It's Almost Time for the Ho-Ho-Holiday Gala!

Start your holidays off right and party like it’s 1899 in the gorgeous rooms of The Hickories. Join the Lorain County Historical Society on Friday, December 7 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for this annual festive soiree, featuring drinks, appetizers, and desserts. Tickets are $35 for LCHS members and $40 for non-members. Advance reservations are required. Reservations can be made online at anytime. The Hickories is located at 509 Washington Avenue, Elyria. For more information or to register, contact our office at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org .

Women's Association Wreath & Chocolate Sale

The Women’s Association of the Lorain County Historical Society can help get your holiday preparations off to a great start with its annual wreath and chocolate sale. This year’s wreath is a fresh balsam fir hand-decorated with pine cones and red berries, finished with a striking red and beige burlap bow. These wreaths are beautiful and long-lasting! The cost of each wreath is $32 (tax included). Click here for an order form. The Women’s Association is also offering Suzin L Gourmet Chocolates. Boxes of assorted chocolates in 8 oz., 16 oz., 24 oz., and 36 oz. sizes are available. Click here for more information and an order form. The deadline for ordering wreaths or chocolates from the Women’s Association is November 16. Pick up will be November 26 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and November 27 from noon to 4:00 PM. If you have any questions, contact LCHS at lchs@lchs.org or 440-322-3341.

"Christmas Gift-Bringers" at The Hickories

Come to The Hickories on Thursday, December 13 at 3:30 PM to hear a special presentation by Janet Bird about the traditions of gift giving in different cultures. Registration is requested for this event. The program is free for LCHS members, $5 for non-members. Contact lchs@lchs.org or 440-322-3341 for more information.

"Celebrate Good Times" at the Valentine Teas

It’s not too early to think about LCHS’s 2019 Valentine Teas! This is the 20 ^th anniversary of this amazing weekend of food and fun at The Hickories. You’ll enjoy reminiscing about favorite themes from past teas and delight at some new surprises. There will be four seatings offered: 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 9 and 12:30 & 3:30 PM on Sunday, February 10. Make plans to join us for tea. Gift certificates can be purchased now! Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org for more information.

InterSociety Meeting Recap

Local history is thriving in Lorain County! Thanks to all who came to the 2018 InterSociety annual meeting last week. Twenty-two groups gave reports on their recent activities and their plans for the future. Visit Lorain County introduced the concept for the county-wide Heritage Trail. Thanks to Heritage Avon Lake for hosting our time at Carlisle Visitors Center! Following the request of many, the recipe below was graciously provided. Thank you, Glen Smith!

Harvard Beets

(Recipe from Grandma Arlie Sprague)

 

Two 15 oz. can of slices beets, drained (or pickled beets)

1/3 c. water (or juice from cans)

¼ c. apple cider vinegar

½ c. sugar

1 T corn starch

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper (optional)

 

Combine all ingredients except beets in a sauce pan. Heat slowly over low to medium flame, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until sauce turns glassy and thickens. Mix with drained beets. Good warm as a side dish. Good cold as breakfast with cottage cheese.

Study on McCullough’s John Adams

Jazz up the chilly days after the holidays and take part in a study of “John Adams” at the Lorain County History Center. David McCullough’s book “John Adams” is “history on a grand scale – a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas.” Directed by leader-teacher Jim Van Horn, the class will meet Tuesdays from 1:00 – 2:30 PM, beginning January 15 and ending March 5. The History Center is located at 284 Washington Avenue, Elyria. The class is offered through Case Western Reserve University’s Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program. The cost is $84 for members of Lifelong Learning and $100 for non-members. Class coordinator, Holly Fauver, can be reached at 440-930-5885 for more information.

New Avon Lake Designation

At its October 22, 2018 City Council meeting, the City of Avon Lake designated two-story farmhouse located at 192 Lear Road as a historic landmark. The house was built in 1906 for the Satter family. It retains much of its original character and has been rehabilitated sensitively. Congratulations to Avon Lake for commemorating this piece of history!

Fall into Oberlin History

This weekend offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the Oberlin Heritage Center's programs. November 9 -11 is Oberlin College Parents & Family Weekend, but it is also one of the OHC's last big tour weekends of the year. If you haven't yet experienced a guided history walk across neighborhoods surrounding downtown Oberlin or a Sneak Peek tour inside the Monroe House, this is your chance! Tours are open to the public as well as to campus visitors. Click here to learn more.

World War I History Talk

Our friends at Lorain Historical Society invite you to a presentation about the city of Lorain's WWI veterans. Go to the Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th Street in Lorain on November 10 to hear Dr. Craig Semsel. Dr. Semsel teaches American History at Lorain County Community College and has been researching Lorain's WWI Veterans for several years. He will be sharing the stories of Lorain's World War One Veterans who served in the U.S. Army 100 years ago. The soldier pictured here is John R. Danley, Marines, who was the first man from Lorain to die in World War I. The History Talk on November 11 begins at 11:00 AM. A $5 Program charge applies, and is payable at the door. Reservations are required by calling 440-245-2563 or contacting info@lorainhistory.org.

Holiday Gift Shop in Lorain

Lorain Historical Society's Annual Gift Shop Holiday Open House will be held on November 11 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Carnegie Center, located at 329 W. 10th St., Lorain. The shop has new wall art by Ohio Crafters, note cards and postcards, family history kits for children and adults, Lorain-themed handthrown pottery mugs and crocks, My Gnome on the Roam Activity Kits for kids, new lighthouse design ornaments, and the “Lorain Eats!” Cookbook. The gift shop will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM as well as the following Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM: November 17 & 24 and December 1, 8, 15, & 22.

Armistice Day Bell Tolling

On Sunday, November 11, the Oberlin Heritage Center will be participating in a nation-wide Armistice Day bell tolling. This will honor those who served in World War I, which ended 100 years on November 11, 2018. Gather at Oberlin’s Little Red Schoolhouse, behind 73 South Professor Street, to participate. The public ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM.

Wellington Bicentennial Series: Myron T. Herrick

The next bicentennial event for Wellington takes place on Tuesday, November 13 when Tim Simonson shares stories about the life of Myron T. Herrick. Simonson will recount Herrick’s ties to Cleveland, his time as ambassador to France, and the creation of Herrick Memorial Library in Wellington. This free event starts at 7:00 PM at the Patricia Lindley Center for the Performing Arts, 627 N. Main Street, Wellington. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Columbia Historical Society Meeting Notice

The Columbia Historical Society will hold its November meeting on Tuesday, November 13 at Columbia Town Hall, 25496 Royalton Road. A social time will begin at 7:00 PM with a program to follow at 7:30. The presenter will be Lorain County Historical Society’s own Jim Smith, talking about the home front during World War II. The historical society will provide an update on the Bronson House restoration during the business portion of the evening.

Brownhelm Christmas Tree Lighting & Soup Supper

Brownhelm Historical Association invites you to the Historic Brownhelm School & Museum on Sunday, November 25 for supper and a tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy a supper, followed by a reading of Pat Leimbach’s “The Night Before Christmas in Brownhelm” and then walk out to light the Brownhelm Christmas Tree and sing a few Christmas carols. Come back in from the cold for cookies and hot cocoa or coffee. The doors will open at 4:00 PM with supper from 4:30 – 5:30. The tree lighting will be held at 6:00 PM. The school is located at 1940 North Ridge Road, Vermilion.

Christmas in the Village in Amherst

Amherst Historical Society presents “Christmas in the Village” on Saturday, December 2. Come to the Grange Hall from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to enjoy holiday treats, including a visit with Santa Claus. Sandstone Village is located at 763 Milan Avenue, Amherst. Contact the Amherst Historical Society at 440-988-7255 or amhersthistory@centurytel.net for more information.

Please remember Lorain County Historical Society in your will or trust.

Inspired by Lorain County’s past to shape the future!

The Lorain County Historical Society collects, preserves, interprets, and presents the history of Lorain County.