Dealing with Negative Feedback
Running a business involves dealing with feedback, both positive and negative. While negative feedback can be challenging, it can provide unique opportunities for growth and improvement. The following are ways to deal with it with patience, tact and a proactive approach. • Identify the Source: Negative feedback can come from customers, employees, or even partners. It is essential to recognize...
The hinges of where now?!
H-E-double toothpicks, you say? Wowzah! I guess so. My car temperature reading was 92. My house all-purpose thermometer (date, time, indoor/outdoor air pressure, humidity) showed that I was escaping from 93 degrees outside and lolling about in just 77 measly degrees–the air conditioning was set at the recommended 78 degrees to avoid overtaxing the cooling system and costing me beaucoup bucks...
June 21st Kicks off Shades for Migraine National Campaign
Amidst the heatwave taking over Northeast Ohio, this week also marked the start of summer and the summer solstice, the longest day of year in which we had the most light on June 20. June is headache and migraine awareness month, and today, Shades for Migraine encourages people to show support for those who suffer from migraines by wearing...
Y? Y not!
Why not ? We are in real danger of losing the operation of the Garrettsville Family YMCA. This is NOT because of lack of activity at the operation, contrariwise, it is more because of the many and varied activities going on there that are, increasingly, more than staffing can support. One person, basically, is being asked to handle, manage,...
Head’s Up Bikers!
Naw, not you leatherjacket, totally-tattooed, scoff-law tough guys (and gals) who go roaring through wide spots in the road, hell-bent on scaring the beejeesus out of rural observers; you can just disregard this message. I’m talking here to the more sedate–slow, even–three-speed, ten-speed, fifteen-speed on a good day, peddlers that populate bike paths ‘round and about this neighborhood and...
On Memorial Day
Can we talk HEROES ?...the ones we honor here today, who gave what Abraham Lincoln called their “last full measure of devotion” , the ones who–as we sing in “America the Beautiful”–“more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life,” as well as those whose heroism has been of a quieter, less tragic but equally significant nature...
It’s All Relative!
Relatives , that is. Relatives and friends and neighbors and classmates and teachers and stray passers-by…we’re talkin’ OPEN here. Bud. It is officially Open House Season. Graduation is coming right up over the horizon, invitations are going out–informal/verbal or online or accompanying graduation announcements or in full-page ads in the public prints, for all I know. Catering establishments are being...
Unveiling Our Roots: A Journey Through Time
In celebration of the Great Reveal of the 100-year-old time capsule, the James A. Garfield Historical Society is releasing a new book! “Time Capsule Opening-Unveiling Our Roots…and providing a glimpse of the present for the eyes of the future.” The book, “Time Capsule Opening” not only explains the beginning of the time capsule, but also includes the history and highlights of...
A Century Old Legacy: Celebrating the Ravenna Thursday Literary Club
There are birthdays…and there are BIRTHDAYS (Notice the capital B, et al.) Recently, at the Reed Memorial Library, in the Haymaker Room downstairs, the Thursday Literary Club of Ravenna met to celebrate its 100th year of exploring society through books, discussing timely topics and contributing to community at all levels, beginning with a simple invitation from a friend to meet...
The New American Dream: No kids?
60s, the question "It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where the children are?" was a common PSA on the evening news. Fast forward to 2024, and the question has shifted to "Where are all the moms?" Last week, Fortune shined a spotlight on a coming seismic shift in societal norms – the inclination among Millennials and Gen Z to live...
Catastasis
Heck of a word, eh? Followed closely by catastrophe, catastrophism, catatonia and cat-a-wampus( next column in my Webster’s New World College Dictionary has catchpoll, catechesis and catechin–totally unrelated). Amazing what words are out there, just waiting to be used, if only we had some idea what they meant. In any case, all of this came up when I thought that...
Wet enough for ya?
Well, the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers. “ Right?That being so, my yard and everybody else’s for that matter, should be resembling the Amazon rainforest. Of course, the late-season plunge down to frost warnings may have put the kibosh on that scenario, at least temporarily. All of this “El Nino” weather fluctuation may have confused some of...
Aaaaand we’re off !
It’s that time of year again. That time when Spring has–sorta–come but Winter makes occasional encore appearances, indoor sports are, basically, over and everybody heads outside–where the rain is, and athletic directors everywhere are living on their communication devices–scheduling, scheduling, re-scheduling, re-scheduling, contemplating cancellations. Bus drivers are stuck waiting to see whether they’re off for a trip or not or...
The Disney Chronicles: Part II
Ever been on a bus or a similar crowded situation with “wound-up” young persons when singing (and other such expressions of high spirits) breaks out and at some point, there is a raucous announcement of what is to come, namely : “Second verse! Same as the first! A little bit LOUDER and a little bit WORSE!”...? Well, here’s verse...
Democracy, Disney and other March Madness
Anybody else remember that sort of current events/comedy show from back in the Dark Ages? “That Was The Week That Was”? Well, I just had one of those that was about ten days long. What a ride…literally! Not even including the regular third Monday of the James A. Garfield Historical Society, though not including it would mean skipping over the...
We’re off to see the Wizard… er the Mouse!
Heading off to the Magic Kingdom, or whatever they call it in Florida. I really don’t know, having never been there. I’m hoping that enjoyment of the place will not be based solely on “riding the rides”, because I have not been on one of those things since godknowswhen, some time back when I was young and foolish (Only...
Follow the Signs: Part III
This is part three of the story about running down a Model “A” Ford lead and purchasing the car. Jerry and I most often look for hobby cars that were never finished or cars that have sat in the garage for years and years, forgotten until a new owner or relative comes on the scene and wants to clean things...
Follow the Signs: Part II
We are in the bizarre Disneyland of extraordinary peculiarity with the expressed purpose of buying a Model “A” Ford that was acquired by collector John Smith in 2015. Mr. Smith was a collector extraordinaire of unusual things including, but not limited to, antique cars. His homestead displays his penchant for highway advertising signs which are plastered all over the...
Follow the Signs: Part I
This is a story about running down a Model “A” Ford lead and possibly being able to purchase the car. We most often look for hobby cars that were never finished or cars that have sat in the garage for years and years, forgotten until a new owner or relative comes on the scene and wants to get rid...
Citizens Awaken!
It’s that time again – Ohio’s primary voting is scheduled for March 19 this year, so mark your calendars. Ensure your driver’s license is valid, as state-issued identification is now a requirement; electric bills or bank statements won’t suffice. Speaking of state-issued documents, a friendly policeman in Streetsboro alerted me to the expiration of my license plates by approximately...
Two Mice and a Truck
Oh gosh Henrietta, something is going on in the barn again. The humans have opened up the barn doors, too much light, not used to all this light in this old barn. Get me my sunglasses! Sam, it’s that farmer guy lookin’ around in here. Oh boy, he’s brought two other humans in to look at our mobile home(decrepit...
Okay, how do I add a title?
One of the great mysteries of the digital age, as far as I am concerned. Actually, it is a question followed by another : What do I do to send it off, if it has no title? I went to the very informative session at the PCDL—there are more to come, I hope—with a class or two from the...
Why You Need a Good Website
Does your business have a website? With today’s consumers first looking for information before contacting or entering a business or even making a purchase, a website is an absolute necessity for all local companies. Your website is not just a digital business card but a tool that can increase visibility, support customer relationships and give you a competitive advantage. Establishing...
Avoiding Common Furnace Issues
Taking care of your furnace is especially important over the winter season when your unit is working its hardest to heat your home properly. Knowing what winter furnace issues to look out for, and how to fix them, is key to keeping your family safe and comfortable. As a homeowner, there are a few steps that you can take...
Foodtrucks in 1966
Have you noticed the abundance of competing food trucks at events you attend? Is this a machination of the current marketing minds? Excepting for the good humor truck and the milk man in his distinctly peculiar looking milk truck, I don’t remember food trucks being at events. Maybe the current food trucks are the modern manifestations of the old...
Once more into the breach, dear friends…
Well, here we go again. Off to the races. From here on in (or out, depending on the weather) we’re racing onward toward the ending of this or the beginning of that. Practices have begun for the Spring musical, “Beauty and the Beast”, I believe. Wrestlers are also having a good year–kudos to Coach Andel, for having all the weight...
Make Healthy Humidity a Priority
Winter is quickly approaching. While many homeowners want to prepare by keeping their homes warm and comfortable, they may not think so much about humidity. We all know how harsh winter air can be. While you may think your indoor air is ready to keep you safe in the coming season, do you know if your humidity is properly...
My new old Thunderbird time-machine
Driving down the road with no particular destination in mind, I’ve been waiting for a nice fall or winter day like this: clear, 60 degrees, perfect for taking this car out for a run. The Model “A” has been winterized, yet I’m hoping to sneak the Bird out on some of these uncharacteristically pleasant winter days resulting from climate...
I don’t fear death; its being left behind that hurts!
I recently asked a friend whos wife passed several years ago; “when do the tears stop” he said I’ll let you know! I am resolved to the fact that the rain in my heart will never end; I can’t believe it is two years since I lost the love of my life! I make the best of every day...
Maintaining a Clear Drain: Seven Foods to Never Put Down Your Sink During the Holidays
The holidays are here, and many of us are spending time in our kitchens preparing tasty meals and treats for family and friends. It can be tempting to allow food scraps to go down the sink drain, but there are many types of foods that should NEVER go down your drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Preventing...
