Walden Life - May/June 2021

MAY

l JUNE 2021

Walden W H ERE

Fitness Is Fun!

Back in the Day with Al O’Neil u Walden Wildlife Sightings

You made the RIGHT CALL!

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(L-R) 2017 Triple Crown Champion Ed Echan; PGA, Director of Walden Golf Operations Mitch Camp; and Greg Faustina, owner of The Plumbing Source.

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M AY

FEATURES

JUNE 20 21

ON THE COVER

DEPARTMENTS

12 Walden Staff Profile Kate Dobrzeniecki

20 Walden News A well-deserved retirement, renovations to The Barn and Clubhouse, outdoor yoga options at Spa Walden.

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32

WALDEN WILDLIFE

Neighbor to Neighbor

Resident-submitted photos of wildlife sightings in Walden.

Get to know a volunteer and dog lover.

38

26

Walden Kitchens Chef Matt shares a fresh and healthy recipe.

BACK IN THE DAY A Walden original reminisces about the early days.

42 Reflections Watercolor rendition of The Barn from the ‘80s.

DEPARTMENTS

8 Worth Noting

18 Tee Time

30

22

Living the Life

WALDEN: WHERE FITNESS IS FUN

35

Be inspired by four residents and their fitness lifestyles.

Growing Up Walden

PHOTOS BY MARIA BIEL

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WALDEN LIFE

PAM WILL FIND YOU A HOME

THAT’S JUST YOUR STYLE

Pam Cowper and the many doors of Walden

DID YOU KNOW?

TIP OF THE MONTH

Pamela Cowper

When Manny first started building, the exterior architectural styles were similar, but the interior floor plans were, and still are, dramatically different.

While there were specific floor plans (A, J, K, M units, etc.) they could all be customized. The lot choices were dependent on the location, and could be golf course, water, or internal lots.

Today all new building is customized. With the wide variety of current sizes, 900 –10,000 square ft, there is something for everyone.

While the exteriors are similar, one way to add your own personality is with your front door!

Congratulations, you’ve accepted an offer to purchase your home! What’s next? Chances are the buyers will hire a home inspector. There are 7 major things that inspectors look for: Water damage, structural issues, old/damaged roof, damaged/old electrical systems, plumbing problems, issues w/the HVAC System, insect and pest infestation.

Mega Million Dollar Producer Realtor, CNE, PPS Keller Williams Chervenic Realty pamelacowper@kw.com

216.789.3787

So address any issues you know about to ensure a smooth inspection process.

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From the Editor WALDEN LIFE: AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME

Miriam Conner with family

Seeing what was once an idea become an actual creation has been so much fun for me. I wanted Walden Life to be a tool for residents and members of Walden to connect with each other. Since our debut issue, the feedback that I have received has been so positive and encouraging. I love meeting new people and there are so many stories to tell.

It was so much fun to hear about how Walden was “Back in the Day” (page 26) from a Walden legend and also about “Growing Up Walden” (page 35) from an old

Volume 1, Issue 2

l

P.O. Box 586 Aurora, Ohio 44202 330-822-4011 Publisher Brad Mitchell Brad@MyWaldenLife.com 330-714-7712 WALDEN LIFE

Loving the Walden Life,

May/June 2021

Walden Life is a property of Mitchell Media, LLC

6

friend of mine. I am going to bring back some of those events—mark my word!

Not to state the obvious, but this time last year was rough. I am so thankful I was living in Walden when the pandemic hit and the world shut down. To be able to have a beautiful place to walk, ride bikes, go to the pool and spend time in nature—take a look at some of our wildlife friends in this issue—was invaluable during this time, especially. Being here made things feel “normal.”

There are so many ways to be active here. Four of our neighbors have taken advantage of some things Walden has to offer to stay healthy. Read about them in one of the features (page 22) and be inspired. I know they inspired me. As many of us had some extra time this past year to possibly reflect on what is important, one of our neighbors spent a lot of her time volunteering (see page 32). Giving back in whatever way you can is so rewarding in many ways.

My hope is that you are inspired, informed and entertained by this issue and all future issues of Walden Life, and that you make some new connections with each other and our beautiful hidden treasure that is Walden.

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

Art Director Graphic Design J. Michael Myers mike@jmichaelmyersdesign.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

Join Us for Walden Life Throughout the Seasons Look for the July/August Issue in Early July

Got a story to tell? Contact Miriam at miriam@mywaldenlife.com

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 Parent and Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond. Brad and Kathleen have three adult children and a 3 1/2-year-old granddaughter who loves visiting the Walden pool and playground.

Miriam Conner is the editor and associate publisher for Walden Life. She is an educator, serves on the Aurora Board of Education, and is realtor for Howard Hanna, and host of Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine’s podcast, aParently Speaking. Miriam and Ryan love living in Walden with their three kids.

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.

Estelle Rodis-Brown serves as assistant editor for Walden Life. She is a freelance writer and photographer from Portage County who also serves as assistant editor of another Mitchell Media publication, Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond magazine.

She read Thoreau’s “Walden” in high school and it continues to inspire her today!

Mike Myers serves as the art director and graphic designer for Walden Life.

Mike has 25 years of experience in the marketing and communications field.

He and his wife, Lisa, enjoy the quiet tranquility of living in the Meadows with their beloved dog, Pierre.

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 JUMP INTO THE COVER!

Par for the Course GOLF COURSE DRESS CODE When you or guests come to play golf at Walden, ensure everyone adheres to the dress code to avoid any frustrations or delays.

Your child could be included on the next cover of Walden Life! Watch our Facebook and Instagram pages for the announcement of when to be at the Walden pool for a group photo.

Men (Including Juniors) Must wear shirts with collars and sleeves; long or short-sleeve golf shirts. Mock turtleneck and turtleneck sweaters are considered to be collared. n Golf pants, casual slacks or shorts mid-thigh length or longer are considered appropriate attire. Blue jeans of any kind or color (including stone-washed) are not allowed on the golf course and practice areas. n Headwear should be of a traditional golfing style and not worn backward. n

Ladies (Including Juniors) n Collared shirts can be sleeveless. Collarless shirts must have sleeves. n Shorts/Skorts must be mid-thigh in length.

Athletic gym wear—including tennis shorts—is not allowed on the golf course and practice areas. n

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WALDEN LIFE

It’s a Major Award The Ravines entrance won the Subdivision Entrance Landscape Award for 2019 from the City of Aurora Tree Commission. The award was not given out in 2020 due to COVID, so The Ravines has won the most recent Landscape Award.

Congratulations to the Ravines on your beautiful entrance.

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

By Miriam Conner John & Kara Molnar moved to Acadia Point Drive last year. John is originally from Ohio and Kara from Michigan, but they were living in Pittsburgh prior to their move to Walden. Moving during the pandemic proved to be challenging as they toured their house via FaceTime and didn’t see it in person until they closed the deal.

John is a triplet with one brother and one sister completing the trio, and another older sister to make him one of four siblings. Kara has one brother and two sisters, all younger than her.

The couple has two children, David (5) and Grace (2). They are looking forward to swimming at the pool and playing pee-wee golf this summer.

John and Kara will celebrate their seventh anniversary in May. If you think online dating never works, they met on eHarmony. Kara was actually on a very bad date at the time John left her a voicemail. When she returned home and heard John’s message, she was hooked. After their first date, she had fallen for him, but she didn’t let him know that quite yet.

PHOTO: KATIE CENKUS

Kara is now a stay-at-home mom in addition to managing their Airbnb in Hilton Head. John is in shipping and logistics management.

Since moving to Walden, they have been busy renovating their home and playing golf as much as they can.

John has been playing for 20 years.

Kara, new to the game, is looking forward to playing in the ladies’ league this summer.

Holding All the Cards

They chose Walden because they found it beautiful and it seemed casual and down to earth. They had heard many positive things about Walden.

They have since found all of it to be true. Kara explained that moving during the pandemic can be very isolating, but everyone was very welcoming and friendly and she said it felt like a community.

Welcome to Walden, Molnars!

LADIES’ INTERNATIONAL RUMMY AT WALDEN

This fun ladies’ group has been in existence for over 20 years, playing every week, all year long. This is a great way to meet new friends and socialize.

Ladies International Rummy is a version of Rummy, simple to learn and a lot of fun to play. Members play the game with quarters, so bring your quarters and be ready to win big! You can play with 3-20 players and you do not need a partner.

New players may join anytime. You may come every week or as often as you like. The game ends around noon, which is just in time to go to lunch together.

This group meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Walden Clubhouse. You need to be a member (at any level) of Club Walden. For more information, text Pat Burge at 216-924-0513.

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Worth Noting Water Under the Bridge The Walden Association will be replacing all three of the bridges along the walking path this summer.

Weather permitting, this project will begin in July/August and should take approximately three weeks to complete.

The path and bridges are now over 20 years old and the bridges have experienced some movement, a natural process due to the proximity of Walden Drive and stormwater run-off. Following a professional assessment, the bridges were determined to be in need of replacement.

The executive committee and trustees have decided to replace the three bridges without any assessment to the residents. Not only will the functionality and safety of the bridges be improved, but also the aesthetics. The two bridges in front of Club Walden will include railings along both sides.

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WALDEN LIFE

TRIVIA How many ponds and lakes are there on Walden property?

Trivia question from the previous issue: What is the most popular drink sold at the Bogey Bar? Answer: Bourbon

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Staff Profile

Kate Dobrzeniecki

Title: Director of Operations Years at Walden: 20 years this January High School: Aurora High School Family: Husband Brian, son Jack Smith Favorite Food: Tacos Favorite Hobby: Traveling Preferred Music: Classic rock & ‘70s folk rock Favorite Walden Event: “Clambakes, because I love seafood and it’s a fun time.”

Something Surprising: “I swam with sharks!”

Favorite Thing about Working at Walden: “Every day is different and I love the people I work with and the members.”

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WALDEN LIFE

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Wildlife of Walden We invited residents to capture the wildlife of Walden.

Here are some of the visitors who were caught on camera.

Bald Eagle / Audrey Winkler

Barred Owl /Audrey Winkler

White Chipmunk / Doug Bouck

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WALDEN LIFE

Common Loon / Doug Bouck

Eastern Phoebe / Doug Bouck

Baby Snapping Turtle / Brad Mitchell

Mallard Ducks / Doug Bouck

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk / Doug Bouck

Baby Raccoon / Audrey Winkler

American Goldfinch / Doug Bouck M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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WILDLIFE OF WALDEN

White-Tailed Deer / Paul & Eileen Gaston

White-Throated Sparrow / Doug Bouck

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WALDEN LIFE

Bald Eagles / Audrey Winkler

Sandhill Crane / Doug Bouck

Fox Squirrel / Miriam Conner

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TEE TIME

Golf: Great for the Beginner and the Pro B y M iriam C onner Research shows that trying something new keeps you from becoming bored, forces you to grow, and is good for your brain. How about giving golf a try? Golf is also good for heart health and stress reduction.

But where do you start? I asked Collin McEndree, PGA, Walden Head Golf Professional, to share his expertise for new golfers. Here’s what he had to say: “If you are new to Walden or have been a member for years, there still may be some intimidation when it comes to playing golf. The fear of the unknown is very common among beginner and seasoned golfers alike, but I can promise you, there is nothing to be nervous about.”

Collin went on to say that he and the entire professional staff at Walden are here to help and answer any questions you may have. The

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WALDEN LIFE

golf industry has seen an amazing increase in rounds played and people trying the game for the first time over the past year, so people have lots of questions.

So if you fall into this category or somewhere in between, Collin offers helpful advice and general information to know when playing golf at Walden, whether you have a tee time or just want to hit golf balls on the driving range.

First, he recommends using the bag drop, which is located in the main turnaround at the front of the clubhouse. Once you drop your clubs off, check in at the golf shop located on the lower level of the clubhouse facing Walden Drive. During check-in, you can ask any questions you may have and staff can guide you in the right direction to the locker rooms, driving range, first tee, or anywhere else on the property.

Collin adds, “If you are interested in learning how to play golf or to simply improve your game, we do

Collin McEndree

offer lessons and a variety of clinics for both men and women of all skill levels. Keep an eye out for more information throughout the golf season on these clinics run by our Director of Instruction Rick Zivsak. If you would like to take a private lesson from Rick or anyone else on our professional staff, you may contact us in the golf shop to set something up.”

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NEWS The following two pages are brought to you by Club Walden

Laura Seiverth Celebrates Retirement Laura Seiverth began her service career with Walden in 1984. As of April 30, 2021, Laura officially turned off her sweeper at Walden and packed up her black service shoes. After 37 years on the job, Laura has retired.

Back when Laura first began working at Walden, the men’s locker room and pro shop were not even built yet. Laura remembers when the Main Dining Room (what is now the large banquet room of the Clubhouse) was used for in-person dining and the Mixed Grille (what is now used primarily for member, in-person dining) was mostly used for golfers and the men to come in and grab a quick sandwich.

She said her most memorable moment was when Harry

Connick Jr. came in to play on the “Big Red Piano” in the Mixed Grille! But her all-time favorite event was a fundraiser event held every Monday evening: “Boys Town of Italy.”

Laura has many wonderful memories to share of her time at Walden, and has seen many of our members and their children celebrate their weddings here. Back in 1990, she even showed up in one of the wedding photos of longtime members Marcia and Art Newman.

Now that she has retired, Laura and her husband, Bob, plan to travel. In 2017, they enjoyed a trip to Alaska and are looking to return. They also plan to rent an RV and travel out West together. But most of all, she plans on making up time lost during COVID with her two children and six grandchildren!

When asked what she would miss most about Walden, she quickly responded, “The people and the beautiful setting of Walden” that she enjoyed every day while at work.

If you would like to send a card, share a memory or wish Laura well in her retirement, you can mail it to Club Walden, Attn: Laura Seiverth, 585 Country Club Lane, Aurora, OH 44202.

Walden Renovations

W

alden’s plans to renovate the Barn and Clubhouse areas are moving along swiftly. The Barn opened with its fresh, new look in January. Although the Barn look is new, Chef Thomas—along with his amazing menu and talents—remains! Members saw a change in the attire requirements to jackets now being highly encouraged versus mandatory for the gentlemen.

The lobby of the Clubhouse has a new color palette and an inviting presence. As updates progress, that color scheme will enter into the Mixed Grille area, where construction of the new bar and deck has begun.

Lady golfers have a modern new look and soothing colors in their locker room. The Wednesday night Wine and Nine golfers can enjoy their drinks and appetizers from the new chairs and buffet area of the locker room.

We are excited to show you the completed bar and deck in the magazine’s next issue!

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WALDEN LIFE

The Barn

Enjoy Outdoor Yoga in the Bucolic Setting of Spa Walden

D

uring this sunny season, our thoughts turn to getting outdoors as much as possible. This includes daily yoga practice.

Spa Walden will begin offering outdoor yoga to our members and guests in June. Practicing outdoors has many advantages, ranging from

The Barn

health benefits to the simple enjoyment of a change of scenery while embracing nature, vast sky and peaceful landscape. Our senses get invigorated and our bodies feel replenished when practicing yoga; even more so when practicing outdoors.

Bring your mat, water, sunscreen and even sunglasses, then root into the earth and add amazing dimensions to your exercise regime. We will meet you in the lawn area behind Spa Walden to connect with nature, develop your meditation practice, and work on all levels of experience with the poses.

Our highly trained, experienced teachers specialize in teaching all levels of Yoga Asana (poses), Meditation, Pranayama (breathwork) and Yoga Nidra (deep healing relaxation). Classes begin June on 12.

Visit the Spa Walden website at yourwalden.com for an up-to-date calendar of classes and times.

COST PER CLASS: n Diamond Members and Inn Guests: Classes are complimentary

n Club

Walden Members: $10

n Drop-in

class for public: $15

n Yoga Packages are available for purchase

yoga, stretch and meditation classes available

n Private

n Private nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian available upon request

Contact Barrie Rosencrans MS, RD, LD 1000 DYT, 500 E-RYT, Spa Walden Director and Dharma Yoga teacher at barrie@yourwalden.com.

The Clubhouse

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WALDEN WHERE FITNESS IS FUN!

By Miriam Conner Staying fit requires discipline. If you don’t keep up with your chosen exercise, it won’t do you as much good.

Fortunately for Walden residents, fitness is fun, so it’s easy to maintain a healthy-habit lifestyle. Whether it’s golf, running, bicycling or tennis, you’ll find inspiration to keep up with it at Walden.

Par for the Course: Al Wangenheim Al Wangenheim and his wife, Andrea, moved to High Point in Walden in 2019 from Hudson. They say that being in Walden is like “going to camp” because they love the outdoors and enjoy walking. Andrea spends as much time as she can biking and playing tennis. They also like getting together with friends at the club. They are the proud parents of three children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Al has been playing golf for 64 years, since he was 8 years old. He also played golf for his high school in New York.

I asked him why he enjoys golf so much and his reasons were many: playing golf allows him to be outdoors, which is where he likes to be as much as he can.

He explains that when you play golf, although you can be playing against competitors, many times you are playing against the course and trying to better your personal score each time. He also enjoys looking at the course from different angles and the holes in new ways.

Being able to play golf during this past year was something that Al is very thankful for.

While many activities were canceled, he was able to continue his love of golf.

Being able to play golf during this past year was something that Al is very thankful for. While many activities were canceled, he was able to continue his love of golf. Al and his wife have found golf to be something they can do together.

When Andrea is biking, Al has a lot of fun playing with the 22

WALDEN LIFE

Al Wangenheim

PHOTOS BY MARIA BIEL

Molly says running is her way of clearing her head and relieving tension from her busy life as a senior project manager and mom.

guys. “I have met many friends because of golf. Golf is a great social experience,” Al says. Al shared some advice for new golfers and those interested in giving it a try this season. He suggests talking with a pro at Walden and getting lessons. He stressed the importance of understanding the etiquette of the course.

“Get a seasoned Walden golfer and go play to find out what you like and the etiquette.”

Al’s father played until he was 84 years old and that is one thing about golf that Al likes—you can play for a long time.

“With the handicap system and different tees, you can play forever.”

His favorite events have been the Triple Crown, where he and his partner were flight winners, Seniors Tournament, Men’s League, and Derby Day. If you’re looking for a lifelong fitness habit, find Al on the golf course and ask him how it’s done.

In the Running: Molly Wasil If you have lived in Walden for any length of time, you have no doubt seen Molly Wasil running. She may have been pushing a stroller, running alone, running while pregnant, running with her kids on bikes and her dog trotting along.

It may be sunny, raining or snowing, but Molly can still be seen running through Walden. Molly is an Aurora High School graduate, where she ran track and cross country.

From there she had the option of a running scholarship, but decided not to run in college and attended The Ohio State University. She and her husband, Joe, have lived in Walden on Glen Eden Drive for 15 years, where they are raising their two kids, Cameron (8) and Alexis (6), and their dog, Murray.

Molly has never stopped running since high school. Her doctor forced her to stop at one point during her pregnancy, so she used an elliptical during that time until once again, she could hit the pavement. Molly runs most days of the week—at least five—and she runs “only five miles a day,” as

Molly Wasil

she says. What a slacker. Running through the Ravines and looping around Ridgeway gives her those five miles. She runs in any and every kind of weather. She enjoys running down Walden Drive and throughout the side streets. She appreciates the shade that Walden provides.

Her kids love to ride their bikes and try to keep up with their mom as she runs. They are less concerned with logging miles and more concerned with finding creatures in the ponds along the way. Molly says running is her way of clearing her head and relieving tension from her busy life as a senior project manager and mom. u M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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Molly’s advice for those new to running is to take it slow and start easy, with a small loop around Walden.

Taking the path from beginning to end is approximately two miles (is that starting slow?) and she says to walk part of it if you need to. A good way to see your improvement is to make a goal to run to the next street on the path or the lake or a bridge.

What Henk likes about cycling in Walden is that it is sheltered, there’s not much traffic and he can go around the Walden loop for a leisurely ride.

She also stresses the importance of good running shoes.

That makes a huge difference, according to Molly. You can also use a heart rate monitor if you want to track that.

“Running is not for everyone, but just get outside and keep active,” Molly says.

According to Molly, the best part about running in Walden is, “There are so many people to stop and talk to.

That is how I have met so many people. You can meet some great people running and walking in Walden.”

It’s Just Like Riding a Bike: Henk Stock Henk Stock and his wife, Bryn, and their three daughters, Remy (18 and a freshman at The University of Dayton), Lyla and Reagan (14) have been club members since 2004 and have lived in The Ravines since October 2020. Henk was born and raised in Belgium. He came to the United States in 1998. A wine steward on a cruise ship during his single days, Henk is currently the manager at Spencer Products.

Henk biked a lot when he was young and got into it more when he was 14. Then in 2008, he picked it up again and his love for cycling grew. He has competed in approximately 50 triathlons. Yes, 50.

In the winter, Henk bikes a couple times a week, logging around 25 miles. In the summer, he cycles three or four times a week, which comes out to be 45-75 miles. The farthest bike trip he has done was from Aurora, Ohio to Washington, DC in September. This was a six-day bike trip with fellow Walden member, Chris Hegele. Henk will be riding home from Cincinnati over Memorial Day weekend.

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WALDEN LIFE

Henk Stock

Henk does ride close to home too and what he likes about cycling in Walden is that it is sheltered, there’s not much traffic and he can go around the Walden loop for a leisurely ride. Henk will ride from Ravine Drive to Deer Island and go down a few of the side streets to get a couple of miles in.

Henk’s advice for those interested in beginning cycling is not to buy the heaviest bike. Get a lighter bike and go to a bike shop where there is a professional who can fit you for a bike. He recommends a helmet and lights for safety.

Henk shared a cycling saying with me: n+1, where n = the amount of bikes you own and 1 = the amount of bikes you need. I asked him how many bikes he owned and he just laughed.

Henk says that he has had fun enjoying biking in Walden and meeting new people. “Whatever you do, you have to enjoy it. I love being out there. For me, I like to go when it is quiet and the roads are not busy.”

Tennis, Anyone?

Audrey Winkler Audrey Winkler has lived in Walden for 18 years, first on Arbor Way and currently on Glen Eden Drive. She is married to Kurt and is a full time mom to their four kids, Bennett, (16), Brynn (14), Brennen (11) and Beckett (8).

Audrey played tennis at Eastlake North High School and Baldwin Wallace for four years. Her favorite thing about playing tennis is that it is a great lifelong sport.

Audrey enjoys playing tennis at Walden. When Tim Morgan came to Walden in 2008, she was surprised to see a familiar face. Tim is the one who taught her and her brother at a racquet club when she was 12. She remembered him being a very good teacher and making tennis fun.

These memories made her want to get involved in tennis at Walden with Tim. She has enjoyed being a part of cardio tennis, which she says involves an awesome group of people and a different way to get fitness in with your racquet, including women’s round robin, evening clinics, holiday events and mixed doubles. Something Audrey enjoys about these events is that “they are not cut-throat” and she has met many “nice people who want to play a friendly game with good tennis.”

It has come full circle, having Tim teach her own kids the game of tennis. She likes his style and that he makes it fun for the kids as well. “Tim is an excellent teacher of all ages and can modify his teaching style to his audience,” Audrey says.

The kids’ tennis program has grown in the last couple of years and it is fun to see all of the kids out there having fun.

Audrey Winkler

For those wanting to try tennis, Audrey’s advice is to try Play Tennis Walden, which is the adult learn-to-play program. “Tim makes you feel comfortable and he has a lot of patience, making it fun for all ages. Tim can talk to you about racquets and what you need to get started.”

Audrey enjoys Walden’s tennis events because they are not cut-throat.

Just nice people who want to play a friendly game of tennis.

Audrey has had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people through the Walden tennis programs. Look for Audrey tearing up the courts this season.

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BACK IN THE DAY

Al O’Neil: A Walden Original

By Miriam Conner

Al O’Neil

I recently had the pleasure to talk to Walden legend Al O’Neil.

If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone and smiled the entire time, then you can relate to me as I spoke with Al. Al was one of the very first people who bought a home in Walden. As one of the original residents, he has been a member of Club Walden ever since.

In May 1971, Al had just moved to the area for a job in Hudson. He had heard that there was a golf course community underway in Aurora.

He met with Manny Barenholtz and they’ve been dear friends ever since.

Al tells the story like this: Manny brought out his “magic selling box,” which was a big square box with a glass top. Inside was a model of the future Walden with boxes for houses. Manny told Al that he was going to build a lake, clubhouse, tennis courts, swim26

WALDEN LIFE

ming pool, a restaurant in the barn and another restaurant in the clubhouse.

“That sounds nice but no way is all of that going to happen,” Al thought.

Regardless, he decided to buy, sight unseen, from a drawing of a Claridge Lane property. Al thought he would be in Walden only for a few years due to his career. Despite his initial assumptions, he has been in Walden ever since—a mere 51 years.

“The ‘magic selling box’ turned out to be the real thing. Everything was completed as he (Manny) said. Walden is a remarkable development and it has been a joy to live there all these years.”

Al says that early Walden was a close-knit community and everyone was friends with each other. The building process was slow and deliberate and because of that, when new people moved in, everyone knew who they were and they immediately became a community of friends.

“Walden is a very special place that binds people together quickly and easily.” Al remembers fondly the “fun atmosphere” of Walden when everyone

“

Early Walden was a close-knit community and everyone was friends with each other. The building process was slow and deliberate and because of that, when new people moved in, everyone knew who they were and they immediately became a community of friends.

AL O’NEIL

”

was new and excited. The residents enjoyed watching what was being built next and who was going to move in.

I asked him about the ease of making new friends and he said there were plenty of opportunities to get to know people but “golf is what brought people together very quickly.”

Al has made many friends through golf. “Golf was a big part of my life for many years. I enjoyed socializing afterwards and making new friends.”

As the community grew, Al and the residents began to see bulldozers. That was the beginning of Walden Lake.

They watched as the dirt-digging transitioned to water-filling. They took bets in the bar as to when the lake would be full. They made a raffle out of it to make it even more fun.

Speaking of fun, it sounds like all they had was fun during those early

Promotional ad for Walden “back in the day.”

years. I have to admit, I was wishing I had been there to experience it.

Al reminisced about all sorts of events, such as a softball game in the snow on what is now the driving range, and a “tennis craze” with 40-50 people

participating in doubles tournaments.

How about a Walden Olympics?

Yes, they created that, complete with winter and summer games. At that time, there were six or seven associations, and each association participant

wore a different-colored T-shirt as they competed against one another. Some of the events were the long jump, basketball, swimming, and even curling on Walden Lake! u

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B A C K I N T H E D AY

Rotating house parties were the regular. “That was all part of the fabric of fun and entertainment. It was somewhat surreal as compared to ordinary life,” Al says.

Another favorite event was “The Gong Show” at the clubhouse (for those who are too young to remember the show that was all the rage in the ‘70s, think “American Idol” with an emcee who would ‘gong’ contestants off the stage if they were voted down).

The judges wore tuxedos and they had several contestants vying for the title of winner. That prize went to a resident at the time who played “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.”

Another highlight was the Walden Homecoming. Several associations built amazing floats, according to Al. There

“

Another favorite event was “The Gong Show” at the clubhouse.

The judges wore tuxedos and they had several contestants vying for the title of winner. That prize went to a resident at the time who played “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.”

AL O’NEIL

”

was a parade through Walden Drive and a winner for the best float.

For Al, he also enjoyed hanging out at the clubhouse and the bar, which was and still is the place to be. He said it is impossible not to see someone he knows and whether an old friend, or someone he just met, it is that same warm feeling.

“Thank the Lord I wound up in Walden and I have had an absolutely wonderful life there,” Al says.

Although Walden is a much bigger place with many more residents now, Al says that the Walden residents and members are still friendly to this day.

“People say hello to each other and respect each other. It is a very special place. Manny’s vision came true.

His ‘magic selling box’ came true.”

Looking to Advertise in the July/August Issue?

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

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WALDEN LIFE

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LIVING THE LIFE

What is Your Favorite Way to Stay Healthy?

Amy Crane

WA L D E N FA R M S

“I thoroughly enjoy walking miles with my husband through Walden and Walden Farms.

I also enjoy working out in our home gym and at the clubhouse. Lastly, drinking as much water as I can is key for me.

Mike Detweiler

RUSSET WOODS

“For me, staying healthy has two components: Physical—be active by walking, exercising, gardening, etc; Mental—be involved with others by volunteering, having a social life and always interacting with those younger than you to keep a good perspective on life.

A quote on my desk is: “Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.”

Dawn Davet

C R O S S C R E E K O VA L

“I love to go on walks and hike. This area has so many beautiful trails and paths.”

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WALDEN LIFE

Martie Jacobs

CLARIDGES

“I count my steps everyday and try to drink LOTS of water.”

Gina Ehrhart

CLARIDGES

“Working out with a professional trainer has kept me in great shape.

Cardio and weights have made a huge difference in my life, both mentally and physically.”

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NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

Must Love Dogs

By Miriam Conner Grace Vitale was no stranger to Walden—since her in-laws, Mary and Anthony Sanson, and her aunt and uncle, Nate and Mary Sanson—lived in Walden. She always knew she wanted to retire to Walden. Grace moved to Fairington in 2014 following her daughter and son-in-law, John and Nikki Zupancic, and their two daughters, Parker (9) and Olivia (7), who live on Arbor Way. Grace actually lives across the street from them and takes comfort in knowing that she “never feels far from them.” Grace says, “The nice thing about Walden is that you can have multi-generational families living here.”

She enjoys gardening and said that Walden is a dog-friendly community and that is important to her. I would say it is important to her since she is the proud owner of six dogs. “My dogs are my kids now and my best companions.” She credits her dogs with helping to get her through COVID-19. She contracted the virus in March 2020 and having her dogs to quarantine with gave her the companionship she needed. “I am surrounded by love every day. I am never lonely.”

In 2009, Grace was living in South Euclid and was scrolling through social media and came across several horrible stories involving dogs. She thought she should be doing something to help.

She wanted to go where she was most needed but was afraid of the emotional

Grace Vitale is surrounded by her dogs: Ingrid, Chip, Denali, Trixie, Cooper and Lulu.

toll it may take on her, working with dogs that had suffered so much. But she did not let her fear stop her. She signed up to volunteer at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter to walk dogs.

She thought she would try it and told herself she could always quit if it was too much for her. Walking dogs turned into more involvement where she was volunteering four days a week. It was there where she adopted Lula in 2011.

She is now volunteering a couple of days a week, working with dogs in the play group. She has adopted three additional dogs from the shelter: Ingrid, Chip and Denali, and two from Walden who needed her, Trixie and Cooper.

Grace has been instrumental in making videos of the dogs in the playgroup at the shelter and sharing those videos on social media. Some of those videos have had 10,000 views and viewers from as far away as Norway. The videos are a tool to help raise awareness for shelter dogs.

Grace wants to change the way people think about shelter dogs. “All dogs are wonderful, but you can save a life by adopting.” She would also like to encourage others to volunteer at a dog shelter or anywhere you can help.

“My calling is for the dogs. Wherever you are called to volunteer, just do it.”

“All dogs are wonderful, but you can save a dog’s life by adopting one.”

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WALDEN LIFE

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WALDEN LIFE

GROWING UP WALDEN

By Miriam Conner

David Weber An Aurora resident from 1969-1988, David graduated from Aurora High in 1988. Now he lives in Chandler, Arizona with his wife, Stacey, and three children, David Jr., Zack and Hailey. Despite the fact that he hasn’t lived here for 30+ years, David admits that he’s still a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cavs and Indians!

During what years did you live in Walden and how old were you?

My family moved to Brandon Circle in Walden from Four Seasons in 1976, when I was only 7 years old. My parents moved to Aurora in 1969. At that time, Aurora was still a township with a population of fewer than 7,000 people.

What was Walden like then?

The Weber Family

What did you like best about Walden?

Who was in your family?

Walden was an ideal community to grow up in as a young person. Walden fostered a strong sense of community where residents genuinely knew, watched out for and cared for their neighbors. The children felt safe, monitored by a Walden Ranger, as they played outside in the open fields, woods, neighborhood walk/bike trails, and fished in the lakes and streams.

We moved to Walden as our family was growing. Along with my parents, Edward and Sheila, I had three siblings: my older brother Ed, younger sister Kristen and brother Joe.

What are some of your best memories of growing up in Walden?

Walden, as a master-planned community, had not been completed in 1976. Walden Drive ended at Arbor Way and there were many unsold, empty home lots. Walden golf course only had nine holes and The Barn at South Bissell Road/Walden Drive served as the clubhouse and pro shop.

David’s classic Walden divot repair tool

My fondest memory of Walden as a child is playing golf from dusk to dawn with my brother, parents or family friends.

In addition, I enjoyed working in the summer at the golf course from the time I was age 10 to 18. I would help members with their tee times, clubs, range balls and golf carts for various tournaments. At the time, Dominic Antenucci was the golf professional and gave me the opportunity to learn about delivering on work commitments, meeting obligations, and working with challenging individuals. Nothing teaches a teenager about persistence better than picking all of the golf balls on the six-acre range by hand each night so the members could have range balls to hit the next morning. u M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

35

GROWING UP WALDEN

In 2010, David Weber’s family celebrated his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary at Club Walden.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, several sports figures and celebrities visited the country club, golf course and pool. One celebrity, Elizabeth Taylor, visited Walden and used the pool one day during her visit. However, she requested the lifeguard to clear the pool so she could swim in an empty pool. The lifeguards obliged her request. Needless to say, the members didn’t appreciate that.

My favorite hole on the Walden course is hole number two (previously hole 11, since the front and back nine were flipped several years ago). It’s a par three, 158 yards with water, that runs from the front of the tee box around the left side of the hole. This hole is very memorable to me because, as a junior golfer, it was always challenging to navigate the water but in the past there was a wooden walking bridge you

36

WALDEN LIFE

had to avoid hitting. I have a picture of this hole in my office to remind me of how such a picturesque hole can turn into such a hazard as a golfer.

A Walden Family Celebration In 2010, my family and close friends celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary at Club Walden. It was a wonderful event for my parents and a special opportunity to share the Walden experience with my wife and children.

Walden held a special place in my family members’ lives.

My parents were members from 1976 through their passing in 2018.

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WALDEN KITCHENS

Summer Poké This is a great summer dish that the seafood lover can enjoy all season long.

Add whatever ingredients you wish to this basic recipe. It can be served with cucumbers, carrots, wakame (seaweed salad), rice, salad greens, spicy mayo or wasabi. The combinations are endless. If you are afraid of eating raw fish, simply freeze the fish for five days to kill off any possible bacteria before making your poké or use a quality frozen piece of salmon or tuna.

Recipe Compliments of Chef Matt at the Clubhouse

INGREDIENTS 1 lb high quality tuna or salmon, diced in ½ inch cubes, very cold ½ cup soy sauce 1 tbs rice vinegar 1 tsp sriracha sauce ¼ cup honey ¼ cup toasted sesame oil 2 tbs toasted sesame seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS ENJOY!

38

n

Mix all of the ingredients (except fish) together.

n

Toss the marinade with the fish and let sit for at least five minutes.

n

Serve with your favorite accompaniments.

WALDEN LIFE

Sandra Myers Realtor ®, RRS As a professional Realtor® and a 15 year resident of Walden Farms, I look forward to helping you find a new home or sell your current Walden home.

For a home valuation, visit: homevalue.howardhanna.com/sandramyers Email: SandraMyers@howardhanna.com Cell: 216.409.0305 Office: 330.562.6188 195 Barrington Town Square Aurora, Ohio 44202

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think I cannot preserve my health and “I spirits unless I spend four hours a day at

least sauntering through the woods and fields absolutely free from all worldy engagements.”

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WALDEN LIFE

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Patrick and his wife, Danielle, are proud Club Walden members.

l Cell: 216.559.5500

Marketplace To place your ad in our Marketplace section or elsewhere within Walden Life, please contact Leslie Fletcher at Leslie@MyWaldenLife.com or 440-785-3110.

3C’s

We’re Three Walden Siblings

Call us if you need help with dog walking, dog sitting, babysitting, errands or general help.

References & experience

440.396.0374

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

41

reflections

Ingrid Sussman, a Walden resident for 40 years, painted this watercolor interpretation of The Barn from the ‘80s.

42

WALDEN LIFE

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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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 SPRING AT WALDEN!