By 1812Blockhouse
This story is a favorite of ours, and one which have previously published on Independence Day weekend.
A century and a half ago, local media writers were bemoaning the lack of activities scheduled in Mansfield to celebrate Independence Day, with one exception: a “Base Ball” game between the “fats” and the “lanks.”
This is from the weekly Mansfield Herald’s edition on July 3, 1867:
“The Fourth of July tomorrow will not be celebrated in any formal manner in Mansfield. We are sorry to say it, for many other places of less pretensions than our city, have made arrangement for a good old fashioned time. Ashland, Bucyrus, Bellfontaine and other towns have announcements out of what they intend to do, and many of our citizens will not doubt visit one of the other of these places… More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The festivities are over, and the time has arrived to clean up the old and get on with a new year.
Part of that annual process is the removal and disposition of live Christmas trees. Richland County’s three cities have announced programs to help residents with that process.
MANSFIELD — The City of Mansfield has announced that the public can bring their Christmas trees to the City Service Complex located at 480 Park Ave East for disposal from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The trees must be free of all tinsel and decorations so that they can be ground into mulch. More…
By 1812Blockhouse — who else?
After 1,042 posts, 2,500 links to stories from other local media, and countless lessons learned, we’re ready to say good-bye to 2020.
As we do so, we’re taking a day off so that Thursday night can be a night of celebration and looking ahead. We will see you bright and early on Saturday morning, January 1.
We will be sending out a New Year’s Day edition of our Richland Roast newsletter, which is bound to have one or two unique posts included. We will also be updating Richland Tweets on Friday, although we suspect that the “tweetflow” will be reduced as locals celebrate the holiday.
We close our 2020 not with our words, but with the words of poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, particularly these three stanzas from his poem “Ring Out, Wild Bells:”
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
By 1812Blockhouse
If you grew up in this area, you may remember Christmastime at Lazarus Department Store. Although the store, located at the Richland Mall, has long ago closed and was actually re-opened as the Avita Health System’s Ontario Hospital in 2017, memories of Christmases past at Lazarus remain.
A remembrance of Christmas and a local department store typically means thoughts of visiting Santa. In the case of Lazarus, though, this is also means spending some time with a talking tree. Mr. Tree, as he was generally referred to, may have frightened you as a child or fascinated you. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The spirit of the season is alive and well in Richland County, and certainly is strong on Park Avenue West.
The Renaissance Theatre has announced a remainaged Holiday Special to be broadcast on television and virtually. The concert will feature the Mansfield Symphony and Chorus, with additional performances from local artists including: More…
Concert, Holidays, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Renaissance Theatre
By 1812Blockhouse
One of the first holiday traditions in Richland County is currently underway.
It’s the annual Holiday Fair at the Mansfield Art Center. This showcase of fine arts and crafts is now in its 51st edition.
As shared by the MAC, “From the stunning art in the upper and lower galleries to the special gift selections in the gallery shop, Holiday Fair attendees always enjoy a wide variety of unique and one of a kind offerings. Our art center proudly supports local & Ohio artists, featuring hand blown glass, handcrafted jewelry, functional ceramics, exquisite wood turnings, paintings, photography and more, at all price points.” More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The venerable Ohio Statehouse in Columbus is every Ohioan’s second home.
Since its completion in 1861, it has been the scene for most of the important moments in Ohio political history. President Abraham Lincoln visited the building, and each year 500,000 people do as well.
This year, visits have been limited because of the ongoing pandemic. This means that many Ohioans do not have the opportunity to see the holiday this month.
Never fear! Join the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center staff on Friday, December 11 at noon for a Facebook Live tour of the building. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
We recently unveiled this year’s edition of Richland Holiday Central, a listing of seasonal local events, Christmas music, and more.
This year we added a set of “Secret Santa Links,” which will take you to pages with holiday games, videos, puzzles, and more.
To access the links directly, just click on the large red dot that now appears on the front page of 1812Blockhouse on desk/laptop, tablet, or mobile. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
RCT is celebrating the holidays by eliminating fares on two Saturdays between now and Christmas.
On December 12 and again on December 19, the service will be running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM depending on the bus route.
The Christmas Saturday service schedule will be as follows: More…
Featured, Holidays, Public Transportation, Richland County Transit
Special to 1812Blockhouse
In cooperation with local and state health guidelines for social distancing during the recent surge in COVID19 cases, the 2020 Downtown Mansfield annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, held in partnership with the City of Mansfield, will be hosted virtually this year. In lieu of an in person event, historically held at Richland Carrousel Park, the celebration will move online during the previously scheduled date of Friday, December 4.
“The Downtown Mansfield Christmas Time in the City Tree Lighting event has been one of our most loved and we have been thrilled to see it grow over the years. Unfortunately, after much discussion, we feel that the best decision is the most difficult one and we will be taking the Christmas tree lighting to a virtual platform this year.” Jennifer Kime, CEO of DMI said, “We invite you be a part of our downtown holiday traditions in a new way, this year.” More…
City of Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Featured, Holidays
Destination Mansfield – Richland County has assembled a list of gift ideas from local businesses. This year, shop small when you’re making your Christmas list and checking it twice. Choose items you can only get in Richland County and make your small business shopping even more significant.
Finding the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life has never been easier, thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Give the gift of the great outdoors with choices from our online store today.
Unique Gifts from Ohio State Parks
New this year, Ohio State Parks is offering gifts perfect for the entire family. These items are exclusively available through our web store. For more information and to place your order, go to the online store at reserveohio.com. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The sounds of the season will come alive as the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present its “Holiday Pops” concert with two performances at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield.
Under the direction of Octavio Más-Arocas, the concert features a mix of contemporary and classic holiday repertoire with the ever-popular, carol sing! Performances will be on Saturday, December 19 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 20 at 2:30 PM and are part of the OhioHealth Symphony Series.
The enchanting program will feature songs from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet, It’s the Very Best Time of the Year by John Rutter, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, and many more. More…
Featured, Holidays, Mansfield Symphony Chorus, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Renaissance Theatre
By 1812Blockhouse
It’s one of the area’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Christmas at Kingwood will be unique this year in at least two ways. First, it will be the first since the opening of the new Garden Gateway, which is sure to add to the holiday atmosphere and fun. Second, this year’s edition will include reserved times in light of the public health situation.
Destination Mansfield – Richland County describes the event this way: More…
By 1812Blockhouse
It was a different kind of Thanksgiving in Mansfield 100 years ago.
For one thing, Mansfielders could travel to watch professional football being played on Thanksgiving Day for the very first time. Three of those games were played in Ohio, including contests between the Akron Pros and Canton Bulldogs; the Elyria Athletics and the Columbus Panhandles; and the Dayton Triangles and the Detroit Heralds.
What was on the average Richland County dinner table that day?
Most likely, it wasn’t a turkey. More…
