Winner of "Explore Guernsey County" Gift Basket

During National Tourism Week, the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau participated with a drawing for residents who visited the Tourist Information Center during the week and registered for an “Explore Guernsey County Gift Basket." The basket included a $35 gift certificate from Theo’s Restaurant, an overnight at the Cambridge Holiday Inn, a family pool pass at AmeriHost Inn & Suites (soon to be Baymont Inn), four tickets for a train ride on the Byesville Scenic Railway, four tickets to the Living Word Outdoor Drama, a family pass to the Wilds, four tickets to the National Museum of Cambridge Glass, a mug and cookbook from Colonel Taylor Inn B&B and Gift Shop, $30 in gift certificates from the Guernsey County Farmer’s Market, and four tickets to the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site. Everyone who signed up during the week-long event also received a welcome bag filled with information on the area, and the first 27 entrants received a "Celebrate Community t-shirt to commemorate the 27 years the VCB has been serving the Guernsey County tourism industry.

Pictured here is L - VCB information manager,

Shauna Hearing presenting the gift basket to the winner Holly Krise of Byesville.

For more information on Guernsey County's tourism attractions, log onto http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/.

Seneca Lake Cabins Host Final Open House

On Friday, May 18th, Dirk Rickard, owner of Seneca Lake Cabins, hosted the final National Tourism Week Open House. Georgetown Vineyards was the highlighted attraction. Dirk has two cabins available for rent and will soon offer another two new cabins, one being handicap accessible. Pictured here is L - Dawn Beasley, VCB office manager and Shauna Hearing, information manager on the porch of one of the cabins that overlooks Seneca Lake.

VCB president, Toni Kellar and Dirk Rickard enjoy sipping on Georgetown Vineyard's Apple Wine. For more information on lodging in Guernsey County, go to www.visitguernseycounty.com.

AmeriHost Inn "Put on the Dog"

AmeriHost Inn & Suites (soon to be Baymont Inn) pulled out all the stops last night during National Tourism Week's fourth in a series of week-long open houses. Dressed in 50's gear, serving grilled hot dogs and root beer floats, the staff outdid themselves with decorations creating an era of time gone by. The Millennium Street Rodders were on hand with some old favorites along with great 50's music. Pictured here is open house organizer , Linda Fitzgerald with one of the cars featured at last night's celebration.

Pam Scarberry- left , dressed in her best 50's outfit serves up delicious hot dogs while Mary Sills- below left, hands Dawn Beasley, VCB office manager a root beer float.

Tonight concludes Guernsey County's National Tourism Week celebration. Join the VCB staff and board members at Seneca Lake Cabins featuring Georgetown Vineyards. For more information, log onto www.visitguernseycounty.com.

Dickens Victorian Village Highlighted at State Conference

On Wednesday, May 17, 2007, Jonett Haberfield, co-chair of Dickens Victorian Village and Debbie Robinson, executive director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau were featured speakers at the Heritage Ohio Conference in Cincinnati. Heritage Ohio is the state association for the Main Street communities in Ohio. Guy Googins, executive director of Cambridge Main Street also attended the three-day conference.

Haberfield's and Robinson's presentation entitled "It Takes a Village" focused on how tourism revitalizes a downtown, impacts the local economy and brings a community together. Using Dickens Victorian Village as their example, they shared with attendees the history of the program and how it serves as a catalyst for renewed volunteerism, pride and excitement by area residents and attracts tourists to downtown, creating Cambridge as a travel destination during the holiday season.

Pictured here before their presentation are L- Haberfield and Robinson

To learn more about Heritage Ohio and the Main Street program, log onto www.heritageohio.org. To find out the latest information on the Dickens Victorian Village, check out www.DickensVictorianVillage.com.

Colonel Taylor Inn Hosts Open House

Wednesday evening, May 16, the Colonel Taylor Inn B& B and Gift Shop was the site for the third National Tourism Week Open House during the week-long celebration. Proprietors Jim and Patricia Irvin offered attendees a lovely array of hors d'oeuvres and a door prize filled with tickets for the Living Word Outdoor Drama, the Colonel Taylor Cookbook, and several items from their gift shop. The Living Word Outdoor Drama whose season begins June 15th was the featured attraction. Pictured here is L - Jim and Patricia Irvin, Samantha Servais, director of the Passion Play, Andre Servias in Living Word costume and Dawn Beasley, office manager for the VCB.

For more information on the Colonel Taylor Inn and the Living Word Outdoor Drama, log onto www.visitguernseycounty.com.

First Annual Tourism Awards Presented at Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center

The First Annual Tourism Awards were presented during the Open House held at Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center during National Tourism Week. The Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau board president Toni Kellar presented an award for the Tourism Volunteer of the Year and Tourism Development of the Year. Pictured here is Volunteer of the Year award winner Jonett Haberfield for her work with the Dickens Victorian Village along with the founder of Dickens Victorian Village Bob Ley.

Several representatives of the Byesville Scenic Railway were present to accept the award for Tourism Development of the Year. Pictured here is Tim Brown holding the award along with many dedicated volunteers.

For more information on local attractions including Dickens Victorian Village and the Byesville Scenic Railway log onto http://www.visitguernseycounty.com

Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center Hosts Second Open House

The second open house held during National Tourism Week was hosted by Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center. Pictured here with her display is the Activities Director Cindy Bradshaw.

Park Officer Donnie Rose and Dave Thompson from Salt Fork Campground are pictured here with a display of maps and other information on Salt Fork State Park.

For a schedule of all of the National Tourism Week open houses in Guernsey County, log on to http://www.visitguernseycounty.com

First National Tourism Week Open House Held

To celebrate National Tourism Week, the Cambridge Holiday Inn held the first in a week-long series of open houses on Monday, May 14th. Pictured here is Holiday Inn marketing director Donna Rush, VCB information manager, Shauna Hearing, and Holiday Inn General Manager, Ralph Ray.

The Deerassic Park Educational Center was the highlighted Guernsey County attraction during the open house. Standing by their display is VCB office manager, Dawn Beasley and Deerassic information manager, Susan Jividen.

For a schedule of all of the National Tourism Week open houses in Guernsey County, log on to http://www.visitguernseycounty.com/.

Win an "Explore Guernsey County Basket"

The Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau will celebrate National Tourism Week, May 14-18, 2007 by offering a free "Celebrate Community" t-shirt to the first 27 people who sign up for a great family get away basket at the Tourist Information Center in downtown Cambridge.

The basket is filled with local items including a $35 gift certificate from Theo’s Restaurant, an overnight at the Cambridge Holiday Inn, a family pool pass at AmeriHost Inn & Suites (soon to be Baymont Inn), four tickets for a train ride on the Byesville Scenic Railway, four tickets to the Living Word Outdoor Drama, a family pass to the Wilds, four tickets to the National Museum of Cambridge Glass, a mug and cookbook from Colonel Taylor Inn B&B and Gift Shop, $30 in gift certificates from the Guernsey County Farmer’s Market, and four tickets to the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site. Everyone who signs up will receive a welcome bag filled with information on the area. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 21st.

Pictured here with the t-shirt and basket are L- Shauna Hearing, information manager and Dawn Beasley, office manager.

Travel Writer from the U.K. is Guest at Colonel Taylor Inn B&B

The Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau welcomed a visitor from “across the pond” this week. United Kingdom travel writer Teresa Machan visited with VCB Director Debbie Robinson Wednesday, May 2, during a whirlwind tour of Ohio and the state’s Underground Railroad heritage sites.

Joe Vargo, Public Relations Coordinator for the Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism organized and accompanied Machan on her tour. He specifically requested that Machan overnight at the B&B for its tie to the Civil War and rich history with Joseph D. Taylor who served as a Colonel during the war. Local historian Dave Adair also met with Machan to share with her Guernsey County’s role in the Underground Railroad.