Explore Nordonia Hills 2017 by Gannett NEO

Explore

S L L I H A I N O D R 2017 O N

The Knights’ shining stars School district music program building talent, winning awards.

Also Inside:

• Senior Centers make their mark. • Area fire service consolidation complete. • Macedonia Mayor Migliorini, “Back to the Future.” • Ferfolia, Jackson Heating mark decades of service.

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Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

CONTENTS The Band’s All Here

Band is big in Nordonia Hills City Schools.

Cover Story Page

1050 W. Main St. • Kent, OH 44240 • P.O. Box 5199 330-541-9400 • www.the-news-leader.com

Moving Towards a Regional Approach

Fire Department sharing responsibility.

11 12

Second Time Around

Four Generations of Jacksons

Macedonia Mayor back in charge.

How well do you know Nordonia Hills? Test your local knowledge.

Tracing roots back through the years.

Ninety Years In Business and Counting

Getting Old Doesn’t Mean Slowing Down

22 23

Nordonia Hills Church Directory

Ferfolia family nearly a century undertaking.

Programs for seniors.

Nordonia Hills Community Directory

ON THE COVER... Nordonia Middle School students Jake Peters, Emily Drinko and Kayla Hinterlong. Above left, Grayson Fletcher. Photos by: Robert J. Lucas Layout Design by: Seth Russell

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

The band’s all here

Instrumental program begins in sixth grade, lasts a lifetime By Eric Marotta | Editor

and is big in Nordonia Hills City Schools, and getting bigger. When students from around the district join together in sixth grade at Lee Eaton Elementary School, close to half of the students take the music education they received in earlier grades and pick up a musical instrument. For most, it’s the first time they have to focus on learning a craft that meshes physical skill with memorization and the intangible thoughts and feelings that come to mind when one is involved in creating music. Lee Eaton Band Director Megan Archer, in her first year teaching music at Nordonia, is the newest member of the instrumental music department. “It lets them do something without having their face in front of a Chromebook,” she said. “It lets them do something that’s not technology based, that’s internal.” Students begin by picking their first instrument, which they rent from a private vendor: Flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet or trombone. This year, 135 students were involved at the start of the program, with that number dropping to 118 due to sports, other

Photos by Robert J. Lucas and Eric Marotta

The Nordonia Hills Middle School Eighth Grade Band performs.

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

activities, or for a few, disinterest. For the first couple of months of school, students practice individually, working on their instrumental skills. Then they begin to work together as a group. Since there are so many students involved, they have to be split into three “mini bands,” as there isn’t one room big enough to hold them all – the school gym being reserved for other activities. Mary Schrembeck, Nordonia Middle School Band director, has been with the district since 1999. She said that at Nordonia Middle School the program has grown to about 150 students in seventh and eighthgrade, and the school supplies some instruments for free. “Once they get here, they get the fun things, the tuba, the French horn, and other things,” Schrembeck said. “We provide the larger ones, the more obscure ones, like the double reeds.” Even thought there are competing electives, such as robotics class, a lot of students remain. By the time students reach Nordonia High School, band is a yearlong program with nearly 170 students that begins in June, said Tom Weaver, Nordonia High School band director. Participation in marching band is mandatory to continue in the band program. “Our first rehearsals start the third week of June. We go a couple days a week in late June and part of July and then late July we go five days a week so we’re ready for Band Camp and then the beginning of football and competition season which is usually the end of August and the beginning of September,” Weaver said. Weaver, in his fourth year at Nordonia, brought the band to national competition. In 2015, for the first time, the Lancer band ended its season at the Bands of America tournament in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where they competed against 90 other bands from around the country. “We compete at a higher level to see bands who compete at that level, to see what it is that we’re trying to teach the kids to do and to compete successfully at that level, which is what I believe we’ve been able to do,” Weaver said. At the beginning of this school year, that dedication paid off at a competition last October in New Philadelphia. Against 18 other bands, the Lancer Marching Band earned the following marks: Class AA Best Percussion, Class AA Best Auxiliary; Class AA First Place overall; Overall Best Percussion; Overall Best Auxiliary; Overall Best Music; Overall Best Marching and Maneuvering; Overall Best General Effect; and Overall Grand Champion. Weaver said the key to success is practicing to get ready for another performance.

Students begin learning their instruments at Lee Eaton Elementary School. Above, Megan Archer leads practice.

“We practice the same way regardless of what the performance is, so it’s just getting ready for another performance,” he said. “What it brings to the students is a sense of accomplishment and a goal to reach for, so they work harder in the performance to reach that goal.” Nordonia High School Principal Casey Wright said the band stands out as a representative of the school district in competitions, as students who participate in band tend to stand out -- even as alumni. “It’s a great program,” Wright said. “Nordonia High School band is a huge part of our building. I often say

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

Annalise Dolly and Maddie Orzech perform at Nordonia Middle School.

that the band is the face of Nordonia High School. I couldn’t be prouder of all the top awards that they’ve earned. “When we look back at our high school experience, there’s certain memories that almost all alumni have. Some of them are participation in athletics, or just attending football games and dances, but when you talk to members of the band, the smile on their faces tells a huge story,” he said. “The camaraderie that they have with fellow band members, they experiences they have with them are lifetime memories. I would encourage all students that are coming into our high school, and those even as early as sixth grade, to become involved with the band.” One notable alumni is John Pasternak, a composer whose day job is as a band director in the Warrensville Heights City Schools. Pasternak returned to Nordonia Middle School March 8 to conduct the eighth-grade band in a performance of his first published work, titled “Dark Matter.” On the night of the performance, Pasternak recalled Schrembeck’s influence on his career. “At the end of my seventh-grade year, I talked to my Mom and said I thought I would be a cool kid and not do band any more, and then thankfully they hired Mrs. Schrembeck and I decided band was cool,” he told the audience. Schrembeck calls such students who stick with the program “Die-Hard Bandies.” “They love it – they can’t get enough of it. It’s like a little extended family.”

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The Nordonia High School Lancer Marching Band takes the field at halftime during a football game versus Hudson at Boliantz Stadium. Photo by Nautica Coleman.

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TRINITY Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

Moving toward a regional approach By Briana Barker | Reporter Photos by Robert J. Lucas

City fire department assumes responsibility for two townships The former Northfield Center Fire Department on Route 82, also the former home of the Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills Fire District, is now a substation of the Macedonia Fire Department.

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

In an unprecedented move last year, Macedonia took over fire protection service for Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills, taking a small step toward regionalization. The former Northfield Center – Sagamore Hills Fire District, also known as Fire District 27, had served both Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills residents from its Aurora Road station since 2010, but the two townships partnered for nearly 40 years prior via contract for service by the Northfield Center Fire Department. In March 2016 Sagamore Hills Trustees voted unanimously to pull out of the district leaving Northfield Center Trustees searching for options. Sagamore Hills Trustees opted to enter a fire service agreement with the city of Macedonia in which the city’s fire department would staff a newly converted park building with firefighters 24/7. Sagamore Hills Trustee Dave DePasquale said the idea to work with Macedonia came during a Feb. 23, 2016 meeting he had with Macedonia Mayor Joe Migliorini, Northfield Center Trustee Rich Reville and Northfield Village Mayor Jesse Nehez to discuss keeping government operating costs down through regionalization. Macedonia Fire Chief Tim Black said the driving force behind the consolidation was government cutbacks. “The governor has cut back monies going to cities, townships and villages — they are receiving less state monies, which has put them in a vice,” Black said. “They are being clamped down and have to come up with out-of-the-box, creative ways to continue to provide services to their public with way less money.” Teaming with neighboring towns was one way of achieving that goal. Northfield Center examined several options including

placing a 6-mill levy on the November, 2016 ballot to resurrect the Northfield Center Fire Department, but in the end the levy efforts were defeated and township trustees contracted with Macedonia to staff the Northfield Center station as well. The substations are staffed 24-7 by two firefighters from the Macedonia Fire Department under a five-year contract between the city and Sagamore Hills that will cost the township $750,000 in 2017. Firefighters began responding to emergency calls from the facility Sept. 15, 2016. Positive outcomes A new substation to serve Sagamore Hills residents resulted from the merger. Trustees converted a 3,200-squarefoot building which formerly housed park equipment such as mowers. The renovated building includes a command office, a kitchen area, two bathrooms, a shower room, and sleeping quarters for up to four firefighters. Renovations also included extra insulation and other features making the building able to serve as a shelter for up to 200 people in times of emergency. Trustees say it could also be used as a community center, should its use as a fire department substation be no longer Northfield HealthMarkets needed at some future date. The conversion cost the townNorthfield HealthMarkets 10512 Northfield Rd.•• Suite Suite 44• Northfield, OH 44067 ship approximately $156,000, according to Sagamore Hills10512 Northfield Rd. • Northfield, OH 44067 10512 Northfield Rd. • Suite 4 • Northfield, OH 44067 Trustee Paul Schweikert. He added dozens of hours of work Licensed agents representing most major insurance companies. were donated by DePasquale and his company Dipole BuildLicensed agents representing major insurance companies. Licensed agents representing most most major insurance companies. ers Inc. Additionally, Macedonia firefighters, township service workers and officials, among others, volunteered countless hours on the project. “I think it’s a well-oiled machine and it happened quick,” DePasquale said. agents representing most major insurance co He said just after Macedonia began Licensed staffing the Sagamore substation there was a fatal accident on I-271 and units from all stations responded. DePasquale said he was listening to the radio traffic during the situation and was amazed at how professionally the firefighters handled the situation. “To me that was a sign that we did the right thing by this whole merger,” DePasquale said. “Not taking anyway anything from the rank and file guys who worked District 27, but the I feel the leadership is so much better.” Also as a result of the merger, some programs are getting a fresh start, according to Black. The FAIR program — for Fire Awareness Instruction and Respect — will be resurrected for the schools in the townships with students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Black said Northfield Center pledged 10 percent of the EMS billing collections to fund the program Since 1898, Whitehouse Brothers has continued and Sagamore Hills is doing the same. Northfield Center Trustee Rich Reville said he is happy a time-honored tradition of crafting quality overall with merger, six months into the arrangement. products in the United States. The result of our “The response time is a minute less than it used to be,” Reunique die striking process is a more beautiful, ville said. “They did a great job during (a recent) power outdurable product designed to become a future age. Macedonia checked on all the houses. Tim and his crew family heirloom. did a great job on that.”

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Reville said Macedonia “stepped up to the plate and did a nice job” during the takeover which was short notice on Northfield Center’s part, having only inked the deal with less than two weeks before the city had to staff the township. The bad with the good Mergers are not without a few speed bumps along the way and this one was no exception. Four days after taking over the Northfield Center substa-

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Macedonia Fire Chief Tim Black oversees fire and emergency medical services in Macedonia, Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills.

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tion, Black had to close the station due to vandalism. Officials said there had been some derogatory notes left in the station, along with suspected urine-soaked turnout gear, mattresses and on the station floor. It was later determined the substance was not human urine, but six months after the investigation began there is still no word on what was used or who was responsible. Since that time, Northfield Center officials have replaced the locks and added security cameras to the station. Summit County Sheriffs also moved into the building from their former offices in the basement of Town Hall. That move was arranged prior to the vandalism incident but Reville said it does help secure the building. DePasquale called the notes and messages “junior high pranks” and even kind of funny, if it weren’t for the vandalism. Another hurdle faced by the townships was getting equipment up to speed and repaired. Reville said the township had to replace an engine in an ambulance, in addition to other minor maintenance work. Black said ramping up staffing was a bit of a challenge as well. “They don’t hit the ground running when they come on,” he said, referring to newly hired personnel. “Of course they are trained as firefighters and paramedics and have their foundation but we have to bring them in to how we do things here.” He added there is a lot of training involved and six months in the department is still busy, with training and bringing in more staff which has doubled since contracting with the townships. What’s next? Black said he would like to see the communities start group purchasing equipment within the next couple of years, but added he is still researching the details of how that would work. He said he sees the consolidation as a baby step toward regionalization. “I did not want to get into a position where they couldn’t back out. Me, as a resident, I wouldn’t want to be in that position,” Black said. “So rather than us takeover their stations and all of their equipment, I said ‘You keep your equipment and your stations and maintain those and let’s let this go for a period of time.’” He explained this would give the townships something to build from rather than having to start from the ground up if after some time passes, a township wants to opt out. There is a six month opt-out clause in the contract between the city and each township. Firefighters rotate through the municipalities so everyone is trained on responding to calls within each area. In the meantime, Black said the number of emergency calls the Macedonia Fire Department is handling has doubled, as expected, by taking on the two townships. Black released a report to the trustees six months into the merger that showed the total number of calls for the three has been 1,806. “I think we are doing a good job with it, and showing a lot of benefits,” Black said. Reville said he encourages residents to share their feedback with township officials — both good and bad.

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Second Time Around Macedonia Mayor Joe Migliorini back in charge By Briana Barker | Reporter It’s not very often a mayor leaves his post after serving several terms and returns more than a decade later, but Macedonia Mayor Joe Migliorini did just that. Migliorini moved into Macedonia from Warrensville Heights in 1976 across the street from a childhood friend, who was elected to city council shortly thereafter. The neighbor then asked Migliorini to serve on a committee who set out to change zoning rules within the city. He accepted the appointment and served for around a year and a half, before running for city council himself. Meanwhile he worked as an official court reporter in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. “Believe it or not, the first time I ran, in 1978, I lost by like five votes to a retired police officer in the community,” Migliorini said. “So I waited until the next election and I ran again in 1980, and took the seat in 1981.” He served as a council member until being elected mayor in 1988. “I never in my life thought I would run for office,” Migliorini said. “I had no ambition to do that.” He also said he thought Macedonia would be but a stepping stone for him and his family, He expected to only live in the area for two years but fell in love with the community and calls Macedonia his home. His ambition changed too however, and while running for mayor, Migliorini said he did a door-to-door campaign unseating then-Mayor Stuart Feils. During his four consecutive terms as mayor, Migliorini said he reshaped the zoning, oversaw the beginning of Macedonia Commons, around which most of the city’s retail exists, built a new city hall, and recreation center among other accomplishments. The mayor is no stranger to having a tight budget and financial woes, as city funds were grim upon his first election in 1988. He said his biggest challenge both the first time around as mayor and now has been building a tax base for the community. “When I took office in 1988, I took a look at the city’s finances and saw I had $50,000 for capital expenses, that’s it,” Migliorini said. “Immediately I got the city to become a part of the Western Reserve Enterprise Zone ... otherwise the companies would have located in other communities.” He said the events of Sept. 11, 2001, really forced the economy into a downturn. Also, when he took office in the 1980s, he said zoning was a mess and not being enforced with industrial properties abutting residential property. He said he also encouraged homeowners to maintain their properties by instituting a point of sale ordinance forcing property owners to “clean themselves up.” Migliorini said he also was instrumental in bringing Macedonia Commons to fruition by accompanying DDR Corp.’s Bart Wolstein to Arkansas to convince Wal-Mart to come to the city. “We anchored the project with Wal-Mart and everything else fell into place,”Migliorini said. “We were bringing in company after company which created a good synergy to building a commercial base in our community.” He said the city was able to bring in Dirt Devil, WW Granger, and had Little Tykes in the city as well. “We had some great companies and the money was rolling in,” he said. “I brought in, with no exaggeration, Highland Pointe Parkway, Macedonia Corporate Park, the development on Bavaria.”

Macedonia Mayor Joe Migliorini has returned to the mayor’s office after years pursuing other endeavors. Photo by Lisa Scalfaro

Migliorini said with the thriving businesses in the area the city did not have to raise real estate taxes due to the great industrial and commercial tax base, along with new housing developments. “I always pushed for higher standards, better housing, better architectural standards, setting minimum standards with developers so that we could make sure each subdivision went in better than the next,” he said. “That’s what I drove hard to do and we accomplished that.” As mayor, Migliorini oversaw subdivisions like Thousand Oaks, Lake Forest, Rolling Hills, Ledge Acres, Parkview, which has the highest standards in the city, built in the city. Another accomplishment of the mayor during his first 12 years of service was bringing paramedics onto staff at the fire department and taking the fire department from part-time, volunteer to a full-time department in 1997. Migliorini stepped down in 2001 to become Summit County Development Director, a position he retired from in 2007. While Migliorini said he would like to see the rec center become what the original plans called for by adding amenities, he said currently his priority is repairing roads and finding operating funds. Migliorini said he didn’t decide until the last minute to run for mayor in 2015, but did so because so many community members pleaded with him to return to the position. “I really personally wanted Jan Tulley to run,” Migliorini said. “Her heart has always been in the right place in the community and I thought she would have been a good mayor.” He said Tulley told him she could not run at the time due to her commitment to her full-time job, so he then decided to run. “I have lot of pride in this city because it took a lifetime to get this city turned around,” he said. “I own three retail buildings plus an office building, and what did I do when I retired? I created even more value to the city. I built Summit Point, the Villas at Taramina, added another phase to Parkview. There’s a skilled nursing center going in across the street, an $18 million project. I am always trying to attract to this city, good development and I demonstrated that even after I left.” He said he has completed his dream of having senior housing in the area. He explained aging residents used to come to him as mayor and complain they had to move out of the city because there was nowhere for them to go when their houses became too much for them to maintain. Though he is only a year and a half into his term, and won’t promise serving more than one term, he is turning his pride in the city to returning it to its pre9/11 status. “I have a lot of appreciation to the people of Macedonia for putting trust into me and trusting the direction I took the city then and then coming back some 14 years later to do it again,” Migliorini said.

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

How well do you know Nordonia Hills? Readers are invited to test their knowledge of the Nordonia Hills area by taking our online quiz. Go to www.the-news-leader.com and try your luck. You can find the quiz by going to the vertical left hand menu under “submissions” and clicking on “Explore Nordonia Challenge.” The deadline to submit answers is May 31. The winner will be announced June 30. The overall winner will receive a prize. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected from among the top scoring participants by a drawing. 1. What year is marked on the space in front of the area’s prominent red water pump? 2. Where is the Benjamin Franklin Bliss Memorial? 3. How many “Macedonia Veterans of the Great War” are there, as marked on the city’s memorial? 4. The number of Nordonia Hills Veterans from the Revolutionary War until the present is approximately: a) 500; b) 1,000; c)1,900 5. What type of military vehicle is parked on the side of Olde Eight Road in Northfield Center? 6. Where in Nordonia Hills is there an unused airstrip? 7. How did the fishing pond in Longwood Park come to be? 8. What area resident was known as “Labor’s No. 1 Enemy” and helped establish Cleveland Hopkins International Airport?

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9. What area resident founded the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and was known for leading his wealthy friends on hunting parties on horseback with hounds? 10. What type of races took place at “Sportsman Park” for 20 years after it was built on the site of today’s Northfield Park in 1934. 11. Which area mayor was said to be the oldest mayor in the United States? How old was he when he retired? 12. Where were the locations of the two Northfield Center airports? 13. What road in Eaton Estates is named after a cow? 14. Where was Little York? 15. What Macedonia business now occupies the location of the first frame house in the city? 16. To which town did Nordonia Hills residents flee for safety during the War of 1812?

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Four Generations Of Jacksons In Business By Briana Barker | Reporter Photos by Robert J. Lucas

Jackson Comfort traces roots back to 1950s

In front, Donna and Paul Jackson. In back, from left, Doug, Mark, Pat and Gary Jackson.

n the 1950s Paul Jackson began a service business out of his home with a used truck. His wife, Donna, handled the office work out of their kitchen. That evolved into what is now a fourth generation Northfield Center business – Jackson Comfort Heating and Cooling. Prior to opening his own business, Paul and his brother Walter had helped their father, also named Walter, with his Cleveland-based business, eventually taking over until the neighborhood changed for the worst and the brothers “literally gave away” the two-story building they had worked out of. Paul said he and his brother went their separate ways, despite working well together. After working for an electronic company as a plant manager for a while, he decided to go back into business for himself. “I still wanted to get started up in my own business, so I resigned and worked out of my home,” Paul said, adding he would do any type of service — whether it was roofing, plumbing or heating repair. Around 1977 Paul’s oldest son Mark began working with

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his father and two years later Paul’s younger son, Gary, joined them. Mark went into the service side of the business learning commercial heating and cooling, while Gary took on the office administration side of the business after attending college. “I am proud of the boys of course,” Paul said. “It’s kind of nice they split off and there are no problems. Both are good at what they do.” Gary said he is proud of how far the business has come. “Most businesses don’t last that many generations,” he said. “You may get a second generation but a lot of times the third generation doesn’t want to take over.” Not only is Jackson Comfort a fourth generation business, it is truly a family business. Paul, now in his 90s, has stepped away from the business with his wife, Donna. Sons Gary and Mark are now the co-owners of the business and run it along with their wives. Pat, Mark’s wife, works in sales and marketing, while Gary’s wife, Fonda, works with accounts receivables, human resources and payroll. Gary and Fonda’s kids have worked summers at the family business while Mark and Pat’s son Doug is the fourth generation full-timer. Doug works as a service technician and helps with the marketing during his down time. The Twinsburg Road business has been in Northfield Center for more than 20 years after moving from its previous Highland Road, Twinsburg, location when the electric company exercised eminent domain due to high tension wires. In 1990, Jackson took over an Akron-based company called Twentieth Century, which dated its origins back to 1894, and according to Gary had the first gas-powered service truck in Akron. The former owner was a good friend of the Jackson family and continued on with company for some time, Gary said. Jackson Comfort today has 32 employees and has dropped the roofing portion of the business and focuses on heading, cooling, water heaters and indoor air quality. The company serves residential and commercial properties. Jackson has been servicing the Nordonia Hills City

The company’s distinctive vehicles transport workers to serve customers in several counties.

School District since the late 1970s and has many high-profile customers in the area such as Blossom Music Center, the Hilton Garden Inn and Step 2. Jackson Comfort serves all of Summit County and portions of all surrounding counties. The company utilizes mostly American-made brands. Pat said the company also uses “cutting-edge” diagnostics and makes sure clients get to speak to live representatives. “I think the best thing about Jackson Comfort is our team,” Pat said. “The people we have working here are awesome, many have been here for two to three decades even ... we have a low turnover.” Doug said the company has been awarded Angie’s List Super Service accolade many years in a row and are a Dominion preferred contractor. Gary added the heating and cooling company won the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Contractor of the Year for the state of Ohio award in 2011. Pat said the company also believes in giving back to the community. Jackson Comfort has partnered with The Emergency Assistance Center to conduct food drives, and a portion of the proceeds from one of their vendors goes to Make-AWish Foundation. Over the years Paul has been involved with Cuyahoga Valley Career Center – Mark and Doug are both graduates of the school. Pat said Paul was also involved with the local YMCA, Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. Gary said his father and grandfather “set the bar high” when it comes to service and business ethics. “We have a responsibility to live up to that and provide good customer service to our customers,” Gary said. Pat agreed and added “the business is our name, we have to live up to it.”

Jackson Comfort Heating & Cooling has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years.

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PRE-NEED FUNERAL PLANNING Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

Ninety years in business, and counting By Briana Barker | Reporter Photos by Robert J. Lucas

Ferfolia family closes in on a century of undertaking ing at the door, have a warm hug and a kiss for somebody. He In 1927, Louis Ferfolia began his business at age 21 by was a special guy.” renting a front room of a house in Cleveland with a teleMary and her brother, Donald B. Ferfolia Sr., are the third phone, desk and a sign in the window. generation to run the funeral home, and are being followed This was according to a flyer celebrating the 45th year of by Don’s son Donald B. Ferfolia Jr., who is a licensed funerwhat was then known as “Ferfolia and Son Funeral Home.” al director and attorney. That flyer is now 45 years old, marking the 90th year for Don Jr., the eldest of six children, what is today known as the Sagahelps families with estate planning more Hills business Ferfolia Funerand probate. al Home. Also making up the fourth generaBy 1936 Louis built a home on tion of the business is Mary’s daughUnion Avenue in Cleveland, which ter, Allyson Newell-Binekey, who Mary Ferfolia-Lanske, his grandheads up the organization’s marketdaughter, said was one of Cleveing department. Mary’s husband is land’s first buildings designed spenot involved in the family business cifically for funerals. Over the years but Don Sr.’s wife Margaret works the building was expanded and a in the administrative offices. second parlor (now closed) was Mary said her sister, Donna Langopened in Maple Heights. Arenschield, did the interior design Mary said her father, Donald L. for the Aurora Road facility in SagFerfolia, joined her grandfather amore Hills, which opened in 1994. Louis, in the family business in 1950 Mary added the Ferfolia’s also own alongside her mother, Alice. Like his property in Aurora which they plan father, Donald joined the business at to develop within the next couple of age 21. years. Mary’s grandmother, Louis’ wife Don Sr. has been a Licensed FuTheresa, was a trailblazer, as she beneral Director since 1975 and mancame a licensed funeral director her- In back, Donald Ferfolia Jr., Donald Ferfolia Sr., self — except back then the title was Allyson Newell-Binkekey and Jeff Lansky. In front, ages the Sagamore Hills funeral Margaret Ferfolia and Mary Ferfolia-Lansky. home. He is a graduate of St. Igna‘Licensed Lady Attendent.’ tius High School and the UniversiAlice also became a trailblazer in ty of Notre Dame. He said initially, he didn’t have any intenher own right. Once her children were grown, she returned to tions of joining the family business and majored in aerospace school to obtain her master’s degree and became of the first engineering but three quarters of the way through the progrief therapists in the Cleveland area. gram changed his mind. She said her father was the people-man of the business. “I got married and had a child and decided the family busi“My grandpa was the paper-man, the business man; my faness was the route I wanted to take,” Don Sr. said. “I bring ther was people-man,” Mary said. “Everybody loved my fathe accounting and management skills to the business. For ther. He always had a smile on his face and would be stand-

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The Ferfolia family believes they “only have one chance” to make things right, for their clients. 20 years I was a very active funeral director but as I approach the end of my career the retirement of our long-time business manager had me return to the management side.” He said he and his siblings grew up in the funeral home in Cleveland, which was not uncommon for funeral homes in the past. Mary said she used to do hair styling for the funeral home and worked in the catering department at one point. Don Sr. said he used to wash cars and deliver flowers to the cemetery. “I probably washed more cars than 10 people wash in their lifetime because funeral cars always have to be clean,” he said. “That was probably one of the first jobs I had.” Mary agreed saying it was just second nature growing up. “There are things you just don’t think twice about because it’s part of your daily life,” Mary said. “It’s just like that movie ‘My Girl’ it’s just a part of your life.” She credits her grandfather for instilling a respect for the deceased in the family as well. “There was never any monkey business because this was someone’s mom or dad, and they trusted us to bring their loved one to us and we needed to honor that trust.” Don Sr. said it is common for funeral homes to be familyrun businesses.

“If you look at funeral service across the United States, I think most funeral businesses started out as small, single owner family businesses and have continued that mode of ownership today,” Don Sr. said. “I think you are going to find there are the corporately owned, but most funeral homes have stayed in families for generation after generation and if you have done a good job the families you have been serving are going to be multi-generational, as we see them.” Mary said funeral service is more than a business, but rather a ministry. She agreed with Don Sr. saying that when you serve a family over the years you get to know them “and they become your family.” Mary said what sets Ferfolia apart from other funeral homes is the personal service they provide for families. “Our funeral directors are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she said. “If a death occurs at home, one of our staff goes out to the home. Someone from a removal service is not there, it’s one of us that’s there.” She said Louis was all about service and always provided coffee and pastry throughout visiting hours and now has a full catering department to take care of families’ needs. She said Ferfolia other personal services from custom prayer cards to taking families to a cemetery to pick out a burial spot. “You only have one chance to make things right for a family,” Mary said.

Twin portraits of Ferfolia Funeral Home founders Louis and Theresa Ferfolia.

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Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

Getting old doesn’t mean slowing down By Eric Marotta | Editor Photos by Eric Marotta

Two senior centers now provide programs

Seniors gather for the Nordonia Club’s annual card party at Lee Eaton Elementary School.

Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

enior Citizens in Nordonia Hills are a busy group of people, with a wide range of clubs and activities to choose from, including church-based groups like the 50-Plus Club at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, and others, two AARP Chapters, as well as informal groups such as the Silverdonians, Out-to-Lunch Bunch and a Silver Sneakers exercise group at the Macedonia Family Recreation Center. And for the past five years, senior citizens and groups have had two places where they can meet every week: The Nordonia Hills Senior Center at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Northfield Center, and the Macedonia Senior Center in the basement community room at Macedonia City Hall. The Northfield Center operation is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is paid for through a stipend split between Northfield Center, Northfield Village and Sagamore Hills. Lunch is served at the Macedonia Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with groups meeting on other days of the week. The city of Macedonia employs a part-time senior coordinator to help arrange programs. The Macedonia Senior Center opened in late 2012, after former Macedonia Mayor Don Kuchta was unable to get support for the renovation of the former city hall building next to the current facility. Summit County had owned for former city building for many years and had donated it back to Macedonia. However, neither city Council nor neighboring communities were willing to cover an estimated $200,000 in costs to fix the building’s roof and renovate the interior. Plus, it was estimated utilities and maintenance costs could reach $30,000 per year. Kuchta announced in November 2012, that the community room would be open weekdays, except Wednesdays, for seniors to use between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just two months later, the area’s other three communities announced they would rent Epiphany Lutheran Church’s 5,000-square-foot ground-floor hall on Wednesdays. About 50 seniors had turned out in December for an open house to check out the facility. About that many people still come each Wednesday for morning exercise, followed by a program, lunch, and bingo. “It’s the camaraderie, the friendship, the information and the exercise makes for good health,” said Gayle Curnow, one of the center’s Board members. Typical programs include presentations put on by local businesses, or informational programs on Medicare, or by the AARP. “We have a lot of community involvement, because we’re all part of the community,” said Board member Valerie Proctor. In addition to the programs, “We also have parties and musical entertainment,” said Pauline Kubic, another Board member. The group arranges for lunch, which costs those attending $3 each, as well as road trips, which have included trips to Amish country, to see Kirtland Nativity Exhibit and to the President James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor. While the program has been a success, its future at Epiphany Lutheran is in doubt, as the church is in the process of

being sold. Terms of the sale would allow the seniors to continue meeting for six months after the sale is finalized, but whether the program would continue has not been determined. “We want to stay here as long as we can,” said Proctor. “This is a perfect place. It’s all on one floor. It has nice windows. We want to stay here,” said Kubic. In Macedonia, the Out-to-Lunch Bunch meets on Tuesdays, and lunch is served on Thursdays as well, with the Silverdonians seniors group meeting once per month. A small group meets most Mondays for Majong, and a group comes in for Bingo on Fridays. There are also outings to local retirement communities such as Summit Pointe just down Valley View Road, and the Maplewood Senior Living Community. Appointments are available for foot care, and health-care providers also provide health screenings. The city’s parks and recreation program also schedules programs, including bus trips to regional attractions. Senior coordinator Cheri Kuczma, who works for the fire department when not arranging programming at the senior center, said seniors in the Nordonia Hills area have so many programs available, they could do something every day, with a lot of the programming coming through the city. Highlights of the last year include nine entertainers on 18 dates, a picnic, craft days, brunch at Nordonia Middle School with the school’s Jazz Ensemble for entertainment, and more. Tuesday Bingo with the Out-to-Lunch Bunch is the busiest day, with about 70 people in regular attendance, said Ed Lachowski, who gives a quiz and calls the numbers.

Nancy Miller plays bingo at the Nordonia Hills Senior Center.

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Explore Nordonia Hills | 2017

“Gregory Peck died June 12, 2003. If he were alive today, how old would he be?” Lachowski asked the crowd. “He would be 101 years old.” Another poser: “Who won the Medal of Honor, a Pulitzer Prize and the Order of the German Eagle?” Nobody knew the answer. The Out-to-Lunch Bunch, one of the first senior groups to form in the area, marked its 35th anniverary in 2016. The group’s founder, Martha Tappe, said it started with about 13 people and had about 120 members by year’s end. She said membership then dropped to current levels after other groups formed and has remained fairly constant ever since. Ed’s wife, Pat Lachowski, said there appear to be a variety of different senior groups who gather to meet at different times. For example, though the Nordonia Hills Senior Center is only open on Wednesdays, not too many members of that group make their way to Macedonia. As Kurnow at Epiphany Lutheran puts it, “We can’t do something every day!”

Pat Szilagyi, Joan Papciak and Mary Kay Foth at the Nordonia Hills Senior Center.

The Out to Lunch Bunch gathers at the Macedonia Senior Center.

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Worship Directory Worship: 10:15 am weekly Kids Own Worship & Child Care available during service

The Episcopal Church Welcomes You 8667 Shepard Road, Macedonia The Rev. Albert A. Jennings

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NORTHFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

311 West Aurora Road, Sagamore Hills (330) 467-7939 www.northfieldbaptist.org Dr. Mark J. Ashley, Pastor

Sunday Services

Worship - 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/ABF - 11:00 a.m. Evening Service - 6:00 p.m.

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Faith Church 2560 Post Rd. Twinsburg

330-425-2565

PASTOR LAVELLE GIBSON Kimberly Harris, Minister of Music (216) 287-4614

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Nordonia Hills Community Directory Government

Local Fire and Police (Dial 911 in emergencies)

City of Macedonia 9699 Valley View Road 330-468-8300 www.macedonia.oh.us

Macedonia Police and Fire Departments Macedonia fire serves Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills) 9691 Valley View Road 330-468-1234

Northfield Center Township 9546 Brandywine Road 330-467-7646 townhall@northfieldcenter.com www.northfieldcenter.com

Sagamore Hills Police Dept. 11551 Valley View Road 330-468-3515 (Non-emergency) Summit County Sheriff’s Office (Serving Northfield Center) Administrative Location: 53 University Ave., Akron 330-643-2181 www.co.summit.oh.us/sheriff/

Northfield Village 10455 Northfield Road 330-467-7130, or 330-467-7139 www.northfieldvillage-oh.gov Sagamore Hills Township 11551 Valley View Road 330-467-0900 www.sagamorehillstownship.org

Northfield Village Police Department 10455 Northfield Road 330-467-7139, ext. 19; or 330-467-7112 (24 hours) Northfield Village Fire Department 10271 Northfield Road 330-467-7130, ext.22

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Nordonia Hills Community Directory Local Schools Nordonia Hills City Schools Administrative offices 9374 Olde Eight Road, Northfield Center 330-468-0152 www.nordoniaschools.org Ledgeview Elementary School 9130 Shepard Road, Macedonia 330-467-0583 Northfield Elementary School 9374 Olde Eight Road, Northfield Center 330-467-2010 Rushwood Elementary School 8200 Rushwood Lane, Sagamore Hills 330-467-0581 Lee Eaton Elementary School 115 Ledge Road, Northfield Village 330-467-0582

Nordonia Middle School 73 Leonard Ave., Northfield Center 330-467-0584 Nordonia High School 8006 S. Bedford Road, Macedonia 330-468-4601 Cuyahoga Valley Career Center 8001 Brecksville Rd, Brecksville 440-526-5200 www.cvccworks.edu St. Barnabas School 9200 Olde Eight Road, Northfield Center 330-467-7921 office@barnabasohio.org www.sbcatholicschool.com Northfield Baptist Christian School 311 W. Aurora Road, Northfield Center 330-467-8918 www.nbcseagles.org

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Thank you for your trust in making us the #1 Home Seller again in 2016! 2017 – New Year – New Home – Begin your search now

We market all homes 24/7 www.Macedonia.HowardHanna.com Call Today 330-468-6833 & you’ll find us at 907 East Aurora Road This representation is based on data supplied by NWMLS for Sales Units 1/1/16-12/31/16. There were 742 transactions in Nordonia Hills market and Howard Hanna participated in 280 of the sales – 40.2% market share.

Julia Mellon 330-348-1243 Janet & Tom Biel 216-702-8407 Kristi Hensley 330-998-2286 JuliaMellon.howardhanna.com

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Karen Samonte 216-849-3726 KarenSamonte.howardhanna.com

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Lee Freeman 216-701-6407 Jennifer Schneider 216-990-6607 Philbert Shy 216-219-0091 LeeFreeman.howardhanna.com

John Zatorski 216-789-3280 Marcia Grenig 330-608-3668 JohnZatorski.howardhanna.com

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Andrea Gould 216-402-7169

Bob Stantz 330-268-7952

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Dino Gentille 216-235-1128

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Christine Dennis 330-206-2678 ChristineDennis.howardhanna.com

Mohinderjit Hothi 330-304-2936 MohinderjitHothi.howardhanna.com Harbans Ghotra 330-998-0453 HarbansGhotra.howardhanna.com

Marina Sozina 330-808-5859 Jacqueline Little 330-348-9491 Nanci Crystal 216-347-9492 Doris Moten 440-668-9042 Christopher Sundberg 440-339-7473 Mark Campolito 330-301-7354

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Al Wilson 216-258-5585 Lisa Schonauer 216-408-8658 Susan Likavec 216-410-5796

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Dave Patai 216-695-2183 Sharon Znidarsic 330-468-6833 Maria Bruce 440-567-6693

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