Rough Around the Edges a show host does the research and the process is annihilating

Pictures by Kim Kidinger

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.

 

 

 

Oh… hi, Ohio heat is on on the coastline

Photos by Steven Drescher

This Great Lakes region of the United States is located ninety minutes west of Cleveland, two hours north of the state capital and accessible by the Glass City residents within about sixty minutes.

The area showcases the pride of Port Clinton, the lux of Catawba Island, and nooks and crannies of Lakeside Marblehead all situated on the mainland. Sandusky; home to Cedar Point, Kalahari, Soak City and more, shows off the world’s highest and fastest roller coasters to all developments on the coastline.

There’s more.

Those three islands listed are open to the public. The others, require an invitation. Take a look at the map I stole from MBI Developer, Ed Gudenas.

This setting is a mixture for mayhem. The epitome of an endless summer is achieved. Vacation rental demand can not be met. According to Lake Erie’s Shores and Islands ten million visitors will descend upon this land, again ninety minutes west of The Land,  generating close to two billion in sales. There are close to fourteen thousand full time hospitality positions and calls are out for bartenders to pour and mix at private summer soirees set against the saltless body of water for guest lists that extend deep into the Cavs roster. Inventory for real estate is low and anyone with waterfront property is king and or queen.

Set sail. Summer is here.