Theater takes visitors back in time

The Wapa Theatre, located at 15 Willipie St. in Wapakoneta.

For more than 100 years, the building at 15 Willipie Street in Wapakoneta has housed a theater.

I visited the theater on Friday, Nov. 19, and caught "Megamind" — my third visit to the theater, which is visible as soon as you turn onto Willipie Street because of the lighted marquee at the front of the building.

With red seats and white decor on the inside, the three story Wapa Theatre is a step back in time, from the sticky floors that have seen thousands of traffic for 105 years to the movie posters that line the walls, but the theater had its start as an actual dramatic theater.

"It was first put into use for a play in 1905, " Owner R.C. Wiesenmayer said. "It was always known as the Brown Theater — the marquee was put on in 1939."

Wiesenmayer noted the difference between the building's two titles.

"The Brown Theater is actually the facility in there — the stage, the pit," he said. "The Wapa Theatre is what it became with the movies."

Unlike most theaters, and because of its dramatic heritage, the Wapa has one theater, not like modern-day or movie-based cinemas and multiplexes.

"The marquee was seen as a cinema," Wiesenmayer said. "Here, you come to a physical theater with a stage, big curtains, arches and balconies — it's a theater building, but you see a movie."

In 1904, the bricks were put on the building were put on, and one year later the Brown Theater opened and was dedicated with its first play, "Isle of Spice," on March 14, 1905.

According to the souvenir program that went out the day of the inaugural performance, the building was designed by Richards, McCarty and Bulford architects of Columbus and "is a model of perfection in theatrical architecture."

"The outer walls are beautiful press brick, with light sandstone trimming," according to the program. "The ground floor contains, besides the auditorium, one large and two small business rooms, all fronting on Willipie Street. The second floor is devoted to office rooms and the third to lodge rooms. The floors throughout are hardwood and the ceilings and walls are handsomely frescoed. The theater proper contains three floors, the orchestra, balcony and gallery, and all parts of the stage are visible from any seat in the house."

The building also held five boxes on each side and seated 1,050 in the theater, 50 in the boxes, 400 in the orchestra floor, 300 in the balcony and 300 in the gallery.

"It used to be that people would come from New York to Chicago or Chicago to New York," Wiesenmayer said. "It's not far to get to Wapakoneta, close to the midpoint — so a lot of the time performers in Chicago or in New York could stop here halfway to do a performance on their way to their destination — there were quite lavish performances."

He noted unique aspects of the theater, such as the screen itself, which is covered in small holes.

"The sound comes from behind the screen," he said. "It has a bunch of holes in it — when you're standing behind the screen, you can see the room fairly well. In the theater, when you see the screen in front of you, you don't realize there's a whole pattern of holes."

Also, the theater uses movies that are shipped to it on reels.

"There's four reels in a metal box that is locked," Wiesenmayer said. "When we get it, we have to unlock it and open it up and pull out the reels and splice them together on a platter — the platter is a big, flat surface — so they're no longer vertical — and the film winds around."

He noted the first part of the movie ends up in the middle of the platter and the last part is on the outside of the platter.

"It takes them from the middle and runs them around them, it rewinds it, then it runs through the platter above it," he said.

Modern-day films, Wiesenmayer said, are become digital.

"They could actually beam (the film) from whereever it would be, they could take it from a satellite and send it digitally," he said. "It's very expensive to switch over from film to digital — in the neighborhood, for one screen, between $75,000 and $90,000 to go all digital."

Another unique feature of the theater is a clock that sits to the right of the stage — a replica of a clock that stood in that place.

"Doris Weber contributed that clock to us this summer," Wiesenmayer said, noting Weber visited the theater and noticed the clock was missing. "Doris Weber tells me that she was the first popcorn girl working at this movie theater, she has a soft spot in her heart for this theater — she remembered there was a clock on the wall and she said 'I'm going to find one.' She found one in a book and had it engraved as close as she remembered — she remembered it being on that wall."

Tickets cost $3 each, and more information on the theater, including  the current movie, can be found at WapaTheatre.com or by calling 419-738-3718.

If you go:

Wapa Theatre

15 Willipie St., Wapakoneta

419-738-3718

www.WapaTheatre.com

$3 ticket prices

Food specials: $6.50 for a large tub of popcorn and two large drinks, $5.50 for a large tub of popcorn and two small drinks.

Niekamp Farm and Flea Market

Part of Ray Pruden's train layout in the flea market building.

Recently, my parents were in town and we visited a site that I have been wanting to go see since I first moved here in 2008 — Niekamp Farm and Flea Market.

Niekamp Farm and Flea Market, 6133 Olding Road, St. Henry, is owned and operated by Michael and Brenda Niekamp.

"We've been around for 13 years," Michael Niekamp said. "We just started with a produce stand selling sweet corn and tomatoes, and we've just added on since then."

Niekamp Farm and Flea Market is comprised of multiple buildings — a 55,000 square-foot flea market in one building, Big Buck's Firearms and Sporting Goods in another and another featuring Club Car golf carts, lawn ornaments, lawn furniture and more. 

The main building features the Carthagena Cafe that offers home-cooked meals and soups as well as hand-dipped Hershey's ice cream. That building also offers scratch-and-dent groceries, bakery items, private label items, fresh fruit and vegetables, Amish-made baked goods, jams and jellies, Amish meats, cheese and canned goods, bulk candies, nuts and snack mixes and specialty shops, featuring items such as soaps, Ohio State decor and hand-crafted cedar chests.

A lot of the jams, jellies, cheeses etc. can be found in Amish Country, so if you don't want to take the time to drive there, for a little bit more (approximately 60 cents) you can pick up the same goodies at Niekamp's.

While in the main building, we picked up some cheese — we were too chicken to try the too-different cheese varieties like blueberry cheese — we went with a smoked variety and Muenster. We also brought home some hot pepper jelly, pumpkin butter and a peanut butter spread (I love fluffernutter sandwiches and this spread includes the peanut butter and marshmallow creme in one). We also found some of Winner's pork chops in the freezer, which my mom took home — she tried them last time she was in town and now she's hooked.

After venturing in the main building, we explored the other three. We spent the majority of our time in the flea market. From, metal signs to old windows, the flea market has anything you can think of. It would be perfect for those heading off to college or looking for items for the home — we found dish sets, cutlery, desks, etc. Everything had pretty reasonable prices.

"The vendors bring stuff in on consignment," Niekamp noted. 

Niekamp Farm and Flea Market also offers various events throughout the year — such as participating in the 127 garage sale weekend and fall harvest days.

While we were there, employees were pressing apple cider outside.

This weekend, the Elite Sporting Goods truck is coming in and there is also the Christmas Open House, Niekamp noted.

The flea market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, while the store is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

If you go:

What: Niekamp Farm and Flea Market

Where: 6133 Olding Road, St. Henry

Hours: flea market 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, store 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

More info: 419-925-5208

http://www.niekamp.com/

Towpath trail a hidden treasure

One of my favorite features in this area is the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath — something that residents know about, but few actually enjoy on a regular basis, and that will not cost them a dime.

On the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 22, I went on the section of the towpath from 40-Acre Pond to the south — my first time walking the path in the fall.

The thing about the towpath, which follows the historic Miami and Erie Canal, is it is walkable, runnable or bikable in any season — I've done it in the spring and the summer, but I would recommend this season most of all because the colors are gorgeous.

For the majority of the path, trees line the walkway, and there are tons of wildlife — squirrels, deer and turtles that will roam the woods in the area. At some points on the towpath in the St. Marys section, walkers can see the canal on one side and the St. Marys River on the other.

According to Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady, in Auglaize County the canal towpath spans 26 miles. Locally, the trail follows 2 miles of compacted stone from Minster to New Bremen, 1.5 miles from K.C. Geiger Park to 33 and 2 miles between Glynwood Road and 66.

"We're working on the trail from Deep Cut to Spencerville, approximately 1.3 miles," Brady said. "The local portions of the trail is all walkable, all enhanced with either compact stone or asphalt, whatever the city wanted."

The sections of the local portion were dedicated in various years — the section from St. Marys to 33 was the earliest, being dedicated in 2005.

"Glynwood Road to Lock 14 was completed last summer," Brady said. "We finished up a section up to Bloody Bridge that was dedicated in June 2009. The trail around Lock 14 was dedicated in June 2010."

He noted there is currently paving work going on in a section north of Lock 14 that will happen seasonally.

The St. Marys portion of the towpath is overseen by Steve Dorsten with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation.

"Steve Dorsten is a major part of the construction between St. Marys and 33," Brady said. "He also oversees Glynwood Road to Lock 14."

He noted the towpath work is a result of collaboration between counties.

"We're working through Shelby County, Auglaize County, Allen County, to get the trail enhanced north of Delphos," Brady said. "Putnam, Paulding and Defiance, up to Hardin, organizations are making efforts to be done to open up the canal towpath and to get it enhanced."

In 1825, the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal began in Cincinnati, traveling north to Toledo — and local groups and organizations are working to make the path that lines it walkable, connecting the north and south parts of the state, as part of the Buckeye Trail.

"In another 10 years, we'd be very pleased if we could get it up to Toledo from Miami County," Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady said. "It would be a linear, continuous trail."

Brady said the majority of the southern portion of the trail are paved bike trails.

"If it's not on the canal, it goes onto the county roads," Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady said of the Buckeye Trail. "Then it comes back on the towpath trails."

He noted the trails are good for biking.

"If you have a hybrid trail bike, it's great for biking," he said, adding portions of the trail could be hard for riders with a city bike.

More information about the Buckeye Trail can be found at BuckeyeTrail.org or at MECCAInc.org.

Fall Fun Right Around the Corner-Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm

Residents in Auglaize and the surrounding counties are fortunate because they have a ton of things to do in this area — there is at least one event going on every weekend — but there have been many times I have heard (and probably complained myself) that I can't think of anything to do. 

Because I am new to this area, I came up with this idea to get to know my surroundings better by exploring the area and, at the same time, finding a treasure for residents to check out themselves that doesn't involve driving too far or breaking the bank.

I picked a fall site for my first column because there is a plethora of things to do in the fall — apple picking, pumpkin carving, you name it — and this place has it all.

On Friday, Oct. 15, I ventured to Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm in Coldwater on the hunt for a corn maze in the area.

The entire operation, located at 5679 Wabash Road, is family run.  James Menchhofer sets up the maze by drawing a design on graph paper, and his son, Jeff, will step the map, with James following behind him mowing out the design. This year the map is in the shape of three pigs.

For $5, locals can explore the  maze, and children age 4 and younger are admitted free. There is a challenge involved with the maze, which adds even more entertainment, and if you can handle it, you get a prize when you finish exploring. A side note, the maze gets pretty bumpy, so if you are clumsy or have issues walking, I advise going during daylight so you can see where you are walking. You can bring flashlights after dark, but it's a lot easier to see where you are walking in the daylight or at dusk.

Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm, which sits on 60 acres, has been in the Menchhofer family for years.

"James grew up here, his father grew up here," James's wife Cheri said.

Cheri, along with  James and Jeff and  daughter, Kelly, help run the activities.

Because I went on a Friday, the maze was the only attraction — Saturdays and Sundays are the main event days. Those days, in addition to the maze, visitors have their pick of horse-drawn wagon rides (they also accommodate persons with disabilities, such as those in wheelchairs, on their wagon rides), a you-pick pumpkin and gourd patch and can get to know the farm's animals.

"We have cows, pigs, donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, a turkey, a rabbit and cats," Cheri Menchhofer said.

Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm also offers a fall market with apples, dried flowers, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, homemade maple syrup and apple cider. They also have port-a-pots and provide fire rings for hot dog/marshmallow roasts. They provide the fire, tables and forks for roasting for a fee. This year's campfire fee is $25.

"Campfire roasting has to be pre-arranged, so we can get it set up," Cheri Menchhofer said.

James's siblings also help out at the farm — his brother Mike helps with the you-pick pumpkins and drives the tractor for rides, his brother Warren mans the tower over the corn maze, his brother Tim helps pick apples in the orchard, his brother John does the horse-drawn wagon rides on Saturday and Sunday, and his sisters Linda, Dora and Beth help prune and pick the apples and pumpkins. Kelly helps with the market or the maze and Jeff presses the apple cider.

"Our neighbors also help with the cider and the market if we need it," Cheri Menchhofer said. "We've got some good neighbors."

Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday for the maze only, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to dusk Sunday. This year, it is open through Oct. 31. For more information, Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm can be reached at 419-942-1502, where they will also take group reservations.

If you have any ideas for future features, e-mail me at smreporter@theeveningleader.com or give me a call at 419-300-1075.

If you go:

What: Menchhofer Pumpkin Farm

Where: 5679 Wabash Road, Coldwater

When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to dusk Sunday. Open through Oct. 31.

More info: 419-942-1502