times already just because we keep getting more minor notes and you get the artwork. And I just and more stuff in,” Mitten says. “Just being in love it.” an area where there’s no record shop around, I get Apparently, records are not always savored for people coming in from like an hour or two away. That their sound. According to a recent study by The really helps.” Telegraph, only 50 percent of the records pur- Inside the downtown record shop, bins filled chased today are actually being spun. Many people with records, from soundtracks to classic rock, line buy them for their collectability or just to display on the walls. “We don’t really focus on just one thing their shelves. because we get people liking any kind of music here,” What is missing from online music shopping is the Mitten says. “It’s a really diverse area.” Although it is personal touch that comes with places like Haffa’s midday on a Monday, a few regular customers drop or Apollo Records. Mitten and Pyle both mentioned in to sift through the records and other pieces of mer- the possibility of opening another record store in the chandise, such as DVDs, posters, CDs and even a few region, recognizing that Southeast Ohio music fans record players. Mitten carries on a friendly banter cherish the one-on-one experience. “I love that com- with them while the radio plays classic punk-rock munity and its people,” Pyle says. “You can’t find that songs in the background. on the internet.” Although Mitten continues to find success from his low prices, huge inventory and down-home charm, OPPOSITE PAGE | Jesse Mitten stands amid a room of record-filled bins. he has had to learn the trade like any other new store BELOW | A customer’s first view of Apollo Records. owner. “It’s a learn-as-you-go thing—learning your market and learning the buying habits of people,” Mitten says. As Apollo Records expands, it offers a solace for Southeast Ohioans who crave a hip place to find more of that vinyl sound. Mitten credits former Haffa’s owner Andrew Lampela as a mentor. “Haffa’s was a big part of what got me into this,” Mitten says. “Andrew kind of helped me out a lot when I was first getting going.” Haffa’s may be gone, but by its influence on Mitten, it left a legacy of making music available in rural Ohio. While the success of Apollo Records is encourag- ing, changes in the music industry cannot go ignored.