Briefs: Marion bike tour returns after two-year absence

Marion Star
·3 min read

Local bicycle tour returns on June 4

Cyclists on the 19, 33, and 66 mile routes of the Hot Tamale Bicycle Tour will visit the King's Mill Covered Bridge.
Cyclists on the 19, 33, and 66 mile routes of the Hot Tamale Bicycle Tour will visit the King's Mill Covered Bridge.

The 2022 Hot Tamale Bicycle Tour will bring cyclists from at least six states to Marion County on June 4.

The tour, hosted by the Heart of Ohio Tailwinds Bicycle Club, begins at 8 a.m. in the Waldo Community Park. Registration opens at 7 a.m., and cyclists must wear helmets. Riders will have a choice of 9, 19, 33, and 66 mile routes.

Cyclists may register the morning of the ride, starting at 7 a.m. For those who register on the day of the ride, the cost is $25 for adults, $20 for ages 11 to 17, and $15 for children 10 and under ride free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The first 500 riders receive a colorful patch. The ride will take place rain or shine.

The Heart of Ohio Tailwinds Bicycle Club is a strong supporter of the Marion Tallgrass Trail, and will donate $1 to the trail for each registered rider. The ride has raised more than $26,000 in funds for the Tallgrass Trail. Many Hot Tamale cyclists add an optional donation to benefit the trail.

This will be the 37th edition of the popular bicycle tour, which is returning after a two year pandemic-induced break.

For more information, see the ride web site at hot-tamale.org or contact Janine Williams at 740-382-9952

Marion Area Chamber marks store grand opening

A ribbon cutting was held May 13 to mark the grand opening of Gaffney’s Treasures and Gifts at 842 Pole Lane Road.
A ribbon cutting was held May 13 to mark the grand opening of Gaffney’s Treasures and Gifts at 842 Pole Lane Road.

The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, family, friends and guests recently joined Stephen and Zabrina Gaffney on Friday for the grand opening of the Gaffney's Treasures and Gifts located at 842 Pole Lane Road in Marion.

As part of the celebration that continue through Saturday, there was a vendor and customer appreciation event with many craft and other vendors happening during this time in the huge backyard.

Gaffney’s Treasures and Gifts opened on Nov. 1, 2019, with the intent of bringing a different type of store to the Marion area. The concept is very similar to the antique malls found in other cities which is why they call themselves a “unique antique boutique.” Inside the store you will find handmade jewelry, glassware such as Fenton and Carnival glass, repurposed furniture, handmade blankets, dolls and bears. Other items are vintage toys, many from the 1980s and earlier, Paparazzi jewelry, and Farmasi cosmetics.

New items are posted daily on the Gaffney Treasures Facebook page. Store hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Temporary halt to in-person bill paying

Marion's Utility Billing Department is closed for in-person payments through Wednesday (May 18) due to quarantine requirements as a result of employees being directly exposed to an individual with COVID-19. This closure is being put in place to protect the remaining staff members of this department, as well as the public. Online, dropbox, payments received via mail and phone payments will be processed during this time. The department will re-open for in-person payments on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Briefs: Hot Tamale Bicycle Tour returns June 4