Profiles

Look for the January/February issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond coming to newsstands (Marc's, Discount Drug Mart, Giant Eagle and others) starting Jan. 21. Of course, Boomer Insider Club members get our print issue mailed directly to their homes. But if you're out and about, look for our next issue featuring winter hikes throughout Northeast Ohio, just for starters. You can also read the issue online at northeastohioboomer.com. You'll find a wide range of topics that will enrich your journey to “Better Living After 50.” ...

As Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond celebrates its Fifth Anniversary with this issue, it’s our pleasure to throw a much-deserved spotlight on these women, nominated by friends and co-workers who have had a front-row seat to their accomplishments.  ...

Western Reserve Historical Society has an interesting collection of stories and photographs outlining the vital role that African American leaders and musicians have played and continue to play in Northeast Ohio. Read about The Future Outlook League, The Agora's role in promoting Black musicians, and other fascinating bits of history in the African American Archives Auxilliary on the Western Reserve Historical Society website. ...

For anyone, but for the Holberts in particular, it’s got to seem like they’re a long way from Cleveland TV reporter and personality to Woodmere village mayor, from busy IT consultant and volunteer to a homebound community activist. Throw in a pandemic, and the distance is more like a chasm. They’re up to the challenge: outgoing, engaged, and philosophical about the future, they practice social distancing but it’s not an easy fit. They prefer to be with people, not sitting six feet apart from them. ...

Cleveland bluesman Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat is a man and a singer for the times. When a long-anticipated tour was delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak, it was a disappointing but not unfamiliar setback for the talented and philosophical performer. Life, as he well knows, requires resets and workarounds. ...

 

 

If you want a case of dog envy, check out the All-Around Dog Agility Championships, July 4-7 at Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Chagrin Falls.

The free event brings in more than 200 dogs and their handlers who will cajole, encourage and coax their canine charges to jump, climb, run, see-saw and weave their way through agility challenges.

No, your dog probably can’t do what they do. And, yes, it’s perfectly fine if yours takes power naps and begs for treats. Stop by anyway. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to watch as long as they’re on a leash. See how yours stacks up. You can test their agility aptitude on Saturday and Sunday in the Agility 101 ring for a $5 donation. Proceeds benefit Geauga County Humane Society’s Rescue Village.

To learn more about what your dog probably can’t do, but could if either of you really tried, go to usdaa.com

 

Tall Order

Ship Shape

You can enjoy the thrill of tall ships this summer without swabbing a deck or hoisting a sail.

The Tall Ships Challenge returns to Cleveland’s waterfront on July 11 for a four-day festival of live entertainment, historical exhibits, food and tours of the traditionally rigged sailing ships.

The event starts with a dramatic Parade of Sail at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 with 10 ships from Canada, the United States and New Zealand. The Captain’s Reception and Opening Ceremony are at 7 p.m.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m. July 12, 13 and 14 with festival activities, exhibits and public ships boarding from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Ninety-minute excursions aboard the Appledore IV, Appledore V and Inland Seas ships are available for an extra charge over regular admission.

You’ll find the Tall Ships Challenge just north of FirstEnergy Stadium. Buy discounted presale tickets at tallshipscle.com.

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Regardless of the weather, our cover couple, Rosalie and Tom Franek of Hiram, find plenty to do outside throughout the year.

Well-known throughout the running community in Northeast Ohio and beyond, they’ve coached hundreds of athletes. Physical fitness is important to the Franeks. They live what they believe — and a big part of their time is spent outdoors during Northeast Ohio’s long winters.

Ages: Tom, 53, Rosalie, 54.

Married: 30 years.

What they do: Rosalie is a licensed massage therapist and owns Right Path Massage & Fitness, LLC (rightpathmassage.com) in Hiram. Tom teaches horticulture and arboriculture at Kent Roosevelt High School and is a certified arborist and owner of Butternut Hill Farm, a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.

Favorite outdoor winter activities: For both, it’s cross-country skiing, ice skating, running, mountain biking and hiking.

Favorite places to explore outdoors in the winter: Backyard trails around their farm and in Hiram Township and village, Chapin Forest and Girdled Road Reservation (Lake Metroparks).

 

How do you stay fit the rest of the year?

We run, mountain and road bike, hike, cut and carry wood, dig trees, sheer trees, plant and maintain the garden, push a wheelbarrow, etc.

We do two days per week of functional arm, leg and core strength. We stretch and use a foam roller daily and get regular therapeutic massage. We truly believe that one of the keys of maintaining fitness, weight and energy levels throughout the years is not only to “exercise” regularly, but to pick leisure, recreational and social activities that keep you moving.

Tell us about your kids. Fitness runs in the family, right?

Bridget, 30, is a women’s distance coach at the University of Akron.

Josh, 27, is a Sherwin-Williams store manager in Baltimore, Maryland.

Both competed in track and cross country in high school and college, along with other sports.

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Not The Beatles

 

A Girl Scout leader, a Polar Express elf and a couple who takes their dog, Molly, to visit sick children.

Tina Collins, Michael Babbitt and the Freys — Brent and Dot — are rock stars to kids throughout Northeast Ohio.

Whether they’re on a train, at camp or next to a hospital bed, these four have parlayed the remarkable power of volunteerism into service that’s both fulfilling and fun.

In many ways, Michael, Tina, Brent and Dot are like thousands of other 50-and-older Northeast Ohio residents who share their time and talents. Volunteering is important to them, and children hold a special place in their hearts.

 

Christmas Spirit

Michael’s sparkling eyes and outgoing personality seem custom-made for his role as an elf-reader on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s annual Polar Express. He looks quite comfortable in his outrageously oversized Christmas hat and red shoes with toes that curl elaborately upward.

His elf job is riding the train with hundreds of excited children as they travel through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the North Pole. He’ll ride on 14 trains between Nov. 11 and Dec. 21.

“There’s a role for everyone,” Michael says. “Some just want to serve hot chocolate, others write name tags and seat people.”

But all dress up in some fashion and ride the train or stand along the platform greeting children arriving at the North Pole.

No experience? No costume? No problem. “Volunteer once and you will become an expert,” Michael says.  While most volunteers supply their own attire, Polar Express organizers have tunics to lend to North Pole elves.

 

Girl Power

Tina got involved with Girl Scouts when she was a girl, and then again when her daughters were young. She liked it so much that she has stayed with Scouting for two decades and counting, volunteering as an outdoor trainer and most recently as leader of high school girls in Troop 90146 out of Northfield.

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