May is that time of year that often is filled with celebration. Graduations are on the horizon, the completion of another school year is in the books, and summer is right around the corner. As we prepare ourselves for the coming new season, there are many things that our local businesses and community offers for us to enjoy. It is the perfect time to connect with neighbors and friends, enjoying all that our city has to offer.
And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms… But it’s not just the biological mothers but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives - making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.
KATHERINE BODE, PUBLISHER
@CANTONLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Katherine Bode | katherine.bode@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Brown Patton, Angela Broockerd, LeAnn Parker
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Julie Brown Patton, Janie Jones
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
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ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WHITE PETAL HOME
New and carefully curated home furnishings await at White Petal Home, a boutique store opened during June 2023 to meet the preferences of discerning people for those ‘just-right interior touches.’
Store owner Becky McClain says she provides an ever-evolving supply of appealing furniture and a growing gift shop with handcrafted items created by local artisans. “We have sources for brand-new furniture, as well as preloved pieces. To freshen or add interest at home, we encourage clients to mix their personal décor with different elements of metals, ceramics, wood, plants, woven baskets, colors and contrasts,” she adds.
She says she named the store White Petal Home to symbolize her lifelong adoration of the structural simplicity and fresh cleanliness of pretty daisies.
“As a young girl, I imagined having beautiful fields of flowers to run through, and I’d like others to have that inspiring feeling within their homes from the items they secure at the store,” she adds.
Becky explains that the goal of the store is to provide a family-friendly place, where kids also enjoy things, and men don’t mind coming, too, while women shop. “Everyone seems to like our gently used sofas; they sell fast.”
As a former retail furniture sales professional and custom furniture refurbisher for the past decade, Becky says she was filling her personal garage with wood pieces, dining room sets and sofas, but that it was challenging to keep up with the demand due to limited space. “I knew there seemed to be a core of a business in the interest I saw. I just always like to take things and put my own spin on them, especially when creating or redecorating furniture for my three children.”
"I enjoy educating clients and discussing with them why they select what they pick.”
At the store, Becky quickly became known for creating lovely, inspiring displays, such as cutting tables in half, uniquely stenciled floors and presenting peg-board walls with frequent shelf rearrangements. This visual artist says she gets inspired by various, other concepts, but will always tweak items to make them her own mode. At this time, however, White Petal Home doesn’t accept consignments. Rather, Becky has specific targets in mind and knows exactly what she wants to offer for sale.
“Based on clients’ current likes and requests, at times, I feel like I’m now selling to my younger self. I guess I was a bit ahead of the customization curve. I enjoy educating clients and discussing with them why they select what they pick,” Becky quips.
Located in Hartville at 344 Prospect Ave. S., the store is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During other days, Becky says she scouts out reliable sources of furniture, including some from Amish builders, as well as suppliers of budget-friendly, spanking-new sets or pieces.
“I intentionally seek out name brands and quality manufacturers who produce furniture that will hold up for customers,” Becky assures.
Examples of vendors offering their craft gifts at the store include:
• Thee Etching Glass
• RemiB Jewelry
• Grosenbaugh Farms
• Celtic Crow Woodworking
• Ark Design Studio
• Green Cottage Makery
• Art Reflections
• Not Too Shabby
• The Gilded Rose
• Wood, Fabric, & Grit
• Green Tree Design
• Bendekqey Wood Designs
Becky says the ‘makers in the Artisan Shoppe’ are chosen specifically to celebrate the unique, more hands-on and artistic creators.
“Everyone’s been so supportive of the transformation made to this building by its property owner, Larry Jencos with Jencos Construction, after it was previously boarded up for 40 years. We even have a new, fresh parking lot, which is rare to have off-street parking,” Becky says.
“Customers share they’re happy and excited to see Hartville’s growth with a unique furniture store mixed into the variety of wonderful shops to choose from. I love being part of this community because reactions to what we’re creating here are pure and genuine. It all reassures me that we’re embarking on a good path.”
330.244.6447
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SMALL STUDENT/TEACHER
RATIOS
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
WILD CERTIFIED SCHOOL
FINE ARTS INTEGRATED INTO CURRICULUM
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
STEM PROGRAM
CHARACTER EDUCATION
TUITION ASSITANCE
At AultCare, teamwork is a steadfast theme.
Teamwork allows us to offer convenient, local care to our members. Additionally, our commitment to teamwork helps us provide excellent customer service, quality, and cost-effective healthcare planning – the core of our philosophy.
AultCare is proud to support its members and serve as a trusted resource in the community.
We are here for you.
BRING THE BRIGHTNESS AND FRESHNESS OF SPRING INDOORS BY CREATING YOUR OWN FLORAL BOWL ARRANGEMENT.
Spring, come quickly! And if not, bring spring indoors anyway. Flowers brighten any room, any day of the year. No need to wait for a special occasion or holiday – give yourself permission to brighten everyday life with a bowl full of flowers. Place florals in an entryway, kitchen, living room space or even bathroom. Florals make any room come alive with pops of color and the smells of spring that’s just about ready to burst outside.
Consider this your personal invitation to play with flowers by creating your very own Floral Bowl Arrangement. Use any cereal bowl in the kitchen and a bundle of store bought flowers. For extra texture and depth, look for small spring branches and ornamental grasses found in your yard to pop into the arrangement, like I did here. Then, place your floral bowl in a place where you need that burst of joy most. Enjoy!
• 1 bundle of flowers (about 24 stems) + floral food packet
• spring branches & ornamental grasses found in your yard (optional)
• 6” bowl (cereal bowl size)
• floral shears (or garden clippers, kitchen shears, even craft scissors in a pinch)
• 12” square cut chicken wire
• wire cutters
• garden gloves to protect your hands when forming chicken wire
• clear floral tape (scotch tape will also do)
• lazy susan to easily move your arrangement and work from all sides (optional)
• First prepare the mechanics. The mechanics are the non-floral elements used to assemble a floral arrangement. These materials will act as a grid in which the flowers are built into to hold each stem in its place.
• Wearing garden gloves, cut chicken wire roughly into a 12” square. Loosely form the chicken wire into a ball and place inside the bowl.
• Use clear floral tape to make an X shape over the top of the bowl to hold the chicken wire securely into place. This will also give extra support when adding the floral elements later.
• Fill the bowl with water and mix in a flower food packet, if your flowers came with one.
• Begin to arrange floral elements into the bowl. As a general rule, you will want to start with the strongest, thickest stems and end with the most delicate stems. Here, I began with branches, then the largest base flowers followed by taller focal flowers, and finally delicate stems, grasses and wispy greens.
Stuck with broken, leftover blooms from creating your floral bowl arrangements? Don’t discard those flowers just yet! Simply arrange leftover blooms and a few ornamental grasses onto a cake to elevate any tablescape. Even though the blooms are arranged out of water, they will look fresh for hours (especially when using roses and carnations). Enjoy!
• 2 half-circle stamping blanks
• 2 large gold bars
• 2 medium gold bars
• 2 ear wires
• Jump rings, assorted sizes
• Embroidery thread
• Metal punch
• Bent nose forceps
• Needle nose pliers
1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
Use both your bent nose forceps and needle nose pliers to secure each end of the jump ring. Gently twist the jump ring to open the gap, and place the jump ring through the holes in the pieces you are connecting. When securely through both pieces, gently twist the jump ring in the opposite direction to close the gap and secure the pieces.
Make sure to have all of your materials gathered before starting the project for easy assembly.
Take your half-circle stamping blanks, large gold bars and medium gold bars and arrange them in the order you want your earrings to flow. You can see how we arranged ours, but consider switching up the placement of each item for varying earring styles.
Mark where each of the holes line up on the individual pieces. These spots are where you’ll be creating holes with the metal punch to connect each item with jump rings.
Once you have your spots marked, carefully and precisely punch holes in your individual pieces. Once all of your holes are punched, connect each piece with the desired size of jump ring.
For an added touch, punch extra holes in the bottom piece and finish off with knotted embroidery thread for a bohemian tassel effect.
Intentional design should be available to everyone regardless of budget. Our team at Lightshine Design values our customers and truly enjoys serving them through customized Design services to create the space you’ve been dreaming about. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you on your new build or renovation journey. We look forward to meeting you!
As consumers, we are constantly being enticed to buy. Whether it’s the jewelry we can’t live without, concert tickets to a show we don’t want to miss, or that favorite pair of shoes calling our name, we buy what we love, and art should be no different.
If you are new to acquiring original art, you may find it daunting, but it shouldn’t be. It is a special purchase that forces you to dig deep and discover a bit more about yourself. At first, many people shy away from buying original art because of the commitment. It’s a big decision after all, and how do you really know when it’s the “perfect” piece? Because art is subjective, part of the process is learning what style of art is the best fit for you. Is it colorful and energetic abstracts, or soothing landscapes that catch your eye? Maybe you are drawn to local photography, or even figurative works. There is no wrong answer, and maybe it’s a mix of several styles that creates your unique collection. The best way to find out your “art personality” is to get out and visit your local galleries. Consider making it a tradition to visit galleries while traveling or buy a piece of art as a gift on special occasions. In the gallery setting you can explore various art styles, mediums, and even learn more about the talented artists who create those works.
With the purchase of original art comes other considerations. Often, we have clients who need direction figuring out what size of art they need and its placement in the design of their space. If you find a piece of art you love, you will always find a spot for it. Ask the gallery if they offer in-home art consultation services to see the piece in your setting. Great custom framing is key, and well-designed framing is the jewelry to a great piece of art. Quality archival framing protects your art from UV rays that can damage a piece over time. Original art should last generations.
I’m often asked, should I buy art for investment? There is a place for investment art, but I don’t believe in buying art with the pretense that it will go up in value. There is no guarantee it will and to me, good investment art brings different riches to your life. Art that brings you joy, adds personality to your space, and makes your home original is an investment in you. The best art investment should be the feeling you experience gazing into an oil painting that perfectly captures a warm sunset over the prairie, or the texture created by a palette knife on the abstract that seems to pop off the canvas. That is what makes investing in original art priceless.
Art that brings you joy, adds personality to your space, and makes your home original is an investment in you.
Indulge in Tuscan serenity, savor life’s richness, and rediscover yourself
The soft morning light filters through the curtains as you awake to birdsong and a gentle breeze. Stepping onto the balcony, you behold endless vineyards rippling in the Tuscan hills and can’t believe this paradise is real.
Walking downstairs, you’re greeted by many new faces of people smiling and excited to see you, new friends, gathered around a long wooden table immaculately set with steaming quiche, luscious fruit, warm bread, and Italian cappuccino.
This is just the beginning of days spent practicing yoga in nature’s rhythms, discovering ancient towns, and pausing to savor beauty at every turn.
If you can envision waking up like this, you’re ready for a yoga retreat with Scott Moore.
Retreats are an investment—in your truest self—the part of you that gets lost in the rush of daily life.
We frequently invest our money into stocks, bonds, and real estate, yet fail to invest in the one irreplaceable resource that makes it all possible, ourselves—our true wealth.
On this journey, all details have been meticulously planned so you can stay within your budget and fully relax into the experience.
After immersing in the richness of the present moment, slowing down and savoring life, you’ll return replenished and ready to bring this mindset of appreciation into your everyday world.
Reap the returns of a broadened perspective and renewed vitality—the dividends are endless.
Find out more about upcoming retreats with Scott Moore in destinations like Tuscany, Sardinia, Bordeaux, and the French Riviera at scottmooreyoga.com/retreats .
ARTICLE
Making homemade bread is coming back, and while the convenience of buying a pre-made loaf is readily available, there is nothing like the taste of a warm, homemade loaf right out of the oven. These easy-to-follow recipes are exploding with flavor and are simple to make.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
LEMON GLAZE ICING:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest and lightly mix. Stir in flour mixture and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix oil, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla and almond extract. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool for 15 minutes and then carefully remove from the pan. Next, make the lemon glaze by combining all of the icing ingredients and whisk until smooth. Drizzle glaze all over the loaf and sprinkle with almond slices. Enjoy!
For an added health benefit, try this probiotic-rich sourdough bread known for being easy to digest and a healthier gut-friendly option. To make sourdough bread, you will need a starter which can take anywhere from 7-14 days. To make your own, mix flour and water together in a jar and feed the starter each day until ready. There are many sourdough starter recipes online.
SOURDOUGH STARTER INGREDIENTS:
• 2 teaspoons sourdough starter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 teaspoons water
DOUGH INGREDIENTS:
• ¼ cup active sourdough starter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups flour
INSTRUCTIONS:
Twelve hours before you plan to mix the dough, add the ingredients to make ¼ cup of active sourdough starter. Stir and cover and let the starter rise. The starter is ready when it has doubled in size and there are bubbles on the surface and sides.
To make the dough, add ¼ cup sourdough starter and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water and stir. Next, add 4 cups plus 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 teaspoons of salt. Use a spatula to work the ingredients together until there are no more dry ingredients in the bowl. Wet your hand with a little water to prevent sticking, and pick up the dough on one side of the bowl and stretch it up and over itself. Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat this step until you have turned the bowl a full circle. Cover the bowl and let the dough sit for 30 minutes. Repeat the folding process one more time. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise on your counter for 8-10 hours.
Next, on a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a ball by pulling the dough into the middle of itself. Turn the ball over so the seam is down. Use your hands to gently pull and cup the dough until it forms a tight skin. Place the dough on parchment paper and transfer the paper and dough to a medium sized bowl. Cover the bowl and let it rise for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Score the top of dough with a sharp knife. Use the parchment paper to lift the dough up and transfer to a dutch oven. Place the lid on and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until golden brown.
This recipe is quick and easy to make with just a few simple steps. It tastes great on its own, but dipping it in olive oil infused with fresh herbs adds an extra level of flavor.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 ¾ cups warm water
• 2 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Optional:
• Fresh rosemary
• Coarse sea salt
• Fresh pressed garlic
INSTRUCTIONS:
Use a stand mixer with a fitted dough hook, and stir together the water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and stir again. Set mixture aside for 5 minutes. Mixture should be foamy. Next, add the flour and salt and mix on low until a shaggy dough forms. Increase speed and mix for an additional 4-5 minutes. Brush a large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Set aside for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until the dough has doubled in size.
Brush a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of oil. Uncover the dough and rub hands with olive oil. Slide your hands under the dough and fold it onto itself. Continue to work your way around the edge of the bowl, folding the dough onto itself until there is a ball that you can lift from the bowl. Place the dough in the prepared pan and press the dough to the edges. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a damp towel and set aside to rise for about 45 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Rub your hands with olive oil and use your fingers to make indentions on the surface of the dough. Sprinkle it with salt and rosemary and any desired toppings. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Investing in indoor plants can not only spruce up your living space, but also bring numerous health and well-being benefits
The Snake Plant is for anyone from a green thumb to a black thumb because anyone can grow it. These hardy plants can adapt to any environment and can live in both high light and low light.
The Hope Peperomia likes medium to bright direct sunlight. It does well as a tabletop plant or a hanging plant. Watering is only needed one time a month regardless of plant size.
Bringing the outdoors in with the use of house plants is a great way to add color and dimension to your space. We sat down with Jesse Nelson at Family Tree Nursery, based in Kansas, and discussed the benefits of incorporating plant life into your home. “There are plenty of studies on the health benefits of plants, and the evidence suggests that being around plants and caring for plant life increases overall wellness,” explains Nelson. “Anytime you bring a plant into a home or work environment, it’s going to make you feel better. It is going to beautify the space in a way that art cannot, and they also have the added benefit of purifying the air.” There are a wide variety of indoor plants that work for any space and light situation that you may have. Regardless if you have a green thumb or a black thumb, there are plant varieties that fit your lifestyle. Here are a few of our favorite indoor plants to incorporate into your home.
The ZZ plant, which its formal name is Zamioculas Zamiifolia, is a very easy plant to care for. They like anything from low light to bright light. These plants are hard to kill and can go a long time without being watered.
Create your own DIY sugar scrub for a perfect gift for a special person in your life.
To make one 8 ounce mason jar of vanilla orange sugar scrub, you need:
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
Soften the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Next add the vanilla extract and the orange essential oil. Then, stir in the sugar, a little at a time. Print off a fun label or attach a ribbon to the jar, and your gift is ready. Enjoy!
This exquisite end-unit condo is the epitome of suburban charm and comfort with a premium cul-de-sac location in the heart of Jackson Township. The open floor plan seamlessly connects the living spaces, bathed in natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness and warmth throughout the home. The first floor introduces an exceptional master suite, offering convenience, privacy, and comfort, complete with ample closet space and an ensuite bathroom. The heart of this home is undoubtedly its open living area, featuring a modern kitchen that overlooks a spacious dining and great room. In addition to two bedrooms and a full bath upstairs, a loft area offers an ideal space for an office, crafting spot, or an additional lounge, providing flexibility to meet your changing needs. This property represents a rare opportunity to enjoy upscale living in a prime location with a welcoming environment to call home.
Condominiums with walkout basements and wooded views! Visit our fully furnished models every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. Located at the intersection of Hills and Dales/Brunnerdale. Learn more at HawksNestCrossing.com
