The Story of Us Happy Father’s Day from the Brocks of Fairway Drive! Graduates!ClassCongratulationsof2022 June 2022
REQUEST YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY! 419-236-3964 | LuckyLimoLLC.com ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL & PRISTINE INSIDE & OUT! Luxury Seating • 50” Smart TV • Gray Oak Flooring Full Stereo System & Dance Lighting 2 • JUNE SHAWNEE2022LIFE
HONORING FAMILY WISHES, THEN & NOW Trusted for over 75 years of funeral service Committed to providing our community with respectful, dignified, and professional services. We believe in giving back to the community that has supported us. Learn more about what we have to offer you and your loved ones at (419)www.bayliffandson.com645-4501 311 West Main Street Cridersville, Ohio 45806 $TWO419-701-2081ROOMCARPETCLEANINGSPECIAL99*WHOLE HOUSE AIR DUCTS CLEANING & SANITIZING *Up to 8 vents Includes Clean, Deodorize, Protect & *OversizedDisinfectorL-shaped combo rooms are considered 2 rooms $199* WWW.NORTHWESTOHIOKWIKDRY.COM NWOHIOKWIKDRY@GMAIL.COM HOW CAN WE BE OF SERVICE TO YOU? Deep Cleaning Technology All-Natural & Pet Friendly Super Fast Drying Time JUNE 2022 • 3 SHAWNEE LIFE
Attending events is another way to meet your Shawnee neighbors. Be on the lookout for exclusive invites and other details about upcoming summer events, by joining our private Shawnee Life group page on Facebook or by joining our VIP Text List. These events are offered by our business sponsors, non-profit organizations, neighborhoods in our circulation area and by S hawnee Life Magazine.
From Diane’s Desk... 4 • JUNE SHAWNEE2022LIFE
Summer is right around the corner, and I couldn’t be happier about it! Spending time outside has been a great way to connect with new people. Have you ever looked at someone that looked familiar, but you couldn’t quite place the face? I am noticing this happening more and more, and then I real ize that often it is because it was someone that was featured in a past issue of the magazine. Asking if they were in the magazine has been a great conversation starter and a beautiful way to make connections within my own neighborhood and beyond!
Mercy Health has their Red Door Gala on June 9th, and Autism Life Center is holding their annual rock painting event titled, Autism Rocks, which is open to all on July 16th at Ottawa Metro Park. Purple Feet Wine Boutique offers monthly dining experiences that are delicious, while Proforma AddA-Line’s Customer Appreciation Lunch & Vendor Show will be at the swanky event space, Hawthorne 19, on July 28th. Primrose has a variety of opportunities to experience what living in their beauti ful retirement community is really like and Burton’s Ridge is offering a Matter of Balance workshop during June & July for any older adults that have a fear of falling. Indianbrook will hold their annual Garage Sales on July 29th & 30th, along with a couple of food trucks. Finally, Shawnee Life is plan ning a summer wine tasting limo tour for the end of July or beginning of August, so be sure to stay tuned to the group Facebook page and sign up to get on our VIP text list for the invite and details. This issue of Shawnee Life is showing “The Story of Us” by including submissions written firsthand by our readers, which is one of my favorite ways to find out interesting tidbits about others that live in our Shawnee Life community. Be sure to check out the “Where there’s smoke…there’s desire” article, where we learn more about the tasty hobby that quite a few of our readers are passionate about! I also hope you find design inspiration from the photos and narratives that our readers are sharing on the Favorite Spaces page. In upcoming issues, we hope to hear all about your favorite vacations, near and far, for our new Travel Tales page. If you take a peek at our Meet the Tribe page, you will see that the definition of Nick’s continues to evolve, month after month. Serving as our CFO, Chief Fun Officer, he is excited to usher in the summer by hosting parties, firing up the smoker, and floating in the pool with a cocktail! I am just excited that he continues to do many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that make this magazine pos Remembersible. to send us ideas that you want to see in the magazine: Ideas@ShawneeLife.com.
Want to WIN a ‘sweet’ treat on your doorstep? The first 10 people to text us which house has a circle window wins! Text your name, address and the location of the window to 419-371-4633 to enter to win. BUYING SELLING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BusyBRealty(419) 339-0600 | darheit@busybrealty.com MEET THE TRIBE Diane Schoonover Publisher Michael Ayers Photographer Nick Schoonover CFO (Chief Fun Officer) Janine Douglass DISH-cussions Anca DeifendeiferQin Making a Mark DamschrodeGeorgiannar Precious Pets Molly Ellerbrock Graphic Designer Tisha Barnes Savvy Spaces Julie Lundin Know Your Neighbor Nicole Davis Welcome Wagon / Mercy Matters Zoe Smith Amazing Achievers JUNE 2022 • 5 SHAWNEE LIFE
The Joys of Toys Mercy Matters We value and highlight Mercy and their health care professionals that dedicate their lives to caring for others and the community! Find the Feather Every month we hide the golden Shawnee Life feather in one ad. Find it, email us, and get entered in a drawing for something awesome!
6 • JUNE SHAWNEE2022LIFE
Every month we showcase a family that lives in Shawnee to help you connect with others around you! Precious Pets
ArticlesFeatured
DISH-cussions
Locate the Logo Occasionally our business sponsors want our readers to find their logo. If you do, you will be entered to win a prize from that business! Financial Focus Securities, Real Estate, Tax Planning. We bring the sharpest minds with their practi cal advice of how to strategically invest your capital to meet your family goals.
Email: Ideas@ShawneeLife.com Show off your newest toy or passion! A new Jeep, Lego build, amazing guitar or a tech gadget? Show it off here and share why it means the world to you.
Know Your Neighbor
Everyone loves to share stories about their pets. Find out how many people tend to treat them like another member of the family! Making a Mark Learn about a non-profit organization in our area and the people that truly make a difference in our community.
What’s cooking in Shawnee? This is where you will discover a delicious recipe and the story behind the dish and the chef! Savvy Spaces Inspiration abounds as we highlight inte rior design ideas, curb appeal strategies, and explain how to make your house feel like a home. Amazing Achievers Amazing students are all around us. Our Junior Writer shares a story about a successful student or athlete in the local schools. Sponsor Spotlight Our sponsors also have the opportunity to share who they are, how their businesses work and help contribute to our commu nity.
Seasonal Features Celebrating our graduates, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day love stories, Christmas wishes, traditions, etc. WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE? This is The Story of Us, so we would love to hear your ideas.
APPLIANCES Tracy’s Appliances (419) 223-4786 Westrich Furniture & Appliances (419) 695-6045 CANCER CARE / ONCOLOGY Cancer Care of West Central Ohio (419) 221-2273 CLEANING Northwest Ohio Kwik Dry (419) 701-2081 DONATION PICK UP Habitat for Humanity Lima ReStore (419) 222-4937 EDUCATION Lima Central Catholic High School (419) 222-4276 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Brunk Electric (419) 812-2821 FINANCIAL ADVISORS Financial Clarity Group (513) 752-0386 FOOD & DRINK Purple Feet Wine Boutique (567) 940-9944 FOUNDATIONS WATERPROOOFING& The Basement Doctor (419) 229-5800 FUNERAL HOME Bayliff & Son (419) 645-4501 These local businesses are proud to serve our community and sponsor Shawnee Life magazine. Their contribu tions make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and let them know that you saw them in Shawnee Life magazine. Neighborhood SponsorDirectory FURNITURE Tracy’s Appliances (419) 223-4786 Westrich Furniture & Appliances (419) 695-6045 HEALTHCARE Mercy Health – St. Rita’s (419) 227-3361 HEATING & AIR Cleaves American Heating & Air Conditioning (419) Washam227-4328PlumbingHeating&Air(419)339-0729 INSURANCE Beery Insurance Services (419) 228-4000 INTERIOR DESIGN Deborah’s Interiors (419) 991-4400 JEWELER Vons Diamonds & Jewelry (419) 227-5616 PET MEMORIAL SERVICES Bayliff & Son (419) 645-4501 PHOTOGRAPHY The Ayers, Inc. (419) 222-9377 PLUMBING Washam(419)HeatingPlumbing&Air339-0729 PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & PRINTING SERVICES ProForma Add-A-Line (419) 224-8747 REALTORS Busy B Realty (419) Cowan339-0600Realtors(419)222-1212 RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Burton’s Ridge Assisted Living (419) 228-8412 Primrose Retirement Community (419) 224-1200 SECURITY Lima Security, Inc. (419) 222-1250 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ProForma Add-A-Line (419) 224-8747 SKILLED NURSING & REHAB Shawnee Manor (419) 999-2055 TRANSPORTATION / LIMOS / PARTY BUS Lucky Limo, LLC (419) 236-3964 UPHOLSTERY & WINDOW TREATMENTS Deborah’s Interiors (419) 991-4400 WEDDINGS The Ayers, Inc. (419) 222-9377 Lucky Limo, LLC (419) ProForma236-3964Add-A-Line(419)224-8747 JUNE 2022 • 7 SHAWNEE LIFE
Meet the Family Brock by Julie Lundin
Meet the Brock family of Fairway Drive: Tyler, Liannie, Evie, Amara, Arabella (Bella), and their lab/ beagle mix, Lola. The Brocks moved to Shawnee in 2017, but pur chased their home on Fairway Drive two years ago.
Liannie also attended Union College which is where she and Tyler met. Upon graduation, Liannie went to law school at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Tyler and Liannie moved to Shawnee from Barbourville, Kentucky when Tyler accepted the position as Men’s Head Soccer Coach at UNOH. Li annie works as the Staff Attorney at the ONU Legal Clinic, as well as being the ONU Title IX Coordina Thetor. Brocks love living in their neighborhood and the Shawnee community! “Our neighborhood has such friendly neighbors, well-kept homes, and we love walking and riding our bikes throughout the neigh borhood,” commented Liannie.
8 • JUNE SHAWNEE2022LIFE
NeighborYourKnow
Tyler was born and raised in Northern Kentucky and attended Union College where he played on the soc cer team. Liannie was born in Trinidad and moved to Florida when she was 10 years old. Her family later moved to Westerville, a suburb of Columbus.
The children have become active members of our community. Evie attends Shawnee Middle School, while both Amara and Bella attend Elmwood. All of the girls play soccer. Evie plays for the Greater Toledo Football Club (GTFC) and the little girls play for Shawnee recreational soccer teams. Evie also volunteers at church helping with the children’s youth services, while Amara is part of the ukulele club at school, which they both thoroughly enjoy!
In addition, both Tyler and Liannie have coached for the Shawnee Youth Soccer program. As you
JUNE 2022 • 9 SHAWNEE LIFE
Along with holiday traditions, the Brocks go to Lin coln Ridge Farms every summer to pick strawberries and make jam to give to neighbors and friends. A yearly trip to Put-in-Bay before school begins in late summer is always a great way for the girls to end their summer
Someonebreak!
Whether playing soccer together, traveling around the country, walking the neighborhood, or picking straw berries in the summer, the Brocks truly enjoy spending quality time with each other as a family.
once said, “No amount of money or success can take the place of time spent with your family.”
Family traditions around the holidays are an important part of family life in the Brock household. For Easter they always dye eggs and have an Easter egg hunt. At Christmas they enjoy baking cookies, decorat ing a gingerbread house, putting up Christmas lights, and driving around neighborhoods looking at lights.
can tell, soccer plays a huge role in the lives of the Brocks! “We always cheer for FC Cincinnati and the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams!” declared Liannie.
One of the things they enjoy doing together is trav eling. Spending time in Florida at the beaches and Disney World are two of their favorite places to visit. Evie, Amara, and Bella also love going to Colorado. The Brocks just purchased an RV and are looking for ward to traveling throughout the country. Besides trav eling, they enjoy having movie and game nights, with dominoes being a favorite game of theirs to play. The Brocks also like trying different restaurants that are not part of a national chain. Beer Barrel and LuLu’s are two of their favorite places to eat in Lima. However, they all love going to First Watch in Dublin for break fast or brunch when they are in the Columbus area.
SPRING IS HERETime for something new! 419-812-2821 brunkelectric@gmail.com Interior | Exterior | Landscape your outdated lighting with REFRESHLEDs PrimroseRetirement.com Townhome Villas, Independent & Assisted Living Located next to the Senior Center • 3500 W. Elm St, Lima, OH Contact Cortney at (419) 233-3338 for more information. Primrose Summer Events EVERY WEDNESDAY • 10:00 am Seated Chair Exercise With Midwest Therapy in our Wellness Center MONDAY, JUNE 20TH • 2:00 pm “Going in Style” Movie Matinee Free popcorn, pop and candy in our Movie Theater THURSDAY, JUNE 23RD • 2:00 pm Outdoor Ice Cream Social Enjoy entertainment plus take a ride on a 12-seat carriage bicycle THURSDAY, JULY 14TH Refreshments 1:30 pm • Bingo 2:00 pm God Bless America Bingo Great prizes, fellowship and bring a canned food item for the Veteran’s Food Pantry and receive an extra bingo card 10 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
JUNE 2022 • 11 SHAWNEE LIFE
As a parent, we all experience joys and challenges. Some times, the struggles our children experience require us to seek out extra support. Thankfully, there is a wonderful resource, right here in Lima that empowers individuals with Autism, along with their families and professionals. Tera experienced these challenges as her daughter, Faith, was diagnosed at the young age of 3 years old. “Once diagnosed we searched for therapy, educational opportu nities, and support for our daughter. I began volunteering and became involved with our local Autism community. After nine years of volunteering for other nonprofits, facilitating support meetings, attending trainings and advocating, I decided to start our own non-profit.” This is how Autism Life Center in Lima was born!
Laura Mitchell, of Indianbrook, joined the organization in the summer of 2020 as a board member. As she learned more about Autism Life Center, she began recommending parents to the organization as part of her job as a Pediat ric Occupational Therapist, because the kids needed the resources that Autism Life Center offers. Laura says “My by Anca Deifendeifer Qin fb: web:@autismlifecenterautismlc.com
MarkaMaking
Most of the resources families need are at least an hour or two away. By having these resources offered locally, this group helps provide families with what they need as they navigate this difficult journey. “Autism Life Center is more than a non-profit, it’s more than a business or a therapy. Autism Life Center is a way to give back, fill needs and change lives!” according to Tera Viola, Found ing Executive Director.
AUTISM ROCKS is a rock painting event open to all to raise autism awareness and acceptance.
Autism Life Center offers a free support meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 (except June, July, August and December), in the Journey Building at the Lima Community Church, located at 2945 N Cole St. The meeting is for guest speakers to share their insight, create DIY sensory items, as well as provide space for people to ask questions, share resources and find support with a safe, nonjudgmental group of parents and profes sionals who understand. Tera says, “you never know when you might say or share something, someone else is waiting to hear.” And for Amanda & Johnny Boyles that’s exactly how they felt when they attended the first meet Amandaing. says, “Our son, Jayce, was diagnosed with Au tism in July of 2020. After receiving services from early intervention from 18 months old all the way to the age of 3; he still wasn’t using any words and he was behind in other areas of learning. We had connected with his school and hospital for services to help Jayce grow. Both of the Occupational Therapists led me to Autism Life Center to find support because of the isolation we were feeling as a family. Tera Viola and all were very welcoming at our very first support meeting. After that we continued to re turn to many other events that they held. We attended park days, Autism Rocks, Sensory Support days, Sensory DIY Kit days, and other support groups. Autism Life Center has changed our life in many ways. We love getting to talk to other families and share experiences which others outside the Autism community may not understand. This amazing organization has given us support as parents and also educated us on ways to help our son navigate the world around him. We are thankful we have found a place where we can share our family and all that Autism is.”
12 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
July 16th, 1-4PM at Ottawa Metro Park Facebook: @autismlifecenter
Losing a child is a parent’s biggest fear. Roughly 50% of children with Autism between the ages of 4-10 will wander off unattended. Our goal is to provide every Autism family a Free Safety Autism Kit. We need community sponsors to help us.
- Hero Sponsor – $5000: Sponsors 100 bags! Your name will be on the outside of each bag as the sponsor and in the bag on pamphlets, on our website and all social media -outlets.Safety Sponsor - $2,500: Spon sors 50 bags! Your name will be on pamphlets in the bags & on all social media outlets. - Community Sponsor - $1,000: Sponsors 20 bags! Your name will be on pamphlets inside the bag. Donations can be made on our website at www.autismlc.com (Donation button) or by check to Autism Life Center. Contact us at 567-825-8921 or autismlifecenter@gmail.com
Autism Safety Kits!
HavingAutism.”apermanent site would open up more opportuni ties for families from local and surrounding counties. This means setting up a fundraising campaign to secure the capital funds necessary to make this successful. Ideally, being able to offer more sensory classes and a sensory room for the families to utilize, would make an enormous difference. Being able to offer children the opportunity to try out different toys and activities before they commit to them would reduce guesswork and uncertainty. Tera says, “eventually, we would love to have a one stop location where families can have access to the support group, the therapists, screening & diagnosis professionals, Autism coping & mental health support, and whatever else is Theneeded.”Autism Life Center is mainly funded by sponsorships and grants from local and corporate companies, such as the Walmart Foundation. The top contributing commu nity partners for 2021 have been the Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships and Fraternal Order of Eagles #370. “The community has been amazing when it comes to support ing the center” explains Tera. Numerous local organiza tions hold fundraisers and offer donations so they can give sensory bags to classrooms, provide free autism safety kits to those in need, offer resources to families and move forward as an organization. Autism Life Center also conducts several fundraisers throughout the year to help fund the operation. One of them is their “Egg Your Lawn” fundraiser where people can order a basket full of toy-filled Easter eggs and have them delivered right to their door with a note from the Easter Bunny. Volunteers spent four hours filling eggs and delivered them just in time for various Easter egg hunts around the county.
favorite thing has been seeing parents connect with each other and find support in others who can understand some of the challenges they deal with.” It makes such a tremen dous difference when as a parent you know you have a community you can depend on when you go through the rough moments, whether it’s a son having a meltdown when the routine changes, or even when an autistic child goes missing. Tera says, “We are here to be that human connection that the parents need as they manage their child’s
JUNE 2022 • 13 SHAWNEE LIFE
praying, God sent him mentors that encouraged him to “believe the Book.” One such mentor named Ken Lease visited Anthony every week to disciple him for almost 30 weeks. He later attended the Hope Institute of Scriptures in Toledo and graduated after five years, all while working 12-hour days at the Oldcastle Glass Factory in Toledo.
SpotlightSponsor
Coming from what he refers to as a “super dysfunc tional family,” Rudolph’s great grandmother and other family members raised Anthony in Detroit during his youth, while his dad was not present, and his teenage mom was more interested in having fun elsewhere. His great grandmother lived long enough to see him graduate from Bible college, and that brings him great peace. She died just three weeks after he graduated. He moved to Lima to share the Gospel and he lives with his wife, Shelby (a pastor’s daughter), and their children: China, Treyvonna, Dion, Giana, and Gen evieve. Anthony serves the community with pride. He preaches anywhere he can, including at a local men’s basketball program, the county jail and the state prison.
Anthony Rudolph’s business is more than just a way to make a living, for him it’s an extension of his ministry. Not only is he the owner of Northwest Ohio Kwik Dry, but he is also the pastor of Anchored Hope Baptist Church at 4185 Bellefontaine Road in Lima. “People are looking for hope that is not fleeting and hope that is sure, which is why we are named, Anchored Hope,” Rudolph explains. Even though Rudolph was inspired by the Bible as a youth, having read it 30 times by the age of 19, and was a great student and athlete; he decided to head down the wrong path in his early years. After by Diane Schoonover
14 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
JUNE 2022 • 15 SHAWNEE LIFE
• Floor Cleaning & Sealing
• Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Air Duct Cleaning & Disinfecting • Tile & Grout Deep Cleaning • Dryer Vent Cleaning • Mattress Cleaning & Disinfecting
Rudolph’s business, Kwik Dry Total Cleaning, helps him support his family and his church. Kwik Dry is a premier cleaning company in Northwest Ohio. They use a proprietary, all-natural oxygenated citrus cleaning formula that is tough on dirt but safe for your family and pets. The toughest stains are tackled with their deep cleaning process, which leaves your carpets fresh, clean and completely dry in about an hour. Kwik Dry provides these services:
Wood
Mary Kuntz of Indianbrook: As owners of two large Airedale Terriers, our car pets get a workout. After the long winter, we were in dire need of a cleaning. Anthony from Kwik Dry was able to clean and remove odors from our carpets in record time and with no issues. The carpets, while not new, look great! We have used Anthony to also clean out our dryer vent. We high ly recommend Anthony and Kwik Dry for carpet, vent and other cleaning services they provide.
Anthony Rudolph runs his business with honesty and professionalism at a very reasonable price. You will never be surprised with hidden fees or extra costs. However, you will be surprised at how his prices compare to other companies! It is immediately ob vious when you meet Anthony Rudolph, that he takes pride in his work, loves his family and lives to give back to the com munity!
The Traeger pellet smoker grill gives us many different reasons and opportunities to smoke our food. First, Lisa enjoys making her own rubs, marinades and sauces for the meat, utilizing a number of different spices and ingredients. This always gives our food a unique taste that you just can't buy in a store. Second, there is no rush when you smoke your food. Most people that use a smoker say, "Low and Slow." Lastly, we don't have to worry about flair ups or over-cooking a tasty ribeye. Most pellet smokers use indirect heat when cooking. All you have to do is season the cut of meat, set your desired temperature, put it on the smoker, relax and have a cocktail. We enjoy smoking prime rib, toma hawk ribeyes, ribeye roasts, pork butt and briskets. The possi bilities are endless. Using a Traeger is just not limited to cooking meat. We cook vegetables, or other side dishes like, cream corn casse role and smoked mac & cheese. Turn the temperature up and your Traeger becomes an oven!!
16 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
ToysofJoysThe
By Shawn Wakefield of Kitamat Trail
Bubba Nunnery is ZoomInfo’s Senior Director of Privacy and Public Policy, while his wife, Dr. Rhonda Medina, works as an OB/GYN for Lima Memorial. They have two teenage daughters, Ava (16) and Lily (15) that attend Shawnee High School.
By Bubba Nunnery of Mills Road My house is a converted barn, so it made all the sense in the world for me to get a wood pellet smoker built like a barn from Smokin Brothers! I tend to do less traditional bbq than others in the area do, which probably has a lot to do with me be ing from Colorado and liv ing all over the southwest. One of my favorite things to do is roast green chile. For more than 20 years, every September I have 100 pounds of fresh green chile shipped in from Hatch, New Mexico. We include friends and family and make a day of roasting, then freezing them for use throughout the year. What do you do with green chile? Whatever you want. How about smoking a pork butt and making green chile stew? You can find the recipe on the Shawnee Life group page on Facebook.
there’s desire. Where there’s smoke...
Shawn works for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections at the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution. He has worked for the Department of Corrections for 28 years and is the prison Investigator. His wife, Lisa is a machine repair ap prentice at Ford Motor Company with 11 years of service. She is also a trustee for the Lima Elks Lodge #54. Lisa has a son named Ethan Gorman who is 11 years old at Bath Elementary School. Shawn has a daughter Sarah (Wakefield) Shaw who is 27 years old and is the owner of "Blue Bell Boutique" on Elida Road.
Steve’s family moved to Lima from a NW suburb in Chicago in 2009 after he took a job with the family business, Keystone Meats. He and his wife Elizabeth, have three kids that attend St. Charles School: Troy (14), Sam (12) and Charlotte (8). By Steve Conrad of Abnaki Trail I wasn’t very familiar with smoking meats but after working at Keystone for a bit, it was a no-brainer. I currently own three grills/smokers in the Weber family and two reqteqs. The reqteq is a pellet smoker and a true ‘set it and forget it.’ The Weber Smokey Mountain is a charcoal smoker and is great when I need to somewhat monitor it throughout the day while having some “cold ones!” My wife and daughter constantly ask me how many smokers/grills I need!
I’m not in it to win a Pitmaster champion ship, I just want to be able to have amaz ing BBQ for friends and family, and this is much easier. The Bradley uses wood “pucks” on a continuous conveyor belt system that smoke for 20 minutes and then drop into the water pan. It had its limitations, but it was great. I actually cooked 8 pork shoulders in it for a friend’s wedding. I had been looking at recteq’s pellet smokers for a while but they were pretty expensive. However, they were made in the US, with all heavy stainless steel parts, and had amazing reviews. It has a range from 180-500 degrees so I can slow smoke or I can sear steaks with high heat or cook pizza in it. I was worried that all the food would be too smokey, but that is simply controlled by the temperature; above 250 the smoke diminishes, and I just get clean wood-fired heat. I can use the app to turn it on and preheat it from inside my house, or I’ve actually turned it on from a friend’s house as the smoker is connected to WiFi.
I have smoked quite a variety of items that include pork butt, sausages, fish, chicken, ribs, pizza, bacon-covered jalapenos, and brisket….just to name a few. I would say pork butt is the family favorite. David Faulkner and his wife Amy, both work for St. Rita’s. Their son, Dash, attends 9th grade and daughter, Livvi, is in 6th grade, both at Shawnee Schools. By David Faulkner of Algonkin Trail My recteq is my third smoker. I started with a cheap electric bullet smoker with no controls, then moved up to a Bradley. I chose electric because it allows me to put meat on before I go to bed and get sleep instead of tending to a fire every 2 hours.
JUNE 2022 • 17 SHAWNEE LIFE
HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNIVERSE OF YOU 15226LIMADV World-class health care in your neighborhood Whether it’s tackling a serious health issue or improving your overall well-being, we’re committed to helping you stay healthy and strong. Our doctors and health care professionals are passionate about improving your overall health with personalized health care solutions so you can be there for what matters most. Visit mercy.com to find a location and connect with a primary care provider today. 18 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
JUNE 2022 • 19 SHAWNEE LIFE
Both Jody and Harvest are excited for the spotlight to be on Neurology for the Red Door Gala, fundraising event on June 9th . They want everyone to know that Mercy - St. Rita’s is a comprehensive stroke center serving 16 counties. “We can do everything!” Their on-site care includes state-of-the-art CT and MRI imaging, as well as an advanced interventional suite that is always ready for emergencies. Mercy is here to provide care “closer to home,” all at the same location. Every step of the way patients and families are met with respect and treated like fam ily. With their focus being, “all about our patients,” Harvest and Jody are the team you want on your side.
Meet the new Neuro Nurse Navigators: Harvest Nuss, BSN, and Jody Swisher, BSN. Together these remarkable women are the new faces of St. Rita’s Neurology Team. Their work starts in the Emergency Room where they are the point people for a code stroke (stroke symptoms within 24 hours) and coordinate care for the patient. The Neuro Nurse Navigators, or NANS as they are called, follow stroke patients throughout their hospital stay. They streamline care from the Emergency Department, Endo vascular Suite, ICU, Neuro Floor, to in-patient rehab and all the way home. They are a constant and familiar face for patients and families and available to answer any questions along the way. Jody and Harvest are cultivating their new roles, “to make improvements to the process and help patients receive the very best an alum of Rhodes State College and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. From there, she began working for Mercy – St. Rita’s in 2015. Mercy was the right fit for her because it serves a big community, but still has the small town feel of know ing your neighbor. She started in Neurology and moved to the Emergency Room. Then in September of 2021, began the new role of a Neuro Nurse Navigator. Harvest and her husband D.J. live in Wapakoneta and together have four children. With the Auglaize River at their back door, the family enjoys swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Jody began working for Mercy in 2009, after graduating from Columbus State and earning her Bachelor of Science in Nurs ing at Chamberlain University. While at Mercy, Jody started
Harvestcare.”is
Neuro Nurse Navigators by Nicole Davis working as part of the In-Patient Behavioral Health Team before moving to the Neurology department. She really enjoys her work at Mercy and knowing everybody, “I’m not lost, I feel like I belong.” Jody grew up in Ottoville and currently lives in Bluff ton with four of her six children and husband Jon. Jody actually met Jon while working on the behavioral health floor of the hospital, he was the police officer working in her department!
HeroesCareHealth&MattersMercy
Heart of the Home
A kitchen remodel is one of the most expensive in vestments that you can make in your home. Howev er, it also provides one of the best returns on invest ment, not only by increasing the value of your house but also creating a gathering place that you and your family can enjoy. In the last few decades, the kitchen has become the space in the home that offers the most dynamic contributions to our lives. It is the place where you start and end your day. It is where friends and family gather, where traditions are fostered and passed down through the generations and where we cook to soothe the soul. The kitchen has also been transformed into the social hub of the family, of ten being used for home offices and study areas. The task put forth by my client, was to turn an old, outdated kitchen into the family gathering place they desired. The client’s space was an old galley style kitchen with a wall separating the dining room through a butler’s door to the kitchen. They wanted an open con cept with an island that could be used for food prep, cooking and seating. By removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen and extending an island the full length, a space that was functional for family gatherings came to life. Inserting the gas cooktop into the island allowed the cook and their guests to engage in conversation. One of the biggest tips for making sure a kitchen has maximum functionality is creating a triangle pattern between the cooktop, oven, refrigerator, and sink. Placing all these items in a triangle pattern allows the cook to maximize their efficiency in movement while they work. The client wanted the design elements to really pop so we selected black cabinets for the perimeter and natural black walnut for the island. The quartz countertops are Fantasy Brown Leather around the perimeter and Mysore Black Satin on the island with a chiseled edge that adds a natural element. The end design created the nucleus of their home that they were looking for, a space that fosters family. by Tisha Barnes
SpacesSavvy 20 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
Cheryl Lawson is a CPA at Lawson Tax and Accounting, while her husband, Brian Schumacher, is an engineer at Preci sion Thermoplastic Components. They have three adult children, three school-aged children and four grandchildren. They purchased their home in Wildbrook 6 years ago, knowing that it needed a lot of renovating and have done the majority of the work themselves. ROAD, LIMA, OH 45805 419-991-4400 LOOK IN WINDOW TREATMENTS 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE! by Dave Jones of Tillamook Trail
by Cheryl Lawson of Wildbrook
DEBORAHSINTERIORS.COM 1747 ALLENTOWN
CALL TODAY TO CREATE A
YOU'LL LOVE! SPECIALIZING
, CUSTOM FURNITURE & INTERIOR DESIGN OVER
Our home theater/bar is our favorite space because every weekend the kids pick a movie from Disney Plus while my fiancé, Brittany, and I enjoy our favorite mixed drink! The popcorn maker really makes the movie room with home made theater popcorn! We added the lighting and every thing! It really turned out awesome! A little bit of improve ments goes a long way. Many good memories are made in our favorite space! Dave Jones (a Logistic and Inventory Manager at Audia Plastic) and his fiancé Brittany Jennings (a CNA Nurse, now stay-at-home mom) live with their son, Seth, who at tends the pre-K program at Shawnee Weekday and their one-year old daughter, Aurora. They recently moved to Indianbrook from Pittsburg, PA, and love the space and how quiet it is.
Favorite Spaces JUNE 2022 • 21 SHAWNEE LIFE
My favorite space would be our bonus space upstairs. Before renovating it was a virtually unusable space with low ceil ing heights and not much function. We raised the roof by dormering out the back of the house, which did wonders for the room. We now have a space for our kids and their friends, we use it for family game night, and we now have room for our pool table. We used the eaves of the room to add a built-in entertainment center as well as a cozy guest bed. We finished off the space by adding a wet bar and mini-fridge. The room has all the features an active family needs.
Heider Ohio University Major: Human Biology
Madeline
Quatman Ohio University Major: Business/Marketing Jaylen Roehm Bowling Green State University Major: Early Childhood Ed. Noah Schneider Ohio Northern University Major: Sports Management Brayden Truex The Ohio State University Major: Computer Sci. and Eng. Carlie VanMeter Ohio Northern University Major: Nursing Allison Young University of Dayton Major: Business and Marketing We are so very proud to share the amazing academic achievements of our LCC and Shawnee students graduating this year with their school’s designation of Summa Cum Laude. We wish them luck at the next stage of their lives and hope that they each find happiness in all of their lifelong pursuits. Shawnee Life would also like to give a special thanks to our Amazing Achievers writer and graduating Shawnee Senior Zoe Smith for helping make the magazine successful. We know she’ll fly high. bye Zoe Smith... We’ll miss you! Summa Cum Laude Class of 2022 Showcase 22 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
United States Air Force Academy Major: Aeronautical Engineering Nicholas Chambers Heidelberg University Major: History/Education Reed Doneghy University of Cincinnati Major: Cybersecurity Eng.
Carrie
AchieversAmazingLCC
Mayers Xavier University Major: Pre-Med Biology Noah Nuesmeyer Miami University Major: Business Analytics
Gavin Caprella
Emma
Webb Berklee College of Music Major: Songwriting Peyton Andrews University of Alabama Major: Chemistry Delaney Brinkman Mount Vernon Nazarene U. Major: Psychology and Ministry Lily Cleaves The Ohio State University Major: Biological Sci., Pre-Med Keaton Cooper University of Cincinnati Major: Chemical Engineering Cara DeBrosse The Ohio State University Major: Architecture Jake Fraser University of Cincinnati Major: Finance Jessica Gantz The Ohio State University Major: Undecided Business Kelly Jo Koenig Ohio Major:UniversityNursing Paige Maxwell Texas Christian University Major: Biochemistry, Pre-Med Taylor Morris University of Dayton Major: Health Sciences Kaitlyn Phillips IUPUI Major: Forensic Biology Mariah Richardson The Ohio State University Major: Comp. Sci. & Analytics Brianna Ridenour The Ohio State University Mjr: Health Sci, Pre-Optometry Kaelan Swallow Cedarville University Major: Mathematics Hats off Class of 2022 Congratulations and Best of Luck in everything you do! JUNE 2022 • 23 SHAWNEE LIFE
AchieversAmazingShawnee
Perri
From the kitchen of Kristie and Damien Solomon, Indianbrook Any-time, any-season parties, picnics, and holidays call for fun-to-serve, festive-but-no-fuss foods that invite comments, conversations, and coming together.
DISH-cussions
Directions: Brown sausage together. Combine all ingredients after sausage has been browned. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Keep warm to serve. To make an easy- to- transport, crowd pleasing appetizer, or a snack for movie night, televised sporting event, or to enjoy with board games or cards, put all ingredients in a crockpot on low, and serve within the hour with tortilla chips, Doritos, Fritos, or the dipper of your choice.
Easy, Cheesy Sausage Dip
• 1 pound Regular Bob Evans ground sausage
• 1 cup real mayonnaise
by Janine Douglass
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
24 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
• 10 green onions, chopped • 2 cups sour cream
And having met Kristie Solomon at a neighborhood ladies’ game night, I knew she knew exactly what would please the palate and add to the atmosphere that evening. She brought her easy, cheesy sausage dip, a standout in the lineup of savory finger foods and sweet munchables we participants enjoyed over board and card games. Kristie, a counselor at Apollo Career Center, has her own office advising high-school students from sopho mores to seniors, from area schools all the way from Ada down the alphabet through Wapakoneta, regard ing credits and graduation requirements, as well as home issues. Her husband, Damien, works for the Coca-Cola Company; both are from Lima and the surrounding area, and will have lived in Indianbrook for eight years this August.
Ingredients: • 1 pound Bob Evans Zesty Hot ground sausage
JUNE 2022 • 25 SHAWNEE LIFE
PetsPrecious by Georgie Damschroder
Cesar Speaks 26 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
When Mrs. Long took Cesar on his first walk, he was still a tiny fluff ball with even smaller legs, meaning that what may have been a short stroll to a larger dog was a marathon to him! He was completely exhausted by the time they finally re turned home, and promptly sprawled out in place as soon as they walked through the door! Now that Cesar’s a bit older, he enjoys walks a lot more and will always get excited at all the new smells and sights to see. Cesar is one of the nicest dogs you’ll get to meet. No matter if you’re a fellow dog or a human, Cesar is always up for making new friends. His persistently happy and genial personality is an inspiration to his family to take after him and remain optimistic in unprecedented or uncertain Althoughtimes. he may not take down mallards or help keep royalty cozy, Cesar is a happy and friendly dog that is loved by anyone who is lucky enough to meet him!
Poodles and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are both well-known breeds of dog, but you will never have any trouble finding differences be tween the two. Besides their obvious unlike ap pearances, the dogs were both bred for practically opposite reasons. The poodle was bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl and uses its dense and wavy coat to protect it when wading into icy waters. Even the word “poodle” is derived from a Latin word meaning “puddle,” and the French word for poodle translates to “duck dog.” Despite the physical exertion poodles were cre ated to endure, King Charles spaniels were literally bred to be lap dogs. Their sole purpose was to warm the Queen on cold carriage rides or when the palace got chilly. King Charles II notably took these dogs everywhere with him, and they were completely free to indulge in all the luxuries of royalty. So, what do you get when you combine the robust poodle with the prodigal King Charles spaniel? The living, breathing ver sion of a teddy bear. Cesar is a one-year-old red Cavapoo, which is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a poodle. He was adopted in June of 2021 when the Long family was actually looking at a different, blonde Cavapoo and considering adop tion. The seller of the dog sent them a photo of Cesar, to which Mrs. Long fell in love instantly! Cesar is a rambunctious dog and is always up for a game of tug-of-war with his blanket. He is also a very talkative dog and will sometimes yip and bark nonstop! “He sounds more like a little monkey and will talk your ear off when he’s in a playful mood or wants something,” Mrs. Long says. When left home alone, Cesar will loyally
wait at the front door for the return of his family and rejoices when his vigil pays off.
T-Bird ENROLL TODAY! W W W . L C C H S . E D U • 4 1 9 . 2 2 2 . 4 2 7 6 BECOME A Spirituality Opportunity SAmbition ervice Leadership Student Well-being Our Core Values Set Us Apart L I M A C E N T R A L C A T H O L I C H I G H S C H O O L It’s time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning! Shop our selection of appliances.419-223-4786 @tracysapplianceslima tracysapplianceslima.com 4064 Elida Road, Lima, OH 45807 SHOP SMART. SHOP LOCAL. SHOP rebatesFactoryareavailable! Check us out on Facebook! • APPLIANCES • MATTRESSES • DELIVERY • FINANCING • SERVICES & PARTS • INSTALLATION JUNE 2022 • 27 SHAWNEE LIFE
Financial Coaches are their clients’ Ulysses Pact. There to help you navigate the siren infested invest ing and business waters. We want you to experience, like Ulysses did, the beautiful siren song but with the right supports in place to help you distinguish the difference be tween good and destructive choices in the heat of the moment. Contact us for assistance with any issue that affects you financially.
FocusFinancial
The Ulysses Pact: Navigating by Michael McCormick, CPA
Becoming a wizened investor is a hero’s journey. It takes the proper mix of trust, optimism, and restraint to keep yourself from plunging headlong into meme stocks, NFTs, and crypto, or making investments based solely on a security’s recent success or Thefailure.keyto a successful long-term investing experience isn’t about where stock values are heading; it’s about maintaining a life-long iron clad commitment to empirically proven academic evidence. Resisting the urge to allow instincts and emotions to overtake a healthy dose of willpower and restraint. Unfortu nately, due to our humanness those two qualities are not at the forefront for those who have not steeled themselves from the temptation of the quick. Back in the 90s, there was a song called “My Own Worst Enemy” by a one hit wonder. That’s the bottom line: when it comes to investing, the average person is their own worst enemy. In the face of a “sure thing” hot tip it’s in our nature to act impulsively, throwing our reason for investing any tendency towards calmness and objectivity straight out the window. Just look at the GameStop craze. Rampant investing misbehavior. The first step towards developing a solid financial strategy is coming to grips with the fact that no one can predict the future. While you might think that your instincts are reliable and under control and that your biases are in check, the science of being human investors proves otherwise. You’ve got a set of skills; enlist the help of a financial coach to help you realize your purpose for investing. What is the role of a Coach? I liken it to the tale of Ulysses. If you’re not up on your Greek mythology, here’s a quick re fresher. In the story, Ulysses and his crew regularly sail past a cursed island inhabited by sirens. The sirens would appear to passing sailors as beautiful women known far and wide for their intoxicating songs. In reality, however, the sirens were really hideous monsters who craved nothing more than to feast on shipwrecked sailors. When a ship came too close to the island, the sirens would sing in beautiful harmony putting the sailors under their spell and luring them to steer into the rocks. Ulysses was a survivor, however, and smarter than the average bear. He wanted to experience the sirens’ song without strand ing his crew at the beasts’ mercy, so he instructed his men to tie him to the ships mast and stuff their own ears with wax. The extraordinary efforts helped Ulysses and his crew escape certain death. So, what does Ulysses have to do with investments and coaches? As it turns out, more than you might think. This story forms the basis for a psychological principle known as “The Ulysses Pact”.
The sirens would appear to passing sailors as beautiful womenknown far and wide for their intoxicating songs.
the Siren Sounds of Investing
Michael McCormick is the Principle of Financial Clarity Group, Inc. an Ohio CPA and Investment Advisor Representative, with over 20 years experience. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Busi ness Administration and a 1988 graduate of Lima Central Catholic. He can be reached at 513-488-1121 or mike@financialclaritygroup.com and www.financialclaritygroup.com
More than a novel arrangement or anecdote, the Ulysses Contract is a mechanism that lets us make a choice in present day while simultaneously forcing us to follow through on that choice in the future when we may be confronted with circum stances diverting us from our desired outcome. It is a way of binding positive intentions to a positive outcome in order to help the investor develop an equally positive framework for achieving a successful investing experience.
Poor investment choices —the flash-in-the-pan stock tips, market timing, gurus, impul sive behavior, and track record investing — are the sirens. Their songs promise riches and glory, but the results often leave misery, heartbreak, and wealth destroyed. The average investor is of course Ulysses, keeping their eye and ears open for high-quality, actionable data. Your Finan cial Coach, is like that of the steadfast crew. There to plug their ears to the temptations and guide the ship along the safest course possible despite the sirens’ tempting song.
28 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
Matter of Balance 2423 Allentown Road, Lima, OH, 45805 419 222 7723 www.aaa3.org Overview: Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity in older adults Workshop details: •8 two hour sessions •8 12 participants •Learn to view falls as controllable •Set goals for increasing activity •Make changes to reduce fall risk at home •Exercise to increase strength and balance Register at www.aaa3.org/trainings or call Ashlin Toland, Health Education Coordinator, at 567 204 6947. Enrolling Now: Burton’s Ridge Assisted Living 2651 Ft. Amanda Rd. Lima, 45804 June 1 July 20, 2022 Wednesdays | 9:30 11:30am PRE REGISTRATION REQUIRED! JUNE 2022 • 29 SHAWNEE LIFE
2022
Paige GraduatingMaxwellfrom: Shawnee High School
Alivia GraduatingFritchiefrom: Shawnee High School
Bri GraduatingRidenourfrom: Shawnee High School Attending: The Ohio State University Major: Health Sciences, Pre-Op tometry
Lily, it has been a joy watch ing you grow into a bright, kind, driven young woman. We know that you are going to do great things in life because that is just who you are. We love you! Go Bucks! - All of our best wishes to you... Mom, Dad, Carter and Chloe
We are so proud of you and all that you have accom plished! We cannot wait to watch the next chapter of your life unfold! Carpe Diem! - We Love You! Love your biggest fans, Mom, Dad and Cameron
Attending: Texas Christian University Major: Biochemistry, Pre-Med What a gift it has been watching you excel and ac complish so much through out the years. We are excited to watch you write the next chapter of your life. Go chase those dreams. We love you so much. - Your biggest fans, Dad and Mom
30 • JUNE 2022 SHAWNEE LIFE
Graduate Shout-Outs! Lily GraduatingCleavesfrom: Shawnee High School Attending: The Ohio State University Major: Biological Science, Pre-Med
- Love, Mom, Dad & Kaden
Attending: University of Cincinnati Major: Health Sciences; Pre-Occu pational Therapy Congratulations Alivia!! We are so proud of you and we cannot wait to see what your amazing future holds!!
Their family recently moved from Dayton to be closer to St. Rita’s, where Samantha works as a clinical psychologist. Samantha is looking forward to a fresh start in Shawnee with her two very charismatic and high-energy boys. Isiah is eight years old and will be transferring in the fall to 3rd grade at Shawnee Maplewood from the South Science and Technology Magnet School in Lima. Her youngest, Kevin, is four years old and will be starting pre school at Shawnee Weekday. They love spending time outdoors, going on day trips, and practicing basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Welcome Basket made possible by: Bayliff & Son, Brunk Electric, Cleaves American, Deborah’s Interiors, Kwik Dry, Mercy Health, ProForma Add-A-Line, Purple Feet Wine Boutique, Tracy’s Appliances by Nicole Davis Noah GraduatingClark from: Ohio Connections Academy Future Plans: Obtaining Real Estate Li cense and running his food truck (Provisions Curbside Cafe) Noah ~ To say that we are proud of you would be an understatement! As you close this chapter in your life and begin a new one, we pray that your future will be everything you’ve ever dreamed of and so much more. Wherever your next journey takes you always re member the way back home. - Love Always, Mom and Dad Our mobile food & coffee service provides everything to cater your next event or function with fresh, delicious choices sure to please every appetite. Call us today! p: (419) 302-3647 e: fb:web:Hello@ProvisionsCurbsideCafeProvisionsCurbsideCafe.com@ProvisionsCurbsideCafe
PROVISIONS CURBSIDE CAFE JUNE 2022 • 31 SHAWNEE LIFE
WELCOME WAGON New to Shawnee? Welcome! We have a beautiful gift basket full of wonderful donations from our magazine sponsors and friends. Introduce yourself and your family by emailing our Welcome Wagon Coordinator, Nicole Davis, andWelcomeToShawnee@gmail.comatwe’lldeliveragiftbaskettoyourdoorstep.
Welcome McCafferty Family to Shoshone Trail! Please join us in welcoming Ann, Todd & Grace to Indianbrook. We’re happy that you’re here.
Welcome Cain Family to Wenatchi Trail!
Joinhttp://GROUP.ShawneeLife.comourprivateFacebookGroupfor:• Special Offers from Sponsors • Early Access Invitations for Exclusive Events • Connect with other Shawnee Life readers
