Exceptional Smiles @ Landerbrook May 2019
May 2019
THE HEIGHTS SMI LE Herald
Thinking back to when I was 16, I never thought about how getting my license affected my parents. A Taste of Freedom 5825 Lande r b rook Dr i ve , Su i t e 124 , May f i e l d He i gh t s , OH 44124 ( 440 ) 483 - 1003 First Cars and Big Milestones
My first car was a little Chevy Nova. Not the cool kind of Chevy Nova, mind you. It was a four-cylinder, and it wasn’t even technically my car. This was my mom’s old car that my brothers and I needed permission to drive around town. It didn’t have backup cameras, automatic locks, or power windows, but it did have an aftermarket mono cassette player under the dash that my dad installed for my mom. It wasn’t flashy, but it got us from point A to point B. My brothers and I loved that car, and we took good care of it. Alright, to be honest, “good” might be an overstatement. Before we inherited our car, we learned early on that it’s impossible to do doughnuts in a front-wheel drive car. The closest we ever got was when my friends and I found out that if we picked up speed in an open area, turned the steering wheel and then pulled the parking brake, the car would turn into a light spin. (Disclaimer: We were professionals. Do not try this.) It never got all the way around, but that was one great winter. Then in the spring, when my dad came home from getting the oil changed, he told us he needed to get four new tires and fix the alignment. My brothers and I said nothing. I have since come clean about that, once Dad couldn’t ground me. But beyond the half-baked doughnuts, we did take care of that car. I never got in a car accident or got a ticket (knock on wood). That car was our little taste of freedom, and we knew at any
about her doing anything reckless. I am nervous about the other drivers, but I know she needs to be able to have this freedom to test the waters while still being in the safety of home. I’m excited for her. She’s a good kid. This milestone is a bit of a wake-up call. I don’t feel old enough to have a 16-year-old! But there she is, already taking her driver’s test. In just two years, she will be graduating high school and starting college, and her younger sisters aren’t too far behind. When I was young and first starting to drive, two years felt like forever. Now I know two years is a snap of the fingers. It’s a little scary and a little bittersweet, but mostly happy. I still remember how much driving that Chevy Nova meant to me. I’m glad our daughter is getting to make those kinds of memories herself — hopefully without trying to do doughnuts in a front- wheel drive, of course. –-Jason A. Schermer
moment Mom and Dad could take it back, so we cherished every second.
I’ve been thinking about those early days as a driver a lot recently. Our oldest daughter turns 16 this month, and she’s eager to get her driver’s license as soon as possible. This is a big milestone for her as well as for my wife and I. Thinking back to when I was 16, I never thought about how getting my license affected my parents. I was just glad to finally get behind the wheel. Now I’m on the other side as a parent myself. It’s very exciting for everyone. Our oldest is becoming more independent, and we’re really excited to watch our daughter — who I swear was a toddler not that long ago — grow into a full-fledged person. I’m nervous, but I don’t doubt her driving skills. She’s very responsible, and I don’t think I have to worry
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‘HEY, ALEXA!’ 3 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help Get Your Kids Ready for School
E ven though parents and kids everywhere are getting close to no matter what season it is. Do you feel like you’ve run a marathon by 9 a.m. every day? Rest assured that you’re not alone. Mornings are often the most hectic and stressful part of a parent’s daily schedule. Fortunately, there is an inexpensive and popular device that can help take some of the pressure off your morning routine and get your kids to the bus on time: Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa! celebrating the last day of school this year, school day mornings are difficult
Alarms of All Kinds
You can place an Echo Dot in your kid’s room and set an alarm that wakes them up to the weather report, a standard alarm sound, or their favorite tunes. You can also program Alexa to turn on a compatible bedside lamp so they wake up to light instead of sound, which offers a more calming way to wake up. If your kid decides to catch a few more z’s and ignore their alarm, you can use some of Alexa’s other features, like Drop In and Intercom, to start a two-way conversation or send announcements to all the kids’ rooms in the house.
list, so you can hit the road early without the nagging feeling that you left something behind.
Make It a Game
“Out the Door” is an interactive Alexa game that turns getting ready for school into an adventure for younger children. Each day, kids are given a new superpower and have to defeat a different creature as they complete “missions,” which include tasks like brushing their teeth and getting dressed. It makes the process of getting ready for school exciting and gives kids an incentive to fulfill their responsibilities. If you don’t already have an Echo Dot, you can find them at most major retail stores. Make your mornings less stressful by starting with “Hey, Alexa” and going from there.
Reminders and Lists
Alexa can also help you check off items from your family’s morning to-do lists to minimize the chaos of weekday mornings. You can create reminders to pack lunches or grab homework, and then all you have to do is ask, “Alexa, what are my reminders?” She will run down the
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I’ve been seeing Dr. Schermer for about 10 years and could not be more pleased with his services. He is kind, patient, and knowledgeable.
“From the moment you walk in to the moment you book your follow-up appointment, Dr. Schermer and his staff
are nothing but true professionals. I am lucky to have them working on my teeth.” –Sarah S.
His office is pristine and his staff very professional. I can routinely get the early morning appointments I need and don’t have to schedule six months in advance to do so. I took my children to Dr. Schermer when their pediatric dentist abruptly ended their care. He is so kind and gentle with children.” –P.N.
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National Learn About Composting Day
Why Do We Compost? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. Learn About Composting Day The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.
Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mommight have kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn. Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to and begin the conversation about composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started. What Is Compost? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats, or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture.
Black Gold for Your Garden Soil
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
Leah’s Bad Dad Joke of the Month
Strawberry Mango Paletas These bright red-and-orange ice pops are perfect for May when juicy strawberries are at their peak. Cool off this Memorial Day with these sweet treats.
What happened to the bee when he got swatted by one of the walking dead?
Ingredients •
1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• •
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• •
2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped
Directions 1. In a small saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of the
6. In the blender, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 7. Into eight 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 8. Using a small knife, gently swirl mango and strawberry layers together. Insert wooden ice pop sticks and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours and preferably overnight. 9. Dip molds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.
lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. 4. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and clean the blender.
He turned into a zom-bee.
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I N S I D E Little Chevy Nova 3 Ways Alexa Can Help Get Your Kids Ready for School Our Patients Say It Best Black Gold Leah’s Bad Dad Joke of the Month Strawberry Mango Paletas The Long History of the Western Reserve 5825 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 124 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
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artifacts, costumes, and the largest collection of documents describing the Shaker communities in the United States. But for many guests, the highlight of a visit to the Cleveland History Center is the colorful Grand Carousel. This century-old carousel was originally located in Euclid Beach Park on Cleveland’s lakefront. The Grand Carousel was sold to an amusement park in Maine when Euclid Beach Park closed in 1969 but made its way back to Cleveland in 1996. The WRHS carefully restored the hand-painted horses and chariots to the 1910 period, breathing new life and history into the old attractions. Today, guests can ride the Grand Carousel and experience a piece of Cleveland history for themselves. In addition to the exhibits at the Cleveland History Center, the WRHS is also responsible for Hale Farm and Village, a living history museum in Bath, and Canfield’s Loghurst, the oldest residence in the Western Reserve. Today, the Western Reserve Historical Society is the oldest cultural institution in Northeast Ohio. Visit WRHS.org to learn how you can see Ohio history for yourself.
Preserving the Past Celebrating the Western Reserve Historical Society
Long before Ohio was a state, the area 120 miles west of the Pennsylvania border was known as the Western Reserve. In 1867, six decades after Ohio was admitted into the Union, the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) was founded to preserve and share the history of the people and communities of the Western Reserve. Initially a branch of the Cleveland Library Association, the WRHS’ first home was on the third floor of the Society for Savings Bank in downtown Cleveland. Since then, the WRHS
relocated to its current home in University City, preserving
two historic mansions in the process: the Hay- McKinney Mansion and the Bingham-Hanna House. Today, these mansions are part of the Cleveland History Center of the WRHS. The Cleveland History Center is home to around 800 oil paintings, 3,500 decorated artifacts dating back as old as the 18th century, military
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