Kings Island

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On Paris in Cincinnati

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This post is one that I’ve wanted to do for many years. As part of my cleaning out the blog closet project, I had to remove the thought from my mind. Although I’ve taken the Paris-Cincinnati flight several times, I’ve never visited the City of Lights. Surely I have to get there someday.

Meanwhile, this will have to do because Paris is alive and well in Cincinnati. In no way am I comparing the two cities, but a touch of Paris is in my area – and some close to my residence. To rid this blog idea from my mind, I got images from elsewhere, but I have visited these locations.

Paris 1900: City of Entertainment was a temporary exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum in early 2019. For whatever reason, I didn’t attend, but you can see the exhibit by clicking here. Meanwhile, onto the tour.

 

Kings Island is an amusement park located away from the city center northeast of downtown Cincinnati. Opening in 1971, its Eiffel Tower (one-third of the size of the original) serves as an iconic landmark that is easily visible by motorists driving by on I-71. When I first came to the area, I could see the tower and the nightly fireworks from my balcony. Today, I can still hear them in the distance. Kings Island is also a popular destination for roller coaster enthusiasts.

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Chateau Laroche is also known as Loveland Castle. Don’t you think it has a French look? This unique structure is built on the banks of the Little Miami River. Amazingly, one person (Harry Andrews) built it from stones he carried from the river over 50+ years to create this place based on a castle in southern France. Upon his death, Andrews donated the castle to his Boy Scout troop – Knights of the Golden Trail. Of course, the castle is open to the public. Here’s the website.

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St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky (directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati) is a stunning must-see for visitors to the area. I’ve never been to the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (and given the fire, I may never). However, the Covington Basilica gives me the feel of what it may be like, but on a much smaller scale.

Dedicated in 1901, the outer west face is an exact copy of the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the inside is stunning. Below are two resources to learn and see more

Hope you enjoyed this Paris-Cincinnati connection.

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 216

On Politics
The Senate Conservative Fund (SCF) has endorsed the primary challenger to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). To counter SCF, Sen. McConnell (who has a nasty side to him), vows to attack all their endorsed primary candidates: “I think we are going to crush them everywhere. I don’t think they are going to have a single nominee anywhere in the country.”

Cheers to Congress for not being in session.

I’m looking forward to voting in the May 6th Ohio Primary. The ballot is short and not many people will vote, but I will officially make my statement at a new precinct.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Determined restaurant patrons tough it out on chilly patio
Parent surprised cruel teen daughter hasn’t pushed classmate to breaking point yet
Biologists confirm God evolved from chimpanzee deity
Area man mystified by layout of adjacent town’s grocery
Last living California Raisin dies of prostate cancer

Interesting Reads
Misery among MDs (Thanks Mouse for this, and thanks Carrie for approving)
Science and the word theory
Dog sex
Ten biggest earthquakes
Interactive map of U-2 boats in WW II

Bonus Reads: The week marked the Titanic’s 102nd anniversary, so here’s a collection of related articles.
Fascination with the Titanic (Smithsonian)
The Departure (Titanic-Titanic)
A news story before the movie (Newsday)
Queenstown: The last stop (Real Clear History)
A letter: a first-hand account (Telegraph)

On Potpourri
Earlier this week I saw a review of the book Why Science Does Not Disprove God. Although I am Christian, I absolutely agree – plus add this – science cannot prove God either.

As many we watching this week’s Blood Moon, snow clouds blocked Cincinnati’s view. Here’s an article from National Geographic about lunar myths from around the world.

Upon seeing a recipe with marshmallow earlier this week on a blog, I couldn’t resist asking if they used natural or synthetic marshmallows in the recipe. The blogger kindly responded synthetic – but all its ingredients are natural.

The grocery store headline from The Onion (above) reminds me how the growth (in size/space) of grocery stores over time. Cincinnati-based Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery retailer, recently published these stats regarding their average store size
1930s: 2,000 sq ft
1960s: 12,500 sq. ft
1980s: 42,000 sq. ft.
2000: 53,000 sq. ft.
2013: 61,000 sq. ft (their largest store in our area is 123,000 sq. ft)

This week marked the 35th anniversary of The Beast, a classic and the world longest wooden roller coast found at Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati. After watching the report below, anyone wanting to take a ride can click here.

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In my musical events hear (such as Life: The Musical), I enjoy listening to the songs readers submit … thus encourage others to do so. Many thanks to all!

The Easter weekend means the handbell choir playing. Three songs this year, but here’s good recording of cheerful tones of Enduring Joy.

Given a major holiday weekend, the Saturday Morning Classic Cartoon series resumes next weekend.

Here are your weekend celebrations

  • (Fri) Golf Day, Pet Owner’s Independence Day, Amateur Radio Ray, Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, Animal Crackers Day
  • (Sat) Auctioneers Day, Amaretto Day (Yes!), Husband Appreciation Day, Garlic Day, Hanging Out Day, Record Store Day
  • (Sun) Spring Astronomy Day, Look a Like Day, Plum Pudding Day, Food Day, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day, Lima Bean Respect Day, Go Fly a Kite Day

To send you into the weekend, here’s a flashback to when I was in elementary school – the year is 1964, and the hit is Glad All Over by the Dave Clark Five. Enjoy, have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 66

On He Got it Right
This is something I didn’t think could happen. As surprising as this may be, he’s right! Yes, I totally agree with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) who (in a recent speech)  said, “It’s time to put grown-ups in charge.” Again, he is right! So, Mr. Boehner, when are you resigning as House Minority Leader?

Although Ruth Marcus takes Mr. Boehner’s speech to task in this column, I most appreciate her last sentence.

Democrats — and the country — would benefit from a responsible opposition party. I’m still looking for evidence of one.

On the Latest Primaries
While some boast about primary wins by Palin-endorsed candidates, I ask this critical question: Can these candidates capture enough votes from the center to win the seat? Time will tell, but I say no.

On the College Football
Hey hey … college football is around the corner and Alabama is ranked #1. Who did they beat to earn the top spot?

On Tiger and the Ryder Cup
Tiger Woods has not earned enough points for an automatic selection to this year’s Ryder Cup team. Would I make him a captain’s pick? At this point, absolutely not. His swing is out of whack and his mind is all over the place. I know that he’s off to a great start at the Barkley’s, but I don’t think he is reliable at this time.  Captain Pavin announces his picks Sept. 7th, so maybe I’ll say more before then.

On those Storm Names
On Thursday, Frank reached hurricane strength in the Pacific. The National Hurricane Center provides this interesting list of storms names. I didn’t realize geography made such a difference!

On the Passing Space Station
Wednesday night I observed the Space Station pass directly over my house. Being one remembering the earliest days of the manned space program, I thought it was cool. For we in Cincinnati, it passes again Thursday and Friday night.

On the Reds
To the dismay of some national pundits, my Cincinnati Reds continue to hang in there. Let’s see … they rank high in batting average, runs scored, fielding, and pitching (since mid-June). Although the trip to SF was horrible, mirrors or not, they are real at to this point in time.

On Honoring 4192
Much to my surprise, and to the chagrin of former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent (his comments), Commissioner Bud Selig granted approval to the Reds to honor the 25th anniversary of Pete Rose breaking the all-time hits record. Not only that, he approved Pete’s on-the-field participation.

I realize that Fay Vincent is a crank who only gets media attention on the Rose issue, but is this the first step for the Reds to eventually retire number 14?

I continue to maintain that I can accept no Cooperstown induction. I can accept no involvement with an MLB team. However, as I said in this popular April 13, 2009 post, I cannot accept the Reds not being able to retire #14, let alone Pete not being in the Reds HOF.

On a Cincinnati Addition
Kings Island, an amusement park just north of Cincinnati, announced this week a new ride for 2011 – the 301 ft tall WindSeeker. See the animation for something I don’t think I could ride.

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On Roller Coasters: Is Ohio King?

Love them or hate them, roller coasters are an attraction. This past April at Kings Island (north of Cincinnati) had two celebrations: The Beast turned 30 and the Diamondback burst onto the scene. The Beast, a classic coaster, is still the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. Meanwhile, the Diamondback is a fast coaster with more open cars for the long ride.

A few years ago, the parent company of Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) purchased Kings Island. In itself, Cedar Point is a coaster gold mine with such rides as the original Blue Streak to the Magnum (which destroyed me) and countless others providing thrills for coaster enthusiasts.

Given these two power amusement parks at opposite ends of the state, is Ohio the King of Roller Coasters?

Enjoy the ride & see the list of links below the video

Interesting Sites

  1. About the Diamondback with a video of the writer
  2. About The Beast turning 30