Kosher Fun Right in Our Own Backyard – Geauga County

(Reader submission of a great travelogue)

Okay, so it’s down the block a little.

Take s short  45 minute drive down Route 87, heading East out Shaker Blvd down to Chagrin River Road and jog right then left to continue on Chagrin River Road (Or Follow South Woodland east the whole way).   There’s just one fork to remember, (you angle left) but it’s easy because you just stay on Route 87 the whole way to Middlefield, Ohio, home to a large Amish population and a great day with the kids.

Travelers Advisory: Rt 87 has many names depending on where you are: Not only Shaker and South Woodland, but in the center of Middlefield, it’s called High Street and after that it becomes Kinsman.

Middlefield Zip Code is 44062 for your GPS convenience.

If you haven’t been in a few years, you won’t believe the change.

There is no charge for anything listed here unless otherwise noted – or unless you buy.

Start your day early and turn left (N) onto State Rd, (same as SRt 608) for a drop to catch a real auction in progress. It is right there where it meets Nauvoo Rd.  You have to sign in and register to participate first.  They end when the stuff to sell runs out, so don’t delay. Be there early.  Call ahead to find out when the auction will be. It’s a sight to see.

SALE BARN AUCTIONS
15848 Nauvoo Rd., Middlefield, OH  44062
440.632.1919

Note: if you left something, just south off 87 at 608 is a Walmart

Nearby are two cheese factories.  No charge to just look at either.

One is right there: Rotherbuhuler Cheese Makers. at that corner. It has two films. One is about the making of cheese. The other about the 60 year history of the store.  The first one is excellent and teaches a lot about process. The second, the kids found charming, but if pressed for time, don’t bother.  There is a small museum display in the front room.

Do pick up a brochure here! called Adventures Await: Destination Geauga and you will find out more places in the area to drop in. There’s a whole area filled with antique dealers and flea markets to choose from as well as farms and farmers markets, garden shops, general stores, furniture stores, a quilt shop and a shore store.

Have time and not with the kids?  Check out the Middlefield Historical Society also off Rt 608. 440-632-0400. They serve soda from a 1920’s soda fountain. No price is listed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an entrance fee.  Post here if this is worthwhile or if there is a fee.

You will find a quilt shop and other Amish quality craft shops all along this road. Watch for the signs or look for them in the brochure and head straight to what interests you.

Circle back to Route 87 and go east another couple of lights for  Middlefield Original Cheese Factory, 16942 Kinsman Rd (Rt 87) 440-632-5567.  This has a giant window for watching cheese being made. They are finished by around noon.  After that, you can only see packing and the machinery.  It is fascinating to see how they use mechanical but electric tools and makes a great discussion for the difference of what we can and cannot use on Shabbos.

Keep heading east another mile or so just past Bundysburg Rd. and there are three places  you won’t want to miss right next to one another.  On the left is a Ridgeview  Farm and Tours 5488 Kinsman 440-693-4000 where produce harvested that day is available.   Sweet corn picked that day is the best tasting corn there is. Peaches anyone?  If anyone takes the tour, post the information here.

On the right is B and K Salvage, 5515 Kinsman Rd. 440-693-4617.  You won’t believe the prices you will get on everyday items – sometimes luxury items for just a little!.  Never know what you will find though.  If you went today, you’d find Egyptian weave sheets sets made from bamboo for $20 or under depending on the size! Breakfast cereal under $2 per box. Duncan Heinz mixes with the parve hechser, 79 cents apiece. Beauty items, odd food items you’ve never seen. Amazing prices.  Also listed, if bargain hunting is your thing:  Bargain Bin 13400 Bundy’sburg Rd (shouldn’t be to far, ask)  and Kurtz Salvage (mapquest anyone?) 16777 Shedd Dr. 440-632-5623. There’s also listed a South Side Salvage Groceries, LLC 15740 Newcomb Rd. 440-632-0163

Right next to B and K is the place you will want to spend most of your time.  Sweet, large PICK YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES on the farm of Amish farmer C. Hershberger.  It is the very next drive after B and K. Follow the gravel road on back.  Just when you are giving up and wondering where to go the sign telling you turn in and park appears.  They have buckets with strings for ease of picking. OPEN ONLY MON and THURS. The price is the best seen as far as Conneaut, Ohio, only $1.95/lb.  Tell him you saw this article and it will be $1.95 per pound. Compare with store bought or other pre-picked and stock up.  Blueberries do freeze well if washed and dried before freezing. The trick is to dry them first so they don’t freeze together so you can just grab a handful for your morning cereal. Or freeze them for Pesach.  Note: They are sprayed.  He doesn’t mind you eating or testing while you pick, but bring a bottle of water because they should be washed first. (Looking for unsprayed blueberries to pick, check out the Ohio U-PIck website.  Conneaut does have one that was nice.  Younger trees and near the beach and a free railroad museum, but an hours drive up 90 headed east. Open daily, but her season is shorter so call first)

Blueberry picking wont last forever.  Some places like Blue Jays farm  have closed for the season already, but his are hearty and will be there a little longer. Rumor has it that he will return phone calls, but only when he gets around to it.  You can try calling Ridgeview Farms to verify he is still open. They have a blurb about it at the end of the recording.  Bottom line, there’s good reason people are talking about this place.

Heading Back:

So you’ve checked out Amish sights and picked berries in the sun.  Heading back just a drop past State Road (Rt. 608) at the very next  right is a street you will want to follow. Turn North on Springdale drive and take it to the corner of Tare Creek Parkway where you will find Eagle Park. Pack  your kids bathing suits or something to get wet in after spending time in the hot sun picking.  There’s a splash park to cool off for all ages and a playground. Lovely, the park is small, but the splash park is big enough and well done.  Kids rate it as a 10, giving Cain park a 3 or 4 by comparison. There’s shade covering if you haven’t unpacked your lunch yet.

Headed back to Heights and still have more time.  Remember that circle at Burton you passed on your way in?  There are several stops there.  You could make Burton a destination of its own.

Burton Log Cabin – Home of Maple Sugaring 440-834-4204 On the Square.

Geauga County Historical Society’s Century Village. geaugahistorical.org. or centuryvillagemuseum.org 14653 E. Park St. in Burton, OH 440-834-1492  It’s an 1800 village settlement with 22 historic buildings on 65 scenic acres.

The Vintage Summer Fashions display is free on Fridays.

Though not sure if it is open to the public, somewhere on  your way there on the south side of Rt. 87 you pass an Alpaca farm. If you are feeling adventurous,  you might want to check out and see what you can see. There is  a listing for a  Welshfield Alpaca Farm that invites visitors.

While no admission fee is listed, wise customers would check it out first.    Alpacas are those loppy, funny looking horses that are really related to llamas and are the kindest gentlest animal to see. Their soft fur wool makes the most expensive soft sweaters, and is the model for the Thinsulate synthetic material used. Pet one if you can, or wait for the county fairs.