Hideaway Hills, OH

As HAH prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary in a couple of years, it's no surprise that various things around the "The Hills" need some attention to prepare for the upcoming decades. And as a member owned-and-operated community, it's important to note and recognize the volunteer efforts that help ensure infrastructure and amenities for the future.

While HAH maintains its own maintenance staff, which does a great ongoing job, it's the work of the member committees that has made tremendous differences through the years. Right upfront you'll see the recent evidence. 2008 saw major work done on the dams at Lakes Deerfoot and Arrowhead, and then there's that inviting new playground right inside the front security gate. The dams project was completed by an outside contractor, along with help from the maintenance staff, and the playground was planned and completed by the Parents Committee and the Adopt-An-Area Committee....with all time donated.

The volunteers had already put a whole new face on the front buildings, including the gatehouse and mailhouse, and also have made major improvements to the landscaping and sign that offer a renewed welcome to members and guests. Various materials and equipment for the projects were donated by members, by the way.

You'll also find major changes at the lodge, including a major makeover of the lower level great room (following 2007's re-do of the restaurant upstairs). The Adopt-An-Area folks are now finishing exterior work, including re-staining of the exterior and reworking of the lodge entry. And again, other members have stepped up with donations of materials to complete the picture. Upcoming work will involve re-do's of the parking lot lighting and parking.

And wait, there's more....with ongoing work to provide a refreshing new look at the North Park common area, including additional canoe storage racks.

When prospective members and guests ask about the club membership fee (currently about $3,500) and ongoing monthly assessments (currently $137.22), these are the sorts of things that show just where the money goes. Most of the new member fee supports the amenities improvement process (with requests from the amenities fund made directly by the various member committees), and it's more than hard to imagine a community association anywhere maintaining the amenities HAH offers for a monthly assessment of less than $150.

©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com

It's often said that one of Ohio's proverbial "best-kept secrets" is the private and gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills, very near the famous and scenic Hocking Hills Region....a perfect place for that vacation getaway you've dreamt about. HAH or "The Hills" has seen lots of changes through the past year, thanks so very much of the volunteer efforts of members and the community's "Adopt-An-Area" committee. For a quick peek, here's a fall sampler tour .

©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com

On Saturday, September 13TH, 2008 Hide-A-Way Hills Members were treated to a free Carillon Concert! Members brought down their own chairs while being treated to a sample of wines and cheeses during the concert.

A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 carillon bells, arranged in chromatic sequence, so tuned as to produce concordant harmony when many bells are sounded together. It is played from a keyboard that allows expression through variation of touch. The keys are struck with the half-closed hand. In addition, the larger bells are connected to foot pedals.

Although bells were first made by man during the Bronze Age, it was not until the 15th century that Flemish bell founders discovered the process of accurately tuning bells. The art of making carillon bells almost died out by the 19th century. It is only in the 20th century that carillon bell founding was revived and has surpassed the quality and tuning of 15th century bells. The world's greatest concentration of carillons is still in the Low Countries of Europe (Belgium, The Netherlands, northern France and northwest Germany). The art of the carillon has spread world wide, however, with instruments on every continent except Antarctica. Nearly 200 exist in North America.

Bon Voyage Bells Mobile Millennium

Chime Master

A is for Association. Hide-A-Way Hills Club is the same as a Home Owner's Association.

B is for Beach. Hide-A-Way Hills Beach is open year round and serves as a nice spot to picnic with family and friends.

C is for Chapel in the Pines. Hide-A-Way Hills has its own outdoor chapel with services on Sunday morning from Memorial to Labor Day. All are invited to attend.

D is for Docks. All Members have the opportunity to sign up for the use of a Club dock.

E is for Eagles. Kessler's Swamp located across from Hide-A-Way Hills has been home to bald eagles in the past. Members keep an eye out for their return.

F is for Finches. Whether yellow or purple, both take up residence in Hide-A-Way Hills.

G is for Golf. Hide-A-Way Hills has its own private 9-hole Golf Course. Membership is automatic to land owners and does not require an additional expense to join.

H is for Horses. Hide-A-Way Hills Stables house private Member's horses in the community.

I is for Invitation Consider this your invitation to visit the area of Hide-A-Way Hills.

J is for Jam Hide-A-Way Hills Annual Dam Jam is one of the largest events in the Hills. Members gather together for food and music at the foot of the dam as the meet new Members and visit with the old.

K is for Kayaks and Canoes Kayaks and canoes can be spotted on various lakes in Hide-A-Way Hills. Currently, there are Canoe and Kayak racks located on Lake Eagle Claw and the Lake of Four Seasons. First Come, First Serve.

L is for Lakes. Hide-A-Way Hills contains 6 lakes and a farm pond.

M is for Microbrewery. Hide-A-Way Hills brews their own micro brew at the Lodge. Members may enjoy a glass at the Clubhouse, at the Lodge, or it is also available to take home by the jug.

N is for Night Being located outside of the city lights, night hours allow Members to enjoy the darkness of the forest and the ability to see the nighttime stars.

O is for Owls Living in the city, I never really saw an owl other than at a zoo. Hide-A-Way Hills is home to parliaments of owls.

P is for Pool Hide-A-Way Hills pool is open from Memorial to Labor Day and requires no extra charge for Members to use for the Summer.

Q is for Quad Track Hide-A-Way Hills has an all terrain vehicle track for mini-bikes, ATV, and the likes.

R is for Restaurants. Hide-A-Way Hills has 2 restaurants on the property, Hide-A-Way Hills Lodge, and the Golf Course Clubhouse.

S is for Security. Hide-A-Way Hills gated community has 24 hour Security Guards on staff.

T is for Tennis. Hide-A-Way Hills has 2 tennis courts with overhead lighting.

U is for You. The only thing missing from beginning your HAH memories is You!

V is for Volunteers Hide-A-Way Hills has the best volunteer crew a community could ever hope to have. As a result of their numerous volunteer hours, our community as accomplished many upgrades along with much needed maintenance to many of our facilities

W is for Wildlife. Animals as well as Members make Hide-A-Way Hills their home. A wide range of woodland animals can be found in the Hills along with flora which is unique to this area.

X is for X-Marks the Spot Hide-A-Way Hills Shooting Range allows marksman an opportunity for target practice and trap shoots.

Y is for Young Children at the Playground Through a generous donation, HAH children and guests can enjoy the newly updated playground at the front Hide-A-Way Hills gate.

Z is for Zero. As in the number of times you'll find yourself caught in a traffic jam in Hide-A-Way Hills.

10 Probably the most obvious, but the dynamic orange, red, and yellow colors exhibited in the trees can not go without mention. Hide-A-Way Hills actually glows with such colors in the Fall.

9 The Annual Hills Cup A new tradition but a favorite just the same. The Cup is decided by a match play tournament between Windy Hills Golf Course and Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Club.

8 New visitors to my bird feeders. I typically only set out bird seed during the colder months. October starts my winter tradition.

7 Picking up gallons of Apple Cider at the Laureville Fruit Company If you are a cider fan, Laurelville is definitely the place to go. While many ciders take on a cloudy appearance, Laurelville Fruit Company's cider is as clear as apple juice. Once you drink Lauerville's cider, you'll wonder what exactly it is they are selling at the grocery.

6 The Annual Boo at the Barn for families - This year's Boo is being held on October 25, 5-7pm. Includes Haunted Barn, Candy, and Horseback Rides(fee). Chicken Dinners available for purchase while supplies last.

5 The Annual Hide-A-Way Hills Adult Halloween Party at the Lodge Need I say more. Members come in costume and dance the night away with a guest DJ.

4 Bonfires with friends. Fall is the time for Hide-A-Way Hills residents to gather for various occasions around a bonfire. HAH rules require a fire permit.

3 The reflections of the golden trees along Lake Arrowhead. While driving by Lake Arrowhead daily, it's always such a site to view the trees reflecting on the calm water. By far, one of my favs.

2 The sweet smell of the forest with the leaves scattered all over the forest floor. It's a different smell that only can be attributed to the forest in the Fall. I assume it's the decay process. Although rotting leaves sounds nasty, the sweet smell of the forest is unforgettable.

1 OSU Football games at the Golf Course Clubhouse and Pavilion. While Hide-A-Way Hills is an hour south of Columbus, HAH can be considered to be Buckeye territory. Games are shown both in the Clubhouse and outside at the Clubhouse Pavilion. If you wish to bring your own drinks and food, the Pavilion is a great spot to watch the game. Alcohol can be purchased for dine-in only inside the Clubhouse. Food is also available for both dine-in or carry out. It's always nice to gather with friends and neighbors to root on the team to victory, or in the least, have friends with which to commiserate should the rare defeat occur.