Walden Life - November 2023

NOV | DEC 2023

Finding Joy

in the Everyday

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2023

NATURE NOTES

GRATITUDE

DEPARTMENTS

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Neighbor to Neighbor

NATURE NOTES

Meet Nancy Schultz Deobald

Winter is coming. Will it be cold and snowy or somewhat mild?

Whatever weather comes, get out and explore!

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Movers & Shakers

Bron Roeder & Ayse Vellky

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Walden Staff Profile Holly Jaggers

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Club Walden

Celebrate the holidays with us

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Walden Kitchens

Chef Ian shares his rum-based eggnog recipe

Breathe in the crisp, brisk air on your winter's walk.

On the Cover: Pumpkin the barncat lives at Inn Walden—in the barn, naturally—and wanted to be included in this edition.

PHOTO ABOVE AND

SNAPSHOTS

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Worth Noting

COVER PHOTO BY MARIA BIEL

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Waldenites give thanks this season

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Flashbacks

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Reflections Classic Holiday eggnog, p. 32

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F R O M T H E E D I T O R / A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R MIRIAM CONNER

Practicing Gratitude It seems like we just completed our last holiday issue and here we are again!

This fall in Walden did not disappoint, with all of the beautiful trees and leaves, and sunrises and sunsets. Thank you to our readers who are also budding photographers for capturing and sending me your amazing shots. I can't wait to see what you take this winter.

I was reading about gratitude and came across this quote: “One can experience gratitude for someone or something at a certain moment in time, and someone can experience gratitude more longterm as a positive character trait.” My hope for myself and my family is that gratitude is/becomes a character trait—so that we are always thankful for what we have, and are able to find things and people for which to be grateful all around us.

I loved gathering quotes from Walden residents and members, who shared things for which they are grateful. I am sure you will enjoy reading those too, along with learning about some of your neighbors in Neighbor to Neighbor on page 12 and Movers & Shakers on page 14. Walden has the most amazing people!

From my family to yours and from the Walden Life family, we wish you joy this special season and time with those you love.

Gratitude turns what little you have into abundance.

Gratitude is so much more than saying thank you.

Gratitude changes your perspective of your world.

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C E L E B R AT I O N

Walden Life is a property of Mitchell Media, LLC P.O. Box 586 Aurora, Ohio 44202 330-822-4011 Publisher Brad Mitchell Brad@MyWaldenLife.com 330-714-7712

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O F

T H E

W A L D E N

Editor/Associate Publisher Miriam Conner Miriam@MyWaldenLife.com 440-396-0374 Associate Editor Estelle Rodis-Brown Estelle@MyWaldenLife.com Sales/Account Executive Leslie Fletcher Leslie@MyWaldenLife.com 440-785-3110

LOVING THE WALDEN LIFE,

C O M M U N I T Y l Volume 3 Issue 6 l Nov/Dec 2023 Art Director Graphic Design Laura Chadwick Laura@MyWaldenLife.com Photography Maria Biel mariabiel@me.com

Publisher of

Member of

Office Manager/Accounting Kathleen Mitchell Kathleen@MyWaldenLife.com 440-533-1208 Facebook: @waldenlifemagazine Instagram: @waldenlifemagazine

PHOTO BY MARIA BIEL

Worth Noting

BY MIRIAM CONNER

MANNY'S WAY On September 30, Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin dedicated South Bissel between Pioneer and Aurora Hudson. Bonnie Barenholtz said, “Manny finally got his way.”

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WALDEN FARMS UPDATE

arlier this year, control of the Master Association in Walden Farms was turned over to the residents from the developer. The Walden Farms Association was registered with the State of Ohio in early 2023.

The Master Association has several streets and individual associations under its umbrella. Dues are payable to Walden Farms Association annually in January. These funds are used to pay property taxes, maintenance of common areas, main entrance landscaping, insurance, street sign maintenance, electricity and related expenses.

The Master Association enforces rules and regulations dictated by the declaration of covenants and restrictions, including architectural standards. Any changes to the exterior of homes must be submitted to the master association and architectural board of review for approval.

A digital copy of the declaration of covenants and restrictions may be requested via email from the board at any time. The board of directors can be contacted at: waldenfarmsassociation@gmail.com.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board members were elected in early 2023 for three-year terms. Board members are: • Kevin Krane – President • Jeff Shafer - Secretary • Barb Lubinski – Treasurer • Diane South – Architectural Board • Ken Douglas - Architectural Board • Chuck Rinehimer - Architectural Board • Deborah Keyser - Architectural Board

Ward Five Council Representative

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Browns Tailgate

Several Walden residents had fun tailgating at the Browns game on September 10, when the Browns crushed the Bengals!

Ravines Splendor

Tom and Ellie Wurm (Ravines) captured this beautiful Walden October sky.

Rainbows End

Erin Keckan caught this beautiful rainbow over Rainbows End in Walden Farms on October 7.

WALDEN ASSOCIATION NEWS 2023 was a very busy year for the Walden Association, which represents Walden’s 620 residents.

Our planned projects were combined with the August 2024-25 storm emergency clean-up. The storm was extremely damaging to a number of areas in Walden; the Memorial Garden and an area along Deer Island Drive (owned by the Walden Association) sustained a great amount of tree damage.

Additionally, the repair and sealing of the south half of the walking path, a Walden Drive berm refresh on the north end of the Association, and a minor landscaping

update of the north entrance represented our major projects for 2023. The two entrances will be decorated with holiday lights for the season prior to Thanksgiving.

The Association’s major 2024 project is to clean up and refresh the landscaping with additions to the Memorial Garden located between Cross Creek Oval and Cross Creek Lane.

The trustees are wishing all Walden residents a happy, enjoyable and safe holiday season.

— The Walden Association N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 23

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CALENDAR

Worth Noting

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For more information about these events, please visit yourwalden.com.

THANKSGIVING WITH CLUB WALDEN Whether you are looking to celebrate at home or at the Club, Walden has everything covered for Thanksgiving.

Email cecily@yourwalden. com to place your order or to make a reservation. Please note there will be a 72-hour cancellation policy in effect for both events.

All orders must be placed by Monday, November 13. Carryout orders will be available to pick up on Wednesday, November 22, 1-3 p.m. A full meal for 6-8 people will be $200; a full meal for 16-18 people will be $450.

The Thanksgiving Buffet at the Club will be Thursday, November 23.

Seating will be available from 12 noon-2:30 p.m. Reservations are required; no additional dining will be available on Thanksgiving day. Adults $50++; children ages 5-12 $25++.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Two days to choose from: Saturday, December 2 & Sunday, December 3, 9 a.m.-12 noon

Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. and Santa will arrive around 11 a.m. Contact Patrick Cunningham at patrick@yourwalden.com or 330-995-3131.

MEMBERS HOLIDAY PARTY

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE BUFFET

Saturday, December 16, 2023, 6-9 p.m.

Sunday, December 24, 2023, 6-9 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA AT THE BARN Sunday, December 31, 2023, 7 p.m.Monday, January 1, 2024, 1 a.m.

CITY OF AURORA HOLIDAY EVENTS

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NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

Nancy Schultz Deobald

A Woman of Consequence, by Design

By Kaye Lowe

Nancy and her second husband, John Deobald.

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ancy and her first husband, Dick Schultz (now deceased), moved to Aurora when it was a sleepy little town.

She and Dick met at Bowling Green University during her freshman year. He was a senior on the varsity tennis team.

She was majoring in art and interior design. Their mutual love for tennis attracted them to each other. After a two-year courtship, they were married and moved to Lyndhurst.

They moved to Aurora after they outgrew their first home.

By then, they had three children: Terry, Robin, and Scotty (deceased in 1988). Their fourth child, Tim, was born in Aurora. The big draws were the Aurora Country Club to play golf and tennis, and the rural atmosphere of the area.

Dick worked for Ciba-Geigy, selling pharmaceuticals.

They built a large home on Pioneer Trail. Nancy enjoyed decorating it, being involved in the children’s school activities, (she even cooked meals for the boys’ football team before most games), being active in the Aurora Garden Club, her book club, their bridge group, playing tennis and golf, and most of all, being a mother.

Dick came home one day to tell her he wanted to leave the beautiful home they’d built to move onto 15 acres off of Pioneer Trail into an “ugly” ranch. The “draw” was, it had a tennis court! Nancy said, “I went kicking and screaming!”

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Over time, they remodeled and added on to the home.

(Today Nancy’s daughter, Terry, and her husband live there.)

In 1967, Dick and three other investors built the Western Reserve Racquet Club on Aurora Hudson Road. Nancy was instrumental in its design. Dick continued with his regular job. Nancy was at the club every day. She created the pro shop, doing the buying, working in the office, keeping the books, registering guests, and even subbing the cleaning… all while driving their four children back and forth to school and activities. Eventually, the club grew from 10 initial members to the 1,000+ members it has today.

Dick eventually left his job, bought out the investors, and devoted his time, with Nancy’s help, to grow the Western Reserve Racquet and Fitness Club. Now, Nancy’s daughter, Terry, and her son, Matthew, own the club.

Nancy and Dick purchased a condominium on Marco Island, Florida. As time went on, they enjoyed many warm, sunny days there, playing tennis and relaxing. At age 65, Dick semi-retired (Nancy, too) and they moved to Walden.

This gave them the country look and tranquility they had at their home on the 15 acres they had lived on for 10 years.

They moved into a lovely free-standing condo on Inward Drive. The day after they completed it, the home was on the Walden House Tour. Nancy had decorated it, had all the furniture, window treatments, cupboards and closets organized, and artwork on the walls. This amazing lady supervised the building of the condominium and was chairman of the tour without even sleeping in her new home one night!

Unfortunately, within five years of living on Inwood, Dick passed away in 2000. He and Nancy had been married for 46 years.

Nancy downsized to a smaller unit in the Ravines. With her usual energy and design style, she remodeled it. This home was on a Walden Tour for the Gathering Place. Nancy also chaired this tour, as well as the 2019 Blossom Friends of the Cleveland Orchestra tour. Both raised considerable funds for worthy causes.

After Dick’s passing, Nancy was asked to play in a couples bridge group in which she and Dick had substituted. John Deobald and his late wife were members of the group. Nancy and John became bridge partners.

Through playing bridge together, their love of tennis, John’s gentleness and kindness, and their many mutual interests, the couple eventually maried in 2002. John had two adult children, Amy and Brian.

Now that both Nancy and John had retired, they enjoyed

The Deobalds enjoying their blended family at Crystal Lake while celebrating Nancy's 80th birthday.

playing tennis, attending major tennis tournaments, traveling through Europe, spending winters on Marco Island, and summers in Upper Michigan, where they built a large cottage at Crystal Lake.

Once again, Nancy’s design and decorating talent came into play. Together, she and John built a lake house where their blended family is fond of spending time to boat, water ski, picnic, and enjoy the Northwoods.

Nancy enjoys volunteering for the Gathering Place and the Blossom Friends of the Cleveland Orchestra. She is a member of the Walden Gourmet Group, bridge and Mahjong

groups, and book club. She also enjoys watching tennis and pickleball tournaments, working out, entertaining, and especially spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loves taking care of her dog, Lucy and cat, Muchie.

Unfortunately, John developed Alzheimer’s and passed away in September 2023. The couple had enjoyed 21 happy years of marriage.

Nancy perseveres with vibrancy, gentleness, kindness, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm and love for life. If you see her walking her dog in Walden, be sure to say hello.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

One Power Couple’s Great Adventure

By Estelle R. Brown

”We had no idea how wonderful this community was until we moved in. We’ve already made some really wonderful friends in this development who have made us feel welcome and like family from the start.”

- Ayse Vellky

Bron and Ayse love to travel together.

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ron Roeder and Ayse Vellky are adventurous world travelers who discovered each other on the borderless landscape of the internet and have called Walden home since April 2022.

When they’re not traveling or working, you can often find them walking their Golden Retriever, Tucker, working out at the gym, or dining at the Club with Bron’s 7-yearold son, Kellan.

Ayse (pronounced Eye-sha) is a common name in Turkey, which was her mother’s home country. Ayse explains, “After having two boys with American names, my parents decided to give me the unique name. I did not like having a name that was so different growing up and even did a speech about it in high school; how traumatic it was as a little girl to not find hair barrettes with my name on them! But as I’ve gotten older, I have come to appreciate having a unique name.”

She grew up in North Ridgeville, where she dreamed of going into the FBI or becoming a lawyer. Instead, she attended Bowling Green State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Purchasing & Operations

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Management (Supply Chain Management).

“Life happened and I went down a different career path,” she says. “It is one that I have enjoyed in business: Sourcing. I’ve always been described as very driven, which may have started with me paying for my own college. It took me 15 years to pay off my student loans!”

After living a year in St. Louis, Ayse spent 20 years in Columbus, where she raised her two boys. She says, “I did not have plans to move back to Northeast Ohio. I was going to move to the Carolinas. But then I met Bron and that ruined my plan—in a good way!”

Ayse currently works for Fortune Brand Innovations (owners of Moen), where she helps create and launch processes that involve her company’s sourcing team. “The best part is that I get to work from home,” she says.

Bron grew up with his three brothers (who have “normal, boring names”) in Santa Cruz County, California. His early interests were reading, running, downhill skiing, camping and hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and traditional Japanese and Okinawan Karate.

“I was very physically active as a kid and young adult as well as very structured, so it made sense that I gravitated toward jobs and careers that involved structure: Lifeguard, swim instructor, Karate instructor, EMT, ski patrol, resident advisor in college dorms, and eventually, U.S. Marine Officer.”

After graduating from Aptos High in Santa Cruz County, Bron took some time off before going to college. He graduated from California State University-Chico with a bachelor’s degree in history. He joined the Marine Corps at age 28 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1996.

“I eventually chose to transfer to the Reserve, though I volunteered for many active-duty periods of time. I

Bron and Ayse are the proud owners of Tucker, a lovable dog many Walden walkers have come to know.

Enjoying family time with Bron's 7-year-old, Kelan.

turned down an offer to be a Marine pilot, to instead be an infantry officer. Later, I switched to logistics in my late 30s (easier on the body than the infantry). While I was in the Marine Corps Reserve, I started work on a master’s at Kent State in International Relations - Conflict Management.”

While Bron was in the Marine Corps Reserve and between deployments overseas, he also started buying rental properties in Kent. Now that he has retired from the Marine Corps, he manages those properties and works on expanding his company by purchasing new ones.

“I love building my business and take a lot of pride in my properties. When we’re not working, Ayse and I love traveling and staying healthy.”

Ayse is just as enthusiastic about being on the go as Bron. “We travel to California a lot because Bron’s entire family is there. I just counted that I already have seven flights scheduled between now and June, with at least four more planned for 2024. Bron and I went to Spain in March (which we loved) and we plan to go to Turkey in 2025.”

The couple is also very social, entertaining, collecting wine, and going out to dinner with friends. Ayse is still plugged into a group of 11 women who started a Moms Club in Columbus 20 years ago.

“We were a cooking club that eventually broke off from the Moms Club and met once a month. We have kept this group together, even after we became empty nesters and people moved away.” They take two trips a year: one in winter to Sarasota and one in autumn to South Carolina.

While Bron and Ayse originally had their feet set on very different paths, their divergent trajectories were destined to cross. Ayse jokes, “Bron and I met the old-fashioned way… online!”

After they met over the internet, their romance sped onto one shared fast track. “It was probably love at first sight when we went on our first date,” Bron recalls. “She walked

through the door and she hadn’t even come within 20 feet of me, and I knew.”

Ayse fell just as hard for Bron. “My friends thought I was crazy when I decided to drive across the country with him two weeks after we met in person, but what a way to see if you really like someone, right? The reality is, at our ages and experiences, we know certain things. I fell for him right away, too!”

Now Bron and Ayse have a blended family with five children between the two of them. Four of the kids are in college the youngest is in elementary school. Rounding out the household are Tucker the dog and Halo the cat.

Finding home at Walden was unexpected. Initially, Bron and Ayse went into contract with a house in Hudson, sight unseen.

“When we went in to do the inspection and saw the house in person, we backed out,” Ayse explains. “I was in the driveway at that house and saw that a house in Aurora was just listed. We drove right over and made an offer that day (right after I found out there was a club). Neither of us was very familiar with Aurora or Walden. We had no idea how wonderful this community was until we moved in. We’ve already made some really wonderful friends in this development who have made us feel welcome and like family from the start.”

It helped that Walden reminded Bron of the neighborhoods where he was raised in California. “All the homes are wood (no vinyl where I grew up), lots of trees, very serene.”

Through their varied experiences, Bron and Ayse have learned to set high goals, pursue their passions, and adapt to unexpected twists and turns. Through it all, “My priorities continue to be the best dad I can be, the best husband I can be to Ayse, and for both of us to continue to laugh, enjoy life together with our family and friends, and to see as much of the world as we can in the next 55-something years we have left.”

“Ditto what Bron said,” Ayse concurs with a smile.

Their adventure has just begun.

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WALDEN LIFE EVENT

THE WALDEN LIFE FALL SOCIAL WAS SUCH FUN! Participants enjoyed live dance lessons, live music, delicious food, and amazing raffle prizes while meeting and mingling with Walden Life readers and vendors. We hope to see you at the next Walden Life event.

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PHOTOS BY ESTELLE RODIS-BROWN

THANK FUL NESS 18

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Cara Johnson – East Acadia Point Seeing the light and laughter in my husband’s eyes when he is with our young grandkids makes me so thankful for this crazy life we made together.

Ryan Caito – Glen Eden Court I am most thankful for family, friends, faith and freedom. And none of them should be taken for granted.

Beth Wolf – member I am thankful for my family and friends who fill my life with love, support and laughter.

I am also beyond thankful for my children who are the greatest blessings in my life.

Randy & Cyndra Cole – members We have so much to be grateful for: Our family, community and eternal hope lead the list this year.

Tom & Peggy Carr – Ravines This year brought us many heartfelt days with our daughter, Jaime, and family returning home from three years in Singapore and living just 1.6 miles from us! Annie (8) and Maggie (7) have entertained us with so many fun activities … and for this, we are so thankful!

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THANK FUL NESS Kevin and Any Krane – Walden Farms We are thankful for our health, family, neighbors, our home and especially our daughter, and for being able to raise her in this wonderful community.

Melissa Melvin – East Acadia Point I am so blessed and thankful for God, family, friends and our neighbors that have been welcoming, caring and mostly a lot of fun!

Kathy Plasco – Claridges I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends, my dog, all the usual things. But I am also grateful for being able to live in such a beautiful, wonderful and caring community.

Cassie Fitzgerald – member I am grateful for so much – the highs and lows; the blessings and lessons; the setbacks and comebacks.

Most of all, I’m thankful for my children, family and friends that have supported, accepted and shaped who I am today!

Barb Hanna – Walden Farms Joy! It’s the new medicine!

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“In winter we lead a more inward life. Our hearts are warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts…”

— Henry David Thoreau

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NATURE NOTES

WINTER

Will the Weather be as Wacky as the Predictions?

By Estelle R. Brown

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cores of people escape the unpredictable nature of Northeast Ohio winters by flying south until the North Coast is clear. But those of us who stay put for the winter are preoccupied with the question, What kind of winter weather should we expect this time?

Unfortunately, your guess is likely as good as mine or any of the expert meteorologists who venture to forecast what’s coming. What does your crystal ball predict?

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Every autumn, we hear how this coming winter will be one for the record books… cold and snowy, like the blizzardy winters we remember from childhood. But then, somehow, those predictions fail to deliver. Most recent winters have been relatively mild. Last year, we barely touched a shovel.

This fall, predictions are all over the place, whether you look to local meteorologists, national weather services or old standbys like the

Farmers’ Almanac. Everyone agrees that the prevailing weather pattern has switched from La Niña to El Niño, but the forecasted effects of that switch waver wildly from an unusually mild, rainy winter forecast to a frigid, snowy outlook.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) currently states a 90% likelihood of El Niño conditions developing and persisting into the 2023-2024 winter season. The El Niño weather pattern relates to the

Get Outside to Unplug, Unwind & Refresh

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weakening of the trade winds over the Pacific Ocean, which leads to warm ocean waters in the ocean’s eastern tropical region. In a typical El Niño winter, the polar jet stream sets up slightly further north, resulting in a warmerthan-normal winter in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and the upper Great Lakes states.

However, it all depends on how strong the El Niño effect will be. Weaker El Niño events typically result in cooler-thannormal conditions with more snow in our

By Estelle R. Brown

f you want to step out into the crisp, cold air and snowcovered trails in coming weeks, you can always walk around beautiful Walden. But if you want to get off the beaten path to see other landscapes and wildlife nearby, Aurora is home to several nature preserves and public parks.

Dr. Jim Tomko, President of Moebius Nature Center and President of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, says there are plenty of winter field trips planned by the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland in the Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve, which features two miles of hiking trails—with access to mature and second-growth hardwood forest, three ponds, river floodplains and fields—at 896 East Pioneer Trail.

Dr. Tomko will lead a winter solstice night hike on Dec. 22.

There’s also the Blanche Katherine Novak Sanctuary State Nature Preserve at 382 Town Line Road in Aurora. Trailheads at the east part of the fields lead to loop trails through a second-growth forest rich with songbirds, foxes and deer. The west trail is a farm road winding through mature beech-maple forest and lowlands, ending at the edge of a large wetland.

You'll find warblers, woodpeckers, thrush, waterfowl, raptors, beaver, small mammals, deer and an occasional coyote.

Aurora is also home to Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve at 1230 Old Mill Road. This preserve features hiking trails through extensive marshes which cover nearly 75 percent of the preserve.

Cattail, willow, buttonbush, dogwood, red maple and alder predominate in and around the marshes.

The preserve also hosts spring-fed lakes and bottomland forests with swamp white and pin oaks.

For details on the schedule of outdoor events and birding opportunities in Aurora’s nature preserves, visit the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland website, clevelandaudubon.org.

You can also visit the Moebius Nature Center website, mymnc.org, to participate in field trips and nature events at 929 East Mennonite Rd. in Aurora.

Kim Pease—the nature center's programming planner, facilities rental coordinator and board treasurer—is developing children’s programs on Animal Senses in November, an Animal Christmas Ornament in December, and an Owl Prowl in January. You can call the nature center at (216) 402-4361 for details.

Discover more outdoor adventures at Moebius by exploring the trails on the 44-acre park just east of Sunny Lake Park. You will find a beaver pond, chimney swift tower, views of Sunny Lake, turtles, deer and songbirds.

Don’t hide inside all winter long. Get out into Aurora's natural landscapes to unplug, rewind, refresh and reinvigorate.

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“last winter was a season that proved that nature has a way of reminding us that we don’t have all the answers.” neck of the woods. A stronger El Niño event favors a much warmer, drier winter for this area.

A neutral-to-weak El Niño phase brings us a cooler-than-normal weather pattern because the subtropical jet is weaker. As a result, the polar jet stream can intrude down into the Ohio Valley, bringing cold, arctic air to the region. These cold snaps can pull colder air off the lakes, resulting in lake-effect snows which increase local snow totals.

The previous three winters have been dominated by La Niña, which brought us mild temperatures and more rain than snow.

Despite the switch to El Niño this winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

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is again forecasting above-normal temperatures across the northern United States this winter.

At the same time, the new edition of the Farmers’ Almanac, which has been forecasting winter weather since 1818, says to expect snow, ice and blizzards in Ohio this winter. For the Great Lakes region, this means below-average temperatures and excessive precipitation and snow as late as April.

But the Almanac got it wrong last winter.

Last year, the Almanac predicted an

unseasonably cold and snowy winter around the Great Lakes. As winter progressed, we actually experienced a mild season, with very little snow and above-average temperatures. In fact, the National Weather Services recorded just 22.7 inches of snow in Cleveland last winter, the lowest total in at least 50 years.

However, the Almanac’s earlywinter analysis was correct, identifying the Polar Vortex subfreezing ice storm that chilled Ohio just before Christmas 2022; the only severe storm of the season.

The Farmers’ Almanac makes their predictions based on a formula that includes sunspot activity, moon phases and the position of the planets. Their results are reportedly 75%-80% accurate.

The Farmers’ Almanac admits it missed the mark last winter, writing that “last winter was a season that proved that nature has a way of reminding us that we don’t have all the answers.”

So, there you have it. Since we cannot know what type of winter lies before us, the best we can do is make the most of pleasant weather when it comes and be prepared for the rough weather whenever it comes, just as in every winter before.

No crystal ball required.

FLASHBACKS

WALDEN WORD EXCERPTS (1994 - 2003)

Here’s a slice of life from Walden published decades ago in Walden Word, a former newsletter by Walden Golf and Tennis Club. Enjoy these tidbits from yesteryear!

NOVEMBER 1998 MANAGER’S MESSAGE: The Country Inn - If you have not visited the Blue Ribbon Cafe recently, you are in for a pleasant surprise.

The seven-day-a-week breakfast menu is superb, featuring some new and creative selection. The Ice Cream Soda Fountain is also available all hours the cafe is serving… Old fashioned shakes, sundaes, sodas, etc. Just a reminder, the Country Inn Library Lounge is open every evening. Stop in and enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine with friends in front of the Library Fireplace.

— Raymond Jobin SANTA IS COMING - All children and grandchildren are invited to have a pancake breakfast with Santa at the Clubhouse. Also including pictures with Santa, entertainment, candy. KIDS!!! Remember to bring your Grandma and Grandpa.

NOVEMBER 1999 DEAR MEMBERS: I would like to personally thank all of you for the open-arm welcome enduring my first three months at Walden.

Please continue to share your thoughts and ideas, along with your critiques, to help us improve and grow in our quality and service — Thank you, Patrick Cunningham, Manager We will begin the process of redecorating the Barn, beginning the month of November.

Improvements will include the renovation of the upstairs, the entranceway and bar area.

New light fixtures, draperies and artwork will be installed to create an even more country atmosphere. Please bear with us as these changes are being made. We will keep you posted on the improvements as they happen. We are confident that you will be very pleased with the end results.

DECEMBER 1999 CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT BUFFET MENU - Carved lamb Wellington with rosemary mint reduction,carved prime rib of beef with au jus, poached Atlantic salmon with caper dill beurre blanc & braised leeks, stuffed breast of chicken with herbed mousse finished with cranberry reduction, sauteed shrimp Dijon over rice pilaf, braised center back pork loin with cashew & apricot Riesling reduction, pencil asparagus with Hollandaise, baked spaghetti squash with Julienne carrots, herb duchess potatoes, dilled baby new potatoes, confetti rice.

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Staff Profile

H O L LY JAG G E R S BAKER, COOK AND

A L L- P U R P O S E H E L P E R Time at Walden: I've been at Walden since November 2014, working in all four kitchens – the Barn, Club, Inn and pool.

I’m almost solely at the Club now, but I did start at the Barn and helped with weddings as a cook and baker at the Inn. Family: My twin sister, Heather, and I worked at the Inn together, and also taught cooking classes and conducted cooking birthday parties.

Hometown: My hometown is L'Anse, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula.

Food: Chinese food is one of my favorites, followed by anything with pasta and vegetables.

Music: I can groove with mostly anything, as long as the words make sense.

Movie: I'd say “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," and my favorite television show is “Outlander.”

Something people may not know about you: I'm studying and practicing to be an herbalist, and find ways to heal people with natural ingredients. I'm everyone's 'doctor' in the kitchen. Sick? I got you: Have some tea with these leaves in it. You have a cut? I won't faint until after we've wrapped it and stopped the bleeding.

Favorite Walden event: I really enjoy the food and wine party.

Favorite dish to prepare: I really like to make soups.

Favorite thing to bake: Cookies

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WA L D E N L I F E

The following two pages are brought to you by Club Walden

Wishing Your Family a Wonderful and Memorable Holiday Season

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WA L D E N L I F E

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALDEN

— Your friends at Club Walden

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALDEN

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WALDEN KITCHENS

FROM THE KITCHEN OF CHEF IAN UPTON - CLUB WALDEN

CLASSIC HOLIDAY EGGNOG

This recipe is a holiday classic. Everyone says they hate eggnog because they’ve never had the real thing. I make this for my family every year to rave reviews. The secret is to let the “nog” sit and mature. — Chef Ian — MAKES 16 GENEROUS SERVINGS—

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INGREDIENTS: ‘NOG’ n 12 egg yolks n 1 lb. powdered sugar n 1 C. dark rum

DIRECTIONS: Beat the egg yolks in a mixer until pale.

Slowly add the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Slowly add 1 C. rum and transfer to another bowl. This is the “Nog.” Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for one hour.

‘EGG’ n 2 quarts heavy whipping cream n 1 C. dark rum n 12 egg whites n Fresh nutmeg, grated

In the mixing bowl, beat the cream until thick, add 1 C. rum and fold into the nog.

Whip the egg whites until stiff and fold in to finish. Top with freshly grated nutmeg.

Mmmm!

“The world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

— Henry David Thoreau

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REFLECTIONS

“The wonderful purity of nature at this season is a most pleasing fact. Every decayed stump and moss-grown stone and rail, and the dead leaves of autumn, are concealed by a clean napkin of snow.”

— Henry David Thoreau

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WA L D E N L I F E

PHOTO BY DOUG BOUCK

Happy Enjoy Summer Holidays!

At Walden!

Photo by Maria Biel

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