Geauga

Summer Reading

June 1 – July 31

Homegrown Under The Dome

Aug. 3

Tickets are now on sale for Geauga Growth Partnership’s annual HomeGrown Geauga fundraising event at Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens, 16965 Park Circle Drive, Bainbridge Township.

Join for an evening of food, wine and entertainment, live auction and games of chance while celebrating the Geauga business community and raising funds for GGP’s Youth Workforce programming.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit geaugagrowthpartnership.com.

Boots, Barrels & Glitz

Aug. 14, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Friends of WomenSafe is sponsoring the first ever Boots, Barrels, & Glitz event at The Basil Place, 13271 Bass Lake Road, Chardon. Admission includes dinner, all activities and two drink tickets.

Purchase tickets at fowsinc@icloud. com or call 440-285-3741. Proceeds benefit WomenSafe, Inc., the shelter for victims of domestic violence serving Geauga, Lake and Cuyahoga counties.

West G Unity Day

Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The West Geauga Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young and West Geauga Schools, is hosting West Geauga Unity Day at West Geauga High School. The event highlighting local companies and organizations in and around the Chester, Newbury and Russell township area will feature games, music, food trucks, touch a truck, vendors and more. Sponsorship and vendor space opportunities are available. Visit wgchamber.com for information.

West G 50th Reunion

The West Geauga Class of 1973 will be celebrating its 50th reunion on Sept. 16. If anyone has not received an email invitation, it is because the committee does not have contact information. It will likely be the last class reunion, so the committee would like to gather as many classmates together as possible. Deadline for reservations is July 31. Contact Elle (Eloise Sherman) Molter at Elle.molter@gmail.com.

West Library

Register for the Summer Reading Program and win prizes by reading.

Switch Showdown karlovec group

July 12, 3-4:30 p.m.

Youth in grades 3-6 will compete against friends in favorite Nintendo Switch games.

8389 Mayfield Road, Suite B5 Chesterland, Ohio 44026

Phone 440-729-7667

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OFFICE HOURS

9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Closed Wednesdays

Jeffrey B. Karlovec, Publisher John D. Karlovec, Editor Deadlines

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• Editorial submissions are printed as space is available, at the publisher’s discretion, and may be edited for length, clarity and grammar. All submissions are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Wednesday publication date for consideration for that edition.

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Circulation

• The Chesterland News is distributed for free to homes and businesses in the communities of Chester Township and parts of Russell Township. It is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service.

• Copies are also available at rack locations within Chester and Russell townships.

• Circulation in excess of 5,700.

• Produced by the Chesterland News, LLC.

• In case of error, we will re-print that portion of an advertisement that was in error. Notification of error should be made within three days of published date.

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• The Chesterland News, LLC reserves the right to reject or revise any advertisement or news item for publication. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of those signing them and not necessarily that of either the Chesterland News, LLC, its affiliates or its advertisers. All letters submitted are subject to editing, and none will be returned.

• The opinions and representations contained in advertisements are those of the advertiser. They have not been verified by the Chesterland News, LLC, nor should they be construed to represent the position or viewpoint of this newspaper or its publisher.

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By rose nemunaitis eDitor@karlovecmeDia com

Farmers and ranchers are often called the “backbone of America,” with agriculture being vital to every person’s life.

However, only 2% of Americans are feeding the world, according to the American Farm Bureau, and the average American is at least three generations removed from the farm — meaning, they are not raised on a farm or raised in a rural community and are unaware of where their food comes from and how it gets to their table.

The AFB emphasizes the importance of continuing to develop agricultural leaders and providing youth with resources and information.

Kristen Sirna, of Sirna’s Farm & Market in Auburn Township, is one such leader,

YAP, a part of the Ohio Farm Bureau, includes youth usually ages 18-35 — though all ages are welcome — and focuses on networking and coordinating educational events to attract younger people who are just starting out in farming or are in college.

“It’s important for young adults to become active in farm bureau, the main organization that supports and promotes the agricultural industry,” said Bob Rogish, vice president of the Geauga County Farm Bureau.

YAP groups in Northeast Ohio try to hold three to four annual social/educational events, said Mandy Orahood, organizational director for OFB and YAP.

Most recently, YAP Night at the Rodeo See Grassroots • Page 5