Happy Holidays from Back Roads and Beaches

Oberlin’s Alternative Gift Fair and Market

Oberlin’s Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment (SEPA) seen here this past summer at the Oberlin Farmers’ Market, will be selling goods at the Alternative Gift Fair and Market.

from the Oberlin Heritage Center:

The second annual Oberlin Alternative Gift Fair and Market is presently underway: Monday through Friday, December 8-12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bent Corridor of the Oberlin College Science Center, and Saturday, December 13 from 1-5:00 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library (65 South Main Street). The Alternative Gift Fair offers holiday gift-buyers an alternative to buying “things” for those folks on their gift lists who don’t really need anything. Instead, these Alternative Gift Fair purchases give many times over – providing good feelings for both recipient and gift-giver, and a big help to local nonprofits working hard to stretch limited resources to serve the needs of others. Gift items for sale at the Market include fair trade coffee, tea and chocolates, handmade textiles from Guatemala and Morocco, crafts from India and Oberlin, and much more.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is participating with a booth that features the Oberlin Heritage Trail Buy-a-Brick project, Historic Playing Cards to benefit the Endowment Fund for History Education, and many items from the Museum Store, including an incredible array of hand-crafted jewelry by Oberlin Heritage Center trustee, Jean Simon. Overheard from a woman buying holiday jewelry for her daughters, “I love jewelry and wear many different styles and designs, yet I ALWAYS receive compliments whenever I wear Jean’s jewelry.” Jean Simon’s jewelry is one-of-a-kind, beautifully crafted, elegant and fun at the same time. Plan to stop by the Alternative Gift Fair and Market sometime this week, browse, buy, and most importantly contribute to some very worthy Oberlin organizations this holiday season. The Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored by the Office of the President of Oberlin College. Out-of-towners may do mail-order holiday shopping through December 15 by e-mailing members@oberlinheritage.org and requesting a copy of the Alternative Gift Fair Catalog.

Lorain County Heritage wins national Adventure Cycling award for Back Roads and Beaches

The Adventure Cycling Association has awarded its 2008 Pacesetter Award to Lorain County Heritage. The award recognizes that, in forming Back Roads and Beaches, Lorain County Heritage has placed cycling at the forefront of the mission, and works aggressively to expand the message that cycling is important to the health, environment, and tourism of the state of Ohio.

According to the Adventure Cycling website, this national award recognizes individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations which have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication, and service to the advancement of Adventure Cycling’s mission of inspiring others to travel by bicycle.

The Award is named in honor of Charlie Pace from Columbus, Ohio, who has devoted over 40 years to creating and supporting bicycle travel opportunities. He was a key promoter and supporter for both the Tour of Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) and Adventure Cycling Association. He has devoted his life to creating opportunities for people to get on their bikes and have fun.

Adventure Cycling is a 44,500 member nonprofit organizations whose mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun and self-discovery. Adventure Cycling Route Network has one of the largest route networks in the world with more than 38,158 miles. The organization’s headquarters is in Missoula, Montana. Two Adventure Cycling Routes travel through Lorain County. The Underground Railroad Route and the Northern Tier.

Lorain County Heritage is the nonprofit arm of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.

Oberlin Local Foods Festival

Saturday, November 8th
9am–4pm
Tappan Square
Rainspace: First Church in Oberlin

Facepainting
Pumpkin Painting
Recycled Crafts
Sack Race
Live Music
Cook-off featuring Oberlin College’s Co-ops (free lunch to follow)
Free apple cider

Come out and meet our local farmers!