Making strides together

There’s something so amazing and powerful about coming together for a common cause.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a cause that hits home for me and my family. My mom is a two-year survivor.

Just weeks after my mom received her diagnosis in 2009, she and I signed up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Canton.

As novices to the event, we didn’t know what the day would bring and, I must say, we were a little nervous.

I know it sounds strange to say that we were nervous about a walk. But we were at an early point in her journey — and it seemed everything was uncertain then.

Nerves or not, no one could have truly prepared us for what it would be like on that brisk autumn day. No one could have told us what it would be like to become a part of this ocean of pink. Or

that we’d feel an instant connection with everyone there. No one could have shown us how inspiring it would be to see so many survivors and supporters in one place. No one could told us that we wouldn’t need to worry about whether my mom would have the strength to finish the walk while undergoing treatments.

And certainly no one could have told us what our emotions when my mom stepped to the microphone before the walk to tell the world that she was a survivor so soon into her journey.

That’s when it hits home. And each step you take — and each dollar you raise — is personal.

Crossing that finish line is much more than a physical victory. It’s about fighting back. The 2011 Making Strides event is at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at McKinley High School.

We all know that wearing pink and walking together isn’t going to cure anything. But raising awareness and funds for research can certainly get us a big step closer.

And coming together in support boosts all of us.

Exclusive homes

Oh, the stories they could tell.

If only the walls of the homes in the Canton’s historic Ridgewood neighborhood could talk.

The entire neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places — the only Stark County neighborhood with that distinction. Records detailing the early homeowners and their link to industry in Stark County made the distinction possible.

Reporter Lisa Reicosky talked with many current Ridgewood homeowners and historians for our “Exclusive Homes” feature this month (neighborhood feature starts on Page 20, house features on Page 25).

Many Ridgewood residents consider themselves the caretakers of their historic homes, rather than just homeowners. It’s neat to see the homes and homeowners while hearing about some of the details to be found inside.

Ridgewood is a treasure to be found in Canton.