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Articles by Maria Lee
Entertainer Bob Hope was guest of honor at Ohio Theater's Jubilee Gala in 1978
The Ohio Theater at 39 E. State St. in downtown Columbus celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Ohio Theater Jubilee Gala on Oct. 21, 1978. The weekend coincided with Ohio State University’s homecoming, and the Gala’s guest of honor – British-American comedian, actor, musician and entertainer Bob Hope – had a jam-packed weekend. NBC film crews followed Hope and the weekend's events for a TV special, “Bob Hope Celebrates the Ohio Jubilee,” which aired later in the year.
Entertainer Bob Hope was guest of honor at Ohio Theater's Jubilee Gala in 1978
Entertainment legend Bob Hope arrives for the Ohio Theater Jubilee, entering the front door of the Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus. The Ohio Theater at 39 E. State St. in downtown Columbus celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Ohio Theater Jubilee Gala on Oct. 21, 1978. The weekend coincided with Ohio State University's homecoming, and the Gala's guest of honor – British-American comedian, actor, musician and entertainer Bob Hope – had a jam-packed weekend.
Entertainer Bob Hope was guest of honor at Ohio Theater's Jubilee Gala in 1978
Oct. 18, 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET The Ohio Theater at 39 E. State St. in downtown Columbus celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Ohio Theater Jubilee Gala on Oct. 21, 1978. The weekend coincided with Ohio State University’s homecoming, and the Gala’s guest of honor – British-American comedian, actor, musician and entertainer Bob Hope – had a jam-packed weekend. NBC film crews followed Hope and the weekend's events for a TV special, “Bob Hope Celebrates the Ohio Jubilee,” which aired later in the year.
Entertainer Bob Hope was guest of honor at Ohio Theater's Jubilee Gala in 1978
Entertainment legend Bob Hope arrives for the Ohio Theater Jubilee, entering the front door of the Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus. The Ohio Theater at 39 E. State St. in downtown Columbus celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Ohio Theater Jubilee Gala on Oct. 21, 1978. The weekend coincided with Ohio State University's homecoming, and the Gala's guest of honor – British-American comedian, actor, musician and entertainer Bob Hope – had a jam-packed weekend.
Back to school in 1979 meant desegregation busing for Columbus City Schools
Aug. 23, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET The first day of school typically stirs up anticipation. In 1979 in Columbus, the first day of school was the culmination of more than classroom prep and school shopping. On Sept. 6, 1979, the Columbus Board of Education began court-ordered busing after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal district court decision in Columbus that the school board was segregating students.
Special Olympics games at Ohio State campus a summer tradition for decades
More than 4,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches from all 50 states are gathered this week in Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games through June 26 in the Twin Cities.
Special Olympics games at Ohio State campus a summer tradition for decades Original
June 21, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET More than 4,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches from all 50 states are gathered this week in Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games through June 26 in the Twin Cities. Athletes from Ohio attending the national games previously competed from May 29-31 in the Special Olympics Ohio 2026 Summer Games at Ohio State University.
Carter issued first presidential proclamation recognizing U.S. Women's History Original
March 8, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET Women have organized for decades for greater acknowledgement in the historic records. The United States government established recognition for Women’s History Week in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 2-8 as Women’s History Week.
How Honda came to Ohio: Motorcycles, cars and a ride not always smooth Original
Jan. 11, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa established Honda Motor Company in 1949. At the time, the Japanese automobile industry was nearly nonexistent. Japan produced less than 32,000 cars and trucks in 1950 whereas the United States manufactured 8 million. Honda’s first product was the D-Type motorcycle. It would take three decades for Honda to start manufacturing their motorcycles in the United States.
A look back as another winter approaches for Columbus 'Snow Warriors'
Dec. 14, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET Every winter, Columbus' “Snow Warriors” gear up for battle against snow-covered and icy street and road conditions. Armed with 15-ton snowplows, road salt, and de-icing liquids, the city’s street maintenance crews are responsible for clearing more than 4,000 lane miles so motorists can get where they need to go. The origin of the moniker “Snow Warrior” is unclear.
Columbus airport was key hub in air-rail transcontinental travel in late 1920s Original
Nearly a century ago, Columbus was at the cutting edge of travel innovation. Columbus served as the eastern air terminal of the first regularly scheduled transcontinental rail and air passenger service. Every morning, passengers disembarked at Columbus from an overnight train from New York City with plans to continue west by plane aboard a Ford Trimotor airplane. The Transcontinental Air Transport, Inc. (TAT) route from New York to Los Angeles took 48 hours.
Columbus Zoo spent years navigating diplomacy and legal fights for 1992 giant panda exhibit
On May 23, 1992, two male giant pandas were loaded aboard a plane in Shanghai, China. Their destination: Columbus. The giant panda exhibit at the Columbus Zoo opened to the public on June 5, 1992, to extreme success. The zoo estimated that 4,000 people saw the pandas Xing Xing and Qin Qin, both three years old, on that first day. And hundreds of thousands of visitors were to follow.
A sweet legacy: Anthony-Thomas Candy Company has been making chocolate treats since 1952
Maria Lee | Special to The Dispatch As Easter candy fills area store shelves, a familiar Columbus candymaker's chocolate bunnies and cream-filled eggs will be found at its candy shoppes and likely appear in other places. The Anthony-Thomas Candy Company in Columbus has been a local purveyor of sweets and treats since 1952. The company is named after its founder, Anthony Zanetos, and one of his sons, Thomas. More than 70 years later, Anthony-Thomas remains family-run.
Ohio State faculty vote keeping Buckeyes football from Rose Bowl game led to large protest
With the college football season in full swing, fans across the country are hoping their team will qualify for the College Football Playoffs and play in one of the quarterfinal round games in the New Year's Six bowl games. The Rose Bowl, known as the “grandaddy of them all,” will be held for the 111th time on Jan. 1, 2025. For some longtime fans of the Ohio State University Buckeyes, the 48th Rose Bowl, where the Buckeye’s famously did not compete, remains a missed opportunity.
How To Commit To Your New Year's Resolution Of Quitting Social Media
Step 1: Open all of your social media accounts on your computer. Then, mentally prepare yourself to deactivate each account, one by one. If you have the willpower, delete them permanently. If you think you might need to come back to one of them for any reason, deactivate temporarily. Step 2: Before you actually delete or deactivate your accounts, choose one of them that you would consider either most useful or most important to either your career/professional life or your social life.
How Living With Chronic Pain Made Me Who I Am Today
Chronic pain is often defined as any pain lasting more than twelve weeks. While acute pain is a normal sensation that alerts us to possible injury, chronic pain is very different. Chronic pain persists—for months or even longer. In my case, I've been in a state of pain for over six years. That may not seem like too much until you think of my young age. I hardly remember a time where my body wasn't aching. Chronic pain may arise from an initial injury. However, there may also be no clear cause.
7 Affordable Concerts Happening In Seattle This Fall
Music is an experience people should not live without. As a college student on a budget, it can be hard to find shows to attend that don't break the bank. Fall is the perfect season for affordable concerts after the summer festivals are over- These seven shows are $20 and under, within the borders of Seattle and will be worth investing in. ZAHARA This is a free coffee shop venue with a local artist. Zahara Williams has a smooth vibe and an incredible voice.
'That PNW Bridge' Is No More
Vance Creek Viaduct is a well-known Pacific Northwest icon, despite the fact that it is owned by a private logging company and is forbidden to visit.
Post Inauguration Protests In Seattle
On the night of the inauguration, television stations were tuned to the news. However, hundreds of people passed by the homes and dorms across Seattle holding signs while they protested the arrival of the new President of the United States. The gathering began at Westlake Park. A stage was set while people voiced their opinions of the election results and what may become of the country within the next four years.
Flying Abroad- Seattle to Fiumicino
For those of you who are not aware, I have spent the last five months saving up for my travels to Rome, and the time has come. Here are some details about my travels. For those of you who are interested in traveling, but are on a budget, I have a couple of tips on how to save a lot of money and to make your travels a lot easier: - Research your flights. I looked around for about two months before picking out my flight. CheapOAir had some of the best options that I have seen for travels abroad.
Facing Lyme Disease
Ever since Bryce was a little girl, facing pains became normal for her. People must go through this pain every day, right? However, a few years ago, her life took a turn for the worst. Her pain increased, her immune system practically shut down, and she became bedridden. After many frustrating visits with different doctors and transferring from ER to ER, she was diagnosed with Late Stage Lyme.
The Novel Ideas in Seattle
I have heard a lot about the Fremont Abbey Arts Center as a venue for artists anywhere. Originally as a building brought up in 1914 as St. Paul Lutheran's Church, it transformed into a non-religious community and safe haven for artists all over. The nonprofit organization running the building remodeled it and reopened to offer more programs and classes than ever. The Novel Ideas traveled all the way from their hometown in Boston for their biggest tour of their career so far.
Conquering Chronic Lyme
She trailed the sun by the way it lit his bottled green eyes. I know your look and I know the present words that aren't said, but mine are shredded in sweaty hands. - a poem written by Bryce and Helana A severe Lyme Disease patient often spends their days in and out of the doctor's office and the ER due to the constant attack that their bodies are under.
Ed Sheeran's Divide Tour
With hit songs like “A-Team,” “Sing,” and most recently, “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill,” Ed Sheeran’s latest album has exploded on top charts. Over the years, he has created music known to millions of fans all around the world. Listening through his recordings, the average person may not know that he mainly performs as a solo artist.
Emarosa at Chop Suey
The rain was pouring down in Seattle on the evening of October 18th, the first official famed Pacific Northwestern rain of the fall season. Outside of Chop Suey, dedicated fans braved the weather as they crowded together in a line. By the time the doors were opened, I was shivering to the core and soaked to the skin. Despite the venue's intimate size and limited capacity, the music seemed distant; not so far as feeling like turned down tunes being listened to in a running car, but not much better.
10 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio That'll Make You Feel Warm And Fuzzy When It's 20 Degrees Outside
With the semester finally ending and Christmas approaching, a lot of college students are looking for things to do that will get them in the holiday spirit! There are so many things to do over the holidays, making it hard to choose just one activity! But if you're like me, the best thing to do before Christmas is to look for the best Christmas light displays in your area.
10 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio That'll Make You Feel Warm And Fuzzy When It's 20 Degrees Outside
With the semester finally ending and Christmas approaching, a lot of college students are looking for things to do that will get them in the holiday spirit! There are so many things to do over the holidays, making it hard to choose just one activity! But if you're like me, the best thing to do before Christmas is to look for the best Christmas light displays in your area.
Instacart Says 21 Percent Of Americans ‘Dislike’ Pumpkin Pie, And I’m Personally Offended
With Thanksgiving approaching, most families are preparing to visit the grocery store to buy food or prepping to make casseroles. And if your family is anything like mine, you will probably argue over what's the best dish is to eat during Thanksgiving. However, Instacart recently conducted a survey that looked at what dish the majority of Americans enjoy on Thanksgiving, and the results will likely surprise you.
'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Is NOT About Date Rape, It's A Fight Against Social Norms Of The 1940s
The classic Christmas song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has recently come under attack. There has been controversy over the song being deemed as inappropriate since it has been suggested that it promotes date rape. Others believe that the song is another common example of our culture's promotion of rape. You may be wondering, where did they get that idea from? The controversy has led to one radio station, WDOK, taking the song off the air and banning it from their station.
For Halloween, Here's How to Bring a Big Idea Back From the Dead
Dan agreed, and to his credit became the campaign's champion. He walked into my office and asked, "Would the agency put resources behind resurrecting this work?" I told him I knew we would, but with the midterm elections just a few months away, we gotta move fast. Senior leadership greenlighted it with one condition: keep the work nonpartisan.
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