Medina, Ohio Ice Festival: Always a COOL Time!

Sure, it is Ohio.  Yes, we are usually knee-deep (ONLY that deep, if we're lucky!) in snow, slush, and other nasty white stuff in mid-February.  But, by this time of the year, most of us are usually getting pretty restless and craving some sunshine.....even if it doesn't actually do much to warm our bones!


So, what's a Northeast Ohioan to do when the need to get some rays strikes?  Head to the Medina Ice Festival!

This year's event will take place February 15th through 18th in the historic Medina, Ohio downtown square.

Truly a sight to be seen first-hand, this annual attraction showcases over 40 ice sculptors, all sponsored by local Medina merchants and businesses. 

In addition to the artwork displayed on the square, there will also be a speed carving competition on Friday, a team carving competition on Saturday, and an individual artisan demo on Sunday. 

Visit the Medina County website for more event information at http://www.medinaoh.org/calendar/Medina_Ice_Festival .



Free for the whole family, the day is sure to please even the grumpiest cabin fever-stricken folks.  Head on out for some chilly fun in the sun!

Winding another year in real estate....

...and reflecting on the wonderful events that have occurred in 2012!  Business really took off for me this year, my third as a Realtor.  I was busy starting in January and only slowed down long enough to take a break for Christmas.

With roughly $2,000,000 in sales volume this year, I am very thankful to have earned a great income, which has benefited my family immensely.

I am even more thankful still for the many new clients I gained these last 12 months.  Some of these amazing people have become dear and treasured friends - this is an unexpected and heart-warming "side effect" of being in this business, I am discovering.  My life is richer for having met them, and I will forever be appreciative of the honor and opportunity I have been given in helping them take such a big step in their lives.  This is a very rewarding "job", indeed!

Wishing you all great success, prosperity, friendship, and love in 2013 - make it your BEST year EVER!

~Rhonda

Some people are just born heroes

Some people are just born heroes.

They devote their lives to the greater good, they make personal sacrifices to protect those around them, they go out of their way to do for others, and they are firm in what they believe is the right way to live their lives.

Take my friend, Cindy, for example.  A single parent in Wadsworth, Ohio, Veteran of the US Air Force, former resident of the military tent cities populated by service people deployed to the harsh deserts of the Middle East, school volunteer, and all-around great person.  She's outspoken, passionate about the causes she believes in, and is a wonderful friend.  If you need anything, she is there...no questions asked, other than "What can I do to help?"



So was I surprised to find out that she had taken great steps to find the owner of the seemingly abandoned military flag that she saw at a local antique mall?

Not a bit.

True to Cindy's style, she left no stone unturned in her search for its rightful owner, and made sure that it was quickly returned to the folks who lost it several years ago.  She completed their family and filled the once-gaping hole that was left when the flag disappeared during a move.

No doubt, Cindy is a hero to several more people these days.


Read the article telling the whole heart-warming story here:  http://thepostnewspapers.com/results/military-flag-returned-M-5-12--saxon--clone


Wishing you all a safe Memorial Day!

And they were told it couldn't be done!

"Not at your age!"

"Why would you want to even try?  What a waste of time!"

"Don't you watch the news?  No one's getting a loan these days!"

"What are you THINKING??!!??"


These are the things my most recent buyers were probably told by their well-meaning friends and family, no doubt.  I mean, really, why would ANYONE who reads the news try to buy a house these days, when you're in your early 20s, married for just a year, and have a child to think about?  Why risk making such a big investment, especially when you're so young?  Why not just rent for another three or four years, THEN try to buy a home?

Well, rebels that they are, didn't let any negative nellies deter them!  They had been responsible with their credit habits and respectful of the value of their hard-earned money.   Why SHOULD they keep paying rent to a landlord month after month?  Why SHOULDN'T they pursue their dreams to be owners of a home of their own?

And so they found me, and we started their home search!  And only three houses in, they found "THE ONE".  It was well-priced a short sale in great condition that they offered on LAST JUNE, with no response from the seller until the middle of JANUARY.

"Are you sure you don't want to visit some other houses, just to see what else is out there?", I said to them on more than one occasion.

"No, we love this house, and we're happy to wait and see what happens.", they always replied.




After months and months with little or no response to our inquiries regarding any progress that was (hopefully) being made, I'm pretty sure they must have been about ready to give up...but now I think that we're ALL a bit surprised at how things have turned out!

We are all very happy that this wonderful family received the keys to their dream house last night!


There is definitely a lesson or two to be learned from these wise young adults:

Patience is DEFINITELY a virtue....and all good things come to those who are DILIGENT and RESPONSIBLE.

For you teenagers and young (or older!) adults who see the media people report that home ownership isn't possible for you, this amazing couple has proven the naysayers ALL WRONG....and they did it with 0% down AND received a sweet check at the closing table!

It isn't a "miracle" - it is called "behaving responsibly".  Be smart with your earnings and mindful of your credit habits, and good things will come your way!

So, Yeah, I Raised $19,000 For Kids Needing Medical Care Today.

Pretty awesome, right?

Well, OK...I didn't do it ALL BY MYSELF, but with the help of the amazing group of folks I call my Howard Hanna Office Family!
 An annual company-wide activity, each Howard Hanna office chooses which fundraiser(s) they want to do to raise money for our Choo Choo Chow Chow, which is the whimsical name we use for the fundraising efforts we perform for our Children's Free Care Fund.

Through the "Chow Chow", we have raised many millions to date for area children desperately needing health care, but whose families are not sufficiently covered by insurance that will allow them have the procedures performed.


Today was my second year volunteering at the big charity auction our office holds each December.  With more than 250 guests in attendance, it was a great, exciting time!  I am so thankful to have such a wonderful group to work alongside in raising money for this amazing cause!







(Best part of the day:  My adorable hubby surprising me by showing up dressed to the 9s!  You're the BEST, baby!  MWAH!!! )

Hurricane Preparedness: Are YOU Equipped to Weather the Storm?

Hurricane Preparedness:  Are YOU Equipped to Weather the Storm?

Anyone who watches TV, reads the paper, or gets on Facebook knows that there is a hurricane barreling its way toward the East Coast right this very minute.  There are many agencies making public statements warning those in harm's path to evacuate, or to at least make themselves as prepared as possible for what is heading their way, slowly but pretty darn surely. 

The most basic thing that can be done prior to a hurricane is to prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit.  The Disaster Center's website (www.disastercenter.com) provied a comprehensive list of what should be inside a standard kit, which includes:

• A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and first aid manual.
• Supply of prescription medications.
• Credit card and cash.
• Personal identification.
• An extra set of car keys.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Signal flare.
• Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go.
• Special needs, for example, diapers or formula, prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, or other physical needs.

To those in Irene's eye sights, I send my most positive thoughts and well-wishes for safe travels.  I hope that all are unharmed and that loss of property and possessions are minimal.  Be cautious, be courteous, be level-headed, and be SAFE!
 

 

Wadsworth Older Adults Foundation - 4th Annual Rib Cook-Off, Friday, July 1

GOT RIBS????

The Wadsworth Center For Older Adults does!

Join them this Friday, July 1st, 2011 for a lip-smacking lunch of barbecued ribs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  in the alley just South of the Center at 138 High St. in Wadsworth.

This is the fourth year for this much-loved event, with proceeds benefitting the Center's many social and civic activities. 

 The Professional Friends of the Wadsworth Older Adults Foundation hosts this annual event, which boasts "finger lickin' good ribs, delicious homemade sides. and pie and ice cream."  DJ Gene Osburn will provide entertainment for your auditory pleasure.  At the 2010 event,  more than $2,000.00 was raised for the foundation through this one-day event alone.

In addition to raising funds, the event  organizers are accepting donations of canned goods, which will be given to the Wadsworth Salvation Army to meet local needs.

Admission is free for ages 12 and under.  Folks of age 13 or higher will pay $1.00 admission.