Joy of Medina County Magazine June 2024

The best stories in Medina County!

ADAPTING TO CHALLENGE

Networking and business growth are rarely a straight line. by Bob Arnold PG. 18

HOSTING A POLLINATOR BAR

Reward those hard-working garden helpers! by Michelle Riley PG. 20

STRATEGIC SNACK CHOICES

Hit the trail of summer adventures with nutritious options. by Amanda Liptak PG. 23

See who earned applause, solve a mystery, check out local inventors, find farmers markets (in Let’s Do It!), Hannah Magrum and Robbie take on new challenges, and more!

With the Wag of a Tail

Built in 1974, the Medina County Dog Shelter has seen a lot of changes, but thanks to the efforts of Theresa Gyorok, Rose Paratto, county officials and numerous community members, it is the first time a formalized volunteer program has taken hold. Pg. 6

A

OneVoice

Barking for Truth

by Amy Barnes

I was allowed to take photos for this month’s feature story at a pre-arranged time after County Commissioner Aaron Harrison, County Administrator Chris Jakab, and Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle agreed to suspend the shelter’s no-photo policy.

Photos help tell a story, and I appreciate their allowing photos and the time that all concerned devoted to researching and answering my numerous questions.

When I arrived at the shelter, one of the shelter employees was outside, walking a very happy dog in the grass. At first, she gave permission to have her picture in the magazine but then rescinded that when all other shelter employees, except Warden Del Saffle, declined to be photographed for the story.

There were many stories shared with me as I worked my way through numerous interviews to provide as complete a story as possible.

VOLUME 7, NUMBER 5 JoyOfMedinaCountyMagazine.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Amy Barnes IT SUPPORT/LAYOUT

Tyler Hatfield

PHOTOGRAPHERS

FlashBang Photography CARTOONIST

The story about the Medina County Dog Shelter was exceedingly hard because there was a lot of he said-she said. There were a lot of rumors that could have been actual truth or had half-truths in them or have no truth at all but there was no way to verify them and thus did not get included in the story.

At different times throughout the interviews, I was convinced of each side’s merit and claims.

I know what I have experienced when visiting the shelter and have adopted several dogs from there over 25 years. I included that information in the story because it was my first-hand experience that I know beyond doubt is true.

While the magazine has a firmly stated mission of no politics or religion, that does not mean we do not cover the tough stories. Even in the tough stories, there are ripples of hope.

Jerry King CALENDAR

Kristen Hetrick CONTRIBUTORS

Bob Arnold

D.J. Barnett

Jordin Bragg

Paris Deeter

Tyler Hatfield

Amanda Liptak

Hannah Magrum

Mary Olson

Chris Pickens

Stephanie Polinski

Michelle Riley

Rachel Shepard MASCOT

Rico Houdini

ADVERTISING SALES

Jordin Bragg

Advertising Executive 330-822-3818 OFFICE 330-461-0589

Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com WEBSITE

JoyOfMedinaCountyMagazine.com

Learn more about the staff at Behind The Scenes

Open positions are listed on the website at Open Positions

JOY of MEDINA COUNTY MAGAZINE is published monthly by Blake House Publishing, LLC, 1114 N. Court, #144, Medina, Ohio 44256. It is distributed as an e-edition and in a print edition. Both editions can be found at JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com

Copyright 2024 by Blake House Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Any unsolicited materials, manuscripts, artwork, cartoons, or photos will not be returned.

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Contents

TRUST

photos and story by Amy Barnes

The Medina County Dog Shelter has had many changes over the years, and for the first time, it has a formalized volunteer program.

THE READING NOOK FAMILY TIES

by D. J. Barnett

The final installment of Barnett’s newest chapter of his exclusive Western saga.

THE READING NOOK WHEN THE CALL FOR HELP IS ANSWERED: CHAPTER 3

by Hannah Magrum

In her own words and in monthly installments, we are following Hannah Magrum’s journey of the work that goes into being matched with a service dog. Four years of waiting was just the beginning.

BUSINESS

THE NETWORKER INSIGHT AND THE PRECIPICE

by Bob Arnold

Using insight to combat the fear of failure

THE INBOX DIVERSIFYING REVENUE STREAMS

by Rachel Shepard

For a business to survive, sometimes it is best to have eggs in several baskets.

DOING BUSINESS

A calendar of area networking events

INVENTION CONVENTION

Patents recently granted to Medina County residents.

HOME AND GARDEN

DIG IT! BEE-ING THIRSTY

by Michelle Riley

Provide those pollinators a place to quench their thirst.

VEGAN VITTLES FRIED PLANTAINS

by Chris Pickens

Try this recipe on bananas’ cousin, a food staple in Central America.

CRITTER CRAWL LINEAGE IS IMPORTANT FOR AXOLOTLS

by Paris Deeter

Responsible axolotl breeders are battling genetic issues.

On the front and back covers: photos by Amy Barnes

Theresa Gyorok and Rose Paratto helped get the wheels turning to create a whole new volunteer program at the Medina County Dog Shelter. 6

HEALTH

MIND AND BODY NOURISHING NIBBLES

by Amanda Liptak

With a little preparation, summer can be paired with healthy snacking.

COMMUNITY

MUNCHING WITH JOY

A different area of Medina County each month!

Guidelines on submitting letters to the editor for publication.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

OFF THE SHELF VIETNAM COMBAT NURSE TELLS TALE

by Mary Olson

In a fictionalized account, Nurse Frankie McGrath grapples with what she sees during the war and aftermath upon her return home.

JOYFUL WORD SEARCH GOING TO THE DOGS

No training needed to find these words!

MIRTH AND JOY

by Jerry King

Our monthly cartoon by a former Disney cartoonist

OH, SNAP!

photos by Robert Soroky and Tom Stugmyer

Local photos of the aurora borealis with an explanation as to why you might have not seen it.

LET’S DO IT!

School is out, time for summer fun! Use our link to find where the fun is.

JOYFUL LETTER DETECTIVES

Read the clue, collect the magnifying glass letters, and solve the puzzle!

CELEBRATE!

A clickable directory of vetted businesses who bring you Joy!

The Medina County Dog Shelter, 6334 Deerview Lane, Medina, began in 1975 as the Medina County Animal Shelter. Several years ago, the shelter policies changed and it became a dog-only shelter. In 2023, a large wooden pen was added to the facility grounds. It is used for meet-andgreets between prospective adopters, their current dog(s), and the potential adoptee.

Trust

Note: All shelter employees, except for Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle, declined to have their pictures taken for this story.

Trust.

It is the word that underlies everything connected to the Medina County Dog Shelter.

The dogs who come into the shelter, some lost and confused, some broken in spirit, some biting because they are scared, some biting because that is what they were taught, all trying to learn to trust again in a place of strangers, cement floors and clanging metal cage doors.

For many of the dogs, gone is the home they once knew, lost are the humans they learned to love and trust.

Then there is the trust that there will be good relations and communication between shelter staff and volunteers who are eager to work with the dogs and help to socialize and de-stress dogs, and to have a volunteer program be successful where

dogs are matched with good homes.

While striving to maintain the community’s trust, shelter staff members and Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle, who work with dogs from all kinds of circumstances, from owner turn-ins to strays to dogs who have bitten someone, perform a balancing act between budget, public perception, and the lightning speed of social media posts that spread faster than explanations can.

They do not trust pictures and videos that may be posted on social media with incorrect information regarding the staff or dogs, Saffle said.

A “No Videos, No Photos” policy was put in place at the shelter last December in reaction to posts about the shelter and the dogs housed there on social media.

If people take pictures and post them on social media with incorrect information, that can have a negative impact on staff and dogs getting adopted, said Saffle.

In April 2024, a man named Joe Kay arrived at

photos and story by Amy Barnes

the shelter because he wanted to video the shelter and dogs there.

Theresa Gyorok, founder of Friends of Medina County Oh Dog Shelter (an independent, nonprofit organization) said that Kay is known nationally for making videos of shelters and dogs housed there and posting them on his social media in an attempt to get dogs adopted.

Here is an example of the videos Kay usually posts: https://tinyurl.com/mu2ps2my

However, because of the new policy in place and because he had not requested prior permission, Saffle said Kay was not allowed to enter the shelter.

After being denied access by Saffle and directed to contact County Administrator Christopher Jakab for permission, Kay said he made several attempts to contact Jakab but his calls were never returned.

According to Kay, “I went there unplanned at first. They asked me to call one of the (county) people and he just gave me the run around and never returned my calls.

“I was always 100 percent professional and respectful. On my travels I’ve stopped at 17 shelters and (the) only one (that) has been a problem (was) Medina.”

In response, Kay posted a video about being denied entry to the shelter, which can be seen here: https://tinyurl.com/yb7sz7vc

Commissioner Harrison explained that the policy is an attempt to avoid problems.

“You could end up in situations where someone is trying to cause problems,” Harrison said.

He said some animal groups do First Amendment audits and because it is a public building, without a policy in place, there would not be a way to bar them from taking photos or videos.

While trust is the underlying word, the word that seems to pound like a heartbeat in the minds of all is “hope,” with the goal of new lives for the unwanted and thrown away.

It is a high-stress job, and Saffle admits that after 38 years as the dog warden for Medina County, he suffers from burnout, especially when there is bashing of the shelter and/or its employees.

However, he quickly adds that when a dog is reunited with a grateful owner or a “really sweet” dog is adopted, the burnout disappears.

“That’s the best feeling in the world,” said Saffle.

Saffle, as have other shelter employees, has adopted several dogs over the years. Dogs adopted by staff members were ones that had a hard time being handled by anyone else but connected to an employee.

A chihuahua that snapped at everyone except Saffle and had been at the shelter for three to four weeks ended up adopted by Saffle and riding home with him one day after work.

The blow that is the hardest for the shelter staff

is when a dog must be put to sleep, said Saffle.

Recently, a dog at the shelter was struggling to find any ability to trust. A dog assessor was brought in to determine if the dog could be rehabilitated and eventually be adopted out. The dog bit the assessor and had to be euthanized.

Saffle said it was very hard on all of the shelter workers, as well as him, and it is something they work very hard to avoid.

Jakab said that there is the safety viewpoint and the good placement of dogs.

“I think most importantly there is the concern about the public safety, appropriately placing dogs with individuals and rescue groups,” said Jakab.

Jakab said some dogs are just not fit to be out and running around in public or adopted.

“We appreciate the efforts of the rescue groups who have provided alternatives (to euthanasia),” said Jakab, adding, “We appreciate Theresa (Gyorok) and her group (Friends of Medina County Oh Dog Shelter), too.”

continued from page 7

Euthanasia is never easy, said Saffle.

“We hate it. I’ve been here forever. It doesn’t get any easier. The more I do it, the more I hate it,” Saffle said. He added that when a dog had to be euthanized recently, “My staff cried.”

According to Saffle and a brochure that is distributed about the shelter, the shelter had a placement rate of 99.59 percent in 2022, with 132 dogs adopted, one dog euthanized, and 10 dogs taken in by non-profit rescues.

In 2023, no dogs were euthanized, said Saffle, and there was a 99.5 placement rate.

However, earlier this year, there were five dogs slated for euthanasia because of being labeled by shelter workers as aggressive, said Gyorok.

Through the efforts of Gyorok, Rose Paratto and other community members, nonprofit dog rescues were found that were willing to take in the dogs and work with them.

The nonprofits started working with the dogs, providing training and a home setting to successfully help them calm down and acclimate.

Gyorok got involved with the shelter and the dogs there because of concerns she had while visiting the Medina County Dog Shelter.

“We didn’t see abuse, we saw ignorance of dog behavior, ignorance of what you should do around

dogs and what you shouldn’t do around dogs,” Gyorok said.

She said that the more she started asking questions, the more people, including former shelter employees, started telling her stories about how dogs were being handled at the shelter that concerned her and made her want to help.

While the stories could not be confirmed and those sharing them did not want to come forward for this story, on various visits to the shelter over several years, it has been seen that there were only empty concrete cages for the dogs with no blankets or beds and nothing to relieve their boredom or frustration.

The lack of blankets and bedding could have been coincidental timing with the possibility that the blankets and bedding were in the process of being laundered.

During the scheduled photo shoot for this story, there was a blanket or bed and bones or toys in every indoor kennel.

On one particular visit, a dog was requested to be taken from its cage for interaction and possible adoption. Shelter employees warned that the dog had been turned in because of its energetic lunging and jumping while on leash.

The dog was brought from the kennels into the small lobby area. There was no effort to restrain the dog and the dog was brought in on a slack leash, suddenly bounding through the doors and onto the visitor rather than on a tight leash and controlled.

With the support and help of various community members and Rose Paratto, in particular, Gyorok started contacting county officials and Saffle with their concerns.

It has been more than a year of discussions, meetings and emails between Gyorok, County Commissioner Aaron Harrison, County Administrator Christopher Jakab, and Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle.

Discussions focused on establishing a volunteer program, how dogs are handled, staff training, and conditions at the shelter, Gyorok said.

As time went on, Gyorok founded Friends of

Medina County Oh Dog Shelter to help provide volunteers, trainers and raise funds for the shelter.

The resulting volunteer program is not the first attempt to have volunteers at the shelter, but it is the first time there has been a more formal procedure and a handbook for volunteers, Commissioner Harrison said.

Despite having numerous volunteers scattered over the decades, there has never been an official volunteer program at the Medina County Dog Shelter, said Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle.

The newly developed volunteer program is a more formal program than was implemented in previous years, said Saffle.

“This is a lot more strategic and thoughtful than in the past,” said Harrison, referring to the new volunteer program.

“It was deemed an appropriate step forward to better serve the dogs in our custody,” County Administrator Jakab said.

There is a 14-page handbook for volunteers, as well as a 2-page application, a claims waiver, photo waiver, and volunteer agreement. Applications are reviewed by Saffle, who then chooses those he believes will be appropriate volunteers.

Volunteers must be 18 years old, must not have any physical restrictions that would keep them from doing their assigned duties, and attend an orientation, Saffle said. He said there are no background checks for volunteers.

“Mainly our focus is on working with the dogs, socializing and walking them,” Saffle said.

A color system helps volunteers to easily see which dogs they can take out of pens and walk. Green is good, yellow means caution, red means that only a shelter employee can walk the dog.

Between April 2024 and mid-May 2024, two volunteer orientations have been held.

Saffle said it would be a while before another round of volunteers is chosen and trained since he is still trying to get all of the present ones “in a good rotation.”

“I go by their availability,” Saffle said.

He said many of them want to volunteer on Saturdays, but he would like to see volunteers for each day of the week. Volunteers currently are taking dogs for walks and socializing them.

The volunteer program is going well, Saffle said, adding that as long as it remains positive and there is no bashing of employees, he is in favor of the volunteer program and said there are a lot of people wanting to help out.

“As long as it stays positive and stays about the dogs,” he said. “All of the volunteers have been positive.”

So all dogs get walked and have time to play on grass, Saffle said he schedules staff walking of dogs at times opposite of when volunteers are there.

For example, if volunteers are at the shelter in the morning, then staff members walk the harderto-handle dogs in the afternoon.

Saffle said those chosen to fill the paid role of deputy dog warden must have some experience with dog handling. For some, that experience is going through the training program at the Medina County Career Center, for others it can be being familiar with handling dogs, and all receive on-thejob training, said Saffle.

“A lot of it is on-the-job training,” Saffle said. Employees are background checked, said Harrison.

Staff members also complete a two-day training course to get certified for performing euthanasia on dogs, Saffle said.

He said it was decades ago that the socalled “gas chamber” using carbon monoxide to euthanize animals was removed from use at the shelter. He added that certifying employees for performing euthanasia is in keeping with state law.

While state law does not require a veterinarian to be on staff at the shelter, it does require that every employee who euthanizes dogs complete a euthanasia technician certification course ( https:// tinyurl.com/mwj7n46r ).

Dogs euthanized are those too injured to survive and are suffering or those who are determined by shelter staff to be too violent or problematic to be successfully adopted.

Saffle said he insists all shelter paid employees be certified for euthanasia so it does not have be done by one person and in case of employee vacations, sick leave and other absences, they are sure to have someone available for emergency euthanasia cases, such as when a dog is hit by a car.

In the April 19, 2024, Medina County Commissioner’s newsletter, it was reported in an article lauding the efforts of the shelter staff that

Medina County Dog Warden Del Saffle reminds everyone who has microchipped their dogs to register the microchip with current contact information because veterinarians that insert the chip typically do not provide information to the chip companies.

Many times, shelter staff members have located a chip in a stray dog only to find out it was never registered.

Saffle said it is important to keep information updated, even if moving within the county. He urged purchasing dog licenses because information can be entered into the auditor’s website, most police departments, the auditor’s office, and shelters. Dog licenses also provide part of the funding for the Medina County Dog Shelter.

the shelter is “one of the most efficient and clean facilities in the State of Ohio.”

Brian Gallatin, county public information officer, who compiles the newsletter said he got that information directly from information in the shelter’s official brochure.

Saffle said that the information in the brochure was not from an official study or report but was from many “years ago when the Dog Warden Association was touring shelters” and the comment was made by some of the dog wardens that the shelter was one of the cleanest and most efficient the wardens had toured.

Jakab said the general operating of the shelter, such as feeding and cleaning, is determined by Saffle. The county commissioners oversee and set such things as fees.

The shelter’s annual budget of $350,000, which covers salaries and all shelter expenses and repairs, comes entirely from dog license fees, adoption fees, and fees people pay to reclaim their dogs. There is no additional funding from tax dollars or the county’s general fund.

The county auditor’s office provides shelter staff with a printout listing dog license non-renewals.

License renewals are due at the end of every January, and reminders are sent out to those who had licenses in the previous year, Saffle said.

When someone is found to be in violation and did not renew their dog license, Saffle said that rather than cite people, “We give a lot of people warnings because money is hard for people right now.

“We try to give people the benefit of the doubt,” said Saffle.

Saffle said that it depends on the court how much the fine is for a non-renewal, but it can range from $40 to $160.

Interns from the county auditor’s office used to go

door to door checking on dog licenses, said Saffle, but that is no longer done. Shelter employees do it as time allows, he said.

It is state law that a dog has to be confined on the owner’s property, said Saffle.

The Medina County Dog Shelter was built in 1974, according to Saffle. It started as an animal shelter and cats also were accepted.

Several years ago, cats stopped being accepted at the shelter. As a result, the county contributes $10,000 to $15,000 annually to the local chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals, said Harrison.

In 2023, the ASPCA received $20,000 from the county and no determination has been made yet for how much funding the organization will receive in 2024, Harrison said.

However, other organizations such as Medina Meow Fix, which works to decrease the stray cat population (more information can be found in the September 2023 issue https://tinyurl. com/38j2bhsb), do not receive any county funding, Harrison said.

Last year, the shelter’s sign was changed to specify dogs, according to Harrison.

The shelter has seen a lot of dogs come and go, approximately 250 a year said Saffle, and views on how to handle and train dogs change over the decades.

The one consistency has been that, as there is worldwide, there are stray dogs and dogs surrendered by owners and locations to house the dogs and rehome them are necessary.

The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown caused a huge demand for dogs, Saffle said. He said adoptions were happening so fast during the pandemic, there were only one or two dogs at the shelter each week.

The roof of the county dog shelter has a layer of moss growing on it.

Dog Warden Del Saffle said that it is very hard to keep paint on the interior side of the shelter’s exterior walls. He said the walls are painted annually but the paint does not adhere to the walls because of moisture on the brick, caused by temperature fluctuations.

However, once the shutdown ended, shelters were inundated with dogs that are now grown and unwanted.

So far this year, 71 dogs have come through the shelter, said Saffle. There is an average of 16 dogs at the county shelter each week, with 32 small and large cages available.

Saffle said that at one time, they had an agreement with the Lorain County shelter to take their overflow but they no longer do because they prefer to keep dogs within the counties they are found or turned in to avoid disease spread.

Upkeep of the shelter involves disinfecting cages every morning, which takes 4 hours, said Saffle.

The dogs are moved to outside pens, any blankets and towels are removed and the washing begins. Inside pens are disinfected, with the disinfectant remaining on the surface for 5 minutes, as per instructions, said Saffle.

Pens are then rinsed down and allowed to dry.

Over the years, Saffle is proud to point out the upgrades that have been made to the shelter.

Upgrades include such things as the kennel floors being sealed with medical-grade sealant to stop disease spread. An air handler was installed that circulates fresh air three times an hour. Acoustic tiles were installed to try to minimize the echoing of the barking in the cinderblock facility.

Other upgrades include a larger water heater and air conditioning the kennels.

The shelter is kept at 64 degrees to minimize disease spread, said Saffle.

in a new shelter.

“If you spend any time in the shelter, you can see upgrades are needed,” said Commissioner Harrison, adding that it is important to be conservative in spending money on retrofitting the present shelter when they want to put funds toward a new shelter instead.

“It is less than an ideal situation and less than an ideal location,” Harrison said of the current shelter. “Any changes are temporary.”

Saffle and Harrison recently visited the Wayne County dog shelter to get ideas for a new shelter. Saffle was particularly interested to see how they have their drains set up, the indoor exercise area,

The shelter’s laundry and storage area, which has a non-commercial washer and dryer. Saffle is hoping to one day have a commercial-sized washer and dryer to help with the amount of blankets, towels and other items that staff members must launder daily.

When it is hot outside or extremely cold, the dogs are brought back into the inside pens. When it is hot, there are a lot of airborne illnesses that can spread rapidly, said Saffle, so it is important to keep the dogs cool.

While officials are in the very preliminary stages of considering building a new dog shelter, and Saffle, Jakab and Harrison all stressed the “very,” Saffle has some ideas of what he would like to see

how the cages are situated, and the kind of fencing used for the cages.

“If we are going to build it, let’s make it nice,” Saffle said. “It should be built right.”

The Wayne County shelter was chosen for the fact-finding trip because it is close and “they tend to have a pretty good reputation,” Harrison said.

Warden Saffle has a wish list of things he would like to see in a new shelter.

He particularly likes the idea of angled cages so dogs are not forced to see another dog right across the aisle from it, causing territorial issues and aggression.

Angled cages “is a really good idea,” said Saffle.

That wish list includes an industrial washer and dryer. Currently, the Medina County shelter has a residential-sized washer and dryer. Since all blankets and towels have to be laundered

each day, it can take a long time to get them all done in the small machines, Saffle said.

Saffle also would like to see a different building material used rather than block walls. Because of the heating and cooling of the exterior walls of the current shelter, the paint is always coming off of the walls, Saffle said.

Taller dividing walls between cages also are on the wish list. Currently, the divider walls are

continued, page 12

approximately 4 1/2 feet tall. Saffle points out they are easy for a larger dog to jump over.

Shelter employees used to do a lot of presentations to 4-H groups and elementary schools. Saffle said they sometimes would take a friendly puppy for attendees to enjoy.

Saffle said such outreach programs came to a halt due to the COVID-19 restrictions and since then he has struggled with trying to get a full staff.

He said he recently achieved the goal of a full staff and is going to be checking into re-starting those programs, which are mentioned in the county’s brochure, along with other shelter staff duties such as responding to dog complaints, patrolling the county for stray dogs, taking in unwanted dogs, and door-to-door license checks.

For more information about volunteering and a current list of dogs available for adoption, go to www.medinaco.org/dog-shelter/ or call 330-7259121. The shelter is located at 6334 Deerview Lane and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To learn more about or to join the Friends of Medina County Oh Dog Shelter, go to https://tinyurl.com/2p8sx75t.

County Dog

demonstrates the size of the meet-andgreet area at the dog shelter. The area was installed as a result of suggestions made by community members led by Theresa Gyorok and Rose Paratto.

Dogs that shelter staff determine are either aggressive toward other dogs or humans are kept in their indoor pens and are walked only by staff members. Volunteers are not allowed to walk any dogs labeled aggressive.

Medina

Warden Del Saffle

Dog Warden Saffle demonstrates the height of the dividing walls between the pens. For reference, Saffle is 6 feet, 1 inch tall. He said if he had any say in how a new facility would be built, he would request higher dividing walls to keep dogs from jumping into another dog’s pen.

The dog shelter staff does not get to choose which dogs they will pick up when called, Del Saffle said. For dogs who are so aggressive that staff members cannot get close enough to leash them, a catch pole is used. Gouges and punctures from dog teeth can be seen in this catch pole used by shelter workers. The poles, Saffle said, are the only self-defense staff members have. Saffle added that pepper sprays and tranquilizers are never used on the dogs.

The policy to ban taking videos and photos at the shelter went into effect last December. The change was in response to visitors who had taken photos and posted them on social media with what Del Saffle felt was negative information. The policy is Rule 8 of the posted Visitor Policy and is emphasized through a blue note posted on a shelter wall. Joy of Medina County Magazine was given permission to take photos at an agreed-on time and was given a thorough, escorted tour of the facilities by Saffle.

Miss previous installments of our story? The first installment is on Page 11 of the Jan-Feb-Mar 2024 issue of Joy of Medina County Magazine, or click this link: https://tinyurl.com/yf77vej9 Want to read the first chapter of this old West saga? Go to “The Death of Jimmy Two Guns,” Page 16 of the August 2023 issue of Joy of Medina County Magazine! Or click on this link: https://tinyurl.com/7hzxdejt

Family Ties

by D.J. Barnett

Thefollowing morning, Nate was waiting outside Governor Sam Willow’s office when he arrived. As he walked in, Louis announced Marshal Palmer’s request to see the governor without an appointment.

“That is quite alright, Louis, I will see the marshal. I suspect he has some very important news for me.”

“Good morning, Nate,” Sam said, as he settled himself behind his desk. “You seem very anxious to share some news with me. What do you have to report?”

“Well, Sam, we received an anonymous tip via telegraph yesterday. A meeting was going to take place in the abandoned line shack on the west of the public grazing lands. We arrived there at the appointed time only to find the shack on fire and 10 men lying dead in front of it. We also saw a lone man ride off to the north. I had some men follow

him, but by the time they caught up to him, he was dead. Two gunshot wounds.”

“Did your men fire at him?” Sam questioned.

“No, Sam, there was apparently a shootout between this man and the 10 from the shack. There was a fire set at the back and the men were shot as they came out the front.”

“You telling me one man took on 10 men singlehandedly?” Sam was unable to hide his astonishment. “Do we have an identity for any of these men?”

“We did identify the rider as Henry Winslow from a letter he had on him, addressed to a Sara Winslow. Presumably his wife. They live in a small town up north by the mountains, Montville.”

Nate paused for a moment as a look of sadness and concern momentarily crossed Sam’s face.

“Is everything OK, Sam?”

“Yes, yes, Nate. Please continue. Anything on the men he killed?” Sam quietly asked.

“We have strong reason to believe these men

photo by nightowl

were hired to assassinate you. One of the men was carrying a letter from an out-of-state law firm detailing a payment to be delivered to the bank in Cimarron City upon completion of their stated task.

“The lawyers involved have been detained and are being escorted here for questioning. We have already received a telegram from the sheriff there telling us they have named the man who retained their services in hopes of a lesser sentence. Pending further investigation, the man they named was Tom Moore.

“We have dispatched marshals to detain, not only Mr. Moore, but the entire board of the Cattlemen’s Association for further questioning.”

“That’s great news, Nate. Please keep me updated. We will all breathe a little easier when this is all put behind us. Thank you,” said Sam as he stood to shake Nate’s hand.

“There is one more thing, Sam. Mr Winslow had a letter in his saddlebag addressed to you,” said Nate, as he reached in his coat for the letter to hand to Sam.

“What did it say?” Sam asked, as he went took the letter from Nate.

“I don’t know Sam, it was sealed but it felt like there was something in with the letter,” said Nate, shrugging.

“Thank you again, Nate, and let the other marshals know that I’m grateful for their help as well,” Sam said, as Nate headed out the door.

After Nate left, Sam called Louis into his office.

“Louis, we need to make arrangements to travel to Montville. There is a funeral I want to attend. I would like to go as soon as possible.”

“I will make arrangements right away, sir. Will you be traveling alone?” he inquired.

“No, I will be taking Mindy, but I would like you to travel with me if you don’t mind. You are better at the details of these things than I am,” said Sam, smiling.

“I will get right on it, governor,” Nick said, as he quickly slipped out the door.

Three days later, after a long train ride and an even longer stagecoach ride, they were standing graveside. They and all the attendees bowed their heads as Henry James Winslow’s body was lowered into the grave and Parson Williams said a prayer.

As the mourners slowly left, Sam, Mindy and Louis approached a petite, slightly graying woman standing straight and still as stone, Henry’s wife, Sara, to offer his condolences.

Sam could see her tears through her black veil. Not sure what to say, he softly spoke, “I’m sorry for your loss, Sara.”

“Thank you, Governor Willows. James always spoke highly of you. He always said he was so proud of his little brother,” she said, wiping her eyes.

Sam reached out and took her hands in his.

“Please call me Sam. I’m sorry we had to meet like this. Things were a little complicated between us.”

“Yes, I know. James did some bad things, but deep down he was a good man. He wanted to repent. He went to church with me every Sunday.”

Sara pulled her hands away and wiped her eyes again.

“Again, I’m sorry for your loss, Sara. I know it’s not much to offer but please contact me if there’s ever anything I can do for you.”

“That’s very kind of you, Sam. I think I will be alright. I have good friends around me and I’ve got little Sammy,” she said, pulling close the little boy walking up to her.

Sam, with a mild look of surprise, reached out and shook the boy’s hand as he said, “Pleased to meet you Sammy, I was a friend of your Dad’s.”

The boy nodded and moved closer to his mom.

“He looks a lot like his father,” Sam said to Sara.

“Yes, he comes from good stock,” Sara replied, as she reached out to give Sam a hug. “Thank you and you please take care.”

Sam fought back a tear as he turned back to Mindy and Louis to go. He looked back one last time to see Sara, Sammy and the parson standing by the grave.

As he turned around and hugged Mindy close, Louis said, “I’m sorry for your loss. sir.”

“Thank you, Louis. I fear we lost a better man than most people will ever know. Now let’s get a move on. We’ve got a long trip back home.”

continued, page 16

photo by Emily Schultz

Montville Gazette

Horace Green Editor/Publisher

Governor Willows in Town for Funeral

Our fair city was graced with the presence of our great state’s Governor Samuel Willows. I for one am a little perplexed by his trip here.

While here, he attended the funeral of Henry Winslow. He could not be reached for an interview, but his Chief of Staff Louis Wellsley confirmed Henry was an old friend of the family and he was here to pay his last respects and was here for no other reason. Governor Willows was influential in gaining our former territory statehood. In recent days he has been embroiled in the controversy between the cattlemen and sheepherders on public grazing lands. Was he here to possibly gain support from the local sheep ranchers in the area? It is rumored he will be running for reelection in two years.

Added to this is the sudden death of Henry Winslow. His widow, Sara, said he had been out of town on ranch business. Details have not been forthcoming on the demise of Mr. Winslow. This reporter feels there may be more to this story than meets the eye.

One more mysterious detail I would like to add. A day after Henry Winslow’s funeral and the day the Governor left, a silver heart-shaped locket was found draped on Henry Winslow’s grave marker.

I have talked with Parson Williams as well as undertaker Bill Thomas and neither can recall seeing the locket the day of the funeral. Maybe we will never know who placed it there. Sadness, excitement and mystery in our little town of Montville.

Stay tuned! The next installment will arrive in a few months!

Don Barnett lives in Hinckley with his wife, April; his son, Robert; and daughter, Skylar. He is a 1975 graduate of Highland High School and recently retired from Century Cycle’s Medina location after being there for 20 years. He enjoys cycling and other outdoor activities.

photo by Marjan Blan

This is the first-account story of Medina resident Hannah Magrum and her journey to gaining a service dog and independence. We join her already four years into her effort, as she trains with her new service dog, Robbie. The first installment of their journey can be found on Page 6 of the April 2024 issue ( https://tinyurl.com/5h89wc46 ) and each month thereafter.

When the Call for Help is Answered: Chapter 3

story and photos by Hannah Magrum

Robbie and I have been a team for more than a month now, her trainers say it can take up to six months for a team to form a cohesive bond.

While Robbie and I are working through the challenges of a newly formed working team, I do know that wherever I am, she wants to be right next to me.

I am a financial advisor and run a very busy practice with days filled with meetings. Occasionally, on some of my busiest days, I have given her some time off and allowed her to “just be a dog” and when my oldest child gets home from middle school to play and relax outside of my office.

When I let her do that, my son said that she sits by the door to go outside to where my office is and whine for a little bit. I have learned that as busy as I might be working, Robbie prefers to be sleeping in my office near me, more than anywhere else.

The other animals in our house also have gotten used to her.

The cats now think she is tolerable, our other dog thinks that she is OK and the chickens in our backyard could care less about her (to be fair, she also does not think chickens are very exciting).

This month has been filled with end-of school activities and so Robbie and I have been in one of the middle schools as well as an elementary school during various activities with lots of kids and adults.

Robbie did well at the schools but did get a little “sniffier” than she should have a few times. Other people probably did not notice it, but because I know she is supposed to ignore everything else and stay focused, I noticed it.

She also has had the chance to watch some soccer, which she was a champ at and mostly slept.

When I needed to go to the hospital for a regular appointment, Robbie gained a small fan club when she handed the receptionist my insurance card. Several people commented that they did not know a service dog could be trained to take a card from its handler, put its paws on the counter and give a card to somebody else.

The organization that trained her, The Ability Center of Toledo, has continued to call for weekly reports and to offer advice and tips. As I am writing this, they are due in a week for a check-in to monitor her progress and sharpen some of her skills.

She is supposed to use her nose to turn off light switches, but she keeps wanting to use her paw, so

they will work on that task with her to avoid scratch marks on walls.

Her current favorite task is to get either my husband or one of my kids when I give her the cue.

Did you know if you see a service dog out in public without its handler you should follow the service dog back to where it wants to take you? Service dogs are trained to not leave their handler while they are working, unless specifically trained to get help.

If you happen to see Robbie out in public without me, that means she is looking for help and you should follow her and not try to keep her from leading you to where she wants to go.

Thank you to everyone who has seen us in public, you have all been great and as smart and beautiful as she is. The majority of you have been wonderful at ignoring her and talking to me instead of to her.

Stay tuned, we have some busy weeks coming up.

Next month, the story continues.

Hannah Magrum has Charcut Marie Tooth and uses a variety of mobility aids. She is passionate about disability advocacy and being an advisor who focuses her financial practice on helping those with disabilities financially plan for the future.

Adeline, Odin and Corbin Magrum with Robbie

Insight and the Precipice

by Bob Arnold

As we create new ways of doing our jobs and meeting new people, we will find there is always a precipice present.

A precipice is usually thought of as a dangerous situation where the possibility of failure or a disastrous result is highly likely. The problem is this means we are looking down to evaluate our situation.

What if we lifted our gaze and looked out from it. Many times wondrous sights or vistas can be seen ahead. This means the precipice’s danger will exact its torture upon us as we step forward toward our goal vista.

The reality is we want to move forward in a straight line, but danger looms.

If we feel that this vista is the one we are destined to be in, then we must find a way around the dangerous precipice and direct steps in another direction, including ways that will temporarily take the sight of the vista away.

We must tell ourselves that vista is the place we need to go and set our minds on reaching it.

Many of us have broken the New Year resolutions that we set just months ago. Why? Because we were not convinced that the destination was one we could reach. Insight was lacking.

When a vista is seen ahead, we must actively determine if we can realistically reach it. This is a big piece of having insight into the future.

The precipice will always interfere with moving forward due to the risk it carries. However, insight helps develop the wisdom on where to tread next, what path to take.

If your vista includes helping people, you will need to find or meet the people who need your help and those who can help you find these people.

That is where networking enters, because networking principles provide structure to the path and insight into ways of avoiding the danger of the precipice.

Bob Arnold is the founder of ONward Networking and the international best-selling author of “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil,” which can be purchased at https://amzn.to/2KSy3Xm. Learn more about Arnold at https://bit.ly/3VLzr1S Contact Arnold at TheNetworkingPencil@gmail.com

BUSINESS: THE INBOX

Diversifying Revenue Streams

by Rachel Shepard

Long-term sustainable business success can be achieved by diversifying revenue streams. When a business has multiple sources of income, it can withstand disruptions and economic downturns.

During pandemic-related lockdowns, restaurants had to pivot quickly to focus on carryout options. Some restaurants went so far as to create offerings such as online cooking classes and premade frozen meals. When things returned to “normal,” select restaurants established catering offerings.

When I started my consulting firm, I focused on business plans, budgeting and helping businesses access capital.

While it was satisfying to help a client reach a goal, such as obtaining a business loan, the project would eventually end, which meant I had to consistently fill the pipeline with new potential customers.

I looked for ways to deepen and maintain existing relationships by offering additional services that would make it so my clients could continue to use me on an ongoing basis rather than a one-project hit.

As I found, there are various ways for businesses to diversify revenue streams.

Businesses can offer complementary products or services. They also can expand into new industries or markets. This allows a business to reach new customers or deepen relationships with existing clients. It may make sense to ensure that each client represents no more than 10 percent of total sales.

Brick-and-mortar stores can take advantage of the digital world by selling products online or offering a virtual class or experience. A business also may use an online presence on social media channels to obtain ad revenue.

Customers may want to interact with your brand in a unique way. Businesses can offer classes, events, online courses, and workshops. These could be offered as a one-time purchase or a recurring subscription.

Another way to diversify revenue streams is to partner with other businesses through affiliate marketing, referral fees, and promotion of products and services.

Some businesses use subscription models to plan for inventory needs and lock in future sales. This makes it convenient for your loyal customer base and keeps them engaged.

Investing in income-generating assets is another way to create an additional revenue stream.

Take the time to step back and carefully evaluate the realistic income potential of a revenue stream before investing in it.

Rachel Shepard is the founder of LonaRock, LLC, and a Medina County resident. She specializes in helping businesses understand financials and access capital. Learn more about Shepard at https://bit.ly/3h0LFEY Shepard can be reached by email at rshepard@lonarock.com

photo by Antenna

Doing Business

Local business networking events, not category restricted

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

Tuesday, June 4

Monthly Member Meeting: Ken Babby, Akron RubberDucks, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina. Chamber members, $22. Guests, $27. Register at https://tinyurl.com/zb7d4864

Thursday, June 13

BusinessBrew, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Blue Heron Brewery, 3227 Blue Heron Trace, Medina. No cost. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/5xybdtzu

Wednesday, June 19

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://tinyurl.com/34fm6ytx

Friday, June 28

Chamber Chat, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., United Way Summit Medina, 23 Public Square, L-1, Medina. Free. Register at https://tinyurl.com/35z3twst

Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance Chamber membership requirement after two events. Thursday, June 6

Annual Golf Outing, 8 a.m., Bunker Hill Golf Club, 3060 Pearl Road, Medina. Skyview Lodge, 336 Pearl Road, Brunswick. Contact Heidi DeBolt, 330-225-8411, for more information.

Wednesday, June 19

NMCCA After Hours: Learn CPR, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Brunswick Recreation Center, 3637 Center Road, Brunswick. $25 per family. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4prc7udx

Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber membership requirement after two events. Monday, June 10

Women in Leadership Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., Soprema Senior Center, 517 School Drive, Wadsworth. Speaker: Kari Deeks, Core Support Partners $15 per person, includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/38pnz2u5

Wednesday, June 19

Chamber Luncheon: Building Culture by Design, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Galaxy Restaurant and Event Center, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth. $20 per person. Register at https://tinyurl.com/57fy3ktw

Seville Area Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, June 13

Monthly Chamber Meeting, noon, virtual meeting. For more information, https://tinyurl.com/36afuv9c

Invention Convention

Patents recently granted to Medina County residents. Only county residents are included, although there may be additional people listed as patent grantees. Want to learn more about any of the patents? Put the number into the patent search at https://tinyurl.com/yyzef5sy

Patent for: Wheelchair and Suspension Systems Number: 11,957,631

To: Robert A. Bekoscke

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Stackable Weight Number: 11,957,949

To: Richard C. Petek

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Tire With Variable Shear Element Number: 11,958,260

To: Robert W. Asper

City of Residence: Wadsworth

Patent for: Secured Cabinet for Charging Portable Batteries Number: 11,967,845

To: Nathan A. Sublett

Robert Manthey

City of Residence: Seville

Patent for: Ice Tray Having Annular Recesses Number: D1,024,145

To: Michael Koury

City of Residence: Medina

To: Tony Lahood

City of Residence: Hinckley

Patent for: Metal Recovery System and Method Number: 11,970,754

To: Timothy F. Conway

City of Residence: Hinckley

Patent for: Base for Table Top Sanitizer Dispensing Bottles and Dispenser Bottles Number: 11,972,680

To: Shelby Jay Buell

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Organizer Number: D1,024,598

To: Paul A. Mueller

City of Residence: Wadsworth

Patent for: Container Number: D1,024,779

To: Laura Mejia

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Weight Number: D1,025,245

To: Richard C. Petek

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Nasal Drug Delivery Device and Method of Making Same Number: 11,975,164

To: William J. Flickinger

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Tunable Light Source Number: 11,980,773

To: Joseph Dombrowski

City of Residence: Medina

Patent for: Method for a Welding Sequencer Number: 11,980,976

To: James Hearn

City of Residence: Brunswick

Patent for: Panel Skin for Heated Floor Panels Number: 11,981,417

To: James A. Mullen

City of Residence: Wadsworth

Patent for: Drain Cable Decoupler Tools Number: 11,982,078

To: Scott Kruepke

City of Residence: Valley City

photo by Pavel Neznanov

HOME AND GARDEN: DIG IT!

Bee-Ing Thirsty

by Michelle Riley

ApplAuse!

New hires, promotions, certifications earned, and announcements

YAHAB, a local nonprofit that provides clothing and household items for all ages in need, received a $10,886 donation from 100+ Women Who Care Medina.

Project:LEARN of Medina County recently received $7,500 from the Westfield 1847 Legacy of Caring Program. The nonprofit was nominated by Hertvik Insurance Group.

Congratulations, YAHAB and Project:LEARN!

Has your business or an employee done something that should get applause or does your nonprofit have an announcement? E-mail the information to Joy@ BlakeHousePublishing.com and put “Applause” in the subject line. This is a free service for this magazine’s advertisers. There is a $50 charge for all nonadvertising businesses.

Business Owners and Decision Makers: You know reputation is everything and whom you hang out with matters. Want your company to be seen with the very BEST area companies and get your message to our readers? Call 330-461-0589

When temperatures begin to rise and the rain gauges run dry, we are all looking for that tall cool drink. Anyone can relate to this, especially our pollinators, but they do not have the luxury of opening the refrigerator to see what is on tap.

It is our duty, as faithful stewards of the garden, to see to it that our pollinator friends are well hydrated and comfortable. It is the very least we can do for all the extraordinary work they do for us.

Pollinating all the flowers and being the precious link between flower and fruit is a thankless job.

Imagine a vegetable garden without pollinators.

No honey, no jam, no coffee or almonds, and forget almond milk.

Before we dive into the flowers, why go down that road when the easy answer is to offer the pollinators a drink?

Pollinators come in many shapes and sizes.

Bees and butterflies, birds and bats all contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Cute, nice, creepy, and mean, they all play a vital role in the plant reproduction process.

It does not take much to give them a space to rest and replenish.

A birdbath can cover many bases, although some of the other pollinators may shy away to avoid becoming someone’s lunch. In that case, a custom retreat is in order.

Butterflies, moths and bees also enjoy shallow plates of water or a pool of water in a small dip in a rock.

Filling a cup, bowl or other similar decorative item with pebbles and water, leaving the rocks slightly above the water’s surface, will offer bees a place to land to grab a drink.

Bees cannot take a drink while flying, they must land to drink. Wood or other sturdy objects can be floated on deeper water sources to offer the bees a space to land and quench their thirst.

The water source should be kept clean to prevent fungus and bacteria.

To feed the bees, use two parts sugar to one part warm water. Dissolve the sugar in the water and store the extra in the refrigerator. It will keep for almost a week.

Michelle Riley is a local horticulturist, landscape designer, and consultant. She is the founder of the gardening subscription service, the Plant Shorts Posse; 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

4 Things People with Disabilities Want You to Know

1. Having a disability isn’t a bad thing; what’s bad is the way people treat me.

“I wish my friends knew the hardest part about having a developmental disability isn’t my disability itself. It’s the way people treat me because of it that’s most challenging. I live in a world that is basically inaccessible and doesn’t think about inclusion of people like me. When you look at me, I want you to see both my disability and my abilities and all that comes with them. Disability isn’t a bad thing.”

2. “Disability” isn’t a bad word.

“Many people have been taught to feel uncomfortable around disability. It starts with children when they look, wonder or ask questions about someone with a disability, sometimes adults take this wonderful learning opportunity and dismiss it with a statement of ‘it’s rude to stare.’ The silent message is that a child should just pretend that the person with a disability doesn’t exist. Those children grow into adults who are uneasy to think about, talk about, or acknowledge disability. People also often use words like ‘special needs’ to describe people with developmental disabilities. But ‘special’ would be if I needed to eat dragon eggs for breakfast. ‘Special’ would be if I always needed to sleep in a tree. I need employment, I need love and support and acceptance, and I need to be invited to be included. Those are basic human needs.”

3. Don’t exclude me from plans just because you think I won’t be able to participate.

“It’s natural for people to assume that I can’t do something because of my disability, but I’m always up for trying anything new and going on any adventure. Having a disability that limits my involvement in some things is very isolating, and it’s all too easy to feel forgotten or ignored because people stop thinking to include me. “

4. There’s more to me than just my disability.

“I am a person before my disability. I have been referred to in some social situations as ‘that blind girl.’ This can be upsetting, as I am many things before my blindness and it does not define me. I love shopping, horse riding, ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and I just happen to be blind. People with disabilities are capable of doing many things. Yes, our disability can make it hard for us to do certain things, but that does not mean we are limited in living life.”

On April 11, the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) in partnership with the Medina County Career Center (MCCC) and the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP), was proud to recognize and celebrate the first class of students to graduate from the new Direct Support Professional University program – also known as DSP-U – at the Career Center.

DSP-U is nationally recognized as a pathway to graduation. Students who join get specialized training, on-site, hands-on internships, and the opportunity to earn professional credentials while receiving credit toward high school graduation requirements.

DSP-U offers those who complete the training a Certificate of Initial Proficiency which requires 20 courses for a total of 60 classroom hours, in addition to a minimum of 100 internship hours. Upon completion, the graduates already have the credentials they need to immediately apply for jobs as direct service professionals.

HOME AND GARDEN: VEGAN VITTLES

Fried Plantains

by Chris Pickens

Bananas are one of the most commonly eaten fruits in the U.S. Although many Americans are not too familiar with one of its relatives, plantains are a cultural food staple in Central America. It is a very versatile and nutritious fruit, and this recipe is simple and delightful.

• 2 very ripe plantains

• 1 to 2 tablespoons favorite cooking oil

• 3 tablespoons date sugar

• 2 tablespoons water, plus more

• cinnamon

When choosing plantains, keep in mind that it is best when it is mostly black with a little yello and still slightly firm to the touch. Coat pan with oil. While oil is heating, slice plantains and brown on both sides in oil. Line a plate with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Mix date sugar and water, using just enough water to achieve the consistency preferred. When plantains are browned, place on plate and brush pieces with date sugar mixture, sprinkle cinnamon over pieces.

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.

Lineage is Important for Axolotls

by Paris Deeter

When breeding axolotls, it is important to have extensive lineage on each of them.

Lineage is the genetic information, meaning their phenotype and genotype, not only on the breeding pair but also on their parents and grandparents, as well as their names.

This is extremely important due to how inbred axolotls are. Axolotls come from one lake in Mexico, making their genetic population already very limited.

They have been bred by laboratories for decades, which do a lot of inbreeding to get the different strains of axolotls.

Axolotls in the pet trade all came from laboratory axolotls.

Two axolotls chosen at random have an inbreeding coefficient of 35 percent, which is higher than if two human siblings had a child together. This can cause a lot of genetic issues to pop up if inbred too heavily.

Axolotls also are pretty resistant and can be shipped across the country fairly easily, meaning breeders regularly trade stock. This means that even if two axolotls are from different places or breeders, they can still be related several times over.

The only way to be 100 percent sure they are not related is by comparing lineages.

If the axolotls are related to each other by anything closer than three generations back, they are not safe to breed together.

Any axolotls more than three generations back are safe to breed together with caution. It is best to have the axolotls be as unrelated as possible.

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in backyard breeders allowing unlineaged axolotls to breed. This is a huge problem in the axolotl population due to how likely it is that they are related to each other in some way.

Rather than being ethical and freezing the eggs as soon as they are laid, they raise the babies, call them an “oops clutch” and sell them at extremely low prices to anyone who wants them.

It is important to not support these backyard breeders and instead go to ethical breeders, as the “oops” axolotls are almost always the ones that end up in rescues with severe injuries. Before buying an axolotl, as the source for a copy of the lineage.

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. Deeter also can supply information on where to obtain pets mentioned in her column.

photo by Chris Pickens

OF MIND AND BODY

Nourishing Nibbles

by Amanda Liptak

The early days of summer are here, and whether road-tripping, flying or hitting the trails, strategic snack choices can make the difference in maintaining energy levels and overall well-being.

Here are some of my favorite snacks for the road.

Trail mix: Create a custom blend by combining nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Opt for unsalted nuts and seeds to keep sodium intake in check and choose dried fruits without added sugars. This snack offers a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates to keep you energized during your adventures.

Fresh fruit: Super easy to travel with and often forgotten about, whole fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, or berries are a refreshing and hydrating snack. Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, making them a nutritious choice to munch on while on the go. If slicing fruit ahead of time, consider sprinkling it with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Yogurt cups: Individual servings of yogurt are convenient and packed with protein, essential for muscle repair and satiety. Go for Greek yogurt packs as they contain more protein than regular yogurt with 17 to 20 grams per cup. The best option is a plain, unsweetened yogurt.

Top it with your choice of fruit and nuts. Granola can have up to 3 to 4 teaspoons of added sugar per serving, so read those labels carefully and choose the lowest added sugar content possible.

Nut butter packs: Single-serve nut butter packs are convenient and provide a source of healthy fats and protein. They travel well and take up minimal space.

Go for a natural, unsweetened nut butter. Pair them with whole grain crackers, rice cakes, or sliced veggies for a satisfying and balanced snack option.

High-protein oatmeal cups: A convenient and nutritious option for breakfast or snacks, oatmeal cups require only hot water or milk and a quick stir.

High-protein varieties offer a better balance between protein and carbohydrates that keep you fuller for longer and help balance blood sugar.

Topping them with nuts, seeds, and fruit make a great post-workout snack when hiking, for example.

Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn is a light and simple wholegrain snack that is perfect for munching on during long travels. Go for plain popcorn or lightly seasoned varieties to keep sodium and calorie intake in check.

Planning ahead can help you manage your nutrition when hunger strikes and away from home! Travel safe, and, of course, travel healthy!

Amanda Liptak is a registered dietitian nutritionist with more than 20 years of experience. She is the owner of Nutrient Rich Life Nutrition Coaching, a functional nutrition coaching company that provides comprehensive weight loss support for men and women. Visit www.nutrientrichlife.org and learn more about Liptak at http://tinyurl.com/32zfajue

Smaller parcels are available. Limited availability, call now for choice of best locations.

COMMUNITY: MUNCHING WITH JOY

Munching With Joy

by Amy Barnes

Congratulations to these restaurants!

Each month the focus will be on a different area of Medina County’s sit-down eating facilities.

Only those restaurants that pass the Medina County Health Department’s inspection with a perfect score of 0 critical and 0 non-critical issues will be included.

Food trucks and those with no inspections will not be included.

Keep in mind that an inspection is only a snapshot in time, so a restaurant not listed this month may make the list the next time. Inspections are based only on what the inspector observes at the time of inspection. Information for this list is taken from public records.

Time to chow!

COMMUNITY:

OUT OF THE BOX

Letters to the Editor

OUT OF THE BOX LETTER GUIDELINES

1. No politics, no religion.

2. Nothing that is spiteful or just plain mean.

3. Letters will run as submitted, writer is responsible for spell checking, editing and grammar.

4. Letters may be edited for length. Suggested maximum length is 150 to 200 words. Chose them wisely. Keep in mind this is a family magazine and watch those word choices.

5. There is no guarantee of publication, but we will do our best to get all in that follow the guidelines.

6. Letter writers will be verified by phone, usually between 6 and 9 in the evening except for Sundays. If we cannot verify, the letter will not run.

7. All letters must include the name of the author and city of residence (and state, if it is outside of Ohio), all of which will be published. You do not have to live in Medina County to submit a letter.

8. Include a phone number we can call for verification. Letters can be emailed to: Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com with “Letters to the Editor” in the subject line. Or mailed to:

Letters to the Editor

Joy of Medina County Magazine 1114 N. Court, #144 Medina, Ohio 44256

ENTERTAINMENT: OFF THE SHELF

Vietnam Combat Nurse Tells Tale

by Mary Olson

Book: “Women”

Author: Kristin Hannah Rating (out of 5 possible):

Mega-bestselling author Kristin Hannah has written her most powerful novel yet.

“The Women” is a difficult, yet hopeful read that fictionalizes the experiences of a young American woman who serves as a combat nurse in Vietnam.

It is also the story of a nation that would not welcome its veterans home from a conflict few believed in.

Women veterans, completely overlooked and unacknowledged, suffered horrific trauma as did their male counterparts.

Frankie McGrath is a 20-year-old nursing student, the only daughter of wealthy parents whose social status on California’s elite Coronado Island is their highest priority. They sent their son off to war with a party fit for a hero.

But when tragedy strikes, the family’s future is forever changed.

Frankie enlists in the Army, the only branch of the military that would take such a green, inexperienced nurse.

She feels a magnetic pull to serve and a naive desire to be among the heroes on her family’s photo wall. Frankie cannot fathom what heroism will require of her in the coming years.

Author Hannah’s vivid descriptions of a war hospital are unforgettable and brutal. Frankie is utterly shell-shocked until two more experienced nurses, Ethel and Barb, take her under their wings.

The strongest friendships are formed under the harshest circumstances, and the three nurses vow to take care of each other, always.

“The Women” follows Frankie over 20 years: two years in Vietnam and the long unraveling of her life once she returns home to Coronado.

Her family’s outright denial of her experience, debilitating PTSD, and the struggle to fit back into a society that rejects her, Frankie makes a series of decisions that only add to her pain.

Making her trauma much worse is the lack of medical care she and most Vietnam veterans endured.

It is only with the love of friends and the courage to leave the ruins of her life behind that Frankie can heal.

“The Women” is an important novel that shines a light on a dark time in U.S. history and the courageous women who served their country with little to no recognition.

Mary Olson is the readers’ advisory librarian at the Medina County District Library. To learn more about her, go to https:// bit.ly/3gZ1mg1

GOING TO THE DOGS

MIRTH AND JOY

by Jerry King

“Can you call my phone? I can’t seem to find it.”

Joyful Word Search Painting With Purpose

Answer Key for Last Month’s Search PAINTING WITH PURPOSE

Oh, Snap!

The Borealis Deception

by Robert Soroky

For the second time this year, northeast Ohio residents witnessed an astronomical event that, for at least a few moments, caused us to collectively stop what we were doing, look up, and be amazed at the workings of our universe.

As with the solar eclipse just a month earlier, it was impressive to watch the flood of aurora borealis photos pouring in across every social media platform on the night of May 10, along with the accompanying commentary of awe and wonder.

What was interesting, though, was that some folks said they had gone outside at the same time others were snapping Northern Lights photos and saw absolutely nothing.

When the eclipse over Cleveland hit totality at 3:15 PM on April 8, it was impossible to miss that incredibly dramatic moment.

Interestingly, that was not the case with the borealis.

If you had no idea the Northern Lights were putting on a show and you just happened to glance up, there is a good chance you did not see it.

What I saw with my naked eyes was a white haze that looked like nothing more than some funkyshaped clouds. It was not until I viewed those “clouds” through my phone's camera lens that I saw the real colors of the famed Northern Lights.

Turns out not seeing the lights directly relates to the unique way our vision works.

Our eyes use cones and rods to see. The cones, active mostly during the day, absorb light and can differentiate between a wide spectrum of colors. The rods function primarily in extremely low light and are responsible for night vision, but they do so at the expense of some color perception.

This is why your eyes were unable to perceive the full intensity of the borealis.Your rods are not designed to pick up those subtle color waves at night. A camera, on the other hand, has a significantly more sensitive optic range.

Brunswick photos by local space enthusiast Robert Soroky

On the left is a pretty accurate depiction of how the naked eye perceived the aurora borealis and on the right is how a camera saw the same image.

See more photos, Page 32

photos by Robert Soroky

Photos were taken in Wadsworth by Tom Stugmyer, well-known Wadsworth personality, city councilman-atlarge, and space aficionado.

Let's do it! June 2024

Due to the unexpected illness of our master calendar compiler, the calendar was not ready to be included by press time. However, we are working to get our calendar updated and posted in our online version at https://tinyurl.com/4a5nw6pr We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to get our calendar master feeling better.

Welcome to the Nest!

Thank you for showing your support and love for Joy of Medina County Magazine by becoming a magazine patron!

Walker & Jocke Co., LPA

Patent Law and Trademark Law

Three patron tiers are available: Excellent Egg, Cheerful Chick and Joyful Joy Bird. Each has wonderful perks with the highest tier including a print subscription to Joy of Medina County Magazine! Learn how you, too, can become a patron at: Patreon. com/JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine

Event Calendar

Brunswick

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sundays, June 9 through October 5 (closed July 7)

Sunday at the Farm

Produce, consumables and crafts, free historic building tours

Heritage Farm, 4613 Laurel Road, Brunswick

Vendor registration information by emailing brunswickareahistory@gmail.com

Medina

9 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, May 4 through October 26

Produce, consumables, crafts, knife sharpening

Cornerstone Chapel

3939 Granger Road, Medina

Enter lot from Weymouth Road

Vendor registration information at https://bit.ly/3MQSaFJ

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays, May 18 through October 5

Produce and consumables

Medina Public Square

Vendor registration information at https://tinyurl.com/4v75w9by

Seville

9 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, May 25 through September 28

Produce, consumables and crafts

Gazebo at Maria Stanhope Park, 73 W. Main Street, Seville

Vendor registration information at https://bit.ly/3muNr3S

Wadsworth

9 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, June 22 through September 28

Produce, consumables and crafts

Central Intermediate School, 151 Main Street, Wadsworth

Vendor registration information at https://bit.ly/409S0iR

Submitting Calendar Events

Listings in calendar must be events hosted by or benefiting a Medina County nonprofit organization or hosted/ sponsored by a magazine advertiser. Send submissions to Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com and put CALENDAR in the subject line. Information is not accepted by phone. The calendar is also available online at JoyOfMedinaCounty. com on the Community Calendar tab at the top of the page or on the drop-down menu on mobile devices.

Rescue Me Pawsome Style, Inc.

Knowledge regarding animal rights has become more prevalent throughout the world and while this does aid in the protection of animals, many people are still unaware of the struggles that animals are facing. Starvation, disease, abuse, overpopulation in shelters, and lack of general resources are only a few of the battles that animals encounter.

The mission of Rescue Me Pawsome Style, Inc. is to bridge this gap and to shine a light on the plight of unwanted and abandoned dogs by providing them with stable and loving homes. We are interwoven with our rescue partners, transporters, and veterinarians. We educate and are forever grateful for the compassion and care of our many fosters and adopters.

Please help us to continue our work: Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/forthepups Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmpsdogs Cashapp: @ RMPSrescue Mailing Address: R.M.P.S 3454 Forest Lake Drive Medina, OH 44256

Celebrate!

Joy of Medina County Magazine thanks and celebrates these great companies who believe in community and make it possible for readers to enjoy this magazine for free.

Please thank the following companies for bringing Joy to you!

Cable, Internet, Phone

Armstrong

1141 Lafayette Road, Medina

Contact: Sam Pietrangelo

Community Marketing Manager

Phone: 330-722-3141

Website: ArmstrongOneWire.com

Community Resources

Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities

4691 Windfall Road, Medina

Contact: Patti Hetkey

330-725-7751

Website: https://www.mcbdd.org/

Photographer

FlashBang Photography/ Videography

Phone: 440-263-4502

Website: FlashBangFoto.com

Simulated Shooting Range

Engage Virtual Range

Locations in Medina and Avon Lake

Visit EVR website for information and to book appointments.

Website: EngageVirtualRange.com/r/b9aSrM

Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills The Place

2377 Medina Road, Medina

Contact: Andrea Reedy

Phone: 330-239-4000

Website: YourPlace4.com

Want to join these great companies in sponsoring the best publication in Medina County? Contact Amy Barnes, Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com, 330-461-0589.

The Col. H.G. Blake House photo by Amy Barnes

Joy of Medina County Magazine

1114 N. Court, #144, Medina, Ohio 44256

E-mail: Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com

Website: JoyOfMedinaCountyMagazine.com

Phone: 330-461-0589

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