Tomie dePaola’s Strega Nona

May 7, 2013

Adapted from Tomie dePaola’s Caldecott Award-winning book, Strega Nona is the musical tale of a friendly magical witch who strives to cure everyday ills in her tiny Italian town of Calabria. The town faces real problems when Big Anthony uses a magical spell from Strega Nona’s cookbook for selfish means. When Anthony fools with the magic pasta pot and can’t turn it off, the whole town could be engulfed by pasta — unless Strega Nona can save the day. With an energetic and tuneful musical score, this fantastical tale teaches that witches can be good and that you can’t judge a pot by its pasta. 10am and 12:15pm. Recommended for grades 1-4. $7. The Franciscan Center of Lourdes College, 6832 Convent Blvd, Sylvania.
800-878-3210. www.lourdes.edu.

Brunch with a dash of history

Karen L. Zickes

May 7, 2013

My family and I recently discovered another “best kept secret” on the Maumee River. Some time ago I stumbled on an article which mentioned that Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids, Ohio offered Sunday brunch from November through Mother’s Day. I didn’t realize that Nazareth Hall hosted anything other than wedding receptions and corporate meetings or parties. So my discovery (and experience thereafter) was a pleasant surprise.

Once upon a school
On your scenic drive along the Maumee River, you can’t miss the stately brick building that is Nazareth Hall. Built by the nuns of the Ursuline Convent of the Sacred Heart in Toledo, Nazareth Hall opened in 1928 as a boarding school for boys age six to fourteen. The beautiful campus provided space for baseball, swimming, horseback riding, rowing, and track. The school remained open for 53 years and educated 4,300 students until it closed in 1982, due to cultural changes and growing expenses.
People have long been curious about what that beautiful building looks like on the inside, and, for a long time, unless you were a guest to an event held at Nazareth Hall, you weren’t getting a peak. The Sunday brunch is only in its third year, and there has been a tremendous response from the public. “We wanted to give back to the community”, said long-time catering and sales manager, Kevin Brown. “This was kind of our way to open our doors to the public.” The historic building is filled with beautiful old-world furnishings, stained glass windows, and terrazzo floors.
Always looking for something new to do and see, my family and I took a pleasant drive to Grand Rapids and thought we’d check out the Sunday brunch; and the building of course. Brunch is usually held in the Cadet West ballroom located on the first floor. Windows and stained glass surrounding the room make it bright and cheerful, providing a lovely view of the landscape.

A buffet of Biblical proportions
As we were seated at our table adjacent to the window, I took a sneak peak at everything on the buffet as we walked by. The selection was much more extensive than I expected. According to Brown, they wanted to keep it as affordable as possible so that everyone would be able to enjoy brunch at Nazareth Hall. For only $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 12 and under, and free for children under 3, I thought “This costs barely more than feeding all of us fast food meals!”
A separate table was set up with a small salad bar, shrimp cocktail, fresh fruit salad, and two kinds of soups. Brown said the soups are homemade every Sunday morning. The chef recently introduced pizza soup, of all things. Of course I had to try it, and I loved it; especially with a couple of bread sticks on the side.
The buffet table began with breakfast food on one end, and moved into lunch and dinner options. One of the biggest challenges was trying to keep my children’s eyes from being bigger than their stomachs. I let them know they were allowed to go up for more food if they finished what was on their first plate. Then we had to answer several questions, including “Why do we need clean plates?” So glad we educated them on buffet etiquette! Buffets are relatively new to my kids, but I must say, they LOVED choosing from so many options. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in this household.
Aside from French toast, sausage, bacon and eggs, the omelet station was a great option, and they brought the finished egg enveloped masterpiece right to my table when it was ready. Sized perfectly, I had room left to try many other things. The buffet is typically close to the same each week and includes approximately 30 items. Lunch and dinner items included tasty fried chicken, fish, meatloaf, rice, two kinds of potatoes, vegetables and even pizza and breadsticks. As you can imagine, the kids loved selecting their own desserts, too. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the atmosphere, and the friendly staff.
We’ve already planned our return trip with the grandparents when the weather breaks. Hopefully at that time we can walk some of the 37 acres that includes a stunning grotto made of coral formations that were imported from the Mediterranean Sea.

Bottom Line: Enjoy a short scenic drive to Grand Rapids, Ohio and take in some history as well. You will no doubt enjoy the relaxing setting, scenic landscape, and of course the large buffet at an affordable price. Make reservations soon, because it ends on Mother’s Day and won’t return until November. (For up-to-date pri www.nazarethhall.com)

Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in c/o [email protected].

When the bed bugs bite

Gina Sares

May 6, 2013

As with many household pests, an infestation of bed bugs often carries the stigma of a dirty home. But, according to Carl Embree of Toledo’s Rose Pest Solutions, bed bugs are hitchhikers; they can “hitch” a ride into your home, regardless of its cleanliness, your socio-economic status, or the neighborhood you live in.

What are bed bugs?
“They are considered an ectoparasite,” says Embree. “They need a blood meal to live and survive, and they feed on humans.”
Because they are nocturnal, bed bugs can be hard to identify. Up to only about 1/4 of an inch thick, these little pests are easier to identify by what they leave behind. Skin casings from molting and excrement, resembling small black dots from a permanent marker, may be visible on bedding. Their bites may leave red marks on the skin, although Embree says that like mosquito bites, people respond differently based on their sensitivity.
While there are no known diseases associated with bed bugs, the annoyance of caused by their presence in the home is enough to make any parent squirm.
Here are some common causes of infestation and tips according to Embree:

Travel: Inspect where you are staying — behind the headboard,
behind themattress, cords, and furnishings close to the bed. Inspect the room first before setting your luggage on the bed.
Children: From sleepovers to just spending time at a friend’s house, children can carry these little bugs from one place to another. Embree says they often find bed bugs in musical instrument cases, or in situations of shared parenting.
Used furniture: second-hand furniture, whether from a store or a family member, may be a home to little critters.
Home nursing: Any occupation that comes in and out of the home has potential to contribute to bed bug infestation. In home nursing situations, medical equipment, especially those close to the bed can be a factor.

Again, Embree stresses that bed bug infestation does not classify a home as “dirty.” Infestation can also be caused by public transit, movie theaters, or other areas with a community gathering.

What can be done?
There are various ways of dealing with bed bugs. “The outcome is directly correlated to how involved the home owner wants to be,” explains Embree.
A conventional treatment is chemically-based, focused on areas the individual doesn’t touch, including the bed frame and nightstand.
Heat treating is another option. With extreme heat, bed bugs and their eggs are killed. Fumigation is also an option.
Clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, etc. should be laundered and dried to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding.
Tossing your entire bed to the curb, however, isn’t a solution. “Throwing away stuff doesn’t cure the problem,” says Embree. Other furniture items, including couches, chairs or hidaway beds, could also be infested.
Not sure if your home is infested? Some companies, like Rose Pest Solutions, offer free home inspections.

For more information about Rose Pest Solutions, now celebrating its 150th year in business, visit www.rosepestsolutions.com.
419-843-7673.

Stress relief

Digital Media

May 6, 2013

There are two kinds of stress – external and internal. External stress can be caused by major life events such as moving, changing jobs, the death of a family member, or a divorce. It can also be caused by everyday pressures such as money worries, work deadlines, arguments, family concerns, and not getting enough exercise or sleep.
Internal stress comes from inside. People are often less aware of internal stress, although it can play an even greater role in daily life. Internal stressors include values, beliefs, goals, and self-image. Although all these things can be positive, they cause stress when people feel they are not living up to their own expectations.
Stress has an undeniable impact on the body. It raises blood pressure, heart rate, metabolism, and blood flow to the muscles. This response is designed to help the body react to high-pressure situations.
But too much stress can cause symptoms like insomnia, headaches, backaches, and constipation or diarrhea. Chronic stress makes people more accident prone, and can lead to alcohol, tobacco or drug use. It also contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain.

Stress management
To manage stress, identify stressors and avoid them, if possible, or at least manage them. For example, if you know that talking to your sister is going to cause stress, mentally prepare for that phone call. Set limits on what you will and won’t discuss. Start off the call by saying that you can only talk for 15 minutes, then wrap up the call after reaching the time limit.
Reduce internal stress by creating reasonable self-expectations. If you’ve set a goal for yourself – for example, no more junk food – and then you break your resolution, do not spend time beating yourself up. That internal pummeling harms your self-esteem and increases your stress level. In fact, you might make yourself so stressed, that you fail again. Stop the vicious cycle. Each day is a new start. Resolve to do better, and try again.
Manage time wisely and avoid procrastination. The stress of being disorganized turns a simple act – such as leaving the house for errands – into a chaotic experience for everyone involved, including your children.
Exercise regularly and get at least six to eight hours of sleep a night. This “fix” is hard for busy moms (I know this challenge first-hand as a mother of three young children). But exercise and sleep are the best stress reducers we have. Analyze your schedule and make a plan to fit these activities into your life. Your house will be okay. The children will survive. And you will feel better.
Also avoid nicotine, and use caffeine and alcohol in moderation. These crutches exist for a scientific reason. They chemically alter us to feel better. But it’s an illusion. The crash your body experiences afterwards can actually send you into a depressive state.
Stress, and how to cope with it, is a difficult issue. It’s not like getting over a cold or the flu. It’s a chronic condition, such as diabetes, that never goes away. But it can be minimized and managed. For more information and resources to help, please contact your primary care physician.

Melissa Harris-Martorana, MD is an internal medicine physician and member of ProMedica. Physician Group.

Drawing outside the lines

Clara Engel

May 6, 2013

There is an artist in every child. To reach, encourage, and communicate with that artist, Sarah Crisp, along with her partner Findlay resident, Lydia McKinley, became certified Mneme Therapists, opening Northwest Ohio’s first chapter of Art Without Boundaries this year.
“When I first heard about it I knew it was what I was supposed to do,” says Crisp. “It mixes my true passions of Psychology, Art, and empathy…it was a true calling.

Knowing no boundaries
Art Without Boundaries (AWB) is a national, online-based organization of Visual Art Therapists who focus on using Mneme Therapy. Mneme Therapy (pronounced “nemma”) aims to improve the quality of life, memory, and other natural skills of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and related dementia diseases. In 2007, after years of success and positive feedback about the program, founder of AWB Noell Hammer expanded her patient base to include children and others with Autism. That’s where Crisp and McKinely came in.
“My best friend of 15 years [Lydia] took me out to dinner and proposed the idea to me,” says Crisp, regarding the beginnings of her involvement with AWB. “Her aunt is the founder of the organization. When it started to really take off, Lydia decided to get into it but wanted me to do it with her…I did not hesitate, I wanted to do it that day.”
After completing the online training program given by the AWB, Crisp and McKinley began their apprenticeships. To fully complete the program and open their own AWB business, both needed 20 hours of on-site training at a variety of locations, working with patients with Autism, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions. After seven months of training and hands-on experience, Crisp and McKinley proudly started their own chapter and have established a wide client base.
“I have clients with situations that range from severe dementia, to short term memory damage, Autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome,” says Crisp. “The private pay clients that I have are so much fun (because) they are the ones that I get to see on a weekly basis; the ones that I really get to know. I feel like they are part of my family.”

Giving direction
Crisp and McKinley focus on using a process with their students called “Directed Painting,” stimulating different areas of the brain and helping neurological reactions work together. “I tell people it’s like they are in a cooking class,” says Crisp. “I’m giving them the recipe and the ingredients and they do all the cooking.” She or her partner puts the paint on the board in front of their students and, Crisp says, they do as directed to make a beautiful piece of artwork. “We’ve seen amazing differences in speech, attention span, mobility control, awareness, and temperament,” says McKinley about the effects she’s observed after working with patients over time.
But the positive effects of this therapy don’t stop at their patients. “The biggest thing I notice is my happiness,” Crisp says. “I’m doing something that I love, and it makes me want to go to work. I am finally doing something that affects other people’s happiness and that’s something I’ve always wanted to be able to do.”

To learn more about Northwest Ohio’s chapter of Art Without Boundaries, Mneme Therapy, and Directed Painting, you can contact Sarah Crisp at 419-302-3892 or [email protected].
www.artwithoutboundaries.org.

Students seeing green

Digital Media

May 6, 2013

Students seeing green
Local high school students are making movement fun for younger students thanks to ProMedica Health System’s Fields of Green scholarship
contest. The competition, held in January, required teams of teens to create a 20-30 minute health and fitness program for elementary school children. Each program, designed to target childhood obesity, had to include healthy snack options, a detailed budget, a method for evaluating the program’s success and a creative slogan.
Eighteen high school students went home with college scholarships, as ProMedica awarded more than $50,000 from the competition. The first place winners, Alyse Krausz and Rebecca Funke (from Notre Dame Academy) and Mark Brahier (from St. John’s Jesuit High School) each won a $5,000 college scholarship for their entry, “Around the World: Destination Health.” Their schools were also awarded $1,000 for their health and science programs.
The first-place entry, to be implemented into several area elementary schools in the spring, challenges children to “travel” to different countries around the world. While visiting a country, students learn how to count in the native language, perform a fun exercise unique to the children of that country, and enjoy a healthy snack from that culture. Afterwards, each receives a “stamp” in their passport.
“Students in elementary school view gym class in one of three ways – they love it, tolerate it, or would rather be in the classroom,” says Funke. “We designed our program to appeal to all these groups.”
The Fields of Green scholarship competition, designed to target childhood obesity, is part of a larger initiative encompassing a variety of health and nutrition programs. For more information, visit www.ProMedica.org.

Calling all youth
Members of Iota Theta Sigma (Toledo Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority) are once again hosting the Sigma Youth
Symposium on Saturday, March 20 at the Padua Center (1416 Nebraska Ave). This free workshop for teenagers is led by resource professionals in the areas of drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, and teen pregnancy. The Symposium is held simultaneously with others in the nation led by each Alumnae Chapter. The event takes place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, visit
www.sgrho-toledo.org.

What makes a family?
Sometimes, serious issues require asking our children serious questions. That’s why the Lucas County Children Services Board is sponsoring an essay contest with the theme “What makes a family, and how does it keep me safe?” The contest is open to all children in grades 7 and 8 in Lucas County, and is held in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
Dean Sparks, LCCS Executive Director, explains, “By asking young people to think about this serious issue in our essay contest, we hope to empower them to speak up if they become aware of abuse or neglect among their own family or friends.”
The contest winner and runner-up will have the opportunity to read their essays aloud during LCCS’ annual Child Memorial on April 30 in Downtown Toledo. Entries may be submitted through April 6. For more information, visit www.lucaskids.net.

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