Northeast Ohio Boomer | November December 2023

Boomer Northeast Ohio

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

BETTER LIVING AFTER 50

Unwrap a Memory Gifts that Give Artificial Intelligence

Traditions with a Twist Burning Bright

Root Candles President BRAD ROOT

INSIDE

Nov/Dec 19

ON THE COVER

A.I. ROOT’S LEGACY Bees, Candles & Family Photo by Kim Stahnke

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YOUR MONEY Retirement & Social Security

22

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Vibrant Holiday Cheer

24

GIVE AN EXPERIENCE

26

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

DE PA R T M E N T S 8

WORTH NOTING Watch & Create

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Better Living After 50

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TECH TALK Artificial Intelligence

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STYLE STOP Festive Fun

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LIFE SPACES Your Decor, Your Way

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CAREGIVER CORNER Home Alone

EDITOR´S NOTE

VELVEETA FOR US

I

don’t know what happens in your family, but in ours, there’s no appetite to upend holiday traditions.

Our theme for this issue is “Traditions with a Twist.” It’s a good reminder that, as circumstances and interests evolve, our approach to the holidays can, too. Gift-giving, decorating, cooking, entertaining: it’s all on the table. That’s the great thing about getting An older; you can inexpert keep the rituals you enjoy repair and set aside the ones you don’t. Your holiday, your way.

Messing with holiday menus is not on the table with our crowd. A few of us give lip service to change, but when the “Who’s bringing what?” text circulates, we fall back to the reliable standbys: green bean casserole, stuffing—both inside and outside of the turkey—my sister’s stinky cheese fondue and the cranberry salad that only three of us will eat. I make it anyway because everyone talks about how much they don’t like it, and their comments, too, are now a holiday tradition. My Velveeta cheese dip, like Santa, also returns each Christmas Eve. I don’t mean to brag (and that may not be possible when the topic is Velveeta dip) but the Crock-Pot always goes home empty.

A BREAK WITH TRADITION My Christmas ornaments and decorations are mostly old things that I remember from my childhood or picked up at garage and estate sales.

Included among my secondhand finds, and one of my favorite items, is a nativity set exactly like the one I grew up with.

Our nativity has not only the standard stable animals but also a toy dinosaur and a baby Jesus with a

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Better Living After 50

broken arm inexpertly repaired with a Band-Aid. I don’t remember how the arm broke off, but it happened years ago. The half-arm baby Jesus belongs in our nativity as much as any other of our cherished Christmas decorations, tattered but treasured.

The nativity has always been a busy place, as nativities go.

When young, our kids—now in their 30s—added a snowman, plastic army guys and dinosaurs to the creche, creating an evolving, eclectic scene that I think speaks to the magic of the season. I’m keeping the dinosaur because it reminds me to be open to the unexpected. After all, when was the last time you saw a dinosaur in a manger?

Our cover story on Root Candles company fits with our Traditions theme. The 154-year-old company has an interesting genesis that I think you’ll enjoy. We also have a roundup of live performances going on this winter that showcase a range of entertainers and artistic performances, perfect for this season of celebration.

I hope your holidays have enough surprises to make memories and that your traditions bring you joy… maybe not Velveeta dip-caliber joy, but something just as tasty and hopefully, healthier.

As for me, I’m thinking about mixing things up over at the nativity; it’s been quiet since the kids moved out. I may add another dinosaur to keep the sheep in line. The shepherds seem distracted.

VOL. 9, ISSUE 6

November/December 2023 Northeast Ohio Boomer is a property of Mitchell Media LLC

PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioBoomer.com /NEOhio​Boomer

​/​NEOhio​Boomer​

PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohio​boomer.com 330-714-7712 EDITOR​- M​arie Elium​ ​marie@northeastohio​boomer.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR​ - Estelle Rodis-Brown estelle@northeastohio​boomer.com EDITORIAL SUGGESTIONS editor@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CALENDAR LISTING SUBMISSIONS calendar@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Beach, Margaret Briller, Estelle Rodis-Brown, Bill DeMarco, Kathryn Kilpatrick, Traci McBride, Mike Olszewski, Linda Peavy, Tak Sato, Erin Sernoffsky, Karen Shadrach ART DIRECTOR - Laura Chadwick laura@northeastohio​boomer​.com ADVERTISING SALES Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohio​boomer.com Janyse Heidy, 330-671-3886 janyse@northeastohio​boomer.com Sherrie Kantarovich, 216-299-5455 sherriek@northeastohio​boomer.com Samantha Olp, 330-636-6127 sam@northeastohio​boomer.com Yvonne Pelino, 440-971-0595 yvonne@northeastohio​boomer.com Michelle Vacha, 440-463-0146 michelle@northeastohio​boomer.com OFFICE MANAGER Kathleen Mitchell, 440-533-1208 kathleen@northeastohio​boomer.com EVENTS MANAGER​ Lilia Lipps lilia@northeastohioboomer.com DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES info@northeastohio​boomer.com PUBLISHER OF PHOTO: MARIE ELIUM

A Band-Aid for Baby Jesus

NEO BOOMER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Coming in the

Mindi Axner Executive Director National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland

January/February Issue beginning January 19

Sharon Dundee Director of Marketing & Communications Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

LOVE & LAUGHTER Winter Wonders, Humor for Health Workplace Discrimination

Dr. Ardeshir Z. Hashmi Cleveland Clinic Director Center for Geriatric Medicine Julienne Hayes Content Manager Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Kathy M. Hirko Owner KAZ Company Kathryn Kilpatrick President Communication Connection LLC Kelsey Loushin President Eldercare Professionals of Ohio

Stephanie Manning The American Heart Association, Cleveland

Bob Pontius Director of External Relations Danbury Senior Living

Candyce Traci Vice President All Media Design Group

Steven Marsh Dr. Steve Marsh, DDS

Leslie Royce Resnik President Royce Public Relations

Nancy Udelson Retired CEO Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter

Fatima Perkins Director of Community Outreach Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

Beth Silver Director of Public Relations and Marketing Menorah Park

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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WORTH NOTING Compiled by Marie Elium

Watch & Create FREE LIBRARY LESSONS Interested in finding a new hobby or want to get better at one? Then head to your local library’s website.

Many have started offering free, online lessons on everything from knitting and painting to wreathmaking and more.

One place to start is with Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Creativebug (cuyahogalibrary.org).

You can apply for a card online to access Creativebug, then create a separate account with a password. It takes a couple of minutes. If you get stuck, stop in or call your local CCPL branch and someone will help you.

Many library systems have similar free, online classes. Go to their websites, look for a class and start creating.

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Better Living After 50

No Coats; Just Money, Please A popular, long-time charity—Coats for Kids-Cleveland—will no longer collect used coats to give away. Instead, they’re requesting money donations this year to buy new coats. Working with teachers, school counselors and social service agencies in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina and Summit counties, they’ll provide coats for low-income students through eighth grade.

The change streamlines the charitable program, getting coats to children more efficiently, according to the organization’s website.

So, find another home for those used coats and consider a financial donation to Coats for Kids-Cleveland.

If you’re feeling extra generous, why not sponsor a school? A donation of $2,500 pays for 100-125 new coats. Coats for Kids purchases them in bulk in assorted sizes and will ship them to the school on your behalf, where they’ll be distributed. Learn more at coatsforkidscleveland.org.

Coats for Kids-Cleveland is collecting financial donations this season.

One-Stop Shop FOOD BANK RESOURCE CENTER

Cold-Weather UTILITY HELP Just a reminder: if you’re having difficulty paying your energy bill or know you won’t be able to cover heating costs this winter, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov

to apply for assistance.

Income guidelines are $25,525 for a singleperson household and $34,520 for two people.

Last year, the Winter Crisis Program assisted more than 67,000 Ohio households, paying $19 million in benefits.

Now here’s a good idea: Greater Cleveland Food Bank has opened a Community Resource Center to provide food and social services (legal, education, employment and others) to Northeast Ohio residents.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Community Resource Center is at 15500 South Waterloo Road in Cleveland. Its hours are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-noon.

If you need food, call the Food Bank’s Help Center at 216-738-2067.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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TECH TALK

What’s the Deal with AI? Get Smart with Artificial Intelligence By Tak Sato

A

rnold Schwarzenegger and Professor Toshinori Munakata come to mind when I read articles on artificial intelligence or AI. The 1984 sci-fi movie “The Terminator” starring Schwarzenegger, was purely entertainment, but first alerted me to AI’s dark potential, which was interesting for a young geek like me. At Cleveland State University, I took Dr. Munakata’s AI class to learn about it.

Computer science has many fields with cross-pollination to other disciplines. AI is an example.

Simply put, AI enables machines to have human-like intelligence to perform tasks. The process known as “technology transfer” takes information from places like university research laboratories and moves it to businesses that then create new products and services that eventually become available to us consumers.

USING AI AI commercialization includes both paid and free services. Search engines like Google make the bottomless knowledge within the internet (the cloud) accessible to consumers. With the amount of knowledge that is in the cloud, it is impossible for a person to instantly direct you to what you seek; computers using AI make that same

10 Better Living After 50

information available within seconds.

Earlier this year, innovation surrounding the “generative AI’’ category has leapfrogged, creating new opportunities and headaches.

Regenerative AI accepts user commands to produce words, art, music and images.

For example, telling a generative AI service to “write an essay on George Washington at middle school-level English” will create a grammar-perfect essay. You can guess the headache AI creates for teachers; who needs homework hotlines anymore?

THE GOOD AND THE BAD I mused in another column that I may be on the street when generative AI writes my Tech Talk. I’m sure you’ve heard about ChatGPT and OpenAI in the news (product and company, respectively). Google and Microsoft continuously supercharge their search engines with AI enhancements so results are more relevant to your search keywords.

To compete with OpenAI, Google has christened Bard, a conversational AI tool similar to ChatGPT. I predict that Bard will become fully integrated into Google’s search engine instead of remaining a standalone service/ app because Google’s core business relates to finding information.

Another practical AI category is called Natural Language Processing, (NLP), that enables our devices, such as smartphones, to understand, process and generate speech.

Although I have benefited from dictating instead of typing on the dinky keyboard on my smartphone for at least a decade, when I was deaf for about 14 months, I relied on NLP in the apps I used to transcribe speech for me to read so I could carry on a conversation with a hearing person.

The bad news is scammers are using AI to clone voices that potential victims are familiar with to make their scams more convincing. Never answer unsolicited calls. To avoid scams, only call back using a number you know.

There are more categories of AI research than what I’ve described. As in anything good for humankind, bad actors also have access to the same AI tools as the rest of us. We need to make sure AI is applied ethically and legally as it grows in popularity.

Tak Sato is the founder of the Clevelandarea nonprofit, Center for Aging in the Digital World (empowerseniors.org), which teaches digital literacy to people 60+ through the free Discover Digital Literacy program.

STYLE STOP Celebrate the holidays in style with party dresses for any occasion, from a casual office party to a formal dinner soirée.

Festive & Fun STUNNING HOLIDAY ATTIRE

By Linda Peavy

T

he holidays are around the corner. Are you ready to show up as the best version of yourself?

Whether you’re going to cocktail parties, holiday events, a banquet or a New Year’s Eve party—your first thought is likely, “What will I wear?”

And, of course, the more unique a special event, the more pressure there is to look great from head to toe. Breathe, ladies! This guide to special-occasion outfits will help you steal any spotlight.

COCKTAIL, SEMI-FORMAL AFFAIRS Cocktail dresses walk the line between formal and casual. The name refers to the time of day when these fashions are worn, typically late afternoon during the cocktail hour.

Cocktail dresses are semi-formal, elegant, comfortable, shorter than evening gowns and dressier than daywear; not as dressy as a formal evening gown. Want to show off more skin in a classy way? Try a dress that bares the shoulders.

BLACK TIE & FORMAL DRESSES Black tie or formal dresses are typically worn at formal events, such as evening parties and other nighttime galas. Often floor-length, these gowns are embellished with sequins, gems, lace and other adornments. Black tie dresses can also be knee-length and made of sumptuous fabrics with or without decorations. Trains are in this season, so try a showstopper.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LINDA PEAVY

PANTSUITS & JUMPSUITS Pantsuits, or now, the more popular

jumpsuits, are versatile and can be worn to both formal and informal events, depending on the style. For example, a velvet or tuxedo-style pantsuit or a sequined jumpsuit is perfect for a formal or semi-formal affair.

OFFICE PARTY ATTIRE What to wear to the holiday office depends on the corporate culture, location and event time. If you have a more informal culture, and it is expressly stated on the invitations, you may want to go business casual.

A dressier appearance may be warranted if it is a nighttime event at a location away from the office.

Most importantly, remember that, no matter the hour or place, your co-workers and bosses will be present. So, while more festive than average, you still want to dress professionally.

REMEMBER TO BE FESTIVE The holidays are the perfect time to show your personality in a fun, festive manner. Whenever possible, ditch the little black dress for brighter colors. Try red, green, magenta or blue for a change of scheme. Red is THE color for fall 2023. Instead of a strand of pearls, try a chunky necklace or statement earrings.

Wear more glamorous make-up than

LOCAL STORES TO CONSIDER: Darlafoxx, N.G.U. Designs by Diane Linston, Dillards, ElaNour Couture Gowns, Fashions by Fowler, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Laura of Pembroke, Haven, LeFemme Couture Dress Shop, Nordstrom, Ruby’s Fashions, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Styles of Imagination.

usual. Experiment with eyeliner or eyeshadow with shimmer. Don’t be afraid of red lipstick to brighten your complexion. Do you usually wear your hair in a bun or upswept? Let it loose or consider a special trip to the salon.

The holidays are a joyous time of the year. Show up and shine.

Linda Peavy is a Cleveland-based fashion influencer with a global reach, providing body positivity presentations internationally as the founder of Cultured Curves (culturedcurves.com).

Linda is an NEO Boomer columnist and blogger with Style Stop, your one-stop source of fashion tips that will keep you looking sensational at any age.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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YOUR MONEY

Tax-Plan Now TO SAVE LATER

By Bill DeMarco

Y

ou don’t want to pay more federal income tax than you have to. Here are three ways to keep more of your money:

1. POSTPONE INCOME TO MINIMIZE TAX LIABILITY Deferring income to a later year may minimize your current income tax liability. When you eventually report the income, you may be in a lower income tax bracket.

Some retirement plans can help you postpone taxes on your earned income. With a traditional 401(k) plan, you contribute part of your salary into the plan, paying income tax only when you later withdraw money from the plan (withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent penalty tax in addition to regular income tax, unless an exception applies). This allows you to postpone tax on part of your salary and take advantage of the taxdeferred growth of any investment earnings.

There are other ways to postpone your taxable income. You can contribute to a traditional IRA, buy permanent life insurance (the cash value part grows tax deferred), or invest in certain savings bonds.

Speak with a tax professional about your tax planning options.

2. SHIFT INCOME TO FAMILY MEMBERS TO LOWER THE OVERALL FAMILY TAX BURDEN You may also minimize federal income taxes by shifting income to family members who are in a lower tax bracket. For example, if you own stock that produces dividend income, one option might be to gift the stock to your children. After you’ve made the gift, the dividends will represent income to them rather than to you,

12 Better Living After 50

potentially lowering your family’s overall tax burden. Keep in mind that you can make a tax-free gift of up to $17,000 (in 2023; $16,000 in 2022, and could increase in future years) per year per recipient without triggering federal gift tax.

Other ways of shifting income include hiring a family member for the family business and creating a family-limited partnership.

Investigate your options carefully before acting.

3. TIMING COUNTS You can also minimize tax by making tax-conscious investment choices.

Potential strategies include the use of tax-exempt securities and intentionally timing the sale of capital assets for maximum tax benefit.

Although income is generally taxable, certain investments generate income that’s exempt from tax at the federal or state level. For example, if you meet specific requirements and income limits, the interest on certain Series EE bonds used for education may be exempt from federal, state and local income taxes.

Also, you can exclude the interest on certain municipal bonds from your income (tax-exempt status applies to income generated from the bond; a capital gain or loss realized on the sale of a municipal bond is treated like a gain or loss from any other bond for federal tax purposes).

If you earn interest on tax-exempt bonds issued in your home state, the interest will generally be exempt

from state and local tax as well. Keep in mind that although the interest on municipal bonds is generally tax-exempt, certain municipal bond income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

When comparing taxable and taxexempt investment options, you’ll want to focus on those choices that maximize your after-tax return.

Usually, long-term capital gain tax rates are lower than ordinary income tax rates. That means that the amount of time you hold an asset before selling it can make a big tax difference. Since long-term capital gain rates generally apply when an asset has been held for more than a year, you may find it makes good tax sense to hold off a little longer on selling an asset that you’ve held for only 11 months. Timing the sale of a capital asset (such as stock) can help in other ways as well. If you expect to be in a lower income tax bracket next year, you might consider waiting until then to sell your stock.

Bill DeMarco is an investment advisor representative with A&M Financial Group in Westlake. You can reach him at 440-2490397, ext. 106 or go to amfinancialgroup. com. Advisory Services are offered through AMFG Wealth Management LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Note: You should not decide which investment options are appropriate for you based on tax considerations alone. Nor should you decide when (or if) to sell an asset solely based on the tax consequence. A financial or tax professional can help you decide what choices are right for your specific situation.

Grand Northeast Ohio

FUN WITH THE GRANDKIDS SATURDAYS Family Saturdays at Skylight Park-Tower City. Games, crafts, live entertainment and more. First and third Saturdays. 12-4 p.m. 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com. FREE

SUNDAYS Family FUNday. Familyfriendly games, movementbased activities, art, and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org

SATURDAYS STEAM Team Saturdays.

On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, children, ages 5-11 discover the wonder of S.T.E.A.M. 12 p.m. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org. $7

THROUGH 12/17 Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org. $15-27 Elf The Musical. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole and raised by elves. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse. com. $14-36 Continued on page 16

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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Grand Northeast Ohio

Sweet Treat THE GINGERBREAD MAN By Karen Shadrach

“R

un, run as fast as you can!

You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!” The Gingerbread Man first appeared in print in the May 1875 issue of “St. Nicholas Magazine,” a popular monthly American children’s publication.

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The gingerbread man (boy) jumped out of the oven and had to outrun an assortment of characters trying to catch and ultimately eat him. No one could catch him; he had to be tricked. The fox was the successful one in the end, coercing the gingerbread man into his mouth.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAREN SHADRACH

HOLIDAY TRADITION Our grandchildren love this classic old English Grimm fairy tale.

They also love baking and eating gingerbread men. It has become a tradition to bake and enjoy eating these cookies every year during the holiday season. It’s fun to read or watch the story together before baking gingerbread cookies. You can borrow the book from a library or watch it on YouTube.

Gingerbread is a popular Christmas treat all over the world and can be found in many different forms. It first appeared in central Europe around the Middle Ages and was made from spices and sugars brought back from the Middle East by soldiers from the Crusades.

One of England’s most frequently used Christmas decorations is the gingerbread man. Legend traces gingerbread men to Queen Elizabeth I. She liked to give guests ginger biscuits that were edible caricatures, so she had her royal bakers mold the ginger pastry into shapes that looked like her favorite visiting dignitaries.

Gingerbread men cookies can be made in a variety of ways. The quickest is to buy a pre-made cookie mix, such as Betty Crocker, and add just milk and eggs. If you cannot find the pre-made mix, make your own using a boxed spice cake mix. To one box, mix in 1 large egg and 1 ⁄ 2 cup of butter. Roll out the dough and cut out your cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes, then cool and decorate.

If you want to bake your cookies from scratch, my favorite recipe is from Williamsburg, the old-school Raleigh Tavern gingerbread cookies.

If you have older grandkids, you can bake these together, or pre-make yourself and let the young ones help decorate. Gingerbread cookies are fairly dry and have an exceptionally long shelf life for homemade cookies.

Undecorated cookies should last 2-3 weeks in a sealed container.

If you need more time ahead, the undecorated cookies can last up to three months in the freezer.

The Raleigh Tavern’s recipe, which will make approximately 24 cookies, is as follows: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix: 1 cup softened butter, ½ cup evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 cup unsulphured molasses.

In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons ginger, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon each of nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix well and add 4 cups of pastry flour to these dry ingredients.

Then, adding one cup at a time, add the flour mixture to your butter mixture, stirring constantly. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to your fingers.

Knead the dough for a smoother texture and add up to ½ cup additional flour, if needed, to prevent sticking. When smooth, roll it out ¼ inch thick on a floured surface and cut out your gingerbread men. Bake on greased cookie sheets (or parchmentlined pans) for 10-12 minutes.

We have three different sizes of cookie cutters for our gingerbread

cookies, plus both gingerbread boy and girl cutters. The best and classic way to decorate gingerbread men is with royal icing. This is a very plain icing made from egg whites, powdered sugar and water.

The easiest method for children to draw their designs is to buy premade icing in plastic containers.

Outline the cookies with the white (or colored) icing, or just make wavy (rick-rack) lines along the arms and legs. Draw faces with the icing, or use mini M&M’s, raisins, cinnamon candies, or chocolate chips for facial features. Areas can be sketched in with icing and then filled in with colored sugar to create outfits for the ginger people.

Have fun and try your hand at the classic gingerbread-man-inspired dessert this season.

Karen Shadrach is a Northeast Ohio on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins. Read her grandparenting blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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Grand Northeast Ohio

Continued from page 13

THROUGH 12/21 The North Pole Adventure. 26-mile, 90-minute excursion to the enchanting North Pole. Cuyahoga Valley

FUN WITH THE GRANDKIDS Scenic Railroad, Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., cvsr.com. $45-90

THROUGH 11/30 Sea Lions: Life By A Whisker: A Giant Screen Experience.

A heartwarming journey of a sea lion pup and the man that has dedicated his life to trying to save her species. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com. FREE$10.95

THROUGH 12/30 Wild Winter Lights.

Featuring over 1.5 million lights across holidaythemed areas including Enchanted Forest and Santa’s Workshop.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, futureforwildlife.org. $22

Halas Dr. NW, Canton, profootballhof.com. FREE

12/1-17 Paddington Saves Christmas. The famous, accident-prone bear is here to save the day. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, magicaltheatre.org. $18-20

12/3 Kids Maker Fest. For young entrepreneurs who are just starting out or who have established businesses.

Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org

12/12 THROUGH 1/1 Candy Land: Gone to the Birds. Candy Land comes to life, but with a natural twist, taking you on a birding adventure. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Willoughby, lakemetroparks.com.

FREE

11/24 Kids Friday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A fun-filled day of activities and giveaways. 9 a.m.2 p.m. 2121 George

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Chanukah Lighting. Hear the story of Chanukah, sing Chanukah songs, and join in on the lighting of the menorah. 5 p.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, maltzmuseum.org

12/15-23 Scuba Claus Meet & Greet. Talk to the magical man in red while he’s underwater with sharks, stingrays, eels and angelfish on his “nice” list. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium. com. FREE-$19.95

LIFE SPACES

Holiday Decor DRAMATIC, UNEXPECTED… AND YOURS

By Traci McBride

C

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACI MCBRIDE

reating eye candy for holiday décor is my jam. I like to reinvent the ways I use my ornaments each year. While I adore holiday trees, I rarely do ours with traditional colors or themes.

Drama and color is my dressing, decorating and gift-giving style. As my husband and I downsized our homes, I needed to refine the decor I’d accumulated. I let go of ornaments after three moves in six years–not because I didn’t enjoy them–but because my style had evolved.

OLD & NEW I lean into a theme with tree toppers inspired by life events. Years ago, after a solo trip to Paris, I focused on a Parisian tree, using miniature Eiffel towers, leopard silk fabric, copper ribbons and glass ornaments, plus mini, ornate frames that held photos from my travels. The tree was personal, sentimental and unique. I used that theme for a few years but then switched it up yearly with other items and fresh colors.

Adapting to the stages of our lives and doing what brings us joy is a gift to ourselves.

As I was growing up, my mother worked full-time but baked and cooked up a frenzy of traditional recipes for an army of relatives and friends. She made enough food for a sit-down meal and then packed up the leftovers for guests to eat a second meal at home. It made her happy to feed others.

As time marched on, relatives passed away and kids grew up to create their own family traditions.

Mom adjusted. She downsized and eventually had space for just her adult kids and grandkids. She

was tired now, and the elaborate cooking and shopping took a toll on her energy and budget. We brought casseroles so Mom didn’t have to do everything herself. My sister and I decorated for her, or she wouldn’t have bothered with the tree. Mom adjusted to her stage in life.

We later moved the holidays to my larger home, and my husband took over the bulk of the cooking so Mom could relax and enjoy. Mom handed off the baton, and we happily took it.

As families change, we must permit ourselves to adapt.

Nowadays, I twist things up by decorating with grandchildrenfriendly, unbreakable ornaments and keeping precious items up high. The grandkids can’t resist the colorful decorations and rearrange them when they visit; then I get to redecorate every week when they leave.

Traci McBride is a Northeast Ohio lifestylist of wardrobes and homes who helps people create spaces that reflect their evolved style.

You can find her at Zspaces.

TeeMcBee.com or contact her at Traci@TeeMcBee.com.

TRADITIONS WITH A TWIST HOLIDAY STYLE SWITCH UP YOUR TRADITION • Entertain outside of your home at a restaurant • Meet up at a local happy hour with family and friends • Host a potluck and provide a charcuterie board & wine LET SOMEONE ELSE COOK • Heinen’s: heinens. com/2022-heinens-catering-guide/ •B ob Evans: bobevans.com/ farmhouse • Omaha: omahasteaks.com/ buy/Meals-Sides-and-Desserts/ Thanksgiving-Dinner •C racker Barrel: crackerbarrel.com/ catering/heat-n-serve • Cleveland Vegan Catering: clevelandvegan.com TAKE A BREAK • Ask family members or friends to decorate using your decorations.

Half the battle is dragging boxes out of storage.

• Host a Christmas tree decorating party with charcuterie and soup.

• Still love outdoor lights? Hire a company to do it for you: holidayhangersllc.com/.

• De-stress and hire a cleaning service: Do a Facebook or Google search in your area or ask friends for referrals.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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CAREGIVER CORNER Time is our most valuable asset and giving just a little of it to others can be, not only a gift to others, but also to ourselves and our health. If you know someone who is alone, encourage them to try something different in at least one small way this holiday season.

If you’re the lonely one, try a one-time commitment to yourself this season and make one change or reach out to another person. You can enrich your holiday and help others in simple ways, often from the comfort of your own home.

Home Alone SOLO HOLIDAYS By Jennifer Beach

A

few days ago, I took a client to a medical appointment.

On the way, we saw an advertisement for the holidays.

You know the type of ad: a group of smiling, happy family and friends surrounded by sparkly decorations, beautifully wrapped gifts and delicious food. Her response when she saw it? “Oh, I hate to even think about the holidays; it is so hard when you are alone.”

LONELINESS & HEALTH Every year, millions of people over 55 spend the holidays alone for many reasons: death of a spouse, parent or loved one; relocation of a loved one having moved to a long-term or memory care facility; family estrangement, far-flung family members, money, divorce, separation; or they’re caring for a chronically ill loved one at home, to name a few.

Many older adults are not only alone but are lonely. Recalling past, more joy-filled holidays dredges sadness and grief and can

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exacerbate a sense of aloneness.

With family and friends no longer around, increased health and mobility issues, financial pressures and other challenges, some older adults are no longer able to fully participate in the holidays the way they used to or want to. November and December aren’t months to look forward to anymore; they’re triggers for depression or a sense of dread, better known as the holiday blues.

Researchers have documented that, at any time of the year, an absence or shortage of satisfying social and emotional ties can be harmful and even deadly to older adults. Loneliness and social isolation are serious public health concerns because they are linked to far-ranging health problems, including difficulty sleeping, poor cardiovascular health, high blood pressure, depressive symptoms, compromised immune function and dementia, each of which is linked with high mortality rates. We also know that the period from mid-November through New Year’s is especially tough for many solo older adults.

GET STARTED Call a friend or relative, even if you haven’t called them in years and are not sure how they will respond. Why not let them know you’re thinking about them? You may never get an opportunity to do it again. It will likely surprise them and boost both your day and theirs.

If you don’t decorate or celebrate holidays anymore, you may still have holiday decorations tucked away.

Give a favorite ornament, Christmas decoration, card or family recipe to a loved one or neighbor. Don’t worry about a fancy box or wrapping paper. The recipient will most likely be touched and honored that you offered such a heartfelt gift.

Invite someone over—even if your house isn’t guest-ready or decorated for the holidays. A neighbor, friend or family member who is alone may welcome your invitation and visit.

Sharing your most valuable asset— your time—benefits everyone.

In study after study, researchers have found that people who volunteer and are around others lead longer, healthier, happier lives.

Connecting with people in small, simple and no-fuss ways can soften your landing during an otherwise difficult holiday season.

Jennifer Beach is an Advanced Aging Life Care Professional.

She established Advocate for Elders (advocate4elders.com) in Rocky River and has 25 years of experience working with and advocating for older adults and their families.

Nearly 155 Years of Bees, Candles & History MEDINA’S ROOT CANDLES O

By Marie Elium Photos by Kim Stahnke

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President and chairman of the board Brad Root with CEO Miguel de Gracia outside of the company’s retail store in Medina.

he burning candles in the small testing room cast a flickering, fragrant, calming glow. Beyond its door, machines and conveyors clank and spin in the sprawling busyness of the Root Candles factory.

Making candles is noisy; testing them is a quieter, unrushed affair.

Samples burn for hours on shelves marked with dates, batch numbers and other vital details so workers can check for flaws: sputtering flames, uneven burning, and other vexing candle issues.

There’s no better way to test a candle than to burn it.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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LONG HISTORY The testing room comes toward the end of Brad Root’s tour of his family’s Medina factory. The fifth generation of his family to oversee the company, Root points out the warren of molds, soaring units, drums, jar-fillers, wick braiders and other devices that turn beeswax into candles. Areas of the floor have a skim of wax, requiring careful footing. The factory makes and ships 20 million candles a year from this building north of Medina’s Public Square. Wax on the floor isn’t too surprising; more surprising is that wax isn’t everywhere.

The factory is a familiar place for Root, today the president of the company founded in 1869 by his great-great-grandfather, Amos Ives Root. Brad Root has worked there from the time he was a teenager when his late father, John Root, ran the company. He eventually took over as president and chairman of the board; it’s the only place he’s ever worked.

His sons, Kyle and Andrew, want to eventually join the company but are pursuing work outside it for now. His daughter Emilie and a cousin both work for the company, representing the family’s sixth generation.

While Root’s career has focused on one industry, the same wasn’t true for his great-great-grandfather Amos, a jeweler turned bee enthusiast whose innovations influenced beekeepers throughout the world. He was curious about not only the world in his backyard and the bees that inhabited it, but also, notably, people and events far from home.

Amos improved upon existing honey extraction techniques that preserved hives and their bees.

The process, and subsequent standardization of beekeeping equipment, allowed for the mass production of honey and its byproduct, beeswax, Root says.

Medina, because of A.I. Root’s innovations, became the country’s center of beekeeping. He wrote “The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture,” the essential guide for beekeepers that has been updated over the decades since it first came out in 1879. It was published six years after he began his magazine,“Gleanings in Bee Culture.” Today called “Bee Culture

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Company president Brad Root with handdecorated Paschal Candles.

Magazine,” it’s still published by the Root company.

Beekeeping was far from A.I. Root’s only interest. Curious about and supportive of education for blind and deaf children, he exchanged letters with Helen Keller and they became lifelong friends, according to company history.

A.I. Root wrote articles for “Scientific American” magazine on topics he found interesting, among them the work of two brothers in Dayton who were experimenting with a machine that flew.

A.I. Root made the long drive to Dayton to see it for himself. Orville and Wilbur Wright permitted him to watch their experimental flights at nearby Huffman Prairie, where they worked after their test flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. He published his story in the January 1905 issue of “Gleanings in Bee Culture,” the first and only eyewitness account of the Wright Brothers’s inaugural flight in which they took off and landed after making a complete circle. A copy of the account is in the Smithsonian Institution.

CHANGES The Root family has piloted and expanded the company from its earliest days of beekeeping innovation, beeswax production, and beekeeping supplies and honey sales. Today, after nearly 155 years, there’s still a Root family member at the top—Brad Root— but the company focuses solely on candlemaking and retail sales throughout the United States.

CEO Miguel de Gracia, hired in 2017, oversees day-to-day operations which include a solid piece of the liturgical and church candle market, about 65 percent of the company’s business.

That brings us back to the candle test room. Root explains that, with all of the Root candle components made either at the Medina factory or sourced from places in the United States, the company takes its “American Made” moniker seriously.

Beeswax comes from American producers like Sue Bee honey, and candle jars from Toledo’s Libbey glass, to name two.

Left: Advent candles ready to ship.

Below: Final page of a letter from Helen Keller to A.I. Root.

Root says that running a familyowned company of American-made candles is like a game of WhackA-Mole, with pressure from supply chain snags, cheap imports, and other marketplace vagaries. That’s why the company makes much of its supplies, braiding and waxing thousands of miles of wick, for example.

The company has more than 2,000 retailers, all in the United States, and a 22,000-square-foot retail store next to its factory.

While Root Candles has deep and impressive connections with historic events and the people behind them, it keeps pace with the interests and tastes of today’s candle buyers.

De Gracia says the company uses fragrance consultants to guide new introductions of candles each year—Japanese Cedarwood, French Vanilla and Lavender Vanilla remain the most popular. Social media platforms and home design influencers steer sales and trends like wooden wick candles that mimic small, crackling fires.

“God, in his great mercy, has permitted me to be, at least somewhat instrumental in ushering in and introducing to the great wide world an invention that may outrank the electric cars, the automobiles, and all other methods of travel, and one which may fairly take a place beside the telephone and wireless telegraphy. Am I claiming a good deal? Well, I will tell my story, and you shall be the judge. . .

— A.I. Root’s account of a Wright Brothers flight in “Gleanings in Bee Culture.”

With a sixth generation on deck, the company is on track to remain a family-owned candle-making company, in a city where the high school teams are the Battling Bees and a middle school is named after founder A.I. Root.

Days before the season’s first snowfall, bees plucked the last bits of pollen from late-blooming flowers outside the company’s headquarters. Their activity was

delightfully unexpected for the season, but maybe it shouldn’t have been. What better landscape for bees than a place that turns their wax into candles?

Marie Elium’s favorite candle fragrance is anything that smells like a Christmas tree.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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Live

Performances — VIBRANT HOLIDAY CHEER—

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

When Northeast Ohio’s gray, frigid weather threatens to dampen your holiday spirit, consider a vibrant sensory experience that showcases inspiring human talent. We’re talking about live performances at an indoor venue near you… some traditional, others with a refreshing twist.

We scoured online independent show guides cleveland-theater.com and akron-theater.com to bring you this list of holiday-themed live performances in Northeast Ohio. Since we provided an exhaustive list of live theater performances in our previous September/November issue, this list focuses on live musical concerts, dance performances and special shows.

From sugar plum fairies to dazzling pyrotechnic shows and daring acrobatics, escape into a holiday wonderland of your choice, colored by soaring voices, athletic artistry, inventive sets, heartwarming traditions and delightful surprises to brighten wintry days.

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CONCERTS

Indie/Rock/Classical Holiday Fusion with Light Show The Wizards of Winter Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave N, Canton 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1 $60+ Acapella Harmonies Straight No Chaser Christmas KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2 $80+

PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Baby, it’s cold and dreary outside.

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo show features an elaborate chandelier act with aerial acrobats performing gravity-defying feats of wonder.

Smooth Jazz (Saxophone) Dave Koz Christmas Tour KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 7 p.m., Dec. 10 $80+

Ballet Canton Ballet - The Nutcracker Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N., Canton 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Dec. 8-10 $50-$55+

Irish Vocal & Classic Pop, Dance Christmas with The Celts Robins Theatre, 160 E Market St., Warren 7 p.m., Dec. 10 $40+

Ballet Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland 3 & 7 p.m., Dec. 9 $50+

Holiday Neo-Classical Mannheim Steamroller KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 8 p.m., Dec. 16 $30+

Ballet Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet Music Hall Cleveland, E. 6th St., Cleveland 3 & 7 p.m., Dec. 9 $55+

Vocal Pop/Romantic Piano Jim Brickman Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square, 2067 East 14th St., Cleveland Dec. 16 (2 & 8 p.m.) - 17 (2 p.m.) $140+

Ballet Cleveland Ballet - The Nutcracker Connor Palace Theater, Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave, Cleveland 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m., Dec. 14 - 23 $45+

Live Family Concert with Film Elf in Concert Mandel Concert Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 & 20 $90+ Tues. | $310+ Wed.

Ballet The Nutcracker Robins Theatre, 160 E Market St., Warren 3 p.m., Dec. 17 $35+

Rock Opera Fusion Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Ct., Cleveland 3 & 7 p.m., Dec. 22 $75+

Cirque Circus/Aerial Acrobatics Cirque Dreams Holidaze Powers Auditorium, 260 Federal Plz. E, Youngstown 7 p.m., Nov. 19 $70+

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

DANCE

Jazz & Blues Preservation Jazz Hall Band Creole Christmas The Kent Stage, 175 East Main St., Kent 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5 $75+

Ballet Ballet Theatre of Ohio - The Nutcracker Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron Nov. 25 (2 & 7 p.m.) & 26 (2 p.m.) $65-$70+

Motown, Soul R&B A Motown Christmas Lorain Palace Theatre, 617 Broadway, Lorain 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 $65+

Hip Hop Dance Fused to Classical The Hip Hop Nutcracker KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 7 p.m., Dec. 8 $40+

Cirque Circus/Aerial Acrobatics Cirque du Soleil - Corteo Wolstein Center, CSU, 2000 Prospect Ave., Cleveland Nov. 22 -26, 2023 $70-$90+ Cirque Circus/Live Musicians A Magical Cirque Christmas KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland 4 p.m., Dec. 23 $60+ Estelle RodisBrown is NEO Boomer magazine’s associate editor.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 23

Cut the Clutter GIVE AN EXPERIENCE

By Erin Sernoffsky

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he Grinch had a point. At this time of year, all the noise and the stuff can be overwhelming. The folks in Whoville had a point, too. The holidays are about showing love to the people you care about. So, what’s a giftgiving Grinch to do? Give an experience, rather than a thing.

Experiential gifts don’t just create lasting memories; they also can get us through the long winter months.

Below are ideas for everyone on your list.

FOR ADULTS • CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD All aboard for a beautiful trip through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Purchase gift tickets for the two-hour scenic railroad tour to view the lovely landscape, or book a ride for amazing events like The Grape Escape, a 90-minute wine-tasting expedition aboard the train.

• HOLDEN ARBORETUM AND

CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDENS Membership grants free access to both the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and gives year-round joy to your favorite horticulturists and nature lovers.

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• COOKING CLASSES AT GERVASI VINEYARDS For the foodie in your life, cooking classes at Gervasi Vineyards will hit the spot. Expert chefs demonstrate their techniques as they walk participants through some incredible dishes.

• CLEVELAND PLAYHOUSE Give the gift of laughter with tickets to “The Play Where Everything Goes Wrong,” or music with Lin Manuel Miranda’s smash hit, “In The Heights,” at the nation’s oldest regional theater.

• STAN HYWET HALL AND GARDENS Stan Hywet is an Akron icon but offers much more than house tours. A membership gift gives your loved one free or reduced admission to activities, events and festivals year-round in addition to access to its beautiful gardens.

Erim Sernoffsky is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio.

TEENS • AKRON ART WORKS

KIDS • ADRENALINE MONKEY

Teen artists at any level will have a great time at Akron Art Works, whether you pick splatter painting at their popular Teens Night Out, or sign up for classes like Print Making, Sculpture or even Fantasy Illustration.

Winter months can be long for parents and kids alike, but places like Adrenaline Monkey are perfect for kids who are literally climbing the walls.

• KENDALL CLIFFS ROCK CLIMBING

The Magical Theater Company in Barberton has been making their magic since 1989. Their family productions are always captivating. Why not give your little thespian registration to one of their great camps or classes?

For the adventurous teen in your life, check out Kendall Cliffs Rock Climbing in Peninsula. Pick from daily passes or register them for a class to build confidence and test their strength.

• POLAR BLAST SNOW TUBING Did you know Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort is also home to the Polar Blast Snow Tubing Park? No skis or snowboards are necessary to make some highvelocity memories as your teens fly down the hills.

• COCO’S SELFIE SPACE Older adults may roll their eyes at endless selfies, but sending a teen to a selfie studio for an afternoon of laughter, pictures and silliness with their friends is an amazing gift.

• K1 SPEED If you want to be the favorite of the teens in your family, give them the gift of speed with passes to K1 Speed indoor go-kart racing in Canton.

• MAGICAL THEATER COMPANY

• UNITED SKATES OF AMERICA Amazing themes, fun music, skate rentals and drop-in lessons—passes to United Skates of America are perfect for families with kids at different ages and stages.

• AKRON ZOO A family membership to the Akron Zoo is always a great option. The size, accessibility, and ease of visiting are perfect for families with young kids, while still keeping older kids engaged and entertained.

• ALIEN VACATION MINI GOLF What could be better than something weird, fun, interactive and memorable? Alien Vacation Mini Golf in Medina packs all of that in and more in an immersive min-golf experience like no other.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 25

Above: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital gets a portion of the proceeds from a line of nora fleming serving pieces.

Left: The makers of this bear donate plush toys to the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge Program.

Double Wrap GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

I

f you’re looking for holiday gifts, consider gifts that give back. We’ve got local places that will parlay your purchase into a charitable donation.

Tucked in the corner of the Strongsville Pointe strip center, Graeley & Company in Strongsville sells gift items and keepsakes like nora fleming platters and dishes.

You’ve probably seen them if you enjoy boutique shopping. The pieces are personalized with removable miniature ceramic “minis” such as a

26 Better Living After 50

Christmas tree or a birthday cake to customize the dishware, seasonally or by event. The line has raised more than $552,000 to support patients and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since its inception of the minis in 2018.

Graeley also sells Warmies®, microwavable plush animals that provide warmth with a soothing lavender aroma. These cuddly animals offer both comfort and companionship for all ages. The

stuffed animal brand has donated 18,000 plush toys to the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge Program.

“We are absolutely delighted to partner with the American Heart Association in such a meaningful way,” says Scott Wehrs, president of Warmies. “We firmly believe that our products can make a difference in students’ lives by promoting relaxation and making hearthealthy choices.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARGARET BRILLER

By Margaret Briller

King Nut Companies donates $1 to the Cleveland Food Bank for every tin sold of its Ultimate Mixed Nuts.

Tracy Lehnecker, the owner of Graeley and Company, has found that the need to help is based on the needs of the community. “Whether we are called upon to rally behind a specific cause in the community due to illness or tragedy, we have found so many causes that touch our hearts. For example, before the pandemic, we would raise funds for Wreaths for the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery so that ultimately every grave will have a wreath at Christmas.”

Graeley & Company is located at 14397 Pearl Rd., Strongsville. 440572-1990. Retail store hours through Christmas: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Online orders: graeleyandco.com King Nut Companies (including Peterson’s) in Solon also enjoy their long-standing tradition of donating to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

“Every year, we donate $1 to the Cleveland Food Bank for every tin of our Ultimate Mixed Nuts that is purchased,” says Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Matthew R. Kanan. “This provides about 9,500 meals each year for the Cleveland Food Bank. World hunger is very important to us at King Nut as well as locally. The reason we do this is to try to end hunger in Cleveland.”

King Nut/Peterson’s Retail Store is located at 30600 Carter St., Solon.

Phone orders: 440-498-4378. Retail store hours through Christmas: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Online orders: kingnut.com If you’re looking for holiday décor, collectibles and upcycling treasures on a budget, a drive to Medina’s Life’s Treasures Thrift Shop is a gem of a find for your shopping list. Everything in the shop—clothing, furniture, artwork and more—is generously donated by community members.

Proceeds benefit the patients and loved ones of HMC Hospice of Medina County. The hospice is an affiliate of Hospice of the Western Reserve, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit agency providing care in a variety of settings.

Hospice of the Western Reserve is Ohio’s first and largest nonprofit hospice, caring for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since its inception 44 years ago.

Don’t miss the store’s expansive Christmas decor room with thoughtfully displayed, gently used holiday items including hundreds of ornaments.

Life’s Treasures Thrift Shop is located at 317 S. Court St., Medina.

Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Website: hospicewr.org/ resale-shop

Margaret Briller is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio.

Online & Early Holiday Shopping Nearly 60 percent of us plan to shop online this season, according to the National Retail Federation, followed by department stores (49%), discount stores (48%) and grocery stores, and supermarkets (44%).

Gift cards continue to be the most popular gift, with 55% of holiday shoppers saying they would like to receive them this year, followed by clothing or accessories (49%), books, video games or other media (28%), and personal care or beauty items (25%).

Almost one-quarter (23%) of holiday shoppers say they plan to give a gift of experience, in line with last year and up from 19% in 2021. For a list of local gifts of experience, see our story on page 24.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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GIVING GUIDE

Great Giving

It’s the season of giving. Consider this list of businesses and organizations when choosing a place to donate money or purchase gifts

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Special Advertiser Listings The ALS Association The ALS Association serving Northern Ohio, covering 33 counties, was founded in 1988 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS robs people of the ability to walk, talk and eventually breathe. Our team of Care Service Coordinators provides direct, comprehensive, and compassionate care to those living with ALS and their families. Our goal: ALS will be a livable disease by 2030.

Our vision is to create a world without ALS. als.org/ northern-ohio Fostering Hope Fostering Hope’s mission is connecting and enriching youth in foster care to unique experiences of hope and healing. Fostering Hope serves over 1,600 children in foster care each year. December provides several opportunities for people to make an impact on a child in foster care.

Fill a child’s wish list, stuff stockings, or volunteer to wrap presents for kids in foster care. Find out more at fosteringhopeohio.org/event/gift-n-greet-2023 or email us at hope@fosteringhopeohio.org

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 29

GIVING GUIDE

Geauga Park District At Geauga Park District, we recognize that every contribution, no matter how big or small, is heartfelt and meaningful. We also recognize that if you have a passion for parks, recreation and nature, our mission is your mission. We want you to know that a donation to Geauga Park District allows us to more fully contribute to Geauga County residents’ quality of life now and for many generations to come. Donation details can be found online at.geaugaparkdistrict.org/about-gpd/ donate, or call 440-286-9516. Thanks for your support.

HELP HELP has been a leading provider of services for children and adults with IDD since 1965. HELP’s mission is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day support, vocational and employment services to choose services and opportunities as respected and valued members of the community.

Beginning with a few dedicated families and a small home for children, HELP has grown throughout Cuyahoga and Summit counties to serve over 800 individuals annually. helpfoundationinc.org

Miss an Issue? No Problem!

You’ll find every issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer magazine at northeastohioboomer.com.

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November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

31

GIVING GUIDE

Jennings For more than 80 years, Jennings has been a premier Catholic provider of residences and services for Northeast Ohio’s aging adults of all faiths. Whether an individual is seeking independent or supported living—or services to help a loved one remain at home—Jennings has the choices you need across a full continuum of care. All private residences, modern style, individualized comforts and exceptional amenities support adults in living the life they deserve.

Step Forward As the state’s designated anti-poverty agency for Cuyahoga County, Step Forward is tasked and trusted to lead the fight on the ground against poverty in our community. The nonprofit organization helps low-income individuals and families address immediate needs and build longterm skills to transform their lives through early childhood education programs, professional development including job training and employment connection, personal development, utility assistance, emergency assistance, and other support. stepforwardtoday.org

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Boomer Bash Monster Mash A Scary Good Time

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hanks to everyone who turned out for our Boomer Bash Monster Mash on Oct. 26 at Aurora’s Bertram Inn. We had fun at a Boomer Bash, and the costumes were especially creative in keeping with the Halloween theme. We had a fabulous time meeting everyone and getting reacquainted with familiar Boomer fans. Your support means a lot to us and our vendors.

Our raffle proceeds went to our nonprofit beneficiary, the Solon Senior Center, one of Northeast Ohio’s most engaging places for older adults. If you haven’t been there, stop by and see what’s happening.

If you didn’t make it to the Bash, we’ll catch you next year. Check our website for details at northeastohioboomer.com If you’re interested in sponsoring a Bash or exhibiting, please contact Northeast Ohio Boomer publisher Brad Mitchell, brad@northeastohioboomer.com.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 33

SPONSOR PROFILE

Hospice of the Western Reserve The Power of Volunteering For over 40 years, Hospice of the Western Reserve has provided palliative and end-of-life care, caregiver support and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio.

With more than 1,000 paid staff and 3,000 volunteers, our dedicated team members are your neighbors, friends, caregivers and family members. Our volunteers embody the belief that each of us, regardless of our background or circumstance, can make a difference and provide vital support for our organization.

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From hands-on patient care to greeting guests at our hospice houses, volunteer opportunities are boundless and can be a lifechanging experience.

operations at our resale services.

No matter your background or experience, if you have a calling to support our mission, volunteer opportunities are boundless.

For many, the prospect of volunteering for Hospice of the Western Reserve may seem daunting at first but it’s precisely this unique environment that offers unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a lasting impact. Volunteers lend their time, skills and passion to support special programs including Peace of Mind/Pet Therapy, Endof-Life Doula, Peaceful and Proud, Hands-on Care, and Spiritual Care.

Volunteering with Hospice of the Western Reserve can be a profoundly rewarding experience that offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families facing end-oflife challenges. Regardless of how you volunteer at Hospice of the Western Reserve, your time here cultivates a sense of purpose.

Other opportunities to volunteer include front desk reception, assisting with summer camp and other special events, or supporting

Hospice of the Western Reserve is the premiere hospice and palliative care provider for Northern Ohio, and we invite you to join us. For more information, visit hospicewr.org, email volunteering@hospicewr.org or call 216-255-9090.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 35

SPONSOR PROFILE

Stay Active and Pain-Free: Physical Therapy for Adults Over 50 As we age, our bodies undergo changes that can impact our physical abilities and overall quality of life. One of the most effective ways to combat the challenges of aging is through physical therapy.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply looking to maintain your mobility and independence, physical therapy can play a crucial role in helping adults over 50 stay active and pain-free.

Physical therapy is not just for rehabilitation; it’s a proactive approach to maintaining and improving your physical wellbeing. Here are the benefits that adults over 50 can gain from physical therapy: Pain Management: Physical therapy can alleviate chronic

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pain caused by arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, neck pain, headaches and joint issues.

Alleviate Vertigo and Dizziness: Physical therapists specializing in vestibular disorders can resolve symptoms associated with inner ear conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular neuritis, as well as cervicogenic dizziness and postconcussive syndrome.

Improved Mobility: Maintaining flexibility and range of motion is essential for staying active and preventing injuries.

Balance and Fall Prevention: Physical therapists can develop exercises and techniques to enhance your balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Posture Correction: Poor posture

can lead to pain and discomfort.

Physical therapy can address posture-related issues and prevent long-term damage.

Physical therapy is a valuable tool for adults over 50 who want to maintain an active and painfree lifestyle. By understanding its benefits, incorporating exercise into your routine, addressing common age-related conditions, and working with a qualified physical therapist, you can age gracefully and enjoy a higher quality of life, well into your golden years.

Don’t let age be a barrier to the active, pain-free life you deserve— embrace the power of physical therapy.

— Kelly Beaudoin, CEO Balance Solutions Physical Therapy

SPONSOR PROFILE Home Instead Personalized Care, Lasting Relationships Thinking about our loved ones getting older isn’t always easy, but Home Instead is here to assist whenever the time is right. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized care plan for your loved one that is tailored to fit their needs.

Our team of CareGivers provides all the support they’ll need to thrive, and assists them in staying engaged with everyday life—no matter where they call home. These extraordinary CareGivers also specialize in many areas that affect aging adults, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, 24-hour home care, hospice support, Parkinson’s and other chronic illnesses.

They pride themselves on delivering the right level of care and building lasting relationships with your loved one and your family. Home Instead can provide peace of mind when you need it most. Call us or stop into one of our Cleveland offices today for an introduction.

“To us, it’s personal.”

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

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Thank You to Our Exhibitors

Advanced Functional Chiropractic Center 440.708.6643 advfunctionalchiro.com Advanced Healthcare of Landerhaven 440.443.0345 ahcfacilities.com Advanced Insurance Solutions 330.869.2200 aiscle.com All American Gutter Protection 330.470.4100 allamericangutterprotection.com Amy’s Answers for Seniors & Caregivers 216.264.6927 amysanswers.com Anna Maria of Aurora 330.562.0600 annamariaofaurora.com Apex Skin 330.607.1454 apexskin.com Bath Fitter 800.594.8776 bathfitter.com Berson-Sokol Agency Inc. 216.243.7131 berson-sokol.com BrightStar Care of Hudson/Solon 330.963.7777 brightstarcare.com/hudson-solon CarePatrol of NE Ohio 216.233.5240 neohio.carepatrol.com

CASA of Portage County 330.842.1728 portagecountycasa.org

Hunter Wellness Center 216.459.7998 huntercwc.com

Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol 800.293.4767 proseniors.org/ohio-smp

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 216.368.2089 case.edu/medicine/pqhs/ research/research-projects/ diverse-ancestry-dementia-study

Institute of Learning in Retirement - East 440.826.2400 bw.edu/alumni/ organizations/ilr-east

Ohio State Waterproofing 330.467.1055 ohiostatewaterproofing.com

Cleveland Nutrition 216.328.8086 clevelandnutrition.com Cleveland Senior Network 216.409.8140 clevelandseniornetwork.org Copeland Oaks 330.938.6126 copelandoaks.com The Deliberato Law Center 216.341.3413 icanprotect.com ECHO Hospice of Cleveland 216.400.9055 echocleveland.com

It’s Just Lunch Cleveland 216.328.9000 itsjustlunchcleveland.com Jennings 216.581.2900 jenningsohio.org JKM Insurance Group 440.221.8399 jkminsurance.com The Kabb Law Firm 216.991.5222 kabblaw.com Kitchen Saver 800.594.8776 kitchensaver.com

Ohman Family Living at Home 440.338.2320 ohmanfamilyliving.com/at-home Rent a Daughter Senior Care Services 216.633.3604 rentadaughter.org Road Scholar 877.426.8056 roadscholar.org Signature of Solon 440.498.3318 signatureofsoloncc.com Spa Lavender 440.394.8633 spalavendermassage.com

The Lantern of Chagrin Valley 440.557.1186 lanternlifestyle.com

Sprenger Grande Village 330.963.3600 sprengerhealthcare.com

Leaf Guard 330.304.5828 leafguard.com

Summit Point 330.468.4200 summitpointliving.com

LeafFilter 216.346.9363 leaffilter.com

Suzanne Smaltz - HealthMarkets 330.385.3600 smaltzinsurance.com

HearingLife 888.892.5692 hearinglife.com

The Niemi Team of HomeSmart Real Estate Momentum 440.218.0297 theniemiteam.com

Twinsburg Family Medicine And Foot & Ankle Center 330.422.4377 twinsburgmed.com

Humana Medicare 216.250.5072 medicareagent.humana. com/oh/rocky-river/ helga-zagmeister-humana-agent

Ohio Employee Ownership Center | Kent State University 330.672.0333 oeockent.org

Empowering Epilepsy 216.342.4167 empoweringepilepsy.org Good Nature Organic Lawn Care 216.641.9800 whygoodnature.com Hear-Again Hearing Center 330.923.5150 hearagainhearing.com

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions 216.407.2406 myuhcagent.com/charles.jennings Vector Security 330.233.4727 rickcarnahan.com Vitalia Solon 440.644.2465 vitaliasolon.com The Weils of Menorah Park 440.543.4221 menorahpark.org/residences/ the-weils Wellcare 866.527.0056 wellcare.com

38 Better Living After 50

Sponsored Content

Good Teeth, Good Health

A

s we mature, almost everything in our lives—from our bodies to our homes to our cars—wears out, and that includes teeth.

Our teeth have lasted for a long time when you consider that our permanent ones started to come in at age six or so. They’ve taken us through thousands of meals and many days and nights; sometimes enduring grinding if we’ve been under stress. Add to that acids and debris left from the foods we’ve eaten; it’s quite amazing how well our teeth have served us.

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Color-wise, bleaching techniques like the Zoom in-office procedure and home-whitening gels can make

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a big difference. The use of bonding, porcelain veneers and crowns can also brighten stained teeth, as well as repair fractures and breakage.

Missing teeth can be fixed with permanent, all-porcelain bridges, implants and crowns. Multiple missing teeth can be treated with removable partials that no longer have metal sub-structures or unsightly metal clasps. Teeth that have shifted, due to a misaligned bite or movement over time, can be adjusted with braces or clear aligners to improve appearance and function.

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someone’s age or dental situation, there’s a remedy. Today’s dental offices make it easier than ever to invest in oral health. In some cases, insurance may offset the cost. (It’s usually by the calendar year, so get started soon).

Most offices take credit cards, and some offer 12-month, nointerest plans through CareCredit, which can be accessed over the web.

Dental work can often be staged over time to help patients afford their treatment plan.

Regardless of a patient’s age or condition, today’s dental materials and techniques can help make your teeth feel, function and look years younger.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 39

Medicare

How to Navigate Medicare Open Enrollment 2024

N

ow through December 7 is Medicare Open Enrollment season. It’s time to compare your current coverage to all your choices for 2024 and select the plan that best fits your health care needs and budget.

Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives everyone with Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their prescription drug plans and/or health plans for coverage beginning January 1, 2024. You can customize your plan according to your chronic health conditions,

40 Better Living After 50

need for prescriptions, eye care, dental care, therapeutic treatments, physical fitness/rehab requirements, preferred doctors and more. There are several ways to work through this process.

To compare plans and find your best fit, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY Users: 1-877-4862048. Medicare representatives can help 24 hours a day during Open Enrollment, including weekends.

If you prefer being led through the process in person by a trusted professional, find free, personalized health

insurance counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org for locations near you. Many SHIPs also offer virtual counseling.

If you prefer to compare options online, log onto medicare.gov to do a side-by-side comparison of plan coverages, costs and quality ratings to help you see the differences between plans and feel confident in your

choice. If you choose a new plan for 2024, you can enroll right there.

You can also navigate the selection process through your current health care/hospital system network, either online or over the phone.

If your current Medicare coverage plan still meets your needs best, then, you don’t have to do anything.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

41

Medicare New Options in 2024

H

ere are the details, effective on January 1, 2024, according to announcements by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): The Medicare Part A deductible for inpatient hospital services will increase by $32 in calendar year 2024, to $1,632.

The Part A daily coinsurance amounts will be $408 for days 61-90 of hospitalization in a benefit period;

42 Better Living After 50

$816 for lifetime reserve days; and $204 for days 21-100 of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period.

The monthly Part A premium, paid by beneficiaries who have fewer than 40 quarters of Medicarecovered employment and certain people with disabilities, will decrease by $1 in CY 2024 to $505, CMS announced. Certain voluntary enrollees eligible for a 45%

reduction in the monthly premium will pay $278 in CY 2024.

The annual deductible for Medicare Part B will increase by $14 in 2024 to $240, while the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will increase by $9.80 to $174.70, CMS announced. For more information, see the CMS fact sheet.

Not sure if you qualify?

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Some people get Medicare automatically; others have to actively sign up. It depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before you turn 65.

For more information to get started, log onto Medicare’s website at medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY Users: 1-877-486-2048.

Medicare

Sponsored Content

Devoted Health Earns Highest Rating for Medicare Advantage Star Presented by Devoted Health

D

evoted Health, an all-in-one healthcare company for Medicare beneficiaries, delivering health insurance, access to high quality medical care, and a world-class service experience, announced that its HMO health plans in Florida and Ohio were awarded a 5 out of 5 Medicare Advantage (MA) performance Star Rating for 2024. This marks the second consecutive year of Devoted’s Ohio HMO plan earning a 5 Star rating.

Based on information received from providers, health plans, and member satisfaction surveys, the CMS Star Rating recognizes excellence in MA plan quality and performance. Devoted Health’s success in achieving high Star Ratings directly reflects the exceptional service, experience, and care provided by the Devoted team and helps set the company apart from other MA plans.

In Florida and Ohio, Devoted

HMO plans earned 5 Star scores in key Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) metrics, including Customer Service, Rating of Healthcare Quality, and Rating of Health Plan—as well other service metrics, including Foreign Language Interpreter Availability, and Timely Decision-Making About Appeals.

“Devoted’s mission is simple: to dramatically improve the health and well-being of older Americans by treating every member like family,” says Ed Park, CEO and Co-Founder of Devoted Health. “I see our team’s dedication to this mission in action every day—and receiving another year of High Star ratings is always an important reminder of the difference we’re making in the lives of each of our members. We’re thankful

for the opportunity to continue providing excellent healthcare to older Americans.”

“At Devoted, we’re in the business of driving results that lead to members feeling good about their healthcare experiences,” says Dr. Neil Wagle, the Chief Medical Officer of Devoted Health. “Especially for the patients we’re treating, success in arenas like medication adherence and blood pressure control is critical to overall outcomes. We’re getting members engaged and producing great results, so it’s rewarding to see Star ratings that reflect the compassion and care that our team brings to Devoted members at every step of their healthcare journeys.”

Founded in 2017 by brothers Todd and Ed Park, Devoted serves over 124,000 members, and operates in 13 states. To learn more, visit devoted.com.

Medicare Part D EXTRA HELP

If you are struggling with your prescription drug costs, Extra Help is a Medicare program that can help pay for your drug coverage (Part D) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and other outof-pocket costs. If you make less than $22,000 a year, it’s worth it to apply. Visit ssa. gov/extrahelp or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

44 Better Living After 50

Medicare

Sponsored Content

Medicare Coverage TIME FOR A REVIEW? Presented by Laura Mutsko of Mutsko Insurance

H

ave you put off reviewing your Medicare coverage for 2024? You may be missing new benefits, cost savings and extra services and not even know it. Everyone should review their coverage annually, even those who are satisfied with their current coverage.

Medicare plans can change each year. Benefits are added. Copays and deductibles can go up or down.

Your health needs may be different; your prescription coverage should be checked, too.

There is no one plan that is the right choice for everyone. This is why it is important to discuss your Medicare coverage with an

46 Better Living After 50

insurance professional who can show you the plan that will be best for you.

As an independent agent/broker, I work with many of the nation’s most respected insurance companies.

Part of my job is to consider your medical needs, prescriptions and preferred medical facilities to help you find the best plan for you. There is never a charge for my services.

Independent agents/brokers like me are compensated by the insurance company, never our clients.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is in progress

now and is your opportunity to join, switch or leave your Medicare Advantage plan or your Part D prescription drug plan. You have until Dec. 7 to make changes for 2024. Give us a call at 440-2555700 or email me at Lmutsko@ mutskoinsurance.com to set up an appointment to discuss your needs.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 7 organizations which offer 84 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 47

HEALTHCARE FOCUS: EYE CARE Eye Health SEE BETTER AT EVERY AGE

I

f you notice that you’re not seeing as well as when you were younger, you’ve got plenty of company. Below are simple tips to see better. Keep in mind that a yearly eye exam is the best guard against serious eye issues.

• Write with bold, black felt-tip markers.

• Install dark-colored light switches and electrical outlets so that you can see them easily against lightcolored walls.

• Use clocks with large numbers and phones with large screens; put large-print labels on the microwave and stove.

• Use motion lights that turn on when you enter a room. These may help you avoid accidents caused by poor lighting.

• Brighten the lighting in your room.

• Use paper with bold lines to help you write in a straight line.

• Put colored tape on the edge of any stairs in your home to help you see them and prevent you from falling.

Source: National Institute on Aging

Special Advertiser Listing

Ohio Low Vision Center is an optometry practice dedicated to helping people with low vision in Northeast Ohio.

Heather Alcorn, OD is a fellow of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.

Dr. Alcorn has experience helping people with vision loss from conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma and stroke. If normal glasses do not improve your vision, you may benefit from telescopic low-vision glasses.

Call 330-486-8840 for more information.

48 Better Living After 50

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE GUIDE Choosing a Hospice Provider

I

KEY QUESTIONS

f someone is likely to die within months, not years, then it may be time to find a hospice provider. On the next page are questions for patients and families.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 49

• Does the hospice accept my insurance? What services and treatments will be covered?

• How long has the hospice been serving patients?

• How will the hospice team manage my pain or other symptoms that arise? Can I take my current medications?

• What if my symptoms become uncontrollable at home? Can I go to the hospital?

• Where are hospice services provided?

• Will the hospice provide a hospital bed and other medical equipment I might need?

• Will I have the same hospice nurse? What other members of the hospice team might I see, and how often will I see them?

• How many patients are assigned to each hospice nurse?

• Does the hospice have help after business hours?

Nights? Weekends? Holidays?

• When I call with an urgent need, how long will it take for someone from the hospice team to respond?

• How will the hospice team keep me and my family informed about my condition?

• Will my family and I be involved in making care decisions? How do I communicate any questions or concerns I have about my care?

• Can I still see my regular doctor if I am on hospice?

If yes, how will the hospice team coordinate care with my doctor?

• How will the hospice team prepare me and my family for what to expect?

• How will the hospice team support us emotionally through the grieving process?

• What support services are offered by the hospice?

Source: Medicare.gov

Special Advertiser Listings

Caring Hospice Services Caring Hospice Services provides services designed to meet the needs of our patients and families as they face terminal illness by coordinating patient and family services while respecting their choices and beliefs. At Caring Hospice Services, we are passionate about our mission to bring comfort and relief into the lives of those who need it most. Our staff brings high-quality hospice care to the lives of patients and their families, replacing suffering with comfort.

50 Better Living After 50

Echo Hospice We understand people are more than just a diagnosis or disease, therefore we offer a holistic approach to care, centered around the mind, body, and spirit. Echo Hospice empowers the whole family to be active participants in their hospice and healthcare journey. We accomplish this through individualized and unique care planning, continuous support, and education for informed decision-making. We feel privileged to be a part of each patient’s journey.

Hospice of the Western Reserve For over 40 years, Hospice of the Western Reserve has provided palliative and end-oflife care, caregiver support, and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio and our dedicated team of experienced healthcare professionals is committed to providing our community with the highest standard of care. Let us be your trusted partner on this journey. We’ll be with you every step of the way, providing peace of mind and support. Your family. Our purpose. Together.

MATURE LIVING

SHOWCASE Sponsored Content

SCAM ALERT — Medicare isn’t Sending New Cards Presented by the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol

I

s Medicare sending out new cards? No. This is a scam designed to obtain your personal information.

Open Enrollment season is here, and it brings out scammers and their tricks to gain your personal information. A common tactic during Open Enrollment is creating confusion about Medicare cards. A representative from “Medicare” calls older adults to tell them they are eligible for a new Medicare card or says that their current card is expiring; all they need to do is verify their personal information.

Medicare is not issuing new cards this year, and your current card is not

52 Better Living After 50

expiring. The caller from “Medicare” is a scammer.

The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol staff often hear stories from older adults who have answered the phone and believe that Medicare is on the other end. Know this: Medicare is not calling.

We want to make sure that everyone knows that Medicare is not calling.

Medicare will not call.* Please keep yourself safe from scams by knowing that you likely will get these types of calls, and then HANG UP. Never give out your

personal information to a caller, especially Medicare numbers or Social Security numbers. Even better, screen all calls and decline or send to voicemail calls that are not in your verified caller list.

If you have mistakenly given out your Medicare number to a caller, let us know. We can help check your Medicare account for suspected fraud and then help to get it resolved.

Call 800-293-4767. *Note that trusted government agencies will never initiate a call, but they may call back if requested.

Sponsored Content

McGREGOR HOSPICE PROVIDES PEACE AND COMFORT FIRST Presented by McGregor

M

cGregor Hospice celebrates 11 years and has been gently adapting its services and programs to fit the times, communities it serves and influencing perspectives on hospice.

Hospice services are available as part of the organization’s continuum of care and are offered to residents on its main 45-acre Cleveland campus in independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and long-term care facilities. McGregor’s commitment to “providing the highest quality of life ensures comfort, dignity and tranquility—no matter where the patient resides or calls home,” means off-campus hospice services are also part of its mission. Someone doesn’t have to be in a McGregor facility to receive McGregor Hospice, referring to its description as “a special kind of caring.”

McGregor has contracts with other facilities throughout Greater Cleveland and is also always willing to entertain a one-time contract with a facility or work with individuals and their families to offer support and advocacy in their home or the home of a family member or friend.

Everyone’s journey is different.

Our philosophy is to meet them where they are and move forward in the direction they want their journey to go. Hospice support services can include pain and symptom management, medication management, medical supplies, respite care for caregivers, 24/7 support, bereavement support for 13 months following the death of a loved one, and more. The Hospice Team at McGregor consists of physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, hospice aides, social workers, counselors, chaplain/ spiritual counselors, pharmacists, volunteers, and others who may be needed.

McGregor Bridge program is for those not yet eligible for hospice.

McGregor Bridge is an alternative for people with life-threatening diseases who aren’t quite ready for the hospice level of care. In the Bridge program, people may pursue curative treatments for their disease.

They will have team support in identifying what they need to focus on, for example, education related to disease progression and advanced directives.

In keeping with McGregor’s belief of a “boutique style hospice,” McGregor Bridge and social workers can help individuals connect with someone who can assist not just with health issues, but with financial and legal concerns, as well.

McGregor Hospice has been honored for its end-of-life services

by Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), an independent, nonprofit accrediting body for home and community-based health care organizations.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 53

om it vis mer.c e e s o a at Ple hiobo -to-d p o . ast st u ngs the e mo r listi r o n r th da fo calen

What’s

Happening 12/15 Lantern Walk

1/18 Snowshoe Glow Hike

Explore the wonders of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by low light and afterward, enjoy hot chocolate around a roaring campfire. 7 p.m. Location provided upon registration. nps.gov. FREE

Glow up the night as we strap on our snowshoes and learn about the park’s nocturnal creatures on this glow-in-the-dark hike. 6:307:30 p.m. Sippo Lake ParkNorth, 5712 12th St., Canton, starkparks.com. FREE

CLASSES

MONDAYS Two Left Feet. Introduction to ballroom dance. 7:15-8 p.m.

12/4-18. R & J, 401 Tuscarawas St., W. Canton, startdancing. org. $35 TUESDAYS Wheel Throwing Class. Staff will assist and guide you with your creation. 12/5-19. Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio, 7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor, mentor.busybeesart.com. $179

THURSDAYS The Settlement Singers.

Co-ed ensemble for those interested in expressing themselves through music.

Through 1/25. 10-11:30 a.m.

The Music Settlement, 11125 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland, themusicsettlement.org. $99 FRIDAYS Senior Stretch, Balance & Strengthen. This class will incorporate both standing and seated postures and movements using chairs

and dance barres. Through 12/8. 2-3 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty, fairmountcenter.org. $17/ class SATURDAYS Painting the Pet Portrait in Oil. Join artist Chris Benavides to paint a portrait of your pet in oils.

12/2 & 12/9. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, valleyartcenter.org. $180

11/18 Seeds of Literacy Volunteer Training. Free, personalized education to empower adults to thrive. 3104 W. 25th St., Cleveland, seedsofliteracy.org.

FREE 11/27 Watercolor Class. Learn watercolor, one step at a time. 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road, Avon, loraincountymetroparks.com. $15

Submit an event listing to Calendar@NortheastOhioBoomer.com or go to NortheastOhioBoomer.com

54 Better Living After 50

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 55

Free Home Delivery of NEO Boomer Magazine

Join Today!

S ID E R IN

Boomer CLU B

WHAT´S HAPPENING 11/28 Spinners & Weavers. Speaker and workshop on spinning, weaving and textile arts. 6:30-9 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com. FREE

strawberry. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jordan Creek Park, 7250 Alexander Road, Concord Twp., lakemetroparks.com. $5 1/13 Beginning Glassblowing. Learn how to make a colorful paperweight, a vase, or even a tumbler. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Peninsula Art Academy, 1600 Mill St. W., peninsulaartacademy. com. $130

11/30 Sip in the Studio: Cooking, Decorating. Learn professional cooking and decorating techniques while sipping on beer or wine. 6-7:30 p.m. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org. $40-50

CLUBS

SUNDAYS Community Bingo. Third Sunday of each month. 2-3:30 p.m. Coleman Adult Day Services, 6695 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, colemanservices.org.

FREE

12/9 Adult Art Night: iPhone/Android Photography. Learn techniques, tricks and methods to create wonderful images. 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Akron ArtWorks, 1684 Merriman Road, Akron, akronartworks.com. $40

MONDAYS Delicious Discussions. Discuss new releases on the fourth Monday at downtown Willoughby establishment.

7-8 p.m. Willoughby Public Library, we247.org. FREE

12/14 Senior Science. Ages 50+ will extract, isolate and observe the DNA of a

= TO

THIS!

How Do You Join?

• Go to NortheastOhio Boomer.com/Insider • Provide email address, delivery address and other info

LIMITED TIME ONLY

SAVE UP TO

$1,100

On gas, wood and electric products

• Join Now. Open to the first 500 respondents.

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What Do You Get? • FREE home delivery of the magazine for the next issue • FREE Boomer Bash Tickets

56 Better Living After 50

GAS - WOOD INSERTS

GAS - WOOD FIREPLACES

GAS - WOOD STOVES

Coloring Club. Relax and unwind during this monthly coloring club. 11/27 & 12/18. 7-8:30 p.m. Chardon Branch Library, 110 E. Park St., divi.geaugalibrary.net TUESDAYS Memory Cafe. Relaxing and comfortable gathering for those in the early stages of memory loss. 1-2 p.m. Various Akron Library branches, akronlibrary.org.

FREE Tea Time Book Club. An afternoon of tea, cookies and friendly discussion.

Last Tuesday of each month. 2-3 p.m. and 3:304:30 p.m. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org. FREE WEDNESDAYS Adult Art Club. Join a group of art enthusiasts and creators to share ideas and show off your works. Meets once a month. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, twinsburglibrary.org. FREE Castaways. Meet with fellow fiber artists to work on projects, get ideas and learn from each other.

Second Wednesday of each month. 10:30 a.m. Mentoron-the-Lake Branch Library, 5642 Andrews Road, mentorpl.org. FREE Riverinos. Book discussions and guest speakers on the third Tuesday of each month.

7-8:30 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, rrpl.org.

FREE Rebel Readers: Maltz Museum. Monthly book club by Dahlia Fisher and Felicia Haney, who lift the voices of diverse authors to explore stories about individuals with intersecting identities.

Sponsored Content

New Holocaust Exhibition Makes Cleveland Premier Presented by The Maltz Museum

T

he Maltz Museum will host a unique exhibition making its Cleveland premiere this fall. “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from Lodz Ghetto” tells the remarkable story of a Soviet doctor who found a school notebook in the liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp that had been written by a teenager named Rywka Lipszyc during her incarceration in the Lodz Ghetto from October 1943 to April 1944.

The diary is the testament of a Jewish girl who lost her siblings and parents but never lost hope despite moments of doubt. Through excerpts from the diary, expert commentary, photos, multimedia and historical artifacts, the exhibition allows visitors to briefly walk the streets of the Lodz ghetto and get to know one of its residents, Rywka Lipszyc.

For more information, ticket pricing, and group tour discounts, visit maltzmuseum. org or call 216-593-0575.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

57

WHAT´S HAPPENING 12/6: Temple Fold by Aaliyah Bilal.

7 p.m. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org

a.m.-noon. The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, wildernesscenter.org

3:30 p.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org.

FREE

SATURDAYS Woodcarvers Club. Second and fourth Saturdays each month. 9:30

Board Game Club. Play board games with other adult enthusiasts on the first Sunday of each month. 1:30-

MUSIC, THEATER & ARTS

TUESDAYS Martinis & Music. Live music and $10 martinis. 6-9 p.m. Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens, 16965 Park Circle Dr., Chagrin Falls, sapphire-creek.com and Orchid House Winery, 155 Treat Road, Aurora, orchidhousewinery.com.

FREE FRIDAYS Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios. Join the creative businesses as they open their doors for you to explore the arts complex every third Friday. 5-9 p.m. 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland, 78thstreetstudios.com. FREE 11/18 A Mediterranean Cruise: Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Enjoy the enchanting sounds of France, Italy, Spain and Greece. 8 p.m.

Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandpops.com. $37.50-113

58 Better Living After 50

11/25-26 & 12/2 Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents “The Nutcracker.” This classic has become a treasured holiday tradition for families of all ages. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com. $45

12/8 Open Studio Pottery.

Create and explore with clay while enjoying the company of your peers.

5-7 p.m. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org. $27

12/1-30 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Go on the journey of the trials and triumphs of Joseph, the favorite son of Israel. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org. $12-38

12/30 Luther Vandross Tribute by the Reid Project.

The Reid Project will cover your favorites from Luther’s extraordinary career. 7:30 p.m. Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, musicboxcle.com. $12-15

12/1-3, 12/8-10 & 12/15-17 Scrooge: The Musical.

Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night.

Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com. $25 12/1-16 Black Nativity. Joyous retelling of the traditional new testament account of the nativity story, using gospel music, dramatic dance and more. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, playhousesquare.org. $50-70 12/7-9 Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. The Labèques return to perform Martin’s tour-de-force Concerto for Two Pianos, full of jazzy inflections and high-speed fireworks.

Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com. $39-175

OUTDOORS

TUESDAYS Geauga Walkers. Join other active older adults on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for hikes. 1-2:30 p.m. geaugaparkdistrict.org.

FREE Hiking Seniority. Folks aged 55 and older meet year-round every Tuesday at nearby parks for nature appreciation, exercise and camaraderie. 10 a.m.noon. lakemetroparks. com. FREE WEDNESDAYS Wednesday Walkers. Join this ambitious group of walkers to stay active and healthy on North Olmsted Parks’ walking path.

Register 440-777-8100.

28114 Lorain Road, northolmsted.com/seniorcenter. FREE SUNDAYS Guided Bird Walks. Join a guided walk through looking and listening for birds. 11/19, 12/3 & 12/17.

6 p.m. The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 S. Park Blvd., shakerlakes. org. FREE November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 59

WHAT´S HAPPENING THROUGH 11/30 60th Annual Fall Hiking Spree. Get out and explore; complete at least eight designated hikes to earn hiking staff (first year hikers) and shield.

Summitmetroparks.org. FREE THROUGH 12/31 Wild Hikes Challenge. Walk, hike, skip, jog, run or stroll on eight designated trails before Dec. 31 to earn a hiking staff (first year) and/or a 2023 Wild Hikes medallion.

Portgageparkdistrict.org. FREE 11/24 Hike Your Turkey Off. A steady-paced, calorie-burning eight-mile hike. 9 a.m.noon. The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd, Novelty, geaugaparkdistrict.org.

FREE 11/26 Healthful Hike. Increase your physical and mental well-being on these uneven and hilly trails. 9 a.m. Everett Covered Bridge, 2370 Everett Road, Peninsula, nps.gov. FREE

11/27 Full Moon Hike. Hike to the observation mound and view the moon rising over the trees.

5-6 p.m. Wellington Reservation, 525 Jones Road, Wellington, loraincountymetroparks.com. FREE

Experience. Winter botanical displays, holiday lights and immersive, themed rooms will transport you to an enchanting world. Cleveland Botanical, Garden, 11030 East Blvd., cbgarden.org.

FREE-$20

11/29 Bird Walk. A great opportunity for birders of all skill levels to enjoy the fields and forests along the Chagrin River. 9-10:30 a.m. South Chagrin Reservation, Jackson Field, clevelandmetroparks.com. FREE

11/22-12/31 Magic of Lights. Family-friendly drive-through of holiday lights.

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., magicoflights.com, cuyfair. com. $30-40

SPECIAL EVENTS

11/18 Tree Lighting Ceremony. Crocker Park will welcome back the 50-foot Christmas tree with its annual treelighting ceremony. 7 p.m. 89 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark. com. FREE 11/18-12/31 FROST: An Ice-capped Garden

11/23 Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Buffet. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wingate by Wyndam at LaMalfa, 5783 Heisley Road, Mentor, lamalfa.com 11/24-12/29 Wild Lights. Enjoy the wildest lighting display this holiday season.

5-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org .$8-15 11/24-12/30 Holiday Lights. 5:30-9 p.m. Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Road (drive-through), and Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road (in person) in LaGrange. loraincountymetroparks.com Nature’s Aglow. The beautiful botanical garden turns it into a winter wonderland. Friday-Sunday.

5-9 p.m. Beech Creek Botanical Garden, 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org.

FREE-$9 Deck the Hall. Come see the estate illuminated with over one million lights on select evenings.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet. org. $7-24 11/30-12/22 Country Lights Drive-Thru. Enjoy the festivities from the warmth of your own vehicles. 6-8:30 p.m.

Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

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November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com

61

WHAT´S HAPPENING 12/1 Light Up Lakewood. The most joyous of Lakewood traditions is returning to Downtown Lakewood for the 16th annual celebration. 6-9 p.m. 14701 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, lakewoodalive.com. FREE 12/3 Hudson Holiday Walk. Join the Merchants of Hudson as they

welcome shoppers and diners with activities for the entire family. 12-5 p.m. firstandmainhudson.com. FREE 12/8 Holiday Senior Dance. Enjoy live music and dancing. 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Great Northern Mall, 4954 Great Northern Blvd., North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com. FREE 12/21 Think & Drink with the Extinct. This 21+ event invites science enthusiasts to spend an evening digging into the latest discoveries with scientific experts. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, cmnh.org. $5-15

TALKS

TUESDAYS Lunchtime Lecture at The Cleveland Museum of Art. First Tuesday of the month, join curators, scholars, and other museum staff for a talk on objects currently on display. Noon.

11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org. FREE Adult Technology. Come every Tuesday for an array of exclusive adult-only training and technology support events. 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Fulton Branch Library, 3545 Fulton Road, Cleveland, cpl.org. FREE 11/28 Downsizing and You. Learn how to tackle the often overwhelming job of decluttering our surroundings to make room for the next phase of life.1 p.m.

Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 Third St., cuyahogafallslibrary.org. FREE

62 Better Living After 50

12/2 History Hike. Come walk and learn from the Portage County Historical Society and Reed Memorial Library.

9 a.m. Portage Hike and Bike Trail, portagecounty-oh.gov. FREE 12/5 A Grandmother’s ABC Book.

Kathy Ewing presents her latest book about looking ahead to the excitement of grandchildren, to the promise of a joy-filled future and more. 7-8 p.m. Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Road, heightslibrary.org.

FREE 12/6 Grandparenting Today: Zoom.

This class helps transition you to the new role of a grandparent by discussing changes in infant care and what creates a safe home environment. 5:30-8:30 p.m. uhhospitals.org 12/7 Love Your Look. Embrace your beauty routine with small, manageable tips on how to add color to your changing skin tone, bring glow to the surface, and more. Noon-1 p.m. Stewards Caring Place, 3501 Ridge Park Dr., Fairlawn, stewartscaringplace.org.

FREE 12/9 Lunch & Learn: Jane Austen on Love and Love Lost. Christie Weininger will reveal Austen’s views through her characters and

plot lines. Noon-4 p.m. Weymouth Preservation Society, 3314 Myers Road, Medina, weymouthpreservationsociety. com. $28 1/8 It’s a New Year for New Job Seekers.

Learn tips for reorganizing your 2024 job search. 6-8 p.m. Independence Branch Library, 6361 Selig Drive, cuyahogalibrary.org. FREE Legal Issue Affecting Seniors. Elder law attorney Elizabeth Perla will touch on the major legal areas affecting seniors. 7-8 p.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org. FREE 1/10 Modern Farming and Conservation in CVNP. The Trapp Family Farm is part of the Countryside Initiative farms and Mark Trapp will be your speaker. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Happy Days Lodge, 500 W. Streetsboro St., Peninsula, conservancyforcvnp.org.

FREE-$10

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 63

Brain Games

Sponsored By

Memory Tips The Challenge of Busyness

By Kathryn Kilpatrick

I

f you’re overwhelmed by holiday obligations and to-do lists, you’re not alone. Busyness in the short term can be invigorating. But if it makes you stressed, sleepless and distracted, then it’s time to make a change.

You’re not resigned to a hectic lifestyle. You have a choice. A benefit of slowing your pace is that you will pay better attention to what’s going on, and that

alone can help improve basic memory skills and the quality of your life.

Create a to-do list. How long do you think it will take for each task? Try doubling the amount of time to allow for a slower pace. Build in opportunities for time-outs. Don’t tackle the day on autopilot with a list of must-dos and a strict timetable.

Say no. Delegate. Be patient with others.

“The quickest way to do many things is to do one thing at a time.”

— New England saying

64 Better Living After 50

MAKE YOUR OWN WORD (and it has to be a real one!)

This time, we’ve got a gift for you: Change the underlined letters to form a new word. If two letters are the same, substitute two new letters that are also the same.

See how many words you can make from each word. We’re not running an answer sheet for this one because there are plenty of options.

Lumber ____________________________________________________________ Winner ____________________________________________________________ Offer

____________________________________________________________

Inhabit ____________________________________________________________ Summer ____________________________________________________________ Paddle ____________________________________________________________ Barber

____________________________________________________________

Dinner

____________________________________________________________

Paper

____________________________________________________________

Hassock ____________________________________________________________ Bitter

____________________________________________________________

Prevent ____________________________________________________________ Stunk

____________________________________________________________

Peddle ____________________________________________________________ Barrage ____________________________________________________________ Snuggle ____________________________________________________________ Rider

____________________________________________________________

Collect

____________________________________________________________

Deride

____________________________________________________________

Liner

____________________________________________________________

For aging and life enhancement tips, visit Kathryn Kilpatrick’s blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

November/December 2023 | NortheastOhioBoomer.com 65

M BOCO ULTURE

POP CHRONICLES

Pause & Consider RANDOM THOUGHTS By Mike Olszewski

S

ince I retired, I’ve been busier than ever. Writing, video projects, travel. But now I keep track of days by what’s on TV. “Ghosts”? That means it’s 8:30 on Thursday evening. A weekend ritual is nursing a cup of coffee (or five) and watching “CBS Sunday Morning.” Each show ends with “A Moment of Nature,” a minute or so of some unblemished natural area.

I was watching a field of flowers on the big screen and had a sense of déjà vu. Where have I seen this before? Then it hit me: The final scenes in the film “Soylent Green,” where Edward G. Robinson gets a good meal and a look at nature before they make him part of the food chain. The movie came out in the mid-’70s and predicted overpopulation, the greenhouse effect, pollution and widespread food shortages. I started sifting through our DVDs and it occurred to me that director Stanley Kubrick had offered the same predictions years before.

EXAMPLES In “2001: A Space Odyssey,” which was released in 1968, Kubrick predicts talking computers, tablets, flat-screen TVs, video conferences and recreational space travel.

Three years later, in “A Clockwork Orange,” you see digital audio tape, green-blue-and purple hair, and violence in the streets that is becoming commonplace in some areas today.

It wasn’t lost on Kubrick, either. At the beginning of one of the overseas wars, he spoke to a friend about his “Dr. Strangelove” saying, “Well, I hope I haven’t made a documentary.”

Circling back, (and spoiler alert) soylent green was made out of people. That hasn’t come true yet, though I question some varieties of block cheese.

Sometimes things have a way of hiding in plain sight. One of the great reporters of Cleveland TV was Joe Mosbrook. Retired from television, he now tracks local jazz history.

The great thing about Joe is that he can point out obvious things we so

often miss. For example, he recently posted online, “Have you seen those TV commercials for shoes that you ‘Don’t have to bend down to put on?’

It’s curious that the folks wearing those shoes are also wearing socks,” which require a lot more effort.

My wife, Janice, and I love the Boomer Bashes. Music, food, a bar; nearly every vendor table has giveaways. A few weeks back, 9-yearold Cora paid us a visit and asked us about two little growable planters we got at the Bash. One thing led to another, and we bet a candy bar over who could grow their sunflower the fastest and tallest.

I soon started getting emails from Cora with photos telling me to get ready to make good on that bet. She told me to get ready to “Take the L” and pay up. I can play that game, too.

I hope she likes black licorice.

Mike Olszewski is a veteran award-winning radio, TV and print journalist. Contact him at janmike1978@gmail.com.

Last issue, I asked which of The Three Stooges could claim he was a former Clevelander. Too often, we think of the Stooges as Larry, Curly and Moe (and sometimes Shemp), but the lineup changed over the years. The final incarnation of the Stooges featured “Curly Joe” DeRita, a Philadelphia native who moved to Cleveland and worked as a burlesque comic and host at the Roxy Theater.

BOOM TRIVIA

Next time, which Beatles wife has a connection to the Cleveland Public Library?

66 Better Living After 50

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General Excellence

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Briefs/ Shorts

Boomer Northeast Ohio

10 National Awards

Best Overall Design

2nd Place

Profile

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Senior Issues

Front Cover Photo

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How-To Feature

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Editorial/ Opinion

We’re humbled and happy to be nationally recognized by the North American Mature Publishers Association for editorial content and design.

Our team garnered 10 awards including First Place for General Excellence and First Place for Overall Design.

The image above is the first place cover photo from our Nov/Dec 2022 holiday issue, featuring Rob Trhlin of Donna’s Christmas Trees. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our readers and advertisers. Thank you.

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