Top 10 Reasons Why Winters Rock in Northeast Ohio

On the 25th frigid day of February, more than 50 LAA members broke out of their four walls and joined with each other to hear ten Alums share “Top Ten Reasons Winters Rock in Northeast Ohio”.  And yes, there are at least ten reasons why Winters Rock here!  Here are just a few: 

1.            Bob Pacanovsky '07 treated us all to an easy recipe for Italian Wedding Soup, sure to beat the winter blahs… if you weren’t there you missed the goodness and the simplicity of this recipe!

2.            Drew Holland '09 presented great ideas for winter fun, like indoor climbing at Kendall Cliffs, or indoor mountain biking (yes, indoors)!  Looking for someone to join you but can’t find anyone? Find a sporting match on the website www.gamesnake.com. Did you know that you CAN ride your bike in the winter with appropriately studded bicycle tires? You can have the towpath practically to yourself!

3.            Theresa Carter '98 brought out the best of winter fashion coats with a surprise underneath… Spring fashion!  Wendy Bolas '04, Teresa LeGrair '08, and James Sneed '09 strutted the latest trends with flair. How soon we forget what shorts and casual wear can do for your spirit.  

4.            Dr. Debbie Plate presented beauty sleep tips after a long winter. Exercise and being careful not to imbibe too late in the evening (or at all) can help you get the most of your beauty sleep.

5.            Brian Thomas '02 provided some winter travel tips.  Getting other’s opinions on a location and their experience can be the best way to try something different.  How about a River Cruise on the Rhine in the fall… great deals, low peak season.

6.            David Jennings shared some great reading titles.  “Dangerously Funny”, about the Smothers Brothers; “Nine Stories”; and “Razor’s Edge”.

7.            Bridget Garvin Ambrisco '08 named the best places of our local park systems to enjoy the winter weather.  Ice Skating at Furnace Run, Goodyear Heights Park, Gorge, Sand Run and Silver Creek; sledding at Cascade Valley, Firestone, Furnace Run, Goodyear Heights, Monroe Falls and Sand Run; and there is always hiking!

8.            RD Heldenfels of the Akron Beacon Journal gave his list of “must see” movie picks:  Hurt Locker; Precious; Blind Side; Up in the Air; Shutter Island just to name a few!

9.            Cynthia Johnson gave more ideas on winter entertainment in and around the Akron-Summit County area.  There is an event calendar on line at www.visitakron-summit.org.   From the symphony and art museum, to the parks and roller derby there is always something to do!

10.          Elaine Harlin '08 presented ideas for Family Fun.  Have you ever played “Tic Tac Snow”?  Make a tic tac board in the snow and use sticks for the x’s and pine cones for the o’s.  Bowling is an Akron icon… How about a bowling “party” with your family? 

The time passed quickly, and we were all energized to do something from this resourceful list, and relish in the fact that we are one more day closer to Spring!