This past month has been difficult for my family. My father passed away suddenly, and it has been quite an adjustment - particularly for my mom. When I visited recently, I wanted to get my mom and grandma out of the house. Oglebay is not far from my hometown, so we had a day trip adventure that included waterfalls, an Almost Heaven swing, a scenic drive, and, of course, some good food. "Welcome to Skyline Kitchen & Bar, Oglebay Lodge’s gastropub family dining experience inspired by nostalgic and regional favorites. Set against the stunning backdrop where the sky meets the horizon, Skyline Kitchen & Bar is the perfect destination for any meal, a casual seat at the bar, or a late-night snack and cocktail," reads the website. After discovering our initial restaurant was closed for the day and then some navigation confusion, we parked near the West Spa entrance, took the elevator up a few floors and made our way to the restaurant. Overlooking Schenk Lake, Skyline Kitchen & Bar does have a few stairs, which can be difficult to navigate for seniors. but once we were seated, I took in the beauty of the space. Large glass windows provide gorgeous views of the rolling hills. I was initially given a dinner menu and was eyeing a pasta dish, but when the waitress swapped it out for the lunch menu, that option was no longer available. So, I opted for the "Not Your Mama's Sloppy Joe," which I thought was kind of funny since I was actually dining with my mom. First, we started with: Jalapeño Potato Croquettes - Mashed Potatoes, Jalapeños, Cheddar. I didn't find these spicy at all. I wasn't looking for that heat to be dominant, but I did want a little bit of flavor. They came off a bit flat. The roasted red pepper sauce helped. The sloppy joe, though, really impressed me. My typical idea of a sloppy joe is Manwich, a bun and a slice of American cheese. This was an elevated take on that. The meat was not as saucy, but it did have some nice spices and a touch of sweetness. There was a vinegary veggie slaw on top that balanced it out and provided some relief. The whole sandwich tasted fresher, yet with more complex flavors. both my mother and grandma enjoyed the club sandwich. And they were thrilled that we could get waters to go. have you been? Grade: B

Cafe 1925 is a new coffee shop in Wheeling Park located in thd White Palace. The shop features Starbucks drinks and nice outdoor patio seating. They do offer an online ordering option, but I placed an order about an hour before I arrived, and it was nowhere to be found when I inquired at the counter, they simply said that the machine doesn't print online orders. So, they then started making my order. I ordered a caramel frappuccino and a spinach feta pretzel. I did see that there were some locally made foods, like pepperoni rolls, for sale. But, it seems like the majority is from the Starbucks product line. The space is nice, with several seats inside and a shaded outdoor patio, as well. It would be a great spot to meet friends for a coffee or even do some writing. The coffee drink is just like any that you would get at a Starbucks. I like mine closer to a milkshake than coffee, so a frappuccino is perfect for me. The spinach feta pretzel may be offered at Starbucks, but it was the first time I have tried it. And, it was actually quite tasty. The cheesy, salty, creamy combination of feta and spinach is always a homerun. But pairing it with the buttery, flaky pastry made it even better. Grade: B

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop is a chain of shops that feature retro and new candy, unique gifts and more in PA, OH, FL, WV and MN.



Grandpa Joe’s is home to over 250 candy bars and over 100 bulk candies, plus specialty sodas.



"We’re a locally-owned candy shop born in Pittsburgh, PA. No matter what location you visit, we want you to feel like you’re part of our candy community, and in turn, we love being involved in each unique neighborhood we’re located in. Our passionate and knowledgeable staff is comprised of candy experts/historians/lovers who are sure to lead you to your sweet spot."



They are home to a $5 candy buffet. "IF THE LID CLOSES, IT’S ONLY $5.00! WE DON’T CARE HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS OR WHAT YOU CRAM IN THERE Let’s be honest… Buying candy by the pound is the worst. No matter how careful you are, you end up spending WAY more than you meant to. With our $5 box, the only surprise is how much candy you’re able to get into that box! With over 100 candies to choose from, it’s no surprise that our World Famous $5 Candy Buffet is our most popular attraction."



The bulk candy is unreal. "Whether you’re filling a candy dish at home, in the office, or throwing the biggest shindig in town, we’ve got you covered! Each location has a vast selection, sure to make you smile and stock you up. Need a pound of grandma’s favorite Bit-O-Honey? Or a 5lb bag of Haribo Cherries because you love them so much? You can even buy an entire 30lb case or pallet of your favorites. No matter how big your sweet tooth is, we will satisfy it!"



Plus, tons of hard-to-find candies from years past. "We know what it feels like to walk in and say, “I haven’t seen those since I was a kid,” and, “I feel like a kid in a candy store.” Yes, we have heard that a few times. Our staff is well versed in all the lingo and nicknames for those candies that you can only describe. If they are still being made, we are sure to have them."



"We have the best selection in town for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members. From socks to mugs, magnets to hand sanitizer, even hilarious gag gifts sure to push the envelope. Need a Horse-Head Squirrel Feeder? Maybe a dish towel that says “Rock out with your crock out”? Are you a collector looking for the new release Funko POP figurine? Not to mention toys for all ages, pop culture, and those hot, trending items that everyone wants. Let us be your one-stop-shop for all of your gifting needs."



"From national bestsellers to regional favorites, our selection is sure to overwhelm, as each store has roughly 250 different soda favorites stacked floor to ceiling. Don’t worry if you can’t decide, we offer a six-pack of buy 5, get the 6th for free. Take an assortment of your favorites home, or try something new. Looking for that regional soda you can only find back at home, ask about purchasing a case. Nearly all of our sodas are produced with real, pure cane sugar."



I picked out an assortment of candy bars I had never heard of before.



They also has ice cream available.



And, there are even fancier chocolates in the case at the register.



It's a little wacky, but it's also fun and interesting.



Have you been?

I visited The Belgian Waffle Shop a few months ago and was excited to try out something new. Sure, you're probably familiar with Waffle House, but there are a handful of local places around the state that also focus on the waffle. Wheeling happens to be one of them.



To start, I feel for the businesses in this part of town that have had the road inaccessible for quite some time. I'm sure that affects business. Additionally, there seem to be some behind-the-scenes struggles in terms of ownership that have made the rounds on social media lately. I don't want to get into that debate.

But I will debate what IS a Belgian waffle. In comparison to regular waffles, Belgian waffles are smaller without an outer rim and are a bit crisp on the outside and fluffy and dense inside. I think a lot of places use the term Belgian to sound fancy, but most are just regular ol' waffles.



The small shop offere several specialty waffles - Butter Pecan, Double Triple Chocolate, Strawberry-N-Cream, Toffee Crunch and Traditional Vanilla Bean. Plus, they do bubble waffles. And drinks.



I ordered the toffee crunch, waffle, which was more of a regular waffle: large, fairly soft, fluffy. The toppings are really, well, over the top. Candy pieces and ice cream and whipped cream remove this from any breakfast territory and send it straight to dessert alley. My only hope is that my next waffle is more crisp.



Grade: B

Wheeling is home to a few new candy stores.



Luckies Candies 2 is one of them. They feature trendy candies and international treats.



I grabbed a few Laffy Taffies. Have you been?

Midge's Kitchen is a Wheeling-based food service that offers weekly menus crafted by a private chef using local ingredients.



You can also find some of her meals in the refrigerated section of The Public Market. I was excited to get the chance to try some of her food because I had heard such good things. I saw the hoisin glazed vegan meatballs and wasn't overly thrilled but thought I would give them a try. I am glad I did.



Honestly, I may be a bigger fan of these than meat-based meatballs. the texture was just smooth and there's no random hard bits or chewy cartilage pieces full of flavor with that hoisin sauce, and perfectly paired with the white rice.



Grade: A

Pierogies are much more common in the northern part of the state near Pittsburgh - so much so that there was actually a small restaurant dedicated to them in Wheeling.



For the Love of Pierogies opened in Centre Market, slinging the Polish dumplings, as well as fresh pasta, sauerkraut, kielbasa and more. Unfortunately, they have closed since my visit, but I wanted to share a little bit about the food anyway.



The main flavors they offered were potato and onion, potato and cheddar, and potato and sauerkraut. I opted for the onion, and they were quite tasty. A nice little golden brown crisp, a thick, whipped filling = a satisfying bite. Though I do wish there was some sort of dipping sauce to go with it. Sour cream? Applesauce? Both? Just a touch dry, so a sauce would've helped it out.



Grade: B

I've been woring my way through Chinese–American take out restaurants in the Northern Panhandle for some time now. Whenever I go to visit my parents, I will often stop and grab lunch for us. I try to pick the new place each time, and it can't be too far away from home so that it doesn't get cold. That means I usually end up in the Moundsville-Wheeling area.



Such is the case with China Wok in the Bethlehem neighborhood of Wheeling. they offer the standard fare, including fried rice, lo mein, specialty chicken, beef, and pork dishes, and more. It also has the added benefit of online ordering, which makes it easier for me. I usually order a few different entrées; this time included General Tso's chicken, crab rangoons, peanut butter chicken, sesame chicken, and steamed veggies.



I would say everything was as expected. I liked that the peanut butter chicken was an option because I don't see that often, but it was a bit dry for my taste. I did enjoy the lo mein, which had some more moisture. Both of sesame chicken and General Tso's were pretty similar save for the sesame seed topping. A little sweet, a little stringy. My favorite bites, though, were are those bites of white rice drenched in the General Tso sauce.



Grade: B