Home Care In Medina, OH

There are a plethora of towns in Ohio.

And just one, at least in the eyes of the folks at HGTV, is the merriest.

The network that specializes in all things home improvement and decorating has come up with its list of the Top 50 Best Small Towns to Visit for Christmas this holiday season.

Quaint Medina, tucked in Northern Ohio, was HGTV's pick for the Buckeye State.

A historic decorated town square − complete with shops, restaurants and a gazebo, along with a "charming stable of bed and breakfasts (that) makes a weekend trip to this Christmas getaway a breeze" the network says.

But it is a unique museum tucked just south of the Medina square, HGTV notes, that sets it apart from the rest.

Ho ho ho!6 Ohio towns worth visiting this Christmas season

"The world's largest indoor Christmas toyland awaits at Medina's Castle Noel. Inside, visitors will find Hollywood Christmas props from movies like 'Jingle All the Way,' 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Fred Claus' along with breathtaking, New York-style animated Christmas windows from Bloomingdale's, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Macy's," the ranking says.

As for neighboring states, HGTV says Bardstown, best known as the bourbon capital of the world, becomes the "North Pole of Kentucky" around Christmastime.

In Pennsylvania, the state's self-proclaimed Christmas City, Bethlehem, was HGTV's pick, as the site noted it was named on Christmas Day in 1741.

"The town's historic district is adorned with beautiful lights, and visitors can enjoy the Christkindlmarkt, a European-style Christmas market featuring handmade German ornaments and foods along with live music," the ranking says.

And the pick for Indiana was a tad obvious.

HGTV picked the aptly named Santa Claus, which is home to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari amusement park. There's also a statue of the town's namesake along with special holiday events.

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MEDINA, Ohio — Small Business Saturday is November 25.

The annual event celebrates and supports small businesses in local communities.

Good Morning Cleveland anchor Mike Brookbank visited two shops in Medina Square as the owners prepared for the busy holiday shopping season.

"One of our top sellers this year is Santa's kindness ornament," said Julie McNabb, co-owner of JK Gift Shop.

McNabb and her sister, Katie Heinz, have been in business in Medina for the last 16 years.

They said Small Business Saturday can make or break their shop's bottom line.

Like many small businesses, it's been challenging to recover losses from the pandemic.

During those tough times, Heinz kept going because she loved what she did.

"There's real people and real impacts around you and I think that's what makes me want to come back to work every day above and beyond my own paycheck," said Heinz.

Consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday in 2022 spent almost $18 billion, according to credit card company American Express.

However, many shoppers have had to cut back on their spending due to inflation.

"I think people are being more cautious this year," said Carmen Greenberg, owner of The Gardener's Cottage.

However, Greenberg is still hopeful for a successful shopping season.

"I think people still enjoy purchasing gifts for the holidays and we try to have products that are, you know, priced something for everyone, something that everyone can afford," said Greenberg.

The Gardener's Cottage and JK Gift Shop sell items online, but the owners are excited to welcome shoppers in person.

"It's not just about the sales, it's about the experience and the environment," said McNabb.

"It's totally different when you open the door and you have the piano man in the front window, which we're going to have playing Christmas carols."

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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MEDINA, Ohio — The small bright corner surrounded by fairy tales and ABCs that is tucked in the back of the Medina County Library has always been magical.

“This space alone is a great place for kids and families to be,” said Catie Taylor, Children and Teen Acquisition Librarian at the Medina County Library.

Only now, new toy treasures are taking over the shelves and casting more positive spells of inclusive children’s play.

“[We] are trying to make sure that our spaces are welcoming for everybody no matter what their abilities are,” Taylor said.

After a call in from the Medina Children's Department, Taylor remembers being “swept off” her feet. She was informed that a local group called “Replay for Kids” requested to debut its unique toys at the library.

“Replay for Kids is an organization that's been around here in Medina County…they take toys and adapt them so that kids with different types of needs and abilities are more easily able to play with their toys.”

The importance of inclusivity in children’s play is simple. As Taylor shared, “Sometimes children’s toys are not intuitive,” especially for kids navigating special abilities. She explained that “sometimes the buttons are small — are really hard to push, even for me as a grown-up.”

But not these special toys.

Our News 5 crew watched Taylor and her own children play with the toys while admiring the literature they accompany. Each toy is housed in a special kit called “Adapted Toy Packs,” which includes five matching themed books. The Adapted Toy Packs are available for check out one at a time with a library card.

“These are very easy to push,” Taylor said while demoing on a garbage toy truck. “I think these will be really valuable and really appreciated.”

This is the first of three rounds of Adapted Toy Packs to be revealed at all Medina County District Library branches.

“It's important for kids and parents and families together to share that really positive experience of playing with toys and then reading books that go along with them,” said Taylor.

To learn more, click here.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

MEDINA, Ohio (WOIO) - Since Drew Allar announced his commitment to Penn State in March of 2021, college football fans in the state of Ohio have been looking forward to this moment.

100% Committed! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/4AEsDPJ38j

— Drew Allar (@AllarDrew) March 8, 2021

The former Medina High School quarterback grew up a Buckeye football fan, but didn’t realize his potential as a Division 1 quarterback until his sophomore year of high school.

“When he was in 8th grade he was a linebacker and tight end,” Head Medina Football Coach Larry Laird said. “I think that’s probably why he’s a pretty tough kid.”

Laird said Allar decided to give quarterback a try his freshman year at Medina, and by mid season of his sophomore year, Allar earned the starting spot on varsity.

“Started to see him progress on and on and on,” Laird said. “Just get better and better. I mean it wasn’t weekly it was daily you would see him get better.”

His senior season, Allar threw for a record-breaking 4,400 yards and 48 touchdowns, earning Ohio Mr. Football for 2021.

“We were five wide the whole game just slinging it,” Allar said. “I probably averaged 50 attempts my senior year per game and that’s probably where I got most of my confidence from, just Coach Laird because of the person he is and the personality he has and I think that’s rubbed off on me in a good way.”

Taking the skills he learned at Medina to one of the biggest stages in college football.

On Saturday, October 21 No. 7 Penn State will travel to face No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus.

TONIGHT on the Friday Football Frenzy!We catch up with former Medina High School QB @AllarDrew ahead of tomorrow's big matchup between Penn State/Ohio State@WOIOSports pic.twitter.com/kzDbkRmlwo

— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) October 20, 2023

In his first season as the starter for the Nittany Lions, Allar has thrown for 1,254 yards and 12 touchdowns and hasn’t had a single turnover through five games.

“It’s just a great opportunity to go back home,” Allar said. “We’re gonna be facing a top team in the country on both sides of the ball and it’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

Allar’s former high school coach Larry Laird will be making the trip to Columbus to see the QB play, and said nobody is more prepared for big moments than Allar.

“As great a football player he is, he’s a better person,” Laird said. “I think there’s a lot of people that will be cheering for Ohio State but cheering for Drew to play well.”

Ohio State and Penn State kickoff on Saturday at noon on Fox Sports.

Copyright 2023 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Whizzing down the slide from A Christmas Story at Castle Noel signals it's time to move on—but where to next? Stocking up on gifts at Root Candles? Shopping for pierogies in an old grain depot? Or strolling past an evergreen-decked gazebo? Options (and pristine 19th-century architecture) abound in Medina, Ohio, less than an hour south of Cleveland.

10 a.m. Meander the Markets

Start with a dark chocolate steamer at 1904 Coffee Bar. It's inside The Exchange Market, a rehabbed grain and feed mill anchored by Keller Meats that showcases local growers and makers. Medina Brewing Company is on the garden level.

10 Perfect Midwest Holiday Shopping Getaways

11 a.m. Circle the Town Square

Shrink your gift list at shops like The Gardener's Cottage (nature-centric gifts and garb) and Antiquation (local art and reclaimed items). Grab a treat from Circles on the Square doughnuts or Something's Popping (40-plus popcorn flavors).

1 p.m. Have Pizza with a View

The original Medina County Courthouse and oldest building in town houses the aptly named Courthouse Pizzeria, where New York-style pies come with a town square view.

2 p.m. Experience Castle Noel

Open year-round, Castle Noel has a silly yet sublime hodgepodge of Christmas displays, including movie memorabilia and reassembled department store windows. Like Ralphie's visit with Santa, your tour ends with a ride down the slide. (Note that reservations are required.)

4 p.m. Visit Root Candles' Flagship Store

Root Candles was founded in 1869 by beekeeper Amos Root and still operates from its original factory. Visit the flagship store to purchase bayberry beeswax candles, a scent said to provide prosperity in the new year.

6 p.m. Sample Big City Flavors

Intimate Thyme2 pairs seafood, like pan-roasted rainbow trout or cedar-plank salmon, with an impressive wine list. For casual cravings, hit the downstairs pub for a perfectly messy burger.

8 p.m. Fun and Games

Finish the day at Foundry Social, a grown-up playground with billiards, table tennis, duckpin bowling and vintage arcade games. If that's too sedate, head to High Voltage Indoor Karting in the same building. Loser buys drinks at adjacent MADBrewing Company.

15 Great Midwest Holiday Destinations

Be in the Know About Medina

Impress the locals with your knowledge of Medina.

Medina nearly burned to the ground—twice. In 1848 and again in 1870, disastrous fires destroyed most of the village's downtown buildings. It took almost 10 years to rebuild the town after the second fire.

Medina's Historic Preservation Board and Community Design Committee have painstakingly preserved Victorian storefronts and the town square. The effort "resonates with people who love the authentic small-town feeling," says Matt Wiederhold, former executive director of MainStreet Medina. "It's a sense of history and maybe a calmer time and place."

Medina's history and hospitality will be on full-charm display during the Candlelight Walk, a three-day event held the weekend before Thanksgiving, with Santa on hand and luminarias lining the town square.

A local couple with the last name Klaus—no, we can't make this stuff up—opened Castle Noel as a passion project. It's touted as the world's largest privately owned Christmas collection of its kind, with new features every year. Additions in 2023 included a Disney Room with Snow White Windows from Magic Kingdom Main Street and Elsa and Anna costumes from the Disney series Happily Ever After.