Things to do

What a Ride!
What’s Your Favorite Cedar Point Memory?

Cedar Point is celebrating its 150tth anniversary this year with new rides, a nightly parade and plenty of souvenirs. But there’s one thing that one of the nation’s oldest amusement parks is missing: your memories.

Here’s one: getting panic-stuck in the tube slide at the Fun House. A teen worker slid down and coaxed the young park-goer through. Her family still teases her about it. We’re omitting the name to protect the magazine editor’s identity.

Share your memories, photos and videos at cedarpoint.com

 

Boomers, We’re OK
…And We Prove It Every Day

“Just wait until you’re our age.”

That’s what you might want to say the next time a Millennial or another younger person dismisses your advice or mocks your opinion. The catchphrase, “OK, Boomer,” gained popularity last year as a rebuttal to Boomers who were perceived by Millennials, Gen Xers and others as being out of touch or judgmental. 

Of course, every generation has people who are judgmental and out of touch; that’s not just reserved for Boomers. But OK, we can take a joke, even an ageist one. Let’s hope the term fades with the New Roaring ‘20s (that’s 2020 for you younger folks).

 

Fact Finders
Teams Kick Off Mind Challenge Competition

They’ve been sharpening their trivia skills and adjusting their thinking caps. Now it’s time to discover who knows what for the second annual Mind Challenge for the New Majority.

For the next four months, teams from rec and senior centers throughout Northeast Ohio will be competing weekly in the Mind Challenge trivia competitions. The six-member teams represent more than 20 communities. 

The semi and final matches are set for May 6 at the JACK Thistledown Racino. The first-place team gets $3,500; second place $2,000; third $1,500 and fourth place $1,000.

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It seems like yesterday that I was writing on how to keep the grandkids cool. Now, it’s already winter here in Northeast Ohio!  For those of you that have not escaped to Florida for the season, we should find ways to embrace the snow and have fun outside with our grandchildren.

After bundling up as well as possible, yet allowing room to move, venture outside into the snow to play. The children love to just run and romp in the snow. Let them make snow angels and show them how to form and throw a snowball. 

If possible and the conditions are right, you can help them to build a snowman. I’ve created smaller snowmen and built them on a back deck or near a window so that the kids can look at them easily from inside the house. They can decorate their snowmen with stones or acorns and find a special hat and scarf for Frosty to wear.

Bring the Outdoors In

If the weather is just too cold to venture outside, or if a child is sick and cannot join others, you can bring the snow inside to them. To absorb the melting snow, place a beach towel on top of your table. I also place a cookie sheet underneath their play area to collect the moisture.  Find a large or small cupcake pan and place on top of the cookie sheet. Step outside and fill a few bowls with snow. Throw in some measuring cups and spoons, and they will love to make snow cupcakes, or even attempt to make a little snowman. 

Sled riding is always a favorite winter activity. You can pull the grandkids around on their sleds on unshoveled driveways or, if you are feeling especially adventurous, you can take them for a ride around the neighborhood. 

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Rock instruments, Ohio quilts, and protest fashion: this winter's museum exhibits give us lots of options. From big and bold to subtle and cool, see what's in store for visitors to NEO's museums. ...

What's your plan? Wait. You mean you don't have one? We can help. Read about ways to give your game plan some game. Our writer walks you through ways to shake it up a bit this year with a few simple steps. ...

Terrariums are easy to make with children of any age. The older the child, the more complex the design can be. Shopping for plants can be part of the fun. Garden centers stock house plants, cacti and succulents year-round and miniature plant varieties in the spring designed especially for fairy gardens; as well as the soil, small rocks and other materials you will need. ...

Winter seed-sowing may be just the antidote to your cabin fever. With this method, it's truly not too soon to get your hands back in the soil as you sow seeds for spring planting of hardy seedlings. If you’ve tried to start seeds indoors before and been disappointed in the results, give this proven approach a try. ...

Did you collect fossils as a kid? Do you still keep an eye out for interesting rocks? Wouldn't you like to know what you've got? Stop in at the Rocky River Reservation and let local fossil hunters take a look. Better yet, learn more about this interesting hobby and how you can get started. ...

If you are looking for an active vacation that incorporates history, geography, great food and recreational bicycling, you might consider joining the 2020 FIDF Ride in Israel next fall. (You do not have to be Jewish to join this ride!)  It's a week you will never forget as you travel through the ancient land that has the magical touches of modernity and technology for which the Israelis are legendary. Boomer and Beyond blogger Diane Jenks, our OutSPOKEn Cyclist, describes her ride through Israel. ...