Summer in Pemberville

By Jessica Derkis,

 

Otterbein Portage Valley Marketing Director

 

You can tell it’s summer in Pemberville. The pool is open, festivals are all planned and the shops are hopping with travelers enjoying a "drive in the country."

 

There is a lot of history in Pemberville. Everyone enjoys "memory lane" experiences at Beekers General Store and Riverbank Antiques. Yesteryear’s treats, sewing notions, gifts and even toiletries await you in Beekers General Store. And, if you can’t find something you simply must take home at Riverbank Antiques, you’re not looking hard enough.

 

Looking for good old-fashioned service in this hubbub world? Look no further than Eisenhour Motors. Family owned and operated for more than 85 years, Eisenhour offers new GM cars and trucks and used vehicles and services everything they sell. You’ll often find Jack under the hood making sure everything is tip-top.

 

Even if you don’t need a car or a mechanic, you can find the same customer service and hometown friendly faces at the Medicine Shoppe. Whether you need lip balm, a lottery ticket or a prescription, Medicine Shoppe has you covered with great attention to detail and assistance.

 

You might as well stay a while. Sit down and enjoy a delectable country lunch at The Forks Restaurant, the huge menu adapting favorites from all over the world at Front Street Café or the traditional pub grub at Cherry’s Pub.

 

Don’t forget to take home some of the best local meats and casserole fixin’s from Frobose Meat Locker. This family-owned business offers wild game dressing as well as their own homegrown meats. Don’t know how to prepare that cut of beef? Ask the Frobose family. They have a recipe for everything and it’s sure to be delicious.

 

Looking for entertainment before you head home? Look no further than the Pemberville Opera House for a reasonably priced date night. One doesn’t often think of Pemberville and Opera House in the same thought but trust me, if you like historic, you’ll love the beautifully restored opera house and the plays, musicians and more offered there. If you can garner a behind-the-scenes tour, check out the years of stagehand scrawl behind the set.

 

Just like many small towns, festivals and street fairs are huge in Pemberville! There’s nothing like the Pemberville Free Fair that is set for Aug. 18-21 this year. Nobody puts on a parade like Pemberville community members, merchants and students. This also is a showcase for local vendors, delicious fair food, as well as entertainers. There are competitions among local quilts, arts and crafts, sidewalk chalk art, produce, animals, baked goods and vehicles. Feats of skill and talent will include a cornhole tournament, tractor pulls for all ages, tug-of-war, frog jumping and more!

 

The Pemberville Cruise-in draws hundreds of vintage, antique and show-off new cars from all over the state. There’s always sinfully delicious street vendor food like hot dogs, ice cream and kettle corn and local church auxiliary fare like roast beef sandwiches. And don’t forget entertainment! Join us downtown on July 8, Aug. 5 or Sept. 2 for the Pemberville Cruise-in car shows! Pemberville opens up the streets all summer long on the first Thursday of each month through September.

 

If you’re looking for a new home or vacation destination, whether you’re retiring to Otterbein Portage Valley or just from the fast pace of the city, Pemberville offers charm, comfort and lots of good times.

You can get a taste of Pemberville at Otterbein Portage Valley! Join us this month on Tuesday, July 13, as we host the Doug Neel Jazz Quintet who will be breaking out jazz tunes from the 40s and 50s for us to enjoy. A suggested $3 donation will get you a tasty lunch and admission to the show that starts at 11 a.m. Please call ahead to reserve your lunch.

 

On Wednesday, July 21, join the huge Maumee Senior Band for a morning donuts and coffee reception. They will begin entertaining at 9:30 a.m. We’ll have a brand new model available for you to see and Otterbein members will open their homes for you to tour.