Happy New Year! It seems an appropriate time to share a few thoughts on making improvements in our everyday lives. A few months ago, one of our grandsons asked me to share a few words of wisdom at his wedding reception. I was reminded of a quote by Camilla Eyring Kimball: “You do not find the happy life. You make it.” In reflection of “making” a happy life, for what it’s worth, I shared the following random thoughts:
Take care of yourselves, physically and emotionally.
Be sure your “buckets” are full, for if your buckets are empty, there is nothing to give.
If you don’t find time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.
Wear sunscreen.
Un-ball your dirty socks and throw them in the hamper, not on the floor.
When it comes to good chocolate, resistance is futile.
Love is your superpower.
Walking side-by-side, you can heal, grow, forgive, move on, be moved, inspire, dare.
Being offended is a choice.
Choose to forgive.
Sometimes you may need to agree to disagree.
With true, enduring love, “the feeling remains after the glitter fades.”
In unity there is strength, in strength there is power, in power there is change.
Do not expect perfection from each other. Embrace being “flawed and fabulous,” because perfect doesn’t exist and normal is boring!
Smile at each other often, for it is the universal language of kindness.
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Laugh often – it shakes the dust off your soul.
It’s OK to laugh until tears run down your legs.
Do not seek riches, seek instead contentment and peace.
Live together in gratitude, for you will never be happier than you are grateful.
Do not compare your life with others’, for comparison is the thief of joy.
If you look after the dimes, the dollars will take care of themselves.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
Care for the Earth.
Recycle.
Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.
You will have struggles; they will often become your greatest teachers.
“Expecting a trouble-free life because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you are a vegetarian” (Jeffrey R. Holland).
Let go of the things you cannot change.
Ask yourself, “Who owns this problem?”, and let them own it.
Recognize that often “it is what it is!”
When struggles come, remember, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.”
Discussions are always better than arguments, because an argument is to find out WHO is right, and a discussion is to find out WHAT is right.
In the long run, there are very few things that really matter, so pick your battles carefully.
Don’t let the things that matter most be at the mercy of that which matters least.
Finally, when things get tough, Grandpa reminds us to remember that “THIS IS A HOUSE OF LOVE!”
Brimfield’s newest pizza and BBQ restaurant
In my November column, I mentioned that Catherine Cherevko was reopening her late grandfather’s pizza shop, together with Delbert Cobbin’s popular barbeque and catering business.
To start the new year, A Gild Pizza and Big DZZ House BBQ and More opened its door on the first day of 2025. Located at 1064 Tallmadge Rd. in Brimfield, the restaurant is open from noon to 8 p.m. Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed Mondays.
Beginning Jan. 13, DoorDash delivery will be available. A Gild Pizza and Big DZZ House BBQ’s new phone number is 330-968-3222.
We ordered two large pizzas on their first day and were not disappointed!
Flag disposal and food composting
With the recent winter weather, our flag had become windblown and tattered. Winter can be harsh on flags, so this is a good time to check their condition. We were pleased to see that the Portage County Recycling Center has a container to collect worn-out flags thanks to the effort of one of its drivers, Michael McCulty, who is also a Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 3304. The flags are disposed of during the pack’s retirement ceremonies, where Scouts are taught how to respectfully dispose of them. McCulty shared that the collection box has been so popular that the flags are piling up. Any Scout troop is welcome to contact the recycling center at 330-678-8808 to request used flags for retirement ceremonies.
The recycling center is also collecting kitchen food scraps that are then picked up by Rubber City Reuse, a company that diverts organic waste from landfills and converts it into nutrient-rich compost used for food cultivation, soil remediation, erosion prevention and beautification of gardens. For more information, visit the Portage County Recycling Center website at https://portagerecycles.com/.
Brimfield Young at Heart Club
– Jan. 10, noon – Friday lunch at Brimfield Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd. Bring a lunch and drink.
– Jan. 13, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place. RSVP Donna Rae Flanary at 330-592-4318.
– Jan. 23, 1:45 p.m. – Lunch at Hartville Kitchen. RSVP Audrey Stillwell at 330-968-3813 by Jan. 16.
– Jan. 27, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place. RSVP Donna Rae Flanary at 330-592-4318.
Brimfield Historical Society
– Jan. 19, 1-3 p.m. – The Kelso House Museum will be open to the public. Free.
Brimfield Parks and Recreation
– Jan. 8-Jan. 31 – Battle of the Borb registration period. Celebrate National Bird Feeding Month by participating in their 2nd Annual Bird Photo Social Media Competition. Capture photos of wild borbs and submit them to [email protected] for social media voting. A “borb” is a bird shaped like an orb. Birds become borbs when they fluff out their feathers to trap heat on cold winter days. More information can be found at brimfieldohio.gov.
– Jan. 9, 1-3 p.m. – Timeless Memories Scrapbooking at the Brimfield Branch Library. Registration information can be found at https://brimfieldparks.ezfacility.com/OnlineRegistration.
– Jan. 14, 6 p.m. – Full Moon Hike and Fire at Cranberry Creek Park. Hot chocolate and s’mores will be served.
– Jan. 28, 3-4 p.m. – Little Snow Explorers for Tots at the Brimfield Branch Library. Explore the enchanting world of snow through interactive sensory activities. Recommended for children ages 1-3.
– Jan. 28, 5-6 p.m. – Little Snow Explorers for Tots at the Brimfield Branch Library. Discover the incredible ways snow shapes our environment and sparks wonder! Recommended for children ages 4-8.
Brimfield Library
To register for events, visit events.portagelibrary.org/events or contact Brimfield Library.
– Jan. 6, 5-6:45 p.m. – Crafternoons. Meet and converse about your crafts and trade tips with other crafters. Adults.
– Jan. 8, 10:30-11 a.m. – Songs and Stories for Baby and Caregiver. Children under 36 months.
– Jan. 9, 4:45-5:45 p.m. – Yoga with Judith. Bring a mat, water and comfortable clothing. Limited to 15 participants. Adults.
– Jan. 10, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Jan. 10, 4-5 p.m. – Super Smash Bros. Tournament on Nintendo Switch. Ages 10-17. Limited to 4 participants per game. Tweens, teens. Registered event.
– Jan. 11, noon-2 p.m. – Model Painting. Adults.
– Jan. 13, 4-5:30 p.m. – Teen Art Club. Grades 7-12. Limited to 10 participants. Registered event.
– Jan. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Financial Planning from Edward Jones Investments with Bella Marshall. Investing basics. Adults.
– Jan. 14, 5-7 p.m. – Brimfield Book Club, “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. Adults.
– Jan. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Brimfield Library Birthday Party. Celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the library’s grand opening. Party favors, cake and games. All ages.
– Jan. 18, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Jan. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Art Club. Limited to 15 participants. Grades 3-6. Registered event.
– Jan. 21, 5:30-7 p.m. – Genealogy with Roger Marble. Adults.
– Jan. 24, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Jan. 25, noon-2 p.m. – Crafternoons. Meet and converse about your crafts and trade tips with other crafters. Adults.
– Jan. 27, 5-6:45 p.m. – Dungeons and Dragons with Dave. Learn about and play one of the most famous games in the world. Limited to 10 participants. Registered event.
– Jan. 29, 4-5 p.m. – Shrinky Dink Art. Make a keychain, necklace or bracelet charm. Grades 1-6. Limited to 15 participants. Registered event.
Brimfield township meetings and news
All trustee meetings will now be held at Town Hall at 1333 Tallmadge Rd..
– Jan. 6, 8 a.m. – Township Organizational Meeting at Town Hall. The agenda includes planning the year’s trustee meeting dates and times.
– Jan. 13, 8 a.m. – Township Inventory Meeting at Town Hall. All department heads annually present an inventory of township assets.
On Dec. 16, the trustees held a public hearing regarding zoning for recreational marijuana commercial facilities. The meeting was duly posted in The Portager, on social media and on the township electronic sign. Two residents attended. There is currently no restrictive language in the zoning code, and Portage County Regional Planning and Zoning has made a recommendation to limit recreational marijuana commercial facilities. The trustees will decide Jan. 6 to either recommend changes to the proposed language, vote as presented or enact a moratorium on adult-use marijuana operators within the township.
In other township news, new lights have been installed on all township welcome signs. Plans for the Joe’s BBQ building, the Hill Church addition and Discount Drug Mart (in front of Brimfield Elementary School) are all moving forward. The person who bought Brimfield Plaza intends to renovate and maintain it as a shopping plaza. Shop with a Cop and Santa on the firetruck were huge successes.
Finally:
I received an email from Nancy Polz inquiring if Brimfield still has a garden club and who the contact person would be. I am not aware of an existing garden club, but if there is one, please contact me at [email protected].
Also, I noticed on Facebook that young beginning farmers Kelsea and Jason Jenkins are looking for plowable, plantable land in Brimfield to lease. Kelsea grew up in Brimfield. If you are aware of available land, Jason can be contacted at 330-600-4444.
As the new year begins, consider giving yourself the gift of forgiveness. Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom learned that “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover the prisoner was you.” Best wishes for a joyous and blessed 2025!
Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at [email protected].
