Kirtland Chronicle 2-3-23

Council to Have Say in ODOT Bridge Replacement

By John Karlovec John@Karlovecmedia com

Kirtland City Council authorized Mayor Kevin Potter at its Jan. 18 meeting to enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for a bridge replacement on state Route 306.

Councilman Matt Schultz, a civil engineer employed at ODOT District 12, abstained.

City Engineer Doug Courtney said ODOT’s bid contains two alternates that he and city Service Director Joe Fornaro suggested.

“One is for powder-coating the railing that will go on the parapet, the other is for staining the concrete,” Courtney said, explaining ODOT will be using a form-liner that would be a boulder pattern along the inside of the bridge. “The alternate is stain that so it looks like boulders as opposed to just paint.”

The decorative alternate would be similar in appearance to the state Route 306 bridge over Interstate 90.

The project has not yet gone to bid, Courtney added. The cost estimate was $25,000 more for the decorative work.

“ODOT will pay for what they would normally pay for. If we want anything extra, we’ll pay the difference,” said Courtney, adding the

See Council • Page 5

Haymer is Citizen of the Year

The Kiwanis Club of Kirtland pulled off a surprise on member Scott Haymer during its annual Citizen of the Year Award banquet Jan. 12 at The Kirtlander.

The Kirtland City councilman was called to the podium to announce who would receive the award — which is dedicated to someone who has gone above and beyond in serving the Kirtland

By allison Wilson editor@Karlovecmedia com See Haymer

• Page 3

Hornets Beat Badgers, 45-39, Claim First Place

BILL FUGATE/KMG

Behind 15 points from big man Jack Green, the Hornets beat the Berkshire Badgers Jan. 24 in a CVC Valley rivalry game. The Hornets went to 5-0 in the conference with the win. “He’s our big guy, and in his first year as a varsity player, he’s progressed really well,” said Hornets Head Coach Shawn MacGregor. “He’s gotten better all year, and in the second half other guys stepped up with big plays when we had to have them.”

Help Support the Kirtland Chronicle and Local Journalism

The Kirtland Chronicle and local newspaper journalism are critically important and essential in

protecting the vibrant community in which we live. The Kirtland Chronicle stitches

YES! I Want to Invest In My Community

Here is my donation of $____________

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address:

Please send this form and your contribution to:

KARLOVEC MEDIA GROUP

8389 MAYFIELD ROAD, STE. B-5

CHESTERLAND, OH 44026

the communities we serve together. From news to in-depth articles on topics that deeply affect the community, the Kirtland Chronicle strives to bring you complete coverage.

The cost of publishing this newspaper — editorial, printing, mailing and other production costs — is accomplished primarily through the support of generous advertisers. These advertisers are community leaders who understand the value of a strong local newspaper. We appreciate each and every one of them.

To help us continue to invest in

the community, we invite readers to show their support through a voluntary newspaper subscription.

If you value strong community journalism, please consider helping us with a voluntary subscription. The amount is entirely up to you. Simply complete the subscription form in this edition or call 440-7297667 ext. 500.

As always, we greatly appreciate the support you give us, whether it’s financially or simply by continuing to be a loyal reader of the Kirtland Chronicle.

Jeff and John Karlovec

ALLISON WILSON/KMG

Pictured, from left, is Scott Haymer’s son, Scotty; his wife, Michon; Haymer; and his daughter, Devon.

New Kirtland High School Lab Provides Hands-On Learning

By donna l roBinson editor@Karlovecmedia com

One perceived perk of permanent improvement levies is being able to physically see dollars turn into projects.

For Kirtland High School, one such project was giving a much-needed facelift to its rundown science lab.

In the winter of 2020, an overall assessment was completed of Kirtland Schools’ facilities, said Kirtland Schools Superintendent Chad VanArnhem.

“While some of our buildings are older, they are very well maintained, but, one of the major areas that needed improvement was the science lab at the high school,” he said. “The setup was not conducive to learning. There were numerous other issues with the space that included the inability to use the Bunsen burners and sinks. The resources for the science lab funding project came from an increase to the school’s permanent improvement funds that voters approved in May of 2021.”

The science lab was given an overhaul and expanded, allowing students to spread out and exercise more hands-on learning.

“The space between the lab stations in the old lab was minimal so students were literally on top of each other. The classroom connected to the old lab was too small to use as a classroom,” VanArnhem explained. “When the wall between them was removed and the lab stations were spread out, the space now provides room for students to sit at flexible furniture and there is ample space to now do hands-on learning. Each station has a monitor that a student can project his

or her work for the group to see. The teacher can also project her screen to all the monitors at each station. The new lab will allow for hands-on learning, collaboration and instruction. The teachers, parents and the (Kirtland Schools Board of Education), who have seen the space, are very excited for our students.”

But no one, perhaps, is quite as excited as Alexandra Ardo, the science and biology teacher at KHS for grades ninth through 12th.

“The new space, which was operational on Jan. 2, 2023, allows students to have a better inquiry-based learning environment.

This will develop deeper knowledge and cognitive abilities in science content,” she said. “The space is now conducive for students to collaborate during lab investigations while allowing them to work independently in the classroom. The flow of the classroom will provide improved personalized learning opportunities and facilitation from the instructor.”

Ardo said the biology classes used the new space for the first time this month and students have been interested in the progress and development of the lab and are looking forward to using it for future studies.

“The students love the new lab and are

excited about performing hands-on inquiry-based investigations. I have many students interested in science studies,” she said, adding future study units include RNA, protein synthesis, cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, genetics and ecology.

“When I first walked in, everything looked so new and open,” said freshman Lauren Palagyi. “This is good for our science studies because it allows us to have hands-on experience to really understand the material more.”

To her point, VanArnhem noted that during the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, hands-on learning came to a halt.

“Having this new space will provide our students with a state-of-the-art space to thrive with hands-on learning and high-quality instruction while working in a collaborative manner,” he said.

Xavier Lasecki, also a freshman, said because he and his classmates spent the first half of the school year in the old lab, he especially noticed the contrast between the old room and the new one.

“When they started the new space, we were excited to have an updated room. The new lab helps me have a more wide-open learning environment to learn and collaborate better with classmates,” Lasecki said. “The DNA studies we are doing are interesting and it is fun to learn about how DNA works. My parents have not done the DNA search, but I wish to do it sometime very soon.”

Palagyi added, “I would like to work in the science field, but at the moment, I don’t have a specific career in mind. Biology is super important because later science studies will build off of it.”

DONNA ROBINSON/KMG

Kirtland High School science and biology instructor Alexandra Ardo poses with her students in their newly-renovated science lab, which included expanding the space and major technology upgrades.

Haymer from page 1 community — only to find his own name written on the paper.

Haymer smiled and looked up as the entire room broke out in applause and his family came out from a room behind him.

Several people took to the podium to express their support of Haymer.

“He’s an advocate,” said Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter, noting Haymer’s involvement in local government, including lobbying for intervention on behalf of Kirtland residents who were being affected by loud noises from skeet shooting at the Kirtland Country Club.

Haymer turned up to several council meetings to raise complaints, spoke with area residents and circulated a petition, Potter said.

“He’s always willing to do the work,” the mayor said. “He’s tireless and I don’t know anybody who cares about his community more than Scott Haymer.”

Well-known personal injury lawyer Tim Misney opened his speech with a poster he brought as a gift, upon which he requested everyone write something nice before leaving.

Misney touched on Haymer’s commitment, telling an anecdote about him fixing an elderly woman’s heater on Christmas morning, as well as complimenting his dedication to his family.

“I had a wonderful conversation with his daughter and I said to her, ‘You know, I have a 9-year-old daughter,’ and I said, ‘If my daughter, Ruby, can come close to you, what you’re doing right now, I will for the first time in my life consider myself to be a success,” Misney said, referencing Haymer’s parenting skills.

Kiwanian Frank Lyon also brought a gift for Haymer — a trophy with a lemon stuck to the top of it. He presented it to him while discussing Haymer’s work at the annual Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival and his fundraising done via a lemonade trailer.

“A true lemonade man,” Lyon said. “And I’ll leave it at that.”

Ed Bradock, Haymer’s childhood teacher and soccer coach, elaborated on Haymer’s work with the lemonade trailer.

“At the end of two days, the Kiwanis and Kirtland Women’s Soccer Team sold over $2,000 worth of lemonade,” Bradock said of

his experience working at the lemonade trailer. “And it’s all because of (Haymer’s) efforts and the Kiwanis’ efforts.”

Kiwanian Rick Blume said Haymer’s connections have helped innovate Kiwanis projects, touching on various instances Kirtland Kiwanis faced issues Haymer was able to solve by knowing the right people and bringing them into the fold.

“I could probably name 50 more things,” Blume concluded. “But Scott, I just want to thank you for everything you do to enable us. You always come up with a better way, a better resource, and you enable Kiwanis to do these successful service projects.”

Tom Dingledine, the music director at Kirtland High School echoed Blume, mentioning an instance in which the band’s budget had been cut.

“Scott, unbeknownst to anybody else, said ‘Hey, Tom, I know you’re looking for a trailer for the band’ and once again, through his connections and him looking out for his community, he set it up,” Dingledine said.

Best friend Shelia Dikowicz said while she is not educated on the criteria of the Kirtland Citizen of the Year Award, if it has anything to do with an “unfailing dedication to the greater good of the Kirtland community,” Haymer is their guy.

A tearful Dikowicz described Haymer’s resolve in the wake of his wife’s recent stroke and cancer diagnosis.

“Overnight, Scott became the quarterback of care, the keeper of the calm, the champion of motivation, the destroyer of obstacles, and a hero to his wife and family,” she said.

Lastly, Haymer’s daughter, Devon, and wife, Michon, took the podium.

“You are dad of the century to us after everything that’s happened,” Devon said to her father.

Michon added, “He is fiercely devoted to what he believes in, good, bad and otherwise. That couldn’t feel more obvious to me and our family after the last few months. Congratulations mister, I love you.”

Haymer joked he felt bad for the “number two guy who got beat by the lemonade guy.”

“But thank you for everyone who’s helped me along the way,” he said. “I know the award says it’s for me, but it’s for all of us and my family has helped immensely to do the things that everyone noted.”

A Note from the Mayor

If the calendar were to be compared to an at-bat in baseball, I’d say February feels like a long single to left field. Noticeably longer days, purple clouds that sparingly give way to glistens of sunshine, we might be tempted to try for second base and begin thinking about heading outdoors to turn over a garden or flower bed.

Living in Kirtland, though, a thousand or so feet above sea level and often in the sights of the lanky left-fielder with a giant arm, otherwise known as Lake Erie, we’re wise to the ways of winter and take heed. We return to the bag, knowing the big bats of March, April and May are coming up to bat and, between the three, we have the confidence they’ll knock us home and into June’s gathering splendor and warmth.

Abandoning baseball analogies and briefly, but inadvertently, shifting to football, February in Kirtland kicks off our annual city budget process. True as it may be that the budget, for as long as I’ve been following Kirtland government, has been delivered to Kirtland City Council at the second meeting of February, the product is really developed through spending decisions made in the months and years prior. At Kirtland City Hall, we’ve worked hard over the past several years to build trust with our taxpayers, not only in what but in how we spend your dollars.

As every city government must do, Kirtland considers the ongoing need for vehicles and equipment that keep our roads and residents safe, hiring and retaining the best personnel and, of course, patching and paving roads to the extent a budget allows. The good news is, instead of the projected

$58,000 General Fund carryover balance we were faced with in my first budget as mayor, we entered 2023 with a carryover of more than $1.7 million.

Along the way, a lot of hard work, a few tough decisions with the support of most of the council and increased income tax receipts gives us a bit of breathing room today. That said, it remains our conviction to work with department heads to be disciplined in our spending and strike the best balance between road repairs, ongoing drainage concerns and building upkeep, as well as vehicle and equipment maintenance or replacement. The good news is, we have many smart and hardworking people focused on what is best for Kirtland and I am proud that they are on the team.

Before signing off, I do have to mention how proud I am of one of our Kirtland councilman, Scott Haymer. Scott was recently given the distinguished honor of Kirtland Kiwanis Citizen of the Year. I can say with certainty, I’ve not met an individual who loves and cares about this city more than Scott. Most people will never know the work he does behind the scenes for the community. Scott has given hundreds of hours of his personal time, often taking him away from his successful plumbing business and more importantly, family time.

In all his effort, Scott does none of it for acclaim or recognition. Scott Haymer has taken civic duty to a level not approached by most and should be well congratulated and thanked.

Thank you, Mayor Potter

karlovec group

8389 Mayfield Road, Suite B5 Chesterland, Ohio 44026

Phone 440-729-7667 FAX 440-729-8240 ads@karlovecmedia.com editor@karlovecmedia.com

OFFICE HOURS

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

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

Cassandra C. Shofar, News Editor Jamie A. Ward, Sports Editor Amy Patterson, Staff Reporter Clay Karlovec, Sales Representative

Clinton Sestak, Sales Representative Karen S. Kaplan, Graphic Design Pamela J. Molnar, Production Supervisor Regina Swinerton, Classifieds

Deadlines

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

• Email all editorial submissions to editor@karlovecmedia.com.

• The space reservation deadline for paid advertisements in that month’s Kirtland Chronicle is 4 p.m. on the Monday prior to the first Friday of each month. Late ads may be accepted at the discretion of management.

• Email advertising requests and questions to ads@karlovecmedia.com.

Circulation

• The Kirtland Chronicle is distributed for free each month to homes and businesses in the communities of Kirtland, Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill. It is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service.

• Copies are also available at 5 rack locations within Kirtland.

• Circulation in excess of 3,300.

• Produced monthly by the Kirtland Chronicle, LLC.

•In case of error, we will re-print that portion of an advertisement that was in error. Notification of error should be made within three days of published date. The Kirtland Chronicle, LLC assumes no responsibility of error contained in any pre-printed material delivered with the paper as an insertion therein.

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

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

• Under no circumstances will any record filed in the county be suppressed at any time for anybody, except by order of court.

Mayor Kevin Potter

Hornets Nest

Hornets’ Swarm Stings Badgers, Claim First Place

By rich Kelly sports@Karlovecmedia.com

A talented Berkshire Badgers girls basketball team upended the Kirtland Hornets early this season.

So, with a load of pride in their programs, both schools were ready for their Jan. 25 rematch at Kirtland.

Kirtland, doing what it does best — playing smothering defense with pressure all over — used a full-court effort to open a double-digit lead in the first half. Then, on a night when the hoop was about as cold as the wet weather outside, the Hornets claimed first place in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division with a solid 53-40 win.

Kirtland head coach Matt Ridgeway summed it up best after his team stopped a late rally from the Badgers (9-8, 4-1 CVC).

“We work everything off of our defense,” Ridgeway said. “We’ve got good athletes who are good at applying pressure anywhere on the court. You look at Berkshire, and they give up only 37 points a game. We give up just over 38 a game, so it’s safe to figure that if you can score 40 or more, you stand a good chance to win.

“We got some big efforts tonight from some of our bench players, like Kristiana Katic in particular in the first half, and that got us a good lead, and our pressure made it tough for them to score. Add in that they were missing their top post player, and we had more to work with in our game plan.”

Ridgeway was referring to Berkshire post player Hayley Stoddard, out on concussion protocol.

She was missed. Without her, the Badgers had no response to the inside presence of Natalie Glowe and Katic.

Katic put home a trio of baskets in the first half as Berkshire collapsed inside on Glowe and Emily Ridgeway. That helped Kirtland (9-7, 5-1 in CVC) to snag many loose balls and errant shots toward their first-half lead. In particular, Marissa Carmosino got free to grab seven offensive rebounds to maintain Kirtland’s ball control.

The Badgers also played some solid defense, so it was a rough night for shooting overall.

Carmosino ended the game with eight offensive rebounds, and Glowe had a big second half leading her team with 14 points, all on the inside, while grabbing nine boards. These efforts allowed the Hornets, with 35 rebounds total, to win that battle. Berkshire snared only 24 rebounds, with Lanie Wadsworth and Brooke Ruchowski each grabbing six. But with Julia Fleming and Corinne Greenlee covering the ball together all night,

stopping shots or making it tough to get good shots, the Badgers had trouble getting continuity.

“It was a matter of execution all night for us,” Berkshire head coach James Bosley said. “It was tough not having Hayley, but her health is the most important thing for us on the court. Their pressure kept us off guard and didn’t allow us to get good shots. We did have some opportunities, but we didn’t finish.”

BILL FUGATE/KMG

Natalie Glowe scored 14 points in her Hornets’ 53-40 win over Berkshire Jan. 25 to claim first place in the CVC Valley. She also helped Kirtland grab 35 rebounds in the game.

Council from page 1

city will have the right to refuse the alternates if they come in too high or if the city does not want them.

According to the ODOT website, the estimated construction cost is $2.29 million. The project entails replacing the Route 306 bridge over the East Branch of the Chagrin River located just north of state Route 615 in the City of Kirtland. New structure will be a single span.

Construction is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2023.

In other business, Potter said he received several phone calls from council members regarding the recent half-percent hike in Lake County’s sales tax.

He noted the City of Mentor passed a resolution requesting Lake County Commissioners to reconsider and potentially rescind the increase. Potter asked council to consider working with Law Director Matthew Lallo to pass a similar resolution at an upcoming council meeting.

“It’s going to hit a lot of folks pretty hard here county, I think it’s going to hit a lot of businesses pretty hard, so my request would be to at least consider that (passing a resolution) and potentially bring that forward at the next meeting,” Potter said.

Several council members were in agreement, noting they already were working with Lallo on a resolution.

Fortunately, passage of a resolution became moot when last week commissioners voted to rescind the sales and use tax increase.

Potter also congratulated Councilman Scott Haymer on being named Kirtland Kiwanis Citizen of the Year.

“Nobody is my mind is more deserving,” Potter said. “What Scott does for the community, day in and day out, most people don’t realize.”

Department Reports

Police Chief Brian McCallister reported December was a busy month for his department.

“We had several OVI arrests and several criminal arrests related to traffic where they recovered guns and drugs from vehicles,” McCallister told council.

“The work they’ve been doing, as you can see in the numbers, is really second to none based on the staffing we do have,” he added. McCallister said there was traffic complaint received for Kirtland-Chardon Road with cars passing between 7-8 a.m. As such, he said his officers were conducted targeted traffic enforcement on the road and made eight stops and issued four citations, with one arrest.

The chief also said he requested changes to the animals-at-large ordinance to provide for increased penalties for continuing violations.

“Had some issues with residents that have had multiple violations and this is just a way for us to be able to progressively enforce this, to let residents know it is a serious matter that is a cause for concern for other residents,” said McCallister.

A question was asked about enforcement of Senate Bill 288, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law early last month. The new makes distracted driving a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can pull you over just for being on your phone even if a driver has been driving the speed limit and staying in their lane.

“This still doesn’t take away discretion, so an officer can stop someone and give them a warning for that violation as well,” explained McCallister.

Fornaro reported the service department is up to 15 snow events this winter, four more than the last council meeting.

Courtney reported two bids were received for phase one of the Old Town sanitary sewer improvement project. The initial phase includes Eisenhower Drive and Elm Street, from the north end to Maple Avenue. The apparent low bidder was Chivers Construction Co., of western Pennsylvania, at $951,683, roughly 6% over the estimated cost.

Courtney said the Fox Hill drainage project construction should start in mid-March, the Rockwood stormwater basin project plans and specification are still in progress, and the revised concept plan for the Parkwood area drainage improvements was reviewed, with the next step to seek funding for the estimated $384,000 project.

Finance Director Louis Slapnicker reported 2022 end-of-year reports have been posted on the city website, and a summary of yearend revenues, expenditures and fund balances was provided to council members.

Overall, the city operating fund unencumbered balance decreased $323,000 compared to year-end 2021. However, when American Rescue Plan Act funds are removed from the equation, the balance actually increased about $10,000, Slapnicker said.

The city’s operating revenues increased approximately $1 million from the prior year while the city’s operating fund expenditures plus encumbrances increased roughly $2.5 million from the prior year.

Income tax revenue was up around $700,000 and, when compared to 2020, city income tax revenue was up more than $1 million. Property tax revenue was up roughly $130,000 as a result of the reevaluation in 2021. Local government revenues increased about $24,000 and ambulance billing revenue jumped $25,000. The city also sold a piece of equipment for $50,000 last year.

In terms of 2022 expenditures, significant items that account for a $2.3 million increase include: general fund transfers for capital items up $1.1 million from prior year; general fund transfers for debt service increased almost $26,000; general fund transfers for pensions jumped $92,500; medical benefits were up $180,000; gross wages were up $170,000,

fuel costs up $57,000; ARPA funding $695,000; and major capital improvement debt transfer of $59,000.

“Overall, between the cost-savings measures from previous years and increases in significant revenue sources from 2022 . . . the city was able to invest significant dollars into capital expenditures for 2022,” Slapnicker said, noting the city added two service department trucks and two police vehicles.

“In addition to the capital items, the city has been able to remain aggressive with its debt paydown, specifically the various-purpose note,” he added. “This note had a balance of $2.4 million in 2020, with 23 separate items financed with the various-purpose note. It currently sits at $1,603,000, with 13 items remaining on that note.”

The city also paid off two pieces of equipment, he said.

“Although these all good things, we have much more work to do as it related to our unfunded capital requests and our debt structure,” said Slapnicker, noting the city borrowed an additional $2 million related to the 2020-2021 street improvement project.

CHUCK BICKART/KIRTLAND KIWANIS

Kiwanis Students of the Month

The Kirtland Kiwanis “Students of the Month” for February 2023 are fifth-grader Aria Inghram, of Kirtland Elementary School, eighth-grader Salina Culotta, of Kirtland Middle School, and 10th-grader Kyle Pilarczyk, 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.”

Kiwanis Korner

By Jim porter

Ask any gardener, it is never too early to begin planning their annual vegetable garden. The Kiwanis Club, in partnership with The Garden Club of Kirtland and the Community of Christ Church, is planning to expand the Community Garden by at least five beds this year.

For the past few years, every bed has been used and there has been a waiting list. Work will begin as soon as the weather breaks this spring. For the first time, the Kiwanis Club will be serving pancakes all day in the Cafe at Lake Metroparks Maple Sugaring weekends, March 4-5 and 11-12, at the Farmpark in Kirtland. All proceeds from this will be used by the Kirtland Kiwanis Foundation for scholarships and community projects. The club is really two organizations, the regular Kiwanis Club and the Kirtland Kiwanis Foundation.

All Kiwanis members are members of both. The foundation was created so that donations from anyone who might wish to support scholarships and other programs of the club would be tax-exempt. This has been very helpful, as the Kiwanis foundation now also works with families who wish to create a special scholarship fund to honor a friend or family member.

For more information on how this may work for you, contact Mary Sams, the current president of the Kirtland Kiwanis Foundation,

at 216-347-0771. The Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Kirtland Community Center. Each month, one meeting is a board meeting where programs and projects are approved for funding. The most recent is the Citizen of the Year event described in this issue of the Chronicle.

Kiwanis will also be helping to fund equipment for the GaGa game at Kirtland Middle School. What is that? Ask any KMS student and you will be amazed at their enthusiasm. Remember, Kiwanis is a service club, not affiliated with any religious group, and membership is available to anyone who would like to help our community be a great place to live and raise a family. For more information, contact Rick Fox, secretary of the club, at 216-952-6496.

KMS Students Compete at Power of the Pen staff report

An enthusiastic group of 144 seventh- and eighth-graders from 18 area schools participated in the annual Power of the Pen competition at the Lake Erie College District Tournament on Jan. 7.

In the Power of the Pen district tournament, students competed in a series of extemporaneous rounds of creative writing tasks, each in response to an open-ended prompt. The district tournament is both a team and an individual competition.

Kirtland Middle School’s team included seventh-graders Payton Adkins, Julia Cottrell and Mairin Fini, and eighth-graders Braden Picard, Danika Schaum, Ellie Spencer and Kevin Urbanick.

KMS Power of the Pen Advisor Susan Summerhill said the annual writing contest is beneficial to those students who participate.

“Writers have the opportunity to gather and collaborate with peers who share their passion for creative writing,” said Summerhill. “Writers also reap the rewards of both coach and peer feedback. This feedback facilitates creative writing growth within a

timed-writing competitive setting. Lastly, the creative writing skills participants acquire through Power of the Pen experiences positively impact their written communication in academic settings and future careers.”

When the judges’ results were tallied at the end of the day, Payton Adkins took 4th place at the seventh-grade level while eighth-grader Braden Picard earned 8th place.

Seventh-grader Mairin Fini and eighth-grader Ellie Spencer were unable to compete at the district tournament due to scheduling conflicts.

Payton, Braden and Kevin Urbanick advanced to the regional tournament at Hudson Middle School on March 11. The writers who qualify at the Hudson regional tournament will be invited to compete at the state tournament taking place at Ashland University on May 18-19.

Power of the Pen, one of Ohio’s largest educational enhancement programs, seeks to positively impact academic achievement of the state’s middle schoolers by helping young people find and develop a creative voice uniquely their own.

From left, “Students of the Month” Aria Inghram, of KES, Salina Culotta, of KMS, and Kyle Pilarczyk, of KHS.

Kirtland Public Library

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.

Did You Know…

You can check out and download ebooks and audiobooks for free with your Kirtland Public Library card? We have two different services: Libby and hoopla.

Libby has thousands of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines that you can use on a variety of devices, from phones, to tablets and computers, to a kindle. Get the Libby app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Use your Kirtland Library card and get startedIf you need help using the app, call the Reference librarians at the Library and they will be happy to help you.

hoopla has over a million audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines. You can use hoopla on Apple and Android devices. It syncs will all your devices. You can even watch TV with it via Roku or Apple TV. Download the hoopla Digital app from the Google Play Store the Apple App Store.

Use your Kirtland Library card to get access to both services. If you need help using the apps, please call the Reference librarians at the library, 440-256-7323, and they will be happy to help you.

Adult Programs

Monthly Knit & Crochet Club

Feb. 6 • 6 p.m.

Join at any time to work on your own projects while sitting and chatting with others. The next date is March 6.

Mentor Marsh: History, Tragedy, Recovery

Feb. 7 • 4 p.m.

Explore the story of the Mentor Marsh with David Kriska, Ph.D., restoration ecologist from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Learn all there is to do at this great park and resource right here in Lake County.

Mindy Sand, Local Glass Artist

Feb. 8 • 7 p.m.

Mindy Sand will talk about her artwork as well as the marketing and business end of it. She will have items in the display cases.

Chocolate Truffle Making Class

Feb. 13 • 4 p.m.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, learn the basics of easy but delicious chocolate truffle making. You will get to take some home for your sweetheart, too. $10.

No Pressure Book Discussion

Feb. 27 • 1:30 p.m.

No assigned reading, just come and talk about books you've read recently and get ideas of what to read next. Feel free to bring your lunch. No need to register, just drop in. Meet in the Deloris C. Parsons Community Room.

Let’s Talk About It Book Discussion

Feb. 27 • 7 p.m.

Read and discuss an assigned book for the whole group. Please read “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig. There are copies of the book available at the library and it is available in ebook and audiobook format on Libby. No need to register for this program.

Monthly Cookbook Club

Feb. 28 • 6 p.m.

This group meets monthly, and you can join anytime. Explore different cuisines and innovative ideas for food and recipes each month. Make a recipe to share with the group and bring a copy of the recipe with you, too. Sign up online for emails on each month’s events. February’s theme is “Bread: Yeast Bread or Quick Bread.”

Weekly Programs For Youths

Lapsit

Tuesdays • 10 a.m.

Bounces, rhymes, one book, scarves, and shakers, geared for families with children under the age of 3. Make friends as you enjoy stories with your child.

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. Make new friends and have fun at the library.

LEGO Club

Feb. 11 • 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.

Meet Me At The Library

Feb. 17 • 10:30 a.m.

Families with children age 5 and under, meet at library to try lots of fun activities. Come move those muscles, enrich your brain and make new friends as you find out what fun awaits you this time. Please register.

Kids Book Party

Feb. 25 • 10:30 a.m.

Kids in grades K-5, discuss books with other kids, play games and have a snack. This month we will celebrate the Mercy Watson series. You can check out the physical books or check them out on the Hoopla app. Read one or all of the books in the series. Please register.

Teen Book Discussion

Feb. 28 • 4 p.m.

Youth in grades 6-12, join our newest book discussion group. In February, the book to be discussed will be “The School for Good and Evil,” which is the first in the series by Soman Chainani. Whether this is your favorite series or you have never heard of it before, read the first book and come see what others thought about it. Please register.

HELP WANTED

Offering

WANTED TO BUY

Will

Deadline: