Pamela Bautz, Outdoor Writer

Yesterday morning’s drive into work was an unexpected preview of Fall’s approach. Cooler temps were rolling in on the winds. Scattered leaves were whirling along the roadside and the hint of rain lingered in the air. Periwinkle colored clouds hovered above gold corn stalks lining the county back roads. It was like driving through a […]

Before everything everywhere becomes the familiar sights, sounds and smells of Fall in Ohio and Halloween, why not explore some of your state and/or nearby national parks in honor of the National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24? This year marks the 29th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, a nationwide celebration meant to bring […]

Most of us don’t have a spare boat sitting around, nor a friend willing to let theirs go on a good boating weather day. So when Jon came home after a fishing excursion with friends and finally told me he jumped a log, I was a little worried. Then he admitted he didn’t land as […]

Over the last two weekends the rains came, as did the summer flu and then the school bells rang across the region, marking the approaching end of summer fun and carefree days. A bit miffed after losing two weekends of fishing, I am entering the last warm weather holiday weekend geared up and wishing it […]

The day was calling for rain and the heavy gray clouds in the distance were reassuring my thoughts that we should trade fishing for a walk in the woods. I was not interested in any woods, mind you, for I had been perusing my map of sights in Ohio and discovered that our state had […]

MANSFIELD — As the lights went up in the grandstand, the loud murmur of anticipation moved through the crowd in waves. Behind the scenes local racers were mentally preparing while their pit crews made last-minute checks. Friday was Motocross night at the Richland County Fair, an event that hasn’t taken place since 2017. Motocross made […]

As I ripped off the July calendar, I exhaled slowly at the thought that summer is sliding away faster than I like. Annoyed and curious, I checked when the sun would begin to set noticeably earlier. I figured it would be a good incentive to spend a few more evenings outside before it was too […]

Do you kayak? Would you kayak? Would you like to have bragging rights for winning one? Then brush up on your paddling skills before Labor Day. Charles Mill Lake is hosting a Poker Paddle on Sept. 3 and the winner of this fun event will take home a new single kayak. Paddlers will be scouting […]

While skating rinks may not be as prevalent as they used to be, skating itself has never really gone out of style. It has just rolled on through the generations, changing along the way and inspiring other active pastimes that bring fun and fitness to countless people across the world. In the summer of Covid, […]

No matter who you ask, the month of July usually means freedom and fireworks. But were you aware that July is officially National Ice Cream Month? Indeed, you read that correctly. And with that knowledge, July just got better in my book! Being a lover of all things summer, I am an ice cream junkie. […]