Worth Noting
Compiled by Marie Elium
Honoring Veterans
Free Flights, Priceless Memories
A friend mentioned that her dad went on a free trip from his home in Cincinnati to Washington, D.C. to see war memorials, a moving and emotional experience that he talked about often until his death several years ago.
I wondered if Northeast Ohio offers the same thing; it turns out we do. Honor Flight Cleveland recognizes military veterans by providing an age-appropriate and completely free trip to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials.
More than 3,570 U.S. veterans, most from World War II, have taken Honor Flight Cleveland excursions, all paid for by private donations and through the work of volunteers. Flights resumed this year after a two-year pandemic break. Get details at honorflightcleveland.org.
Title IX’s 50th Anniversary:
Leveling the Playing Field
In 1972, 37 words launched the long and continuing process of eliminating discrimination against women in sports. Boomers today started their childhoods in a world where organized sports were for boys; no girls allowed.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Many younger people today don’t realize the barriers that girls faced in the pre-Title IX era. It’s up to us to remind them that the struggle continues for many women athletes. Learn more about this generational landmark and read a Sports Illustrated timeline of defining moments of women’s sports at si.com/college/2022/06/09/title-ix-50-years-timeline.
Brainy Broadview Heights
Mind Challenge Champs
In four short years, Mind Challenge for a New Majority has grown from a modest trivia competition among a handful of senior groups to a full-blown phenomenon. A record 51 Northeast Ohio communities with 520 participants out-trivia answered each other to earn prize money for their senior and rec centers. After weeks of competition, we finally have a winner: defending champ Broadview Heights.
This group of trivia experts beat Twinsburg to earn first-place money of $2,500. Twinsburg won $1,500. Cleveland Heights and Mentor finished third and fourth place respectively earning $1,000 and $500. Rocky River finished fifth but won their regional competition.
Founded by Art Greenberg and Phil Levine, Mind Challenge brings together teams from throughout Northeast Ohio to compete for bragging rights and cash for their communities. Participation is free. Start brushing up now and consider joining a team next year. Competition starts May 8 and runs through June 14. Go to themindchallenge.com.
Free Grief Support for 25 Years
The GriefCare Place
Grief is often a solo experience. After all, no one’s grief journey is the same. But did you know that in nearby Stow in Summit County, The GriefCare Place is celebrating 25 years of providing free, peer-led grief support groups and services?
An open house to celebrate decades of helping grieving people will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at their facility, 4499 Darrow Road in Stow. If you need help now, or want to support the organization, go to thegriefcareplace.org.
Agewise Emergency Prep
Do You Have What You’ll Need?
When the power went out earlier this summer on a crippling hot day, I realized how unprepared I was for an emergency.
The Ohio Department of Aging has practical tips that are better than the ones I came up with as I sat in the dark contemplating what I’ll have ready the next time it happens. I’ve included a few here. Find more at aging.ohio.gov.
- Medications – Keep a backup supply of the medications you take every day (check expiration dates every couple of months and replace if necessary). Ask your doctors for extra copies of your prescriptions for your emergency kit. Have an ice chest on hand and keep ice packs in the freezer for medications that need to be kept cool.
- Medical supplies – Keep a backup stash of medical supplies such as bandages, wraps, alcohol, lotions, over-the-counter medications, etc.
- Equipment and assistive devices – Make sure your medical equipment and assistive devices (such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, lifts, oxygen tanks, etc.) are easy to locate in an emergency and note their locations in your emergency plan. Have spare batteries for equipment that uses batteries. Have non-powered options for any equipment that will not work if there is no electricity. Keep written instructions on how to locate, operate and move your medical and adaptive equipment in your kit.
- Cell phone – Store emergency contacts in your cell phone and pack an extra charger, cord or battery backup in your emergency kit.
- If you have pets, have an emergency kit for them, as well. In the event that you must leave your home, have a plan for keeping your pet safe. Some emergency shelters and first responders will not handle pets, so plan for alternatives to taking them with you. This could include having a friend, family member or neighbor to come get them or look after them.
