Editor’s Note

Last fall we kicked off Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond magazine as an innovative publication for active adults 50 and older in Greater Cleveland. We have been thrilled to see the support that has come from numerous expected and unexpected places.

From the Medina Community Recreation Center to the Brecksville Women’s Club to the Menorah Park cafeteria, we thank you for welcoming Boomer and Beyond into your homes and businesses. We also thank those advertisers who have supported the magazine’s launch by believing in the reach and impact this publication can make.

We look forward to year two with anticipation and openness. We want to hear more from you, our trusted reader. What information do you need? What’s on your mind? What joys do you want to share and what concerns you? Reach out to me or to our editor Marie Elium and share what’s in your heart.

LEARN & GROW

Now for this issue. Almost no one exemplifies the spirit of “Learn & Grow” more than radio favorite Jimmy Malone. The popular WMJI morning co-host has made a second career out of raising money for scholarships and mentoring young people as they navigate college and careers. Read more about Jimmy on page 26.

You’ve heard it said many times — Northeast Ohio is a melting pot. For more than a century, refugees and immigrants have made this region their home. You could say it’s a “learn-learn” opportunity; they figure out how to navigate their new neighborhoods, and long-time residents learn about different cultures and customs. A story about Akron’s newest residents begins on page 20.

Finally, this is the time of year for fall festivals and foliage, pigskins and pumpkins, and Medicare — specifically, Medicare enrollment. It’s a complicated subject. Our panel of experts clarifies the process. Their columns begin on page 32.

We’ve all met them: people who seem stuck in a rut. The older they get, the deeper the rut.

Habits are tough to break, especially when they’ve been honed over decades. In this issue we’re celebrating the anti-rut. “Discover” means to find something unexpectedly. Think about that for a moment; what was the last thing you discovered?

If you can’t think of anything, then you may pick up some suggestions from this issue. Why not start with hiking? Our region has terrific hiking spots for people of all ages and abilities. Sore knees? Lace up some sturdy boots and head to a flat trail along a lake or riverbed. Up for a challenge? We’ve got plenty of ledges and steep trails to explore, too. Our story on page 26 might spur you into discovering our parks and cities by foot.

Motorcycling is big with the over-50 crowd. I prefer to discover areas at a slower pace with my coaster-brake bicycle (which continues to be my all-time favorite gift from my husband). Yet I’m envious of motorcyclists who zip by, loaded with gear on a getaway trip. You’ll like our story about taking a quick trip by motorcycle to the Niagara region. If you haven’t seen the Falls since you were a kid, you’re in for a treat. The area is rich with wineries, great restaurants, boutique shops and natural beauty. It looks even better when experienced from the back of a motorcycle. Our story is on page 12.

Urban farming has taken off throughout the region. If you’re looking for a new hobby (and one that helps the environment), then consider beekeeping. We’ve got a profile of a couple who wanted to give their gardens a boost with better pollination. Find out what they discovered by reading our story on page 14.

Refresh and Renew

Those are my goals for spring. Most of the time the reality is much different. That’s why there’s a bucket of soapy water and a mop by the back door. I’m trying to refresh, but it’s tough during Ohio’s mud season. Thanks to the dogs, I battle a constant onslaught of sloppy paw prints. The place looks like a barn.

The good news is that by early May the bucket goes back in the closet. I’ll soon turn my attention to the outdoors. The mud that bothered me in March and April fades to just another hallmark of the season, as predictable as the forsythia blooming along the side yard and the birds frantically making nests in my wreaths.

In my search for an early spring, I came upon our cover subject, the dynamic India Pierce Lee and Green City Growers. She’s one of the public faces for several vibrant community programs aimed at bolstering distressed neighborhoods. Her warm enthusiasm and the lush lettuces and microgreens growing in the sprawling greenhouse close to downtown are the perfect antidote to a chilly early spring day.

To continue the theme, our main feature story this issue (pg. 22) is about cultivating optimism. It’s a worthy goal, especially at this time of year. Full disclosure — I’m a pessimist at heart. I like the idea of optimism, and most of the time I’m able to fake it with smiles, positive thoughts, a good book and a new lipstick. But I’ve found that nature is far more powerful than anything I can nurture in that department. I picked up some good tips from our story and learned that optimism is possible even in difficult times. Please note the accompanying story about pessimism. It’s not such a bad thing after all; the world needs us.

The magazine you are holding is the premiere issue of what has been a vision for nearly two years to provide a relevant and focused magazine for 55 and older adults in Greater Cleveland/Akron.

The tagline for Boomer and Beyond “Your Journey Your Life” reflects on the unique path we all take and empowers us to make the most of life based on individual choice.

The magazine celebrates this region as a positive place to age and thrive. You will find a mix of content within each issue that balances life topics such as health, wellness, legal, financial, insurance, entertainment, recreation, education, technology, travel, events and much more.

Listed on the right is the talented team of folks who put this first issue together. You’ll also find our Editorial Advisory Board consisting of experts from around the region who will help shape the content of Boomer and Beyond.

We envision Boomer as a perfect complement to its sister magazine, Northeast Ohio Parent, who many of you have helped support since its inception in March 2014.

Boomer will come your way six times in 2016 beginning with a January/February issue in mid-January. You will find Boomer at more than 500 locations including fitness centers, libraries, doctor’s offices, as well as Heinen’s, Discount Drug Mart and Marc’s stores.

In this first issue, we are honored to feature Cleveland Marathon founder Jack Staph and two local runners who defy age barriers and serve as great inspiration for us all. See their stories starting on pg. 26.

If you are seeking a true getaway, look for our feature on Gervasi Vineyard, which provides adventure far beyond the wine (pg. 14). While Northeast Ohio is getting colder outside, the region’s theaters are just warming up. Find a show that suits your tastes on pg. 16. Also, look through our diversity of happenings, from entertainment to wellness events, in our calendar section, pg.

It’s the theme of this issue, and I think it’s an especially good one for a magazine that caters to people in their 50s, 60s and 70s. After all, many of us —myself included — find ourselves starting over, exploring new opportunities or redefining our roles as parents, grandparents or caregivers.

At Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond, we cover issues important to members of this active and sometimes stressed generation. These beginnings, whether it’s a relationship, an “encore” career, changed living arrangements or an adventure or two, can be both exciting and nerve-wracking.

I want the magazine to cover topics important to me and to my friends — issues regarding our adult kids, aging parents and our lives, which get wedged between the needs of both.

Fun is important, too. A few decades (or more) of adulthood have made me realize you have to give to yourself before you can give to others. However, you already knew that. Our cover story, Tom Lix, is a good example of someone who has embraced a fresh start — one he didn’t plan on, and then created a terrific business (see his story on pg. 26).

If you’ve found yourself suddenly single during this stage in life, dipping your toe into the dating pool can be scary. Our feature story can help you negotiate this new stage in life (pg. 18).

Like to roam? Check out our interview and read the advice from a seasoned traveler who’s seen and done plenty of cool things thanks to excursions through local senior centers (pg. 24).

Brain games, financial advice, book recommendations and a featured year. You’ll find those stories and more in this issue. Our goal is to cover areas that are germane to the interesting, complicated and sometimes exhausting life we’re leading in this second half, our best half, of life.