It's official: Ohio has a new champ. Champion-sized tree, that is. The Greene family in Twin Lakes, Ohio (Portage Co.) owns the state's largest tree, a Butternut more than 100 years old. Brian Riley of the Ohio division of Forestry confirmed the tree's measurements and concluded that is it officially the states' new champ. (The division keeps a database of info on such sizeable trees.) The tree measures 228-inches in circumference, more than 6 feet in diameter, and stands over 78 feet tall.
While the tree gives off plenty of shade and provides natural "air conditioning," it also provides edible nuts. According to the folks at the Portage County Gardening Club, butternuts are indeed fit for human consumption. They spoil quickly, however. Natives and early American settlers boiled the nuts and ate them, and used their oil in cooking and for other uses. Colonists made stains from the nut meats and husks. See more info about our other fine, upstanding natural resources at the Division of Forestry's website, http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/defa...
Days of Wine and Roses May 7 & May 14
Lake County to the northeast, and Firelands to the northwest, have long lured visitors for winery tours because they have so many neat wineries neatly nestled in a small area. Well, now, Portage and Summit counties can boast the same. To celebrate, four wineries have joined together to host the First Annual Days of Wine and Roses Trail. Here's how it works:
Visit all four Wineries on either the 7th, or the 14th of May (or both days!) and collect one-half-dozen different-colored chocolate roses plus a bud vase and greenery. Also, you'll enjoy a different hors d'oeuvre at each Winery! The event coincides with Mother's Day, and provides a very nice way to spend a spring day in Northeast Ohio. The "Trail" visits Candlelight Winery in Garrettsville, Maize Valley Winery in Hartville, Viking Vineyards & Winery in Kent, and The Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton.
Follow the "trail" between Noon and 6PM each day. Cost is $15 per couple, which includes one-half-dozen chocolate roses, vase, greenery, and hors d'oeuvres for two at each Winery. Single charge is $10 per person. Either way, you will pick up your vase and greenery at one winery. Then you will pick up two chocolate roses (one if you pay the single rate) at each of the other three wineries. Each rose will be a different color, so after visiting each spot, you'll have a very colorful bouquet (and some yummy chocolate).
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