Hornets Complete a Fantastic 2024 Season as State Runner’s Up
By AlAn KornspAn sports@KArlovecmediA com
For eight consecutive years now, the Kirtland Hornets have played in the OHSAA State Championship, as they competed against the Coldwater Cavaliers on Dec. 7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Kirtland PD Trends with Nation on Recruitment Crisis
By cAssAndrA shofAr cAssAndrA@KArlovecmediA com
Kirtland Police Department continues to practice patience as it weathers officer turnover and recruitment challenges that continue to plague the nation.
While Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter swore in new full-time officer Joseph Gibson Jr. during the Nov. 18 Kirtland City Council meeting, Police Chief Brian McCallister said the department is still understaffed and searching for viable police candidates.
Police • Page 5
In order to reach this game, the Hornets went undefeated during the regular season (10-0), then won five straight playoff games in which they outscored opponents 224-20.
However, when it came to a championship this season, the ball unfortunately did not bounce the Hornets' way.
Although the Hornets and Cavaliers had similar offensive produc-
tion, the Cavaliers entered the red zone four times, while the Hornets crossed their opponents' 20 yard line only once.
The Cavaliers capitalized on their first-half red zone opportunities as
Jake LaVerde hands off to John Silvestro in the Hornets’ 31-7 state championship loss to Coldwater. Dec. 7. With this year’s state runner-up finish, the Hornets continued its amazing two-decade-long legacy, having finished as state champions (2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013 and 2011) or state runners-up (2024, 2022, 2021, 2017, 2014 and 2012) 13 times since 2011. See Hornets• Page 2
Frank Lyon Crowned 2024 Kirtland Citizen of the Year
By donnA l roBinson editor@KArlovecmediA com
When Frank Lyon’s name was called as the recipient of the 2024 Kirtland Citizen of the Year award Nov. 7, it came as a shock to the longtime resident, who hadn’t even known he was nominated.
Selected out of 15 others, Frank met applause from 70 people who attended the ceremony in his honor, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Kirtland at the Kirtland Community Center.
“When I heard his name and everyone stood up and gave him a round of applause at the ceremony, I was so happy for him. It was a very special evening,” said Jane Lyons, Frank’s wife. “All of the kind
Lyon • Page 4
or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
It’s Back to the Drawing Board On Roads page 6
Kirtland Library page 6
Classifieds page 7
from page 1
they crossed the goal line three times to take a 21-0 halftime lead.
After halftime, the Cavaliers added 10 third-quarter points to go up 31-0.
Jake LaVerde got the Hornets on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run to make the final score 31-7.
In the post-game press conference, Kirtland Hornets Head Coach Tiger LaVerde expressed his appreciation for the great work, effort and kindness that his players demonstrated throughout the season.
“These kids are amazing,” Coach LaVerde. “They're kind, they work hard. It was a tremendous season. I loved every day at practice, every second, it was enjoyable. I appreciate everything they've done for our community, the team, the school.”
All game long, the Hornets worked hard and played with great effort. In fact, for the contest, final statistics were similar for both teams.
The Hornets out-gained the Cavaliers on the ground, but Coach LaVerde said they did not execute their offense as well as he had hoped. In particular, he felt their blocking could have been better.
“I wouldn't say we executed even close to what we're capable of, but you got to give them (Coldwater) credit,” Coach LaVerde said. “A lot of blocks were missed. We were just off sync all day.”
Still, the Hornets out-gained the Cavaliers on the ground.
Kirtland accumulated 197 yards on 37 carries (5.3 yards per carry), while the Cavaliers gained 162 yards on 35 carries (4.6 yards per carry).
For the game, on offense, the Cavaliers only out-gained the Hornets by 42 yards.
Certainly it is not surprising that the Hornets' run game was effective. As Coach LaVerde also mentioned in the post-game press conference, Kirtland's offensive game plan was to focus on the things the Hornets did well throughout the season.
“We've relied on the front seven, offensive line and two tight ends all year,” Coach LaVerde said. “Our identity is to run the ball, and we tried to do what we do.”
Leading the Hornets rushing attack were Jake LaVerde (13 rushes for 80 yards), John Silvestro (8-49), Dan Alfieri (11-40) and Jack Lessick (5-28).
After the game, standout running back Dan Alfieri, who set the all-time Kirtland Hornets single season rushing record this season, reflected upon his football career at Kirtland.
“I'm thankful for the relationships that came out of football,” he said. “Football is just a game. The hard work it teaches you and the dedication will help us carry on later in life.”
With this year's state runner-up finish, Hornets football continued its amazing twodecade-long legacy, having finished as state champions (2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013 and 2011) or state runners-up (2024, 2022, 2021, 2017, 2014 and 2012) 13 times since 2011.
A 41-7 Win Vaulted Hornets to Title Game
For the 15th year in a row, the Kirtland Hornets football team played in the OHSAA state semifinal game.
On Nov. 29, the Hornets traveled to Minerva High School to take on the Northmor Golden Knights in the Final Four.
Against the Golden Knights, the Hornets
followed their relentless, dominant, smashmouth football plan reminiscent of legendary Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes’ “three yards and a cloud of dust” philosophy.
Pass, the Hornets did not, but run, run, and run some more, they did. They even threw in some amazing vaults along the way.
Finally, after executing 60 plays from scrimmage, all of them on the ground, the Hornets punched their ticket to the OHSAA State Championship Game with a decisive and dominant 41-7 victory.
After the win, Hornets Head Coach Tiger LaVerde talked about how great the Hornets offensive line played against a tough physical Golden Knights defensive line.
“Our guys up front, our front seven, I can't say enough about those guys up front,” Coach LaVerde said. “The two tight ends and the five guys up front, just get it done, and they go to work. We just try to grind it out.
“Our backs did a nice job. We fumbled on that first drive and we scored every other drive.”
Along with relying on their offensive line to dominate the trenches, Coach LaVerde kept the game plan simple by only utilizing a few offensive play calls.
“We might have had five (plays) this week,” Coach LaVerde said. “The guys up front just execute whatever we call, and we try to see what they're in. The boys run hard and they hang on to the ball.”
The Hornets' 60 running plays from scrimmage resulted in six touchdowns. In fact, for the contest, the Hornets scored a touchdown on all but one of their offensive possessions.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Hornets outscored the Golden Knights 20-7 in the second quarter.
Scoring the first two touchdowns of the game for the Hornets was quarterback Jake LaVerde, who had touchdown runs of two yards and 13 yards in the second quarter.
Jake LaVerde said after the game that the offensive line was amazing, which allowed the Hornets to run the ground game.
“In the playoffs, they (the O-Line) have been looking great; just dominated down in there,” he said. “Our backs just ran free.”
In addition to Jake LaVerde's two second quarter touchdowns, Dan Alfieri scored on a seven-yard touchdown run with 1:11 left in the first half.
“We knew they couldn't stop our offense tonight, and we just stuck to the basics, and ran the ball,” Alfieri said.
After halftime, the Hornets scored on three additional touchdown runs.
Alfieri added his second touchdown of the night on a seven-yard touchdown run with 8:17 left in the third quarter.
LaVerde then added his third touchdown of the game on a 20-yard touchdown run.
The Hornets completed the scoring with Jack Lessick's 42-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter.
For the game, the Hornets offense amassed 480 yards of rushing (eight yards per carry) while converting 31 first downs.
Leading the Hornet offense were Dan Alfieri (25 carries for 149 yards, two TDs), Jake LaVerde (16-145, three TDs), John Silvestro (10-101), Lessick (2-48, one TD), Carter Luzar (4-27), Max Paul (1-7) and Niko Samac (1-3).
Defensively, the Hornets had two interceptions for the game: one by Lessick, the other by Sebastian Becker.
Hornets Smashmouth Way to 8th Straight OHSAA Regional Title
Kirtland's football team returned to the OHSAA regional title game for the 15th straight time on Nov. 22 when they faced the Dalton Bulldogs at North Royalton's Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium.
This contest was a re-match of Week One, which saw the Hornets defeat the Bulldogs, 55-34.
In this Week 14 regional final, the Hornets' powerful, smash-mouth football style proved too much for the Bulldog defense to handle.
Playing in constant rain, on a cold, windy night, the Hornets relied on their dominant ground game to take a commanding 28-0 halftime lead.
In the subsequent final two quarters, the Hornets added two additional touchdowns as they went on to defeat the Bulldogs, 41-6, and claim the OHSAA's Division VI, Region 21 title.
In fact, this was the Hornets eighth straight regional title game victory.
Afterwards, Dan Alfieri enthusiastically said he was highly motivated for this game, since he knew this could have been the last game of his high school career.
He also credited the Hornets' offensive line for his dominant rushing performance.
“The line opened big holes for me and I just ran through them,” Alfieri said. “Best line in the state!”
Hornets Head Coach Tiger LaVerde added, “The offensive line was dominant, Danny was incredible, and the defense did enough to keep them off the board.”
Coach LaVerde also said that coming into
this contest, his Hornets were focused on things that they always try to accomplish in each game in order to have success.
“We always say block better than the other team and tackle better than the other team, and really it's a simple game,” Coach LaVerde said.
Clearly, the Hornets demonstrated a high level of blocking and tackling throughout this regional title game.
With the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage, the Hornets relied on Alfieri's powerful, downhill running. In fact, in the first half, Alfieri had the ball in his hands on 70 percent of the offensive plays from scrimmage, which led to four touchdowns and 182 yards gained.
Alfieri got the Hornets on the scoreboard on just their second offensive play from scrimmage. After picking up eight yards on his first carry of the night, he took the next handoff 32 yards for the touchdown to put the Hornets up 6-0 with 9:52 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets then regained possession of the ball only 27 seconds later after a Bulldogs fumble.
In a moment of “rinse and repeat,” the Hornets handed the ball off to Alfieri three straight times, leading to a 14-yard touchdown with 8:34 left in the first quarter.
Leading 12-0 in the second quarter, Alfieri added a 44-yard touchdown with 8:11 left in the second quarter. After he ran in the two point conversion, the Hornets led 20-0.
The Hornets would add a fourth touchdown before the end of the half.
Jack Lessick intercepted the Bulldog's quarterback, then Kirtland scored on a fiveplay drive which culminated with a single-yard touchdown run by Alfieri. Alfieri then took a handoff in for the two-point conversion to put the Hornets up 28-0 heading into halftime. In the second half, the Hornets added two additional touchdowns.
John Silvestro put the Hornets up 34-0 on a third quarter, 48-yard touchdown run. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Hornets took a 41-0 lead on a nine-yard touchdown run by Sebastian Becker.
For the contest, the Hornets ran the ball on 97 percent of their offensive plays, leading to 367 rushing yards,18 first downs and six touchdowns.
Individually, the Hornet offense was led by Alfieri (23 carries for 202 yards, four TDs), Silvestro (4-74, one TD), LaVerde (646), Becker (2-21, one TD), Carter Luzar (114) and Niko Samac (1-11).
A Note from the Mayor
Let’s start off with a big congratulations to Coach Tiger LaVerde and the Kirtland Hornets football team. The Hornets finished second in the state in Division VI and once again, made our city so very proud.
But the Hornets did more than impress us on the field, the team’s integrity and concern for others spoke loud and clear last Saturday afternoon. Prior to the game, it was announced that Coach LaVerde’s team had chosen as honorary captains two students (one a teammate) who are battling significant health issues. Then, after a tough loss in Canton, instead of wallow ing in sadness over the game, the coaches and players took team bus es straight to an area hospital where one of the honorary co-captains is rehabbing to get better.
It’s great to have a great foot ball team, but even greater to live in a community where it is beyond common to witness large and small acts of kindness. Woven into the fabric of our town is goodness and decency, and I couldn’t be prouder.
As the year ends, I do have to thank several more people for the special impact they’ve made on Kirtland this year. Thank you to Izzie Copeland for coordinating and executing the installation of a concrete pad and chair in honor of MIA military service members at Veterans Memorial. By leading this project, the Kirtland High School junior exemplifies the deep level of respect that MIA soldiers and families deserve. Thank you!
the city. Joe and his team of volunteers not only raised money for lights and split rail fencing, but in some of the harshest conditions, worked to install the fence and decorate it with Christmas and holiday lights throughout the valley and into downtown.
A big thank you and farewell to Teresa Szary. Teresa has served as senior/rec coordinator, as well as administrative assistant to the mayor’s office for the last four years and will be moving on to a new career opportunity. In just a few short years, Teresa’s openness to new programming, empathy for all and willingness to spend nights and weekends doing whatever it took to get the job done will have left a lasting mark on our center and community.
Words can’t describe my appreciation for Teresa’s work for our city and for her loyal friendship to me. Thank you!
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A shout out to Joe Jackson and family for initiating and shouldering the phenomenal lighting we see throughout the north end of
But, the show must go on as they say. And with that, I want to thank Kirtland police officer Julia DeWolf for her willingness to step up and accept jobs as senior/rec director and administrative assistant to the mayor’s office. Over the last several years, I’ve gotten to know officer DeWolf and have been utterly impressed with her hard work ethic, intelligence and self-immersion in our community. Julia is and will remain a tremendous asset to the city and I’m sure she’ll continue to help us make Kirtland the best community in the area.
Here’s to hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season!
Students of the Month
The Kirtland Kiwanis “Students of the Month” for November 2024 are fifth-grader Preston Blanton, of Kirtland Elementary School, seventh-grader Vince Scalish and 12th-grader John Lessick, 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 says, “Student of the Month.”
Notes of Gratitude
Thank You, Mayor Potter
We would like to thank City of Kirtland Mayor Potter along with the volunteer crew that came to our home on Saturday, Nov. 9 as part of the Senior Leaf Program. They did an excellent job and we appreciate all their hard work. Thanks again.
Pam & Ray Brandt, City of Kirtland
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CHUCK BICKART/KIRTLAND KIWANIS
From left, “Students of the Month” Preston Blanton, of KES, Vince Scalish, of KMS, and John Lessick, of KHS.
Lyon from page 1
words and the presence of friends and family were so touching. My whole family has been happy to hear the news and everyone congratulated him on this well-deserved award.”
Regardless of the task, Frank is a hard worker, Jane said.
“He would be the first to say the recognition is not needed. He does what he does because he loves helping people and giving back to our community,” she said. “He does not shy away from a challenge. Helping to get the (Kirtland) Strawberry Festival up and running is huge undertaking. He loves working with fellow Kiwanians and community volunteers to make the festival happen.”
Frank and his wife, who moved to Kirtland 39 years ago, joined the Kiwanis in 2012 in an effort to stay connected to the schools after their son graduated that year, Frank said.
The Lyons loved the small town feel of Kirtland, the school system, close-knit community, leadership and park system, Frank said.
“I have to say that Kirtland is a community that has a servant heart which reaches out to those who are in need in whatever way we can,” he said. “I think that is another reason why I joined the Kirtland Kiwanis with their service to the schools and the community.”
Frank is truly deserving as citizen of the year for 2024, said Kiwanis President Kathy Talty in a follow-up statement.
“He spends almost every free moment serving both his church and his community. For the Kiwanis, he coordinates the Strawberry Festival and he is the go-to person for renting tents for all those family and community activities in Kirtland,” she said. “And from what I hear from his wife, Jane, Frank spends his free time at his church helping with spaghetti dinners, retreats, helpful projects and best of all driving his red tractor pulling a loaded trailer with parishioners and community members for the annual parades.”
Kiwanis Chair Tom Dice commended Frank’s work ethic and dedication to the club and community over the years.
“He is smart and fun to work with,” he said during the ceremony. “I cannot help but
admire Frank Lyon for all he has done and will do for years to come for Kirtland.”
Matt Reeves, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Chester Township, acknowledged Frank’s involvement in the church.
“Frank’s Christian values are a testament to his moral character,” Reeves said, adding Frank assists at the local food pantry that serves Geauga County with repairs, making shelving and moving items.
“He is always ready to help when needed to take on additional duties,” he said. “He has a big heart and a willing desire to help anyone in need with his time and abilities.”
When asked what services have given Frank the most gratification, he noted being a part of the tent rental committee.
“We get to meet the residents of Kirtland and provide a service for whatever event they may be putting on,” he said. “I love working at the Strawberry Festival with all the volunteers and just having fun as we do all the work. It is just great to see the faces of all the people when we make them a Supreme Strawberry Sundae with the huge gob of whip cream on top.”
Mike Sams, the 2022-2023 president of the Kirtland Kiwanis, called Frank “the perfect person” to be named the citizen of the year. Kirtland City Council member Joe Smolic added Frank never says “no” to anything he’s asked to do.
“Frank is the hardest working person in the Kirtland Kiwanis and I thank him for being an amazing member of the community of Kirtland,” Mayor Kevin Potter said, as he presented Frank a proclamation from the City of Kirtland.
Jane also presented Frank with a plaque from the community.
When he’s not volunteering, Frank works for SouthShore Controls Inc. in Mentor.
“I have worked there for 26 years after working for Allen-Bradley/Rockwell for 14 years right out of high school,” Frank said. “I am a senior project engineer, which means I'm the old guy who has done a little bit of everything.”
His longtime employers, Kim and Joe Katic, owners of SouthShore, praised Frank’s passion and project-management.
“There is no project Frank has not been able to handle,” Kim said. “He is passionate about his work and anything he tackles, he’s done very well.”
Police
from page 1
“Our (other) recent officer that we swore in did submit her resignation today, unfortu nately,” McCallister said during his report. “She has decided that she does not want to be in law enforcement anymore and so, we’re sad to see her go. I think she would have been a great addition. She’s going back to school full time to go into another career. We’re still pushing forward (on hires). Hopefully, at the next council meeting, we’ll have a couple more people to swear in.”
and I am positive we’ll attract the right people that want to be here.”
The chief happily welcomed one such person to the department that evening.
The chief told council he read a recent International Association of Chiefs of Police report about the recruitment crisis currently impacting the entire country.
“It’s a problem for everybody. Resignations abound. People are unhappy. The work schedules police departments provide are inadequate,” McCallister said. “People want more time off, they want flexibility in scheduling. Those are things that are hard for us to offer, especially when we’re at minimum staffing levels. We’re just gonna keep pushing forward and I think in time, we’ll get the right candidates and I’m optimistic that we’ll get the right people for Kirtland.”
McCallister said the recruitment problem is impacting departments small and large.
“It's absolutely a problem everywhere. The larger cities obviously have a larger staff, but they’re understaffed in some larger agencies by up to 30%, so you can (imagine) what kind of toll that would have on a larger police department,” he said. “We’re potentially looking at being four officers down. We’re
“Joseph is going to be one of our new lateral entry hires for the police department. He’s coming to us with 15 years of service with a small agency in Maryland where he served as both a patrolman and sergeant for that agency,” McCallister said. “Joe has also served in the (U.S.) Army and was deployed in Iraq in 2000 before being honorably discharged.”
Gibson is married to his wife, Patrease, who was in attendance, McCallister said.
“They have five daughters together and if that doesn’t earn you some type of sainthood …” he said, eliciting laughs from council and the audience. “Joe has served with the Lorain (Police) Department and, most recently, the Lorain Mercy Police Department since he relocated to Cleveland in 2020. We are sincerely looking forward to having Joe come aboard.”
Potter also congratulated Gibson after swearing him in.
“I’m looking forward to him joining the Kirtland family,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a great long-term relationship.”
During the Dec. 2 council meeting, McCallister updated council they were able to add one part-time and one full-time officer to their roster and continue to seek candidates for the other vacancies.
It’s Back to the Drawing Board on Roads
By cAssAndrA shofAr cAssAndrA@KArlovecmediA com
After voters rejected Issue 2, a proposed 0.25% income tax increase on the Nov. 5 ballot, Kirtland officials are hitting the reset button.
“That makes four out of the last five road asks having been rejected by the voters,” Mayor Kevin Potter said during the Nov. 6 Kirtland City Council meeting. “It’s early in the process … obviously (we’re letting) the idea of that rejection percolate and settle in.”
Issue 2, which aimed to support the city’s road replacement and maintenance needs, failed with 2,015 votes for and 2,294 votes against it, according to the final results of the Lake County Board of Elections.
“We’ll be working with the finance direc tor and work as a group to see what kind of money might be available for next year,” Potter said last month. “Obviously, a road program of the kind of magnitude we’ve been used to in the last few years … I can promise you that won’t — without a dedicated source of funding — it’s highly unlikely that that kind of road work will get done over the course of the next few years.
we think they should be and our residents deserve,” Potter added. “I want to thank all the residents, whether you voted yes or no, for coming out (Nov. 5) … and weighing in.”
sure that, as questions arise, where money is being spent and what we have done, I want to be able to have that available …” he said.
“We still have a capital deficit that we’re trying to work out of also that I think is not hitting the residents from the standpoint of understanding. We have capital needs also, not just road needs.”
- Ron Fenstermaker
capital needs also, not just road needs.”
“But, as the leaders of this community, we have an obligation to continue to try to find resources and ways to keep our roads safe and keep our residents’ neighborhoods and property values up to the standard that
Ron Fenstermaker — who was elected president of Kirtland City Council during its Dec. 2 regular meeting — asked Finance Director Louis Slapnicker for a summary of capital spending for the past five years.
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
December Adult Programs Clubs
No Pressure Book Discussion
Jan. 27 • 1:30 p.m.
No club in December due to the holidays.
Special Events
Make It Merry Craft Event
Dec. 14 • 1-3 p.m.
Get in the season of things. Come for an
“I just want to look through that and make
“We know we have a capital challenge also. So, when residents are asking where we’re spending the money and why we don’t have money for the roads, we still have a capital deficit that we’re trying to work out of also that I think is not hitting the residents from the standpoint of understanding. We have
Kirtland Library
afternoon of crafting fun. You can make one or all four holiday designs. Come dressed for the season. Registration required.
Culinary Class: Strudel
Dec. 16 • 6 p.m.
Sample sweet and savory strudels for you foodies out there. Take home a recipe and try it yourself. Cost is $10 per person. Registration required.
Pine Trees, Poinsettias and Plum Pudding: The Birth of Holiday Traditions
Dec. 17 • 6 p.m.
Join us for a presentation from James A. Garfield National Historical Site. Celebrate the holidays by learning how some of our most cherished holiday traditions came to be.
Also discussed will be how the Garfield family celebrated the holidays in their Mentor home. Registration required as space is limited.
December Youth Programs Special Events
‘The Library Gingerbread Man’ Storytime
Dec. 13 • 10:30 a.m.
Kids, bring your favorite adult. Children up to 5 years old will hear story “The Library Gingerbread Man” by Dotti Enderle. Adults will then help the children on a short hunt through the Children's Department for a gingerbread person of their very own. Please register for this event.
LEGO CLUB
Dec. 14 • 10:30 a.m.
Families, spend an hour creating with the library’s LEGO bricks. Once you have completed your creation, you will place it in on display for all to see until the next LEGO Club. Please register for this event.
Make a Gift
Dec. 23 • 3 p.m.
Kids in grades K-5, create a gift, wrap it and attach a gift tag. You will have one
In other business, Kirtland Police Chief
Brian McCallister congratulated officer Julie DeWolf on her new position as the Kirtland Community Center director and administrative assistant to the mayor. She will replace outgoing Director Teresa Szary, who has taken a new job elsewhere.
regroup after voters rejected a proposed income tax increase on the Nov. 5 ballot aimed to pay for the city’s road replacement and maintenance needs. See Roads• Page 7
gift ready to give to someone that you love. Please register for this event.
Noon Day’s Eve Party
Dec. 31 • 11:30 a.m.
Families, celebrate the ending of 2024 with a party and countdown to 12 noon. Play games, create crafts, have a great time. Please register for this event.
Weekly Events
Please note the library is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Dec. 26. There will be no programming those days. On Dec. 31, the library will be open until 5 p.m.
Lapsit
Tuesdays • 10 a.m.
Bounces, rhymes, one book, scarves and shakers, geared for families with children under the age of 3. No need to register.
Storytime
Wednesdays • 10 a.m.
Enjoy great books, rhymes, songs, and surprises with your child. This storytime is geared for families with children aged 5 and under. No need to register.
By KAthy tAlty
November is a time to be thankful.
Congratulations to Frank Lyon for receiving Citizen of the Year. We are so thankful for Frank’s great service to our community.
This year’s Veterans Day Ceremony dedicated the MIA/POW bench, which was Isabelle Copeland’s Eagle Scout project from Troop 286. The Kiwanis were thrilled to help with some of the funding for Izzie’s project.
Our Veterans Dinner was a great tribute for those who have proudly served our country. We had members from the American Legion, with Larry Sterk leading “The Missing Man” ceremony.
The Kiwanis Kids have been busy Hornets. The K-Kids have been working hard on making cards and signing them for the senior community as they keep in mind acts of kindness. The Builders Club have been busy helping at the K-Kids meetings, as well as many Key Club members.
The Key Club’s service projects are many. They have been busy collecting cans of food for their food drive, socks for Sub-Zero for the homeless and now they will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army.
You may want to keep some spare change in your pockets these upcoming days. And Aktion Club is also hard at work signing holiday cards for the seniors in assisted and
Kiwanis Korner
long-term care facilities, as well as children in the hospitals.
The Kiwanis sent funds to help the folks in Asheville, North Carolina, who are trying to recover from the devastating hurricanes, having lost their homes, cars and all their belongings.
The Kiwanis had fun shopping for Lego Sets as holiday gifts, which were given to Michelle H. at Jobs and Family Services for the
By Chad VanArnhem, Superintendent
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foster children in Lake County. We were told this was on their wish list.
And on our crazy snowy evening, the Kiwanis were busy packing boxes full of a variety of breads and buns at the Cleveland Food Bank. We packed 175 boxes or 3,500 pounds that will be going to their partner agencies.
And finally, a quote from the Queen Bee: A life of gratitude leads one to the path of joyfulness.
Kirtland Schools
Congratulations to the Kirtland PTA who recently was awarded the National PTA School of Excellence designation for 2024-2026 for their accomplishments in building a strong, effective family-school partnership that is enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
Our PTA is one of only 12 in Ohio to receive the award and the only one in Lake County. Our PTA is also unique as it covers all students in grades K-12. Thank you to our PTA and congratulations on this wonderful achievement.
In a display of leadership and community service, Kirtland High School student Isabelle Copeland has completed her Eagle Scout project — a memorial bench dedicated on Veteran’s Day to prisoners of war and service members missing in action. Thank
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“I want to thank Julia … and congratulate her on her move over to the community center to be the new director,” the chief said. “She is uniquely qualified for the position. While Teresa is very difficult to replace, I think Julie’s organizational- and people-skills will be an asset, her general kindness and calm demeanor are really going to assist her
you Izzie for this wonderful and meaningful contribution!
The KHS band attended and performed at the Veteran’s Day service on Nov. 11. The elementary students also learned about Veteran’s Day from author, professor and Army Veteran Robert Snyder during assemblies in Hornet Hall.
U.S. News Best Schools just published their 2025 Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools rankings. Kirtland Schools earned a Best Elementary Schools badge and a Best Middle Schools badge because they place among the top 40% in the state. (Ratings for the high schools come out in the spring.)
Kirtland Elementary School was recognized for being awarded the Gold award for the 2024 Ohio PBIS Showcase. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and it is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health. It is a great honor to receive this status and even bigger accomplishment for
well in that position. I just want to wish her luck in that new role and I’m looking forward to working with her in the near future.”
During the Dec. 2 council meeting, Potter also acknowledged Szary’s contributions to the city and community.
“Thank you to Teresa. She came here four years ago. She had not had municipal governmental experience,” Potter recalled. “She was kind of handed both roles that she ended up taking on, the assistant to mayor’s role and community center director role. She was kind of handed a blank slate
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receiving it for six consecutive years.
Members of the Kirtland High School Band and Kirtland High School Choir proudly represented our Kirtland Music Department at the OMEA District IV/VII Honors Band and Choir Festival held at CSU November 7-9. Congratulations to all on a wonderful performance.
Kirtland Class of 2023 graduate Nikolena Samac was nominated as a finalist and won an international journalism award. She wanted to express her gratitude to the community and schools by stating, “I am so honored and grateful to announce that I have won ISBC People’s Choice Content Creator. I want to thank every member of the Kirtland community who took the time to support and vote for me in this competition. I am grateful for the opportunities I received at Kirtland to start on this journey to becoming internationally recognized. I am beyond humbled and filled with gratitude for all of the support. I would have never been where I am today without senior year media class.”
Congratulations to Nikolena!
and (we said), ‘We’re not sure exactly how this works, but you’ve been hired to make this work.’ I think if you ask anybody at the senior center, anybody in the community that’s gotten to know Teresa, anybody in our faith-based organizations, anybody that’s dealt with her from our city government … there’s not a person that would say anything but good things about Teresa … her high energy, her spirit, her pleasantries, her pleasantness. She will be missed and we wish her good luck.”
