The nation's largest candy store is right here in Northeast Ohio. b.a. Sweetie Candy brings back sweet, sticky childhood memories inside a cavernous warehouse filled with every type of candy you can imagine. If you had it as a kid, chances are, Sweetie's has it.

We were probably luckier than most growing up. Grandpa Olszewski had a full-sized manger outside his house on the east side of Cleveland with life-size figures. Cattle, the three kings, shepherds, everyone. He also had religious music piped outside and it was lit up all night. People thought it was a roadside shrine; they would stop by and pray. One day, I noticed something odd. My grandfather was sitting at the kitchen table having a smoke and I asked why he had a Coca-Cola Santa Claus standing in the back of the manger. “You got a problem with that?” he asked. “Get your own manger and put whoever you want in there!”

The holidays mean different things to each of us, depending on where we are in life this season. Children grow, loved ones face challenges. We all face uncertainties and, like everything in life, our holiday experiences change, too.

Tidy, affordable neighborhoods. Check. Upscale condos and apartments. Check. Interesting restaurants. Check. To be sure, Northeast Ohio has a lot of communities that can boast the same things. What makes Cuyahoga Falls different is its proximity to so many amenities that make it an attractive place to live for people over 50. 

Inductee Carole King seemed excited and humbled to be at the induction and talked about the environment. Brandi Carlile, fresh off a gig as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, was effusive and relaxed. Rapper and inductee LL Cool J came across as gracious, exhilarated and, yes, cool. He sparkled from head to toe. Jennifer Hudson looked tall; Lionel Richie looked tired. Angela Bassett, who inducted Tina Turner, was dramatically and stunningly glamorous. My foray into rock & roll was short (about 8 hours), and I’m glad I did it.

The calendar says it's the holiday season. But if you're hosting family and friends from now until January, it's food season. Local chef and Boomer's food columnist John Selick discusses the importance of sharing family recipes and the stories behind them.