The best stories in Medina County!
MAINTAIN EXISTING CONNECTIONS
There is a trick to fully utilizing networking events.
Pg. 9
E-BIKE SAFETY TIPS
Precautions to take when charging the battery.
Pg. 16
ADD SUSPENSE TO SUMMER READING!
Who can be trusted when battling an unknown stalker?
Pg. 19
A change in directors and a pandemic shutdown were only some of the factors challenging this unique northeast Ohio band. PG. 4
One of my favorite books is “The Butter Battle Book,” a Dr. Seuss book that seems to be rarely discussed.
I am sure he wondered if anyone anywhere heard him when the book was released in 1984.
Unfortunately, some who heard his message were not open to it.
The book was banned in some libraries in Canada and in the U.S. because the story was considered too dark for children.
I have no doubt that the book’s lesson hits too close for the comfort of most adults, the mirror it holds up can be a heavy one, just as the ones held up in “The Lorax” and “The Sneetches and Oher Stories.”
Seuss wrote of deforestation in “The Lorax,” warning of a planet that once had plentiful trees. “The Lorax” was banned in California because it was feared it would turn children against logging.
The themes of acceptance and how a physical appearance is so unimportant was emphasized in “The Sneetches.”
He mixed those in with books about
counting fishes and making a mess when parents are gone.
I would argue that “The Butter Battle Book” is one of the most important parts of his legacy.
The first time I read it for my kids, I wept. (I know some would say I should have sucked it up and stuffed the emotions away until the kids were in bed, but it does not hurt children for them to see a parent experience an emotion and how else will children learn how to handle emotions?)
What is so striking about the story is the pure simplicity of the message, the attempt by Seuss to make a point that just might be listened to, while knowing it was unlikely to be heard.
So, if you have a chance, perhaps a moment or two, to read a short story that will take you down a path you just might not be expecting, please do, even if it is with a fox in a box.
Read with an open mind and a loving heart and perhaps, just perhaps, there is a seed left somewhere that can be planted and encouraged to grow.
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 4
JoyOfMedinaCountyMagazine.com
PUBLISHER
Blake House Publishing, LLC
EDITOR
Amy Barnes
LAYOUT DESIGN
Tyler Hatfield
IT SUPPORT
Sara Barnes
Tyler Hatfield
PHOTOGRAPHERS
FlashBang Photography
CARTOONIST
Jerry King
CONTRIBUTORS
Bob Arnold
Kelly Bailey
Katrina Barnes
D.J. Barnett
Paris Deeter
Tyler Hatfield
Bryan Lefelhoc
Mary Olson
Chris Pickens
Michelle Riley
Rachel Shepard
Robert Soroky
Kent Von Der Vellen
MASCOT
Rico Houdini
ADVERTISING SALES AND OFFICE
330-461-0589
Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com
WEBSITE
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Learn more about the staff at Behind The Scenes
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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 2023 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.
KEEPING THE BEAT
by Amy BarnesRegular visiting performers in Medina, the Brass Band of the Western Reserve has become a staple, especially during the holiday season.
THE READING NOOK
I REMEMBER and DUCKS IN A ROW
by Amy Barnes and D. J. BarnettA humorous poem for those who need to get their thoughts in order and a more serious poem for those who do not celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
THE INBOX
UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF LINKEDIN
by Rachel ShepardIf you do not know what a LION is, this article is for you.
RISE AND SHINE
EVERY MINUTE MARKETING
by Bryan LefelhocAs a business owner, everything you do reflects on your business.
THE NETWORKER FULLY UTILIZE NETWORKING EVENTS
by Bob Arnold
Learn how to use all aspects of networking events to maintain old connections and make new ones.
DOING BUSINESS
A calendar of area networking events
INVENTION CONVENTION
Patents recently granted to Medina County residents.
CRITTER CRAWL!
DOCILE STARTER REPTILE
by Paris DeeterSpotted pet can thrive with correct care.
BITE ME!
BEAN THERE, DONE THAT submitted by Kim S.
A little twist on homemade vanilla HEALTH
HEALTHY TRAILS
E-BIKE SAFETY AND BATTERIES by Robert Soroky
Quality matters when considering the safety and durability of e-bikes.
OF MIND AND BODY
STOP CARING WHAT OTHERS THINK by Kelly
BaileyIf you do not have a trusted inner circle, it is time to change friends.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
OFF THE SHELF
MOM AND AUTISTIC DAUGHTER
BATTLE STALKER by Mary Olson
Despite moving to escape the stalker, his postmarks show he is getting closer.
GETTING REEL
ANOTHER HALF-BAKED COVID LEFTOVER by Amy
Barnes“Hypnotic” failed to control our reviewer.
JOYFUL WORD SEARCH
FIND IT IN MEDINA COUNTY
Search for names that can be found locally.
MIRTH AND JOY by Jerry
KingOur monthly cartoon by a former Disney cartoonist OH, SNAP!
photos by Amy Barnes
LET’S DO IT!
Take a break and have some fun!
JOYFUL LETTER DETECTIVES
DIG IT!
WITH ONLY AN EYE
by Michelle RileyGuidance for growing the perfect potato patch
VEGAN VITTLES
OVEN-ROASTED FRIES
by Chris PickensWith only a few ingredients, enjoy a tasty meal addition.
Read the clue, collect the magnifying glass letters, and solve the puzzle!
CELEBRATE!
A clickable directory of vetted businesses who bring you Joy!
In music, it is all about change and the Brass Band of the Western Reserve has had a few major ones that could have silenced their song forever, but thanks to their love of music, their dedication to their loyal followers, and a flair for performing, this band has not let the music die.
Since our feature story in May 2019, the changes
for the band have been major.
One of the first changes was the retirement of the band’s founding director and driving force, Keith Wilkinson.
A rather quiet man one-on-one, Wilkinson was a very large personality on stage with a strong English accent who easily engaged the audience
and made it part of every performance.
Whether in person or on stage, in both cases, his twinkling eyes and sense of humor always seemed to draw people toward him.
Following Wilkinson’s retirement, the BBWR board faced a reorganization and put new officers in place. The new officers are Michael Skotko, Eb cornet, president; Jonathan Rech, Bb cornet, vice president; Ron Lutterbie, solo tenor horn, treasurer; and Robert Purdum, Bb cornet, secretary.
Stepping up to be the next hand to hold the baton would be Jay Wardeska, the executive director of the Ohio Music Educators Association. He lives in Medina with his wife, Amy.
In his new role with the BBWR, Wardeska soon had a firm grip on the baton and audiences engaged with his own particular style.
Wardeska has been an active trumpet player, band conductor, and taught middle and high school music for more than 30 years. He is currently working to earn a doctorate in music education at Ohio State University and serves as the adjudicated events committee chair for the Ohio Music Education Association.
The COVID shutdown and forced ceasing of
gatherings and performances of all kinds caused a sudden and dramatic cease to all incoming funds for for-profit and nonprofit groups alike.
BBWR is nonprofit and depends on donations, with band members often chipping in to cover expenses for sheet music, travel, venue rental, and more. Many members have full-time jobs in addition to their practicing and performing with the band.
Despite the challenges, the BBWR was able to resume rehearsals in fall 2021 and is back to performing and entertaining with a fully staffed band and full performance schedule.
On July 8, the band will be hosting internationally renowned trombonist Brett Baker at the Medina Performing Arts Center.
Baker is the principal trombonist for the Black Dyke Band and is the past chair and president of the British Trombone Society. He was awarded the ITA Presidents Award for services to the International Trombone Association in 2020.
For more information about the band, how to donate, and upcoming performances, go to https://www.bbwesternreserve.com/ Follow the band at https://tinyurl.com/ydrpn6sc
Dedicated to my brother, Timmy, and the others who did not survive and to those who do not celebrate Mother’s or Father’s Day by Amy Barnes
From my birth on, you each landed multi-levels of abuse on my tiny shoulders.
I should not have survived, but I did.
I should have grown up to become the weapon you tried to make me but I defeated you and four generations of child abuse.
I did not become the weapon you tried to create.
I turned myself instead into a testament of the strength of one human against immense odds.
According to your plan and urging, I should have committed suicide, but I did not.
Instead, I taught myself what love is and turned my life and work into bringing good into the world.
I was too little to help those you hurt
I had no control over the people you chose to be.
But know this Every time you claim you could not be different, and you had no choice, remember me.
I prove all of your lies and excuses wrong.
With every breath I take, I defeat you. As you sink into the rot you created and prepare to answer for your crimes in the highest of courts, the one not made by man,
know that I rise in spite of you, and, given the chance, I will testify against you, because I can do something you thought you had broken and erased, I remember.
I don’t have my ducks in a row, I’ve got squirrels all over the place. Can’t seem to get them together, I might have to give up the chase.
My train is not on the right track, Not into the station steaming. Seven trains, crossing paths, four tracks, Conductor, passengers screaming.
I don’t mind my P’s and my Q’s, I don’t cross my T’s, dot my I’s. Now put my nose to the grindstone, Gotta keep my eyes on the prize.
Between a rock and a hard place, Is somewhere I don’t want to be. Tidy things up, work like a dog, There’s some people counting on me.
Up a creek without a paddle, A fish trying to swim upstream. I can hear rapids approaching, It’s like I’m lost in a bad dream.
Might seem that I’m in a pickle, I must get my house in order. Pick myself up, dust myself off, To now get my act together.
So I’ll put my best foot forward, One step in front of the other. Pull a few tricks out of my hat, Do it one way or another.
D.J. Barnett lives in Hinckley with his wife, April; his son, Robert; and daughter, Skylar. He is 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.
In the beginning of my career, I was intimidated by LinkedIn. My profile was incomplete, and I was afraid to interact with others. That all changed on an executive Master of Business Administration trip a decade ago.
On our way back from China, I happened to sit next to a cofounder of LinkedIn. I started to take my LinkedIn profile seriously when I arrived home!
Here are the tips and tricks of LinkedIn that I have learned along the way.
First, let us start with some LinkedIn statistics.
LinkedIn can be used to build relationships, find a job, recruit employees, attract customers, and more.
It is considered to be the number one professional network in the world, with more than 810-million members according to recent data from Microsoft, its parent company.
Did you know that 500-plus connections is the magic number for instilling trust and increasing the likelihood of making more connections?
Some LinkedIn members only want to connect with people they know, creating what is called an intimate circle or network.
Others want to grow their connections and their circle of influence. These individuals often add LION to their headline or profile summary.
LION means a LinkedIn Open Networker. It is a person who wants to expand their LinkedIn network and has a high number of connections.
LinkedIn involves expanding a member’s reach through engagement. If you like or comment on a post, your network is often notified. This means that your connections’ networks also will see your post if they like or comment on it.
A person can engage with their audience in the following ways: by creating content, endorsing and recommending others, liking and commenting on other posts, and using the messaging tool.
LinkedIn can be used to grow a business by building brand awareness, connecting with ideal clients, recruiting candidates, and building business relationships and partnerships.
When you create content, it is important to be original, engaging and creative to capture the highest level of engagement from other members as possible.
The algorithm also can be manipulated by commenting on your own post, tagging relevant connections and creating video content.
LinkedIn does not have to be a mystery. It can be used as a tool to grow your business.
There is a difference between marketing and advertising. The difference is subtle but distinct.
Advertising is how the message gets out there. More often than not, advertising is paid for, is by choice, is on purpose, and is under the control of the business.
Marketing, on the other hand, is the message sent right now, whether it is intended or not.
It is the message you sent yesterday and the message you will send tomorrow. It is always on. It cannot be turned off.
Think of all of the things happening and messages being sent right now that serve to “market” your business.
Right now, whether someone is in your store, using your product, or experiencing your service, a story is being told. A brand is forming that will not easily, if ever, be changed. An expectation is being set, met or missed that will forever paint how one person or a whole tribe of people feel about your business.
Whenever someone remembers an advertisement, gets a referral, or remembers a conversation overheard at the football game, marketing is happening. You did not pay for or authorize it. But you own it.
Marketing happens when you drive to the grocery store and someone recognizes you as the owner of your business. The vehicle you drive, the clothes you wear, and the way you interact with your family or others in the store all say something about you. That can carry over to the company image.
Marketing also is your employee behavior. It is important to remember that, just like you, people notice how your employees engage with others.
Messages are being sent that will be long remembered when your employees are off the clock, as much as when they are on it, and long after they are no longer your employees.
Marketing is in the packaging you use, the curb appeal of your office, or the way your website works. It is also at play when you are not paying attention to these things.
Of course, there are many forms of marketing that can be paid for, and it makes sense to invest where it matters.
Sure, advertising has its place and can have a big impact in a business’ bottom line.
When it comes to ensuring you get the most out of every dollar spent, pay attention to what is already being done.
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
Bryan Lefelhoc is founder and president of Bryan Media Strategies LLC, a boutique “company of one” marketing firm. Learn more about Lefelhoc and his expertise at https://bit.ly/3FqMBfl Email Lefelhoc at
bryan@bryanmediastrategies.com
Last month I showed you how networking can become a tangle and friends can cause you to not network with new people.
I also showed how many times we attend networking events and only end up talking with colleagues or others we have known for a while. Most networking events are designed for meeting new people.
So let us see how networking with colleagues and other acquaintances can be a good thing.
There are times when I attend an event and I may not be in the mood to meet new people.
I know a couple of colleagues will be at the meeting, and I want to get caught up with them.
In order to not hinder their goals of networking with others, I usually follow a few simple steps.
First, I text, email or message them that I see they are attending and would like to have a few minutes with them to catch up on a couple of things.
Usually, they are very accommodating and express that they would like that. We connect at the event and start talking. Then the networking framework in the room kicks in, and a person I do not know, but my friend does, approaches and wants to talk.
There are a few things we can do. We can ignore them so they go away. My friend could introduce us and mention a couple of things that might interest each of us. Finally, we could find a way to include the new person in the conversation, such as: “We were just talking about xyz, maybe you have some thoughts on the subject?”
One very effective way of meeting new people is to have someone else introduce you to them.
Here is the deal: Networking events are designed for people to meet. There are different ways to do so, even if you are trying to be exclusive with your time.
If you want to catch up with a friend, set up a time before or after the event to meet for that purpose. This frees you both up to make new connections at the networking event and still maintain the friendship and older connection.
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
Local business networking events, not category restricted
Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce Chamber membership requirement after two events.
Thursday, June 8
Get to Know the Chamber, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Everything Outdoor Camping, 3823 Pearl Road, Medina. Register at https://tinyurl.com/32vf4jhv
Wednesday, June 14
BusinessBuzz, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Redwoood Apartment Neighborhoods, 5777 Coneflower Drive, Medina. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p8a3a2m
Wednesday, June 21
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/2kjfb9pf
Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance Chamber membership requirement after two events.
Wednesday, June 7 Chamber Chomps, 11:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Panini’s Bar and Grill, 3520 Center Road, Brunswick. Networking and chomping!
Thursday, June 1
NMCCA Annual Golf Outing and Summer Social, 8 a.m., Coppertop Golf Club, 5740 Center Road, Valley City. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/vwkhehna
Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber membership requirement after two events.
Monday, June 5
Women in Leadership: Geri Good, Bellezza Avanti, noon to 1 p.m., Community Room, Soprema Senior Center, 617 School Drive, Wadsworth. Register at https://tinyurl. com/259u5pdu
Thursday, June 22
Mochas and Mentors, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Community Room, Soprema Senior Center, 617 School Drive, Wadsworth. Free. Register at https://tinyurl.com/33mc3cph
Wednesday, June 28
Luncheon: Featuring Bob Walker, president of American Classic Snack Co., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Galaxy Restaurant Banquet Center, 201 Park Centre Drive, Wadsworth. $20 Register at https://tinyurl.com/yckz9kn3
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.
Patents recently granted to Medina County residents. Only county residents are included, although there may be additional people listed as patent grantees.
Patent for: Methods and Apparatus to Assist Listeners in Distinguishing Between Electronically Generated Binaural Sound and Physical Environment Sound
To: Philip Scott Lyren
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Alcohol Containing NonAntimicrobial Cleansing Composition
To: Amanda Jo Copeland
City of Residence: Seville
Patent for: Sharing Locations Where Binaural Sound Externally Localizes
To: Philip Scott Lyren
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Package for Irregular Shaped Objects
To: Andrew Douglas Gordon
City of Residence: Medina
Patent for: LED Marker With Vertical Mount
To: Michael Miller City of Residence: Brunswick
Patent for: Tire
To: John Stephan Guilford City of Residence: Spencer
Patent for: Faux Distributor Cable Holder
To: Elio Martin City of Residence: Litchfield
Patent for: Connection Interface for Reaction Plate in Torque Converter
To: Kyle Nelson and Kyle Royer
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Handheld Shower Assembly
To: Viorel Berlovan, Jr. City of Residence: Medina
Patent for: Ice Detector Apparatus, System, and Method (for an aircraft)
To: James A. Mullen
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Binaural Sound in Visual Entertainment Media
To: Philip Scott Lyren
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Playing Binaural Sound Clips During an Electronic Communication
To: Philip Scott Lyren
City of Residence: Wadsworth
Patent for: Metal Recovery System and Method
To: Timothy F. Conway
City of Residence: Hinckley
Potatoes are easy to grow and a great choice for the beginning gardener.
Packed full of nutrition, a potato is a versatile vegetable that can be used with many meals.
It is important to choose the right site to get the potato patch off to a good start.
Potatoes do not like wet “feet” and prefer well-draining soil. They enjoy a sunny location with loose loamy soil free of stones and debris. A spot with at least six hours of sunlight is ideal.
Plant the potatoes 4 to 6 inches deep adding compost, manure or other clean organic material to enrich the soil around them.
While seed potatoes are often used for planting, regular potatoes with sprouted eyes also can be used. A golf ball is the measure used to describe the size of the potato to be planted.
If the potato is larger, it should be cut into smaller pieces making sure to maintain at least one or two eyes per piece.
Plant the potatoes 8 to 12 inches apart with the eyes facing up. Cover them with 4 to 6 inches of soil.
Watering them in well, making sure not to keep them soggy or they will rot.
As the stem starts to grow, continue to add soil around the base of the plant, covering the stems and creating a mound.
The developing potato tubers need to be buried well to protect them from the sunlight, which can turn them green and render them useless.
Smaller varieties of potatoes are usually ready to harvest in 10 weeks where the larger varieties take 80 to 100 days.
When the stems die back, the potatoes are ready to harvest.
Carefully dig them up, then dry them out in a cool, dry place before storing them.
If you do not have a plot of land to grow them on, they also can be grown in a bag or a container if the bag or container drains well and the spot receives adequate sunlight.
Potatoes are a cool season crop, meaning they thrive between temperatures 45 to 75 degrees. Plant potatoes March through June for a great fall crop. They also can be grown year-round.
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.
by Chris Pickens
French fries, who does not love them?
Based on the name, one would think that these kitchen delectables originated in France, but they actually made their beginning in Belgium.
Fries are oftentimes known as a side dish, but Americans have turned them into a main dish.
The number one condiment added to these are ketchup, but it is not uncommon to make them one’s own by loading them with cheese and bacon bits (all vegan, of course). The options are endless!
• 6 to 8 potatoes
• 2 or more tablespoons olive oil, add more if needed
• parsley flakes
• garlic powder
• salt
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pierce potatoes with knife or fork.
Microwave 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Brush cookie sheet with olive oil. Slice potatoes length wise. Brush potatoes lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley flakes, garlic powder and salt, using as much as you prefer. Bake in oven 20 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
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.
The leopard gecko is one of the most recommended starter reptiles because of their docile and friendly nature.
Unfortunately, most people do not know how to care for these amazing creatures properly due to being misled by pet stores.
To thrive, a leopard gecko needs:
• At minimum a 40-gallon breeder enclosure
That is right. Leopard geckos cannot thrive in 10-, 20-, or 30-gallon enclosures. These creatures are active and need space.
It also is typically not recommended to house leopard geckos together, no matter the sex. These geckos thrive when they are alone. Bigger is always better, so I would recommend going with a larger enclosure like 4 x 2 x 2.
• A heat source and thermostat
These geckos need a heat source that produces both IRA and IRB. A deep-heat projector or a halogen spotlight can produce both IRA and IRB.
Ceramic heat emitters, heat pads and other similar heat sources produce only IRC, so they should only be used for supplemental heating. Always have heat sources connected to a thermostat. It also is important to monitor cage conditions through the use of hydrometers and thermometers.
• Lighting
It is recommended to use a T5 10.0 linear UVB with a leopard gecko. UVB prevents metabolic bone disease, which is common in reptiles that do not have UVB. It is important to use a linear UVB rather than a coil UVB as coils produce uneven UVB ranges, which can be dangerous.
• Hides and fake or live plants
These help to make geckos feel safe and secure. Without these, geckos may not feel comfortable and may act skittish or not move around much.
• Substrate
The best substrate option for leopard geckos is a mixture of organic topsoil and children’s play sand. This mimics the natural substrate they have in the wild.
• Live insects
Leopard geckos need to eat live insects. Dead insects do not provide the same nutrients that live ones do. They should also be dusted with a multivitamin and calcium powder. I highly recommend purchasing a leopard gecko from a reputable breeder or going through a rescue for the best quality and for ones that are the least likely to have been mistreated.
Leopard geckos make awesome pets and typically do really well when set up right. They are fun, interactive and an easy reptile to setup. I highly recommend them!
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.
The search for different and unique flavors can make for a lot of exploring and sampling in the kitchen.
Kim S. stumbled across a slight flavor twist when making authentic vanilla flavoring.
● 1 large vanilla bean
● 1/4 cup spiced rum*
● glass bottle
● patience
Carefully slice the vanilla bean lengthwise two to three times. Place bean in glass jar, if bean is too long, either cut to fit or split between two jars. Fill the jars with your favorite brand of spiced rum. This is where the patience comes in: Let bean soak in rum for three months before using. You will be glad you have a second bottle ready to go before the first one is emptied!
This makes a great holiday gift for friends and family and now is the perfect time to start steeping those beans! Decorate the bottle with ribbon, some tiny silk flowers, to decorate the bottle. Vanilla beans can be re-used several times, when the vanilla flavor starts tasting weak, it is time to replace the old bean with a new, fresh one.
*The measurement is approximate as it depends on the size of glass bottle being used to determine how much rum is needed.
As part of my continuing coverage of e-bikes, I wanted to discuss some important safety aspects that should be considered when purchasing an e-bike.
First, do not get swayed by “bargain priced” e-bikes.
E-bikes are complex machines and it is important to ensure a purchase is from a reputable company.
Even bike shops are very selective, not only about which brand names they will carry, but which e-bikes they will even maintain and repair.
Most quality e-bikes have electronics that require specific software to diagnose the equipment.
If a bike shop does not carry your particular e-bike brand, they will not have access to that software, and therefore will not be able to really work on the electronic portions of the bike. They should, however, still be able to work on the nonelectronic parts of the bike (shifters, deraileures, brakes, flat tires, etc).
The biggest area of concern, especially with off-brand e-bikes, are the quality of batteries and motors being used.
You may have heard about the rash of e-bike battery fires in New York City in 2022.
The city’s fire commissioner, Laura Kavanaugh, indicated that there were “more than 200 fires in New York City last year caused by batteries from e-bikes, electric scooters and similar devices” and that “lithium-ion batteries are now
the third leading cause of fires in the city.” (https://www. npr.org/2023/03/11/1162732820/e-bike-scooter-lithium-ionbattery-fires)
As indicated, e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries, which tend to generate lots of power for long periods of time but are doing so from a comparatively small unit. A smart phone battery is a perfect example of this.
Under constant use, these types of batteries can heat up quickly. As a result, it is recommended that, when charging an e-bike battery, it is done away from any flammable material and avoid leaving the battery plugged in overnight.
Since there are very few regulations currently governing e-bikes, there is no sure way to determine the quality of batteries and motors. Fortunately, first-rate bike companies have a lot on the line when it comes to their reputation, so they have already taken steps to ensure the highest quality of manufacturing and safety for their batteries and motors. That said, government regulations will most likely be forthcoming to ensure ALL batteries and motors are meeting the highest safety standards.
Before making a purchase, learn how e-bikes work and focus on quality bike companies, even though their e-bikes may cost a bit more.
It can be a good idea to stop into a bike shop that sells and maintains e-bikes as they are going to have a great deal of knowledge about them.
If you are spending time caring time about what others think and trying to please everyone, it is time to rethink that use of your time.
Challenge your worries. Here is the reality: Most people are so involved with themselves that they are not thinking about you!
When you begin to worry about what someone is thinking, say things to yourself like “I will never see these people again” or “no one is thinking about me for more than 30 seconds.” Because it is true.
Stop gossiping. If you are gossiping, you are part of the problem.
You teach others that they cannot be their authentic selves. Gossip also backfires as you begin to believe that others are just as critical of you.
Feel empathy toward your critics. Wait, what? Bear with me for a minute and visualize the life of someone who is overly critical of you.
Maybe they left a nasty comment on your social media page, told you that you look fat and old, or talked about you behind your back. Now imagine the kind of life they must live to pour so much energy into thinking about yours.
Perhaps they are broke or living in their mom’s basement and have lots of extra time on their hands. Maybe they have no real friends. Pretty sad.
Care what others think only when it matters.
Let me be clear: I am not telling you to show up to a job interview unshowered, with leaves in your hair, spewing obscenities.
Robert Soroky is a lifelong cyclist who regularly participates in long-distance charity rides and is the manager of the Century Cycles Medina location. To learn more about Soroky, go to https://bit.ly/3Vof7DX Contact Soroky at robert@ centurycycles.com to suggest column topics, for further information or to chat about bikes.
There is a time and place to be mindful about the impression you will leave.
If your friends make you feel embarrassed because your house is a mess, you are a few pounds over 125, you do not have makeup on, and you are not driving an expensive car, you need new friends.
Get new friends and be a good friend.
You should absolutely have a trusted inner circle that does not care about how you look or act because their lives are just as much of a hot mess as yours is and you have made them comfortable enough to reveal it.
A certified personal trainer and certified holistic nutrition coach, Kelly Bailey owns and operates Kelly Bailey Wellness. Find her blog, visit the Food Freedom page, and contact her at https://www.kellybailey.fit/ Learn more about Bailey at https://bit.ly/3B9HkGm Following any recommendations are solely at your discretion and responsibility. Consult your medical professional prior to undertaking any suggested diet, lifestyle or exercise change or routine.
You can’t change that someday you will die. You can change how you live. Live with wonder.
Rating (out of 5 possible):
If you are a fan of suspense novels with strong female protagonists, Joshilyn Jackson is an author you simply must read. Her latest book, “With My Little Eye,” delivers chills and thrills along with a thought-provoking premise.
Meribel Mills is a single mother and small-screen actress who decides to relocate from California to Atlanta for a new role. More importantly, she is moving to escape a relentless stalker.
She calls him “Marker Man” because of the childlike yet disturbingly violent marker drawings he leaves for her to find. Worse, he has slept in her bed and gone through her drawers when Mills is not home.
Mills must protect her preteen daughter Honor, who is on the autism spectrum. This means leaving her lover, Cam, behind in California and taking Honor back to her home state of Georgia and, hopefully, to safety.
It is not long before Marker Man’s letters begin to arrive at Mills’ new apartment. The postmarks indicate he is making his way toward Atlanta.
Honor is a unique and compelling character. To write someone with autism accurately and compassionately can be difficult for an author, but Jackson does it very well, detailing Honor’s thought processes, quirks and habits as both delightful and challenging.
As the story goes on, Honor and two unlikely new friends take a starring role in the action as only teenagers can. There are misunderstandings and half-plotted plans, along with unquestionable bravery as they square off against sinister adults.
Cam, back home, and her new neighbor, Cooper, are Mills’ only support system, but she begins to doubt if either can be trusted completely. She can feel when eyes are watching her, and, in Atlanta, she feels it constantly.
Steadily ratcheting tension, red herrings and a whiplashworthy plot twist bring this novel to a stunning conclusion.
The hallmarks of Jackson’s books are complex protagonists who show courage in the face of danger; timely and relevant social issues; and clever plotting.
Movie: “Hypnotic”
Seen: Movie Theater
Rating (out of 5 possible):
This may be one of the quietest movies out there in terms of being promoted or advertised. I do not even recall seeing any trailers for it, but there it was in theaters.
The disjointed story, poor directing and slap-together feel of the movie make it obvious it is a COVID leftover that they threw only half-baked into theaters in order to not completely lose the funds used to produce it.
According to the Boston Globe, it was delayed in its shooting by a year because of the pandemic, and when it did begin filming in 2021, it lost its distributing studio and did not find another until two months before its US theater release this month.
“Hypnotic” stars Ben Affleck as Danny Rourke, a police officer who goes to a park with his beloved daughter who disappears.
There is a kidnapping suspect, but he claims to not remember any part of the incident or what he did with the child, Minnie.
While Rourke keeps trying to find his daughter, he also is caught up in solving a series of bank robberies where the goal seems only to be to grab the contents of one safety deposit box at each bank.
That will be the last clear moment you will experience in this movie.
This movie has several rabbit holes, some more believable than others.
Everything in the movie hinges on the idea that there is a group of people with special powers of hypnosis. Called hypnotics, they are gathered for scientific research to determine their use to the military.
Hypnotics can cause people to commit acts completely contradictory to the way they normally are, can make them see things that do not exist, and basically bend all of reality.
Like so many times when Hollywood tries to make something bigger or more sinister than the reality, there is much common sense and common knowledge that would have to be suspended to follow the story.
In some stories, that is absolutely possible. This one demands too much suspension of fact to really be believable, workable or even sensible.
Most of the ending I liked. However, the final scene after the credits have started running is simply director Robert Rodriquez showing off that the audience does not know what it thinks it does and he has no intention of leaving anyone feeling comfortable. Too bad the final scene makes little sense and does not match with information from previous scenes.
Mary Olson is the readers’ advisory librarian at the Medina County District Library. To learn more about her, go to https:// bit.ly/3gZ1mg1
Maybe someday there will be a cult following for the group of movies that were filmed and produced during the COVID shutdown, but right now those movies are failing to help the movie theaters that need audiences.
MIRTH AND JOY by Jerry
King
Answer Key for Last Month’s Search FOR THE HOMELESS
“Give Jim a minute. His fun, online personality is still downloading.”
“
is just really passivism.”loud
“Everything that is pleasurable is neutral (to me), so I don’t understand ‘guilty pleasure.’”
“Aggression
Playing a robust game of hacky sack from St. Francis Xavier school were Bryce Ziegler, Madden Bailey, Bennett Ziegler, and Brayden Ziegler.
It was early release on the last day of school and Medina’s Uptown Park was hopping!
In fewer than 15 minutes after the school year’s final bell, the front yard of Garfield School, 234 S. Broadway Street, Medina, was deserted as students and families went on their way into summer vacation. This is one of the final last days of school for Garfield School. The Medina Board of Education passed a resolution that will close the school for the 2024-2025 school year. The school has been operating since 1912.
Monday, May 1
National Batman Day
American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m., Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road, Brunswick. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 215 High Street, Wadsworth. https:// rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Sign Language Level 1, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Medina
Community Room A, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Learn about sign language and deaf culture. Register at https://bit.ly/3B1pjtp
Tuesday, May 2
National Natural Joy Day
Knitting and Crochet Circle, 10 a.m. to noon, Brunswick Hickory Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations.
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3nHaFEH
Naturebrary, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Community Room B, Medina Library, 210 South Broadway Street, Medina. Explore, discover, and connect with indoor and outdoor activities. Register at https://bit.ly/3M3Wjrh
Stop Motion Animation Workshop, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.,
Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina.Register at https://bit.ly/42s6Ly4
Create!: Geometric Collage, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Meeting Room B, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Exploratory: Corduroy, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Wednesday, May 3
National Paranormal Day
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Weymouth Country Club, 3946 Weymouth Road, Medina. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Nugget Tasting Tournament, 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina.
Dinosaur Garden, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Create a prehistoric terrarium. Register at https://bit.ly/3B5aINQ
Thursday, May 4
National Foster Care Day
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3LIjLZP
Camp Wired, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Medina Computer Lab, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Learn how to create a restaurant menu.
One-on-one Tech Support, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit. ly/3ph4fg2
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saint Ambrose Church, 929 Pearl Road, Brunswick. https://rcblood. org/32i1sbg
Tween Thursday: Snack Mix Machine, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Buckeye Blizzard, 6 p..m to 7 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Learn about this snowstorm that swept through Ohio during Thanksgiving of 1950. Register at https://bit. ly/42gBn6i
Travel Talk, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lodi Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Share favorite travel stories. Pictures are encouraged. Register at https://bit. ly/44Et0mE
May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Through the Years, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Meeting Room A, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Friday, May 5
National Space Day
Showtime 2023: Metamorphosis, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina. Tickets are $12 at the door.
Saturday, May 6
National Beverage Day
90th Annual Series of Bird Spring Walks, 7:30 a.m., River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx, Wadsworth. May 6, 13, and 20. Watch as migrating spring birds return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 90th annual Series of Spring Bird Walks.
A Healthy Dose of Nature: Hiking Series, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Letha House West Parking Lot, 5745 Richman Road, Spencer. Vigorous 3- to 5-mile hike with naturalist, dress for weather, wear appropriate footwear, bring own water. Ages 10 and up. No registration, free.
Coffee and Canvas, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Medina Community Room A and B, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Create an original painting. $20 supply fee due to presenter at time of event. Register at https://bit.ly/44A1B5c
Showtime 2023: Metamorphosis, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina. Tickets are $12 at the door.
Sunday, May 7
National Birth Mother’s Day
A list of art shows in Medina County To have a show listed, send the information to joy@ blakehousepublishing.com at least two months in advance. There is no such thing as too early, but there is too late.
Branching Out
May 22 through June 18
Artworks by Ricky L. Williams
B. Smith Gallery
Third Floor, Medina Library
210 S. Broadway Street, Medina
The Garden of Chaos and Hope
June 1 through 12
April Richardson’s oil on canvas Brunswick Library
3649 Center Road, Brunswick
Gemini Show
June 1 through 30
Medina County Art League members’ works Lodi Library
635 Wooster Street, Lodi
Evergreen Artists 15th
Anniversary Members Exhibit
June 26 through August 27
B. Smith Gallery
Third Floor, Medina Library
210 S. Broadway Street, Medina
Open House at the John Smart House, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 206 N Elmwood Street, Medina. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for Medina County Historical Society members and seniors, and $3 for students 7-18 years old. Children under 7 years old are free with a hand holding adult. Masks are recommended.
Medina Community Band Spring Concert, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Western Reserve Masonic Community Room, 4931 Nettleton Road, Medina.
ORMACO Presents: Live At the Library: Baker’s Basement, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. The Baker’s Basement is a two-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio that creates music rooted in space, dynamics, humor, and the unpredictable nature of life as a human. Register at https://bit.ly/3B39diQ
Monday, May 8
National Archery Day
Monday Movie Matinee: “Top Gun: Maverick”, 1 p..m to 3:30 p.m., Meeting Room A and B, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Memory Cafe, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. This memory cafe is designed for care partners and those living with memory loss or mild cognitive impairment.
Makerspace Monday: Digitizing 8mm and 16mm Film, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Makerspace, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Register at https://bit.ly/42al3Uo Button Cards, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lodi Story Hour/Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Register at https://bit.ly/3M4whnZ
Button, button, who’s got the buttons?, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Community Room A and B, Medina Library, 210 S
Broadway Street, Medina. Enjoy an educational, hands-on presentation all about vintage and antique buttons.
Monday Night Intrigue: Tracers in the Dark by Andy Greenberg, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Meeting room A, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Register at https://bit. ly/3pbLHO4
Tuesday, May 9
National Lost Sock Memorial Day
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3LKDVlM
Afternoon Movie, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick.
Wednesday, May 10
National Clean Up Your Room Day
Natural Discoveries, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Bluebell Valley, 8504 Richman Road, Lodi.. An easy walk to explore and observe the unfolding of nature all year long.
Card Making, 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Make a greeting card for your mother or special woman in your life. This event is intended for students grades 6-12.
Spring Colors and Cakes, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Create a unicorn mane and enjoy rainbow cupcakes. Register at https://bit.ly/3LE5q0x
Liquid Glass Putty, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Register at https://bit.ly/3VHQymd
Thursday, May 11
National Eat What You Want Day
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3pjsB8Z
Push and Pull Stroller Walk, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Buckeye Woods Park, 6335 Wedgewood Road, Medina. Camp Wired, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Medina Computer Lab, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Create a timeline highlighting the events of a chosen decade.
One-on-one Tech Support, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit. ly/3B0xRRt
Tween Thursday: Crafts with Comics, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Wadsworth History: Stories, Landmarks, and Traditions
Class #6, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Meeting Room A, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. The topic for class #6 is interurban trolley.
Friday, May 12
International Nurses Day
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road,
Medina. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Music and Movement, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Participate in instrument playing, singing, and dancing with activities led by a board certified music therapist. Register for the 10:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/3LOEATE Register for the 11:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/3pnBT3u
Saturday, May 13
National Apple Pie Day
90th Annual Series of Bird Spring Walks, 7:30 a.m., River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx, Wadsworth. May 13 and 20. Watch as migrating spring birds return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 90th annual Series of Spring Bird Walks.
K-9 Kapers, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Letha House West Parking Lot, 5745 Richman Road, Spencer.. Hikes for humans to enjoy alongside their dogs.
Plant Faire, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3314 Meyers Road, Medina. Perennials, herbs, hanging baskets, heirloom tomatoes, garden books and gifts in time for spring planting. Event, parking and restrooms are free and accessible.
Tales and Tails, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Therapy dogs visit the children’s area to be read to.
Wonderful World of Warblers, noon to 5 p.m., Susan
A list of runs and walks that benefit area non-profit organizations.
To have your run listed, send the information to joy@ blakehousepublishing.com at least two months in advance. There is no such thing as too early, but there is too late.
Sunday, April 23 through Sunday, June 4
Healthy Kids Running Series: Medina, 3:30 p.m., Cobblestone Park, 4765 Cobblestone Drive, Medina. Each run has a variety of distances. For fees, registration and more information, go to https://bit. ly/3MM3Trm
Sunday, June 24
Sophia’s Smile 5k and 1-mile Fun Run, 7:30 a.m., Buckeye Woods Park, 6335 Wedgewood Road, Medina. For fees and registration, go to https://tinyurl. com/288tuev8
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Twin Sizzler 10k, 5k, 1-mile Run; 7:45 a.m., Public Square, Medina. For fees and registration, go to https:// tinyurl.com/yck5e3my
Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. May 13, 14, 20, and 21. Learn about the lives of warblers and enjoy crafts and other activities.
Scavenger Hunt Art Project, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville.
Sunday, May 14
National Dance Like a Chicken Day
MCDL Libraries Closed for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3;30 p.m., Hubbard Valley Park, 8600 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville. Register for the 10 a.m. slot at https:// bit.ly/3LMQRYt Register for the 2 p.m. slot at https://bit. ly/3M7U46l
Wonderful World of Warblers, noon to 5 p.m., Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. May 14, 20, and 21. Learn about the lives of warblers and enjoy crafts and other activities.
Monday, May 15
National Chocolate Chip Day
Muffins With Mom Storytime, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Enjoy toddler storytime with mom and sweet treats. Register at https://bit.ly/3LGwIDv
Music and Movement, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Participate in instrument playing, singing, and dancing with activities led by a board certified music therapist. Register for the 10:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/41fkMOO Register for the 11:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/3HPTPKI
American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m., Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road, Brunswick. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Art in the Afternoon: Door Hanger and Flowers, 4 p.m. to 5 p..m, Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Sign Language Level 1, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Medina Community Room A, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Learn about sign language and deaf culture. Register
at https://bit.ly/3p9D5HJ
Local Author Visit: Connor Beeman, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Meeting Room A, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth.
Tuesday, May 16
National Piercing Day
Knitting and Crochet Circle, 10 a.m. to noon, Brunswick Hickory Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations.
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3HPggzN
Card Making, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Create five cards. Please bring scissors and adhesive. $20 supply fee due to the presenter at the time of the event. Register at https://bit.ly/3NPoYBV
Internet Browser Basics, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Learn basic tools regarding browsing the internet. Register at https://bit.ly/42uJqvG
Steam Stations: Music, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Make a vinyl record player and create a musical masterpiece. Register at https://bit.ly/3VQekN5
Wednesday, May 17
National Cherry Cobbler Day
American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 5 p.m., Wadsworth YMCA, 623 School Drive, Wadsworth. https:// rcblood.org/32i1sbg
School’s Almost out, 2:15 p.m. to 3;30 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Play games and enjoy snacks.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Story Time Room, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Bring a stuffed animal for a storytime and to spend the night at the library. Pick up stuffed animals and pictures of their fun night the following day. Register at https://bit.ly/3BayY0I
The Bloody Corner and Beyond: Cleveland’s Prohibition Era Mob Bosses, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Learn about Cleveland’s history during the prohibition era. Register at https://bit.ly/42xjIH5
Finding Your Female Ancestors, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Community Room A, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Register at https://bit.ly/3nGQEOA
Thursday, May 18
National No Dirty Dishes Day
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/3pqm0cA
Camp Wired, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Medina Computer Lab, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Play camp wired Jeopardy.
Chicks Storytime, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Intended for ages birth to 24 months. Register at https://bit.ly/42CboWq
Parachute Party, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Buckeye
Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Play, dance, and learn using the big parachute. Register at https://bit.ly/3VKwdgi
One-on-one Tech Support, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit. ly/3LMwmva
Tween Thursday: Wings of Fire Party, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Play Wings of Fire jeopardy, make dragon eyes, and make a fire breathing dragon craft.
Comic Book Making, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Make a comic book page. Register at https://bit.ly/3nEnjEq
Alphabet Adventure: G is for Goose, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Register at https://bit.ly/3VLNeH5
Chair Yoga, 6:30 p.m. to 7;30 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina.
Friday, May 19
National Pizza Party Day
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Mark Church, 1330 N Carpenter Street, Brunswick. https:// rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Highland Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Takes place May 19 and 20.
Music and Movement, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Meeting Room
Medina County Farmer’s Markets 2023
Medina
9 a.m. to noon
Saturdays, May 6 through October 29
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 20 through October 7
Produce and consumables
Medina Public Square
Vendor registration information at https://bit.ly/3FSZQp5
Seville
9 a.m. to noon
Saturdays, starting May 27
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 24 through September 30
Produce, consumables and crafts
Central Intermediate School, 151 Main Street, Wadsworth
Vendor registration information at https://bit.ly/409S0iR
A, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Children will enjoy music, dancing, and playing musical instruments. American Red Cross Blood Drive, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Medina United Methodist Church, 4747 Foote Road, Medina. https:// rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Saturday, May 20
National Be a Millionaire Day
90th Annual Series of Bird Spring Walks, 7:30 a.m., River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx, Wadsworth. Watch as migrating spring birds return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 90th annual Series of Spring Bird Walks. Highland Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Takes place May 19 and 20.
Medina County Herb Society: Annual Herb and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Medina Community Garden and Education Center, 302 E Liberty Street, Medina. Please bring cash or checks for purchases.
Adapted Storytime, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Story Time Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Storytime in a supportive environment for children with autism and sensory integration challenges. Register at https://bit.ly/44Guahb
Frog and Toad Storytime, 10;30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Lodi Story Hour/Activity Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Learn about frogs and toads with fun stories and a craft. Register at https://bit.ly/42CBM2s
Vintage Tea, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6306 Avon Lake Road, Spencer. Come and enjoy a special luncheon and listen to stories of wedding dresses. Contact Sarah Bistline at 330-
606-6609 for tickets. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Wonderful World of Warblers, noon to 5 p.m., Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. May 20, and 21. Learn about the lives of warblers and enjoy crafts and other activities.
Sunday, May 21
National Talk Like Yoda Day
Wonderful World of Warblers, noon to 5 p.m., Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Last day. Learn about the lives of warblers and enjoy crafts and other activities.
Visit: McDowell-Phillips House Museum, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 205 S Prospect Road, Medina. Enjoy a guided tour through the museum. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for children 7-18, and free for children under 7 with a hand holding adult.
Push and Pull Stroller Walk, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Lake MedinaGranger Road, 6335 Wedgewood Road, Medina. Register at https://bit.ly/3LH3fZW
Natural discoveries Hiking Series: Dragonflies, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Hubbard Valley Park, 8600 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville. An easy walk to explore and observe the unfolding of nature all year long.
Monday, May 22
National Buy a Musical Instrument Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
Make it Monday: Summertime Hats, 1:30 p.m. to 2;30 p.m., Makerspace, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Register at https://bit.ly/3HROgLT
Sign Language Level 1, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Medina
Community Room A, Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Learn about sign language and deaf culture. Register at https://bit.ly/3pmAnyP
Sensory Friendly Story Time, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Children’s Activity Room, Wadsworth Library, 132 Broad, Wadsworth. Prepared especially for children on the autism spectrum, those with sensory integration challenges, and their families. Register at https://bit.ly/3pnuPnT
Tuesday, May 23
World Turtle Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/41gZmAL
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Chapel Wadsworth Campus, 1391 State Road, Wadsworth. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Otaku Tuesdays, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Medina 1907 Room, Medina Library, 210 South Broadway Street, Medina. A discussion of all things anime, for Grades 6 through 12. Do geekcrafts, learn about Japanese culture, cosplay welcome! Register at https://bit.ly/42bQjT0
Wednesday, May 24
National Scavenger Hunt Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Root Candles, 640 W Liberty Street, Medina. https://rcblood. org/32i1sbg
American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m., Seville United Methodist Church, 47 West Main Street, Seville. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Forest Therapy Walk, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Brunswick Lake Trail, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Meet in the Panera parking lot. Register at https://bit.ly/41m4Fiv
Thursday, May 25
National Towel Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
One-on-One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit.ly/42zA8P9
Camp Wired, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Medina Computer Lab,
A list of golf outings that benefit area non-profit organizations.
To have your golf outing listed, send the information to joy@ BlakeHousePublishing.com at least two months in advance. There is no such thing as too early, but there is too late. Contact the hosting golf course for pricing, registration and sponsorships.
Friday, June 9
18th Annual NAWIC Golf Outing 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Benefits: Women in construction
Valleaire Golf Club
Saturday, June 10
2nd Annual Wadsworth Grizzlie Golf Outing 2 p.m.
Benefits: Wadsworth Grizzlies football and cheer
Pine Valley Golf Club
Saturday, June 24
Love INC Medina Golf Outing Fundraiser
3 p.m.
Benefits: Love INC
Ridge Top Golf Course
Friday, July 14
Gene Hickerson Memorial Golf Outing
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Benefits: Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities
Bunker Hill Golf Course
Medina Library, 210 S Broadway Street, Medina. Become a weather forecaster for a day.
American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m., Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road, Brunswick. https://rcblood.org/32i1sbg
One-on-one Tech Support, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Schedule 30 minutes with a staff member to go over computer basics. Register at https://bit. ly/42CmBX0
A Brief Tour of the Universe, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Learn about the universe and galaxy.
Friday, May 26
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
Outback Ray, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon, Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Meet Outback Ray and his amazing animal friends. Space may be limited.
Summer Reading Kickoff, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Sign up for the summer reading game and complete crafts and activities. ORMACO and the Friends of the Secrest Arboretum
Present: Music at the Arboretum, 6:30 p.m., John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, 2122 Williams Road, Wooster. Enjoy music from the Neo5 Brass Quintet. Register at https://bit. ly/42ff2pK
Saturday, May 27
National Sun Screen Day
Astronaut Bootcamp Week, All day, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Enjoy space and astronaut activities all week long!
Thank
American Red Cross Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hinkley Fire Station, 1410 Ridge Road, Hinckley. https:// rcblood.org/32i1sbg
Music and Movement, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Participate in instrument playing, singing, and dancing with activities led by a board certified music therapist. Register for the 10:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/3piJXmq Register for the 11:30 a.m. session at https://bit.ly/42DVcEn
Outback Ray, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Highland Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge road, Medina. Meet Outback Ray and his amazing animal friends. Discovery Drop-In: Ponds, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Plum Creek Park South, 2500 Plum Creek Parkway, Brunswick Hills. Explore pond life in the parks.
Young Musicians Showcase, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick.
Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Letha House Lodge (West), 5800 Richmond Road, Chatham Township. Come see deep-sky objects, planets, and the moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association’s telescopes.
Sunday, May 28
National Hamburger Day
Wadsworth Library Closed for Memorial Day
Monday, May 29
National Paperclip Day
MCDL Libraries Closed for Memorial Day
Wadsworth Library Closed for Memorial Day
Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., 6407 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. All you can eat pancakes. Meals are available for dine-in and carry-out and is by donation. Donations support community programs.
Tuesday, May 30
National Mint Julep Day
Knitting and Crochet Circle, 10 a.m. to noon, Brunswick Hickory Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations.
Outback Ray, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Meet Outback Ray and his amazing animal friends.
Wednesday, May 31
National Macaroon Day
Buy a Brick for the Bell Tower, 6 a.m. to 11;30 a.m., 4613 Laurel Road, Brunswick. All profits raised will be used to help fund building completion, improvements and maintenance of the Old School Museum, the Brunswick Area Historical Society Bell Tower and the Heritage Farm and Museum.To order you brick, go to the Brunswick Area Historical Society website: https://bit.ly/42rhLwp, Print the form, mail the form with your check payable to Brunswick Area Historical Society to Carl Bilski, 4274 Marks Road, Medina, OH 44256.
Baby Chicks Storytime, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Lodi Story Hour/Activity Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Celebrate the hatching of the library chicks with stories, rhymes, and songs.
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
Dentist
Landry Family Dentistry
5076 Park Avenue West, Seville
Contact: Dr. Joseph G. Landry II
Phone: 330-769-4470
Website: LandryFamilyDentistry.com
Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills The Place 2377 Medina Road, Medina
Contact: Andrea Reedy
Phone: 330-239-4000
Website: YourPlace4.com
Insurance
Thomas Muntean Agency/ American Family Insurance
451 W. Liberty Street, Medina
Contact: Thomas Muntean
Phone: 330-721-7716
Website: Bit.ly/39kwVN7
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
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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