About Hocking County, OH

When you're touring the Hocking Hills during the upcoming high seasons, make a stop in downtown Logan for plenty of colorful reasons. As part of "Logan In Bloom" (spurred by the national America In Bloom non-profit organization), Logan High School students have created flags of varied flowers to help add color and character to downtown Logan. The flags were auctioned at the spring opening festivities of Logan in Bloom, and will greet local residents as well as visitors to southeast Ohio's famous Hocking Hills Region...with Logan's city slogan being "Gateway to the Hocking Hills." Funds raised by the auction go to both the school's art department, along with Logan in Bloom.

Also in the news, the Logan Town Center non-profit group has recently applied for a National Historic Landmark designation for the downtown, along with preparing a wonderful walking tour of the designated area. You can download a copy of the tour brochure at the Logan Town Center web site, or pick one up at one of the Hocking Hills Visitors Centers in Logan or Laurelville, operated by the Hocking Hills Tourism Association.

And by the way, if you're looking for a great place for lunch or dinner downtown, we can highly and personally recommend The Sandstone Restaurant. Our new Logan-Hocking Hills real estate professionals group (naming is in progress....) meets there for breakfast each month, and we're certain the members will second that recommendation! We shot the photos above on our way in to dine at the Sandstone, matter of fact....

More and more folks are choosing the Hocking Hills, along with the nearby private resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills (HAH), for vacation getaways. (we're in the process of updating our tour of Hide-A-Way Hills) We'll be happy to tell you more about why that is....and we'd also suggest you stop in for a meal at the HAH Lodge and Restaurant.

Karen and Doug Parker, Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors, http://ikarensell.com

Saturday May 16th was the Hocking Hills Friends of the Park Annual Poker Run. This was my first attendance of the fundraising event for Southern Ohio State Parks which travels through Hocking, Vinton, and Ross counties.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful as the route winds through at least 6 of Southern Ohio's State Parks. The run's organizers reported there were 207 riders for the event which was a record over previous years' participation. Riders dodged weather most of the day, something the volunteers could not control. There were, however, several items many participants felt the organizers may attempt to improve for future rides.

First, there was issues with the directions and maps. The written directions were difficult to follow even for seasoned riders of Southern Ohio. All riders stayed upbeat even though groups of 50+ bikers would turn the wrong way while waving arms as they looped back to attempt to stop others from making the same wrong turn. Possibly spotters, or markers of some kind could be added to help mark the route.

Second, while most of the route was beautiful State Routes, it also traveled down County Road 1 in Vinton county. This is NOT a biker friendly road. There is gravel everywhere and many sections were even covered with mud. While I would love to get lost on this road while riding alone or with a small group of bikes, taking 200+ bikes on it, may not be a wise idea. Many riders were complaining of spitting out grit and dust when coming off the road.

Third, some stops only had 1 volunteer drawing and recording cards. When traveling in groups of 50+ bikes, the wait times at each stop was easily 30 minutes or more to draw their cards.

And last, food was minimal. Doughnuts were available in the morning for $1.00 a piece. My thoughts were the volunteers may have sold more breakfast items if they had a donation basket rather than pricing each doughnut. After riding for close to 6 hours, a chicken dinner awaited. However, dinners were limited to your choice of 2 sides along with 2 small pieces of chicken or 1 average size per person. One family was actually asking if they could purchase more food as their children were still hungry. Bikers EAT!


My comments are not meant to discourage nor complain, but to help organizers with feedback from out on the road. I would certainly encourage fellow bikers in future participation of the event, but I also would remind riders to pack the Tom Tom for verification of directions, and to add a few munchies to your saddle bags.


With all that said, I had a nice afternoon and enjoyed riding with fellow bike enthusiast in one of the most beautiful areas of Ohio, the Hocking Hills.

It was a simply glorious weekend for "Shooting the Hills"....southeast Ohio's famous Hocking Hills Region, that is, with about 200 photographers from six states hiking with their gear through the scenic trails, caves, hollows, meadows and other attractions that have drawn visitors from across the country for decades. In this year's eighth Annual "Shoot the Hills" competition, The Friends of the Hocking Hills again awarded thousands of dollars in prizes to the winning shots in both Digital RAW/SLR and Point-and-Shoot divisions. The prize money was generated from the over $16,000 in sponsorships from over 40 businesses and organizations.

Now also part of this special event is "Shoppe the Hills," with sponsors displaying their art and wares in the Hocking Hills State Park Dining Lodge. In addition to doing a bit of browsing, non-photographers had the opportunity to win door prizes themselves while also voting for the "People's Choice" Award photograph...to Christopher Henschen. The "Photographer's Choice" Award went to Matt Studebaker.

Hocking Hills Tourism Association Executive Director, Karen Raymore, picked winners for the "Spirit of the Hills" Award....Christopher Henschen, Michele Black, and Rob Taylor.

In the five RAW categories, five professional photographers selected the winners: Abstract - David Nicely; Flora - Stacy Fenner; Human Interest - Roger Heil; Landscape - Roger Heil; Wildlife - Matthew Studebaker. The Friends extend a sincere thanks to judges Jim Crotty, Karl J. Klein, Susie Klein, Katie Tuttle, and Gary Walker....along with the many volunteers who kept things running smoothly from Friday morning through Sunday evening at the Hocking Hills State Park Dining Lodge.

In the digital pont-and-shoot category, Brent Mackey won the grand prize. Other point-and-shoot winners were: Abstract - John Grogan; Flora - Kari LaBello; Human Interest - Mike Rosa; Landscape - Jenny Hally; Wildlife - Dava Garcia.

Junior Division Award winners were Brookelyn Winters, Olivia Johnson, and Halle Harlau.

The Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park, an entirely volunteer group, holds events each year to raise funds that will help ensure the natural beauty of the park areas for generations to come. Like other "Friends" groups around the state, the overall mission is to grow relations between the parks and public through both new and ongoing educations and conservation programs.

The Friends' next big event will be the Hocking Hills 3rd Annual Poker Run, May 16.

copyright 2009; Doug & Karen Parker, ikarensell Enterprises, Inc. http://ikarensell.com

4/15/09....Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park prepare information packets for photographers coming to the annual "Shoot the Hills" event this weekend....at the annual Friends' "Stuffing Party" at the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge. Just another "friendly" get together for the groups' volunteers. The Friends' mission is to raise funds the ensure the beauty of the Hocking Hills for decades and generatrions to come.....here's the official invitation to this year's event:

Hello Friends of the Hocking Hills!
We want to invite you to join us in support of our 8th annual photography weekend in the Hocking Hills. "Shoot the Hills" will be hosted by our organization from the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge on April 17, 18 and 19, 2009.
This popular event is one of our largest fundraisers for the organization, normally drawing photographers and non-photographers from at least six states. The highlight of the weekend is a 24-hour photo contest, but there will be variety of free programs scheduled over the weekend. Additionally, there will be photography vendors, craftsmen and artisans participating to offer any outdoor enthusiast a wealth of things to do during the weekend.
Entries for the digital photography competition must be taken between 1 p.m. on Friday (April 17) and 1 p.m. on Saturday (April 18). Digital contest categories are:
Wildlife, Flora, Landscape, Human Interest, Abstracts in Nature, and "Photographers Choice" (an open category). Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and advertisers, we are giving more than $3,000 in cash and prizes to winners! We will be naming contest winners on Sunday (April 18) at the conclusion of the 3-day event. This Awards Program is open to the public.

On Sunday (April 19) are also holding a fun Print Division contest. Photographic print entries will be collected between 11:00 a.m. on Friday (April 17) to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday (April 19). The winner of this division will be chosen by popular public vote, using "voting tickets," which will be sold 10 for $1. The Print Division winner will receive 50% of all the Print Division entry fees! Additionally, one print will be selected by the Hocking Hills Tourism Association that "best promotes tourism in Ohio's Hocking Hills Region." That print will receive a special recognition award and will be published in an upcoming issue of the Hocking Hills Visitors Guide.

You can pre-register for the photo contest at www.ShootTheHills.com, or in person at the Hocking Hills Tourism Association or the Hocking Hills State Park office by April 10. You may register the day of the event at the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge.

It is recommended that photographers in the contest arrive by 11:00 a.m. on Friday (April 17) for an informative orientation meeting (especially recommended for first-time participants).

For lodging and travel information, contact the Hocking Hills Tourism Association at 1 (800) HOCKING or visit www.1800hocking.com/ohiostateparkhockinghills.

For more information and rules for Shoot the Hills, visit our Shoot The Hills site. Join us this year at Shoot the Hills. Your support will help strengthen the event and our organization!

Sincerely, Jerry Jividen, President, Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park

Well, it's a bit of work, too...but it all directly benefits Hocking Hills State Park. The Friends of the Hocking Hills are searching for helping hands to volunteer time for one of the organization's biggest annual fund-raising events...Shoot the Hills, April 17-19. Coordinating the volunteer effort in Melody Strickland....give her a call at 740-332-1902. You needn't commit to working the entire weekend....various time slots and assignments are available. No photography credentials are necessary....just a love of the famous Hocking Hills Region, perhaps....

And if you're coming to visit the parks, please keep in mind the new "Carry In, Carry Out" policy - any potential waste (including recyclables) carried into the Parks must be carried out. Please help the staff and the many park volunteers keep the hills clean and green.