Walden Life - November 2022

NOV | DEC 2022

All is Calm, All is Bright

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2022

FEATURE

COVER STORY

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Back in the Day

CELEBRATIONS, WALDEN-STYLE Walden residents bring their best traditions to the holidays this season.

DEPARTMENTS

Doug Hauenstein Al Sosic (aka Santa) brings joy to children with special needs as part of his 40-year tradition as the jolly man in red.

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Women of Walden Jill Davies

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Neighbor to Neighbor Meet the Franks

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Walden Staff Profile

Tom Michaels

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Club Walden Time to join Bridge Club!

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Walden Kitchens

Page 16

A hearty recipe by Katie Impullitti

Jeff and Jill Davies

SNAPSHOTS

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Worth Noting

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Christmas Trees of Walden

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Flashbacks

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Living the Life

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Reflections

PHOTO ABOVE COURTESY OF THE AL SOSIC FAMILY AND COVER PHOTO BY MARIA BIEL

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Silly bird! Parakeet Tsukune is one tiny but colorful member of the Frank family.

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

The joyous season is upon us.

This is cliché but it came up so quickly! It seems like just days ago, I was enjoying the pool. This season is truly magical and special.

I am inspired by the traditions and celebrations shared by some of our Walden neighbors that you can read about in this issue’s feature story, starting on page 18.

It made me think of some of the traditions that are dear to me.

This Christmas will be the 20th year without my mom. She was Above: Miriam and truly one of a kind. I often wish that she could have spent time her mom, 2001. At in Walden. I know she would have moved here, too. She used right: Choosing the to make everything special for us. Even the day-to-day things perfect tree, 2021. became so memorable.

Our holidays were spent baking some of Mom’s award-winning desserts and playing cards; she could not be beaten at gin rummy! She taught me about faith and joy. No matter what her circumstances were, she was always laughing and spreading happiness.

May this season be filled with joy for you and may you spread joy, no matter what your circumstances. I am continually grateful for all of the people I have been able to meet because of this special place we call home.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! LOVING THE WALDEN LIFE, Miriam Miriam Conner is the editor and associate publisher for Walden Life. She is an educator and is host of Northeast Ohio Parent magazine’s podcast, aParently Speaking. Miriam and Ryan love living in Walden with their three kids.

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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 Assistant Editor Estelle Rodis-Brown Estelle@MyWaldenLife.com Sales/Account Executive Leslie Fletcher Leslie@MyWaldenLife.com 440-785-3110

C O M M U N I T Y

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Volume 2, Issue 5 l Nov/Dec 2022

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

Walden Life Staff Profiles Brad Mitchell is owner and founder of Mitchell Media LLC, which produces magazines, digital offerings and events in greater Cleveland through two flagship properties: Northeast Ohio Boomer and Northeast Ohio Parent magazines. Brad and Kathleen have three adult children and a 5-year-old granddaughter who loves visiting the Walden pool and playground.

Estelle Rodis-Brown serves as assistant editor for Walden Life. She is a freelance writer and photographer from northern Portage County who also serves as assistant editor of another Mitchell Media publication, Northeast Ohio Boomer magazine. She read Thoreau’s “Walden” in high school and it continues to inspire her today.

Leslie Fletcher serves as account executive for Walden Life. She has many great memories growing up as a part of the Walden community. She and her husband, Matt, raise their two boys, Nate and Joel, at their dream home in Walden they built with Manny.

Kaye Lowe is a contributing writer to Walden Life. She has been a resident of Walden for 35 years. She retired in 2019 after 18 years as executive director of the Cedar Fairmount Improvement District in Cleveland Heights.

She previously had a bi-monthly column for the Fairlawn Observer and was associate editor of the Ohio PHC Contractor magazine.

Laura Chadwick serves as the art director and graphic designer for Walden Life.

She is also the art director for Northeast Ohio Boomer and Livespecial.com magazines. She enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her Australian shepherd, Meg.

Maria Biel serves as lead photographer for Walden Life. She has owned her own photography business since 2013. She and her husband, Mike, have lived in Walden with their three children since 2015. They love evening golf cart rides, chipping balls in the back yard, and attending events at the club.

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Worth Noting

BY MIRIAM CONNER

Batter Up!

Jack and Leah

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Chandlers Cove

ack and Leah Matejka have lived in Walden for two years in Chandlers Cove. They were getting ready to retire and Leah had friends from her book club who were Walden residents, so they took a drive through Walden and fell in love with its beauty. They love living here.

Jack belongs to the Cleveland

Guardians fan club. Once a month, they hold a charity event where a former player speaks and memorabilia gets raffled. At one of the events, the Guardians donated the throwing of the first pitch as a raffle item and Jack’s number was pulled!

Jack threw out the first pitch at the Sept.

19 game, where the Guardians were

victorious over the Minnesota Twins.

Jack, a retired officer of Eaton Corporation, was able to get the Eaton suite for the game and he and Leah took many of their Chandler Cove neighbors to the game, where they all cheered for Jack’s pitch that went straight over the plate.

Association Parties LANDINGS SUMMER FEST All Landings residents and their guests are welcome to this annual summer party organized ­­ by the Social Committee. About 35-55 people enjoy food, music and great conversations.

Tricia Ansley caught sight of this owl in a tree across from her condo in Russet Woods 8

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FAIRINGTON Fairington residents enjoyed Fairington Fridays (and sometimes Wednesdays!) throughout the Summer and Fall.

DEER ISLAND Thirty Deer Island residents enjoyed a great fall party on Oct. 14, hosted by Tim and Barb Gilmore. Now for the holiday party!

WELCOME to the NEIGHBORHOOD Tricia Ansley & Hugh Drake - Russet Woods

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ricia and Hugh were both Southern California kids, growing up in San Diego and Los Angeles. During those years, they both landed and went to school in Downey, CA (though 10 years apart). That Downey connection is how they met six years ago, on a Facebook website devoted to their Downey roots. Tricia had been living in Las Vegas for 22 years when they met online. They took the plunge and moved to Missouri with her four cats to start life there with Hugh and his dog, Buster.

Though happily retired now, Hugh spent the majority of his adult years working as the most well-known and beloved DJ in the Lake Tahoe area, spinning oldies as “Captain Buddy.”

He can still beat anyone at musical Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit, and is a virtual encyclopedia of musical groups, songs and interesting but unknown facts about all kinds of

TRIVIA

music (Hugh says, “Well, except maybe rap”).

Tricia spent most of her working years in the court reporting industry in California and Las Vegas, first as a freelance court and deposition reporter and then managing a large court reporting agency in Las Vegas. She is now working threequarters time from home, editing transcripts for several court reporters across the country. Her favorite office of all is the sunroom at their condo, where she’s able to work and enjoy the beauty of their Walden neighborhood at the same time.

They both spend their spare time enjoying reading, relaxing in their courtyard, redecorating their condo, spending time with family, and exploring all that this part of the country offers.

Hugh’s sons and an ever-growing number of grandchildren and greats are all living in California and Utah, which keeps him attached to the West Coast, a place they both still love.

Tricia’s kids are all four-legged: their cats Moogie, Carly, Bella and Molly. Most of her extended family members are also in California and Utah… except for one significant exception.

Tricia’s sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Dan McLaughlin, and their kids Morgan and Matthew, have lived in Walden on E. Acadia Point for several years now. Although Lisa had always told them how beautiful it was here, it wasn’t until Tricia and Hugh visited them here last Thanksgiving that made them fall in love with Walden. They both say Walden is the most beautiful place where either has lived. Dan grew up in Twinsburg; after many years away, he has made it back home.

Tricia and Hugh went back to Missouri, put their house on the market, bought a condo in Russet Woods and have called it home since April of this year. There is nothing they don’t love about Walden, but the pure beauty of it and the surrounding areas leave them in what they call “sensory overload” every day. They only wish Lisa and Dan had moved here years earlier so they could have called Walden “home” sooner!

New Trivia: Every Thanksgiving holiday, families gather ‘round

to watch the Macy’s Day Parade marching through the streets of New York City. Full of music, floats, and favorite book and movie characters, this annual event makes for a wonderful Thanksgiving morning. It was started

by Macy’s employees in 1924 and featured real animals from the Central Park Zoo, including elephants, lions, and tigers. They’ve marched every year since, except for how many years and why?

Last issue’s answer: Haunted Hallway downstairs at the Club N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 22

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Worth Noting

CALENDAR

VETERANS' DISPLAY

THANKSGIVING BUFFET

Nov. 10 & 11 at the Club

Nov. 24 at the Club

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Santa is staying at Walden this year!

He will visit Club Walden twice, on Dec. 10 and 11.

Make your reservations soon with Heather Thoman.

Email: heather@yourwalden.com

There will be a display of memorabilia supplied by our own Walden military veterans for all ages. Make sure you stop by and take a look!

WALDEN ASSOCIATION NEWS

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he following is a list of 2022 completed activities or projects: The Walden Association repaired and sealed the north end of the Walking Path. The southern half of the path will be sealed during 2023.

The Walden Association changed our community’s patrolling security company.

There were several challenges for Securitas and the Walden Association, and the Trustees agreed that it was time for a change.

Royce US Protective Service provides patrolling security in the Walden Community.

The Patrol Car Number: 440 785 1022 Remember... Dial 911 for all safety issues. The Aurora police department and fire department are the best!

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The Association maintained the landscaping at all entrances and the Memorial Garden.

The split rail fence and guardrails along Walden Drive were power washed and stained.

Bollard Lights along Walden Drive and Ridge Way were maintained, repaired and serviced.

The entrance holiday lighting will be installed the week of Nov. 14.

A record number of Architectural Applications — 119 — were approved by the Architectural Committee.

The City of Aurora police department patrols the private drives in Walden three times daily.

The City of Aurora resurfaced the north end of Walden Drive.

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

MEMBER HOLIDAY PARTY

CANDLELIGHT BUFFET

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

Dec. 17 at the Club

Dec. 24 at the Club

Dec. 31 at the Barn

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WALDEN LIFE EVENT

THE WALDEN LIFE FALL SOCIAL WAS A BIG SUCCESS! There were over 100 attendees, 18 vendors, live dance lessons, live music, food, and some amazing raffle prizes.

It was a fun time to meet and mingle with Walden Life readers and vendors. You won’t want to miss the next Walden Life event!

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PHOTOS BY MARIA BIEL

BACK IN THE DAY

Life on the Links

Doug Hauenstein, Walden Member for 50+ years

By Kaye Lowe

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any of you may know Doug Hauenstein, and would say, “Wait, Doug isn’t old!” Yet Doug has been part of the Walden community since 1971, when his father, Dick, became just the third homeowner at the then “infant” Walden. The golf course had only nine holes back then and the pro shop was in the lower level of the Barn!

Doug was just 10 when he began spending summers with his dad at Walden. Soon, Doug’s favorite activity was anything golf-related. He started by taking Junior Golf Lessons with assistant pro Jeff Meeker back when Ed Allan was Head Pro and Bill Schuster was general manager.

Golf was very much a gentleman’s game at the time, as it had not yet enjoyed the widespread popularity of today.

Drawn to the camaraderie of golfers, Doug noticed that through golf, men really got to know each other; their true natures. This would become an enduring life lesson. At the time, members took caddies to carry their bags, so Doug became a caddy. Just being in the company of serious golfers was worth it but caddies also earned $6 a bag.

Doug was always a big kid so, when possible, he “double bagged” for the $12 he could earn and then shined shoes in the men’s locker room to earn another $20 after caddying.

Doug reminisces, “Walden was a beautiful place to spend summers; swimming, biking, cookouts, parties with friends, and of course, playing golf, golf and more golf.”

Doug’s father was an excellent golfer, and whether it was to get young Doug out of the house or to have him follow in the old man’s footsteps, Dick heavily encouraged Doug to spend every minute on the course.

After graduating from South Euclid’s Brush High School, Doug received golf scholarships to Eastern Kentucky, Duke University in North Carolina, and East Tennessee State University. He chose ETSU, where he became a nationally ranked golfer under Hall of Fame coach Hal Morrison. At ETSU, Doug met his future wife Terri, and they married in 1983.

Not long after, the young couple moved back to Ohio where Doug took advantage of his golf through positions in sales and new business development. In 1987, Doug joined his father in business at Screen Art Products, Inc., applying graphics to CPG and OEM products, with a niche in decorating hard-to-print surfaces. He eventually bought the business from his dad and modernized it with advanced technology. This opened a whole new area of interest; Doug learned several code-writing languages and now develops cloud-based cross-platform enterprise and mobile PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HAUENSTEIN FAMILY

Doug and his dad

software solutions.

Over the years, he has received consultation requests from around the world, looking for the ‘impossible-to-print’ item solutions, processes, modifications, knowledge and the information technology skills he possesses, all coupled with an open, easy communication style. Locally, Doug served as chairman of the Technology Commission for the City of Aurora for many years.

In 1985, Doug returned to Aurora with Terri to the kidfriendly Four Seasons neighborhood, where they hoped to start a family. Doug joined the Walden Golf and Tennis Club. Ray Jobin was club manager and said Doug was the first member’s child to become a member in his own right.

To help the young golfer, Ray created a Junior Membership.

Doug was the first Junior Member, and the fee was $35 a month! This was a wise marketing move on Ray’s part, as N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 22

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BACK IN THE DAY

Ed, Morgan, Terry, Doug, James, Alexandra

Doug’s golfing prowess kept the name of Walden Golf and Tennis Club in every golf section of every Ohio newspaper and even USA Today and Golf Digest for his national participation!

Doug often thinks of Walden’s early years as Golden Years. Walden was extremely attractive to executives from industry and commerce. The “gentleman’s game” in such beautiful surroundings personified a lifestyle for members while creating a sense of community. These serious golfers were self-made and motivated in their careers, some even cutthroat in business, but at Walden, they were welcoming, gregarious and thoughtful individuals who enjoyed imparting life’s wisdom to the young, serious golfer.

Doug won numerous golf tournaments and awards.

He played in the US Amateur multiple times (once with a young Tiger Woods in the field) and qualified for the British Amateur (and regrets not going). He broke Arnold Palmer’s Northeast Ohio Amateur record and received a cherished, signed “Congratulations from one Northeast Ohio amateur to another” from the great man, signed on the famous picture of Palmer waving from the bridge in the British Open. Doug holds 20 Walden Club Championships and was inducted into the Northeast Ohio Golfer’s Hall of Fame.

Doug’s competitive golf years changed drastically in 2012 when he fell from a ladder, some 15 feet onto rocks, while trimming a tree in his yard. He fractured his back and couldn't swing a club for several years, but he could walk, so he eventually got back at it. The whole event led to a repositioning of attitude to develop a healthier lifestyle.

He could no longer have golf as his focus. He took up swimming, bike riding, and eventually running, even training for a Sprint Marathon. He became a self-taught home chef, focusing on healthy eating, losing 40 pounds in a year.

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With their two daughters, Morgan and Alexandra, in Aurora High School, Doug and Terri moved the family to a home in Walden because the property was situated on Doug’s favorite golf hole! Now grown, Alexandra is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Diplomacy and International Relations. She is married to James Mellstrom, Deutsche Bank COO of ICG Americas and CAO of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. They have an infant daughter, Taylor, and reside in Battery Park City, Manhattan, New York. Alexandra is pursuing a master’s in early childhood education and plans to teach K-12 in NYC. Alexandra’s younger sister, Morgan, is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She is currently the Global Product Strategy Manager for the Americas for BK Medical, a subsidiary of General Electric’s medical portfolio. Morgan lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. She is engaged to Ed Monteagudo, CPA and Director of Finance and Accounting for Compass Real Estate, headquartered in Manhattan. They will be married in March of 2023 in Miami.

Terri worked for Hillcrest Steel as a steel broker and general manager before the girls were born. Soon after her youngest, Morgan, was born, Terri quit working outside the home to take on the far more important job of mom.

She became seriously involved in their education and was elected to the Aurora Board of Education, where Terri was instrumental in locating, scouting and pushing for Leighton School to be built on Hudson Aurora Road so it would link Miller School, Leighton, Harmon and Aurora High School into a contiguous school property with bike paths and shared sports spaces. Terri served for eight years on the Board then decided it was time for others to take on the responsibility.

James & Alexandra and Ed & Morgan

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HAUENSTEIN FAMILY

Terri returned to education, earning a master’s degree in Public Administration from Kent State University and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources designation. In 2008, Terri went to work for Little Tikes, a division of MGA Entertainment in LA as HR Manager. Today, Terri is Vice President, Global Human Resources, Manufacturing for Little Tikes Companies, with responsibilities in Hudson, Poland, Mexico and China. She has strong experience in the strategic aspects of HR leadership and management, including organizational development, performance management, employee relations, along with legal compliance in global manufacturing, distribution, R& D, e-commerce, engineering, creative support, and retail. When asked about the job, Terri says, in our litigious society, large corporations are frequent targets. It may sound odd but one of her favorite responsibilities is providing legal testimony as an expert witness in litigation concerns.

Doug’s passion for golf has led him to become involved in various golf-related charities and agencies. When his father suffered a debilitating stroke, Doug began to volunteer with The Turn, a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of golf in rehabilitation. The Turn serves physically disabled adults, including military veterans and children to restore their independence and improve their overall enjoyment of life through the

innovative combination of rehabilitation-based golf fitness, recreational therapy and the game of golf. For more information, check out jointheturn.org. Doug has served on the board and as a director for over nine years.

Doug also volunteers for the Northern Ohio Golf Association as a starter for USGA national qualifiers.

My interview with Doug finished with him saying, “Spending my summers at Walden from an early age exposed me to a wonderful park-like setting in a rural atmosphere. It provided me the advantages of so many activities and opportunities to forge lifelong friendships. I met David Lowe in junior golf the first summer I spent at Walden. We became best friends and served as best man at each other’s weddings. His loss stays with me always and I miss him dearly.

“Walden and the game of golf have had a tremendous influence on my life. Golf provided me opportunities to be in the company of so many accomplished individual captains of business and industries. They not only shaped my outlook on life, but I achieved what I figure must be the equivalent to a Wharton Business School education without leaving home! Al O’Neil, Bob Watts, Ted Arslanian, Manny Barenholtz, Howard Ruben, Ken Lowe, to name a few, showed me how to become a better man. I will be forever grateful for being a part of the Walden Community.”

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WOMEN OF WALDEN

Jill Davies |

Answering the Call to Keep Kids Safe

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

Jill and her husband, Jeff Davies, controller at TRM Manufacturing in Munroe Falls.

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onsidering that November is National Adoption Month, it’s only fitting that our focus in this installment of Women of Walden is licensed social worker Jill Davies, LSW. She is co-director of Caring for Kids, Inc. with Patricia S. Ameling, M.A., PCC. An Ohio adoption assessor, Jill oversees the Birth Parent Services Program and the Domestic Public Adoption Program at Caring for Kids.

In operation since 1995, Caring for Kids (CFK) is nonprofit adoption, foster care, and birth parent services agency serving all of Ohio from their main office in Cuyahoga Falls, licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The agency’s mission is to provide children of all ages with the safety and security of a healthy and loving family while providing complete and compassionate services to birth families, adoptive families and foster families.

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Pat took over the agency in 2005 and Jill joined her in 2006. At that time, there were three staff members, including Pat and Jill. Today, the agency has 63 staffers and 15 contractors. Looking back on her work over the years, Jill says, “It’s amazing. We love it. When I first started, I felt things didn’t move fast enough for me. But now I look back and can recognize that our growth has been pretty fast!”

Reaching even further into the past, it seems Jill was destined for this lifelong work, but she was slow to recognize that. Raised in a secure, happy family in the small town of Toronto along the Ohio River, Jill wrote her high school senior essay on child abuse and neglect. But she went off to Ohio State University, “not knowing what I wanted to do.”

However, she found herself taking courses in sociology, psychology and human development. It all added up to a bachelor’s degree in social work. “I never connected the dots until I took my first job out of college, investigating child abuse and neglect for the Child Welfare System,” Jill recalls.

“I absolutely loved that job and I don’t know why!

I remember I would train new employees but they would leave after the first day after their first home visit. Why didn’t I leave? I found my passion: making children safe. They need to be in a safe and loving home. Period.”

Jill has worked in the child welfare field for nearly 25 years, from investigating child abuse and neglect to working in public and private adoption services. In each capacity, she has been dedicated to the belief that every child deserves a family, and that there is a family for every child.

There was a five-year pause when Jill and her husband, Jeff, moved away from Ohio and Jill stayed home to raise their three children. But then they moved back to the Buckeye State just as their youngest was starting kindergarten. It was time for Jill to return to the workforce.

She initially got a part-time job in foster care and adoption services. But 16 years ago, she started working full-time at Caring for Kids, helping to run the agency and hire and train

“Why didn’t I leave? I found my passion: making children safe. They need to be in a safe and loving home. Period.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JILL DAVIES

Grandchildren in chronological order from youngest to oldest: Kooper, Archie, Lucas, Vivienne and Ben.

new staff as the agency grew. She has never looked back.

In fact, due to the drug epidemic and the COVID pandemic, the need for foster care and adoption is at record highs. On any given day in Ohio, 9,000 children are in foster care and 7,000 more are living with family or friends because their birth parents can’t provide a safe home environment.

“Many people are experiencing mental health issues and it seems COVID has pushed many people beyond their breaking point, contributing to the rise in the number of children in foster care,” Jill says.

Working with expectant parents who want to explore making a voluntary adoption plan, typically for their unborn child, is another service of Caring for Kids, Jill explains.

“The goal is to provide education and empower families to make their own decisions that they are at peace with. It is amazing work to see someone go from feeling shame or embarrassment to feeling empowered to either parent or make an adoption plan with a family that they have chosen, met and feel can give their child something they are not able to at that time.”

Meanwhile, after living in Wadsworth for 23 years, Jill and Jeff’s youngest child was graduating from college and they started contemplating their next move. “We wanted to move into first-floor living and make choices while we still can,” Jill explains. Meanwhile, their adult children (along with their spouses and children) were settling in Northeast Ohio, from Solon to Hudson and Streetsboro. Jill and Jeff started house-hunting.

“We went out to look once or twice, then suddenly, we were driving through Walden and my husband was saying, ‘This is where we need to live.’ I said, ’I can never live here!

I have a terrible sense of direction and all these streets look the same! I’ll never find my way!’

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JILL DAVIES

Above: Jill & Jeff's daughter Amanda, her husband Johnny, and baby Archie. Top left: Daughter Emily, her husband Kyle, and their children Vivienne and Kooper. At left: Son Nate (with Lucas) and his wife Erin (with Ben).

“But it’s all worked out beautifully. We’re just 15 minutes away from all three kids and our five grandchildren. This Thanksgiving, we’ll have been here at Bent Creek Oval for two years. I thought it would take me a lot longer to feel at home.

But I’m comfortable already. It has not taken long at all!”

Feeling comfortable and safe at home.

That’s all Jill wants for the children of Ohio. As she says, “There’s a huge need.”

If you are interested in adopting or foster parenting, Jill is happy to answer your questions. She can be reached at 330-928-0044 (office), 330-618-2476 (cell), or jill@cfkadopt.org (email).

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The Joys of Continuous Celebration

By Miriam Conner

‘Tis the season to celebrate with family and friends. There is always much

to celebrate and some of our Walden neighbors really know how to make the season special for others. Keeping traditions alive and creating new ones makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

Kathy Conarck

Hanukkah

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athy Conarck of Claridges grew up in Mayfield Heights, lived in New York and came back to Northeast Ohio to be near family.

She did not know about Walden until her realtor introduced her to the development in 2019. She fell in love with how pretty it was.

Kathy also enjoys social events, meeting people on the walking path, and the good sense of community in Walden. She enjoys playing Mahjong and eating at the Club, and walking her dog on the path every morning.

“People are friendly and look out for each other,” she shares.

Kathy has two sons: Jake in Washington, D.C. and Ben in Baltimore.

Her sister lives in Twinsburg and her brother is in Solon. She also has several nieces, nephews and cousins in the area.

Kathy celebrates Hanukkah every year. Since she met a lot of people who did not know much about Hanukkah, she decided to have a party with her sister, friend and Walden resident Sara Marcy Gould (Kathy's sister), Sara Schrode Schrode, and about 10 other friends, mostly from Walden, to help (Walden resident) and Kathy them understand what Hanukkah was all about.

She has hosted this celebration for two years in a row so far. Kathy believes that anything that is fun and involves food will be enjoyable. She thinks it is important to “expose people and teach them about other cultures.”

The iconic food, according to Kathy, includes potato pancakes, donuts and brisket. She and Sara share the story of the battle and the temple, recite Hebrew prayers over the candles, and make the potato pancakes together. Then they eat.

Last year, Kathy also hosted a Passover meal that she describes as very ritualized, where participants sit down, tell the story, sing songs and eat a lot of ritual foods.

Since hosting, Kathy has met other Jewish people.

“It doesn’t bother me that there are not a lot of Jewish people here,” she says. “I like learning about other people’s celebrations.”

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Alex & Martie Jacobs and family

Alex & Martie Jacobs

The Feast of the Seven Fishes

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lex and Martie Jacobs moved to Walden in 2014 to the Claridges. They have two kids: Nick (Kristen) in Auburn with their three children, twins Jack and Sam, and Abby; and Courtney (Tom) with their daughter Morgan, who live in Bainbridge.

Martie is 100 percent Italian. All four of her grandparents came to the U.S. from the same little town in Sicily. Growing up, everyone came to their house on Christmas Eve to celebrate. As time went on, Alex and Martie took on that tradition of hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes, with up to 40 members of immediate family gathering at their home.

It is important to them to keep the tradition alive. Much of that involves the menu. They make the traditional fish stew, Baccala, that not many people still make, and fried shrimp, clams and calamari.

Playing the card game 31 for cash is also a big part of the tradition.

Christmas Eve starts with going to Mass together and then coming back home to a lot of activity with the whole family in the kitchen. Alex, who is Hungarian and German, loves the Italian tradition.

Once married, he was integrated into Italian culture. Alex gets up very early to begin making the Baccala that he learned to make from Martie’s dad.

They eventually sit down to dinner around 8 p.m. They laugh, tell stories and enjoy each other’s company. Then they bring out dessert and the cards.

“It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve for the kids without playing 31 for money,” they say.

On Christmas Day, the morning is spent opening gifts with the grandkids. Then they go to Martie’s sister’s for a feast of prime rib and stuffed shells.

Before moving to Walden, Alex and Martie were empty nesters living in a typical two-story colonial.

They decided they wanted one-floor living but Martie says, “What really made us choose Walden was the lifestyle change.”

While looking in Walden, she told Alex that this is where she wanted to live. They have made a lot of good friends and love it here. Martie enjoys playing Mahjong at the Club and they both enjoy attending Club events and walking on the path.

This Christmas at Walden will bring another fun year of cooking, feasting, and playing with family and friends.

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Tom & Patti Ianni

Tom & Patti Ianni with their grandchildren

O, Christmas Tree(s)

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hristmas trees are for kids, according to Tom and Patti Ianni.

Tom and Patti have three children: Tom (Lisa) who live in Twinsburg and have two boys, Matt (14) and Kyle (10); Patrick (Tracy) in New Jersey with kids Addison (12), TJ (10) and Ella (8) and Laurel (Dan) who live in Aurora with their twins, Brenna and Connor (6).

Tom and Patti, who moved to the Meadows in Walden in 2008, found themselves in need of Christmas decor, so they decided to get a tree and decorate it for their first grandson. It had always bothered Patti that kids are typically not allowed to touch Christmas trees. Matt loved his tree so much that they didn’t want the younger ones to miss out, and a tradition was born.

Every year, each grandchild has a tree at their grandparents’ home that is decorated specifically just for them, according to what their interests are that year. The kids love to try and figure out how their tree will be decorated each holiday season. The gifts are hung, unwrapped, all over the trees.

There have been trees decorated with baseball cards, hair and make-up items, blocks and toys, books, ballet attire, Barbies, matchbox cars, baseball gear, and art supplies, to name a few. As if that weren’t enough, Tom and Patti add soft snowballs on the branches so the kids can all have a big indoor snowball fight.

The Iannis originally came to Walden in order to help care for Patti’s mom. Patti’s parents, Tom and Therese Barrett, had moved to Walden in 1992.

Patti says, “When we drive into Walden, we decompress. The stresses of work are left behind when we turn down Walden Drive.”

According to their tradition, they start putting up Christmas trees in early December and the gift items are placed on them on Christmas Eve, before the arrival of all the grandkids. To add to the anticipation, the trees are hidden with wrapping paper across the room and the kids chant “Rip that paper!” to usher in the fun.

How will those seven trees be decorated this year?

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The Owens Family

Mike & Patty Owens and family

Matchy- Matchy

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ike and Patty Owens, their sons, Aiden and Gavin, and Roxy, their 1-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, live in the Ravines and have lived in Walden for eight years, drawn to its “calmness and serenity.”

Patty grew up on the west side of Cleveland and Mike grew up in Solon. His parents, Dave and Joanne Owens, moved to Walden after he graduated from college. At Walden, Mike and Patty love their neighbors and their tennis friends.

The Owens family starts their holiday season by choosing and cutting down their own Christmas tree at Wintergreen Tree Farm in Mantua every year. On the last day of school before winter break, they bake cookies to celebrate the start of break. When the boys were little, it was all about the frosting and sprinkles. As they get older, it has become a great way for them to decompress after a busy school schedule.

Their favorite tradition is wearing the matching pajamas they get on Christmas Eve. They attend Christmas Eve Mass and then go home to quickly change into those matching PJs before heading off to grandma and grandpa’s house for dinner and presents, all cozy in their matching jammies.

This year, as you celebrate with your loved ones, hold your traditions dear and consider creating new traditions that will last a lifetime. Go to the party. Host a gathering. Reach out to a friend or neighbor. Do something to make someone’s season special. May this holiday season be your best one yet!

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Al and Anne Sosic

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Al ( Santa) & Anne Sosic

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he Sosics have lived in Walden for 18 years, enjoying their home on Lake Walden. Al and Anne are avid golfers who also love the views, wildlife, and great friends they've made along the way.

Al began playing Santa 40 years ago for their five children and now nine grandchildren: Jeff (Ashley) in Olmsted Falls with their 2-year-old Paul and

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1-year-old Rocco; Alison (Brandon) in Strongsville with 5-year-old Addison, 2-year-old Mackenzie, 1-year-old Claire and a baby boy due in March; daughter Mandy who is mom to 14-year-old Max and 11-year-old Luke in Aurora; son Terry (Hollie) in New York with 9-year old Austin and 7-yearold Chase; and daughter Jeni (Ted) in Atlanta. With so many grandkids and another on the way, Santa won't be retiring anytime soon.

They lived next door to a PSR (Parish School of Religion) teacher while in Brecksville who had seen Al in his Santa Claus attire

and asked if he would come visit her first- and second-graders. He has been Santa in her classes for 25 years now.

“I was hesitant at first but sitting with the kids and their stories either made you laugh out loud or cry like a baby. They run the gamut. One little boy asked me to replace his brother with a dog, which cracked me up. Another little girl asked me to cure her sister from cancer; tears on this one.”

Santa and his elf have been visiting schools, daycare centers and traditional family gatherings for years, but 2019 was the most

uplifting and heartwarming visit they ever made. Holy Angels Church requested them to appear at their annual BREATH program, which gives respite care for children with special needs with a focus on autism, featuring a night of arts, games and, of course, a visit from Santa during the Christmas season.

“The children showed nothing but pure joy, and just seeing them smile and laugh, totally ignoring their limitations, brought tears to this Santa’s eyes,” Al says.

“I will be back, as these children gave me far more than I could ever give them.

You get back 10 times over what you put in.”

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

Mark Frank & Family |

Fairington Oval

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

Mark Frank with his wife, Kaori, and their 3-year-old, Liv.

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“

ost people walk their dogs in Walden, but we walk our bird.”

And with this quote, you may realize you’ve seen Mark Frank strolling through Walden with a colorful bird on his shoulder, his wife Kaori and daughter Liv by his side.

This is no ordinary bird. “Tsukune” (su-ku-ney) — which is Japanese for “chicken meatball” — is a striking green and yellow parakeet from Tokyo who has his own Instagram page, “tsukunebird.”

Seven-year-old Tsukune can talk and says basics like Pretty bird, What chu doing? and Hey, Kaori. “He enjoys sitting in the tree in our back yard and avoided getting eaten by a hawk one time, which was a bit scary. He also shares popcorn with us when we watch movies at home.

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We actually purchased him in Japan and he moved with us to America,” Mark explains.

Mark had moved to Tokyo to finish his business degree and met Kaori while working there. After dating for a year, they were married. Once Kaori’s visa was approved, the couple moved stateside to Mark’s hometown in Kirtland and stayed with his parents until they found a place of their own.

“We spent a lot of time looking for a home on Zillow, searching for an area around Kaori’s workplace in Hudson at the time, and found a listing in Walden. The style and layout of the home itself instantly attracted us to it as it was very unique and not like your typical 7-year-old Tsukune housing development.

“We lived about 40 minutes away at the time and drove to Walden after work at night to see what it was like. The lighting on the trees and overall feel made it feel like a resort. However, when we were ready to make an offer, the home we had been interested in had gone under contract. We looked at several other units but the home we initially saw seemed like the better fit for us in comparison. As luck would have it, the buyer fell through on our unit and we were able to put a bid in and purchase the home.”

They moved to Walden in 2017 at Fairington Oval, where they enjoy the sights and sounds of the pond and fountain in their back yard during the warmer months.

Mark says, “Coming home and driving along the tree-lined Walden drive and seeing the golfers always makes it feel like home. We love taking walks on the walking path and eating dinner or lunch in the back yard when the weather is good.”

“We joined Club Walden mainly for the restaurants,” Mark says. “Having the Club literally in our back yard is super convenient and allows us to take a quick lunch and break from working at home on occasion. We have enjoyed several of the events at Walden and occasionally will use the pool table in the evenings.”

Mark works with Fidelity as a trader, helping people with investments and planning for retirement. Kaori works in marketing for an incubator that is part of Progressive insurance. Mark says, “You’ve likely seen her work in TV commercials and billboards on the side of the freeway.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FRANK FAMILY

The Franks love family time in Walden, from celebrating Independence Day to playing a game of Scrabble.

The Franks’ 3-year-old daughter can often be seen walking or riding her bike along with her parents and Tsukune on the path.

“Liv loves seeing and petting all the dogs she sees on our walks and is a big fan of Burger Night,” Mark laughs.

During the holidays, the family enjoys driving through Walden after a fresh snowfall and seeing the ways people have decorated their homes. Mark also mentions, “…and of course the Walden famous Christmas display on Glen Eden Ct.” Speaking of delightful holiday scenes, if you go onto Tsukune’s Instagram page, you’ll see him striking poses — perched atop a red-and-white candy cane, mingling among nativity figurines, hanging out among colorful ornaments, approaching a plate of Christmas cookies — so many cheeky snapshots revealing the personality of this lively parakeet.

After five years at Walden, this exotic bird has found creative ways to amuse himself indoors when it’s too cold to join his family for a walk outside.

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Christmas Trees of Walden HOW LOVELY ARE YOUR BRANCHES! Enjoy the wide variety of decorating styles from Christmas past shared here by some of our readers.

The Ianni Grandkids' Christmas Trees

Peter & Muriel French - Glen Eden Ct. 26

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Ken & Kaye Lowe - Meadows (Christopher Radko ornaments)

Carlo and Paige Gentile Members

Alex & Martie Jacobs - Claridges All of the ornaments are Santa and the garland is composed of popcorn and cranberries.

Butch & Janet Bartlett - Lands End

Our January issue will feature

SKYLIGHTS OF WALDEN Send your amazing photos to Miriam@mywaldenlife.com The Spry Family - Members

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Staff Profile

TO M M I C H A E L S TITLE: BARTENDER Years at Walden: 26 Family: Wife Sandra, daughter Nicole, son Ryan

Favorite Music: Eurythmics, Bee Gees, Adele, Whitney Houston

Hobbies: Walking, fishing, golfing, reading, watching football and golf, and also enjoy seeing wildlife

Did You Know: I love to travel (on Sundays!)

Favorite Walden Event: Dueling Pianos

Favorite Food: spaghetti & meatballs

Favorite Thing About Walden: Meeting and getting to know employees and members

Favorite Movie: “Moneyball”

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The following two pages are brought to you by Club Walden

Bridge is Back at Walden!

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fter a hiatus of a few years, a new era of bridge play has returned to Walden!

For many years, a large group of women gathered weekly for bridge at the Club Walden. At the height of their play, 16-20 ladies would gather for a morning of bridge, stop for lunch and then play a few more games!

“It was a delight to see those women every Thursday morning when I would enter the Clubhouse. They already had the coffee going and were getting their coins out for bidding,” recalls Heather Thoman, Membership Director

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at Walden.

Club member and Walden resident Virginia Ettinger played for years with the original group and is the only remaining member able to return for the “New Era” of bridge at Walden. She notes, “The challenge of the game and the competition keep you coming back each week.

Happy to see bridge back at Walden.”

As times change, so does bridge play at Walden. This current group is evenly split between men and women.

They are currently playing contact bridge only, and all levels of players are welcome

to play. You do not have to be a member of the American Contract Bridge League to participate in Walden’s game.

Club member and Walden resident Donna Brown, who spearheaded this new group, says, “This bridge group is casual, comfortable and fun! Playing bridge is a great way to meet people and make new friends.”

The group here at Walden represents many different backgrounds and interests, but they all find a common bond in cards. Besides, bridge is a great way to keep your mind sharp with friendly competition.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALDEN

HOW TO JOIN IN THE FUN Don’t know how to play bridge, but have always wanted to learn? We are offering lessons with bridge teacher Jim Novak. Jim teaches and runs duplicate games in Solon and Mayfield. His mother was a bridge teacher and ran duplicate games as well, so Jim is a second-generation bridge player. Group lessons run for four weeks at $50 per session.

They are currently meeting on Thursday mornings. We are looking to start a new session, if there is interest, by the end of November or beginning of December. We are inviting Walden residents to play with us this winter.

Typically, the games are open to Walden members and their guests, but we would like to invite you to play with us this winter.

If you are interested, email heather@yourwalden.com.

Games begin with lunch at Club Walden on Fridays at 11 a.m., followed by card play from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Lessons are currently Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

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WALDEN KITCHENS

FROM THE KITCHEN OF KATIE IMPULLITTI - DEER ISLAND

Angel Hair Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Mascarpone INGREDIENTS: n 1 lb. fresh pasta n 2 pints cherry tomatoes n 8 cloves garlic n ¼ cup olive oil n Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper n 2 Tbsp dried oregano n ½ C loosely packed fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade, plus more for serving n ¼ C mascarpone cheese, plus more for serving n ½ C grated parmesan cheese plus shaved parmesan for serving DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place the cherry tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet and spread in a single layer. Drizzle with the oil, season with salt & pepper, and sprinkle with the oregano. Roast until the tomatoes have released their juices and are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Transfer the tomatoes and garlic to a large frying pan off the heat.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about two minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water.

Set the pan with the tomatoes over medium heat and add the pasta and reserved pasta cooking water.

Add the basil, mascarpone, and parmesan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is creamy and the pasta is coated with the sauce (about two minutes).

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Divide the pasta and sauce among four bowls. Garnish with basil, a few dollops of mascarpone, and shaved parmesan.

Buon appetito!

Looking to Advertise in Walden Life Magazine in 2023?

Contact Leslie Fletcher to Learn More

Call or Text: 440.785.3110 Leslie@MyWaldenLife.com Over 30 years enjoying the Walden atmosphere

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FLASHBACKS

WALDEN WORD EXCERPTS (1994 - 2003)

Here’s a slice of life from Walden published 19-28 years ago in Walden Word, a four- to eight-page newsletter by Walden Golf and Tennis Club. Enjoy these tidbits from yesteryear!

NOVEMBER 1999 A BRIDE FOR THE MILLENNIUM: Meet & mingle with the finest at our “Salon de Thé,” Sunday, November 21, 1999 at the Walden Country Inn & Stables. Participants include The Writing Room, Brides by Donna-Bridal Fashion Show, Flowers by Stazzone, wedding planning by Ginny Sukenik, dance instruction by Dick Blake, jewelry and gifts by the Galleries of Neiman Marcus, tuxedos

by Brooks Brothers, Falls Photography, make-up by Sephora, and cakes by Phyllis Lester Designs. Each guest will receive a beautiful gift from the Gallery of Neiman Marcus. Couvert-$25 per person.

DECEMBER 1999 DEAR MEMBERS: I would like to thank all of you that participated in our 1st annual Halloween Spooktacular. As you can see, I think I had more fun than the kids.

— Patrick Cunningham, Manager

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DECEMBER 2000 In the words of The King: “Thank you, thank you very much” for your participation in our Halloween Spooktacular.

— Patrick Cunningham, Manager

DECEMBER 1999 THE GOLF SHOP: Remember the Golf Shop for your holiday gift giving. As always, we offer “free” gift wrapping. Nearly all our selection of clothing is reduced for clearance. We have received several styles of 2000 Foot Joy Shoes. The new Cobra Gravity Back Fairway Woods have arrived as well as Datrek Golf Bags. The new Orlimar Pros Fairway Woods have also arrived… We wish everyone the happiest of holidays and look forward to seeing everyone in the spring of 2000. Happy Holidays!

— Mitch Camp & The Golf Staff

NOVEMBER 2001 As the cold winds of November roll in, may the warmth of family and friends gathering together provide you with calmness, comfort and joy. All of us at the Barn are so happy that you choose us to spend those important milestones and celebrations of your lives. We are truly blessed and thankful for all our wonderful friends that pass through our door week to week.

See you at the Barn!

— Steven

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LIVING THE LIFE

What is Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

Denise Sway MEADOWS

A Christmas Story

Tom Carrino CHANDLERS COVE

A Christmas Story

Elaine Marconi HIGH POINT

It’s a Wonderful Life

Don Andre RUSSET WOODS

It’s a Wonderful Life Lory Liberty HIGH POINT

Elf 36

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REFLECTIONS

“Lemons” by Bonnie Dolin (High Point)

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ainter Bonnie Dolin (bonniedolin.com) has lived in Walden for 27 years. Her business name, Beyond the Canvas, reflects her process of intuitive painting, which results in vibrant and often whimsical paintings and mixed media work; each piece naturally unfolds and reveals itself to the artist.

Bonnie’s work is found in many public and private collections and she has exhibited widely; she now has work at Heights Arts in Cleveland and just finished a commission for Temple Tifereth Israel in Beachwood.

“I have a studio in downtown Cleveland at the ArtCraft Building and a studio in my loft at home,” Bonnie says. “I have loved living in Walden and having a studio downtown as I felt I had the best of all worlds… city and country.”

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M I C H A E L R. B A L O G

“It has always been my vision to improve the real estate industry and how people buy and sell their homes. This goal of mine has fueled a burning passion to provide unmatched value and unprecedented service to each and every person I interact with on a daily basis.

This is the key to my success.”

®

Michael R. Balog, Realtor

195 Barrington Town Square Aurora, Ohio 44202

330.802.4874 Michaelbalog@howardhanna.com MichaelRBalog.com

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AT WALDEN