The Ohio Bubble

Washington County: Of Pioneers and Putnams

Someone had the crazy idea of doing a whole episode for each of Ohio’s 88 counties. And we’re just crazy enough to try! We begin with Washington County, the first established. It’s now home to all the historical sites you could want in a county and all the creepy dolls you could want in a lifetime. In this episode, we also accidentally come full circle on just about every topic and say the name, Putnam a lot. Say it with us: Putnam. Fun right?
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Sources and Links:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta,_Ohio
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_County,_Ohio
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Good or Great River: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_River
Hopewell description includes quoted dates from: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopewell_tradition
Marietta earthworks: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta_Earthworks
Marietta College: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta_College
https://www.marietta.edu/explore
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/marietta-college-3073/overall-rankings
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_Musgrave Includes quotes 
Songs at the Center Season 7: https://songsatthecenter.tv/season-7/
Sadie Johnson: https://grandblues.org/bluestarconnection/blue-star-committee-champs/sadie-johnson/
https://www.marcolian.com/?p=2009 Includes quote on lobbying the school.
Marietta degrees including graduate: https://www.marietta.edu/areas-of-study
Return Meigs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_J._Meigs_Sr.
Captain Posey and the Ohio River Museum: https://mariettamuseums.org/ohio-river-museum/exhibits/
John Stone: https://henryburke1010.tripod.com/id14.html
Covered Bridges: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=6216
https://www.washingtongov.org/PhotoGallery/Album/21
Rivers Trails and Ales: https://www.rtafest.com/
Harrison Gray Chandler: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Gray_Otis_(publisher)
Norman Chandler: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Chandler
Dorothy Buffum Chandler: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Buffum_Chandler
Anchorage Mansion: https://ironcityparanormal.com/2018/09/24/anchorage-mansion-history/
https://www.wchshistory.org/anchorage
Peoples Mortuary Museum: https://www.cawleyandpeoples.com/peoples-mortuary-museum
(Includes direct quote)
W.P. Snyder Jr: https://mariettamuseums.org/ohio-river-museum/ (Includes direct quote)
Muskingum etymology: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskingum_River (Includes direct quote)
Campus Martius: https://mariettamuseums.org/campus-martius/
Children’s Toy and Doll Museum: https://m.facebook.com/100057088825369/
Initial research was probably from this now defunct website: https://mariettaohio.org/member/toy-doll-museum/
Kewpie Dolls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kewpie
Kewpee Restaurants: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kewpee (Includes several direct quotes)
https://www.kewpeehamburgers.com/kewpee-hamburgers/history/
Bubble Movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_(2005_film)
LA Times Article on Bubble: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-22-me-bubble22-story.html
Roger Ebert’s review of Bubble: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bubble-2006
Film Comment Review of Bubble: https://www.filmcomment.com/article/bubble-review/
Wayne National Forest: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_National_Forest
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f5de3fd0fb384f1fa9d5ffe17546e6e3 (See especially, the Marietta unit section)
Disclaimers:
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
It took us longer to edit this episode than most (it’s a whole thing) so some facts may not be as up to date as usual.
US News and World Report has since downgraded Marietta College to 7th best value in the Midwest.
Sadie Johnson has since graduated from Marietta.
When it comes to ghost tours, there’s a big difference between a ghost walk and a ghost hunt. We emphatically don’t recommend the latter.
We aren’t experts on everything. If you think we’re incorrect about something, let us know at https://www.instagram.com/the_ohio_bubble_podcast/

Law-Deriding Citizens (feat. Brandon Isleib)

In Kelsey’s (temporary) absence we’re joined by lawyer and polymath, Brandon Isleib (AKA Restless Mosaic) to discuss the odd side of Ohio’s laws.  From banned monkeys to reptilian projectiles, we attempt to find out why these weird statutes are on the books. And Brandon attempts to segue between them…
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Sources and Links:
Restless Mosaic on Bandcamp: https://restlessmosaic.bandcamp.com/
Columbus Municipal Code: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances
Ohio Revised Code: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code
Roller Skate History: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_skates
Mo’s Bows: https://mosbowsmemphis.com/
Only In Your State Weird Laws Listicle: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/crazy-laws-part-2-oh/amp/
Casper Law Weird Laws Listicle: https://casperlaw.com/blog-21-weird-laws-in-the-tri-state/ 
The actual weird Ohio food law is about donuts and not ice cream: http://www.legintent.com/three-laws-weird-almost-want-break/
Other states have weird ice cream laws though: https://atlantainjurycounsel.com/top-10-weirdest-laws-in-georgia/
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
Don’t worry! Kelsey’s fine and she’ll be back next time!
It shouldn’t have to be said but please don’t take legal advice from this podcast.
We aren’t experts on everything. If you think we’re incorrect about something, let us know at https://www.instagram.com/the_ohio_bubble_podcast/

Amusement Musings

Like roller coasters? Then Ohio is the state for you! Between Cedar Point in the north and Kings Island in the south, we have 30 different coasters to choose from, including some of the tallest, fastest, and longest in the world. In this episode, we’ll take you through our memories of these two world class amusement parks and in an attempt to finally settle which is Ohio’s best. Along the way, we’ll introduce you to “coaster therapy,” employ the phrase, “furnace of a dog,” and complain some more about the weather.
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Coaster Studios was our introduction to the term “home park” and other coaster enthusiast concepts and memes, including Millennium Force’s reputation as a weak ride. In particular, the following videos informed our episode:
            Cedar Fair Rankings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbdj6ANYQFg
            Cedar Point Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAXSZGWaQis
            Cedar Point History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsBAYpoS8yA
Top Ten US Parks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIoh0Crwkoc (This video was helpful in pointing out the Western themed area of Cedar Point as evidence the park is not only for enthusiasts.)
Iron Dragon Review: https://youtu.be/9ti3rDIuD-4
The Brady Bunch and Partridge Family at Kings Island: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2021/january/january-26-1973-partridge-family-episode-premiered-on-abc-tv (Source of “Another TV family...” quote.)
Son of Beast: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Beast (Source of “first wooden hypercoaster…” and “non-fatal accidents” quotes.)
Ready to Go by Republica (flashing light warning): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk
(Fun fact: the Wikipedia page for this song used to contain a joke about how overplayed it was at Top Thrill.)Hotel Breakers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Breakers
Cedar Point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Point
Kings Island: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_Island
Accidents: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incidents_at_Cedar_Fair_parks
Wikipedia’s sources are listed on each Wikipedia url.
 
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
There are other roller coasters in Ohio besides the ones at the Cedat Fair parks but we wanted to focus on the big ones.
At the time of recording, we were unaware of the 2021 accident on Top Thrill Dragster that left one guest severely injured and the ride indefinitely closed. Our hearts go out those affected and we have no intention of trivializing this sad turn of events.
We’re using a new program for audio leveling so this episode may sound different (hopefully better.)
We aren’t experts on everything. If you think we’re incorrect about something, let us know at https://www.instagram.com/the_ohio_bubble_podcast/

Crashing Symbols

Like all states, Ohio has a lot of symbols. From birds and trees to songs and candies, all kinds of things are used to represent Ohio to the wider world. But are we putting our best foot forward? Only Nick, Katie, and Kelsey have the audacity to rethink everything and suggest replacements for Ohio's official state... things. This episode also includes Nick's unpopular ideas about dog breeds, Katie's shocking reveal about Groundhog Day, and Kelsey's history of being divebombed by random animals.
 
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Symbols of Ohio: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ohio_state_symbols
All state symbols: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_United_States_state_symbols  (Each link is for all symbols of a single state or all state instances of a single type of symbol. We used the latter to compare Ohio to the rest of the country.)
Ohio Bicentennial Documentary with McKinley carnation story: https://www.pbs.org/video/wviz-pbs-ideastream-specials-ohio-200-years/
Massassauga Rattlesnake described as insect-like: https://amp.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/amp/30050691
Mudpuppies: https://amp.thenews-messenger.com/amp/19805565 (Our description of their range in Ohio came from here.)
Possible origin for “if it flies, it dies”: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/patch-usaf-526th-fs-deny-flight-if-it-flies-it
Groundhog Day documentary: https://www.amazon.com/Groundhog-Day-Story-Season/dp/B092HDC96B
What is flint: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint
Rome apples: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome_apple
How Hang on Sloopy became the Ohio State Rock Song: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Ohio's_State_Rock_Song_-_Hang_On_Sloopy?rec=1878 (accessed through Wikipedia)
Standardbred Horses: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standardbred
Wikipedia’s sources are listed on each Wikipedia url.
 
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
The Lake Erie water snake is actually found in much of the lakeshore in Ohio.
The apple’s status as the New York State Fruit is unrelated to the Big Apple nickname.
We aren’t experts on everything. If you think we’re incorrect about something, let us know at https://www.instagram.com/the_ohio_bubble_podcast/
The Ohio Bubble universally likes Labradors.

Here (May) Be Monsters

We’re back for 2022 with our Buckeye-centric take on the cryptid phenomenon, examining the evidence for and against South Bay Bessie (Lake Erie’s Nessie), the Ohio grassman (Ohio’s bigfoot), and the Loveland frogman (Ohio’s weird uncle). Is Bessie just a big fish? Is there a grasswoman? Does Loveland’s frogman talk? Are we crazy for asking?
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_(lake_monster)
https://web.archive.org/web/20110708104140/http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/otd_11121933_happy_anniversary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie#Folklore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesiosauria
https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bessie
http://www.weirdus.com/states/ohio/bizarre_beasts/south_bay_bessie/index.php
https://www.bfro.net/GDB/state_listing.asp?state=oh
Various episodes of Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot (https://www.animalplanet.com/show/finding-bigfoot-animal-planet), especially S7 E5, “Matt Goes Home.” Nick’s “something they could not explain” comment may be a direct quote.
https://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_county_reports.asp?state=oh&county=Franklin
http://www.weirdus.com/states/ohio/bizarre_beasts/loveland_frogman/index.php
https://charlestonterrors.com/the-loveland-frogman-ohios-most-famous-cryptid/
Strange Ohio Monsters by Michael Newton (2013)
Our descriptions of sightings include direct quotes from several fo these sources.
Wikipedia’s sources are listed on each Wikipedia url.
 
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
We taped our first several episodes during a relative break in the Covid pandemic. Depending on when you listen, some of the activities we describe may be unsafe or unavailable. Be safe y’all.
There were some audio issues we just couldn’t resolve so you might hear some pops and cracks from our mics. We assure you, they’re completely harmless.

Not Your Mother‘s Mother Road

Nick’s description of Ohio as “America in Miniature” got us thinking- if U.S. Route 66 (and its Interstate analogue, I-40) is the “Great Amercian Road Trip,” what would constitute the “Great Ohioan Road Trip”? Settling on U.S. Route 42 and the parallel I-71, we attempt to design the ultimate Ohio road adventure, full of natural beauty, awesome food, and… some pretty morbid history.
 
Also in this episode, we meet a chain-smoking cyborg, hear Nick’s owl impersonation, and learn why Kelsey hates camping. 
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Cincinnati Zoo: http://cincinnatizoo.org/
The 1974 Xenia tornado (yes, we got the date wrong): https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/this-day-in-weather-history-april-4-1974-xenia-ohio-f5-and-super-outbreak
Der Dutchman and Carlisle Gifts: https://dhgroup.com/restaurants/der-dutchman-plain-city-oh
The Cheese House: http://shopthecheesehouse.com/
New California: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_California,_Ohio and https://www.dispatch.com/article/20130410/NEWS/304109721
The Little Brown Jug: https://www.littlebrownjug.com/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Brown_Jug_(horse_race)
Eclectic Diner and Sweeterie: https://eclecticdinerandsweeterie.com/. Check out https://www.yelp.com/biz/eclectic-diner-and-sweeterie-delaware if main site is down.
The Hayes Gas Station: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-rutherford-b-hayes-birthplace-gas-station-delaware-ohio
Olentangy Caverns: https://olentangycaverns.com/
Bunker’s Mill Winery: https://www.bunkersmillwinery.com/
Mount Gilead Fires and Levering Hall, including quotes from History of Morrow County: https://www.mountgilead.net/mgfddepthx.htm
Levering Hall in General: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levering_Hall#cite_note-dohp-2
Sparks Fly LLC: https://sparksflyllc.com/
8 Sisters Bakery: http://www.8sistersbakery.com/our-story/
Nickel and Bean Coffee Shop: https://www.nickelandbean.com/about-us and https://www.nickelandbean.com/villageboardroom 
Renaissance Theatre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Theatre_(Mansfield,_Ohio)
Miss Ohio Pageant and Miss America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Ohio and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Miss_America_titleholders#Winners_by_state
Elektro: https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/science-history-elektro-the-smoking-robot/ and http://www.themansfieldmuseum.com/elektro-1.html
Oak Hill Cottage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Hill_Cottageand https://oakhillcottage.org
Carpenter Gothic architecture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_Gothic
The Warden and his wife at Mansfield: https://ghostwalks.com/articles/tragic-arthur-glattke-mansfield
Mount Gilead State Park: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/mt-gilead-state-park
Fishing Regulations in Ohio: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/fishing-resources/fishing-regulations
Blackfork Wetlands: https://www.ashland.edu/cas/environmental-science-program/black-fork-wetlands-environmental-studies-center
Wetland facts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetland
Schleman Nature Preserve and Buckeye Woods: https://www.medinacountyparks.com/index.php/parks/nature-preserves/schleman-nature-preserve
Princess Ledges:http://www.naturalohioadventures.com/princess-ledges-nature-preserve.html
Wikipedia’s sources are listed on each Wikipedia url.
 
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research and provide further background. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
We taped our first several episodes during a relative break in the Covid pandemic. Depending on when you listen, some of the activities we describe may be unsafe or unavailable. Be safe y’all!
The Cheese House was incorrectly referred to as Yoder’s Cheese House. Yoder’s is actually the name of the fencing shop next door.
The “Olentangy Indian Caverns” have recently been renamed as simply the “Olentangy Caverns.” In this episode, we use the original name as printed in Google Maps. We understand and respect the name-change and don’t want to touch the political discussions about such name-changes with a ten-foot-pole.
When it comes to ghost tours, there’s a big difference between a ghost walk and a ghost hunt. We emphatically don’t recommend the latter.
Blackfork describes wetlands as the most biodiverse ecosystem after rainforests.

Bringing OSU To You

Peek behind the curtain as we give you the Ohio State tour you didn’t get in orientation (with a couple detours to nearby Columbus State). Join us as we reminisce about the intricacies of campus dining, discuss the best way to enjoy a Buckeye Football game, and throw in some surprising trivia.
This episode will also feature a spider named after a new wave singer, two would-be homecoming queens, a superfluous reference to Untitled Goose Game, and some groutrageous puns. We promise it all makes sense.
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Urine in Mirror Lake: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dispatch.com/article/20091119/NEWS/311199656%3ftemplate=ampart
Maudine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maudine_Ormsby Wikipedia links its sources on the article. However, Rosalind Morrison’s quote was not cited in Wikipedia but can be found in Jack Park’s book The Ohio State Football Encyclopedia (2000).
Untitled Goose Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/837470/Untitled_Goose_Game/
 
Disclaimers: 
External links are provided to credit the sources used in our research. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
We taped our first several episodes during a relative break in the Covid pandemic. Depending on when you listen, some of the activities we describe may be unsafe or unavailable. Be safe y’all!
We do not condone busking or parkour without proper licensing and/or safety precautions.
At the time of taping this was our second episode to feature complaints about geese. The previous episode was postponed.
We try to be accurate but please do your own research.
There’s no way we could cover everything interesting about The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College in one episode. You’ll probably hear more of our college stories very soon.

Ohio Meet Podcast!

Welcome to our inaugural episode!  Think Ohio is only about corn?  Believe Ohioans are only obsessed with football?  Have the opinion Ohio really isn’t that important?  Join us as we chat about why Ohio is more than just a flyover state and really earns its place as the 17th state in the Union. 
 
Also in this episode, we meet a lucky border collie, uncover the Invasion of the Alaskan Superintendents, and learn that Nick and Kelsey make a normal hotdog. The word “y’all” may make an appearance.
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Sources and Links:
Ice Breaker: https://museumhack.com/list-icebreakers-questions/
Stereotypes (Football, Chili, Politicians and Media, Sperrys): https://www.movoto.com/guide/oh/ohio-stereotypes/
Stereotypes (Accents, O-H-I-O Pictures, Weather Drama, Corn): https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/totally-true-stereotypes-oh/
Stereotypes (Burning River, Snow Days, A/C, Pronunciation): https://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/09/51-signs-youre-from-ohio/
The Stereotype Map: https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbus/comments/94n4j9/pretty_acurate/
Ohio Flag: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Ohio
State Demonyms: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demonyms_for_US_states_and_territories
”Very old fashioned sentence” is a reference to a John Mulaney joke.
For a full list of famous Ohioans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Ohio
 
Wikipedia’s sources are linked on each page.
 
Disclaimers:
External links and references are provided to credit the sources used in our research. They do not reflect the opinions of the Ohio Bubble Podcast.
We taped our first several episodes during a relative break in the Covid pandemic. Depending on when you listen, some of the activities we describe may be unsafe or unavailable. Be safe y’all!
No, we don’t actually want to murder any politicians or media figures or anyone else. It’s a hyperbole. Do we really need to say this?
The actual stereotype for Columbus is that people are punctual, not late.
Zanesville and Lancaster are two different cities. Only Zanesville was ever a capital.