Walden Life - January 2023

Walden Farms

AHEAD OF THE TIMES

FROM THE EDITOR/ASSOCIATE

PUBLISHER MIRIAM CONNER

Happy New Year!

Thank you for making 2022 such a great year for Walden Life magazine. We are excited about bringing you another year of enjoyment in 2023.

One of my favorite views is when I am driving home and stop at the end of Old Mill and see the beautiful Walden Farms. If the horses are outside, that is a big bonus. Maria Beil captured that beautiful scene perfectly on the cover of this issue.

Walden is celebrating 50 years in Aurora and has always been ahead of the times. I hope you enjoy reading a little bit about the history of Walden Farms, specifically from Manny Barenholtz, as well as getting a present and future perspective from Payne & Payne.

I know you will get a laugh while reading Nature Notes on page 16 and if you have lived in Walden for any length of time, you can relate to this article. Reading about this issue’s Women of Walden and Neighbor to Neighbor remind me how important it is to serve others.

HERE’S TO MAKING 2023 AN AMAZING YEAR!

LOVING THE WALDEN LIFE,

Miriam Conner is the editor and associate publisher for Walden Life. She is an educator and is host of Northeast Ohio Parent magazine’s podcast, aParently Speaking. Miriam and Ryan love living in Walden with their three kids.

A CELEBRATION OF THE WALDEN COMMUNITY l Volume 3 Issue 1 l Jan/Feb 2023

Editor/Associate

Publisher

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

Miriam Conner Miriam@MyWaldenLife.com 440-396-0374

Assistant Editor

Estelle Rodis-Brown Estelle@MyWaldenLife.com

Sales/Account

Executive Leslie Fletcher Leslie@MyWaldenLife.com 440-785-3110

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

F acebook: @waldenlifemagazine

I nstagram: @waldenlifemagazine

Walden Life Staff Profiles

Brad Mitchell is owner and founder of Mitchell Media LLC, which produces magazines, digital offerings and events in greater Cleveland through two flagship properties: Northeast Ohio Boomer and Northeast Ohio Parent magazines. Brad and Kathleen have three adult children and a 5-year-old granddaughter who loves visiting the Walden pool and playground.

Leslie Fletcher serves as account executive for Walden Life. She has many great memories growing up as a part of the Walden community. She and her husband, Matt, raise their two boys, Nate and Joel, at their dream home in Walden they built with Manny.

Laura Chadwick serves as the art director and graphic designer for Walden Life She is also the art director for Northeast Ohio Boomer and Livespecial.com magazines. She enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her Australian shepherd, Meg.

Estelle Rodis-Brown serves as assistant editor for Walden Life. She is a freelance writer and photographer from northern Portage County who also serves as assistant editor of another Mitchell Media publication, Northeast Ohio Boomer magazine. She read Thoreau’s “Walden” in high school and it continues to inspire her today.

Kaye Lowe is a contributing writer to Walden Life. She has been a resident of Walden for 35 years. She retired in 2019 after 18 years as executive director of the Cedar Fairmount Improvement District in Cleveland Heights. She previously had a bi-monthly column for the Fairlawn Observer and was associate editor of the Ohio PHC Contractor magazine.

Maria Biel serves as lead photographer for Walden Life. She has owned her own photography business since 2013. She and her husband, Mike, have lived in Walden with their three children since 2015. They love evening golf cart rides, chipping balls in the back yard, and attending events at the club.

Worth Noting

BY MIRIAM CONNER

The December Skies in Walden Did Not Disappoint

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WALDEN LIFE?

The Frank family (Fairington) recently took a trip to Mallorca, Spain.

Little Liv brought Walden Life along to the Cathedral de Santa Mar.

Where will you take Walden Life? Send us your photo with our magazine on your next trip!

BLUE RIBBON CAFE

The Blue Ribbon Cafe is expanding!

Sunset over Walden Farms. Photo by Erin Keckan. Walden December skies.

WELCOME to the NEIGHBORHOOD

The Keckan Family - Walden Farms

NAMES: Joe and Erin Keckan

Children: Melody (age 17), Maggie (age 9), Allie (age 6) and Tommy (age 4)

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Joe grew up here in Aurora. Erin grew up in North Olmsted.

EDUCATION: Joe studied finance at Ohio State University. Erin studied music at Western Michigan University and was a part of the jazz studies program at Tri-C.

OCCUPATIONS: Joe works in finance at the Cleveland Clinic. Erin is a professional jazz singer and a nursing student.

HOBBIES/ACTIVITIES: We like to travel, especially to Las Vegas (we just took all the kids there this past May!) We love hiking in the national park and staying active.

WHERE DID YOU LIVE PRIOR TO WALDEN? The Highlands Neighborhood in Aurora.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WALDEN FARMS? Joe’s parents (Bill and Cindy Keckan) have lived on Rainbows End for over 20 years. Having been frequent visitors over the years, we knew the area well and developed a fondness for Walden Farms. At one point, we even sat down with Manny and discussed building, knowing this is where we wanted to be.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN WALDEN FARMS? We love the sunsets, having horses for neighbors, and being a short walk from Mimi and Papa’s house.

TRIVIA

WHAT WALDEN ACTIVITIES DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN? You can find us at the Walden pool during the summer. New Trivia: What month has the most snowfall in Aurora?

Last issue’s answer: After nearly 20 years in operation, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade festivities ended. World War II was escalating, and starting in 1942, the parade was canceled for three years in a row.

Worth Noting

CALENDAR

BARN CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK

Jan. 3-11

BOUCK

CLUBHOUSE

DINNER ONLY

Sat. & Sun. in Jan. & Feb. Closed Tuesdays in Jan. & Feb.

WALDEN ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Walden Association would like to thank its residents for submitting their exterior architectural changes via our application process. As of January 2023, more than 127 applications have been approved.

Most applications are for replacement of sliding glass/ front doors, windows, and decks. Approval normally takes just 2436 hours once it reaches the Architectural Committee. Speaking of the committee, they are a group of seven men and women who have diverse backgrounds in architecture, engineering, real estate, and process/ marketing management. They each bring a wealth of knowledge to the table to assist all Walden residents with changes to their condos and homes. They review materials such as roofing shingles, paint/stain colors,

lighting options, door and window styles, deck and railing materials, just to name a few.

Speak to your condo association board first when planning to make exterior changes, and visit waldenofauora.com for the architectural standards and application. Attach a list of materials you are using, plus photos and drawings.

Once your condo board or HOA representative has approved the application, it is sent to the Walden Architectural Committee (WAC) for review. Sometimes, a complicated application may require submission to the City of Aurora Planning Commission and the need to pull permits. If you have any questions, your condominium board and the Walden Architectural Committee are here to serve you and your community.

PHOTO BY DOUG

FITNESS MOVIES AT INN WALDEN

To learn more about the Club Walden fitness area, please contact the membership department at 330-995-3104.

For personal training, contact Danielle DiCesare at 330388-0481. For Physical Therapy, contact Chris Faulds PT, Cert. MDT at 440-773-7159.

Yoga is offered Tuesday-Friday at Spa Walden. Weekday classes are from 9 a.m.10 a.m. Weekend classes are from 8:30 a.m-9:30 a.m. See the Calendar of Events tab to follow the class schedule.

Harriet Fader | A Life of Leadership through Service

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

Back in 1985, newlyweds Al and Harriet Fader were “looking for a new kind of lifestyle experience” and found it at Walden. The Cleveland natives have been here ever since.

“It was a second marriage for both of us and we chose to start our new chapter together and with our children here,” Harriet explains. “We had heard about Walden from a lot of people and we immediately fell in love with the environment and the atmosphere, consistent with Manny Barenholtz’s view of building homes into the environment rather than having the environment fit to the homes. So we came out here, knowing that if our children weren’t happy here, we wouldn’t stay.”

Evidently, everybody stayed happy at Walden because, 37 years later, the Faders are still here!

After 17 years at Pond Run, Al and Harriet decided they wanted more elbow room, so they relocated to The Ravines, where they have been for the past 20 years. Their spacious home lends itself to accommodating the Faders’ six adult children and 16 grandchildren who love to come and visit.

“Since our family started to grow and they would come in from out of town, our home in The Ravines gave us more entertainment space, our own work/office spaces and a much nicer sun porch and outdoor deck area… just the things we were looking for!” Harriet says. They even hosted one of The Ravines neighborhood parties at their home and easily entertained more than 150 people… “no problem.”

Al is a World War II veteran and a retired radiologist who served as a mentor for many physicians over his career as chief of the radiology department and chief of staff at South Pointe Hospital. Harriet describes her husband as “a wonderful, handsome, modest, quiet person who relishes watching his children and grandchildren do their thing.”

Beyond their home and family, the Faders love their Walden community. “There’s so much diversity among the people who have come from outside Walden to live here; such a nice blend of people who are interesting to get to know,” Harriet says.

Since retiring 15 years ago, Harriet has become more involved with Walden activities through the seasons: the pool, golf course and bridge group among them. Otherwise, she and Al spend their winters in Florida, at Sarasota’s University Park community, which reminds Harriet of Walden… just with palm trees instead of pines.

“Walden is a wonderful, comfortable place to live with naturally secluded sight lines so you don’t even see into your neighbor’s back yard,” Harriet says. “Each floor plan fits into the topography of the ground it sits on. Manny had an extraordinary vision to build a quiet, peaceful environment where we can enjoy an affordable quality lifestyle where people respect one another. Manny should be commended for building homes that fit into the environment rather than the other way around. I think it’s one step away from heaven.”

Harriet goes on to say, “When I was working, I used to regret that I had to leave this beautiful community to go to work!”

But truth be told, Harriet has always worked, whether as a young wife, mother and homemaker, a volunteer, a nontraditional college student with three children, then later in her professional life. In each arena, she has brought her characteristic good nature, optimism, capability, empathy and sense of civic duty. These traits propelled her into unexpected roles of ever-increasing responsibility, scope and impact.

After graduating from Brush High School in Cleveland, Harriet started college but then married before earning her degree. She didn’t return to college until after her youngest child was 10. Then she got her bachelor’s degree

Harriet enjoyed a 23-year career with the Diabetes Association.

PHOTO

in psychology from Ursuline College and her master’s in psychology/social work from John Carroll.

While going back to school and raising her family, Harriet did a lot of volunteer work for Mayfield City Schools, starting out in PTA then working for the school system’s career development office, counseling students as a job

placement officer.

As Harriet was finishing her master’s, she inquired at the career development office for job openings. Considering her Cleveland connection, her volunteer experiences and her education, she was encouraged to apply to the Women’s City Club of Cleveland as their new executive director. During her tenure from 1979-1981, Harriet had the distinction of overseeing the move of the Women’s City Club from Public Square to Euclid and 9th Street.

Harriet later applied for the position of executive director, then president and CEO for the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, serving Northeast Ohio. Responsible for overall operations, community care, fundraising and public awareness, Harriet’s wide range of duties included overseeing staff, programming, budgets, medical research, professional education, support groups and Camp Ho Mita Koda for children with diabetes (located in Newbury).

18-holer’s fun day with Estelle Boncheck, Harriet (second from l eft), Donna Brown & Susan Puffer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRIET FADER

While Harriet did not have instructional training in health services or nonprofit management, she developed a varied skill set and a well-earned ability to multi-task and maintain flexibility while striving forward. Along the way, she gained professional development in nonprofit management with the American Society of Association Executives, which provided her with seven years of training and service opportunities to become certified as a Fellow. She also served on the Executive Committee of ASAE for four years. “It was an amazing growth experience,” she says.

Over her 23 years with the Diabetes Association, the organization grew from four to 20 employees and oversaw the development of a small organization to one big enough to serve the growing number of people within Northeast Ohio who suffer from all forms of diabetes.

In recent years, medical and technological advancements in the prevention, detection, monitoring and treatment of diabetes have all resulted in people with diabetes living longer, more normal lives than ever before, Harriet is happy to say. “With every decade, we get better at handling diabetes, as long as we manage its debilitating complications.”

While Harriet did not have instructional training in health services or nonprofit management, she developed a varied skill set and a well-earned ability to multi-task and maintain flexibility while striving forward. Along the

way, she gained professional development in nonprofit management with the American Society of Association Executives, which provided her with seven years of training and service opportunities. She received the designation as Fellow, its highest recognition. She also served on the Executive Committee of ASAE for four years. “It was an amazing growth experience,” she says.

For nine years after retiring, Harriet stayed engaged in “meaningful service” as a board member for Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital, where her financial management skills were utilized. Once the Faders started traveling and wintering in Florida, it hasn’t been as easy to serve on a consistent basis. While she enjoys her increased leisure time, she admits that community service is even more satisfying and rewarding.

“I have rarely become a part of any organization where I didn’t become president of that organization. It wasn’t because that was my goal but I had ideas and I wanted to get things done and see them through. So leadership came to me by doing my best. Every day.”

Not surprisingly, Harriet has lots of advice to share: “Try to do the best you can at whatever you are doing. I am a firm believer that anything is possible. If you work hard, you will get there. Live every moment to its fullest. Try your hardest. You may not accomplish everything you want, but if you do your best, you will be satisfied.”

Harriet and Al Fader (center) surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

PHOTO

NATURE NOTES

Critter Control | When Wild Things Come Inside

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

Do you have uninvited guests in your home? The spirit of Walden calls us to live harmoniously with nature… but that bond can feel too close for comfort when wild critters take the sentiment literally and make their way inside when winter’s cold drives them someplace warmer.

With homes built into the hillsides and surrounded by wooded lots, fields and waterways, no one at Walden should be surprised that squirrels, bats, snakes, possums, raccoons, skunks and rodents make their way from the outside in. And just outside your doors, you may see moles tearing up lawns and gardens or beavers gnawing through trees. Even foxes and coyotes are becoming a common sight in parks around Aurora, as forests and fields are transformed into housing developments and shopping centers.

So says George Burton of Burton Nuisance Control in Geauga County, who is licensed by the State of Ohio to trap and remove wildlife when people call for help, anywhere from Mentor to Richfield.

“I’ve been trapping and removing critters from people’s

homes and properties for the past 30 years,” he says. “The city of Aurora has hired me to trap coyotes for the city. Also, I’ve been trapping there in Walden for years. I know every inch of it. And I took bats out of that Barn restaurant for Manny years ago.”

Originally a farm boy from southern Ohio, Burton has a folksy way of talking and a jaunty way of wearing leather chaps and a cowboy hat wherever he goes. He also likes to tell quit-witted true stories in a relaxed, gravelly drawl.

WALDEN WILDLIFE

“Manny hired me to get rid of the bats after he had tried five other removal companies that couldn’t do it,” Burton says. “Well, bats like them dark, old structures of wood, brick and stone like the Barn and they flutter around at nighttime around the rooflines, around any vents, soffits or screens that have gaps or cracks. They find them and they get in. In the lakes and ponds they find insects for feeding on. I worked there five days and five nights. I got them all. That was probably 25 years ago. They still owe me a free dinner;

Clockwise from top left: A coyote crosses a city street, a raccoon wedges into the foundation of a home, a squirrel invades a backyard bird feeder, and a bat hangs out in the rafters.

I never did go back for it ‘cause I’m not a fancy eater!”

Burton goes on to say that any bat could get into any home at Walden… “except the ones I’ve fixed.” Bats are hibernating right now (after breeding season in September) but they can still appear in the house. If you’ve got the heat up high, bats hibernating in the attic or loft may get dehydrated, wake up and fly around the house to find water.

Bats aside, routine nuisance control calls from Walden involve squirrels between the walls, moles digging up yards and gardens, and muskrats and beavers around the lakes and ponds.

Walden is home to little red squirrels and larger grey squirrels and fox squirrels. Their natural habitat is the woods. But Walden homes are also made out of wood. Since squirrels are rodents, they chew on that wood and, Burton says, “you can put only so many squirrels in the trees. One day, they scratch their head and say, ‘I think I could chew a hole in that house and move in there.’”

Chipmunks, on the other hand, are ground squirrels that live underground. They’ll run in and out of your garage if you’ve got bird seed in there but they don’t live in homes, Burton says.

Foxes are actually good neighbors, according to Burton. “They’re just a souped-up house cat and only weigh about 10 pounds soaking wet. They’re good mousers and kill the chipmunks and squirrels, even the geese sometimes. Coyotes are the big dogs and don’t like the fox so the fox move closer to the houses instead of back in the woods to stay away from the coyotes.

“Now the coyotes are cutting through Walden, too. But they won’t attack you unless you grab ahold of them first. I’ll fight you, too, if you grab me. They’ll run. Just be smart. Put your dog on a leash or the coyote may grab it and run off with it. They came into Walden from the surrounding swamps.”

Burton says he took 11 coyotes out of the Lakes of Aurora using snare traps.

OFFENSE AS DEFENSE

When it comes to wildlife between the walls, Burton says that 85% of wildlife intrusions are due to construction problems. “Builders don’t always put the caps on ridge vents, so they leave openings for the nosy squirrels or bats. They find a gap under the ridge vent and get into the house.”

Preventative maintenance is your best defense. Walk around your house. If you see a piece of soffit hanging down or gaps around your foundation, pipes, doors or windows, tack pieces back in place or fill crevices with weather stripping, foam spray, insulation or other means. (Bats and mice can squeeze through a gap that’s just three-eights of an inch wide, or the size of a dime.)

If you’re not the DIY type, hire a wildlife professional to do a yearly home inspection to identify problems that need to be addressed before it becomes a wildlife issue. Structural problems can be addressed by a carpenter.

When seeking professional help, just know the difference between pest control and nuisance control. Pests are rats, mice, bedbugs, wasps, bees and other insects. Pest control services use chemical poison to combat those infestations.

On the other hand, nuisance control experts like Burton have a commercial license for trapping wildlife during specified seasons. “I don’t deal with chemicals,” he says. “I don’t smoke, drink, do drugs or mess with poisons.”

Burton clarifies, “I’m not just a trapper. I’m an inspector like Barnaby Jones or Matlock. I figure it out first. I gotta find the openings on the outside of the house to figure out how the critters got inside. Then I’ll know what to trap. It’s a process of elimination through a good inspection.”

But sometimes people unwittingly roll out the red carpet for wild things. Burton tells a story about a customer out in Chagrin Falls with 50 bird feeders in his yard. He can’t understand why the feeders keep getting knocked down by the raccoons that come out of the woods around his house every night and eat up all the seed.

“People might put out feeders to attract the birds,” he explains. “But with them birds come the coons, the squirrels, the rodents, the snakes. They all come for the feed or whoever’s eating the feed, but then they get in the house. Seven out of 10 homes have got a snake inside. People don’t even know it. At least they’re good mousers.”

Burton says prevention comes down to common sense. “You gotta be smart. You can’t leave feed laying around. You can’t stack trash in your garage. You can’t leave piles of wood against your house. You can’t leave your pets’ food bowls out on the deck. Snakes and rodents move in. You cause yourself a lot of problems.

“Once a critter gets used to living in the house, they don’t know how to live in a tree in the woods,” he elaborates. “They just play in the woods and live in the house. I’m not against critters, but who wants to live with them?”

“Seven out of 10 homes have got a snake inside. People don’t even know it. At least they’re good mousers.”

- George Burton George Burton

Chip and Joanna Gaines may have made the modern farmhouse en vogue, but they were decades behind Walden developer and builder Manny Barenholtz, as are most architects, builders and designers.

Manny was inspired by architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen who designed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ home in Martha’s Vineyard during the 1980s. He also restored part of the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Jacobsen was known for his modern, rectangular pavilion-based residences composed of simple, gabled forms.

“He was one of the best architects, in my opinion,” says Manny, who was able to meet and talk with him before his passing in 2021. Manny was intrigued by the way Jacobsen followed traditional forms of architecture while not including any “gingerbread,” such as false shutters. “False shutters are false and I don’t believe in anything false,” Manny says.

Manny was then fortunate to work with Cleveland

behind harmonious architecture in the natural rustic style and

“I love the first snowfall and I love winter here. I think it is gorgeous. ”

Manny Berenholtz

“Some beautiful people Walden.”

A Payne & Payne kitchen design at Walden Farms.

understand and appreciate accomplished it before, but

Less is more: Gabled rooflines and windows mark the design of a Walden Farms entryway.

PEGGY KRINSKY | A Life Set to Music

By Kaye Lowe

Mou may have seen a tiny Irish lady with red hair and a big heart playing cards at Club Walden, at the Clam Bake or at other Walden events. This is Peggy Krinsky, always smiling, outgoing, and offering to be helpful to others. She is the epitome of a good neighbor.

WORKING

Peggy’s career began at Day-Glo Color where she landed the job because her resume detailed her involvement on Catholic Church Council, the Jaycees and operating as a Scouting Den Mother. When she was hired, the boss said, “Your resume indicates you can be organized, so you get the job!”

After Peggy’s second marriage to Russell Krinsky in 1975, she went to work for American Automated Vending in Solon. Long, dark halls and windowless rooms were not a good fit for this gregarious woman. Peggy interviewed with Tiny Tikes and SeaWorld Ohio. She chose whales over toys!

Peggy started in 1978 at SeaWorld in sales. At 40 years old, her boss and team members were all younger than her. This proved to be the case throughout her career there. But it didn’t stand in her way. Peggy was promoted to Secretary for the Director of Sea World, and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Director of Advertising. Her responsibilities included the purchase of multimedia advertising, attendance and marketing promotions. Throughout her career, until retirement after 23 years in 2001, she was the only woman on the management team. Peggy enjoyed flying on the company plane to meetings as well as the professional atmosphere of SeaWorld. She, along with the SeaWorld team, was shocked to learn SeaWorld was sold in 2001.

LIVING

In 1984, Peggy and Russ purchased a home on Bent Tree Drive, living there for 20 years. Russ felt they should travel, and travel they did, from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States, with stops in between. They rented a home in St. Bart’s for many winters, traveled on European and Caribbean cruises, vacationed in Florida, and spent time in Spain and Portugal. Wherever they happened to be, Russ and Peggy immersed themselves in the culture.

Living close to Walden, Peggy and Russ would often walk through the neighborhood, enjoying Walden's serene atmosphere. In 2004, they decided to move and purchased a home in the Gardens — one Manny Barenholtz built for himself. It is a two-story home with a beautiful deck and wooded view… a perfect place to entertain their friends.

Peggy Krinsky

Peggy with her late husband, Russ.

Above: Peggy & Russ' 50th anniversary party at Walden. At left: Peggy's greatgrandchildren, Gunner and Harley.

Besides her passion for travel and the serenity of Walden, Peggy also prioritizes music. Living so close to the Blossom Music Center, the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra, Peggy became a classical music enthusiast. She has also attended Rose Breckenridge classes through the years.

SERVING

Jan Leshner (of Hudson) recruited Peggy for the newly formed Aurora Blossom Friends of the Cleveland Orchestra. Her organizational skills were recognized and she found herself on the Opening Night At Blossom Committee. Once involved, she chaired many offices on the board, being president from 2008-2009. She has chaired Gourmet Matinee at Blossom for 20 years and has raised funds for the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom. Peggy also chaired the Blossom State Board in 2008 and participated in the Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers. In 2017, she was awarded the “The Emily Award” (Named after Emily Blossom) for her many volunteer contributions.

Peggy is still volunteering and is a good neighbor. Today, she is treasurer of the BFCO, chair of Blossom Friends Gourmet Matinee, past Secretary and Social Committee member of the Gardens Board and member of Aurora Study Club. She is also active at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Catholic Church and participates in the Christ Child Society.

Peggy and her first husband had three wonderful children: Margaret, Julie and Rick (deceased). She has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Sadly, Russ passed away suddenly in May of 2021. Peggy continues to live in their home, enjoying the peace, quiet and safety of the Walden Community. Peggy says, “Russ and I loved our home here. I love it here. Why would I move?”

Dogs of Walden III

WHAT A LIFE!

Dogs enjoy the Walden lifestyle as much as anybody else, as you can see.

CHASE

Lisa McLaughlin’s Sadie passed away in October 2022 at almost 11 years old. Sadie loved to play ball. She was obsessive about it and would scan the room to find one if she thought you would play.

Gail and Alan Vavrek say that Fred can be seen anywhere on and off Ridgeway from Meadowview down to Hill Drive, waiting for people to come by and pet him. And neighbors driving by in cars and golf carts can be heard calling out, “Hi, Fred!”

SUNNIE

11-yearold lab mystery mix (likely border collie and other unknown). When asked what kind of dog Sunnie is, they say, “the sweet and beautiful kind!”

Charlie Fink and daughter Emily rescued Chase (and vice versa) three years ago. Chase is a registered, certificated service dog and loves to spend time with assisted living residents. Chase walks Charlie 5-10 miles a day.

Llewellin Setter - Ravines

SADIE Pointer/Staffordshire Terrier mix - West Acadia

STANLEY

Labrador Retriever - Walden Farms

Joe and Erin Keckan say that Stanley was the only dog in his litter and this “only child” enjoys singing along with the violin!

FRED Basset Hound - Willow Circle

Lab mix - Deer Island

Sara Schrode and Mark Roach share that Sunnie is an

TUCKER

ANNIE

SHAYNA

Bron Roeder and Ayse Vellky say that you can find Tucker being driven around in his chariot (golf cart) by his servants (mom and dad), surveying his kingdom.

Pat and Danielle (Walden’s personal trainer) Dicesare are certain you have seen Annie on her 2-mile route every morning around Walden with Daddy and the first stick she can find.

Al and Sharon O’Neill’s new member of the family is 7-monthold Shayna. Her name means “beautiful” in Yiddish. She is 11 pounds of funny antics topped with hugs and kisses. But beware… she will steal your heart!

Brad and Brooke Rosselot share that Cooper is a Shichon (Shih Tzu & Bichon mix), while Bella is a cavachon (Cavalier King & Bichon). Both love LONG walks and seeing their Walden friends. Cooper can be vocal with his hello’s!

winter dish to miriam@mywaldenlife.com

Golden Retriever - East Acadia Pt.

Golden Retriever

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Ravines

COOPER & BELLA

Chandler’s Cove

Quieter Times

Although things get quiet around Club Walden during the winter months, it does not mean that the staff is quiet! We are busy planning and preparing for the next summer season.

The following two pages are brought to you by Club Walden

One activity we are working on is a new summer camp for Walden members. This will be operated by an outside company, KE Camps, whose sole business is to run camps within private country clubs. They understand the unique perspective and expectations of a private club member. They will assign an onsite camp director at Walden as well as enthusiastic camp counselors.

This camp will complement — not compete — with our existing programs for children. The camp counselors will make sure that your children get to swim team, tennis lessons and golf lessons. In addition, children will enjoy themed days at camp, plus daily lunch and snacks supplied by Club Walden. They will also participate in crafts, open swim time, games and many other activities to fill their days with outdoor, creative play time! The camp will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily for five weeks this coming summer.

Club members, watch for more information and online sign-ups in February. You will be able to sign up for a few weeks or all five weeks. We are excited to bring you this opportunity!

SALMON STUFFED WITH SUNDRIED TOMATO, SPINACH AND FETA

Unless you have to fight a bear for it, salmon is always a good idea. It’s reasonably priced and high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart and brain. The flavor of the feta cheese and sundried tomatoes blends extremely well and the toasted walnuts give the stuffing a nice little crunch factor. Spinach adds a fresh green color.

I find salmon is best when cooked to an internal temperature of 130 degrees, but some may prefer it to be slightly more well done. Most stuffed salmon recipes involve baking, but I prefer grilling, and doing so on aluminum foil allows the salmon to be removed from the skin fairly easily since it should stick to the foil. Though the picture shows three servings, the recipe should actually create four.

— Sean

Ingredients

n 1 lb. salmon, skin on

n ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided

n ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

n 1 tablespoon extra virgin oil

n 2.5 ounces fresh spinach (about 1/2 package)

n ½ cup toasted and chopped walnuts

n 10 sundried tomatoes, packed in oil and chopped

n ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Cut thickest part of salmon filet into approximately 2.5” wide pieces, rinse with water, pat dry with paper towel, then slice down the center to make a pocket without going all the way to the skin. Add ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ground pepper.

Place a large piece of aluminum foil on grill and preheat to 325 degrees.

In a medium sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook spinach, stirring frequently, until wilted.

Add nuts, tomatoes and cheese. Cook until just heated through, about one minute. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt.

Let mixture cool slightly then fill salmon, packing it down to increase amount – keeping in mind that excess stuffing can be served with cooked salmon. Add remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Using large spatula if necessary, place salmon on grill and cook until internal temperature of salmon is 130 degrees, 8-10 minutes. Turn grill off and if desired, sear top of salmon with butane torch or something similar. Salmon skin should stick to foil as you carefully slide the spatula between the salmon and the skin and then lift the stuffed salmon, leaving the skin on the foil.

FROM THE KITCHEN OF SEAN JOHNSON - EAST ACADIA POINT

WALDEN KITCHENS

FLASHBACKS

WALDEN WORD EXCERPTS

(1994 - 2003)

Here’s a slice of life from Walden published 19-28 years ago in Walden Word, a four- to eight-page newsletter by Walden Golf and Tennis Club. Enjoy these tidbits from yesteryear!

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2000

THE FASHION SHOW: I would like to thank the committee of the Fashion Show — Linda Zimmerman, Karen Birzell, Gigi Smith, Carol Miller and Dorothy Turner — for all their help and direction in making the event a great success. A special thanks to Mrs. Zimmerman for her organization and professionalism.

—Patrick Cunningham, Manager

FEBRUARY 2001

GOLF SHOP NEWS: Many of our members have asked how Walden plans to handle the Callaway ERC driver, which has been declared non-conforming by the USGA. This basically means that this club does not meet the guidelines the USGA has made for clubs to be considered legal in the eyes of Golf’s Governing Body (USGA). When we play events at Walden, it is posted that we play by USGA rules, therefore the Callaway ERC will be considered not for use in events at Walden.

—Mitch Camp

JANUARY 2001

DEAR MEMBERS: Happy New Year from the Board. For the past several years, we have had mild winters. So far, it looks like we are getting paid back. Mitch Camp mentioned that this December was the first one since he has been here that there was no golf. Maybe this means we will have an early spring.

—David Mortenson, Advisory Board President

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2002

DEAR MEMBERS: As it’s been said, “Another year over and a new one just begun.” As your Club manager, I am truly committed to providing you with the best possible service, food quality and your most enjoyable experience at the Club.

For the Friday night crowd, the Club has purchased a compact disc player that holds 400 CDs for the lower lounge. Please let us know your requests for artist and music.

—Happy New Year! Patrick Cunningham, Manager

“Our

REFLECTIONS

Photo by Doug Bouck - Concord Downs

Henry David Thoreau:

"We are hunters pursuing the summer on snowshoes and skates, all winter long. There is really but one season in our hearts."