Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
The Art of Gift Giving Submitted
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The holidays are the most exciting time of year for many people, whether by decking the halls, hosting holiday get-togethers, visiting friends and family or finding that perfect special gift for loved ones. The list can get long quickly, but don’t despair, Small Business Saturday offers you an exciting day to shop local and to see how these beautiful artworks are designed and created by some of Ohio’s artisans. You are invited to Artisans’ Corner Gallery in Newbury Township Nov. 30 for a Small Business Saturday event. A variety of artists have volunteered to demonstrate their craft. They include: Brown Bear Pottery throwing pots; Danielle Magdych hosting a makeand-take aromatherapy workshop where you can watch the process or join in and create your very own bracelet; Margaret Khairallah showing the art of creating a linocut block and possibly showing the process of printing, as well; artists Mary Ann Sedivy and Mell Friedland painting in oils and acrylic; and Reinhold Friebertshauser showcasing his woodburning and decorating techniques. Throughout the store, there will be specials offered along with refreshments, and as always, gift-wrapping is complimentary.
The holiday spirit will continue with Artisans’ Corner Gallery’s First Friday, After Hours, Holiday Open House Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. The event will feature oil painting artist Lisa Lockemer, of Chagrin Falls, and Giovanni (John) Bocchieri, whose leaf alchemy boasts bright, brilliant colors and sparkle on leaves of various species. Refreshments and holiday giveaways are some of the festivities for the evening. Visit the gallery’s website for details on all of events and workshops. The following are items that might be on your gift list or just some great holiday ideas for all the events and activities that lie ahead: • Variety of holiday décor • Special gifts for a host or hostess • Pottery • Unique Jewelry Options • Utilitarian works of art • Wall Art • Woodworking • Greeting cards • Hundreds of pieces of unique art. Artisans’ Corner Gallery is in the Newbury Center Plaza on the northeast corner of the intersection of Auburn Road and Route 87 (Kinsman Road), next to Zeppe’s Tavern. It is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the holiday season.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Shop Small Businesses to Improve the Holiday Experience MetroCreative It’s the time of year when newspapers thicken with sales circulars and holiday advertisements. Consumers looking to beat the hustle and bustle and steer clear of the crowds this year may want to pay attention to local businesses in lieu of trekking to nearby shopping malls. Every time consumers visit local coffee shops to grab a latte, pick up a dress at a nearby boutique or patronize a farmer’s market down the street, they are supporting a small business. The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are some of the busiest shopping days of the season, and they also can be some of the friendliest to small businesses. Plaid Friday was conceptualized in Oakland. It may have been born in the Golden State, but the movement soon spread across the country. Plaid Friday is an alternative to big box stores’ Black Friday bonanzas. It is designed to promote both local and independently-owned businesses during the holiday season. The name Plaid Friday was used to help people visualize the various threads of small businesses coming together to create a strong community fabric that was diverse and creativity. Shoppers can continue their small business patronage with Small Business Satur-
day. This, too, is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The first event was created by American Express in conjunction with the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since its inception, many small
business groups, merchants and politicians have touted the event and the Shop Small mantra. The idea is that when small businesses thrive, communities and individuals thrive along with them.
The Small Business Administration says that, since 1995, small businesses have generated 66 percent of all new jobs in the United States. There are a number of big reasons to shop small. One can start around the holidays and then continue all year long. • Shopping small businesses helps give back to the community directly. According to Civic Economics, a strategic planning business, on average 48 percent of each purchase made at independent businesses is recirculated locally through tax money and other support. • Small business owners often strive to provide personalized, hands-on customer service. Repeat business is key to their survival, so they want to ensure shoppers are happy. • Small businesses, since they are not beholden to corporate oversight in terms of what they sell, have greater flexibility. That allows them to offer a diverse product selection. • Small business owners often live nearby, and they’re the people you see in town, schools and elsewhere in the local community. Many consumers are comforted to know they’re supporting their neighbors, especially during the holiday season. Supporting local businesses is easy. And shoppers who like what they see can share the good news with others on social media.
Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
Cut Your Own Trees! Priced according to variety & height. Cost includes shaking, bailing & drilling a hole in the trunk to center it in the tree stand.
Open: Nov. 29 to Dec.15 Fri, Sat and Sun, 10-5
Browse our gift shop filled with many hand made unique gift items and enjoy freshly popped popcorn.
5620 Streeter Rd., Mantua, OH • 330-888-9005 Located East of Rt. 44, North of Turnpike exit 193. FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR THE WEB
Freshly cut Christmas trees are farmed specifically for the holiday season and support local economies. They also tend to last a bit longer than pre-cut trees available elsewhere.
Christmas Tree Tips & Tricks MetroCreative Christmas trees are an iconic symbol of the holiday season. Whether they are personal trees nestled in the corner of a living room for families to enjoy or towering evergreens serving as the focal point of a town square, Christmas trees are a wonder to behold. Many people have fond memories of time spent around the Christmas tree sharing gifts and family traditions. Live trees and their pine-like aroma can be especially nostalgic trees to include in holiday plans. The National Christmas Tree Association says that approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year. North American trees hail from all 50 states and areas of Canada. While freshly cut trees can be particularly beautiful and aromatic additions to the season, they require a bit more work than artificial trees in order to remain beautiful and thrive throughout the holiday season. Maintenance can help keep Christmas trees as perfect as possible. • Even though it is tempting to buy a real tree as early as possible, their shelf life is limited even with the best care. Dural Christmas Tree Farm advises that, under the best conditions, a real tree should last up to four weeks before drying out. • Consider the needles when looking for a real tree. Pull your hand toward your body along the branches. If many needles fall off,
the tree is past its peak. • Think about the room in which the tree will be located. Leave at least 6 inches between the tip of the tree and the ceiling, accounting for the height of the tree stand as well. • If needle retention is a goal, the Scotch pine variety has the best needle retention and a high survival rate, lending to its popularity, offers Precision Tree and Landscape. Douglas fir and balsam fir are other durable trees. • If possible, buy a freshly cut tree from a reputable nursery or tree farm, advises The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Many pre-cut trees sold elsewhere were likely cut weeks before and may not be fresh. • Cut the bottom of the tree trunk before bringing it home to facilitate the uptake of fresh water daily. Trees can absorb as much as a gallon of water in a day, so make sure the tree gets fresh water every day. • Keep trees away from as many heat sources as possible and away from direct sunlight to prolong longevity. • To make a Christmas tree last longer, boil a gallon of water and then dissolve one cup of sugar in the water. Allow to cool. After freshly cutting the trunk, pour in the warm sugar water. Continue to add fresh, cool, plain water to the tree stand afterward. Once needles begin to fall off with frequency, the tree is reaching its prime. Remove it so it does not become a fire hazard.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Chardon Invites All ‘Home For the Holidays’ Dec. 13-14 Submitted In a community-wide collaboration, Chardon Tomorrow, Chardon Square Association, Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Chardon are presenting: Home for the Holidays Fire & Ice. This premier holiday celebration will be taking place on historic Chardon Square and all along Main Street. All are invited to participate in the activities that will take place Dec. 13 and 14. All four Chardon organizations believe in community-based events to bring people into town. Activities for families to enjoy include: horse-drawn carriage rides, husky demonstrations, real reindeer, hot cocoa bar, gingerbread contest, live holiday characters and the popular fire and ice tower lighting. For the athletically inclined, sign up for the Frozen 4k race that will run through the square and on the bike path.
If running in the cold doesn’t bring you into town, the warm stores with holiday specials will. The Nest, Bean’s, Circa, Square Bistro, Salty and more will be offering ‘Stop, Shop, Drop 20’ promotions. Spend $20 on Chardon Square and you will be entered into a raffle for a holiday basket filled with items from the stores. Chardon Library will have holiday crafts and a photo booth to capture your holiday spirit. Geauga Theater is proud to present “Peter Pan,” so be sure to order tickets now. Lastly, bring your lists to drop off to Santa Claus. If you are busy getting in your shopping, you can always mail your letter in the special North Pole mailbox located at the corner of Main and Water streets. Don’t forget to put a return address on the letter. For a list of full details and event times, visit www.chardontomorrow.org/events, and call 440-253-9590 with any questions.
Take Time to Wine Down at Colonial Beverage in Chester Submitted Holidays got you stressed, worried, harried or otherwise over-worked? Relax. Sit down, have a glass of wine and let Colonial help take care of the details this season. It starts at their weekly happy hour on Fridays from 4-8 p.m. for only $10. Owner Wes Cowie presents a spread of five different wines every week and bakes fresh bread from scratch to serve with an array of artisan cheeses. With vinyl always spinning on their turntable and a revamped interior featuring soft cafe lighting and warm natural wood tones, Colonial is the perfect place to start your weekend with some fun and you can take care of some important shopping while you’re there, too. Cowie has also been taking to his kitchen every week to create a delicious homemade dinner special to serve at the happy hour. He prices them at just $10 per plate. Cowie jokingly refers to Colonial as the best secret restaurant in Geauga County. Previous favorites have included Chicken Paprikash and braised Oxtail. Check out their Facebook page for this week’s dinner special.
If you’ve been having a hard time settling on gifts this year, it’s worth remembering Colonial is the east-side leader in gift basket creation and delivery. Baskets can be custom built to fulfill any parameters and price, from $25 to $200. With enough notice, the staff at Colonial will even deliver your baskets free of charge. Forget the shopping and the mess. Leave it to the pros. What about Christmas parties? Colonial has been utilizing their newly renovated space to host events of all types — from fundraisers to birthday parties, and yes, holiday parties. You can skip the cleanup and preparation and leave it to the capable hands at Colonial this season. Their space can accommodate up to 90 people comfortably and their full commercial kitchen allows for a cornucopia of different food options, from bread and cheese all the way up to full dinners. Call or email the shop for availability and dates, as they are filling up fast. Visit Colonial Wine & Beverage at www.colonialCLE.com or call 440-729-7303.
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Embrace delectable holiday scents in seasonal decor.
Decorate with a Nose Toward Holiday Aromas MetroCreative Holiday decor is as much about the sights and sounds as it is about the scents of the season. Few things evoke the holiday spirit as much as the aroma of fresh evergreen or spicy cinnamon and cloves. Incorporating inviting aromas into holiday decor can make homes feel even more special. Filling a home with fragrant decor takes a little ingenuity and planning. Here are some ideas to incorporate the scents of the holiday season into your decor. • Use a real Christmas tree. An easy way to create a pine-like scent indoors is to select a real Christmas tree. Ask the tree farm which varieties are the most fragrant. If a fresh tree is not possible, fill a decorative basket with pine cones and evergreen boughs for that woodsy appeal. • Create a seasonal scented simmer. Take to the stove to make a homemade air infusion from ingredients in and around the house. Simmer pine branches, citrus peels, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and whatever else can be placed in a pot or slow cooker with water. The scents will permeate the house for hours if enough water is added to the mixture. • Make holiday sachets. Some of the same ingredients for the holiday simmer can be dried and sewn into sachets. Add ribbon and hang on real or artificial trees. Or tuck the pouches into various areas around the house.
• Experiment with scented candles. Scented candles can be found at various stores during the holiday season. Select among popular holiday aromas like pine, cinnamon, apples, and Christmas cookie varieties. • Utilize essential oils. Natural food stores and other retailers may sell essential oils, which can be diluted and sprayed on surfaces or into the air. Exercise caution around upholstery, or test for staining before use. • Spend more time in the kitchen. Add delicious scents to the home by way of freshly baked goods or holiday meals. Nothing beats the smell of cookies right out of the oven, and the scents can linger for hours. • Make beeswax ornaments. Add scented oils to melted beeswax and pour into molds. Hang these creations as ornaments on trees or in other areas of the home. • Craft some “gingerbread” ornaments. A mixture of cinnamon, applesauce and glue can be used to make ornaments or gift tags that resemble gingerbread cookies, and these ornaments have more staying power than actual cookies. • Design a pretty pomander. Stud an orange with cloves. Cut off the top of the orange and hollow out a place for a small tea light. The warmth of the flame will produce more scent. Rich and inviting aromas can fill a home with the holiday spirit.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park Bigger & Brighter Submitted By Margie Wilber The joy of the Christmas season is captured close to home at Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park. Nestled on the grounds of Berkshire Hills Golf Course and Party Center in scenic Geauga County, this holiday exhibit is only 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland, at 9760 Mayfield Road in Chester Township. Now in its second year, Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park is bigger and brighter than ever, with the addition of one million more lights and 20 more displays. Opening on Black Friday, Nov. 29, the light exhibit will run through New Year’s Day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission costs $25 per car on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; $20 per car on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (No vehicle over 9 feet tall will be able to enter.) Tickets must be purchased in advance at BethlehemHilllsLights.fun. “We hope pre-purchasing tickets online will decrease traffic on Mayfield Road,” said Walter Miraglia, owner of Berkshire Hills Golf Course and Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park. “Visitors online must identify the day they will be attending the park. We want to be sensitive to those who use Mayfield Road and live nearby.” New and returning guests to Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park will be in awe this year. With a total of 60 holiday displays and three million LED lights, each computer
chipped to enhance the experience, there is now scrolling light poles near the entrance providing driving instructions to guests. “We also changed the traffic pattern so visitors can visit with Santa’s Workshop before viewing the lights along our 1.25-mile drive through the park,” Miraglia said. “Within Santa’s Workshop, Santa will be making frequent visits to hear wish lists from visiting children and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Buckeye Chocolates will be selling plenty of delicious goodies. There are also fun stocking stuffers, all reasonably priced, available for purchase.” Additional Bethlehem Hills Light Park enhancements include 100,000 more pixels of light at the North Pole Castle and several projection displays throughout the park, creating exciting three-dimensional experiences. Many of the lights are synced to Christmas music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Fieldstone Therapeutic Riding Center and Valor Retreat, a local nonprofit engaged in building cabins in Hocking Hills so returning combat veterans, their families and Gold Star families can reconnect and enjoy a free vacation. So, load up the family or a carload of friends and experience the holiday magic of Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park. Don’t forget to order your tickets today at BethlehemHillsLights.fun. For more information contact 440-8624735.
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How to Create a Durable Gingerbread House MetroCreative Gingerbread cookies and houses are one of the many symbols of the holiday season, alongside Christmas trees and twinkling lights. In fact, few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread. Many a child (or a child at heart) has spent hours carefully trying to create decorative gingerbread houses. Although gingerbread recipes span various cultures, gingerbread houses originated in 16th century Germany. The fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” helped solidify the popularity of gingerbread, which became part of Christmas traditions. Even though gingerbread houses can be fun to make, there’s no denying it can be exacting work — especially for those who strive for perfection. Prepackaged kits attempt to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, but those who are crafting from scratch can employ these tips as they build their gingerbread houses. • Go for form and not flavor. Few gingerbread houses ever get eaten, so focus on finding a dough that will bake up rock hard as opposed to one that tastes good. • Get the right icing texture. Pastry artist
Catherine Beddall says royal icing is the preferred “glue” to adhere gingerbread pieces. Beddall says icing should be thick like peanut butter and not runny. • Mind the dough. Do not roll out the gingerbread dough too thin or it may become brittle after being cooked. Always cut out shapes before the gingerbread is baked. Let the baked pieces sit overnight to cool completely before using them to build. • Patience is key. Allow the icing to dry for at least a couple of hours after adhering each piece and before moving and handling the house, says Beddall. Work in stages so that individual items can be decorated and allowed to dry. Then the walls can be put together, followed by the roof pieces. • Kids likely will need help. Children may not have the patience or steadiness to handle complete gingerbread construction. They can decorate the separate pieces of the house while the components are laying flat, which is easier for kids. Adults can do the main assembly later on. • Utilize a template. Free-handing may not be easy. Cut out templates using cardboard or posterboard for various gingerbread pieces. One of the most important tips is to have fun. Don’t take gingerbread house making too seriously as a novice. Rather, enjoy the experience and the centuries-old tradition.
Operation Christmas Child Collecting Donations Nov. 18-25 Join to fill shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for the Samaritan’s Purse project during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. One collection site is Newcomb Road Amish, 15978 Newcomb Road in Middlefield. Drop off Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday and Thursday, 3-6 p.m.; Saturday, 12-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-3 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to noon. A second site is Mesopotamia United Methodist Church, 8882 State Road 534, Middlefield. Items may be dropped off during the collection dates from 12:30-5:30 p.m. For more information, call 937-3740761 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Grief at the Holidays: Ways to Cope with Loss this Season Submitted by DeJohn Funeral Homes When we are faced with the loss of a loved one, the joyful spirit of the holiday season may not necessarily represent how we feel inside. The holidays can trigger a myriad of emotions for the bereaved and this year, for many families, Christmas may be worse than ever. It creates a strange kind of paradox: The absence of a loved one is noted and highlighted by what is supposed to be a time of celebration; yet there are associations and memories that remind the bereaved of the absence of the person they love. What we experience while grieving may depend on the details of our loss. There is no “right” process for coping with loss, but there are some things you can do to make it more manageable. • Be direct. If you’re not in the holiday spirit, that’s okay. It’s important to let others know so they can understand what they can expect from you. • Carry out a ritual. Carrying out your loved one’s ritual, whatever it may be, is enriching and shows your respect. It could be very healing. • Let someone in. While you may feel vulnerable expressing your sadness, having
an ally will make you feel much less isolated. Choose someone trustworthy and mention that you’re not expressing your feelings to many people. Finding a grief group may also help the bereaved feel less alone over the holidays. • Make a new tradition. Making a conscious decision to spend some part of the holidays talking about this person will enable others to feel like they have permission to talk about him or her, too. • Have an exit strategy. Drive yourself or plan a taxi; it will give you control over where you are and how long you have to stay. • It’s OK to cry. In fact, your tears may help others access their own emotions and can help take the pressure off “keeping it together.” • Practice self-care. Get enough sleep, watch the alcohol intake, eat well and exercise. DeJohn Funeral Homes will also be hosting its annual Tree of Remembrance Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at DeJohn Funeral Homes in Willoughby Hills for family and friends that have lost a loved one the past year. RSVP for the DeJohn Funeral Homes Tree of Remembrance ceremony online at www.DeJohnCares.com or call 440-516-5555 by Nov. 30.
Let GCPL Help You Make and Preserve Memories This Season Submitted At GCPL, we make it our purpose to engage, connect and inspire our community all year long. From storytimes to author events, from local history to gardening, we build memories together week in and week out. For many of us, the holidays are a time of reflection on the past year with visions toward the future, where new memories await. With this in mind, we invite you to preserve your memories — those records of a life lived — through use of our Mobile Memory Lab, a traveling collection of equipment that allows you to capture, record and preserve important parts of your personal history. With the capability to digitize photos, negatives, slides, 8mm/Super 8 film, VHS/Super VHS tapes, vinyl records, cassettes and more, the Mobile Memory Lab is a powerful vehicle for maintaining important moments of life for generations to come. The Mobile Memory Lab will be housed at different library branches on a rotating schedule, with Geauga West and the Administrative Center rounding out the year. It will be housed at the Middlefield branch in January 2020.
In order to use the Mobile Memory Lab, patrons must first attend an orientation session at any of the dates and locations listed below: Geauga West Sat., Nov. 23, 3 p.m. Mon., Nov. 25, 7 p.m. Administrative Center Wed., Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Fri., Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Wed., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Middlefield (Registrations open Dec. 15) Sat., Jan. 4, 10 a.m. Tues., Jan. 7, 2 p.m. Wed., Jan. 15, 7 p.m. We at GCPL would like to thank all of you for another successful year of discovery, learning and growth, with wishes for a joyous holiday season. We are grateful you choose to make memories in our buildings and on our vehicles and that you trust us to help preserve the moments from your personal lives through use of our equipment. Together, we can offer the past and the future a seat at our tables.
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Fresh Cut CHRISTMAS TREES FIRS • SPRUCE Handmade Greenery
Starting the day before Thanksgiving!
We drill trees for stands. Many local favorites for Holiday gift giving.
Located at Patterson Fruit Farm 11414 Caves Rd. (440)729-1964 • Open 9am–5pm Daily
Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Eco-Friendly Gift Options Homes
for the
Holidays for years to come
CHESTERLAND Caves Road 3 bedroom custom built home, family room, solarium, entertainment area, 2 fireplaces, Pella windows, beautiful wooded property. Kitchen with breakfast nook. Rustic charm, and wood floors Garage w barn-like storage and inground pool. Septic being installed. $270,000
CHESTERLAND Maple Grove 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath home, waiting for you to move in at title transfer. This home leaves nothing for you to do. Extra room for 1st floor laundry or office. New electrical, roof, bath, septic, freshly painted and refinished floors. Kitchen (eat in) family room, 2 fireplaces, lots of storage, 2300 sq ft, Cul de sac. $265,000
The saying “the more the merrier” certainly applies during the holiday season. But during a season of big gifts, extra food and travel, “more” can exact a heavy toll on the environment. According to Stanford University, Americans generate 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than during the rest of the year. While no one wants to take anything away from the spirit of holiday season, everyone can take steps to make the holidays more eco-friendly. In fact, there are various eco-friendly gifts that can make great presents and benefit the environment at the same time.
Purchase experiential gifts
CHESTERLAND Caves Road Older home charm with updates, electrical, decorating, roof, septic being installed. Three bedrooms, family room, dining room. Out building can be used as storage or workshop. Detached garage and extra storage. $188,000 “My interest in houses is both large and small”
Reena Kanner
Allen F. Hainge Cyberstars International
MetroCreative
216-218-9180
CRS, SRES
Serving Geauga, Portage NE Cuyahoga and Lake counties
Reenasells.com / www.Clevelandohiohomesource.com / Reenasells@att.net
When making holiday shopping lists, think of gifts that offer experiences rather than material goods. Gifts that involve experiences, such as going to a sporting event or attending a play or musical, decrease reliance on wrapping paper. Such gifts also reduce clutter in the recipient’s house and conserve the resources otherwise used to manufacture alternative items that would have been purchased. Experiential gifts that also tap into environmental pursuits, such as touring with an animal rescue group, or accommodations at a carbon-neutral hotel can be an added bonus.
Opt for locally made gifts
Select gifts made by local artisans or companies that operate domestically. This cuts down on the carbon emissions from having
to ship products from long distances or even overseas.
Give climate-friendly stocking stuffers
Companies like Cool Effect offer gifts for those looking to offset carbon emissions through clever funding. People can buy and offer gifts that correlate to packages like Costa Rican wind power or the “poo package,” which funds biogas digesters for family farms in India that capture methane emissions from cattle dung.
Get crafty
Gifts from the kitchen or ones made by the giver can be crafted from sustainable materials. They also show how you care by taking the time to customize a gift for the recipient.
Avoid gag or useless gifts
Select gifts only with utility in mind. Skip purchases that are made only to beef-up the look of presents under the tree or to make it appear that gifting was more generous. Items that a person cannot or will not use will ultimately be relegated to the trash, which is wasteful.
Wrap in reusable materials
Fancy wrapping paper certainly looks nice, but choose other materials that can be reused. Look for decorative tins, boxes, fancy gift bags, and other items that can be reused for years to come. Sustainability is possible during a season of excess when gift givers shop and wrap gifts with the environment in mind.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Geauga Park District Offers Thanksgiving Family Events Submitted Family’s home? Need something to do? Pay attention to these clues: Overstuffed from that Thanksgiving meal, take an eight-mile hike, then see how you feel! Or, on a rhyming scavenger hunt you can go, to uncover turkey facts you did not know! Geauga Park District’s new Strut Off the Stuffing Hike will take place Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to noon at The West Woods. Meet at Turkey Ridge Shelter; no need to register ahead of time. Participants (ages 12 and up, please) should anticipate a steadypaced, calorie burning hike, so please dress for the weather and bring some water. Also, for the younger crowd, the annual Turkey Trottin’ Scavenger Hunt will be active two days this year Nov. 29 and 30, both 1 to
3 p.m. at The West Woods. Drop in anytime during program hours to pick up and complete your indoor/outdoor scavenger hunt. Staff will also be eager to help, and those who complete the hunt will win a prize! While at The West Woods, naturalists also welcome you to some time inside the nature center’s educational exhibit area and Discovery Room featuring live animals and fun activities for all ages! Indoor activities will be wheelchair/stroller accessible; for outdoor portions of the scavenger hunt, mobility may be limited by snow. Please call ahead with questions. For more on Geauga Park District offerings, call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
Crafty Experiences for Holiday Gifts MetroCreative One of the challenges each holiday season is coming up with novel gifts for loved ones. For those who seemingly have it all and might not need another Santa sweater or fruit basket, an experience gift might be the perfect fit. Giving experiences can be fulfilling for gifters and show recipients that the gift was given ample thought. There are no shortages of experiences to offer. However, people who enjoy arts and crafts may enjoy being on the receiving end of a crafty experience this year. • Glass-blowing: Glass-blowing is an art form that turns molten glass into colorful and eye-catching pieces. Blown glass can be transformed into everything from wine goblets to ornaments. Instructors can teach gift recipients how to form glass into desired finished products and decorate them with swirls, patterns and colors. Check with local glass-blowing artisans (many are located in tourist centers and seaside towns) to find out if they offer experience gifts.
• Paint and sip: Paint and sip businesses are thriving, as scores of novice artists produce impressive artwork while sipping a glass of vino. A friend or a family member who aspires to be the next Bob Ross will likely enjoy a paint and sip gift. • Farmhouse style crafts: Businesses that teach individuals how to create farmhouse crafts take them through the step-by-step process of turning raw wood boards and shelves into stained and stenciled farmhouse-inspired pieces. With clever sayings like “Home is where our story begins” or “Smith Family, Est. 2019,” it’s never been easier to create custom pieces in just a few hours. • Pottery: Pottery studios can now be found as stand-alone buildings or as franchised establishments in area shopping malls. Recipients can choose among various projects and walk away with a painted and fired treasure that can be displayed for years. • Brewing: With the rise of craft breweries, apprentice shops have turned up across the country. A craft beer experience gift may be just what a budding brewer needs to start creating his or her own beers.
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Bob Rogish, of Rogish Farm, delivered the famous annual Christmas tree via tractor Nov. 9 to the heart of Chester Township. Sugar Pines Farm donated this year’s Chester Township Parkside Gazebo Christmas tree. The Chester Township police, fire and road departments participated in the tree parade from Mulberry Road to Parkside. The Chesterland Rotary Club will decorate the tree and park for the tree lighting that takes place Nov. 30.
Christmas Comes to Chesterland Submitted The Chesterland Rotary Club and the Chester Township Park District will host the eighth annual Winterfest Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chester Township gazebo in the park at the corner of Mayfield and Chillicothe roads. Join community members for the park lighting display for the holiday season. Also included will be a bonfire, free popcorn, hot cider and hot chocolate, live music, caroling plus a guest appearance by Santa. The event is free and open to the public. In the event of snow, there will be a snowman-making contest. It will be canceled in the event of rain. The Chesterland Rotary Club is also hosting its 29th annual all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage Breakfast with Santa Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Geauga High School cafeteria, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Enjoy games, face painting, coloring, seasonal music and encounters
with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Tickets are $6 per person at the door. Children under 1 year old are free. Every child receives a free gift. Parents can catch the moment with Santa on their own cameras, or the Rotary Club will offer a framed 4-by-6-inch color photo for $3. In addition to tickets at the door, presale tickets are available by sending a check to Chesterland Rotary Club, P.O. Box 722, Chesterland, OH 44026. Reserved tickets will be held at the door. All proceeds from the nonprofit event will go to cover event costs and Rotary community activities. The Chesterland Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Mayfield United Methodist Church, 7747 Mayfield Road in Chester Township. People interested in serving their community and making the world a better place are welcome to join them for breakfast and explore the possibility of membership.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Tips for Successful Office Secret Santa Exchanges MetroCreative The holiday season provides plenty of opportunities to socialize. Holiday celebrations are sometimes akin to family reunions, but friends also tend to celebrate together in December. Such celebrations sometimes include different groups of friends, and that may require hosts to do a little extra to break the ice so everyone relaxes and has a good time. Secret Santa gift exchanges can make for a great ice breaker, even if guests are buying gifts for people they don’t know. If you plan to make Secret Santa part of your holiday party this year, consider these tips to ensure it goes off smoothly. • Start planning early. Hosts likely know everyone coming to their party, so they should take the lead and organize the Secret Santa exchange. Let guests know as early as possible, even including the information in the party invitations, so they have time to shop. • Make it optional. Forcing people to mingle and exchange gifts is never a good idea. Give guests the option to participate ask them to indicate if they will or won’t when they RSVP. • Set a reasonable gift limit. Figure out
The holiday season is rife with tradition. One of the most recognizable traditions involves wrapping gifts. While the wrapping paper many gift givers use today is a relatively recent phenomenon, the tradition of wrapping gifts is centuries old, with some historians even suggesting it dates back to ancient times. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis notes that many ancient cultures celebrated various holidays that included exchanging gifts, adding that it’s very likely that, even in ancient times, gifts were wrapped to surprise their eventual recipients. Bojagi is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth that might have begun being used some time during the Three Kingdoms of Korea period, which began in 57 BC and ended in
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a budget that works for everyone. There are plenty of gifts to be had for $20 and under. Gag gifts or “dollar store” gift themes can ensure no one goes overboard in terms of dollar value. • Consider a wish list. Asking participants to fill out wish lists ensures that their Secret Santa buddy will have an idea where to start shopping. • Enlist a digital helper. Technology can make organizing Secret Santa exchanges even easier. Elfster is an online gift exchange app that can help hosts effectively organize their Secret Santa parties. Fun is key to Secret Santa exchanges, so make sure to keep things lighthearted when planning the party and exchanging gifts.
Wrapping Gifts is a Very Old Tradition MetroCreative
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AD 668. The Japanese tradition of furoshiki, which can be traced back to the 17th century and possibly as far back as AD 710, involves using a traditional wrapping cloth to transport certain items, including gifts. As for the gift wrap familiar to today’s holiday celebrants, that traces its origins to the early 1900s. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis notes that Eli Hyman and Morris Silverman founded the first gift wrap company in the United States in 1903. Unfortunately for gift givers back then, adhesive tape had not yet been invented in 1903, and wouldn’t be for another 27 years.
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP SHOP • Kitchen • Bath • Laminate • Tile New Home & Remodel Here are some delicious and waste-conscious ways to put Thanksgiving or other holiday meal leftovers to use.
What to do with Leftovers MetroCreative Holiday hosts toil for hours to create lavish meals everyone will enjoy. It’s not uncommon for Thanksgiving tables to be covered with more food than guests can conceivably (and comfortably) consume. Leftovers are the norm, but without a plan for what to do with leftovers, food can spoil or end up in the trash. Here are some delicious and waste-conscious ways to put Thanksgiving or other holiday meal leftovers to use.
Wrap it up promptly
Even though you may want to sit around and chat with guests when the meal is finished, leaving food out at room temperature for too long can create a breeding ground for microbes that may lead to food spoilage and sickness. With a few helping hands, all foods can be packaged away in no time, ensuring that drumsticks or stuffing can safely be served another day.
Take care of the needy
Collect containers
Turn leftovers into an opportunity to fraternize with friends or relatives who couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner. Pool your leftover resources and enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labor. A pot luck can be a great place to gather after shopping Plaid Friday sales in the community. Thanksgiving leftovers can provide a few extra delicious meals when hosts plan ahead.
Be sure to have reusable food storage containers, zip-top bags, foil, and plastic wrap at the ready. Before all of the food is put away, encourage guests to make their own doggie bags.
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nod toward what can be used in subsequent meals. Turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be made into everything from breakfast burritos to casseroles. Turn potatoes and sausage stuffing into latke patties that can be whipped up for breakfast or lunch. Sweet potatoes, squash and pumpkin can be mashed and reworked into batters for quick breads, pancakes and even doughnuts. Spoon leftover cranberry sauce over hot oatmeal in the morning or use it as a substitute for grape jelly in PB&J sandwiches. Try grinding up stale biscuits to make a breading for turkey slices and turn them into fried cutlets.
Plan with other meals in mind
Shop for and prepare holiday fare with a
Find out which organizations accept food donations. Even if you cannot donate previously prepared foods, if you have surplus packaged, boxed or canned items, you can bring them to food pantries and soup kitchens to help others.
Organize a post-holiday pot luck
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019
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How to Make Holiday Wreaths MetroCreative
bon, floral wire, bows, and artificial berries. Working around the foam form, arrange the boughs of evergreen, using the floral wire to wrap or pin into the foam itself. Keep the layers coming until you get the desired coverage. Embellish with a ribbon or place a bow. The blog A Piece of Rainbow says that creating a wreath jig is an easy way to make a wreath. Cut a dollar-store laundry basket bottom from the top ring to make a template, on which you can place wreath-making materials so they keep their circular form. Use floral wire or natural jute string to tie the materials together. Experiment with fresh evergreen, twigs, holly branches, or whatever materials you choose. Thick card stock also can serve as the wreath template. Attach artificial flowers or leaves, spray snow, ornaments, or other items to the card stock ring with a firm adhesive. Many craft stores sell wreath forms made of natural vines that have been strung in a ring. These can be decorated in their entirety or left a little sparse to let the natural twine show through. Wreaths may seem like complicated creations. But a little imagination and the right materials is all it takes to create a homemade wreath.
There are many different ways to decorate homes and businesses for the holidays. Tall evergreen trees are among the most visible symbols of the holiday season. However, wreaths hung on doors, windows or fences also are ubiquitous this time of year. Wreaths adorn homes primarily during the holidays of Easter and Christmas. Wreaths have also been worn around the head or neck in ceremonial events around the globe for centuries. It is believed the first wreaths date back to ancient Greece and Rome. Members of the Greco-Roman society were known to hand-make ring-shaped items using fresh tree leaves, small fruits, flowers, and twigs. Oftentimes these headdresses symbolized a person’s social status. Others suggest wreaths evolved to become a Christian symbol of immortality. Regardless of how wreaths are viewed, many people like to display wreaths for the holidays. Wreaths can be purchased premade, but making a wreath on your own can make the holidays even more fun. One of the easiest ways to make a wreath is to design it around a circular floral foam form. Gather supplies to make the wreath. For traditional wreaths, supplies will include sprigs of evergreen (real or artificial), rib-
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Holiday Hosting in Small Spaces MetroCreative Gatherings of family and friends are a big part of the holiday season. Hosting such gatherings can be a great way to show loved ones how much you appreciate them, and hosting also saves hosts the trouble of traveling during one of the most hectic travel seasons of the year. When hosting a large crowd at home, space can be a difficult hurdle to clear. However, a few helpful strategies can help spacestarved hosts pull off a holiday soirée where everyone is comfortable. • Pare down the menu. Holiday feasts don’t have to resemble medieval banquets with excessive amounts of food and drink. Hosts with small kitchens and tiny dining quarters can pare down the menu, limiting offerings to just a single entree and a few simple side dishes, so everyone feels comfortable at the table and has ample room to eat. A small menu also gives hosts more time to spend with their loved ones during the festivities. • Don’t overdo it on drinks, either. When planning the drinks menu, avoid offering cocktails, which take time to prepare and often require guests to visit the kitchen for refrigerated ingredients. Limit drinks to wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, storing cold beverages in a cooler kept outside on a front or back porch or in an area outside the kitchen so cooks can work without interruption. • Move some furniture. If your main living space is small, consider moving some bulky furniture into a bedroom or office where guests won’t be spending time. Then make better use of the open living space by placing folding chairs or other accommo-
A few helpful strategies can help spacestarved hosts pull off a holiday soirée where everyone is comfortable.
dations to ensure there’s ample seating for everyone. A single recliner can only be enjoyed by one person, but removing it from a room may create enough space for as many as three folding chairs. • Go small on decorations. If you know you’ll be hosting in advance of the holiday season, decorate with guests in mind. That might mean skipping a six-foot Christmas tree in favor of one that takes up less space. Avoid leaving any fragile decorations out, as adults or overexcited kids may knock them over as they try to navigate a cramped space. Holiday hosting can be fun, even in small spaces. A few simple tricks can make even the smallest spaces accommodating.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Are Annual Furnace Tune-Ups and Inspections Really Necessary? Submitted Having been in the heating and cooling business my whole life, I can tell you this question is probably the one asked most often. Ever since I was a little guy going to work with my dad on Saturdays, the importance of regular maintenance has been imprinted on my conscience. My father pointed out, if it weren’t for the number of repairs due to the lack of maintenance, he wouldn’t be able to pay the bills. I understood early on the benefits of a properly tuned up and inspected system, as well as the consequences of not having one. All furnace manufacturers recommend annual inspections and maintenance be performed by a factory authorized company. At Smylie One, all of our technicians are NATE Certified. We are also a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer. This simply means we are qualified to work on any and all systems and our service staff has passed NATE Certification testing. At Smylie One, we offer The Pro-Max Tune-Up & Safety Inspection. This is one of the most thorough inspections your heating system will ever need. Our technicians go through a series of checks, which include: inspections, cleanings, operational performance and reviews. To avoid waking up in the middle of a winter’s night to an unheated house and unhappy family, the most valuable advice I can offer my customers is to schedule maintenance on their heating equipment. If you don’t do it for energy conservation and efficiency, do it
to give you and your family peace of mind for the heating season. Here are a few items to check on this heating season. • Check your filters monthly and change as needed. • If you have a humidifier, check it at the beginning of the heating season and replace the humidifier pad. • Check your ductwork for leaks and gaps. If you find any, seal them with high temperature caulk or give us a call for suggestions. • Check your flue pipe for signs of rust, corrosion or holes. If you find any, contact us immediately. • Install a programmable thermostat that allows you to automatically adjust the temperature to conserve consumption. For further information on our Pro-Max Tune-Up & Safety Inspection, give us a call at 440-449-4328 or visit us on the web for money saving offers at www.smylieone.com.
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Sugar Pines Farm Helps the Troops Submitted By Jane Neubauer Sugar Pines Farm, in Chester Township, has been a longtime destination for choosing and cutting the perfect Christmas tree. Once again this year, visitors to Sugar Pines will also have the opportunity to help send some Christmas cheer to military personnel stationed overseas by participating in Operation Evergreen. Operation Evergreen is an annual service project of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association. The purpose of the project is to bring a little Christmas cheer, in the form of a real Christmas tree, to troops who are away from their families this holiday season. OCTA plans to send about 150 trees with ornaments overseas to troops, so they can enjoy touches of home within their units, on bases and in the R&R areas. Sugar Pines Farm is one of many tree farms across the state that donates trees and collects donations to cover the cost of shipping the trees. The cost to ship each tree is in excess of $100 per tree. Over 5,000 trees have been shipped to units serving overseas since the program was started in 1995. In 2012, Sugar Pines Farm opened up the first “Feel-Good Field” at their farm. This spe-
cial area contains a selection of small trees available by donation only, including “Charlie Brown” trees, cute tabletop trees and small live trees for planting. The farm requests a minimum $20 donation for trees from this field, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward Operation Evergreen. Donations can also be made directly to Operation Evergreen through the GoFundMe page set up by the OCTA at www.gofundme.com/operation-evergreen. Sugar Pines Farm is located at 9500 Mulberry Road in Chester Township and is open seven days per week from the day after Thanksgiving until the trees are sold out. The farm sells cut-your-own, fresh pre-cut and live-balled Christmas trees, as well as fresh wreaths and greens. In addition to choosing a tree, visitors to the farm will find a variety of options for family fun, including weekend hay wagon rides, scheduled visits by Santa, a cozy campfire area for making s’mores, and freshly-made kettle corn, funnel cakes and other holiday treats from Buckeye Concessions. For more information about the farm and/or Operation Evergreen, visit www.sugarpinesfarm.com or call 440-729-1019. Neubauer is the owner of Sugar Pines Farm.
Christmas Assistance For Geauga Families Thanksgiving is near and Christmas is right around the corner. Although it should be a time of joy, for many families in Geauga County, it is a time of worry. Geauga County Job and Family Service’s Sponsor a Family Program can help. The program assists low income families with toys, food and gifts for the holidays. The program is open to Geauga County families with minor children who are receiving assistance such as food stamps. Applications are available at Geauga County Job and Family Services or by calling Sara Shininger at 440-285-9141, ext. 1263 for more information.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Geauga County Maple Leaf
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, November 21, 2019