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Holidays 2011

Monday, January 2, 2012

The Growth Chart: Growing Kids, Growing Parents

From Generation to Generation

With gratitude, a new mother thinks about "home," remembering her past and contemplating her baby's future.

As a child, I loved sledding at my grandparents’ farm. We’d don layers — long johns covered by pants covered by coveralls, adding hats, gloves and scarves until we could barely move. Dad drove the station wagon to “the farm” where we’d have hours of outdoor fun.  Piling onto runner sleds, two-or-three-kids-high, we coasted across the frozen swamp at record speeds, seeing whose sled could go farthest. We never tired of flying downhill, but eventually climbing up got the best of us. We’d give in to our weary limbs’ complaints and turn wind-chilled faces toward the farm house.  Before we could enter the mud room, Grandma would sweep snow from our clothes with her broom. We’d scurry into the kitchen, where a wall of warm air greeted us — a …

Friday, December 30, 2011

Keep Your Fitness Resolution in 2012

Many people easily fall off their New Year's weight loss resolutions, so here are some tips to keep it up and take it off.

With every New Year, folks usually make resolutions to change certain aspects of their lives.  Many times they resolve to finally get in shape or lose those extra pounds that miraculously appear around the holidays. Anne Sarafian sees quite a few of these cases every January. Sarafian, the fitness activities coordinator at the Twinsburg Fitness Center, estimated eight out of 10 people purchase memberships in January because of resolutions they made to themselves. However, most of them end up fading away as the year progresses. So how can you make sure you keep to it? Sarafian offered some advice to help people stay on track the entire year and beyond. Start slow Most people can get so motivated at the beginning of the year that they get in…

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Look Back: Talking SR 91 Construction in a Roundabout Way

No. 4: A story that we had plenty of reader reaction from, the city discusses roundabouts for the future of SR 91

Editor's Note: We compiled multiple stories from our coverage of the fire and put them all in one for comprehensive coverage. Between Dec. 27 and New Year's Eve, Twinsburg Patch will count down the top five stories of 2011. Want to comment on our choices? Head down to the comments section! More than 100 people came to City Hall Oct. 31 to learn more about the widening and improvement project coming to State Route 91. Although there was no formal presentation, the general feeling was that the road needs improvement, but not the kind engineers are proposing. The project looks to improve SR 91 starting 200 feet south of Post Road to the northern corporation line at Solon by widening, improving drainage, upgrading existing traffic signals, …

Picture Perfect: 10 Must-Have Supplies for the Compleat Photographer

A month of hints for taking happy holiday photos

You've got a new camera. You've tested and tried it and it works perfectly. So what's next? Here's a list of 10 accessories you'll need before and after you snap the shutter. 10. Batteries:  If you have a point-and-shoot, get as many packs of AA batteries as you can afford or an extra rechargeable battery. If you have a digital SLR (single lens reflex) then spring for a good, inexpensive rechargeable for your make and model. Nothing is more frustrating than to have a camera collapse because the batteries are drained. 9. USB cables: I carry around a couple because I'm always misplacing them. They're crucial for getting photos into a printer and uploading pictures to social media sites. 8. A computer, notebook or mobile device and access to …

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Growth Chart: Growing Kids, Growing Parents

The Best Gift

"Tis a gift to be simple. Tis a gift to be free."

My mother began a Christmas tradition many years ago: “The Best Gift.” After all the shiny packages have been opened, one gift remains: a plain brown box tied neatly with twine. Mom sits down near the tree, gathers her grandchildren close around her and reaches for the simple box, announcing that inside is the best gift of all — the very reason we celebrate Christmas. The children listen with respect, knowing Grandma will choose one of them to open the present. They sense the urgency of her message. Even the older children, who remember the tradition from years past, appreciate what their grandmother has to say. They assert their authority: “I know what this is!”  Their position of seniority is affirmed when Grandma points out the writing …

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Share Photos Of Your Kid's Favorite Christmas Present

We know that every kid has that Christmas present they just love! Well, we want you to take a picture of your child with that present and explain what it is and why they love it!

Even in my mid-20s, around a Christmas tree with presents underneath, I go into little-kid mode. Only a few weeks ago I saw a present with my name on it and I picked it up, examining the size and weight, anxiously wondering what mystery it held. Even today when I get an amazing gift, I find myself beaming from ear to ear, so excited about getting something so cool (typically it is some sort of Batman fan-fare). So what's the big present this year for your child? I know there was something on his or her list that they just wanted with all of their heart. And there's nothing for a parent (I imagine) like seeing the joy on your kid's face when they realize they got what they were hoping for. So here's what we want our parents in Twinsburg to …

5 Things To Do Today

We rounded up a quick list of five things to get you out of the house today

Maybe your family has a touch of cabin fever and likes to get out after Christmas Dinner. Or maybe you do not celebrate Christmas, but a family fun day is never a bad idea! We rounded up five things to do today with the family — or just the grown-ups. Snow Days: Head downtwown for an off-season Indians experience; the baseball stadium has been converted to a huge sledding hill and ice rink. $25; tickets and more information here. Chinese Food & A Movie: Head to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage for an annual Christmas Day tradition featuring free food, movies, kids activities and games. Details here. See a movie: Christmas Day is a big day for family movies — take the kids to check out We Bought a Zoo, The Muppets or The Adventures of …

Kaye Spector

7:25 am on Monday, December 26, 2011

LOVE Blue Lunch. Used to go hear them at the Grog Shop on Coventry. Am I dating myself?   more ›

Friday, December 23, 2011

5 Movies to Catch on TV This Christmas

Editor Mitch Cooper Gives you his top 5 picks for Christmas and when you can catch them

  I love Christmas. The lights, the music, the fun. But I especially love the movies! So what are the ones you should watch? My Christmas gift to you is a list of my top five faves and when you can catch them. Tim Allen stars in the remake of a favorite Christmas movie. After Santa falls off his roof, Scott Calvin (Allen) is forced to take the reins, and the huge pants. — 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday on ABC Family. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" This one is an instant classic as Will Ferrel plays a human with incredible holiday joy who tries to reconnect with his dad and spread Christmas cheer. — Starts at 8 p.m. Sunday on USA with a repeat right after. The sequal to the Christmas classic Home Alone (sadly, it's …

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Patch Blogger Shares Her Festive, Holiday Decorations

Kelly Blazek sent in these photos of her winter display.

Broadview Heights resident and Patch blogger Kelly Blazek sent in these festive photos to share with readers! If you have indoor displays to share, add them to the Neighborhood Gallery. Outdoor decorations? Enter those in Patch’s Deck the House contest!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Moms Talk: Talking To Your Kids About Santa

Take our poll and tell us how you've dealt with talking to your kids about Santa.

    Have you had the talk with your kids about Santa? Do you feel it's something that parents should handle or just let be? We're intentionally being vague of course. We all know what we're talking about here, right? So take our poll and tell us what you think. Then explain in the comments.

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