Lake Erie LifeStyle October 2017

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To Your Health Mom and daughter take on the Ap Appalachian Trail

PLUS Tour T our E Erie rie Winners Find Fi d outt who h won our contest

OCTOBER 2017

2 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

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OCTOBER 2017

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contents

OCTOBER ’17 VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12 In every issue 10 MEMORIES The first October issue of Lake Erie LifeStyle was all about wine, spirits and fun in Meadville and Ashtabula.

47 ON SCENE Ethnic festivals bring out the food.

48 IT’S A DATE Where to go and why in October.

50 LAST LOOK The Erie High School football team took the field for its ts first game in August.

LAKE

ERIE

10 ANNIVE

RSARY

year

LifeSt

yle OCTO

On the cover To Y

o LuAnn and Gabby ScroHeal ur th fano, a mother and daughter team from Erie, conquered the Appalachian Trail in 181 days over two summers.

[ROB FRANK/ERIE TIMES-NEWS] NEWS] page 14 Mom

12

Meet the winners of our Lake Erie Lifestyle contest.

34

Winne

our con

rs

FAMILY & FRIENDS

TAKE 10 Health coach offers 10 tips to stay healthy.

arts & entertainment 38

IF IT’S OCTOBER, WE MUST HAVE PUMPKIN Bring on the soup.

4 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

CHARM IN OHIO Take a trip to Germantown in Columbus, Ohio.

bon appétit 33

won

Who is opening all the new wineries, breweries and distilleries?

SET YOUR SIGHTS Take care of your eyes with lens solutions.

24

who

daug hter Appa take lach on th ian Tr e ail

test

Quintessential Q Erie E rie

your health 22

and

PLUS Tour Erie out

Find

42

ENVIRONMENTALIST AND ARTISTRY MERGE ON CANVAS Jan Lutz has inspiration in nature.

BER 20

17

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from the editor October 2017

The upside of downsizing

W

hew! Moving from our fivebedroom home with three full floors of living space was weeks in the making.

OK, it was really years. But the packing and move are over, and here we are two weeks into a rented condominium that’s way smaller than the empty nest. And we love it. I thought it was going to be traumatic after 14 years, but somehow it wasn’t. I think that’s because Pam Parker and we were ready. Things we her husband Kim learned along the way: downsized from We had to purge, as a 2,800-squaredaughter Kelly Carmosino foot home to a called it. Don’t think your 1,300-square-foot kids want your stuff. They’ll condominium. tell you what they want.

Ryan’s apartment is pretty much all new with stuff we didn’t take. Everything went to good homes, and the storage unit is full of stuff the kids may want someday. Thanks to Colleen Moore Mezler for encouraging the purge. Both Kelly and Colleen moved into new houses this year, so they have experience.

We got rid of a lot of things I thought I would never part with. That surprised me, but when we moved into a contemporary place with vaulted ceilings — I always wanted vaulted ceilings — a lot of our furnishings didn’t work. And some of it works in different rooms, so it’s almost like even

6 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

the old stuff is new. Ah, but there’s new stuff, and there will be more. My hubby is tired of shopping and told me “you need a new shopping buddy.”

Words to live by. And I still have my mother’s fur coat. God help me. I can’t part with it.

I am a creature of habit. I keep looking in the wrong places for things, but Debbie DeAngelo told me to hang in there because change is good.

We went into our former home as a blended family of eight. The clan has now grown to 15, but the house has been an empty nest for years. One of the nice things about selling our home was that a blended family bought it. That makes me smile.

We are renting because we couldn’t find a place we wanted to buy, and we got tired of looking. This is a nice transition, and it gives us the opportunity to decide if condo life is for us.

We love the view. We can watch the sun rise from the front porch. Our former wooded neighborhood was beautiful, but a new view and new digs are nice perks when you downsize.

We are closer to family, and that’s really nice.

You’ll be hearing more from me on downsizing in the months to come, and we haven’t given up on buying a place next year.

The boxes are unpacked, and we are settling in.

We’ve explored the neighborhood. It was hectic getting here, but it’s nice we’re home. Change is good.

LAKE

ERIE

LifeStyle SEPTEMBER 2017

NICHE PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Brenda Martin brenda.martin@timesnews.com EDITOR Pam Parker pam.parker@timesnews.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER/ WEB DESIGN Magazine design by Center for News & Design Web design by Ben Smith, Dave Super PHOTOGRAPHERS Jack Hanrahan, Christopher Millette, Greg Wohlford, Rob Frank ADVERTISING Lynn Dietz, multi-media sales supervisor lynn.dietz@timesnews.com 814-870-1664 CONTACT US 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534 www.GoErie.com/lifestyle/ lake-erie-lifestyle ALL CONTENT, INCLUDING THE DESIGN, ART, PHOTOS AND EDITORIAL CONTENT © 2017, ERIE TIMES-NEWS. NO PORTION OF THIS

Pam Parker editor

MAGAZINE MAY BE COPIED OR REPRINTED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.

OCTOBER 2017

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contributors October 2017

“The first wealth is health.”

RA LPH WALDO EMERSON Debbie DeAngelo offers 10 lifestyle tips that will help you improve your health.

She is the director of the Center for Healthy Living at UPMC Hamot, a national speaker and a holistic health coach. page 24

Marissa Orbanek meets three young entrepreneurs who crafted a business with jewelry and healthy ideas. She is the public relations manager for the General McLane School District and the girls lacrosse coach at McDowell High School. page 30

Trill Dreistadt took a trip to German Village in Columbus, Ohio, and gave readers a few tips on places to eat and stay. Dreistadt is a retired journalism teacher who is now a freelance writer and editor. page 38

Steve Orbanek tells readers how the growing number of wineries, breweries and distilleries have roots in family and friendships. Orbanek is a marketing communication specialist in the office of strategic communications at Penn State Behrend. page 34

Jennie Geisler shares a fall favorite recipe with readers — it’s pumpkin time. She is the resident foodie at the Erie Times-News, and for 15 years, she has written about her adventures as a home cook every Wednesday in Loaves & Dishes. page 33 JoLayne Green interviews the experts at White Deer Run Treatment Network.

Green is a freelance writer living in Meadville with her family. page 29 Jack Hanrahan captures the Erie High School football team as it takes the field for its first game for a Last Look page in Lake Erie LifeStyle. He is an award-winning photojournalist at the Erie Times-News. page 50 Brenda Martin shares the fun that readers had during the Lake Erie LifeStyle Quintessential Erie contest. Meet the winners and see the great selfies they took. Martin is the niche publications editor at the Erie Times-News. page 12

Coming in November: Generations — How we connect and flourish.

8 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

Pam Parker interviews a mother/ daughter team who took on the Appalachian Trail. She also interviewed an optician who offered vision advice, and she shares memories from the first October issue of Lake Erie LifeStyle.

Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, House to Home and Her Times at the Erie Times-News. pages 10, 14, 22 Tori Roehm gives readers a look at some of the great things to do in the region throughout the month of October. She is a writer at the Erie Times-News in the features department. page 48 Brian R. Sheridan meets artist Jan Lutz and shares her art with readers. He is a lecturer and chairman of the communications department at Mercyhurst University. page 42

OCTOBER 2017

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memories brought to you by Painted Finch Gallery

October 2008 was a spirited issue

By Pam Parker

Kathe and Tom Rafferty were on the first October cover of Lake Erie LifeStyle.

[FILE PHOTO]

10 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

In 2008, Lake Erie LifeStyle took a look at fine wine, people who make it and people who make it look like art. Kathe and Tom Rafferty were on our cover, and their niece, Vanessa Rafferty is married to Thomas Arvid, a world-renowned artist who makes every painting — with wine in it — look like a photograph. Tom died in 2015, so it's nice to see this cover photo of him looking so happy.

Other stories in the magazine took on some October fun with silly superstitions, spiritual mediums at the Lily Dale spiritualist community, and a trip west to learn about the former flying saucer service station on Route 20. A photo of it appeared

in Life magazine. The landmark had been dismantled and removed in 1999, but locals remember it, and the idea man behind it, Ray Keyes, was happy to share his story with us. He was an inventor and a builder. He died in 2016, but his legacy lives on.

Writer John Arthur Hutchison let readers know about all the great covered bridges in Ashtabula County and the Ohio festival that celebrates them, along with a new one that had just opened. The 2017 festival is scheduled for the weekend of October 14, and the county boasts 19 bridges with the shortest and the longest covered bridges in the United States.

The magazine also celebrated Meadville's Halloween parade, one of the largest night parades in Pennsylvania.

LEL

OCTOBER 2017

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quintessential erie

Contest winners have a month of stories They visited 25 sites in Erie County and found new favorite views, plus a ‘creepy’ experience they won’t soon forget.

By Brenda Martin

To help celebrate summer in northwestern Pennsylvania, we brought you Quintessential Erie in our July issue of Lake Erie LifeStyle and gave you five walking/driving tours in Erie County with the chance to win a $250 gift card to spend at the Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront.

But the real prize might be some of the discoveries that were made by those who participated.

Amy Collins, 38, of Harborcreek Township, who did much of the tour with her then 7-year-old daughter Avery, said they saw and experienced new places they didn’t know existed.

One of them was Freeport Beach in North East Township. Collins said she shared pictures of their adventures with social media friends on Snapchat, and friends were surprised at some of the sites.

“We didn’t know there was a playground on the beach (at Freeport),” she said. “I was Snapchatting and people were like, ‘Where is that? Where is that?’

“Erie is a small town and people are like, ‘It’s boring.’ But this was so cool.”

Collins was the winner of the grand prize, the $250 gift card.

Collins, who works during the week as a certified surgical technologist, said the contest gave her family an adventure to plan each July weekend.

“We used Google Maps to find some of the places. It was part of the adventure for us,” she said. “We knew we were going on an adventure

12 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

for the weekend. It gave us something to look forward to.

“I really loved the idea. It was something that my daughter was very excited about.”

Collins said one of the highlights was the discovery of parks in western Erie County, including the Lake Erie Community Park in Lake City, which has a vista on a bluff overlooking Lake Erie.

“It was amazing,” she said. “We just sat on a bench and stared at the lake for an hour.”

She also said a visit to the covered bridge in Waterford provided a story they won’t soon forget. She said they arrived at the bridge along the sparsely-traveled road to find an empty car at the lonely spot with the trunk and all of the doors open. “We were like, ‘Hurry up and take the picture and get back in the car,’” she said.

It’s the reason, she said, that the selfie from that spot is taken from a distance. “It was funny for us. We talked about it for a couple of days afterwards. We kept saying, ‘Remember the creepy bridge.’”

Collins said the gift certificate to the bayfront hotel will mean her family’s summer adventures aren’t quite over. When they talked about what they’d do if they won, Collins said she asked her daughter if she’d like to have a girl’s night at the hotel, just mom and daughter. “I can’t wait to tell her we won,” she said. LEL

Amy Collins, of Harborcreek Township, and her daughter Avery, then 7, participated in the Quintessential Erie contest in July and won the grand prize. Here they are at the Erie Art Museum. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

CONTEST WINNERS Grand prize: Amy Collins, Harborcreek Township, $250 Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront gift card Downtown: Valerie Rose, Waterford, $50 Erie downtown gift certificate North East: Tiffany Cowser, $50 North East area gift certificate Waterford: Hillary Sissem, $25 Eagle Hotel gift certificate and $25 A. Caplan Co. gift certificate Waterfront: Karen Kuklinski, Millcreek Township, $50 Erie downtown gift certificate West Erie: Laura Cooper, Erie, $50 Mason Farms gift certificate

The Erie Bluffs State Park

Gibson Park in North East

“We knew we were going on an adventure for the weekend. It gave us something to look forward to. I really loved the idea. It was something that my daughter was very excited about.”

Amy Collins of Harborcreek Township, grand prize winner of Quintessential Erie contest in July.

Waterford covered bridge Eagle Hotel in Waterford

Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park.

[CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

UPMC Park, home to the Erie SeaWolves.

Amy Collins, her daughter Avery, then 7, and son Sean Williams, 17, at the top of the Bicentennial Tower in Erie.

OCTOBER 2017

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your health

181 DAYS TOGETHER

14 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Mother and daughter go into the wilderness of the Appalachian Trail and conquer injuries, lost toenails and bad weather. Their reward is amazing vistas, new friends and a stronger bond.

By Pam Parker

G

abby Scrofano decided she would take a journey. Alone. A long one.

The Appalachian Trail.

The journey that is the Appalachian Trail is a 2,200-mile trek that spans through 14 states from Georgia to Maine.

But the 25-year-old’s mother wasn’t keen on letting her daughter disappear into the wilderness. Three weeks before Scrofano left for the adventure in 2016, her mom, LuAnn, decided the only way she could let her only daughter take on “The Trail” was if she joined her.

Gabby Scrofano was thrilled. Her brothers wanted to kill her. And LuAnn Scrofano, 59 at the time, had one question for her daughter: “Do you think I can do it?”

OCTOBER 2017

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ABOUT THE TRAIL The Appalachian Trail stretches from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia.

It opened in 1937, but the idea for the trail got its start in 1921. The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, state agencies, trail clubs and thousands of volunteers operate and protect the trail, according to the Appalachian Trail.

Known as the hike of lifetime, the trail: Spans 14 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

Has a season: The trail opens in early spring, but Katahdin in Baxter State Park closes Oct. 15.

Has both highs: 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome, 17th highest point in the U.S., located in the Great Smoky Mountains in Sevier County, Tennessee and Swain County, North Carolina.

And lows: 124 feet, Bear Mountain State Park, in Rockland County, near Stony Point, New York .

For information, go to www.appalachiantrail. org/home/explore-the-trail.

Rock climbs like this one are part of the Appalachian Trail.

[GABBY SCROFANO/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO] [COURTESY OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY]

16 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

“I never hiked a day before that,” LuAnn Scrofano said.

The mom in this duo is in great shape.

She cleans 11 houses a week, is nanny to a 2-year-old one day a week, and holds down a part-time job at Wegmans. Her daughter is into fitness. The McDowell High School and Clarion University graduate runs and plays various sports. After college, she worked in children’s advocacy in West Virginia before she attended Marshall University for a master’s degree in public health. She also works for two farms when school isn’t in session and is a part-time nanny to two little boys. Days before she left on the trail this year, Scrofano earned her master’s degree.

Not your normal mother-daughter vacation Lake Erie LifeStyle sat down with the Scrofano women a few days after they completed the trail — a journey that took 181 days over two summers, 91 days in 2016 and 90 days in 2017. What made them do it?

For Gabby, it was the need for a break from society, school and work, but she said that she isn’t the kind of person to sit on a beach and do nothing on a vacation. “I wanted to accomplish something — a goal,” she said.

Her mom’s goal was to accompany her daughter, but she had to see if she could keep her jobs. All of her clients agreed to wait for her. “They were totally on board at Wegmans,” she said.

The Trail On The Trail, participants choose trail names. The younger Scrofano was Boss, and her mom was Goddess. Along the way, the duo developed a system that worked for them.

“For the division of duties, we kind of figured out what we each did well,” LuAnn Scrofano said. They practiced setting up a tent in the living room of LuAnn’s Millcreek Township home to get the hang of it. LuAnn was in charge of the tent and Gabby was in charge of the cooking. “She would get the tent up and organize everything for sleeping and clean up, and I would cook,” Gabby said. “She was the mom on this trail,” LuAnn said.

A guide takes Gabby Scrofano, front, and her mom, LuAnn, center, across a river during their 2,200-mile

Scary times

Appalachian Trail journey. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Hiking the trail was not without difficulties.

“Everything was hard for me. I never hiked, so I had to get used to carrying the 33-pound pack,” LuAnn said. “It’s difficult to carry that.

OCTOBER 2017

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Scenery along the Appalachian Trail gives participants unforgettable views. [GABBY SCROFANO/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Gabby Scrofano’s boyfriend, right, joined LuAnn Scrofano, left, and Gabby for part of the

Gabby Scrofano, left, and her mom, LuAnn, right, navigate rocks on the 2,200-

2,200-mile Appalachian Trail journey. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

mile Appalachian Trail. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

18 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

It’s fine in the flats, but going up and down mountains, you have to adjust yourself and make sure you don’t tip over. I was really good at falling.”

While LuAnn Scrofano joked about falling, it was no laughing matter. Climbing up and down rocks and over slippery slopes on a mountain can and does result in serious injury for many trail participants. On one of her early falls, she and her daughter were scared.

“The pack slipped around and was choking me, and there was blood everywhere,” the older Scrofano said.

“She was covered in blood,” Gabby said. “I couldn’t find where it was coming from.”

Both women said they began to panic, but the mom took over and calmed her daughter. “I told her ‘Gabby you need to get this,’” LuAnn said. “Gabby couldn’t even talk. She was hysterical. We figured out the blood was coming from two gashes near my eye, but the

blood was everywhere, and it was scary.”

Gabby explained her fear. “Kids always think their parents are invincible. Mom knew everything. She always knew everything, and nothing bad ever happens to your parents,” she said.

But laughter was part of the medicine. “All she worried about was her teeth,” Gabby said.

LuAnn agreed and said her teeth were fine, but she wanted to stop the bleeding. Gabby found wet wipes in a first aid kit in the backpack and a compress to stop the bleeding, but there were no hospitals or towns around the corner. They managed to get down the mountain and into a parking lot, where they took a cab to the nearest town and hospital. By then, LuAnn’s eye was swollen shut.

“It was quite a day,” LuAnn said. “People die on the trail. We never realized how dangerous it could be, and we were lucky.”

To continue the trip, LuAnn opted for

adhesive rather than stitches to close the gashes. “We would have had to get stitches removed, and how were we going to do that?

Plus we couldn’t get it wet, and we were going to get wet. I had a shiner, but we hid it from family in Gabby’s social media posts.”

Gabby explained that they had promised to post as often as they could as they moved along the trail so family could follow them.

“We got creative with Facebook posts — really artsy,” she said with a laugh.

Mom and daughter agreed being together 24 hours wasn’t abnormal for them. They often speak to each other four times a day, and the duo were well-known on the trail, as well. At shelters and camps, people knew they were Boss and Goddess, and many followers were amazed that a mother/daughter team was on the trail. “We met a lot of really nice people. It restores your faith in humanity.”

Gabby said.

Scenery along the Appalachian Trail gives participants unforgettable views. [GABBY SCROFANO/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

OCTOBER 2017

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The kindness of people The Scrofanos met people of all ages, sizes and nationalities on the trail. They said some people quit their jobs and weren’t in any hurry on the trail. The Scrofanos had more stringent timetables. During their first summer, they took five days off, and on the second trip, they took three days off. Visiting towns was part of the fun, but it was expensive to stay and eat.

Hikers the Scrofanos had seen in 2016 rejoined them this year, and several friendly folks shared food. There was also what the duo called trail magic. “Trail magic is people who sit by the trail and access roads with coolers and hand out Gatorade, pop and water,” Gabby said. Many of the friendly folks are locals or people who had completed the trail themselves at one time. “It’s so nice to have a cold drink,” LuAnn said. Other trail magic included sandwiches and hot meals.

“It’s really generous and shows that somebody cares,” Gabby said.

Gabby’s boyfriend Justin Hieronimous took four days to join the Scrofanos and hiked the trail with them in Vermont toward the end. “It was really nice,” she said.

Mileage counts Climbing rock formations, traversing waterways and hiking up and down mountains is all part of the journey. So daily travel ranged from a few miles to 26 miles. “We called those marathons days,” LuAnn said of the 26-mile days.

The weather was a major factor in the length of some of the daily hikes. Thunderstorm warnings sent them in search of shelters and towns, and there were days that it rained sideways. The Scrofanos said rain was the worst. On one of the

20 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Friends on the Appalachhian Trail help Gabby Scrofano celebrate her 25th birthday as she and her mom, LuAnn, left, near the end of the Appalachian Trail. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

rainy days, they were carrying eight days worth of food and water, and exhaustion set in, but they pressed on for 14 miles to get to the nearest town.

“Even though it was 14 miles, we knew we were going to be warm and dry and let the tent and everything dry out,” LuAnn said.

There were also days that it took hours to travel a mile through rocks, but they agreed some of those were the most fun.

The Scrofanos had a fire ring every night whether they had their own campsite, joined others, or were in a town. And they were often asleep by 6 p.m.

“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work, and everything ached, from my hair to my toenails,”

LuAnn said. She said she lost five toenails along the way. They explained the aches and pains can often result from stress fractures — a common ailment on the trail. “You can’t get enough calories and you can’t get enough calcium,” LuAnn said. “And you have to have really good shoes.”

Eating on the trail meant trying to consume a lot of calories with transportable foods. They found sustenance from Pop Tarts, ramen noodles, tortillas, protein bars, candy bars, peanut butter, cheese and jerky. Traveling into towns meant treats of ice cream, Dr. Pepper and other foods.

And food fantasies were part of the trail.

“You would swear you smelled food cooking on the trail. It was so weird,” LuAnn said. Mashed

potatoes with butter, chickens wings, cotton candy and other delicacies were the phantom smells. “I love potatoes, so for me, it was always potatoes,” Gabby said.

Part of the trip planning included shipping pre-packed boxes of supplies that would be delivered to towns along the trail so the Scrofanos could pick them up when they arrived at specific destinations. Family members also got involved and sent care packages to locations along the trail that included snacks, dinners, glow sticks, liquor, cards and pictures.

The Scrofanos didn’t sugar-coat the trip. There were days of complete exhaustion, but they said showers and real food made everything better. So did great views. “Mountaintop views in the Whites (White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire) are beautiful and there’s so much water,” Gabby said. She and her mom said that even a hard day on the trail could melt away when they saw the scenery. “We would always say, ‘This is great day,’” Gabby said.

The last day On her 25th birthday, Gabby got a party on Mount Katahdin in Maine with a bunch of strangers who became friends, and they delivered a party complete with balloons and cake. “There was a father and daughter that had hiked with us for four days, and they were from England. There had to be 20 to 30 people there, and it was super cloudy but everyone was singing, and it was really cool,” Gabby said.

Throughout the journey, the Scrofanos kept a journal every day of the 181 days.

Each entry started with “Today is the day.” The memories of each entry are sweet.

“It’s so nice to read them now, and you know exactly where we were,” LuAnn said. “She took good care of me.”

Would they do it again?

Now that it’s back to reality for this mother/daughter team, they said people complete the trail more than once, but they would rather do something else. Trail travel is on the bucket list though, but a shorter trail might be the next challenge.

The John Muir trail in California could be on the list. “It’s only 210 miles, that’s three weeks, and maybe we could take a three-week vacation,” Gabby said.

They also discussed the Triple Crown of hiking. It includes the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail (3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada) and the Pacific Crest Trail (2,600-mile trail that goes through California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Not bad goals for a mom and daughter who never hiked together, but conquered the Appalachian Trail in 181 days. LEL

LuAnn Scrofano, left, and her daughter Gabby finished their 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail journey at Mount Katahdin on Gabby’s 25th birthday.

[CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

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your health

EYEING UP BETTER HEALTH 22 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

By Pam Parker

I

f you dismiss eye strain and headaches because you think they’re caused by too much work and stress, it might be an accurate diagnosis, but you might be missing the big picture.

“We are all looking into blue light in our televisions, phones, laptops — all of our electronic devices, and it’s hard on our eyes,” said Jeet Sabherwal, optician at Visual Options in Millcreek. “It comes from the computer screen and we don’t even realize it.”

Blue light is outdoors and indoors — even the sun has blue light qualities, and our eyes don’t block the light well. Too much exposure can result in macular degeneration.

How do we protect our eyes? Sabherwal suggests antireflective coating on “cheaters” or any lenses that people use while looking at a screen. “It helps all the time,” he said. Filters are available for electronic devices.

Which sunglasses improve your vision?

Outdoors, if you have trouble seeing on a tennis court or golf course, you might want to choose better lenses.

Rose lenses or pink lenses can improve your vision on a cloudy day, and different shades of orange will enhance your vision, but color isn’t the most important factor.

“Polarized glasses are the best,” Sabherwal said. “They make everything clearer and more vivid.” Most of the higher-end brand names will offer polarized lenses and antireflective coating which helps to limit glare as well. “ And it’s not just in the summer. Glare is everywhere in the winter too. The upgraded lenses could cost from $75 to $175, and some patients shy away from the expense, but others see the difference immediately, and agree it’s worth it.

Night vision Everyone knows someone who doesn’t drive at night.

Improving night vision can be tricky.

In low light conditions, like at dusk, a yellow lens improves contrast and makes things brighter and clearer. At night, anti-reflective coating can help, but our eyes aren’t accustomed to darkness. A trip to the eye doctor can help you improve what you see day or night and relieve eye strain. LEL [PHOTO FROM BIGSTOCKPHOTO]

OCTOBER 2017

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your health

10

tips to improve your health Here are easy things you can do everyday to improve your health

By Debbie DeAngelo

L

ake Erie LifeStyle asked holistic health coach Debbie DeAngelo to give readers 10 tips to get healthy and stay healthy. Here are her top 10 picks:

1. Keep the number on the scale in perspective. It doesn’t determine your worth, so don’t let it control how you feel about yourself.

Becoming obsessed with a number can result in emotional distress — more with females than males, but if you’re actively trying to lose weight, weigh yourself once a week, or once a month if you are trying to maintain. Other indicators of good health include your energy level, your quality of life, your strength and fitness, the way clothes fit and biometrics.

24 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

2. Pitch plastic water bottles.

Buy a reusable glass or stainless steel water bottle instead.

Plastic can leach into water, especially if water bottles are stored in heat at a store or in your garage. We want to minimize exposure to plastics and other toxins because so much of our food and water is coming into contact with plastic. Use a glass container with a silicone sleeve over the glass or a stainless steel container, but make sure it doesn’t have a plastic liner.

3. Thank your partner for something every day.

We’re all accustomed to receiving negative feedback and criticism, but we need to appreciate each other more. A little positivity goes a long way in this world, and we should treat coworkers and family members similarly.

4. Clear out your medicine cabinet.

We’re all guilty of saving something “just in case.”

But even bandages and ointments are not as effective years after they have expired.

And medicines do lose their efficacy. Dispose outdated medicine and supplies.

5. Chew each bite of food 20-30 times.

Digestion starts in the mouth, and saliva enzymes break down your food. That enables your body to absorb more of the nutrients and will reduce post-meal bloating and indigestion. Americans eat quickly and are plagued with digestive problems that other cultures do not have because meals are more of an event. If we slow down, our stomachs can do their jobs.

[SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

OCTOBER 2017

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[SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

6. Quiet your mind. Carve out at least 10 minutes a day to disconnect from devices, people and noise.

We are definitely over-stimulated. We need to power down our minds just as we power down our devices.

8. Connect with nature daily.

10. Upgrade one cosmetic.

Research studies on longevity in 100-year-olds says they always made time for nature, exercise and reconnecting with the earth. You can easily reap the healing benefits of nature by enjoying the autumn foliage on a walk or drive or watching the sunrise with a cup of tea in hand.

Choose one product that you frequently apply to your skin or face and swap it out for one free of chemicals and toxins such as lead, phthalates and parabens. Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies, and it absorbs everything. That means dozens of cosmetics and bath and beauty products are full of chemicals that we apply, and they travel into our blood streams. If we switch one product to upgrade, we can improve our health. Look for certified toxin-free or reduced toxins. We can also use completely natural oils like almond oil and olive oil that are better for your skin than chemicallyladen products. LEL

7. Shake free of dryer sheets.

9. Include a spice at each meal.

Pouring distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener reservoir of the washing machine can easily replace chemically coated dryer sheets. It doesn’t smell and it does a great job of removing static. It also saves money. The reason dryer sheets work is because they are chemically coated.

28 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Spices are nature’s most potent disease fighters. Be sure to include at least one at every meal. Spices have a lot of healing benefits, and we often eliminate them from recipes because we don’t have them in our pantries, but they’re really easy to use and satisfy our taste buds so we eat less.

Put some cinnamon or nutmeg on fruit, in yogurt, in cereal or in a smoothie. Think of using things things like ginger turmeric, sage, basil or oregano, and they pair well with meats, sauces, soups, rice and pasta.

SP ONSOR E D CONTE NT

Teens and parents can take steps to fight peer pressure [SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

By JoLayne Green

It's the busy back-to-school season for teens and their parents, and with that comes new schedules, classes, activities and seeing peers more at school and social events.

Unfortunately, it can also mean times of facing peer pressure and temptations of drugs and alcohol. Experts say there are strategies parents and teens can use to avoid the pitfalls of addiction.

One way teens can set up a good foundation that can aid in keeping them from the temptations of substance use is to be engaged in social activities that provide a sense of identity, pride and fun before they are even confronted with the decision to use or not to use, says counselor Amanda Milliren, who is a regional service coordinator for White Deer Run Treatment Network, which has a full continuum of care in multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania, including Erie.

Milliren suggests programs such as art, music, drama, youth groups or sports.

“Hobbies that require physical, mental and social engagement are great options to help teens develop coping skills and a fulfillment, which may help prevent experimentation with drugs and alcohol,” Milliren says.

Another piece of advice Milliren offers is to develop relationships and friendships with people who do not use any substances and will support efforts to remain sober.

“It is easier to say no if you know that you are going to be supported in your decision to say no,” she says.

Learning how to handle peer pressure is a lifelong skill, Millieren says. Some effective techniques are: • Being a broken record repeatedly declining the offer of drugs or alcohol until the person gives up.

• Offering an alternative such as suggesting the group goes to a movie instead of a party.

• Flat out saying, “no I don't want to do that.”

• Making an excuse such as, “Oh my gosh, I forgot I was supposed to be home five minutes ago to babysit my brother.”

“The key is to be quick with response and assertive. Being mindful with your tone, body language and eye contact will help make your point,” Milliren says.

Conversations between parents and kids about drugs and alcohol can never start too early, Milliren says. They can even practice refusal skills and role play situations so children are comfortable saying no when the time comes.

Supporting positive activities also helps alleviate the child from seeking attention in negative ways. Parents also need to practice what they preach.

“Role modeling coping skills to deal with emotions, stress and life skills without the use of drugs or alcohol — yes, even wine counts — is also a good way to teach kids that they do not have to rely on a substance to get through tough

times and that alcohol does not have to be a staple in their daily lives,” Milliren says.

Addiction does not discriminate, though, and sometimes prevention fails. Red flags parents can look out for include sudden drops in grades, changes in groups of friends, behavioral changes such as eating habits and hygiene, emotional changes, memory problems and things coming up missing around the home.

Someone with a family history of addiction, even if someone never knew the substance user or witnessed it, can mean an increased risk.

Major life events, trauma and mental illness are also risk factors.

If parents suspect a problem, Milliren urges them to seek help such as at Cove Forge in Erie for assessments, treatment and referrals. School guidance counselors also can be resources. All Erie County schools have a student assistance program that includes education, prevention, assessment and counseling for teens struggling with substance abuse or the impact of substances in their life. Other helpful sources of education Milliren recommends are https:// teens.drugabuse.gov, www.samsha.gov and http://leyroadcrew.com/index.html.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY White Deer Run Treatment Network 1921 W. 8th St., Erie Call 866-769-6822

OCTOBER 2017

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your health

Hospital workers Social worker, assistants create bracelets sold across the country

By Marissa Orbanek

T

hree Erie health professionals are promoting physical and mental wellness and working to change the stigma around mental health, one bead at a time.

Social worker Julie Mannarino and medical resident assistants Dr. Prianka Sinha and Dr. Gianpiero Martone connected after working for a local community hospital.

“We deal with patients all the time who deal with depression or anxiety, and we have dealt with the mind, body, soul connection as one approach to wellness. We started getting into yoga and then healing crystals and found out how much of an impact if had on well-being,” says Sinha.

After initially creating the bracelets with

TOP:This necklace includes 108 beads of lapis lazuli and pyrite, significant because the number signifies intersections of energy lines. ABOVE: Howlite, a white stone with grey veining, is calming, and assists in insomnia, overactive mind, osteoporosis and restless leg syndrome.

RIGHT: Gianpiero Martone, Prianka Sinha and Julie Mannarino founded Amaura beads.

[CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

30 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

healing stones as gifts for family members and friends, Sinha says they were blown away by the feedback.

“People were so mesmerized by them, and it just took off,” says Sinha.

Formed in April of 2016, Amaura (amore plus aura) sells a variety of items, including healing bracelets, Chakra Bracelets, 108 Bead Malas and aromatherapy bracelets.

“Our motto is that with every bead, we help a mind in need,” Sinha says. “A portion of all proceeds go to various mental health organizations in Erie.”

So what exactly are these bracelets and how can they help mental health? Outside of donating a portion of the proceeds to mental heath services, the jewelry offers spiritual support.

October events • Neighborhood Flea in Pittsburgh, Oct. 8 • Peek 'n Peak Fall Fest, Oct. 14-15, 21-22 • For Women Only Expo at the Bayfront Convention Center, Oct. 28-29 More information https://amaurabeads.patternbyetsy. com https://m.facebook.com/Amaurabeads

Good vibrations “Healing crystals are stones that carry vibrational energy properties within them that is supposed to help the body be more in sync and bring in positivity through the stones.”

Sinha says. “Within every gemstone, there is meaning within the stone.”

For example, Amazonite is a mint green, aqua green stone with touches of charcoal gray stone and “assists with communication, helps owners resolve their own inner conflicts and dispels negative energy.” Fluorite, a multicolored stone, is said to enhance mental clarity and help reduce anxiety and relieve stress. Black onyx is a solid black stone that keeps its owner grounded, allows for selfcontrol, and brings protection.

There is no scientific evidence supporting the connections between the stones and healing.

“Basically, healing crystals are based off a holistic way of life and an approach that focuses more on the mind, body and soul.

My aunt has cancer, so one of the gifts I gave her was a bracelet with three stones that help cancer patients. Is there scientific proof? Of course not, and I would never say that,” Sinha says. “Is there a wellness and calmness within her? Absolutely. She is living proof.”

The bracelets also serve as constant reminders.

“Theoretically, the stones vibrate at a different frequency that helps with a variety of things. For me they serve as reminders more,” Martone says. “I believe in medication, for sure, but there are other ways we can find health and wellness, whether it’s from medication, yoga or another brand of healing. This is a fun reminder to take a deep breath and stay mentally focused.”

Chrysocolla and sandalwood beads include this handmade Om charm from Thailand. The beads encourage compassion, empowerment, teaching and communication, and they help with anxiety and depression. Sandalwood is often used in aromatherapy and helps treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, neuralgia, nausea and fevers. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Ancient art of healing crystals goes mainstream Sinha says these have been used in practice for thousands of years.

“I am Hindu, so I was born learning about the healing crystal and its practice in ancient art and philosophy through my mom,” she says.

Their most popular items are the aromatherapy bracelets, which include a lava rock that can hold any essential oil for up to eight hours. Since individuals can use these

bracelets with essential oil, these bracelets have multiple functions.

The Amaura items are sold at different events throughout the community. The group also sells their bracelets at Juice Jar and Pointe Foure Vintage Boutique.

“I first saw them and bought one right away from them. I invited them to one of my events with the local artists, and they have a great response so they came on as a vendor,” says Emily Lynn George, the owner of Pointe Foure Vintage Boutique. “I love their energy and their passion. As an artist, I know the

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African Turquoise beads include a semicolon charm. Project Semicolon is an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and raises mental health awareness. African Turquoise is believed to promote balance and confidence and improve selfdevelopment. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

This includes red jasper, orange frosted agate, yellow jade, green aventurine, blue turquoise, lapis lazuli and amethyst. Stones relieve stress and promote tranquility. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

The lotus flower represents beauty, purity and enlightenment, and the fluorite beads help reduce anxiety and relieve stress, and enhance focus and concentration. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS]

work involved with straining over 50 beads. So I think that’s what makes them even more passionate about what they do — working with mental health.”

Both Sinha and Martone say they always introduce themselves as mental health workers at the events to bring awareness and promote conversations around mental health.

“There’s such a negative stigma associated with trauma and asking for or needing help or there’s often guilt associated with anxiety or depression. But people need to be open about it and it’s a conversation that needs to be encouraged — not kept hush, hush,” Martone says. “I love my field, and I think that’s something that will get better with time. Being part of society and working with different organizations within the community is a way for us to continue working on that conversation.”

Amaura has also sold jewelry at events in Pittsburgh, as well as online, through its website or on Etsy. That’s how Kenny LaBarbera, from West Chester County in New York, came across their products.

“I thought the bracelets were really cool and liked that they were doing something with a cause and raising money to help donate money back to the local communities,” says LaBarbera, who bought a dozen of them for his staff. “We all forget who we are, where we come from and what we should be doing for each other. I felt that these students, as busy as they were and as focused on their studies, have already taken time to connect to their community — that speaks volumes to their character.”

Amaura has worked with organizations within the community, including Project Semicolon, Boots on the Ground for PTSD and Down Syndrome Awareness. LEL Indian agate gives a sense of stability, strength and harmony.

[CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

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bon appetit

GINGERED PUMPKIN SOUP • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted • ½ sweet yellow onion, sliced thin • 1½-2-pound fresh pumpkin, seeds and skin removed, diced • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced • ½ pound Yukon potatoes, peeled and diced • 4 cups vegetable stock or water • ¼ cup orange juice • ½ cup cream sherry • 1 cup fat-free half-and-half • 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated, optional

[ERIE TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO/ GREG WOHLFORD]

Harvest hues Gingered Pumpkin Soup gorgeous, good gourd

By Jennie Geisler

Of course I love to cook. Usually. OK, sometimes I don't FEEL like cooking, but that's different. In general, I'm never happier than I am in my kitchen, with a pile of produce, a recipe taped to a cupboard, knife in hand, oven preheating, butter softening.

This is never more true than it is in October. I don't know why, exactly, but there's something about this month that makes me want to get up every day and make a

delicious bubbling splattered mess of my counters, sink and range.

Maybe I feel this way because in October, everything (or darned near, save a few berries) is in season, from apples to zucchini.

Tomatoes even cross paths with oranges.

And smack dab in the middle there are pumpkins. To paraphrase my husband, who once said something similar about Chicken Wing Dip: I was put on this earth to love pumpkins.

This soup is just one of a gazillion ways to honor the undisputed king of the October garden. I can't wait to make it again myself.

Heat the butter over medium heat in a large, heavy pot. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent (about 10 minutes).

Add the pumpkin, ginger and potatoes. Cook for another 3 minutes.

Add the stock or water, orange juice and sherry.

Bring mixture to a simmer and cook until pumpkin is soft and easily pierced with a fork (about 1 hour).

Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer back to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.

Season with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle Gruyere (if using) over individual portions and serve with a hearty bread.

Makes 4 large servings Per serving with cheese: 335 calories, 16.5 grams fat, 2.3 grams fiber, 12.8 grams protein, 28 grams carbohydrate, 962 milligrams sodium Per serving without cheese: 218 calories, 7.3 grams fat, 2.3 grams fiber, 4.37 grams protein, 27.75 grams carbohydrate, 867 milligrams sodium

LEL

OCTOBER 2017

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bon appetit

Beer and wine business is all in the family

By Steve Orbanek

C

hris Sirianni has not thought about what role his son and daughter might have in the future of his business, The Brewerie at Union Station.

They started the fourth and fifth grade, respectively, this year, so it’s understandable that the prospect of them working at a craft brewery seems a long way off.

“With my own kids, I hope they do what makes them happy, but I haven't even thought about that,” said Sirianni, who is also the president of the Lake Erie Ale Trail. “I would think and hope that the next generation behind us sees the value and the uniqueness of the industry.”

There’s a good chance his children will have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps should they decide they want that.

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Local businesses that produce their own alcohol have not gone out of business. Since 2005, more than a dozen craft breweries have opened in the region. While some of the businesses have changed hands, none of them have closed.

Wineries have been around even longer.

In 1969, Penn Shore Winery and Vineyards opened as the first winery in Pennsylvania.

Then, later that year, Presque Isle Wine Cellars opened, and the industry has grown ever since. Some of these businesses have changed owners, but it has been rare to see one of them close.

The industry also continues to grow. Yori Wine Cellars will soon be opening in downtown North East, and Nostrovia Brewing Co. is set to open in Harborcreek sometime in the near future. Within the past year, two distilleries, Cart/Horse Distilling and Luminary

Distilling, have also opened.

“Locally, I just think there’s a demand, and I think that all of the people who get involved with this see the potential, and they see a market that's growing,” said Jeff Ore, owner of Penn Shore Winery and Vineyards. “It's also a lifestyle. If you own a winery, it's not a 9-5 job. It is a lifestyle, and it's not a bad lifestyle.”

More folks continue to buy into that lifestyle.

“We’ve already heard rumblings about a couple local distilleries that could open. There will be more,” said Jessica Lemon, co-owner of Cart/Horse Distilling.

For Ore, running a winery is a family affair.

His daughter, Jenny Sholtis, and son, Jeremy Ore, both have active roles at the winery.

That’s seen at other wineries in the region too, perhaps most prevalent at the four wineries

A vineyard at Penn Shore Winery and Vineyards had grapes growing in August. It is one of the oldest wineries in the area.

[CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

ABOVE: Penn Shore Winery, in North East Township, opened in 1969. [FILE PHOTO/ ERIE TIMES-NEWS] LEFT: Cart/Horse Distilling owners Jessica Lemmon, 38, left, and husband John Fetzner, 40, opened their distillery in Edinboro in February.

[FILE PHOTO GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Noiret grapes are

owned by the Mazza family.

It also falls in line with a national trend.

According to wineeconomist.com, six of the 10 largest wineries in the country are family owned and operated and account for more than half of the wine sold in America.

“You’re all on the same page because you’re all trying to make the company grow and prosper. It's a nice place for the second generation to start to spread their wings,” Ore said.

The family theme has not been as prevalent locally with craft beer, but that could be just because of how recent that trend still is.

Sirianni believes that locally craft beer is still in its infancy, which makes sense considering The Brewerie at Union Station, Erie’s first brewpub, opened in just 2006.

What’s helped many of businesses take off is the ability to add food without actually

heavy on the vines at Penn Shore Winery in North East Township in August.

Penn Shore owner Jeff Ore’s daughter, Jenny Sholtis, and son, Jeremy Ore, have active roles at the winery. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

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Brewerie at Union Station opened in 2006 as Erie’s first brewpub and restaurant. [FILE PHOTO JACK HANRAHAN/ ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

36 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

needing a kitchen.

Ore admits that he never had an interest in adding food as a component at his winery.

However, at the suggestion of his daughter, he started bringing in food trucks for Penn Shore’s regular weekend concert series. It’s been a game-changer.

“If people are drinking, you want food for them. What I didn't realize was the improvements that these food trucks have gone through in the last decade. When I lived in Houston, we used to call them roach coaches, and now they’re gourmet coaches,” Ore said.

“We have people who come just for those food trucks. It's been a pleasant surprise, and I think it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Food trucks have also been a major success for Erie Ale Works, a local brewery that is in its third year of operation and on pace to double its production from 2016.

“It helps us complete the package. It’s the quick way of being a pop-up restaurant and

brewery that changes its face two to three times on a weekend,” said Steve Anthony, co-owner of the brewery. “On the nights we have food trucks, it drives a different type of visit from people. They hang out longer, and it takes such a huge burden off of us.”

As it stands, the Lake Erie Ale Trail boasts 12 breweries, with 7 Sins Brewery recently joining. Lake Erie Wine Country includes 22 wineries, and there are now two distilleries in Erie County.

The question remains, just how large can it get? And is there a saturation point?

“I think there will become a saturation point, but I’m not sure if there will be a breaking point though,” Sirianni said. “As long as people are doing their own thing and being independent and not stepping on toes and stepping on concepts, and helping one another, I really do think there’s still a lot of room for growth.” LEL

OCTOBER EVENTS Oktoberfest Mortals Key Brewing Co. Sunday, Oct. 1; Friday, Oct. 6; Saturday, Oct. 7 Mortals Key again hosts its popular Oktoberfest during the first two weekends of October. There will be live music, special food selections and a new beer release.

Admission is free.

Dogtoberfest Erie Brewing Co. Saturday, Oct. 7, 5 to 7 p.m.

The third-annual Dogtoberfest returns to Erie Brewing Co. this month. For a minimum donation of $25, guests can enjoy craft beer, a basket raffle, food, games and a pet costume party. All proceeds benefit The ANNA Shelter.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours Liberty Vineyards and Winery Saturday, Oct. 7, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through Liberty Vineyards. During the tour, a guide will point specific types of grapes and also explain how wine is made. The tour will conclude with a special wine tasting. Visit www. libertywinery.com for more information.

Trick or Treat for Grown Ups and Wine & Halloween Candy Pairing Liberty Vineyards and Winery Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29 Celebrate the season with a costume party and wine pairings. Guests who come in costume and say “Trick or Treat” will receive their first tasting free. Prizes will also be awarded for some of the best costumes, and wines will be paired with various Halloween candies. Visit www.libertywinery.com for details.

OCTOBER 2017

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WILLKOMMEN!!

escapes

38 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Valter’s Restaurant & Biergarten offers charming turn-of-thecentury architecture and Albaniam and German fare. [MEREDITH DREISTADT/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Ethnic enclave brings old-world flavor to urban Columbus, Ohio

By Trill Dreistadt In Columbus, Ohio’s German Village neighborhood, my daughter Meredith and I spent an afternoon strolling along narrow, brick-paved streets lined with 19th century homes showcased with beautifully manicured lawns and window boxes overflowing with lavender petunias and pansies. Delightful story-and-a-half brick cottages and Dutch Doubles tuck neatly beside elaborate gardens.

Beautiful gardens with fountains and brick-paved walkways leading to benches and wrought iron furniture beckon quiet conversation among neighbors who share a deep sense of community in the richness of their village’s traditions, history and cultural identity.

Originally settled by German Catholic immigrants, the village became a thriving economy of bakers, bricklayers, brewery workers and stonecutters. Built in 1865, St. Mary’s Church stands as a testament to their faith, making it a prominent landmark with a spire reaching 197 feet.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974 and designated as a Preserve America Neighborhood, this village’s citizens are serious about safeguarding its German heritage. A stop at the Meeting Haus and Visitor Center at 588 S. Third St. provides a full account of the German Village Society’s preservation efforts, which began in 1960 when community activist Frank Fetch recruited 183 like-minded citizens dedicated to strengthening and enhancing community legacies.

A leisurely walk to the town’s Shiller Park offers breathtaking views of landscape gardens, fishing ponds, picnic areas, cascading fountains and the outdoor Actors’ Summer Theatre. An impressive bronze monument to Germany’s famous poet, Friedrich von Schiller, cast in Germany and transported across the Atlantic, commemorates the 1891 naming of this 23-acre park. Its history includes having been the site for a zoo and a World War I anti-German book burning.

Just down a block, a sign for Juergens Bakery lured us into the cozy warmth of owner Rosemarie’s aromatic sensations.

Originally a boarding house in the early 1800s, Keidel’s bakery has been serving sweet

SATISFYING YOUR TASTE FOR SAUSAGE AND SPAETZLE Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus 240 E. Kossuth St. 614-444-6808 www.schmidthaus.com Hours: Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

House specials: goulashsuppe, bratwurst, schnitzel, German Autobahn buffet Oompah bands: Schnickelfritz, Wednesdays and Saturdays; Squeezin’ N’ Wheezin’, Thursdays and Fridays Valter’s Restaurant & Biergarten 976 S. High St. 614-444-3531 www.valtersatthemaennerchor.com Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-2 a.m.

House Specials: weisswurst, Hungarian bruschetta, Mediterranean chicken pasta, pasta sudtirol

The Book Loft in German Village has 32 rooms with thousands of books organized by theme. [MEREDITH

SAVORING THE SWEETS Juergens Bakery 525 S. Fourth St. 614-224-6858 www.juergensbakery.com Hours: Closed Mondays; TuesdaysThursdays, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

House specials: Black Forest torte, baked elephant ears, Schwarzwaelder kirsch torte

DREISTADT/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

specialties to the community for more than 50 years. “Our bienenstich kuchen and schoko puffs are so famous,” Keidel admits, “that even folks like Burt Reynolds and Arnold Schwarzenegger have sought us out.”

Visitors will be tempted to choose from those delicacies and the sinfully sweet mandelhoernchen (almond crescents) savored over a cup of rich café Vienna.

Sycamore Street includes Franklin Art and Glass Studios, which was founded in 1924 by Henry Helf in a structure that in 1922 was a U.S. armory. Recognized worldwide as a leading source for stained glass and art glass projects, this studio has

Pistacia Vera 541 S. Third St. 614-220-9070 www.pistaciavera.com Hours: Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

House specials: orange brioche, pain aux raisins, fudgies, cherry almond frangipane QUENCHING YOUR THIRST The Sycamore 262 E. Sycamore St. 614-754-1460 www.thesycamoregv.com Hours: Mondays, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdaysm 4 p.m.-11 p.m.; Fridays, 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturdays, noon-12 a.m.; closed Sundays Try a pint: Jackie O’s Hop Ryot IPA

OCTOBER 2017

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Narrow, brick-paved streets highlight German Village in Columbus, Ohio. [MEREDITH DREISTADT/ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

40 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

been family-owned and run since its inception. Classes on the fundamentals of stained glass cutting, including copper foil and lead techniques, are offered throughout the year.

The aisles of this expansive studio reveal the beauty of unique design and vibrant colors of hundreds of art glass pieces, prompting patrons to consider it as creative hobby.

On the recommendation of John Pribble, owner of the German Village Guest House, visitors might choose Valters Restaurant & Biergarten in a warm and cozy brick building built in 1907 that is replete with Old World trappings and an inviting outdoor porch with a table by the garden to pour over so many delectable menu offerings. Owner Valter Veliu has created a unique cuisine by incorporating dishes from his native Albania with authentic German fare.

“It was my friend Father Steven who set me straight right away,” laughs Veliu, “when he informed me one evening over cigars and German Kolsch that my potatoes are just not getting it.”

Veliu learned right then and there the trick: sauté the potatoes in a cast iron skillet with oregano and a pinch of mint. Presto! The perfect potato!

Baked and grilled Jaegermeister wings that had been marinating for two days in his own unique blend of spicy German mustard and full-bodied espresso call to some patrons, while lightly breaded and perfectly pan-fried pork schnitzel with a generous side of spätzle blends well with homemade weizen beer cheese soup. Sehr gut!

Need dessert? Kossuth Street is home to Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus, located in an historic livery stable and currently run by the fifth generation of the Schmidt family, who create a most delectable cream puff. This half-pound pastry’s whipped filling is encased in a lightly baked pastry shell. The authenic German atmosphere is accompanied by the Squeezin’ and Wheezin’ Oompah band.

In our quest to ponder over, in Edgar Allan Poe’s words, “…a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,” Meredith and I have frequent bookstores across the nation. But never have we seen a marvel like German Village’s The Book Loft, which is truly a bibliophile’s paradise. Its 32 rooms contain thousands of books organized thematically room by room. Whatever your interest or passion —World War I; woodworking; the ‘60s, ‘70s, or ‘80s cultural decades; architectural design; costumes and celebrations, or world revolutions — you’ll find dozens or hundreds of titles pertaining to that theme.

Most rooms have thematic music playing softly for those reading on chairs or on the floor thumbing through books. Located in pre-Civil War brick buildings that formerly housed a saloon, a general store and a nickelodeon cinema, The Book Loft is

SATISFYING YOUR TASTE FOR SAUSAGE AND SPAETZLE G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar 595 Third St. 614-464-0575 https://michaelsbistroandbar.com Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Try a pint: Celebrator Doppelbock

Valter’s Restaurant & Biergarten was built in 1907 and includes meals with Albanian and German avor. [MEREDITH DREISTADT/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

an enchanting warren of nooks and crannies with hidden treasures galore.

An overnight stay at the hospitable German Village Guest House begins with a walk along brick paths through gardens of peonies and purple cress, showcasing the inn’s historic preservation details. The morning includes a delectable breakfast featuring homemade yogurt with special multi-grain granola.

German Village is one of the Top 3 “Fodor’s Choice� picks and recognized by the American Planning Association as one of the country’s 10 Great Neighborhoods. The villagers offer a warm welcome to visitors with this: Kommen sie besuch! LEL

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CURLING UP FOR THE NIGHT German Village Guest House 748 Jaeger St. 866-587-2738 www.gvguesthouse.com DISCOVERING THE LEGENDS AND LORE OF GERMAN VILLAGE The Book Loft 631 S. Third St. 614-464-1774 www.BookLoft.com Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

Fascinating titles: “German Village Stories Behind the Bricks,� “Wicked Columbus,� “Historic Columbus Crimes: Mama’s in the Furnace, the Thing, & More,� “A Historical Guidebook to Old Columbus,� and “Weird Ohio: Your Travel Guide to Ohio’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets�

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OCTOBER 2017

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arts & entertainment

conservation to

canvas “Autumn at Presque Isle” is among Jan Lutz’s watercolor scenes. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

42 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

This watercolor painting by Jan Lutz is called “Leaning on Illusions.” [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Environmentalist paints, donates, educates others in efforts to preserve environment

By Brian R. Sheridan The beauty of nature has inspired many an artist. For Cambridge Springs artist and gallery owner, Jan Lutz, nature inspired her to paint and take action to fight for nature. It is not just about painting landscapes, plants, or wildlife but saving them for future generations.

“I guess it started when I was a child,” Lutz says. “I was just always interested in plants especially. My mom and I did a little study of wildflowers when I was a kid, probably about 10. My love of plants just took me on all kinds of adventures.”

Those childhood adventures growing up in St. Marys led her to the brush and canvas where she captured the beauty of wildflowers and plants with paint. She further studied her art with help from her grandmother, who took her to painting groups at a local convent. Lutz was the only child in a group of elderly painters, but it was a chance for her to experiment with oil paintings.

As she grew up, Lutz continued studying with artists, and she added pastels. She eventually earned a degree in art education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and spent a summer studying in Italy.

Over the following years, Lutz married Denny Lutz and raised two children but continued painting when she could find time. She worked as a substitute teacher

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Jan Lutz stands beside the banner for the Rainforest Adventures exhibit, outside the entrance of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in Jamestown, N.Y. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

“Belgian Trio” is one of Jan Lutz’s creations painted with oil on linen. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

44 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

and an activities director at a nursing home. In 1993, she added watercolors to her repertoire. Art for her has always been a creative outlet more than a livelihood.

“It's always been more about being true to my authentic self. I have to create,” Lutz says.

Lutz joined environmental groups like the Audubon Society so she could expand her knowledge of the natural world. She became friends with the late Jean Stull, a renowned expert in nature and an artist herself. Lutz joined Stull, and others from the Audubon Society, on many field trips. What she saw at places like Presque Isle became the subject of her paintings. Her concerns for the environment grew, as she better understood the threats facing it. Lutz’s trips into nature continue to inspire her.

“I walk every day, and I hike to different places, and see things that, again, excite me, even if they're things I've seen a lot of times before. It seems like the more you see something, the more you appreciate it. I guess whatever strikes me as being interesting, or beautiful, or important in some way to the natural world,” she says.

Lutz believes that if people can experience nature, they are changed by it. She now also focuses on how the way she lives can impact the natural world.

Lutz realized through a lens focused by her art that big changes could start at the smallest level.

“Just as I became more aware of different issues, such as the industrial farming, which has inspired me to really think about how I have an impact on that. That's something that everybody can have an impact on. Everybody eats, so once you start doing the research, and understanding how the industrial farming works, it's just like, ‘Oh. I can't do that.’ I will support organic farming as much as I can, and (buy) local,” she says.

Her artwork itself has become not only an outlet for her environmentalism but an instrument that helps both awareness and money for conservation. Lutz donates prints and original pieces to groups such as French Creek Valley Conservancy, Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Women in the Outdoors, which are used as fundraisers.

Habitat loss for animals is also something that has caught Lutz’s attention. For the past four years, she has been a member of Artists for Conservation, the world’s leading artist group supporting the environment. Her work has been part of the group’s annual art exhibit every year since she joined the organization. Currently, one of her paintings is on display in China as part of the group’s travel exhibition. Lutz is excited about next year’s project, a mural called “Silent Skies.”

“Members are encouraged to create artwork that represents one of the 678 species of endangered birds in the world, “ Lutz says. “Everyone does a little eight by eight canvas, and then they will install them as a super-mural.

It’s to be the centerpiece of the 27th International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver in 2018. I chose two birds, a parrot from Mexico, and a starling from the Solomon Islands that I will paint and send off for their mural. “ Lutz has earned many awards and honors for her work.

Most recently, the June/July issue of “International Artist” chose her watercolor painting of a jaguar as a finalist in the magazine’s “challenge to the public” contest.

“Feeling of A Shared Memory” displays Lutz’s talent in painting people and nature. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

The issue’s theme was “wildlife,” a perfect fit for Lutz’s skills as a painter.

Artist opens a gallery Her husband, a communication professor at Edinboro University, first created a gallery for her work in the top floor of their pole barn on their farm. Lutz says the rural location was “less than ideal” and she quickly outgrew the space.

In 2005, they bought the former Springs National Bank, which had been vacant in Cambridge Springs. They renovated it to create an artistic showcase called Kelly Run Gallery,for Lutz’s work as well as other area artists. They restored the building’s Victorian charm and later purchased the building next door for use as additional gallery space.

Besides the gallery, Lutz’s work can also be seen at Mercyhurst University, the medical office of Frank Tursi, D.O. in Erie, and the Marquette Savings Bank in Edinboro.

Their gallery donated money from a recent exhibit on cats to the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance, which works to save those endangered animals, and the Erie Zoo

for its efforts to breed Amur leopards.

There are other groups Lutz supports in their efforts to save the environment.

Recently, she has donated to groups that fight the legal battles for nature such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Earth Justice.

While Lutz still enjoys painting wildlife and plant life, her current focus is on landscapes, which allows her to move away from the realism. She describes herself as a “representational painter” influenced by such greats as John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, John Henry Twachtman and contemporary painters such as Richard Schmid, Jeremy Lipking and Peter Fiore.

“There's some artistic license, although I try to make my subjects recognizable. ...

But sometimes it's just about the feel of a place. The landscapes mostly like my emotional reaction to a place. I may leave things out, or change things, or change colors, or whatever seems to work,” Lutz says.

“I definitely think everybody can contribute by your choices when you make purchases, whether it's food or whether

it's clothing. Anything. It's something to be aware of, ‘How is this produced? Where does it come from?’ There's human rights involved in production of anything, and I think the more people understand about that and if they're better informed, they can make better choices,” she says.

The choice for Lutz has always been art and she is happy that her talents can have a bigger impact than just pretty pictures hanging on someone’s wall.

“There was no wondering about what I wanted to do. It was just, ‘Okay, definitely, I just want to pursue my art.’ So I guess at some point it's like, ‘Well, why am I doing this art? Just because it makes me feel good?

Or is there some deeper meaning to it? Something I'm supposed to be communicating with my art?’ I wanted other people to see things that I noticed, to appreciate them, and just not take them for granted,” she says. LEL Her website: www.kellyrungallery andframing.com Artists for Conservation: www.artistsforconservation.org LEL OCTOBER 2017

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OCTOBER 2017

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calendar

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date!

Discover local events and some fun things to do that are worth taking a road trip for this month Compiled by Victoria Roehm

AT LEFT: Kick off the fall season with live music, craft brews, food and more during Columbus Day weekend at the Oktoberfest of Tonawanda at Niawanda Park, 310 Niagara St., Tonawanda, New York. Events begin Oct. 7, at noon, and continue until 8 p.m. For more information, visit www. coreymcgowan.com. [SHUTTERSTOCK]

AT RIGHT: The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Erie County will be hosting their sixth annual Pumpkin D’Light Night Walking Tour, Oct. 6 and 7, 6 to 9 p.m., at Headwaters Park, 1927 Wager Road.

The event features hundreds of carved and lighted pumpkins along a one-mile wooded trail. Admission is $3, cash only, for ages 3 and older. Children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 8250900. [FILE PHOTO/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Oktoberfest of Tonawanda

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MUSIC & DANCE M Remember Y-Co — 50s & 60s Dance: Saturday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.; Rainbow Gardens, 220, Waldameer Park Road; music by DJ John; hosted by the YMCA of Greater Erie’s Glenwood Park Y; tickets on sale at all YMCA of Greater Erie locations. Info: 452-1432.

Blasco Library Concert Series: Sunday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m.; H.O. Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Library, 160 E. Front St.; Erie County Clarinet Choir's fall concert; sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Cost, Free. Info, 451-6900.

THEATRE & ARTS 'A Canterbury Feast': Oct. 1, 6-7, 20-22, 27-28, Nov. 3-5, 10-12, 17-18; Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 5:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; Station Dinner Theatre, 4940 Peach St.; the 37th anniversary of the original medieval musical. Cost: $39; $33, seniors and students; $23, children; ticket includes meal. Info: 864-2022, www.canterburyfeast. com.

Erie Art Museum Exhibits: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m.; 20 E. Fifth St.; currently on display: "Ancient Ink — Photographs by Mark Perrott," "Erie Decoys — Folk Art Sculpture," "Tin Plated Dreams — Sculptures by William Brady Jr.," "Pairing Similarities — D.W. Martin," "Making the Ordinary Extraordinary." Cost, $7; $5, students and seniors; free for children under 5 and members; free admission on Wednesdays; one-year memberships, individual, $50; student, $20; senior, $25; family, $75. Info, 459-5477, www.erieartmuseum.org.

THIS & THAT Designer purse bingo: Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-4 p.m.; doors open at noon; Harborcreek Social Hall, 7275 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek. food, beer and wine available; sponsored by the Saint Benedict Academy Alumnae Association. Cost: $25. Info: 899-0614, ext. 2573 or sbaalum@ mtstbenedict.org.

Koehler Historical Display: Permanent display at Brewerie at Union Station, 124 W. 14th St.; Koehler Brewing Co. bottles, cans, cases, crates, tap handles, more, collected by Ray Barber. Cost: Free.

'We Can Do It!' WWII exhibit: Through Nov. 28; Hagen History Center, 356 W. Sixth St.; the Heinz History Center and Erie County Historical Society's display of World War II artifacts; regular hours are typically Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Museum admission is $7.50 for adults; $5 for seniors, children and students with ID. Info: 454-1813. LEL

Pumpkin D’light Night Walking Tour

FAMILY Artisan & Craft Fair: Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Messiah Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 2025 Eastern Ave., Wesleyville. Info: 899-6386.

'Science Rocks!': Sunday, Oct. 22, noon to 3 p.m.; Erie Day School, 1372 W. Sixth St.; discoveries, experiments, hands-on activities and family fun from all aspects of science, from biology and earth science to aerospace and engineering; tours of campus available. Cost: Free. Info: 452-4273.

OUTDOORS Forest Bathing and Mindfulness Walking: Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to noon; Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road. Cost: $30; $5 benefits the trail maintenance fund at Asbury Woods; registration requested. Info: www.plashayoga.com/classes/events.

Candlelight Ghost Walks: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28, 8 p.m.; meet in front of the Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing; author Stephanie Wincik leads a 90-minute tour filled with spooky legends, mysterious sightings and chilling ghost stories surrounding the historical bayfront; not recommended for children younger than 6. Cost, $5; $4 for seniors, $3 for children ages 6-12. Info, 490-5078, www.candlelightghostwalks.com.

Fire tower historical tour: Saturday, Oct. 28, 1-3 p.m.; Fire Tower #9, Cook Forest State Park; bring your own binoculars. Cost: Free. Info: http://bit.ly/2wdZcyL.

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last look

Royal entrance It’s a new school, a new name, a new season

By Jack Hanrahan

Members of the Erie Royals football team run onto the field before playing the Meadville Bulldogs in late August at Veterans Stadium in Erie. This was the first football game of the season and one of the

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first appearances by a Royals sports team representing Erie High School. (They won, 34-7.) The new high school is a consolidation of students from the former Strong Vincent and East High Schools, as well as Central Career & Technical School. The consolidation was brought on by budgetary issues in the Erie School District. LEL

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