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Lisa Resnick Column

The gems of the Valley glow from the inside out

There’s something truly powerful about a room full of women who don’t just shine — they glow from the inside out. That was the energy at the Gems of the Valley event. Every year, this celebration reminds us of what makes our Valley such a special place: it’s not the buildings or the businesses — it’s the people. The women we honored this year represent the heartbeat of our community. Some of them are the faces we see often — on boards, in leadership roles, on social media or in the news. They’re the ones whose stories inspire us to keep pushing. But then there are ...

It’s time to slow down the freeway of life

This week may get a little deep, but ’tis the season of reflection. A few weeks ago, I decided to take a quick 24-hour trip to Annapolis, Maryland, to visit friends — and boldly insert myself into their annual neighborhood oyster fest. I think I consumed enough oysters to last the next 12 months. Everything about the trip was amazing: reconnecting with friends I’ve known since my Youngstown State University days, meeting new people, and, of course, partaking in the ritual of shucking and devouring oysters fresh from the bay. But it was on the drive home that something deeper ...

Love letter to Salem: Community, flavor and heart

This weekend — and honestly, the entire week — left me buzzing with ideas. Do you ever have those moments where your brain fires off faster than your thumbs can text your own number just to remember things later? (Yes, I do that too — my own personal version of Post-It notes.) And just as quickly as inspiration arrives, poof, it can disappear. In one ear and out the other doesn’t just apply to kids being told to clean their rooms — it applies to adults with big ideas and full plates. But this week, I refused to let the feeling pass without acknowledging it, because something ...

There are some roads that lead us back

The strange thing about life is how it sneaks up on you in the most ordinary places. Sure, we expect big emotions at weddings, graduations or at the end of a long journey. But nobody warns you about the emotional ambush that hits when you turn onto a road you haven’t driven in 10, 15, maybe even 20 years. That happened to me recently. I took a drive that, on paper, was just another errand, another place to be. But the route I chose — the same two-lane road I drove almost daily when I was younger — turned out to be something else entirely. Without invitation, it cracked open a ...

Taking in all the magic this fall has to offer

This fall has been… well, not the fall we’ve all grown accustomed to. The weather’s been a little indecisive, the leaves have taken their time, and honestly, it’s felt a bit offbeat compared to the picturesque season we look forward to every year. But even with its unpredictability, there’s still something magical about this time in the Valley. When I talk to people, I often hear the same sentiment — fall is our greatest season. And I couldn’t agree more. The maturity of our trees turns our parks, neighborhoods and little towns into storybook scenes. It’s ...

Running a bit off the beaten path

Running through Mill Creek Park is both a gift and a challenge. Anyone who’s done it knows exactly what I mean. The hills demand your breath, the trails keep you humble, and yet — somehow — the beauty of it all distracts you from the burn. There’s something about that park that feels like a metaphor for life: hard climbs, breathtaking views and a steady rhythm that reminds you to keep going. But recently, I decided to do something a little different. I ventured off. One morning, instead of looping around Lake Newport like I normally do, I took a turn — one of those small ...