By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
MIDDLEFIELD — Families planning summer vacations are rethinking sites to visit with rising costs of gasoline and the slow economy.
Taking shorter trips or staying closer to home has sparked a buzz word, “staycation,” says Lynda Nemeth, Geauga County Tourism Council director.
Nemeth said the council has recently launched a new Website to make it easier to highlight places to go, see, dine and stay in Geauga County. Nemeth said a new local company, Pivotal Horizons in Burton, helped give www.tourgeauga.com a new look.
On July 4 for example, Chardon city officials with local organizations are putting on Old Glory Day activities in the park on the square in Chardon. There will be a repeat of last year’s successful bike parade from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Using a character, “Mr. G. Awga” from the county’s award-winning visitors guide, the website will have his photo in a personal tour guide, Nemeth said. Geauga’s rural countryside, Amish community, popular farm markets, lodging places, parks and lots of special events are featured on the site.
The upgraded website launched in mid-June is designed for each of the GCTC members to access the site. They can build their own web page plugging their particular business.
Nemeth said eventually there will be a Kid’s Corner with coloring pages and children’s activities in the county highlighted. She said the county has much to offer visitors and its residents, who don’t have to go far to check out what is in their own backyards.
For more information or for businesses to join the Geauga County Tourism Council call 1-800-775-8687.
