Chic Spotlight: Adventures Around Cincinnati Authors
These adventurous gals wrote a book together about fun Tri-State activities. We chat with them about the book, their favorite adventures and where they're off to next.
Cincy Chic: Where did you grow up?
Laura Hoevener:I grew up outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and moved to Cincinnati in 1999, right before my first child was born.
Terri Weeks:
I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Cincy Chic: Were you always adventurous, wanting to explore new things and places?
Hoevener:
I remember, as a child, gathering travel brochures and imagining visiting each place. When friends or relatives came to visit, I loved to plan outings to keep us all busy. I've always been curious about local attractions and have tried to make time to explore them. It became easier to explore when my co-author, Terri, and I set aside each Tuesday for our
adventures. This commitment has really helped me be intentional about creating wonderful memories with my kids.
Weeks:
I guess you could say it's in my blood. My father was very adventurous in his younger days, skydiving and mountain climbing. My parents met on a ski trip. When I was a child, they exposed me to many different types of activities, from rafting to opera.
 Cincy Chic: What inspired you to write Adventures Around Cincinnati?
Hoevener:
Terri and I had been going on weekly summer adventures for about three years when we spoke to my MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group about our adventures. Next, we spoke to Terri's mom's group, and then several other groups invited us to speak. After each talk, moms kept encouraging us to put our experiences in a book. In 2009, we finally took that advice and
began working on the project that became Adventures Around Cincinnati.
Cincy Chic: Can you give us an overview of the book?
Hoevener:
Adventures Around Cincinnati contains over 80 family-friendly destinations within two hours of downtown Cincinnati. We wanted to be sure we could recommend each location and suggest tips that we had learned by being there, so each location has been tested by our kids. There are four different regional maps showing where each adventure is located. The beginning of the book encourages readers to start taking adventures and shares tips for successful adventures. A category table in the back of the book helps you locate the perfect adventure based on the interests of your family.
Cincy Chic: Is it just activities for adults, or are there family-friendly (and date-friendly) options, too?
Hoevener:
We wrote this book from a mom's perspective, and it is geared towards families with kids. We could have written almost the same book for adults. We've been told our next book should be Dating Adventures Around Cincinnati. There are some really great date ideas in this book! BB Riverboat tours, a walk across the Purple People Bridge and the Warren County History Center come to mind. Actually, there are only about 10 adventures in the book that you need small children to enjoy. Most adventures are also great for singles, empty-nesters, grandparents or out-of-town guests. Everyone can enjoy Adventures Around Cincinnati.
Cincy Chic: What are some of the other books you’ve written?
Hoevener:
Terri and I are both former engineers who decided to explore Cincinnati with our kids. We never had plans to write a book, but after receiving so much encouragement to write it, we accepted the challenge. Our goal was to help parents create memories and traditions with their kids while also seeing all that Cincinnati has to offer. This is the only book we've written.
Cincy Chic: Cincinnati has changed a lot since you published the book in 2010. Will you be writing another one?
Hoevener:
We are in the process of updating our original book, and all the information will be current for 2011. It is being republished and will be coming out soon. We have been keeping track of all the adventures we've taken since publishing the book and hopefully in the next few years, we will have another edition with more new adventures.
Cincy Chic: If you could add adventures to the book right now, what would you add?
Hoevener:
I loved Cox Arboretum in Dayton: It's a park with beautiful gardens, a butterfly house and many places for kids to explore. The Mt. Airy Treehouse and the Florence Aquatic Center are worth a visit, too. As we find new locations, we post them on our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/adventuresaroundcincinnati. We include pictures from the adventures, too.
Weeks:
We are still finding more great places. Some of them include The Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society Museum, Vent Haven Museum – a ventriloquism museum in Fort Mitchell - and Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs.
 Cincy Chic: What's your favorite adventure around Cincinnati?
Hoevener:
It's so hard to pick a favorite. Each adventure has something unique and valuable to offer. When we speak to groups and discuss the adventures with them, I always find myself wanting to go back and revisit many of these places. My kids love blueberry-picking and request either that or strawberry-picking every year. I enjoy hiking and spotting wildlife at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Loveland Castle is amazing and something everyone should see. I try to tell parents not to worry about finding the best adventure in the book. Every adventure is worthwhile, and your family will benefit from the experience of exploring something new together.
Weeks:
It's impossible to pick a favorite. There are so many wonderful places to visit around Cincinnati. One that my kids love to go to over and over is Trammel Fossil Park.
Cincy Chic: Where can you purchase the book?
Hoevener:
Signed and personalized copies are available on our website, www.adventuresaroundcincinnati.com. You can also find books at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. You'll find a list on our website or Facebook page with the many other retailers also carrying the book.
| Amy Scalia - |
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Amy Scalia, a Cincinnati native, is the editor in chief and publisher of Cincy Chic. Send her an e-mail at
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