By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

"Lights, camera, action: Paint that barn!"

Now the Ohio Bicentennial Commission's most popular project can be remembered by ordering the video Brush With History: Ohio's Bicentennial Barns.

Artist Scott Hagan painted the Bicentennial logo on barns in each of the state's 88 counties. The video is a history of the five-year project.

"His work touched a chord with people across the state," said Lee Yoakum, who helped oversee the video project for the commission. "Some Ohioans have traveled thousands of miles to attend barn paintings or to photograph already-painted barns."

The project helped the Bicentennial gain early visual recognition, and eventually it grew into what Mr. Yoakum calls a cultural phenomenon.

"We even had `barn groupies' who traveled across the state in search of historic structures," he said.

The idea for the video originated when Mr. Yoakum and another commission staff member were sitting around talking about making a video in which Mr. Hagan could greet the participating barn owners. From that sprang the video documentary of his work.

"We had six weeks to complete it," Mr. Yoakum said. "It really captured what the job was like."

The tape, which costs $14.95, can be ordered online from the Bicentennial Commission's Web site, www.ohio200.com.

Several new publications will help adults and young people learn more about Ohio and the Bicentennial.

Marking Ohio's History, a colorful resource book of 60 pages, is now available for Ohio students and teachers. The cost is $7.

It includes historical background information on 25 selected historical markers, learning activities, a glossary and more learning resources for a range of agesThe book is also a lesson planner.

Order from the Ohio Historical Center Museum Store in Columbus at (800) 797-2357.

Also available:

Teacher's History Planner, a catalog of Bicentennial-related educational programs, services and resources for the 2003 academic year. It includes workshops, guided programs and special events. Order from the Historical Society at (614) 297-2300.

Ohio Defined, an 18-page book published by the Secretary of State and the Ohio Public Library Information Network. It features information on statehood, government structure and voting. To order: (877) 767-6446.

The U.S. Postal Service will issue a commemorative Ohio statehood stamp in the fall of 2003.

About 50 million stamps will be printed and sold starting on Statehood Day, March 1. On that day in 1803, Ohio became the 17th state to join the United States.

The first-class stamp features a color photograph of a farm in Washington County owned by John Lehman of Marietta.

"Red, White and Blooming - An Ohio Bicentennial Celebration" will be held Feb. 8-16 at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland.

The show will include more than 20 indoor acres of gardens, decorated homes and how-to demonstrations.

Information: (800) 600-0307; or www.homeandflower.com.

Bicentennial Notebook will appear periodically through 2003. Send items to Randy McNutt, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester Township, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: rmcnutt@enquirer.com.