Geauga County Maple Leaf 5-23-2024

Aquilla Village May Soon Cease to Exist

Financial Straits Cause Officials to Consider Dissolution

By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com

Aquilla Village residents might be asked to vote Nov. 5 to dissolve their status as an independent corporation and rejoin Claridon Township after 75 years of independence.

Aquilla Village Council discussed the issue of insufficient revenue to cover the small com-

munity’s expenses at its May 14 meeting, which about 30 residents attended, said then-council member Chris Alusheff — who resigned that same day, citing a desire to remove himself from a political environment.

“It was standing-room only,” Alusheff said in a phone interview May 17.

Officials talked about the fiscal realities of the village, which has fewer than 400 residents.

Morrissette

Alusheff said he felt there was a general lack of understanding among those in the audience of how government budgeting works.

Officials answered questions as best they could and Alusheff said it boiled down to a simple fact.

“Without having the highest taxes in Geauga County, we can’t keep our heads above water,” he said Friday, adding it seemed to him about

See Aquilla • Page 4

Gets 8 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder

See Morrissette • Page 6

By amy Patterson amy@karlovecmeDia com

In oral arguments May 14, defense attorney Ian Friedman sought to probe whether the rights of former Chester Township police officer and West Geauga Schools Resource Officer Nick Iacampo were violated during an investigation into charges he sexually abused a minor last August.

Iacampo, 29, who lives in Painesville with his wife, pleaded not guilty in December to charges of felony sexual battery and unruliness or delinquency of a child, a misdemeanor, for an alleged Aug. 6 incident with the 16-year-old girl.

Memorial Day Roots Honored in Geauga

By rose nemunaitis eDitor@karolovecmeDia com

Flags wave proudly and red flowers honor those who died in service of the nation as Memorial Day approaches.

Early observances on Decoration Day are rooted in the rich history of Geauga County, where generations of ancestors served and gave all.

Three years after the Civil War ended, the Grand Army of the Republic established Memorial Day as a time for the nation to decorate veterans’ graves with flowers, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local historian Bari Oyler Stith, left, and Mary Ann Dottore, Hambden Township Cemetery sexton administrator, look at tombstones in the cemetery to add to its historical records.

Restroom Building Concept Plans

By allison Wilson eDitor@karlovecmeDia com

The future is bright for Chardon football fans and students alike as Chardon Planning Commission approved concept plans for a long-awaited restroom building at their May 14 special meeting.

The building will be 1,575 square feet and host storage space, as well as a concession stand, said Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney.

All standards, including setback and design, have been met, Yaney told the commission.

“There was a lot of back-and-forth between staff and the school on making sure we got the right location for where the water would come from and where the sanitary

(sewer line) would exit this facility, too,” he explained. “And that’s all been reviewed by the city engineer and the water department and the sewer department — they’re on board with this.”

Jeff Henderson of ThenDesign Architecture presented the building’s concept plans.

A major challenge for the project was access to facilities such as water, sanitary services and power.

“We had to basically put in a lift station there,” Henderson said, adding the lift station will be located just outside the building, while the pathway for the force main will come around the north side of the field and tap into a manhole west of the high school. Water will come from Chardon Middle School.

Henderson described the building’s plan

and design as simple, featuring — in addition to storage and concessions — a men’s, women’s and family bathroom along with a mechanical room.

The building will be a split-face block building with wood trusses and an asphalt shingle roof, he said, adding in keeping with Chardon’s classic color scheme, the face of the building will be red and the shingles black.

Commission member Robert Emmons asked if the building would become the only concession stand or if there would be concession stands on both sides.

Henderson replied as far as he was aware, each team would still have their own concession stand.

With no other questions, the committee voted in approval of the concept plans.

Community Meetings

To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440- 285-2015 or email editor@geaugamapleleaf.com no later than Monday noon. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices.

Geauga County: May 30, 9:30 a.m., Board of County Commissioners. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners’ meetings are held in Suite 350.

Bainbridge Township: May 28, 6 p.m. – Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. – Board of Trustees. All

meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.

Burton Village: May 28, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at 14588 W. Park St., 2nd Floor, unless otherwise noted.

Chardon City: May 28, 6:30 p.m., Planning Commission. All meetings are held at Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.

Chardon Township: May 29, 3:30 p.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting to discuss EMS billing and other business as necessary. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: May 30, 6:30 p.m., Board of

Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Montville Township: May 23, 7:30 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.

Munson Township: May 28, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: May 28, 7 p.m., Village Council. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

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Aquilla

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half those attending were for the proposal and half against it.

Several older members of the community have voiced objections to a dissolution, said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz in a May 20 interview.

“I always understand nostalgia, but council has to move in the best interests of the taxpayers,” he said.

Council member Libby Savel said May 17 she wouldn’t comment on the discussion or the proposal other than to say council is in the beginning stages of addressing the problems.

“We are just discussing the possibilities,” she said.

Tax Relief Predicted

One benefit to rejoining Claridon Township is a significant decrease in property taxes, which Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder confirmed in an email last Friday.

“As requested, my office ran the comparison of current Aquilla Village taxes per $100,000 value versus what we believe the taxes would be if (the village) dissolved and under Claridon as part of the township,” he wrote. “It would seem that Aquilla Village residents would see their tax burden fall to approximately 46% of their current amount.

“We assumed that, since Aquilla Village would no longer exist, that any and all taxes levied against the entity would become moot and no longer collectible. We bounced this belief through our APA (assistant prosecuting attorney) and she concurred with the limited information that we currently have.”

This chart represents the difference between what property owners in Aquilla Village are paying in taxes compared to Claridon Township taxes. Total effective Aquilla millage is 14.24 and the owner of a $100,000 home pays $471.12 a year, according to Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder. If Aquilla residents vote to dissolve the village and rejoin the township, their property taxes should decrease by about 46%, he said. Claridon’s effective millage is 6.25 and the owner of a $100,000 home pays $214.36, according to the auditor’s figures.

Walder said an informal meeting with village representatives and the Geauga County Budget Commission in February revealed the village's problem of low revenue compared to its expenditures had not been resolved since previous meetings.

Having calculated what would be needed for village income to equal out-go, he said the only option would be to raise taxes on village

Aquilla Village History

According to the village website, Aquilla started as a collection of vacation cottages on the west side of what is now Aquilla State Park Lake early in the 18th century.

It included a ballroom and other structures for the enjoyment of Cleveland residents on vacation.

During the Depression, beginning in 1929, some families who lost their homes winterized their cottages and moved to Aquilla permanently, according to the website.

Lake Aquilla Estates was formed in 1933 to expedite the sale of the remaining lots and the 0.15-square-mile municipality of Aquilla Village was incorporated in 1946.

In 2021, after several years of debate, Aquilla Village Council petitioned the Geauga County Commissioners to allow the village to detach from Claridon Township and form a “paper” township in order to receive additional tax revenue of more than $10,000 per year.

Aquilla Township’s footprint is identical to that of the village and there is no board of trustees, village Solicitor Jim Gillette said at that time.

properties by about 15 mills.

“We found it was very prohibitive,” Walder said, adding a new bill in the Ohio Legislature may make dissolution less complicated than in the past.

Two Empty Council Seats

Walder is also concerned about Aquilla’s political health as a village.

Council is made up of six elected council members and as of May 14, that number is down to four.

“We now have two vacant seats. That’s not a good sign. No one is volunteering to run (for council),” Walder said.

The elected mayor of Aquilla is Richard Wolfe and Brittany Knife was appointed about a year ago to replace Cheryl McNulty as fiscal officer.

The auditor praised the village leader.

“The mayor truly has his heart in Aquilla,” Walder said. “He is facing reality.”

When asked via email for a comment regarding the future of the village, Wolfe replied, “At this time, I have no comments due to many specifics that need to be dealt with. I will reach out to you soon.”

Wolfe did not respond to a public records request for minutes from previous council meetings prior to press deadline, and minutes for this year’s council meetings were not linked to their respective dates on the township website. Calls to town hall were unanswered.

The effect a dissolution would have on Claridon Township is yet to be explored.

Walder said Claridon trustees did not ask for any calculations regarding revenue from property taxes paid by Aquilla homeowners if the village does dissolve.

The township may become responsible for maintaining the streets in the community. Both entities currently contract with Chardon Fire Department for fire protection.

Proposed Dissolution Transition

Despite its funding troubles, the village is not a total financial catastrophe, Flaiz said, adding while Aquilla’s cash reserves are “scary low,” if the village does dissolve, Claridon Township should not find itself in

financial difficulty.

“The mayor has done a great job of doing more with less,” the prosecutor said. “They would not be handing the township a disaster. The roads are in good shape. Council has been very forward thinking.”

The transition process — outlined in a new law that took effect April 30, 2024 — requires the village electorate to approve a ballot issue on dissolution this November or wait until 2026, he said.

A petition signed by a sufficient number of voters must be submitted to the Geauga County Board of Elections by Aug. 9. The signatures have to be validated by the board before the issue goes on the Nov. 5 ballot, Flaiz said.

Once the board of elections certifies the results of the election — and if the vote is in favor of dissolution — the village ceases to exist, he said, adding a three-person commission comprising one county commissioner, Walder and the Geauga County recorder would work through the red tape to merge Aquilla into Claridon Township.

A Claridon Township trustee would also be asked to provide input, he said.

The shortage of council members is a potential complication, Flaiz said, adding the vote to place the issue on the ballot must be unanimous and, since there are only four members, council cannot vote to waive the three readings of the legislation required to place it on the ballot.

The readings have to be made at three different council meetings, he said. Special meetings may have to be held since the village council only meets once a month.

Claridon Township Trustee Jonathan Tiber said in a phone interview May 15 he has always admired Aquilla Village’s determination to be independent and regrets the council has to make difficult choices.

The timing of the dissolution effort, while tight, is doable and he said the time is right for the village and the township since the village is not bankrupt, yet.

Dissolution appears to be the only solution out of the fiscal morass, he said.

“The mountain was just too big,” Tiber said.

Munson Trustees Favor Review of Land Use Plan

ning commission and members of the township Fiscal Officer Todd Ray said the current

“There is no deadline, but we can’t put it

“As we move forward with the process,

placed on administrative leave is part of (an)

Tuesday was Chester Police Capt. Jeff Sher wood, who described events that took place during the early morning hours of Aug. 7, 2023, after the alleged victim’s father called 9-1-1 from the Chester Township Police Department lobby and was routed to a Geauga County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher.

Sherwood said GCSO investigators took the initial complaint and notified Chester police of the situation.

“(It was a) pretty serious allegation. So, we decided that we would contact an outside organization to cover the investigation right from the start,” Sherwood said.

Lake County Assistant Prosecutor Adam Downing asked why Chester police turned the investigation over to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

“It's a smaller department that's obviously — you know — you get to know people, and you develop relationships and friendships with people, and you want to be as impartial as possible,” Sherwood said, adding he believed an outside third-party investigator would ensure impartiality.

Sherwood’s main job that night was to disarm Iacampo — a necessary step taken when an officer is under investigation, whether criminal or administrative, he said.

Iacampo’s rights under the Garrity ruling were not invoked that night because a criminal investigation — in which the accused is advised of their Miranda rights — always supersedes an administrative investigation, he added.

“So, it's a criminal case, Miranda's going

“keep in mind that this isn’t voluntary now.”

Both Sherwood and Chester Police Chief Craig Young testified they were neither present in the room, nor watching the interrogation when that statement was made.

In his testimony, Young reiterated Sherwood’s earlier point — Iacampo had signed off on a policy manual outlining the consequences of subordination, as well as acknowledging he had been trained on his rights, including Garrity.

Downing walked Young through Iacampo’s disciplinary records. The records, also obtained by the Geauga County Maple Leaf, show that in September 2020, Young issued a letter of reprimand to Iacampo for repeatedly refusing to enter a missing license plate into a database for stolen vehicles.

The complaint was placed into abeyance, meaning disciplinary action was postponed until and unless another disciplinary issue was raised, Young explained.

In April 2022, he was given a two-day suspension after an “avoidable traffic crash” at the intersection of state routes 306 and 322 in Chester Township.

Defense Claims Rights Violated

In his cross examination, Friedman asked Young whether there were any conversations within the department about terminating Iacampo prior to his Aug. 7 arrest.

Friedman also probed whether Iacampo was employed as an SRO at the time of his arrest. Young said Iacampo still held the phone

leave after being questioned.

“And that was based upon what was said back … during the interrogation, correct?” Friedman asked.

“It was based on the fact that he was placed under arrest,” Young responded.

“Okay. So, if we just flip that on its head for a moment, Mr. Iacampo gives information to the Lake County Sheriff's Department … That information leads to an arrest, correct?” Friedman asked. “That arrest then leads to him being placed on administrative leave, correct?”

“Absolutely, he (would be) placed on administrative leave,” Young said.

“And, you would agree with me that being

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“It's an administrative process, but not an tired Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge John A. Enlow, who is presiding over the case as a visiting judge, asked for the next witnesses to be scheduled for a later date.

All parties agreed on the afternoon of May 28 for the remaining testimony and cross examination.

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Kenston Schools to Place 1-Mill PI Levy on Ballot

staff rePort

Kenston voters may see an additional fiveyear, 1-mill permanent improvement levy on the November ballot.

The Kenston Schools Board of Education anticipates taking action to place the levy on the ballot at its June 24 meeting, the district said in a press release.

“The levy would cost $2.92 per month for each $100,000 of valuation and the levy

would generate approximately $1.2 million dollars per year,” the district said.

After residents rejected an additional fiveyear, 1.35-mill PI levy last November, the district went back to the drawing board.

The previous levy — which failed with 4,683 votes against it and 4,410 votes in favor — would have been used for items such as school buses, repairs to roofs and parking lots, boilers, safety upgrades, classroom furniture, technology upgrades and improve-

ments and wireless upgrades, which have a life span of five years or more.

“Revenue from a PI levy cannot be used for salaries, benefits or the school district's day-to-day operations,” the district said.

Since its defeat, the district took a step back to reevaluate its position for long-term financial stability.

“Eighty-seven percent of school districts in Ohio have some sort of PI levy to fund their capital improvement needs,” Cales said.

Kenston is one of only 13% of school districts in Ohio that does not have some type of PI or maintenance levy, according to the district’s website.

“This is a need that is not going away,” Treasurer Seth Cales said during the March 18 meeting. “There is the need for the PI levy still and if we don’t have a levy in place, we will have to continue to transfer general fund money to our permanent improvement fund and use it towards our capital expenditures.”

West G BOE Settles with ‘Bounty Hunter’ Ames Again

By Brian Doering Brian@karlovecmeDia com

West Geauga Schools Board of Education once again unanimously passed a resolution May 20 to enter into a settlement agreement with Brian M. Ames — this time for $8,275. Ames filed a complaint Feb. 1 alleging the school board did not comply with Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code regarding the way in which the board notifies the public of meetings, or in meeting minute procedures in connection to committee meetings.

Morrissette

from page 1

in prison and to forfeit the 9mm handgun. He will also be subject to five years of post-release control.

“I am truly and sincerely sorry for my actions. I did not mean to scare you all and I also did not intend to cause any harm to anyone whatsoever. I only had the intention of harming myself,” Morrissette told Judge Carolyn Paschke. “However, I do take full responsibility. What I did was not right at all. I was still having trouble processing my mother’s death from cancer and I’ve always had mental health issues when it comes to depression and anxiety.”

Morrissette said he would like to continue to improve his mental health and not go back to the old person he once was.

“I want to better myself, accomplish my goals and have a family, hopefully. I’m not a bad person,” he told Paschke. “Please have mercy on me and please forgive me for what I’ve done.”

A Father’s Voice

With tears in his eyes, Morrissette's father, Michael, approached the podium prior to his son’s sentencing, to speak in support of him.

“My son is a loving, respectful young man. His mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2019. At times, we tried to keep how bad the cancer was from him. Brandon watched his mother pass away slowly from home and he turned to me to help me with

“Administrative committee meetings do not require public notice. Board committee meetings do,” Superintendent Richard Markwardt said. “In both these cases, the dispute lies in defining the nature of the committees in question. The settlement is less costly than litigation would be.”

Once he receives payment of $8,275, Ames has three days to file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice with the court, rendering the litigation settled.

The agreement shows Ames also consented to cease actions against West Geauga BOE

my grief,” he said. “Once I visited him at the hospital after the incident, he greeted me with open arms, which were covered with knife wounds from him trying to bury his pain. When I asked him why he did what he did, he responded with, ‘I don’t want to die in the same house as Mom.’

“I still believe the reason he left that bullet in the bathroom was for someone to call the police and he can die by suicide,” he contin ued. “This is not an excuse for his actions, but for the court to understand that he’s a loving, respectful young man who still has hopes and dreams that have a positive impact on society.”

Defense Pleads Case

Morrissette’s attorney, Henry Hilow, re iterated Morrissette went to the school with a weapon and intention to take his own life.

on the matter.

“(Ames) shall discontinue all claims regarding, relating to, or arising out the facts and circumstances alleged in the litigation and shall discontinue all public records requests and any other claims arising from the facts and circumstances alleged in the litigation,” the agreement said.

School board members previously made a settlement agreement with Ames for $4,000 during their meeting March 18.

In that case, Ames filed a Writ of Mandamus Jan. 9 alleging the school board did not

fully comply with Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, which concerns public records requests.

Ames, who lives in Mogadore, is a self-appointed “bounty hunter” for open meetings violations. He has filed lawsuits against a long list of alleged violators of the state’s Sunshine Laws, including government bodies and school districts around the state, as reported in the Feb. 8 issue of the Geauga County Maple Leaf.

“My opinion related to the board's commitment to being accountable, open and honest remains unchanged,” Markwardt said.

“I have a young man who was self-mutilating and nobody noticed it. I have a young man that was caring for his mother who was terminally ill with cancer. When all the energies were directed toward taking care of his mother, (the) father and family still had attention on Brandon, but Brandon bottled up everything inside,” Hilow said. “This family did take efforts when they noticed there was severe depression, especially after the mother died. He changed his mind because he didn’t want his father to find him dead in the same house where his mother died. That’s when he found this gun that was in the house. What changed was when he got there, a couple of kids came up to him and he realized he did have friends and a purpose. He put the bullet by the toilet with the specific intent that he wanted someone to find him.”

Hilow talked about Morrissette’s person-

al growth since his arrest last year.

“He’s been involved in the programs, he’s 25 pounds heavier, medicated, thinks clearly now and has no thoughts of hurting himself and/or hurting others,” Hilow said. "He has never once offered an excuse or an explanation to say it's really not that big of a deal. He knows what he has caused to other people, he knows the hurt he has caused his family and knows the fear and hurt he has caused to the community. He knows the only way he can prove it is by life going forward.”

Prosecutor Asks for Prison Time

Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz, who recommended an eight-year prison term, viewed Morrissette’s crimes much differently.

“While the defendant's life has been tragic, we are here because he planned to inflict unspeakable tragedy on our community. But for the actions of a student at the school, school administration and school resource officer at the time, it does appear that a tragedy would have occurred,” Flaiz said. “For all parents here, the idea of getting a call that the school is on lockdown, surrounded by law enforcement, that someone brought a gun to school and you can’t contact your kid — this had an unfolding impact on our community.”

Sentence Delivered

Paschke said she understood Morrissette was grief-stricken and depressed after the loss of his mother, but that didn’t excuse his

“I believe and understand that you were in a really bad place, but we did have two evaluations from two psychologists who said that you know the wrongfulness of your actions. This was not a snap spur-of-the-moment decision. The evidence demonstrates that you had a plan,” she told Morrissette. “You (pleaded) guilty to attempted murder. Whether we believe the version that you were going to hurt yourself or whether we believe that you planned a shooting, it’s clear that you did have the intent to use that gun in the school.”

The judge said the evidence showed Morrissette had planned to carry out a school shooting.

“You may have wavered back and forth, but at least that was the plan. We know that nobody was physically hurt by your actions that day, but we can’t say that nobody was hurt. The entire community was terrorized,” she said. “It was terrifying for the students, faculty and staff. It was terrifying for their parents and families. Some of the officers that responded that day were the same ones that had to respond to (the 2012) Chardon High School (shooting). You can’t say no harm was done to them.”

Reaction

Flaiz called Paschke’s ruling appropriate and said he was pleased with the court agreeing with his recommendation.

“There were a lot of factors in play, but it’s a long sentence. I think it accurately reflects the seriousness,” Flaiz said. “People need to understand that if you are planning these things or you take steps to carry them out, there are serious consequences. The result was good and I hope the community feels that way.”

Hilow said he appreciated everyone’s efforts on resolving the case.

“I respect the judges. It was a very difficult case and I appreciate the prosecutor's ability to resolve it,” Hilow said. “The key is to bring closure to the community.”

Brandon Morrissette, 19, asked Judge Carolyn Paschke for mercy prior to his sentencing May 15.

Memorial Day

from page 1

“GAR quickly became the preeminent veterans' organization formed at the close of the Civil War with membership reaching its peak in 1890, with over 400,000 members,” local historian Bari Oyler Stith said. “By then, the GAR had well over 7,000 posts, ranging in size from fewer than two dozen members in small towns, to more than a thousand in some cities.”

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday and officially observed on the last Monday in May. It is well believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom across the country.

“Almost every prominent veteran was enrolled in GAR, including five presidents — Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison and McKinley,” Stith said.

Park Ranger Alan Gephardt, at James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, shared Garfield’s connections to Geauga County.

The county was part of the former president’s congressional district for 17 years while Garfield was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives — from Dec. 5, 1863 to Dec. 1, 1880.

Being a politician, Garfield was called on to speak to various groups in many places, including citizens of Geauga County.

“In the fall of 1877, for example, he spoke at a meeting held at ‘the Opera House,’ in Chardon, where his speech ‘was well-received,’” Gephardt said. “The most significant connection Garfield had to Geauga was the school he attended at Chester, the present-day Chesterland, from 1849 to 1851, called the Geauga Seminary, a Baptist school that offered James Garfield his first taste of formal education.”

Congressman Garfield was the honored guest at the first Decoration Day — now Memorial Day ceremonies — at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, and gave the first annual Decoration Day address.

He “set the standard for explaining what Memorial Day is about, and why it should be commemorated, with his address titled, “Strewing Flowers on the Graves of Union Soldiers,” he said, sharing the following passage:

“If ever silence is golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung… I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done…”

“The citizens of Geauga County, like the citizens from all over James Garfield’s congressional district, must have been proud of their representative,” Gephardt added. “Here was a man able to express his thoughts and feelings, his reverence for his country and countrymen — his fellow soldiers — so tenderly, so touchingly and with such devotion.”

Early Memorial Day Observance

Stith often wonders if participants in Memorial Day observances realize how timeless this method of observance is.

“I am struck and moved by the similarity of how we honor all veterans during today’s Memorial Day celebrations,” Stith said.

In Hambden Township, around 1868 services were held at the Methodist Church, now Freedom Alliance Church, and included addresses, choral selections, reading of the roll of honor and a proces -

Local Historian Helps Keep Geauga Records Alive

By rose nemunaitis eDitor@karlovecmeDia com

Born and raised in Licking County, Bari Oyler Stith moved to Geauga County when her husband got a job in Chardon after com pleting a tour in the Army during the Vietnam War.

“I am very appreciative and blessed to live in this beautiful, vibrant county where people celebrate their heritage through long-standing traditions, as well as preservation and adaptation of some of our most meaningful places,” Stith said. “I am inspired by the sheer number of and dedication of our veterans … who have returned to us, then turned their talents and energies into service in so many ways to our community.”

Stith is director of Ursuline College’s Historic Preservation Program. Her students have done preservation projects all over Ohio, including at Geauga County sites, such as Union Chapel, Cen tennial Oak, Punderson Manor House, Huntsburg Town Hall and Parkman Post Office.

She’s also a trustee of the South Newbury Union Chapel Na tional Register Historic Site, Leadership Geauga Heritage/History Day narrator for bus tours and from 1990-2008, served as Geauga County archivist and records manager.

“I so appreciate that we, Geaugans, retain moments, such as our Memorial Day celebrations, to honor our veterans for their service to our community and our country,” Stith said.

To her, Memorial Day is an annual moment for reflecting on both the lessons of the past and the needs of the future.

“I have grandchildren now, so I think a lot about what they will need to anchor them for a successful future,” Stith said.

Her family members have served in the military since the American Revolution.

“To me, Memorial Day in Geauga is a time to bring my family members together to share those stories with the youngsters and participate in the community events … to honor those who have given their lives for us — as Memorial Day was originally meant to be — as well as those who have served,” Stith said.

sion to the cemetery, Stith said.

Mary Ann Dottore, Hambden Township’s Cemetery Sexton administrator, said according to Freedom Alliance’s Pastor Andrew Beorn, his church building was built around the Civil War.

At Hambden Township Cemetery, nine soldiers with wreaths and their ladies with bouquets placed colors on the graves of veterans, followed by citizens with flowers to further decorate the graves, Stith said, adding in 1920, two Civil War veterans survived to attend the services, with other visitors attending from Chardon, Huntsburg, Chagrin Falls, Painesville and Cleveland.

“The township continues to support the Memorial Day observance and honor the veterans of their township, as well as all veterans that served our country,” Dottore said.

“Viewing the historical records in the town hall is very interesting. The records go back to the 1800s. It is exciting to know I have the opportunity to add to those historical records — that someone in the future will find as interesting as I do.”

Hambden Fire Chief Scott Hildenbrand said the fire department began the tradition of having a parade, then a speaker at the Hambden Congregational Church, followed by the reading of veterans’ names in the township park and a pancake breakfast back at the fire station.

“We must never forget,” he said. “It is very important to continue this tradition and it is a great opportunity for the community to come together to remember those who served our country.”

Civil War Veteran

Edward Payson Latham

“When I think of Memorial Day, I think of the Grand Army of the Republic and Civil War veterans, especially ‘Pace’ Latham, who was severely wounded, but returned to Geauga to lead a very fulfilling life full of public

service,” Stith said.

Born March 1839, Latham became commander at the Pool Post (Troy Township) of the GAR.

“On June 19, 1862, after the victory at Cumberland Gap, Kentucky … troops celebrated by firing three rounds from cannons — a spirited contest to see which cannon could fire the most rounds. While loading for a second charge, Latham’s cannon discharged prematurely, throwing Latham about 20 feet,” Stith said.

His arms were so badly shattered, they had to be amputated to the elbow and he lost sight in one eye. His obituary suggests he spent the remainder of his life in continual pain and required amputations, which took both of his arms off nearly to the shoulder.

He drove a wagon with reins looped around his neck and shoulders, and wrote with pen between his teeth.

According to the Geauga Republic, Latham gave a following speech on Decoration Day, 1876, on the price of liberty, to his comrades and fellow citizens in Troy:

“The subject before us is fraught with interest to us all. And why? Because we are each and all the recipients of those blessings which are secured to us through the patriotic efforts of those whose memory we have met today to perpetuate. This is not a gala day. We have not gathered here for mere pastime or amusement, but we have gathered here to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of those who died that their country might live…

Comrades and fellow citizens, after concluding the exercise here, we shall, with slow and solemn tread, march to yonder churchyard, where lie the remains of some of our noble comrades, and, as gentle hands take those vernal flowers, fit emblems as they are, of the purity of the principles to maintain which our comrades gave their lives…”

A Geauga County Commissioner, Latham

moved to Burton and built Latham House, now part of the Burton Village Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places on the southeast corner of Burton Square.

“According to local lore, there are handles rather than doorknobs so that Latham could use his arms to open doors,” Stith said.

Chardon’s Dan Best said Latham’s prosthetic apparatus is displayed at Geauga County Historical Society’s Century Village in Burton.

“Payson/Pace was evidently a very independent, determined and ambitious fellow,” Best said. “Story goes that when a stiff breeze blew his brimmed hat off his head, a passerby went to pick it up for Pace. Latham waived off the would-be good-deed doer. With the flick of his boot toe, Pace flicked the hat upside down, bent over completely at the waste, and placed his crown inside the hat’s bowl and came up wearing it.

He died at age 82 and is buried at Troy Cemetery.

Veterans continued to remember their fallen comrades through the development of the GAR Highways, running cross country and following U.S. Route 6 through Chardon, Hambden and Montville townships.

“One of the most important displays of respect we can do on Memorial Day is to remember,” Stith said. “Find a way, no matter how small, to remember all those who have fought and sacrificed for the blessings we have today and for this beautiful country that shelters and nurtures us.

“Whether we attend our heartwarming community celebrations or gather with family and friends, or fly our American flag and plant flowers in red, white and blue — this is a day for thoughtful remembrance, gratitude and joy,” she continued. “And, involving our children is paramount so that they take these lessons about sacrifice and cost and consequences into the future.”

ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG

Local historian Bari Oyler Stith looks at Sherman Dickens tomb, a Civil War veteran, in Hambden Township Cemetery. He was born in 1842 and died in 1862.

Fine Arts Association Ready for Chardon Opening

By allison Wilson eDitor@karlovecmeDia com

The Chardon Arts Center’s open house May 18 proved to be an upbeat yet low-key affair, with gradual waves of curious passers-by making their way through the soonto-be refurbished building throughout the day.

Following the dissolution of Thrive Performing and Visual Arts in December, the future of both the historic Geauga Theater and its annex building at 106 Water Street were uncertain. After months of deliberation, the theater was left open to rent for productions, while the annex was awarded to The Fine Arts Association, a Willoughby-based organization that will begin moving into the annex May 31.

The association is using the building to establish The Chardon Arts Center, something Mayor Chris Grau emphasized would not be a satellite operation at the March Chardon City Council meeting, when the decision was originally announced. CEO Paul Holm reiterated this intent during an interview at the open house.

“I’m already talking to people who are reaching out who are interested in teaching music and different things from the community here. We are going to do everything possible to make sure that this is Chardon,” he said. “We’re not here to displace, we’re here to help bring stability.”

Holm emphasized the Geauga community has been involved with the association for a long time.

“We have 80 students that come to Willoughby out of Chardon and Geauga County, and we have three staff that are here today that work for Fine Arts, but live here in Chardon,” he said. “When you look at our summer camps, especially our elementary and the preschool ones, most of the camp staff is from Chardon.”

A sampling of the organization’s vast offerings was represented at the open house. Multiple doors throughout the building sported signs such as “Music Therapy Stu-

dio,” reflecting what the rooms will eventual ly be used for.

Purple-clad FAA members manned tables in the front and back rooms, each offering a different creative endeavor. Interested indi viduals in the front room could try various musical instruments at a table sporting a vio lin, flute, saxophone, clarinet and horn.

Creative Arts Therapies Director Ann Marie Raddell was present and could be seen engaging young children in music and rhythm.

“We’ll be doing a lot of early childhood offerings here to start,” she said, explaining the benefits of art exploration at a young age.

Meanwhile, in the back, guests were asked to take part in a public art project, add ing to a piece that will one day be displayed in the building’s lobby.

In March, Grau said one concern he con sistently heard regarding the city’s decision on the theater was the availability of youth programming.

FAA has stepped in prepared, with regis tration for youth workshops at the arts cen ter open and ready to be filled. Half- and fullday multi-art camps are currently available for preschool and elementary students; art and theater camps for grades kindergarten through third; and literature and music class es for children ages up to 5 with a parent.

The organization also has plans for pro gramming beyond summer classes.

“We are going to be offering all kinds of classes in visual arts, from creative painting and drawing. We’re going to have some digital things,” Holm said. “I think we have a comic book creation class that’s coming this fall.” Holm listed musical offerings including pia no, voice and guitar lessons.

Other instruments will possibly be taught in the future, Holm said, adding the group is working with the local schools to determine need. Music and art therapy will also be of fered.

Theater classes primarily focused on younger children will be starting in the fall, as well as pre-ballet, tap and other early child hood dance classes.

Newbury Grand Marshal, Legion Prepare for Memorial Day

By allison Wilson neWs@karlovecmeDia com

As Memorial Day approaches, Newbury Township is bustling with preparation as everyone, from residents involved in the parade to scouts involved in the ceremonies, gets ready.

Events begin a few days before the holiday, starting with the decorating of veterans’ graves May 25.

Those who wish to participate are asked to report to American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road at 7 a.m. and by 8 a.m., participants will leave to pick up geraniums

for the graves, get breakfast and meet up with Troop 99 of the Boy Scouts of America at 10 a.m. to place geraniums and flags on graves, according to the legion.

Following grave decoration, a pizza party will be held at Post 663, starting at noon.

Grand Marshal Dean Eppley will be leading the traditional Memorial Day parade May 27.

“We’ve been doing this since 1946,” Eppley said in a phone interview May 14. “I think I am the — probably the third or the fourth grand marshal.”

A service will be held at 8 a.m. at Post 663 on Monday, followed by services at South Newbury Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., and again at

Munn Cemetery at 10 a.m, Eppley said.

A breakfast will follow at the Newbury Volunteer Fire Department at 10:30 a.m. followed by another service at 12 p.m. at Veterans Park, he said, adding the parade will begin at 12:30 at the former Newbury High School, ending at Center Cemetery, where a service will be held at 1 p.m.

“This is all about the veterans, so they are actually leading the parade,” Eppley said, adding parade line-up begins at noon.

The cemetery ceremonies will involve a 21-gun salute, raising and lowering the flags, honoring the dead, playing taps, a speech, a prayer and a blessing. At 1:30 p.m., those who wish may disperse to the Legion Hall for refreshments, Eppley said.

While Eppley has not counted the number of people in the parade in any given year, he does measure the time it takes to get from the school to the cemetery.

“When I first moved to Newbury in ‘94, the parade was about three and a half minutes,” he said. “We’ve had it as long as 14 minutes.”

Eppley described seeing people lining both sides of Auburn Road in the past, tailgating and cooking.

“It’s a blast,” he said.

The tradition even continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Eppley and a unicyclist as the parade. Eppley remembered the Jeep carrying servicemen and veterans pulling out in front of them at a red light, going on to lead the parade to the cemetery.

The scouts began to get ready for Memorial Day three weeks ago, Scout parent Dave Lubanovich said, with scouts re-painting the fence outside one of the cemeteries.

“The boys are involved in all of this,” Lubanovich said as he went over the schedule for the 27th. “The flag raising, the playing of taps. As a matter of fact, my son has been playing taps since he’s been in the Boy Scouts and his brother played taps for Memorial Day before that.”

Lubanovich estimated about a dozen scouts take part, noting the troop has been involved in the event for years.

Following the decoration of graves Saturday, the scouts will also be doing a flag retirement ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Old flags are donated to a box at the Legion Hall and will be burned. Troop 99 is one of the few troops to still do flag retirements, Lubanovich noted.

All groups or clubs who wish to participate in the parade are asked to contact Eppley at 216-347-9900.

Ox Shoppe Cafe Offers Coffee, Donuts in Thompson

By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com

The red, landmark building on the northwest corner of Thompson Square has transitioned from a feed store to a thrift shop over the last few decades.

More than a year ago, Thompson Township resident Darrell Fleming-Kendall reinvented the space beside the township’s U.S. Post Office as a place people can buy locally-sourced foods, body care and gift items.

He and his wife, Dawn, set up The Ox Shoppe as a nonprofit organization and recently opened a coffee shop where commuters can stop in as early as 6 a.m. to buy that first eye-opening cup of coffee along with donuts and bagels.

The organization’s mission — to help adults with barriers find employment — has been chugging along with 20 individuals placed in jobs since October, Fleming-Kendall said in a phone interview May 17.

Clients include people who are disabled, those in recovery from drugs or alcohol, others who have been incarcerated and kids coming out of foster care.

“We connect people desperately seeking meaningful work with employers,” he said, adding he speaks to any group that will schedule him — chambers of commerce, Leadership Geauga, Kiwanis Clubs and Geauga Growth Partnership, to name a few.

The desire to work is an essential element in Fleming-Kendall’s venture.

He has a poster that explains when they started the business, they planned to market the meat they produce at their farm — Broken Yoke Ranch — in Thompson Township.

The willingness of their oxen to labor meshed with the nonprofit’s mission.

“When we pull out the yoke and the oxen hear the sound of the clanking metal rings, they come running. They want to work. They want purpose. They want to provide,” the poster reads. “Like those we serve with our employment program, our team finds dignity and value in being a contributor.”

The idea for a store expanded to include locally-produced bread, honey, maple syrup and a variety of vegetables that make shopping

See Ox Shoppe • Page 11

Chardon Schools Embark on ‘Aggressive’ Construction Schedule

By amy Patterson amy@karlovecmeDia com

Construction on a new security vestibule at Chardon High School will begin May 28 after Chardon Schools Board of Education approved a guaranteed maximum price proposal at their meeting May 20.

Superintendent Michael Hanlon said the immediate area around the CHS entrance will essentially be shut off to all traffic starting May 28 and the construction schedule will be “aggressive” in order to complete the project by the opening of school in August.

“This will be a race to the finish for us to get this entrance back online for the first day of school,” he said.

The project will cost just shy of $550,000, according to the GMP.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs Steve Kofol said the new vestibule will also incorporate a wheelchair-accessible ramp.

Plans to turn a Washington Street property the district acquired last year into a bus garage office space are moving forward, but Chardon Planning Commission approval is temporarily on hold until a traffic study can be performed.

The board approved a spending plan for phase one of the project that mostly involves demolition of previously existing hardscaping at the site, which sits at the corner of Washington and Fifth Avenue. Phase one of the plan will cost about $780,000.

Hanlon said once the proposed plan is approved — hopefully at their next meeting May 28 — the city will have to OK construction drawings.

“If all things came together in a perfect world, I think Steve (Kofol) would agree that if next year at this time, we were moving buses onto that compound, we'd be doing well,” Hanlon told the board.

The Chardon Early Learning Center — formerly Maple Elementary School — will be getting new gutters, as well. Hanlon said the project was folded into the portfolio being handled by the district’s construction manager at risk, which has shown substantial cost-savings.

On May 15, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law new policies requiring every school district in Ohio to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school

Tomco to Replace Pavicic as Principal at CHS

By amy Patterson amy@karlovecmeDia com

Chardon Middle School Principal Adam Tomco will be moving to Chardon High School next year to replace outgoing Principal Mary Pat Pavicic.

Pavicic, formerly an assistant principal at CHS, stepped into the role in February after the resignation of longtime Principal Doug Murray.

In a press release, the district said Tomco has served as CMS principal since 2022, after four years as CMS assistant principal. He also served as business affairs supervisor for the district.

During the Chardon Schools Board of Education May 20 meeting, Superintendent Michael Hanlon praised Tomco’s versatility and willingness to accept challenges. Tomco thanked the board for continuing to provide leadership opportunities.

“This is my fourth leadership position in the district. I think I’ve just finished my seventh year,” Tomco said. “I’ve bounced around a little bit, but I’ve loved every position.”

The district’s press release said Tomco, a Painesville Township resident, has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, a rapport with staff and students, and a commitment to the district’s mission of high achievement for all students.

Hanlon also extended gratitude to Pavicic, who is departing for a new role as assistant principal at Rocky River High School next year.

“Ms. Pavicic has been a dedicated administrator at the high school, both in the interim position and previously as an assistant principal at the school since 2022,” he said. “We are thankful for her service and wish her well in her new endeavor.”

The district plans to conduct a search and interview process to find both a new principal for CMS and an assistant principal at the high school.

“By limiting these distractions, we will reestablish the opportunity for students across Ohio to immerse themselves in their classwork, learn from their teachers and create lifelong memories with their closest friends,” DeWine said.

Hanlon told the board while the announcement attracted significant media attention, he

tent possible during school hours. It does not, as I said, provide a full ban. I don't anticipate that our district will be doing anything differently from what we are doing,” Hanlon said.

Cell phones, like artificial intelligence, have already permeated the culture, Hanlon said, adding phones in the hands of students are likely here to stay.

“Our primary responsibility as educators is to teach them to use those devices responsibly in the instructional setting and to, you know, to

With board members C.J. Paterniti and Todd Albright absent, the remaining three — board President Karen Blankenship, Andrea Clark and James Midyette — approved naming Albright to the board of the Auburn Career Center.

Albright will replace former Chardon Schools BOE member Paul Stefanko, who resigned last month over concerns with the handling of a lawsuit involving the teachers’ union.

Chardon Fireworks In Danger of Not Going Off

Location issues and volunteers have put the Chardon July 4 Fireworks Show in jeopardy of not going off, according to Dave Jevnikar, the show's organizer.

"The Chardon Area Fireworks Fund will have a 'drop dead date' meeting on May 28 at 7 p.m. to decide whether to go ahead with a fireworks show this year," Jevnikar wrote in an email.

Chardon City Council has approved a location by the city's tennis courts and doubled funding from previous years, but Jevnikar said issues — like volunteers — still remain.

The meeting will take place at the GTV offices, 107 Water Street, Chardon. "If there is sufficient interest/meeting participation, the show will go on," Jevnikar said. "If there isn't ... there will be no show this year."

Questions can be sent to Jevnikar at dwj@windstream.net.

Kenston Proceeds with Weight Room Plan

By Brian Doering Brian@karlovecmeDia com

The Kenston Schools Board of Education moved May 13 to proceed with plans to construct a new stand-alone football weight room near Bomber Stadium.

School board members reviewed the proposed weight room in a presentation from Bomber Elite Group spokesperson Kenneth Abbarno during a May 6 work session.

He noted the estimated costs for the project would range from $400,000 to $450,000.

“Ultimately, the goal is trying to build and maintain a football program on the level of a Division One school on a Division Three scale,” he said. “Our hope is to enhance the environment of our student-athletes on a consistent basis and obviously our goal is to win more championships now and in the future.”

The Booher family, who moved to the Kenston community in 2013 and has two children enrolled in the district, approached Bomber Elite to discuss potential donations for the football program to honor the legacy

Ox Shoppe

from page 9

interesting, as well as charitable.

The second floor of the building has been converted to accommodate groups looking to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bagel, work on a lap top or have a business meeting. Fleming-Ken dall said the Geauga County Drug Court has held sessions in the space. Part of the second floor is set up with toys for children.

The Ox Shoppe is managed by Dennis Battles, who operates the cash register and oversees the shop’s part-time employees.

“Dennis is our hero. Everyone knows him,” Fleming-Kendall said.

When Battles missed three days because of a family matter, social media exploded.

“Every household in Thompson com mented,” Fleming-Kendall said. “It was all over Facebook and Instagram.”

While the Thompson store was Flem ing-Kendall’s first venture, the couple also took over a donut and coffee shop at the in tersection of state routes 528 and 20 in Mad ison Township, also called the Ox Shoppe Cafe, he said.

of Howard D. Booher, who passed away in 2022, Abbarno said during the meeting.

“After several discussions, Bomber Elite and the Booher family believe that the most important thing to the maintenance and enhancement of the football program would be a stand-alone weight room,” he said.

The anticipated completion date for the weight room will be July 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to take place Aug. 31 at the first home football game against West Geauga.

“Construction of this weight room facility will happen at no cost to the school district and this is yet another example of the incredible community we have here at Kenston,”

Superintendent Steve Sayers said.

Sayers shared his excitement in an email May 20 about the project and the impact it will have on Kenston students, the school district and the community.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the Booher family and the Bomber Elite Booster Club for making this project possible,” Say

They also have future plans for the Thompson venue. Paninis and sandwiches will soon be grilled to order and ice cream will top off a meal, Fleming-Kendall said, addshop there accessible to the disabled.

A ramp across the former loading dock is on the agenda, but the engineering and cost mean it will have to wait until sales and sponsorships increase, he said.

More information is available online at theoxshoppe.org.

Thompson Residents Question Public Health O&M Program

By allison Wilson eDitor@karlovecmeDia com

Geauga Public Health’s Operation and Maintenance Program presentation received a cold reception at the Thompson Township Trustees meeting May 15, with the audience questioning why the program was necessary.

Kristi Pinkley, a registered environmental health specialist, explained the program to the crowd.

“In 2015, the Ohio Department of Health updated rules,” she said. “They made a pretty significant change where they said all the local health departments have to start issuing ongoing operation permits for anyone with a residential septic system, so we can track and make sure people are maintaining their system to a minimum standard.”

Though the program is state mandated, it is not state funded. To cover costs, GPH will charge for permit fees and in the cases of systems that require it, sampling fees.

“Mid-May we’re going to have some letters going out to some of your residents. We have about 43 people that’ll be getting letters in midMay and those are systems that have mechanical components,” Pinkley said, listing systems with aerators, peat modules or drip irrigation.

“They’ll be due the last day of June for $30 and that’ll be an annual permit fee,” Pinkley said, elaborating that the fee will cover the time costs related to the process, such as cross referencing a database and records, and doing audits of service providers.

Owners of systems that discharge into the environment, such as a road ditch, stream, storm sewer or spray irrigation will be receiving letters by mid-June, Pinkley said, adding national pollutant discharge elimination systems will cost $155 per year, while spray irrigation systems will cost $150, with the difference in cost due to discharge systems requiring an extra test.

In both cases, about half the money will go to lab costs, while the other half will cover the health department’s time.

The department also intends to begin environmental sampling to see if the program is having an impact, she said.

“That’s why they passed this,” Pinkley said. “In 2012, the state did a study and they estimated about 30% of septics in Ohio were in some degree of failure. Northeastern Ohio, they estimated about 38%.”

The health department’s data puts the rate for Geauga County at around 40%.

A woman in the audience asked if leach systems would be included in this phase of the rollout.

“The state requires (the O&M program) for all residential septic systems and we actually have about 30,000 total septic systems in Geauga County,” she said. “(Leach systems) will be coming. We’re planning to have everyone in the program by the end of 2030.”

Trustee Erwin “Kok” Leffel questioned what the department would do if someone refused to comply.

“To be honest, we still need to go over with our prosecutor exactly how that’s gonna work,” Pinkley responded, telling him there were a few options allowed in Ohio Revised Code — a noncompliance inspection could be performed on the system, with repair or replacement of the system if it was creating a public health nuisance.

“You didn’t answer the question,” Leffel told her. “What if I don’t comply? What do you do?”

Pinkley repeated her answer and Leffel pressed her on the question once again, asking what would happen if someone had a system creating a nuisance. Pinkley said the system would need to be replaced and the health department would go through the county prosecutor to do so.

“So, I would be prosecuted?” Leffel clarified, going on to question what would happen if compliance was low.

“It’ll block the court,” he said. “It’ll never happen.”

Pinkley said there are two forms of compliance — payment and fulfilling the requirement of the permit.

If the fee is not paid to the health department, a 25% late fee will be added and it will be assessed as a special assessment lien on the property taxes, she said, adding noncompliance with service has not fully been ironed out yet.

“There is something in code that basically says, ‘You knowingly did not follow the sewage rules,’ it’s kind of a more general code. We can charge up to $1,000 a day for not complying,” she said.

While there are systems causing problems, Pinkley said, the department does not have the manpower to visit every person’s property. The matter of noncompliance will be discussed at further meetings while working on the details of adding other systems.

Since 2015, service providers have been required to turn in documentation of service within 60 days of performing work on a system.

Pinkley recommended homeowners keep a copy for their own records, also noting the department doesn’t know what it isn’t getting and providers don’t always submit the work.

A question echoed multiple times in the meeting was why people already maintaining their systems are charged, especially if service providers should already be providing that information. Some people called it a money grab.

“This program is not designed to take in any more money than to cover (the) cost of the program,” Pinkley responded. “That’s all we’re trying to do is comply with the mandate. We’re not trying to make money on it.”

Pinkley also noted Geauga’s O&M fees

See Thompson • Page 13

GPD Passes Utility Easement

For West Woods Bridge

staff rePort

Geauga Park District Commissioners approved a utility easement May 20 to allow for the relocation of electrical lines for the West Woods Bridge replacement project.

Executive Director John Oros told park commissioners the easement size is 0.097 acres and relocation of the existing lines is required.

“FirstEnergy needs to move utilities off of the bridge … enough to relocate the utilities going back to The West Woods Nature Center,” Oros said.

GPD Deputy Director Matt McCue briefly explained the reason for the easement to Oros in a letter dated May 7.

“The Illuminating Company requires an easement in the area where their line will be

Thompson

from page 12

are the lowest she knows of in the state, to which a resident raised concern of the fees rising over time.

“It’s a nightmare for us to change the fees, just in our database,” Pinkley said. “So we have every inclination not to change them.”

The health department has pushed back on the state regarding the program, Pinkley told the audience. If the county does not com-

relocated 40 feet to the west of the current location of the powerline as it crosses the stream,” McCue said. “The easement will be 10 feet wide and will be over the area where the Illumination Company will be boring the new line underground and connecting it into the existing transformer.”

Park commissioners made the decision to replace The West Woods bridge south of Kinsman Road on state Route 87 in Russell Township with a resolution Nov. 20, 2023.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will assist the project, which will cost $431,420, Oros said during the meeting.

“(The bridge) had reached a point where some of the steel was starting to deteriorate,” he said, adding 100% of the funding would go through ODOT.

“We had engineers involved to tell us it was time to replace it,” he said.

ply, control of the O&M program will be given to another county.

“(Another county) would essentially take over this entire section of the health department. It wouldn’t just be this one program, my understanding is it would even be … probably the entire sewage program,” Pinkley clarified in a followup interview May 20. “This allows us to maintain local control and try and do the best we can, given the requirements of the program.”

Pinkley encouraged anyone with questions to reach out to GPH. Information about the O&M program is available at gphohio.org.

Veterans Benefit from Fieldstone’s Equine Therapy Program

By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com

Therapy takes many forms in many venues.

Few are as friendly or peaceful as the barn aisles and smooth trails at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in Bainbridge Township.

Communing with the center’s horses is one reason U.S. Navy veteran Terry Milligan visits the sprawling farm, where he grooms and massages the gentle animals, takes them for walks and drives them around the arena.

“It’s all about relationship-building,” he said as he ran a brush over the gleaming coat of Tex, an aged Appendix quarter horse from Idaho — a.k.a. Bubby’s Buddy. “It starts the moment you enter the stall.” Milligan, 70, of Middlefield, served during the Vietnam War and dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder during the ensuing years, working construction jobs and, eventually, becoming a patient advocate for Geauga County Veterans Service.

That was where he heard about Fieldstone’s veterans therapy program.

“I was hesitant, but I eventually came out. It’s a good thing,” he said as he massaged Tex’s top line.

Valorie Gill, Fieldstone equine director and instructor, said she teaches the veterans basic massage and horse body language using the Masterson method.

“Horses hold pain and hide it,” she said, adding a good massage will reveal where they hurt.

“It gives them the opportunity to release

“The best thing for the inside of a man, is the outside of a horse.” – English novelist

R.F. Delderfield

that pain,” she said. “That requires a really, really light touch. It requires you to be in the moment.”

Right on cue, Tex responded to Milligan’s massage by stretching out his neck and half closing his eyes.

“I’m an anxious sort of guy. This makes me slow down,” he said, adding he has a Mas ter’s degree in social work and has been told he is approachable.

Milligan rode a lot as a child, so he wasn’t shy about working around Fieldstone’s herd, but in the last two years, he has come to learn how they are the ideal therapy animals.

“Horses don’t lie. They are very intuitive,” he said, adding he feels a strong connection to them. “I find them very relaxing. They don’t live in the past. Most veterans live in the past.”

A group of about 10 vets meets at Fieldstone on Friday evenings, working with horses and sharing their views about the book, “Horses Don’t Lie – What Horses Teach Us About Our Natural Capacity for Awareness,” by Chris Irwin.

“Vets bring the book in and read it,” Gill said.

They usually find sections that relate to

their day-to-day lives.

As he led Tex down the grassy path on a loose lead line, Milligan said the ideas in “Horses Don’t Lie” apply to him and others in the group, but there is more to the session.

“The cool thing about the book is when we chat, it’s tantamount to an after-action report,” he said. “A lot of vets miss that unit connection, a squad or a platoon.”

That close-knit relationship is developed over time and through hazardous situations

in military service.

“It’s very difficult to acquire after you get out of the military,” he said. “We kinda have that here.”

Gill credits the farm’s four-footed residents with the success of the program.

“It’s a very safe space. The veterans have the opportunity to be very open,” she said. “The horses have created that opportunity in that space.”

Fieldstone is planning an open house from 3-6 p.m. June 21.

Therapeutic Riding Center in Bainbridge Township, where he is part of a support program for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder.

S P O R T S

Hilltoppers Track Teams Win District Titles

By alan kornsPan sPorts@karlovecmeDia com

Geauga County athletes had a busy week of competition as the area's top track and field competitors looked to earn a spot in the OHSAA Regional Track Meet.

Tops amongst Geauga County Track and Field teams were the Chardon Hilltoppers. In fact, the Boys Team won the Division I District Title at Mentor and the Girls Team won four individual District Titles.

In winning the OHSAA District Title as a team, the Chardon Boys won individual titles in the 400m (Karl Dietz), 1600m (Taman Chokshi), 3200m (Chokshi), 4x400m (Dietz, Caleb Hewitt, Jacob Nieset, Matthew Sopchak) and 4x800m (Chokshi, Nieset, Jack Roman, Sopchak).

Also, the Hilltoppers Girls Team won individual District Titles in the 1600m (Rae Kawalec), 3200m (Kawalec), 4x800m (Bethany Cappello, Cate Dawson, Eve Downs, Rae Kawalec), and the Shot Put (Jillian Morrison).

At the Division I District Finals at Austintown-Fitch, the Kenston Girls Track and

See Track• Page 16

Robinson Nets 5 goals as Hawks Defeat Lions 10-7

By alan kornsPan sPorts@karlovecmeDia com

The Hawken Hawks Girls lacrosse team hosted the NDCL Lions in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs on May 14 at Walton Stadium.

The Hawks got out to an early 4-1 lead after one period of play and led 6-2 going into halftime.

Although the Lions outscored the Hawks, 5-4, in the second half, the Hawks held on to claim a 10-7 playoff victory.

Post-game, Hawken Head Coach James Newman said that the Hawks have improved greatly during the season as they have played a very challenging schedule.

One area of improvement which Newman believed helped the Hawks have success against the Lions was their ball movement on offense.

Coach Newman believed that the Hawks improvement in passing and finding open players led to the Hawks having a high scoring first half.

“We were really happy with the way that we were moving the ball on offense which led to a lot of goals which was pretty nice,” Newman said.

In addition to passing the ball well to find open players, Coach Newman said that the

Hawks tried to get the ball to two attackers that were inside the 8 meter mark.

“On offense what we tried to do was put two players inside the 8m that are always cut ting off one another to then look for some of those openings,” Newman said.

Implementing this game plan to perfec tion during the first half for the Hawks was senior Zoe Robinson. During the first half, Robinson had four goals.

Afterward, Robinson said that leading up to this playoff game the team worked on their off ball movement to get open in order to take a lot of shots on goal.

“Being open for that initial cut, and slip ping in from behind my defender has been really key to me,” Robinson said. “Especially in this game, they left some spaces open, and I kind of used that to my advantage.”

Coach Newman said that for this game against the Lions, the coaching staff changed Robinson’s position to help give her a better opportunity to get open.

Newman said: “In our offensive set, we changed her position a little bit to give (Zoe), more of an opportunity to dodge from the side where she is super strong and make those types of shots and score goals. So I think we adjusted and tinkered with that of fense a bit to then make it more successful.”

In addition to Robinson scoring five goals against the Lions, also contributing offensive-

Hawken senior Josie Culver during the team’s 10-7 tournament win against Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

Hilltoppers Win Walk-Off Against Glen Oak

By Rich Kelly spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

It’s district softball tournament time. The teams left in the competition are all high quality teams. To keep moving on, you must make plays, forget mistakes in a hurry, and that’s exactly what the Chardon softball team did in a 6-5 walk-off win against Canton Glen Oak at Covelli Sports Complex on the Youngstown State University campus on May 13.

The win came via a walkoff double from the bat of Alexa Anderson, but it was a total team effort from top to bottom in the process.

To that point, the Toppers had been putting the ball into play more often, but the defenses for the Canton team made some plays.

Much of that changed after Taylor’s hit, as Emma Anderson, Grace Legan, Riley Ford, and McKenna Banville all hit safely and with power, leading to a four run inning that tied the score at 4-4.

Chardon coach Stewart Landies laid it all out in his commentary.

“There’s no doubt we needed a spark, and Sierra’s long double leading off the fifth inning gave it to us,” Landies said. “That hit to the fence really got us going again.”

After Chardon (20-8) was unable to capitalize on a first and third situation in the bottom of the first inning.

The Golden Eagles played small ball in the top of the second by blasting out five hits, two of which actually made it out of the infield.

The others were all infield choppers as Glen Oak could not put good whacks on the pitches of Jenna Hendriks. Nonetheless, they did run fast to first base a lot to reach safely, and on one of the two hits that did reach outfield grass, the Hilltoppers were slow to react on the speed on the bases.

It took a while, but came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sierra Taylor led off with a cannon shot off the fence in left center for a double.

Lacrosse

from page 15

ly for the Hawks were Ally Taylor (2 goals), Josie Culver (1), Mackenzie Ecker (1) and Kiera Levine (1).

Post-Game, senior captain Ally Taylor said that team was very motivated to play well against the Lions since they had lost to them earlier in the season. She emphasized that the Hawks played very cohesively against the Lions.

“We worked really well as team,” Taylor said. “We had a lot of great assists and goals

Both teams manufactured runs in the sixth frame to keep the game tied.

In one of the few times Glen Oak got good aluminum on the ball, it took a superb defensive play from Chardon to halt the rally in its tracks.

Finally up stepped Alexa Anderson, and she promptly sent a 0-1 pitch screaming into the gap in right center that the center fielder dived for and came up short.

While chasing the ball, Banville impersonated a greyhound on the basepaths to easily score the game winning run, sending Chardon to a May 15 district final contest with Fitch.

“This is a really nice place to play,” Alexa Anderson said . “It’s a big time stage, but we care enough about each other to want to win every game we play no matter where we are playing. This was really nice to get the game

that were just like charging in, so that was really great.”

In addition to the Hawks offense which focused on ball movement and strategic cuts toward the goal, the Hawks defense focused on playing closer to midfield to try and stop the Lions attack from cutting and getting open in the middle of the field.

“(Our defense tried to) not just run with them with our sticks parallel to them, but actually get up in front of them to stop (them from cutting across the middle),” Newman said.

By implementing this defensive strategy, Coach Newman believed that this strategy led the Hawks to greater success than in the

Winning the Girls 400m District Title at Perry was Hawken's Leila Metres.

Afterward, Metres talked about winning the district title.

winning hit for me, but we focus on playing for each other all the time., without putting too much thought into individual stuff.”

Legan, Ford, and Banville each had a pair of safeties for the Hilltoppers as they overcame gthree errors In the field overall while taking advantage of four miscues from the Golden Eagles. The Hilltoppers were stronger at the end, and that is usually when big games are won.

No Comeback Against Fitch

The Chardon Hilltoppers reached the Div. I district final contest against Austintown Fitch.

In the district title game, the Hilltoppers again fell behind early, but due to one major circumstance, junior pitcher Sydnie Watts of Fitch, there would be no comeback allowed as Chardon saw its super season of softball come to a screeching halt on the short end of an 8-0 score.

Keep in mind, as well, that this gives Fitch a 3-peat of district titles in Division I.

Led by Georgia Tech University recruit junior pitcher Sydnie Watts, Fitch was just too much.

In fanning 16 while allowing only two baserunners, the Hilltoppers (20-9) had few good swings against a variety of on target pitches.

Mackenzie Kilbeck drilled a solid shot into right center in the second for the only Topper hit, and Kilbeck also was the only other baserunner for CHS when she walked , the only one of the night, in the fifth.

Watts fanned the side three times in the game with a ball that moved in and out and

first game against the Lions.

Coach Newman said that a key player for the Hawks on both offense and defense against the Lions was senior Kiera Levine.

“(Kiera) is super important to us in just

Field Team won individual District Titles in the High Jump (Sadie Poudevigne) and the 3200m (Emerson Greene).

In the Division II District Finals at Perry, athletes from Chagrin Falls, Hawken, and West Geauga won individual District Titles.

The Chagrin Falls Tigers won the Girls 4x800m (Mila Gresh, Leah Kler, Bella Radomsky, Lilly Stukus), and the Boys 400m (Jack Kittle).

After winning the 400m, Kittle said that defeating a runner that had run a sub 49 second 400m was a cool experience. He explained that he had never before competed against a runner that had run below 49 seconds in the 400m.

In order to win the 400m District Title, Kittle said that having a good start was very important to his success.

“The 400 felt great,” Metres said. “The fastest I ran this year is 58 so going out and running a 56.5, it was amazing, I was shocked. The Chagrin girl really pushed me, and then once I got to the 300 mark I heard my coach yelling my split and I was like, ‘Oh my god I could actually do something.' It's super exciting, that's an all-time PR.”

The Hawken Boys team also won an individual district title in the 4x800m (Sam Cohen, Parker Carrus, Nick Garcia-Whitko, Chase Levey).

Winning a District Title for West Geauga Boys Track and Field at the Perry District Finals was senior Matthew Dienes who won the 1600m with a winning time of 4:24.09.

Dienes expressed his excitement after winning his first District Title.

tricts here in track, it's such an amazing feeling,” Dienes said. “I had so much fun running that race. I was really able to push myself with this tough competition I had. We were battling back and fourth. The lead exchanged several times. In the end, I was able to pull through in the last 300 and win the District Title.”

Also, Kara Deister won the Girls High Jump for the Wolverines with a winning jump of 5’4”.

up and down enough , beside high rates of speed, that kept the Hilltoppers off balance.

Senior Grace Legan knew what to expect, as did her teammates, but skills like those of Watts make a big difference.

“We’ve seen some great pitchers over the course of this season,” Legan said. “At the same time, to make it this far is a great thing to be proud of. I want to leave behind a legacy of hard work and excellence, and even though we graduated six starters from last year, this group of girls has so much to be proud of and to build on for their own careers.”

Coach Stewart Landies, finishing his sixth season leading the program, while disappointed, was a terrific example of being upbeat in a tough spot for his team.

“I’m just so proud of this team,” he said between moments of consoling parents and players alike. “They just put it all togegther to get here with many younger girls now in the starting roles. We work hard in the off season. I ask a lot of parents to be part of it with offseason work, and that is the legacy these girls have built for themselves and for the program. I’ve had Grace, for example, for four years leading this team, and she has worked so hard and been such a great leader for everybody, a coach can’t ask for more than that.”

Dropping a game to the defending state title winner is no shame, and not for an instant did this CHS team give up. They just couldn’t give a repeat performance against one of the best pitchers they will ever see at any level.

They gave the community and school system a great deal to be proud of.

controlling the game,” Newman said. “Taking the draw, winning the draw control is super huge and gives us an opportunity to be successful for sure. I think (Kiera) is great at doing that.

won the District Title in the 400m (Rob Bonchak).

In the Division III District Finals at Cuyahoga Heights, the Cardinal Girls Track and field team won District Titles in the 800m (Lily Ayer) and the Shot Put (Olivia Krebs). In addition, Max Soltis won an individual District Title for the Cardinal Boys Track and Field team in the Shot Put. Geauga County Track and Field athletes will now compete at Regionals as they try to qualify for the OHSAA Track and Field State Championships. Track from page 15

“This being my first time winning dis-

At the Division II District Finals at Lakeview, the NDCL Boys Track and Field team

Alan H. and Marjorie E. Cook

Family and friends of the Cook / Haskins families are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Life service for Alan H. Cook (Sept. 26, 1930-June 9, 2020) and Marjorie E. Cook (nee Haskins) (Dec. 18, 1933-March 2, 2024).

The service will be held at The Federated Church, 76 Bell St., Bainbridge Township, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. Reception immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Thomas Paul Urban

Thomas Paul

“Tom” Urban, 84, of Parkman Township, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024.

He was born May 10, 1940, in Cleve land, to the late John M. Urban and Julia (nee Sidor) Urban-Wos.

Tom was an inventor and adventurer who traveled many times to Montana with friends to prospect for gold and to explore the land. He raised exotic pheasants at his farm, and was well-known throughout the area.

Tom will be deeply missed by his lov ing wife, Linda (nee Sly) Urban; children, John Urban, Joseph Urban and Julianna Urban-Spain; adoptive son, Nathan Weaver; many grandchildren; sister, Julie Urban; former brother-in-law, Donald Davison; and cousin, Louis Novotny, with whom Tom spent many hours under the hood of race cars while at the racetrack.

Obituaries

Creek Bible College in Pineville, Ky., in the 1970s and moved to Louisville, Ky., in 1979 to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

As a bi-vocational pastor, Bob led prison ministry with Evangel Church, ESL classes, multi-cultural missions and ministered to men in recovery, and retired from maintenance at Kentucky Baptist Convention in 2010. He and Beverly relocated to San Antonio in October 2018.

He had a passion for learning and self-improvement. He was a gifted encourager and a meticulous painter and trim carpenter. He loved America and was a patriot. He was a hunter and sportsman and enjoyed the gun range. He was a member of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio as well as a Sunday School member at Mission City Church.

Talk of his family, kids, grandkids and great-grands always brought a smile to his face; they were his joy! He loved the Lord and wanted the world to know the simple plan of salvation for abundant living on earth and eternal life in Christ Jesus, not by works, but by God's freely given grace alone.

Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly, of 61 years; children, daughter Jeannette Hummel, of St. Augustine, Fla., daughter Kathrine “Katie” (Jay) Holmes, of San Antonio, and son, Robert “Bobby” (Jean) Hummel, of Louis-

He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Ellie (Jeff) Evans, Beverly Holmes, Olivia Hummel, Alex Hummel, Jacqueline Smith; and great-grandchildren, Madeline, Ben, Jack Robert and Evelyn Evans.

He is also survived by his sisters, Kathleen Dawson, of Montville Township, Jo (Gordon) McDonald, of Delaware, Ohio, and Holly (Ron) Jonovich, of Chardon; brother, Bill Hummel, of Windsor; sisters-in-law, Joyce Hummel Sargent, of Chardon, Peach Ernst, of Painesville, and Barbara Brennan, of Painesville; as well as nine nephews and 12 nieces, and multiple great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-greats as well.

Dennis J. Maynard

Dennis J. Maynard, age 73, of Middlefield, passed away May 15, 2024, after a long bat tle with cancer.

Born in Chardon, on June 19, 1950, to Malcom and Winona (nee Carter) May nard, he had been a longtime resident of the Chardon and Painesville area before moving to Middlefield two years ago. Dennis was a grad uate of Chardon High School, class of 1968.

Dennis worked at the Cuyahoga County Board of DD, where he served adults with disabilities and established a reputation as caring, compassionate and supportive case worker who was loved by all.

very dear and special to them.

Through Signs of Grace, they also began to be involved in Deaf Teen Quest, a teen outreach to deaf students organized by Youth for Christ. Through their ministry, Dennis and Berjean have touched the lives of countless individuals and witnessed many lives changed through the message of the Gospel.

Dennis’s love for his Amish friends was evident to all, and the highlight of his week was driving the children and teachers to school. One of his favorite times of the year was the annual shoebox collection for Operation Christmas Child, where he spent many days driving throughout the Amish community picking up thousands of shoeboxes and delivering them to collection centers in the area and promoting the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse around the world.

Please join the family for visitation on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville. A funeral service will begin at the funeral home at 7 p.m., with Pastor Sandra Greenberg officiating.

Donations will be graciously accepted by the Nelson United Methodist Church, 9367 OH-305, Garrettsville, OH 44231, in Tom’s name, to honor his memory.

Robert "Bob" Francis Hummel

Robert "Bob"

Francis Hummel, 81, in San Antonio, Tex as, died at home with his family and loving hospice caregivers on March 20, 2024.

Bob was born May 8, 1942, in Char don, to Carl and Elsie Hummel, a second son of six children. He was a graduate of Chardon High School, Class of 1960.

As an Army reservist, he married the love of his life, Beverly Barr, in 1963 and they had three children, Jenny, Katie and Bobby. He took the family to Appalachia to attend Clear

Preceded in death by his parents, Francis “Carl” Hummel and Elsie Eula Waters Hummel; older brother, Tom Hummel Sr., of Chardon; son-in-law, Jerry Smith, of Fairport; and brothers-in-law, Bob Brennan, of Willoughby, Marc Ernst, of Chardon, and Malcolm Dawson, of Montville.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024. Please meet the family and other attending at 10:15 a.m. at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, to join in the procession which will go through Chardon Town Square, past the North Street house where Bob grew up onto the Chardon Municipal Cemetery with the graveside service beginning at 11 a.m.

A Celebration of Life Service with luncheon will immediately follow at Chardon United Methodist, 515 North St., Chardon.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com

Services entrusted to the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes of Madison, Chardon, Painesville & Fairport Harbor. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com

After his retirement, Dennis developed a small business and served his community as a driver for Amish families and schools around Middlefield.

Dennis loved to be outdoors, working in the flower gardens, mowing the lawn or working on his beloved landscaping ponds. He enjoyed watching songbirds and wildlife from the backyard deck.

Dennis loved playing with his grandkids and connecting with his family. His love and dedication to his wife and family was evident to all. If you happened to stop by their house in the evening, you would invariably find Dennis sitting on the couch, massaging Berjean’s feet while he watched the Cleveland Indians or Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dennis and his wife, Berjean, learned sign language in the early 1980s, and God began to give them a love and desire to reach the deaf community with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their passion was to bring deaf teens and adults to church, teach them God’s Word in their own language, and train them to serve the Lord in their own community and culture. They were involved in providing opportunities for deaf teens and young adults to attend summer camp and they would often spend the week at camp themselves.

In 2016, Dennis and Berjean began attending Signs of Grace Deaf church, a new church that had started meeting at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights. God had uniquely prepared them to help with this new church plant, and their church family became

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Berjean (nee Greenaway)”BJ” Maynard, of Middlefield; sons, Jason (Michele), of Euclid, Jarred (Laura), of Omaha, Neb., Justin, of Oakwood Village; Isaiah Kamples, their God son; six grandchildren, Joshua Bray, Jordan Bray, Amanda Bray, Jared Bray, Jadon Maynard and Joseph Maynard; one great-grandchild, Noah Bray; and sister, Janice Curtis, of Adrian, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Willo-Hill Baptist Church, 4200 Chillicothe Road, Willoughby, with Pastor Joe Dixon of Signs of Grace Deaf Church presiding.

Family and friends asked to arrive for a gathering at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

A private family burial will take place. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024, at Best Funeral Home,15809 Madison Road, Middlefield.

Flowers are welcome or donations can be made in Dennis’s name to the Maynard Deaf Scholarship Fund through Signs of Grace Deaf Church which will be used to sponsor deaf teens to attend summer camp and to fund other Christian leadership activities. You can donate here: https://givesendgo. com/MaynardDeafScholarshipFund?utm_

Bulletin Board

Effective Aug. 1, 2023, for-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. E-mail submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

Young of Heart

May 24, noon

Geauga Young of Heart will visit the Atlas Movie Theatre behind Eastgate. The movie is to be determined. Call Kimber at 440-668-3293 for information. The annual for-members-only birthday party with a Western theme will be on June 21 in St. Anselm’s Kelly Hall. Lunch and birthday cake will be provided by YOH. Entertainment will be by Steppin’ Out. To reserve a spot, sign up at a meeting or call Elaine Hippley at 440-729-9371.

Civil War Encampment

May 25 and 26

Geauga County Historical Society presents a Civil War Encampment on the grounds of Century Village Museum in Burton. The event features authentic reenactors, sutlers, battles and a special live musical performance. For information and tickets, call 440-834-1492 or visit centuryvillagemuseum.org.

Holiday Polka Party

May 27, 1-7 p.m.

A Memorial Day polka dance party will be held at SNPJ Farm, 10946 Heath Road, Kirtland. Enjoy ethnic food and live music featuring the orchestras of Don Wojtila and Frank Stanger. Open to the public. For information, call 330-318-3004.

LCGS Meeting

May 30, 10 a.m.

The Lake County Genealogical Society (LCGS) will meet via Zoom. Following a brief business meeting, guest speaker Steve Szabados will present "Find Your Roots in Naturalization Records."

Visit www.lcgsohio.org for more information and the invitation to the Zoom meeting. One does not need to be a member to attend the monthly meeting.

Large Item Trash Drop-Off Day

June 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Auburn Township residents may bring their items to the Adam Hall Community Center, 11455 Washington St. No hazardous waste, building products, household garbage or yard waste will be accepted.

A nominal fee of $7 per car and small truckloads and $10 per large truckload will

Geauga Park District

For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Archery For Everyone

Enter Geauga Park District’s new Family Fun Giveaway by June 3 to qualify to win one of three $500 archery shopping sprees, plus six arrows provided by co-presenter Ohio Premier Archery & Sports in Middlefield. Three winners will be randomly selected. Visit the park district website for information.

Chickagami Park’s archery range will be bustling with archery programming for adults, families, and kids ages 9 and older to learn and practice target archery using park district equipment, plus special sessions for scouts and homeschooling families.

All participants must be 50 inches or taller and wear closed-toed shoes, and no children younger than 9 may attend. Completion of a waiver may also be required onsite. Chickagami Park is located at 17957 Tavern Road in Parkman Township.

Volunteers Needed to Deliver Meals

The Geauga County Department on Aging is in need of Home Delivered Meal drivers in Chardon on Tuesdays and Fridays and Huntsburg Township on Mondays.

The meal routes start at the Chardon Senior Center, 470 Center St., Building 8, Chardon. The Home Delivered Meal program delivers warm, nutritious lunches between the hours of 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, to homebound senior citizens in the community.

The department on aging is looking for area agencies, organizations, church and individuals 18 years old or older, with a valid driver’s license, who are interested in volunteering for this program.

Training includes filing department on aging Home Delivered Meal volunteer paperwork and a short orientation about the program. Volunteers can deliver meals on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or as needed/substitute basis.

To sign up or for any questions, please contact Nathan Gorton at 440-279-2138 or email at NGorton@co.geauga.oh.us.

be charged. A maximum of eight truck tires, on and off rims, per household will be accepted for free.

Senior residents qualify for free item pick-up service on May 30 and 31. Seniors must first preregister with the Geauga County Department on Aging at 440-2792130.

Call the Auburn Administration Office with any questions, 440-543-7028 or visit www.auburntownship.com

Woodland Management Field Day

June 1, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Join for a free, interactive field day at the Working Woods demonstration forest at The Holden Arboretum, 9805 Sperry Road, Kirtland. Attendees will tour the woods and learn about woodland management demonstrations firsthand.

Multiple agencies and professionals will also be in attendance with materials and information. Morning and afternoon tour times are available.

For more information or to register, call Pam Brown at 440-602-3849, ext. 269 or vis-

it holdenfg.org.

GCRTA to Meet

June 4, 11:15 a.m.

The Geauga County Retired Teachers Association will meet at the E.O.U.V. Club, 8636 Pekin Road in Russell Township. Gathering time will be followed by a business meeting at 11:30 a.m. and a grilled chicken salad luncheon at noon.

Guest speakers are Wade Steen, reinstated STRS board member, and Robin Rayfield, ORTA executive director. A 50/50 raffle and free lunch raffle will follow the program.

For more information, contact Judy Miller at 440 487-4324 or email harpergma6@ gmail.com. Remember to bring paper products or canned goods for Geauga County Job and Family Services.

Help for Mental Illness

NAMI Geauga offers mental health support groups and classes for families and persons affected by mental illness. There is no charge to participants. All offerings are 100% peer led and meet in person or on Zoom.

Check out NAMI’s calendar online for the latest listings: www.namigeauga.org

Co-Op Teacher Celebrating 30 Years

Chester Co-Op Preschool teacher Kelly Davis is celebrating her 30th year teaching at the preschool. Davis was honored at a 90s-themed celebration, where she received a mosaic canvas print of her favorite cartoon character, Tigger. This special Tigger print is composed of all the pictures that were sent in from both current and alumni families commemorating their time and fond memories at Chester Co-Op.

4-H News

Breeders and Feeders

Congratulations to Haylee Taylor, a member of the Breeders & Feeders 4-H Club. Geauga County 4-H held a county-wide T-shirt design contest where members across the county could submit a design to have featured on the 2024 Jr. Fair shirt. Geauga County 4-H members submitted their votes selecting the favorite design. Haylee’s design received the most votes and will be featured on this year’s Geauga County Junior Fair shirt.

Marko Gibbs was recognized for his 4-H window display promoting 4-H membership. He was presented with an Ohio 4-H Foundation Lego kit by club advisor Karen Techiman.

Members have been busy selecting their pigs, goats and lambs to exhibit at the Geauga County Fair. All the animals were recent-

ly tagged and weighed as the project season officially kicks off for many. Some members also breed their livestock and work diligently year-round being producers of fuel, food and fibers.

The club is proud to have a long-standing heritage of agricultural roots in livestock. In addition to livestock, club members also participate in a variety of other projects ranging from cooking, leadership, community involvement and even knots. Ohio 4-H offers over 200 different projects for its members to select.

To learn more about how to be a part of the Ohio 4-H program, contact the local Ohio State University Extension Office in Geauga County at 440-834-4656. (Submitted by Campbell Reese Patterson, news reporter)

Memorial Day Observances

Auburn Township

May 26

Auburn Township will hold a wreath-laying service at Mapleshade Cemetery at 8:45 a.m.; an assembly with a guest speaker at Adam Hall Community Center at 9 a.m.; and a ceremony at Shady Side Cemetery at 10 a.m. for the raising of the flags and laying of the wreaths.

Join the Board of Trustees at the annual one-day opening of the Auburn Museum after the ceremonies.

Bainbridge Township

May 26, 11:30 a.m.

Bainbridge Township will honor its fallen veterans for Memorial Day with a parade and service. The parade begins at Bainbridge Commons at 11:30 a.m. and proceeds to Restland Cemetery for the service. The speaker is Linda Nutter, U.S. Army veteran and retiring Kenston elementary school teacher.

Participants will include members of the Aurora American Legion Post 803, Mantua American Legion Post 193, the Bainbridge Township Trustees, Bainbridge fiscal officer, the Bainbridge police and fire departments, Bainbridge Civic Club, Bainbridge Historical Society, members of the Kenston High School choir and band and area Boy and Girl Scouts.

Chardon

May 27, 10-11:30 a.m.

Chardon will hold a Memorial Day observance ceremony in front of the Chardon Courthouse followed by the laying of wreaths and a program at Chardon Memorial Cemetery.

Chester Township

May 27, 10 a.m.

Chester Township elected officials are hosting a Memorial Day observance ceremony at the Chester Township Cemetery on state Route 306. The remembrance service honoring veterans will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact the Chester Town Hall at 440-729-7058.

Hambden Township

May 27, 9-10 a.m.

The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Hambden Township Park. A service will be held in the Hambden Congregational Church at 9:30 a.m. followed by a reading of the veterans’ names. There will be a pancake breakfast at

the fire station at 10 a.m.; donations will be accepted. To participate in the parade, call Jean at 440-321-3141

Huntsburg Township

May 27, 10:30 a.m.

Huntsburg Historical Society will hold a Memorial Day service in the Huntsburg Memorial Park.

Middlefield Village

May 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lineup for the Memorial Day parade is at 11:30 a.m. at the Middlefield Fire Department. The parade begins at noon and ends at the Middlefield Cemetery for a Memorial Day service.

Children are welcome to participate in the parade with bikes, scooters and wagons. Those who participate will get a treat.

Munson Township

May 27, 8:30 a.m.

A Memorial Day service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery, 13480 Auburn Road. Speaker is Geauga County Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri.

Newbury Township

May 27, 8 a.m.

Newbury American Legion Post 663’s Memorial Day program begins at 8 a.m. with a Post Everlasting at the post located at 11008 Kinsman Road.

Services will be held at South Newbury Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.; Munn Cemetery at 10 a.m., and Newbury Veterans Memorial Park at noon. There will be a parade to Newbury Center Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. with Dean Epply as the parade marshal, followed by a cemetery service at 1 p.m.

A community picnic prepared by Bob Hejduk, Helen Hejduk and Austin Blevins and sponsored in part by NOPEC Community Sponsorship Program will be held at Newbury Veterans Memorial Park.

Contact Dean Epply for parade entry, at 216-347-9900.

Call Post 663 Commander Ken Hunter at 440-635-6536 with any questions.

Thompson Township

May 27, 11 a.m. to noon

A Memorial Day observance will be held Maple Grove Cemetery, 16337 Thompson Road.

The Cardinal Local Schools District recently secured a school bus purchase grant from the State of Ohio for $45,000 that paid for almost half of the much-needed upgrade to the transportation department.

Dyslexia Simulation

Three teachers from Jordak Elementary School participated in a dyslexia simulation on May 7 at Riverside Local Schools. Through six simulations, the teachers experienced everyday challenges that individuals with dyslexia face. The simulations were designed to improve understanding and encourage the use of effective teaching techniques. The workshops were led by members of the Northern Ohio Branch of IDA.

Food Pyramids

Second-grade students were given three wooden frames and then different colored blocks to form their own food pyramids. The first three blocks were represented as plants. The next several blocks represented animals that feed on plants, and the top block represented an animal that feeds on other animals that first feed on plants. The entire activity relates to a DVD that was played for the students before they began making their food pyramids.

Jordak Elementary School teachers participate in a dyslexia simulation on May 7 at River

West Geauga Kenston

cently held the 31st annual Senior Citizens Recognition Dinner. The fun event is an opportunity to show the district’s appreciation to the senior citizens of the West Geauga community for all they have done and continue to do to provide a solid educational foundation for West Geauga’s students. Thank you to all the attendees and volunteers who made the event a success.

3rd-Grade Field Trip

Third-grade students at Lindsey Elementary School had an opportunity to visit Holden Arboretum on a class field trip. The wonderful guides gave students an opportunity

the pond, such as frogs, fish, tadpoles, snails and salamanders. After learning about their animals, they were safely released back into the pond. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors.

WGHS Senior Decision Day

The first week of May was a big week for the class of 2024. May 1 was National College Decision Day, a celebratory day for many high school seniors announcing their commitment to the college of their choice. Participating students dressed in a shirt sharing their future plans after West G and signed their senior graduation exit tickets. The week concluded with senior prom and after prom.

8th-Grade Field Trip

Earlier this month, Kenston Middle School eighth-graders visited Washington, D.C., exploring the nation's history. Students Fletcher Linsz, Zoey Murtha, Gabriella Quintana and Keirz Walz participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. They were chosen to participate based on an essay contest with the writing prompt of "Why is laying the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery significant and meaningful to you." The trip also included visits to monuments and museums related to their history curriculum.

Fine Arts Showcase

Kenston students' artistic talents and musical skills were on display during the annual Kenston Fine Arts Showcase, which took place April 29 through May 2. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade had a piece of artwork included in the showcase along with a gallery of Advanced Placement (AP) Art students' work. The AP Art students in the gallery this year were Brinley Brown, Andrea Kirschman, Erin McFadden, Madison Palmer, Samuel Sigh, Alyse Stefancin, Annika Tutzer and Gabri-

ella West.

SUBMITTED

In addition to the visual arts, the musical arts department at Kenston provided the community with vocal and instrumental concerts. The KMS seventh- and eighthgrade bands and choirs, along with the KHS bands and choirs proudly displayed their musicianship and learned skills from over the year.

Senior Wins Production Award

Kenston senior Brooke Davidson won a Student Production Award from the Central Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of Short Form Non-Fiction for her piece "10 Things I Learned While Traveling the World." Brooke was the videographer, editor and narrator of her piece. It is a prestigious award from the same group that awards Emmys to professionals.

Only one other winner from Kenston has been awarded since 2020, when Kenston students first started entering work. Also nominated for an award this year in the category of High School Fiction - Short Form was senior Mia Lioudis. Mia was the writer and animator of her piece titled “Small Town Adventures.”

Eighth-graders Fletcher Linsz, Zoey Murtha, Gabriella Quintana and Keirz Walz take part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

team placed ninth out of 126 teams competing and the Division B team placed 10th out of 100.

Legal Notices

Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 19-F-000343

The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: CHEMICAL BANK, Plaintiff vs. MARK E. CANNELLA, ET AL., Defendants

In pursuance of a Second Pluries Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga. sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 6th day of June, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 20th day of June, 2024 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Newbury to wit:

A copy of the complete legal description can be found in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, 231 Main Street, Suite 1-C, Chardon, Ohio 44024, OR Volume 887, Page 119

SHORT LEGAL DESCRIPTION: S/L 9 KIMBERLY ESTATES #1

Said Premises Located at: 11121 KIMMERIDGE TRAIL, NEWBURY TOWNSHIP, OH. Permanent Parcel Number: 23-196250

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.

The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

Said Premises appraised at ($225,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($150,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.

TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.

SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Maureen Zink Delaney, attorney May9-16-23, 2024

Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 22-F-000315

The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff vs. ANTHONY CARTER, AKA ANTHONY M. CARTER, ET AL., Defendants

In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 6th day of June, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 20th day of June, 2024 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Montville to wit:

Situated in the Township of Montville, County of Geauga and State of Ohio and known as being part of Original Lot No. 4, in Section No. 19, within said township and bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a 1” iron pin in a monument box found at the centerline intersection of Hautala Road and Clay Street (60 feet wide); Thence N 00 deg. 39’ 34” W along the centerline of said Clay Street a distance of 1324.63 feet to a 1” iron pin in a monument box found at an angle point therein; Thence N 00 deg. 45’ 00” W continuing along said centerline a distance of 1664.73 feet to a point, said point being a northwesterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to D.W. Smith and M.B. Savage as recorded in Vol. 629, Pg. 524 of Geauga County Records and Deeds, said point also being the southwesterly corner of the parcel herein described and the principal place of beginning of this survey. Thence N 89 deg. 00’ 35” E along a northerly line of the said D.W. Smith and M.B. Savage parcel and passing through a 1/4” I.D. iron pipe found at 29.18 feet and also passing through a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set at 30.00 feet a total distance of 425.00 feet to a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set, said point being a southwesterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to J. and J. Rabatin as recorded in Vol. 701, Pg. 735 of Geauga

County Records and Deeds, said point also being the southeasterly corner of the parcel herein described. Thence N 00 deg. 45’ 00” W along a westerly line of said Rabatin’s land a distance of 200.00 feet to a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set, said point being a southeasterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to J.G. and M.J. Rabatin as recorded in Vol. 968, Pg. 680 of Geauga County Records and Deeds, said point also being the northeasterly corner of the parcel herein described. Thence S. 89 deg. 00’ 35” W along a southerly line of said Rabatin’s land and passing through a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set at 395.00 feet a total distance of 425.00 feet to a point on the centerline of the aforesaid Clay Street, said point also being the northwesterly corner of a parcel herein described. Thence 00 deg. 45’ 00” E along said centerline a frontage distance of 200.00 feet to the principal place of beginning on this survey and containing 1.9513 acres of land as surveyed by Delmar B. Kosie and Associates (Robert L. Kosie, Registered Professional Land Surveyor No. 8167). Bearing are to an assumed meridian and indicate angles only, date June 27, 2008, be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.

Said Premises Located at: 10525 CLAY STREET, MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, OH.

Permanent Parcel Number: 20-050700

DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.

The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

Said Premises appraised at ($325,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($216,667.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.

TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.

SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Tamara Gurchik, attorney May9-16-23, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

24-F-000105 – First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lakewood, Plaintiff vs. Unknown Successor as Trustee for the Brian J. Allen, Trustee of BDBA Trust aka Brian J. Allen, Trustee of the BDBA Trust under trust Instrument dated April 25, 1996, for the benefit of Brian J. Allen, et al., Defendants Unknown Successor as Trustee for the Brian J. Allen, Trustee of BDBA Trust aka Brian J. Allen, Trustee of the BDBA Trust under trust Instrument dated April 25, 1996, for the benefit of Brian J. Allen whose last and present place of residence are unknown; Jan Doe 1, Name Unknown, Spouse of Brianna M. Allen, if any whose last place of residence was 610 Canterbury Road, Bay Village, OH 44140: and whose present place of residence is unknown; Jan Doe 2, Name Unknown, Spouse of Alek Allen, if any whose last place of residence was 15340 Valentine Road, Thompson, OH 44086: and whose present place of residence is unknown, will take notice on February 14, 2024, First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lakewood filed its Complaint in Case No. 24-F000105 in the Court of Common Pleas Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, alleging that Defendants, Unknown Successor as Trustee for the Brian J. Allen, Trustee of BDBA Trust aka Brian J. Allen, Trustee of the BDBA Trust under trust Instrument dated April 25, 1996, for the benefit of Brian J. Allen, Jan Doe 1, Name Unknown, Spouse of Brianna M. Allen, if any, and Jan Doe 2, Name Unknown, Spouse of Alek Allen, if any have or claim to have an interest in the real estate described below:

P.P.N. 20-048650

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 9398 Morgan Rd., Montville, OH 44064

A Copy of the full legal description may be obtained from the County Auditors Office.

The Petitioner further alleges that by reason of default of Unknown Successor as Trustee for the Brian J. Allen, Trustee of BDBA Trust aka Brian J. Allen, Trustee of the BDBA Trust under trust Instrument dated April 25, 1996 for the benefit of Brian J. Allen (Deceased) in the

payment of a promissory note, according to its tenor, the conditions of a concurrent mortgage deed given to secure the payment of said note and conveying the premises described, have been broken, and the same has become absolute.

The Petitioner prays that Defendants named above be required to answer and set up their interest in said real estate or be forever barred from asserting the same, for foreclosure of said mortgage, the marshalling of any liens, and the sale of said real estate, and the proceeds of said sale applied to the payment of Petitioner’s claim in the proper order of its priority, and for such other further relief as is just and equitable.

DEFENDANTS NAMED ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO ANSWER ON OR BEFORE THE 20 DAY OF JUNE, 2024.

BY: Keith D. Weiner & Associates Co., L.P.A., Daniel C. Wolters (#0076521), 1100 Superior Avenue East, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114. Tel: (216) 771-6500, Fax: (216) 7716540. email: courtnotices@weinerlaw.com Apr18-25 May2-9-16-23, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

23-M-000466 – U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-2, Plaintiff vs. John Doe(s) Unknown heirs of William French, AKA William French, Jr., et al., Defendants John Doe(s) Unknown heirs of William French, AKA William French, Jr., whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, John Doe(s), Unknown heirs of Linda French, AKA Linda K. French, whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, John Doe(s), Name(s) Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of Norman Thompson AKA Norman Curtis Thompson and their unknown spouses and creditors; and, the unknown spouse of Norman Thompson AKA Norman Curtis Thompson, whose last known address is 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, will take notice that on August 8, 2023, U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-2 filed its Complaint in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas at 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, assigned Case No. 23-M-000466 and styled U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-2 vs. John Doe(s) Unknown heirs of William French, AKA William French, Jr., et al. The object of, and demand for relief in, the Complaint is to foreclose the lien of Plaintiff’s mortgage recorded upon the real estate described below and in which Plaintiff alleges that the foregoing defendants have or claim to have an interest:

Parcel number(s): 02-230900, 02-231000, 02-231100, 02-231200, 02-231300 Property address: 16794 Huron Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

The defendants named above are required to answer the Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication of this legal notice. This legal notice will be published once a week for three successive weeks.

By Richard J. Sykora, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, P. O. Box 165028, Columbus, OH 43216-5028, 614-220-5611, RSykora@manleydeas.com Apr18-25 May2-9-16-23, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

24-M-000268 – BTE Properties, LLC, et al., Plaintiff vs. Township of Parkman, Ohio, et al., Defendants

The unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators and/or assigns of Simon and Nancy Perkins, whose identity and address(es) cannot be ascertained with the exercise of reasonable diligence, and upon whom service of summons could not be made, will take notice that on April 16, 2024, BTE Properties, LLC and ABC Development LLC (“Plaintiffs”), filed a Complaint to Quiet Title, Case No. 24-M-000268 in the Court of Common Pleas for Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, seeking to quiet title to approximately 2.63 acres of land, located at the intersection of Nelson Road and U.S. 422 (Main Market Road), in the Township of Parkman, County of Geauga and

State of Ohio, known as Geauga County Permanent Parcel No. 25-002900 (the “Property”). Specifically, Plaintiffs pray for judgment declaring invalid and unenforceable the following restriction, related to a portion of the Property, contained in a Deed issued by Simon and Nancy Perkins on or about June 7, 1843, and recorded June 8, 1857, in Volume 54, Page 241 of the Geauga County records; and restated in a Deed dated January 22, 2018 and recorded January 22, 2018, in Volume 2046, Page 1060 of the Geauga County records: that “… said [Parkman Township] Trustees and their successors in office shall hold said land for the inhabitants of said Township to use as a public square or commons unencumbered by any building or structure whatever except railing of a public walk.”

The unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators and/or assigns of Simon and Nancy Perkins shall take further notice that they are required to answer the Complaint to Quiet Title within twenty-eight (28) days after this publication. By: Douglas M. Eppler (0087018), Attorney for Plaintiff, ABC Development LLC, Walter Haverfield LLP, Suite 300, 1500 W. 3rd St., Cleveland, OH 44113. Telephone No. (216) 781-1212; and Joseph H. Weiss, Jr. (0007894), Attorney for Plaintiff, BTE Properties, LLC, 8228 Mayfield Road Ste. 6b-1, Chesterland, Ohio 44026 Tel: 440-7297278.

Apr25

May2-9-16-23-30, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Village of Burton

The Village of Burton Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM on the second floor of the Burton Public Library located at 14588 West Park Street. Discussion will be held on the Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Budget. The public is invited to review the budget and submit comments or questions during the hearing. Copies of the Tax Budget are available for public review at the Village Office.

Jennell Dahlhausen, Fiscal Officer May23-30, 2024

NOTICE OF DRAWING JURORS

(Revised Code Sec. 2313.20) OFFICE OF COMMISSIONERS OF JURORS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

To All Whom It May Concern: On Monday, the 10th day of June, 2024 at 9:00 A.M., at 100 Short Court St., Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio. Jurors will be publicly drawn for the annual year of July 22, 2024 through July 22, 2025 term(s) of the Common Pleas and Municipal Courts of said County.

COMMISSIONERS OF JURORS

Joyce Edelinksy Karen Swan Beverly Modic, Clerk May23, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

Division of the State Fire Marshal Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations

Pursuant to the rules governing the remediation of releases of petroleum from underground storage tank (UST) systems, notice to the public is required whenever there is a confirmed release of petroleum from an UST system(s) that requires a remedial action plan. Notice is hereby given that a confirmed release of petroleum has occurred from the UST system(s) located at:

Chagrin Oil & Gas Co. 15385 Old State Rd Middlefield, OH Geauga County

Release #28000046-N00001 & N2

A proposed remedial action plan (RAP) dated January 2, 2024, was submitted by the owner and/or operator of the UST system(s) for the review and approval of the State Fire Marshal (SFM). Once the SFM has reviewed and approved the proposed RAP, the owner and/or operator of the UST systems will be required to implement the proposed RAP.

A copy of the proposed RAP, as well as other documentation relating to this release and the UST system(s) involved, is maintained by the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) and are available for inspection and copying by the public. Please make all requests for copies of the proposed RAP or for inspection of the RAP and other related documentation in writing to BUSTR, P.O. Box 687, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.

Information that may help you understand the requirements of BUSTR’s rules may be found on BUSTR’s Resource Page at http://www.com. ohio.gov/fire/BUSTRResources.aspx.

The SFM will accept written comments on this RAP for a period of 21 days from the date of publication of this notice. You may submit any comments regarding this site and the RAP, in writing at the above address. For further information, please contact Tanya Nell at (614) 728-5120. Please reference release #28000046-N00001(2) when making all inquiries or comments.

May23-30 Jun6, 2024

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Munson Township

Munson Township is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified engineering/ consulting firm to complete design and construction of a dam removal and stream restoration project in Munson Township, Ohio. This project is funded under the Ohio Department of Natural Resources H2Ohio Program. The total maximum cost/price for performance under this contract is $320,900.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS/ PUBLIC NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Proposals are to be submitted electronically to Kaylee Acres Eclov at kacres@crwp.org no later than 4:00 PM on June 24, 2024, for Munson Township’s Croatian Lodge Dam Removal and Stream Restoration. If you are interested in receiving the bid specifications and other bid information, please contact kacres@crwp.org. May23-30, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPEAL FOR AN AREA VARIANCE TO THE CHESTER TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that the Chester Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an application identified as number ZA-2024-6, on an appeal for an area variance to the Chester Township Zoning Resolution on the 10th day of June, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Chester Town Hall.

The applicant, John L Pierson Jr. requests an Area Variance for his property located at 7340 Wilson Mills Rd. He proposes building a detached accessory building in front of the front building line of the primary residence. Applicant is requesting a variance from Section 5.01.03 of the Chester Township Zoning Resolution. Kathleen McCarthy Administrative Assistant May23, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

24-D-000272 – Joshua Miller vs. Silke Rei McGraw Miller, Defendants Silke Rei McGraw Miller, whose last known address is 572 Virginia Avenue, Unit B, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, and whose current address is unknown and cannot with the exercise of reasonable diligence be ascertained, and

upon whom service of summons cannot be had in the State of Ohio, will take notice that you have been named as the Defendant in a Complaint for Divorce filed on April 17, 2024, in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, captioned as Joshua Miller v. Silke Rei McGraw Miller, Case No. 24-D-000272, by which Plaintiff is seeking an absolute divorce from Defendant. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for August 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. before Magistrate Kevin L. Starrett, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, One Short Court, Chardon, OH 44024. You will further take notice that you are required to answer the Complaint for Divorce within 28 days of last publication. The last publication date will be June 27, 2024. If you do not answer the Complaint, a judgment may be granted against you for the relief demanded. By Michael Drain, Attorney for Plaintiff, 147 Bell Street, Suite 202, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022. (440) 247-3380. May23-30 Jun6-13-20-27, 2024

Geauga County Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office May 10 to May 16, 2024.

ANIMAL BITE

May 10

4:23 p.m., Whitney Road, Montville. Amazon driver. Caller was bit by the homeowner's dog. The dog punctured the skin but it is not bleeding. Right leg toward shin. Pit mix, older. Driver will be waiting in the road one address away from call. He also denied rescue.

CITIZEN ASSIST

May 16

4 a.m., Hayes Road, Middlefield. Caller states her son and her have been requesting welfare checks on each other. She is worried because her son didn't call her on Mother's Day. No legitimate reason for welfare check, appears to be retaliation for doing a welfare check on her previously.

CITIZEN DISPUTE

May 16

11:17 a.m., Burton Windsor Road, Middlefield. Crew is doing the landscape. Someone that lives in the area is causing is-

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

DMK Ventures LLC, 17889 English Drive, to Amanda Sue Pohlman, $260,000. (1.84 acres) Brickman Rebuild LLC, 7690 Fields Road, to Connor E. Tenney and Catherine A. Markle, $580,000. (1.73 acres)

Lorri Tringali, 7683 Bainbridge Road, to Sara J. Conley, $325,000. (3.39 acres)

Ricardo and Pamela E. Barone, 8653 Taylor May Road, to Theodore Calvin and Maryjane V. Williams, $608,000. (2.85 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge, to Kevin Michael and Sheryl Lynn Grobelny, $285,000. (1.52 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge, to Joseph A. Circelli and Denise K. Derbyshire, $290,000. (1.23 acres)

George and Grace Zilich, 17567 Gates Landing Drive, to Charles E. Britton and Dannielle L. Boyce, $825,000. (0.25 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

David W. Runion Jr., 12532 Jackson Drive, to Michele Renee, Vaidotas A. and Janet M. Augis, $257,500. (0.29 acres)

Herbert J. and Maria C. Vallier, 16280 Claridon Troy Road, to Marlin G. and Viola Kurtz, and Elizabeth and Owen U. Byler, $652,000. (44.48 acres)

sues. Male driver of a lime green Dodge Ram and is doing burn outs in the gravel and making rocks fly at the workers. Unknown where he is now. Owner of landscaping company is not there. Deputy spoke with the complainant who owns the landscaping company. He advised they will be working at the location today and tomorrow. The suspect vehicle keeps driving down the gravel driveway where they are working and kicking up rocks. The complainant did not want the deputy to stop and talk with the male. He just requested the area be checked and asked for extra patrol throughout the next two days. Deputy checked the area and did not observe the vehicle. Deputies will check throughout the shift.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

May 16

8:54 p.m., Windmill Point Road, Huntsburg. Caller was hysterical, advised father had slapped her in the face. Mother could be heard saying that it was because she got smart with him. Caller hung up on 911 and will not answer on call back. Father on the line now, advising there was an altercation with his daughter. He slapped her across

the face for mouthing off and his wife stepped in the middle raised her hand to him and he grabbed her wrist. Daughter is still in the house. No weapons, no alcohol, no drugs. Deputy dispatched. Two were involved in verbal dispute and dad smacked one time in discipling her. There were not marks observed.

HARASSMENT

May 10

10:25 a.m., Ravenna Road, Auburn. Male in the lobby to reference a drone. Wanted to speak with a deputy about a drone hovering over his property. Stated that four separate times, a drone has hovered over his head about 10 feet from him. Was given advice to record the incidents. Thinks it's coming from the south towards Ascot Lane. Documented.

THEFT

May 10

9:39 a.m., Rock Creek Road, Hambden. Report for a stolen Bonsai tree. $2,200 Kotobuki Japenese black pine was stolen on May 5 by unknown male, possibly from the group of people that were there for class.

Real Estate Transfers

Meghan Marie Kartley, 15660 Chipmunk Lane, to Alexander Ciarlillo and McKaila Boarman, $740,000. (13.37 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Under the Hood LLC, 500 Center St., to Twenty 4 LLC, $1,001,000. (8.60 acres)

Dennis E. Prots Jr., 145 Center St., to U.S. Bank Trust National Association (trustee), $92,000. (0.63 acres)

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

Karen S. Lanstrum, 8706 Ravenna Road (s/l 7-8), to Nicholas Blake and Ashley Marie Mitchell, $170,000. (2.00 acres)

Matthew Cook, 11188 Hosford Road, to George R. Jr. and Kelly A. Jordan, $595,000. (3.30 acres)

Constance Uzarevic, 11940 Clarkwood Drive, to Austin R. Miller, $335,000. (1.42 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Joan S. Kiec, 7120 Old Mill Road, to Thomas H. and Deborah S. Rutledge, $349,000. (3.60 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Marilyn J. Oakford, 14349 Mayfield Road, to 322 Properties LLC, $87,000. (5.00 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Heatheer L. Bilicic, 10795 Claridon Troy Road, to William A. Hurley, $230,000. (1.00 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

PBP Ltd., 16481 Cottonwood Place (Bldg. 5 Unit 40), to Stephen and Linda Schmidt, $250,000. (0.00 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Doreen B. Dippel, 12285 Hillcrest Drive, to Anthony J. Dejak, $228,500. (1.61 acres)

Melvyn G. and Cordelia Beard, 12780 Rosetta Drive, to Kelly A. Fink, $310,000. (2.37 acres)

Suzanne M. (TOD) and Jeffrey A. (TOD) Fisher, $11904 Auburn Road, to Brandon Fahl and Hannah Daiber, $415,000. (1.64 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

Matthew J. and Hether N. Soeder, 16560 Old State Road, to Terrance L. Pennington Jr., $319,500. (2.00 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

Nevia Dininny, 778 Coy Lane, to Addisu A. Azene, $550,000. (1.96 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Mark P. Worley (TOD), 180 Sorrelwood

May 13

6:11 a.m., Essex Court, Claridon. Bicycle was stolen within the past hour from the end of the driveway, possibly a gray Prius. Gray bike with thick tires. Caller had an amazon delivery driver take her bike that was at the end of their driveway at approximately 5:40 a.m. Caller stated she typically leaves the bike at the end of the driveway everyday because she rides around the neighborhood often. So instead of bringing the bike to the garage, she leaves it at the end of the driveway, which could appear to a passerby that the bike is trash or being disposed of. The neighbor across the street has video of the driver exiting his vehicle, walk to the bike, test ride the bike and load it into his vehicle, possibly a Prius. No RP is able to be obtained and no description of the person who took the bike. Caller will be contacting Amazon to determine who delivered.

May 14

8:50 a.m., Crestwood Road, Newbury. Theft of pot plants from the front yard. Complainant has video. Video shows either a male or female wearing a hoodie with the hoodie up. No identifiers. Complainant wants incident on file.

Lane, to Nicholas and Sarah Fiore, $625,000. (0.25 acres)

Nicole Novak, 77 E. Bel Meadow Lane, to Joshua and Ana Liberati, $315,000. (0.96 acres)

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP

Daniel Tramte, 6139 Sidley Road, to George and Crystal Rosa, $330,000. (10.00 acres)

William B. and Bonnie S. Borer, 6321 Madison Road, to 6321 Madison Road LLC, $256,000. (1.30 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

Pamela J. Williamson, Tilden Road, to Maikoh Holdings LLC, $230,600. (14.16 acres)

Classifieds

FOR RENT

Office Space in Chardon: second floor, Main Street, approx. 535 square feet. $600/month, includes HVAC and water. Call 440-285-2247.

Warehouse or storage building: Washington St. near Rt. 44 in Auburn. 32X56, 12X12 overhead door, concrete floor, electric, and additional parking. $790/month. 12-month lease. 440-552-0228.

EVENTS

Dorothy’s Porch Free Rummage Celebration: Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Road, Chardon. May 30-31, 9a2p. Clothing, household items, bedding, etc. Want to donate? Call 440-285-3490.

FOR SALE

John Deere Lawn Tractor: Model 314, 14-HP, hydraulic 3-blade 46” cutting deck, w/snow plow and trailer; $1,200/OBO. 440-564-1172.

Western Reserve Memorial Gardens, Chesterland OH, Chapel Mausoleum, Double Glass Niche; $7,500/OBO. 440-487-9131 after 5pm.

2017 Kubota Riding Mower: T2080 20-HP 42” deck, well maintained, maintenance by Kubota every year, immaculate condition; $1,300. 440-668-4773. Small stack of lumber: multiple sizes. 2007 Dodge Dakota SLT: 161,000 miles, silver, 6’6” bed w/liner, body some rust-back fender wells. Call for details 440-223-9471.

Solid Cherry Corner Desk: like new, 78” tall, 48” depth, 64” wide, paid $2,250, asking $1,480/OBO. Antique French round marble table w/4 chairs, $1,600/OBO. 440-338-3563.

Janome Memory Craft 15000 Embroidery Machine, Koala Slimline Artisan Cabinet in Golden Teak w/chair, wine color. For more information call 440-533-5292. Fan: 30”inch pedestal with mister; $100. Black English saddle, no stirrups; $50. 440655-9999, leave message, I’ll return your call.

Howard Rototiller: 42” wide, for compact tractor. Cat 1 three-point hitch. $1,800. 440-487-2955.

Celli Spading Machine: NYP-130, will spade 51” wide up to 12” deep. Has had very little use, only on a vegetable garden; $4,000. 440-548-2414. Cultivator: 9-inch electric front tine Mantis; $200. 440554-5731.

2013 Can-Am Spyder RTS/SE5: circuit yellow, mint condition, new tires, his/hers heated saddle seat upgrade, all maint. by dealer, 10,000 miles; $11,200. 440-346-2255.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

Garage Sale: May 24 9a-6p; May 25 9a-5p; May 26 9a-12n. 8723 Ravenna Rd, Chardon, 44024.

Second Hand Treasures. A unique shopping place. Something for everyone! Weekly Sales: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 9a-5p. Many $1 bargains. 9098 Old St Road, Rt.608, Chardon. May 30-31, Jun 1, 9a-4p, 11600 Wilson Mills Road, Chardon. Household items, toys, baby items and wood working tools.

Multi Family Indoor Garage Sale: Jun 1-2, 8a-6p, 14005 Aquilla, Burton. Crafting, sewing machines, clothes, furniture, household, jack posts, electric panels, organ. Yard Sale on Farmington Road: May 28-29, 8a-8p. 16925 Farmington Rd.

PETS & ANIMALS

Sammy needs an indoor home! Large, handsome, black & white 6-yr old cat. Very sweet. Loves being petted & brushed. Neutered, vaccinated. Rebecca 440321-2485.

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE fact: marijuana causes anxiety, depression and possible psychosis! Warn young people to not even try it.

RENTAL WANTED

Healthy mature senior quiet Christian female seeking Christian woman’s or a married Christian couple’s home to rent a quiet room and private bath in Chardon area. I am waiting for my subsidized senior unit to open within 3 to 9 months or maybe a bit longer. I have good references. No smoking. No pets. 619-709-0069 or g.laurel@icloud.com.

SERVICES

Experienced Landscaper: looking for lawns. My service includes cut, trim and blow. Call or text Frank at 440635-7774.

Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything. Call between 8a-4p, 440-813-4272. No answer, leave message.

Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.

Mullet’s Precision Trim Work LLC: specializing in cabinetry, flooring and any interior moldings. Licensed and insured. Call 440-228-6837 for free estimate.

Did you know Karlovec Media Group prints business cards? Prices start at only $30 for 500 (B&W, 1-sided, no bleed). Call 440-729-7667 or email ads@karlovecmedia.com.

Taxi Service: 4 passengers only, for cleaning crews, short and long trips. Contact Lisa at 440-708-4835. Albert’s complete tree service, land clearing, firewood, excavation and sewer work. 440-687-5404.

Top Shelf Construction LLC: Decks, Garages, Trim interior and exterior, Remodeling. Jonathan Fisher, 330-4423995, topshelfconstrunction@yodermail.net.

Experienced Housekeeper: will help clean, do laundry, and more, in Geauga county. 440-313-1804.

WANTED

Wanted: a used wheelchair in good to fair condition. Call 440-636-3601.

WANTED TO BUY

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119.

Help Wanted

Immediate need for high school or college students to do light yard work, clean up, painting. Very flexible hours, 5-20 hrs/week, $20/hour. 440-759-5290. Help with yard maintenance. Good pay. Chardon area. Call 440-226-6053.

Yard Work: must be able to use lawn equipment and have own transportation. Flexible days and hours. 440729-1158.