Tea Healthier Than Water

A BBC story reports that drinking tea is healthier than drinking water. According to article, tea consumption hydrates you as well as providing protection against heart disease and some cancers.

I wonder how well tea protects against land sharks?

Nonetheless, this is a good news story for me as I drink tea every day. This should be good news for Coshocton patrons of Coffee Co. and Serenity Tea House.

Now, if they would just discover that tea-quila has healthful benefits.

Main Street Coffee Co. Consolidates Into Village

The Main St. Coffee Co. closes it's doors today in order to consolidate operations into the Roscoe Village Coffee Co.

In conjunction with the Main St. final day, mayor Dean Knoff presided over the final meeting of the Morning Coffee Crew. He patiently instructed the sizeable group on directions to the Roscoe Village Coffee Co. where the group will resume it's morning chats.

Roscoe Village Coffee Co. In Full Swing

The Coffee Company has quickly become a favorite hang out joint for numerous Coshoctonites. Partly, due to the laid back vibe and friendly service, but mostly due to a superior cup of coffee.

Coffee Co. serves up like a big city coffee house (think Starbuck's) in the little old town of Coshocton. With the new location in Roscoe Village, Coffee Co. should have "cozy" at the beginning of it's name. The Roscoe Coffee Co., a great place to kick back and caffeinate, puts you right in the heart of beautiful Roscoe Village. You can sit outside beneath an umbrella, sip a choice beverage, and people watch.

The shop offers a wide selection of coffee, tea, latte, pastries, etc. With the summer months upon us, there’s also a large selection of cool-you-down drinks. Plus, you can purchase your own beans and grind them at home. Ruth has carefully selected the best in hard-to-find premium coffee beans.

You won't be disappointed as Coffee Co. turns out to be a friendly place to sit and chatter with a wide range of Coshoctonians.

Homeland Security Money Grab Continues

Hey, it's your tax dollars hard at work.

Of course, a Krispy Kreme Donut shop near Des Moines is critical infrastructure and should be protected against terrorism, right? Everyone's lining up for Homeland Security money and many are getting it. We all know that Dillingham, Alaska needs one surveillance camera for every 30 residents, yes?

Where's Coshocton's critical infrastructure money? Shouldn't we protect the new Muskingum Water Trail from terrorist attack? If Krispy Kreme can be listed, why not Coffee Co.?

Roscoe Village and Matilda Wade's Ghost

September 1848--For Roscoe Village resident Matilda Wade, it was an autumn day; a day like many others. In 1848, the drudgery of washing laundry, in a hotel basement, would have been back breaking physical labor. There were no automatic machines or easy-to-do multitasking laundry procedures. There were no elevators to help carry the heavy laundry up and down from the third floor.

But on this day, while doing laundry, Matilda Wade was murdered and dropped down the hotel's cistern. Blood on the laundry room floor indicated foul play. Blood by the cistern pointed to Matilda Wade's demise.

According to the Coshocton Tribune, John Gearhart was charged with Matilda's murder and died in prison three months after his arrival. Legend has it he was an innocent man.

Not much is known about Matilda Wade's murder. What was the motive? If John Gearhart was indeed innocent, who killed Matilda?

People claim that Matilda's ghost haunts the building where she died. It's said if you visit the area near the filled in cistern, you'll feel a chill. The same chill can be felt near the laundry room.

One person whom I've interviewed says she feels Matilda's presence on the third floor. In fact, the whole building gives her the chills. Also, she claims she had no prior knowledge of Matilda Wade's murder.

You can visit the building in Roscoe Village. The building houses Coffee Co., I Can Only Imagine, and Liberty Pottery.

UPDATE: Recently, I've spent time walking the Roscoe Village cemeteries in search of MatildaWade's gravestone. As of yet, I've not located her marker.

Roscoe Village Classic Gas Corvette Cruise This Sunday

If you love Corvettes, you'll love the Corvette-Cruise-In, hosted by Roscoe Village, this Sunday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You'll see all types of Corvettes nestled into Roscoe Village.

If you're a Corvette nut, hang around the Roscoe exit and watch these cars coming down the highway; it's quite a sight and sound.

Also, while you're in Roscoe Village, stop by and visit Coffee Co. and I Can Only Imagine's new Roscoe locations.

Roscoe Village Grows With Coffee Co. and I Can Only Imagine

For those in the know, Coshocton's own Coffee Co. will open a second store in Roscoe Village this weekend. Ruth and her crew will be located in the same building as Liberty Pottery.

For now, the Roscoe Village Coffee Co. will be a scaled down version of the Main St. store, but I suspect Ruth will expand even further in the near future.

Roscoe Village Coffee Co. offers a different product mix, but one thing remains constant and that's great coffee and tea. Ruth will offer a hand picked, premium selection of coffee beans. Also, she'll offer an organic, fair trade coffee bean product.

The Roscoe Village Coffee Co. will replace Main St. as the Sunday coffee place-to-be.

One more exciting Roscoe Village development: I Can Only Imagine, the funky, eclectic store about which I've written will be re-locating in the space above Coffee Co. I've visited Teri's under construction store and I'm excited.

Look for pictures of the new stores later this week on CTCN.

Great Poetry Reading Day

I don't recall who said "why do more people write poetry than read it?", but I suspect it has something to do with reading classic poetry in school. Americans like an easy-to-digest life. Why read and think about a poem's meaning when you can flip on the tube and watch Andy Griffith or Desperate Housewives? Man, that stuff goes down easy, doesn't it?

What is poetry? Words on paper arranged in a way to create an illusion. You can see or feel whatever you desire or you can attempt to decode the poet's meaning. Either way, you read.
Now, I can sense some learned types bristling at my suggestion, but I'm not one to offer opinions based on fact. Enough pontification.

Before today ends, head over to the Coshocton library and pick up a poetry book (give Charles Bukowski a shot). Read to your significant other, kids, grandkids, neighbors, or the greeter at Wally World. If that's too much, you can find poems at poets.org or the electronic poetry center.

Remember, tomorrow night's Open Mic Night at Coffee Co. Bring your poem and read to the crowd.

Open Mic Night at Coffee Co.

Calling all poets, singers, musicians, comedians and other assorted performing odd lots; this Saturday night, April 29, Ruth and her crew give their music program a different spin with Open Mic Night. This promises to be an interesting night. If you're willing and able, Ruth has provided a forum for you to perform. Starts at 8. Be there or be triangular.

Saturday Night's Alright For Music!

Okay, it's Saturday evening and you're dreading watching re-runs of The X-Files. Don't fret. Starting at 7, there'll be live music, Big Fat Dog, outdoors at Lock 27 in Roscoe Village. I'll be there with my crew so stop by and say hello. Also, at Coffee Co., 311 Main St., beginning at 8 p.m., you can hear Bout featuring Joe Blake and Trent Staggers. So, up off your rear, couch potato, and creep into the Coshocton night.

The Sixth Degree At Coffee Co. Saturday Night

Saturday night, April 15, at Coffee Co, (on Main St.), it's the return of the Sixth Degree. These guys packed Coffee Co. on their last visit so you'll want to arrive early. Show starts at 8 p.m. and it's FREE!

One more thing: EAT CHEESECAKE!

Saturday Night At Coffee Co.

Tonight at Coffee Co. 311 Main @ 8 p.m., crowd favorite Jason Adams makes a re-appearance. Arrive early; the show's free. Eat cheesecake.

Coffee Co Saturday Night: The Return Engagement Of Pat Watkins & Katie Stanko

Katie Stanko and Patrick Watkins return Saturday night, March 25 at 8 p.m., to Coffee Co., 311 Main St., to again wow Coshocton music lovers.

In their prior engagement, the talented couple entertained a packed house with a varied selection of acoustic indie rock. Saturday night's performance promises the same and you'll need to arrive early to avoid standing.

Also, during their prior visit, Central Elementary 2nd grader, Joey Combs, conducted an exclusive interview with Katie.

Eat cheesecake!

The Sixth Degree Appearing At Coffee Co.

The Sixth Degree, Tim and Joe Ross, weave a musical tapestry this Saturday night, 8 p.m. at Coffee Co., 311 Main St. Prime seats disappear quickly for these free shows. See you there!

EAT CHEESECAKE!

Dr. Dan Lays It Down At Coshocton's Coffee Co.

You know the drill: Coffee Co. , Saturday night, March 11, 311 Main St. at 8 p.m. Dr. Dan travels in to lay down his sweet guitar stylings. Be there or be square.

Mary Elder At Coffee Co.

This Saturday night, Mary Elder makes a repeat performance at Coffee Co., 311 Main at 8 p.m. It's a free performance, and remember, the place fills up fast.

Eat cheesecake!

Now: Saturday Night At Coffee Co.

A strange thing this morning. While in Coffee Co., picking up my morning beverage, the phone rang. A person inquired about purchasing advanced tickets for Saturday night's live music. Yes, the Saturday night shows are becoming so popular that people are willing to buy tickets.

Here's the good news...these shows are free! This Saturday night, Feb. 25 @ 8 p.m., Jason Pendola & Frank Pettibone will lay it down for caffienated Coshoctonians. Arrive early for good seats and while you're there, EAT CHEESECAKE!

Coffee Co. is at 301 Main St. See you there!

Then: The Legend Of Mary Stockum: A Coshocton Ghost Story

Every community has ghost stories, and Coshocton is no different. I discovered the legend of Mary Stockum while surfing the 'net. Not being a local, I found the story to be one worthy of Stephen King.

After speaking with a number of lifelong residents, many of whom spent youthful overnights in the Stockum cemetery (often while drinking alcohol), I found no reports of any headless Mary encounters. In fact, I mostly encounter knowing grins while recollections of wild parties are told.

Nonetheless, the legend tells of Mary's husband, Christopher, murdering their second child. Apparently, Christopher became a guest at a swinging party. A enraged Mary vowed revenge and one-by-one her remaining nine children began dying of fever. After the fifth child died, Mary was burned as a witch. A sixth child died, and the Mary's executioners, dug up her burned body, cut off the head, and buried it outside the cemetery.

Now, Mary haunts the cemetery and surrounding woods. She searches for her children and missing head.

I've read various Mary encounters, including conversations. How does one converse with a headless woman? Tales of broken down cars abound (and if you have ever driven the rutted dirt roads, you understand why). But, as with most legends, substantiating the wild tales means spinning the story to ever wilder proportions.

The family cemetery is located in a remote area. Kind of spooky, I guess. On the day we visited, the dirt road which leads to the cemetery was inaccesible by car. The vandalized cemetery seemed no different than most small family cemeteries. Mary's stone lay toward the front of the cemetery. It's obvious somebody(s) attempted to thieve her stone finding it too heavy to remove.

One more interesting side note. While visiting Coffee Co., I met a relative of Mary Stockum. She professed to know little about Mary other than the legend. But she promised to ask an aged aunt about the Stockum legend and report back to me.

Now: Mary Elder Performing At Coffee Co. Saturday Night

This Saturday night (2/11 @ 8 p. m.) , Mary Elder takes the stool at Coffee Co., 311 Main St, to unleash her sweet guitar sounds. Arrive early as these free entertainment nights have been packed.

Dr. Dan To Appear At Coffee Co. This Saturday

Take a look at the picture. Right there by the giant, steaming coffee cup. This Saturday, Feb. 4, Mt. Vernon's favorite troubador, Dr. Dan, makes his first appearance at Coffee Co., 311 Main, downtown Coshocton.

For those of you who missed last weekend's dynamite performances of Katie and Pat (there continues to be a major buzz about the duo), make sure you arrive early for Dr. Dan as prime seats will fill up.

Don't forget...it's a freebie!