One of the most difficult life changes I experienced while moving from adolescence to adulthood was realizing that the world at large doesn’t actually revolve around the academic calendar. Upon entering the work force, I was suddenly faced with the reality of spending Christmas Eve, Easter and other once-taken-for-granted days-off ringing up groceries or delivering pizza.
Just as I came to fully accept the fact that the 9-to-5 year ran from January to December and didn’t pause for sunny days, open swimming pools or neighborhood festivals, my first child entered school and I again had to swap my Gregorian calendar for one that started its year in mid-August.
The school seasons have simply stacked on top of the regular happenings of good ol’ winter, spring, summer and fall. In addition to designating the first day of school as the first day of the year, hayrides and pumpkin picking are now sandwiched between school supply and clothes shopping, open house, school pictures, endless check writing, new homework regimens, fall sports and other beginning-of-the-academic-year activities. Just as we finally begin to settle into the new school year’s routine, perhaps the busiest season of all adds yet another layer to our ever-thickening days: holiday season.
Now that I am a parent, the fourth Thursday in November through the January 1 holiday season that I knew as a carefree, someone-else-does-the-work child has morphed into what seems like the majority of the year.
Halloween rolls into Thanksgiving, which rolls into Christmas, which rolls into New Year’s which rolls into Valentine’s Day, which rolls into St. Patrick’s Day, which rolls into Easter, which rolls into Memorial Day, which rolls into Independence Day, which, honestly, almost rolls right into Labor Day and the beginning of school, starting the entire cycle over again. If you observe Jewish or Muslim holidays, your holiday season falls right on top of your already-chaotic beginning-of-school season, which I imagine leads to even further stress and complication. Yet, major observances are only the tip of the activity iceberg.
The parenting year is continually sprinkled with numerous events less obvious to the general public, but almost equally important in the eyes of school-aged children and their parents. There are seasonal events, like report card days and school dances, and there are the annual not-to-be-missed occasions, like the family picnic and the ice cream social. The end of the school year is a particularly hectic time in the life of a parent. Spring sports are in full swing, with athletic seasons overlapping one another and fighting for prominence, just as everyone on the academic calendar is trying to squeeze in one last year-summarizing hurrah before the end of school.
Although summer vacation is within sight, navigating the scheduling obstacle course between spring break and the last day of school is quite a logistical feat. Spring musical concerts, field trips, talent shows, class picnics, recognition dinners and other various school events must somehow be woven together with dance recitals, baseball games and soccer tournaments. What I once saw as a fun, easy dash to a well-marked finish line as a student is now, as a parent, a muddy, confusing, spiral-like course that I can only hope ends with some sort of finish line and at least a little refreshment before the next race begins in September. Still, assuming that graduation day truly comes as fast as my parenting predecessors say it does, I’ll just have to enjoy the run while it lasts.

Shannon and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. Email her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

Political pundits are debating the impact of the May 24 unofficial election results from New York. Democrat Kathy Hochul won the U.S. House race against Republican Jane Corwin and the Tea Party’s Jack Davis. What does this mean for Ohio and Toledo?
Independent voters are said to have played a key role in giving Hochul the victory. Voters are less inclined to give a party more time. We saw that here in Ohio when a majority of voters did not return Gov. Ted Strickland to a second term.
Hochul gained the support of some Republicans while Davis attacked Corwin. His unofficial tally of 9 percent added to Corwin’s unofficial tally of 43 percent meant that Hochul won with an unofficial 47 percent of the vote.
It was logical for Davis to seek his base of support from those who would lean toward Corwin more than those who leaned toward Hochul. The moral of this political story is the law of unintended consequences for those opting to run as a third party candidate. The hypothetical argument that Corwin would have won if Davis had not run has some merit.
Fear trumps facts. Part of the problem with facts when it comes to a variety of issues like Medicare, collective bargaining or President Obama’s health care plan, is the “facts” depend on the position rather than the policy.
Pundits and political junkies can debate the analyses of the Ryan plan and how it will affect Medicare by the Congressional Budget Office versus the Heritage Foundation. The average voter will only read or hear small parts of each, cherry-picked to create the desired reaction.
Whichever political party is in power will decry the fear factor used by the other side while trying to figure out how to capitalize on fear for their side. They know most voters will base their decision on how it will impact them the most, as opposed to some lofty for the greater good theme.
The effort to repeal Senate Bill 5 in Ohio is expected to gain enough signatures to be on the November ballot. Part of the message beyond the collective bargaining aspect — intentional or unintentional — will be a referendum on Gov. John Kasich.
Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom’s ballot amendment calling for the elimination of the requirement in the law that nearly all Americans obtain health insurance, may garner enough signatures to be on the November ballot as well. It’s being promoted as a repeal of Obamacare.
The election in New York and the increased attention on the message that Republicans are endangering Medicare makes their efforts harder than when the focus was on the president’s health care plan.
Should both issues be on the November ballot, it will create a competing base of support. Independent voters will hold the key to victory or defeat. Money will also be a factor.
It’s being reported more money was spent by Republicans in New York on Corwin’s behalf than by Democrats to assist Hochul. Outside money will be an issue in Ohio for both of our ballot issues, with groups that have an interest in either electoral outcome spending campaign cash.
Locally, with judicial races and district council seats on the ballot, public perception of the candidates and the local county party efforts could be a factor. The Lucas County Republican Party has already staked out its support of the Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom efforts and the Lucas County Democratic Party is supporting We Are Ohio’s efforts to repeal Senate Bill 5.
Independent voters will have an impact locally and how each party motivates its base will be a factor. Money won’t play as large of a role locally, beyond the possible benefit of being included in party mailings generated on the state ballot issues.
National attention will turn to Ohio and, just like in New York, the election results will be used to help set the stage for 2012. The winners will declare it proof that they are the ones who have the most public support, the losers will declare it a fluke.
It’s all part of a larger plan, to either gain or retain power with us facing the decision to be sacrificed pawns on the chessboard or learn the rules of the game — every pawn equals a vote. O

Toledo Free Press Web Editor Lisa Renee Ward operates the political blog GlassCityJungle.com.

My father served in Vietnam. He explained that being in war was –- contrary to what we’d think –- about the most tedious thing he’d ever encountered: hours of mind-warping boredom punctuated by moments of sheer animal terror. A friend told me that working in an emergency room is about the same. I’m here to tell you what no one else will — so is motherhood.

There’s the excitement of the first smile, the first little tooth jutting its way out, the first time they roll over, the first time they roll the other way; then when they sit up and, of course, the first steps. All these firsts. They are amazing, I’m not arguing that.

What they don’t tell you about are the not-so-joyous firsts: the first time the kid bites you, the first time they roll over off of the couch, the first time you learn what the ever-so-cute syllables “uh oh” really mean.

Then there’s the millionths. Okay, maybe not millionths, but it seems that way when you’re up at 2 in the morning with a wailing child cutting another tooth. The millionth time you’ve told them not to bite you (eventually, just bite back. But I shouldn’t have that in writing …), the millionth time they unlatch the child-safety lock on the cabinet and help themselves to screwdrivers, scissors, detergent and more, the millionth time they run away from you on their surprisingly speedy little legs (usually with a pair of scissors or bottle of Windex in hand).

Momblog groups like “Moms who Drink and Swear” have gained a certain notoriety on the Internet lately for apparently ‘telling it like it is’. Their aim is to be superlatively offensive, which is sufficiently off-putting for many. I believe that their amped-up candor is merely a response to the centuries of mommy-hood literature that hangs over their heads, dripping with the sentiments of unconditional love and patience with which every mother is, apparently, naturally imbued. It’s classic; it’s Victorian; it’s contemporary; everyone knows that moms are the most patient and loving creatures in the world.

Peruse any book in the “Parenting” section of your local book store and you’ll find it filled with maternal regalia, championing the unconditional, sweetest love that a mother holds in her heart for her child, it being the purest love that exists. American author Joyce Maynard once wrote, “I think of my children’s births –- carry them around with me –- every day of my life.”

If that quote didn’t make you throw up in your mouth a little bit, well, it should have. But at least hear me out. Every day? Each day of your life? I wasn’t even in labor yet and I was already trying to block it out. I look at my son every day, and I even kind of like the kid, but that’s because I don’t think about that one time, that one horrible 24 hour period, when I birthed him.

We have become oversaturated with romanticized and unrealistic prose about pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.

Yes, yes, babies change our lives.

What a wonderful adventure it is — especially for your hormones and your nerves …. No, you never sleep the same. There is the worry that translates into premature crow’s feet and grey hair.

But let’s talk about what babies really do:

Eat. (check).

Sleep. (check). (check again to make sure they’re still breathing).

Poop. (check). (then check your face, hands, body, and surrounding walls and carpeting to make sure there wasn’t any “foul” poop).

Did I mention there’s a lot of crying during and throughout each of these intervals? Crying because they’re hungry; because you didn’t get the food to them fast enough; it’s not what they wanted; it’s too hot; it’s too cold. Crying because they don’t want to take a nap; because they missed their nap; because they overslept and now they’re overtired. Crying because they have to poop; because they just dirtied – no, violated – a diaper (and their pants along with it), and you have the audacity to clean the whole thing up; because they pooped on the floor and stepped in it, and it’s all your fault.

Now that Bambino has become a little dude, and the weather permits a few hours of being outside, I thought that I could finally be free from cabin fever, and we’d have adventures in the backyard. While I coax him towards the toys and activities we’ve set up for him outside, he ignores me. Instead of the buckets, shovels and slide, he’s spotted a puddle. He sees a rock. He picks up the rock, and throws it in the puddle.

Cute, of course, especially with his resounding “wooooow” in response the splash.

Aaaand we’re back to the millionths.

Eventually, he saturated the puddle with the rocks he found from around the yard, and during this time, I have little choice but to join him in the search. For rocks. I thought that, by journeying outside for the first time in months, I’d be in the “combat” zone, so to speak; I was ready for adventure. Instead, I found myself looking for rocks (and, if it was a really good one, he’d permit a stick).

In the end, yes, it was a good day. But books that sap with the abounding discoveries of motherhood obviously haven’t seen my driveway — picked clean of gravel.

Despite the massive amounts of eating, sleeping and pooping that factor the largest parts of my day, I can’t necessarily just write off the pre-existing motherhood literature. It’s there for a reason. While I balance extra napkins and silverware at a restaurant, and reach into my purse –- by the cellphone, iPod and lipstick –- to find the sliced apples (now slightly browned) and flashlight that might keep him quiet for the comfort of the other patrons, I realize that I haven’t taken my eyes off of him in fifteen minutes, but I’m not tired of looking at him. I’m discovering his facial expressions and sounds and interests, moment by moment, waiting eagerly for the next new thing to arrive, because if I don’t watch constantly, I’ll miss it.

Leah Lederman lives in Toledo with her husband, their 2-year-old son and a boxer dog. She has 11 nieces and nephews. She can be reached at llederman@toledofreepress.com.

June 1 marks the 40th anniversary of the first day of operation for the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). To celebrate that milestone TARTA is offering a discount to riders.

2011 TARTA Bluebird Bus

“To honor our 40 years of providing transportation services, TARTA is reducing fares on all of its services to 40 cents beginning Wednesday, June 1, through Friday, June 3, to say thank you to our riders who have patronized TARTA through four decades of change and development,” said James K. Gee, TARTA’s General Manager in a release.

The 40-cent fares will be available to riders of regularly scheduled service along all routes; Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service (TARPS) for the disabled; and Call-A-Ride, door-to-door service in suburban communities.

Since TARTA drivers do not make change, Gee suggests for riders to take full advantage of the reduced fare they should have the correct change.

TARTA was formed when the privately owned and operated Community Traction Company (CTC) was experiencing economic difficulties. CTC had been in operation 50 years, it let its transportation franchise expire January 21, 1971.

TARTA became Ohio’s first regional transit authority with its first buses going into operation June 1, 1971. Voters approved a one-mill property levy just prior to CTC ceasing operation to fund the new public transit system.

TARTA buses along Summit Street in the 1970s

The original transit members were Toledo, Sylvania, Ottawa Hills, Rossford and Spencer and Sylvania townships. Perrysburg joined in 1974, Maumee in 1979 and Waterville in 1981 according to the release.

In early 1982 TARTA opened the Downtown Toledo transit “Loop” with five stations. The “Loop,” still in existence, allows a passenger to transfer between nearly all of TARTA’s routes.

Plans were discussed last November to study eliminating the “Loop,” substituting instead a single transit facility in the Downtown area, as called for in TARTA’s Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) released in March 2009. The new station could be located along a portion of the median and eastbound lanes of Jackson Street between Superior and Huron streets. This area would be closed to through traffic. The two westbound lanes of Jackson Street would be converted into two-way traffic.

According to TARTA, under this proposal, buses would stop at various locations Downtown, but the existing stations would be eliminated on Jefferson Avenue and Erie, Jackson and Summit streets.

TARPS was formed in 1989 to provide door-to-door, call-ahead scheduled service to the transportation challenged. It was operated for TARTA initially by a contract service provider. In September 2008, TARPS was incorporated completely into TARTA. TARPS usage has doubled in the past three years, and TARPS’ 2010 ridership marked 14 consecutive years of record usage.

A new TARPS headquarters and garage facility in South Toledo is scheduled to open this fall.

Call-A-Ride on-demand service with phone-ahead scheduling began as an experiment in Perrysburg in 2002 and was made permanent a year later. Since then, the service has been expanded to all of the suburban areas served by TARTA – Maumee, Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Rossford, Waterville, Ottawa Hills and Spencer Township.

The COA’s final recommendations call for the merging of the suburban Call-A-Ride services, enabling riders in one suburban location to ride Call-A-Ride to adjoining suburban communities without changing buses. Eventually, TARPS and Call-A-Ride services will be merged, allowing suburban riders to schedule service in advance and establish continuing subscription service.

After receiving a federal grant in 2001, TARTA became the nation’s first transit service to put stations in a minor league baseball park. The grant enabled TARTA to construct two transit stations at Fifth Third Field in Downtown, allowing TARTA to offer the Muddy™ Shuttle from select locations to Toledo Mud Hens games.

When the Huntington Center opened downtown in 2009, TARTA also began offering Walleye™ Shuttle service for hockey fans.

“TARTA’s future is bright. Recommendations made by the COA are moving closer to becoming reality,” Gee said. “Today’s TARTA is a far cry from the service that took over from Community Traction 40 years ago, and the TARTA of tomorrow will be just as different. The one constant throughout is the continuing need for public transportation in our area and around the country.”

TARTA can be contacted by calling 419-243-RIDE (7433) or visiting its Web site, www.tarta.com.

Mayor Mike Bell

Toledo Mayor Mike Bell confirmed Dashing Pacific Group’s strong interest on May 27 of purchasing part of the Marina District. Bell returned from his 10-day trip to China just 90 minutes before addressing the press of the foreign company’s interest in the land.

“I am extremely confident this [deal] will go through,” Bell said. “We cannot afford from where we came from not to change and not to look at different ways of doing business.

“I believe it was a very successful trade mission from the standpoint of being able to make business contacts that we didn’t have before.”

Dashing Pacific has resubmitted a letter stating their interest in purchasing part of Marina District, as well as an option on up to 22 acres of land. Their first offer they made earlier this year was $3.8 million for 69 acres.

A council meeting on Tuesday will begin the process of approving the purchase, which Bell estimates will take around 30-45 days.

The opportunity to deal with a foreign buyer is something Bell feels is a unique experience that will benefit the City. He made it clear that it’s not just about selling the land to just anyone, but to the best suitor.

“Selling that land is not a problem,” Bell said. “We could sell it like that if that’s what we wanted to do, but [we want] somebody that wants to productively put something on it. They are prepared to put $200-300 million of their own money into it. We haven’t seen a plan come across my desk like that.

“What I’m definitely concerned about is somebody buying the land, locking it up and then it stays an eyesore to our City for the next 23 years and somebody holds it hostage the whole time. I’m not going to let that happen as long as I’m here.”

Bell also expressed interest in moving the deal along as quickly as possible. He learned that Dashing Pacific had already entertained two other groups from the U.S. including the University of Indiana and Michigan while on his trip.

“It is important that what we realize is what we won’t do someone else will,” Bell said. “If there are other cities over there that beat us, that’s an issue for us.”

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today announced via a release that post-9/11 veterans and their families are now eligible for additional services under the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act. These services are meant to help eligible post-9/11 veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary family caregiver.

Kaptur said the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is now accepting applications for caregiver services, which include a stipend, mental health services and access to health care insurance if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health plan.

“We know the need is great among our veterans,” Kaptur said. “Now there is additional help available to families who are trying to meet their challenge of care for their loved ones.”

Services that are available under the program include:

· In-Home and Community Based Care: skilled home health care, homemaker home health aide services, adult day health care and home-based primary care.

· Respite Care: relief for the family caregiver from the constant challenge of caring for a chronically ill or disabled veteran at home, including in-home care, a short stay in one of VA’s community living centers or an environment designed for adult day health care.

· Caregiver education and training programs: opportunities that include pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in severe traumas such as Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind Rehabilitation.

· Caregiver support groups: family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities, and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses, as well as support in a face to face setting or by telephone.

· Other services: durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some veterans to and from medical appointments.

Kaptur urged veterans needing assistance to apply at www.caregiver.va.gov or call her office at 419-259-7000 or toll free 800-964-4699.

The Monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Superstore of Monroe is supporting the Spirit of Jeep Foundation’s ‘Crossing of America’ with a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for the families of those affected by the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
The “Crossing of America” promotion will involve a Jeep Wrangler covered in an American Flag stripe kit to travel across the nation with the rights to each mile driven up for auction.
“One hundred percent of the money on this deal goes directly to the fallen heroes of the war on terror in the last 10 years, including the auction of the jeeps at the end of the event,” Co-owner Rob Mahalak Jr. said. “Everyone displays a level of patriotism during the Memorial Holiday Weekend…We at the Monroe Superstore try to show our love for America year round.”
The tour will begin May 27 aboard the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego and conclude on Sept. 8 on the USS Intrepid in New York Harbor to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. The Wrangler will drive more than 12,700 miles through 43 states and the District of Columbia.
“With the whole [Osama] bin Laden thing I think patriotism has taken a spike and I think the timing of this thing will be fantastic,” Mahalak Jr. said. “These guys deserve it. They are the guys that keep us safe.”
Celebrities have also started to get involved as actor Harrison Ford and astronaut Alan Bean have each signed up for a mile of the journey.
“We have commitments from high-profile Americans who have agreed to drive the Spirit of Liberty Jeep across America,” Senior Vice President of Development for the Spirit of Liberty Foundation Christian Rovsek said. “Part of the value of the vehicles is they will be the most celebrity-driven vehicles ever.”
A replica of the Jeep is for sale at the Superstore and will be participating in the Toledo Veterans Parade on May 28 and the Monroe County Veterans Parade on May 30.

The Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce received the 2011 Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award at a special presentation May 19.

The Toledo SBDC was recognized as the top center in SBA Region 5 which covers six Midwestern states.

The SBA Excellence and Innovation Award recognizes SBDC centers that exhibit leadership, as well as those that further develop, champion and foster innovation. The Toledo office was recognized for a number of innovations, most notably its “triage” services to distressed businesses in the wake of the recent economic downturn.

“The economic health of a region is directly tied to the health of its small business community,” Bill Wersell, SBDC Director in Toledo, said after accepting the award from Gil Goldberg, district director for Cleveland District office of the SBA.

“We focus on helping business owners understand the financial life of their business and how the money flows through it. Lending is based on cash flow forecasting and most businesses aren’t geared to providing that kind of information. We educate them on the cash flow of their business so they can understand it,” Wersell explained.

The Howard Moriarty Company of Toledo is one local business that has benefited from the services of the SBDC. Faced with declining sales as the economy worsened, the construction supply rental company began working with the SBDC on the development of new markets and negotiations with the client’s bank.

“The SBDC helped us make tough choices and gave us the confidence and ability to do what needs to be done in difficult situations, said Patrick Moriarty, co-owner of the fourth-generation, family-owned business.

“The SBDC helped us cut costs, restructure our operations, and implement a new marketing plan. They also helped us negotiate a significant concession from the bank, resulting in a 40 percent savings in our financial overhead,” Moriarty said.

“Huntington Bank was cooperative and willing to work with Moriarty to improve their financial situation and the bank is pleased with the results,” Wersell said.

“We’ve had success working with every bank in the area to help struggling businesses. Banks are willing to work with customers who have a plan. We help clients develop a plan to make it work.”

The family business began in 1908 when Thomas Moriarty founded Moriarty Machinery in Toledo. His son, Howard, started the Howard T. Moriarty Company in 1949.

Howard’s son, James, Sr., joined the business in the 1950s. He bought the name and rights to Moriarty Machinery in 1982 to avoid confusion between the similarly named businesses.

Today, Jim and his sons, James, Jr. and Patrick, operate the business as co-owners.

The company rents, sells and services construction equipment, and sells supplies with an experienced staff of professionals who help them operate the business, said Patrick.

Smitty’s Automotive and RV Repair Service is another area company that has worked with the SBDC to refocus its business.

“We helped them look at their expenses and revenues and come up with a plan to reduce their debt. We worked with Fifth Third Bank to develop a plan for their customers,” Wersell said.

The SBDC was able to simplify things and actually make my business run better, easier and more profitably, so it was a great match, according to Roger Kwapich, owner of Smitty’s Automotive with three locations in Toledo and Sylvania.

“The plan is really working for us and we’re grateful to the people at SBDC for their help,” Kwapich said. “They’re the best-kept secret in the area.”

Smitty’s provides professional automotive repair and service on virtually all domestic and foreign brands and models of cars, trucks, vans and other vehicles. It specializes in the service and repair of motor homes and recreational vehicles.

The company has provided auto repair service in the Toledo area for more than 50 years with an experienced staff of ASE certified technicians, several master technicians and two World Certified Technicians.

Toledo Chamber to get $320,000 in funding for internships from Ohio Third Frontier

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was among several recipients of nearly $2 million in funding recommended for the Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program announced May 24.

The Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program links college students with Ohio for-profit companies that are commercializing new products, technologies, and processes. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.

Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was awarded $320,000 for the program in collaboration with the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Rhodes State College, SSOE Inc, Minster Machine Company, GEM Inc., Dmytryka Jacobs Engineers, Inc., and Rudolph Libbe Inc. The awarded organizations will administer the program for their respective region.

The goals of the Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program are to contribute to the expansion of a technologically proficient workforce and to retain highly knowledgeable and talented students in Ohio through employment at for-profit companies in the state, according to the Department of Development.

The Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program targets key areas of science and technology, engineering and math relating to its focus areas of advanced materials and energy; biomedical, instruments, controls, and electronics; advanced propulsion; and information technology.

The Owens Community College softball team came one win away from the NJCAA Division II National Championship on May 21, losing 10-0 to No. 1 LSU-Eunice in the title game.
“Our goal was to come out here and win this thing,” Owens head coach Duane Lanham said. “We got up in the morning and decided to get after it. We were rolling. We just ran out of gas. We needed our ‘A’ game to beat LSU, and we just weren’t able to bring it.”
After opening the tournament on May 19 with wins against Mineral Area College (37-18) and No. 6 Heartland Community College (39-21), the No. 4 seed Express (44-5) lost 6-0 to LSU-Eunice (58-10) on May 20 in the semifinal of the winner’s bracket. The two losses to LSU-Eunice were the only two times the team was shut out all season.
“They were ranked No. 1 for a reason,” Lanham said. “The first game, we just didn’t play well, and I think we let down. The second game was their first game of the day and our third. We kind of ran out of firepower. We just didn’t get the sticks going. We got some hits, but we couldn’t string a set of hits together. We were close, but we couldn’t get that key hit when we needed it.”
Owens rebounded with a 2-0 win against East Central Community College (37-15) to stay alive in the tournament. In the first game of the loser’s bracket May 21, Owens battled nine innings in an 8-7 win over No. 9 South Mountain Community College (43-28). Owens had jumped out to a 7-1 lead, but SMCC rallied with six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the top of the ninth inning, freshman second baseman Michelle Hollister reached on a fielder’s choice to score sophomore outfielder Morgan Gray for the winning run.
“Nobody thought they were going to put up the runs to tie it up,” sophomore outfielder Kristen Roznoski said after that game. “I thought that we worked so hard and played a great game so far, and it sucks that we might lose it. I’m so happy we battled and pulled through it.”
“We had a terrible inning in the bottom of the seventh,” Lanham said. “They tied it up, and we had to compete through the ninth inning. Getting that win gave us momentum. That momentum carried into the next game. We were on fire.”
The team stayed on fire in the next game, winning 13-2 over No. 2 Kankakee Community College (48-12) in just five innings. Freshman Ashlyn Michalak pitched the complete game, allowing two runs off six hits and no walks with three strikeouts.
“She pitched lights out,” Lanham said. “She pitched Springfield [High School] to the Final Four last year, so she’s used to playing in that type of competition.”
The team had 16 total hits with three-hit performances from Roznoski, sophomore third baseman Alaina Haubert and sophomore shortstop Lindsey Bandeen.
Roznoski earned her 81st hit during the game to set the school record for hits in a season. She also broke the school record for runs in a season, finishing the year 85 of 167 for a .508 average with 64 runs and 22 RBI while hitting leadoff.
“It’s a great accomplishment to break any record,” Roznoski said. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my team. Alaina Haubert and I always thank each other. I thank her for hitting me in and allowing me to score the run, and she thanks me for the RBI.”
“She led the country in batting average and on-base percentage for over half the year,” Lanham said of Roznoski. “She learned to read the defense very well. Whether it’s to bump it or bunt it right at the plate, hit into the outfield for a triple or even a home run, she had all the tools to get on base. She’s quick. It’s hard to get her out when she’s stealing. She understands the game.”
Roznoski wasn’t the only standout player as Bandeen and sophomore first baseman Matea Rice were both named to the All-Tournament Team. Rice was 8 of 20 in the tournament with a three-run home run and earned the honor mostly for her defensive play at first base. Bandeen was 11 of 25 in the tournament with eight RBI and five runs. She finished the season 62 of 154 for a .402 average with 49 RBI and 39 runs.
“They were phenomenal,” Lanham said. “They both knew what they wanted to accomplish and achieve. Our team is built on being solid all the way through. You never knew who was going to step it up. Lindsey really caught fire the last couple weeks. Matea hit the ball extremely well. She saved us on a lot of not-so-great throws. Her defensive work was solid.”
Bandeen was also honored by the team this season as the recipient of the Heart of a Champion award.
“She’s a kid that is nothing but softball when she puts her cleats on,” Lanham said. “It’s probably the highest award we give out. The Heart of a Champion is someone we feel just wants to play ball. That’s all they want to do. They know they’re going to make mistakes, but they play through them. It’s a player who does everything you ask of them. It’s a high honor in our program.”
The program set several school records this season. It is the first women’s team in school history to play in a national championship game. The Express tied the school record for wins in a season and earned the program’s 400th overall win. In 13 seasons as an official NJCAA sport, the team has a 400-91-1 record and has won 10 of the last 11 Ohio Community College Athletic Conference titles.
“At the start of the season, if somebody said we’d end up being the national runner-ups, I’d be tickled to death,” Lanham said. “I’m still tickled to death. The team gave me all I asked of them. We’d love to have come home with that big trophy, but I’m happy with what we got.”
Roznoski was also happy with the way the season turned out.
“I wouldn’t have changed anything about the season, except maybe not having so many rainouts,” she said. “The practices were hard, but every girl on the team pushed through it and gave it their all to make sure that the team was successful. This has been my favorite season and one of my favorite teams I’ve ever played on, and I’ll never forget it. I’ll miss this team very much.”
Despite having only eight players returning next season, Lanham is optimistic about the team’s chances.
“We have some nice looking kids who have given a verbal commitment,” Lanham said. “We’re building a pretty solid team again for next year. If history repeats itself, I think we’ll put together a pretty solid program once again next year.” O

I know, I know, the weather absolutely stinks. Can it rain anymore? Everyone is so sick of rainy chilly weather we are all about to scream. What is the deal with spring? It seems like it is delayed about a month. The flowers blooming in our front yard are about a month later than normal. Up until recently, I (Mark) have not minded the weather in Northwest Ohio and have enjoyed the changes in the seasons.
My wife Lisa loves the warm weather and keeps telling me we need to head for a warmer climate. With the ridiculous weather we have had I am now starting to see it more her way. I don’t think I am ready to give up my favorite season, which is fall, though. I enjoy football season and the crisp cool air too much. Despite this lousy weather, I am thankful for a brief 36-hour window of great weather for my daughter Caitlyn’s recent high school graduation party. It was held at Olander Park and a good time was had by all with weather exactly how it is supposed to be this time of year.
Hang in there. Many things in life require perseverance. If things are not going well, it will get better. If you are struggling financially, relief will come. If a relationship is going through a rocky patch, it will smooth out. If you are going through a spiritual dry spell, the springs of living water will flow again soon. And trust me, summer is coming. How do I know? It does every year. When it does come, be careful to not get burned. Enjoy the warmth. Enjoy the sun shining down on your face. Be careful, though. Too much of a good thing can hurt.
My dad used to kid me about my pale complexion. He used to call me “lily white.” I joke around that my skin is so white that it is a slight shade of blue. Thus, I have to be careful when I am exposed to the sun. This was evident by my recent trip to Marco Island for spring break. One day of about a half-hour too long in the sun and my skin turned the color of a lobster.
Speaking of getting burned, there are things other than too much sun that can cause you to get burned. Some of them can be life-changers. How many out there reading this got burned by the stock market in 2008? You know who you are. Oh but that is over and everything has come back to where it was. No reason to worry about getting burned again, right? Think again, sunshine. Just like one learns to apply sunscreen when venturing outside when the sun is the hottest, one also should take steps to protect against too much downside risk in your investment portfolio. Many believe it is not a matter of if the stock market will have a steep decline again, but it is only a matter of when. Refusing to believe this is like falling asleep in the sun.
There are protective measures you can apply to your investments like applying sunscreen to your skin. Most sunscreen does not filter all of the sun out, but does protect you from most of the dangerous rays. There are tools in the investment world that can act like sunscreen. Tools that can reduce your exposure to the dangerous sunrays called market volatility (a kind way of saying your account dropped like a rock). Nolan, being a former electrician in the Marine Corps, likes to refer to these tools as circuit breakers. They are various tools that can help reduce your portfolio’s exposure to danger.
You owe it to yourself to enjoy the great weather when it comes. You also owe it to yourself and your happy retirement to find out how you can apply a little sunscreen to your life savings. Check into it today. Don’t get burned. O

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at 1 p.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite 100, Maumee, OH 43537. (419) 842-0550.