Another Reason to be Thankful for Fall: Cupcakes!

Organic Cupcakes: Pumpkin Spice, Buckeye

Yesterday, I took advantage of the last few nice days of fall and wandered down the streets of Historic Dublin, window shopping leisurely.  I peeked into the window of Sugar Inc., a little shop that offers 100% organic cupcakes (along with tea, coffee, salads, smoothies, and more).

The devil on my shoulder told me to go in.  His flip said “No! You need to lose a few pounds before the holidays… stay out!” I was debating the two sides in my head when I spied them – little mini cupcakes, just the right size for me and looking delicious. In I went. 

Teas: Cranberry, Pomegranate

There was key lime, pumpkin spice, chocolate (with two kinds of icing!) and buckeyes.  So much to choose from! There are even Thanksgiving-themed turkey cupcakes (they look like turkeys, they don’t taste like turkeys). I asked Ava, the owner of Sugar Inc., and she suggested pumpkin spice. 
 
As I walked back to the office, eating my pumpkin spice cupcake, I thought to myself, “Irish is an Attitude, but a little bit of Irish in my tummy is yummy.”

- post by Andi

Sugar Inc. is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays for private parties. The shop is located at 36 N. High St. in Historic Dublin.

 

New to Historic Dublin: Thalia & Dahlia

A few weeks ago, I heard we had a new neighbor in Historic Dublin. Intrigued, I packed my camera bag and went to photograph the wares. When I walked into Thalia & Dahlia, I met Christopher Krupa, one of the owners. Krupa and co-owner Michael Smith, both of whom previously worked at Curio Cabinet in Worthington, opened Thalia & Dahlia in September. We discussed the philosophy behind the gift shop, and he expressed his nostalgia for the way shopping “used to be,” relaying to me stories about a time when shopping meant more than rushing around the mall, visiting a collection of national chains where ”unique” means “exactly like a million others.”

Krupa was quoted in the Dublin Villager as saying, “Shopping used to be an experience. People used to get dressed up and go shopping. We want you to be excited about shopping again. We want it to be a wonderful experience.”

 A wonderful experience is exactly what the boutique provides. Located in a charming building on High Street — you know, one of those old houses with character to spare — Thalia & Dahlia offers a true variety of quality, unique items, from wreaths and flower arrangements (both hand-crafted by Krupa) to linens and tableware. I loved the various picture frames (one pictured above) and gorgeous china (example pictured here filled with lemons).

My favorite thing about Thalia & Dahlia is that their inventory is always changing, with an emphasis on seasonal items. Halloween items were featured in October and Thanksgiving will be featured this month.  I was delighted to hear that Thalia & Dahlia will not be putting out Christmas inventory until just after Thanksgiving. With most businesses jumping headfirst from Halloween into Christmas, by the middle of December I’m ready to kick the next Santa I see. No offense to Mr. Claus, it’s just too much! To my relief, Krupa told me that Thalia & Dahlia will debut their Christmas decor at an open house set to be held immediately following Thanksgiving. Each room of the store will have a different theme. I’m already excited.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! In the meantime, you can attend their Thanksgiving Open House this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the lovely items available this month, as well as enter a drawing to win table linens. The boutique is located at 113 S. High St. For more information, call them at 614/336-8582.

If you can’t make it in this Saturday, put on your finest and stop by Thalia & Dahlia during regular hours: Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Happy shopping!

To see the rest of my photos of Thalia & Dahlia, click here.

- Post by Kelly

 

This Weekend in Dublin

Looking at the Dublin Calendar of Events, we have a full schedule of fun activities this weekend!

This weekend is your last chance to see the Emerald City Players‘ production of On Golden Pond at the Abbey Theatre (part of the Dublin Recreation Center). Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm.

It’s getting closer to Halloween, and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to pick some pumpkins during Fall Field Days at Jacquemin Farms, located just outside Dublin on Hyland Croy Rd. They offer hayrides and have a kiddie play area, complete with a straw maze, as well. Hours during the month of October are Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm; and Sunday 1pm-6pm.

Halloween spirit isn’t just in the pumpkin fields; you can find it in your local tea shop, too! Tehku Tea is having their monthly tea tasting (Halloween themed!) Saturday from 3-6 pm in their store in Historic Dublin. Come in your costumes and be prepared to drink tea and play ghoulish games to celebrate the holiday. Best costume wins a surprise!

Last, but certainly not least, Boo at the Zoo is still ongoing at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. It’s a great opportunity for families to get out together and have a little spooky fun. Our very own Katie Rich went last weekend, and she shares her tips in the previous blog post.

If none of these events floats your boat, you can always check out the live music and food and drink specials offered at Dublin restaurants. See the Dublin Calendar of Events for more information!

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy yourself… this month is all about having fun before the weather gets too cold!

- post by Kelly

 

Boo at the Zoo: Halloween Family Fun

It was cold outside but we didn’t let that stop us from having a great time last weekend at Boo at the Zoo at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  Our family and friends knew we were in for some fun when we first walked into the ticketing and entrance area. 

Halloween music and a large inflatable pumpkin greeted us as we walked into the Zoo. Zoo employees had not only maps of the grounds, but a special guide listing all the treat stations and special appearances for the day.  We wandered up to Asia Quest to go see the baby Silver Langur monkey.  They are born bright orange but this baby is almost all grown-up as only his tail is still orange.  See if you can spot him holding on to his mother or dad as they jump around the exhibit!

Our friends from out of town had never seen a baby elephant, so we went over to the Pachyderm building to see Beco.  He was inside with Phoebe (his mom) and they kept tossing straw at each other.  It was a great place to warm everyone up and the windows were low enough so that the kids had no trouble seeing him as well.

The tigers were a little sleepy — who isn’t on a cold afternoon? — and just wanted to nap.  A treat station was right by the viewing window and the kids really had fun “Trick-or-Treating” at the Zoo.  One of our gang is dressing up as a vampire this year so we couldn’t miss the Giant Fruit Bats (latin name:Pteropus vampyrus!) and Fluffy, a huge python.  The lions were out prowling around their exhibit.  It was fun to be over by the penguins and still be able to hear his mighty roar every once in a while! 

We really warmed up in the Dark building in Australia.  Make sure you go all the way through the dark area (more bats!) to reach the tropical rainforest section at the end.  There was a woodcarver working with his chainsaw making a sculpture too!

We then walked our way back out to the Entrance and were enjoying a fresh hot funnel cake when Spiderman and friends came by on a golf cart parade!  What a fun afternoon at the Zoo!
 
- posted by Katie

 

New: Dublin Calendar of Events

Okay, everyone. I’ve been working all week to get a calendar of events done and linked to this blog, and I’m finally done! Click the link on the right sidebar that reads “Calendar of Events,” which will open our Google calendar in a new window. If you can’t find the link, don’t worry about it… just click here in the meantime.

Events are color-coded and include these categories: Food and Drink Specials, Special Events, Festivals and Fairs, Live Music, and Theatre and Arts. US Holidays are also displayed. You can even choose which categories are shown by clicking the little tab in the upper right-hand corner as shown below. Then check or uncheck categories as you please! (If the picture below is too small, click on it and it will come up in its own window.)

We’ll be updating events in the next few weeks and will hopefully be finished through the end of 2009 in the near future.

If your family is looking for plans tonight, check out the Dublin Halloween Spooktacular at the Dublin Rec. Center from 4:30-7pm.

If you know of any fun events going on in Dublin, let us know the details and we’ll add them to the calendar. Additionally, if you want to share your pictures from the Spooktacular tonight, email them to kjenkins@irishisanattitude.com.

-post by Kelly

 

Hot Right Now: Dublin Fall Colors

Each season, fashion magazines urge us to update our wardrobe with new color palettes. You may not follow fashion magazines, but you can update your diet with these new colors seen around Dublin! These photos are just a sampling of the options for this month. To see all the pictures, click here.

The first pictures were taken at Jeni’s Ice Cream, which I featured in Wednesday’s blog post. Jeni’s is offering seasonal flavors like the two shown here: Red Hot Apple Cider Sorbet and Pumpkin 5-Spice. The Ohio Heirloom Pumpkin Sundae sounds delicious as well.
These seasonal flavors available through November or as long as supplies last.

These photos were taken at the Dublin Community Market Wednesday evening. The air may be getting colder, but the vendors still have a lot to sell this month. Everything looked amazing, and I couldn’t resist a few juicy Bartlett Pears from The Wayward Seed Farm (pictured left). Get out to the Dublin Community Church on West Bridge St. any of the next three Sundays before the market closes for the season.
Dates: October 14, 21, and 28; Hours: 4:30 -7 PM.

I’ll be keeping an eye out for more Dublin Fall colors the rest of the month! Check back for more updates.

If you have any suggestions for blog posts, email them to kjenkins@irishisanattitude.com or post them as comments here.

-Post by Kelly

 

Dublin is Perfect for October Family Fun!

First of all, I’m Kelly, the new Social Media Intern for the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. I’m really excited about this position; I’ve lived in Dublin for 17 years and have a natural enthusiasm to share my hometown with others, so that combination works well in this setting.

There are a few obvious signs around Dublin that Fall has arrived in full force. The air is crisp and the leaves are turning shades of orange, yellow, and burgundy. Light scarves can be seen wrapped around summer-tanned necks, and carved pumpkins are beginning to appear on porches. Most importantly, Jeni’s Ice Cream in Historic Dublin is now serving their delicious seasonal autumn flavors… I can’t wait to get a few scoops after work! But more about that later.

As one of my duties here at the Dublin CVB, I’ll be periodically posting outlines for great family getaways in Dublin. Whether you live in the Central Ohio area or are looking for a little fall vacation time, Dublin offers a wide variety of family activities this month.

Family Fun Weekend Itinerary: October

[Friday night]
The weather might be getting chilly, but you don’t have to stop playing your favorite sports. Start your weekend off with some friendly competition at SportsOhio’s Phat Fridays! From 7-10 PM, SportsOhio offers unlimited soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball, games, dodgeball, and inflatables for only $10 a person. That’s what I call competitive pricing!

[Saturday]
To all kids (including myself), the whole month of October is just a lead-up to Halloween. Celebrate this howling holiday right at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Boo at the Zoo, which runs the last three weekends of October through Saturday the 31st (Fridays and Saturdays 9 AM – 9 PM and Sundays 9 AM – 8 PM). Regular Zoo admission prices apply. Activities include treat stations, “Operation Green” show featuring favorite Superheroes, special activities for children at Habitat Halloween, and “Animals on Safari” shows. Go to the Columbus Zoo website for more information. Boo at the Zoo is a great way to share Halloween with your children. Don’t forget to wear your costumes; it’s part of the fun!

[Sunday]
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather in a pumpkin patch at Jacquemin Farms, located on Hyland Croy Rd. You can pick your own pumpkins and then soak up the October sun on a hayride, offered for $1 per person. They also have a Kiddie Playland area, complete with a straw maze, giant air toys, and a haunted house.

After everyone has their pumpkins, head over to Jeni’s Ice Cream in Historic Dublin for some special fall treats. Their seasonal flavors include Red Hot Apple Cider Sorbet, Pumpkin 5-Spice, and Smoked Chocolate with Handmade Marshmallows. They also have a new Pumpkin 5-Spice Sundae. You can eat your ice cream looking out on High St. and relaxing during the last hour of your fall family getaway in Dublin.

Enjoy your visit and Happy Halloween!

 

If you have any pictures of your visit to Dublin, send them to us and we’ll put them up on our new “Photos from Visitors” page on this blog.

 

Becoming a SMERF …

Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Dublin (OH) Convention & Visitors Bureau’s new SMERF Sales and Marketing Manager.  I am a SMERF.  A what? A Smert? A Merf? A little blue creature that ran around in a forest during the 1980’s a.k.a Smurf?  Well since I spawned from the 80’s, I might be that too … but my title encompasses all that’s green instead of blue.

SMERF is a tourism industry term that stands for Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal. So if your organization falls under any of those categories, you may be working with me.

I just began my position at the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau about two weeks ago and I’ve been soaking up every bit o’ Irish knowledge. Since I need to be an expert about this city, I’ve been exploring all of its opportunities.

My travels have  included viewing the Dublin Arts Council’s Art in Public Places.  I never knew corn on the cob could look so cool!  Malcom Cochran, an Ohio artist, commemorated Dublin’s history as a farming community by creating a field of 109 human-sized ears of corn. The Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees) even has a parking area so you can get out of your car and strike a pose with your favorite cob.

One of my favorite sites is Scioto Park. A 12-foot high sculpture of Chief Leatherlips watches over the park’s sprawling hill that rolls towards the river. There’s an outdoor stage that’s ready for summer concerts and shelter houses that are perfect for get-togethers.

Seeing the Dublin sites has been very informative, but most of my time is spent in Historic Dublin’s BriHi District … in an office.  It has proven to be a wonderful place to work. The CVB office bustles above the Visitor Information Center that we keep freshly stocked with area maps, brochures and tourist information. The welcoming environment and friendly co-workers has made my huge transition much easier.

So has TehKu Tea Company, located right down the street.  I’m a sucker for the restaurant’s tea of the day and organic food selections. It has inspired me to get my own tea press. I’m also inspired to adopt-a-lion from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, after I had a meeting there. We’ll see what happens first.

Since mid-August I’ve been living in Dublin. Now that I’m working for Dublin I’m immersed in learning about the events, hotels, history and beauty. As a former Ohio State Buckeye, I feel like I’m having a love affair between these two areas. What can I say? Irish is an attitude and Dublin, Ohio is stealing my heart.

-Post by Allison

 

OSU Games with the Kids

If you are like us, you never missed an OSU Buckeye Football Saturday prior to having children. You’ve been waiting for years for your kids to be old enough to sit through (most of) the game — and now that time has arrived!  My husband and son enjoyed attending the game last week—so we thought we’d share a few tips for going to the game with kids. 

Get a good night’s sleep before the big game.  A well rested child is a happy child–and one who is willing to climb to “C” deck!  If you are coming to Columbus from out of town, consider staying at one of our 15 hotels in Dublin. It’s quieter than staying on campus and we’re only 15-20 minutes away from the stadium. (Plus, rates are great this time of year!) Dublin has 100+ restaurants—offering plenty of options for a quick bite before the game or a leisurely dinner afterwards … without the lines and the wait.

Arrive early on campus.  We like to park at the Gateway garage and take the shuttle which drops you close to the stadium.  Head over to St. John’s Arena and watch the “Skull” session (OSU Marching Band practice) or see the cheerleaders and Brutus Buckeye warming up the crowd in the grass area.  It’s a great place to have your photo taken with them!

Line up on the sidewalk to watch the band march through into the stadium past the Jesse Owens Memorial—but be prepared for the scramble that follows as everyone hurries to their gate.  Remember that even numbered gates are on the east side and odd numbers are on the west. (You don’t have to enter at the exact gate number of your ticket.) Have your tickets out and your bag ready to be searched—just to help make the lines go quickly.   

Purchase your treats and head to your seats! If your little one’s attention wanes between plays—you can play a game of “I Spy” by challenging them to look for the “hidden” cameramen taking video in the scoreboard, the State of Ohio flag or Brutus in the stadium.  It’s like a huge, live game of “Where’s Waldo?”

As you are leaving the stadium, don’t miss the Victory Bell ringing (on the East side near the “open” end).  Grab your shuttle which will drop you off right at Gateway and Long’s (Barnes and Noble) bookstore so you can buy a momento to always remember that first Buckeye Game with your child. Have fun and Go Bucks!

-Post by Katie

 

Dublin Can-Am Games Named a “Top 100 Event in North America!”

Exciting news …  Dublin’s 2010 Canadian-American Police-Fire Games has just been named to the American Bus Association’s  list of “Top 100 Events in North America for 2010.”  The event will be held August 15-22 here in Dublin, Ohio.

The Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the City of Dublin to secure the international event that will generate an economic impact of more than $3.5 million to the local economy, attract more than 2,500 attendees from across North America and generate an estimated 4,400 room nights for Dublin’s hotels. The week-long, Olympic-type competition among police officers and fire fighters will include 50-70 events, such as basketball, weight lifting, K-9 Police, track and field, toughest firefighter, cycling, etc. The competitions will be held at various locations across central Ohio with the event’s headquarters and accommodations for participants in Dublin.

ABA’s 2010 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the 2010 Can-Am Police-Fire Games from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the events’ broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and a variety of other relevant criteria.  Go here for more information about the 2010 event. For the ABA’s 2010 List of Top 100 Events in North America, go here.