Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond | September October 2021

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and Beyond SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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YOUR RETIREMENT, YOUR PLAN

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NEO GRANDPARENT What’s With Parents These Days?

A Lifetime of Loving The Browns | Live Theater's Back! | Medicare Guide

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Sept/Oct 32

ON THE COVER

AUTUMN DRIVES First Stop: Ashtabula County's Benetka Road Covered Bridge Original watercolor

by Virginia Phillips

Next Acts 16

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FAN-TASTIC LOU ABRAHAM

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RETIREMENT

LIVE THEATER

Your Plan, Your Way

Grab a Seat; It's Showtime!

Browns Mascot, Super Booster

DEPA RTMENTS 8 WORTH NOTING

Yoga for Everyone, Reptile Rescue & Cheap Heat

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Better Living After 50

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FOOD A Taste for the Past

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Rail Fun,Lighthouse Parents & More

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MEDICARE What You Need, Where to Get It

EDITOR´S NOTE

Broken Nose, Powerhouse Ledge Rapidly Pushing Limits

WHITEWATER, WHITE-KNUCKLED I’ve always wanted to go whitewater rafting because I thought it sounded scary without actually being scary.

Perception is key, and I’m all about embracing perceptions without taking risks.

I imagined a relaxing floatdown-a-river version of whitewater rafting, a guide maneuvering us through occasional, tumbling rapids with gimmicky names — nothing too crazy, just enough to get my sunglasses wet... whitewater rafting lite. For $49, how many rapids could there be?

As it turns out, you get a lot of rapids for under 50 bucks. The river was high and the rapids were Class III and IV. I’m guessing Class V is for stuntmen and Olympic athletes.

Sixty seconds into the trip, my single goal was to stay in the raft and protect my knee replacements.

During the only short, calm section of the river, a few high school boys in our group tumbled

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 5

out of their rafts and slipped back on like river otters. I spent those same minutes girding myself for the next set of rapids. I ended the trip with a swollen knee and a boost of confidence. The latter is something that’s good to have at any age, but especially as we get older and life gets more challenging. Pushing limits is invigorating, even when it’s uncomfortable.

CLOSER TO HOME Our events listings in each issue are chock-full of opportunities to build confidence and learn new skills, two things I resolve to do going forward, and almost all of them free or a lot cheaper than $49. An afternoon on a river has turned me into a convert for testing limits – physically, socially and intellectually.

Here’s something that’s thrilling on a different level: live theater’s back in Northeast Ohio. Read about how Playhouse Square has fared during the past year and check out our rundown of upcoming performances.

If retirement is looming, you’ll like our story about planning a successful transition (terrifying for some in its own way). And I know Browns fans will enjoy reading about a local man who once hung out with the team’s greatest players and is on a first-name basis with today’s stars.

I’m excited to see what happens with my new whitewater-fueled confidence. Snakes, storms, jeans.

I’m ready. Baby steps, I know, but every journey begins with a single step. I hope yours is a good one, and just a little bit scary.

September/October 2021 Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond is a property of Mitchell Media LLC

PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioBoomer.com /NEOhio​Boomer

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PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohio​boomer.com 330-714-7712 EDITOR​- M​arie Elium​ ​marie@northeastohio​boomer.com COPY EDITOR/DIGITAL/ ASSISTANT EDITOR​ - Estelle Rodis-Brown estelle@northeastohio​boomer.com EDITORIAL SUGGESTIONS editor@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CALENDAR LISTING SUBMISSIONS calendar@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Beach, Estelle Rodis-Brown, Linda Feagler, Joe Jancsurak, Kathryn Kilpatrick, Dr. Steve Marsh, Mike Olszewski, Tak Sato, John Selick, Karen Shadrach ART DIRECTOR- Laura Chadwick laura@northeastohio​boomer​.com ADVERTISING SALES Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohio​boomer.com Janyse Heidy, 330-671-3886 janyse@northeastohio​boomer.com Sherrie Kantarovich, 216-299-5455 sherriek@northeastohio​boomer.com Samantha Olp, 330-636-6127 sam@northeastohio​boomer.com Yvonne Pelino, 440-971-0595 yvonne@northeastohio​boomer.com Michelle Vacha, 440-463-0146 michelle@northeastohio​boomer.com CONTROLLER Kathleen Mitchell, 440-533-1208 kathleen@northeastohio​boomer.com EVENTS MANAGER​ Lilia Lipps lilia@northeastohioboomer.com DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES info@northeastohio​boomer.com PUBLISHERS OF

M​arie Elium​

​marie@northeastohio​boomer.com

PHOTO: MARIE ELIUM

L

ike most of us, I avoid scary things.

Snakes, being outdoors in wind storms and no-stretch jeans top my list. I can’t remember the last time I purposely did something that scared me or made me really uncomfortable.

Scary things usually happen to us. That’s especially true at this age. You don’t see crowds of 60-year-olds in roller coaster lines or daring each other on to go skydiving. None of my friends rock climb or cave dive, for example.

But waiting for scary things to happen and making scary things happen are very different beasts. One is draining, the other empowering. That’s how I ended up whitewater rafting with my college roommates in Tennessee.

Boomer Northeast Ohio

Boomer Northeast Ohio

BOOMER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

and Beyond

Mindi Axner Executive Director National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland

Coming in the

November/December Issue beginning November 15

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

Joyful Giving BOOMER IMPACT AWARD WINNER VINTAGE CHRISTMAS COLLECTIBLES

Dr. Ardeshir Z. Hashmi Cleveland Clinic Director Center for Geriatric Medicine Kathy M. Hirko Owner KAZ Company Kathryn Kilpatrick President Memory Fitness Matters, LLC Kelsey Loushin President Eldercare Professionals of Ohio Stephanie Manning The American Heart Association, Cleveland

SWEET STUFF

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

Leslie Royce Resnik President Royce Public Relations

Candyce Traci Vice President All Media Design Group

Beth Silver Director of Public Relations and Marketing Menorah Park

Nancy Udelson Project Manager Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

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

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WORTH NOTING Compiled by Marie Elium

They Creep, They Crawl THEY NEED VOLUNTEERS

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nakes, tortoises, komodo dragons, spiders. You don’t have to love ‘em to help ‘em.

Fortunately, plenty of people do like creatures that slither and crawl. A good example are the folks at South Euclid’s Herps Alive Foundation, a rescue group for unwanted, abused and neglected reptiles, amphibians, spiders, scorpions and similar creatures.

Herps Alive works with rescue groups throughout a multistate region and with local law

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Better Living After 50

enforcement and others to care for animals that show up in places they shouldn’t be or with people who can’t care for them anymore.

The foundation’s executive director, Keith Gisser, says that now is a busy time at the shelter, when people making seasonal residential shifts or moving can no longer care for them.

The facility has big and little snakes, frogs, lizards and other animals that require special care until they can find a new home.

About 100 volunteers of all ages and abilities keep the place running.

“We like to say that we don’t ask anyone to work with anything they’re not comfortable with unless it’s a broom or dustpan,” Gisser says.

Herps Alive has a donation wish list on its website, herpsalive.weebly. com. Money is always welcome.

Gisser says the organization participates in AmazonSmile, the online company’s program that donates .5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charity.

WALL ART

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MAKING A STATEMENT IN MIDTOWN

leveland’s MidTown neighborhood (roughly between downtown and University Circle) looks more colorful these days, thanks to Cleveland Walls!, an outdoor mural project.

More than 20 local and national artists recently turned out for a weeklong mural-painting festival that turned walls and garage doors into colorful, eye-catching canvases. The Cleveland Walls!

The International Urban Project was brought here by MidTown Cleveland Inc., in collaboration with Cleveland’s LAND Studio.

The murals celebrate the neighborhood’s culture and diversity.

Learn more at midtowncleveland.org/clevelandwalls.

They’re Winners

AND THAT’S NO TRIVIAL MATTER

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ot only does Broadview Heights have a terrific trivia team, but the group is generous, too.

A team from Broadview Heights defeated Willoughby Hills to win the 2021 Mind Challenge for the New Majority tournament.

To get to the final game in the trivia competition for active seniors, Broadview Heights defeated Avon Lake in their Fact Finding Four match. Willoughby Hills beat Twinsburg in their contest. Both the Fact Finding Four and Championship events were held at the Solon Senior Center.

More than 52 teams with 300 participants from Northeast Ohio senior and recreation centers competed for boasting rights and prize money for their centers. Broadview Heights won $2,500 and Willoughby Hills won $1,500. Third-place finisher, Twinsburg, took home $1,000 and fourth-place Avon Lake got $500.

The Broadview Heights team donated their winnings to Yuletide Hunger, a local group that gives food to needy families during the holiday season.

Now in its third year, Mind Challenge was created by local residents Art Greenbert and Phil Levine. Lana Oriani of Get Lucky Trivia conducted the Mind Challenge tournament.

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WORTH NOTING

Yoga for All MEANS STRETCHING LIMITS

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oga has an image problem, and Kimberly Archibald Russell is doing something about it. Russell offers free community yoga classes aimed at making yoga accessible for “everyone and every body.”

Russell owns My Village Yoga, hosting classes both online and in person. She also holds free classes in urban neighborhoods several times a week that are open to anyone. She says that, in her early years, she rarely saw people of color practicing yoga in her classes.

Kimberly Archibald Russell

“When you see something about yoga on TV, it’s skinny young women. I’m taking yoga to places where people are comfortable,” Russell says.

To learn more about free

community classes and Russell’s vision for introducing yoga to Cleveland residents -- regardless of age, body type, race, religion or fitness level, go to myvillageyoga.com.

Preserving GS Camp Memories BOOK HIGHLIGHTS CROWELL HILAKA

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hen Richfield’s Crowell Hilaka Girl Scout Camp closed in 2012, it left behind 70 years of scouting memories for thousands of Northeast Ohio girls.

Part of the property once belonged to inventor Jim Kirby of Kirby vacuum fame. Another section was home to Neal Fruit Farm, and at one time, it was the site of several pioneer homesteads.

Today, Crowell Hilaka is the 336-acre Richfield Heritage Preserve.

The property’s rich history is detailed in “Crowell Hilaka and the Richfield Heritage Preserve” by Lynn Scholle Richardson (Acadia Publishing, arcadiapublishing.com and local bookstores.)

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Cold-Weather Help TO KEEP WARM THIS WINTER HAVE YOU FELT IT? THERE’S A CHILL IN THE AIR OUTSIDE. For some people, the chill is indoors, too.

Low-income seniors and others who meet income requirements can apply online or by phone for help with weatherproofing and assistance with heating bills.

To find out who qualifies for what, go to Ohio’s Energy Assistance Programs website (development.force.com).

You’ll find a link to plug in numbers to determine eligibility for the various programs.

No computer? No problem. Call the office at 800-282-0880.

An Online Tribute REMEMBERING VETERANS

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ne way to mark Veterans Day on November 11 is by exploring or contributing to the online Veterans Legacy Memorial at vlm.cem.va.gov.

Every veteran interred in one of our 150 national cemeteries has a page – or is entitled to a page – that records details of service and other facts available to the National Cemetery Administration and contributed by family members,

historians and others.

Find a name and learn more about a loved one or friend who served. The public is encouraged to add to the records by creating a free account on the website’s login page.

One more note about veterans: the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville performs more than 2,500 burials each year. Visitation is from sunrise to sunset, daily.

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Sponsored Content

BALLOONS & CEMENT Spine Fracture Treatment for Osteoporosis Presented by Medtronic

NANCY IS ONE OF MORE than 10

million Americans with osteoporosis, a disease marked by porous, brittle bones that can break more easily than healthy bones.

Women over 50 have a one-in-two chance of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis.1 Osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent disease” because it has no symptoms before a fracture occurs.2 That’s what happened to Nancy.

“I was walking in a parking lot, and I stepped on something that tripped me up,” says Nancy, 73.

“I fell very hard.”

EXPLAINING THE PAIN The fall caused Nancy severe pain.

“I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t do anything, I was basically housebound and couch-bound. I couldn’t drive, nothing.”

Nancy says she finally broke down and told her husband to take her to the emergency room. “I said, ‘Please, X-ray my spine.’”

The ER doctors found the source of Nancy’s unrelenting pain: a com­ pression fracture of her T9 vertebra – in other words, a broken back.

Nancy saw an interventional radiologist who ordered an MRI to get a better look at her spine.

Because her fracture was still acute and her pain was a 10 out of 10, the radiologist recommended she undergo Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP).

THE BKP ADVANTAGE Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for the

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Better Living After 50

treatment of spinal fractures due to osteoporosis, cancer or noncancerous tumors. The radiologist punctured Nancy’s back with a needle to insert a tiny balloon into the damaged vertebra. He then used a pump to inflate the balloon and restore the original height of the vertebra. Then he injected acrylic bone cement into the balloon to create an internal cast to repair the fracture.

The procedure takes only about an hour. It typically requires only local anesthesia, and it’s often done on an outpatient basis in a clinic or office.

Since Medtronic developed balloon kyphoplasty and launched the initial technology in 1998, the company has developed better balloons, an improved cement delivery system and added access tools to reduce hand radiation exposure for the surgeon. Over the years, studies comparing balloon kyphoplasty to non-surgical management have shown balloon kyphoplasty produced better pain relief and quality of life for patients with acute VCF compared to patients treated with non-surgical management.3-5 BACK IN ACTION Nancy said she had a dramatic improvement in her pain levels.

“I was able to exercise in the pool, and I was able to drive again and resume my normal activities: grocery shop, the usual. I would absolutely recommend Balloon Kyphoplasty to someone who needs it.”

Learn more at spine-facts.com.

Although the complication rate for BKP is low, as with most surgical procedures, serious adverse events, some of which can be fatal, can occur, including heart attack, cardiac arrest (heart stops beating), stroke, and embolism (blood, fat, or cement that migrates to the lungs or heart). Other risks include infection; leakage of bone cement into the muscle and tissue surrounding the spinal cord and nerve injury which can, in rare instances, cause paralysis; leakage of bone cement into the blood vessels resulting in damage to the blood vessels, lungs and/or heart.

References: 1. U S Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General.

Bone health and osteoporosis: A report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: US GPO; 2004, p. 436. Available from: http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45513/pdf/TOC.pdf.

2. N ational Osteoporosis Website. https://www. nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/ 3. B erenson J, Pflugmacher R, Jarzem P, et al.

Balloon kyphoplasty versus non-surgical fracture management for treatment of painful vertebral body compression fractures in patients with cancer: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol.

2011 Mar;12(3):225-35.

4. Boonen S, Van Meirhaeghe J, Bastian L, et al. Balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of acute vertebral compression fractures: 2-year results from a randomized trial. J Bone Miner Res. 2011;26(7):1627-1637.

5. V an Meirhaeghe J, Bastian L, Boonen S, et al.

A randomized trial of balloon kyphoplasty and nonsurgical management for treating acute vertebral compression fractures: vertebral body kyphosis correction and surgical parameters. Spine. 2013;38(12),971-983.

WORTH NOTING

Ah, So That’s It! TEAM GUARDIANS

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hen the Cleveland Indians became the Cleveland Guardians, more than a few of us weren't quite sure where the name came from.

And even if we did know that The Guardians of Traffic adorned Hope Memorial Bridge downtown, that's where our knowledge ended.

If you found yourself giving unsatisfying and purposely vague answers to questions from far-flung friends and family members, visit the Then & Now blog from the Western Reserve Historical Society (wrhs. org). Curator Pamela Dorazio

Dean describes the Guardians’ origin and their talented Italian immigrant carvers, many of whom settled in Cleveland neighborhoods and Little Italy.

Here's how she described the eight figures, four facing East, four West: "Each Guardian holds a different mode of transportation in its hands, including a hay rack, a covered wagon, a stagecoach, a passenger automobile, and four types of motor trucks. The vehicles represent the progress made in transportation over time. Because of this, they are sometimes called the Guardians of Transportation."

And the next time someone asks, "What's the deal with the Cleveland Guardians?" You'll have an answer, thanks to WRHS.

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TECH TALK

Physical Distancing, NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING By Tak Sato

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don’t know when the delta variant took over as the dominant COVID-19 virus spreading in our country today.

What I do know is that from January 2020 to a few weeks ago, the virus has resulted in 39 million infections and 624,000 deaths in the U.S., 65 percent of those in adults over 65.

What the statistics don’t show, and what the media doesn’t often cover, are the emotional and mental health risks of social isolation that many Boomers and older adults have succumbed to during the past 18 months.

Although life-saving and necessary to curtail the spread, physical distancing and stay-at-home orders increased the risk of loneliness, especially for those who remained in their own homes. Lockdowns in senior living facilities made group living difficult, too, without visits from family and friends.

TECHNOLOGY’S ROLE During Ohio’s first stay-at-home order in 2020, technology was the answer for businesses and schools.

Employees working from home and students remotely learning – in both cases, over the internet in real time – provided an illusion of normalcy.

Tech Talk readers know that I teach digital literacy to people who are 60 and older, and I’ve been preaching

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the importance of digital literacy as a 21st Century life skill. However, I never imagined that a pandemic would catapult into the stratosphere the sense of urgency to be digitally literate. To this day, many older Boomers I meet do not use any technology – even a cell phone – so helping them embrace digital literacy is a calling that I continue to answer and that is rewarding for my heart.

Conversely, I also run into Boomers who own one or more internetconnected devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer, but their tech skills vary widely. That’s a challenge for those of us who want to video-chat with older family members and friends who have devices but are reluctant to use them because they either don’t know how or aren’t confident in their ability.

What worked for my wife was to lean on a common interest. She told her mom, thousands of miles away, of her project to gather family recipes. My father-in-law used to handle video chats. After his death, the video chats became less frequent with her mom. The recipe project was just the motivation needed to nudge her mom to master the video chats. Now they meet almost daily; recipes take up a small percent of the conversation. More than a year into a government-imposed lockdown,

my mother-in-law is connected to us through technology.

Of course, being in the same place at the same time for conversation and companionship is best. When that is not possible, frequent phone calls are better than nothing. I know this to be true for my mom: if my fully vaccinated aging-in-place mom does not have a daily visit or phone call from her fully vaccinated best friend, she would otherwise go days without talking to anyone.

Today we can do better than just a phone call. Video chats are the nextbest thing to being there.

Ohio and most of our nation enjoyed a short-lived “no mask required for in-person gathering if fully vaccinated” moment earlier this summer. With the delta variant, we are back to being cautious — for good reason — with mask recommendations in place again. Whether or not another stayat-home mandate arrives, start now to help older family members and friends to master video chats. Keeping connected through technology is a skill that benefits everyone.

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

Sponsored Content

DEMENTIA CARE -Supporting a Loved One-

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Presented by Hospice of the Western Reserve

-Celebrating a Diverse Workforce in October-

O M

aking the right care decisions for a loved one with late-stage dementia can be stressful. Hospice of the Western Reserve works with families to develop care plans that maximize comfort and dignity.

The focus is on improving quality of life. Art, music and legacy projects can be used to stimulate memories while providing meaning and comfort.

The hospice team supports both the patient and family, teaching caregivers what to expect and how to cope with symptoms, behavior changes and other challenges.

Regular family conversations address physical symptoms, emotional and spiritual issues, depression, behavioral problems, medication adjustments and nutrition.

Nurses teach techniques to make caregiving easier and loved ones more comfortable. Hospice nursing assistants can assist with personal care and grooming. Providing resources for family members is essential for Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The social worker can relieve caregiving burdens by providing access to community resources and helping the family document advanced directives so end-of-life care preferences are honored. A spiritual care coordinator can offer comforting, nonjudgmental support when it’s most needed. Respite care offers families breaks so they can “recharge batteries” and attend to self-care.

Compassionate care for patients and families can be provided in private residences, assisted living communities, nursing facilities or in the homelike setting of three inpatient care centers (hospice houses).

Visit hospicewr.org or call 800-707-8921. ​

Presented by Summit County Developmental Disabilities

ctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (known as NDEAM). It is a time to celebrate people of all abilities in the workplace.

Employing a diverse workforce gives organizations the chance to solve problems and meet customers’ needs from new and different perspectives. NDEAM is also a time to celebrate the direct support professionals in our community who support the employment needs of those with disabilities.

Celebrating Frontline Direct Support Professionals Summit DD works with community providers throughout Summit County to meet the goals for those on their path to employment. Together, we support more than 1,200 people throughout Summit County. Employment services range from interview and job readiness skills to job search and at-work job coaching. These dedicated DSPs provide the essential services that help people with developmental disabilities prepare, find and keep jobs in their community.

Take the Next Step This October, help us celebrate the hard-working employees with disabilities and the dedicated direct support professionals who create the foundation for employment success in our community.

Looking for a career with a purpose? Learn more about how to become a Direct Support Professional at BecomeADSP.com.

Visit SummitDD.org to connect with the Summit County Employment Collaborative to find qualified job candidates for your organization. Read the five things you need to know about NDEAM at SummitDD.org.

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BROWNS FAN

Lou Abraham From Kid Mascot to the Hall of Fame

By Joe Jancsurak

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illions of fathers and sons have toured the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton since its opening in 1963. Only a handful have been honored by it.

One of those duos has been part of the Browns organization since 1946: Northeast Ohio’s Abe Abraham and his son, Lou. Both have plaques honoring them inside the Hall of Fame’s Visa Hall of Fans.

BACK THEN Long-time Browns fans may remember Abe, a Lebanese immigrant and deli owner, as a “The Man in the Brown Suit."

The Browns appointed him

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to catch after-attempts and field-goal kicks in the Browns’ end zone from 1946 to 1982, shortly before he passed away at age 74.

Abe’s son, Lou, 76, lives in Willoughby with his wife, Shelley, and a treasure trove of football memories. He was the mascot for the 1953-54 Browns teams when he was 10 years old. A classic photo shows the young mascot with members of the 1954 championship Browns, including seven future Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Lou’s business cards feature the image and were happily received by fans he encountered during the days leading up to

the NFL draft this past spring in Cleveland.

Today, Lou, a retired telecom professional, is an integral part of the Browns press box team, a role he has cherished since 1999. Listening to Lou’s recollections is a treat for fans who grew up with the Browns. Even if you didn’t, his enthusiasm for the game and its players and coaches, many of whom he calls friends, is infectious.

“I began shadowing my dad to the team’s training camps and games when I was three. As a young boy, one of my duties was to circle the locker room before games and wish the players

Lou with Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Photos courtesy: Lou Abraham

good luck,” Lou says.

Imagine being a kid tasked with wishing such greats as “Automatic Otto” Graham, Dante “Gluefingers” Lavelli and Lou “The Toe” Groza (who served as Lou’s confirmation sponsor and would later teach him “the fine art of placekicking”) good luck before the games.

Then came the day when Paul Brown dubbed Lou the team’s “good luck charm.”

The legendary Browns coach, for whom the team was named, said he wanted Lou to be the

team’s mascot. “They provided a uniform and introduced me during a 1953 game against the Redskins (now the Washington Football Club),” Lou recalls.

Wearing No. 1 and holding the game ball, Lou ran with the team onto the field before presenting the ball to center Frank Gatski.

The next season, before the 1954 championship 56-10 win over the Detroit Lions, Lou got to do it again.

A TRYOUT Ten years later, after serving in the Navy and graduating

high school from St. Ed’s and West Tech where he kicked, the Browns gave Lou a “pseudo tryout” before the Browns’ 1964 championship 27-0 win against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. Three years later, he was invited to training camp for a real tryout as a free agent.

Although the tryout didn’t lead to a place on the team, his love for the Browns eventually led Lou to his current press box duties, where he disseminates stats, background information and hospitality to media, coaches, players and frontoffice personnel.

“Even during losing seasons (the most notable being the 2017 winless campaign), I never lost sight of the fact that I’m a part of something special, which means that I always greet the players and coaches with a smile and treat them with respect; they, in turn, treat me the same,” says Lou, whose mementos include a signed, mud-caked kicking shoe worn

by Browns kicker Phil Dawson (1999-2002).

Lou’s engaging personality continues to attract current Browns greats, such as quarterback Baker Mayfield, to his circle of friends. “Baker and I talk about everything,” Lou says.

As for the Browns’ chances as they prepare for the 2021-22 season, Lou says, “They have the pieces they need and I’m hoping to be a part of another championship team.”

Go, Browns!

Twinsburg-based freelance writer and lifelong Browns fan Joe Jancsurak has shaken hands with two Browns legends: Jim Brown and Lou Abraham.

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FOOD

A Taste for the Past GOOD THEN, GOOD NOW By John Selick

W

hen our lives took a left turn last year with the start of the quarantine, one of the biggest things that affected us was a change in how we eat.

Restaurants closed or switched to take-out only, grocery stores encouraged delivery or pick-up, and we all started to cook at home more often.

Some of us even planted gardens.

The future is still cloudy for restaurants as they continue to navigate the pandemic, but cooking at home is becoming more enjoyable in this new way of life. We’re starting to look to the past to give us inspiration for what’s next in food.

ADAPTING Baking used to be a skill that only a few enjoyed; even most professional chefs are intimidated by baking.

Baking became such a huge hobby last year that it caused a shortage of yeast and flour. Shelves were so bare, it was reminiscent of a town preparing for a hurricane, but in this case, it was nationwide. The flour industry has since adapted to the demand and home bakers continue to dabble with making from-scratch muffins, pies, cakes, cookies, pizza dough and more.

Gardening is another hobby that many of us took up during quarantine. This boom in gardening hasn’t been seen since the Victory Gardens of the post-World War II era in the 1940s. Last year, vegetable gardens presented a steep learning curve for many of us, and we stuck to basics like tomatoes and zucchini with a few fresh herbs thrown in.

Now our gardens are getting

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bigger and more ambitious; we are growing more fun things like melons, hot peppers and cucumbers.

Hopefully, you’re composting garden waste; it only helps your garden become more abundant in a very natural way. You can easily compost in a corner of your garden by throwing pruned leaves into a pile, keeping the compost moist and mixing it up every week or so.

Compost tumblers are available, but they’re expensive. A budget-friendly version is to use an inexpensive dark garbage can and drill holes in it for oxygen and water drainage. Toss the contents every now and then; in about three months, you’ll have compost for your garden.

Another “what was old is new again” hobby that’s back is the art of pickling, fermenting and canning. This is, in part, because so many of us have become pretty good at gardening and we don’t know what to do with all those cucumbers. As much as I enjoy

fermenting vegetables, I usually do a “quick pickle” for cucumbers with a ratio of equal parts of sugar and vinegar and then enough water to match the volume of the sugar and vinegar. Add your favorite spices (look on the internet for ideas) and you’ve got a pickled cucumber that is ready the next day. These are also known as refrigerator pickles because they need to be stored in the refrigerator, unlike their counterpart, fermented pickles, that can be stored (unopened) on the shelf.

My garden is full of hot peppers. I like spicy food and my daughter gives them to her grandpa as a present since he likes his food to have a kick, as well. I chargrill the banana peppers, remove the skins and seeds and chop them coarsely with a knife. I mix in chopped garlic, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil, then finish with toasted almonds and Romano cheese for a rustic and spicy pesto. You can use sweet peppers for a mild version.

If there’s a silver lining to this ongoing pandemic, it’s our return to the wonders of the home kitchen, sourced by the home garden. Enjoy!

John Selick is a Certified Executive Chef and President of the American Culinary Federation Cleveland Chapter.

What Now? YOUR RETIREMENT, YOUR PLAN

By Marie Elium

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Tom Fulton started crafting his retirement five years ago.

As founder and artistic director of the Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls, Fulton has built a career that relies on preparation; performances demand weeks and months of rehearsal. He’s approaching retirement the same way.

“I started thinking about retiring five years ago. My wife and I have prepared for quite a while with savings and just talking about how we will downsize as necessary and to upsize when we want to,” says Fulton, who will be 70 when he retires next May. “We want to live our life to the fullest and especially now that I enter my autumn years.

I’m really looking forward to it. For the most part, I have spent my life doing what I love: acting, directing, teaching and having a beautiful family. But now I really want to just have more time to write and read and take walks and go fishing with my dogs.”

Plan, then Do Because money is usually a factor when someone sets a retirement date, people tend to focus on how they’ll spend their money after they leave their jobs rather than how they’ll spend their time, says Patrick O’Connor, a local author, educator and career counselor.

O’Connor writes about people who have turned what they love into what they do.

Similar skills can help people find satisfaction in retirement, he says.

“I think a lot of people know exactly what they’ll do in retirement. I’m [saying], how do you know if you’ve never been retired before?

In an encore retirement lifestyle, you need to be willing to second-guess yourself. When you leave [a job], you have to turn what you love into what you do.”

With people living longer and healthier in retirement, “All the rules after retirement have changed dramatically,” O’Connor says. “What are you going to do if you retire at 52?”

Fulton knows. He wants to stay close to the theater and hopes to direct, teach and act as opportunities arise. Travel is part of the plan, too, with Scotland, New Zealand and Canada on the list. He’s writing a book, has another project in the works and will be keeping up with the demands of his 200-acre property where he lives with his wife.

Tim Lybarger is founder and Executive Director of Encore NEO, a not-for-profit organization that helps people build meaningful careers and satisfying lifestyles for the second halves of their lives.

“The difference between [traditional] retirement and [today’s] retirement is that before, we had the assumption that we’re financially independent and now we can relax.

That’s out of a previous age when we didn’t live so long. There’s an emerging movement around the concept of a 100-year life, so traditional retirement doesn’t make sense anymore,” Lybarger stresses.

One way to think about retirement is to create a life that meets four basic needs: intellectual, existential, physical and social, he says. “Lifespan is different from healthspan.

Think: Does my life continue to have meaning and do I have the financial resources for it?”

During our working years, we should be investing in our basic needs, which Lybarger refers to as our capital. That investment needs to continue in retirement. “If we have money to retire, our lives still have to have meaning or purpose,” he says.

Successful retirement requires an investment and an understanding of who we are and what we want to accomplish. “Who do you want to help? What problem do you want to help them solve? Then we have a purpose or assignment to pull us forward,” Lybarger says.

“Our existence requires a purpose.”

Don’t do it on your own, Lybarger continues.

“Figuring out our path going forward is like reading the ingredients of a bottle from inside the bottle,” he says. A better way and one that he uses at Encore NEO, is to get feedback from a group of people — not family members — for this task.

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“We are all in the act of becoming, even in the act of retirement, and we need help from others. The group support component is the single most important thing you can do,” he adds.

Next Most people agree that retirement needs planning, but most people don’t know how to do it.

“If someone is retiring in two years, the most important thing — other than financial — is to begin to connect with others outside of work with social groups,” Lybarger says.

These networks — joining a club, for example — help break retirement isolation. Some connections help us give or “feed” people in our community, while others, like a hiking club, “feed” ourselves.

O’Connor says the key is to pluck what we liked when we were working and find a way to implement it into retirement.

“I’m amazed at how quickly your energy levels drop and how quickly people become disengaged from society” in retirement, he has observed.

Fulton, from the Academy of the Performing Arts, welcomes the change that will come next spring when he retires from his busy schedule. He knows there could be a downside, too.

“I don’t really wanna lose contact with the theater,” Fulton says.

That’s why he’ll remain open to opportunities to be involved as his retirement schedule permits. “There are a lot of old man roles out there and not a lot of old men actors in Cleveland, so I probably can get to play some old guy in a rocker.”

For a theater guy, that seems like a good plan.

Patrick O’Connor and Tim Lybarger are bloggers for Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond. You can find their latest entries at northeastohioboomer.com.

Marie Elium knows a lot of people who are talking about retirement.

She isn’t one of them.

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Retirement: A PROCESS

I

t’s a terrible idea to stumble into anything; that’s especially true for retirement.

Patrick O’Connor offers up this three-phase process to guide folks throughout significant transition times: initial, transitional and encore.

His advice can help with post-retirement planning by encouraging people to turn what they love into what they do.

HERE’S EACH SIGNIFICANT TRANSITION TIME: • Initial –This occurs three times: as a high school graduate, college graduate and college dropout.

• Transitional – This can be mid- or late-career and occur multiple times. Change can be voluntary or forced.

• Encore – This happens when a retiree wants to re-enter the workforce full- or part-time. Again, it can happen multiple times.

THESE ARE THE STEPS TO USE: • Review – Examine where you have been in life thus far, by conducting a lifeline exercise to determine your interests and career themes.

This may reveal multiple interests that can guide you to new career possibilities.

• Explore – Do a basic internet search on the career. Then, search for trade and/or professional associations related to the career area. These associations are devoted to the betterment of the industry and those who work in it, so they are excellent sources for networking and informational interviewing. An informational interview is an opportunity to meet/talk with someone in the industry.

• Envision – Having a vision for the future you wish to create is essential to creating it. What will it take to pursue your passion?

What obstacles must you overcome? Identify specific plans to get where you want to go. For example, join a professional association, do active networking, plan for additional education, training, or credentialing to launch you toward the vision you have.

Grand Northeast Ohio

Train Time

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TAG, THEY'RE IT

Supplement to

Boomer Northeast Ohio

and Beyond

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d n a r G

ain TrTIME! All Aboard for Fun

By Karen Shadrach

M

ost kids love trains. So what could be more fun than riding a miniature train through the woods and fields? Northeast Ohio has three miniature train clubs made up of friendly people who enjoy sharing their hobby and offering free train rides to the public. Riding on the steamers is a wonderful famly event. Here’s where to find them:

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Better Living After 50

THE LAKESHORE LIVE STEAMERS in Kirtland is located at the Penitentiary Glen Reservation of the Lake Metroparks. Their club is 50 years strong and what began as a simple track laid out around a floral shop in the early ‘50s is now thousands of feet of track winding through the woods, animated by steam-powered mini-locomotives.

Public train rides yet this year are from 1-3 p.m. on September 19, a Halloween-themed run on October 3, and a Christmas run on December

5. Reservations and tickets for these events may be obtained at lakemetroparks.com. Rides are always free of charge, but donations are gratefully appreciated.

All can board these miniature trains. Riders sit atop the cars, straddling them with their legs on either side. Small children must be able to sit on a seat. Infants unable to sit by themselves can still ride, but must be held centered in front of an adult. The trains do not exceed five miles per hour. The young and

young at heart love to hear the sound of the train whistle, smell the steam and enjoy the clickety-clack of the rails.

THE NORTHEASTERN OHIO LIVE STEAMERS is located on Medina County Park District land at Lester Rail Trail. Trains are 1/8-scale with a 7.5-inch track gauge model railroad. They are open for public runs, September 18 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.; October 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and October 16 from 2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30. p.m. No reservations

are required. The runs in October are Halloween-themed. Children can wear costumes, but for safety, avoid something long and flowy.

Passengers can ride more than once and often on different trains, as the club operates several at a time. The Halloween train rides are fun, but the daylight session at 2 p.m. may be less scary for smaller grandkids.

The local train enthusiast club in Sandusky is the ERIE METRO LIVE STEAMERS located at the East Sandusky Bay Metropark in Huron at Eagle Point (off US 6).

Members spent their downtime in 2020 further developing the East Bay Railway. They also did a lot of maintenance and improvements.

So far, they’re up to 9,000 feet on a 1/8-scale track layout.

This railway consists of three tracks with each route lasting seven to eight minutes. The lines were built over the course of a decade and the railway is funded exclusively by donations and run by volunteers of the club. Rides are given on a firstcome, first-served basis. Remaining public runs for this year include October 2 from 1-3 p.m. and October 16 from 3-5 p.m.

The railroad lines loop around and over bridges to Eagle Point, crisscrossing through magnificent scenery of colorful wildflowers, shaded wooded areas and tall, mossy tree groves.

All of the clubs are open to new members of all ages. Everything about the railroads — the rails, loading platforms and trains — are all built by club members or are donated. Members enjoy sharing their love of trains.

This fall, hop aboard a minilocomotive and take a peaceful, scenic trek through the woods with the grandkids.

September/October 2021

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

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T

Tag, They're It

iger. Elephant. Dolphin. Bulldozer.

A licensed pediatric psychologist Timeless Lawnmower. Snowplow. Helicopter. at Akron Children’s Hospital and Parenting Free-Range. Lighthouse. associate professor of psychiatry at Styles What do all of these have in NEOMED, Dr. Putt sorts through

By Estelle common? They’re all trending today’s common parenting types and Rodis-Brown parenting styles. The current generation labels, explaining the benefits and of parents may be authoritarian, drawbacks of each. authoritative, permissive or neglectful, just as in Keep in mind that each of the following our day, but the labels have changed. is an extreme characterization. Dr. Putt says Deciphering today’s terms can reveal the balance is found in taking the best of each type motivations behind the parenting approach you see and leading with love. Moderation is more from your children or in other families you know. important than any one style. “The dose makes You may even recognize your own parenting style(s) the poison,” he says. along the way.

Each term reflects four basic parenting As Dr. Geoffrey Putt says, “There’s nothing new styles. Ideally, parents (and grandparents, in under the sun… just different trendy terms to some families) should strike a balance between describe them.” independence and rules, work and play.

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TIGER Popularized by author Amy Chua who wrote “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” Tiger parents are authoritarian, pressuring children to attain high levels of academic achievement or success in extracurricular activities. These parents are strict, demanding and motivated by accomplishments more than emotional connection. While children of tiger parents generally achieve high levels of academic and career success, Dr. Putt warns that these neurotic over-achievers never feel “good enough, since perfection is expected and excellence is merely tolerated.”

PROS • Leads to more productive, responsible and motivated children • Children develop a strong work ethic and the ability to challenge themselves • Children focus on intrinsic motivation vs. external rewards CONS • Causes children to be self-critical and undermines their confidence • An intense focus on perfection can cause anxiety and depression • Fear of making mistakes leads to poor coping skills

ELEPHANT Opposite of tigers, comparably permissive elephant parents foster emotional closeness with their offspring, focusing on the emotional security and connection with the child. These parents try not to raise their voices and value encouragement over academic or athletic success.

PROS • Creates a carefree childhood environment • Provides opportunities to let kids be kids • Offers a feeling of comfort and support CONS • May not provide children with needed boundaries • Creates overly dependent children •M akes it difficult for children to adjust to adulthood

DOLPHIN This authoritative parenting style aligns itself to the motto, “It takes a village to raise a child;” or with this metaphor, it takes a pod. Dolphin parents believe in collaboration, flexibility and balance, meaning not too strict while also still having rules, and being supportive but not overprotective. It is considered a happier medium between permissive jellyfish/supportive panda and authoritarian tiger parenting.

PROS • Flexible parenting style is built around strong and social connections • Resists over-parenting and over-scheduled lifestyles • Applies rules and consequences but also focuses on the power of play CONS • Can be a struggle to maintain parental balance • Child may not be an overachiever • Collaborative discussions can be time-consuming

HELICOPTER/LAWNMOWER/ SNOWPLOW/BULLDOZER As this progressive set of images suggests, these overinvolved parents hover over or stand in the gap for their child, removing obstacles that cause the child discomfort, challenges or struggles. “They physically clear the child’s path, doing the work for them,” Dr. Putt says.

While this style seems supportive, it is actually considered authoritarian because the parent calls the shots, removing choice from the child and driving them in a direction set by the parent.

PROS • Child feels supported by parents • Parents feel needed and effective • Parents and children feel connected CONS • Children can struggle with self-reliance and independence • Children may experience delayed maturity and self-doubt • Children may fail to take responsibility

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d n a r G FREE-RANGE These permissive parents allow their kids the freedom to make mistakes, explore and try new things without much guidance. They believe children can learn problem-solving skills through trial and error, and that natural consequences are some of life’s best teachers.

PROS • Encourages children to develop skills needed to become responsible adults • Trusts children to make the right decisions • Encourages independence and self-reliance CONS • Lack of parental oversight increases potential danger to child • Absence of structured, scheduled activities could make children resistant to following rules • Child protective services may intervene, interpreting this parenting style as neglectful

LIGHTHOUSE This imagery depicts authoritative parents as beacons of light who serve as role models for their children, projecting light from a distance to show them possible dangers ahead, trusting the child to adjust their course accordingly.

These parents ensure the children don’t crash against the rocks, but trust they have the capacity to learn to ride the waves on their own.

Lighthouse parents provide unconditional love but not unconditional approval. They set high expectations and boundaries for what’s acceptable and what’s not.

Dr. Putt doesn’t hesitate when asked which type of parenting style he thinks is best.

“The lighthouse is my favorite,” he says. “It creates a little distance — but not negligence — so the child develops independence and selfreliance. It focuses on modeling what we want to see; not doing it for them. This style has firm rules, structure, consequences and support.”

As you can see, the authoritative style of parenting — whether you call it Dolphin or Lighthouse — is considered the gold standard of balance, resulting in children with greater self-confidence, critical thinking, responsibility, good behavior and academic performance. These

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outcomes are achieved by encouraging collaborative communication that is both firm and flexible (no cons to point out here!).

Authoritative parents are engaged, nurturing, responsive and supportive, yet set firm limits for their children. They attempt to control children’s behavior by explaining rules, having discussions and using reasoning. While these parents listen to a child’s viewpoint, they don’t always accept it.

“Ideally, parenting is about balance and moderation,” Dr. Putt says. “Don’t take any one of these parenting types as gospel. None of them is inherently bad, but each should be taken on balance. It depends on your goal.”

So, while authoritative parenting remains the steadfast goal froom generation to generation, hybrid styles are the best parenting trend yet.

Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer from Portage County who also serves as digital/assistant editor of Boomer magazine. A mother and grandmother, she is committed to lifelong learning, wellness and pursuit of better living at any age.

THURSDAYS

Fun With the Grandkids

Haunted Lantern Tours. Do ghosts and spirits haunt the former Lake County Poorhouse? Many who have experienced ghostly sightings say, "Definitely, yes." Walk through the long, dark corridors with only lanterns to light the way. 9/16 and Thursdays in October. 8-9:30 p.m. Lake Co. Historical Society, 415 Riverside Rd., Painesville, lakehistorycenter.org

9/24 Fun Science Friday-Dinosaur Discovery. Explore the world of dinosaurs, from fossils and eggs to carnivores and herbivores. Ages 4-6, through kindergarten. 4-4:45 p.m.

Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., 330-334-5761, wadsworth library.com Fall Family Camping. Join naturalists for a fun, active weekend of camping at scenic Munroe Falls Lake Area with hiking, campfire cooking, paddling and yard games. 5-11 p.m. Munroe Falls, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., 330865-8065, summitmetroparks.org

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Tuscany on Tusc: An Italian Street Festival. Live music, Italian food trucks, street market (“Piazza del Mercato), stilt walkers, face painting, Italian photo ops and more! Magical Theatre Company.

565 Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330848-3708, magicaltheatre.org. FREE

9/25 & 9/26 22nd Annual KidShow. Activities and fun for the whole family, wiith a show so cool, you may need help planning your visit. 11 a.m -6 p.m. Saturday & Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor, shopgreatlakesmall.com

9/25-10/24 Pumpkin Pandemonium. Bring the family for a scavenger hunt, get lost in the Harvest Maze and take a hayride tour around the farm. Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday 2-6 p.m. Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, heritagefarms.com

9/30 Drum Circle. Enjoy music, connection, discussion and relaxation with a boardcertified music therapist during this

group drumming session. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Rd., 330-273-4150, mcdl.info

10/1-3 Norton Cider Festival. A family event for all ages, including apple decorating, magical train, inflatables and fireworks.

Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. Columbia Woods Park, 4060 Columbia Woods Dr., nortonciderfestival.com

10/1-15 Disney’s The Lion King. Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The Serengeti comes to life! As the music soars, Pride Rock emerges from the mist. State Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-2416000, playhousesquare.org. $39-195

11/19-21 Fairmount Youth Theatre Presents: Honk! Jr. A heart-warming celebration of being different for audiences of all ages with its wit, charm and score.

Friday 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Rd., fairmountcenter.org

Sponsored Content

MEANINGFUL OBJECTS FROM HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS -Special Exhibit Opens in OctoberPresented by Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

“S

tories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory.” is a landmark exhibit that showcases more than 60 never-before-seen personal items brought to America by survivors of the Holocaust and genocide. The special exhibition opens at the Maltz Museum on October 27 and will be on view through February 27, 2022.

Each artifact is dramatically showcased alongside oversized photographs by renowned documentarian Jim Lommasson with handwritten responses by survivors or their family members. The objects are a reflection of their owners’ journeys and family histories.

And though the objects and memories start from very different origins, common threads bind them all together.

These are the threads that bind us all, the common story of moving to a new land, building a new life, yet holding on to the past. "Stories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory." is a project of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center with photography by Jim Lommasson.

See this exhibition in person or online. Learn more at maltzmuseum.org.

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Binge Watch FALL IN FOR AN AUTUMN DRIVE

By Marie Elium

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Better Living After 50

Suddenly, it’s fall.

The season’s show-stopping colors remind us of everything that’s great about living in Ohio.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that if you didn’t make reservations months ago for an autumn trip, it’s too late now.

But you have other options that don’t require overnight accommodations. Procrastinators, we’ve got your back. Remember going for a drive when we were kids? It’s still fun, especially when the fall scenery glides by the car window. The Ohio Department of Development has put together a handy list of car-friendly itineraries that are perfect for leaf-peeping.

Stop by ohio.org and poke around the website for suggestions based on season, section of the state and interest. Below are a few of their recommendations and a couple of favorites from those of us at Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond.

Pack a snack, buckle up and enjoy the ride. The scenery is free.

Ashtabula County Covered Bridges

Great Seal State Park

The 37th Annual Covered Bridge Festival is October 9-10.

You don’t need a festival as an excuse to enjoy visiting some of the county’s 19 covered bridges. Find a map and descriptions of each bridge at coveredbridgefestival.org.

Oberlin Ohio has wonderful small towns that are lovely year-round, but fall means school, and what better place to celebrate autumn than in a college town?

Oberlin’s downtown streets are lined with ginkgo trees with their funky, fan-shaped leaves.

However, the time that the trees really shine is in autumn, when they turn a brilliant yellow that casts a vivid glow to their surroundings, especially on sunny days. Then, seemingly without warning, they drop all their leaves at once. Don’t miss the show.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park & Whipp’s Ledges

If you’re hankering for a mountain view, this is as close as it gets in Ohio. The park’s hills are the inspiration for the images on The Great Seal of Ohio, and that’s where the park gets its name. Located just north of Chillicothe, Great Seal State Park is on the edge of the Appalachian Plateau. On a clear day, hikers can see Columbus from one of the overlooks.

Amish Country

Known locally as Nelson Ledges, the park is located outside of Garrettsville on State Route 282 between State Route 303 and U.S. 422. With rock formations like ‘Old Maid’s Kitchen” and “Devil’s Icebox,” the park stirs the imagination with its fanciful names and fall foliage set against mossgreen outcroppings. Over in Hinckley Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks Whipp’s Ledges has a trail that wends its way around soaring towers of sandstone.

It’s a dramatic way to see nice leaf colors.

Of the state’s 88 counties, Holmes is not only one of the most picturesque, it’s also the center of the world’s secondlargest Amish community.

Head down about 80 miles south from Cleveland and take a ramble through Millersburg, Winesburg, Charm and Killbuck... and don’t be shy about venturing off the main thoroughfares. The winding roads reveal bright red barns, haystacks and neat-as-a-pin farmhouses. Watch out for the slow-moving buggies while taking in the colors.

Marie Elium’s least-favorite season is fall because it means summer is over. She does, however, like the fall colors, especially among the ginkgos.

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

2021

Do you know an amazing, local person who has made a positive impact in the lives of people 50+?

• NEO Boomer is taking nominations now through October 8 for the second annual Boomer Impact Awards.

• The winner(s) will be featured in the November/ December issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond.

• We want to recognize individuals who are innovators and leaders making a transformative difference in the lives of our region’s older adults.

• From housing to healthcare, employment, recreation and more, give us your nominees for people who are creatively addressing the needs of people 50 and older. Nominations may be submitted by providing the name of your nominee and a brief (200-word) description of why they should be considered for a Boomer Impact Award.

Submit an online nomination by October 8 at https://bit.ly/3twBOZt

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Playhouse Square Grab a Seat - It's Showtime

By Linda Feagler Photos by Playhouse Square

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Better Living After 50

I

Gina Vernaci, Playhouse Square’s president and CEO, vividly recalls the day COVID-19 took center stage in her life.

t was Thursday, March 12, 2020, and the 50thanniversary tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar” was in town. Cast and crew were preparing for their third performance of the dazzling revival at the Connor Palace when word came down that in the wake of the pandemic, Gov. Mike DeWine had issued a directive prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people.

“It felt as though you had stepped off the stage into a bottomless orchestra pit, and didn’t know where you were going to stop,” Vernaci says.

“On March 2, we had announced that our 48,629 season-ticketholders for the KeyBank Broadway Series was the largest (subscriber base) in North America. Ten days later, we were out of business.”

REVIVAL It’s not the first storm Playhouse Square and Vernaci have weathered.

In 1970, when the State, Ohio, Palace and Allen theaters were slated to be demolished, community leaders banded together to spare them from the wrecking ball.

And when Vernaci arrived in Cleveland 14 years later to start the internship that would ultimately direct the course of her career, there was no guarantee the job would be a permanent one.

“In 1984, Playhouse Square had two theaters in operation, and the organization was a million dollars in debt,” she says. “I was told that, although they really needed the help, they really couldn’t afford the help and they could only pay me for three months. I was advised to go home and really think about this because it was a big risk. Even though most of the theaters were unrenovated, I found the architecture of the buildings inspiring and loved the story of their rescue. So when I got home, I called and said, ‘I’ll see you Monday. Playhouse Square is where I want to be.’ ” This fall, as the arts make a

much-welcomed comeback, and the glorious Playhouse Square theaters gear up for the first live performances in 18 months, Vernaci talked with Boomer & Beyond about the ways the arts enrich our lives, and Playhouse Square’s commitment to making them accessible to everyone.

B&B: How has the pandemic affected the arts community?

GV: We were a very hard-hit industry. But I also say with enormous respect that there are people who suffered very personal losses, as well.

The cascading effect at Playhouse Square was that we canceled or postponed over 1,100 performances and events. Logistically, we also had to figure out how to [help] our resident companies — Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, DANCECleveland and Tri-C’s theater and JazzFest programs — as well as Broadway in Akron (which is staged at E.J. Thomas Hall) soldier through and come back to life this fall. Our team here loves Playhouse Square and what we do. For us, this isn’t a job — it’s a calling and a lifestyle.

We pulled together and came up with solutions — and when we found we weren’t on the right path, we stopped and tried new ones.

B&B: Were there any silver linings?

GV: There were extremely wonderful discoveries. Education

and outreach are central to Playhouse Square’s nonprofit mission. We created workshops and study guides and rolled them out to the community to serve 95,000 students throughout Northeast Ohio. Every school in the Cleveland Municipal School District participated, and we have never had that kind of participation before.

That speaks to the extraordinary need for the arts in the community.

When it comes to school funding, arts programs often are not considered necessary. But what we have just been through speaks to the fact that the arts are as important to us as oxygen. When the chips were down, what students and teachers needed were the arts to get them through.

B&B: You earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and tutored students in trigonometry. What led you to choose a career in the theater?

GV: I always loved the arts. I grew up in St. Louis, one of five children raised by a single mom whose income placed us well below the poverty line. Nonetheless, there were still lots of ways that we got out and enjoyed the arts. A favorite place was The Muny, an 11,000-seat outdoor venue, the last three rows of which were free. I remember sitting with my mom and being swept away by what was happening on stage way down there. After I graduated, I became an administrative assistant at The Folly Theater, a former burlesque house that was reopening in downtown Kansas City as a nonprofit theater.

That is what eventually led me to Playhouse Square.

B&B: Playhouse Square is renowned for being a key stop on the Broadway touring circuit.

How did the complex earn that accolade?

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It’s Back!

LIVE THEATER TAKES CENTER STAGE

By Linda Feagler

Stages across Northeast Ohio are ready to welcome you back with a variety of show-stopping performances. Here’s a rundown of what to see and where to see it.

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 44107, 216521-2540, ext. 10, beckcenter.org Broadway Bound (9/10–10/3/21), The Exonerated (10/8–11/7/21), Elf The Musical (12/3/21–1/2/22), Lizzie The Musical (2/4–27/22), Meteor Shower (4/1–5/1/22), The Legend of Georgia McBride (5/27–6/26/22), Something Rotten (7/8/22–8/7/22).

BROADWAY IN AKRON PRESENTED

BY PLAYHOUSE SQUARE AT AKRON UNIVERSITY’S E.J. THOMAS HALL 198 Hill St., Akron 44325, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org Waitress (10/8 & 9/21), Anastasia (11/30/2 & 12/1/22), Hairspray (4/12 & 13/22), Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical (5/10 & 11/22).

CHAGRIN VALLEY LITTLE THEATRE 40 River St., Chagrin Falls 44022, 440247-8955, cvlt.org Holmes & Watson (9/17–10/2/21), Miracle on 34th Street (11/19–12/11/21), Women in Jeopardy! (1/21–2/5/22), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (3/18–4/10/22), Elliot & Me (6/10–25/22), Disney’s Newsies (7/22–8/13/22).

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44115, 216241-6000, clevelandplayhouse.com Twelfth Night (10/13–23/21), Where Did We Sit on the Bus? (10/23–11/14/21), Light It Up! A New Holiday Musical (11/27–12/22/21), The Three Musketeers (2/5–27/22), Antigone (3/5–27/22), I’m Back Now (4/30–5/22/22).

DOBAMA THEATRE 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts. 44118, 216932-3396, dobama.org Airness (10/29–11/21/21), Hurricane Diane (1/21–2/13/22), Kill Move Paradise (3/4–27/22), Life Sucks (4/22–5/22/22).

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FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION 38660 Mentor Ave. Willoughby 44094, 440-9517500, fineartsassociation.org Steel Magnolias (9/17–19, 24–26 & 10/1–3/21), The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (2/11–13, 18–20 & 25–27/22), Ten Below (4/1–3 & 8–10/22), Alice in Danceland (6/10, 17–18 & 24–26/22).

GREAT LAKES THEATER 2067 East 14th St., Cleveland 44115, 216-2416000, greatlakestheater.org The Tempest (10/15–11/7/21), A Christmas Carol (11/26–12/23/21), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2/11–3/6/22), Much Ado About Nothing (3/25–4/10/22), The Marvelous Wonderettes (4/29–5/22/22).

HUDSON PLAYERS 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson 44236, 330-655-8522, hudsonplayers.com Domestic Tranquility (11/5–6, 12–14 & 19–20/21), Something Rotten (2/4–5, 11–13, 18–20 & 25– 26/22), The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party (4/29-30 & 5/6–8, 13–15 & 20–21/22).

KARAMU HOUSE 2355 East 89th St., Cleveland 44106, 216-7957077, karamuhouse.org Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (10/8–31/21), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (12/3–23/21), Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop (2/11–3/6/22), Keith Hamilton Cobb’s American Moor (5/6–29/22).

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE KEYBANK BROADWAY SERIES 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44115, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org The Prom (11/2–21/21), Pretty Woman (3/8–27/22), Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (4/26–5/15/22), Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations (7/12–31/22), Frozen (8/11–9/11/22).

WEATHERVANE PLAYHOUSE 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron 44313, 330-8362626, weathervaneplayhouse.com Kinky Boots (9/30–10/24/21), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (11/18– 12/19/21), 8x10 TheatreFest (1/13–23/22), The Color Purple (2/17–3/13/22), Clue 4/7–5/1/22), Disney’s Newsies (6/2–7/3/22).

GV: I have the joy and honor to serve as the vice-chair of the road for the Broadway League — the trade association for Broadway — which puts Playhouse Square in the room where it happens.

But the real reason the KeyBank Broadway Series is so successful is that we have an audience in Northeast Ohio like no other. No matter how wonderful a show might be, you are nowhere without an audience, and we have audiences here that, ratio-wise, proportionally extend way beyond the population for a market this size.

B&B: What do you attribute that to?

GV: One [factor] is that this community has a lot of world-class arts organizations, and when you are exposed to world-class, it whets your appetite for more. The learning institutions in this area are highly respected and there is also this interesting network of professional, semi-professional and community theater. We are all part of the same

tapestry, and together, it weaves the portrait of who Cleveland is.

B&B: Playhouse Square is dedicated to making performances accessible for everyone. What initiatives are you most proud of?

GV: The work that we are doing in underserved communities. Each year, four third-, fourth- or fifthgrade classrooms are selected to participate in our Disney Musicals in Schools program. Eligibility is based on having no arts funding, and 50 percent of the enrollment is below the poverty level. Then, students come here to perform a number from the musical where their families can see them on stage. We have heard from teachers that the program has helped turn unmanageable students into engaged and excited leaders.

Additionally, our sensory-friendly programming for all ages provides safe, judgment-free performances for people with autism or other

challenges. Here, they are welcomed by everyone, feel included and have a wonderful time.

B&B: So many of us have come to take the arts for granted, but their absence clearly left a void during this difficult time.

GV: Even though the arts have clear business metrics in terms of ticket sales, what they actually do for us is immeasurable. They fuel our souls.

They give us hope. Intellectually and emotionally, they help us reach our aspirations. Their absence put us all in a place where we weren’t together hearing the vibe of live music, hearing the spoken word or seeing a beautiful piece of art — and it shook us to the core. The opportunity to get back out and participate again as a community in Cleveland will propel us all forward.

September/October 2021

Linda Feagler is a Cleveland freelance writer who thinks of Playhouse Square as her second home.

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MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT Time for a Change-Up? If you want better health insurance coverage next year, the annual Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, for coverage changes effective in January 2022. This is the window of opportunity for Medicare plan enrollees to reevaluate coverage options — whether it’s Original Medicare with supplemental drug coverage or Medicare Advantage — and make changes to optimize coverage. Our Medicare Guide will help you make the right selections. Contact the featured advisors and companies that can help you make sense of the details and terminologies so you’ll secure the best plan for your particular situation. Streamline your search for the best match here. Remember, you can find further information at medicare.gov.

Choose well; be well.

40 Better Living After 50

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MEDICARE BASICS Options & More

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riginal Medicare covers most but not all of the costs for approved health care services and supplies. After you meet your deductible, you pay your share of costs for services and supplies as you get them.

There’s no limit on what you’ll pay out-of-pocket in a year unless you have other coverage (like Medigap, Medicaid, or employee or union coverage).

Services covered by Medicare must be medically necessary.

Medicare also covers many preventive services, like shots and screenings. If you go to a doctor or other health care provider that

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Better Living After 50

accepts the Medicare-approved amount, your share of costs may be less. If you get a service that Medicare doesn’t cover, you pay the full cost.

With Original Medicare, you can go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S., join a Medicare drug plan (Part D) to get drug coverage and buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help lower your share of costs for services you get.

Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing and dental services.

You join a plan offered by Medicare-approved private companies that follow rules set

by Medicare. Each plan can have different rules for how you get services, like needing referrals to see a specialist. Costs for monthly premiums and services you get vary, depending on which plan you join.

Plans must cover all emergency and urgent care, and almost all medically necessary services Original Medicare covers. Some plans tailor their benefit packages to offer additional benefits to treat specific conditions.

Source: Medicare.gov

September/October 2021

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Kathy Hirko and the KAZ Company team can help you answer that question and any other questions you may have. KAZ Company is an insurance agency focused

44 Better Living After 50

ONLY on Medicare plans. We work hard to understand all of the plans in order to help you find the plan that best meets your needs.

At no cost or obligation to you and with a team all throughout Northeast Ohio, KAZ Company is here to help. Give us a call at 216-901-9300.

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MEDICARE FRAUD PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECT YOUR MONEY

Medicare and Medicare supplement plans help keep millions of older adults healthy each year by paying for preventive care and costly treatments. The plans pay out billions of dollars for healthcare each year. But where there’s money, there’s fraud. Don’t be a victim.

DO • Protect your Medicare number and your Social Security number.

• Use a calendar to record all of your doctor's appointments and any tests you get.

• Learn more about Medicare and recent scams.

• Understand what a Medicare plan can and can't do before you join.

DON'T • Give your Medicare card, Medicare number, Social Security card, or Social Security number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.

• Accept offers of money or gifts for free medical care.

• Allow anyone, except your doctor or other Medicare providers, to review your medical records or recommend services.

• Contact your doctor to request a service that you don't need.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Better Living After 50

September/October 2021

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HEALTH

What’s Next for Dentistry?

NEW TECHNIQUES, BETTER CARE By Dr. Steve Marsh

I

have had the good fortune of practicing dentistry for more than 44 years, including three years in the United States Air Force and 41 years in private practice. My late father, Dr. Sam Marsh, practiced nearly 50 years after graduating from The Ohio State University — my alma mater, as well — and his two years in the United States Army.

With more than 90 cumulative years in our field, we have seen many changes in both techniques and materials, and I’m certain there are many new developments on the horizon.

FOR STARTERS… Cavity detection is one such area. Radiographs (X-rays) have gone digital.

We take them with a sensor rather than film (which helps lessen our environmental impact), and you can see the results instantly on a computer screen. With the help of other digital improvements, dentists can see problems earlier and be more exacting in their diagnoses.

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Better Living After 50

Intraoral photography, transillumination and caries-dye also provide better detection, and changes in AI (artificial intelligence) show promise in this area.

Impression techniques for mouth molds have also come a long way.

My father used plaster in dental school, which had to harden in the mouth, be “broken” apart, and then glued together. In my years at The OSU, we used many different kinds of “goop,” which took a long time to harden and then had to be poured — while the patient got their faces cleaned or “de-gooped.”)

Today, digital impressions are made with

a scanning device, and after they are analyzed on the computer screen, they are forwarded to a 3-D printer to be fabricated.

These 3-D prints are used to fabricate crowns, bridges and veneers, which may also be made via computer. This can speed up the process and result in better-fitting restorations.

Moving forward, the scanning devices should also be more effective in processing partial dentures, dentures and implant procedures; in this latter area, they are already being used in both guided surgery and prosthetics.

For the all-important patient experience, anesthetics are more

effective, last longer (if necessary), and should be given more gently. Oraverse can be administered at the end of an appointment, lessening the time that a patient has to be numb — by nearly three hours. Other areas of comfort may involve headphones, 3-D glasses and sunglasses, and even custom-made pillows.

Each of these items, in addition to improvements in air quality and other PPE gear, promises to maintain and improve the dental environment.

While we’ve seen many developments, there is still room for changes that will make the delivery of dental care even more effective and easier for both the dentist and patient. Who knows what we’ll see in the next 90 years? I’m sure my dad would agree that in dentistry, the best is yet to come.

Dr. Steve Marsh specializes in cosmetic dental procedures and also does general dentistry. Visit ClevelandSmiles. com to learn more.

MATURE LIVING

SHOWCASE Sponsored Content

HELPING OTHERS, HELPING YOURSELF Presented by Greater Cleveland Volunteers

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’m bored. There’s nothing to do.

Most of us have heard those expressions coming from children. But it’s not uncommon to hear that from adults of any age.

What motivates you? Is it trying a new hobby? Meeting new people with like-minded interests? Wanting to explore something new that’s invigorating? Volunteering can offer all that.

Many nonprofit agencies rely on people who offer their time and talents to help them carry out their mission. The volunteer

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Better Living After 50

opportunities may be weekly, monthly or as needed. This flexibility allows volunteers to tailor their commitment to the time they have available.

According to Serve Ohio, the leading authority on volunteerism, “Volunteering has long been a core value in Ohio. Last year, over three million Ohioans volunteered, which equates to more than $6.7 billion in economic value for the state. Volunteerism and service are essential for the health of nonprofits, faith-based

organizations and communities.

Volunteers make a positive difference for others, deepen their knowledge and commitment to their community, and are even shown to be healthier than non-volunteers.”

Take time to discover what’s available at greaterclevelandvolunteers.org.

Find something of interest? Enroll or call and speak to the new volunteer engagement staff member. Call 216391-9500, ext. 2116.

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hio seniors love to escape the cold weather and head to Florida for the winter months. If you are among the many considering purchasing a second home in Florida and joining the flocks of snowbirds heading South, now is the time to act. Interest rates are so low, you can’t afford not to buy now.

Why is Florida so popular for the winter months among retirees? As we age, warm weather throughout the winter has many health benefits. It encourages staying active all year long, increases exposure to sunshine and vitamin D, and provides a slower-paced lifestyle. This all decreases stress, especially being able to avoid having to navigate the ice and slippery conditions of Northern winters. Spending the winter in Florida also provides a great change of pace, exposure to new people and an opportunity for new relationships.

For many seniors, getting out of gloomy, cold Northeast Ohio winters is a welcome change and a dream come true.

If you are ready to start the process of pursuing your winter home in Florida, just take the first step and make a list of the priorities you have for the area of Florida you would like to live, the community type you see yourself in, what type of home would you like and how much you plan to spend.

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September/October 2021

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THE RESIDENCES OF MENORAH PARK — Presented by Menorah Park

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ommunities are defined by the people who live there. Nowhere is this truer than at The Residences of Menorah Park.

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Park umbrella are not the one-sizefits-all variety. Instead, the Menorah Park team responds to the needs of the people who make their homes there. Tie-dying lessons? Sure.

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lecturers. Book and Gardening clubs. The resident-driven activities are creative and fun with opportunities re-opening safely, according to CDC guidelines.

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MenorahPark.org • 216-360-8202 Locations in Beachwood and Chagrin Falls

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Better Living After 50

MENORAH PARK EXCELLENCE IN CARING®

PHOTO COURTESY OF MENORAH PARK

A Thriving Community at Home and Beyond

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UNDERSTANDING TODAY'S HOSPICE Presented by McGregor Hospice What is hospice?

The main goal of hospice care is to make your older adult as comfortable as possible. Hospice combines pain and symptom management with emotional and spiritual support for seniors and families. Visiting nurses eliminate the need to go to the doctor’s office and families can get help with personal care tasks like bathing. On-call help and support is always available – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Myth #1 – Hospice is only for the last few days of life

McGregor Hospice, a special kind of caring Our ultimate goal is to promote the highest quality of life by ensuring comfort, dignity and tranquility, no matter where the patient resides or calls “home.” This includes a private home, a long-term care facility, assisted living, an apartment, or the home of a family member or friend.

“McGregor Hospice is here for you every step of the way!”

McGregor is a leading provider of elder services throughout Northeast Ohio, providing assisted & independent living, rehabilitative services, nursing care, hospice and McGregor PACE.

The reality is that many people in hospice receive care for six months or longer. To be eligible for hospice under Medicare, seniors need to have Medicare Part A and have a doctor certify that they may not live more than six months. It’s very important to know that this is completely different from saying that someone will definitely pass away within six months. After six months, if your older adult’s condition has improved, they may be discharged from hospice care and return to a lower level of care. If they still need the same level of care, the doctor and hospice team will re-certify that hospice services are still appropriate. As long as the doctor certifies that your older adult meets the six-month criteria, Medicare will keep covering hospice care.

Myth #2 – Once someone goes on hospice, they’re going to die Getting hospice care doesn’t mean giving up hope or that death is around the corner. In many cases, hospice can help stabilize a patient’s medical condition and better manage pain. If their health condition improves, patients can leave hospice care at any time and return if and when they need to.

Myth #3 – Choosing hospice means giving up all other medical treatment The goal of hospice care is to improve quality of life by better managing pain and symptoms. Every case is unique, but in general, treatments that help manage pain and symptoms will be continued and aggressive disease treatments are more likely to be discontinued. However, it’s important to be aware that each hospice company has their own policies. Always check that the specific medications or treatments your older adult needs or wants will be included in that company’s services.

Myth #4 – Hospice care only happens at facilities Hospice is a type of care and doesn’t have to happen in a specific location. People can receive hospice care anywhere – at home, in a hospital or in a care facility.

Myth #5 – Hospice is expensive People who are covered by Medicare usually pay little or nothing for hospice care. Most insurance plans, HMOs and managed-care plans also include coverage for hospice.

McGregor Assisted Living | 14850 Private Drive | Cleveland 44112 September/October 2021

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BE A GOOD GUY Volunteers Keep Older Adults Safe from Healthcare Fraud

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Presented by Ohio SMPw

olunteering for Ohio SMP makes me feel like one of the good guys,” says Brian Rhame, a Procter & Gamble retiree.

Ohio SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) volunteer peer educators like Rhame teach older Ohioans to stay safe from healthcare

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Better Living After 50

fraud by providing critical information through presentations and distributions of literature at senior events. Among the topics they cover are tips to avoid scams, tracking medical information and what to do if you suspect you’re a victim of healthcare fraud.

In addition to feeling “like one of the good guys,” benefits of being a peer educator include mileage and expense reimbursement, free online training on Medicare basics and tips on staying safe from scams. There are 54 SMPs throughout the country, with one in every state plus in Guam, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Ohio SMP is a project of Pro Seniors, a non-profit organization helping adults 60 and older resolve legal issues at no charge to them.

To learn more about being an Ohio SMP volunteer peer educator, contact Jane at jwinkler@proseniors. org, or call 800-488-6070, extension 8, or 513-458-5523.

no rt P for heas lease the toh vis ca mo iobo it len st o da up mer r li -to .co sti -da m ng s. te

10/2-3 Apple Butter & Cider Festival

WHAT’S

Happening CLASSES

SUNDAYS Wild Art Sundays. Do you like to sketch, paint or take photographs? Bring your supplies for Wild Art Sundays to observe a bird up close and create your rendition of its likeness. 10/31-11/14. 10-11:30 a.m.

Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Willoughby, 440256-1404, lakemetroparks.com. $15 TUESDAYS Meditation Tuesdays. Christine Valadon will present a weekly heartfulness meditation, an effective form of meditation focused on opening the heart. Sessions will be held in person (limited seating) and on Zoom. 6-7 p.m.

Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Hts., 216-3213400, heightslibrary.org. FREE

PoundFit Workout. Are you ready for a fun, heart-pounding physical workout?

Join a PoundFit instructor for this series of adult sessions. 5-5:45 p.m.

Memorial Nottingham Branch Library, 17109 Lake Shore Blvd., Cleveland, 216623-7039, cpl.org. FREE 9/16-10/21 Adult Tap. This class is a perfect way to have fun, make new friends, and learn a new skill. No previous tap experience is required. BW Community Arts School, Whistle Stop, 611 W. Bagley Rd., Berea, bwcommunityarts.bw.edu. $95 9/22 Holistic Wellness & Yoga. This class includes a relaxing yoga session and tips on holistic therapies. 2-3 p.m. Mentor-on-

Get a taste of apple cider, sample a variety of apples, and help grind apples and press cider. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com

the-Lake Branch Library, 5642 Andrews Rd., 440-257-2512, mentorpl.org. FREE 9/25 Beginning Guitar Lesson. Learn how to hold the acoustic guitar, play with a guitar pick and start playing some guitar riffs. 10-11 a.m. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., 440-933-8128, alpl.org. FREE 9/29 Try-It: Handcycling. Handcycling is an excellent way for riders of all abilities to use their upper body strength to travel on Cleveland Metroparks all-purpose trails. 4-5 p.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. Acacia Clubhouse, 26899 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst, clevelandmetroparks.com. $5

Submit an event listing to Calendar@NortheastOhioBoomer.com or go to NortheastOhioBoomer.com September/October 2021

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WHAT´S HAPPENING 10/4 Balloflex. Get fit while you sit and enjoy an exercise session with a certified BalloFlex instructor. BalloFlex is a seated

workout that incorporates the elements of dance and fitness together in a safe, low-impact and fun system. 12:30-1 p.m.

Summit Lake Nature Ctr., 411 Ira Ave., Akron, summitmetroparks.org 10/5 Urban Farm to Table. Come to the library to learn about their urban garden and how growing, harvesting and eating vegetables can be fun and delicious. This program is co-sponsored

by Hope For Futures. 6:30-7:30 p.m. South Lorain Branch Library, 2121 Homewood Dr., 440-277-5672, lorainpubliclibrary.org. FREE AARP Smart Driver Class. It’s back!

The official Smart Driver course is once again being held at the Willoughby Public Library. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 30 Public Square, 440-942-3200, we247.org. $20-25 10/5 & 10/14 Arts for Wellness: Prayer Pillows - for Those Affected by Cancer. Create a small pillow for yourself or a loved one with a note or prayer tucked inside the pocket. 10 a.m.-noon. North Olmsted Branch Library, 27403 Lorain Rd., 440777-6211, cuyahogalibrary.org 10/19 Cooking Class: Chicken Francaise.

Join Marla the Chef in Red and learn how to make this chicken dish, along with a roasted carrot side dish. Bring your own beverage to enjoy during the class. 2-4 p.m. Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Rd., Avon, 440-937-0764, loraincountymetroparks.com. $32

11/1-12/18 Soft Pastels. Grow as an artist in this fun, creative course by using a combination of drawing and painting techniques while focusing on the various ways to layer pastels to create vibrant color, enhance your compositions, create mood and develop your own unique style. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, valleyartcenter.org

CLUBS

MONDAYS Lakeshore Writers Group. Writer Tina Bartish welcomes aspiring writers and authors to meet and share work on a monthly basis. Beginning 9/20. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org. FREE Tremont Think and Drink Book Club.

Join this socially-distanced Zoom book discussion, grab your favorite beverage and share your thoughts on the following reads: Oct 11: “Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your LIfe for Good” by Tina Turner, and November 8: “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know” by Adam Grant. 7-8:30 p.m. Cleveland Public Library, cpl.org. FREE TUESDAYS Rabid Readers. Discuss a different book on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Ellet Branch Library, 2470 E. Market St., Akron, 330-7842019, akronlibrary.org. FREE Spice Club. Each month, pick up a spice from the library. Make a dish with it and join the group to share your recipe. Spices will be available on the first business day of the month.

Meetings are held on the thirrd Tuesday of each month. 6:30 p.m. Wickliffe Public Library, 1713 Lincoln Rd., 440944-6010, wickliffepl.org. FREE WEDNESDAYS Lake Erie Wheelers: Weekly Ride.

Cleveland’s westside cycling club is for everyone. Not only will you make friends with a great group of cycling enthusiasts, but you’ll have the opportunity to attend annual parties and gatherings. 6:30 p.m. Berea Library Commons, lakeeriewheelers.org. FREE Back to Your Roots Genealogy Group. Gather to share genealogy tips, exchange information and talk shop.

Group meets the first Wednesday of the month. All genealogy levels are welcome. 6:30-8 p.m. Mentor-on-theLake Branch Library, 5642 Andrews Rd., 440-257-2512, mentorpl.org. FREE

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WHAT´S HAPPENING Wednesday Morning Birding. Wednesdays through 10/27. 7:30-10 a.m. Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Rd., North Ridgeville, loraincountymetroparks.com.

FREE

10/5-10 12th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.

Dedicated to educating audiences and empowering talented filmmakers to tell their stories. Five-day celebration at venues in and around the century village of Chagrin Falls.

Chagrinfilmfest.org

Creative Writing Group.

Join in person for an hour of creative writing prompts that will inspire you to start and keep writing. Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new. 9/22, 10/27 & 11/17.

7-8 p.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., 440-871-2600, westlakelibrary.org. FREE

l

THURSDAYS Film Club. Do you consider yourself a bit of a movie buff or simply a film lover?

Join on the last Thursday of the month to discuss a film currently being offered on the library’s streaming services, Kanopy or Hoopla. 7-8 p.m.

Rocky River Public Library, rrpl.org. FREE

10/8-9 Waitress. A Broadway musical baked from the heart. Inspired by the beloved film, “Waitress” tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town.

A baking contest and the town’s new doctor may offer her a fresh start, but Jenna must summon the strength to rebuild her own life. 7:30 p.m.

E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, playhousesquare.org. $20-77.50

Twinsburg Garden Club.

Open to anyone in Twinsburg and surrounding communities who enjoys gardening and nature and wants to expand their knowledge. Monthly meetings feature topics on perennials, vegetables, landscaping, protecting the environment and more.

Meetings held virtually on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. twinsburg-gardenclub.com Columbia Fiber Arts Group.

Come if you want to learn or are already a knitter or crocheter.

Noon-4 p.m. Columbia Branch Library, 13824 W. River Rd., North Columbia Station, 440236-8751, lorainpubliclibrary. org. FREE SATURDAYS The Wilderness Center Nature Photo Club. Guests are welcome or you can join these monthly meetings which include a feature program for each month and refreshments. 9:30 a.m.

4th Saturday of the month.

Twcnpc.com. $5/annually

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10/9 Fly Fishing for Steelhead

Jeff Liskay will teach you about the best rig for catching steelhead, various casting techniques, and how to read the water to find the best steelhead fishing locations. The class will start in the classroom and end with an on-water demonstration. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, 440-734-6660, clevelandmetroparks.com. $25 SUNDAYS Second Sunday Poets.

Calling all poets! Join in for a poetry open mic every second Sunday of the month via ZOOM. Open to all poets, 18 and over. The group follows a round-robin format, with a featured reader to begin. 3-4:30 p.m. Cuyahoga County Public Library, cuyahogalibrary.org. FREE ParkFit Mall Walkers Club. An opportunity for community residents to improve their health by walking for exercise in a safe, interesting and climate-controlled facility.

9-10 a.m. daily, 10-11 a.m Sundays. SouthPark Center, 500 SouthPark Center, Strongsville, 440-816-4037, swgeneral.com/communityservices/walking-club/.

FREE

MUSIC & THEATRE

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY Featured Musicians at the Still House. Enjoy live music, five nights a week.

Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 7-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 8-11 p.m. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, gervasivineyard.com. FREE 9/17-10/3 Steel Magnolias. Steel Magnolias focuses on the camaraderie of six Southern women who talk, gossip, needle and harangue each other through the best of times, and comfort and repair one another through the worst. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, 440-9517500, fineartsassociation. org. $10-20

10/9 Stevie Wonder Tribute by the Reid Project. A jazz-orientated, R&B-type of sound underpinned by smooth vocals, The Reid Project takes on a variety of musical styles while maintaining a sound uniquely their own. 8 p.m.Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com. $10-15 10/13-23 Twelfth Night. In the land of Illyria, anything can happen.

And when a ship wrecks on its tropical shores, mistaken identities, mismatched partners, fights, falls, feints, music and confusion all collide in the pursuit of love.

A fun, playful, and uplifting romp. Cleveland Play House, Allen Theatre Complex, The Helen, 1407 Euclid Ave., clevelandplayhouse.com 10/16 Into the Blue. An Electric Light Orchestra Tribute show to remember. With a line up of professional musicians and guests from the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, you’ll see a show you won’t forget. 7 p.m.

Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org. $20

10/29-11/21 Airness. When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend; it’s about finding yourself in your favorite songs and performing with raw joy. Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts., dobama.org 11/6 Dennis Quaid’s Duo Acoustic Show. When an actor should equally be referred to as a rock star, the experience they bring is something special for the fans. 8 p.m. The Kent Stage, 175 East Main St., Kent, 330677-5005, thekentstage.com $35-50 11/11-14 Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams.

Dvorák in Nature’s Realm. Ravel Piano Concerto in G major.

Tchaikovsky Symphony No.1 in G minor (“Winter Dreams”). Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com

ONGOING ATTRACTIONS

AKRON ZOO ONGOING Wild Asia. See the newest habitat area, the Lehner Family Foundation Wild Asia.

Visit Sumatran tigers, red pandas and white-cheeked gibbons plus more than 250 other species who call the Akron Zoo home. 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330375-2550, akronzoo.org. $11-13 AKRON ART MUSEUM THROUGH 5/15/22 The 10,000 Things. This exhibit interweaves inspirations from traditional Chinese painting, Japanese manga and anime, video games and comic books with graphic design, iconographies and Wong’s philosophical musings.

The work is metaphorical as much as it is referential, containing themes of perseverance, triumph, belonging and growth. 1 S. High St., 330-376-9185, akronartmuseum.org. FREE AKRON FOSSILS & SCIENCE CENTER ONGOING New Creation Education Museum.

Dedicated to comparing and

contrasting scientific models like intelligent design and evolution on the origin of the universe, and catastrophism and uniformitarianism models on the geologic record. 2080 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley, 330665-3466, akronfossils.com. $8 CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN ONGOING Costa Rica Glasshouse. Take a trip to the tropics... in Cleveland. Experience the year-round exuberance you can only find in a Central American rainforest. The towering trees, everblooming shrubs and rich vegetation create a lovely, tropical retreat.11030 East Blvd., 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org.

FREE-$15 CLEVELAND HISTORY CENTER ONGOING Cleveland Starts Here. A place for Northeast Ohioans to locate their own stories and place themselves in the rich story of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

A place for schoolchildren to experience the history of Cleveland and the region.

10825 East Blvd., 216-721-5722, wrhs. org. $10-12

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WHAT´S HAPPENING THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART ONGOING Art of the Islamic World. Artwork from the Islamic world is as diverse and vibrant as the people who produced it. The objects presented in this gallery were created during the eighth through 19th centuries, a period of great cultural and geographic expansion. 11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org. FREE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ONGOING Wildlife Rescue: Miracles in Conservation. In this traveling exhibition, you’ll explore the innovative ways wildlife rescuers capture, raise and release endangered species back to the wild and care for animals after natural disasters. 1 Wade Oval Dr., cmnh.org. FREE-$17 GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM ONGOING Shark Gallery & Sea Tube. With 230,000 gallons of water, this impressive space features three species of sharks, stingrays, eels and many other species of fish. Walk through the 175-foot underwater sea tube.

2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-8628803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com. $19.95

60 Better Living After 50

MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE ONGOING An American Story. Visitors to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage step into a world filled with inspiring and moving stories of Jewish immigrants, perhaps even their own ancestors and modern-day heroes. State-ofthe-art computer interactives, film, special effects, individual stories and oral histories. 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org. FREE-$10

Blvd., Cleveland, 216-781-7625, rockhall. com. $18-28

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART THROUGH 11/30 MoCa AIR: Joyce Morrow Jones. Joyce is a mixed media fiber and sculpture artist weaving the art of storytelling through her creations. Her work is inspired by transformational stories of women in their journey through life, history and cultural traditions. 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, mocacleveland. org. FREE

OUTDOORS

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME ONGOING Cleveland Amplified. This exclusive exhibit features artifacts that speak to the long-standing connection between music and sports. 1100 Rock and Roll

STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS ONGOING Restoration: If This Hall Could Talk.

Celebrates the extensive restoration projects completed throughout the estate since 2015. Funded by the 2nd Century Campaign, these restoration projects are finally complete after six years of tireless and dedicated work.

714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-8635533, stanhywet.org. $5-12

TUESDAYS Geauga Walkers. Join other active seniors on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for hikes in and around Geauga County. Hikes are typically 1-1.5 miles long. 1-2:30 p.m. 440279-2137, 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. 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks. com. FREE

Tuesday Ride Night is for everyone.

Ride at a 14-16 mph pace and occasionally regroup. The route is the same each week, but it’s internationally renowned, so you will enjoy it. It also gives you a chance to track your progress. 6:30-8 p.m. Botzum Trailhead, 2928 Riverview Rd., Akron, akronbike.org. FREE WEDNESDAYS Wednesday Walkers. Join this ambitious group of walkers in staying active and healthy on North Olmsted Parks’s walking path. Call to register by 4:30 p.m. each Tuesday at 440-7778100. Furry friends are welcome. 28114 Lorain Rd, north-olmsted.com/seniorcenter/. FREE THROUGH OCTOBER Tram Tours: Holden Arboretum.

First-time guest and want to learn more about the Arboretum? Longtime patron and you’d like to sit back and enjoy the campus from a different angle? 45-minute rides. 9500 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, 440-946-4400, holdenarb.org. $6-9

9/23 Date Night: Wilderness Survival. Build on your relationship while building a makeshift shelter. You and your sweetie will have the chance to hone your survival skills by constructing shelter, learning how to tie knot, and perfecting the art of building a fire. 5-7 p.m. Quail Hollow Park Manor House, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com. FREE 9/25 Crystal Lake Canoe. Explore the beautiful East Branch Reservoir while searching for the historic Crystal Lake and learning about its rich history. 1-2:30 p.m. Headwaters Park, Boatlaunch Area, 13365 Old State Rd., Claridon & Huntsburg Twp., geaugaparkdistrict.org. FREE 10/16 Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike at Hocking Hills State Park. Meet with the Naturalist at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center for a strenuous 6-mile hike, including roughly 3 miles of the Grandma Gatewood (Buckeye) Trail.

1-5 p.m. 19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, nps.gov

10/17 Fall Flowers and Foliage. Join a naturalist to admire autumn’s beauty and discover what triggers this explosion of color in our fields and forests. 9-10:30 a.m.

Cascade Valley Metro Park, Oxbow Area, 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron, summitmetroparks.org. FREE 10/25 Fall Colors Hike. Join the beautiful fall colors hike to discover why the leaves change colors and what other plants and animals are doing to get ready for winter. 2-3:30 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Willoughby, 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks.com. FREE

SPECIAL EVENTS 9/26 Migrating Monarchs - Butterfly Tag & Release. Learn why millions of monarchs migrate, receive your own tagged monarch butterfly for release, and learn how to follow your butterfly online. 10:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-1:30 p.m. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-863-5533, stanhywet.org. $9-12

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WHAT´S HAPPENING 9/25-10/24 Fallfest: 18th Century Festival.

Celebrate the pioneers of the Western Reserve at this fun, free, family-oriented event. Enjoy live folk music, dip your own candle and play with pioneer toys. See blacksmith demonstrations and reenactments by Brigade of the American Revolution, and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Brecksville Reservation, Meadows Picnic Area off Chippewa Creek Dr., Brecksville, clevelandmetroparks.com 9/26-27 Johnny Appleseed Weekend. Fun for the whole family. Visit Pumpkin Village, take a walk through the corn maze, slide down the super slide, enjoy a relaxing hayride through the orchard and play in the jump park.

Mapleside, 294 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, mapleside.com 9/27 Poetic Power. Step up to the mic and express yourself. 7-8 p.m. Warrensville Hts. Branch Library, 4415 Northfield Rd., cuyahogalibrary.org. FREE 9/30 ReelAbilities Film Festival. An annual event that promotes awareness and

appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities through film and community. 6:30 p.m. AkronSummit County Public Library, Main Branch, 60 S. High Street, Akron, summitdd.org 10/1 14th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival. See selections from the South Yuba River Citizens League’s 2021 films, including inspiring pieces about farmers and urban beekeepers, Great Lakes conservationists, and a new generation of brave women rangers and scientists. Each film brings a unique perspective to environmental advocacy, justice and activism. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, cmnh.org. $16-20 10/2 Brew at the Zoo: Halloween Bash. Enjoy beer or wine from local breweries and wineries. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org. $22-33 10/2-3 & 10/9-10 Harvest Festival. Celebrate the fall bounty amid the sights, smells and tastes of the Cuyahoga Valley. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs. org. $6-12 10/7-10 54th Annual Ohio Mart. Stan Hywet’s juried invitational show of fine arts and crafts, and a major fundraiser for the estate, presented by the Auxiliary Board of Stan Hywet.

Enjoy gorgeous autumn weather and some retail therapy with talented artisans and exhibitors. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-863-5533, stanhywet.org

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10/21 Pollinator Series: Live at the Hive. Learn about the life cycle of honeybees and the ways they support our environment. Discover how bees produce honey and discuss the different methods for removing honey from the hive. Enjoy a taste of fresh honey as beekeepers uncap and extract the honey from its beeswax. 7-8 p.m.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, 440-8712900, lensc.org. $8 10/28 An Evening of History: A Cleveland Storyteller Event. Join this evening of entertaining stories of Cleveland’s past told by our city’s most notable storyteller, Dan Ruminski. He will give insight into Millionaires’ Row and the lives of some of Cleveland’s most influential families. 6-9 p.m. The Club at Hillbrook, 14800 Hillbrook Dr., Chagrin Falls, themusicsettlement.org. $100 11/2 Indie Independent Film Festival.

Explore the world of cinema with a mix of indie and foreign films. 6:308:30 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Rd., 440-333-7610, rrpl.org. FREE

TALKS

WEDNESDAYS Virtual Second Wednesdays with Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging.

Join on Zoom the second Wednesday of each month to hear an overview of the programs and services they offer and discover how you can get involved in their work. 9-10 a.m. Benrose.org. FREE Tech Talks. Join the Tech Trainers on Facebook Live every other Wednesday at 4pm to learn about timely technology topics, including streaming services, buying tech and more. 4-5 p.m. heightslibrary.org. FREE

Holocaust Speaker Series.

The Holocaust Speaker Series, each Wednesday at 11 a.m., features Holocaust survivors and descendants of survivors sharing stories. 11 a.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org. FREE 9/25 Confused By Medicare? With Medicare open enrollment coming up, join us to hear Elizabeth England, SPHR, discuss Medicare plan choices. 2-3 p.m. Northwest Akron Branch Library, 1720 Shatto Ave., 330-836-1081, akronlibrary.org. FREE 9/28 Sound Investing for Retirees. Basic introduction to investments. 5:30-7 p.m.

Pierce Streetsboro Library, 8990 Kirby Lane, Streetsboro, 330-626-4458, portagecounty. lib.oh.us. FREE 10/8 Identity Theft - Senior Lecture Series. 10-11 a.m.

Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Rd., 440-3337610, rrpl.org. FREE 10/12 Estate Planning. Learn how to consider all sources of retirement income and begin establishing a budget. 6-7:30 p.m. Fairlawn-Bath Branch Library, 3101 Smith Rd., Akron, akronlibrary.org. FREE 10/13 Selling Your Home. Presented

by Cutler Real Estate

Professional, topics include costs to the seller, equity from your home, how to get ready to sell, the sales process and more. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., 330-745-1194, barberton.lib.oh.us. FREE Getting Started with Medicare. If you are approaching age 65 or going on Medicare for the first time, this is your opportunity to gain a basic understanding of how Medicare works and how it affects you. 6-7:30 p.m.

Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, 440-352-3383, morleylibrary.org. FREE 10/27 Backyard Bird Watching for Beginners. This past year, many people have become interested in the birds in their own backyards or neighborhoods. But if you’ve never birdwatched before, where do you start? How do you learn how to identify birds and learn their names?

How can you welcome these feathered visitors to your yard? 6:30-8 p.m. Willowick Public Library, 263 E. 305th St., 440-943-4151, we247.org.

FREE 11/10 Death and Taxes. Confused about probate, taxes, and other legal issues dealing with the financial realities after someone dies? Local attorney Danielle Pierce will answer your questions. 12:30-1:30 p.m.

North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., 330-499-4712, ncantonlibrary.com. FREE

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• Go to NortheastOhioBoomer.com/Insider • Provide email address, delivery address and other info • Join Now. Open to the first 500 respondents.

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• FREE home delivery of the magazine for the next issue • FREE Boomer Bash Tickets • Enter in the drawing to receive a gift card from The Woodhouse Spa Members must provide a valid email to participate in the Boomer Insider Club. Members will receive the November/December issue in the mail. Members must reconfirm membership with each issue for future home delivery of the magazine. Offer valid for Northeast Ohio residents only. Maximum of one mailed copy per household.

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Brain Games

Sponsored By

TRY SOMETHING NEW EACH WEEK Here are a few examples: • Do math in your head: Start off with simple problems, then try harder ones (ex: 75 + 89) or subtract backward, such as (172 – 13) and continue the sequence.

• Foreign language options: Consider learning basic ways to say things such as hello, goodbye, thank you, please, what is your name, etc. in several languages.

• Engage in hand-eye coordination tasks: Utilize fine motor skills during hobbies and tasks.

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Better Living After 50

Years ago, I did lots of counted cross stitch projects and recently picked it up again.

• Try a new game: Playing with children or teaching someone how to play are excellent ways to take you out of your “automatic pilot” mode. Recently, a friend and I decided to relearn how to play Canasta and Rummikub.

Challenging, but we had fun!

• Reading: Try audiobooks instead of textbooks since that engages different parts of your brain. An interesting book I recently enjoyed listening to

was “Atomic Habits” by James Clear to expand on some of the concepts in my presentations on building good habits and breaking bad ones.

• Change it up: Don’t always go to the same restaurant, coffee shop or grocery store. During my decades as a speech pathologist doing home health care, I would often use search engines to find the location of a new client.

On nice days, I often took a scenic route at the end of my day instead of the fastest way. If I got lost, it often became an adventure.

Word Math Numbers As Letters By Kathryn Kilpatrick WHICH LETTER IN EACH OF THE NUMBERS GIVEN WILL MAKE UP THE CORRECT WORD? ABC

DEF

GHI

JKL

MNO

PRS

TUV

WXY

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

EXAMPLE: FATHER AND 6 6 8 4 3 7 _ _ _ _ _ _

1. BROTHER AND

ANSWER MOTHER

7. A SOUTHEASTERN STATE CAPITAL

7 4 7 8 3 7

2 8 5 2 6 8 2

_ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. USED FOR WRITING

8. A MEDICATION

7 3 6 2 4 5

2 7 7 47 4 6

_ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. SOMETHING WITH A HANDLE

9. A POPULAR SPORT

5 6 4 3 3

7 5 4 4 6 4

_ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

4. A BAD STORM

10. A CARTOON CHARACTER

8 6 7 6 2 3 6

7 6 6 6 7 9

_ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

_ _

5. FOUND IN A SALAD

11. COMMON LAST NAME

8 6 6 2 8 6

2 6 3 3 7 7 6 6

_ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6. A PLACE IN THE HOUSE

12. SOMETHING IN A WALLET

5 4 8 2 4 3 6

7 4 6 8 6 7

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right.’’

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

—Henry Ford

Want an Active Mind?

Expand Your Horizons Staying engaged socially, physically and mentally can enhance cognitive performance. But did you know that changing things up rather than just doing the familiar activities is an essential part of the process?

“Use it or lose it” certainly applies, but variety counts, too.

8. A S P I R I N, 9. S K I I N G, 10. S N O O P Y, 11. A N D E R S O N, 11. P H O T O S ANSWERS: 1. S I S T E R, 2. P E N C I L, 3. K N I F E, 4. T O R N A D O, 5. T O M A T O, 6. K I T C H E N, 7. A T L A N T A, Like these tips? Want more? Visit Blogs — Memory Fitness at Kathryn Kilpatrick’s website: connectionsincommunication.com.

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M BOCO ULTURE

P OP ES CHRONICL

The Pros of Cons

By Mike Olszewski

A

pparently, folks don’t have the time to say the word “convention” anymore, so these events are referred to as “cons.” And believe me, there’s a con for almost everything.

For example, Las Vegas hosts a Crime Con where armchair detectives debate everything from victimology to methodology. They even offer a cruise. Crime and cruises aside, lots of us are anxious to get back to attending events (cons) postponed over the past year or so. Let’s take a look at some of the regional cons and their challenges to get back up and running.

NOSTALGIA REIGNS My wife, Janice, and I headed to a con in August to meet the cast of the old gang film, “The Warriors.” There were thousands of people everywhere and every celebrity there thanked fans for coming out to see them.

That doesn’t surprise noted pop historian and author Martin Grams Jr. He’s a familiar face at the big shows and also stages the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Hunt Valley,

Maryland. Grams says he’s getting dozens of calls from celebrities saying they got their second shot. “It’s cabin fever and not just [for] the fans. It’s funny how many celebrities are calling me to see if they can get a table, saying, ‘I just want to get the hell out of the house!’”

Ron Adams’ Monster Bash is held just over the Ohio border in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and features plenty of Northeast Ohio TV hosts. His family-friendly show returns this October.

“The challenge was staying alive to do more shows,” Adams says.

“All the pieces are still there, it’s just putting them together and [getting] up and rolling again. These shows are small businesses, and no attendance means future shows are put in serious jeopardy. If the promoter didn’t have something to fall back on, the public lost out.”

Michael Haynes is with Cinevent Classic Film Convention in Columbus, another October show. He says the con is a family experience that introduces young people to traditional film.

“One thing I think we really do help keep alive is the cultural experience of seeing a movie projected from real film via a projector that you can see and hear,” he says.

COLUMBUS MOVING PICTURE SHOW, which is co-presenting with Cinevent, is headed by Samantha Glasser. She says a classic film convention “is something we need to do with the younger generation because they are so inundated with so much other content. We need to guide them back to the classics.”

Dan Gorman with the Akron Comic Con agrees. “The pop culture cons grew to appeal to multi-media audiences. The comic book fans and their kids are coming to experience what they saw on TV and movie screens. It’s not as much the collecting aspect at many shows, it’s the shared experience.

Media people, video games, animation. They’re all big draws.”

So is reaching out to say, “Hey! Let’s get out and have some fun!”

Many of the shows are taking temperatures of each visitor before you walk in the door, and the celebrities are easing up a bit on masks and social distancing for photo ops. (“The Warriors” in masks wouldn’t have really worked.)

Mike Olszewski is a veteran award-winning radio, TV and print journalist, and college instructor. Contact him at janmike1978@gmail.com.

Last issue, I asked the name of the one-time host on Akron’s WAKR who would gain national attention as a network game show host. True, Hugh Downs was from Akron and hosted “Concentration” and other shows, but he started his radio career in Lima. It was Art Fazzin who manned WAKR’s morning show in 1949. He was just 24 years old and moved on to New York City, where he took the name Art Fleming and hosted a new show called “Jeopardy” in its pre-Alex Trebek days.

BOOM TRIVIA

Sticking with the TV theme and the season, in 1976, comedian Paul Lynde hosted a network Halloween special with KISS members as the musical guests. But three people from Greater Cleveland played key roles as well. I’ll have the answer next issue.

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Better Living After 50

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE OLSZEWSKI

POP CULTURE IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD

Warrior David "Ajax" Remar with Janice and Mike Olszewski at a recent con.

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