The Grapevine
by Alex Vukoder
Bath residents Jeannine and Steve Marks recently hosted a wine tasting fundraiser at Arnone Pizzeria & Wine Room to celebrate the first anniversary of The Healing Sanctuary for Women.
The nonprofit was founded by fellow Bath resident Marisa Lowry Fatica, along with Eileen Victoriano Brown and Kelly Kase Inglett. All three are breast cancer survivors who experienced firsthand the importance of emotional and physical healing beyond cancer treatment. After attending a restorative retreat themselves, they were inspired to bring a similar experience to women in Northeast Ohio.
The Healing Sanctuary provides free, two-night retreats for women facing cancer, offering an opportunity to step away from everyday responsibilities and focus on their own well-being. Guests enjoy nourishing meals, gentle movement, wellness treatments and, perhaps most importantly, time to connect with other women who understand their journey.
Among those attending the anniversary celebration were Jennifer Towell, Kelly Mendelson, Lori Stewart, Trish Steere, Traci Mockbee and family members of the founders. Jeannine, Barb Greene and all three founders shared remarks about the organization’s mission and its first year.
And what a year it has been. The Healing Sanctuary has welcomed 54 women through 12 retreats, providing 2,592 hours of rest and renewal with support from 55 volunteers and 35 wellness practitioners. Notably, 88% of guests reported decreased stress within 48 hours. To learn more, visit healingsanctuaryforwomen.com.
The Akron Garden Club certainly knows how to put on a show! Its recent “Art Blooms 2026: Color Abounds” flower show brought a spectacular display of floral design, horticulture, photography and botanical arts to the Akron Art Museum, filling the galleries with color and creativity.
The show also received national recognition. Judges from The Garden Club of America gave both the flower show and its venue an outstanding rating. The event attracted judges, exhibitors and visitors from 11 states, including California, Florida, Texas and Vermont, along with guests from across Ohio. The national participation and recognition reflect the Akron Garden Club’s dedication and the quality of the show.
The timing was especially fitting as the museum prepared to reopen its newly renovated historic 1899 building. Floral designers drew inspiration from works in the museum’s collection, creating arrangements that brought art and nature together in unexpected ways.
Akron Garden Club President Laura Billow Preston and flower show co-chairs Barbara Earnhardt and Fern MacMillan led a dedicated committee that included Dedee O’Neil, Ginger Hayne, Susan Lobalzo, Brenda Pier Beck, Elaine Fiocca, Colleen Wernig, Joanne DeLapa, Mary Bauer, Teresa Good, Pam McMillen, Candy Grisi, Wendy Sloan, Nancy O’Connor, Casey Juve, Jenn Moore, Holly Wilt, Nancy Koly, Marguerite Tremelin, Kathy Keller, Beth Brumbaugh, Nan Gelhard, Caroline Parry, Laurie Fenton and Lois Wilson.
Among the many others who contributed their talents were Kay McIntyre, who earned two awards for her floral design; Elise Bennett, who entered as a novice; and volunteers Maureen Katanic and Ann Towell.
Behind every beautiful arrangement were months of planning, creativity and hard work. With so many familiar Bath faces involved, it was great to see the show draw participants and visitors from across the country.
As always, I love hearing about the people, celebrations and good things happening in our community. If you have news to share, please send it to avukoder@gmail.com. Until next time, enjoy the beautiful fall season in Bath!
