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Volume 52, No. 21
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967 Wolverines Advance 11 Wrestlers to Perry District By Jamie Ward jamie@geaugamapleleaf.com
The West Geauga Wolverines wrestling team won its Division II sectional at Lake Catholic High School last week, scoring 201 points with the team title. The Wolverines will send 11 wrestlers to compete at the district at Perry on March 5 and 6. Jack Sparent (126 pounds) and Lucas Sadler (285) both won individual titles and Ty Boze (106), Dante Mirabelli (152), and Damian Gambrill (160) each placed second for the Wolverines. Robert Kaleal (120) and Nathan Meyers (195) both finished third and Moore Gambrill (113), Robert Sabol (145), Justin Artino (170), and James Mullally (182) all placed fourth. Some considered a shocking headline Saturday evening was West Geauga’s Sectional title triumph over powerhouse and host Lake Catholic. But head coach Ben Stehura has been building the Wolverines program up over the past three years. The former Cleveland State Head Coach turned Athletic Director had six district qualifiers last year, 2021 will see 11 Wolverines advance to District Weekend at Perry. He now has 22 district qualifiers in his short time at the helm of the Wolverines. More impressive is that West Geauga powered through a late start, not starting their season until Jan. 14 due to COVID.
Roy Ditto Celebrates a Century
Inside This Edition
By Becky Boban editor@geaugamapleleaf.com On March 10, Roy Ditto, of Chester Township, will be turning 100 years old, or — as some might say — 100 years young. In fact, as late as last summer, Peggy Havlicek found her 99-yearold father on a ladder trimming tree branches. “He was up on the roof last fall trying to figure out what was leaking on the porch,” Havlicek said during a recent interview. “He’s like that Energizer bunny.” The retired carpenter and great-great-grandfather still drives, mows, rakes, cuts the garden asparagus, and does handiwork around his house. While Ditto did join Havlicek on the stoop for a break, he finished carrying down the branches himself. Havlicek said she offers help, but the answer is always, “I got this.” Work and Ditto are no strangers. In a recent Zoom interview, he recalled one of his earliest jobs was delivering milk around Chester Township and Gates Mills in a panel truck. He milked the cows himself on his family’s farm on the corner of Mulberry Road and state Route 306, getting up at 5 a.m. seven days per week. He was 18 years old. In 1946, Ditto married his wife, Phyllis. The couple lived in Bainbridge Township briefly before moving back to Chester, he said. He got a job working at Patterson Fruit Farm and recalled the job was, quite literally, sweet, as the Pattersons owned a big sugar bush they made syrup from. Ditto’s grandfather, Milan Jacobs, owned the Old Basset Farm, the land that is now Western Reserve Cemetery, he said, adding Jacobs bought the field across the street and gave it to Ditto, who
PEGGY HAVLICEK
Roy Ditto celebrates his 98th birthday in 2019.
put the carpentry skills he learned from his stepfather, Albert Went, to use and built a house on it in 1953. When the Dittos had their third child in 1959, Ditto built onto the home — and under. Among other improvements, a basement was added. “It was getting kind of crowded,” Ditto said. It is the house he and his wife still live in. As a carpenter, Ditto worked throughout Northeast Ohio. He built numerous homes in Mentor, converted an old post office in Ashtabula into a town hall, and even worked on Painesville City Hall. He said he remembers working on the Faith Lutheran Church on See Ditto • Page 5
PEGGY HAVLICEK AND NANCI DITTO ALOI
A picture of Roy Ditto, age 4 or 5, taken 95 years ago.
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Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Town Crier Girl Scout Cookies for Sale
West Geauga Girl Scouts will be selling Girl Scouts cookies: Fridays, March 12, 19 and 26: Chesterland Discount Drug Mart, 4-7 p.m. Saturdays, March 13, 20 and 27: Chester Town Hall, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Chesterland Discount Drug Mart, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Patterson’s Farm Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, March 14, 21 and 28: Chesterland Discount Drug Mart, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Patterson’s Farm Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
GEL Zoom Webinar
March 5, 8-9 a.m. Join Geauga Economic Leadership (GEL) via Zoom webinar for a conversation with Kent State University’s new president, Dr. Todd Diacon. To register, email info@geaugagrowth. com or call 440-564-1060. Geauga Economic Leadership (G.E.L.) Breakfasts are co-sponsored by Geauga Growth Partnership and Kent State University at Geauga.
Drive-Thru Food Distribution
Tuesdays, 3-5 p.m. United Way Services of Geauga County has teamed up the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to provide boxes of food to Geauga residents. The drive-thru food distribution will take place each Tuesday in February and March at the Geauga County Fairgrounds, 14373 North Cheshire St., Burton. Preregistration is required each week; call 216-738-2265 or visit online at wefeedgeauga. com.
Genealogical Society Meets
March 9, 7-9 p.m. Claire Kluskens, senior digital projects archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, will present “How to Use the National Archives Website” via Zoom at the next virtual meeting of the Geauga County Genealogical Society. The program will begin after the short meeting. Registration is required; visit www. gcgsoh.org.
Growing Lilies and Daylilies
March 13, 9:30-11 a.m. Geauga County Master Gardener Volunteers present Mark and Cynthia Druckenbrod who have been growing and hybridizing lilies and dallies at their Lily Creek Gardens in Moreland Hills for more than 20 years. The free virtual class will cover proper growing techniques, how to breed and create new cultivars of daylilies and how to protect them from deer. To register, visit: go.osu.edu/geaugamgvdaylilies by March 11.
Audubon Addresses Plastic
March 16, 7 p.m. Blackbrook Audubon Society presents “The Problem with Plastic” in a virtual program with Jill Bartolotta, Ohio Sea Grant Extension educator for Ashtabula and Lake counties. Bartolotta will give an in-depth look into the use of plastic, its effects on people and the environment and provide simple, inexpensive steps to break free from it. Register on the event page of blackbrookaudubon.org. A link will be sent to each registrant’s email address. Attendees may enter the meeting at 6:30 p.m,
Geauga Park District For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org. No registration required unless otherwise noted.
Get In The Maple Mood
Naturalist-led experiences are available at Swine Creek Reservation and online. Registration is required. Rather than a large gathering for Sap’s-aRisin’ this year, the park district has scheduled three half-hour Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides Through the Sugarbush to take place on Saturdays, March 6, 13 and 20, from 1-4:30 p.m. Hour-long Maple Sugaring Hikes will also
be hosted on Sundays, March 7, 14 and 21, followed by optional sales of syrup produced this year at Swine Creek Reservation. Sales will also be available this season at The West Woods Nature Center. Both the rides and the hikes will show participants all about the maple sugaring processes used each year at this park at 16004 Hayes Road in Middlefield Township. Three virtual programs will also be offered to get people into the spirit of the sweet season right from the comfort of home: Maple Sugaring on March 7 at 10 a.m. for adults or 1 p.m. for kids; and All About Maple Syrup on March 10 at 6 p.m.
Arts & Entertainment Fairmount Speaker Series
March 14, 3 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts continues its virtual “Pull Back the Curtain” speaker series with a program on Dale Chihuly, American glass sculptor and entrepreneur. During her “Through the Eyes of the Artist” program, Felicia Zavarella Stadelman will share fascinating stories and historical accounts on Chihuly. The program is free, but participants need to register in order to receive the link to join the Zoom event 24 hours in advance of the program. For questions or to register, call 440-3383171 or visit www.fairmountcenter.org.
Fairmount Spring Registration
Registration for Fairmount Center for the Arts’ spring session of arts programs is now open. Classes, workshops and music lessons begin the week of March 15. Programming includes classes in dance, theatre, music, visual arts and fitness. Classes are offered for infants through adults in all arts disciplines and will be offered both on-site as well as online through the spring 2021 session. For more information or to register, visit www.fairmountcenter.org, call 440-338-3171 or stop in at 8400 Fairmount Road, Russell Township.
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Community Meetings Listed are public meetings and executive sessions for the coming two-week period, unless otherwise noted. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices. To find out whether a government meeting is in person or virtual, contact the appropriate township or school district office or website for meeting information. Chester Township: March 3, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; March 8, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; March 9, 6:30 p.m., Planning Commission, via Zoom; March 11, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 17, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted. (Meetings are open to public, but
seating limited to 10. Trustees, fiscal officer and department heads, if in attendance, are practicing social distancing.) Russell Township: March 3, 2:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. (Trustees have opted to resume their regular meeting schedule but has changed the location of future meetings to the Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road. Meetings will be held in the Town Hall until further notice. The location is changed to the Town Hall to better accommodate physical distancing advisories.) West Geauga BOE: March 8, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.
Campus Chatter
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Chester Government Update The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 11 opened with approval of the minutes from Jan. 28 as presented by Fiscal Officer Patricia Jarrett. In road department business, after the fact approvals were made for $6,118 payable to K-Tech Specialty Coatings for the purchase of 4,600 gallons of Beet Heet deicer and $2,968.79 payable to Countryside Truck Service for an emergency repair to truck #3. The board approved the purchase of a truck body chassis from Rush Truck Center for $80,475 with the intent to start replacing the township’s aging fleet of dump trucks. Road Superintendent John Onyshko recommended the following improvements: $12,512 to Structured Builders Inc. for updating the old bathroom, $5,121.82 payable to JF Petroleum Group for an update to the Phoenix fuel system software and $2,720 to Blue Skies to start up the weekly cleaning for 2021.
Kevin Watts, of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list at John Carroll University for the fall semester.
and Cristina Formichelli, both of Russell Township, were named to the fall semester dean’s list at Ohio University.
Magdalen K. Canitia, of Chester Township, earned a place on the Canisius dean’s list in the Richard J. Wehle School of Business with special distinction for a perfect academic record during the fall 2020 semester.
Julia Frank, of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list at Hiram College for the fall semester.
Officials Have Lost Their Way
Anthony Leonard, of Chester Township, was named to Youngstown State University’s fall dean’s list. He is majoring in early childhood education/ intervention specialist.
As a former chair of the Chester Zoning Commission, I believe the Zoning Commission members and the Trustees have lost their way in at least two recently enacted zoning amendments. The first of these has to do with garage sales. Most township zoning regulations limit garage sales as a temporary use, typically no more than three days in length and no more than three or four times a year. The newly enacted regulations recommended by the Zoning Commission, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, have no limits, meaning that people can now have garage sales 24/7, 365 days a year. I believe this change is unwise since undesirable abuses could easily occur in a residential area. I doubt that anyone would like the equivalent of a retail store operating in their neighbor’s garage, yard or driveway five or six days a week throughout the year. The more recent example of the problems created by the seemingly single-minded and unwarranted focus on reducing or eliminating regulations has to do with the changes in the rules regarding Farm Markets Ohio law, set forth in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), provides that farmers who open a Farm Market (commonly a roadside stand) do not have to meet any zoning requirements other than those related to public health and safety. However, this is only true when at least “50% or more of the gross income received from the market is derived from produce raised on farms owned or operated by the mar-
Lindsey Stanforth, of Russell Township, was named to Grove City College dean’s list for the fall semester. Sarah Rowen, Tayler Madan, Jimmy Mitchell, Claire Andres, Emma Roth, Natalie Kimble, Alyssa Posante, Ivy Heim, Jennifer O’Donnell, Meredith Mallon-Jeffrey, Devin Pall, Donny Gatto, Ella Ergazos, Chad Molnar and Leanna Siupinys, all of Chester Township; and Gabby Del Valle
Olivia Pecharka, of Chester Township, earned dean’s list honors at University of Findlay. Zak Rutherford, of Russell Township, and Bryce Hofstrom, of Chester Township, were named to the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester.
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The board approved the purchase of a new 2012 Dodge Durango from Junction Auto in the amount of $33,543.40 at state bid pricing. Fire Chief John Wargelin brought a motion to repair the heating tubes to Chester Fire Station #2 for $2,500 payable to Herczog Heating and Cooling, which the trustees approved. Finally, in new business, the board approved of disposal of the three computer monitors, MSI laptop and network switch. An executive session regarding discussion of employment and compensation of public employees was held at the end of the meeting with no action taken. Upon returning to public session, the meeting was closed. Submitted by Joseph C. Mazzurco, Chester Township Trustee
Letters to the Editor ket operator in a normal crop year.” If this 50% rule is not met, the market becomes a “Farmers’ Market,” which has entirely different laws and regulations. (It is unfortunate that the two types of markets have such similar names.) The Zoning Commission and the Trustees (with the exception of Trustee Mazzurco) decided to ignore the distinctions and allow a commercial Farmers’ Market, which could be selling produce from anywhere, to operate as if it were an agricultural Farm Market, which primarily sells its own produce and protects local farmers. This is contrary to the ORC since there is no reference to the 50% rule in the new regulations. Both markets have their place, but commercial Farmers’ Markets do NOT belong in residential districts. The members of the Zoning Commission (Jonathan Oswick, Anthony Nastasi, Andrew Chess, Michael Lauro, Sergey Kats, Anthony Peto, alt.) and Trustees Walter Claypool and Ken Radtke, guided ex officio by Cathy Cotman, are responsible for these approved changes in the Farm Market regulations in the township’s Zoning Resolution — so is county Planning Director Linda Crombie who recommended them. Trustee Joe Mazzurco voted to deny the changes. I urge our residents and voters to pay close attention to the actions of the Zoning Commission members and the Trustees, to ensure that their indefensible push to eliminate zoning regulations does not result in damaging, commercial intrusions into residential districts. Margaret Muehling Chester Township
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Chesterland News
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Ditto
from page 1 U.S. Route 20 near the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, too. “We finished up the roof the day before Thanksgiving,” Ditto said. “On Thanksgiving, we got a foot of snow.” The next day, Ditto said he and his crew shoveled away to get the buried brackets, which they used later for inside staging. Ditto was working on the Perry Nuclear Power Plant when he retired in 1988. The decision served as an early birthday present to himself. “I was working seven days a week and 10 hours a day some days. My birthday was going to be in March. This was the end of February,” Ditto said. “That’s why I quit.” While Ditto might be retired, he still holds an important title — the 22nd Keeper of the Cane. Both his grandmother, Linda Jacobs, and aunt, Mary Wicks Ditto, partook in the tradition before him. Ditto makes no secret of being Keeper. He proudly displays the cane over the fireplace and during the interview call, he twirled it in his hand and admired the metal bands into which all the Keepers’ names are engraved. His name is the last one on the second band, the letters squeezed into history. “I knew a lot of these people that’s been on it,” Ditto said. With a chuckle, he added, “(When I was younger), I never thought much about it.” Ditto’s daughter, Nanci Ditto Aloi, called her dad a “Chesterland Original.” “Anything you want to know about Chesterland, he’s a walking encyclopedia,” she said. Ditto might not be scaling church roofs today, but he gives the birds some peace of mind, ensuring the woodpeckers have suet and hummingbirds, their special mix. He can also tell you how many cars fly by his house on Route 306. Ditto said he enjoys counting them so much, his granddaughter and her fiancée gave him a clicker used to keep track of them for Christmas one year. “I just happen to feel like it once in a while,” Ditto said with a laugh. “The other day — 45 minutes — there was 300 cars went by here.” Ditto joked about retiring from his yard work, but some things he’s more defiant on
PEGGY HAVLICEK
Chester Township resident Roy Ditto, pictured here at his family’s farm on state Route 306 and Mulberry Road in Chester Township, will turn 100 years old March 10.
giving up. Although he still has his driver’s license, he is going to give the keys to his daughters on his birthday. “(Until then), well I still got ’em,” he said. Ditto added, “I’ve been pretty lucky. All the time I’ve worked building houses, I never had any broken bones. I’ve lived pretty good. I don’t know that I would change anything.” Havlicek said called her father her hero. “He’s always been there for us… I always admired my dad for how he lived his life,” she said. “He always supported me in whatever I got into or needed help getting out of.” Ditto’s work ethic hasn’t changed and the family remains close — Ditto calls Havlicek on days she doesn’t call him. What has changed is now it is Havlicek’s turn to keep her dad out of trouble. “Keep an eye on him,” she told her mom last summer, when she left Ditto to his tree trimming.
PEGGY HAVLICEK
Roy Ditto with his younger sister, Gerrie Ditto Crotty
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Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Wolverines Plug Big Leak, Spring Another in OT By Rich Kelly sports@geaugamapleleaf.com The West Geauga Wolverines girls basketball team had high hopes entering this campaign, but various injuries and virus shutdowns have altered much of what they had planned, including sidelining head coach Bob Beutel and part of his regular staff. That said, as all have made changes and alterations, building the team has been a challenge for interim coach Greg Dugger. Cooperating with the protocols, West Geauga has, to this point in time, played only 11 games on the season — leading to a Division II district semifinal contest against a talented and tested Poland Bulldog team that had destroyed all but two teams on its full schedule. After controlling the opening tipoff, senior guard Jackie Grisdale of Poland got the ball back from a teammate and did what leading players do: she nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key area for a quick lead. This set a dangerous tone for the Wolverines, as Poland drained six of those long shots in the first period, taking a 9-0 lead. The Wolverines made some changes that worked, but
after finally catching up from that early deficit on a late rally in the fourth quarter, the only 3-pointer of the second half for Poland came at the final buzzer to force overtime, and the Bulldogs (21-2) scored the last seven points of the game from the foul line to thwart the Wolverines in a 78-67 victory. Grisdale sandwiched her first and second 3-pointer around another by freshman guard Mary Brant. Down by 16, at 35-19 midway through the second period, the Wolverines tightened up their perimeter defenses to shut down the long range bombing of the Bulldogs, and it worked. Maggie Furst hit a pair of free throws, then fed Alexa Hocevar for a 3-pointer from the right wing before Meghan Zebrowski hit both ends of a one-and-one free throw opportunity to close out the first half with WG only trailing 35-26. An 8-0 run for the Wolverines (7-5) cut the gap to a basket, at 58-57 with 2:39 left in regulation. Another problem began surfacing for the Wolverines at that time: called fouls resulting from the tight defense that they clamped on the highly rated Bulldogs. Poland hit a pair
of free throws for a 60-57 edge, but Nicola Ehrbar, whose deadly shooting early in the game kept it from becoming an early blowout, found Hocevar again for a game-tying 3-pointer. Another Grisdale free throw regained the lead for the home team, but Hocevar scored again after a sweet pass from Ashlyn Drayer with 11.2 seconds left to play, and a pair of Ehrbar free throws with 6.9 seconds left provided what looked to be the upset of the local season. Keying the effort was smothering defense that forced four turnovers from Poland in the last 35 seconds of the contest. Finally, after Ehrbar’s clutch free throws, Poland inbounded the ball, but it was poked loose near midcourt. Enter Brant again, who nailed a 20-footer to tie the game at the buzzer. Giving the Bulldogs free-throw opportunities sprung another leak for the Wolverines which they were unable to plug in the overtime. Tied at 67-67, Grisdale broke the tie with a layup, Abby Farber did likewise, and in the last minute of overtime, Grisdale, who scored 31 points on the night and controlled the ball most of the second half, hit on five of six to seal the victory for Poland. Dugger was emotionally drained from the effort his girls put forth in overcoming that early bombardment from beyond the 3-point line. “The girls fought back so hard tonight,” he said. “It’s finally time for us to be getting to a good spot in our season, with how we’ve
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played lately. It’s a shame we couldn’t have played more games to reach this point. “Alexa is finally rounding into game shape for us, Nicola has been what you expect of a top player in holding things together to reach this point, Maggie (Furst) has done great work as a freshman, and Athena Hocevar has been the glue for us all along. Basically, we’re only half way into our season, but playing against a team tonight that plays up-tempo basketball every minute, we played about as well as we can, and I’m so proud of the girls for how they have worked.” Athena Hocevar, amid tears of disappointment at having her senior season halted by the fine Poland team, as well as foul problems that disqualified her from the tilt with the outcome very much in doubt with 42.8 seconds left to play, still was able to reflect on her season and career. “It’s been tough for everybody with this pandemic,” she said. “That said, we did the very best we could do all season with the team we had. Maggie did a fine job as a freshman, but not having as many games as some teams have cut into building experience for our team. “A little more experience would have helped a lot tonight, but Poland is a very good team and we played them hard all night.” Four Wolverines reached double digits in scoring; Ehrbar led the way with 19 points. She scored 15 in the first half, and her defensive efforts in hounding Grisdale in the second half keyed her team’s comeback late in the game. Alexa Hocevar added 14 points, eight rebounds and four big second-half assists as the Wolverines slowly caught up. Furst scored 11 points to go with eight boards, and Drayer hit some big shots in scoring 10 points. After Brant broke everybody’s hearts with her buzzer-beater to force overtime, the fouls just caught up with the Wolverines. Letting Grisdale get to the line 15 times had bad results for West Geauga. She hit on 11, and her team totaled 41 free throws on the night, hitting 27. While the Wolverines had a solid night from the line as well, netting 15 of 20, you can’t put a top-notch player at the line with the game on the line and end up successful.
Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
West Geauga Schools
Second-grade teacher Bernadette Stefancin assists a student reporting on New Zealand. [Photo credit: Jim Kish – WGLSD]
Student Earns Regional Award
West Geauga High School sophomore Bryn Morgan was announced as one of the Believe in Ohio regional awardees and will now advance to the state competition. Believe in Ohio is a free, comprehensive, curriculum-based, STEM and entrepreneurship program for Ohio high school students. Bryn’s involvement in Believe in Ohio’s STEM entrepreneurship competition was a direct result of his 2020 science fair project and he is grateful for the support of his 4-H Geauga Engineering and Robotics (GEAR) club advisors, Dr. Jeff LaFavre and Dr. Adrienne LaFavre, as well as Mrs. Kristin Gregory and the West Geauga Kiwanis Science Fair. By advancing from the regional competition, Bryn will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend any Ohio college, university or technical college and the opportunity to compete for a $10,000 scholarship at the Believe in Ohio State Competition in June.
WGHS sophomore Bryn Morgan has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship and advances to the Believe in Ohio state competition in June. [Photo credit: Jim Kish - WGLSD]
Elementary Drop-Off Windows
Elementary school students often forget items at home, which then need to be delivered to the school. The pandemic has posed a challenge for schools trying to limit the number of visitors. Lindsey and Westwood elementary schools have instituted a safe way for parents to drop off these materials. Each of the schools has been equipped with exterior windows into the main office to allow parents to drop off supplies for their child safely without entering the building. Parents ring a buzzer. An office staff member greets them, gathers the items and then delivers them to the child.
Google Slides Presentations
Second-graders in Mrs. Gabriel’s and Mrs. Stefancin’s classes are learning about the countries of the world. Each student created a Google Slides presentation about a country and then gave the presentation
Westwood Elementary School staff assistant Holly Potti stands at the school’s drop-off window. [Photo credit: Jim Kish - WGLSD]
to the class. Typically, parents and family members come to the classrooms to see the reports, but since it was not possible due to the pandemic, the students were recorded and the presentations then shared with the families. The project was the first time many of the students used Google Slides. Each family received the video as a keepsake. Although this year has many constraints, students are still able to share their work with their families through the use of technology.
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Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Obituaries Richard C. Ober
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CHESTER TWP. – Richard C. Ober, age 87, of Chester Township, passed away Feb. 15, 2021. He was born on May 14, 1933, in Indiana, Pa., to Charles and Ardee Ober. Richard enjoyed traveling and family time. He was a retired carpenter/foreman. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Louise; children, Barry (Gloria) Ober, of Chester, and Brad Ober (Nicole), of Jefferson; grandchildren, Nicholas, Lexi and Trevor; great-grandson, Bentley; and sister, Connie Ober. Private services will be held at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home in Chesterland. Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online tributes and condolences at www. gattozziandson.com.
Allan J. Ferguson
Allan J. “Jack” Ferguson passed away on his terms, his way on Feb. 17, 2021. He was born on March 20, 1935, in Joliet, Ill., to Allan and Jane Ferguson. Allan, or “Jack” to his family and friends, attended and graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. After graduating from Mizzou, Jack joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where he achieved several medals of commendation for his sharp-shooting skills. Upon completion of his service to the United States Army Reserve, Jack attended graduate school at the University of Missouri, earning a Master of Arts in Accounting. He worked for several years for G.E. in Schenectady, N.Y. It was there he met the love of his life, Carol Paupst. To this union were born three children, Allan, Steven and Karen. The family moved from Schenectady to Chesterland, where they made their family home until Carol’s passing in October 1998. Jack continued working long after retirement eligibility because he loved his work and enjoyed keeping his mind engaged. He enjoyed his monthly poker games, his coffee breaks with co-workers and his lunches with co-workers and friends. Jack’s true pride and joy were his children and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents, Allan and Jane; and his sister, Eliza Jean Ballard. Jack is survived by his children, Allan T. Ferguson, Steve (Nikki) Ferguson and Karen
(John) Haar; a brother, James (Carol) Ferguson; and grandchildren, Hannah Ferguson, Liam, Naomi and Clara Ferguson, and Carolyn, Matthew and Andrew Haar. Visitation at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, was held Feb. 23, 2021, where funeral services were held at noon. Interment Chester Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Allan's name to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org. Online condolences at www.gattozziandson.com.
Ted P. Krause
Ted P. Krause, age 89, passed away peacefully Feb. 22, 2021, in Chardon. Born Dec. 5, 1931, in Cleveland, he became a resident of Chester Township in 1963 before moving to Chardon in 2019. Ted was an employee of Lincoln Electric for 40-plus years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a longtime parishioner and usher at the Church of Saint Anselm in Chester and an avid Cleveland sports fan. Ted is survived by his daughters Lauren (Rich) Heinz and Nanette (Joe) Verdini; son-in-law, Joe Tripi; daughter-in-law, Nancy Krause; sister-in-law, Margie Krause; grandchildren, Joe (Tosh), Jackie (Jeremy), Brad (Allie), Brian (Janessa), Megan (Dustin), Erin, Ashley, Michael and Anthony; and great-grandchildren, Natalie, Samantha, Hannah, Jackson, Cecilia, Tristen and Tanner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol J. (nee Szplet); son, Greg; daughter Michele Tripi; and brothers, Ralph (Gloria) and Robert. A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date. The Krause family would like to thank Thistle House for the dedicated care of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Thistle House, 526 Water St., Chardon, OH 44024. Online tributes and condolences at www. gattozziandson.com.
Notices should be sent in writing by the funeral directors and memorial societies to: Geauga County Maple Leaf, P.O. Box 1166, Chardon, OH, 44024-5166, or faxed to 440-285-2015. The Maple Leaf charges a flat fee of $75 per obituary or death notice, including a photograph.
Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Geauga Public Library All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. For virtual programs, include an email when registering; instructions for picking up craft materials and joining the Zoom meeting will be provided upon registration. To register, visit www.GeaugaLibrary.net and click on “Programs.”
Take and Make: Felt Peep
GCPL Reopens Study Rooms
Take and Make: Color the Rainbow
Geauga County Public Library has reopened study rooms for limited patron use. Meeting rooms remain closed. Community members may call their local branch to reserve a study room with their library card. The guidelines for study room use are as follows: masks required; two-person, two-hour limit; and laptops available. Study rooms must be vacated 15 minutes prior to closing.
Storytimes
Join for stories via Zoom. All ages are welcome. Visit the website for dates and times.
Film Discussion Club
March 4, 2 p.m. Join to discuss “The Long, Long Trailer.”
Book Discussion
March 4, 7 p.m. Join to discuss “The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir” by Ruth Wariner.
March 8, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Celebrate spring by making a felt version of a favorite marshmallow treat. Upon registration, teens in grades 6-12 will be provided pickup information at Geauga West branch via email.
March 8, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The craft kit includes supplies for creating an “End of the Rainbow” twirler. Upon registration, youth in grades K-5 will be provided pickup information at Geauga West branch via email.
Yoga for Beginners
March 10, 10 a.m. Local yoga instructor Christy Rosneck will teach routines with different poses and benefits.
Preschool Storytime
March 10, 10:30-11 a.m. Join for storytime with a craft project. Upon registration, families will be notified via email with instructions on when to pick up the craft materials. Most craftwork needs to be completed before storytime.
Armchair Tour, Part 2
March 5, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pick up a copy of a compilation of deviled egg recipes at the Geauga West branch.
March 12, 2 p.m. Join for an “Armchair Tour of National Parks Commemorating American Arts and Culture,” presented by the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
Stuff and Storytime
Take and Make: April Ornament
Tasty Trends for Deviled Eggs
March 5, 10:30 a.m. Join for a storytime with a craft. Upon registrations, participants will be notified of procedures for picking up craft materials.
Mobile Memory Lab Orientations
March 6 and 10, 2 p.m. March 8, 7 p.m. The Mobile Memory Lab is comprised of scanners, reel-to-reel film converter, vinyl record recorder, microphones and software to convert analog materials to digital files. Attendance at an hour-long orientation is mandatory before booking appointments.
March 15, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Register by March 1 to pick up a craft kit at Geauga West. Help decorate the library’s holiday tree for April. Return the decorated ornament to Geauga West Branch by March 26.
Take and Make: Not Just a Plastic Egg
March 15, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Register by March 15 to pick up a craft kit at Geauga West or call Geauga West to have it sent to a different GCPL branch beginning March 1. Kit includes materials need to glam up six eggs.
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Chesterland News
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Police Blotter The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Chester Township Police Department Feb. 12-25, 2021. CITIZEN ASSIST Feb. 3 4:02 p.m., Mayfield Road. Elderly male requesting assistance from an officer. He has a lot of snow in his driveway and is unable to get out. Resident is deaf and used Sorenson Relay Company to call dispatch. Driveway and walkway were shoveled so male could get out. CITIZEN DISPUTE Feb. 14 8:36 a.m., Mayfield Road. Two males arguing in the parking lot. One male is yelling at another male in a white Jeep over a political statement on his car. This has happened before. FRAUD Feb. 24 12:40 p.m., Cedar Road. Female had a scam caller claiming to be from Willoughby PD. Called her and advised that her Social Security Number was compromised. She gave them the last four digits of her SSN but no other information. She just wants it on file in case anything arises from it. SUSPICIOUS Feb. 23 4:18 p.m., Green Drive. Caller does not need to see an officer, just wants it documented. She received a suspicious voicemail today with a subject saying inappropriate things. See report. THEFT Feb. 22 1:43 p.m., Chillicothe Road. Caller thinks his gift card and bank card were stolen while at Giant Eagle. Caller is at home. Caller found his cards on kitchen counter.
The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Russell Township Police Department Feb. 10-25, 2021. ANIMAL PROBLEM Feb. 14 10:39 a.m., Music Street. Complainant reported he was running along Music Street when a larger German Shepherd ran after him. He said he sprayed the dog with pepper spray and it ran off, but he was concerned for the safety of
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Service Directory
the public because the dog appeared aggressive. Officer made contact with dog owner who said his dog must have slipped out of his collar to his dog run. He said he would secure the dog and advised the dog is not aggressive and just likes to play. He was warned for his dog being loose. ASSIST FIRE DEPARTMENT Feb. 23 5:34 p.m., County Line Road. Officer responded to assist FD with a reported dog that fell through the ice. Upon arrival the dog was freed from the pond and no further assistance was needed. All units cleared. MUTUAL AID Feb. 22 6:44 a.m., Caves Road. Chester PD requested officers to assist with an intoxicated male trying to break into his ex-girlfriend’s home. Officers arrived on scene and assisted as needed. SUSPICION Feb. 17 3:10 p.m., Kinsman Road. Complainant called to report she received a phone call from a male advising that her Social Security Number had legal action placed against it. Complainant is aware of the various scams and hung up on caller. Caller ID showed 440-444-5765. Complainant requested report on file. Feb. 19 1:15 p.m., Deerfoot Trail. Complainant called to report she received a phone call regarding current Social Security scam. Complainant is aware of the scam and did not give any personal information. Caller ID showed 216-371-7077. Advice given. Complainant does not plan to return call. 2:40 p.m., Beechwood Drive. Complainant came to the station with a letter he received in the mail from Spain. Sender advised a distant relative passed away in 2015 and left millions of dollars, abandoned in a bank vault in Barcelona, Spain. Letter stated complainant is the closest relative to claim the money. Complainant is aware of several scams and did not email any personal information or call sender. Complainant said officer could shred the letter. Complainant was told a report would be made and kept on file.
Chesterland News 440-729-7667
Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Classifieds AUTOS & PARTS
PETS & ANIMALS
Cash for Junk Vehicles: running or not, classics/big trucks/etc., free removal, call/text Zac 440-679-7293.
Sunny – handsome, charming orange tiger cat looking for his Valentine! Rescued from the cold; now neutered, vaccinated, etc. 440-862-0610
FOR SALE
SERVICES John’s Plumbing: Affordable and reliable. Water heaters, toilets, faucets, drain cleaning, gas lines, sump pumps, well tanks. 440-285-0800. Offering special discounts for interior and exterior painting and staining this season. 20 years experience. Professional and insured. Call Dan, 440-342-4552. Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything, Call between 8am and 4pm, 440813-4272. No answer, leave message.
WANTED TO BUY Wanted Upright Freezer In Good Working Condition. 440-313-3718. Two Used JL Audio 12W6v2 Subs, Two Used Pioneer Mono PDX-M6 Amps. All Wiring Included. Excellent Condition. Priced To Sell. $300. Text 440-552-4400. Brown eggs from free range hens, no antibiotics, no hormones. $3/doz. Local beef & hay St Rt 608 Claridon. Some deliveries available. 440-636-5747 Antique wooden butter churn $89; Humpback chest $89; captains chairs $49 each. Large old wooden rocking horse $89; Antique clocks, 440-338-3563.
Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), tackle boxes, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee at 440-313-8331. Wanted ‘64-‘68 Mustangs, and other muscle cars/parts, Cash Paid. Call/text 440832-1465. Buying all Stanley Bailey planes and machinist tools. Call Karl at 440-812-3392.
Help Wanted MANCAN IS NOW HIRING GENERAL LABOR AND SKILLED TRADES IN LAKE, GEAUGA, CUYAHOGA AND ASHTABULA COUNTIES To apply, stop into the office Monday - Thursday, 9am to 3pm. Be sure to bring 2 forms of ID. A resume is encouraged.
220 Center St. Ste B-2 Chardon, OH 44024 440-285-5627
Montville Plastics & Rubber is HIRING! Montville Plastics and Rubber in Parkman, Ohio is expanding! Full-Time and Part-Time
We are looking for Extrusion Operators/ Trainees and General Production Workers. We are looking for growth minded employees who are ready to advance their career in an environment where hard work is rewarded. We offer medical packages, 401K plan, stable work schedules, and employee discount programs. Apply online at www.montvilleplastics.com/career or send resume to careers@montvilleplastics.com
Brother Profile 588 manual knitting machine. Instructions & yarn. Make offer 440-834-8816. Thermoflo Co Beckett Oil Furnace low boy 90,000 BTU used 5 years $600.00 OBO Hambden PU Ken 440-856-9776. Collectible Stamps: Legends of Hollywood – John Wayne series. Beautiful and in perfect condition. Remember this legend of the Old West movies. 20 stamps, 37 cents face value. Offered 2004. Call 440-465-9101 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Best Offer. “Browns Capture Crown, 27-4” Plain Dealer Beer mug – 1963. Pictured Jim Brown and Frank Ryan. Call 440-4659101 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Best Offer. Whitehaven Memorial Park. Section C; Lot 518; spaces 1, 2, 3, 4. (2) for $1500 or (4) for $2800, no singles. 440-256-3602.
GARAGE/ESTATE SALES If you need to have a moving sale or estate sale call Kathy Willis at 440-8403226, partial estate buyouts also.
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Classifieds 440-729-7667 20 words for $10 Deadline: Friday at Noon
Farm help in Huntsburg. 440-636-5747. Small gardening company hiring. Part/ full time position includes wedding, planting, mulching, some lawn cutting. Must have good customer relations, reliable transportation. Flexible scheduling to 40 hours per week. Experience preferred. Call (440) 759-4380. Counter/Cashier, The Waiting Room Cafe, 150 7th Ave, Chardon. 30 hrs per week, Monday-Friday 7:00am to 2:30pm. Call 440-479-3377. Light yard work:in the spring. Household: cleaning/organizing. 440-729-4242. The lady (Chardon) who owns the tarp business please call Professor Gene.
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Chesterland News
Wednesday, March 3, 2021