Around Ravenna / Opinion / Ravenna
Around Ravenna: Books a Go Go is ready to go, D&L Carpet celebrates 50, and local author publishes new book
- Angie Reedy
Immaculate Conception Church will start its monthly spaghetti dinners Thursday, Sept. 18 in the church hall at 251 W. Spruce Ave. in Ravenna. Cost will remain the same: $12 for adults, $5 for children, and free for children under 3.
Carry-out orders will be available. Dinners include spaghetti with meatballs, salad, bread and butter, dessert and beverage. Dinners will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and are open to the public.
Happy belated birthday to Ann Marie Noble! She had a wonderful surprise party Aug. 16 at the Immaculate Conception Hall. She was certainly surprised on her 75th birthday. All the food and decorations were wonderful. It was a grand time.
I had an interesting conversation with Sandra DiPaola Alger about the book she’s been writing:
“When we were little, we only had one TV in the home and that was in the living room. When Dad would watch the news at night, we were relegated to the kitchen. Seven children in the room did not bode well for Dad getting to see or hear the news.
“Sometimes Mom would play educational games with us, and other times she would tell us stories about her growing-up years. I always found them so fascinating and endearing. As I became a grandmother, I thought about passing my own growing-years stories down to my grandchildren. I decided to write them down so they could be kept. A friend suggested I put them in book form.
“Since I belong to the Reed & Write group at Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna, I began to write my stories and share them with the group for critiquing. This has been an eight-year project only because as a novice to the writing group, I knew nothing about self-publishing. With the encouragement of my first writer’s group moderator and the rest of the core group, I knew I needed to either get it done or risk it not coming to fruition.
“The title of the book, ‘Forty Sheep and Other Forgotten Memories,’ is explained in the preface. It is an inside joke I share with my sisters. The book can be purchased through Amazon. I am working on a second book of memories. I have been blessed to have what I consider an idyllic childhood with so many adventures that I would love for my grandchildren to be able to, in their minds, live my memories just as I relived my mother’s memories of her growing-up years.
I am thinking of including some of my mother’s stories in the next book, along with memories I have made with my own children, and perhaps even a few grandchildren memories as well. As of now it is a project in the works.”
I recently visited Cathy Klein at her new bookstore, Books a Go Go, located at 220 W. Main St. in Ravenna. It started as a pop-up shop in September 2022 when she traveled to different venues to set up and sell books (mobile bookshop).
She currently runs four book clubs: Hallidag’s Winery, Lost Trail Winery, Always Indie Boutique in Garrettsville, and Silent Book Club. Cathy will run these until the end of 2025 and then start clubs here.
She will have author events and storytimes as well. Call 330-442-4226, visit the website at booksagogostore.com or check social media for updates @booksagogostore on Facebook and Instagram.
I found it was a neat place to visit, and she had so many books arranged beautifully.
D&L Carpet in Ravenna will celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. The store was founded and is owned by David L. Wagner Sr. and his wife, Linda, on Sept. 25, 1975.
Following stints as a baker at Deluxe Bakery in Ravenna and as a tow motor operator at Central Soya, David became the manager of Carpet Yard in Ravenna, which inspired him to open his own business with his young wife, Linda.
First opened in Black Horse, the business gradually expanded into larger buildings and found its permanent home in downtown Ravenna at 111 E. Main St., where it still operates today. It is the second-oldest business in the downtown district (Guido’s is the oldest).
Children Davinda Baldasare, Dave Wagner Jr. and Michael Wagner grew up in the store. Dave Wagner Jr. has been the store’s installer since age 18.
Their four grandchildren and now six great-grandchildren (with two more on the way) have also spent much time in the store.
The store has always been a gathering place for family and friends. David and Linda feel fortunate to run a business that is an extension of their home, welcoming visitors while providing quality service and products. Their motto is “A reputation you can walk on!!!”
Happy anniversary!
Contact Angie Reedy at 330-297-7228 with your Ravenna news.
Angie Reedy