By Sherry Larson
People’s Defender
“In a way. Magic is the act of making a wish come about. Like praying, like plotting, like herbs, like exerting your will on the world, making something happen.” ~ Philippa Gregory
Judy Lewis, formerly of Lewis Mountain and the originator of The Olde Thyme Herb Fair at Lewis Mountain, made things happen in Adams County. After speaking with her granddaughter Satrista Myrick, who lovingly refers to Lewis as “Mum Mum,” it is evident that Lewis was a perfect fit for this month’s spotlight. Myrick wanted to surprise her Mum Mum, so she and a few friends shared their love, memories, and admiration for Lewis with The Defender.
Lewis and her husband John (who passed away in 1999) formerly ran greenhouses growing flowers, everlastings, and herbs to sell to the community and businesses in the Cincinnati area. She has always been an avid supporter of local artisans. So, in 1987, she started The Old Thyme Herb Fair to generate cash during the winter months. The Fair helped pay her employees during winter and showcased local talent, allowing the community to buy and sell their wares.
The second weekend of October was designated as the time for The Old Thyme Herb Fair and continued for twenty-one years. Myrick shared that the festival started with only nine vendors and grew exponentially throughout the years. In 2008, the final Fair exhibited nearly 250 vendors and approximately 40,000 people who worked for or attended the event. Lewis said the event was unique, and each vendor had to bring a distinctive flavor. She said, “Nothing was duplicated. She kept it very authentic.” From food vendors to artists, Lewis was intentional with her requirement for diversity.
Lewis’ faithful friend of over 55 years, Rosemary Boden from Manchester, remembers Lewis and many stories. Boden was with Lewis from the first Fair and reflected on serving sandwiches out of a basket. She shared that the event’s growth caused them to work steadily for nine months of the year to prepare. Boden describes Lewis as “A person that will help anybody.” Another great friend of Lewis’s is her former employee, Kathy Lohse. Lohse said she and Lewis text one another every day. She had kind words – saying of Lewis, “She always gives back to the community.” She continued, “I admire her and what she did with the Festival and for tourism in Adams County.”
Fellow former flower shop owners Larry and Patty Shively consider Judy, a great friend. Larry said, “My wife and I think the world of Judy. She is a beautiful lady, and she is the kindest and lovely person.” Although they worked in the same floral arena, Shively said they were never competitors but always promoted one another. He shared that Lewis wanted small businesses in Adams County to succeed. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and wanted good things for the people in the county she loved. He said, “She’s made that way.”
Looking back, Myrick wishes she would have realized then what a privilege it was growing up around the business. She said, “I didn’t realize how cool it was to run my hands through 1000s of plants.” Reflecting takes her to a time when the business sold products within a hundred-mile radius, “from seed to pot to plug to fresh cut. You name it – we made dried arrangements, fresh arrangements, did weddings, and all the things.” Lewis gave presentations on herbs in the community and other states and offered classes on various projects like making wreaths and potpourri.
A constant theme during the interview with Myrick is Lewis’s giving spirit and willingness to serve others. One big way she gave back to the community is continuing today through Arts and Science Scholarships to graduating seniors in Adams County. The scholarship fund started with parking donations from the Old Thyme Herb Fair. Approximately $60,000 will or has been awarded from these donations.
Helping people is Lewis’ testimony, and Myrick carries that same passion. Myrick, who Lewis raised, said, “My Mum Mum is so kind and loving, and her personality is super goofy. You can’t help but laugh at her and love her.” She continued, “She’s my person. She’s the one who kind of hides in the shadows and makes everything about everyone else.”
But everyone else took notice, and Lewis was featured in many newspaper and magazine articles throughout her years in business. In a Fall 2002 Over The Back Fence magazine article “Aroma of Autumn,” written by Lori Price, she described Lewis as the proprietress and emcee of The Old Thyme Herb Fair, saying, “Not only are there fresh and dried herbs to be purchased but every imaginable product that one might want to use to contain, display or utilize them.” The September 1993 OHIO magazine read, “The Amish aren’t the only big tourist draw in the county. John and Judy Lewis have been growing herbs and everlastings (the “now” term for dried flowers) for almost 15 years.” In a late 1980s newspaper article, Herb Lax relays, “Her love for the plants prompted Judy to open a business in her home in Manchester 13 years ago. The Lewis’s moved to their present location, taking the business with them. The venture has been a continuous boom.” Another article called Lewis Mountain “a lovely and profitable herbal wonderland.” In 2006, Lewis was honored by the Workforce Board as Adams County Employer of the Year and recognized in The People’s Defender.
Lewis also shared a personal story about the loss of her mother with Women’s World magazine. Her mother passed in January, and Lewis desperately wanted to know if her mom was happy. She asked her mother for a sign of a butterfly because the creature would resemble her mom’s free spirit. She assumed her mom would answer in the spring. However, the following day she picked up a pile of magazines that opened to a random page and she was “gazing at a beautiful butterfly!” She writes, “Mom! I sighed, tears welling, and I closed the magazine with a big smile.”
Simple memories like the various colored shirts Lewis made for volunteers to wear each year, and Lewis’s way of ensuring the grounds were always clean cause Myrick to comment on her appreciation for Mum Mum’s attention to detail. “It was classy.”
Lewis has three sons Mark (Satrista’s father), Tim (who is deceased), and Scott. She also has three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Judy Lewis is undoubtedly loved and held in high esteem by many for what she made happen in Adams County and surrounding areas. Her granddaughter is in awe of all that her Mum Mum achieved at Lewis Mountain and the grand event that started as a simple festival at the top of their hill. Myrick said, “My relationship with my Mum Mum is more like mother-daughter.” She explained, “She always puts everyone above herself. It’s hard not to smile when you’re around her. She’s just one of a kind, and her name is still well known. So many people tell me, ‘You remind me of your grandma.’ I consider that an honor.”
Leave a Reply