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American gardens capture the imagination, and the Birch Tree Allée at Stan Hywet is no exception. This 550-foot long "alleyway" of trees consists of more than 100 gray birches growing from the original rootstock. Over time, the birch trees have naturally formed a corridor in which a contrast between sunlight and shadows play in the overhead canopy of leaves. The resulting dappled effect of light and dark is echoed by the bark of the trees and by randomly spaced stepping-stones. ...

The region’s independent restaurants have taken a wallop during the COVID-19 crisis, but as they find new ways to keep stay relevant (and in business) it can be tough to know what’s open and how they’re adapting their menus and service for customers.

To sort through the confusion, Cleveland Independents, a group of more than 80 locally-owned and operated restaurants has an updated list on its website clevelandindependents.com.

The restaurant scene will look a lot different when we all start emerging from our stay-at-home lives. Whatever your comfort level -or comfort food – a local restaurant is likely to have what you need: carryout, open patios, eat-in or delivery.

Not ready to go out yet? The website also offers discounted gift cards to member restaurants. Eat up.

 

 

 

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Meat isn't a necessity; just ask your vegetarian friends. And today, we've got lots of great options with a slew of innovative recipes you'll find online. Start in the grain aisle (quinoa, rice, barley), then move over to the vegetables with beans, cauliflower and greens. ...

How many 50- or 60-year-olds still have that sense of adventure that opens new doors, seeks new experiences, meets new people, and reaches new goals? While I can’t answer that question, it’s easy to identify which ones have a youthful perspective and which ones don’t. Those who continue to push their minds, bodies and goals with new challenges manage to stay young, despite their age. ...

That's not your imagination. We're in the height of spring nesting and migrating season and the early-morning backyard songfest can be deafening. Isn't it great? The red-breasted grosbeaks started showing up in Northeast Ohio about two weeks ago. They may be checking out your bird feeders, fresh from their migration from Mexico and Central America. May is a wonderful month to see a wide variety of birds in your backyard. And if you've got birdhouses, wreaths or other handy spots for a nest, you'll probably see robins, bluebirds, wrens and others tending their young. ...

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. ...

Grab a nature guide and take a walk or a drive in one of Geauga County's 25 county parks. Then tell someone what you saw — all while practicing social distancing, of course. A website makes it easy; good eyes and attention to detail make it rewarding. ...