Send us a Text Message.S1, E20 Back to the islands this week, but this time we adventure to Kelleys Island – Ohio’s largest island and we get a little cultured. Did you know there is an amazing artist who has a gallery and sculpture garden right on the island? The perfect place for a quiet walk, some introspection, and art appreciation. Jill and Dayton interview Carmen Smith, gallery manager for the Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Garden. Carmen educates us on Charles and his his...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E19 Did you know you could go on an African Safari right here in Ohio? Happy #NationalTraveland TourismWeek from Shores & Islands Ohio - Jill and Dayton first chat a bit about the events and themed-days planned in commemoration of this industry-wide celebration. Then, we talk to Kelsey Keller, the Director of Port Clinton’s African Safari Wildlife Park, and learn all about the different animal species you can visit and different experiences guests can have ...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E18 After all, it is right in our name. Some of the best communities we get to promote are in the middle of beautiful Lake Erie and you have to take a boat or a plane to get there! As the weather has begun warming up in northern Ohio, it’s officially Island Season! What does that mean? It means it’s time to visit Put-in-Bay for a day (or longer) of fun, relaxation, and island vibes. Today we chat with Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Executive ...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E17 Tourism development is robust in Shores & Islands Ohio! Each year, a number of Destination Development Grants help support projects big and small throughout the region. Shores & Islands Ohio Destination Development & Experience Director, Amanda Smith Rasnick, joins Jill and Dayton on the podcast to talk about the grant program for businesses and organizations in Erie and Ottawa counties in Ohio. Amanda fills us in on how the program works and wh...
Send us a Text Message.S1 E16Coming off the 2024 Shores & Islands Ohio annual meeting, organization President Larry Fletcher joins the podcast to talk about all of the amazing accomplishments for the tourism industry and the region in 2023, as well as some highlights from this event. We learn how a dream of being on the radio and playing rock-and-roll translates into a career in tourism, and how Ohio promotes our state for visitation, encouraging people to travel within the state an...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E15 This is no fish tale…today we’re talking about great catches available this season on Lake Erie and why the Shores & Islands Ohio region is the best place to enjoy this fun activity. We are the “Walleye Capital of the World,” after all! First, hosts Jill and Dayton chat about getting ready for the spring and summer seasons and previous fishing experiences. We discuss the many charter fishing opportunities available and how easy it is to get started with...
Send us a Text Message.S1 E14 Tweet, tweet…a little birdie told us we’re getting ready for a major birding festival! The Biggest Week in American Birding flies into the Shores & Islands Ohio region May 3-12, 2024 and festival co-founder Kimberly Kaufman of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory joins us to talk all about it. Also joining the conversation is her husband, renowned birder and author Kenn Kaufman. Kenn tells us what’s special about birding in northwest Ohio and gives us a sne...
Send us a Text Message.S1 E13 As we get ready for the summer season, hosts Jill and Dayton chat about what it takes behind-the-scenes to plan for seasonal content promotion. A lot of that planning includes looking at upcoming local festivals and events, which brings us to our guest on this episode – the host, creator, and independent producer of the PBS program, Finding Festivals. From small-town festival queen to host of her very own travel show, Haylie Robinson tells us how a vis...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E12 Join us for an immersive experience, as we learn all about one of Shores & Islands Ohio’s most educational AND entertaining opportunities. In this episode, Jill and Dayton talk to Dick Ries, one of the owners of Firelands Adventure Tours. What brought these small business owners to Sandusky and how did their first venture Segway (misspelling intentional) into a full-service guided tour business? Learn how pivoting their business model opened up several ...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E11 Spring is in the air! Dayton and Jill have both been out and about as much as possible recently, taking advantage of warmer weather and sunshine. And, we are looking forward to even brighter days ahead! With the beginning of spring season upon us, in this episode we visit with Veronica Sheets, the Event and Development Coordinator for Schedel Gardens & Arboretum in Elmore. Veronica tells us a bit about the history and evolution of the gardens and the more th...
Send us a Text Message.S1 E10 A totally stellar event is coming soon to Shores & Islands Ohio…a total solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, the moon will completely block out the sun for a rare celestial event. Due to our global position directly in the path of totality, the communities in and around Shores & Islands Ohio will enjoy incredible, unobstructed viewing times of approximately four minutes—one of the longest durations in the entire region! Kelly Sommers is the STEAM (scienc...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E9 Join us as we raise the curtain once again at the iconic Sandusky State Theatre! A local cultural institution, hear from Executive Director Chris Parthemore about the history of the theatre opened in 1928 and some of the famous faces that have graced its stage. Then, learn about the last production to play just before the world shut down for the 2020 pandemic and how that show, and its ties to Sandusky, plays a part in the future of the theatre. Because shor...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E8 Foodies rejoice! Join Jill and Dayton on a culinary adventure, as we get ready for Sandusky Restaurant Week, March 4-10, 2024. Hear all about the special deals, discounts, and creative new menu items being offered by an awesome mix of classic local spots and new dining delights! Destination Sandusky Director, McKenzie Spriggs joins us to talk about her organization, part of the Greater Sandusky Partnership, and how her job is to bring vibrancy to our communi...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E7 In this episode, we head to Ørchard on Catawba Island…and, no we aren’t picking apples, but we are enjoying some delicious and unique local dining! Don’t sleep on the hot honey and pepperoni pizza! Joining us on the podcast is Hannah Vlk, Brand Manager for the Ørchard who tells us all about this dining destination’s three venues – Ørchard Bar & Table, Ørchard Farm Stand, and The Coop! Celebrating 10 years in 2024, Ørchard established a niche of bringing ...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E6 The Shore Line presents: Put-in-Bay in the Winter with Miller Ferries Yes, there are islands in Ohio! And, yes, people live on them year-round. On this episode Jill and Dayton chat with Put-in-Bay island native, David Bianchi, a Captain and Chief Engineer with Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island. David loves his community and loves island life – even in the winter. He shares some fun memories and interesting winter season stories. David tells...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E5 The Shore Line presents: Cedar Point Sports CenterDid you know that thousands of athletes and their families visit Shores & Islands Ohio each year to participate in a number of both indoor and outdoor sports tournaments? One of the most-loved venues in the region is the Cedar Point Sports Center. Jill and Dayton are joined by Shores & Islands Sports Tourism Manager, Emma Melter, and the General Manager of Cedar Point Sports Center, Justin Kijowski, to tal...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E4 The Shore Line presents: Kalahari Resorts & ConventionsThis week, Jill and Dayton get the inside scoop on everything Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. First, they catch up on finding some hidden gems and fun things to do in the winter season in Shores & Islands Ohio. Then, Kalahari spokesperson Destini Smith joins the podcast to tell us why Kalahari is the go-to water park destination for all ages and how convenient it is to have everything all under on...
Send us a Text Message. S1, E3 The Shore Line presents: Great Wolf LodgeJoin host Jill Bauer this week as she chats with Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky General Manager, Ryan Greaves. Ryan has been on the resort team for a year and a half, has worked in the hospitality space for over 20 years, and is passionate about enhancing guest experiences. The Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky resort features an expansive indoor water park kept at an always-comfortable 84-degrees, immersive experiences and attra...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E2 The Shore Line presents: Castaway BayOn this week’s podcast, Jill and Dayton talk dining local as part of an upcoming social media campaign. Then, the two are joined by Castaway Bay General Manager, Melissa McClure, and Cedar Point Director of Communications, Tony Clark, to talk about the Sandusky-based, Caribbean-themed Castaway Bay indoor water park resort. We learn about the resort’s recent renovations, water park and family-fun attractions, resort mascot char...
Send us a Text Message.S1, E1 Welcome to The Shore LineThe introductory episode of The Shore Line Podcast, hosts Jill Bauer and Dayton Barnett introduce themselves and the Shores & Islands Ohio organization. Shores & Islands Ohio is a Midwest vacation destination and this podcast aims to offer behind the scenes views and interviews, local insider tips, and informative dialogue about the region’s attractions and communities. Joined by Marketing and Sales Director Ben Simon, the three d...