Photography by Allyson Voller and Rob McGarr. Produced by Rob McGarr.

"Tales and Tails" is reading program at Wadsworth Public Library where beginning readers practice and develop their reading skills on a canine friend. The program uses certified therapy dogs and the room is generally filled with several dogs from which to choose.

"Tales and Tails" is held the second Saturday of every month from noon to 1:30 p.m at Wadsworth Public Library.

Wadsworth Public Library
132 Broad Street
Wadsworth, OH  44281
(330) 334-5761
www.wadsworthlibrary.com

Part two in an ongoing series investigating our local history.

"Remembering Medina County: tales from Ohio's Western Reserve" by Judy Totts
Published by The History Press 2009. Excerpted with permission.

Pictured: author and local historian Judy Totts

Introduction

"How often do we gaze deeply at the ordinary, the places and the people around us, and allow them to become part of us, to sink into our hearts? That includes the unseen as well, the history of our houses and our land. We exist like the growth rings on a tree, separate but part of a greater whole surrounding the heartwood that sprang up before the Native Americans walked the forest paths, before ox carts and plowed fields, before the petals of our family stories get pressed between the pages of county history. Those who recently moved in still exist at the outer ring of the county, and, truth be told, the surface has changed enough over the years that parts of it seem new even to those of us who have been around a while.

Memory allows us to be a little closer to the beginning, like the summer sounds of childhood, hearing the A.I. Root Company whistle or the clang of the interurban bells that interrupted the clip-clop of hoofbeats around the square and the quiet countryside stretching to Chippewa Lake.

Newcomer's don't remember Dr. Mansell's office next to the library or the X-ray machine in Griesinger's shoe store, where we could see the shadow of flesh surrounding the bones of our feet. Couples walked past the fountain in the square where goldfish dodged the pennies the kids pitched at them. I can remember the scent of leaf smoke every fall and burn barrels in the backyards.

When we lived out of the county for six years, I took all that with me, even if I wasn't really aware of it. A lot had changed by the time we moved back. In swimming through the new depths, it was comforting to be able to touch bedrock at the bottom. Underneath, it was the same as it always had been--the history was still intact.

Art teachers tell students that to develop their skills, they need to draw what they see, not what they think they see. This is true, too, of those memories that become the silent touchstones by which we measure other places we may live, looking at them without blinking, tracing their lines, so we know them, even in the dark."

For more information: "Remembering Medina County: tales from Ohio's Western Reserve" by Judy Totts retails for $19.95 and can be found at one of these Medina County retailers:

Nature’s Lavender
6699½ Center Rd.
Valley City, Ohio
(330) 421-2473
www.natureslavender.com

Log Cabin Shop and Historical Center
8010 Lafayette Rd.
Lodi, Ohio
(330) 948-1082
www.logcabinshop.com
Autographed copies available

Borders
4927 Grande Shops Ave.
Medina, Ohio 44256
(330) 723-8270

For more information on Medina County history contact:
Medina Historical Society
206 N. Elmwood St.
Medina, Ohio 44258
(330) 722-1341
www.medinahistorical.com

Driving through River Styx today, I zipped by the following scene. It's quite startling to be driving along and see a field of such bright golden yellow. To get this angle I had to walk on the higher elevation of the road to be able to look down on the field somewhat. Still don't know what the plant is. Ragweed? Any one have any thoughts?

It's had it's grip on me from the first, this county. If I try, I can close my eyes and the memories of the homemade ice cream socials and parades in the Sharon Center of my youth drift like a blown January snow to my mind. I recall the scouting lessons taught in the basement of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, singing with quavering voice in the youth choir at Sharon Center United Methodist Church and attending their congregational dinners in the basement. And when I could drive, the grid of the Western Reserve that is imposed on our landscape helped define a view of the world that would eventually face either east-west or north-south. 

These memories taken one at a time might be an exercise in nostalgia. Taken together they've taught me what it means to belong and participate in a broader community. It certainly is not nostalgic to be given the responsibility to play "Taps" on Memorial Day and in that way to feel the gravity of those who have come before. Or to cast your first vote in the basement of the Sharon Center Town Hall and feel that you too can shape this state and this country. These are the lessons of community.

The snow drift of my memories grow but they also, I realize, have hidden what long lies beneath. I would walk into Stauffer's -- then a hardware store -- or the Sparkle Market and each footfall would, as your weight would transfer to the floor, cause the boards underfoot to creak a voice that gave evidence there many who've come before. And somehow I was sure they each had a story to tell.

For those of us who have wondered, there was always more to the story that has been hidden. But thankfully we now have the recently published books "Remembering Medina County: Tales from Ohio's Western Reserve" by Judy Totts and "Remembering Wadsworth: from pioneers to streetcars" by Caesar Carrino to take hold of our imagination. For those of us who have not been brave enough to be historians ourselves, both these books provide the keys to help each of us begin a journey to understand our own unique county history.

In the next few blog posts, we'll take a look at excerpts from these two books as well as listen in on a podcast interview with the authors. It's an interview packed with interesting facts, details and conversation that you won't want to miss as we take a closer look at our own local history.

Thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest in this web site since it was launched in March 2009. A work in progress, I realize that if I wait to have the perfect multimedia project that I might never publish. So starting today I've moved what was formerly the page of archived projects to the top of the home page in an attempt to make the site more personal and blog-like. I see now that I can't be afraid to publish snippets of projects, observations around town, even to learn how to podcast interesting half-hour interviews as I go about my investigation of how to create this thing we call multimedia.

It was a beautiful day for the inaugural Seville Farm Market at Stanhope Park. I arrived at approximately at 10 a.m. to find the event very well attended. There was plenty of available parking at the nearby Seville United Methodist Church off High Street. And though a few items like fresh berries went fast, there was an abundance of items to choose from. For myself, I bought 2 bags full of annuals, perennials and direct-from-the-garden produce.

The enthusiasm of the vendors was apparent. Everyone was quick with a smile and glad to tell you a bit more about what they were offering. I found it helpful that most vendors had additional information, recipes and even a list of what they would be bringing when they return in the weeks to come.

What a great event. You can count me in, as I'll certainly be back too.

WHEN YOU GO:
The Seville Farm Market
9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October, rain or shine at Seville's Stanhope Park. For more information go to: www.sevillefarmmarket.blogspot.com

Kiwanis Flower Sale
Medina, two locations
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 2009
April showers bring May flowers. And for more than 25 years they also bring the The Kiwanis Club of Medina’s annual Flower Sale. Look for hundreds of hanging baskets and flats of flower varieties that include Impatiens, Marigolds, Pansies, Geraniums and more. Look for the sale at the Medina Shopping Center location on Friday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Also look for the sale at the new Huffman Group location at the intersection of Foote Rd. and  S.R. 18 on Saturday from 9 a.m.–5p.m. only. The Huffman group location will only have hanging baskets. All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Medina. For more information see www.medinakiwanis.org.

Medina Chorus Spring Concert
Medina
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Medina Chorus presents its Spring Concert at the Medina High School Performing Arts Center Middle Stage. The program will consist of music from broadway legends as well as a touch of contemporary favorites. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. Advance sale tickets are available from the Medina and Brunswick Buehler's stores. The program begins at 7 p.m. at the The Medina High School Performing Arts Center which is located at 777 East Union Street. For more information see www.medinachorus.com or contact David Shepley at shepley@roadrunner.com

Litchfield United Church of Christ Relay for Life Team’s
3-Day Yard Sale & Car Wash
Litchfield
Thursday, May 7 through Saturday May 9, 2009
Where else can you get two events in one? That’s right, have your car washed spotless and find yard-sale treasures at the same time. Help the Litchfield United Church of Christ Relay for Life Team join the fight against cancer. All proceeds will be raised by donation only and will benefit the American Cancer Society. Hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. all three days. The event held at the Litchfield United Church of Christ just off the circle at the junction of S.R.18 and S.R. 83 in Litchfield, Ohio. For more information call Deborah Spangler at (330) 722-3357 or dutchessdebes@zoominternet.net.

Tales & Tails
Wadsworth
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Fetch! Roll over! But, who knew that “man’s best friend” could be a great listener too? Children who want to practice their reading skills will love to read to these certified therapy dogs. The dogs are gathered in the story time room and available on a first come, first served basis to hear your child read. Held the second Saturday of each month, this event is intended for anyone who wants to brush up on their reading fluency. All ages are welcome. The event will be held from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in the story time room of the Wadsworth Public Library located at 132 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281. FREE. For more information visit www.wadsworthlibrary.com or contact Janet Griffing at (330) 335-2604 or janet.griffing@wadsworthlibrary.com

RUNTIME: 4:17   For more information about The Medina County Bicycle Club see http://www.medinabikeclub.org/