In the mid-20th century, Mansfield native Louis Bromfield was one of the country's best selling authors. Winner of the 1927 Pulitzer Prize (for his third novel, Early Autumn), Bromfield wrote 31 novels and non-fiction works, four of which were made into movies. Although most of his work is still in print, he hasn't kept the notoriety of his contemporaries Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald (maybe because he was a lot less self-destructive).
After a stint as a WWI ambulance driver (for which he was awarded the French Legion of Honneur) and a "between the wars" residence in France, Bromfield settled on 1000 acres, just outside of Mansfield, Ohio. The estate, which he dubbed "Malabar Farm" (the main house of which is pictured above), became a working farm and early example of organic and self-sustaining farming. Many of his Hollywood friends visited him in Ohio. In fact, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart were married in 1945 at Malabar Farm.
The estate, now an Ohio State Park, remains a working farm. Visitors can tour the house and the estate as well as partake in the many activities offered there, including fishing, hay wagon rides, or shopping at the farm market. Other facilities include a restaurant, housed in an early 19th century farmhouse; primitive campsites; and a 19-bed dormitory-style hostel.
Cedar Point opens for the 2011 season today, May 14. Although the opening of the new ride, the WindSeeker, has been delayed due to the spring rains, there are plenty of new features for 2011 at the park. View the video below to see what's new this year:
The four-day food and music festival is a Cleveland favorite and the unofficial start to the Northeast Ohio summer festival season. The event features ten BBQ masters, including Northeast Ohio's own Jack on the Bone, competing for "Greatest Ribs," "Greatest Sauce," and "People's Choice" awards.
In addition to the food, the Rib Cook-Off offers an array of live entertainment, most of which is included in the admission price. This year's stars include Seether, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers and Collective Soul.
The festival is scheduled for May 27 to 30 (2011). Admission is $7 for adults; children under 12 are free. Admission is also free everyday before 3pm. Discount coupons are available at area Marc's stores and online at WKYC.com
Today's Groupon Special is an admission ticket to this August's Vintage Ohio event for just $14 (a $27 value.) There is a limit two coupons per person. This offer runs through midnight tonight (May 10, 2011).
Vintage Ohio is a two-day festival that showcases Ohio wine, food, and music. The event, held at Lake Metroparks' Farmpark just east of Cleveland, features wine samples, Ohio food vendors, craft exhibits and demonstrations, and food samples from area restaurants. The 2011 dates are August 5-6.
If you're not familiar with Groupon, they offer a new Northeast Ohio discount each day. If enough people purchase the special, then everyone gets the discount. Like today's offer, most represent a significant savings. To learn more about Groupon or to participate in today's offer, click here.
Winner of the 1927 Pulitzer Prize (for his third novel, Early Autumn), Bromfield wrote 31 novels and non-fiction works, four of which were made into movies. Although most of his work is still in print, he hasn't kept the notoriety of his contemporaries Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald (maybe because he was a lot less self-destructive).
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