







— Henry David Thoreau



— Henry David Thoreau
Is it just me, or did summer fly by? Luckily, we’ve captured some special moments of the season in Worth Noting, so make sure to take a look.
As we turn the page to fall, don’t miss an exciting event — the Haunted Garage during Trick-or-Treat! You’ll find all the spooky details on Page 9.
We’re also shining a spotlight on one of our community’s hidden gems — Inn Walden. From favorite experiences to a few surprises you may not know about, this feature on Page 14 might just inspire your next staycation.
New this issue: We’ve added a Neighborhood Profile section! First up is Fairington. Learn more about this wonderful part of Walden on Page 12. If you’re on the board of another neighborhood association and would like to be featured, please reach out to miriam@ mywaldenlife.com.
Fall is truly magical here in Walden. With vibrant colors and crisp air, there’s no better place to enjoy the season’s beauty.
And finally, a heartfelt thank-you to our advertisers. Walden Life wouldn’t be possible without their support. Please be sure to support them in return.
P.O. Box 586 Aurora, Ohio 44202
330-822-4011
Publisher Brad Mitchell
Brad@MyWaldenLife.com
330-714-7712
Editor/Associate
Publisher Miriam Conner
Miriam@MyWaldenLife.com
440-396-0374
Associate Editor
Estelle Rodis-Brown Estelle@MyWaldenLife.com
Art Director/ Graphic Design
Laura Chadwick
Laura@MyWaldenLife.com
Photography Maria Biel mariabiel@me.com
Office Manager/
Accounting
Kathleen Mitchell
Publisher of
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By
As our tournament season at Club Walden has come to a close, I want to take a moment to recap and celebrate our winners.
Men's Club Champion: Tom Laubacher (Runner-Up - Ryan Caito)
Men's Flight A Champion: Tony Pfenning
Men's Flight B Champion: Justin Withrow
Men's Flight C Champion: Bill Hemann
Ladies' Club Champion: Kelly Pollari (Runner-Up - Angie Gubanc)
Ladies' Flight A Champion: Jackie Carpenter
Seniors Club Champions
50-59 Gross: Scott Parks
50-59 Net: Jon Weiner
60-69 Gross: Tony Pfenning
60-69 Net: Jack Matejka
70+ Gross: Sid Savitt
70+ Net: Al Wangenheim
Couples Club Champions
Gross: Travis Pollari / Kelly Pollari
Net: Mike Mehallis / Sarah Garner
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on the course next season!
COMPILED BY MIRIAM CONNER
Did you know that the Walden Tennis Pro offers instructional lessons for visiting grandchildren? It’s a fantastic way to introduce the little ones to the game — and keep them active while they’re here. My grandsons, Leo (5) and Niko (3), absolutely love their time on the court. Every visit includes a fun, engaging lesson (or two!) with Coach Kevin, and it’s always a highlight of their trip.
If you’re planning visits next summer, consider signing up your grandkids for lessons — it’s a great way to make their stay extra special. Photo supplied by Doug Urban
Once again, Walden showed up to represent in Aurora's 4th of July parade with many carts fully decorated and a lot of candy to toss.
Walden Round Robin Tennis Team Hosts 'Wimbledon' Fun!
The Walden Round Robin Tennis Team held our very own Wimbledon Tournament on July 12. Dressed in classic Wimbledon Whites, players brought refreshments and snacks to enjoy together after a lively morning of matches.
The Round Robin Team welcomes players of all levels and offers a fun mix of casual, exciting play. It’s a great way to stay active and connect with neighbors. Keep us in mind for next summer — we’d love to see new faces out on the courts! Photo supplied by Doug Urban
There was plenty of laughter and enjoyment while playing International Rummy.
Players included Diane Biesiadecki, Jean Bryne, Carole Cole, Terri Gallagher, Lana Joseph, Peggy Krinsky, Amy Kuhary, Barb Lubinski, Leah Matejka, Cindy Pirie, Anne Ramsay, Eileen Rini and Marsha Shydlowski.
These awesome kids of Walden set up a colorful stand selling lemonade, iced tea, fruit kabobs and even golf balls — all for a great cause. With big smiles and even bigger hearts, they raised $310 to support Backpacks for Kids, helping children in need gear up for the school year with essential supplies.
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, sipped a drink, grabbed a snack and supported the cause. Every dollar made a difference.
From left to right: Cam Wasil, Ava Yurchisin, Ally Wasil, Leela Yurchisin, Gia Ganzhorn
Leah Matejka of Chandlers Cove had her share of visitors over the summer.
In Walden, a growing concern has emerged regarding underage and unlicensed children operating golf carts. Despite clear safety regulations, children under the age of 16 — many without any form of driver's license — are frequently seen driving these vehicles throughout the neighborhood. This trend not only poses risks for the young drivers themselves but also raises serious safety issues for pedestrians, other drivers and property.
Stop by 468-11 Deer Path during Trick-or-Treat time to go through the Haunted Garage… if you dare!
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 6-8 p.m.
The Walden Association continues to receive written complaints regarding this growing concern about underaged children driving golf carts with underaged passengers on the public streets in Walden and throughout the private property condominium associations. It is a safety issue for the young people in our community, and it is against the law.
The Walden Association is asking all parents to help manage this growing situation and concern in our community.
The Walden Association Trustees want to remind everyone to be safe while driving golf carts on condominium association streets and public streets in Walden. As a reminder, operating a golf cart anywhere under the age of 16 is a violation of the law.
The cart driver may be liable for injuries to a passenger in the cart or another because of the driver's negligence.
Roadway conditions vary throughout Walden and the service providers (landscapers, Rumpke, general contractors), construction traffic and delivery vehicles add to the challenge of navigating our streets.
You must have a Driver's License to operate a golf cart. When operating a golf cart... Do not exceed the cart's rating for the number of passengers and weight. Do not go any faster than the conditions permit, but in no event faster than 15 mph. And do not pull anything or anyone with the golf cart.
Do not operate a cart on anyone's private property without expressed permission. By the way, condominium associations are all private property and owned by each of the 15 individual condominium associations.
Confirm with your insurance company that the owner of the cart, the driver, the occupants and any innocent third parties are insured for any damage or injury you may cause. Your insurance must cover every authorized driver of your cart.
Violating Walden Association golf cart guidelines or Aurora and Ohio laws may subject the driver and the owner of the cart to consequences from the Walden Association or the City of Aurora Police Department.
The Walden Association may take any of the following actions if the owner or driver violates any of the golf cart guidelines:
• The Walden Association may levy an enforcement assessment/ fine against the owner or driver.
• The Walden Association may institute appropriate legal action to remedy the continuance of a violation.
• The Walden Association can choose to involve the Aurora Ponce Department when needed.
By Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin
National Night Out/Truck and Tractor Night last month was great fun, with 1,000 burgers and hot dogs served to attendees. Now we are gearing up for fall festivities and preparing for the cooler weather to come. Our Splash Pad and Sunny Lake Boathouse close on September 14.
As part of our efforts to constantly improve infrastructure, we are installing a new water line in Walden, on Chandler. Construction began in August and should be completed in October. Over the last 12 years, we have targeted the oldest lines in the city for replacements. If you can believe it, we had five lines that were about a century old. One was replaced before I became mayor, and four have been replaced during my tenure. As the residents on Chandler can attest, replacing water lines is a long and cumbersome process, and we are working with the HOA to help make the process proceed smoothly.
While Walden has lovely sidewalks, much of the city has not had them because of our rural roots. However, in the last decade, more than three miles of sidewalks have been installed around the city. Most of these are aimed at connecting neighborhoods with retail and commercial areas, the center of town, and schools.
Adding to our connectivity is the new Aurora Trail, 2.84 miles of scenic walkway from State Route 82 in Aurora to Chamberlain Road in Mantua. The trail can be accessed at Pioneer Park off Trails End, and it has been enjoyed by thousands since its June 28 opening.
This fall, you can discover the beauty of Aurora’s parks and trails with the Aurora Trail Challenge, a self-guided hiking and walking tour that is fun and free. Hike all six trails between September 1 and October 31 to earn a prize. Check our website for more information at auroraoh.com.
Aurora Park at Geauga Lake is moving along, with demolition and earthwork close to completion. We are implementing a phased plan, with the hope of opening Phase 1a next summer. Phase 1a includes utilities, roadwork for initial access into the park, a parking area, renovation of the two existing entryway buildings into a
gatehouse pavilion and plaza area, greenspace gathering areas, renovation of an existing pier and pavilion into a kayak rental facility, and a lakeside gathering area. We are also looking forward to a new restaurant in the area. Tulum Mexican Restaurant is expected to break ground in early 2026 at the corner of State Route 43 and Treat Road, adjacent to Aurora Park.
The fun outdoor Fall Festival and Business Showcase will be held Saturday, October 4, noon to 4 p.m. at Sunny Lake Park. Our second Shred Day will be held on Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. to noon at the Aurora Service Department located at 158 W. Pioneer Trail. And don’t forget Trick or Treat, Friday, October 31, 6-8 p.m. Leave your porch light on to show you're participating.
Enjoy Aurora’s fall colors!
By Aurora City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Milcetich
Over the summer, conversations about property taxes were front and center across Ohio. With that in mind, I want to take a moment to thank our community for its continued support of the Aurora City Schools and to offer a brief explanation of how public education is funded. Ohio law provides little to no alternate source of revenue for public schools outside of property taxes. Unlike other public institutions, we do not receive sales tax or income tax allocations from local sources. Compounding the challenge is House Bill 920 (originally passed in 1976), which limits school districts to collecting the same dollar amount that was approved when a levy originally passed, regardless of inflation or rising costs. That is why districts like ours return to voters roughly every five years: not for more, but simply to maintain current services. In Aurora, we strive to create exceptional opportunities for our students while doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.
Today, Aurora receives only about 18% of its funding from the state. This percentage has steadily declined as Ohio has redirected more than a billion dollars toward its universal school voucher program (public dollars that now subsidize private school tuition). This program is currently under legal challenge, with its constitutionality being reviewed through the courts.
Despite these fiscal realities, our commitment remains unchanged. We continue to invest wisely and responsibly in programs, staff and resources that place students at the center of every decision. And we do so with gratitude for a community that values strong public schools and the opportunities they create for all children, so that they leave us future-ready!
Thank you for standing with us. Your support ensures that Aurora students receive the education they deserve, in a district that continues to thrive because of you…our Aurora community.
Go, Greenmen!
Featuring Rose Saganich, Vice President of Long-Term Planning, Fairington HOA
NUMBER OF UNITS: 43
SQUARE FOOTAGE: Ranges from 1,900 to 3,500 sq. ft.
YEAR BUILT: 1977
WHAT MAKES FAIRINGTON A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE?
Fairington truly has a strong community spirit. The neighbors are not only friendly but also genuinely supportive — always ready to lend a hand. It’s the kind of place where people look out for one another, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all who live here.
WHAT ARE SOME UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE ASSOCIATION?
Our location is one of our biggest perks. Many of our homes offer
beautiful golf course views, and we’re just a short walk from the Club — perfect for socializing, dining or simply enjoying the amenities Walden has to offer.
ARE THERE ANY ORIGINAL OWNERS STILL LIVING HERE?
Not that I’m aware of — though Fairington’s charm clearly continues to attract new homeowners!
ANY FUN OR INTERESTING FACTS?
We’re proud of some recent community initiatives. We launched a Welcoming Committee to ensure new neighbors feel right at home from the start. We also beautify our common areas; enlisted residents with green thumbs help select seasonal flowers and plants.
Who needs to escape to some faraway land when you can enjoy the ultimate staycation here in Walden? When you're a guest at the Inn, you can enjoy access to amenities throughout Walden. Let us count the ways…
HORSES
Take a walk down to the stables and say ‘hi’ to the horses. Better yet, sit out on the patio with your morning coffee and enjoy watching the horses in the pasture.
WALDEN ROBES
Bring your favorite person and walk down from your Inn suite in your plush robe to the Spa. Enjoy a couple’s treatment in one of our couple’s suites featuring a fireplace, jacuzzi tub and Swiss steam shower. Our new wraps are both revitalizing and purifying, a must-try! After your service, stay in your robe and stroll down to our relaxation area to enjoy lunch in our peaceful room highlighted in natural light from its large windows while a fireplace with running water soothes your senses.
After a short nap back in your room, enjoy a romantic dinner at Barn Walden under the direction of Chef Austin Radosta. Chef Austin is known for his farm-to-fork menu that includes vegetables and herbs from his own garden at the Barn. Make sure to save room for Chef Thomas’ house-made desserts; you won’t be disappointed.
Reserve the theater after dinner for your favorite movie or indulge in a classic romance film like Casablanca or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Don’t have time to enjoy the theater on this visit? Then rent our theater for your private events. Watch the Ohio State/Michigan game on the big screen! Or reserve the theater for a private viewing to celebrate your child’s birthday party while watching their favorite movie.
Snuggle into bed and enjoy our chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne.
Wake up to morning Yoga, complimentary for overnight guests. After a revitalizing Yoga session, head back to your room for breakfast or enjoy breakfast in our bright, modern Meadow Room while savoring the freshest ingredients.
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL
TIME AT WALDEN: 2.5 Years
FAMILY: Mother Diana Adcock, father Tony Adcock, sister Brianna Adcock
FOOD: Grilled Chicken and Rice
MOVIE: “Tin Cup”
MUSIC: Country Music
HOBBIES: Shopping, buying and flipping sports memorabilia, enjoying time with family and friends, watching and playing sports.
SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: My family used to own and operate a nine-hole golf course in Hartville. My father (Tony Adcock) is a golf teaching professional. That’s why I am doing what I am doing today.
FAVORITE WALDEN EVENT: Member/ Guest because I get to meet and connect with so many people as well as help run our biggest event of the year.
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT WALDEN: Working with the great staff as well as getting to meet so many new people.
WALDEN KITCHENS
INGREDIENTS:
n 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
n 1 cup canned pumpkin
n 1/3 cup tahini
n 1/4 cup olive oil or pumpkin seed oil
n 3 tablespoons orange juice
n 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
n 1 teaspoon ground cumin
n 1 teaspoon minced garlic
n 1/4 teaspoon salt
n 2 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil or olive oil, optional
n 1/4 cup salted pumpkin seeds
n 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
DIRECTIONS:
In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, canned pumpkin, tahini, olive oil or pumpkin seed oil, orange juice, sesame oil, cumin, garlic and salt.
Cover and process until smooth.
Once smooth and creamy, transfer the hummus to a serving dish or bowl. Garnish with pumpkin seed oil (if desired), and top with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate seeds.
Serve with crispy pita chips and sliced apples and pears.
By Estelle Rodis-Brown
Halloween and the creepy-crawlies go hand-in-hand. When it comes to the natural world, a long list of spooky creatures come to mind: bats, owls, spiders, centipedes, skunks, possums, rats…
It’s easy to picture these creatures — along with a witch and a black cat at a haunted house — against the backdrop of a black sky with a full moon. But how did they get such a bad rap? Let’s separate fiction from fact as we take a deeper look.
Collectively, most of these creatures are nocturnal, which means they are primarily active at night. This triggers a primal fear response in us humans, who are naturally diurnal (daytime) creatures. Additionally, any wild (or domestic) creature can become a vector of disease, so ancient superstitions about these creatures being omens of doom, death and destruction still linger.
Let’s focus on the top three wild critters in our neck of the woods that bring a shudder down many a spine… Bats, owls and spiders.
Myth: As timeless omens of bad luck and death in many cultures, bats have a reputation as creepy, blind, dangerous, blood-sucking pests that attack your head and get caught in your hair.
Beliefs range from bats in the house predicting death to specific flight patterns (like circling three times) being a bad omen. Old European folklore links bats to witchcraft, darkness and the underworld. Some tales say that bats are lost souls wandering about after sundown. Other folklore says that if a ghost inhabits a house, it will allow bats to fly inside.
European paintings from the Middle Ages depict the devil with bat wings. Later, bats got even more bad publicity when they became associated with Count Dracula and vampires.
Truth: Bats’ small, dark bodies, leathery wings and sometimes sharp teeth can be visually unsettling for people. Their quiet, often erratic flight patterns can add to your feelings of unease.
Bats were once known as ‘fluttermice’ or ‘flittermice’ since they resemble little mice with wings. In fact, they are the only mammals that can truly fly… and 11 bat species call Ohio home.
The word ‘bat’ is derived from the Old English word ‘bakke’, meaning ‘to flutter.’ As darkness falls, you may
see bats flitting through the air as they feast on thousands of mosquitoes each night (or maybe you can hear them squeaking between the walls or up in your attic).
Most North American bats can see but use echolocation (sound waves and echoes) to navigate and detect other organisms. Some species migrate, while others hibernate in caves, barns or trees.
Three bat species (found in Central and South America) are categorized as vampire bats. But they don't actually suck blood; they make a small bite in their prey (usually birds and livestock) and lap at the blood that flows from the wound. Not to worry; they don’t live around here!
Myth: Owls have long been regarded as terrifying omens of doom. The ancient Greeks and Romans were convinced that witches could transform themselves into owls. This belief lingered well into Medieval times, when owls were considered the messengers of witches and sorcerers who would all dance together on the graves of the dead.
Hearing the eerie sound of an owl hooting or having one land on your roof was considered a signal of imminent death or misfortune to the household. Superstitious minds thought the tuffs of feathers atop an owl's head made them look like horned devils and their piercing cries proved they were evil spirits.
Truth: Captains of camouflage and stealth, owls have exceptional hearing and vision, powerful talons, silent flight, and the ability to rotate their heads far further than most other animals (up to 270 degrees). Since their eyes are fixed in their sockets, they must rotate their heads to see. Thanks to their night vision and binocular vision capabilities, they swoop silently through the dim sky, then attack their prey with sharp talons and powerful beaks. These nocturnal raptors are stealthy hunters that help control the population of mice, voles, moles, rats, skunks, snakes, insects and slugs.
Myth: With their eight legs and web-spinning ability, spiders have long been associated with magic and witchcraft. Some legends say that spiders live in the folds of a witch's cloak and whisper advice in her ears. Other folk tales say, if a black spider spins a web above your bed, it's a signal of misfortune.
Pop culture has used our collective fears to use spiders as tropes in countless horror films since the 1950s. Not only have they been used to connote darkness and evil by
inhabiting haunted houses, vampire lairs and dungeons, but they have also appeared as giants and mutants, exploring society’s fear of atomic radiation and nuclear testing.
Truth: Some spiders are big, dark and hairy. You may get creeped out by their webs that accumulate in dark corners, especially in less-used spaces like basements and attics.
Spiders are expert ambush predators, relying on sticky webs or hiding spots that snag prey who get stuck as they attempt to walk past. Other spiders use more aggressive tactics to catch their prey, including jumping spiders that pounce on their targets; the Ohio wolf spider, which actively hunts its victims; and biting spiders—including the black widow and brown recluse—which are venomous (thankfully, they are uncommon here).
Most spiders are excellent pest controllers since they eat many other insects. Orb-weaver spiders spin large, beautiful webs in early fall; you might spot their dewy silk at sunrise.
As you can see, bats, owls and spiders are dark creatures of the night that have mystified people for ages. While these creatures have amazing hunting skills due to their defining attributes, people can’t resist a good conspiracy with connections to the shadowy underworld.
Happy Halloween!
Brought to you by Club
Walden
With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is still time to incorporate Walden into your holiday planning. We have created opportunities for our members to enjoy holiday parties at each of our three properties. We offer dining options for you to enjoy at home, or at the Inn for brunch or the Club or Barn for dinner. Let our team take care of all the cooking and cleanup, so you can enjoy time relaxing with family.
If you are still planning a cocktail party for friends or the office staff, or perhaps a larger dinner for all your employees, reach out to Makenna or Cecily; they can assist you with your last-minute holiday planning needs. There are still scattered dates available at the Club, Barn and Inn to meet your entertainment needs. Their emails are makenna@yourwalden.com for Inn Walden Planning and Cecily@yourwalden.com for your Clubhouse needs. Reach Eric for Barn reservations at barn@yourwalden.com Non-members are also welcome to host holiday events at Walden for a customary rental fee.
For Thanksgiving celebrations, we continue to offer our popular Thanksgiving to Go. Both members and non-members can order their entire Thanksgiving meal from the clubhouse. These meals are all pre-cooked; they just need to be reheated and served in the comfort of your home. Meals will be ready to for pick-up the day before Thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving to Go is open to the public, all are welcome to inquire about ordering by
emailing cecily@yourwalden.com
For Club Walden members, we will offer our traditional Thanksgiving Buffet this year as well. This buffet is always a favorite with a bounty of scrumptious salads, turkey, ham and roast beef carvings, stuffing, root vegetables, whipped potatoes, a dessert bar and much, much more!
Christmas is a magical time of year, and Walden is honored that so many families entrust their treasured memories to Walden. This year, we are changing things up by kicking off the season with a Jingle Ball on Friday, December 5. This will replace our traditional Member Holiday Cocktail Party, so members can begin the holiday season with festivities among friends before schedules get too hectic with other holiday events.
Breakfast with Santa will return on December 13 and 14. Members will enjoy breakfast with their families and then the children and grandchildren can sit with Santa in his sleigh, have a photo taken with him, and share their cherished Christmas list with the man himself!
In mid-December, we will offer a magical afternoon for the whole family to build a gingerbread house together, sip on hot chocolate and enjoy house-made cookies… a perfect afternoon to slow down from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
On Christmas Eve, we have a beautiful Candlelit Buffet planned at the Clubhouse. Our Clubhouse chefs create a beautiful display to tempt every palate and the Barn staff welcomes members and their guests to an ala carte dinner menu. The Barn sells out every Christmas Eve, so if you have not made a reservation yet, pick up the phone now and call now. Members can reserve by calling 330562-7136 or via online dining reservations on the website, yourwalden.com/dining/.
Finally, ring in the New Year at the Barn’s New Year’s Eve Gala. We highly encourage dressing up for this Black Tie event. The evening begins with dinner at 8 p.m., dancing to a live band, then a champagne toast at midnight.
Looking for a quiet New Year’s Eve at Home? Join us for an early dinner at the Clubhouse or the Barn. Dinner wraps up at both locations by 8 p.m., allowing you plenty of time to make it home to settle in front of the fireplace, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and watch the ball drop from Times Square. Happy Holidays from our Walden Team!
It’s no gamble that you’ll have a blast at this Vegas Nights-themed event!
Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 4 – 6 pm Signature of Solon
Join us for a Bash event Celebrating Better Living after 55 FREE tickets on EventBrite
How beautiful, when a whole tree is like one great scarlet fruit full of ripe juices, every leaf, from lowest limb to topmost spire, all aglow, especially if you look toward the sun! What more remarkable object can there be in the landscape?
Visible for miles, too fair to be believed. If such a phenomenon occurred but once, it would be handed down by tradition to posterity, and get into the mythology at last.
If
summer, you're in great company.
But more homes on the market also means more competition, so it's absolutely essential that your home is looking its best ... and that's where I come in.
I can help you prepare your home for sale so it gets noticed. I will help you create the best marketing images and will deliver a selling campaign designed to help you achieve the highest possible price.
More
I can help you prepare
so
Photo by Maria Biel
summer, you're in great company.
But more homes on the market also means more competition, so it's absolutely essential that your home is looking its best ... and that's where I come in.
I can help you prepare your home for sale so it gets noticed. I will help you create the best marketing images and will deliver a selling campaign designed to help you achieve the highest possible price.