Tag: Lifestyle

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Episode II Spa: Island Tan at The Lake achieving color so close to Canada

Island Tan at The Lake is a name that might lead outsiders to think, ‘what a shame that a business has to fake an image with the word ‘island’ to draw customers in’. Island Tan at The Lake is located on Catawba Island. Catawba Island is part of the mainland of Ohio but this is only after workers filled in where shallow lake surrounded the area with cement. Plus, Catawba Island is the gateway to an island paradise chain in Lake Erie accessible only via helicopter, boat, plane, or ferry.

The rooms at Island Tan at The Lake are marked accordingly with signs depicting Kelleys, South Bass Island, Mouse, and others.

Lori Levorchick the owner offers, “that way when people come in and they’re on vacation they can get a little bit of the history here as well.”

Summer months are smoking through the region with travelers and second and third homeowners; most of whom are headed towards the freshwater for a shot of summer sunshine.

“A lot of people are out there on the boats and in the sun and when you’re out in the sun its not regulated. In here its regulated you can come in here and get a tan without getting burnt,” Levorchick lets us in on the north coast service.

She simply wanted a place where people could come in and relax no matter what the forecast decided to give vacationers and residents for the day. Her interview shown in Episode II of Josie in Paradise is below.

Josie in Paradise can be seen every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, across the nation through ROKU on the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

 

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Episode II Hotel Amenities: PIB Condos outfit with mainland luxuries

The luxury lakefront Put-in-Bay Condos are outfit nicely inside with modern kitchens, everything one needs to cook and prepare meals, two balconies, an in suite washer and dryer, plus a flat screen tv next to the open kitchen.

Outside of the PIB condos are community grills, plenty of umbrella covered patio tables. and a pool with lounge chairs.

“This is real laid back. Bring your own beer there’s a ledge in the pool where you can sit down in the water,” highlights PIB Condos Manager Tony White.

Plus, golf carts ready for rent on site.

 

Josie in Paradise can be seen every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, through any ROKU box across the nation on the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

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EPISODE II Hotels: PIB Condos lakefront and luxe with space for everyone

Whether one buys or rents a luxury waterfront condominium on the Lake Erie Islands, one component is as on point as the ferry schedule, a place to sleep on Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass, and Kelleys is the ticket to paradise all season long. For Episode II of Josie in Paradise Tony White opened the door to Unit 212: a four-bedroom, two bathroom space with a washer and dryer and two lakefront balconies.

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Four units are available to purchase. Many are yours to rent. A side note, to note, regarding beds and headcounts when booking at most Put-in-Bay resorts, or anywhere in general on the LEIs is embedded in this interview with White.

Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday night at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, and can be seen across the nation through ROKU on the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

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Episode II: Real Estate $.5 M buys bragging rights on Catawba Island

Realtor Alex Morgan Johnson is showing a four-thousand square foot, four bedroom, four and one-half bathroom home on Ohio’s north coast. Located at 1101 NW Catawba Road in Port Clinton this unshakable structure showcases the builder’s and contractors’ skills. The initial home plans were drawn out at only half of the size of the final product.

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Here is the home tour as seen in Episode II.

Josie in Paradise can be viewed every Sunday night at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel, and here.

 

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EPISODE I: Spoonful bowl full of Nova Scotia lobster bisque

The Boardwalk was the first eatery establishment to bring the fare to Ohio decades ago. Enter Eric Booker, owner and operator of The Boardwalk Restaurant and lobster bisque kitchen.

“Thirty years ago no one had heard of Lobster Bisque soup,” he reminds us of the history.

In every vat of bisque at the boardwalk a total of thirty-six Canadian crustaceans are added to the concoction of butter, cream and sherry, including all of the claws, tail, body and legs meat. Pair with Heineman Winery’s Sauvignon Blanc and dress yourself for an unforgettable lunch or dinner.

 The segment with Eric aired during Episode I of Josie in Paradise. Watch right here.

 

 

Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T UVerse from Key West to Boca Raton, on Ohio’s X5 Network and here. 

 

 

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Josie in Paradise EPISODE I Episode I takes us to Put-in-Bay

The initial plans for this show was to begin in the Florida Keys and expand to the Lake Erie Islands. But every and businessman and woman will tell you their initial plans didn’t work out exactly the way they were outlined, the product was better and the journey one not worth forgetting.

Here is what and who is featured.

 



Josie in Paradise can be seen on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton every Sunday night at 9:30 p, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel and here on this website.

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EPISODE I: Hotel Amenities at Freshwater Retreat outdoor shower, hot tub & massage

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.

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EPISODE I: Hotel Freshwater Retreat live like its heaven on Put-in-Bay

Photos by Kim Kindinger

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.”

Here’s more of Ontko’s interview and tour of her B&B as featured in Josie in Paradise, Episode I.

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.

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Picky isn’t for Paradise seeking pleasure not perfection

Pictures by Kim Kindinger 

The process took forty years but I finally let go of perfection. But not without a fight. I have been sitting with Josie in Paradise Episode I for over one week. I did hand over all material, including that which was shot for the J O S I E BEACH commercial and the show open to the editor and never logged any of the shots. Nope. Over half was shot in swimwear attire for my new line and I didn’t critique, make suggestions, write or attempt to manage anything.

 

Remind you my middle initials are P.I.A. for Pain in the you-know-what. I strive for perfection. The observation has been made that one simply can not be trained or educated to the level at which I do things; one has to be genetically miswired.

This being said, there are a couple of adjustments I wanted made to Episode I before I posted the show. Journalistically, from a perspective of broadcast news techniques, there are a couple of jump cuts and over modulated sound. I wanted more two shots, I wanted to see more of the real estate listing, I felt we didn’t show enough of the yoga video…

Plus, I never wrote anything. I don’t know sometimes you just let go because you can’t do everything. I learned and finally executed how to let other people help.

Episode II I DID take the raw footage, log and write and create organized folders, but never reviewed the final product. The show was sent to South Florida with the approval of someone else!
I learned I have better things to do with my time than edit away sports bra tan lines, to spend time telling other people what to do, and how I want them done, or to list corrections which must be made… or even worse alphabetize the spices while everyone else is out boating. Critics will always be around the bend.

In this business the task of letting go is tough. One’s DNA is shown all over one’s work to anyone who wants to watch, listen, or read.
Being picky isn’t synonymous with Paradise.

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Airing from Key West to Boca Raton show shot 30 miles from Canada

Compartmentalizing one’s entrepreneurial venture is never an easy task. The concept of my show started while I was the Bureau Chief for a local newspaper. Back then I cared about my title. I needed a title. I wasn’t sure if the title even fit so I grabbed a copy of Vogue and scanned the brag list to see what kinds of “bureau chiefs” the global publication listed. Even after seeing them in London, New York and Brussels I wasn’t satisfied.

I did have the cutest toddler in tow.

But, that path led me directly to where I am today hosting a new lifestyle show. After working with chamber executives, the public, curious friends and family, and advertisers for over two decades I determined this is what viewers mobs of viewers want to see. The people they do business with!  Fishing, boating and some local good news you can find elsewhere. We shot the first episodes on Ohio’s north coast with possible plans to expand nationwide.

Josie in Paradise, the show chock full of Real Estate, Hotels, Hotel Amenities, Fashion, Fitness, Spas and Dining + Business airs every Sunday night at 9:30 on At&t UVerse in the Florida Keys to Boca Raton and on the Ohio X5 Roku Channel.