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Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go

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About the author

Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
Karen Shadrach is an on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins, and our NEO Grandparent columnist. Prior to retirement, she worked within the Cleveland Clinic Health System for 33 years, both as a Registered Medical Technologist and a Lead Research Technologist in the Ophthalmic Research Department. Now retired(?), she spends most of her time babysitting-teaching and entertaining the twins. When she’s not grandmothering, Karen spends time with friends, plays flute in the Independence community band, is a member of the Cleveland Astronomy Society and walks her basset hounds, Tucker and Herman. Do you have grandparenting questions about where to go and what to do when you get there? Email Karen at [email protected].

Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go Posts

Chore no More! Go on a Market Adventure with the Grandkids

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
March 10, 2022
Take a trip to the market with your grandchild, just for the adventure. They will love the experience of your full attention and not being rushed for time. You can have a fun, bonding experience with grandchildren of any age. ...
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Fun with Balloons!

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
February 5, 2022
Do you and the grandkids have cabin fever? All you need are some colorful balloons for playful games, challenges and races that will help them let off steam while having fun. Transform a bleak winter's day into a festival of colorful laughter. ...
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A Winter’s Day at a Make-Believe Amusement Park

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
January 8, 2022
Winter has definitely arrived in Northeast Ohio. It is just the opposite of a hot summer’s day and the thought of going to an amusement park is only a distant memory. Why not spend a winter's day at a make-believe amusement park? Your grandkids will love it! ...
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Grandkids’ Special Christmas Trees

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
December 5, 2021
Avoid making Christmas a “don’t-touch holiday” for the little ones. Elevate the lights and glass ornaments up to higher branches. Your grandchild can help you to make cute, unbreakable decorations for the bottom of your tree. Better yet, let them have and decorate their own tree! Read on for great ideas that will generate great excitement and wonderful memories every holiday season. ...
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Enjoy Fall Leaves Before Fall Leaves!

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
October 3, 2021
It’s fall, and the trees are showcasing their beautiful colors and then releasing their leaves! It’s a wonderful season to share and enjoy the fall leaves with the grandchildren. From hiking and collecting different leaf specimens, to fun leaf crafts and raking leaves followed by jumping into a huge pile, there are many unique experiences to enjoy together. So, enjoy the fall leaves before fall leaves and winter appears! ...
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Hurry Before it’s Too Late! Hop on a Train with the Kids

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
September 15, 2021

~Grammy on the Go~
Train Time! All Aboard for Fun
By Karen Shadrach

Most children love trains, and what could be more fun than riding a miniature train through the woods and fields? Northeast Ohio has three miniature train clubs made up of friendly people who enjoy sharing their hobby and offering free train rides to the public. Riding on the steamers is a wonderful family event. Here’s where to find them before wintry weather shuts down the tracks:

The Lakeshore Live Steamers in Kirtland is located at the Penitentiary Glen Reservation of the Lake Metroparks. Their club is 50 years strong and what began as a simple track laid out around a floral shop in the early ‘50s is now thousands of feet of track winding through the woods of Penitentiary Glen. The live steam hobby consists of modeling steam locomotives that actually run off steam.

The remaining public train ride yet this year is a Christmas run on December 5. Reservations and tickets for these events may be obtained at lakemetroparks.com. Rides are always free of charge, but donations are gratefully appreciated.

All can board these miniature trains. Riders sit atop the cars, straddling them with their legs on either side. Small children must be able to sit on a seat. Infants unable to sit by themselves can still ride, but must be held centered in front of an adult. The trains do not exceed 5 mph. The young and young at heart love to hear the sound of the train whistle,  smell the steam and enjoy the clickety-clack of the rails. 

The Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers is located on Medina County Park District land at Lester Rail Trail. Trains are 1/8 scale with a 7.5-inch track gauge model railroad. They are open for public runs October 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.,  

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NEO Grandparent: Apple Butter & More

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
September 7, 2021
Nothing smells quite like fall as much as the sweet aroma of apples cooking in an old-fashioned, huge copper kettle over a wood fire! A special treat for the senses will be your reward as you attend a Northeast Ohio apple butter festival with the grandkids. ...
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Preserve the Brilliance of Summer with Flower Pounding 

By Karen Shadrach - Grammy on the Go
August 12, 2021
The annual flowers are at their peak! A fun art activity to do with the grandkids this time of year is flower pounding. Flowers and leaves can be hammered to release their vibrant natural dye onto paper or fabric. Great results come from flowers that are mostly flat and have a lot of color, such as rose petals, bright daisies, geranium petals, petunias and pansies. ...
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