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Volume 53, No. 16
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Rest Easy and Sleep Well, The Toys Are Delivered By Police Chief Mark Purchase
KRISTIN LEFEBER/KMG
Ryan McGinnis, 17, of Chester Township, stands with one of the 15 tree identification signs he designed and created for West Geauga Commons in Russell Township to complete his Eagle Scout project.
Eagle Scout Project Spruces Up West Geauga Commons By Kristin LeFeber editor@geaugamapleleaf.com Taking a stroll along the Chagrin River at West Geauga Commons park in Russell Township is now more edifying thanks to Ryan McGinnis’ Boy Scout project. The 17-year-old from Chester Township helped design and install 15 brand new tree identification signs, which puts McGinnis on the path to earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. McGinnis, who has been in scouts since first grade, is a member of Troop 193 out of Russell Township. He devised the idea for See Project • Page 5
It was Saturday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., and we had just finished delivering all of the toys from our 11th annual “Operation Santa Sleigh” to Geauga County Job & Family Services. I found myself alone, driving the box truck (Santa’s Sleigh) back to Chester Township. This time, the truck was empty and the overwhelming reality that this was my final toy drive as your police chief was setting in. I was quickly becoming overwhelmed with thoughts of the previous toy drives, along with sadness and fulfillment. You see, this was never really expected to be this big of an event. When I approached Administrative Assistant Lisa Braemer with this idea 11 years ago, my vision was to collect enough toys to simply “Stuff a Cruiser.” Lisa, whom many of you know from my office, was instrumental in leading me and this event to be much larger than I could have ever hoped for, and I could not have done any of this without her. The Toy Drive through her vision became more of an experience and it immediately became a very real Toy Drive! I recalled our first visit to Job & Family Services and, upon our arrival, there were four of us on site to unload all of the toys. As I opened the trailer doors, and explained to their staff what exactly our residents had done for the children of Geauga County — and that they did it in less than four hours — they immediately began to cry. As I continued my drive back, I reflected on my friends
Town Crier Bloodmobile
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that stepped up to help me make this event possible, and the list is long: Tom and Ron Basista, of West Geauga Plaza, The Patterson Family; The Rogish Family; Kathy Fadorsen of Coffee Works; John Karlovec, of Karlovec Media Group and the Chesterland News; ICASI; Giant Eagle; Drug Mart; CCM Chesterland; Bada Bing Pizza; Frank and Terri Arko, of Rise and Dine Cafe; John Powers, of McDonald’s . . . and I could go on and on. As I continued, I reflected on being so incredibly grateful to a group of people who are all my friends and who just never seem to promote themselves enough. You see, this group of people just volunteer to help people; they raise money through pancake breakfasts and Christmas tree sales, and then give it away to help various causes and to simply help people. Their generosity amounted to an
incredible contribution of $4,000 being spent on toys this year, and I call all of them my friends, the members of the Kiwanis Club of West Geauga. The list continues further to Denny Farmer and the members of the Chesterland Lions Club. Not only have these guys showed up every single year, but they will always be remembered by me forever, as they built Safety Town for me. There is no way to mention everyone who has made this day so very important for me, all the families, friends and businesses are just way too many, and I could tell you story after story about the incredible acts of generosity. Stories that will bring you to tears, residents bringing toys that they can’t afford to buy and I know them, but when questioned they simply tell me, “You don’t See Toys • Page 5
Dec. 29, 2-7 p.m. American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Mayfield Church, 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester Township. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.
Tea Party Meets
Jan. 4, 7 p.m. Joe Blystone, candidate for Ohio governor, will speak at the next meeting of the Geauga County Tea Party being held at the Metzenbaum Center, 8200 Cedar Road, Chester Township. The public is welcome. For more information, visit www. geaugacountyteaparty.com.
Friends of WomenSafe Dinner Meeting
Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m. Friends of WomenSafe will hold its annual dinner meeting at Claridon-Woodlands Park, 11383 Claridon-Troy Road, Claridon Township. RSVP by Dec. 29 to FOWSinc@icloud.com or call 440-285-3741.
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