Doing Business

Local business networking events, not category restricted

Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce Chamber membership requirement after two events.

Tuesday, May 2

Monthly Luncheon: Medina County All Hazards Team, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina. Register at https://bit.ly/3Ad3OFv

Wednesday, May 17

Networking WOW! 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina. No walk-ins. $12 member attendance charge, $15 non-member attendance charge. Register at https://bit.ly/3MR3Evb

Thursday, May 18

Medina County Young Professionals Association

Mini-Golf Outing, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Alien Adventure Mini Golf, 260 S. Court Street, Medina. Register at https://bit. ly/3ondYRD

Friday, May 26

Chamber Chat, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Medina Chamber, 211 S. Court Street, Medina. Coffee and networking. Register at https://bit.ly/40bvWDP

Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance Chamber membership requirement after two events.

Wednesday, May 3

Chamber Chomps, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Samosky’s Homestyle Pizzeria, 6738 Center Road, Valley City.

Wednesday, May 17

Monthly Luncheon: Economic Development Update, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Comfort Inn, 1464 Town Center Boulevard, Brunswick. Members $25, non-members $30. Register at https://bit.ly/3mHt9o8

Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber membership requirement after two events.

Wednesday, April 26

Luncheon: Featuring Renato Camacho, CEO of Akron-Canton Airport, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Galaxy Restaurant Banquet Center, 201 Park Centre Drive, Wadsworth. $20 Register at https://bit.ly/3ULXq1q

Thursday, April 27

Mochas and Mentors, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Community Room, Soprema Senior Center, 617 School Drive, Wadsworth. Free. Register at https://bit.ly/43GrYWr

Monday, May 1

Women in Leadership: Amanda Ondrey, MC Real Estate, noon to 1 p.m., Community Room, Soprema Senior Center, 617 School Drive, Wadsworth. Register at https://bit.ly/3MQT1Zt

Tuesday, May 2

Final Chippewa Lake Park Tour, 6 p.m., Chippewa Lake Park. Limited to 25 people. Register at https://bit. ly/41xMzKS

Seville Area Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, July 13

Quarterly Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hawthorne Suites, 5025 Park Avenue West, Seville. $8 donation, pay at the door.

HOME AND GARDEN: DIG IT!

Spring Flower Remembrances

by Michelle Riley

Simply mentioning spring conjures the remembrance of flowers.

Each invocation a bloom in the mind, paralleling the early rising garden.

The dwarf flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa) blooms mid-March through the start of April. This deciduous shrub can be considered a small tree if properly cared for.

Originating in Japan, they bloom before breaking leaf. The flowers are ephemeral as the shrub is often temperamental and can be short lived in the landscape.

Pests and disease love this plant while its leaves, seeds and stems can be toxic to humans.

Planted in full sun to partial shade, they need careful tending to establish well.

It produces double flowers, ranging from white to pink, and pairs well with grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum).

A contradiction of the dwarf flowering almond, the grape hyacinth (not a true hyacinth), are tenacious growers. They can spread like a flash flood across the landscape, filling a small space quite easily.

As the hyacinth naturalizes around the base of the almond, they will bloom in unison and can be trimmed for fresh arrangements.

Daffodils (Narcissus), another great addition, will pull the almond and grape hyacinth together with lively tones from sunset yellow to the brightest lemon yellow and paper white with yellow throats.

Typically planted as a fall bulb, daffodils can be forced indoors to be left in pots or planted in the landscape as they begin to bloom.

When someone remembers a flower there is more likely than not an emotional attachment.

The flowers of spring invoke new beginnings, clean slates, fresh canvases, rebirth, renewal, growth, and an opportunity to try again. Spring is also a wonderful time to create memories in the garden.

Being inspired by our connection to each other can be a catalyst to create a garden from the adventure of togetherness.

One couple expressed their love and creativity by building a faux wishing well, which functioned as a workstation, placed front and center within their sprawling vegetable garden.

They gathered all of the stones from the property, recycling and repurposing whatever they could.

Filling all of the empty spaces with love, the garden holds memories that bloom each spring.

Michelle Riley is a local horticulturist, landscape designer, and consultant. She is the founder of the gardening subscription service, https://theplantmall.com; https:// michellerileyhorticulturist.com; and https://neohiogarden. com. She also is the president of All About You Signature Landscape Design, Inc. Learn more about Riley at https://bit.ly/3BavKLk Riley can be contacted at Info@ MichelleRileyHorticulturist.com or by calling 234-678-8266.

HOME AND GARDEN: VEGAN VITTLES

Lasagna Rollups

by Chris Pickens

Like an Italian dish? This vegan version provides as much flavor as the non-vegan version, though definitely a healthier alternative.

• 8 lasagna noodles

• 8 ounces vegan sausages

• 14-ounce package tofu

• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes

• 1 tablespoon basil

• 1 tablespoon oregano

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 2 tablespoons yeast flakes

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

• 1 8-ounce package of shredded vegan mozzarella cheese

• 23-ounce jar spaghetti sauce*

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Break lasagna noodles in half widthwise. This will be enough for 16 rollups. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Chop up sausage. Cook on stovetop in small frying pan. Drain tofu, then squish tofu with fork. Add spices, yeast flakes, flaxseed, half of cheese, and sausage to tofu. Mix well. Pour enough spaghetti sauce into the inside of baking dish to cover dish. Once the lasagna noodles are cooked and drained, take 2 tablespoons of tofu mixture and place onto lasagna noodle. Roll noodle and place in pan. Repeat until all noodles are used. Cover rollups with sauce and more cheese. Make sure all noodles are covered or there will be some crunchy noodles! Bake 20-30 minutes or until melted and heated through. Can be immediately served or even set for a few minutes to allow the flavors to melt together. Rollups make great leftovers, if there are any!

*Note: Be sure to check if there is sugar in the sauce. Sugar can make it non-vegan because of the way it is processed. If the sauce is organic or cane sugar is used, then the sauce is considered to be vegan.

Chris Pickens, a vegan since 2016, is a certified holistic nutrition coach, a health and wellness coach, a holistic health practitioner, and a holistic health coach. To learn more about Pickens, go to https://bit.ly/3FqhEId Email her at momof4chris@gmail.com, with “The Joy of Medina Attn: Chris” in the subject line.

HOME AND GARDEN: CRITTER CRAWL! Caring for Eyeball-Licking Pet

by Paris Deeter

Crested geckos are fascinating lizards with a unique history. Once thought to be an extinct species in New Caledonia, it is now one of the most popular pet lizards in the world due to their friendly nature and easy handleability.

However, these animals typically do not receive the correct care they need to thrive because of poor information provided by chain pet stores.

These are the supplies needed for the proper care of a crested gecko:

• An enclosure, at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches (equal to a 30-gallon tank) in size

While these animals can survive in smaller habitats, they cannot thrive in them. This size of an enclosure allows them to thrive, however, bigger is always better.

• A powder diet that mixes with water

This is a gecko’s main source of food. Try experimenting with different brands of food and stick with what the gecko likes best as they each have their own preferences.

• Insects

Contrary to popular belief, crested geckos need insects once a week. This is to ensure optimal health. The best feeder for them is Dubai cockroaches due to the low chitin.

• Heat Source and Thermostat

Another widely spread myth is that these geckos do not need a heat source.

Crested geckos do need a heat source.

The best type of heat source is either a deep heat projector or a halogen floodlight. Both of these produce IRA and IRB, which is essential for them to properly absorb nutrients and thrive.

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Ceramic heat emitters, heat mats, and other similar forms of heat produce only IRC.

A digital hydrometer and thermometer to measure the humidity and temperature levels are humidity. Using a mister, you can then bump the humidity up to 70 to 80 percent. Temperatures at the warmest point should not go higher than 85 F as crested geckos are prone to overheating.

• Lighting

Use of a linear UVB is highly recommended for crested geckos as it can help prevent metabolic bone disease. Use a T8 5.0 UVB, as anything higher can cause UVB burns. Using coil UVB is unsafe due to the irregular levels of UVB that it puts out, which can also cause UVB burns.

• Fake or live plants and hides

Both are used to provide a sense of security and safety. Ideally, the enclosure should look cluttered and have a lot of hiding places and plants.

• Substrate

The best substrate for crested geckos is a mixture of topsoil, peat moss and coco fiber. This allows the enclosure to hold humidity well.

Do not use wood chips, calcium sand or any other similar substrates.

Sources: https://tinyurl.com/3559b9z9

Paris Deeter lives in Brunswick and has raised a wide variety of critters from spiders to rats. She welcomes questions and column suggestions, which can be sent to Joy@ BlakeHousePublishing.com with “Critter Crawl” in the subject line.

Medina County

Board Of Developmental Disabilities

Autism acceptance celebrates the unique perspectives of people living with autism and acknowledges all individuals are not the same and everyone has different abilities.