July 13, 2007: We had parked for the night in Goodale Park in Columbus, Ohio. We woke early and headed to the North Market on Spruce Street to get a light breakfast. Established in 1876, the North Market is the only remaining public market in central Ohio. The indoor market is an epicurian delight.

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While in the Market, we came upon the Flower Man at the famous Market Blooms.

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So, we decided to get a bunch to surprise Maureen McCabe (Discover Columbus, f/k/a Columbus Best Blog, Sellsius Founding Member #1), who had helped plan the Real Living sponsor hosted event— a cook-out.

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When we arrived at the downtown Columbus office of Real Living, we were surprised to find no one there. Hmm…was this some kind of surprise party? Well, the surprise was we were at the wrong location. We were supposed to be in Worthington. Luckily, Bill Evans, President of HER Real Living was there and he volunteered to escort us to the event. It was our first Presidential escort.

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Bill Evans, Joe, Rudy, Tom Holcombe

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Her Real Living
, Worthington office

When we arrived, we were greeted by Maureen and Tom Holcombe, manager of the Worthington office. There were about 30 or so present to devour weenies, potato salad, beans and homemade desert pastries. Little did the group realize they had to bear our blog blathering for about 15 minutes— you know what they say— there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

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Blog pontification wows the crowd

Those in attendance included Elaine Reese (Reeses Pieces of Real Estate), Sondra Johnson (Columbus Real Estate Voice), Teri Lussier (The Brick Ranch), Toby & Sadie Boyce (Sadie’s Take on Delaware Ohio), Jonathan Danylko (DCS-Media), Joe Peffer, Eric & Nikki Ransom (Real Estate Laundry– which reminded us we had to do ours).

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Sadie’s take on Rudy

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Soraya’s take on hot dogs

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She prefers them bunless

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Elaine & Rudy

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Hot dog grillers - The Ladies of Real Living Title

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Ohio Blogoholics - Joe, Bill, Teri, Rudy, Sondra, Toby, Sadie, Maureen, Eric and Elaine

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Does it?

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Her Real Living Office

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Elaine is prepared for anything

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Maureen busy blogging

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Blogger directions

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Sondra, Joe and Eric

After the event, we went to Amano’s for drinks with Tom, Maureen and others. There we sampled a spicy hot pizza and the local brew. We learned about the Buckeye’s rivalry with the University of Michigan. (The town is nuts about college football).

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Rudy w/ the ladies of Real Living Title

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Teri and Tom’s Sister

We rolled out of Columbus with great memories and two pints of Graeter’s irresistible ice cream, courtesy of Eric and Nikki

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Elaine ’s Plates

Thanks again to Her Real Living, Real Living Title, Maureen, Bill, Tom and everyone who attended.