Hudson Realtor
wins sales award
Realtor Lena Samuelson of Royster Realty in Hudson was recently awarded the "President's Sales Club Award of Achievement" for her sales efforts between July 2007 and June 2008.
Samuelson, a licensed real estate sales associate since 2005, was recognized for her accomplishments by the Ohio Association of Realtors at its awards dinner in Columbus during the Association's annual convention.
The OAR, with more than 32,500 members, is the largest professional trade association in Ohio. Samuelson was one of 2,630 members receiving the award, placing her in the top eight percent of Realtors in the state.
"I'm extremely proud of Lena's attaining this lofty level," states Gail Royster, owner of Royster Realty, "especially in this highly challenging real estate environment."
A former Mary Kay sales director, Samuelson attributes part of her success to the commission-based discipline she learned in that field.
A native of Sweden, a U.S. citizen, and a Hudson resident, Samuelson has focused her business in Hudson and its surrounding areas.
Polovick named VP
Michael J. Polovick of Hudson has joined The Smithers Group based in Akron as vice president of human resources, a newly created position, responsible for overseeing human resources activities at all of the group's member companies worldwide.
Mr. Polovick brings more than 30 years of experience to Smithers.
"Michael is a perfect fit for our multi-disciplined organization," said Michael Hochschwender, president and CEO of The Smithers Group. "The diversity of experience has allowed him to develop an in-depth understanding of critical business elements and the importance of proactively addressing human capital issues."
Polovick has had management positions in human resources and labor relations with Bridgestone Firestone in Des Moines, Iowa, Memphis, Tenn., and Akron; Pirelli Armstrong in New Haven, Conn.; Continental Tire North America in Charlotte, N.C.; and most recently Airgas Great Lakes, formerly Linde Gas, in Cleveland.
He earned his bachelor's degree in labor economics from the University of Akron, and has served his community on the boards of directors for the Urban League, Junior Achievement and Advocates for Education. He has also been a team leader for Habitat for Humanity Project Homes.
Mr. Polovick and his wife, Cindi, reside in Hudson with their two daughters.
Hudsonite named
board president
The RPM International Inc. board of directors has elected Ronald A. Rice of Hudson as president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Frank C. Sullivan, who was appointed chairman and chief executive officer and is replacing chairman Thomas C. Sullivan, who retired after 37 years in that post. Sullivan will remain on the company's board of directors as chairman emeritus.
Rice has been RPM's executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2006 and also serves as the company's assistant secretary. He joined RPM as director of benefits in 1995 following 10 years in various consulting positions with The Wyatt Co. He was elected vice president in 1999 and senior vice president in 2002. A member of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Children's Hospital Leadership Board and the Partnership Committee of the Cuyahoga County Invest in Children initiative, he is a 1985 graduate of Miami University.
Financial advisers
join Wachovia
The investment team consisting of David Ashe and Ted Olson has joined Wachovia Securities in Hudson. The team was formerly with UBS Financial Services.
Together, they have formed the Ashe and Olson Financial Consulting Group of Wachovia Securities. With more than 35 years of investment experience, the group manages about $100 million of client assets.
Ashe has joined Wachovia Securities' Hudson office as first vice president of investments. A resident of Hudson, Ashe specializes in growth portfolio management. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Ohio State University.
A resident of Hudson, Olson has joined the firm as vice president of investments, where he specializes in retirement income planning. Olson earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College.
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Wellborn Jack III has joined Wachovia Securities in Pepper Pike as first vice president of investments. A resident of Hudson, Jack was previously a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. Jack joins the firm with Alyson Kaser, registered client associate.
With more than 20 years of combined experience in the financial services industry, Jack and Kaser specialize in high net-worth wealth planning. Jack is a chartered retirement planning counselor and earned his bachelor's degree in business and journalism from Louisiana State University.
Summa offers seminars
The Summa Wellness Institute will host several seminars in the coming weeks.
For more information on any of the classes or to register, call 330-342-4400 ext. 213, or e-mail bivan@summawellness.com.
Classes include:
* "Healthy Aging" with Professor Susan Roxbury from Kent State University Nov. 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.;
* "Thanksgiving Recipes the Healthy Way" with Dietitian Lee Ann DiBiasi Nov. 20, 6:30 to 8 p.m.;
* "Financial Seminar" with Tom Cepek with Real Estate Mortgage Corp. and Ted Olson with The Ashe and Olson Financial Consulting Group Nov. 20, 7 p.m.; for more information, call 330-342-4400 ext. 204 or e-mail mlambdin@summawellness.com;
* "Light and Tasty Desserts" with DiBiasi Dec. 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m.;
* "Self Defense for Women" with Brynda Ivan, second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, brown belt in Kajukenpo karate, Dec. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and
* "A Lightweight Approach to the Holidays" Dec. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Items collected for USO
The Talent Tree, 5282 Hudson Drive, is collecting items for the USO.
Items needed include snacks, flavored packs for water, canned fruit, granola bars, socks, personal items and suntan lotion.
Drop off items at The Talent Tree daily from 4 to 9 p.m. or call 330-650-9829 to schedule a morning drop-off.
Sign up now for
2009 Community Expo
The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a "2009 Explore Hudson" Community Exposition March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Woods Elementary School, 120 N. Hayden Parkway.
According to a Chamber spokesperson, this event provides a showcase for businesses, industries and organizations to area residents and each other.
Interactive booths and live demonstrations are encouraged.
To participate in the community exposition, call the Chamber at 330-650-0621 for registration information, or visit www.explorehudson.com
to download forms.
Participants may decorate booths and tables.
No sales are permitted, but orders may be taken.
Exhibit spaces are 10 feet by 6 feet and include a skirted table and two chairs.
Spaces will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Booth set up is slated for March 13 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Free yoga offered
First & Main and the Yoga Lounge will offer area shoppers free yoga at the Yoga Lounge beginning Nov. 15.
Shoppers can get a certificate for a free week of classes at the Yoga Lounge from participating merchants.
Amy Cook, owner of the Yoga Lounge, said the promotion is designed to help shoppers de-stress during the holidays.
Businesses can participate by calling the Yoga Lounge at 330-653-3377.
Participating merchants outside the Hudson area include West Point Market, Mustard Seed Café, and several Starbuck's locations in Summit County.
Laurel Lake plans holiday open house
Laurel Lake Retirement Community will host a holiday open house Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. for Northeast Ohio seniors and their families. Guests will socialize with residents, enjoy holiday treats and learn more about Laurel Lake.
Guided tours of Laurel Lake's apartment and villa home styles will follow. Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling 1-866-650-2100.
Eat breakfast with
Santa Dec. 13
The Hudson office of Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer is sponsoring a holiday season Breakfast with Santa fundraiser to help subsidize children's hospitals.
The breakfast takes place Dec. 13 at Hudson's Restaurant on Main Street.
Seatings for the breakfast are at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Reservations are required.
Call the Breakfast with Santa hotline at 330-463-7825. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children age 8 and under.
Funds raised with go toward the Children's Health Care Fund. Northeast Ohio hospitals that are recipients include Akron Children's Hospital, Akron Children's-Mahoning Valley, Children's Hospital at Cleveland Clinic, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and Metro Health.
Last year, Howard Hanna raised almost $600,000 during the campaign.
Since the drive began in 1989, the company has raised nearly $5 million for children's hospitals.
Hershey's collects
'Toys for Tots'
Hershey's Ice Cream and Chocolates of Hudson, 50 W. Streetsboro St. will be a dropoff center for the United States Marines' Toys for Tots program.
Those who bring toys to Hershey's will get a free scoop of Hershey Premium Ice Cream.
Marine representatives will be at Hershey's Nov. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. to accept donations.
For more information, call Hershey's at 330-342-1232.
Stores collecting
for food bank
Two of Hudson's local merchants are working together to support area food banks over the holidays.
Great Clips of Hudson, owned by Hudson residents Jeff and Janie Lehman, and Jake's Good Life, co-owned by area residents Randy Baun and Patrick Randall, are teaming up to collect donations for the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank.
Now through Nov. 22, Great Clips of Hudson is offering $2 off any haircut, and $5 off any style or perm, when patrons bring a non-perishable food item donation to their Hudson location in the Acme Plaza.
Jake's Good Life, in First & Main, is offering holiday shoppers $2 off any purchase of $10 or more when they make a non-perishable food item donation.
Baun said the businesses hope to raise more than 1,000 pounds of food.
Train the trainer
at LifeCenter
LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Center, 5133 Darrow Road, will conduct a "Train the Trainer" fundraiser to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
During training times Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 22 at noon, LifeCenter Plus members will administer the toughest workouts they can design for the personal trainer or fitness associate they have "purchased" for the highest bid.
Bids will be accepted at the LifeCenter Plus front desk for the trainer of the bidder's personal choice through Nov. 16 and posted daily in the fitness center. At close of bidding, the winning bidder for each professional will be contacted so that they can design a 30-minute session to administer for that trainer during the Friday and Saturday "Train the Trainer" times.
Routines can include exercise machines, free weights, Flex Band routines or any combination of fitness equipment and programs. Spectators are encouraged, so that even those who don't win their bids can watch or cheer on the professionals and their amateur trainers.
The goal for the event is to raise $1,000 or more for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Drop off Coats for
Kids on Main Street
Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer, 122 N. Main St., will serve as main drop site sponsor for new or gently used coats for needy children for the annual WTAM Coats for Kids campaign.
Howard Hanna is joining with WKYC-TV 3, Cintas and The Salvation Army.
Coats can be dropped off during regular business hours. Coats collected at the branch offices will be taken to Cintas for dry cleaning and then will be distributed by The Salvation Army.
For more information, visit www.howardhanna.com.