Winging It;
The Audubon Bird Count
If you like watching birds and you can count reasonably well, then sign up for the 121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14-Jan. 5. Groups have formed throughout Northeast Ohio, a prime bird-watching region because of our proximity to Lake Erie.
The Christmas Bird Counts go into a database where scientists use the information to monitor the vitality and range of cardinals, blue jays, dark-eyed juncos and other feathered friends.
Join a local group, count on your own or watch the bird feeder in your back yard, depending on where you live and how many people are counting. Register at audubon.org.
Boom Time for Hometown Gifts
Like many of us, Deby Lexow gave locally-milled pancake mix, maple syrup and other Northeast Ohio products to friends and family for the holidays.
Unlike all of us, she created a business out of her generous habit.
Lexow started LOCLE Box six years ago, tracking down Ohio-made products from small-batch artisans so she could assemble ready-made and custom gift boxes.
“I love finding new makers for products that we include in our gift boxes. Before COVID, we traveled to farmers markets to find Ohio-made products and goodies. And now, we find new makers mostly through referrals and Etsy,” Lexow says.
“We have pretty strict criteria to be included in the LOCLE Box family. Number one, the product must be outstanding – either a delicious edible or an incredibly well-made bath product or kitchen tool or a beautifully designed card or craft,” she says.
All makers have to be an actual business with a website or an Etsy shop so customers can contact them if they want to buy more items. In addition, all comply with state regulations and food standards. See Deby’s boxes at LOCLEBox.com.
Whiners, it’s Your Time to Shine
Fill in the blank: 2020 has been a __________.
Train wreck? Dumpster fire?
Yes and yes.
Cleveland Clinic and other local physicians have warned about pandemic fatigue, reminded us to wash our hands, and advised mental health counseling for stress.
But what about whining? Certainly, we’re entitled to indulge in self-pity. Good news: there’s a day for that; National Whiner’s Day is Dec. 26. Established by a minister, the day was set aside to let us indulge in whining while also appreciating what we have.
In keeping with the pandemic theme, National Hand Washing Awareness Week is the first week of December. No word yet on National Face Mask Day or Social Distancing Week.
Explore the Western Reserve From the Comfort of Your Recliner
No recliner? No worries. A couch is fine, too.
One of our favorite local websites is from the Western Reserve Historical Society, wrhs.org. The site is packed with interesting stories about the region from its post-Revolutionary War origins and up through the past few decades.
With the exception of special, virtual exhibits, almost everything can be accessed for free. Some of the best content is in the site’s Then & Now Blog. Recent posts have covered the importance of Sokolowski’s University Inn, other restaurants in the former South Side (Tremont) area, politician Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and the spooky Franklin Castle.
Food, Cash
Feel Good Feeding Others
The pandemic has forced many people out of jobs and has led to increased demand on local food programs and the agencies that buy and collect the food. One of those is the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, which gets one-third of its food from local donations, according to its website, akroncantonfoodbank.org.
Their Super Six most-wanted items are boxed cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna, vegetables, beef stew and soup. Money is always appreciated.
Drop-off hours are 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, 350 Opportunity Pkwy. in Akron.
It’s a Date!
New Year, New Calendar
Just because there’s not much on our calendars lately doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep track of all those empty days. We’ve found some interesting local calendar options online to help you plan for better, busier days. Road Trip Ohio Wall Calendar (calendars.com) takes you on a quick tour of the state’s most popular destinations.
Landmarks Cleveland Ohio Calendar with artwork by WestCreek, of Cleveland, shows the city in all of its glory (zazzle.com). If you want to look at beaches, woods, wetlands and nature preserves but don’t want to travel right now, the Ohio Nature calendar is a good choice (amazon.com).
Go ahead; plan for a better 2021 and pick up a calendar, whether or not you have something to write in it.
