Joy of Medina County Magazine March 2019 by Joy of Medina County

MARCHÂ 2019

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2

NOTES FROM THE HEART She teaches finding courage and causing change and, in the process, the songs flow. Pg. 4

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 2 JOYOFMEDINACOUNTY.COM PUBLISHER

Do You Know What You Are Looking For? by Amy Barnes A terrific resource that covers our entire first year of publication has been rolled out. You could say it is our list of nouns. A complete and cross-referenced index is now available. It covers all of the issues from February 2018 through January 2019. While this may sound only slightly more interesting than watching water freeze at first, just wait until you are trying to find which issue something appeared in and you can easily and quickly find it through the index. This is something no other publication in the county oﬀers. I’ve worked at many publications that when someone came to the oﬀice and requested the issue that a certain article ran in, we had to depend on reporters’ memories to figure out which issue was needed. Astounding indeed that an index was not being kept. So, go ahead, try out our super cool, terrific index! You just might find something interesting

Blake House Publishing, LLC

EDITOR

Amy Barnes

you missed the first time. Oh, did I happen to mention that every listing in the index is clickable directly to the article or photo? Technology can be rather wonderful when it works! The index can be accessed by clicking the tile for it at www.joyofmedinacountymagazine.com , where you’ll also find lots of other interesting tiles to click, or you can go directly to it at https://bit.ly/2TunT3r . In another development, the column “Making Up With You” has been put on hiatus. Unfortunately, the writer became overwhelmed with numerous other duties and found she could not keep up. Publishing can be a diﬀicult treadmill to keep up with. An exhausted Daring Danielle has returned from her travels for a short time to save up money to once again hit the road, sky and water. We are looking forward to reading about her adventures!

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ed Bacho Photography FlashBang Photography

ART DIRECTOR Danny Feller

CONTRIBUTORS

Bob Arnold Danielle Litton Paul McHam Steve Rak Kent Von Der Vellen

MASCOT

Rico Houdini

OFFICE

330-461-0589

Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com JOY of MEDINA COUNTY MAGAZINE is published monthly by Blake House Publishing, LLC, 1114 N. Court, #144, Medina, Ohio, 44256. Send change of address cards to above. It is distributed for free in a print edition and as an eedition that can be found by clicking on Free E-Edition at JoyofMedinaCounty.com. Copyright 2018 by Blake House Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed in the United States. Any unsolicited materials, manuscripts, artwork, cartoons, or photos will not be returned.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

GOODBYE, SMILEY

THE READING NOOK

IN DEED

THE IN BOX

by Amy Barnes photos by Ed Bacho

The final days of Eat’n Park.

LITTLE TRUTHS

by Christopher Barnes

The adventurous trio is back in the states, and now there is no running from what it hurts so much to face.

IN THE HAND OF A STRANGER by Amy Barnes The kindness of Rose.

FOCUSING YOUR BUSINESS VISION by Steve Rak

Getting your business in line with your original vision.

THE NETWORKER

NETWORKING’S GREATEST CHALLENGE

Palmer enjoys playing the piano in her favorite room at home.

CHANGING THE AUDIENCE by Amy Barnes

Annette Palmer learned from a tough teacher to work hard, and she learned from life how important guts are.

by Bob Arnold

Understanding and pinpointing the challenge is the first step.

TALES OF A MOLD WARRIOR

CHECK YOUR CRACK by Paul McHam

Determining the cause of a problem by the direction of the cracks. GEMS

FEEDING A COUNTY

by Kent Von Der Vellen

JOYFUL WORD SEARCH

They started filling bags and kept on growing.

IT TAKES GUTS

Do you have what it takes to find our hidden words?

BITE ME!

LET'S DO IT!

ON THE COVER: Annette Palmer pauses between students in her classroom at Brunswick Reformed Church.

Joy of Medina County Magazine is distributed for free as an e-edition and in print. To subscribe to the e-edition, see past issues, and to order print issues and copies of photos, go to JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com. Additional features not seen in the magazine, such as Giving Hearts, also can be found on the website.

SWEET CORNBREAD by Amy Barnes

A great accompaniment to your favorite chilis and stews.

Hundreds of reasons to toss the blanket aside, jump from the sofa, and take a break from video games and TV binge watching!

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

CHANGING THE AUDIENCE

story and photos by Amy Barnes

“Guts! Use your guts!” she calls out over the piano music and the notes coming from her student grow louder. Within moments of meeting Annette Palmer, her students and their parents learn a couple of things. Palmer has a deep passion and boundless energy for what she does, and she believes in every student’s ability to change the audience. She teaches the faltering how to sing, but even more she helps students discover and use their courage, or, as she says, “guts.” “If you don’t have guts, you’re going to stay stationary,” Palmer says. Palmer’s eyes snap and sparkle with anticipation, her curls bounce as she makes sweeping gestures while urging her students to use their guts to become more than they had any idea they could be. It is then that she surprises them, pausing to lock eyes with them, telling them that a successful performance changes the audience and pulls those listening into the emotion of the song as its story unfolds. Changing the audience with only a voice brings with it a kind of power that Palmer well knows

and she urges her students to use it for good. She emphasizes that when an audience is changed, they learn and they become unified in the moment. Because she views butterflies as a symbol of change, at a recital she named “A Celebration of Oz” last year, Palmer had dozens of butterfly rings placed on the celebration cake that performers and attendees shared a er the show to emphasize the change the performance made in the audience and in her students. Palmer was born into an Italian immigrant family with a father who was relentless in his quest for success. The son of a bricklayer in Italy, Palmer’s father dreamed of emigrating to the United States where he planned to use hard work to no longer be poor and make something of himself. You could say that Alfeo Bocchicchio kept his promise and made something of himself. He studied architecture at what is now known as Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, started a small orchestra, worked with his father in his family’s construction company a er they immigrated to the U.S., and formed the Pittsburgh Light Opera Association.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

His fierce pride and determination were never doubted by his children. “Are you quitting? Don’t you ever quit!” he o en said, according to a book of memories his descendants compiled to accompany his own book, “Alfeo Bocchicchio: A Family Biography.” While his book may be viewed as an autobiography, by the title he gave it, it is evident he viewed it as more the story of his family than of himself. “Hurry up! I’m dying tomorrow!” was another of Bocchicchio’s well-known sayings, and he lived as though it were true. As Bocchicchio succeeded in his career, Annette Palmer's favorite room of the Palmer home. he also succeeded in sweeping Marietta “Death Valley Days,” “Adam 12,” “Fantasy Island,” Zaccaria oﬀ her feet to become his wife. Zaccaria’s and movies such as “The Story of Pretty Boy family also had immigrated from Italy, although Floyd,” and much more. He also was the producer she was born in the U.S. Her family had a large of the movie “Ring of Terror.” business in Chicago that sold products to grocery He was one of six architects to design stores and they had several real estate holdings. Disneyland Park in California a er Walt Disney A er the wedding, Bocchicchio worked for a approached him with the idea of building a time for his new father-in-law. permanent carnival on some land Disney owned Never one to accept things as they are and in Anaheim, California. The amusement park always looking for ways to improve them, opened in 1955. Bocchicchio designed and built a volumetric scale When Palmer, the youngest of the Bocchicchio’s to pack smaller amounts of spices in a new line of five children, was born, she says that her parents spice containers. The containers had proven very were too busy to take the time to name her. Her 9profitable and popular, dramatically increasing year-old sister ended up naming her a er beloved sales at the grocery stores. Mickey Mouse Club star Annette Funicello. To help with filling the containers, Bocchicchio Palmer grew up in the stage wings of the invented a scoop-dispensing device as an Burbank Civic Light Opera, watching as her father attachment for a Dayton Scale in 1944 which won designed sets and lights, and her mother sang him patent number US2408906A. The patent can and danced in the musical productions. By the be viewed at http://bit.ly/2GiGxIy. time Palmer was 5, she had learned all of the The couple eventually moved to California, shows and would perform them oﬀ stage. following friends who had moved there for the “I was the singing, dancing Netti Spaghetti,” beauty and opportunities that were there. Palmer says, with a rueful smile. Together, the Bocchicchios founded the Burbank She becomes more somber as she recollects Civic Light Opera in San Fernando Valley, how powerless and overlooked she felt in the California. shadow of her four older siblings. She said no one Meanwhile, Alfeo Bocchicchio became an took her seriously, and she did not perform as a employee for Disney and Fox studios and was the child because her parents did not believe children art director for such shows as “The Six Million should be on stage. Children were protected and Dollar Man,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Barnaby Jones,” continued, Page 6

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continued from Page 5

sheltered and thus not allowed to perform. “A er (seeing) so many shows, I dreamt of being on stage,” says Palmer. At age 17, Palmer got her chance in high school when she won the lead role for “Carousel.” She says she could not act and had trouble “getting it all together.” Finally, the directors told her they would give her the lead if she would agree to take voice lessons, which she did, but she recollects that she never did pull it all together. She went on to attend the University of California, majoring in voice. She met Bob Palmer when he came to California to attend the Columbia School of Broadcasting. Bob lived in Ohio but CSB had closed its Ohio campus, forcing Bob to attend the California campus. Bob and Annette married in 1977. They moved to Ohio because Bob needed a job and since his father was working at the Ford plant in Ohio, it was easier for Bob to get a job there. For Annette, though, this meant leaving the California sunshine and her beloved family in her early 20s and moving to a state where she knew no one. It was a tough adjustment period, and, for the first four years, she felt overworked and

A true entertainment room in the Palmer house.

unhappy. She had a variety of jobs, including administrative assistant at Mutual of New York Life Insurance and a position with Bank of America. She readily admits she is bad with finances and the bank was not the place for her. She was fired from the bank because she gave a customer $1,200 instead of $12,000. He was at the bank door the next morning, waiting for them to open. In the ‘80s, she found a job she loved: performing at the Greenbriar Theater, now known as the Cassidy Theater, in Parma Heights. “I was having the time of my life,” Palmer says. She said her life on stage gained her lots of attention, good reviews and great fans. Always on the lookout for new challenges, Palmer decided teaching would be her next venture. She did not have the necessary credentials to teach in a school, so she decided to start her own music studio in 1995. Teaching, however, made her miserable. She was teaching in the classical way that she had been taught but she was unhappy and tired, and the work felt very hard and unenjoyable. It was then, as if on cue, that Michelle Haley entered Palmer’s life. Haley was 6 years old when she auditioned for Palmer. At the time, as a rule, music teachers did not take students younger than 12. While nowadays it has become more commonplace, at the time, few very young children such as Haley were encouraged to perform, Palmer says. Palmer decided to make an exception because of the great talent Haley had, but she had to change her teaching methods to be more suitable and fun for her new, young student. With Palmer’s direction and

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

strong, loving marriage help, Haley was partnerships; she leads a performing with Sunday school class of staging and singing fourth- and fi h-graders at songs such as those the Brunswick Reformed from “My Fair Lady” Church; and she recently in the same took a two-week trip to performances as Israel. Palmer’s classically Through her music studio, trained singers. she teaches voice and piano. The audience She says teaching piano is feedback was much easier because it is overwhelmingly in teaching how to play an favor of Haley and instrument outside of the her staging. student, but voice involves Haley, at nine years teaching how to use a part of old, performed on the body and having courage the stage at the and heart. Brunswick Old Palmer and her vocal Fashioned Days. students are favorites at “Michelle Haley local nursing homes where changed my life,” they go on tours and perform Palmer said. for enthusiastic residents A er her experience Annette and Bob Palmer who do not hesitate to show teaching Haley, their appreciation and Palmer realized what sometimes sing along with the performers. she disliked was teaching traditional, classical Each year, Palmer and some of her students voice. This time, she was the audience that was volunteer as part of the entertainment for changed. caregivers at the Tim Tebow Night to Shine prom “What I am best at is musical theater, and I for developmentally disabled people in the area. started loving my job because it was who I was.” A er that, she found that “every student was so continued, Page 8 fun!” Another challenge she took on was introduced to her by Pastor Dave Toom when he approached her about starting a band for the Brunswick Reformed Church. While flattered that the pastor felt she had the ability to lead a band, Palmer was overwhelmed by the idea and tried to argue that someone else would do a better job. She ended up leading the band for 16 years. Even though her father died in 1987, Palmer can still hear him urging his five children to succeed. He had tough standards and expected everyone around him to have standards just as tough. Like her father, Palmer does not turn away from a challenge or from work. She started a married A large puzzle the Palmers built together hangs in their women’s group whose focus is on fostering kitchen. Butterflies are a favorite symbol of change for Annette Palmer.

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Palmer is a member of Toastmasters International, which is an organization that helps teach speaking and communication skills. At press time, she was preparing to compete at the regional Toastmasters competition. “If I win, that will give me five more vertebrae,” Palmer says, referring to the courage she will gain as she anticipates her next challenge: stand-up comedy. Her husband, Bob, already is a stand-up comedian. He is looking forward to the day he can retire from his sales job with Independence Business Supply so he can devote himself to doing commercials and comedy full-time. Annette Palmer said she has several friends who are urging her to also do comedy. However, she can best envision herself as the “straight man” in her husband’s act. Bob calls her “The Known Uncomic,” a reference to “The Unknown Comic,” a performer who wore a

paper bag over his head on the old TV show “The Gong Show.” “If she doesn’t laugh, I keep the joke,” Bob deadpanned. For many years, Palmer and her husband tried to conceive a child, but it was not to be and doctors could never determine why. They filled their hearts by volunteering through their church to participate in Kids Hope USA where couples and families spend time with underprivileged children who are living in very challenging situations. Palmer said the children in the program need love and help with school. Through Kids Hope USA, the Palmers met CJ when he was 15. He had been passed from home to home and was within days of entering the foster system. The Palmers decided to oﬀer him a place in their Brunswick home and became the only ones in Ohio at the time to take in a child from the program. He is now 22 and while they do not see him as o en as they might like to, they love him as if he were their own and his room remains much the same as when it was when he lived with them. “We’re all in the same boat, we all have nerves and fears. It’s a journey to get through, you have to have guts to take a step out.” And Palmer does, every day. While she tells her students their job is to change the audience, she knows that the performers are changed as well. A young student stands by Palmer’s piano, fidgeting, a passion for singing being the only thing keeping the student rooted to the spot, even though it would be so much easier to run out the classroom door and avoid the challenge of performing. “C’mon, use your guts!” exclaims Palmer with a mixture of compassion and enthusiasm for what she knows lives within the student. Notes waver out of the student’s mouth and suddenly swell to fill the large room. The student suddenly stops, surprised at what was inside, waiting to come out. But Palmer knows she has won, the notes came out and there is no longer denying ability and, just as importantly, the guts.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

Joyful Word Search It Takes Guts

MUSIC SINGING BRUNSWICK ANNETTE HEART GUTS CLASSICAL THEATER AUDIENCE ITALIAN

BOCCHICCHIO DISNEYLAND CAROUSEL CALIFORNIA GREENBRIAR IMMIGRANTS CHANGE BAND ISRAEL PIANO

Answer Key for Last Month's Search

Going Round and Round

1 0 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

G O O D BYE, SMIL EY In January 2019, the Medina County community was stunned to learn that all Eat’n Park restaurants were closing due to a change-in-direction decision made by the parent company in Pennsylvania. At press time, the restaurants were slated to close on February 17, 2019. The homestyle-diner style restaurant quickly became a valued member of the community family when it opened in 1996 on the hill in front of Target on North Court Street in Medina. It was not uncommon for people to settle into a booth and ask the waitress how to find different stores, pharmacies, and doctors offices in the area. Long-timers were greeted by name and knew the wait staff as well. How many thousands of times were customers asked, “You want more coffee?” Parents chiding their children to pay attention at the

by Amy Barnes photos by Ed Bacho buffet. “Do you want bacon? Because I’m not coming back up for it,” a mother recently said to her small son at the breakfast buffet. An elderly woman approaches the buffet and hopefully examines different empty wells when a waitress spots her and explains the buffet is being switched over from breakfast to lunch. “Honey, it’s not ready yet. Ya gotta wait till the lights are on.” When the lights were on it indicated when the buffet switchover was complete and ready for those waiting with empty plates at the ready. While reports are that many staff members have been hired by Twiisted, just down the street, which is now planning to be open for breakfast, it will not, as any child and lovers of the Smiley cookies can tell you, be the same.

General Manager Clinton Logan puts cutout cookies on trays for baking.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

Amanda Estep and Clinton Logan work together to ensure there are plenty of Smiley cookies for customers. There used to be a bench along the front of the "cookie window" where children would perch and enjoy watching the cookies being made.

Smiley cookies come in all shapes, depending on the season.

Employees gather for a group photo. From left, Robin Ward, 13 years; Amanda Estep, 10 years; Lisa Adkins, 20 years; Ann Woytko, 20 years; Pam MacIntyre, 22 years; and Rudy Filomeno, 23 years.

1 2 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

Longtime friends and breakfast buddies, from left, Lee Kehoe, Carl Marks and Ken Wilson.

Family time for, from left, Lacey Eggeman, Camdyn Eggeman, Callie Eggeman, threemonthold Chance Dillon, and William Dillon. William has been eating at Eat'n Park since it opened in 1996.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

From left, Vernon Jividen, Kenneth Guinta and John Koch

Martin Pietrase, back, and Lloyd G. Egbert

These longtime friends and former NASA employees have been meeting for breakfast at the restaurant for more than 10 years.

It was Jr Terry's first visit to Eat'n Park. He was very disappointed to hear the restaurant is closing and said he hoped to return before it closes.

1 4 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

James Funk has been eating at the restaurant for more than 20 years, often as much as seven times a week.

Amanda Estep concentrates on making each heart Smiley cookie perfect.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

Elsie Brewer and her son, Don Brewer, wait to be seated by Amanda Estep.

An Eat'n Park mug depicting the beloved holiday commercial featuring a Christmas tree bending over to help a star get to the top of the tree. The commercial was created in 1982. The story of how it was created and the commercial itself can be seen at https://bit.ly/2QqyVZ6 , where comments also can be posted. Photo by Amy Barnes

1 6 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

CHAPTER 26

THE READING NOOK

Catch up on previous chapters of our story in the Joy Magazine e-edition! Go to JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com for all of our past issues.

our energy after the exhausting I woke up as the plane back to the London trip. The next day, Marissa came over. states landed. We sat down and talked about all For a moment, I was confused as that had happened. I explained the to where I was and what was confrontation I had with Lea, and we happening, but then I remembered all agreed that both her and Lilith everything that had gone down in were better off thousands of miles London, and I was ecstatic to be away. back home. It took a few days to get used to Devin, Marissa and I got off the being back in the states again, jet lag plane and found ourselves in the airport, surrounded by the hustle and and everything. Finally, one day I woke up naturally at around 10 in bustle of busy people traveling all the morning. Devin was playing around the world. video games downstairs. “So,” Devin finally spoke after “Hey, man! How’re you feeling?” hours of silence on the plane, Devin asked, as he had every day “what’s next, Cam?” I stared at him blankly, realizing I since our return. Stretching and yawning, I replied, had no idea, no plan, no semblance “Better. I think I’m starting to of any next move. My whole goal adjust.” had been to travel to London, “Good! Think you’re up for reconnect with my sister, and to bowling tonight?” some extent, I was hoping I could reconnect with my mother, too, and “A what?” I asked, slowly coming to the realization that it was maybe just live with them. What I hadn’t considered was this Saturday. And just like every scenario. They were horrible people, Saturday since eighth grade, Garret, and I didn’t want anything to do with Heath, and Devin were going bowling. them, which still left me with only I thought about it, if I were ready Devin and Marissa, and no idea for for human interaction outside of my future. Devin and Marissa yet. Although, I “Know what I think?” Marissa couldn’t let the three of them go chimed in. bowling without me. We never Devin and I looked at her missed our Saturday night bowling expectantly. sessions. “I think we need some “Bowling, man. Yes, or no? It’s no milkshakes.” big deal if” * * * After the catastrophe that was our “I’m coming. I’d never miss it,” I answered, with a grin. trip to London, Devin got reamed “Sweet. I’ll let them know. Should out by his dad. We explained everything, and I told him it was my I tell them to keep their questions to fault for all the trouble we got in. It a minimum?” “No, I’ll be okay. They deserve to took a lot of time, literally hours of the three of us sitting in their living know what happened, I’ll explain.” Devin nodded and grabbed his room and talking, but in the end he phone to text our friends. I plopped understood. He even told me I was welcome to down beside him on the couch and grabbed a controller while I waited stay with them until I got back on for Devin so we could play together. my feet and ready to move on to Later that night, the four of us met whatever was next for me. up at the bowling alley, and Garret With that being taken care of, we all got a long night’s sleep to regain and Heath had plenty of questions for me. I explained everything to

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

them, minus a few more personal memories from that bathroom, then Saturday,” I replied confidently. parts, and by the time we’d finished left to rejoin my friends. “No rush,” he said again, quietly, talking, the bowling alley was about We headed back to Devin’s house sipping his soda. to close. We’d hardly played a single for a late night of video games just We fell asleep a little while after game. like always, and we each stretched that, and by the time I awoke on “Oh man, we should get going, out on one of the various comfy Sunday, it was afternoon and Heath huh?” Heath said, looking around at chairs in his den. It was incredibly and Garret were long gone. the quickly emptying bowling alley. relaxing, and I hadn’t realized how “Welcome back to the real world, “Probably. Let me take a quick much I’d missed it until then. Sleeping Beauty,” Devin said, leak and we can go,” I replied. I “Oh, by the way Cam, do you still tossing a towel at me to tell me stood to head to the bathroom, but have that spare phone charger I lent nicely to shower. I probably smelled Devin stepped in front of me. you?” Garret asked as we started to awful. I hopped into the shower and “Cam…” wind down at 3 a.m. let the water run over me for a while “It’s okay, Devin. I just need to “Yeah, I think so. It’s probably…” before actually getting to the soap. pee, promise.” I trailed off as I could picture in my When I emerged, Devin had a He nodded and stepped aside so I mind exactly where it was. It was quick brunch waiting for me and my could run to the bathroom. coiled up carefully in the bottom left shoes sitting a few feet from the As I opened the door, I almost drawer of my desk, on top of a table. expected Marissa’s head to be couple old notebooks, in the dark of “We’re going to take care of that hanging from the vent in the ceiling, my old bedroom in the apartment my apartment,” he said. but of course, it wasn’t. Marissa was dad and I had shared. “Okay, let me call Marissa first,” I at home, texting me every hour or so “Probably where?” Garret asked said, sitting down at the brunch he’d about how much she missed me or innocently. made for me. sending me a funny picture. “The apartment,” I answered, “Already did, she’s meeting us In fact, she couldn’t possibly have looking over at Devin, knowing he there in half an hour,” he said, been in the bowling alley ventilation. would understand immediately. smiling, “Now, eat up.” As it turned out, someone had caught “Wait, we never took care of that,” “Yes, sir,” I chuckled, shoveling on to our little hiding place and had he said, the thought occurring to him eggs into my mouth. permanently sealed the vent. It just moments after it occurred to me. Our story continues next month! looked like it was welded to the “No, we didn’t.” ceiling now, and there was no way it Heath and Garret looked at me but Christopher Barnes is a graduate of was coming off without some figured out what we were talking Medina High School/Medina County powerful tools. It made me a little about after a moment. Career Center and The Ohio State sad to be honest, but other than “Don’t worry about it, I was just University. Find his stories of realistic Marissa’s poems, everything in there wondering if you had it on you,” fiction and magical realism at was better off forgotten. Garret lied. http://cbthesurvivor.com I washed my hands clean of the “It’s okay, I’ll get it to you next

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IN DEED In the Hand of a Stranger by Amy Barnes As the quarter rolled away, under the endcap display at the register and through to the other side, the old couple struggled to catch it. Her, in a motorized scooter, urging her companion to catch it, unable to chase it herself, and the older man with her struggling to grab it and return it to her. It was only a quarter, but either because of need or because of the principle of the thing, it was obvious the woman in the scooter was distressed about having dropped the quarter and the man was anxious to get it back for her. Like a homing pigeon, that quarter headed right toward the feet of a woman an aisle away from the couple. Without looking at them, she picked up the quarter. It was a small matter. In the world scheme of things, it probably was of little importance. But as Rose Marandola stood there, with the quarter in her hand, it obviously meant the world to the couple who was silently, anxiously watching her. She smiled, reached out, and handed the man the quarter, and he quickly turned and placed it carefully in the hand of the woman in the scooter. The couple smiled and thanked Marandola as if it had been a much greater sum she had returned to them. A month earlier, it had been much more than 25 cents. Then, someone who was ahead of Marandola in the checkout line had problems getting a payment card to work. She stepped up and paid for the order. No fluﬀ, no big production. In her view, it simply was the right thing to do. Joy of Medina County Magazine thanks Marandola for being a part of what makes Medina County a great place to live! Marandola was awarded a gi certificate for The Bookshelf, a used book store with three locations, 831 Pearl Road, Brunswick; 105 W. Liberty Street, Medina; and 130 Main Street, Wadsworth. All proceeds from The Book Shelf benefit the Project Learn literacy program. And the cherry on top? It just so happened to be Marandola’s son Eddie’s birthday that day, and he loves to read. We are betting we know who ended up with that certificate!

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

THE IN BOX

THE NETWORKER

Focusing Your Business Vision

Networking's Greatest Challenge

by Steve Rak

by Bob Arnold

Think about the vision you had when you started your business. What did you want it to look like? What kind of culture did you envision the company would have? What kind of experience did you want your customers to have? What did you expect to get out of it? There are many other questions you can ask yourself when it comes to your vision, dreams and goals you had and still have regarding your business. Now, think about your business today, is it in line with your original plans? If so, that is great, but if not, then why? I had to answer that question with my business recently, I knew I had lost some of the original intentions we had when my father started the company. Although I eventually took over the business, we had worked side by side for many years About a year ago, I noticed things with the company just were not the way I wanted them. I, too, had to ask myself some of the questions I mentioned above. I had to be brutally honest with myself and admit that things just were not in line with what I wanted for my company. I had to make changes, and that is what I did. The company is not where I want it to be yet, but it is a lot closer than it was a year ago, and it all started with asking myself those hard questions. I hope you are happy with where your business is, but, if not, you might want to try asking yourself some tough questions. Write down your answers and make an action plan on how to start making changes. It is not easy, but you probably will be much happier in the long run.

Networking’s greatest challenge has been beat! More than anything else I hear frustrated networkers saying, “I just don’t know how to meet people.” A er many years of helping networkers work through this struggle, I have come to understand that they are really fooling themselves. Their real challenge is determining if they are meeting the right people. The frustration comes out in the meeting part. Inside they are struggling with, “Are they the ‘right’ person for me?” Thus, we have Networking’s Greatest Challenge! For many years, as I read book a er book on the subject, I saw that most networking trainers and writers were focusing on the technique of how to meet someone. A er all, is not that what the people were saying they were frustrated with? It is, but it is not what they mean. When we attend a networking event, most of us would say we are going there to meet people, and that is as far as it goes. I started realizing several years ago that is a futile endeavor that most of the time results in failure and disappointment at the end of the event. Well, I am happy to announce that this beastly challenge has been beat! Yes, it has been put to rest, over, done with! We don’t need to go to the event to meet people anymore. The real reason we go to these events is to find networking partners! Period. You are sitting there, saying, “That is harder than meeting people, Bob!” And, I say, “It really is not!” I know this for a fact and it has to do with something inside you, but that is beyond this article’s focus. The Main Point: Finding the right people is the challenge! There is a lot more going on behind the scenes that you need to recognize. Ready for next month’s column? This is going to be fun!

Steve Rak is a resident of Medina, is an award-winning columnist, and has spoken at various workshops and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. He is the owner of Rak Consulting, www.rakconsultingllc.com/ , and Southwest Landscape Management, www.sw-landscape.com/ If you have questions or suggestions for future column topics, please e-mail Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com with “In Box” in the subject line.

Bob Arnold is the founder of ONward Networking and the international best-selling author of “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil,” which can be purchased at https://amzn.to/2KSy3Xm More networking tips are available at “Bob’s Pencil Points” blog at http://onwardnetworking.com/ or by contacting Arnold at TheNetworkingPencil@gmail.com

2 0 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

TALES OF A MOLD WARRIOR

GEMS

Check Your Crack

Feeding a County

by Paul McHam

by Kent Von Der Vellen

Last month’s column focused on the basement, and there is no reason to move from there yet. Foundation cracks are likely caused by subsurface water and freezing. Horizontal cracks may mean the sill plate does not distribute the weight of the house over the entire thickness of the foundation wall. At the top of the foundation wall there should be a 2-inch-bysomething piece of wood plank lying flat. This is the sill plate. It may vary widely in size, which does Photo by Khadeeja Yasser not matter, as long as it covers the entire top of the wall. When it does not, it can put pressure on the inside of the wall, which can result in horizontal cracks. If you have an 8-inch wide block foundation, as most are, you will want a 2-inch-by-8-inch sill plate, which is normally 1½ inches by 7½ inches actual. Look at it this way, if you take three of the A-B-C style blocks that babies play with and stack them, you could stand on them if your weight was evenly distributed. If, on the other hand, you put your index finger on the side of those same three blocks and applied downward pressure, they would eventually slip away and shoot across the room. This same pressure is exerted on the foundation block if the sill plate is not evenly distributed across the entire block. Driveways located next to houses should be checked by putting a 3-foot level on them to see if they slope toward the house because they o en cause water to flow toward houses. Do you remember the rim joist from an earlier column? If an electrician or heating-and-cooling technician puts a line set or electric line through it, they will drill an access hole, which should be sealed up with “thumb gum” or other sealer. Without sealing, it is likely that outside humidity will enter freely through that access hole and condense into water inside. Mice also might come in through the hole. Mice cause at least 25 percent of all house fires because they chew through the wiring. We are not done with the basement, yet. See you next month!

It started with filling 50 “weekender” food bags for local elementary schoolchildren who were in the reduced and free school lunch program. In 2011, it was one of Feeding Medina County’s first programs and grew to currently helping approximately 1,000 children in 32 schools. The organization then added a program distributing food to senior citizens. Currently, 350 seniors at nine facilities receive food monthly. A monthly free food distribution at the Medina County Fairgrounds was added through a partnership with the Akron Food Bank and other county agencies. At a recent food distribution, 489 people were helped. As more programs were added, the organization found it increasingly diﬀicult to operate out of their 2,200square-foot Liberty Street building in Medina. They also were facing increasing repair costs for their freezer. Renovating their current location would have been too costly, so they decided to move to 650 W. Smith Road, C8, Medina, to a 7,000-square-foot building that had a truck dock, something lacking at the previous location, said Executive Director Sandy Hinkle. A new, 12-footsquare freezer was donated by Sandridge Food Corporation. Hinkle has been the executive director since 2014. Even though Hinkle had raised her five children in Medina, by 2010, she was working at Penn State University and helping Pennsylvania communities with coalition building. Despite enjoying her job, she missed her family and Medina so she bought a home in Medina and started commuting to Penn State, hoping to find employment in Medina. When she began considering retirement, the Feeding Medina County executive directorship beckoned and she changed her focus from retirement to something she says she enjoys and loves. Feeding Medina County’s biggest fundraiser is its annual Breaking Bread on Bourbon Street event, which is March 9. More information is available at http://www.feedingmedinacounty.org/ or at https://bit.ly/2D40PBu .

Paul McHam is a local expert on mold remediation. For more information, visit his website at http://myairxperts.com/ and his Facebook page Moldsporewars http://bit.ly/2E2Fj3y or call 330-658-2600.

Kent Von Der Vellen is a 20-year Medina resident. He has been a volunteer for various youth sports teams, is a member of the Medina Lions club, and, with his wife, Kim, founded the Jakob F. Von Der Vellen Memorial Foundation. Contact Von Der Vellen by e-mailing von106@gmail.com or by calling 330-421-0863. Learn what other area non-profits need by visiting Giving Hearts at JoyofMedinaCounty.com

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

BITE ME!

Sweet Cornbread by Amy Barnes What’s the best side dish for chili and stews? Cornbread! This recipe makes a very yummy, sweeter cornbread. It usually gets snapped up quickly, so you might want to make a double batch. If you want a less sweet cornbread, you can decrease the sugar. •1 cup flour •1 cup yellow corn meal •4 teaspoons baking powder •½ cup sugar •½ teaspoon salt •¼ cup margarine •1 egg •1 cup milk Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt margarine, put aside. In a large bowl, put the flour, corn meal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Stir together with a fork or a balloon whisk until well combined. Add margarine, egg and milk. Stir with fork until combined. Pour into greased 8-inch by 8-inch pan. Bake for about 20 minutes. Test by inserting a toothpick in the center. Cornbread is done when toothpick comes out clean. Butter top of cornbread when done. Want to see what recipes have published in the magazine? Look them up in the Joy Index! Go to JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com and click on the tile for the index or go to https://bit.ly/2TunT3r and look under “B” for “Bite Me!”

2 2 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

March 2019 NonProfit Calendar Friday, March 1

National Pig Day https://bit.ly/1SVSpPT and World Compliment Day https://bit.ly/2iaKAct All day. Kindergarten Readiness Week; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick, and Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Activities to prepare preschoolers for transition to kindergarten. Must be accompanied by adult. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bluegrass Jam and Dinner; Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Donation admission $3, dinner is additional donation request. Bring favorite dessert to share. Bluegrass bands welcome, arrive early to be scheduled.

Saturday, March 2

Old Stuﬀ Day https://bit.ly/2lO7iau All day. Kindergarten Readiness Week; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick, and Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Activities to prepare preschoolers for transition to kindergarten. Must be accompanied by adult. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Medina County Park District: Hiking for the Health of It; River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx Road, Wadsworth. Four- to five-mile hike at brisk pace. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear. Ages 10 and up. Free. No registration. 10 a.m. Medina Home and Garden Show; Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Road, Medina. Flowers, BBQ, pet-friendly backyard garden, more. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cheese Making; Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. See ricotta cheese made using common kitchen ingredients, learn how to compose a cheese plate, samples. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2E4kN0G WAITING LIST 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Medina Winter Market, Twiisted, 985 Boardman Alley (by Dairy Queen on Northland Drive), Medina. Indoor farmers market, first and third Saturday of each month till May. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Medina City Schools Student Art Show Opening Reception;

Huntington Bank lobby, 39 Public Square, Medina. Artwork on display in various businesses through March 31. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pinterest Projects: Mini Magical Garden; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Make fairy or gnome garden to take home. All supplies, instructions provided. Free. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2RZYHow 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Highland Band Boosters Night at the Races; Medina Eagles Club, 696 Lafayette Road, Medina. Benefits Highland Band students. Tickets, $40 each or $75 for two, includes dinner, dessert, beer. For more information, contact Jen Barr, 330-419-0469, or go to https://bit.ly/2WAbZXF

Sunday, March 3

If Pets Had Thumbs Day https://bit.ly/2DrK2Ih 10 a.m. Medina Home and Garden Show; Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Road, Medina. Flowers, BBQ, pet-friendly backyard garden, more. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Save Ohio Strays Meet and Greet; Petco, 1052 Williams Reserve Boulevard, Wadsworth. 2 p.m. Fisher Birds; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Find out how birds fish and hunt, includes hike to wetland to see if the birds have returned. Dress for weather. Free.

Monday, March 4

Hug a GI Day https://bit.ly/2CZDaAQ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kindergarten Night; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolﬀ Road, Medina. Children enjoy activities and stories while parents receive information about getting their child ready for kindergarten. Register at https://bit.ly/2Crhpe3 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tech Club: Robotics Month; Lodi Library, 636 Wooster Street, Lodi. Beginners and those with robotics experience work with Mindstorms in 2-week course. Second date is March 18. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2I5GuBG 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Scrapbooking; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Create four pages. Supply fee: $8. Bring adhesives. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2TJmSEK

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Veterans Roundtable; Medina Library, Community Rooms A and B, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Veterans’ stories of survival. All Ages. No registration.

Tuesday, March 5

Learn What Your Name Means Day https://bit.ly/2r1lHGB 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Preschoolers in the Garden: Let’s Plant a Garden: Using Seedlings; Krabill Shelter, 7597 Ballash Road, Medina. Last in series of three following the growth of plants from seed to seedling. Indoors and outdoors, dress accordingly. Led by OSU master gardeners. Cost $5 per person. Register at https://bit.ly/2MIXcoU 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Terrific Tuesday: Playdough and Pasta; Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Design and build pictures, structures, sculptures, more. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2UWRG59 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Beginning Beekeeping; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Fee $85 single, $100 family, includes book, more. Register at https://medinabeekeepers.com/ or call 330-723-6265.

Wednesday, March 6

National Frozen Food Day https://bit.ly/2mroQKq and Dentist’s Day https://bit.ly/1hVvoZC You can celebrate both by eating your food frozen, then you will need the dentist! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Natural Discoveries Program; Hidden Hollow Camp, Day Use, 8672 Richman Road, Lodi. Award-based hiking series. Ages 7 and up. No registration. Free. Go to https://bit.ly/ 2AZ1DaZ for more details. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Travel Hacks; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3 649 Center Road, Brunswick. Hands-on learning how to use travel websites and apps, how to identify travel scams, how to use technology to ease travel planning. Register at https:// bit.ly/2BupGyi

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. littleBits; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Explore and create with littleBits kits. Grades 6 through 12. No registration. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stop Motion Animation; Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Learn about stopmotion animation, make a video. Grades 6 to 12. Register at https://bit.ly/2DyYCxZ Thursday, March 7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day https://bit.ly/2Rtzumj 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Camp Wired; Medina Room, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Learn and refresh computer skills. Ages 55 plus. Call for topics, 330-725-0588. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Teen Hour of Code; Olive Meyer Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Learn computer coding basics. Grades 6 to 12. No registration. 6 :30 p.m. Sushi 101; Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Learn history of sushi, preparation, and taste samples. Register at https://bit.ly/2E4a3PY Friday, March 8 Proofreading Day https://bit.ly/2AXVbh9 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. St. Baldrick’s Foundation Fundraising Head Shaving; Medina County Career Center, 1101 W. Liberty Street, Medina. Raises funds for childhood cancer research. Donations, volunteers needed. https://bit.ly/2SuLWly 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Medina United Methodist Church, 4747 Foote Road, Medina. https:// rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Medina VFW Post 5137 Fish Fry; 3916 Pearl Road, Medina. Perch, walleye, cod, shrimp, chicken strips, homemade pierogies. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bluegrass Jam and Dinner; Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Donation admission $3, dinner is additional donation request. Bring favorite dessert to share. Bluegrass bands welcome, arrive early to be scheduled. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Escape Room Heist! Be part of a team to break into 1907 Room from teen area to acquire a valuable tome. All participants MUST be in Teen area prior to library closing at 6 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/2E3UrvE

Saturday, March 9

Panic Day https://bit.ly/2oWVKo8 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All Dressed Up G2K Event; Harvest Presbyterian Church, 1095

E. Reagan Parkway, Medina. Dresses, shoes, accessories and a portrait for free. Walk-ins as time allows, register by March 6. For more information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/2MYXl81 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. K-9 Kapers; Chippewa Inlet Trail South, Chippewa Road, west of Lake Road. Socialize dogs while hiking. Dogs must be on 8-foot non-retractable leash. Bring towel for muddy feet and water bowl for dog. All ages. Free. No registration . 1 p.m. Floral Arrangement Workshop; Recover Center of Medina County, 538 W. Liberty Street, Medina. Free. Class limited to 10. Register at 330-9 52-2611. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. STEAM Day; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Handson activities learning more about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math. Mad Science of Ohio. James Nolan, Mr. Science, will demonstrate experiments with household items. See activity list at https://bit.ly/2SO5uRM . Register for Mr. Science at https://bit.ly/2WY72bs 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Breaking Bread on Bourbon Street; Galaxy Restaurant, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth. Benefits Feeding Medina County. Tickets at http:// www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

Sunday, March 10

International Find a Pay Phone Booth Day https://bit.ly/2QPVeUe and Middle Name Pride Day https://bit.ly/2D8km6B Noon to 4:30 p.m. 20th Sister-to-Sister Conference; Cleveland Clinic Hospital, 1000 E. Washington Street, Medina. Works to build confidence and self-esteem in girls ages 11 to 14. Space is limited and registrations must be submitted by February 26. Free, but parental permission required. Get registration form and information at https://bit.ly/2t7nsAf 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Save Ohio Strays Meet and Greet; Petco, 1052 Williams Reserve Boulevard, Wadsworth. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: The Ants go Marching in; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Learn about ants, how they live, fight, communicate. All ages. No registration. Free.

Monday, March 11

Worship of Tools Day https://bit.ly/ 2r8uDdF and Napping Day https:// bit.ly/2H75vvB 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330723-9514,for

appointment. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Baby Footprint Art; Story Time Room, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Ages birth to 24 months. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2GHlgHE 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road, Brunswick. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is How We Roll (Sushi); Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Learn to make a California roll and spicy crab roll. Uses shellfish. Grades 6 to 12. Register at https://bit.ly/2RTnBBy 6 p.m. You Can Play the Ukulele; Seville Library, 45 Center Street, Seville. Open to ages 8 and up. Borrow a ukulele or bring your own. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2GDe1ka 6:30 p.m. to 7:13 p.m. We Move Together; Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolﬀ Road, Medina. Move with your child to rhythm in creative, imaginative environment. Register at https://bit.ly/2tiqAtu 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Anglophiles United: Great British Bake-Oﬀ; Sycamore North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. British baking competition. Registration at https://bit.ly/2SIEKlM 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MM: A History of Medications; Community Room, AI Root, 623 W. Liberty Street, Medina. Hosted by the Medina County Historical Society. https://bit.ly/2UC5Us0

Tuesday, March 12

Plant a Flower Day https://bit.ly/2FzBhir and Alfred Hitchcock Day https://bit.ly/2D2RuZt 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Creative Concoctions for Preschoolers; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100

2 4 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Mysterious mixtures and marvelous messes. All supplies provided, come dressed for mess. Free. Ages 3 to 6. Register at https:// bit.ly/2DPaVYs for 10 a.m..; https://bit.ly/ 2MJFTnQ for 1 p.m.

Language; Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Class by the National Interpreting Agency. Ages 3 to 12 months and adults. Teaches babies to communicate needs. Two-part class. Register at https://bit.ly/2SoNe2d

10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cooperative Community Services: Interviewing Skills Workshop; Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Free.

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Legal Resource Center; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Domestic Relations Court volunteers help those not represented by a lawyer in family court. First come, first served.

5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Evening Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Learn to knit or crochet. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2N234cU 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Beginning Beekeeping; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Fee $85 single, $100 family, includes book, more. Register at https://medinabeekeepers.com/ or call 330-723-6265. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Discover Tunisia; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Exchange student talks about her native North African country. Register at https://bit.ly/2GD9IVT

Wednesday, March 13

Ear Muff Day https://bit.ly/2FA28Zb and Jewel Day https://bit.ly/2VQAW0t 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Avenue Care and Rehabilitation Center, 699 E. Smith Road, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Homemade is Best; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Make duct tape wallet or a washer necklace for yourself or as a gi . Teens. 6:30 p.m. Protect Your Identity: Fraud Watch; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Learn how to spot, avoid and report frauds and scams. https://bit.ly/ 2E4OheV

Thursday, March 14

National Pi Day https://bit.ly/1LAoUuH and Learn About Butterflies Day https://bit.ly/2SSBcKv 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Camp Wired; Community Room B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Learn and refresh computer skills. Ages 55 plus. Call for topics, 330-725-0588. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Summa Health Center at Wadsworth-Rittman, 195 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 10:30 a.m. to noon. Baby and Me Sign

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Writers Series: Edit is a Four Letter Word; Community Room A, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Local author teaches stages of editing. Bring two copies of your first three pages. Register at https://bit.ly/2BxxtLK

Friday, March 15

Everything You Think is Wrong Day https://bit.ly/2D9hCWD and Dumbstruck Day https://bit.ly/2EFME4K Well, they do seem to go together! 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sit, Stay, Read; Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Practice reading with Griﬀin, a trained therapy dog. Ages 4 and up. Register at https://bit.ly/2RUBEqz 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Medina VFW Post 5137 Fish Fry; 3916 Pearl Road, Medina. Perch, walleye, cod, shrimp, chicken strips, homemade pierogies. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bluegrass Jam and Dinner; Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Donation admission $3, dinner is additional donation request. Bring favorite dessert to share. Bluegrass bands welcome, arrive early to be scheduled. 7 p.m. Boot Scootin’ Birthday Bash; Community Room, A.I. Root, 640 W. Liberty Street, Medina. Celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Medina County. Dancing, refreshments, auction, enrollment. Open to the public.

Saturday, March 16

Everything You Do is Right Day https:// bit.ly/1wPYKmE and Freedom of Information Day https://bit.ly/2CZqVV8 Sounds like the perfect day! 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center, 3637 Center Road, Brunswick. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 10 a.m. Waterfowl Migration; Chippewa Inlet Trail North, State Route 42, Lafayette Road. Observe ducks, geese, swans, more, as they travel through Ohio to Canada to nest. Bring binoculars, bird identification books. Spotting scopes will be set up for viewing from a distance. Dress for weather. Ages 7 to adult. Free.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Medina Winter Market, Twiisted, 985 Boardman Alley (by Dairy Queen on Northland Drive), Medina. Indoor farmers market, first and third Saturday of each month till May. Noon to 5 p.m. Seeking Shamrocks; Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Follow the shamrocks through the nature center, go on a scavenger hunt, make a cra , learn about green things to look for outside. Free.

Sunday, March 17 Submarine Day https://bit.ly/2VPNy8a

Noon to 5 p.m. Seeking Shamrocks; Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Follow the shamrocks through the nature center, go on a scavenger hunt, make a cra , learn about green things to look for outside. Free. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Save Ohio Strays Meet and Greet; Petco, 1052 Williams Reserve Boulevard, Wadsworth. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Green Cleaning: Inside and Outside; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Learn how to make safe alternative cleaning products from household ingredients. Makeand-take portion of class. Free. Register at https://bit.ly/2HNkdbt

Monday, March 18 Awkward Moments Day https://bit.ly/2DfMYKy

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Seville United Methodist Church, 74 W. Main Street, Seville. https://rdcrss.org/ 2ybO4Rp 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. Movie Monday! Buckeye Community Room, Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolﬀ Road, Medina. Popcorn, pillows, movie. Grade levels 6 and up. Free. No registration. 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Huntington Elementary School, 1931 Huntington Circle, Brunswick. https:// rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Getting on Track: Working Toward Financial Stability; United Way of Medina County, 728 E. Smith Road, Medina. Learn debt strategies, debt collection rights, resource management, more. Call 330725-3926, Ext. 229, to register by Friday, March 15.

Tuesday, March 19

Let’s Laugh Day https://bit.ly/2nf3tPi 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 10 a.m. to noon. Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road,

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019 Brunswick. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations. 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Beginning Beekeeping; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Fee $85 single, $100 family, includes book, more. Register at https://medinabeekeepers.com/ or call 330-723-6265.

Wednesday, March 20

Extraterrestrial Abductions Day https:// bit.ly/1gfSP0W and International Earth Day https://bit.ly/2SUenq3 and World Storytelling Day https://bit.ly/2mBi2KX Of course, they would be on the same day! 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Medina County Health Department, 4800 Ledgewood Drive, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Wadsworth YMCA, 623 School Drive, Wadsworth. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Giant Memory; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Plant a round of Memory in giant form. Snack provided. Grades 6 to 12. Free, no registration. 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Claggett Middle School, 420 E. Union Street, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/ 2ybO4Rp 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Medina Juried Teen Art Competition Reception; B. Smith Gallery, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. 6:30 pm. to 7:30 p.m. Cell Phone Safety; Computer Lab, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Lecture-style class about scams, spoofs, cookies, caches, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth safety. Register at https://bit.ly/2tmnZhO 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. History Series: WWI Beyond the Armistice; Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Presenter: Betsy Anderson. Register at https://bit.ly/2Ibyi2D Thursday, March 21 Common Courtesy Day https://bit.ly/ 2DcgDEf and Absolutely Incredible Kids Day https:// bit.ly/2TPks6W 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Camp Wired; Community Room B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Learn and refresh computer skills. Ages 55 plus. Call for topics, 330-725-0588.

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Root Candles, 640 Liberty Street, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hip-Hop Dance; Community Room A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Bring your squad and learn street dancing moves with Caliber Dance Company. Grades 6 to 12. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2N0J6iQ 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. PJ Storytime; Story Time Room, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Wear pajamas, bring a snuggly, drop in for stories, rhymes, songs. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Garden Chats with OSU Master Gardeners; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Information about cleaning up the garden, preparing soil, choosing plants, more. Register at https://bit.ly/2GoaoiQ

Friday, March 22 National Goof Oﬀ Day https://bit.ly/Q0V3Xq

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. Noon to 5 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Medina VFW Post 5137 Fish Fry; 3916 Pearl Road, Medina. Perch, walleye, cod, shrimp, chicken strips, homemade pierogies. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bluegrass Jam and Dinner; Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Donation admission $3, dinner is additional donation request. Bring favorite dessert to share. Bluegrass bands welcome, arrive early to be scheduled. 10:00 p.m. ORMACO Whirlwind Red-Eye New York Trip. Bus leaves from Buehler’s, 175 Great Oaks Trail, Wadsworth. Arrive in NYC next morning. Participate in Big Apple tour or do own thing. Bus leaves Times Square at 10 p.m., returns to Wadsworth 7 a.m., March 24. Tickets $165. www.ormaco.org , 330-722-2541 Saturday, March 23 Near Miss Day https://bit.ly/ 2AO8kfo and OK Day https://bit.ly/ 2CouyEX 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 9 a.m. to noon. Fulton Farm

Maple Valley Farm Maple Syrup Tour and Pancake Breakfast; Buﬀalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville. Wagon tour, pancake breakfast, warm refreshments. See syrup making from beginning to end. Dress for weather, boots recommended. $6 Register by March 12 at https://bit.ly/2HG718e An e-mail confirmation will be sent by March 18, scheduled on first-come, first-served basis. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Human Library; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. “Check out” a human and, for 20 minutes, listen to their story. Includes police chief, lupus suﬀerer, transgender male, child abuse survivor, recovering addict, liver donor, Gulf War veteran, female Muslim. First come, first served. 11 a.m. to noon. Recycled T-shirt Tote Bag; Community Room, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Create no-sew tote bag from T-shirt, bring own shirt. Ages 14 and up. https://bit.ly/2BxVgeq 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations. Noon to 5 p.m. Seeking Shamrocks; Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Follow the shamrocks through the nature center, go on a scavenger hunt, make a cra , learn about green things to look for outside. Free. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Card Making; Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Create 10 cards. $10, bring adhesive. Adults. Register at https://bit.ly/2E69jd4 7 p.m. Brass Band of the Western Reserve: Get on Board! Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina. Tickets at the door. Adults, $12; senior citizens, $10; students, $6.

2 6 Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019 Sunday, March 24

National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day https://bit.ly/NItq37 Noon to 5 p.m. Seeking Shamrocks; Susan Hambley Nature Center, 1473 Parschen Boulevard, Brunswick. Follow the shamrocks through the nature center, go on a scavenger hunt, make a cra , learn about green things to look for outside. Free. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Save Ohio Strays Meet and Greet; Petco, 1052 Williams Reserve Boulevard, Wadsworth.

Monday, March 25

International and National Waﬀle Day https://bit.ly/1fFX7s4 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hip-Hop Intro; Story Time Room, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Learn street dancing moves with Dance Arts by Regina. Grades 2 to 5. Free, no registration. 6:30 p.m. Migraines and Headaches: Is There Hope for Relief? Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Common causes, treatments, prevention. Register at https://cle.clinic/2BuSmY8

Tuesday, March 26

National Spinach Day https://bit.ly/2lipPgN and Make Up Your Own Holiday Day https://bit.ly/22CHXTq 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Health Screenings; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Blood pressure, glucose screening. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Large Words With Friends; Community Room, Lodi Library, 635 Wooster Street, Lodi. Expand vocabulary by playing popular game. Grades 4 to 12. Register at https://bit.ly/ 2SxD0wF 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Movie Matinee; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Popcorn and an animated movie. All ages. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Otaku Tuesdays; Teen Area, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Grades 6 to 12. Watch anime, cosplay, learn about Japanese culture, more. 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hide and Seek; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina. Play games, run, yell, a er hours with the lights off. Grades 2 to 5, limited space. Register at https://bit.ly/2RXrjdl Wednesday, March 27

National Joe Day https://bit.ly/1IEeWsK 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Community Rooms A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Call Medina County Oﬀice for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment. 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. A ernoon at the Cinema; Sycamore Room North and South, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call for title, 330-2734150.

Thursday, March 28

Something on a Stick Day (Someone tell Jeff Dunham!) https://bit.ly/2EGX1VX and (Garden) Weed Appreciation Day https:// bit.ly/2IaU5Tg 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Introduction to Grant Writing; Room 1K, OSU Extension Office, 120 W. Washington Street, Suite 1L, Medina. Learn the basics of grant writing. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. AARP Tax Preparation; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. Call Medina County Office for Older Adults, 330-723-9514, for appointment.

Bring own wine. Cash or check to Artists Uncork’d. $15 supply fee. Adults 21 and older. Register at https://bit.ly/2GmRkBA 7:30 p.m. Woodcock Walk; Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Learn about bird that sings with its wings, dances for dinner, and has a flexible bill. Hike to try to see one. Free.

Saturday, March 30

Take a Walk in the Park Day https://bit.ly/1RI5xWt and Turkey Neck Soup Day https://bit.ly/2QM8zgo 10 a.m. Waterfowl Migration; Lake Medina, State Route 18. Observe ducks, geese, swans, more, as they travel through Ohio to Canada to nest. Bring binoculars, bird identification books. Spotting scopes will be set up for viewing from a distance. Dress for weather. Ages 7 to adult. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitting and Crocheting Circle; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Beginners welcome. Making Warm Up Medina County donations.

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Camp Wired; Community Room B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Learn and refresh computer skills. Ages 55 plus. Call for topics, 330-725-0588.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Medina Winter Market, Twiisted, 985 Boardman Alley (by Dairy Queen on Northland Drive), Medina. Indoor farmers market.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Therapy Dog Thursday; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Pet and read to dogs. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive; Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolﬀ Road, Medina. https://rdcrss.org/2ybO4Rp

World Backup Day https://bit.ly/2nHu3Qf

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bingo for Children; Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina. Win books, prizes. Ages 5 and up. Free.

Sunday, March 31 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Save Ohio Strays Meet and Greet; Petco, 1052 Williams Reserve Boulevard, Wadsworth.

Submitting Calendar Events

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Legal Resource Center; Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina. Domestic Relations Court volunteers help those not represented by a lawyer in family court. First come, first served.

Friday, March 29

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day https://bit.ly/2mtsMKH and Smoke and Mirrors Day https://bit.ly/2CmeS4W 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Medina VFW Post 5137 Fish Fry; 3916 Pearl Road, Medina. Perch, walleye, cod, shrimp, chicken strips, homemade pierogies. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bluegrass Jam and Dinner; Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Donation admission $3, dinner is additional donation request. Bring favorite dessert to share. Bluegrass bands welcome, arrive early to be scheduled. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wine and Canvas Night; Community Room A and B, Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway Street, Medina.

Events listed in the calendar must be a festival or fair or hosted by or benefit a non-profit organization in Medina County. Send submissions to Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com and put CALENDAR in the subject line. Event information is not accepted by phone. The calendar also is available online at JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com, where it is regularly updated with additional events.

Joy of Medina County Magazine | March 2019

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