In terms of places rich in American history, many of us may think of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello or George Washington’s Mount Vernon. There is, however, another important location that is full of history and is situated right here in our very own Mid-Ohio Valley – Henderson Hall. Henderson Hall in Williamstown, W.Va is a standing historical piece displaying more than two centuries worth of early American life. The inside of the pre-Civil War Italianate mansion features pieces primarily authentic to the lifestyle the Henderson family lived from the arrival of the first descendant, Alexander Henderson, Sr., in the 1700s, through the Victorian Age into the early 1900s.

More importantly, most of these pieces actually belonged to each Henderson generation as they collected and preserved almost everything they owned throughout the years. Visitors will not only get a glimpse of this beautiful mansion, but they will see before them such items as the doll Georgiana Henderson played within the 1830s or the 1801 Empire style wedding dress worn by Jane Hutchinson Lithgow, bride of Alexander Henderson, Jr.

Randy Modesitt, director of Henderson Hall, is no stranger to the overwhelming supply of direct family history in every nook and cranny of the mansion. “Every corner of the house is full of history,” said Randy. More importantly, Randy states that one of the reasons the mansion is so full of history is because the Henderson family never threw anything away. From clothes to toys, from furniture to Jock Henderson’s beard (true story), the generations of Henderson family members kept EVERYTHING.

Not only does the estate boast items accurate to individual time eras it also has ties to important American figures. In the mansion, there is a land grant signed by Patrick Henry himself. A letter can be seen to Elizabeth Henderson from Robert E. Lee regarding her son, Arthur, and his studies at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Also important to note are the acquaintances the Henderson family had. From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson to George Washington (the latter of whom suggested Alexander Henderson, Sr. buy the land the estate now sits on), the Henderson family were no strangers to those of the elite political and social circles.

Henderson Hall can be toured March through December, every day but Monday, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. More importantly, the estate is holding two special events this month that highlight the Christmas season and what it would have been like to delight in the holiday spirit with the Henderson family. On Saturday, December 7, ticketholders for Henderson Christmas Evening will experience a tour of the mansion accompanied by live music, hors d’oeuvres, and volunteers dressed in time period attire sharing information about the mansion and its family. As an added bonus for this special occasion, the barriers to the rooms will be down and guests will have the privilege of getting up close and personal with all the rich history of the estate.

Likewise on Saturday, December 14, ticketholders will also experience Christmas at Henderson Hall but their journey will begin with dinner aboard the Valley Gem. From here, guests will take a trolley ride to the estate, followed by a barriers-down, candlelit tour of the mansion, and a return trip back aboard the Valley Gem.

Regardless of whether visitors attend during the special Christmas events or any other time of the year, Henderson Hall is a vital piece of American and local history that deserves to be treasured and maintained for centuries to come. As Randy states, “We need to get the word out to bring people here. Not to make money, but to share the rich history of Henderson Hall and the family. Keeping the memory alive is the important aspect of this house.”

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Throughout the MOV, family and farms are two aspects that often merge into one. Rob Butcher of the Butcher Family Farm and Greenhouse in Washington, WV knows firsthand the importance of operating a local family farm. A third-generation farmer, he has carried on the tradition that his grandparents started when they moved to the farm’s current location in the 1930s. Though the items that have been grown and sold throughout the decades may have changed, one thing is for certain – Rob is passionate about what he does. This passion is displayed not only in quality products and a family-friendly environment but on the happy faces of customers visiting the farm.

To feed his yen of agricultural knowledge, Rob enrolled at OSU in 1983 and studied pig production. After graduating, he raised pigs and some cattle for a while. He then moved to Virginia and later North Carolina where he worked in the corporate hog business. Rob returned to the family farm in the early 1990s and focused more of his attention on produce.

As fate would have it, in the fall of 1991 the farm had some extra pumpkins that didn’t get sold to a wholesaler. In hopes of selling the pumpkins, they were displayed in the family’s yard. Much to Rob’s surprise, the pumpkins sold out immediately. This one event changed the course of the farm. From here, pumpkins became more of a focus. Schools began to notice the pumpkins Butcher’s had to offer, and the Head Start just down the road asked to do a pumpkin tour. This developed into the farm offering many school tours throughout the 1990s.  

By the early 2000s, the family was dealt with another twist of fate: their mum supplier went out of business. Rather than not have mums to sell, Rob said they decided to grow their own. The first year showed a sale of 1,000 mums. Fast forward to the current day, and the farm sells about 15,000 each season. The real game-changer, though, was Rob’s discovery of the candy corn mum. He found this mum while flipping through a magazine one day. He saw it, liked how it looked and decided to grow it. He had no idea the craze these mums would produce. Without a doubt, the candy corn mums are the customer favorite.

With a need to expand, the first greenhouse was built in 2008. Since then, Rob said the farm has kept growing. In addition to mums, flowers and ferns are sold in the spring. Flowers can be found in hanging baskets, four-and-a-half and six-inch pots, and combination planters. But the big draws, Rob said, are the custom planters. “Custom planters are taking off. Customers drop off their pot(s) they may have had from year to year, and Butcher’s fills and plants it for them.”

Butcher’s isn’t all about just growing and selling a product, though – they embody more than that. Rob beams with joy knowing that many families come to the farm year after year, generation after generation. Rob said he loves hearing quotes from customers like, “We used to buy watermelons from your grandpa under that willow tree!” He loves the memories families make when they visit the farm. One thing that’s important to him is family photo moments. “We try to make lots of photo opportunities where families will come out. We try to make it a family-friendly environment.” The infamous mum wall, gourd/pumpkin wall, and the “How Tall This Fall?” measurement backdrop are just a few examples of the photo props Butcher’s has each fall for picture-taking.

When envisioning the future, Rob said the farm will “keep doing what we’re doing; keep trying to make it a place where families want to come.” And with events like Family Fun Day held every second Saturday in October, there seems to be no shortage of families enjoying their time at the Butcher Family Farm year after year.

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August is a month that many people have a love/hate relationship with. It’s hot. It’s muggy. School starts back up. But the good news? Much of the local produce in the MOV is at its peak! With September and the fall season just around the bend, why not enjoy what Mother Nature has blessed us with? Literally, enjoy the local fruits of labor. Blackberries are overflowing at many of the area’s farm stands. So, satisfy your sweet tooth with a blackberry cobbler. Get crazy and add a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream to accompany it. Savor summer and its last hurrah!  

Ingredients:

• 4 pints fresh blackberries
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chilled butter, cut up
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions:

Heat oven to 425°. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Combine berries, ½ cup of sugar, lemon juice and peel in a large bowl. Pour into baking dish.

Whisk flour, remaining ¼ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Combine egg and milk. Stir into flour mixture until just moistened. Spoon over berries in small mounds.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and juices bubble in the center (if browning too quickly, cover with foil during last 5-10 minutes). Serve warm – and enjoy!

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Corn. It’s a word synonymous with summertime and the MOV. It’s one of our staples and it can be seen along almost any state route, backroad, or interstate in this area. Heck, we love the stuff so much we even have an annual festival dedicated to it (July 19 and 20 of this year!). We are fortunate to be situated in a location where farmers markets and produce stands sell this golden goodness by the truckload. Corn tastes great grilled, boiled, baked…or even raw. But how about in salad form? Yes, I can attest it tastes delicious nestled together in a bowl beside chopped jalapeños and red onion. So give it a try and celebrate this vegetable during its height of glory!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ears sweet corn
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 ½ limes
• 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
• 4 ounces feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS

In a large pot, bring enough water to cover all 4 ears of corn to a boil. Meanwhile, add remaining ingredients to a large bowl and mix together. Once the water reaches boiling, add corn and boil 3-4 minutes. Remove corn from pot and let cool. Cut corn off cobs and add to bowl. Mix well. Serve with tortilla chips.

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Jenny Bruce is no stranger to the art of making. With a background in photography, sewing, painting, and other trades, Jenny learned how to produce items with her hands at a young age. Flash forward to today and that love and joy of being a maker prompted Jenny to start her own online business, Ohio Handiworks, LLC. Ohio Handiworks is a website which highlights solely Ohio makers and their goods which are created in Ohio. Being an Ohio native, Jenny wishes to showcase the talents of fellow Buckeyes who make items for a living, for fun, or for charity. It is her passion for others to appreciate and understand the love and hard work that Ohioans put into each and every single item they make.

As mentioned, Jenny has been a maker for many years. With 4-H projects and a childhood surrounded by a family of makers, Jenny learned many skills and crafts. While in high school, her grandfather passed away and Jenny went to live with her grandmother. Her grandmother took fine art classes during the Depression and she passed her artistic abilities onto her granddaughter. As an adult, Jenny has painted and sold her own paintings, done hem work and alterations, and also made and sold her own woodwork to earn extra money. She worked in the health field for many years but never strayed from her love of making. One could say she’s been a maker since her childhood and she hasn’t stopped since. She knows and understands the hard work it takes to be a maker.

I wanted it to be visual and I wanted it to promote local buying. I was determined to make it Ohio based.

While having Thanksgiving dinner with her daughters and some of their friends this past year, Jenny was surprised to hear most of the guests say they would be ordering their Christmas gifts online. Jenny was even more surprised when she found out the group wasn’t sure where the items they would be ordering were made. Jenny informed the group that each of them would be receiving handmade items for Christmas. Christmas rolls around and the Thanksgiving discussion is brought to life again. One of Jenny’s friends had ordered online from a mega-distributor. When the recipient received the item, it wasn’t quite like what was showcased in the picture or by the description. Jenny was astounded her friend had been deceived in not getting what he had ordered.

By January 2019, Jenny was looking for a new work venture. One of her close friends suggested starting her own business out of her home. Jenny considered the idea but wasn’t sure what her business could be. Cue back to the Thanksgiving/Christmas discussion and also her longtime love of handmade items. Jenny talked with her daughter’s boyfriend about the possibility of running a website. “I knew I wanted the website to be about made things. I wanted it to be visual and I wanted it to promote local buying. I was determined to make it Ohio based,” Jenny said. Thus, Ohio Handiworks was born. The love of her state and the love of handmade items would all be intertwined in one locale. Jenny set to work to build her website and locate Ohio makers to showcase.

So how does Ohio Handiworks operate? There are two criteria which each maker must meet. One, the maker must be an Ohio resident with a valid Ohio address. Two, the products must be made in Ohio. The maker can contact Jenny via email, social media, phone call, or text message if interested in having his products showcased. Jenny will contact the maker after this and have a more in-depth discussion of the next steps to be taken.

I want people to see value in one collective place. I want it to be a visual marketplace for Ohio makers.

Once the final steps are taken to be featured on the site, Jenny will post pictures of the made items to the website along with a description of each item and the price. When an item is purchased, it’s shipped directly from the maker so she can choose how she wants it displayed when shipped. Most items are sent out the same day, unless it’s a custom order.

There is no sign-up fee to be featured on Ohio Handiworks. Actually, there are no fees at all for the makers. Each maker sets his own price for each item. Jenny then adds 15% to that price to cover the transaction fees associated with each product being sold.  

So what is the overall goal of Ohio Handiworks? As Jenny states, “I want people to see value in one collective place. I want it to be a visual marketplace for Ohio makers.” Jenny desires to showcase as many Ohio made items by Ohio makers in one spot. Another important note is not all the makers on Ohio Handiworks have their own website or social media accounts. Ohio Handiworks allows these makers to have a forum to promote their products. Jenny wants consumers to see just how many Ohio makers and Ohio made items there are all over the state.

Looking forward, Jenny’s goal is to one day have a physical location to display many of the Ohio made goods. “I hope to build a following through the website and then develop a physical location. The goal is to have something off the interstate, where traffic is heavy and the building will catch a person’s eye.”

I desire to see people support handmade and homemade Ohio products.

Ohio Handiworks is a work of love for Jenny Bruce. It’s a place to feature Ohio makers and their Ohio made wares. It’s a site for makers to showcase their love and appreciation of handmade items. It’s a place to display their own personal touch to each item. “Makers come from all different walks of life and they all have a unique story,” Jenny said. “I desire to see people support handmade and homemade Ohio products.”

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Laundromats are staples in communities just as parks, museums, and restaurants are. They are scattered throughout each community and each laundromat varies as to how it looks, how large the facility is, and how modern the equipment is. Enter Old Town Express Laundry and Clothesline Laundry Services, Marietta’s newest laundromat business in the area. At this new facility, patrons have plenty of space to tend to their laundry, all while using the best state of the art equipment in the area.

Frank and Judy Lang, owners of the establishment, take their business very seriously. They’ve been in the laundry business since 1991. Many patrons may be familiar with their previous laundry service, the Wash-N-Go Coin Laundromat, which was located in the Frontier Shopping Center. Judy states they were “looking for a larger facility that would better serve the Marietta area and MOV, as Wash-N-Go was very small.” Cue their now current location on 704 Pike Street. They purchased the building this past June, and it underwent a complete transformation.

Upon the building’s facelift, the Langs made a discovery which would not only help impact the name of their laundromat, but which would also showcase the overall feel of the building: a wooden truss. “During the remodel, we exposed and refinished an existing wooden truss, and this allowed us to develop a sort of rustic theme for our business. With Marietta being very historic, we decided to name the laundromat Old Town Express Laundry, as it fit right in with our rustic theme,” Judy said. The Lang family took the historic ties a step further and hired a local artist to paint a mural on one of the walls. “We were able to showcase some of Marietta’s unique history by hiring a local artist, Bonie Bolen, to paint a beautiful mural on the wall above the row of dryers, depicting several scenes of old town Marietta.”

When we were discussing the idea with our children, they sort of jumped on the idea and decided to take it upon themselves to start a business of their own, and so Clothesline Laundry Services was created!

With purchasing a larger facility, Frank and Judy desired to offer even more services in the MOV than just a laundromat. Judy states: “We had been considering doing a drop off wash, dry, and fold service. When we were discussing the idea with our children, they sort of jumped on the idea and decided to take it upon themselves to start a business of their own, and so Clothesline Laundry Services was created!” With this service, patrons are able to drop off their laundry and have it professionally washed, dried, folded, and packaged all in the same day. Special requests such as line drying and ironing are available as well.

At Old Town Express Laundry, patrons help themselves to top of the line washers and dryers. Offering the best technology possible was a supremely important element to Frank and Judy. The business uses Electrolux equipment, and Frank spent three days at an Electrolux manufacturing facility in Ljungby, Sweden to learn more about these cutting edge washers and dryers. As Frank explained, “there’s a lot of technology behind cleaning clothes.” One element the washers provide is a sanitizing feature. If a customer chooses, this feature can clean the tub before the wash cycle is started. It offers a 140˚ water rinse and a customer can add bleach as an extra cleaning agent if desired during this process.

When the washer isn’t sanitizing, it is always washing at a solid 125˚ temperature and there are always 450 g-forces behind each normal wash. Another feature Frank beamed about was the double wash characteristic. Unlike a standard wash cycle, the double wash system gets every last bit of soap removed from clothing. The high g-force of the Electrolux washers literally pulls the suds away from the clothes and frees them of any leftover detergent residue. Therefore, the water from the rinse cycle will not be contaminated by any remaining water or suds from the wash cycle. It’s a very streamline process and Frank notes that most people have been appreciative of the high quality results from the washers and dryers. To make the deal even sweeter, the average wash cycle is roughly 30 minutes and the average dry time is around 15 minutes. In short, a customer can do both his washing and drying in about an hour.

With the advanced equipment, patrons have the option of using Apple Pay, Google Wallet, credit cards, gift cards from the business, or cash. They can also download the Fascard app. This app ties a customer’s credit card number to her phone and when she’s ready to wash her clothes, all she has to do is scan the code provided and the washer will start right up! This app also allows a patron to track her wash if she has to leave the building for an errand or the like. A person can use the Fascard app to check the availability of the machines before she even leaves her house. Convenient options like these are just a few of the ways Old Town Express Laundry strive to serve their customers.

Judy notes the facility is always completely staffed and helpful. “We are fully attended with dedicated, friendly, and accommodating employees. We are very price competitive, if not the cheapest in town! We offer free Wi-Fi, a children’s play area, big screen TVs, vending machines, gift cards, and a loyalty card program. Our facility is clean and spacious and customers can feel like they are in a comfortable, homelike environment!” Frank notes with the loyalty card, customers earn 5% cashback rewards. The business will offer different specials tied to the loyalty card, such as a free dry.

The Lang family has created a welcoming and accommodating environment while offering top of the line washers and dryers for their customers. Judy stresses the importance of local businesses in the area with this thought: “Small local businesses are the backbone of our community! We have a safe, clean, spacious facility with new and efficient equipment that works. Customers can either come to do their laundry themselves or have it done for them by our dedicated professionals at Clothesline Laundry Services. Either way, we hope they feel like laundry is not such a chore anymore!”

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What’s better than a sunny spring-like day in February in the MOV? A sunny spring-like day that falls during MOV Restaurant Week, that’s what! I had the privilege of hitting up The Hideout on Wednesday and let me tell you, this is one place you do not want to miss. Hopefully you’ve already experienced some of the delicious dining of the participating 18 restaurants. If not, I highly suggest you jump on board one of the $30 meal deals each restaurant is offering. Don’t know where to start? I just might be able to entice you with The Hideout’s menu as your starting point.

Let me make this clear: I went into The Hideout on an empty stomach. I was fully prepared to have room for each course. Let me make another point clear: the $30 for the three-course meal is worth every single penny. I walked in hungry and walked out full, with a pizza box containing 11 slices of pizza that I alone could not finish in one sitting. Let’s start first, fittingly, with the appetizer.

For Restaurant Week, The Hideout is offering one of three choices for apps: meatballs, wings (with choice of bbq, mild, or hot sauce), or homemade deep fried pepperoni rolls. Although I love me a good wing (or seven), I knew I had to sample the pepperoni rolls. Why you may ask? Allow me to elaborate. Not only is the dough made from scratch, it’s made from a family recipe that’s over 70 years old. Yes, you heard that right, 70 years old. Do the words Pastime Pizza in Marietta, Ohio ring any bells? Ah, now I definitely have your attention. The dough recipe that was used for Pastime’s crust is the same recipe used here at the Hideout for their bread dishes. I’m all about homemade anything, but a dough recipe that’s decades old that has MOV ties- that’s extra special.

It wasn’t long before my friendly server brought me the pepperoni rolls. There are six rolls total and although I knew I should probably save room for my next two courses, I couldn’t help but devour all these pepperoni gems in no time at all. The Hideout knows what they’re doing with this app. Pepperoni rolls are delicious, but deep fried…next level. My taste buds did not disappoint me by detecting the freshness of the homemade dough. There’s a slight sweetness to the dough that helps balance out the saltiness of the pepperoni. Also, deep frying the dough gives the rolls a nice crunch. The rolls are cut into wedges which make them perfect for dipping in the marina sauce that accompanies them. And that marina sauce…delicious. There was plenty for each roll. The sauce was fresh and the sweetness of the tomatoes shone through. It was perfectly accompanied by the blend of cheese and Italian herbs mixed in.

Onto the second course! For the entrée, I had the choice between three different pizzas: The Hideout Deluxe, Bangin’ Buffalo Chicken, or Totally Taco. I opted for the Bangin’ Buffalo Chicken. Let’s just say when the server set this pie on my table, my eyes widened a little bit. Not only was it aesthetically pleasing, it was huge! I somehow missed the memo that this was a 14” pizza, aka 12 slices to go around, aka I really needed three friends to help me finish it. However, just like the first course, it was delicious. This pizza had a pleasant little kick to it. Of course, like the name implies, there is chicken and buffalo sauce. But the added footnotes of green peppers, onions, and bacon gave this buffalo chicken pizza an extra boost. The homemade dough didn’t hurt matters either. The crust was thin with a touch of crackly crunch that made for a delightful eating experience.

With basically a whole pizza staring me in the face, one would think I’d take my dessert to go. Not so! It was time for my third and final course and I eagerly awaited it. I had the choice of a chocolate ganache lava cake or a cherry cheesecake. Never one to pass up chocolate, I went with the lava cake. Once again, I had a huge, delicious portion staring up at me from the table. I mean, this lava cake is the stuff dreams are made of. It had the perfect combination of being decadent, but not heavy. The ganache melted in my mouth with each spoonful. And bonus- it came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Those that know me know I’m not a big à la mode person but the ice cream was just the right cool touch to the warm cake. Having a “Man v. Food” moment, I was able to eat all of my lava cake and ice cream, save for one bite. Food definitely won with this visit.

With three delicious courses, what more could I ask for during this trip? Well, I’ll tell you. I was greeted with kindness the moment I stepped through the door. My server was super sweet and consistently checked on me to make sure my dining experience was great. Paula Oates, the masterful hands behind my mouthwatering dishes, even took the time to chat with me between courses and ask me how everything tasted. There is a vibe of camaraderie at The Hideout that makes a person feel comfortable and welcome. So whether you’re scouting out restaurants to dine at during Restaurant Week or you’re just looking for some awesome food with a friendly atmosphere, I strongly suggest giving The Hideout a try!

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As an MOV native, it’s hard for me to think of this area other than how I’ve known it my whole life. This is why I’ve always loved history. History allows me to travel back in time and visualize, for one, how this area looked before I was born. Photographs of bygone days are an added bonus to help me see firsthand what my beloved southeastern Ohio looked like. Enter the Coffee Break segment I attended this past Monday in New Matamoras, Ohio. With a respectable turnout out of about 20 or so patrons, it was a great place to surround myself with fellow history lovers.

Jim Moore and John Miller (both of whom have a fond fascination for New Matamoras) were the presenters. Jim was in charge of the slides and John provided the background information for each picture. It was amazing just to sit and listen for over an hour the details these two men were able to deliver without hesitation. The data they have stored from their own memories is uncanny. Names of businesses, names of people, locations of streets before they actually had names – if someone could think of it, they could name it. My mind was reeling trying to keep track of all the information.

For instance, I never knew New Matamoras once had a furniture store, hotels, and a meat market (Kollman Furniture; the Central Hotel and also the Green Hotel; and Danver’s Meat Market to be exact). Need more? Ever heard of Cline Livery, Enterprise Newspaper, or Cunningham’s Morturay? These were all new to me. A few other businesses mentioned were the Barnhart and Chandler gas station, Hupp’s Appliance, and Gautschi Dentist. All of these were once part of New Matamoras, and that is absolutely fascinating to me. It made me realize just how much history one place can possess. More importantly, it made me realize how rich in history the MOV is and how lucky we are as residents to live in an area where multiple facets of the past surround us every day.

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Sometimes it takes being away from home to bring a person back home. Cue a chance meeting last May between the previous owners of the old Pub 47 building and now current owner, Nina Oates, of The Hideout.

Nina began her journey away from the Mid-Ohio Valley in 2006 to attend college in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Upon college graduation, she travelled and moved between South Carolina, Florida, California, England and other places in Europe. When she returned to the MOV last year, she saw a need for an establishment where people can have fun, be entertained and enjoy great food. Thus, The Hideout was born. So in reality, her chance meeting with the owners of the old Pub 47 building was not an accident, it was destiny.

“Our vision for The Hideout was to have a cool hangout spot where people feel like they are part of the family when they walk through the door. So many places you go to these days are just about volume – getting the customer in and out the door. That’s not what we were going for. We wanted to create an environment where people want to come and enjoy awesome homemade food, have a drink or two, if desired, and stay and hang out for as long as they want,” Nina said.

The Hideout recently celebrated its one year anniversary and the community response to this casual eatery located off of Route 47 has been extremely positive.

“We could not be more pleased with the response we are getting from our local MOV customers, as well as travelers that pop in off I-77 and Highway 50. Customers describe The Hideout as a comfortable and friendly environment where they feel welcomed and relaxed,” Nina said.

One aspect that makes this restaurant stand out is the homemade dough used for subs, rolls, calzones, pizzas and hamburger buns. Nina’s business partner and mom, Paula Oates, is responsible for the delicious dough that makes its way from the kitchen to the customers’ tables.Paula is the former owner of Pastime Pizza in Marietta, Ohio and the dough recipe that’s used has been in the family for over 70 years. The dough has to be extra special, considering the restaurant’s number one seller is the Italian Sub. Other customer favorites include the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Taco Pizza and the Hideout Deluxe. Of course, no restaurant would be complete without a mouthwatering burger, and the half-pound Hideout Burger is sure to entice every foodie back for another visit.

Nina is passionate about her restaurant, but she also wished to provide the MOV with more, and she’s done that by presenting live entertainment. The Hideout hosts open mic comedy nights, which feature 15-20 amateur comedians from across West Virginia and Ohio, all of whom are working on perfecting their craft. Three to four headliner comedy shows take place each month. The headliner shows are a hit, as they always sell out.The open mic comedy nights are free to the public. Instead of charging for a ticket, Nina asks viewers to bring in one non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local charity. Tickets cost roughly $10 for those who choose to attend the headliner comedy shows. Tickets sell out quickly, so reservations are required. The headliner shows are hosted by Joel Gant who scouts comedians from across the United States. Comedians visiting The Hideout have ventured as far as Detroit and Atlanta.

The joint also hosts movie and trivia nights. Karaoke rocks the place every other Friday with host Paula Hadley. Each month a themed party takes place for those looking to participate in something unique in this area. Disco lovers boogied down in May for the disco themed party. For June, Nina decided to draw from the Multicultural Festival that took place in Parkersburg, W.Va. and hosted a Latin-American dance party. July may see a Hawaiian luau or a toga party.

Concerning future plans for The Hideout, Nina plans on sticking around a long time and looks to make The Hideout a permanent name in the MOV.

“The Hideout is important to the MOV because we need fun entertainment establishments where we can go kick back and laugh and meet new people. I’m excited to get Parkersburg on the map and make it a destination that people want to visit,” she said.

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