The Oberlin College Illumination

In 1860, to celebrate the election of Abraham Lincoln, Oberlin College held their first Illumination. Years later, in 1903, to celebrate the inauguration of Oberlin College President Henry Churchill King, Illumination not only became an annual tradition...

...it started incorporating Japanese lanterns.

(Thanks, Frederick O. Grover!)

I was looking forward to seeing Tappan Square all lit up...

...but Mother Nature began teasing us with other possible scenarios.



Fortunately, with some artistic Oberlin anti-rain dancing...



...we were spared the rain to celebrate in colorful light...




...and various pies.

For $3 a piece...

...I was sure to pass out some pie action for a bite or two in return.

And, of course, I got some for myself as well (although they did run out of the sweet potato crunch).

Ohio Festivals and eating between it all

As the summer comes upon us, my other blog demands more and more attention. Festivals are popping up all over Ohio and its my job to go out there, explore them and then report back with my findings.

Those findings, photos and videos all get put on my blog "Ohio Festivals," which you can find at http://ohiofestivals.net/

It's a great site (if I say so myself), filled with zany adventures, tons of pics and plenty of information to help anyone planning on doing some festival hopping. Apart from the reference book I plan on putting together soon, the site is designed to be researched in various ways...

- through the Ohio map
- the 2011 schedule (click "Adventure")
- through the search bar on the upper right.

And since there is so much work being put into it, I ask (beg) you to check it out, link it to your page, bookmark it, subscribe to it, and write me your comments and festivals that I don't have listed on the schedule.

The purpose of the site is to inform the Ohio traveler and adventurer.

So help me help you.

You won't regret it (fingers crossed).

That said (or preached), I can mostly honestly say that my life isn't completely consumed by festivals, although it is fairly consumed by food.

Therefore, allow me to share some of my food-related adventures this past month or so...

I've been fortunate to have some great dishes in Ohio. Included in these memorable experiences are...

...XYZ Tavern's plump and spicy buffalo shrimp (Cleveland)...



...The Feve's super delicious Smoked Salmon BLT (Oberlin)...



...and Starliner Diner's bountiful Creole Mac and Cheese (Hilliard).

There have been great desserts as well, including...

...Starbuck's rather satisfying birthday cake Cake Pop...



...and Kiedrowski's delightfully over-the-top Bacon Maple Creme Stix (Amherst).

Of course...

...between seeing my beloved speak in Cleveland...



...making my niece happy by bringing back the high chair for her doll...



...checking out some cool art with Danny DeVito...

...and giving Julia's rather depressed cat a sense of purpose...



...by drugging her with a fish toy filled with catnip...



...I attempted to make a long-loved childhood Easter cake.



...which Julia and I decorated with demon-like jellybean eyes.



My mom later finished it off with jewelry and gummy bunny minions.

Although rather demonic and freaky, it was still rather tasty.

I think I was freaked out more that my 5 year old nephew demanded the head.

.