Posts from August 2021

Did you know that sunflowers are native to North America or that their flowers rotate throughout the day, so they are always facing the sun? There's no doubt about it; sunflowers are incredible. Luckily, there are several wonderful sunflower fields that you can visit in Ohio. Surrounding yourself with these bright, yellow flowers is sure to make you feel uplifted.

Ramseyer Farms

4000 Ramseyer Ln., Wooster, OH 44691

Ramseyer Farms is another great place to enjoy sunflowers in Northeast Ohio. They even have an annual sunflower festival each fall — a good opportunity to celebrate these magnificent flowers. The flowers here are well cared for and brilliantly colored.

In addition to the sunflower fields, Ramseyer Farms has all sorts of other fun activities. In the fall, there's a corn maze for all ages. You can pick your own potatoes, shop for farm produce and baked goods, or simply walk around and see the scarecrows. You can buy tickets or season passes online. They give you access to the sunflower field and other accompanying activities.

Prayers From Maria

Jaycox Rd., Avon, OH 44011

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If you're in Northeast Ohio, this is the perfect sunflower field to visit. It was founded in 2014 by Ed and Megan McNamara as a way of honoring their daughter, Maria after she lost her life to brain cancer. There is no charge to visit this sunflower field, but donations are requested, and proceeds go toward cancer research.

The Prayers From Maria Field of Hope is lined with benches, so there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the view. Visitors love photographing themselves standing on the bridge or by the sign that reads "hope."

Rogish Farm

8637 Mulberry Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026

Rogish Farm is a friendly, family-owned farm established in 2014. They have a large sunflower field, and they let customers visit and cut their own sunflowers. That's right — after admiring these beautiful flowers at the farm, you can take a couple home with you. Visitors do need to register in advance to attend.

Along with their sunflower fields, Rogish Farm also offers blueberry picking, and they have a shop where you can buy various cut and dried flowers, garlic, and other goodies.

Tecumseh Sunflower Field

4625 US-68, Yellow Springs, OH 45387

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The Tecumseh Sunflower Field is a part of the larger Tecumseh Land Trust, dedicated to preserving natural land and ecosystems in Ohio. Admission is free, but visitors are not permitted to cut the sunflowers. Parking can be a bit limited but tends to open up later in the evening.

There is a path that leads deep into the Tecumseh Sunflower Field, offering wonderful, 360-degree views. Many of the sunflowers reach more than 5 feet tall, so you may want to ask your friend for a piggyback ride so you can get a better view.

Van Buren Acres

5066 Keller Rd., Hebron, OH 43025

Van Buren Acres is just a short drive to the east of Columbus. This family-friendly farm opened in 2017, and it offers all sorts of fun activities, from pumpkin picking to corn mazes.  Their sunflower field is approximately 9 acres large, making it one of the biggest on this list.

You will need to pay admission to enter Van Buren Acres, but the cost of admission covers the sunflower fields and other activities. Watch the farm's Facebook page for an announcement when the sunflowers start blooming. They're only around for a few weeks.

22 Acres Farm

5455 Davis Dr. SE, Newark, OH 43056

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This farm offers a 5-acre sunflower field, and to make things even more interesting, they've planted 15 different varieties of sunflowers in the field. It's entertaining to stroll along and compare the different varieties. Pick a favorite, and see if your friends choose the same one.

22 Acre Farms' sunflower fields are only open through August 31, 2021, so make sure you schedule your visit soon. You can purchase tickets online. The cost is $10 per person, except on Tuesdays when there's a $5 per person deal. Hours are 8 am - 8 pm, Monday-Friday. Visit the website to learn about some special sunflower events, like Sunrise in the Sunflowers.

Dresbach Farms

2626 Higby Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601

Located to the east of Cincinnati, Dresbach Farms is a busy farm with many different animals and crops. They have a sunflower field that guests can visit for a few dollars each. There's an extra fee if you want to clip some sunflowers to take with you. Typically, the sunflowers bloom in late August or early September.

While you're at Dresbach Farms, you may want to do some shopping at their farm market. They offer locally produced honey, cabbage, beef, tomatoes, eggs, whole chickens, and so much more.

Cottell Park

5847 Irwin Simpson Rd., Mason, OH 45040

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Cottell Park is a 47-acre public park in the town of Mason. Over the past few years, they have begun planting a sunflower field for guests to enjoy. The sunflowers here are not always as large as the ones seen on private farms, but they are gorgeous, nonetheless.

After walking through the sunflower field, you can spend some more time at Cottell Park enjoying the basketball courts, tennis courts, or soccer fields. There are also several shelters where you could enjoy a picnic lunch, along with playgrounds that are great for kids.

CherryHawk Farm

16220 Springdale Rd., Marysville, OH 43040

CherryHawk Farm is primarily an apple picking farm, but if you visit to pick apples, admission to the sunflower fields is included. The sunflower fields here are vast, and the flowers themselves represent an impressive variety. There are grass paths you can follow for a nice, complete view of the fields. 

Visitors can take one stem home for no additional charge. If you would like more than one sunflower, the farm charges $1 each. Guests are welcome to take photos in the sunflower fields, but professional photographers are asked to check in with the farm beforehand.

Everything's Coming Up Sunflowers

Which of these sunflower fields will brighten your day?

Disc golf is a fun sport that groups of all ages can play together while enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise. It costs very little to get started, and most courses are free or cost just a few dollars to play, and a three-pack of discs that's good for beginners costs about $20. Although you could technically play with a Frisbee, discs made specifically for the sport are smaller and heavier, so you can throw them for much longer distances. If you become more serious about disc golf, you can buy more discs of different types and at a higher price level if you'd like.

Whether you're an experienced disc golfer or you've never played before, you'll have plenty of fun courses to play on around Ohio. Each has its own unique layout and characteristics, and you'll soon develop a list of your favorites.

Check out the following disc golf courses around Northeast Ohio, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

Northeast Ohio

Deis Hill Disc Golf Course

1592 N. Crater Ave., Dover, OH 44622

Beautiful scenery and many hills make for an enjoyable yet challenging play at this 18-hole course in Dover. The course is well-maintained, and every hole offers three distinct tees. More seasoned players will appreciate the added difficulty of wooded areas. Be sure to bring plenty of water as this course requires a good amount of walking to complete.

Wingfoot Lake Disc Golf Course

1097-1219 Goodyear Park Blvd., Mogadore, OH 44260

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In addition to several picnic shelters, paved trails, and ball courts, Wingfoot Lake is home to an 18-hole disc golf course. When you're done playing this challenging par 3 course, be sure to take a stroll to the nature center, have a picnic lunch, and let the kids have fun on the playground. Wingfoot also features the Storybook Trail, which includes views of the pond, trees, and Wingfoot Lake as you take in a storybook along the way.

Osborne Park Disc Golf Course

If you're a disc golf novice, you might want to start with the 9-hole course at Osborne Park in Willoughby. While trees or steep hills make some holes more challenging, beginners will appreciate a nice mix of different lengths and difficulty. All players will appreciate the beautiful water views of Lake Erie. The course begins at the rear parking lot.

Columbus

Griggs Reservoir Park

2933 Riverside Dr., Columbus, OH 43221

The disc golf course at Griggs Reservoir Park is made up of 18 holes with large concrete tee pads. Most of the course is long and narrow with lots of mature trees, although some are open. You'll play through some creative features like boulders and bunkers as you make your way through the course, which runs parallel to the Scioto River. On holes 8, 17, and 18, the river factors into play, making the course more interesting. And if you need to buy some discs, you can find them nearby at the Disc Golf Mart.

Brent Hambrick Memorial Disc Golf Course at Hoover Dam

4151 Central College Rd., Westerville, OH 43081

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This 18-hole course is a good mix of flat areas as well as hilly ones and has some nice scenic views. It can often be windy, so you may want to bring along a jacket when the weather's cooler. On the back 9, the course has thick trees and a lot of blind holes. It has multiple tees and pin positions, and tees are concrete. The course is also the home of an annual tournament in honor of Brent Hambrick, a local disc golfer who passed away from leukemia.

Walnut Hill Disc Golf Course

1950 Walnut Hill Blvd, Columbus, OH 43232

The old Walnut Hill traditional golf course has found new life as a disc golf course. It's designed to be a putt and approach practice course that the whole family can enjoy. Property owned by individuals is located next to the course, so take care to avoid sailing an errant disc onto private property.

Cincinnati

Burnet Woods Disc Golf Course

3251 Brookline Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220

The Burnet Woods course is located across from the University of Cincinnati's campus. It's a short course with 9 holes and has dirt tees with wooden planks to indicate tees. It's generally rated as a good course that has some added difficulty due to mature trees, elevation, and challenging pin placements.

Mt. Airy Forest Disc Golf Course

4800 Lodge Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233

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This course is considered to be pro-caliber, having hosted several world tournaments in the past. The layout is 20 holes, having grown from just 9 holes when the course was opened. You'll find distinct fairways, thick rough, and many elevation changes as you make your way through the course.

Johnson Hills Park Disc Golf Course

7950 Bridle Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45244

Beginners and advanced players alike will enjoy the Johnson Hills Park course, as it serves as a good challenge for beginners and a fun practice course for those with more experience You'll be able to catch some nice shade on hot, sunny days as you play your way through long, open holes and wooded technical holes on Johnson Hill Park's rolling hills.

Let It Fly

Do you have a favorite disc golf course in or around Ohio? Let us know! 

Food banks play an important role in communities throughout Ohio, providing food and support for those in need. Given the challenges of the past year, more people than ever before need support from local food banks. Whether you volunteer your time or make a donation, food banks across Ohio need support from the community to help as many people as possible. Even a small donation can make a big difference in the life of someone in need, so we've put together a guide to 8 Ohio food banks where you can show your support and make a positive difference in the community.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110

Northeast Ohio is home to a wide variety of food banks, including the large Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which serves more than 400,000 people per year. In addition to providing meals and fresh produce, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to help people in need sign up for programs that can help them find long-term solutions to food insecurity. There are many ways that you can get involved, by making a planned donation, monthly donation, or contribution of non-perishable food items. There are also volunteer opportunities available in a wide variety of positions, from loading/unloading food to using specialized skills to help with large administrative projects within the food bank.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

350 Opportunity Pkwy., Akron, OH 44307

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The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has been serving eight counties around both cities for nearly 40 years by storing and distributing food to a large group of smaller food pantries in the area. With 83,000 square feet of warehouse space and 8,000 square feet of freezer space, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank can serve more than 500 food pantries, shelters, and other non-profit organizations in the region. This foodbank is always accepting donations of food and funds, so it's easy to give back in a way that works for you. You can also volunteer in various support roles at the warehouse or help with food distribution in local communities.

Second Harvest Food Bank

5510 Baumhart Rd., Lorain, OH 44053

In its more than 35 years of serving Northeast Ohio communities, the Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed nearly 100 million pounds of food to those in need. The food bank distributes food to an organized network of food pantries and charity organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Thanks to a new facility built in Lorain, Second Harvest Food Bank has tripled its capacity for food storage. You can help distribute all of that extra food or make a donation to ensure that the warehouse shelves are always stocked. The organization also needs volunteers to help package food backpacks, along with packages for senior centers and mobile food pantries.

NNEMAP Food Pantry

667 E. 11th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211

NNEMAP Food Pantry is part of a coordinated network of food pantries in Columbus and beyond. While many food pantries distribute food based on ZIP codes, NNEMAP Food Pantry makes its services available to anyone who lives in Columbus regardless of where in the city they're located. Volunteers here help with food insecurity, hygiene products, food stamp access, and healthcare needs. You can make a difference as a delivery driver, client interviewer, inventory assistant, or a fundraiser. NNEMAP also accepts help from volunteer groups, if your friends, colleagues, or family would like to help contribute to a positive cause.

Worthington Resource Pantry

6700 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229

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Based in Columbus, the Worthington Resource Pantry serves southern Delaware and northern Franklin counties. In addition to nutritious food, the Worthington Resource Pantry also distributes many essential personal care items to those in need. With a small leadership team and a large, dedicated group of volunteers, this food bank is able to reach more people every year. You can volunteer to help sort and package food, in order to make the distribution process as smooth as possible. The Worthington Resource Pantry also welcomes donations of food, funds, and personal care items.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank On-Site Pantry

3960 Brookham Dr., Grove City, OH 43123

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank On-Site Pantry is part of the larger Mid-Ohio Foodbank network, serving local communities in various ways for more than 40 years. The network is one of the largest of its kind in Ohio and reaches communities throughout the state through more than 680 partner organizations in addition to its own food pantry. With such a large network, there are many ways that you can get involved. Your donations of non-perishable food or funds are always welcome, with every donation playing a small part in distributing more than 140,000 meals every day. There are also many volunteer opportunities available, both at the On-Site Pantry and at other Mid-Ohio Foodbank locations around the state.

Freestore Foodbank

1141 Central Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45202

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The Freestore Foodbank has a variety of locations around the Cincinnati area, including its main location on Central Parkway. This large food bank is part of the Feeding America network, with a variety of unique ways to contribute in addition to volunteering or donating directly. You can arrange a virtual food drive to raise money online, or participate in events like the Virtual Hunger Walk to help raise money for a diverse collection of local organizations which are working to address food insecurity around Cincinnati.

SEM Food Pantry

2020 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230

The SEM Food Pantry provides support for those in need who are located in eastern Hamilton County and Clermont County, while establishing partnerships with other local organizations including the Freestore Foodbank. SEM Food Pantry operates a client-choice food pantry, which allows members to select their food as if they were at the store. You can volunteer to help by answering phones, helping clients choose food, stocking shelves, and collecting donations. If you aren't able to volunteer, donations of food and funds are crucial in helping SEM Food Pantry serve the community.

Lending a Hand

Every little bit adds up, so how will you show your love to organizations that work every day to make a difference in the lives of those in need?