Many of us fill our summer calendar with road trips to national parks, music festivals and other outdoor adventures. But make sure to leave room for local outings as you might be surprised at what and who is right in your backyard. Starting with “4th Fridays in Oberlin,” a family friendly event featuring music, food and other vendors. The downtown gathering, organized by Oberlin Business Partnership, is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 27, July 25 and Aug. 22. In Vermilion, the outdoor musical and lakefront sunset gathering is on the 3rd Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., which this summer is June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18. “At least twelve different musical groups and individuals from virtually every musical genre will be performing ABSOLUTELY FREE for your listening pleasure while browsing among the shops, boutiques, and restaurants of our quaint and historic downtown Vermilion,” according to the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. Many visitors bring a lawn chair to enjoy the city’s sights and sounds. Downtown Lorain becomes a “hub of creativity, cultural and community fun” on Second Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes street entertainment, crafts and other family-friendly activities, pop-up vendors and food trucks. The 2025 dates are June 14, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. and are sponsored by Main Street Lorain Head to Bay Village for BAYarts Sunday Concert Series. All concerts are free, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the back lawn (28795 Lake Road). Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a cash bar. Dates and performers are: June 15 Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s “Twelfth Night;” June 22 “Leo Coach & All World Ensemble; June 29 One Eyed Fred; July 6 Brittany Reilly Band; July 20 Tweed ; July 27 Hip to That; Aug. 3 Small Craft Advisory; and Aug. 10 OMF. And finally check out “WOW Wade Oval Wednesdays” in University Circle Inc.. The event features live music, dancing, roaming entertainment and food, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The 2025 dates are all Wednesdays between June 18 and Aug. 20, held in Wade Oval, 10820 East Blvd. (fb)

For nearly four years Crystal Hall has been Kendal’s Environmental Operations Manager, the top position in Housekeeping, a department she joined 22 years ago this month. “Obviously, Kendal gives you a lot of opportunities for growth and thrives on watching employees do just that. I hadn't really noticed how many positions I had advanced to until just now writing all of them out – PRN housekeeping, full-time cleaning resident cottages, laundry operator, housekeeping team leader and housekeeping supervisor for Independent Living, which led me to my current position,” she says. One perk of the job is getting to know Kendal residents and “hearing all the amazing stories they have to share – in 22 years I have heard a lot! I also enjoy all the staff that I have met along the way. They really do become your second family,” she says. Crystal says working with older adults has taught her that there is “a lot of living left to do no matter what your age is. Although this is a retirement community most residents are still highly active and always involved in some type of project(s) or traveling. Very encouraging,” she says. Crystal grew up in Oberlin and currently lives in Wellington with her husband Aaron and their 7-year-old son Colton. She enjoys scrapbooking, spending time with family, watching her son practice karate and living in the country. “Currently I do not use Kendal’s exercise equipment room but before my son was born my husband and I would work out together here on average 5-6 days a week and really enjoyed the equipment they had to offer. Life is too busy now,” Crystal says. (fb)