Family Connection: Ohio

Part 1 of this 1,400+ mile road trip took us through several states on our journey to make family connections. Chuck was kind enough to slow for the Welcome Signs as we headed to our first destination: Ohio.

Our Ohio goal was to spend time with my nephew, Brett, and his wife, Melanie. Our travels delivered us in time to head out for an evening in Cincinnati. Our first stop was the incredibly cool Northside Yacht Club. This nautical-inspired spawn of two of Cincinnati’s most well known rock ’n roll, cocktail comrades, Jon Weiner and Stuart MacKenzie, combines Jon and Stuart’s passions: delicious, rustic food, handcrafted drinks and local libations, and live, loud music.

The name for this one of a kind gastro-pub/club was inspired by old photos the pair came across, from the great flood of 1937. Seeing the Northside residents happily floating down the street in small rowboats, was the tying piece of inspiration they needed to complete the concept. It was delicious and quirky... the perfect choice.

Our evening concluded at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium for my great nephew's high school Homecoming Game. I have not been to a football game since I was in high school. Oh my gosh, so dang fun. Elliott goes to a private school that does not have a stadium of its own so they get to play here. Can you imagine how incredible that is for a high schooler? What a total blast.

Go Crusaders!

The stadium's name has a sad story behind it and it's all based on a deep cut. An ordinary injury became the extraordinary reason why the University of Cincinnati’s football stadium has been called Nippert for 100 years. By all accounts, James Gamble Nippert or “Jimmy” was a solid center for the team in 1922 and ‘23 while he studied law at UC. After a cleat slit his leg, he did not realize the gravity of the injury and played until the end of the game. He recuperated at the family home, down the street from the house of his grandfather and namesake James Gamble, the Ivory Soap inventor and the first son of Procter & Gamble’s cofounder. Jimmy’s condition worsened. Since sulfa drugs and penicillin were more than a decade away from common use, he developed an infection from which he would not recover. On Christmas Day 1923, he died. Cause of death: “septicemia following injured left leg, Football Accident,” the death certificate stated.

Jimmy’s death clearly affected his grandfather. Gamble offered to provide the $250,000 needed to finish the stadium “as a memorial to his grandson,” the University News explained. “Conditions in the agreement provided that a fully equipped medical facility be a part of the bowl, to insure that expert and immediate attention be given any student injured on the football field." What a memorial Mr. Gamble gifted the University, but so very sad.

Saturday began early at my great niece's volleyball tournament. While the team lost, she did some impressive moves!

Lunch was in Lebanon at the Golden Lamb. Throughout its more than 220-year history, the Golden Lamb has hosted, entertained, and provided lodging for many notable guests, including 12 U.S. presidents; political figures Barbara Bush, Mitt Romney, and Henry Clay; American legend Neil Armstrong; literary greats Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Alex Haley, James Whitcomb Riley, Louis Bromfield and Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain); movie star Charles Laughton; and pop singer Kesha.

Today, the Golden Lamb — Ohio’s longest continually operating business — is a vibrant restaurant and boutique hotel infused with a spirit of hospitality and history.

A brief stop was at the unforgettable Jungle Jim's. With more than 200,000 square feet of shopping space in each of their stores, there are over 180,000 products from which to choose. In addition to all the grocery items, the offer store tours, food demonstrations and lots of fun and attractions for the whole family. Just going pee was a hoot. The façade leads into a real, large, lovely restroom.

The stores also offer more gift shops, boutiques, restaurants and conveniences than any other mega store in the region. It's tagline is "Stop in for an hour or make a day of it. However you do it, shopping at Jungle Jim’s is an experience you won’t forget!" No truer words have been written. I'm hooked.