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Rating the Suburbs - Elyria

Ellen Basinski, 70
homemaker

by Beth Stallings, Lynne Thompson, Andy Netzel, Jim Vickers, Colleen Smitek, Francis X. Bova III, Matt Beargie, Erick Trickey, Kim Schneider, Jennifer Bowen, Beth Troy, Mike Montgomery, Chuck Bowen, Laura Adiletta, Jason Lloyd, Jennifer Gonzalez, Ilana Yerg | Jun. 4, 2009 | 4:00 AM

[Editor’s note: Basinski gained notoriety this winter when she used an Emeril Lagasse frying pan to fend off a group of trespassers who broke into her home.]

I wasn’t scared. I was angry. I said to myself, “Well, don’t just stand there like a dummy.” My husband works too hard for our money. I realize now that it was a dumb thing to do, very foolish.

The only time I really lost it was when I realized my 13-year-old granddaughter had been sitting at that table 24 hours before, eating strawberries and doing her homework.

The police were fantastic. They caught all four of them within eight to 10 minutes.

I was born in Elyria — know everybody. Growing up, we never locked the door.

We have Lorain County Community College. Last year, we went to see The Nutcracker there — marvelous facility.

Elyria is a comfortable city. I am sad to see the changes, like GM leaving. It’s not the grand old city that it used to be. But there have been a lot of things that have been added, too, especially in parks and recreation.

I have 13 grandchildren. We like to go to the library and to the park.

I meet my friend, and we walk every morning for 45 minutes. We move it along. We have one rule —no gossiping.

Go to our parks. In the spring, the redbud trees are so lovely.

It has been very good for us here. This is home.
 

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