This past Labor Day 2018 Weekend everyone was rocking the vintage fashion of fruit. Saturday night at dinner, set at Osaka – a Hibachi Grill and Sushi Bar, a young man in our party was partaking in the merriment wearing a button down collared shirt plastered in avocados.
The woman in a pew in front of me in Mass wore a shirt loaded with lemons.
To take on Key West of the North, South Bass Island, for late night Labor Day dinner, dress was festive and a garment covered in ripe bananas proclaimed to the world, “I’m off today.”
Laboring on an island and laboring in a factory is like comparing avocados to bananas. Nonetheless, everyone’s contribution makes the country great from educators to car salesmen to those cleaning the island vacation rentals. Celebrate and keep chasing, or living the dream.
Now that you’ve experienced Freshwater Retreat here are the minute details which aren’t so minute. The amenities offered are worth noting. Besides the linens being organic and the property having an extensive library here is what one will find: mint-infused water. The mint is grown on the grounds.
There’s a steam shower inside next to the two bottom floor bedrooms, another bathroom upstairs and an outdoor shower for those who want to excite their senses.
Organic spa slippers and robes are readily available for guests as they make their way around the 1860s home and outside to the patio and hot tub.
Most notably, the property houses a wellness center as featured in the Lake Erie Spa segment. Owner and Operator of Freshwater Retreat & Remedies Christie Ontko specifically stresses though that her wellness center is not a “spa” per say. There isn’t a list of spa services such as applying eyelash extensions, hair coloring, manis and pedis, plus waxing and other common practices available on the mainland.
Inside the OntkOrganix building adjacent to the retreat where guests can stay, there is a delightful array of wellness material and services.
Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday night at 9:30 on At&t UVerse from Key West to Boca Raton, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel, and here.
The owner and operator of Freshwater Retreat and Remedies has a pedigree Put-in-Bay resume one could not duplicate even if one worked around the clock.
Christy Ontko is not only a business owner, life and wellness coach, masters degree toting school teacher, columnist and author, she was born to a family of islanders. A status one can not aspire to.
“Its embarrassing sometimes to discuss, Ontko says when asked about herself humbly, “I’m just me.”
Ontko is intriguing, enchanting and educated. Setting up a retreat on South Bass Island directly across from the PIB airport which exemplifies what she stands for isn’t any surprise.
Freshwater Retreat is a luxurious place to stay. This five-bedroom guest house features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and all organic linens. Two bedrooms are located downstairs and three are upstairs. The home was constructed back in 1985. Ontko’s great-great grandfather was on the island during this unforgotten era working as a stone mason.
Ontko reflects, “We’re thinking he probably did help build the house.”
There’s more on this true Island Girl. She shares the Freshwater Retreat amenities. Note this property also has a converted garage or a barn where a list of wellness (not spa) services can be administered to anyone able to make their way to Put-in-Bay for the day or to stay and be guided to an adventure by this true island woman.
Josie in Paradise can be seen every Sunday night at 9:30 p from Key West to Boca Raton on At&t UVerse, on the Ohio X5 Roku Channel and here.
There are realtors and then there’s the real deal. Some realtors just want to take your money. Some truly want others to find the perfect place to rest their head. These ladies and gentlemen will steer buyers away from shoddy construction, poor location, and a move which could potentially be a financial blunder.
These are the business leaders one must seek out.
Let me help you. Truth and Rob Lenthe are synonymous. He is the realtor with Truth First Realty and this guy is the real deal. He’s personable, has work ethic, knows the Lake Erie Islands, knows Ohio’s Vacationland, has tons of friends and even more connections, and wants to see business happen and make people feel good about the deals they enter. Myself, and the entire show crew, like this guy.
Right now this gem of a guy, has a gem of a listing anyone can buy.
He jumped on board with us to showcase a one-bedroom, one-bathroom boutique condo nestled in the middle South Bass Island. This island off the coast of Ohio in Lake Erie that contains the summer hot spot of Put-in-Bay. The place was about the same size as my first cottage in Key West across the street from the iconic Marquesa Hotel.
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Banyan Cove Phase I is one-year old. This ground-level unit is being shown at a reduced price of $165,000. The interior flaunts Lake Erie high fashion elements and artwork indicative of the locale. The furnishings can be negotiated.
“The key selling point is location,” Lenthe supplies, “you’re within two blocks of downtown and less than one half of a mile to the airport and a golf cart ride to the ferry. This is central.”
An editor told me today I look “rough around the edges”.
I don’t know. I colored my hair when I was a 23-year old news anchor and had a news director tell me, “You look like you belong in the White House.”
I don’t like my hair colored and cropped.
I haven’t been able to shake the days of spending my work hours under the ocean’s surface and on a boat. The appearance of looking fuss-free and please let-me-fly-under-the-radar is often so chic on either coast.
During my initial two weeks on the Lake Erie Islands I was handed a resort phone line and earned some lines and circles under my eyes from the exhaustion caused by an endless onslaught of inquiries. I thought my throat was going to swell shut because I didn’t even have time to grab a drink of water.
Travelers making reservations want to know:
“How do I get there”
“What’s on the island”
“What is there to do”
“Can I walk”
“How do I get to Put-in-Bay”
“How long is the ferry ride to Put-in-Bay”
“Where is the ferry”
“Catawba Island isn’t an island…?”
“What is in my condo”
“Is there entertainment”
“Can I bring my car”
“Should I bring my car”
“How much does that cost”
ME: “We have a private pool, private beach and there’s the Great Lakes largest tiki bar. There are over thirteen rums. Everyone is here Saturday for the pool party and live music. There is a tv in your room, but may not work so don’t plan on watching tv, or using your cell phone. I only walk for exercise. Golf carts are $125 a day. I pay thirty dollars one way for my car and myself. The launch is on Catawba Island, but Catawba Island isn’t an island its part of the mainland of Ohio….You can bring your car but you have to call the ferry office to make reservations.”
Why?
ME: “The authorities have to know who’s here. If we have to remove you from the island you’re not allowed back.”
There is enough exciting entertaining lifestyle material to match the exuberance of a puppy; plus, plenty of entrepreneurs, developers, business owners, and key players to showcase to the world wanting to see a life lived in paradise; hence the new show on Ohio’s North Coast in the backyard where I spent my formative teen years. I hope you’ll watch. The research was asperous.
Either an invite has been sent or a place booked on an island in the waters in between Ohio and Canada. Reservations are the first priority to tackle when taking on the remote island system inaccessible via car.
You may want this posh South Beach-style one-one on MBI.
The next is to pack.
I added swimwear and several pairs of sandals (flip-flops) and workout gear. The mercury can fluctuate anywhere between 55° and 95°. Suggestion: pack a pair of sturdy Key West Kinos and, or, starfish sandals by Kirsten’s Kloset from DK’s Style Hut. Dancing is highly likely. Flip-flops fall apart.
Guys, this is the perfect opportunity to wear a flashy, collared button-down shirt depicting your tourist-like, under-the-radar status.
Go Tommy Bahama or opt for any loose clothing depicting your sailing adventures.
The official Florida Turnpike shirt captures the island essence.Crisp white yacht club polos set the tone.
(Call 863-216-5744 or send an email to [email protected]. to order your Fla Turnpike shirt. Visit Florida Marina Clubs here.) The idea is to leave the Tribe, Browns, and Cavs gear where it belongs for this soiree. Live the island life.
Line the bottom of your tote bag, or suitcase with the shoes.
Roll all of your clothing up to keep wrinkles to a minimum.Place any intimates and swimwear in travel bags.
Place these bags and hair essentials such as a hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron on top.
For the ladies, in an oversized tote like this white-zippered Style and Co. Purse from Macy’s first slide in a notebook computer (if you plan to work. Internet service is unpredictable.) Then a rolled up bath towel, toiletry case, make-up bag and a clutch containing driver’s license, debit and credit cards, business cards and cash.
The front compartment fits chargers and internet hot spot.
Remember if a car isn’t being taken onto a ferry, or a personal boat isn’t available to load all of your weekend gear onto, each person is responsible for carrying the clothing from the parking lot, to the ferry, onto the shuttle, and to accommodations.
For the gentlemen, have a watercraft stocked with Cruzan or El Kraken Spiced Rum, beer and limes.
Luxury on the lake means packing all the gear of a smooth sailor.Plus, pack plenty of beach towels.
Josie is a former TV anchorwoman and award-winning journalist. She grew up on Coastal Ohio and continues to explore all of the nooks and crannies which make the region spectacular.
Ordering a Starbucks in the Florida Keys is simply sinful. That company is headquartered on another ocean located two time zones away. On the sub-tropical islands south of Miami Cuban and Caribbean cuisine; and, as in this case coffee, reign. At Leigh Ann’s Coffee House on Key Colony Beach the baristas are busy taking orders of cafe con leches and making shots of bucci. We go back behind the counter and start grinding the beans.
There’s a drink being made and served up to patrons from as far away as Canada at this local Florida Keys establishment in Islamorada. The drink is called the 88 Relaxer and is made with infused-spiced rum, plenty of fruit juices and a host of other
islandy-ingredients. Whether you’re on the property for breakfast, lunch or the world-renown sunset, this cocktail puts the Caribbean in anyone’s Caribbean vacation.
To take on Key West of the North, South Bass Island, for late night Labor Day dinner, dress was festive and a garment covered in ripe bananas proclaimed to the world, “I’m off today.”
Celebrate and keep chasing, or living the dream.
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