Longaberger Baskets

A trip to Longaberger Baskets offers, surprisingly, more than just baskets. Golf, a bit of history, interesting architecture and good food all await the partaking of visitors.

Columbus is a short, 55-minute flight from Chicago. After we landed, we quickly received our luggage, rented a car and were off on our mid-week adventure.

Nestled in East Central Ohio, a short drive from Columbus airport, are the towns of Newark, Dersden, Nasport and Franzeysberg, home of "Made in America" Longaberger Baskets. In fact, Longaberger Basket's headquarters itself is a building shaped like a basket, handles and all.

For the basket maker, Longaberger is offering a new two night vacation package which includes two nights at The Place Off The Square Hotel with continental breakfast for two, two passes (or one family pass) to the Works Museum in Newark, a visit to the Longaberger Homestead, a tour of the basket making facillity and the experience of making a basket, A "Made in America" lunch for two served in a red, white and blue handmade basket that is yours to keep, two tickets to J.W. Workshop for an arts and crafts experience and a copy of a book authored by the company founder, Dave Longaberger, all for $250.

Our first stop was The Works, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, in Newark. Visitors of all ages can explore the connections between art, crafts, technology and history. We especially enjoyed watching the master glass blower as he created beautiful and colorful vases. On special days, you can try your hand at designing and creating your own glass jewelry, a little gift, perhaps, for a special grandchild--something unique by which they will remember you. While in Newark, you must stop and visit the Midland Theater. This beautiful classic theater, renovated by the Longaberger family and gifted to the town of Newark, has presented top-name entertainers over the years.

Next, off to the Longaberger Homestead. A shopping, dining and events destination adjacent to the company's basket making facility. The Homestead Shop features collectibles, clothing, furniture, home accessories, jewelry, garden items and gourmet foods. The Homestead Restaurant specializes in home cooking. Try the pot roast--it was a big hit.

On to the Crawford Barn--this is a bargain shopper's paradise. After all that shopping, we stopped to enjoy a barbecue sandwich and a totally decadent hand-dipped Velvet ice cream cone.

Our next stop was the basket factory. This building is large enough to hold four football fields and has a work force of over 1,500 people busy making "Made in America" baskets. The mezzanine, which overlooks the work area, has displays that show how the baskets are made from wood splints hewn from maple logs to the finished product.

Make a basket? Never thought about it, until given the opportunity. This basket-making novice (just call me all thumbs) was rescued by Michael, a master basket maker. First, we picked out the basket style, then the colors and then I wove the maple splints around a wooden form, as Michael patiently led me through the process, until the basket was completed. A true work of art!

The golfer visiting will want to hit the links at the award-winning public golf course, rated number one in Ohio by Golfweek Magazine and the fourth best public course in the U.S. by Golf World's 2008 Readers Choice Awards. The Longaberger Golf Course, designed by Arther Hills, is a tournament-caliber 18-hole course. The course receives rave reviews from golfers of all skill levels who appreciate its panoramic natural beauty and immaculate playing conditions. A 60,000-square-foot clubhouse of rustic beauty and tradiiton houses an outstanding restaurant, bar and well-equipped pro shop.

The week-day golf package includes an overnight stay at the Place Off the Square Hotel, continental breakfast and two rounds of golf for $205 per golfer, double occupancy; $240 per golfer single occupancy or $240 one golfer and one non-golfer, double occupancy. Weekend rates $15 to $20 higher.

For information on visiting this area, contact Longaberger Experience, call 740-322-5588 or visit longabergerhomestead.com.

For golf information, contact the Longaberger Golf Club, One Long Drive, Nashport, OH; visit longabergergolfclub.com or call 740-763-1100.

A couple of restaurants you will want to visit are Dal-Cielo, 5 N. Third St., Newark, OH; call 740-345-9590, and Del Mar, 136 N. Prospect St., Granville, OH, call 740-587-3577.

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Frank Rubino is a freelance writer living in Hoffman Estates, IL.