The Gift - OneShot!

Written/Photography by
Andrew Livelsberger

Location:  Cleveland Museum of Art - Large Room Just Past The Armor Court

The Gifts.

This was a gift to me, as I was fortunate enough to have walked into the room and saw this scene before me. I had the my camera hanging off my right hip. I immediately pulled the camera to my eye and there it was, almost perfectly framed. I fired off one shot.  I took another, then the scene changed and subsequent shots just didn't have the same feel.  The first image was the one, as is often the case.

The real gift is the fact that 3 generations were together, enjoying the day out of the heat. This was at the Cleveland Museum of Art, in the large room just past the Armor Court.

Always take the shot now, as you are never guaranteed the same scene upon return.
Never take anything for granted.
Always give love, but never expect it in return. The reward for loving one another is not an earthly one, but an eternal one.

Have a great week and I hope this image helps put you in a positive mindset!

Cincinnati Museum Center - Guitar Exhibit

Written by Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:

The Cincinnati Museum Center Guitar exhibit not only showcases various guitars but also explores the science of sound.

Impression:

While we are definitely fans of music, we often do not take the time to look at the instruments that make it possible.

The guitar has been with use for a long time and has gone through many iterations of change.   Going from a primitive wooden box with a hole and strings on it to expertly crafted acoustic and thanks to people like Les Paul - electronically amplified versions.

The Cincinnati Museum Center's exhibit, Guitar shows the progression of this evolution.  Not only of the instrument itself, but you'll also have the opportunity to learn the science behind sound as it relates to music and the featured instruments here.

One of the greatest guitarists and musical pioneers, B.B. King has his famous guitar "Lucille" on display here.    I also saw that Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath fame had a guitar featured here.

The world's largest guitar is also here on display.  A Fender Stratocaster of 43 feet is just inside the exhibit room and to your right.  It was so big that I honestly didn't realize what it was at first.  I thought it was just a large display for information placards.

The Air Guitar area was both funny and fantastic.   I thought it was a great addition to the displays.   It is truly the best sounding guitar that is affordable to and playable by all.

I do not know of one person that does not like music.  Even if you have a passing interest in the instrumentation that creates a large portion of music through out history, this is a great exhibit to check out.  This exhibit is even good for kids, as there are some hands on areas where you can design your own guitar or see the physics of how guitar strings vibrate.

Just note that at the time of this writing, the Cincinnati Museum Center is still undergoing a large renovation.  The other larger museum areas are closed and the only areas open are the kids museum and the Guitar and Chocolate exhibits.

The Red Carnation - William McKinley Memorial and Museum

Written: Danielle and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography:  Andrew Livelsberger

McKinley Memorial

Background:
William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States from March 4, 1897 until September 1901 when he was assassinated.  He kept America on the gold standard and fought to protect american industrial interests.  He successfully lead America to victory in the Spanish-American War.

His memorial and the adjacent museum outline his contribution to the American nation.

Impression:June  6, 1905 saw construction begin on the McKinley Memorial site.  It would be completed September 1907.  Detailed information about the timeline of the memorial can be found at the McKinley Museum website.

It is a wonderful site to see in person.  The 100+ steps to the top are easily navigated with plateaus to rest if need be and an elevator and ADA accessibility are provided.  There were many people there enjoying the park and using the steps to exercise.

Inside the memorial are laid to rest President McKinley and First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley and family.

The McKinley Museum just off to the side of the memorial is a great place for family to go and learn about Stark county history, science, and McKinley's legacy.

Discovery World area shows nature, past and present including a machine that generates tornadoes and other fascinating scientific phenomenon like phosphorescent paint that keeps your shadow on the wall even after you leave the area!

Create a tornado exhibit in Discovery World

Robotic Dinosaurs in Discovery World

The Street of Shops is a look into the past, when we still relied on blacksmiths and general stores.  The area has multiple levels to explore.

The McKinley gallery showcases items from the McKinley campaign and White House with an animatronic William and Ida McKinley explaining different points in his presidency.

Cincinnati Museum Center - Cincinnati History Museum - For The Train Lovers!

Written by Danielle and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Union Station in Cincinnati is a great place to see the vintage architecture as well as some great museums.  Among them are a natural history museum, Cincinnati history museum and the ability to go into the old "Tower A" and see the tracks.

Impression:
If you like trains, then the Cincinnati History Museum is worth the price of the ticket.  Home to the largest permanent S-scale train and city set.  It is impressive to behold and must be seen in person.  It runs on a day/night cycle with 5 minutes of daylight and 2 minutes of night time.  The buildings have their own lights, and there is even a house fire that is attended to by firefighters with real smoke!!

Check the schedules and hit Tower A.  You will be greeted with knowledgeable train experts and a grand view of the train yard.

Dayton R/C Model Airshow

Written by Dani Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
The Giant Scale Radio-Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft Air Show features more than 100 pilots and will entertain audiences as they perform skillful maneuvers with RC jets, prop planes and helicopters from all eras of aviation history.
The event is sponsored by the Dayton Ohio Giant Scalers and will take place on an airfield at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.


Impression:
This is not your Grandpa's hobby!  These R/C aircrafts are high tech jets and planes that can do stunts and tricks.
Of Course this hobby is fun for any age, and they were all there at the show .  Families came out to see the pilots show off their planes and their skills.  There were some vendors selling food and some plane and gear vendors a well.

Cincinnati Museum Center - Natural History Museum

Written and Photography by:

Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
The Cincinnati Museum Center houses multiple museums.  The front of the complex was built around the Union Station Terminal, which was originally opened in 1933.  Once inside, you can buy tickets to many of the museums (COSI members get discounts) including The Museum of Natural History and Science, The Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, OMNIMAX Theater, Edge of Appalachia Preserve, and the Geier Collections and Research Center.

Impression:
It all is quite impressive when you enter.  There is something about the massive build of the Art Deco structures that is just very pleasing.  While the windows may not be the original, they are definitely inspired by them and keep the building looking and feeling as it once must have back in the mid 1930's.

Union Terminal, when you see the ticket booth, turn around and look up!

Since the museum center is so large, we decided to not see everything in one day.  You never want to be rushed for these kinds of things!  We investigated the Natural History and Science Museum on this trip.

The first thing that you'll notice is that you get a sense of immersion when going into the exhibits.  There is a replica ice cave, rock caverns and fossil exhibits that have you right next everything.  My wife liked the cavern exhibit so much that she went through it multiple times and now wants to research and go to an actual cavern!!

There is plenty here to entertain the youngest and oldest of visitors.  If you've never been, make sure to stop by and see what this great complex has to offer.

Mammoth skeleton

Graeter's Vinatge Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor

Giant Dinosaur

From within the replica ice cave

Door to the storage area for the museums collections

Giant Sloth

Bob McDorman Car Museum

Written By: Andrew Livelsberger
Photography By: Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Nestled in among the other buildings on Waterloo Street in Canal Winchester, OH is a relatively new museum.  Bob McDorman has taken his love of cars from a dealership to a car museum.  The Bob McDorman Auto Museum houses classic favorites as well as new renditions.

Impression:
When first approaching the museum entrance, you'll see vintage signs and gas pumps, almost making you think that it is a gas station of some kind.

Upon entering the museum, the first thing that jumps out at you is just how spacious it is.  It doesn't seem like that when you first see the building from the outside.

I then noticed the great condition some of these vehicles are in.  Some of them are from the 1940's and 1950's, but they look like they could have just come off the showroom floor.  One of my personal favorites is the Buick Skylark you see above.

I'm generally not a car buy, but this place is great.  I saw cars and trucks her that I never knew existed.  It was great fun and the staff that works there are all "car people" and know a lot about not only the inventory, but cars in general.

Please stop by and enjoy this beautiful museum, you'll be glad you did.

American Motorcycle Association - Motorcycle Museum

Story and Photography by:

Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Finding its current home in 1999, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  The museum houses memorabilia and records to preserve motorcycling heritage.

Impression:

I'll first start off by saying that I am not a bike guy.  I can appreciate what they are and know the names of some of the more famous riders and athletes.  I also have many friends that love to ride.

With that, I did not know what to think or what I thought I might get out of the museum.

I was attending the Journey of Andrew Byrd launch event (10,000 mile ride in 10 days to raise money and awareness to combat childhood cancer), and the AMA Motorcycle Museum was allowing attendees free admission.

The Motorcycle Museum has done it right, as I feel you do not have to be part of the motorcycle culture to appreciate the culture, history and displays.

What can be appreciated from my perspective is the history as well as the craftsmanship that goes into the engineering and design.  Looking at the styling of the bikes over the years and noticing the differences between motocross, street bikes and high end, built for speed records machines.

I'd also like to take some time to commend the staff that works there.  They are a wonderful group of people that are a wealth of knowledge and utterly helpful.  This is a great organization and they have given the central Ohio community a great showcase to one of our oldest modes of transportation.