Merrythought sits on nearly three park-like acres adorned with a magnificent white oak and fringed with hardwoods. You will enjoy watching the black squirrels cavort across the lawn, and you may spy a deer or a redheaded woodpecker. There is plenty of room to play croquet, capture the flag, or skittles.

Indoors, we have a spacious living room with a place for chess or checkers, and library corner loaded with classic reads, and a selection of games and puzzles. Our dining room table seats six, and our well furnished kitchen includes an electric kettle, pour over coffee maker and a variety of hot beverage options. Enjoy dining on our vintage transferware, then pop them in the dishwasher.

As a book lover, you will probably recognize some of the authors' portraits along the walls! Upstairs we have three bedrooms, two with queens and one with a full bed. The full bath is on the second floor.

Because we want to encourage reading, tranquility and family conversation, our cottage is "unplugged." Internet is not provided, but we do offer a flatscreen TV, a DVD player and a selection of classic and family-friendly movies.

Newton Falls is a small, friendly town on the banks of the Mahoning River. Make sure you visit the riverside park and drive over the historic covered bridge.