Winter on the Water offers cure for Cabin Fever

ASHTABULA – Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – and s’mores, too.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, people gathered around fire pits to roast the marshmallow-y treat during Winter on the Water hosted by the Lift Bridge Community Association in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor.
It was the perfect cure for Cabin Fever after a long winter of cold and snow.
“People have been cooped up, so I think they are interested in getting out,” LBCA Board member LaDonna Smith said. “It’s an opportunity for the community to get out a little in the fresh air on a cold day.”
According to Smith, there were five fire pits placed in the park where Carlisle Pavilion sits.
She was on hand at a table where people could pick up s’mores kits and sticks to roast the marshmallows.
April Loveland of Perry and her family members, including two young children, Zealand and Zoey Ebba, were having fun as they held their marshmallows on sticks over one of the fire pits. The smell of smoke filled the air as it trailed off from their fire pit.
“We’re trying to get out after all the cold weather,” April said. “It’s been nice to be outside the last day of February.”
The event also offered a wide variety of other features, including a Cocoa & Cocktail Trail, and Event Passport with a grand prize of $100 in Bridge Street Bucks, later shopping hours with merchant specials and live music.
At Bridge Street Art Works, people could explore an art walk inside the store.
“I think it’s good for Bridge Street,” Judy Campbell, co-owner of the business, said of the Winter on the Water event. “Today is perfect. It’s not a blizzard.”
“I love it,” Tama Salvaggi, who was shopping in Bridge Street Artworks with two friends, said. She said they planned their visit for a week.
At Harbor Gardens, Debbie Senger of Ashtabula Township had her 15 varieties of jams and jellies for people to try.
“I’ve been making jellies for at least 50 years,” she said. “I started making them when I was in high school, with my grandmother.”
She said her products are healthier, with no high fructose corn syrup.
“A lot of the fruits are local, so you get more nutrition using the local produce,” she added.
Kaye Lind of Ashtabula tried to apple cranberry.
“It was very good,” she said.