SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018

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1 THE COURIER HOME Safety comes first when taking a family bicycle ride E3 W EEKEND REVIEW TIMES MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT Don t let your debates devolve into battle royales E6 Photo provided SEAN GASKELL will give a performance on the 21-string West African kora harp May 1 in the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library s Lindamood Room. Sean Gaskell will play 21-stringed West African kora harp at the library Sean Gaskell will play traditional songs on the 21-stringed West African kora harp from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, in the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library s Lindamood Room. Admission is free. Gaskell learned how to play the instrument throughout the course of several visits to its homeland in Gambia, West Africa. The kora is native to the Mandé peoples within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, with the music traditionally played by oral and musical historians known as Griots. The kora is a melodic instrument, often used to play songs that tell ancient stories of war and hardship, while others praise people of high political status and those who helped expand the Mandé empires. While the kora is 300 years old, some commonly played songs can be traced back 800 years. Gaskell has studied extensively under the instruction of Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh, both of Brikama, Gambia. He was first inspired to play by Kane Mathis, a kora player formerly based in Seattle who has led the Kora Band and the Sahel Band. Gaskell relocated from Seattle to Asheville, North Carolina, in He has been featured at a number of music festivals in the U.S., Gambia, and Senegal. For more information, call the library at or visit RANDY ROBERTS / The Courier & Review Times BLAKE HAMLIN (l-r), Lexie Harris, John Ried, Matt Lichtinger, Joran Fuller, Robbie Riffle, Jamie Parsell and Chloe Sena will be among students performing this year when Findlay First Edition presents Cabaret The musical extravaganza will be held May 4-5 at Findlay High School s R.L. Heminger Auditorium. Findlay First Edition set to perform classical, Broadway, jazz & rock tunes Findlay First Edition (FFE) Cabaret 2018 will be held at Findlay High School s R.L. Heminger Auditorium on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. Tickets will be sold Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Heminger Auditorium lobby. Limited tickets, based on availability, will be available at the door one hour prior to the performances. Cabaret will showcase the FFE singer/ dancers; their backing band, The Boingers; and technical crew members in a variety of musical performances chosen and rehearsed by the students. The performances will include solo and ensemble acts featuring classical, Broadway, jazz, and rock music. FFE will also perform its competition show, which includes the following selections: Blow, Gabriel, Blow, What is This Thing Called Love? and Night and Day, all by Cole Porter; I Hear a Song, popularized by singer Sandi Patty; and Back to Then, What s This Love Thang and Lost With Time, all original songs written for FFE by Ben Wexler, a composer/arranger from New York City. The group is directed by Kevin Manley, assistant director is Alycia Althaus, and choreographer is Andy Haines. During the season, FFE competed in five regional events, winning overall grand champion four times, overall best vocals four times, overall best instrumental combo three times, overall best choreography one time, and overall best show design one time. For more information, contact the high school choir office at , or Manley at kmanley@findlaycityschools.org. Photo provided THE OLD MILLSTREAM Ringers will perform a variety of their favorite pieces when they present Playing Favorites May 6 at First Lutheran Church. Old Millstream Ringers to perform popular songs with handbells May 6 The members of Old Millstream Ringers have selected their favorite pieces of their repertoire and will present Playing Favorites at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St. The pieces are secular and sacred and range from gentle lullabies to rousing Disney themes. Admission to the concert is free, with a freewill offering taken. The Old Millstream Ringers is a community-based English handbell choir formed in 2000 by director Martha Avery. Avery and co-director Gail Malloy are both retired music educators and, collectively, the choir s members have been ringing handbells for nearly 400 years. In addition to public concerts, the group also participates in handbell festivals sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America, as well as performing for weddings, seasonal concerts, banquets and other occasions in Findlay and the surrounding area. For more information about the Old Millstream Ringers, or to book a performance, contact Avery at or Malloy at Local artists and businesses to have special displays May 4 Photos provided DOWNTOWN FINDLAY will once again open its doors to showcase the businesses, restaurants, artists, performers and musicians of our community for the Spring ArtWalk, being held May 4 from 5-9 p.m. Some sights from last year s event include the talented musicians who attract the crowds (above) and the beautiful works presented by local artists (below). Downtown Findlay will open its doors to showcase the businesses, restaurants, artists, performers, and musicians from throughout the community for the Spring ArtWalk from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 4. The semi-annual event hosted by the Arts Partnership is free to the public. It celebrates commerce and culture, allowing local artists, downtown businesses and restaurants to form a connection that draws spectators downtown to see what Findlay has to offer. Guests may also take advantage of special offers, sales and demonstrations that many businesses and restaurants offer for the event. This ArtWalk includes the final public display of works by Marianna Hofer, a local artist who died unexpectedly last year. Pieces will be for sale with proceeds going to the Marianna Hofer Arts Endowment Fund. St. Andrews United Methodist Church will also have art from the congregation on display. New locations participating in ArtWalk include: Painter s Pottery, the Swan House Tea Room, Journey Salon & Day Spa, and Downtown Yoga. The evening will open with the Findlay Art League s May show, a juried showcase of Art League member works that will remain open throughout the month. Other area galleries open for the evening include Awakening Minds Art, Jones Building Artist Studios, Gaslight Gallery Art Studio and Kan Du Studio. To view or print the official event brochure, including a list of the participating businesses and artists performing or being showcased, visit artspartnership.com/event/ artwalk. Copies of the brochure will be available for pickup at participating event locations. For more information, visit or call The Arts Partnership is located at 618 S. Main St., with office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ArtWalk is sponsored by First Federal Bank, GSW Manufacturing, Whirlpool Corp., Eyes on Main, One Energy, The Courier, WFIN, WKXA, The Fox, Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Ohio Arts Council. The Arts Partnership of Greater Hancock County is a nonprofit organization serving Findlay and Hancock County with the mission of enriching youth through arts education and advocacy. Arts & Entertainment 2 & 3 Food 4 Comics 5 Tickets on Sale to the Public April 30!

2 E2 THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMES Your guide to fun in our area There's always something to do! Events CORVETTES IN THE MALL Today and Sunday The Flag City Corvette Club s Corvettes in the Mall display is in full swing, featuring more than 40 Corvettes with club members available for the public to meet and discuss more than 50 years of automobile history. Admission: Free. Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Location: Findlay Village Mall, 1800 Tiffin Ave. Information: David Taber at TRIDEADANCE Today The resident dance company of the Ritz Theatre, trideadance, will perform its 12th annual spring performance featuring an assortment of performers from throughout Ohio, including the Findlay Academy of Ballet s performance of America, featuring music by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. There also will be a variety of work from Tiffin dancers and the surrounding area, along with Marquez Dance Project and Travesty Dance Group, both from the Cleveland area. Admission: $15 adults, $10 students. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: or www. ritztheatre.org. QUILT SHOW May 1 to 6 Sauder Village will kick off its 2018 season with the 42nd annual quilt show, showcasing the craftsmanship of quilters throughout the Midwest as well as special exhibits, quilting demonstrations, quilt appraisals and workshops with guest artists Edyta Sitar and Kimberly Einmo. Admission: $11 for quilt show only; show and Historic Village admission is $17 adults, $11 students ages 6 to 16. Time: Exhibits run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 to 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6. Workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. May 1 to 5. Location: Sauder Village s Founders Hall and Museum Building, Ohio 2, Archbold. Information: and www. saudervillage.org. PIPER KERMAN May 9 Piper Kerman will speak as part of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library s Authors! Authors! series, where a featured author speaks for an hour before a short question and answer session. She is the best-selling, critically acclaimed author of Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women s Prison, which has been adapted into the Emmy Awardwinning Netflix series. She is a nationally recognized witness, educator and advocate for justice reform, having spoken at the White House, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights to testify on solitary confinement and women prisoners, and the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs and Homeland Security Committee to testify about the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Tickets are on sale at any Toledo-Lucas County Public Library location or on www. eventbrite.com. Admission: $15, includes copy of her book. Time: 7 to 10 p.m. Location: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Information: or org. #IMOMSOHARD May 10 Moms, best friends and funny ladies Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley are the creators of the viral web-series #IMOMSOHARD, where they discuss the good, the bad and the funny about motherhood, with the help of a bottle of red wine. #IMOMSOHARD has grown to over 1.5 million follows across platforms and over 120 million video views. They have appeared on The Today Show and The Doctors, and were chosen for People Magazine s best of The show is recommended for ages 18 and older. Admission: $38.75 to $ Time: 8 p.m. Location: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Information: , www. stranahantheater.org. MATINEE MOVIE SERIES May 16 The Ritz Theatre is showing movies that played an integral role in the building s history, which was built in The matinee movie series is dubbed Close, but No Cigar, featuring some of the greatest actresses never to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. One more remains in the series, Splendor in the Grass (1961), starring Natalie Wood. Admission: $3. Time: 2 p.m. Location: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: or BARN SALE AND CRAFT SHOW May 19 and 20 Hand-crafted items, repurposed furniture, antiques, baked goods, food from Pig Eaters BBQ and more will be on sale at Hardin County Heritage Farm s Barn Sale and Craft Show. Vendors must provide their own tables and pay for their space at the show, and those who wish to set up shop in the barn should contact Sheena at Hardin County Historical Museums as soon as possible. Admission: Guests are asked to make a donation to the museum. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19, 1 to 4 p.m. May 20. Location: Hardin County Heritage Farm, County Road 140, Kenton. Information: or sheena@hardinmuseums.org. THE SOUNDS OF SILENTS May 24 One more classic from cinema s silent film era, Robin Hood (1922), will be screened at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater with a live musical score played on the Skinner organ. Admission: Free for museum members, $5 for non-members. Time: 7 p.m. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: or 4-WHEEL JAMBOREE June 8 to 10 The Lima 4-Wheel Jamboree features General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags, Tough Trucks racing, thousands of show trucks and Jeeps, Terracross UTV racing, burnout competition, vendors selling 4x4 wares in the performance marketplace, camping and more. Admission: $20 for adults and $10 for ages 3 to 12. Participating O Reilly Auto Parts locations will have $2 ticket discounts. Time: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 8, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 9, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 10. Location: Allen County Fairgrounds, 2750 Harding Highway, Lima. Information: Call the fairgrounds at or visit TEAM 10 TOUR June 18 Cleveland area native Jake Paul will headline Team 10 s stop in Detroit. Team 10 is a squad of You- Tube personalities that includes Erika Costell, Nick Crompton, Chance Sutton, Anthony Trujillo, Kade Speiser, Chad Tepper, Justin Roberts and a special performance by Sunny Malouf. The show will mix live musical performances, audience participation, special guests, games and challenges. Admission: $26 to $56. Time: 7 p.m. Location: Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Information: Call the theater at or visit com. Music HAMLER COUNTRY FEST May 18 and 19 Jerrod Niemann and Bucky Covington will headline two days of country music, camping, food and drinks. Covington will perform Friday along with Brent Lowry and the Drifters; Chris Salyer and Shellby Messmer; and Adam Calvert. Niemann plays Saturday with Natalie Stovall and the Drive; Brent Lowry and Wade Wedge; Nashville Crush; Vester Frey; CJ Solar; Aaron Hertzfeld; and Redfeather. No carry-ins allowed and attendees should bring lawn chairs. Admission: $15.75 Friday, $20.90 Saturday, $124 primitive camping, $330 camping with backstage passes. Time: Gates open 5:30 p.m. Friday, music starts at 7. Saturday gates open 2:30 p.m., music starts at 3:30. Location: Hamler Community Park, Ohio 109. Information: hamlercountryfest@gmail.com and MUSIC IN THE PARLOR May 20 Joan Eckermann, a professional singer and professor of voice at Terra State Community College, and Dennis Pita, the music and choral director at Fremont Ross High School, will perform vocal and piano music from the 1890s and early 1900s in the same parlor where President Rutherford and first lady Lucy Hayes entertained Photo provided THE FLAG CITY CORVETTE CLUB has rolled its cars into the mall to display for the shoppers this weekend. guests. Songs will include Meet Me in St. Louis, The Band Played On and The Stars and Stripes Forever. Admission: $12. Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Location: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. Information: or Theater MAY DAY MUSICAL May 4 and 5 Bluffton University will present the musical comedy [title of show], an original musical about writing an original musical. Featuring music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell, the small-cast show addresses themes of creative collaboration, self-doubt and the journey of following one s dreams. Admission: $15, $5 for Bluffton University students. Time: 7:30 p.m. each day. Location: Yoder Recital Hall, Bluffton University. Information: Call the box office at or visit THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES May 10 to 13 The Star Players spring musical will feature more than s and 60s pop staples. The smash off-broadway hit comedy was written by Roger Bean and follows class clown Betty Jean, diva Cindy Lou, overachiever Missy and ditzy Suzy through their 1958 prom and 1968 class reunion at Springfield High School. Admission: $15, $12 for Star Player members. Time: 7 p.m. May 10 to 12, 2 p.m. May 13. Location: Star Theatre, 121 W. Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky. Information: or WICKED June 6-10, The Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possesses an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships, until the world decides to call one good and the other wicked. Admission: $42 to $142. Time: 2 p.m. June 7, 9 and 10, 16 and 17; 7:30 p.m. June 6 and 7, 10 to 14, and 17; 8 p.m. June 8 and 9, 15 and 16. Location: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Information: or org. Exhibits THE MUMMIES Through May 6 The Mummies: From Egypt to Toledo displays two Egyptian mummies that were purchased by the Toledo Museum of Art in Due to conservation issues, the mummies are only displayed occasionally, and the exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: the rise of popular Egyptomania; ancient Egyptian religion and afterlife; and burial practice, human remains and the humanization of an ancient civilization. Admission: Free for museum members and school groups, $10 for non-members, $7 for seniors, college students and military personnel, and $5 for ages 5 to 17. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: or SAINTS, RELICS AND IMAGES Through May 13 During the Middle Ages, saints served as exemplars of faith, and medieval Christians believed material splendor and artistic craftsmanship could help them interact with the holy figures and achieve spiritual illumination. This student-curated exhibit displays golden processional crosses, carved ivory pendants, illuminated manuscripts, painted icons, and bejeweled reliquaries they created. Admission: Free. Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Location: College of Wooster Art Museum, Ebert Art Center, 1220 Beall Ave., Wooster. Information: or wooster.edu/ cwam. HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES Through May 25 Jacob A. Riis exhibit examines poverty at the turn of the 20th century by connecting his historic images to today s poverty issues. Riis was a photojournalist and social reformer who publicized the crises in housing, education and poverty at the height of European immigration to New York in the late 19th century. His work exposed the harsh realities of squalid living and working conditions in New York s slums. Admission: $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for ages 60 and older, $3 for kids ages 6 to 12, free for kids under 5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. Information: or BHUTANESE-NEPALI EXHIBIT Through May 25 The Bhutanese-Nepali Neighbors photo exhibit shares the experience of one of Ohio s largest refugee groups. About 20,000 Bhutanese-Nepalis now live in Columbus and central Ohio after being forced to leave their native Bhutan and living for as long as 20 years in a temporary camp in nearby Nepal. Each photo was taken by awardwinning photographer Tariq Tarey and is accompanied by a narrative detailing each individual s history. Admission: $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for ages 60 and older, $3 for kids ages 6 to 12, free for kids under 5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. Information: or BEFORE AUDUBON Through July 15 In 1808, Alexander Wilson began publishing American Ornithology; or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. This inspired John James Audubon to publish his better-known Birds of America ( ). Though Wilson had no background as an artist, he taught himself printmaking and illustrated his nine volumes of careful observations of the birds of the northeastern U.S. with 79 hand-colored engraved and etched plates of 262 species, 39 of which he was the first to describe. Admission: Free. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: or WORLD WAR I EXHIBITS Through Dec. 1 Two concurrent exhibits examine Wood County s role in World War I, as well as the county s postwar climate, featuring developments in the mass production of the automobile, movie and personal film cameras and the affordability of radios. These influenced the fashion, leisure and community trends through the 1920s and 30s. Admission: $5 for adults; $1 for ages 10 and under. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Location: Wood County Historical Center and Museum, County Home Road, Bowling Green. Information: or CELEBRATING LIBBEY GLASS May 4 to Nov. 25 The Toledo Museum of Art exhibit to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Libbey Glass Company features more than 175 examples of glass from the museum s collection as well as materials from Libbey s archives, including pressed glass tableware, Amberina art glass, TMA s Libbey Punch Bowl, mid-century modern barware and examples of more recent premium giveaway glasses for companies like Pizza Hut and McDonald s. Admission: Free. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: or Ticket Watch Tickets are now on sale for the following events: Chris Young May 4, 7:30 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $37-$161; , www. ticketmaster.com. Justin Timberlake May 7, 7:30 p.m., Nationwide Arena, Columbus. $52.50-$228; , Hall and Oates with Train May 24, 7 p.m., Nationwide Arena, Columbus. $79-$129; , Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly June 5, 5:30 p.m., Masonic Temple, Detroit. $39.50-$45; , www. ticketmaster.com. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill June 9, 7:30 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $67-$299; or com. Kendrick Lamar June 13, 7:30 p.m., DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan. $68-$145; or Alison Krauss June 14, 8 p.m., Centennial Terrace, Sylvania. $37.50-$82.50; , and www. centennialterrace.org. John Fogerty and ZZ Top June 14, 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. $24- $397; or www. riverbend.org, Kenny Chesney June 16, 5 p.m., Mapfre Stadium, Columbus. $45-$259.50; or Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton June 17, 7 p.m., DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan. $18-$95; or WWE Smackdown Live June 19, 7:45 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $20-$105; or com. Questions and Answers designed to help keep you informed! For more info, call (419) or visit For more info, call (419) or visit Hancock County Veterans Service Office 1100 East Main Cross, Suite #123 Findlay OH Hancock County Veterans Service Office 1100 East Main Cross, Suite #123 Findlay OH Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Closed every other Tuesday at 3pm for our bi-monthly staff meeting) Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Closed every other Tuesday at 3pm for our bi-monthly staff meeting)

3 THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMES E3 The fisher cat is neither feline nor fisherman While attending a recent Ohio Wildlife Council meeting, I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Paul Mechling, who was appointed to the board in Mechling is a doctor of veterinary medicine in Ashtabula County, where he is also the owner of the 365-acre Snowy Oak Tree Farm near Pierpont. Mechling has a keen interest in wildlife and has planted more than 140,000 trees, created wetlands and provided food plots for wildlife. He operates Mechling s Maple Farm, producer of pure Ohio maple syrup, and is also involved with management of a 340-acre family farm near Thornville that produces grain and timber. He was very excited to share a recent discovery that was made near his Pierpont tree farm: a rather historic landmark in Ohio s recent natural history. Mechling had documented evidence of a fisher cat that was calling Ashtabula County its home. The fisher cat moniker actually couldn t be any less descriptively accurate for this member of the weasel family. It is neither related to any cat, nor does it expressly ever feed on fish. While its larger cousin in the state, the river otter, is quite the angler, the fisher enjoys hunting in the forest canopy and understory. Fishers have a long, low profile when moving along the ground and average 32 to 40 inches in length, including a tapering, 12- to 16-inch tail that s about the same size as a fox. The legs of a fisher are short and stout, and their feet possess retractable claws to aid in climbing. Their body fur is a dense, glossy, chocolate brown while the fur on the tail, legs and rump is usually black. The fur on the back and shoulders is often grizzled with gold and silver and enhanced by tricolored guard hairs. Males are considerably larger than the females. Fishers are primarily carnivores, though they ll eat berries and fruit when available. They hunt rabbits, snowshoe hares, squirrels, raccoons, mice, reptiles, amphibians, insects, carrion, and the occasional wandering housecat. Even though fishers are not fishermen, they will eat dead fish found on the shore. They are also one of the few mammals that prey on porcupines kind of a sticky expertise. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fishers were virtually eliminated from most American states and eastern Canada, including Nova Scotia. As is the case for most wildlife loss, it was the destruction of habitat that was the cause for the fisher s disappearance, though unregulated overtrapping may have quickened the population s decline. By the 1930s, most states placed restrictions on fisher trapping at about the same time the eastern logging boom was coming to an end. The focus of improving forest management and natural resource protection along with the regrowth of abandoned farmland helped remnant fisher populations to recover in some areas. So, where did the fishers that Mechling discovered originate? It s most likely that these roving, solitary carnivores can be attributed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Their fisher reintroduction effort got started back in 1994, when 22 fishers were relocated from New Hampshire to the Keystone State s Sproul State Forest in Centre and Clinton counties. Successful fisher reintroduction efforts have occurred in Idaho, Michigan, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Similar efforts in the western U.S. have been less successful than in the east and have not resulted in significant range expansion for this arboreal weasel. The Pennsylvania Game Commission had set the possibility of a sustainable harvest as a long-term goal of the project, even during that first relocation of New Hampshire fishers in 1994 as well as with their continued stocking efforts. They were hopeful that the fisher would prosper and expand in this new home. Just 16 years after the initial reintroduction, biologists concluded the time was right based partly on rapidly escalating roadkills, as well as numbers of fishers caught unintentionally in trappers foot hold traps. In 2010, they opened a limited trapping season, much earlier than anyone thought possible. We didn t think it was in the near future at all but, boy, they ve increased quickly, said Tom Hardisky, a Pennsylvania Game Commission furbearer biologist. It s incredible. It s almost an exponential growth. Interestingly, this situation is very similar to that being experienced with the Ohio bobcat population, a situation which has encouraged our Division of Wildlife to consider a very limited bobcat trapping season due to comparable biological data. In 1844, John James Audubon used a fisher that was captured north of Harrisburg as the inspiration for his illustration in his book, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Since 1851, his work served as one of America s best wildlife reference books, giving that fisher a bibliographic immortality. So, what is the future for the fisher in Ohio? It is likely that, as populations expand in neighboring Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan, the chance of the animal reinhabiting the more heavily forested counties of northeast and southeast Ohio is no longer a question of if, but one of time. I, for one, look forward to their return. The Ohio Division of Wildlife would like you to report any fisher sightings or photographs from your game cameras. To report your observations, you can contact a local wildlife office or you may report online at apps.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/speciessighting. There are some of us who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese or wild flowers is a right as inalienable as free speech. Aldo Leopold Along the way: A typical May can see 80,000 visitors from across the country come to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area to witness the spectacle of the spring migration. It is listed as one of the top 10 birdwatching spots in the country. The Ohio Ornithological Society, in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife, will be conducting guided bird walks May 12 and 13 at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. These outings are targeted at novice or new birding enthusiasts. The walks on May 12 will be held at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. and the walks on May 13 will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Walks are limited to 15 participants each and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. You can register by ing Julie.davis@ohiobirds.org. Provide your name, phone number, and requested date and time slot. Additional information will be provided upon registration. Visitors are also reminded that the entrance road to Magee Marsh will be closed from June 1 to Sept. 1 for bridge replacements. During this time, the wildlife area and the Sportsmen s Migratory Bird Center will not be accessible; however, access to Black Swamp Bird Observatory will not be affected. For updated information about the closure, call , ext. 42. Step outside: If you want to help fund conservation in Ohio, you can purchase the collectible 2018 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. Sales benefit the Wildlife Diversity Fund, which is used to protect and manage wild animals and their habitats. The stamps are available at wildlife.ohiodnr.gov or any license agent. Today and tomorrow: Maumee Valley Gun Collectors show, Lucas County Recreation Center, Maumee. Thursday and Friday: Trap and skeet, open to the public, 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. May 5 and 6: Free fishing weekend, open to all Ohio residents and extends to all public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. This is the only weekend all year that doesn t require a fishing license. Give fishing a try, you might get hooked! May 8: Pollinators and How to Attract Them, 6 p.m., Division of Wildlife District Two office, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay. It s free with preregistration required by May 7. For information or to register, call Meredith Gilbert at or meredith.gilbert@dnr.state. oh.us. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH or via at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com. Home: For family bike rides, safety comes first By CASSIE ANDERSON Fingers crossed, spring is finally here! It is time to dust the bicycle off and get ready for fun. Bicycling is a great family activity. It is good exercise and a simple way to spend time together as a family. Before the family heads out on their bikes, take some time for a safety inspection. An inspection is a good habit and will lead to a more enjoyable time without unnecessary accidents, injury, or breakdowns while on the road. Make the safety check a family process. Research studies and personal experience tell us that young children practice what they see their parents doing. Is your bike in good shape? Are the tires inflated properly, brakes working, reflector panels in place and, if you have lights, are they working correctly? What personal equipment do we need? All riders should have a properly fitted helmet and brightly colored clothes. Helmets protect you and your child s brain by lessening the force and impact of a fall. Even the best riders have accidents: loose gravel, an animal darting across the street or a simple loss of balance are all examples. Helmets should fit snugly to the head and the straps should be fastened snugly under the chin. Bike helmets can be economically purchased at department stores and bike shops, and are also given away at some community events. It is also important to know when to replace a helmet. Manufacturers and health officials recommend that helmets be replaced after a fall in which the helmet hits the ground. It is not possible to see small cracks or dents that stop the helmet s effectiveness for protection. When in doubt, get a new helmet. At a minimum, have it inspected at a bike shop, health department, or police department. Proper clothing is also important. Youth should wear bright clothes that are not too loose or long that might get tangled up with a bike. Remember, just because you as a rider can see someone in a car does not mean he or she can see you. It is important to have proper reflectors and lights on your bike when riding in the evening while wearing reflective clothing. Bike riders should also be aware that, if riding after dusk, it is law to have working lights in addition to reflectors on your bike. The law requires, while riding at night, a white light on the front and a red light on the rear of the bike. Local law enforcement shares that riders should go with traffic, not against it. Young riders may ride on sidewalks, but they should also give the right of way to people on foot. Common bike etiquette is to walk your bike while sharing a sidewalk with pedestrians. Bike safety should be something that enhances a ride and has a family coming home safe. There are lots of fun ways to learn more through Scouts, 4-H, and community activities. Saturday, May 5, is the seventh annual Findlay Bike Rodeo sponsored by Bikes, Books, and Badges; Safe Kids; Ohio State University Extension and the City of Findlay from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This year the bike rodeo will return to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts parking lot at 200 W. Main Cross St. This family friendly free event includes obstacle courses, bike giveaway, guided rides in the neighborhood, helmet fitting, free food, and more. The target age is grades one through six. Participants should bring their bike and helmet to the event. If you do not have a helmet, one will be provided. Having a helmet is required to participate in the bike rodeo. There will also be a limited number of bikes to borrow for the rodeo. Come out for a fun morning and be sure your family is ready for the biking season! Anderson is the Extension educator for 4-H youth development at the Ohio State University Extension for Hancock County.

4 THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMES E4 FOOD A PAIR OF RECIPES FOR ANY SMART COOKIE Big Butterscotchy Oatmeal Cookies Start to finish: 40 minutes, not including optional refrigeration time. Makes 16 to 18 cookies. 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup brown sugar 1 / 3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups old-fashioned oats 1 cup raisins Big, beautiful oatmeal cookies bring a better butterscotch experience By KATIE WORKMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS I haven t been consistently happy with my oatmeal cookie recipe for a while. Sometimes they turn out perfectly fairly flat, chewy and moist in the middle, with crinkly, caramelized edges (not cakey or rounded) and a butterscotch-esque flavor. Other times, they don t follow orders, staying too puffed, or becoming a little dry and less damply dense than I crave. So I took the recipe, reduced the amount of flour and oats slightly, upped the butter considerably (even in an oatmeal cookie, I am not looking for healthy; it s still a cookie), took out one egg, increased the salt and the vanilla, changed the sugar ratio a bit to favor the brown variety, and tried it again. I also baked bigger cookies. Only when your cookies are at least 3 inches wide can you approach the nirvana that comes with a cookie that has different textures throughout: a ring of crispness around the edge, firm but with some give as you head in for the next bite, and, finally, soft SARAH CROWDER / For the Associated Press WHEN IT COMES to making cookies, bigger is (almost) always better. With a few tweaks on the classic recipe, these giant oatmeal cookies bring out the butterscotch flavor. but chewy in the middle. I also took a page from my favorite chocolate chip (or chunk) cookie recipe, and let the dough rest for two days. You could skip this step, or you could leave the dough for as long as four days before baking. The resting time allows the dough to absorb all extra liquid and develop a deeper, richer, more caramel-y flavor. That s the difference between a merely great cookie and a truly memorable one (she said opinionatedly). I am happier now. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium-size bowl. Blend the butter and both sugars together in a large bowl with a hand mixer (or standing mixer), until well blended. Beat in the egg, and then the vanilla. Add the flour mixture gradually, mixing on low speed until each batch is incorporated. Mix in the oats and raisins. Use a ¼-cup measuring cup (or ice cream scoop) to measure out balls of the dough, which should be placed on an ungreased cookie sheet with at least 3 inches between each ball (bake only 6 cookies per classic-size cookie sheet). Use your hand to flatten each ball. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two days, or longer if you like. (You can layer the flattened disks of dough 2 deep in a container, with parchment or wax paper between the layers, to save fridge space). Bake the cookies for 11 to 15 minutes (see important note below!), until they are golden brown but still have nice give in the middle. Let them sit on the baking sheet for a minute before transferring them to a cooling rack. Note: If your cookie dough is at room temperature, start checking the cookies at 11 minutes. They tend to go from almost done to definitely done very quickly. The longer baking time is for dough that s straight from the fridge. I m still playing around with this, but baking them from room temperature does seem the most successful in terms of texture and consistency. Having said that, the few that got a bit crispier were UN-believable crumbled over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Bourbon packs a final punch on these bar cookies By ELIZABETH KARMEL ASSOCIATED PRESS These bar cookies are everything! They are loaded with texture, flavor and just enough salt to make them addictive. They are packed full of pecans, toffee bits, chopped white chocolate and dried coconut, but the sprinkling of bourbon is what really takes them over the edge. The flavors come together and deepen, with the bourbon accenting and accentuating the buttery vanilla and caramel notes. This is a brownie for people who don t like chocolate, and that is how I came to make it. My friend David was coming to dinner and I wanted to make a homemade sweet to go with his favorite store-bought dulce de leche ice cream. Ordinarily, brownies of some sort might come to mind, but David is not a fan of chocolate so I thought about a blonde brownie filled with coconut his favorite sweet ingredient, and pecans. I added the Heath toffee bits because I have had great success with them. They melt into the batter as it bakes, leaving behind a more complex, sweet caramel flavor that elevates a simple butter, flour and sugar cookie. Finally, I chopped up a bar of good white chocolate to add more texture and another flavor to the bar. The beauty of these bars is that you can add a different nut toasted hazelnuts or walnuts would be great. Different chocolate, or a combination of chocolates or even butterscotch morsels, would also work well. I like to chop a high-quality chocolate bar into pieces instead of using morsels because the flavor melds into the bar seamlessly where the morsels are sometimes too much. The only add-ins that I wouldn t change would be the toffee bits and the sweetened shredded coconut. The coconut makes the texture of the bar Tipsy Toffee Bars cookie so much moister and chewier while adding to the complex flavor. And, don t omit the bourbon. That addition makes all the difference in the world. In the same way that a splash of bourbon or wine enhances savory foods, these bar cookies are so much better for the bourbon. Start to finish: 60 minutes, plus additional cooling time Servings: Makes bars 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ scant teaspoon fine-grain sea salt 1 generous cup pecans halves ½ pound unsalted butter, melted 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 2 large eggs, mixed together 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons of your favorite bourbon 2 / 3 cup Heath toffee bits 1 generous cup sweetened dried coconut ½ 4-ounce bar of real white chocolate, chopped Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Toast pecans in a preheated oven for minutes at 250 degrees. When cool, chop the pecans and set aside. Melt butter and pour into a bowl. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add bourbon and mix again. Stir in the flour mixture and mix well, turning the batter several times to make sure all the flour is incorporated. Add the chopped pecans, toffee bits, coconut and white chocolate. Stir with a blending fork to make sure the add-ins are equally incorporated. Prepare your baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread batter into the pan by dropping equal spoonfuls all over the pan and joining them together by spreading the surface with an offset spatula. Bake for 20 minutes and check the bars. In my oven, the bars took a full 35 minutes, but every oven is different. I tested them at 20 minutes and every 5 minutes thereafter and they were perfect after baking for 35 minutes. The sides will be crisp and browned and pulling away and the top with be shiny and dry. You want the center to still be soft but not runny. Let cool completely. I usually make these the night before or in the morning so they are completely cool. Remove the entire block of bar cookies and cut into squares with a dough scraper or serrated knife. Once the bar cookies are cut, they can be wrapped in foil and placed in a reclosable plastic bag and frozen for up to a month. Thaw before serving. Chef s Note: Use a 9-by-11-by-2-inch baking pan, the smaller version of the classic 9-by-13 pan. I think the 9-by-13 pan makes a bar cookie that is too thin, but if you use it, note that your cooking time will be shorter. ELIZABETH KARMEL / For the Associated Press THESE TOFFEE bars have everything! They are packed full of pecans, toffee bits, chopped white chocolate and dried coconut. It s the sprinkling of the bourbon, though, that really takes them over the edge.

5 THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMES WEEKEND COMICS E 5 MIRROR ON YESTERYEAR Girls band is making PEANUTS great strides Display ad features family weekly washings The following news items first appeared in the Fostoria Daily Review in May of 1921: Judging from the fine progress being made by the girls band, consisting of about fifty pieces, played by the big and little misses of the high and grade schools, Fostoria will soon have another musical organization of which to be proud. While Jack Wainwright is keeping in close touch with this organization, Prof. M. Lombardi is doing the real directing and teaching. Prof. Lombardi has had the girls out on the athletic field, frequently of late, practicing marching movements as well as giving them instructions. He has accomplished great results and the girls band hopes to be able to appear in the parade on Memorial Day. The May 19 issue featured a display ad for the Inter City Tea Co., 114 S. Main St., one of the Benefit Stores, found from coast to coast. The store featured Tasty Graded Pea Beans for Fine Eating, 4 lbs for 15 cents when bought with other goods. Other specials included Dico Coffee...25 cents a lb., Salted Peanuts...15 cents a lb.; Cornflakes...9 cents a package and SWEETNUT Margarine, cents a lb. Three days later, another large display ad appeared for the WET WASH LAUNDRY CO. Starting Monday, we will contract for 150 family weekly washings. We can GENE KINN do 25 washings per day. The first 25 names will get their washings done on Monday; Second 25 names on Tuesday; Third 25 names on Wednesday; Fourth 25 names on Thursday; Fifth 25 names on Friday and Sixth 25 names on Saturday. We have 1800 feet of floor space...clothes sun dried in good weather, if wanted. Phone your name at once to E. Hindmon, 638 Maple St. Phone Bell or Ohio State at 104. The announcement that Coach Weltner would not return to the Fostoria schools, to coach the grid squad, came to a great many as a complete surprise. The loss of Smiley as we loved to call him, is a community loss as well as a district loss to the Fostoria team. Mr. Weltner was a moving spirit in things athletic, generally and a fairer and squarer man cannot be found. We are sorry to see Coach go out from among us and we will sorely miss him, but wherever he may go, he will carry with him the best wishes of the community at large and of the team he so successfully coached for two seasons, in particular. Smiley made a host of friends and admirers during his sojourn here and they will not soon forget him and will have a welcoming band for him whenever he may choose to return, whether on a visit or to permanently locate here. Good bye, Smiley and good luck. With reports that practically no opposition has been met, concerning the proposed Farmers and Merchants Festival, to be held in this city in August, the committees met last night at the Chamber of Commerce rooms and furthered plans by appointing extra committees and giving contract blanks to various men with directions of the territory they are to cover. The tentative date for the Festival is from Tuesday, August 9 to Saturday, August 13. The committees looked over letters from a large number of Ohio cities where the Festival had been perfected and out of all the letters, there was not one report which was not favorable. Every city in which the Festival has been put on, spoke very highly of the good that was accomplished. In this city, there have only been about two business firms that were not enthusiastic about the carnival. The following committees have been appointed: A. F. Strouse, auto show; Fred Lauck, merchants; George Yochum, farmers; L.E. Kinn, manufacturing; E.C. Lloyd, fraternal orders; F.H. Warren, schools; J.H. Williams, general chairman and press; F. H. Hopkins, reception and Major G. W. Cunningham, grand marshall. Fred Feasel, a former Fostorian, now professor in economics and business administration in the State University of New Mexico, is going to spend the summer traveling in Mexico and Central America. He plans to make a special study of economic and business conditions there. BEETLE BAILEY GARFIELD BLONDIE HAGAR T HE HORRIBLE C RANKSHAFT DILBERT DOUG BECKERS / FlickrCC IF WE CAN get production costs down, there s no technical reason not to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics with biomass-based biodegradable varieties. EARTHTALK Is biodegradable plastic the answer to our plastic pollution problem? F OR BETTER OR WORSE Dear EarthTalk: What are suitable materials for making biodegradable plastic besides corn and sugarcane? Is pineapple or peanut suitable? Yu Hong Yap, Malaysia Biodegradable plastic is defined as any form of plastic that can break down into its constituent components in the environment within days, weeks or months without leaving behind potentially toxic residue. The term bioplastic refers to any form of plastic derived from organic or plant-based materials rather than petroleum, regardless of whether it can break down (biodegrade) easily in the environment. Thus, the two terms are not necessarily the same, although many use the terms interchangeably. The most common iteration of bioplastic, so-called PLA (polylactic acid) plastic, is typically derived from corn or sugarcane and is biodegradable. Since we know how to grow these food crops so well, using the minimal amount of land for the highest yield, we can create bioplastic pretty efficiently. But given still exploding global human population numbers and more hungry mouths to feed, many wonder if it makes sense to take away land that could be used to grow food to make more plastic, even if it is biodegradable. To avoid wasting food crops to make plastic, researchers have pioneered new formulations of biodegradable plastic derived from feedstock not suitable for food or feed, such as wood, wheat straw, bagasse, corn cobs, palm fruit bunches, switch grass and waste vegetable oil. In Europe, the Mars candy company is using potato waste in its biodegradable wrappers for Snickers bars. Likewise, there s no reason why pineapple or peanut couldn t work as a feedstock though market conditions usually dictate that such products fetch a higher price as food, especially since they don t have to be processed as they would if they become bioplastic. Yet another even more futuristic category of bioplastic feedstock uses algae or even carbon dioxide or methane waste to produce biodegradable plastic. These so-called third generation or nextgen feedstocks do double duty by both creating biodegradable plastic and removing pollutants that would otherwise contribute to climate change or eutrophication (an excessive buildup of nutrients in waterways that causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen). While biodegradable plastic is hardly commonplace yet on store shelves, there are actions consumers can take to move things along. Encourage manufacturers to switch to biodegradable plastics and stop buying products made with conventional plastic. Sign the Earth Day Network s petition to end plastic pollution. While no one can reasonably argue against replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable ones, researchers from the UK s University of Portsmouth and the U.S. Department of Energy s National Renewable Energy Laboratory accidentally developed an enzyme that breaks down conventional plastic into its constituent parts. This discovery could revolutionize recycling and be a Godsend for marine and terrestrial ecosystems beset by plastic waste. We can all play a significant part in dealing with the plastic problem, says the University of Portsmouth s John McGeehan. But the scientific community who ultimately created these wondermaterials, must now use all the technology at their disposal to develop real solutions. T HE LOCKHORNS

6 E6 THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMES Methadone clinics a gap in Medicare services Drug program for the elderly only covers methadone for pain prescription By CARLA K. JOHNSON AP MEDICAL WRITER One in three older Americans with Medicare drug coverage is prescribed opioid painkillers, but for those who develop a dangerous addiction there is one treatment Medicare won t cover: methadone. Methadone is the oldest, and experts say, the most effective of the three approved medications used to treat opioid addiction. It eases cravings without an intense high, allowing patients to work with counselors to rebuild their lives. Federal money is flowing to states to open new methadone clinics through the 21st Century Cures Act, but despite the nation s deepening opioid crisis, I was terrified that I might have to leave the program. There s no way I wanted to go back to addiction on the streets. t he Medic a re drug program for the elderly covers methadone only when prescribed for pain. Joseph Purvis, a former heroin and prescription painkiller user, said he went into a depressive tailspin because he initially feared he might have to stop methadone treatment when he went on Medicare at 65. I was terrified that I might have to leave the program. There s no way I wanted to go back to addiction on the streets, said Purvis, 66, of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Methadone doesn t meet the requirement of Medicare s Part D drug program because it can t be dispensed in a retail pharmacy. Instead, in the highly regulated methadone system, patients first are assessed by a doctor, then show up daily at federally certified methadone clinics to take their doses of the pink liquid. Or, like Purvis in Maryland, they prove through repeated urine screens that they have earned the right to weekly take-home doses. In Congress, legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate, and a White House commission on the opioid epidemic JOSEPH PURVIS, FORMER HEROIN, PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER USER also recommended the change. The epidemic is affecting all populations, including our seniors, said Rep. George Holding, R-North Carolina, a sponsor of the House bill. Medicare beneficiaries have among the highest and fastest growing rate of opioid use disorder, but they don t currently have coverage for the most effective treatment. We have a sacred responsibility to find solutions that help everyone who may be affected, said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the Special Committee on Aging and lead sponsor of the Senate bill. An estimated 300,000 Medicare patients have been diagnosed with opioid addiction, and health officials estimate nearly 90,000 are at high risk for opioid misuse or overdose. Buprenorphine, a more expensive and slightly less regulated treatment drug, is covered by Medicare but few doctors who accept new Medicare patients have obtained federal waivers to prescribe it. A recent study of Medicare claims found prescriptions for buprenorphine for only 81,000 patients. More evidence that the crisis affects seniors: Opioid overdoses killed 1,354 Americans ages 65 and older in 2016, about 3 percent of the 42,000 opioid overdoses that year. Medicare s policy means clinics often scramble to keep older patients in treatment if they ve had commercial insurance that covered their care before turning 65, said counselor Angela Caldwell of Montgomery Recovery Services in Rockville, Maryland. A national organization for methadone clinics says the clinics now have 25,000 Medicare beneficiaries who are either paying out of pocket (about $80 per week) or getting care through state-run Medicaid or block grant programs. Mark Parrino, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, thinks more people would seek methadone treatment if Medicare covered it. Many older patients rely on surprisingly high doses of opioids for pain relief, which can turn into addiction, said Dr. Anna Lembke, an addiction specialist at Stanford University School of Medicine. One of her addiction patients, Mental Health Moment By MEAGAN McBRIDE KLEIN Is your Facebook feed full of intense arguments? Have you found yourself avoiding certain social situations because you know the conversation will turn controversial? The dialogue around controversial topics can be a real source of stress and anxiety! Controversial issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, the divide between the rich and the poor, and sexual abuse have a tendency to become destructive. People have strong positions, which often results in little information being exchanged in discussions. It is possible to have strong beliefs and have a constructive discussion of a controversial issue, but a few things need to be done. First, seek out views different than your own. People who believe in all sides of the issue need to be included in the discussion. You do not learn from or grow from discussing issues with people who agree with you and have the same perspective as you do. Just think, there a woman in her mid-70s, was referred to her because her daily dose of opioids had climbed over the years to many times more potent than that of a typical heroin user, Lembke said. She s had a gradual development of tolerance over many decades and now is on an astronomical dose, Lembke said. If you took any random person and gave them (that much) they would die. Lembke said she normally Klein were people who believed, strongly, the world was flat! Second, if you want people to hear you and not have it become a battle royale, present a clear concept with organized thoughts. Barreling into a conversation full of passion might make it hard for others to hear your meaning. Just think, do you hear people best when they are yelling, or do you tend to shut them out? Third, stick to the facts! Facts are provable. Beliefs are things we hold as true, even though they are not provable. Opinions are judgments, but are not based in fact or knowledge. No one has to share beliefs, and opinions should stay out of controversial discussions! Fourth, practice perspective taking. Beliefs are so valued, it is hard to understand or hear someone else s that might oppose ours. But remember, they hold their views just as dear. Practice trying to see the world how someone else sees it to try and understand them better. By practicing these four guidelines, you can work to reduce stress around controversial topics. Opening ourselves up to understanding others better helps improve feelings of connectivity, reduce anxiety, and increase our sense of community. Klein is a licensed professional clinical counselor/director at Family Resource Center and a doctoral candidate at the University of Toledo. If you have a mental health question, please send it to: Mental Health Moment, The Courier, P.O. Box 609, Findlay wouldn t consider methadone for this patient because of the stigma associated with the clinics. But Medicare coverage might make them more acceptable, Lembke said, and her patient might actually do better with methadone. In Maryland, Purvis remained on methadone treatment because his income is low enough that he qualifies for the state-federal Medicaid insurance coverage for the poor and disabled. Medicaid covers methadone treatment in Weekend Doctor By LISA LINCOLN Nowadays, life is busy and hectic. Most of us don t invest the time for ourselves or our skin care goals and concerns. Therefore, spending an hour in a relaxing, peaceful environment can help restore balance to your mind as well as to your skin. Professional monthly facials not only give you a healthy looking glow, but research has also shown that there are numerous advantages to receiving these. Monthly scheduled facials stimulate the blood flow to aid in the flow of oxygen and other nutrients to the skin and its underlying tissue. They also assist in the efficient removal of waste products. Facials help aid the improvement of dull, lifeless and congested skin through maintaining the tone of underlying skin tissues, therefore slowing down the skin s aging process. A professional-grade facial helps maintain the skin s natural elasticity through refining the texture of the skin. Facials also contribute to cellular regeneration, which helps Maryland and about 35 other states. Purvis, who used heroin for more than a decade in his youth, later took opioids prescribed by specialists for back pain. After his pain doctor s office was shut down for overprescribing, he started methadone treatment. Some people think of methadone as a crutch for addiction but it s not, Purvis said. It s a tool that allows people to live a somewhat normal life. Lincoln our skin prevent premature aging. Finally, professional-grade facials also aid in the natural protection of one s top layer of skin. We are getting older each and every day. Therefore, by getting regular facials, we promote cellular turnover, boost collagen production and maintain healthy skin balance. Facials performed by an aesthetician provide an array of benefits. Furthermore, aestheticians are trained to look for and deal with complex skin concerns, which can be kept under control through regularly scheduled facials. Most facials include a certain amount of face, neck, décolletage and shoulder massage. This helps rid the body of toxins and reduces fluid retention. Our bodies naturally flush these toxins out, which also helps promote further circulation, leaving our skin glowing and youthful. Facials are so much more than an hour of indulgent pampering. When one considers all of the regular visits you make to a hair salon, gym or dentist, you ll realize why you really should be investing that time on your skin. Professional facials have tremendous short- and long-term benefits to the health and wellness of your skin. Lincoln is lead aesthetician and practice manager at Beyond MedSpa, an affiliate of Blanchard Valley Health System. Questions for Blanchard Valley Health System experts may be sent to: Weekend Doctor, The Courier, P.O. Box 609, Findlay