Topics

Celebrating at home in style is a great way to honor milestone moments and to spend time with people we enjoy and love. Pulling together a party isn’t everyone’s strength, so why not do what you do best and hire others for the rest?

ATMOSPHERE IS KEY

Choosing a theme, colors, music, food and decor is a good start. Regardless of whether you are a DIY type or hire everything out, a theme communicates that this is a festive event; your guests will feel welcomed.

Much can be done at every budget level. Be creative and use what you have in unexpected ways. Fill martini glasses with nuts or candy, or turn them upside down as bases to give food platters height on the table.

Fairview Park caterer Sandra Krueger opened her home for a couples tasting party on a recent Sunday afternoon. A few miniature tastings of sweets and savories with pops of vibrant yellow accents helped pull the mini-theme together, energized guests and spurred conversation. Fresh flowers and lemons from Trader Joe’s, yellow striped placemats, and white and clear serving pieces drew attention to the table and made already delicious food look even more appetizing.

Motivated to plan a stylish celebration but all you have time for is cleaning the bathroom? Bring in the local experts; Northeast Ohio has plenty of talented party-planning pros.

TIPS FROM PARTY PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

RAISE YOUR PARTY IQ

Jacquie Sopko, owner of Balloon Crew Inc. in Cleveland (ballooncrewinc.com)

• If you can help it, NEVER use helium-filled balloons onNtables outside. Rather, use air filled designs that can be weighted down.

• Get instant glamour by filling the ceiling with balloons.

• If inflating your own balloons, inflate them the day of the event (unless you are using Hi Float, which extends the float time of helium balloons).

Had a good laugh lately?

It’s no joke that humor is good for your health. Sharing laughter really may be the best medicine. Does that mean a doctor can tell us to “take two jokes and call us in the morning”? Not exactly, but research suggests that laughing has short-term and long-term benefits to health and well-being.

Short-term benefits can include a variety of physical changes in your body that have a positive impact. Laughter has been shown to increase your oxygen level, to lower blood pressure, to stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles, and to release endorphins — the “feel good” hormones.

Laughter also reduces the body’s response to stress. Stress and anxiety release hormones that over time can wear down your body and immune system. If you can share a joke or find a light moment in times of stress, it can reduce those hormones, stimulate muscle relaxation and cut down on anxiety, creating a relaxed feeling.

And, believe it or not, laughter is good exercise. It is great for your abdominals. When you laugh, the muscles in your stomach contract, so it’s like doing a sit-up.

LAUGH NOW, GET BENEFITS LATER

In the long term, studies have shown that laughter can  boost the immune system and offset negative chemical effects in the body, again thanks to  endorphins.

Laughter can act like a natural pain reliever to decrease the amount of pain we might feel, according to research.

Laughter also increases our personal satisfaction with life, helps us cope with difficult issues — such as chronic illness — and has social benefits. When we share a laugh with someone, it connects us to them. Those with more social involvement have improved health and well-being.

BUT LIFE’S JUST NOT THAT FUNNY

What if laughter doesn’t come easily to you?

Remember that fluid feeling of freedom that bicycling brought you as a kid? You could glide through the neighborhood with little effort. Breezes tussled your hair as the road rolled beneath your wheels. Those were the days.

RECLAIM YOUR WHEELS

If you’re like Lynda Warner of Mayfield Heights, bicycling faded from life when the demands of parenthood and career took over. Now 73, she recalls, “It wasn’t until 20 years ago — when I was in my 50s — that a friend/bike shop owner encouraged me to again become a bicycle owner. From then until now, my cycling time has increased each year, and I don’t see it stopping any time soon.

“More than anything else, bicycling gives me a feeling of well-being and joy. I have read many articles and firsthand accounts about the physical benefits it offers. Mentally, too, it’s uplifting to the mind and spirit. ‘Happiness endorphins’ can be created by walking, running, and any number of other physical activities, but personally, none of them compare to the ones created by bicycling. It’s like flying on the ground,” Warner says.

Fitness experts agree. Bicycling is a good exercise as we age because of its light impact on your frame, especially knees. It helps strengthen muscles around the knee, stabilizing the joint and minimizing pain. Bicycling may put stress on shoulders and back muscles, but if you work on core strength, this should be minimal.

OLD? OUT OF SHAPE? NO PROBLEM.

Even if you’ve been inactive and are advanced in years, bicycling can increase breathing capacity, muscle strength and muscle mass. According to a study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, formerly inactive seniors ages 70 to 80 enjoyed these measurable benefits after training three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes per session over a four-month period.

Have you noticed? Cleveland is hot.

From innovative restaurants to historic areas and lively entertainment, the city is a great destination for people of all ages.

This summer will be especially busy as thousands arrive for the Republican National Convention in July.

Make some time to enjoy the city’s charm on your own or with visiting family and friends.

Destination Cleveland offers the following two-day itinerary to get you on your way.

Sure, a day or so isn’t much time, but it’s a good way to start. Enjoy.

DAY 1

8a.m.

BREAKFAST

THE WEST SIDE MARKET

1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-664-3387, westsidemarket.org

•

Built in 1912, the West Side Market is one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in the country. This marketplace was once where turn-of-the-century immigrants found their native foods and spices.

9a.m.

RIDE

LOLLY THE TROLLEY

(Year-round; schedule changes by season)

1790 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-771-4484, lollytrolley.com

•

This nationally recognized city sightseeing tour is a great way to tour the heart of the city. The 38-passenger streetcars cover more than 20 miles and 100 points of interest with facts and fun through narrated sightseeing tours. Specialty tours showcasing holiday lights, the stomping grounds of Eliot Ness, Lake View Cemetery and Little Italy also are offered throughout the year.

noon

LUNCH

GREAT LAKES BREWING COMPANY

2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com

•

Great Lakes Brewing Company, composed of a brewery and brewpub, was the first microbrewery in the state of Ohio. The brewery has strong ties to the local community and showcases this commitment by naming its beers after local historical events, people and places. At the brewpub, guests of all ages can enjoy a memorable dining experience from start to finish, including its famous brats and pierogis.

2:00p.m.

TOUR

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

1100 East 9th St.,

Here’s something to look forward to: Whether you’re still working or are retired, a financial wind-
fall may happen sometime in your life.

Typically, windfalls occur through an inheritance, a lawsuit settlement or even a lucky lottery ticket. You may consider your retirement accounts — which likely have grown to a nice sum over your working years — as another financial windfall to spend as soon as you retire. The problem with that plan is those pre-tax accounts have never been taxed.

Figuring out how to manage a financial windfall sounds like a good problem. Or is it? The fact is, these funds can quickly disappear without a proactive plan. We’ve all heard stories of lottery winners going broke within years, or having taxes consume a large portion of the winnings.

PLAN FIRST, SPEND LATER

Before spending newfound money too quickly, it is a good idea to build a windfall team, which should include financial, tax, insurance and legal advisers to assist you in developing a lifelong plan for you and those you care about. This will ensure the wind- fall is protected from losses caused by wrong decisions, taxes, stock market losses or legal issues.

Next, enjoy the money knowing that your windfall is working for you and the people you love and care about.

Here’s an example: A young woman in her 40s wanted to make her deceased grandmother’s wishes for her inheritance a reality. She invested wisely, purchased a permanent life insurance policy, contributed to her 401k and consulted with an attorney to complete her will, durable power of health and living will.

Unfortunately, this woman died of cancer three years later. Her younger sister inherited the estate, and she has pledged to keep this gift growing just as her sister had planned. She got her legal documents in order, and she made plans for her retirement, insurance and investments.

Teams across Greater Cleveland will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer’s disease during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month by participating in The Longest Day on June 20. The sunrise-to-sunset event recognizes the strength, passion and endurance of caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Held annually on the summer solstice, The Longest Day symbolizes the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure. Participants will complete activities including running, cooking, hiking and playing bridge to help advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Cleveland area has more than 20 teams.

Wayne Heritage of North Olmsted will host his annual bridge tournament, “Memories and Matchpoints” at the Rocky River City Hall on The Longest Day in honor of his wife, Prudence, who is suffering from the disease. This is the third year for the tournament, which raised over $6,500 in 2015 with 120 bridge players from the Cleveland area. Space is still available for anyone interested in joining the tournament.

Al Keim of Mentor is helping to promote Brain Awareness Month by hosting an event on June 18. Al and his family will be hiking in memory of his father, Woody Keim, at the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation. They invite anyone to join them. The “Woody’s Wanderers” goal is $2,000.

To join or support either team, email [email protected] or call 216-342-5606. To start your own team or to learn more about The

Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday. Alzheimer’s is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 210,000 in Ohio. The number nationwide is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.

They offer terrific hiking and biking and nature watching. And as the weather improves, thousands of people turn to Cleveland Metroparks and its eight golf courses for added fun and relaxation.

The courses are convenient, beautifully maintained and a good option for multi-generational enjoyment. The most popular course is Big Met, with 68,995 rounds played in 2015. That was followed by Sleepy Hollow with 63,144 rounds played, Shawnee Hills with 60,735 rounds played and Manakiki with 58,540 rounds played. Others are Little Met, Mastick Woods, Seneca and Washington golf courses.

Lessons, special events, discounted fees, bonus rounds and convenient online tee time booking are all available for Cleveland Metroparks golf courses. Check out your options this summer; go to clevelandmetroparks.com/golf.

Celebrate? No dog does it better than local greeting card personality Dexter McGoogles.

The 6-year-old rescue dachshund lives in Fairview Park with his doggie wife, Chelsea, and their proud owners Roianne and Dan Sevic.

Dexter’s striking blue eyes caught the attention of American Greetings several years ago, landing him a spot on seven greeting cards. He took to modeling naturally, and so far hasn’t let his celebrity go to his head.

Dexter enjoys walks in the park, napping on the couch, eating and making people smile.