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Handmade soaps, local artwork available. Peninsula kicks off festivities
Published on Saturday, Nov 29, 2008
Editor's note: Here are quick bites about the local retail scene for the 2008 holiday season. This column, compiled by Beacon Journal business writer Paula Schleis, will appear on Saturdays through December.
Cottage Farm Soap
A Hinckley woman who won recognition in Country Living magazine last year for her handmade soaps has opened her own store.
Shari May's Cottage Farm Soap is featured in her 2-month-old Hinkley General Store and Beverage at 1390 Ridge Road in Hinckley.
May said she was destined to get the 1838 building. Among its first documented business occupants was a 19th century ashery — and among the uses for wood ashes then was soap making.
May said the building was also a stagecoach stop, and President William McKinley is said to have stayed their twice.
In addition to her botanical and biodegradable soap — sold individually or in gift baskets — the store sells handmade works by local artisans, antiques, and nostalgic items, like Euclid Beach T-shirts and Humphrey popcorn.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Phone: 330-278-2216.
The store is also offering craft classes, including watercolor, ceramics and, of course, soap making.
Peninsula festivities
Christmas in Peninsula kicked off this weekend, with
shopping and family events planned through Dec. 23.
A sampling of the exhaustive list of activities:
• Christmas carolers, storytime readings, holiday movies and craft making throughout the month.
• Bring a chair and a drum for the Holiday Drumming Circle around a campfire on Dec. 6 at the Log Cabin Gallery.
• Free shuttle bus on weekends with six stops throughout the village. Free holiday gift wrapping by Mrs. Claus and her elves.
• Winter hikes, concerts and train rides in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
• And of course, repeat visits by Santa and his elves.
For details on all events, visit http://www.explorepeninsula.com.
Beauty products
Eurocosmetica NA has put together special gift packs of its natural and organic Semeli beauty products for the holiday season.
The Tallmadge company is the exclusive distributor of the brand, which uses ingredients such as royal jelly, jasmine, honey, white clay and olive oil.
Gift packs featuring facial creams and hair-care products start at $59.99 and can be purchased online at http://www.semeli.net and at upscale boutiques and spas.
For more information, call 1-888-473-6354.
Semeli products were formulated by Eurocosmetica, a family-owned business in Greece.
Family members in Tallmadge run the U.S. operations.
Old-fashioned toys
If you don't feel like wrestling other shoppers to get at the heavily hyped electronic gizmos of the season, how about some old-fashioned toys that rely on imagination?
The inventory at My Little Red Wagon is also selected for its educational and developmental value.
''Many parents, grandparents and other toy shoppers are surprised to learn that there is a whole world of engaging, unique, well-made toys they never see in the big, one-size-fits-all stores,'' said owner Michelle Sahr, who participated in making selections for the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association's 2008 Best Toys for Kids list.
My Little Red Wagon is at 220 N. Main St. in Hudson and 3035 Graham Rd. in Stow. Or review their products online at http://www.mylittleredwagon.com.
Clothing ideas
Noto, a clothing company in Akron, is hosting a Holiday Wine and Shop event from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6. Treats, wine and fashion will be served up at the open house, at 111 N. Main St. (above Northside, next to Luigi's).
Clothes will be available for purchase the night of the party, but guests and customers are encouraged to shop online at http://www.zelionoto.com.
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New Dunn mural
Shoppers visiting P. Graham Dunn in Dalton this year will discover a mural covering the front wall of the 125,000-square-foot factory and show room.
Doylestown artist Adena Pavkov painted the country scene.
P. Graham Dunn manufactures and sells religious-themed gifts, art and home decor. The center is at 630 Henry St., just off U.S. Route 30.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.
Editor's note: Here are quick bites about the local retail scene for the 2008 holiday season. This column, compiled by Beacon Journal business writer Paula Schleis, will appear on Saturdays through December.
Get the full article here.

