Olentangy Living In & Around Central Ohio

Fall weeds along a walking path in Highbanks Park, Lewis Center, just south of Powell Rd. I drove through the park on a recent Sunday and noticed there were nearly as many walkers and people having picnics as there are during the warm summer days. Perhaps, it’s because we know that such days are limited for the next 3-4 months so we must enjoy them while we can.

The new and improved bridge at Home Rd, near Powell. It provides a connection between Riverside Dr and Dublin Rd, north of the Columbus Zoo. I took this photo from the parking lot of the boat marina on the Scioto River. This bridge replaced a very old, very narrow bridge a few years ago. I hated driving over the old bridge. It always felt as though my wheels were going to go through the steel braces. This new one is much nicer … and prettier, too!

Today the Buckeyes won the 2009 Big Ten Championship by beating ‘Meeshigun’ 21-10. As long as we beat that state up north, the season is complete. That’s how it is in Central Ohio.

In the ’70’s I made this Brutus. That’s how he looked back then. While mine is a small version, the real one was a huge ball that someone wore. The person inside the round shell could move the fuzzy eyebrows depending on the play or the score. The round nut was replaced with a horrible looking - and very short-lived head - that no one liked. Eventually the mascot suit evolved to what it is today. (read Brutus Buckeye history)

The one that I made above is a cherished possession because of the autographs. Archie signed an eyebrow and his brother, Ray, signed the other. Cornie Greene signed the mouth, Anne Hayes signed the nose, but since she used an ink pen, it’s no longer visible other than the impression from the pen.

We had Anne speak at our Union County Alumni Assoc and I was fortunate to have her seated next to me. What a treat that was, as she was so funny with her stories of Woody.

German Village, located just south of downtown Columbus, is an Old World style neighborhood. Originally built by German immigrants, the location was chosen to have access to the Scioto River for their breweries. The area has been renovated and is now a trendy, upscale community.

While there are many fine restaurants in German Village, my family and I recently visited Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. They are famous for their humongous cream puffs and Bahama Mama sausages. We happened to be there on a football Saturday, hence, some of the clothes and flags that you’ll see in the slides. Remember, it’s Columbus and this IS Buckeye territory.

Normally, I’ve posted individual photos in this photoblog. But I took so many photos of the unique homes, that I decided to provide them as a slideshow. I recommend clicking on the “Full” screen view for best resolution.

This is a little different perspective of some of the downtown Columbus buildings. It was a beautiful fall day, with a cloudless sky that we don’t often see here. This view is looking northwest from Main Street.

A pair of mallard ducks casually floating on the Hoover Reservoir, south of Galena.

This is a photo of my Real Living HER office in Worthington. It’s an older building in the bi-level style. The new offices around the Columbus metro area look much different. Of course, when building in Worthington, strict zoning codes rule so this style still fits. The office is located at 6902 N High St, just south of I-270.

The Ballantrae Golf & Country Club offers a unique design to traditional country clubs. Ballantrae is an upscale community between Dublin and Hilliard. The main entrance is off Avery Rd.

Worthington has many older neighborhoods that are in walking distance to Thomas Worthington HS or to the popular Village Green and quaint downtown. People select the homes because they have “character”, and aren’t cookie cutters as many other suburbs have. Worthington is unique with a very special personality, assuming cities can have a personality. The section that is known as Old Worthington, is appropriately bounded by North St, Morning St, South St, Evening St. Some very old, elegant homes are located in Old Worthington. The neighborhood above is just outside the Old Worthington area.