The Star Beacon; Ashtabula, Ohio

June 22, 2007

June 22 WeekENDER Places To Visit


Compiled by

ELLEN KOLMAN

ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIESAC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net

Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility offering a variety of classes and instruction in drama, dance, music and visual arts quarterly. Art gallery hosts a new exhibit each month. G.B. Community Theatre is open through April. Ballet Theater Spring Dance concert each May and "The Nutcracker" ballet each December. Children's Theater productions each November and March. Private music lessons available.

Ashtabula County Metroparks - Western Reserve Greenway Trail, Between West Avenue in Ashtabula to State Route 307 in Austinburg, Dawn - Dusk; (440)992-8132.

Ashtabula Marine Museum, 1071 Walnut Blvd., Ashtabula Harbor. Year round tours available by appointment. INFO: (440)997-5370, Gift Shop available. Admission: Adults, $4, kids 6 - 16 $3, under age 6, FREE. Museum is handicap accessable.

Ashtabula Train Disaster Interactive Kiosk, Ashtabula County Medical Center, Lake Av., Ashtabula, learn about the worst train disaster in history.

Biscotti's Family Winery, 726 Whitney Road, Conneaut; (440) 599-5555.

Blakeslee Log Cabin, 441 Seven Hills Road, Plymouth Township, by appointment only; (440)998-5367.

Buccia Vineyards, 518 Gore Road, Conneaut; (440)593-5976.

Buck Farm Bison, 2500 Forman Road, Austinburg; (440)275-1415. Unique gift shop available.

Conneaut Community Center, 1025 Buffalo St., (440)593-5888. Formerly Kilipi Hall, a Finnish meeting hall built in 1898. The center offers a variety of cultural and recreational activities. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri.

Conneaut Nature Preserve Observation Deck, view many, and often rare, species of birds and waterfowl at this beautiful sight.

Conneaut Historical Railroad Museum, open for summer season, 363 Depot St., open Noon to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Debonne Vineyards, Inc., 7743 Doty Road, Madison. 440-466-3485 or www.debonne.com

Emerine Estates Winery, 5689 Loveland Road, Cherry Valley; (440)293-8199. www.emerineestates.com

Farinacci Winery, Ltd. 3951 Route 307 West, Austinburg. (440)274-2300 or www.farinacciwinery.com

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, 5585 Route 307 Geneva; (440)466-8466.

Finnish-American Cultural Center, 1330 W. 8th. & Joseph in Ashtabula Harbor, 2 blocks south of the Historic Bridge St. Display of Anna Lundi, Titantic survivor, & oil paintings of Helmi Collander. FMI: (440) 964-5790, or (440) 964-2519. Open wknds. Fri. Sat. Sun. 1-5 p.m. Donations accepted, for newly built Log Cabin Museum. On-going brick project for garden area. www.faha-ashtabula.org