The Update | Store to Offer Retro Novelties, Idora Park Apparel

GIRARD, Ohio – Sweet Memories Vintage Tees, 1282 Trumbull Ave., is expanding its store with a 5,000-square-foot space filled with retro novelties from the 1980s.

The store has also partnered with the Idora Park Experience to offer licensed apparel and a vintage soda line. Proceeds will benefit the preservation of artifacts from the defunct Youngstown amusement park.

Sweet Memories Vintage Tees is a manufacturer and retailer of licensed apparel with logos that benefit charities.

The Idora Park Experience, owned by Jim and Toni Amey, collects and restores items from the old park.

Author Schedules Book Signings

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Author Nancy Christie will appear at several northeastern Ohio bookstores to sign and sell copies of her novel, “Reinventing Rita,” which is the first in her Midlife Moxie series. Her other books will also be available.

Here is her schedule:

• Nov. 17: Appletree Books, Cleveland Heights, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 25: Pretty Good Books, Ashtabula, noon to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 3: Fireside Book Shop, Chagrin Falls, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 21: Leana’s Books & More, Austintown, 3 to 6 p.m.

Former Oh Wow Director to Discuss Career

LIBERTY, Ohio ­– Suzanne Barbati, former director of Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, will speak about her career at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.

Her presentation is part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s speaker series. Admission is $10 ($5 for members).

Reservations are suggested; call 330 726 8277.

Barbati was hired in 2009 as the inaugural director and CEO of the museum. Under her direction, the museum implemented STEM curriculum, hands-on exhibits and capital campaigns. In 2021, she became the lead fundraiser and later retired.

Journalist, Author to Speak at Westminster

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College’s history department will host Sarah Stankorb on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for a series of conversations about her journalism work and recently published book, “Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning.”

During Stankorb’s visit, she will hold class lectures and leadership discussions throughout the day. A public event will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Dietz Sullivan Lecture Hall in the Hoyt Science Center on Westminster’s campus. Admission is free to the public. 

Based in Cincinnati, the journalist, essayist and author said she often found escape in books. She studied world religion and philosophy at Westminster College, earning her undergraduate degree in 2002. A chance to study abroad in Northern Ireland and Israel further opened her eyes to how faith and conflict can shape people’s everyday existence. 

She earned her master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School, where she studied ethics and South Asian religion and history. Hundreds of her pieces have been featured in publications, including VICE, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Republic, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and others. 

She writes about religion, politics, gender and power.

Season of Joy Events at Cedar Point Resorts

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Back for its second year, the Season of Joy will envelope Cedar Point’s Sawmill Creek Resort on select days, Nov. 17-Dec. 31. 

Featuring thousands of dazzling lights inside and out, custom craft cocktails, live entertainment and the resort’s cozy 200-acre woodland setting, the Season of Joy is an ideal getaway for adults and families.

New this year, the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas TV special comes to life in “Fireside Family Christmas,” a look at how one family celebrates Christmas Eve through songs, fun and surprises. Additional favorites like “The Mistletones” and “Sawmill Carolers” will provide a Christmas soundtrack with their harmonies.

For a nominal fee, guests can take classes to personalize and decorate Christmas cookies, learn how to create seasonally inspired charcuterie presentations or master the art of crafting Christmas libations.

Guests can escape to The Hideout, a festive Christmas pop-up bar serving cocktails, hand-picked wines and craft beers. The warm glow of the fire sets the tone at the S’mores & More bar, where guests can customize their own hot cocoa beverage or purchase a s’mores gift box.

The Toast of the North Coast New Year’s Eve party closes the Season of Joy on Dec. 31 with a live band, hand-crafted drinks and cuisine, plus a spectacular countdown.

Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay year-round indoor waterpark hotel receives its own festive makeover during Castaway Christmas, Nov. 17- Dec. 31. Customized for younger families, Castaway Christmas will play host to interactive games, crafts, live performances by a steel drum band, holiday karaoke and a special ship lighting ceremony in the main lobby.

To learn more about these seasonal events and special overnight packages, go to  sawmillcreekresort.com and castawaybay.com.

Wilson Takes Top Honor at CMA Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Lainey Wilson took home five trophies, including entertainer of the year, Wednesday night at the Country Music Association Awards.

The 31-year-old Louisiana singer was the undisputed star of the night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where she also was named female vocalist of the year, won album of the year for “Bell Bottom Country” and gave a fiery rendition of her song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” that looked like it came from a classic Hollywood Western.

Wilson came into the night the top nominee with nine nods and had won one award before the ABC telecast even started as she and Hardy were named winners in the musical event of the year category for “Wait in the Truck.”

It was also another major Nashville night for rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll, who earlier this year topped the CMT Music Awards. He won best new artist.

Luke Combs, winner of entertainer of the year the previous two years, took home single of the year Wednesday night for his cover of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, who became the unlikely winner of song of the year for a tune she wrote in 1988.

In what is becoming a series of CMA traditions, Chris Stapleton won male vocalist of the year for the seventh time; Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the sixth time; and Brothers Osborne won duo of the year for the sixth time.

Pictured at top: Sweet Memories Vintage Tees employee Abbey Hennessey, owner Linda Barton and marketing manager Samantha Gurd stand in the shop’s new retro toy area.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.