Northeast Ohio Boomer | March April 2023

Photo by Kim Stahnke

Head Games

STRIPPER NAMES & ORTHOPEDIC SHOES

Irecently turned 63. My dad is 89, so I consider myself late-middle age.

I rethought this optimistic characterization after coming across a magazine article that asked, “How old are you in your head? The essay, plus the fact that I had recently compared stripper names with two friends I’ve known for 45 years, got me thinking: how old am I, really?

If you don’t know your stripper name, or didn’t pursue that profession, it’s the name of your childhood pet and the street you grew up on. Mine’s Brandy Remsen.

Fluffy Leadwell, Licorice Vincent and I cracked ourselves up over our stripper names (margaritas may have been a factor), and then talk drifted to more age-appropriate matters: retirement, family, travel, sore feet. But were they more age-appropriate? Or just more appropriate?

If I’m comparing stripper names at 63, then it’s appropriate for a 63-year-old — on equal footing, so to speak, as in our discussion about which pricey sneakers are best for plantar fasciitis.

NUMBERS GAME

I don’t know how to act my age because, in my head, I’m still 30 — an immature 30, for sure — but not what I expected 63 to seem like. How can I like Cap’n Crunch cereal (with Crunch Berries, of course) when I have friends in their 70s?

Act your age. Age is just a number. You’re only as old as you feel. It’s a lot to keep straight.

Some days, I’m 15, insecure about my abilities and accomplishments. On other days, I’m a confident 40-year-old, bursting with optimism, untempered by scary illnesses and crushing losses. I don’t remember

much about being 3, but I feel like a kid when I find a fossil in a creekbed or see a shooting star.

It’s tricky when what’s in our head doesn’t match what’s outside it. Maybe I should have read that magazine article; I only saw the first paragraphs before I got blocked by the online paywall.

Here’s what I know: getting older is a privilege and a pain. I’m shocked by my wrinkles and puffy parts and how much my body looks like my mom’s body when she was old. Or was she just in her 60s?

Not long ago, I found myself improbably sharing a hot tub at my fitness center with four college guys who had an animated debate about which was more difficult: gaining weight or losing weight. (Gaining, hands down). For men, it’s tough to be 20 and skinny.

Age made me an invisible eavesdropper, giving me insight and access to their world. Their hot tub discourse was amusing but reflected both their age and limited life experience. When we get older, things get messier and heavier.

Our theme this issue is “Break Away.” Tom Batiuk on our cover broke away from stereotypes by tackling thought-provoking topics in his groundbreaking “Funky Winkerbean” and “Crankshaft” comics. Local broadcaster Ted Alexander is breaking new ground in a familiar way, finding an appreciative audience for his oldies radio program.

My advice? Getting your inside self to match your outside self is a waste of time. Both are okay; rarely will they mesh. Does a 63-year-old need a stripper name? Probably not. Do I want a stripper name? Absolutely.

In case you were wondering (or worried), I’m keeping my clothes on. For now.

Marie/Brandy

March/April 2023

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CONTRIBUTORS

Jennifer Beach, Margaret Briller, Estelle Rodis-Brown, Kathryn Kilpatrick, John Matuszak, Mike Olszewski, Tak Sato, Karen Shadrach

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PUBLISHER OF

PHOTO: MARIE ELIUM

BOOMER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Mindi Axner Executive Director National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland

Sharon Dundee Director of Marketing & Communications Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

Dr. Ardeshir Z. Hashmi Cleveland Clinic Director Center for Geriatric Medicine

Kathy M. Hirko Owner KAZ Company

Kathryn Kilpatrick President Communication Connection LLC

Kelsey Loushin President

Eldercare Professionals of Ohio

Stephanie Manning The American Heart Association, Cleveland

Steven Marsh Dr. Steve Marsh, DDS

Fatima Perkins Director of Community Outreach Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

Bob Pontius Director of External Relations Danbury Senior Living

Coming in the May/June Issue

beginning May 15

SAVOR

• Food

• Entertainment

• Getaways

Leslie Royce Resnik President

Royce Public Relations

Beth Silver Director of Public Relations and Marketing Menorah Park

Laurie G. Steiner Partner Solomon, Steiner & Peck, Ltd.

Candyce Traci Vice President All Media Design Group

Nancy Udelson Retired CEO Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter

Compiled by Marie Elium

And the Best Nest Award Goes To…

The Bath Road Herons

Hinckley’s buzzards are fine, but for our money, the most dramatic sign of spring is the great blue heron action near Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

In dozens of prehistoric-looking treetop nests, majestic herons delicately arrive with twigs and grass to fortify their nests. They’ll bring fish, frogs, snakes and other critters to feed their young later this spring. You can watch the action from a pull-off on Bath Road south of Peninsula between Akron Peninsula and Riverview roads.

PHOTO BY @MATTFOXPHOTOZ

It’s Worth What?

“ANTIQUES ROADSHOW” HEADS TO AKRON

TV About TV

CAPTAIN PENNY & FRIENDS

For kids with TVs who grew up here in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, “The Good Old Days” is a good way to describe children’s programming.

An even better description is “The Golden Age of Kids TV: Cleveland.” That’s the title of a documentary coming out this month inspired by the book, “From Captain Penny to Superhost” by Janice and Mike Olszewski (NEO Boomer’s pop culture columnist).

The documentary was written by its executive producer Dan O’Shannon, who also co-hosts it with Olszewski. It features rare footage from the golden age of Cleveland kids’ television with Uncle Jake (Gene Carroll), Barnaby (Linn Sheldon), Woodrow the Woodsman (Clay Conroy), Superhost (Marty Sullivan), Franz the Toymaker (Ray Stawiarski), Captain Penny (Ron Penfound) and Romper Room (“Miss Barbara” Plummer).

It also has interviews with Sheldon, Plummer, Sullivan, Uncle Jake’s co-host Candy Lee, Ron Penfound’s kids Tracy and Matt, and the team behind Woodrow’s show, Connie and Dave Little and Tom Grove. Included is recently discovered footage of Sheldon’s Uncle Leslie.

As a bonus, viewers will see the hosts walking into digitally recreated show sets specially created for the documentary. The show airs on WKYC-TV. Watch local TV listings for dates and times.

By the time you read this, you either already have tickets to the upcoming taping of “Antiques Roadshow” at Stan Hywet or you’ll wish you did.

The popular PBS show that separates trash from treasure — and puts a value on it — will get three shows’ worth of appraisals out of their day-long taping on June 6. The deadline to get tickets has passed, but

you’ll be able to see what others brought when the shows air next year.

Other stops this spring and summer are the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, LA., the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts and the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

Co-hosts Mike Olszewski and Dan O'Shannon on a Captain Penny set.

Bookshelf

TAKE A SPRING BREAK WITH THESE PICKS

What are you reading? If the answer is “nothing,” this column is for you. Cailey Hutchins and Meghan Starling from Mentor Public Library share six of their favorite recent reads. In addition to both being librarians, they host a biweekly video vlog called All Booked Up with Cailey & Meg where they share their top page-turners. You can view their videos at youtube.com/mentorpubliclib.

White Cat, Black Dog: Stories by Kelly Link (March 28)

Feel like you don't have the time or energy to read a lengthy tome? A book of short stories is an underrated option for reading pleasure, and this collection of seven modern fairy tale retellings is sure to delight, with a charming blend of realism and wonder. Stories about canceled air flights and exhausted housesitters somehow become tales of otherworldly portals and fantastical goose chases. I have a feeling that reading this collection as an adult will recapture a tiny thread of the magic of experiencing an enthralling story as a child.

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren (May 16)

One of my favorite author duos (Christina Lauren is actually the pen name of two authors), I am excited to see a new release this spring. Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a romance author who has not found love herself. She is approached by producer Connor to star in a new dating show, which she agrees to, only after making sure this concept is really specific to her; Fizzy’s dates for the show have to fit into romance book categories. Connor, a single dad, is reluctantly running this show and butts heads with Fizzy at first, but quickly falls under her spell himself. A great read for those who like dating shows, romantic comedies, and a whole lot of heart.

Marmee

by Sarah Miller (Oct. 2022)

If you are anything like me, you have a reverence for the classic “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Marmee, the loving mother of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, is the protagonist of this tale. Following the same timeline as “Little Women,” we begin with Marmee’s diary in 1862 as the war rages on and supplies are becoming scarce, even in Massachusetts. As she struggles to parent her willful children alone, Marmee also contends with many of the struggles of the times, such as women’s rights, the abolitionist movement, poor healthcare and more. This book tells this familiar tale from a perspective that will give you a new respect for the original.

Someone Else’s Shoes

by Jojo Moyes (Feb. 7)

This latest from the author of “Me Before You” is sure to strike a chord in every reader. Nisha is outrageously wealthy until her husband cuts her off in the divorce. Sam is struggling after her husband lost his job and she is working herself to death to make up for it. These two women couldn’t be more different, but when their bags get swapped at the gym, they have an opportunity to walk in one another’s shoes, literally. What they learn from this will change their lives forever. If you’ve read Jojo Moyes before, you know to be prepared with tissues.

We Should Not Be Friends

by Will Schwalbe (Feb.

21

non-fiction)

Will Schwalbe met Chris Maxey at Yale. Maxey is the opposite of Will in nearly every way: Maxey is a star wrestler; Schwalbe is a small, nerdy type. Where Maxey is loud, Schwalbe is quiet. Schwalbe is great at school, but Maxey struggles. They are very different people whose paths may not have crossed had they not both been recruited to Yale’s secret society club. This unlikely friendship has lasted, allowing both men to grow from this relationship. Sharing humorous tales of the ups and downs of their lives, Schwalbe invites the reader to see themselves in this unlikely friendship and recognize how their own friendships ebb and flow. Schwalbe has made a name for himself in thoughtful memoirs with “The End of Your Life Book Club” and “Books for Living.” This new title showcasing lifelong friendships is likely to be relatable to all.

Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman

This title, released in 2020, is the first of a series that is expecting its fourth book in 2023. Readers are flocking to these books which are funny, heartfelt and filled with surprises and mysteries. The series takes place in a retirement community in England with four unlikely friends who have a slight obsession with true crime, specifically researching local unsolved crimes.

Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim find ways to use their skills from their ‘previous lives’ as a nurse, spy, union leader and psychologist to crack the cases even the local police have not yet solved. The series is simply a delight and you’ll want to go along with these septuagenarians on their latest escapades. Also, this title is being adapted for the screen.

If your NEO Boomer magazine experience is limited to our print edition, then you’re missing out on great content from our talented bloggers. Not only can you read our digital edition and listen to our podcast (Next Half, Best Half) on our website northeastohioboomer.com, but you can also see interesting posts from our bloggers. From pet care to caregiving, our bloggers cover an impressive range of topics of special interest to people 50 and older.

Here’s a rundown of who’s blogging and what they’re blogging about:

• Aging (Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. - Aging and Life Enhancement)

• Brain Health (Dr. Krystal Culler – engAGE Your Brain)

• Career Planning (Patrick O’Connor – Turning What You Love into What You Do)

• Caregiving (Jennifer Beach – Caregiver Corner)

• Fighting Fraud (Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Greater Cleveland)

• Fitness (Diane Jenks – outSPOKEn Cyclist) and (Michael Ungar – Kosher Fitness)

• Gardening (Donna Hessel – Gardening Sweet Spots)

• Grandparenting (Karen Shadrach – Grammy on the Go)

• Pet Care (Dr. Anna van Heeckeren – Aging with Pets)

• Retirement Benefits (Brandon P. Smith – Social Security & You)

Find answers to your questions, inspiration to motivate you, resources to support you, tips to inform you… and so much more.

northeastohioboomer.com/category/blogs

MORE MOVIES & MORE WAYS TO SEE THEM

If you need to get away but you don’t want to go too far, nothing beats a dark theater and a movie.

You’ll find both at the 47th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) that runs from March 22-April 1.

When CIFF47 kicks off its in-person, 11-day run at Playhouse Square later this month film fans can choose from 300 + movies that will provoke, entertain and challenge viewers. If you can’t make it in person, films will be streamed April 2-9. For ticket details and a full schedule go to clevelandfilm.org.

Saving Faces

AND MEMORIES, TOO

By Tak Sato

One of my earliest childhood memories is waking up to the smell of vinegar and sulfur and looking up at photos hanging from a crisscross web of clotheslines over my head.

I grew up in Japan, where space comes at a premium; our living room was converted into our sleeping quarters each night. My dad was a photographer and developed photos there after my brother and I went to sleep.

Those vinegary smells made me curious, enough that I’d stay awake at the risk of being yelled at. Instead of scolding me because it was past my bedtime, Dad showed me how he developed and printed photographs. The chemicals smelled like vinegar; he dried his wet prints on the clothesline. I was hooked and soon replaced my mom as dad’s weekend darkroom assistant. Photography became my lifelong hobby.

BETTER THAN A SHOEBOX

As Boomers or members of Generation X, we’ve seen photography change from film to digital in a few decades.

In the early digital photo era, taking pictures with a single-purpose device like a digital camera required either transferring our pictures to personal computers for safekeeping or printing at home or taking our photo discs or cards to a store for printing. With the advent of smartphones, we’re able to take photos and videos and store them on our phones or in the cloud.

SCANNING PHOTOS Free & Easy

In the analog era, we stored family photos in wallets, albums and shoeboxes. Today we send them through text, email and social media platforms directly from our smartphones.

I share digital photos/ videos in the above manner but I also print digital photos — enlarging and framing favorites. I occasionally make photo books online, getting them printed, bound and delivered. They make perfect coffee table books, keep favorite family memories close by and are easy to share with guests. I still go to the trouble

of preserving my Kodak Moments that way because looking for a picture can be a frustrating needle-inthe-haystack expedition, especially if you’re not in the habit of curating your digital photos and videos.

If you want to preserve or digitize old photos or family videos on VHS tapes (remember those?), your local library can often help. I browsed Westlake Porter Public Library’s website, my favorite neighborhood library, and saw that patrons can reserve a station equipped with digitizing equipment. With a little work, you can make DVDs from old VHS tapes or digitize 8mm or Super 8 films and save them to a secure digital (SD) card.

For the last several visits home to Japan, I’ve scanned print photos when I couldn’t find the original negatives or digital files. Here’s a tip for digitizing print pictures using a smartphone: use the free PhotoScan app from Google. You can find it in the Play Store (Android smartphones and tablets) and the App Store (iPhones and iPads). The results from the PhotoScan app are better than taking a picture off the print because you don’t get the glare from the flash on your smartphone.

Tak Sato is a founder of the Cleveland-area nonprofit Center for Aging in the Digital World (empowerseniors.org) which teaches digital literacy to people 60+ through the free Discover Digital Literacy program.

A vintage photograph of little Tak in action, absolutely worth preserving.

Northeast Ohio

Grand

FUN WITH THE GRANDKIDS

Family Ceramics Explore using the potter’s wheel with your loved ones. 6:30-7:45 p.m. 3/21-5/16. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org

SUNDAYS

Family FUNday. Family-friendly games, movement-based activities, art and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org

Mentor Marsh Family Hike. Come, explore the forest. 2-3:30 p.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Carol H. Sweet Nature Center, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, cmnh.org

ONGOING

Shark Gallery & Sea Tube. Features three species of sharks, stingrays, eels and many other species of fish. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com. FREE$19.95

Science Phenomena Explore electricity and magnetism; light and optics; motion and mechanics; sound and resonance and more. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com. $14.9519.95

3/25-26, 3/30-31 & 4/1-12

Cinderella. Cinderella Ballet dance student performances will take place in the Music and Creative Arts Therapies Building. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org

3/25-26, 4/1-2 & 4/8

Egg-stra Wild Egg Hunt. The zoo is hosting a wild egg hunt, perfect for the kiddos. 9:30-11 a.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org

4/22

Family Fishing Derby. Fish together with your family, hook some memories, and win prizes. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Buffalo Creek Retreat, Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com. FREE

4/26-5/13

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. The Big Bad Wolf is having his day in court v. those three innocent little pigs. Or are they? You be the jury. You decide. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, magicaltheatre.org. $18-20

More Than S’Mores Grand

By Karen Shadrach

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN SHADRACH

As spring makes its way to Northeast Ohio in blustery fits, it’s a good reminder that it’s time to think about summer camp for grandchildren. While parents are the primary planners (and payers) for camp, grandparents increasingly participate in finding a camp match, transportation and, yes, covering the cost.

Northeast Ohio has plenty of camp options, and spots fill quickly. (You’ll find listings from our sister publication, Northeast Ohio Parent, at northeastohioparent.com). Here are a few things to consider when choosing a camp:

AGE. Camps generally group children into specific age ranges. If the range is 4-8 and your grandchild is a young 4-year-old, you may be ready to be included in that group.

INTERESTS. What does your grandchild love to do? Is it sports or a hobby? Or do they want to learn a skill or try out a sport they don’t have the time to fit into their academic schedules?

TIME. Camp sessions can last a half day or a full day. Some run only a few days a week, a full week, or a month or two. Is a full-day camp required for child care while parents are at work, or would half day be adequate? If you have an older grandchild, would a sleepover camp for an extended amount of time be more appropriate?

DISTANCE. Where is this camp located? If it’s far from your home, you may not want to drive back and forth four times a day for a half-day camp.

If you’re new to the summer camp scene, here are a few examples.

ANIMALS. The Cleveland Metroparks and the Akron Zoo camps connect kids with wildlife and teach responsibility for conserving the natural world.

COMMUNITY CAMPS. This affordable option can offer your grandchildren games, swimming lessons and crafts with their school friends. Look for camps in your own

or your grandchild’s community for sign-up times and costs.

SCOUT CAMPS. This is a great option if you have a scout in your family. Campers work on badge completions, hike, and learn fishing, archery, campfire cooking and other skills. Camps run from a few days to a few weeks.

SPORTS CAMPS. If there’s a sport, there’s a camp for that sport. Children can continue their love of a sport and new skills. These are good camps to meet and bond with new friends through teams and sportsmanship. An example is the All-Star Soccer Camp, held at the Caps Fieldhouse. It is a competitive and fun environment to enhance soccer skills, discipline and self-confidence.

PRINCESS AND DANCE CAMPS. These are so much fun for your little dancer. Most dance schools and clubs provide one to two weeks of a camp for children to try out different dance techniques or to continue with the one they love. Most also include a theme, and children love to dress up and wear costumes to camp.

BIBLE SCHOOL. Usually held for a half day or in the evening, kids can meet and play with friends, do crafts and develop their spiritual growth. Check local churches for dates.

ACADEMIC CAMPS. These help children improve math, reading and other skills or offer classes not available during the school year. Examples include Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village, Great Lakes Science Center’s Camp Curiosity and local communities that host STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) camps that explore nature, robotics, computer programming, and other hands-on programs.

A summer camp is a great experience for a grandchild to meet new friends, participate in new adventures and gain independence away from home.

Karen Shadrach is a Northeast Ohio on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins. Read her grandparenting blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

BORN TO BROADCAST

TED ALEXANDER MAKES OLDIES COOL AGAIN

By John Matuszak

Ted Alexander grew up with Cleveland radio.

“Before I could walk, I was interested in that big machine Mom and Dad had,” Alexander recalls.

He pushed the tortoise shell buttons on his beige knit sweater as if they were the knobs on the radio. He spun the beads on his playpen like he was tuning in a station and used his rattle as a microphone. He sang along with Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole.

“I was being on the radio. And I’ve never lost the interest of being on the radio,” he says.

Alexander went on to become a broadcast legend at an alphabet soup of Cleveland stations – 3WE, WIXY 1260, WGAR, WHK and others.

Now 75, he’s still playing the hits at Gold 93.7 WQGR out of Mentor, as program director and host of the popular daily 10,000 Oldies show at noon. “I was being on the radio. And I’ve never lost the interest of being on the radio,” he says.

Alexander went on to become a broadcast legend at an alphabet soup of Cleveland stations – 3WE, WIXY 1260, WGAR, WHK and others. Now 75, he’s still playing the hits at Gold 93.7 WQGR out of Mentor, as program director and host of the popular daily 10,000 Oldies show at noon.

Nostalgic, Not Old

The station’s playlist extends from the ‘50s through the early ‘80s, with everything from Sinatra to Springsteen, Elvis to Elton John, Bob Dylan to The Doobie Brothers.

Drawing from a huge catalog, Alexander rarely has to repeat a song, unlike other classic rock stations that have a tight rotation.

He even throws in local hits and other nuggets from the rock-and-roll era (When was the last time you heard “Troglodytes” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch on the radio?).

“I don’t call it an oldies station; that’s why I call it gold. It’s a nostalgia station” for people 50 and over, Alexander says.

The station, one of the first FM outlets to broadcast from Lake County, includes high school sports, public service announcements for the area library, and other information of local interest.

That’s what distinguishes 93.7 from streaming and online music services.

“They are just a jukebox; we’re a radio station,” Alexander says.

A lot has changed in broadcasting

since Alexander was a teenager at St. Joseph High School, hanging around Cleveland stations, trying to get his foot in the door.

One thing that has remained constant is Alexander’s dedication to his profession and his audience, putting together the best show possible.

The Mentor station is one of six operated by MediaOne Group, with the others in Ashtabula.

Only five people work for the six stations, and everything is done via computer, Alexander says.

He prepares his own show from his home in Parma. A computer program chooses the songs for each day’s broadcast, and then Alexander adds his own touches.

“The computer gives me the ingredients,” Alexander says, and then he tweaks them to give his broadcasts a smooth flow, avoiding what he calls “musical traffic crashes” of songs that don’t fit together.

The formula appears to work. In local

newspaper surveys, 93.7 has been listed as one of the most popular stations in Lake County.

Listeners outside of the range of the station can tune in online, with a website that includes information about the artists and songs. The station has fans as far away as New Zealand.

With all the new technology, Alexander still strives to give his audience the quality broadcast he learned from the masters.

Tuning In

Having been bitten early by the radio bug, Alexander’s interest continued, including ham radio. By 18, he had his first-class radio operator’s license.

Alexander visited stations and remote broadcast sites, where he met Casey Kasem, working for WJW before his “American Top 40” days.

Alexander knocked on enough doors until one of them opened.

His early stints put him in the company of many of the greats of the industry, such as Bill Randle, “The Pied Piper of Cleveland.”

“He was incredibly informative. What a genius that man was,” Alexander says.

Other colleagues and mentors included Phil McLean at WERE and Johnny Holliday at WHK, who also was an announcer at Browns’ games.

Then there was Mad Daddy, “like a Ghoulardi show on the radio,” and Big Wilson. “They made the music sing,” Alexander says. “There was always something to listen to between the songs.”

Alexander’s work put him in touch with international celebrities. He tried to interview members of The Who at Music Carnival, but they were more interested in gathering groupies than jabbering with journalists, he says.

Alexander met Tony

Bennett, Bobby Vinton and Gordon Lightfoot.

“I got a hug from Charro,” he said. His brushes with celebrity weren’t limited to the music world. While doing a talk show on 1260, he interviewed an up-and-coming young author with a new book titled “The Dead Zone.” He says Stephen King was “a fascinating person.”

Don’t Touch That Dial

As musical trends changed, Alexander’s on-air versatility and engineering acumen kept him employed. He spent 32 years as a voice-over announcer on WUAB TV, working with Linn “Barnaby” Sheldon and Marty Sullivan, also known as Superhost.

With his talents, he could have moved to New York or Los Angeles, as many of his colleagues did. But he stuck with his hometown.

“I like Cleveland. I never had the desire to go to a bigger market,” Alexander says. “How many times can the number-one radio personality in Cleveland also be the chief engineer of a 50,000-watt clear-channel radio station? I did that.”

He took the gig at 93.7, which switched to its oldies format in 2018

when he was assured, “It’s completely your creation.”

Alexander acknowledges that the prospects for small, local stations are “pretty slim” right now. But he’s confident the medium he has devoted himself to for decades will never completely fade away.

“Nothing will ever replace local radio,” he says.” Local radio with local personalities talking about local events to local people, I think will always be around.”

John Matuszak is a Northeast Ohio writer.

IN THE SHADOWS

THE ELDER ABUSE EPIDEMIC

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

Older adult maltreatment — elder abuse — holds its grip on society’s vulnerable adults with an uncomfortable frequency, hiding behind trusted relationships, isolation and illness.

This story is the first of a three-part series on elder abuse. We’ll define the issue with facts and numbers, introduce you to people who have overcome their abuse and faced their abusers, and, finally, offer an action plan for victims and families.

— Marie Elium, editor

Reality check: One of the most pervasive, traumatizing problems affecting older adults may not even be on your radar.

Elder abuse —also known as older adult maltreatment — is a problem of epidemic proportions, yet is dramatically under-reported. For every reported case, 24 go unreported. Victims often trust and respect the very people responsible for their abuse.

So, how do we gain a handle on this insidious situation? To start, we need to identify the components of elder abuse, local statistics, and how older adults become victims of maltreatment. Then we can recognize it, report it, and become part of the solution.

Elder abuse impacts at least one in 10 adults nationwide over the age of 60. Two-thirds are women. That’s according to a study of 5,777 people who responded to a questionnaire on the subject. Ten percent said a family member abused them within the past year through financial abuse, potential neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse — in the order of prevalence.

Abuse among people with advanced stages of dementia or cognitive impairment is as high as 50 percent, says Courtney Reynolds, Senior Research Analyst at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. “Even worse is the recognition that, as high as this rate of abuse seems to be, it is under-reported.”

ELDER ABUSE, DEFINED

Reynolds says, “Generally speaking, elder mistreatment (or elder abuse) is the harm of an older adult: emotional/psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse/exploitation and neglect. Each of these types of abuse is inflicted upon an older adult by a trusted individual in their life.”

Local elder abuse statistics can be found on Ohio’s Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) website. Reynolds says, “Please keep in mind that this is reported elder abuse, not necessarily all elder abuse. In 2013, Adult Protective Services in Ohio received 13,151 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation for people aged 60 and over. By 2020, that number had almost tripled.”

If 10 percent of Ohio’s more than 2 million older adults experience abuse, then 200,000 people should have filed reports, well above the 32,072 who did.

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS?

ODJFS reports that nearly 90 percent of elder abuse occurs at home. As Ohio ages, this issue is

A THORNY ISSUE

Self-Neglect

Self-neglect is its own phenomenon. Although some experts do not consider self-neglect to be a form of elder maltreatment/abuse (but a related issue), it is the most common type of abuse reported to Adult Protective Services agencies nationally.

Self-neglect is when someone fails to care for themselves, either intentionally or unintentionally. It becomes an issue when the person’s health and safety are impacted or when community health and safety are affected.

Self-neglect is ongoing, not a one-time event. Common examples are when a person doesn’t take their medications consistently or stops bathing.

“Even when it is identified, an individual may refuse help from family and loved ones. This can be very challenging for people who care and want to intervene to help the situation. However, in our society, we value the right of self-determination. This means a person has the right to make decisions — even bad ones — as long as they don’t legally impact someone else,” Reynolds explains.

The only way this changes is if a judge takes those rights away. “As you can imagine, there are various degrees of severity of self-neglect, making this a complicated issue for families, practitioners and policymakers,” she says.

Reynolds and other researchers at Cleveland’s Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, a nonprofit organization that supports older adults and caregivers, are taking the lead locally on the subject; they’ve studied self-neglect for more than a decade.

The team led by Dr. Farida Ejaz has received two grants from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), to study interventions to prevent self-neglect among at-risk adult primary care patients in Texas and people reported to Adult Protective Services for self-neglect in Oklahoma.

They are creating profiles of people who self-neglect, analyzing the data to help better understand the problem.

expected to worsen. By 2030, more than 25 percent of Ohio’s population will be 60 and older.

Abusers are usually family members. According to national Adult Protective Services data from 31 states, only 23 percent of perpetrators had no familial relationship to the older adult they abused. “This tells us that the vast majority of people abusing older adults are known individuals who are also related in some way,” Reynolds points out.

“Although this may seem counterintuitive at first — Why would you abuse your own family? — it also makes sense. Our family members are the ones who have the most access to us, have the most complex relationships with us, and are most likely to be dependent on us financially, emotionally or physically in a way that can lead to conflict.”

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Every state has laws to prevent elder abuse (any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious

risk of harm to a vulnerable adult).

Ohio recognizes seven forms of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, self-neglect, neglect by others, abandonment and exploitation. Those found guilty of elder abuse can be charged with misdemeanors and felonies punishable by prison time, depending on the severity of the crime; convicted financial abusers must pay full restitution. Reynolds is part of a team developing and testing interventions for elder abuse and self-neglect, and is developing training for Ohio’s mandated reporters, including caregivers, physicians and attorneys. While it’s difficult to acknowledge elder abuse, pretending it doesn’t exist only allows the problem to perpetuate. We must face it in order to stop its spread.

Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer from Portage County who serves as Boomer’s digital and associate editor.

When a Friend is Seriously Ill or Dying SAY

THIS, NOT THAT

By Jennifer Beach

Peter is 62 and was recently diagnosed with aggressive cancer. His prognosis is poor and his illness has progressed quickly. He’s been in and out of the hospital battling infections and complications from both his treatments and cancer.

Friends and relatives have called Peter to get updates on his health and to offer support. His friend Dave called when Peter was in the hospital, undergoing treatment for his latest infection. Dave told him his mother had a similar infection and, “Thankfully died quickly so her disease didn’t have to take her.”

AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS

Dave had good intentions when he shared the story about his mom, but when a person is in the middle of a difficult illness, they do not need to listen to others’ problems or situations. Dave’s call didn’t provide the support he intended to give.

It’s challenging and uncomfortable to navigate conversations with someone close to you who has a chronic or terminal illness. You want to wish them well because you sincerely hope that they get better; you care about them.

“Hope you feel better” is a message that works well when someone is temporarily sick or injured and expects to completely recover in weeks, months or years. But for those who are not in that situation, that message can do more harm than good.

SIMILAR STATEMENTS TO AVOID INCLUDE:

• You’re too young for this

• Just push through it

• Think positive

• But you don’t look sick

• Everything happens for a reason

• What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

• You just have to think or be more positive

• You’re going to be fine

• You’ll get over it or get used to it

• Positive vibes only

• Everything works out in the end

• Don’t worry, be happy

• It could be worse

• It is what it is

• How do you feel?

Conversations with someone who has a chronic or terminal illness can be difficult, and sometimes we don’t know what to say.

THESE TIPS CAN HELP:

• Only someone living with a chronic or terminal illness knows what it feels like. For them and their loved ones, the emotions can feel a lot like grief, says Kevin Stowe, a bereavement manager for hospice provider VITAS Healthcare. “Some people might react with peace, calm, acceptance, resignation or determination to make the most of the time that remains,” Stowe says.

“Some will question their religion, while others will turn to their spirituality to cope. Some will turn inward to protect themselves; others will turn outward to manage their affairs, find closure, pursue their bucket-list wishes and say necessary goodbyes.”

• No matter how someone chooses to process a chronic or terminal illness, your loved one needs you now, more than ever.

• Listen before you speak. Let them speak without giving direction or advice and without pulling them out of their grief/pain. Be present with them as long as they need you.

• Don’t offer advice. You can empathize and be there for them. But you can’t assume what's best for them.

• Give them the space to verbalize their needs. It’s okay to admit that this is also new and scary territory for you.

• Ask how you can be the person they want and need you to be at this time. All you can give is support. Tell them that, even though you don’t know what the next weeks or months hold, you'll be there for them.

• Manage your feelings. You’ve probably heard that you can’t help others until you help yourself — and that couldn’t be truer than in this situation. Talking with and supporting a loved one with a chronic or terminal illness is not comfortable. There are no perfect or magic words or even one right way to respond, but we can be aware of what we are saying and more importantly, how we are listening.

Jennifer Beach is an Advanced Aging Life Care Professional. She established Advocate for Elders (advocate4elders. com) in Rocky River and has 25 years of experience working with and advocating for older adults and their families.

Funky Winkerbean & Crankshaft Creator

Tom Batiuk

REAL LIFE ON THE FUNNY PAGES

By Marie Elium • Photo by Kim Stahnke

In his rural Medina County studio, comic strip creator Tom Batiuk is surrounded by the touchstones of a long and successful career propelled by characters whose lives have been much like our own, and, in some ways, his.

Batiuk, 76, gave “Funky Winkerbean” then later “Crankshaft” and their wide supporting casts permission to be themselves, not a comic page version, but one closer to real life. He’s steered them through teen angst, job loss, PTSD, cancer, drunk driving, death and other tough topics. To know his characters is to know ourselves.

Batiuk’s most poignant storyline involved Lisa, whom he introduced as a fictional Westview High School student in “Funky Winkerbean” when the strip debuted five decades ago. Readers followed her through early adulthood then her breast cancer diagnosis and its aftermath. Her death was a groundbreaking and crushing conclusion for a comic

strip character. “Lisa’s Story” garnered Batiuk a Pulitzer nomination.

Batiuk has more time these days for reflection, or at least some time, since he’s no longer producing two daily comic strips. He maintained a grueling schedule with his long-time collaborator/artist Chuck Ayers for “Funky Winkerbean,” which he continues with “Crankshaft,” now drawn by Dan Davis. He retired “Funky Winkerbean” at the close of 2023, following Ayers’ wish to retire.

Batiuk’s storylines have played out in newspapers, books and online. His characters endured divorce, job loss and other bleak topics in message-driven ways that were inspiring, not preachy. Yet they’ve also had silly and wry storylines; a recent strip featured Ed Crankshaft using his flamethrower at an ice sculpture festival, with an amusingly disastrous conclusion.

A CAST OF CHARACTERS

If you’re not a fan of the funny pages or have only a passing knowledge of “Funky Winkerbean” and “Crankshaft,” consider their origin story.

Batiuk was born in Akron, grew up near Elyria and graduated from Kent State University. He taught middle school art for a few years and created a comic strip for the Elyria Chronicle Telegram newspaper. “Funky Winkerbean” grew from that initial strip and found a home in syndication where it eventually ran in hundreds of newspapers.

What started as a humorous yet typical comic strip in a high school setting with Funky at its center transitioned over the years to a broader and more story-oriented progression. Batiuk navigated numerous characters through life changes as they aged.

Ed Crankshaft, a grouchy school bus driver from “Funky Winkerbean,” spun off into his own comic strip in 1987 and was originally illustrated by Ayers. In “Crankshaft,” Batiuk has also guided his characters through situations familiar to aging adults. With frequent flashbacks, Crankshaft's coworkers, friends, neighbors and students provide depth to the strip, while dealing with Alzheimer’s, family relationships and current events.

With the decline of newspapers, once the primary source of readership for cartoonists, fans without a newspaper subscription can still see “Crankshaft” daily, online. On websites like GoComics, readers weigh in on the day’s offerings like old friends talking about people they know. Other content is on his website, tombatiuk.com.

Unlike some of his characters, Batiuk is in the enviable position of doing exactly what he has always wanted to do, an interest since childhood. He saw a copy of “The Flash” at the Rexall Drug Store in

Akron and “It rearranged my molecules,” he says. With a body of work that encompasses thousands of panels, his work and topics have aged as gracefully and as complexly as he has. For example, vintage “Funky Winkerbean” featured a school hall monitor with a machine gun on his desk — an uncomfortable image in this age of school shootings.

“Obviously, your experience changes things,” Batiuk comments. “I’m not the same person I was at 25. If you haven’t changed, it’s kind of unfortunate because you haven’t grown. That was the beauty of ‘Funky Winkerbean’… as (he) grew up, I grew up with him.”

Now “Crankshaft” hits closer to home.

“With ‘Crankshaft,’ the malapropisms just seem to fall out of my head. I’m writing more about colonoscopies and skin screenings. I feel I do have an obligation to report on what’s happening with me, and it probably comes through, but it’s not my goal,” Batiuk says.

With Davis drawing his cartoons, Batiuk can spend more time writing and developing stories for “Crankshaft,” working about six months ahead of schedule. He misses “Funky” but plans to work its characters into “Crankshaft.”

Batiuk is also compiling “The Complete Funky Winkerbean” into books through The Kent State University Press, each volume covering three years of comics. He’s just wrapped up volume 13, with plans for one book each year.

As Batiuk’s professional life takes on a new pace, he’s working out the next stage for Ed Crankshaft. “I would like to deal with him retiring from school bus driving; it does really help if you can draw from personal experience. My experiences are going to be more his experiences.”

Marie Elium is editor of Northeast Ohio Boomer magazine.

SCORE Cleveland

Their Business is Your Business

By Marie Elium

Dee Montgomery dreamed of getting clothes, car seats, diapers and toys into the hands of struggling families with young children. Her challenge? Finding the best way to do it.

Montgomery, of Warrensville Heights, turned to SCORE Cleveland, an association of mentors and their mentees, current and retired business people, new and hopeto-be business owners, nonprofit founders and others. Counselor, mentor, cheerleader and handholder — SCORE links people in the know with those who want to know.

Montgomery eventually established Angels Boutique to collect and give supplies to families. Now 53, she did it because she didn’t have the help she needed

when she was a single mother.

“I told myself, if I would get into a position where I could be of help to others, I’d do it,” Montgomery says. SCORE gave her the know-how to establish her nonprofit and market it. Angels Boutique has helped 30-40 families so far.

Montgomery’s experience is mirrored nearly daily at SCORE Cleveland, which serves Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga, Ashtabula, Huron and Erie counties. Last year, the Virginia-based SCORE Association named it the National Chapter of the Year.

FREE HELP

SCORE Cleveland bolsters people like Montgomery, community developers and others (mentees) by providing trained mentors who have the desire

and know-how to help others. Many are retired from their own businesses and careers.

The chapter offers marketing, accounting, grant writing, business planning, experts and services that are the foundation of small businesses, startups and nonprofits. Its one-on-one mentoring — sometimes brainstorming — sessions can be just the boost that propels a dream like Montgomery’s to reality.

SCORE Cleveland also has partnered with Metro West Community Development Organization to spur revitalization in the Stockyard, Clark-Fulton and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods. Earlier this year, it agreed to collaborate with Slavic Village Development to bolster small

businesses and nonprofits. SCORE’s network continues to find opportunities to extend into Northeast Ohio’s neighborhoods to support community leaders, says SCORE Cleveland co-chair and mentor Robert Cohen.

“We work with a lot of underserved communities. If you’ve got an idea for a business, we’ll talk,” Cohen says.

The Rev. Patricia DeLeon is an associate pastor at St. James AME Church in Cleveland and a business consultant who owns Consulting

Ministries of Greater Cleveland. She began volunteering with SCORE in 2021; it’s a calling she couldn’t resist.

“Seeing the light in people’s eyes when they see they can do their thing is incredible,” DeLeon says. “I try to break it down into small bites. I share with them not only (SCORE’s) resources and tools but also work with them with a checklist; that way, it becomes more doable. That’s what I do with me, and the next thing they know, they’re up and running.”

That checklist could include questions about starting a daycare, operating a food truck business or shipping items economically — topics covered on the SCORE Cleveland website. Individual mentoring is free, as are most workshops and webinars.

SCORE can be a catalyst for retirees in two ways: those who want to help others and those launching encore careers. In 2021, the chapter helped 227 businesses get off the ground, creating 919 jobs.

More than 90 volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds work with

clients. After undergoing SCORE training, they typically pledge 20-25 volunteer hours a month, says Michael Lawson, a certified small business mentor.

DeLeon has advice for those thinking about volunteering or starting a business or nonprofit: give SCORE Cleveland a chance and dive in.

“A lot of people are doubtful because they don't have the skill sets. Yes, you can. Go ahead and do it.”

Learn More:

• Contact Dee Montgomery about Angels Boutique at angelsboutiquecorp@yahoo.com

• SCORE Cleveland: score.org/ cleveland

Marie Elium is editor of Northeast Ohio Boomer Magazine. As a kid, she charged people 50 cents to look at water snakes in a ditch near her house, a successful but short-lived business venture.

The Rev. Patricia DeLeon is a mentor.

Been Away From Work Awhile?

Maybe It’s Time for a Returnship

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

There’s a new way to gain professional experience later in life.

Sometime between college and full-time employment, you probably had an internship to gain work experience. You may have even sampled an externship later in your career, shadowing an industry professional.

But if you’ve stepped away from the workaday world due to illness, caretaking or early retirement, how do you re-enter the workforce with a gaping hole in your résumé? Job seekers with career gaps are 45% less likely to get interviews than those with continuous work experience, studies have shown.

With those odds, it’s prime time for a returnship.

Another name for a returnto-work or workforce re-entry program, a returnship is a paid internship-like program for experienced workers re-entering the workforce after an extended period away, particularly when transitioning into a new line of work. In addition to giving workers a chance to break into high-paying, high-growth fields, returnships benefit companies struggling to find qualified candidates for skilled positions. Those aged 50 and older are an otherwise overlooked talent pool of highly educated, experienced, dependable, motivated workers.

Returnships were originally created because hiring people returning to work after multi-year

career breaks were considered risky business, according to career re-entry pioneer iRelaunch. A returnship lets companies evaluate returning workers based on their performance, not just interviews, with the permanent hiring decision being made only after the returnship period is over. The model works; 80% of returning professionals who complete returnship programs get hired.

IS A RETURNSHIP RIGHT FOR YOU?

Whether you are currently unemployed or under-employed, returnships provide a pathway to full re-employment, along with the opportunity to change careers. If you previously held positions in fields that are now in decline, you may use

a returnship to transition to another field with a better outlook.

Returnships offer mentorship support along with training and skills development. Returners can be of any age or gender and come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including the military. Some programs require basic skills, but many are open to workers who simply demonstrate a passion for the job. Returnships can last a few months to several years, usually concluding with a full-time job offer.

Corporate partners of returnship talent seeker reacHIRE typically look for candidates with:

• A track record of professional success

• Strong academic credentials

• The motivation to accelerate their career

• Commitment to continuous learning

• A positive attitude

Even if your returnship doesn’t lead to a job, you should be in a much better position than you started, with new skills and valuable work experience. Plus, you’ll have closed that résumé gap.

Returnships also help build a strong professional network in a new field. Teammates, managers and mentors can become sources of support, advice, job referrals, references and recommendations.

Employers in skilled industries such as technology are most likely to offer returnships, including companies like Amazon, Comcast, Eaton, Expedia Group, Goldman Sachs, Meta, Boeing, Dell, Ford, Intel, Oracle, Morgan Stanley, Proctor & Gamble, HarperCollins, Caterpillar and T. Rowe Price.

Many employers with return-towork programs list opportunities on their careers pages. If you have a target employer in mind, start your search on that company’s website. Otherwise, search online

returnship-style resources such as iRelaunch, Path Forward, reacHIRE, REACH (a technical apprenticeship program at LinkedIn), and Eaton’s ReSurge program.

Your encore career awaits. Put a returnship to work for you.

Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer from Portage County who serves as Boomer’s digital and associate editor. She is committed to lifelong learning, wellness and pursuit of better living at every age.

In-Patient Rehabilitation

COMPARING OPTIONS

Stroke. Joint replacement. Heart attack. Any one of those medical conditions, and others, may require a stay at an inpatient rehabilitation center. But there’s more than one way to rehab.

We’re fortunate that Northeast Ohio has many options, but it can be confusing to find them and figure out which might be a good fit. You’ll find a handy tool on the medicare.gov site.

Type in your zip code and a list of in-patient rehab centers will pop up. Click through to compare facilities based on conditions treated there, the percentage of illness or complications that occur among patients, readmissions and other details.

MENORAH PARK

Live empowered. Live better. Be inspired.

Menorah Park prides itself on being a community resource offering rehabilitation options to improve lives, with a focus on each individual’s preferences, values and motivations. We provide extensive choices in health care services and residential options to help you fulfill your goals and continue your personal stories of successful aging, however you define it.

Locations in Beachwood and Chagrin Falls: MenorahPark.org, 216-831-6500.

“Not a Day Over Fabulous”

Taking the Stage with Cleveland Senior Network

Break away from old ways of thinking about aging and come laugh with us during a live performance of “Not a Day Over Fabulous.”

This original musical comedy is a delightful set of rib-tickling vignettes and musical spoofs set to ‘70s hits and performed by a talented cast of Northeast Ohio actors, according to playwright and director Jill Koslen-Freireich.

Created expressly for Cleveland Senior Network as both a source of relatable entertainment and as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association initiative, The Longest Day, the performance will feature:

• I am a Seenager (Senior/Teenager)

• Age is Just a Number

• Oy, The Aches and Pains

• The Joys of Menopause

• Cheers to Senior Moments

• Dating at My Age!?

• Seniors and computers

• Assisted Living

• The Bionic Grandma (New knees, hips, shoulder, etc.)

• A Commercial About WHAT?  (I’ve fallen but I can’t get it up?)

• Living Life to the Fullest

• Salute to our Seniors

Koslen-Freireich was the founding director of Beachwood Community Theater 41 years ago and has worked in community theater, at youth theater camps and at her synagogue on Cleveland’s East Side for decades.

From the aches and pains that first grab our attention in our 40s to the senior moments, bulging discs and joint replacement surgeries that ensue in later decades, Koslen-Freireich says we learn to laugh at ourselves.

“As our bodies betray us, we learn to roll with the punches and become more resilient with age,” she says. “There’s a lot to laugh at along the way. Especially when your mom is living in The Villages of Florida and has taken up dating as a full-time job.”

Learn more about “Not a Day Over Fabulous” plus show times, dates and venues on the ‘Not a Day Over Fabulous’ Facebook page at facebook.com/profile. php?id=100090610373002. Purchase tickets for this upcoming play at clevelandseniornetwork.org.

If you cannot attend this fun event, you can still support our local fundraiser for The Longest Day on the Alzheimer’s Association website (team name Cleveland Senior Network Musical) or at clevelandseniornetwork.org.

The Longest Day refers to the day of the year with the most light — the summer solstice. On June 21, people around the world will combat the darkness of Alzheimer’s through a fundraising activity of their choice. Help support this worthy cause and the Cleveland Senior Network sponsors listed here who each do their part in easing the journey of Alzheimer’s for local patients and their families.

Take note that Cleveland Senior Network — formerly Cleveland East Senior Network — has changed its name and website address to better reflect our expanded scope of Networking With a Heart throughout the Greater Cleveland area, from east to west, north and south.

Our growing roster of board members and sponsor contacts illustrate how we are serving in your area. Call upon the expert services provided with heart by our dedicated listed sponsors.

BOARD MEMBERS

Cleveland Senior Network Sponsors

Electronic Caregiver: Offers Connected Care Technologies with easy-to-use tools to coordinate and improve the way we care for ourselves and others.

Melinda Smith, Connected Care Partner: 216-409-8140. msrimelda@gmail.com

Five Star Clinical Solutions: As Patient Advocates, we ensure you receive the best possible medical care and services.

Robera Brofman, President/Founder: 216-513-9622, roberta@ fivestarclinical.com, fivestarclinical.com

Koewler Law Firm: Attorney Jim Koewler helps people who need long-term care, have chronic illness, or have special needs by working with their wishes and needs rather than cost-driven decisions.

Jim Koewler, Attorney: 330-659-3579, jkoewler@ProtectingSeniors.com

Residence Home Care: A skilled nursing agency dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and customer service in a patientfocused environment.

Tracy Debevits, Community Liaison-East Side: 440-725-8601; Gayle Richards, Community Liaison-West Side, 216-269-9057

HOME CARE

Right at Home: We employ amazing caregivers & companions! Call the Plotkin Family - A Tradition of Caring.

Shalom Plotkin, Owner: 216-752-2222, shalom@ohioseniorcare.net

Benjamin Rose Institute: Board member Mary Norris-Pack

Big Hearted Blooms: Board member Sue Buddenbaum

Ganzhorn Suites: Board member Tiffany Fields

Right At Home West: Board member Donn Kramer

Solon Pointe: Board member Jelena Kirkland

CarePatrol of NE Ohio: A FREE service specializing in helping families navigate senior care. We use our knowledge to select qualified in-home care, assisted living, memory care and nursing homes appropriate for seniors’ needs.

Eric Sailor, Certified Senior Advisor: 216-233-5210, esailor@carepatrol.com, neohio. CarePatrol.com

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services: Stephanie McFearin, Realtor expert for Northeast Ohio. Call, text or email anytime for info on a free market analysis or buyer consultation.

Stephanie McFearin, REALTOR®: 440-554-7712, StephanieMcFearin@HowardHanna.com

Medicare Advocates: Licensed Insurance Broker helping clients navigate the “Medicare Maze” for the best benefits and coverage for your individual needs. Review of coverage options provided at no cost.

Lawrence Lesiak, Licensed Insurance Broker: 330-523-7002, Larry@MedicareAdvocates.US

North Coast Residential: Advocates for seniors making a move, helping to plan your transition and the sale of your home with unsurpassed service, care and dignity. We provide free confidential consultations. Give us a call.

Lee-Ann Spacek, CRB, SRES, President & Broker: 216-513-6800, LSpacek@ NorthCoastRelo.com

Tapestry Senior Living Wickliffe: A senior community dedicated to helping your family members and loved ones live full and meaningful lives. We offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

Angela Simon, Director of Sales & Marketing: 440-373-9900 (office), 440-855-1722 (mobile), 440-943-4780 (fax), angela.simon@tapestrysenior.com, tapestrycompanies.com

Tickets

Wednesday,

Only $10 To

• Rick & Sharona performing and spinning your favorite disco songs of the '70s

• Disco dancing

• Sketch artist Wendy Carrick Fedan will make a fun masterpiece in your likeness while you wait

Vendor tables with giveaways and information

Your Next Move … Or Not

By Margaret Briller

Folks planning to retire — and those of us who already have a few retirement years under our belt — face interesting housing choices our parents never considered.

Our residential options are wide-ranging, reflecting the needs and interests of people over 50, unlike nearly any other time in recent memory. Whether it’s aging in place or aging in a retirement community with wine tastings, pickleball and bocce tournaments, we are a generation accustomed to having choices, particularly when it comes to housing. We look for, and expect, housing choices that reflect our interests, our budgets and social needs.

LOCAL TRENDS

The Boomer generation made up the largest percentage of sellers in 2021, one reason our housing preferences differ from previous generations of older adults, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. In short, there are more of us on the move than ever before. Multiple options can make it tough to choose the best place to live after selling a home you’ve lived in for decades. Local real estate agents and other housing experts say that, for people between 50 and 75, primary considerations for choosing a new place to live include finances, family circumstances and the desired type of community. Timing is important, too. You want to make a housing change when you’re healthy enough to take advantage of an expanded social life and amenities.

As a Senior Real Estate Specialist and Realtor for Keller Williams

Elevate in Strongsville, Rhonda Buynak helps older adults find what they’re looking for. “The housing trends I’m seeing now for older adults are for more spacious, one-floor living, outside areas for walking with a community nearby, and a place where they can age in place,” she says.

“This is becoming a much-desired niche in the real estate market. Now might be a good time to explore these options while you’re in good health so you can enjoy the next phase of your life,” she adds.

Local home buyers over 50 are looking for more space for home offices and a finished basement, the latter to accommodate adult children who move back home, Buynak says.

“Older adults are resizing their lives more so than downsizing, whether it’s

adding on to their existing home so an elderly parent can move in, or simply decluttering and rearranging their current home after becoming an empty nester. They desire more fun space to enjoy life and family,” she says.

Lee-Ann Spacek owns North Coast Residential Relocation, a company that caters to older adults in transition. She meets with family members, arranges for the sale and donation of household goods, and helps sellers find a real estate agent that best meets their needs. Spacek finds that older adults she works with are drawn to smaller, more manageable properties such as over-50 apartment complexes and senior living communities that offer security and care services.

“Now might be a good time to explore these options while you’re in good health, so you can enjoy the next phase of your life.” — Rhonda Bunak

ACE HANDYMAN SERVICES OF CLEVELAND

In partnership with your local ACE Hardware store, ACE Handyman Services of Cleveland provides professional home repair, maintenance and improvement. Our highly qualified and background-checked craftsmen take great pride in their work. You can count on us to be dependable, and honest, and deliver quality craftsmanship at a fair price. Call us at 440-925-5222 (or send a text message and photos) to talk about the home maintenance and improvement projects you’d like to get done.

EARL R. AGIN & ASSOCIATES

Earl R. Agin & Associates has been a family-run business for over 55 years. We sell everything for the window and more, including custom-made draperies, valances, cornices, bedding and pillows. We sell all Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, as well as custom shutters. Learn more at earlragin. com. 216-464-9017.

Margaret Briller is a Northeast Ohio freelance writer who is happily aging in place.

MATURE LIVING SHOWCASE

Sponsored Content

CONCORD RESERVE — Spring Clean with Ease

Presented by Concord Reserve

Spring is in the air — the temperatures are rising, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. You may notice that with the new season, you have a newfound pep in your step. This is a great opportunity to use that extra energy to tackle your spring cleaning. Before you panic or start feeling overwhelmed, have no fear. We have some helpful hacks to make freshening up your home a breeze. Dust is the notoriously pesky houseguest no one likes. Especially for older adults, some areas of their homes can be more difficult than others when it comes to dusting. For

lampshades and other fabric surfaces, try using a lint roller. The sticky surface will rid your humble abode of dust with just a few rolls. Do you have a furry friend that seems to leave its hair everywhere they walk? Try a damp rubber glove over furniture, bedding and tables. You’ll be surprised just how much hair you’ll collect by barely lifting a finger. Cleaning shutters or blinds is probably not your favorite chore but

if you have a pair of old socks laying around, simply spray with cleaner, put the sock over your hand, and run it over the shutters horizontally — easy as can be. For reaching things high up or tidying up things low down, invest in a grabber. You’ll be able to continue with your cleaning, but your back will thank you later. Using these small but helpful hacks will leave your home sparkling so you can spend time enjoying the season.

At Concord Reserve, you can leave the cleaning to us when you choose to call our community home. Spring into your new lifestyle and leave the hassles of home behind.

NEW INDEPENDENT LIVING RESIDENCES Meet the Needs of Older Adults

Presented by McGregor

McGregor’s Life Plan Community accommodates older adults in all seasons of their lives as their needs change. Often, older adults are unable to maintain their homes where they have lived for decades. They may also miss reconnecting with friends regularly and want time for new hobbies. One solution is to live in an independent living facility.

In McGregor’s independent living apartments, older adults can enjoy their retirement years with newfound independence while taking part in a vibrant social calendar. They can participate in activities with individuals with similar interests and choose how to spend their days. They can maintain a high quality of life with family and friends close by.

The wants and needs of older adults are constantly evolving. By 2030, one in every five Americans will be 65 years old and older. Many older adults are unable to age in place because they are under pressure from rising housing and medical expenses. McGregor is adapting by adding independent living options made possible by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2020, McGregor was awarded a $3 million grant to finish building and renovating 80 units. New construction is set to be completed this summer.

The grant supports construction of 54 independent living apartments and the renovation of 26 assisted living apartments. According to Lee Ann O’Brien, McGregor’s Chief Marketing Officer, these units contain all the amenities residents need, including refrigerators, microwaves, stovetops, ovens, plenty of counter space and cabinets. Money also is allocated to help residents pay their rent, allowing current and future residents to face the uncertainty of the future with confidence.

Secure your place in a senior living community that brings together lifelong care. You have planned for your living needs, and so has McGregor. With five levels of care in one place, you won’t have to look any further than McGregor. We have heard younger family members say McGregor is a place they would like to live someday…and after 145 years of dedicated caregiving, it’s safe to say, we will be here for them, too.

FAIRMONT OF WESTLAKE Good Food for Great People

Presented by Fairmont of Westlake

Aprimary reason people move into an assisted living community is to get tasty and nutritious meals. No part of a community is judged more critically, or discussed more often, than the dietary department. Food that meets each resident’s dietary needs and palate is important. Meet Bill Malone, Senior Food Service Director at Fairmont of Westlake.

Being a Food Service Director for Fairmont is more than a job for Malone; it’s also a reflection of his passion to serve older adults and his commitment to meeting their dietary needs.

“I have been in the food service industry for over 30 years, and for over 15 years, I have been at this community,” Malone says. “The residents are like family to our dietary team and we always put them first

to ensure an excellent overall dining experience. With years of experience providing nutritional meals for older adults, we can accommodate standard diets, restricted diets, therapeutic diets and diets for those with unique dietary preferences.”

Malone continues, “One of the exciting changes with Fairmont is that, once a month, we offer “Eloquent Dining,” which features different place settings and special meal options for our residents. My goal is to exceed their expectations by involving them in our monthly Food Committee meetings so their voices are heard and we can continue to make their dining experience great.

“I believe the Fairmont dietary team is among the best in the industry and Fairmont is blessed to have such wonderful and amazing individuals. My role as Food Service Director is, by far, the most rewarding job I have had and just knowing that I am going to make a difference in our residents’ dining experience brightens my day.”

To learn more about Fairmont of Westlake, go to fairmontwestlake.com.

Bill Malone Food Service Director

Sponsored Content

INDEPENDENCE WITH DIGNITY OneKey Virtual Care

Aging at home has become more complex with economic and logistical barriers such as caregiver staffing shortages, safety concerns and loneliness. OneKey Virtual Care, a family-owned business founded in Ohio, is an affordable, accessible and reliable solution to maintaining safety and independence.

Drawing on 40 years of expertise in home care, the OneKey Virtual Care team recently developed a data-driven, remote healthcare insights platform with crisis response using real-time video monitoring. It lifts the burden from caregivers, agencies and facilities, and empowers clients, families and care providers with data and peace

Presented by OneKey Virtual Care of mind — particularly when people have dementia.

We do this all at an extremely affordable rate of $8 an hour and with flexible scheduling. OneKey can also be paired with handson home care or assisted living services.

We install motionsensored cameras through a cellular connection (no Wi-Fi needed) that prompts a camera recording monitored by live, remote virtual caregivers. When an event occurs, the client’s customized care plan is enacted, which may ask that OneKey contact a family member or neighbor, have EMS sent out, or have a caregiver dispatched.

We use best practices and protocols to keep patient information secure and do not store video data. Each week, we share a detailed, personalized report with the daily habits (such as sleeping, eating and ambulating) that

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Customer Richard Klaben says, “OneKey Virtual Care has allowed our mother to live independently with dignity while giving us peace of mind to know that she is being looked after, and if anything happens, we will know right away. The reporting has allowed us to identify and address any challenges our mother faces with medications, illness and sleep. This is the solution we needed.”

Let us help you, too. Call 234-8150152 or visit onekeyvirtualcare.com to schedule a free assessment.

What’s Happening

CLASSES

MONDAYS

Pickleball 101. Learn rules, terminology and basic stroke fundamentals. 9-10 a.m. NR

Racket & Paddle, 5475 Mills Creek Lane, North Ridgeville, nrrackets.com. $15-20

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall

Prevention. eight-week session beginning 4/10. 10 a.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary. org. FREE

WEDNESDAYS

Calligraphy. In this four-

week class, get introduced to the basics of calligraphy alphabets and techniques. 4/19-5/10. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty. FairmountCenter.org. $75

Evening Painting with Acrylic. Bring your own ideas and let’s get to work. 3/22-5/17. 5:15-6:15 p.m. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org. $109

Move It or Lose it: Senior Sneakers. Four-week class including strength and balance, movement,

drumming and more. 4/5-26. 2-3 p.m. Portage Lakes Branch Library, 4261 Manchester Road, Akron, akronlibrary.org. FREE

THURSDAYS

Writing Life’s Stories: Memoir Writing. Let us work on discovering the vivid stories that make up our lives. Six-week class: 4/135/18. Strongsville Branch Library, 18700 Westwood Drive, cuyahogalibrary.org

4/6

Poetry Writing Workshop. Learn about rhyme and meter, metaphor and simile,

4/16

Backyards

Gone Wild: Composting 101

Learn the basics of starting, maintaining and troubleshooting a compost pile or barrel at home. 2-3:30 p.m. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, summitmetroparks.org. FREE

4/22

Zero-Waste Living

Discover tips and tricks to embrace sustainable habits on your zero-waste journey. 11 a.m.-noon. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, rrpl.org. FREE

and classic poetic structures. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Domonkas Branch Library, 4125 E. Lake Road, Sheffield Lake, lorainpubliclibrary.org. FREE

4/24

Drawing 101. Learn and explore various drawing techniques. 10-11:30 a.m. Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road, Avon, loraincountymetroparks. com. $12

5/6

Basic Sewing Machine Techniques. Bring your sewing machine, and they’ll teach you how to use it. 10

a.m.-noon. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org. FREE

CLUBS

Sketchbook Club. Bring your sketchbook for creative drawing exercises on the last Monday of each month. 2-3 p.m. Gates Mills Branch Library, 1491 Chagrin River Road, cuyahogalibrary.org. FREE

Delicious Discussions. Join on the fourth Monday at downtown Willoughby establishments to discuss new releases. 7-8 p.m. Willoughby Public Library, we247.org. FREE

TUESDAYS

Writers Group: Virtual. Have your work critiqued and give constructive feedback to others in a friendly environment. Third Tuesdays. 7 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, rrpl.org FREE

Rockport Immortal Poets Society. Seeking local poets to discuss famous poets and poetry as well as create new poetry. 4/4, 4/18 & 5/16. 4:45-5:45. Rockport Branch Library, 4421 W. 140th St., Cleveland, cpl.org. FREE

WEDNESDAYS Art Club. Join a group of art enthusiasts and creators to share ideas and show off your works. Meets once a month. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, twinsburglibrary. org. FREE

Castaways. Meet with fellow fiber artists to work on projects, get ideas and learn from each other while you work. Second Wednesday of every month. 10:30 a.m.

Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch Library, 5642 Andrews Road, mentorpl.org FREE

Erie Shores Photography Club. Meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org

SATURDAYS

Woodcarvers Club. Meets on the second and fourth Saturdays each

WHAT´S HAPPENING

month. 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, wildernesscenter.org

Board Game Club. Drop in on the first Sunday of each month to play board games with other adult enthusiasts.

1:30-3:30 p.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org. FREE

MUSIC, THEATER & ARTS

FRIDAYS Concerts in the Barn. Cozy concert venue, complete with great food and drinks to keep you dancing the night away. Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick, mapleside. com. Through April 28. $15

Fever Candlelight Concerts. Beautiful and intimate performances under the light of 10,000 candles. 4/14 & 5/12. 6:30 or 9 p.m. Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, feverup.com. $33

3/22-4/1

Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF47). The Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community. Clevelandfilm.org

4/1

Three Stooges Film Fest. A collection of four film shorts on Canton’s largest screen. 7:30 p.m. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org. $10

4/1-23

Becoming Dr. Ruth. This life-affirming solo show is a testament to resilience, forging your own path, and the joy of human connection. Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandplayhouse.com.

$25-75

4/6-8

Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. BERNSTEIN Symphony No. 2 (“The Age of Anxiety”). SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5. The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com

$24-94

4/20-5/7

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The world’s longest running play, “The Mousetrap” will keep you on the edge of your seat to the chilling end. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com

$16-31

4/21-4/30

The Diary of Anne Frank. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people

hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org. $20

4/28

The Righteous Brothers. Bill & Bucky have hit the road to bring their unique musical magic to concert stages across the country. Lorain Palace Theatre, 617 Broadway, Lorain, lorainpalace.com. $39-72

5/17

Old Time Jam. Gather with friends new and old for an informal jam session as we learn and share folk tunes by ear. 6:30 p.m. The Music Settlement, 2610 Detroit Ave., Ohio City, themusicsettlement.org FREE

OUTDOORS

TUESDAYS

Geauga Walkers. Join other active seniors on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for hikes. 1-2:30 p.m. geaugaparkdistrict.org. FREE

Hiking Seniority. Folks aged 55 and older meet year-round every Tuesday at nearby parks for nature appreciation, exercise and camaraderie. 10 a.m.-noon. lakemetroparks.com. FREE

WEDNESDAYS

3/21

Wine & Cheese Night Hike. Savor the sights and sounds of Holden Arboretum before concluding with wine and cheese refreshments. 8-11 p.m. Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, holdenarb.org. $30-45

3/26

Guided Bird Walk. Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands, looking and listening for birds. 8-9:30 a.m. The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 S. Park Blvd., shakerlakes.org. FREE

3/30

National Take a Walk in the Park Day. Take a walk with a naturalist to discover

WHAT´S HAPPENING

what’s happening along the trails. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Frohring Meadows, 16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge Twp., geaugaparkdistrict.org. FREE

Senior Hike. A great way to enjoy your Portage Parks with a group. Noon-1 p.m. Towner’s Woods Park, 2264 Ravenna Road, Kent, portageparkdistrict.org. FREE

4/7

Coffee with the Birds. Learn how to attract birds to your backyards and how to identify them. 9-10 a.m. French Creek Reservation, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, loraincountymetroparks.com FREE

4/8

Adult Egg Hunt. After-hours adult-only egg hunt where you will find hidden eggs and revel

in live music. 6-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo. org. $35-40

4/12

Spring into Nature. Wander around scenic Quail Hollow Park looking for signs of spring with a Naturalist. 6-7:30 p.m. 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com. FREE

4/14

Senior Saunter. Come for a stroll as we enjoy nature as it is turning green again. Noon-1:30 p.m. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, summitmetroparks.org

5/8

Wildflower Walk. Traverse the trails in the fields and floodplains in search of wildflowers. 3-4:30 p.m. Indian Point Park, 12951 Seeley Road, Leroy Twp., lakemetroparks. com

SPECIAL EVENTS

3/25

World Water Day. An international event celebrating all things H2O.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. West Creek Reservation, Watershed Stewardship Center, 2277 W. Ridgewood Drive, Parma, clevelandmetroparks.com FREE

3/25-26

Buckeye Alpaca Show. Come see these amazing animals compete for Champion Status and find special gifts for your loved ones. Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge, buckeyealpacashow.com

3/29 & 4/12

Bingo & Bubbles! Each ticket includes sparkling wine, charcuterie board and bingo. 6 p.m. Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens, 16965 Park Circle Dr., Chagrin Falls, sapphirecreek.com. $48

4/2

Medina Railroad & Toy Show. Come browse a wide variety of trains, planes, toys and collectables. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Road, Medina, conraddowdell.com

4/12

Boomer Bash West: Disco Inferno. It’s time to dust off your best disco duds. 4:30-7 p.m. LaCentre, 25777 Detroit Road, Westlake, northeastohioboomer. com. $10

4/15-16

Native American Cultural Education Weekend at Hale Farm & Village. Highlights the rich histories and cultures of Native peoples from our region and the state of Ohio. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, wrhs.org

4/22

Earth Day Festival. Earthfriendly exhibits, family fishing derby, food, and more. Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com. FREE

4/23

Spring Fling. Visit with lambs, ducklings and bunnies, watch the flock get sheared, see sheep-herding demonstrations, and more. Noon-4 p.m., The Spicy Lamb Farm, 6560 AkronPeninsula Road, Peninsula, thespicylamb.com

4/26

Primavera: Spring Wine Dinner. Experience a five-course gourmet meal paired with awardwinning Gervasi wines. 6-8:30 p.m. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, gervasivineyard. com. $95

WHAT´S HAPPENING

4/27-30

Geauga County Maple Festival. Four days of fun, food and “everything maple.” Chardon Square, 111 E. Park St., maplefestival.com

4/29

Herb-N-Handmade Fair. Local vendors sell homegrown herbs, plants and handmade products. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Vermillion River Reservation, 51211 N. Ridge Road, Vermillion, loraincountymetroparks.com. FREE

TALKS

TUESDAYS

Lunchtime Lecture at The Cleveland Museum of Art. First Tuesday of the month, join curators, scholars and other museum staff for a talk on objects on display. Noon. 11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org. FREE

3/24

Dinner with a Slice of History. Sandra Durbin joins the International Women’s Air & Space Museum to explore her groundbreaking career as the first Black female Air Traffic Controller in the U.S. Navy. 6-7:30 p.m. 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland, iwasm.org. $27

3/27

Redefining Work and Retirement. For those 50+ interested in reinventing their

career or lifestyle. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, divi.geaugalibrary.net. FREE

4/13

Backyard Habitat: Food Workshop. Learn about the food chain of native species and the best plants to have to attract and provide nourishment to native wildlife. 6-7 p.m. Sippo Lake Park-North, 5712 12th St., Canton, starkparks.com. FREE

4/20

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body Learn about research in diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. 7-8 p.m. Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org. FREE

4/24

Retirement: Making Your Money Last. Learn investment strategies to last throughout your retirement. 7-8 p.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, smfpl.org. FREE

4/26

Coffee with a Curator. Join Associate Curator Dr. Jeff Katzin for coffee and a conversation about artist Keith Haring and the works currently on view. 10-11 a.m. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org. $0-12

Sponsored By

As Easy As…

The the A to Z Game: A good activity to do alone or with a friend.

By Kathryn Kilpatrick

Write the letters A through Z down one side of a piece of paper. Choose a topic and come up with a word for each letter. It can start out simple, like names of people, things you associate with a season or a holiday, street names, cities

or (an especially good one) things you are grateful for.

If the letters Q, X and Z are too much of a challenge in some categories, just skip them or look it up. Take it up a notch and print the words with your non-dominant hand.

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.”

Marianne Williamson

NUMBER GAMES

Fill in the Missing Numbers

Provided by Kathleen Kilpatrick

Are you nimble with numbers? If this puzzle seems too simple, see how quickly you can complete it or challenge a friend.

For memory tips and brain health advice, visit Kathryn Kilpatrick’s blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

Hanging on to Tradition

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHANGE AND PROGRESS

By Mike Olszewski

We lost three more friends in recent weeks. They were big box multiplex theaters on shaky financial footing, struggling with rising film rentals and overhead expenses, operating with skeleton crews.

Those that still had ticket booths typically had employees selling both tickets and popcorn. Ushers? They’ve been long gone. In multiplexes with as many as 10 films, no one monitored customers strolling from screen to screen, further cutting into profits.

Theaters had sticky floors from spilled drinks and candy trash in the aisles that remained until a cleaning crew arrived after closing.

When COVID landed, many theater owners gave up. More may soon close for good. That big movie palace we remember as kids is a distant memory. As I mentioned in a previous column, streaming and big-screen home theaters didn’t help. The huge TV in your living room is about the same size picture you would see from

a distance at a theater.

You can pick up huge screens at discount department stores and warehouse clubs for pennies on the dollar from what they cost just a couple of years ago. As store owners have found over the years, and theater owners are seeing now, it’s hard to compete with convenience.

THE PROS OF CONS

Thankfully, the pop culture convention season is gearing up, attracting folks eager to hang on to a different time. There’s a convention (con) for every genre and interest. One of the oldest is The Columbus Moving Picture Show (formerly Cinevent), held nearly every Memorial Day weekend for over 50 years.

Round-the-clock classic comedies, dramas and animated features attract all ages, even young families with kids. The show includes a couple of silent films accompanied by an organist to give a taste of the movie experience that our grandparents enjoyed.

There’s always a Northeast Ohio connection and this one is important. Morrie Everett is a film poster authority. His Last Moving Picture Company in Kirtland has the world’s largest collection of movie posters. Period. No one else comes close. A few of Everett’s posters have set auction records; he’ll have a room of classic posters in Columbus at the Moving Picture Show.

One last thing concerning classic films: The main branches of the Cleveland Public Library and the Akron-Summit County Public Library have huge movie collections to loan. Check out a few and dive into film history and entertainment.

BOOM TRIVIA

Last issue, I mentioned a Hollywood star who took a new name after he played at Chin’s Restaurant in Cleveland. There was a lot of prejudice against the Japanese after World War II and Goro Suzuki saw it first-hand, even though he was a loyal American. When he brought his nightclub act to Chin’s, he was advised by the owner to take a Chinese stage name. He did, and Suzuki became Jack Soo, later to gain TV immortality as Detective Nick Yemana on “Barney Miller.”

For next time, we’re ready for some baseball. Pitcher Mel Harder had a long career with the Tribe but he’ll always be known for two significant pitches. When and where? I’ll have the answer in the next issue.