In the mid-20th century, Mansfield native Louis Bromfield was one of the country's best selling authors. Winner of the 1927 Pulitzer Prize (for his third novel, Early Autumn), Bromfield wrote 31 novels and non-fiction works, four of which were made into movies. Although most of his work is still in print, he hasn't kept the notoriety of his contemporaries Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald (maybe because he was a lot less self-destructive).

After a stint as a WWI ambulance driver (for which he was awarded the French Legion of Honneur) and a "between the wars" residence in France, Bromfield settled on 1000 acres, just outside of Mansfield, Ohio. The estate, which he dubbed "Malabar Farm" (the main house of which is pictured above), became a working farm and early example of organic and self-sustaining farming. Many of his Hollywood friends visited him in Ohio. In fact, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart were married in 1945 at Malabar Farm.

The estate, now an Ohio State Park, remains a working farm. Visitors can tour the house and the estate as well as partake in the many activities offered there, including fishing, hay wagon rides, or shopping at the farm market. Other facilities include a restaurant, housed in an early 19th century farmhouse; primitive campsites; and a 19-bed dormitory-style hostel.

Read more about Louis Bromfield's books and biographies.

^{(Photo Courtesy of Malabar Farm)}

The Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival returns to Cleveland on May 24, again this year at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica adjacent to the Powerhouse.

The four-day food and music festival is a Cleveland favorite and the unofficial start to the Northeast Ohio summer festival season. The event features ten BBQ masters, including Northeast Ohio's own Jack on the Bone, competing for "Greatest Ribs," "Greatest Sauce," and "People's Choice" awards.

In addition to the food, the Rib Cook-Off offers an array of live entertainment, most of which is included in the admission price. This year's stars include Rick Springfield, Brett Michaels, Buddy Guy and the Mega 80s.

The festival is scheduled for May 24 to 27 (2013). Admission is $8 for adults; children under 12 are free. Discount coupons are available at area Marc's stores and online at WKYC.com

^{(image courtesy of BelkinMedia)}

Cleveland's Botanical Garden, located in University Circle, was founded in 1930, primarily as a library of gardening books.

Today, the Garden's exhibits includes a Costa Rica Cloud Forest, a Lily Pond (pictured at right), a Rose Garden, and a Children's Gardens, complete with a tree house and watery bog, one of the few such gardens in the United States. The Garden's exhibits are particularly lovely this time of year.

Join me for a spring walk through Cleveland's Botanical Garden.


^{(Photo © 2006 S. Mitchell; Licensed to About, Inc.)}

Ohio has more than 70 Indian mounds, burial sites of the Adena and Hopewell tribes--the "mound builders"--who inhabited central and southern Ohio from roughly 3000 BC until the 16th century.

Many of these sites are open to the public, including the dramatic and fascinating Serpent Mound (pictured above). Some even have museums and visitors centers accompanying them. Visiting Ohio's Indian mounds makes an interesting and educational summer weekend sidetrip from Cleveland.

^{(US Gov't Photo)}