Kirtland Chronicle 3-01-2024

K-Kids Makes its Debut in Kirtland

By donna l roBinSon newS@karlovecmedia com

The Kirtland Kiwanis Kids Club has the potential to change lives by what it does, and the scope of who and what it affects cannot be measured, said Kirtland Kiwanis secretary Rick Fox.

Fox, founder of K-Kids, said the club is children’s first step on the Kiwanis journey and has been the best thing he’s ever created

He was proud to set its wheels in motion at an event Feb. 6 at Kirtland Hornet Hall with over 70 guests in attendance.

“We have a Builders Club in (Kirtland) Middle School, Key Club in (Kirtland) High School and an Adults with Disabilities Aktion Club based at Deepwood in Mentor,” Fox said. “It made sense to get this elementary school Kiwanis service club up and running so we can start kids on a path to leadership, volunteerism and service at the earliest age possible — students from first to fifth grade.”

Fox — who has been Kirtland Kiwanis secretary since 2020 — chartered the new club with 47 members.

Ridgeway approached Fox with the Key Club’s intention to help build K-Kids, he recalled.

the faculty advisors. I secured the blessing of the superintendent and (Kirtland) Elementary School Prin cipal Katy Nagaj to proceed,” he said. “Once the advisors were in

Beloved Citizen Gone But Not Forgotten

Memories of Kirtland City Worker Remain Timeless

By Sherry Gavanditti newS@karlovecmedia com

It’s been just over a year since Sally Ann Harber passed away on Feb. 10, 2023, but her essence, kindness, patience, professionalism and love of people has not been forgotten in Kirtland.

A Lake County resident for 76 years, Sally was born in Painesville and eventually made her way to Willoughby, where she lived throughout her 28-year-career with the City of Kirtland before retiring in Mentor.

United Methodist Church.

Sally spent nearly three decades in various positions in Kirtland, in cluding working as a long-time sec retary for mayors Mario Marcopoli and Ed Podojil, as well as a clerk of council and secretary for the city planning and zoning commission, said her daughter, Kelly Harber, in a recent interview.

In addition to being a founding member of the McKinley Community Outreach Center, Sally was a 60-year member of Willoughby

Sally retired just after her first grandchild was born in 2007. She was married to Doug las Harber for 53 years. He passed away in June of 2023, just four months after Sally. “I be lieve that they simply could not be separated from each other,” Kelly said of the deep love between the two. “My mom was passionate about Kirtland and loved her job and was involved in a lot of the

K-Kids from page 1

22 lieutenant governor, the Kirtland Schools Board of Education, elementary principal and Key Club and K-Kids advisors offered remarks, as well.

K-Kid members get to be spend time with their friends while performing service for others, as well as fundraising and volunteerism, Fox said, adding they learn to work as a unit and encourage one other.

“It is our hope these members will continue on to Builders Club in middle school, to Key Club in high school, Circle-K at the college level … and, ultimately, we hope they would consider joining the adult Kiwanis Club,” he said. “Learning service, volunteerism and service is the single biggest goal throughout this entire journey. We hope they will find ways to serve their school, our senior community and even possibly find ways to be involved with our annual (Kirtland) Strawberry Festival.

“They will be guided by excellent advisors that will empower them to decide how best to serve others,” he added. “Officers for the club were elected in February, so after that, they will move forward with plans for service and projects.”

Fox hopes to show K-Kids how rewarding the club is by relaying his own Kiwanis experiences to them and how they changed his life.

“Social media will highlight their work, so the community who follows us will see their impact,” he said. “Once the service projects have been decided on by the group, it will

be clearer as to the amount of impact they may have. They will meet after school once a month through May 1.”

The Kirtland Kiwanis will help fund projects through materials or educational opportunities available through Ohio District Kiwanis or Kiwanis International and attend their monthly meetings to advise them, as well as invite them to attend Kiwanis meetings to explain what they are working on.

Parental support for this group has been phenomenal, Fox said, adding he hopes more students join and the school, K-Kids parents and advisors are instrumental in increasing membership.

“To start kids on this journey at the elementary age is huge and the way parents have gotten on board is so awesome,” he said. “The fact that we now have service clubs in all three schools is tremendous and it is something rare in the three-county area.”

Those interested in joining K-Kids can contact advisors Jen Berry or Kara Prosuch, or Nagaj at the elementary school.

“I have been a member of Kirtland Kiwanis since 1999 and I have been involved in a multitude of projects and any number of leadership and board of director positions,” Fox said. “Everything I have done has been rewarding and I sincerely believe a labor of love, my member experience and connections at the district and international level have allowed me to navigate the building process with relative ease. I am truly touched by the club and parental support and incredibly impressed with the Key Club and faculty-advisorship. This process has been a joy and a true privilege to be a part of.”

A Note from the Mayor

Only in the last few years, have I come to know why Easter falls when it does. Simply explained, it is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. This year, the equinox happens to be March 19, just two days after St. Patrick’s Day.

To celebrate both St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, the city will host the third annual Shamrock Shuffle and Shenanigans on March 9 and an Easter Egg Hunt on March 23, with booth events starting at 10 a.m. in front of city hall. The Easter Egg Hunt will start at 10:30 a.m.

The Shuffle 5k Run & Walk will be followed by fun for all ages (the shenanigans) across the street at the Kirtlander. The social event is open to all, and food and drink will be for sale inside.

This year, honoring my friend and recently-deceased Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley, proceeds from the Shamrock Shuffle and Shenanigans will go to the Miracle League of Lake County. The Miracle League supports children with phys ical and mental disabilities and is a tremendous organization worthy of support.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is for all ele mentary-age children and if you haven’t been before, you won’t want to miss the fun. Park ing is available at the library and at city hall, so get there a few minutes early to see the Bunny shuttle in on one of our city safety or service vehicles.

city’s debt management consultant, the aggressive payment schedule over the last several years puts the city in a good position to issue a $2.5 million road improvement note to support our 2024 road program.

This year’s budget continues to focus on debt management and provides resources that will help Kirtland continue to seek opportunities that can expand our business tax base and seek outside additional funding for special projects and grants.

With council’s support of this budget, 10 city roads spanning 2.1 miles are potentially scheduled for paving this year.: Beechwood, Crestwood, Parkwood, Elmwood, Forestdale, Westwood, Woodhill, Thorne, Shaw and Monterey. In addition, with passage of this budget, a host of other city streets will also see significant repairs.

Every March, Kirtland City Council passes the annual budget. I want to thank council for its partnership as we have successfully managed city debt over the last four years. Should council pass this year’s budget in its current form, over the last four years, the city will have decreased long-term bond issuance debt by more than $700,000 and made more than $2.3 million in payments on city shortterm debt.

With guidance from bond counsel and the

Although this year’s road program, combined with paving efforts of the last four years is significant and will continue to make a great impact throughout many neighborhoods, it is no secret that our network of city streets needs additional attention. In the coming weeks and months, we will seek the answers to what the best fundapproach means for our taxpayers. I remain committed to the idea that the investfamilies in their homes and neighborhoods should be protected, while keeping our seniors on fixed incomes in mind.

With a tremendous city council in place and recently-expressed community support for how business is being conducted at city hall, we have a real opportunity this year to at long last solve the Kirtland road issue that has beleaguered the community for well over a decade.

As always, I am humbled and honored to serve as Kirtland’s mayor and look forward to seeing and working with the community for another term.

Thank you, Mayor Potter

Home Gardeners’ Workshop

The Lake County Master Gardener Volunteers and The Ohio State University Extension will present their annual Home Gardeners’ Workshop on March 16, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spend the day with the master gardener volunteers and their informative speakers at their new location in the Arthur S. Holden Center at Lake Erie College, 391 W. Washington St., Painesville. All levels of gardening experience are welcome. The $55 workshop cost includes several speakers' sessions, breakfast and lunch, and a variety of garden-related items available for purchase. Visit https://lake.osu.edu/events for more information. All levels of gardening experience are welcome. The $55 workshop cost includes several speakers’ sessions, breakfast and lunch, and a variety of garden-related items available for purchase. Visit https://lake.osu.edu/events for more information. The LCMGVs can be reached at 440-853-2625 or MGVLakeCounty@gmail.com.

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Mayor

Kevin Potter

The Kirtland Public Library is located at 9267 Chillicothe Road. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about any of these programs or to register, please call the library at 440-256-7323 or visit www.kirtland.lib.oh.us.

February Adult Programs

Knit & Crochet

March 4 • 6 p.m.

Open to anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting or is interested in learning.

Bring your own supplies and join the fun the first Monday of the month from 6-7 p.m. Drop in and get hooked.

Color Me Calm

March 15 • 2:30 p.m.

Come relax and color with us. We supply the coloring pages, pencils and music. Feel free to bring your own supplies if you like. Just sign up and show up. Registration requested.

Cookbook Club

March 19 • 6 p.m.

Bring in a dish to celebrate your heritage. Don’t forget your place setting and beverage. Call the library or visit www.kirtland.lib.oh.us for more information

Kirtland Library

No Pressure Book Discussion

March 25 • 1:30 p.m.

Join us in the Community Room to talk about books . . . any books you've read recently that you want to recommend to others.

February Adult Special Events

Learn to Crochet

March 5 • 5:30 p.m.

Sew4Service will be here to teach crochet. Learn crochet stitches and how to read a pattern. This is a beginner class. Bring your own crochet hook and yarn or purchase these supplies at the beginning of class for $5 cash. Please register.

Sock Gnome Craft

March 12 • 4 p.m.

Make gnomes out of clean socks this month. The cost is $5 per person. Sign up for the shenanigans. Registration required.

Meet Local Author Jim Sweeney

March 13 • 7 p.m.

Jim Sweeney is the author of “What's the Deal with Dead Man's Curve? And Other Really Good Questions About Cleveland.”

He will explain why the only 90-degree turn in the U.S. Interstate Highway System is located right smack in our downtown, and answer other questions like, who is that build-

ing named after, and do we really need all these suburbs? Join us for a fun and interesting program. Please register for this event.

Lip Balm Craft

March 18 • 6 p.m.

Want to try to make your own lip balm for the winter weather? There will be an assortment of flavors to choose from. Cost is $10 per person. Registration required.

Charcuterie Culinary Class

March 26 • 6 p.m.

Learn about charcuterie boards. Sign up for this class and enjoy some tasty food while you learn. Cost is $10 cash per person to attend. Registration is required.

March Youth Special Events

Apples to Apples Jr.

March 6 • 5 p.m.

This event is for kids grades third to sixth. The judge of the game decides which of the other players' cards best describes the description card; players try to convince the judge that their card is the best choice. Players will delight in the crazy comparisons while expanding vocabulary and analytic skills. Please register every adult and every child attending.

LEGO Club

March 9 • 10:30 a.m.

Families, spend an hour creating with the library’s LEGO brick collection. Once you have completed your creation with our bricks, we will place it in our display case for all to see. Please register.

Leprechaun Traps

March 11 • 4 p.m.

This event is for kids grades kindergarten through second. If someone catches a leprechaun — the legend goes — he'll grant that person three wishes to escape. Catch the luck o' the Irish by hearing a story and assembling a leprechaun trap. Please register every adult and every child attending.

Pi Day Fun

March 14 • 4:30 p.m.

This event is for kids grades third to

sixth. Attendees will hear the book “Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi,” by Cindy Neuschwander, and engage in other Pi Day activities. Please register every adult and every child attending.

Stories and More: Spring

March 15 • 10:30 a.m.

Families with children age 5 and under, enjoy storytime, then explore activities that revolve around the same theme. In March, we will focus on Spring. Please register for this event.

Teen Ozobots

March 19 • 3 p.m.

Youth in grades six and up, enjoy an afternoon snack, then try our Ozobots. These tiny robots recognize color. You will command them by drawing lines on paper for them to follow. Please register for this event.

Easter Egg Hunt Activities

March 23 • 10:30 a.m.

When you come to the Kirtland Easter Egg Hunt, make sure to stop by the library. The Children’s Department will be filled with spring activities. No need to register for this event.

Starry-Eyed for the Eclipse

March 27 • 3 p.m.

Families, get ready for the total solar eclipse that will take place in early April. Learn about the upcoming eclipse, explore activities and receive a pair of eclipse glasses. The next time Ohio will be in the path of totality will be in 2099. Please register for this event.

Youth Weekly Events

Lapsit

Tuesdays • 10 a.m.

Bounces, rhymes, one book, scarves and shakers, geared for families with children under the age of 3.

Storytime

Wednesdays • 10 a.m.

Enjoy great books, rhymes, songs, and surprises with your child. This storytime is geared for families with children age 5 and under.

Grant-in-Aid Award Available

A $1,500 Grant-in-Aid to a qualified future female educator is available through the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

DKG Iota, Chapter promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education, according to a Feb. 6 email.

The western Lake County chapter supports this mission by offering this award to female college students who meet the following criteria:

• Are currently registered as a college sophomore or junior;

• Are enrolled and excel in a college Teacher Education Program; and

• Have a home residence located in the Ohio cities of Kirtland, Mentor, Eastlake, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills or Willowick.

Applications may be requested by email to dkgscholarship@gmail.com. Questions may also be sent to that email address.

Deadline for applying is March 10. All applicants will be notified of the committee selection by March 22.

Harber

from page 1

causes. When (Kirtland Fire) Station One needed to be built, she was really involved in getting that going.”

Sally’s passion prompted Kelly to donate $3,000 last summer in her mother’s name to the Kirtland Fire Department on Kirtland-Chardon Road for a new patio pad and furniture.

“Our first responders deserve to have a few moments of peace and quiet,” Kelly said, adding Sally loved to have a good time, getting together with friends from the fire department and city hall.

She was always considerate of others, her daughter said.

“She loved to talk to everyone. She would get to know people very well,” she added.

Sally remembered birthdays and special occasions with cards, and often followed up on great service at banks or grocery stores with letters of appreciation, Kelly said.

She described her mother as petite with elegant fingers and short hair.

“She wore the pixie cut before it was cool, even in high school,” she said, adding Sally enjoyed telling others she knew her way around the country and she knew how to use a pistol.

“Sally was so loyal, efficient and dependable, and very caring, always asking about our children and grandchildren,” said Maureen Podojil, wife of the former mayor who served the city for eight years. “Sally probably knew everybody in Kirtland and that was a great help to my husband. She was protective, knowledgeable and a wonderful person.”

Marcopoli, of Concord Township, knew Sally over 44 years. As a councilman in 1978 and 1979, one of the best decisions he made was to keep her on, he said.

“If I had any questions about any decisions, I consulted her,” he recalled. “With 20 years in politics … without help from people you can trust, you couldn’t survive.”

Marcopoli took office as mayor in 1980 and called politics a “vicious profession.”

“I was mayor until 2000 and (Sally) was my administrative assistant, but she was more than that,” he said. “She was extremely diligent and a great person. She was very strong-willed and got things done. She’ll be missed. She stood by her beliefs and her opinions. I trusted her judgment. In this day and age, in politics, that’s especially very important.”

Former Kirtland Fire Chief Rich Harvey also reminisced about his longtime friendship with Sally, which began in 1998.

“We became close. She was the mayor’s administrative assistant, but her title should have been mayor’s boss,” he said. “The mayor was part time and it was a smaller operation then and she took care of everything. It was pretty amazing how efficient and valuable she was, and a big help for me because she introduced me to the right people when I came on and she helped me fit in.

“She was pretty good at ‘moving and shaking’ and a good gatekeeper for the mayor,” he added. “She decided who got to see him and who didn’t … she didn’t want to waste his time. The speeches she wrote for the mayor were just incredible. I knew Douglass, as well. They’d invite us over on the Fourth of July to watch fireworks, so we became dear friends for the rest of both of their lives.”

Harvey said Sally did many things to help run the city.

“She was really good at it and great at

deciphering barely-legible notes into a really great document,” he said. “I’ve never had anyone like her. I was just amazed at how she could do all this and keep track of everything. She was a good person and a really good friend. And she was a pistol.”

Kirtland Fire Chief Anthony Hutton recalled the day he turned in his application to become a firefighter in 1989 and first met Sally.

“I handed it to her and we became friends immediately,” he said. “I worked with her when she was the mayor’s assistant and I became friends with her husband, Doug, and knew Kelly when she was a kid. Sally was very dedicated, hardworking and committed to Kirtland, more than most people I’ve ever seen. When Kelly called and wanted to do something in Sally’s name, I thought a patio would be a perfect thing to do, so we put up the Sally Harber Memorial Patio. She was a wonderful person missed by all here.

By kathy talty

Kiwanis Korner

February has been a busy month, beginning with helping at the Food Bank packing bags. Then, the Kirtland Kiwanis celebrated their 65th anniversary on Feb. 15 at the Kirtland Community Center.

Bill Wright shared some interesting history: The Kiwanis was founded in Detroit in 1915 and in Kirtland in December of 1958. At that time, Larry Brown was president, president elect was George Smith and Jim Naughton vice president. Over the years, there have been almost 400 members.

The first project of the Kirtland Kiwanis was to bring in a doctor and that was Dr. Murray Winchell. He set up practice and had perfect attendance for the 20 years in the Kiwanis. Another interesting fact, the first Kirtland Strawberry Festival was called the Kirtland Home Days. Jim Naughton and Tom Johnson were the first chairpersons in the 1960s. Having the festival around Father’s Day came about because the only vendor available with rides was on that weekend. It’s great that we have rides again today. And, more interesting facts will be shared next month. The Creative Writing Contest is under way. Any sixth-12th-grader in the Kirtland school district is eligible. The theme is,

“What Does Love Have To Do With It?” There are three different categories: sixth-eighth grade, ninth-10th grade and 11-12th grade. Each category will have a Blue Ribbon Prize of $200, Red Ribbon Prize of $150, White Ribbon Prize of $100 and three Honorable Mentions of $50. You can write an essay, poem, song lyric, one-act play or advertisement. Just use your imaginations. Only one submission per student and the deadline is March 22. The winners will be announced in April. For more information, email kktalty@gmail.com. Please submit your entry to www.kirtlandschools.org/KirtlandKiwanisWriting.aspx

Kirtland Kiwanis is granted lawful authority to publicly announce and promote the victors and submitted entries. Best of luck and start writing!

The Kirtland Kiwanis Rummage Sale, which is from May 9-11, is looking for your old dusty treasures. Please call Mary Sams at 216-347-0771 to have them picked up. Proceeds go to the Kirtland Foundation to support future growth through educational scholarships.

Now the best for last, a quote from Jerry Bartles, president of Kirtland Kiwanis: “True strength has only three ingredients: Peace of mind, strength of character and a heart for others.”

Kiwanis Students of the Month

The Kirtland Kiwanis “Students of the Month” for March 2024 are fifth-grader Henry Hoose, of Kirtland Elementary School, seventh-grader Morgan Brunetti, of Kirtland Middle School, and ninth-grader Karen Hill, of Kirtland High School. The Kiwanis sponsors the “Students of the Month.” The principal and staff chose one student from each school to be recognized. Each student has their picture taken, receives a certificate and a T-shirt that

From left, “Students of the Month” Henry Hoose, of KES, Morgan Brunetti, of KMS, and

says “Student of the Month.”

By alan kornSpan SportS@karlovecmedia com

Swimmers Participate in OHSAA Tournament

Kirtland Swimming has had a busy post-season competing at both the OHSAA Sectionals at Spire Institute in Geneva on Feb. 9th and in the District Championships at Cleveland State University on Feb. 16th.

At both events the Kirtland Swimmers had successful performances.

“We were all excited to make it to districts,” said Head Swimming Coach Mary Ellen Shepard. “We broke two school records today (at Districts) so that is very exciting for our team.”

In order to qualify for the district championships, Kirtland swimmers swam in the OHSAA sectionals at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

At the OHSAA Sectional championships, senior Claire Dumstorff and sophomore Sofia Barisic qualified for four individual events. In addition, two relay teams qualified for districts.

At sectionals, Barisic qualified for districts in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 58.78.

In addition, Barisic qualified for districts as she made the podium in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:03.74.

Dumstorff also qualified for two individual events at districts with excellent performances. At sectionals, Dumstorff made the podium in the 100 yard breastroke with a time of 1:12.66.

Additionally, Dumstorff swam 2:29.69 in the 200IM to qualify for districts.

Also at sectionals Dumstorff and Barisic were part of two relay teams that qualified for districts.

At sectionals, the Hornets qualified for Districts in the 200 Yard Medley Relay with a time of 2:04.33. In addition, the 200 yard Freestyle Relay team qualified for districts with a time of 1:51.32.

After qualifying at Sectionals, Dumstorff,

Hornets Nest

Barisic, Sofia Shepard, Georgoni Mei, and Nina Vujica competed at the OHSAA District Championships on February 16 at Cleveland State University.

At districts Dumstorff swam in the 200 yard IM and the 100 yard breaststroke. In the 200 yard IM Dumstorff finished 17th with a time of 2:27.08. Dumstorff has really enjoyed the post-season this year.

“It's just been so exciting the last couple weeks, training and the meets have been so much fun.” said Dumstorff. “I have enjoyed how I have done and being there with my teammates, and being with our two relays, it's been so much fun.”

Dumstorf said that she was happy with how things went at districts.

“I'm so happy with how I did today, said Dumstorff. “My splits in my relays were real ly good, I was really proud of it.”

After swimming the 200 yard IM, Dum storff swam the 100 yard breastroke. In the Breastroke, Dumstorff finished with a time of 1:12.22 to finish 12th at districts.

With her performance at districts, Dum storff set a new Kirtland school record in the 100 yard breastroke.

“My breastroke, I was so happy with that. The final race of the season, dropping time, school record, all that, so happy.”

In addition to Dumstorff, Barisic swam in two individual events at districts, the 100 yard freestyle and the 100 yard backstroke. In the 100 yard freestyle Barisic swam a 57.78 finishing twentieth in the district.

In the 100 yard backstroke Barisic finished twelfth at districts with a time of 1:03.89

Barisic mentioned that she dropped a lot of time during the season and at sectionals which allowed her to place well going into districts. In districts, Barisic was happy with how she performed since she did not add time, and she stayed at a similar performance as she had the previous week at sectionals. In addition, Barisic also said that she dropped some time in the 100 yard freestyle and that she was happy about that.

In the 200 Yard Medley Relay, Sofia Baris-

ic, Claire Dumstorff, Georgia Mei and Sophia Shepard swam a 2:05.28 to finish 15th at districts.

Also, in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, Sofia Barisic, Sophia Shepard, Nina Vujica, and Claire Dumstorff swam 1:51.47 to finish seventeenth at districts.

Boys Basketball

Green and Carriero Lead Hornets to 8356 OHSAA Playoff Victory Over Rootstown

Hosting the Rootstown Rovers in the first round of the OHSAA Playoffs on Feb. 27,

the Kirtland Hornets Boys Basketball team claimed an 83-56 victory.

The contest against the Rovers started out close as the Hornets took a 13-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Hornets then extended their lead in the second quarter behind the excellent play of senior center Jack Green and point guard Vince Carriero.

Both Green and Carriero had 10 first half points to help the Hornets take a 38-30 lead into halftime.

ALAN KORNSPAN/ KMG Kirtland’s Claire Dumstorff finished 12th in districts in the 100 yard breaststroke.

Hornets from page 7

After halftime, Green and Carriero continued their excellent play as Carriero used his excellent quickness to push the pace on the break and dribble drive to the hoop.

When forced to move to a half court set, Carriero and Green worked together to execute the high pick and roll to perfection.

The fast paced dribble drives and the pick

and roll led Green to scoring 18 second half points and Carriero adding eight points as the Hornets defeated the Rovers, 83-56.

In the post game interview, Green talked about the team's performance and the important offensive strategies the Hornets utilized to get the victory.

In particular, Green emphasized that a main focus of the offense was to get the ball to him in the low post. Then, if he was double teamed, he could make a pass to a teammate who would cut through the lane and drive to the hoop.

Also Green talked about utilizing the high pick and roll: “It was great (the pick and roll play). We were just working on that in practice and we came here to run it in the game and it worked like a charm.”

Carriero, who added 18 points, said that himself and Green worked very well together on the offensive side of the ball against the Rovers.

“I think me and Jack ran the pick and roll nice today,” said Carriero. “I think when I came across they were coming out a little far, so I would just dump it over to Green and he finished the layups.”

Kirtland Head Boys Basketball Coach

Shawn McGregor discussed the excellent games that both Green and Carriero had in leading the Hornets to the victory.

“Jack was special tonight,” said Coach McGregor. “He played a great game, got a lot of touches.”

McGregor said that Green really heated up in the second quarter as he started getting the ball in the low post more.

“The game just started coming to him. He made some difficult shots underneath, contested lay ups," McGregor said. "I think

he was patient in the post, and did a good job in the screen game.”

Coach McGregor commented that Vince did a really nice job of finding Green in the high pick and roll.

“It's a tough thing to defend because Vince is so good coming off that (screen), he can shoot it, he can get himself to the basket and when Jack's cooking like that, we're in

good shape.”

For the contest, in addition to Green (28 points) and Carriero (18), Will Sayle (10), Nick Barisic (7), Gino Blasini (7), Danny Alfieri (6), Sammy Ridgeway (3), Aaron Fortuna (2) and Jake LaVerde (2) all contributed to the offensive point total for the Hornets.

The Hornets will next host Newton Falls on March 1 for the OHSAA Sectional title.

ALAN KORNSPAN/ KMG

Kirtland’s Jack Green who had 28 points in Kirtland’s 83-56 victory over Rootstown on Feb. 27.

who won the Lake County Spelling Bee and finished second in the Tri County Spelling Bee. She is the alternate to go to Washington, DC for the national competition. Grace’s outstanding performance was a result of her hard work and she was an exemplary repre-

nity.

Students across generations have come together to make a difference in Kirtland by launching a new K-Kids club, sponsored by the high school’s Key Club and our local Kirtland Kiwanis organization. K-Kids provides young students with hands-on opportunities to serve their community. In their inaugural meeting in January, elementary students made Valentine’s cards for local senior citi-

zens alongside Key Club mentors. Club lead ers have bold visions for monthly service activities that utilize talents across age levels for community good. Over 40 Kirtland Elementary Students have signed up to participate in the club.

Congratulations to Bo Famularcano, Charlie Whittaker and Liam Logan who competed on Academic Challenge on Channel 5. They did a great job and earned a lot of points! Con gratulations to Lucile Heller and Megan Reed who were recently inducted into the National Honors Society at the Auburn Career Cen ter. A 3.5 GPA is required at Au burn and a 3.25 is required back at their home district (Kirtland) to earn this honor. Congratulations to Lucile and Megan!

the organization’s mission to promote car diovascular health and wellness. The weeklong Kids Heart Challenge program wove important health lessons into each spirit day. In addition to gaining knowledge and learning about healthy-habits they can practice, the children raised money for the AHA’s research and community programs benefiting young heart patients. Each day featured themes and related daily activities. The PTA also celebrated Valentine’s Day or “Heart Healthy Day” by providing the elementary students with a variety of healthy snacks.

By Chad VanArnhem, Superintendent

During the week of February 12-16, Kirt land Elementary School partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) for the annual Kids Heart Challenge, supporting

The Board of Education has voted to place a renewal levy on the March 19, 2024, ballot for the public’s consideration. Additional information about the renewal levy is available at the following on the district’s website at www.kirtlandschools.org.

Thank you for your continued support of our school district and go Hornets!