EDITOR’S NOTE: One year ago, my husband, Bobby and I, were privileged to participate in the inaugural Wayne County Cupcake Tour. We aren’t able to make it this year, but just knowing it’s this weekend, makes me want to relive the memory. (I hope you don’t mind!) Oh, one thing is different this year than last, they added two more locations. So now not only do you get extra cupcakes, but get to visit two more establishments, The Pine Cone Gift Shop and Kidron Sports Center.
Here’s last year’s post:
Saturday, April 30, 2016, was gray and overcast with threats of rain in Wayne County, Ohio. But that didn’t stop my husband, Bobby and I, participating with 123 (or so) other people in the inaugural Cupcake Tour. We were able to stop at five area businesses, get a cupcake each and browse the shops, getting to know their offerings a little better.
We began the tour around 10:30 and started out at Shisler Cheese House. That is where we got our laynards and first two cupcakes. I really appreciated the thought that went into the packaging of the cupcakes. Made me confident that they would endure the trip as we went to the other locations.
Next we headed to Lehman’s. There they had their cupcakes in the “Buggy Barn” along with some other refreshments. We then meandered through the store, although I’m sure we didn’t hit every area. The place is huge with tons of different departments. Bobby told me that Jay Lehman recently turned 87 years old and that he goes into the store every day. Saturday was no exception. He graciously took a little bit of time so that I could get a picture with him. We also ran into Marty Starkey the Executive Director of the Wayne County Convention and Visitor Bureau. She was a good sport and allowed me to “interview” her. I may post that at a later time, but it is in post production right now.
After that, we walked over to Eastwood Furniture. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for the Cupcake Tour, I probably never would have darkened their door. It isn’t that I don’t like their furniture, it is just I’m not in the market for furniture. I’m glad I went, though. First of all, their colorful Adirondak chairs are very comfortable. Then their furniture is absolutely beautiful. One of the women on staff there told me that they work with area craftsmen and they can get furniture made from any kind of wood a customer wanted. If I had room I might have tried to talk Bobby into a swivel, glider/rocking chair. But alas, I don’t.
When we finished in Kidron, where both Lehman’s and Eastwood Furniture is located, we drove over to Dalton to P. Graham Dunn’s. There we had a chance to not just see their many home decor items, but also got to look behind the scenes at their laser engraving machinery. Because it was Saturday, no one was running the machines. However, based on the amount of product they have available throughout the store, the machines probably run non-stop during the week.
Our final stop was the J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe. I have a tender spot in my heart for Smucker’s because my dad worked there as a truck driver when I was a kid. I grew up eating Smucker’s jellies and jams. The store has a place toward the back that runs videos and has displays that show the evolution of Smucker’s. It was quite interesting. We picked up our cupcakes and a few other items as well.
We made it home with our 10 cupcakes (we each got one at the different stops) and bags of merchandise from our tour. It was a fun and fulfilling day. Oh, yeah, the rain held off until the very end, when we were leaving Smucker’s. Which made our tour that much sweeter. As far as the cupcakes go, the ones we have eaten are very good. However, I think we’ll freeze the rest. Then we’ll get to remember the fun we had over the next few months, as we enjoy the cupcakes at a later time.
