After several days of a pump, power washer, and some dedicated volunteers, the beach area continues to take on a fresh clean new look. Here we can see the before and after. The remainder is to be completed this week before new benches and clothes hanging hooks are to be installed. I, along with those I spoke to today at the beach, were amazed how nice the retaining wall power washing was turning out. Once again, a huge thank you goes to our volunteers. 06/03/2009

EASTERN BOX TURTLE Here's a little guy found on the road this past week. We can all offer a helping hand to our little friends by remembering to keep an eye out when driving through the Hills. For more wildlife found in Hide-A-Way Hills, be sure to see: Quick Pics - Wildlife 06/03/2009

Once again, I am a bit puzzled by the wildlife I've been able to catch with my camera. This turtle was spotted on the rocks on the Lake of Four Seasons in Hide-A-Way Hills, Ohio. Why might I be puzzled? Smooth softshells are typically found in rivers, large streams, and, rarely, large lakes with sandy or muddy bottoms. Those lakes are usually close to a large river. Sandbars are also important for basking and egg laying sites. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "The smooth softshell is limited primarily to southern and southeastern Ohio, where it inhabits the larger tributaries of the Ohio River, particularly the Scioto River." What a treat to find this creature on our lake here in Hide-A-Way Hills.While finding the turtle on our lake may be a bit odd, the softshell... 06/03/2009

Hide-A-Way Hills, Ohio - How Far is the Grocery? After 8 years of conducting tours of the Hide-A-Way Hills community, I am often asked how far the nearest grocery store may be? Depending on what you need, there are several options for the HAH resident.Large chain grocery stores can be found within about a 20 minute drive to Logan or Lancaster, Ohio. You'll find the typical, Walmart, Kroger, and Meijer's available.Hide-Away Carry Out, a local mini-mart/gas station is located about 1/4 mile from the front gates of HAH. Beer, wine and gas prices are typically in line with those in town, but be prepared to pay a convenience charge on other forgotten grocery items. They carry worms in the summer for the local anglers, firewood for the HAH weekender, and ice for the coolers. While I have not ... 06/03/2009

As part of a press tour organized by the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, eleven travel writers representing magazines such as Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, AAA Horizons, AAA Home & Away, Planet Boston, The Connection, and Indy's Child / Midwest Parenting Publications will enjoy dinner at the Hide-A-Way Hills Lodge and Microbrewery on Friday, May 1, at 7pm. Some of the scribes are also freelancers with their own Web sites, who also offer their work to other periodicals and sites. Hide-A-Way Hills members are also certainly encouraged to dine at the lodge that evening, and of course the public is also invited to sample the great food, drink, and service at the lodge.  There's lots of great (and green) things happening in southeast Ohio's famous and scenic Hocking Hills Regio... 04/24/2009

   Eight new beach area docks will be available to Hide-A-Way Hills Club members this summer, thanks to the continued work of the Adopt-An-Area Committee, led by Vic Kapscos (he's the one lying down on the job). The eight docks are located just off the beach area, and will allow temporary tie-ups for boaters who want to take a break for a dip or picnic.  Volunteer committees have always been a backbone for HAH, and recently have completed various projects and planning to ensure the next 50 years for the community, a gateway for southeast Ohio's famous and scenic Hocking Hills Region.  When you visit HAH, you'll also immediately notice the club's new playground right up front....thanks to the dedication of both the Parents & Playground Commitee, along with the Adopt-An-Area Committee! Yo... 04/12/2009

Time Warner Cable is currently working on a full fiber optic upgrade for the private and gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills (HAH)...a gateway to southeast Ohio's famous and scenic Hocking Hills Region.  The project should be completed by mid-summer of this year, and would provide full "Road Runner" service throughout the community. In addition to high-speed internet service, the upgrade would provide access to digital telephone and enhanced cable TV.  Assuming that Time Warner offers various service bundling (service combination) options and competitive pricing, it should nudge other HAH service providers to do or consider likewise.  Verizon DSL service is currently generally available on the "east side" of Lake of the Four Seasons, with bundling options for telephone service a... 04/12/2009

Is a whole-house generator worth the cost?  After spending a good amount of time reading articles and online threads about the question, I can say that I've at least learned what additional questions to consider....as they say, it's all about location, location, location....and comfort levels.  If your lifestyle includes a well and septic system, odds are you're at least a good candidate for a generator.  But even if your friendly neighborhood subdivision building code requires a sump pump, a generator might also be a most important home amenity.... After last summer's wind storms, and the early 2009 ice storm, we invested in a whole-house generator....a fully automated system with transfer switch. And although the utility service lines to our resort community home (in Hide-A-Way Hills,... 04/07/2009

        If you're traveling around and through the Hocking Hills Region, you'll soon notice more marketing for one of the area's best-kept dining secrets. And you don't have to be a member of Hide-A-Way Hills (HAH) to relax and dine at the lodge; we'd love to have you see what's made HAH such a special getaway since the 1960's (using "we" because HAH members own and operate the Club...that's how our microbrewery came to be years ago). The HAH Lodge offers a decidely casual and rustic atmosphere, and the prices are right. Come spring, you can even dine out on the deck, too. Check out the nightly and weekly specials, along with the general menu, at http://tinyurl.com/HAHlodge . For reservations, please call 740-569-7944. You might even want to stop by the very longstanding Wednesday night... 03/11/2009

Being held up in the Hills can actually be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life provided you're well prepared. This emergency list should help prepare either a cabin or home in Hide-A-Way Hills should severe whether hit.. Flashlight with fresh batteries. Radio with fresh batteries. Candles and holders. Blankets. Matches. Wind-up clock. Firewood and kindling. Manual can opener. Charcoal grill with charcoal - Be sure not to use the grill indoors due to carbon monoxide. Paper plates and plastic utensils. Lighter. Bottled water. Nonperishable food. Cards, board games, puzzles and the like.. Extra batteries. A bucket (Without power, there's no toilet flushing. You don't have to use the bucket, just use the bucket for water to flush any toilets.). And my favorite, a bottle of wine.... 01/18/2009

This Bald Eagle, one of what is believed to be a nesting pair, was caught fishing in Lake Arrowhead. While guests must be accompanied by a member to utilize the amenities, an exception was made for this eagle and it's partner, believed to nest in Kessler Swamp.Thanks to Sue Pyle for the photograph! Bald Eagles don't develop the typical white head and tail feathers until they are 4-5 years of age. Until then, they remain solid dark brown. Their habitat stretches all across our country, save Hawaii, however they are usually found near large bodies of water. Bald Eagles mate for life, choosing another mate only if the first dies. Nests are used for many years in a row and can weigh several tons.The bald eagle, adopted as our national symbol in 1782, has been declining in numbers until the... 01/18/2009

As HAH prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a couple of years, it's no surprise that various things around the "The Hills" need some attention to prepare for the upcoming decades.  And as a member owned-and-operated community, it's important to note and recognize the volunteer efforts that help ensure infrastructure and amenities for the future. While HAH maintains its own maintenance staff, which does a great ongoing job, it's the work of the member committees that has made tremendous differences through the years.  Right upfront you'll see the recent evidence.  2008 saw major work done on the dams at Lakes Deerfoot and Arrowhead, and then there's that inviting new playground right inside the front security gate.  The dams project was completed by an outside contractor, along ... 11/08/2008

   It's often said that one of Ohio's proverbial "best-kept secrets" is the private and gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills, very near the famous and scenic Hocking Hills Region....a perfect place for that vacation getaway you've dreamt about.  HAH or "The Hills" has seen lots of changes through the past year, thanks so very much of the volunteer efforts of members and the community's "Adopt-An-Area" committee.  For a quick peek, here's a fall sampler tour . ©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com 10/24/2008

On Saturday, September 13TH, 2008 Hide-A-Way Hills Members were treated to a free Carillon Concert! Members brought down their own chairs while being treated to a sample of wines and cheeses during the concert. A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 carillon bells, arranged in chromatic sequence, so tuned as to produce concordant harmony when many bells are sounded together. It is played from a keyboard that allows expression through variation of touch. The keys are struck with the half-closed hand. In addition, the larger bells are connected to foot pedals. Although bells were first made by man during the Bronze Age, it was not until the 15th century that Flemish bell founders discovered the process of accurately tuning bells. The art of making carillon bells almost... 10/09/2008

A is for Association. Hide-A-Way Hills Club is the same as a Home Owner's Association.B is for Beach. Hide-A-Way Hills Beach is open year round and serves as a nice spot to picnic with family and friends.C is for Chapel in the Pines. Hide-A-Way Hills has its own outdoor chapel with services on Sunday morning from Memorial to Labor Day. All are invited to attend.D is for Docks. All Members have the opportunity to sign up for the use of a Club dock.E is for Eagles. Kessler's Swamp located across from Hide-A-Way Hills has been home to bald eagles in the past. Members keep an eye out for their return.F is for Finches. Whether yellow or purple, both take up residence in Hide-A-Way Hills.G is for Golf. Hide-A-Way Hills has its own private 9-hole Golf Course. Membership is automatic to land ow... 10/07/2008

Rainbow over Lake of Four Seasons Pop-up showers often clear the Lake of Four Seasons of all but the most die-hard lake fans. This photo was submitted by one such fan, an avid reader of HAHBlog!Keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready! Your photo could be featured on HAHBlog!   07/25/2008

The following is a checklist outlining the commonly required documents for an FHA/VA loan. The items in bold are most commonly required for conventional loans.(1)Last 2 years W-2's.(2)Last 30 day period of pay stubs.(3)Last 2 years Federal 1040's (all pages) for borrowers who are self-employed, as sole-proprietor, own 25% or more of a corporation or partnership, commission earnings representing 25% or more of annual income, or income from other non-employment sources.(4)If employed less than 2 years and previously in the military, a copy of service discharge, or if previously a student, a copy of transcript.(5)Name, address, phone number, and start and ending dates of employer(s) for last 24 months.(6)Account statements for last 2 months (all pages) from all checking, savings, investmen... 07/25/2008

Hide-A-Way Hills has been blessed with members who volunteer their time simply for the joy of helping their community. Currently, volunteers have completed the following list of projects around the Hide-A-Way Hills, resort Community in the last month:Flowers at the Borah Hill entrancePark Benches at the North Dock6 steel light poles for use throughout Hide-A-Way HillsRelocated and landscaped the sign for the LodgeFlowers at the Front EntranceStain the exterior of the Golf Course ClubhouseDeveloped golf cart parking areaInstalled new fence and landscaped the front of the Golf Course ClubhouseThanks to all the amazing volunteers who make this community what it is today!   07/25/2008

06/04/2008

The first Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Committee Event of the Spring will be held Sunday May 18 at 9 am with "The Memorial", an 18 hole scramble.The Memorial is held each spring at Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Course in honor of one of the Members of the HAH Golf Community that has recently passed away.This year's Honoree is Mary Lynne Cowan, a long time Member and avid golfer who lost her battle with cancer last year.The scramble is open to all Members and their guests. Teams will be drawn from flights of A, B, C, and D players. The $25 entry fee includes beverages during the tournaments as well as a pulled pork dinner with beverages in the Golf Pavilion after the tournament.Not A Golfer? Don't let that stop you from enjoying "The Memorial". A $5 fee will be charged to non players who wish to eat. P... 05/11/2008