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Fall 2015 Middlefield Post

Home Inside & Out

Sept. 30, 2015

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By Ellie Behman

R

on and I were just sitting on the front porch, watching traffic pass by and reminiscing about the first few years we moved into this old house.

He related how we were the young family back then, raising kids, running our own business and our neighbors on both sides were elderly. Now, many years later, we happen to fall into the category of elderly. (I have to come up with a more appealing word than that.) Our neighbors are young, busy, hard working people raising their families. The tables have turned. I might add at this time that we are blessed to have neighbors that are easy to get along with, friendly and, even though we don’t visit often we are in good standing with them as we wave or shout out a hello in passing.

Many years ago when we first moved in the scenario was much different. Looking

back at the experiences we had makes us laugh at the memories, but it wasn’t as funny then. There were several mornings when we would look out the window and see the older couple next door having a cup of coffee at our picnic table while their grandson played on the swings we had set up. They didn’t hurt anything, but we found it quite unusual since they had a lovely back yard complete with an outdoor slide as well as swings and other toys. We never mentioned it to them but couldn’t help but roll our eyes every time they came over with their coffee and relaxed at the table while the boy played to his heart’s content.

On another occasion we noticed the wife bringing out the hedge clippers and trimming the high bushes between our properties. This would have been great had she trimmed them evenly, but the jagged pattern she ended up with was hard to look at. Ron kindly offered to trim them himself and asked her why she cut them down so much. She replied “I want them low so I can watch you cut the grass.” I won’t even expand on that.

Now the woman on the other side was quite capable of taking care of herself and her handicapped husband. She was a warrior in every sense of the word. He was a double amputee and when he needed to get to the doctor this elderly, small lady would get him out to the car in his wheel chair and manage to place him inside. Every Sunday we could hear her rev up the motor of the old car as she was ready to go to church. If it wouldn’t start (which happened quite often) she would open the hood, fiddle with a few wires and plugs and before long, she would zoom out of the driveway.

More than once I witnessed her flying out of the drive with the car door swinging open.

My heart would skip a beat as she shot out into the street, but somehow this woman made it to a ripe old age.

There was another funny situation that stands out in my mind. We had a plum tree on our property line and one of the branches had bent clear down to the ground on our side and needed to be removed. Ron took down the branch and this woman’s shrieks could be heard for miles around. I’m sure the neighbors thought someone was getting beaten. She was angry with Ron for cutting the branch but had completely forgotten her husband’s indiscretion years before. He had asked us if he could have some plums off our tree and we told him to take all he wanted. Later that day as I was going out of my driveway I saw that he had filled little baskets with the plums and the sign in front of them clearly said “Plums for sale.” His action rendered me speechless (which doesn’t happen too often) and I never brought it up to him.

Now, back to the future. We have great neighbors, they play in their yards and we play in ours. We have an agreement where they watch out for our house when we are away and we do the same for them. Love your neighbor? You betcha.

Ellie has been a freelance writer for more than 40 years and has written over 400 articles.

She and her husband spend as much time as possible at their cabin where they enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. This is where the majority of her writing is done as it is the perfect quiet setting for a writer.

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Sept.30, 2015

autumn ~ home inside and out Third Generation Family Owned Wintering Those Beautiful Mums

By Christina Grand Porter time to establish themselves. If you want something more permanent and are willing to provide proper care such as mulching and pinching to encourage compact growth and more blooms, plant mums in the spring and allow them to get established in the garden. In many cases, it is not the cold that kills mums, but rather the ice that forms around the roots if the mums are planted in soil that collects water, so well draining soil is essential. Consider planting them in a somewhat sheltered location where they will not be exposed to winter winds that can decrease their chances of surviving the winter. If you have a windy location, put up a burlap barrier to protect them for the first couple of winter seasons. Once they get established, they should be able to stand up to the drying wind on their own.

The next step in winter care for mums is to properly insulate them in the fall. The leaves of the plant will die back and become brown after a few hard frosts have hit. After the foliage of the plant has died, cut back the stems of the mums to 3 to 4 inches above the ground. Leaving a little bit of the stems will ensure that next year you have a full plant, as the new stems will grow from these trimmed stems. If you cut the mums all the way to the ground, fewer stems will grow next year.

When wintering mums, provide a heavy layer of mulch, like straw or leaves, over the plant after the ground has frozen.

Mulch helps keep the ground insulated and also helps prevent the ground from thawing during winter warm spells. The ground freezing, thawing and freezing again causes more damage to the plant than if it stays frozen the entire winter.

With proper winter care, the chances that your lovely mums will make it through the cold weather and reward you with colorful blooms again next year are increased. Knowing how to winterize mums will not only save your mums, but will save your money, too, because you won’t have to buy new plants each year.

Christina Grand Porter is a novelist who lives in Huntsburg with her husband and two dogs.

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Many people buy mums in the fall, and thinking the plants are annuals, toss them in the trash after the blooms have faded.

But mums can live on year after year. When buying, look for plants with deep green, healthy leaves. Opt for those that have lots of buds and not too many blooms. The most important thing you can do to increase the longevity of your mums is to repot them when you bring them home. Most mums’ roots take up the entire pot, which makes it hard for the soil to retain any water, so re-pot, choosing a container that is a little bigger than the container they came in. Fill the bottom of the new pot with a good quality potting soil. Carefully remove the mum from its nursery pot. Break up any roots you can, or simply rough them up by rubbing them.

Put the plant in the new pot, making sure the surface of the soil rests at least an inch below the lip of the new pot so there is room for water. Fill in around the plant’s root ball, because you want potting soil, not air, in contact with the roots. Tamp down soil gently. Give the pot a good watering and add more soil if needed. If you don’t have luck keeping your porch decorations alive, you may not be watering them enough.

Mums like full sun, but that dries them out quicker. Check your mums every day if they are in direct sun. Push your finger into the soil and if the soil sticks to it, they have enough water. If your finger comes out dry, water the plants until it drains out of the bottom of the pot. Always dump drip pans from underneath plants because you don’t want roots sitting in water for too long.

Mums don’t do well when they get too long.

Short stems hold the colorful blossoms in a tight bunch and prevent the blossoms from flopping over. Pinch off dead blossoms so the plant doesn’t send important nutrients to where they can’t help.

The steps for wintering mums in the ground start when and where you plant them. Fall planting lessens the chance of winter survival since roots don’t have

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The Burton Chamber of Commerce’s annual fall Ox Roast and Ox-Tober Fest will be Oct. 10 and 11 on the Village Green. The tradition of a Burton ox roast goes back nearly 60 years when the Burton Volunteer Fire Department began serving the hearty meal as a way to raise funds for new equipment. It was later passed on to the Burton Chamber of Commerce to continue the fall ritual.

The Chamber will serve delicious roast (ox) beef sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw and dessert until 8 p.m. or sold out. Later in the afternoon hot dogs and brats will be added to the menu. All work is done by an army of volunteers from Burton and the surrounding area and proceeds benefit the Burton area. The celebration begins both days at 10 a.m. The beer tent will be open until 8 p.m. The park will be filled with craft vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maple syrup will be flowing in the Log Cabin in the park. Learn how pure maple syrup will be made come spring and enjoy a sweet maple treat or sit in a rocker and enjoy the warmth of the fire in the huge stone fireplace.

The Apple Butter Festival will be held on the grounds of the Geauga County Historical Society the same weekend. Large copper kettles will be set up to make apple butter. For information call Amy at the Log Cabin, 440-834-4204 or visit www. burtonchamberofcommerce.com.

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autumn ~ home inside and out Make Room in the Fridge for Fall

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There never seems to be enough room in the refrigerator, no matter what the season. One reason may be that many of us are in the habit of refrigerating things that don’t need to be stored in such a cold environment. Here are some commonly refrigerated items that are only taking up space since they do just fine outside the fridge.

Potato starches turn to sugar when they get too cold, throwing off their flavor.

Keep potatoes and sweet potatoes in a paper bag in a cool, dark cupboard or drawer.

Tomatoes lose their flavor and become mushy if left in the fridge so leave on the counter and use them when they have a slight give to the touch. Apples also lose flavor and texture in the fridge. Leave them on the counter and toss them in the fridge 30 minutes before eating to crisp them. Onions do best in a paper bag in a cool, dark cabinet or drawer. In the fridge they soften and infuse nearby foods with an oniony scent. Garlic stored in a paper bag in a cool, dark spot holds wonderful flavor for weeks. Avocados should stay on the counter and leftovers go in the fridge. They lose flavor fast, so it’s best to use a whole one at a time. Peppers of every color: red, green, yellow, and even chili peppers are fine stored in a paper bag in a cool cupboard or drawer. Winter squash such as acorn, spaghetti, and butternut do best stored at room temperature.

Citrus fruits should be stored at room temperature on your kitchen counter. Be careful not to bunch oranges, lemons, and limes too closely, or they’ll mold. Fresh berries have a short shelf life, so leave them out of the fridge and enjoy within a day or two. Melons do best outside the fridge, too.

Once refrigerated, they break down and become mealy. After cutting them, store in the fridge.

Peanut butter does fine stored in a cool, dark cupboard and bananas belong

on the counter. Bread dries out faster in the fridge, so store loaves in a cool cupboard or bread box. Most oils are safe to store at room temperature. If the oil has a lower saturated-fat content, such as safflower or sunflower, it’s best kept cool, so store it in a dark cabinet or the refrigerator door.

Pickles and other items high in vinegar and/or other preservatives will stay crisp in the pantry. If you like pickles cold, store them in the refrigerator door and leave the coldest spots of the fridge for items that need the space. Ketchup is fine in your pantry, even after opening because of the high vinegar and preservatives content. Jams and jellies can be safely stored in the pantry due to high amounts of preservatives.

Soy sauce has more than enough natural preservatives (salt) to be safe at room temperature. Salad dressings that are vinegar or oilbased are fine stored outside the fridge.

Cream, yogurt, or mayo-based dressings should be stored in the fridge.

Honey and real maple syrup will both turn to crystallized gunk if stored in the fridge. Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Hot sauce is fine in your pantry, even after it’s opened. Preservatives and spices keep it safe. Ground spices never need to be refrigerated. Coffee is best at room temperature so natural oils can really flavor your cup. Nuts are safe stored in a cool, dark spot and dried fruits and cereals need no refrigeration.

For a decorative and beautifully scented touch, pluck those cut herbs out of the refrigerator and put them in a waterfilled glass jar on your kitchen counter to create an herb bouquet to use while cooking. Removing just some of the above items from your refrigerator should give you plenty of room to store fall produce, ciders and other delicious, rustic treats of the season.

autumn ~ home inside and out Home Grown A Great Success

10 different school districts through On Sept. 26, the Geauga Growth career and internship programs,” said Partnership held their annual Home Grown John Epprecht, chairman of the board.

Geauga fundraising event for members and “Through regular polling guests. GGP announced of our membership, we an Endowment Fund for continue to address Workforce Development important issues, such as in honor of the late Frank sustainable energy and Samuel, GGP founder. our supply chain, electric Fo x 8 ’s K r i s t i p o w e r, b r o a d b a n d , Capel emceed the event entrepreneur programs, and promoted during healthcare reform, the auction, creating wellness and drug free great participation and workplace programs, enthusiasm raising thousands which will Fox 8’s Kristi Capel (left) emceed the e m p l o y m e n t l a w , fund GGP’s educational GGP Home Grown Geauga event succession planning, programs fulfilling their on Sept. 26 at the Family Life Center social media programs, mission to “Prepare in Bainbridge. Deb Hymer (right) emerging and incumbent Tomorrow’s Workforce represented the Arms Trucking team workforce education Today”. that purchased “a dinner for 12” for and development and and career “So far this year we $2,700 during the fundraising auction. student pathway and internship hosted 96 programs, we programs.” have impacted more than 4,000 business The GGP currently boasts 141 member and community members that have used businesses. Many sponsored this event GGP benefits, we’ve engaged more than and then again bid on the donated 250 volunteers who have helped the GGP prizes and packages. Visit Geauga Growth in numerous capacities and the GGP has Partnership Inc. at www.geaugagrowth.com. served more than 1,200 students from

River Valley Pine 9940 St. Rt. 534 Middlefield, Ohio 44062 (2 miles North of Mespo)

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8' 2.00 3.40 4.80 6.00 7.20 1.45 2.12 2.72 3.52 4.56

10' 2.65 4.50 6.00 7.50 9.00 1.80 2.65 3.40 4.40 5.70

12' 3.20 5.40 7.20 9.00 10.80 2.15 3.18 4.08 5.28 6.84

14' 3.75 6.30 8.40 10.50 12.60 2.50 3.71 4.76 6.16 7.98

16' 4.70 7.20 9.75 12.40 15.20 2.90 4.48 5.75 7.36 9.60

18' 5.40 9.00 11.70 14.40 17.10 3.00 5.05 6.70 8.30 10.80

20' 5.85 10.00 13.00 16.00 21.50 3.35 6.00 7.60 10.00 12.00

(We also carry 1" kiln dried IN STOCK) 8' 4.50 8.00 10.65 14.65

10' 6.00 10.00 13.35 18.30

12' 8.00 12.00 16.00 22.00

14' 9.35 15.40 20.50 25.60

16' 10.65 17.60 23.50 29.30

10"x10" 40.00 10"x12" 48.00

50.00 65.00

60.00 78.00

70.00 91.00

80.00 112.50 125.00 137.50 104.00 135.00 160.00 176.00

4"x4" 4"x6" 4"x8" 4"x10" 6"x6" 6"x8" 6"x10" 6"x12" 8"x8" 8"x10" 8"x12"

12.00 17.60 22.00 26.50 23.40 29.30 38.40

15.00 22.00 27.50 33.00 29.30 36.60 48.00

19.90 26.40 33.00 43.20 35.20 48.00 57.60

23.10 33.60 38.50 60.45 41.00 56.00 67.20

28.30 38.40 48.00 69.00 51.00 64.00 76.80

18' 15.00 23.40 31.80 39.60

35.10 46.80 63.00 75.60 67.20 84.00 100.00

20' 16.00 26.00 37.00 43.30

39.00 52.00 65.00 84.00 70.00 86.60 128.00

22' 20.50 30.80 41.00 51.00

46.20 61.60 77.00 75.00 88.00 103.00 123.00

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Sept.30, 2015

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autumn ~ home inside and out

Annie Oakley: An American Legend

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Legendary Ohioan Annie Oakley was born Phoebe Ann Moses on Aug. 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio. She is remembered as one of the leading women of the American West for her unmatched shooting skills.

In 1875, Annie entered a Thanksgiving shooting competition against vaudeville performer, Frank Butler. Annie won the competition and the following year, the two were married. Annie toured the United States with her husband and began working their famed act in 1882, after Butler’s male partner fell ill and Annie took his place. She took on the stage name of Oakley, believed to be taken from a Cincinnati locale. The two performers embarked on a union that would last more than half a century.

Annie Oakley met Native-American leader Sitting Bull in 1884, and he was so impressed with her manner and abilities that he “adopted” her and bestowed upon her the Native American name “Little Sure Shot.” Oakley and Butler then joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in 1885 and they soon became a star attraction, renowned for unparalleled shooting tricks. The audiences were astounded. She could shoot off the end of a cigarette held in her husband’s lips, hit the thin edge of a playing card from 30 paces and shoot distant targets while looking into a mirror. She would also shoot holes through cards thrown into the air before they landed, inspiring the practice of punching holes in a free event ticket being referred to as an “Annie Oakley.”

Country Arts & Jewelry, carries a perfume and cologne line boasting the name of this legendary women, Annie Oakley. Country Arts & Jewelry is located at 15864 Nauvoo Road in Middlefield (44062). Call 440-632-5343 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came,— The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name.

The sunshine spread a carpet, And every thing was grand; Miss Weather led the dancing; Professor Wind, the band....

The sight was like a rainbow New-fallen from the sky. “

By Joe Novak

autumn ~ home inside and out Storing Tools for Winter

I

t is difficult writing about winter when the outdoor thermometer is pointing at 90 degrees; however we are in northeast Ohio and the weather can turn overnight.

If you are a procrastinator when it comes to storing your summer equipment and getting snow removal equipment ready, this is a reminder; winter is coming.

It is extremely important that you drain any leftover gas out of your summer equipment and run the engine till it runs out of any gas remaining in the fuel system.

If this is impossible; add a fuel stabilizer and run the engine till the stabilized fuel circulates through the entire fuel system. Today’s EPA mandated gas is very destructive to small engines and this gas should not be stored for long periods of time. Don’t stock up on gas since the price is low, or it may cost you in repair bills down the road.

If you have old gas in a plastic can, you may dispose of it by adding small amounts to your car or truck fuel tank since larger engines burn more efficiently. No more than 5 percent at a time, and only to a nearly full tank so that you dilute the old fuel. Do not add this gas if it is in a metal can since it could contain water from condensation.

If you need to store gas for your lawn

mower or snow blower, always store in a plastic container in a safe place and no more than you can use in a month or two.

Add fuel stabilizer as soon as you can after purchasing the fuel and make sure it is a “methanol” type stabilizer. The idea of putting methanol in gas is about as smart as thinking that you are getting your daily requirement of vegetables by eating foods fried in vegetable oil.

This is the time to take your snow blower or plow in for repairs if needed. After the first snowfall, all the procrastinators will be lined up outside the repair shop hoping for a miracle. If you are going home to a wife who is stuck in the driveway; you’re not getting dinner till you shovel her free. Oh, you forgot to purchase a snow shovel when they were on sale in September? Just how comfortable is that couch?

Writers Note: this is my 100th article written for Middlefield Post and I am honored and privileged to be allowed to write for this great paper!

To find out what Joe would do, e-mail questions to editor@middlefieldpost. com. Joe has 20-some years experience in manufacturing and says that as a small business owner, he found that you either learn how to solve a problem yourself or pay to have it done. Joe’s articles are his opinion and are only intended as a guide.

Please consult an expert when in doubt.

Editors Note: Thank you and congratulations Joe Novak! We are privileged at the Middlefield Post to be the recipients of your entertaining and educational contributions and look forward to the next 100!

Is your energy lagging? Though it may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re tired, exercise. A brisk walk can be more effective than a nap or cup of coffee at fighting fatigue.

Research suggests that catching a whiff of fresh rosemary may increase alertness and improve memory. Inhale the scent of rosemary essential oil before a test or meeting.

Combat a yen for sugar by following a Chinese medicine approach: eat foods such as endive, radicchio, cooked greens, and olives.

People whose diets are rich in potassium may be less prone to high blood pressure.

Eat potassium-packed picks such as bananas, cantaloupe, and oranges.

For sore muscles and joints, apply a cream or ointment that contains capsaicin, the active ingredient in chile peppers, two or three times a day to help relieve pain.

Adding raw or lightly cooked garlic and onions to your meals may help keep you healthy since both possess antiviral and antibacterial properties believed to boost immunity.

For heel and arch pain, try stretching your foot by rolling it over a rolling pin or a bottle.

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autumn ~ home inside and out W. FARMINGTON SENIOR CENTER 150 College St., W. Farmington, 44491

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The graffiti, when discovered in daylight, St. Paul, France. (MP Photo/Patrick Blau)

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The St. Paul Tea Party

It’s a pretty safe bet that you have more than likely seen some graffiti in the past two weeks. Somewhere in your daily life you have had the undue ‘pleasure’ of viewing the artwork of some would-be Picasso, usually spray painted onto a wall somewhere, or, even better in the artist’s mind, on some homeowners fence. There actually is some kind of perverted beauty to the vandals artistry, the large and colorful letters of the words they create on property that doesn’t belong to them, or the pictures of whatever their imaginations can come up with sprawled in sprayed enamel where all passerbys are obligated to look at it.

Perhaps in the minds of the creators they feel they are showcasing their talents to an unenlightened world, a world that simply doesn’t understand them or the message that they must share with the rest of us.

Why can’t we, they think to themselves, understand that any paintable surface, public or private, is their own personal canvas? What they don’t understand at the time, but hopefully will understand sooner rather than later, is that their ‘art’ makes a city or village look trashy and rundown, and whatever type of message they are trying to share with the world gets lost in the fact that someone is going to have to clean up, cover up, or try to remove their childish contribution to the world’s culture.

Wherever they have chosen to leave their markings, on a public or private fence or

garage wall, someone is going to have to spend money, that they shouldn’t have, to spend on trying to erase the ‘gift’ of the local Salvador Dali. Especially in American small towns like Burton or Middlefield, residents and homeowners really don’t appreciate seeing these sorts of things on or around their homes and neighborhoods. There is a pride, a feeling of ownership that small town people have for the places where they live, and when someone damages that place with unwanted graffiti, it evokes feelings of anger and vengeance. At the very least, someone is going to have to give of their time and effort to return the affected area to relatively clean normalcy. And with that thought in mind, this is how one particular story of my life in France came to be.

The family home of my wife is located in St. Paul, France. From Septfonds we drive about two hours south and west to get there. It’s a sleepy and peaceful village set in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, and was first called St. Paul in 1150 A.D. The house that belongs to my wife was built in 1797, and it has a wonderful panoramic view of the Pyrenees. The street that the home is located on is only about a mile long, and the houses that line it are all historic and made with good, solid, locally quarried old stones.

By itself this street used to be all that there was to the village of St. Paul, until with time the borders slowly expanded to include Continued on Page 9

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autumn ~ home inside and out The St. Paul Tea Party Continued from Page 8 further habitable areas. This village that were going to do something as bad as the began with one single road now includes graffiti artist had done; you’d be missing more than a few dozen. There are only two the point, and your logic will be completely ways to enter or exit this original St. Paul ignored by my wife and I. If this had been a road, and each way takes the traveler under swastika back in 1941 that we were covering a train track and through a small tunnel. up in the night instead of a modern sort of Each tunnel is only about forty feet long, rambling scrawled stupidity, then I doubt and when you enter it you feel like you are you would think the same thing. Regardless, taking a secret path into some unknown in the afternoon I went to the room where and undiscovered ancientness. You can see all the tools and supplies are kept, placing and feel the age of these tunnels, noticing a long handled paint roller and a bucket of tiny stalactites outdoor grade beginning to white paint in an form on the easily accessible stone ceilings, place. My wife the slightly worn found a small markings on the battery powered stones that speak lantern for us of the masons to use since it tools long ago was going to that cut them be a cloudy and to their size and starless night, shape, the tiny and we were patches of moss going to need here and there on light to work by. the stones that In the evening lend credibility after dinner I put to its claim of on old painting old age. On one clothes and an of the entrance old ball cap. I tunnels, covering was ready to take about 12 feet of back this part one side of the Patrick’s reclamation in progress, St. Paul, France. of St. Paul from tunnel exit wall, (MP Photo/Patrick Blau) the pseudosome local Monet ar tistic forces decided to grace that threatened St. Paul with his idea of the kind of art it. France or not, St. Paul or not, Burton or everyone should want spray painted on the not; I’m a homegrown American boy at entrance to their village. By choosing that heart and I wasn’t going to just sit by while particular wall the artist made sure that my home was violated by some deranged, everyone who lives on the original road of French Norman Rockwell wannabe. The St. Paul sees it every single time they leave light began to fade from the sky. We waited. or return home.

Soon it would be time. Soon we would take Now, I have only lived in France for a back what had been stolen from us. Soon little over nine months, and have only been now, soon. consistently visiting my wife’s family home The time arrived at last. Sarah and I in St. Paul for a little less than that. But I have gathered up our supplies and silently began come to feel that the house in St. Paul is a the walk across the backyard and fields that sort of home to me; every time we visit there would take us to the defiled tunnel wall, and I get to mow the fields of grass that surround after about 10 minutes we arrived there. I it, do some sort of home improvement set about getting everything in order for a project to it, and trim and prune some of quick mission, that of effectively covering the many bushes and trees that are on its over and ruining the unwanted ‘artwork’, lands or borders. I feel the home needs me, and doing so in such a way that the result it needs my grounds keeping, my caring for wasn’t worse than what I was covering over. its pipes and stones and paint and plants.

Sarah held the lantern for me, and was the It needs my appreciation of its oldness lookout to warn me of any approaching and the forgotten good memories created cars, or any approaching graffiti artists inside and around it. This is the first home returning to admire their work. It only took where my wife’s grandparents lived, and me a little over five minutes to cleanly cover where Sarah’s mother grew up. It is the the graffiti, and while walking back to our place where my wife spent most of her St. Paul home we felt good about what we formative years and a good part of her adult had done. For at least one day we provided years. It is the place where she and I plan to an example to the residents of St. Paul that retire to when the time comes. It’s the place you don’t have to just accept this sort of where my children will stay when they visit intrusion, that you don’t have to resign France by themselves and with their own yourself to having that which is precious families, and one day the house with all its to you treated like it doesn’t matter. Boston lands will belong to them. So yes, being a and the colonists had their harbor full of territorial American at heart, when I saw the tea; we had a roller and a bucket of paint spray painted desecration of the place that in a small French village. I was in an area of is/will be the home of Sarah, myself, and France that had never heard of Burton or my kids, something inside me got angry Middlefield Ohio, yet I was feeling more like and rebellious. What the local vandal spray an American than I had in quite some time. painted onto my surrogate hometowns wall May God bless America, and Vive la with probably a sly smile and a few choice France! curse words, this particular transplanted Patrick Blau was born and raised in northeast American would cover up with a smile and Ohio. For the past six years, he lived and worked American small town pride. in Burton/Middlefield along with his daughter, My wife and I began to channel The McKenzie and his son, Kevin, until he recently French Resistance, planning our tunnelmoved to France and married his wife, Sarah. reclamation project for 10:30 p.m. that Patrick and Sarah currently live in Septfonds, night. Don’t even try to tell me that we a Burton-like village in southern France.”

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There’s nothing like a good backyard barbecue with friends during the leisurely days of autumn, or a relaxing day lounging on the deck. If you really want to kick the atmosphere notch up though, an outdoor entertainment system is just the ticket to taking your backyard experience to the next level. For a setup that’s the envy of the neighborhood, there are a few key elements to consider.

Speakers That Pack a Punch. Being able to jam out to music anywhere in your backyard is a key consideration when it comes to designing a legendary outdoor entertainment system. To ensure that you’re getting great sound from all angles, place landscape speakers around the perimeter of your backyard or pool. Strategically placed rock speakers can be an attractive, budget-friendly option.

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If you have an in-ground pool, installing underwater speakers is a surefire way to give your guests the ultimate entertainment experience. On the other hand, some relaxing alone time floating in the pool and listening to your favorite tracks might better suit your fancy. Either way, you shouldn’t skimp on quality if you do decide to invest in pool speakers. Because water

is dense, it’s difficult to get clean sound, so a high-grade underwater speaker is a must. Lubell is a reputable company that specializes in underwater speakers and has some fantastic options.

Visually Stunning Projectors and TVs. If you’re looking to go all out, an outdoor projection system can really ramp up the “wow factor.” They’re perfect for backyard movie nights, playing slideshows at family get-togethers, or entertaining guests with music videos. JVC, InFocus, and Sony are some top choices for projectors and you’ll find a variety of outdoor projection screens to choose from in stock.

Want to catch the big game while grilling up a burger or enjoy your favorite show under the moonlight? An outdoor flat screen TV is the perfect addition to any outdoor home theater. SunBrite is a great choice for long-lasting flat screens that withstand the elements.

Breathtaking Lighting. To really tie your home entertainment system together, a well-thought-out lighting system can take your backyard from ordinary to magical with just the press of a button. To make your landscape pop, try creating different lighting areas with a variety of colors and light types. One section might have blue pathway lights, while another may have green fountain lights that highlight a water feature. The possibilities are endless.

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Metzenbaum Quilt and Craft Auction Experience the excitement of an oldfashioned Amish Quilt and Craft Auction on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Metzenbaum Center, 8200 Cedar Road, in Chesterland. Early risers may enjoy a hearty all-you-caneat pancake breakfast, complete with Geauga County’s rich maple syrup from 8 to 10 a.m. Admission and parking to the auction are free. The pancake breakfast costs $7 for adults, $4 for children 3 to 12, and children 2 and under are free, payable at the door.

Guests at the Quilt & Craft Auction may bid on more than 25 hand-made Amish quilts, Amish hand-made wood furniture, crafts and much more. A silent auction, Chinese raffle, Amish bakery, and cash and carry Holiday Shop will round out the day’s activities.

“There are always hundreds of items to bid on at our Silent Auction and Chinese Raffles held in the halls of the Metzenbaum Center and beautiful handmade items in the live auction,” said Patti Gallagher, chairperson of the Metzenbaum Quilt & Craft Auction.”

Again this year will be two 50/50 drawings at 12:30 p.m. and at the end of the live auction.

Sponsored by Families and Friends of the Metzenbaum Center, proceeds will go to support the children and adults with

developmental disabilities served by the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In the past, money raised by the Quilt & Craft Auction has been used to fund Therapeutic Riding Programs, Special Olympics, summer camps, dances, Christmas program, summer picnics, Family Resource program, Enrichment program, Senior Prom and class trips, and other special events.

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The first Depot Appreciation picnic was held at the Century Inn on Aug. 31. Seated at the table at left are Jenny Ferroni (the little girl in the blue in front) with her dad, Paul, and mom Sheryl on either side of her. (MP Photo/Nancy Huth)

Depot Volunteers Appreciated The first Depot Volunteer Appreciation picnic was held in the under loft of the Century Inn on Sunday Aug. 31. About 25 volunteers and their families attended along with previous volunteers who have given much of their time in running the ice cream fountain. These included Jennie Bemberg, who managed the Depot from the beginning until taken over

by Bill Darpel. Also there were Clement and Ellen Craig who spent every Saturday night in the summer scooping ice cream. Ellen was also Treasurer and collected the money every evening.

There were a couple of awards handed out. The Most Enthusiastic New Volunteer went to Jenny Ferroni and one The Volunteer Who Most Knows How to Keep it Together was awarded to Rick Seyer ,who used duct tape to hold his incision on a cruise after a recent appendectomy. A raffle was held with a ticket being placed for each shift that a volunteer worked for gift card prizes. Each volunteer received a small token of appreciation. It was a great time for volunteers to get to know each other.

The Depot’s hours are Monday through Saturday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Sunday it is open 3 to 7 p.m. The only reason it would be closed during those hours would be a lack of volunteers. The picnic was held to show the appreciation of the wonderful volunteers who gave of their time. All proceeds go to The Middlefield Historical Society so they can enrich our community in so many ways including but not limited to, scholarships in the Cardinal Schools, Christmas Tree displays, Student Art Shows and Open Houses at the Inn. The Depot also would like to express appreciation to the loyal customers who support them with their purchases and generous donations. Without them they would not have had a successful year. To volunteer next year, contact Bill Darpel, 632-0080. The season runs June 1 through August 31. Thank you.

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