The Phillips Family Launches Tru Community
Our fair city has so much to offer, especially as the new year
“In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too; to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line.”
— Henry David Thoreau
PHOTO ABOVE AND COVER PHOTO BY MARIA BIEL
The Phillips family launches a new non-profit agency in 2025.
MIRIAM CONNER
In the Year 2025…
It is officially 2025! I can’t believe it. When I was a kid, 2025 seemed like a made-up date, but now I know how quickly time goes.
on page 14. I think you will be inspired by their story and the community they are building.
The Walden Life team hopes 2025 is your best year yet. We want to thank all of our readers and advertisers for making this home-grown publication possible over the past four years. Here’s to many more!
If you are making resolutions for 2025, one thing you may want to include is to get involved in some way by using your talents and resources to help others. Check out the new, local non-profit organization started by Walden members LOVING THE WALDEN LIFE,
Happy New Year!
Walden Life is a property of Mitchell Media, LLC P.O. Box 586 Aurora, Ohio 44202 330-822-4011
Publisher Brad Mitchell Brad@MyWaldenLife.com 330-714-7712
Editor/Associate
Publisher Miriam Conner Miriam@MyWaldenLife.com 440-396-0374
Associate Editor Estelle Rodis-Brown Estelle@MyWaldenLife.com
Art Director
Graphic Design Laura Chadwick Laura@MyWaldenLife.com
Photography Maria Biel mariabiel@me.com
Office Manager/ Accounting
Kathleen Mitchell
Kathleen@MyWaldenLife.com 440-533-1208
Publisher of
Member of
Sales Consultant Delma Romancak Delma@MyWaldenLife.com 216-346-0663 F acebook: @waldenlifemagazine I nstagram: @waldenlifemagazine
AMAZING DECEMBER SUNSETS
Claridges
Holiday Party
Members of the Claridges Association enjoyed their holiday party at the home of Francie and Rob Naylor in December.
Photo by Dolly Spinelli - Acadia Pt.
Photos by Beverly Powell - Willow Circle
Photos by Lisa McLaughlin - Acadia Pt.
Walden Wine Nights
Would you like to have a favorite recipe published? Would you like to nominate a Walden resident or member to be featured in an upcoming article? Email miriam@mywaldenlife.com.
WALDEN ASSOCIATION NEWS
Year ‘round, it’s important to be vigilant about the security of your deliveries. Porch pirates often take advantage of unattended packages left on doorsteps, especially when homes are vacant during the holiday rush. To avoid falling victim to theft, we encourage you to pick up your packages as soon as they arrive or consider using secure delivery options like locker services or requiring a signature upon delivery. Keeping your packages safe ensures that your holidays remain merry and bright.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Walden Association has exciting plans for community improvements, particularly with a major enhancement of the Memorial Garden. The first step in this revitalization will be clearing the creek of old and dying trees, opening up the area to more sunlight and air flow. Additionally, new lighting will be installed to enhance the ambiance, and new benches will be added to create peaceful spots for reflection. The project will also involve power washing and staining the existing split-rail fences and benches, ensuring that Walden remains a beautiful and inviting space for all to enjoy.
The Walden Association would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!
Worth Noting
DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! PLEASE CONFIRM WITH WALDEN BEFORE SCHEDULED EVENTS. heather@yourwalden.com
CALENDAR
MOVIE NIGHT
Every Monday night, the Inn offers a complimentary movie for members; no need to register. The movie begins at 7 p.m.
BURGER NIGHTS
Every Wednesday at the Club, enjoy a favorite Social Night at Walden! Reservations are not needed but encouraged for Burger Night, which features a Burger and Bottomless Fries special. Available for in-person dining only. Experience a Specialty Burger each evening. For reservations, call the dining room at 330-995-3111.
SIP & SAVOR COOKING CLASS
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 4-9 p.m. Stop by for a familyfriendly, MOVIE-THEMED CONCESSION dinner before the movie. Dinner buffet begins at 4 p.m. Movie begins at 6 p.m. Details to come.
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 3- 5 p.m.
This is the first in a series of cooking classes with Chef Ian this year, starting with an hors d’oeuvres-making class. Prepare your hors d’oeuvres with Chef Ian, sip on some wine, and enjoy what you have created. Guests are encouraged to stay for dinner at the Club after the cooking class in a community-style atmosphere. Menu and details to come….
WALDEN KITCHENS
FROM THE KITCHEN OF CARLIE CONNER - DEER ISLAND
BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD
This is my favorite thing to eat! I take it to school for my lunches as often as I can!
— Carlie
INGREDIENTS
n 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
n 5 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
n 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
n 2 tsp. kosher salt
n 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
n 2 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved, thinly sliced (about 8 c.)
n 1/2 c. toasted pine nuts
n 1/2 c. dried cranberries
n Shaved Parmesan cheese to taste
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper until combined. Add Brussels sprouts and toss until coated.
STEP 2
Fold in pine nuts and cranberries. Top with shaved Parmesan. Dig in!
Celebrating 225 Years and Counting
From the Mayor:
Happy New Year, and happy Valentine’s Day, since it is just around the corner! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with family, friends and good cheer. You may have noticed some of the new holiday decorations that we put up for the season, including lighted toys in front of the library and lighted evergreen trees in front of the Splash Pad. As those of you who attended our Holiday Tree Lighting witnessed, we also had a pyrotechnic display to celebrate the city’s 225th birthday!
In December, I submitted my proposed budget to City Council, and hopefully, it will have passed by the time you read this. Among the projects anticipated are the design and redevelopment of the land around Geauga Lake into a beautiful park venue. Another big project is the construction of the first section of the Aurora Trail in the Norfolk and Southern railroad right-of-way. As part of a settlement we reached with FirstEnergy regarding its transmission line project along the corridor, the city was granted a recreational easement in the right-of-way. We are building a 10-foot wide, paved multi-use path from State Route 82 to Chamberlain Road in Mantua, a distance of 2.8 miles. The Portage Park District is working to acquire land in Mantua to connect our trail to the Headwaters Trail.
Last year, the city prohibited commercial marijuana growth, processing and sale in Aurora. The city also extended a moratorium in November on applications for permits for vape shops, e-cigarette shops, smoke shops, tobacco shops and shops that sell any product related to CBD, cannabidiol oils or
edibles. Among other things (like vape and tobacco shops), this addresses products for sale with lower concentrations of CBD than the existing cannabis prohibition would cover. We currently have a consultant reviewing our zoning code to recommend updates on this issue and others.
Did you know that we have a year-round program to help children suffering from burns? You can drop off your Aluminum Cans for Burned Children at Fire Station 1 on West Pioneer Trail in the fenced-in area in the parking lot.
Our annual Snowman Contest continues through February 28, 2025. Take a picture of your best family-friendly snow creation and submit it for a chance to win a prize! Email your photo to Katie Nahra at nahrak@auroraoh.com and include the names of all participants and the location of your creation. Enjoy the winter!
— Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin
Go, Greenmen!
From the Superintendent of Aurora City Schools:
Happy New Year and thank you to Walden Life for including this section in the magazine which allows the Aurora City School District the opportunity to provide the Walden community with updates on the schools. In our last update, we shared that the district had proposed plans to build a new high school and move grade levels around to other buildings in the district, which would ultimately allow us to close Craddock. The plan took the form of Bond Issue #32 on the November 5, 2024, ballot and was designed to address the aging infrastructure and capacity concerns in the district. As I am sure you are aware, Bond Issue #32 did not pass, so the ASCD is reaching out to the Aurora community in order to gather feedback concerning Bond Issue #32. You can find a survey on our school district website at aurora-schools.org or scan the QR code on this page. The survey aims to understand your perspectives and rationale for your vote, identify questions or concerns regarding the district's aging infrastructure and capacity concerns, and explore potential solutions and future funding options. Please consider providing your feedback through this 5-10 minute survey. We value the school/ community connections we have nurtured over the years and this is one of the ways we hope to keep the connections strong.
Along those same lines, it is important to note that one of our goals for the district is to get the schools into the community and the community into the schools. This is the best way to nurture those important connections. Here are a few examples that have taken place during the first semester of this school year:
Leighton Pancake Breakfast hosted 300+ community members who enjoyed breakfast and student-led tours to Leighton’s nature trail, gardens and dock.
Craddock Staff held a Veterans’ Day Celebration on November 11th. Veterans from all branches of the military filled half the gym, with the students occupying the other half. Veterans were then honored and entertained with a few songs from the kids.
Harmon’s Student Council collected 582 coats for their Coats for Kids drive benefiting families in Portage County.
In Aurora, the AHS Interact Club held its Rake & Run event. Sixty students woke up early on a Saturday to help over 50 senior citizen members of Aurora. This is always a well-received service from the schools to the community.
These connections were further nurtured through the newly formed AHS Cybersecurity Advisory Council. The council, composed of 16 individuals from local tech companies, universities, city representatives, and ACSD Staff, collaborates to support cybersecurity instructor Nick Kukarola design meaningful experiences in this class including various “challenges,” guest speakers, and potential internships/shadowing.
Lastly, it is important to recognize the entire Aurora community, which came together to help raise donations for the Leighton Interactive Playground.
Later this month, we look forward to welcoming Ohio State Representative Steve Demetriou to Aurora High School. Newly redrawn districts place Aurora into Representative Demetriou’s House District 35 starting in 2025, so we are grateful for him taking the time to visit Aurora.
— ACS Superintendent Michael Roberto
WaldenMembers Launch Tru Community
Brad & Susan Phillips
Walden members Brad and Susan Phillips have dedicated their lives to supporting the special needs community with opportunities that enrich and celebrate their lives. Leveraging their personal circumstances to impact the greater community, their newest endeavor has made them co-founders of Tru Community. This non-profit agency is designed to serve adults with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities.
Brad and Susan Phillips invite you to Tru Community.
Susan and Brad both grew up in Michigan and first met while attending Michigan State University. They moved to Ohio and have called Aurora home for over 25 years. They have three sons: Cade, Cameron and Luke, who was born with a chromosome defect called Ring 22.
Ring 22 is a rare condition that results in a lack of balance, moderate to profound intellectual disability, and the absence of speech. Although Luke is nonverbal and requires assistance with daily activities, he has taught his family and the community valuable lessons.
Susan co-founded Camp Sunshine of Aurora, a summer camp designed for children with special needs to engage in activities with their peers. It has been impacting the community for over 10 years. She has also been actively involved in the nonprofit and disability sectors.
Brad has an MBA in finance and currently works for Rockwell Automation as a supply chain director. He has also been involved in the disability community as a Medicaid provider and has contributed development expertise to various nonprofit organizations.
As Tru Community founders, Brad serves as president of the board and Sue as the executive director. The couple founded Tru Community in 2023 with the goal of filling the service gap in the Aurora/Bainbridge area, and changing the way people view and interact with adults who have special needs.
“They established Tru Community out of their gratitude to God for their son, Luke, and out of the desire to ensure that he—and many others like him—can be part of a vibrant community where differently-abled adults can live life well and make a difference in the lives of others," says Program Director Isaiah Newport.
Scheduled to launch in January 2025, Tru Community’s Day Club—housed currently at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls—is the perfect place for uniquely-abled adults to
Brotherly love (from left): Cade, Luke and Cameron.
discover their natural abilities, connect with others, explore new interests and integrate into the wider community in a fun-filled, supportive environment. It’s an opportunity for all involved to learn, grow and thrive together.
At this time, Tru Community Day Club is designed to support 18+ individuals from our area with a broad spectrum of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Day Club runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, offering a range of on-site and communitybased opportunities, including volunteer projects, fitness programs, outdoor recreation, life skills training and music.
Members of the Day Club will be empowered to make a meaningful impact on others by sharing the wonderful gift of their authentic selves. “We strive to enhance their quality of life and provide opportunities for these amazing individuals to showcase their unique abilities to the community,” say Susan and Brad.
Tru Community’s faith-based mission is to provide opportunities for community engagement and personal growth that cultivate a sense of purpose for wonderfullymade adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We often use the phrase ‘wonderfully made’when referring to the members we serve,” explains Susan. “This phrase references Psalm 139, verse 14. Tru Community believes everyone has a purpose and can contribute, regardless of their abilities. Our members simply contribute differently.”
If you would like to join the Tru Crew crew, there are several ways in which you can get involved in Tru Community, including:
• Volunteer your time to help at fundraisers and other activities.
• Volunteer your services by leading Tru members in an activity you specialize in.
• Become a peer buddy and interact with Tru Citizens during lunch or join various recreational activities such as music, arts and crafts.
• Become a founding sponsor and support Tru Community in providing services for their wonderfully made individuals, or purchase one or more items from Tru Community’s Amazon supply drive. See trucommunity. org/donate.
Isaiah adds, “Help us spread the word about Tru Community in your circles! Follow us on social media to stay in the know: Tru Community By His Design."
There are also a few career opportunities to explore at Tru Community. To learn more, contact Program Director Isaiah Newport at (330) 577-8828 or isaiah@trucommunity. org, or visit the trucommunity.org website.
Nature’s Blueprint for Handling Winter
Migrate, Hibernate or Tolerate It
By Estelle R. Brown
Every winter, Walden residents have a choice as the daylight hours get shorter, the winds blow colder and the snow grows deeper. Many escape the elements by flying off to sunny Southern climates for the next several months. Others retreat into their cozy homes for hot tea, good books, doorstep deliveries and long afternoon naps. And the rest bundle up, plan ahead, get out and carry on with their daily routines in all kinds of weather.
For those who stay here through the winter and continue walking the paths and trails around Walden, have you ever considered that our neighborhood wild things have the same set of choices? They can either migrate, hibernate or tolerate the cold to survive the next few months. This explains why you see less wildlife activity in forest, field and shore from November through March.
MIGRATE
Not all of our fair-weather animals would survive if they stayed through our winters. While migration requires a lot of energy and stamina, many animals fuel up with extra calories and embrace the journey to migrate South for the season.
According to Holly Stoneberg, Education Program Coordinator at Portage Park District, ruby-throated hummingbirds fly as far as Panama during our cold-weather months. Black-and-white warblers fly to the Caribbean. Yellow warblers can fly all the way to Peru. They’d make good company with Walden’s “snowbirds.”
At the same time, some northern birds fly South to comparatively balmy Ohio for the winter, including redbreasted nuthatches and dark-eyed juncos from Canada or snowy owls from the Arctic Circle. Maybe you’ll catch sight of one of these stunning visitors at your feeder or on a walk through Walden this winter.
HIBERNATE
Another option is hibernation—and its variations— that long, restful “nap” that will carry wild animals through winter until daylight hours stretch, temperatures rise and food becomes more plentiful in spring.
Most people associate this habit with bears, but there is actually no evidence of bears hibernating in Ohio, Stoneberg says in an article, “Where Do the Wild Things Go in Winter?” Ohio’s black bears generally enter a state of torpor, or lowered activity, during the harshest parts of the season. Skunks, raccoons, chipmunks and squirrels do the same. This allows them to rest more while continuing to get up to drink water or respond to threats.
Hibernation is a much deeper and longer state of rest, significantly lowering an animal's breathing and metabolic rates. Groundhogs and little brown bats are among Ohio’s true hibernators.
Even amphibians and reptiles undergo their own form of hibernation, known as brumation. Wood frogs, for instance, find a spot under the leaf litter and freeze solid—no breathing, no heartbeat. Sugary glucose keeps their cells from being damaged until their hearts restart after thawing out; they “restart” and hop along in the spring.
Aquatic turtles bury themselves in the mud of a pond, lake or stream. As they sink into the mud, their metabolism lowers. They survive—and remain conscious—by respiring (exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen) from pores near their mouths and tails.
So, if you feel an irresistible urge to head to bed earlier, sleep in longer, or adopt a midday nap routine this winter, don’t fight it. It’s only natural.
TOLERATE
Animals that tough it out through Northeast Ohio winters have developed certain adaptations that allow them to endure our region’s snow, ice and frigid temperatures.
Winter birds in Ohio like the visiting dark-eyed juncos, whitethroated sparrows and fox sparrows mingle with year-round resident blue jays, cardinals and chickadees. With small external ears and legs, they minimize heat radiation and conserve their body heat effectively.
“Think about all the birds that are visiting your feeders. Black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice and white-breasted nuthatches all weigh in at under an ounce, but they seem happy as clams, flitting over the snow,” Stoneberg illustrates.
To survive, birds puff up their feathers, grow more down or pack on the fat for insulation. They also tuck their feet up underneath their feathers and huddle together for warmth. At night, many of these bird species conserve their heat energy by retreating into cavities like knotholes and hollowed-out tree limbs.
Many birds also have an antifreeze adaptation known as a countercurrent heat exchange system in which the arteries and the veins in the feet and legs run side by side, allowing cold returning blood in the veins to be warmed by the arteries. As a result, a goose or gull can walk on ice without getting frostbite. Too bad human feet don’t have that adaptation.
Furry mammals—red foxes, raccoons and skunks—all develop fat stores and grow thicker coats that provide and maintain warmth. Beavers also secrete an oil called castoreum to keep them waterproof so they can continue swimming safely in frigid water, all winter long.
White-tailed deer, meanwhile, develop a darker-colored winter top coat of hollow guard hairs that absorb more solar heat, and dense, water-repellant wooly under-fur to retain their body heat. In fact, according to the National Deer Association, their thick winter coats are so efficient in trapping heat, a blanket of freshly fallen snow can ride on the back of a deer without melting from its body heat!
Whether they are migrating, hibernating or tolerating this season, our inventive animal neighbors show us how to handle winter’s challenges. Grab a cookie and a steaming mug of your favorite beverage, and settle in for a long winter’s nap, if nature persuades you to do so. Develop your own set of adaptations to not only survive—but thrive— through winter.
Photo by Doug Bouck
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Plan for a Walden Wedding
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If
summer, you're in great company.
But more homes on the market also means more competition, so it's absolutely essential that your home is looking its best ... and that's where I come in.
I can help you prepare your home for sale so it gets noticed. I will help you create the best marketing images and will deliver a selling campaign designed to help you achieve the highest possible price.
Michael Knows REAL ESTATE
More homes on the market means more competition, so it’s absolutely essential that your home is looking its
... and that’s where I come in.
I can help you prepare your home for sale so it gets noticed. I will help you create the best
summer, you're in great company.
But more homes on the market also means more competition, so it's absolutely essential that your home is looking its best ... and that's where I come in.
I can help you prepare your home for sale so it gets noticed. I will help you create the best marketing images and will deliver a selling campaign designed to help you achieve the highest possible price.