"The Place Where Bluegrass Happens"

Enjoying an evening of bluegrass music with VCB executive director, Debbie Robinson at the Pennyroyal Opera House in Fairview are the Siegfried kids: L-Bradee, Kirklend, Melanie and Alexis.

Kids of all ages will love these energetic, fun performances from nationally known bluegrass bands who travel to the pike town along the National Road for Friday night performances. Delicious food is available before each concert.

Make an evening of it at the Pennyroyal Opera House! To get a complete schedule, visit http://www.pennyroyaloperahouse.com/.

VCB Attends Thirtieth Annual Living Word Banquet & Auction

Dawn Beasley, office manager for the Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB attended the annual fundraising event at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center on March 23rd.

Pictured with Dawn who is holding the "Tea Time" gift basket the VCB donated for the auction is Andrea Servais in costume as a centurion.

The Living Word Outdoor Drama will begin its 32nd season on June 15th. For more information and for the complete schedule, visit http://www.livingworddrama.org/.

Shauna Hearing Attends Travel Show

Shauna Hearing, information manager of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, participated in the 2007 Spotlight on Appalachia Ohio: Arts, Music & Travel Show in Chillicothe March 16 - 17. Organized and sponsored by Ohio’s Appalachian Country, this annual travel show highlights the 29 counties of Appalachian Ohio and the many people, places, events and attractions located in the region and offering unique experiences for both leisure and group travelers. Hearing is pictured here with Francis Strickland who stopped by the Guernsey County booth during the show.

To learn more about Ohio's Appalachian Country, log onto www.AppalachiaOhio.com.

Ms. Robinson Goes to Washington

An important aspect of the tourism industry is staying in contact with our Senators and Congressmen to remind them of the impact our industry has on the economy. Annually, the Ohio Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus sponsors a Federal Lobby Day, and last Wednesday, March 7th, eleven VCB directors took part in this event on Capitol Hill.

Congressman Zack Space was happy to meet with his constituents "back home" and to host us in his office that was once occupied by John F. Kennedy. Pictured here with Congressman Space and me are other VCB executive directors. L- Dee Grossman- Tasker - Tuscarawas County, Pat Crow - Knox County and Kelly Dyar - Marietta-Washington County.

I also had the pleasure of meeting with two representatives from Senator George Voinovich's office and our neighboring counties' congressman, Charlie Wilson. Our own Dan Neff, Director of the Local Development District Program at Appalachian Regional Commission, took time from his busy schedule to meet with me as well.

In two weeks, I will travel to Columbus for State Lobby Day and meet with Senator Joy Padgett and Representative Jennifer Garrison to deliver the same message.

To learn more about the importance of the tourism industry, check out http://www.tourismcreatesjobs.com/.

A Glass Lover's Pilgrimage

One of the reasons visitors from around the country come to Cambridge and Guernsey County is to experience our rich glass heritage. Known as part of the "Glass Belt," this region has produced some of the most recognized glass collectibles in the world.

Our glass attractions throughout Southeastern Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania came together to create a unique driving tour featuring 11 outstanding glass attractions and museums packaged as a "Glass Pass."
For the free "pass," log on http://www.visitguenseycounty.com/ or call 800-933-5480.

The Busses are coming!

On February 22-25, 2007, a delegation from Guernsey County's Tourism Industry attended the 22nd Annual Heartland Travel Show to promote Guernsey County as a destination to over 425 tour operators from around the country. This year's show was held in Cincinnati. I attended along with Jonett Haberfield, representing Cambridge Main Street, to promote the 2007 Dickens Victorian Village package. Also attending were Mitch and Kitrina Mazaher representing the Living Word Outdoor Drama.

Mitch says of the experience, " This has been terrific for the Living Word Outdoor Drama. This kind of exposure is long overdue for us. We have been overwhelmed with positive comments from the tour operators about our presence here at the show. I think all of our local attractions should do their best to budget this show into their annual marketing efforts. It would definitely payoff for them, and for Guernsey County as a whole."

To learn more about Dickens Victorian Village, log on www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. To see the upcoming Living Word schedule, check out www.livingworddrama.org.