Fun

Pretending you're a tourist on your own stomping grounds is a fun way to see Northeast Ohio in a new light while also giving your wallet a breather. Check out these gorgeous beaches, ledges and islands that make it feel like you and Toto are not in Ohio anymore. Stay near, get lost but remember to check destination websites for special hours, facility availability and other restrictions resulting from COVID-19 precautions. Many places have special hours for older visitors and for those especially vulnerable to the coronavirus. Up early? Morning hours are usually less popular with visitors, making it easy to have social distance-appropriate outings. ...

If you have a smaller box, just large enough to fit one child, make a race car or a car to take to a make-shift drive-in movie. I could not find four identically sized boxes (they must be the same!) so I bought four plastic storage containers. ...

“We are thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome back our loyal guests,” said Scott Swaldo, General Manager, GV Destinations. “While things may look different, we are fully committed to taking care of the health and safety of both our guests and our staff. As such, we are implementing not only the recommended protocols, but also the best practice guidelines for restaurants. We are committed to ‘The Ohio Restaurant Promise’ and want our guests to feel safe as they enjoy their dining experience.” ...

Too many canceled events and not enough fun things to do. That's the story of Spring 2020. But you can do some virtual trip-taking through the Western Reserve Historical Society's website. Their series of illustrated stories offer a friendly ramble to places such as Squire's Castle, the Glenville Neighborhood and other interesting spots that you didn't have time to visit before but have plenty of time to check out now. ...

What's with all the early morning hours? Older adults and others at an increased risk from the coronavirus get special shopping times at many grocery stores and other essential places. The challenge? They're all early in the morning — really early. Go ahead and add Summit Metro Parks to the list of places offering special, early-morning times for at-risk folks. But even if you're more of a night owl than an early bird, starting your day in the woods or on a nature trail isn't a bad way to go. Give it a try and see what you've been missing. ...

April is Ohio Native Plant Month. You’ve probably heard the buzz about the benefits of native plants. Nathalie Petri of Emerald Necklace Garden Club fills us in on all the details so we can reap the beautiful benefits in our gardens, too. ...

Public egg hunts for the kiddos are a great Eastertime tradition, but if communities are still under coronavirus shutdown, you can have an egg hunt in your own house or yard! Plastic eggs can be filled with candy, such as small chocolates or jelly beans. Candy alternatives can include stickers, small toys or money. ...

Every time you buy a plant, remove the tag that comes with it, record the year and where you planted it on the back of the tag, and put the tag in the plastic bag. On a separate piece of paper, write the year in large print and put it in the bag. If you want even more information about your gardens, buy a large book journal with blank pages. However you keep your garden journal, you’ll find it a handy reference. ...