Geauga County Maple Leaf 9-05-2024

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Vol. 30 No. 36 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com

$1.25

Methane in Resident’s Water Well Not A Surprise

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

One or two of the 25 water wells drilled in Parkman Township to replace wells affected by salt contamination are showing signs of methane in the water.

During the Aug. 20 Parkman Township Trustees meeting Trustee Henry Duchscherer reported attempts to contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to seek a solution to the problem have been unproductive.

“It doesn’t look like they are going to do anything,” he said in a phone interview Aug. 29, adding he didn’t know the identities of the well owners.

“We want to stay out of it,” he said.

See Well • Page 4

County Budget Moves Forward After Third Hearing

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

After three contentious hearings in two weeks, the Geauga County Budget Commission officially approved the county budget Aug. 30.

Prosecutor Jim Flaiz, who sits on the budget commission, moved to certify the county’s revenue in the amount of $46,223,674 and to suspend collection of an unqualified 2015 levy for Geauga County Job and Family Services in the amount of $1 million. See Budget • Page 3

Courthouse Beam Signing Makes Staff, Officials Part of History

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

The Geauga County Courthouse may be in the midst of growing pains, as crews continue to work on renovating and expanding the building on Chardon Square, but its significance as the historical center of the county was confirmed Aug. 30.

County officials joined judges and courthouse staff to put their names on a steel I-beam that will soon be placed over a doorway into the new addition.

The county is lucky, as not every project affords a similar commemorative opportunity, said Brandon Pasela, senior project manager for NV5, a technical engineering and consulting company.

“In the future, every day, when you walk in the building, you'll know your name's up above that entryway, which is pretty cool,” Pasela said.

Both Geauga County Court of Common Pleas judges Carolyn Paschke and David Ondrey were present to add their names to the beam, along with their staff.

See Courthouse • Page 4

County Commissioner Jim Dvorak

See pages 8-11

West G Schools to Implement New Reading Program page 6

Munson Ballfield Maintenance, a Drag on Finances page 6

30 at the Geauga County Courthouse on Chardon Square to leave their marks on an I-beam that will soon be placed inside the renovated, expanded building.

Newbury FD to Showcase New Digs Sept. 7

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

It’s out with the old and in with the new at Newbury Volunteer Fire Department, as curious visitors are invited to tour the recently-renovated and refurbished station from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 7.

The improved department consists of two areas — a refurbished section and a new addition sitting on top of what used to be the parking lot.

See Newbury • Page 5

Young Seamstress’s 4-H Project Takes Her to State page 7

Sports pages 12-15

Obituaries pages 16

Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 17

Classifieds start on page 19

Carolyn Paschke, left, Clerk of Courts Sheila Bevington and

gathered Aug.

Parkman Township

Community Meetings

Geauga County: Sept. 5, 9:30 a.m. – Board of County Commissioners, 6 p.m. – Airport Authority, at 15421 Old State Road, Hangar 3 Pilot Lounge, Middlefield; Sept. 10, 7:30 a.m. - Geauga SWCD, Ste. 240, 7:30 a.m. - Planning Commission, Room A334, 9:30 a.m. - Board of County Commissioners. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners’ meetings are held in Suite 350.

Auburn Township: Sept. 10, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St. Bainbridge Township: Sept. 9, 7 p.m. - Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.

Burton Township: Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road, unless otherwise noted.

Burton Village: Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Village Council; Sept. 10, 7 p.m., Board of Public Affairs. All meetings are held at 14588 W. Park St., 2nd Floor, unless otherwise noted.

Chardon City: Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m., City Council. All meetings are held at Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.

Budget

from page 1

State law requires the county to fulfill children’s services funding before a levy can be collected and the general fund can cover the difference, the commission said.

Flaiz’s colleagues on the commission — Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder and Treasurer Chris Hitchcock — approved his motion.

“The (county’s) inside millage went up $2 million last year, which, to the board of commissioners’ credit, they mitigated that and did a levy reduction,” he said. “(T)here is more than enough money that is raised from the general fund to ... pay for children’s services.”

Finance Director Adrian Gorton said the $1 million would be transferred directly to JFS from the general fund.

The change to the county’s certified revenue amount also allows for a new starting cash balance of around $9.9 million for 2025, as opposed to the county’s initial estimate of $4.5 million.

Flaiz said the number, which is based on the assumption that county departments will ask for about 10% more revenue than they will actually use, “magically doubled” the county’s estimated beginning balance.

Walder told Gorton the change made him uncomfortable because that money has already been appropriated and there is nothing legally stopping departments from spending it.

The county cannot assume those funds will be available as carryover from 2024 until the balances are no longer spoken for by county departments, which happens after the new year, he said.

“I think that’s a dangerous precedent to set,” he said. “You can’t account for the same dollar twice. You’ve appropriated it, it could be spent. So you can’t call it unencumbered until it becomes unencumbered, which is on Jan. 1.”

Later in the hearing, Walder brought up a suggestion by Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri, who was present along with commissioners Jim Dvorak and Tim Lennon, that the county do what it can to help townships. Excess money collected in the undivided local government fund could be redistributed, Walder said, adding a similar move was made in 2021, when the budget commission ap-

Chardon Township: Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Hambden Township: Sept. 9, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Township: Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All trustees’ meetings are held at Township Office, 15228 Madison Road, unless otherwise noted.

Middlefield Village: Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. –Streets, Sidewalks & Utilities Committee, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission; Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation, 6 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance, 6:30 p.m. – Safety, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.

Munson Township: Sept. 9, 6:15 p.m., Park & Recreation Board; Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; Sept. 11, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

pealed to townships, the city of Chardon and county commissioners to repeal local government funds from the county’s park districts.

Walder said the county takes 38% out of the LGF money — about $790,000 out of $2 million total — and the rest is distributed to municipalities based on population.

“If we change the formula, you could have the county take a smaller percentage or no percentage, and that would automatically be distributed to the other entities. They would see a boost in their funding,” he said.

If the county were to make such a move, while the city of Chardon may get marginally more money, the townships would receive the biggest benefit, Walder added.

The budget commission could not take such an action until next year to go into effect in 2026, he said.

Sunshine Law

During the hearing, Walder said the county had carried out serial meetings in order to arrive at its final budget, after Gorton said in an earlier hearing he had consulted with individual commissioners over changes to department budgets.

In a hearing Aug. 19, Gorton told the budget commission the reason departmental budget cuts were not discussed in open session is that each county commissioner was given an understanding of the issue independently, prior to the budget presentation.

After reviewing the earlier hearings and doing some research, Walder said the county’s initial budget submission complied with the requirements of the law, but some actions — like removing funds from departmental budgets after the public hearing — could be misleading because the public was not made aware those funds could be given back after the new year.

“That can be construed as a misleading budget because the public does not know that information — at least, they didn’t until these hearings,” he said, adding however, that information was not of importance for the process of approving the budget.

But, another question — whether the budget submission was properly approved in an open meeting — was harder to answer.

“That’s where some of the evidence, I think, runs afoul from what I believe should

Russell Township: Sept. 5, 2 p.m., Board of Trustees; Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: Sept. 5, 7:30 a.m., Streets Committee; Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Village Council; Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m., Planning Commission; Sept. 12, 8 a.m. – Building Committee, 9 a.m. – Safety Committee, 10 a.m. – Finance Committee, 1 p.m. – Properties Committee. All meetings are held at Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Troy Township: Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.

Berkshire BOE: Sept. 9, 6 p.m., regular meeting; Sept. 12, 7 a.m., Berkshire Educational Foundation. All meetings held at BOE Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, unless otherwise noted.

Cardinal BOE: Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings held at BOE Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, unless otherwise indicated.

West Geauga BOE: Sept. 9, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.

be done in these kinds of hearings,” Walder said. “And it was clear, at least from the testimony, that there (was) at least one or a series of serial meetings done outside of the view of taxpayers, where decisions material to the budget were being made and didn’t afford the opportunity for either the public or for the affected entities to materially weigh in on.”

That question is outside of the scope of the budget commission, he said, adding anyone in the public can file a complaint citing the open records act.

Walder said in his role as auditor, he will be filing a complaint with the state tax commissioner over the county’s decision, discussed in an earlier hearing, to take money from what he said is a protected account.

Flaiz said while the budget was ultimately adopted in an open commissioners meeting, he also saw evidence of open meetings violations during the county’s two previous hearings.

“But, I agree, that’s for a taxpayer or somebody else to file the appropriate action against the board of commissioners if they so choose. That’s not the budget commission’s job to do that,” he said.

During the Aug. 30 hearing, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne took exception to the accusation.

“You guys have leveled a very serious charge against our staff and our board, by extension, in saying unequivocally that we have held illegal meetings and I’m here to tell you that is not true,” she said. “We are allowed to speak one-on-one to our commissioners, and we are very careful to never tell one commissioner what another commissioner has said, and that is lawful. So please, do not make a charge like that when I can tell you it is absolutely not true. I would never do that. We would never do that and this board would never do that.”

Flaiz countered, “I will tell you that if you go to one person and say, ‘Do you agree to do this,’ ‘Do you agree to do this’ and, ‘Do you agree to do this,’ and then you present that in a meeting with no discussion and it’s adopted — I’m just telling you what the testimony was to the budget commission. That is a serial meeting and it is illegal.”

Burhenne insisted information is presented to county commissioners and they make decisions on their own and choose not to discuss those decisions in a meeting, which is their call.

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Commissioners Commend, Commemorate Harris, Koller

By Amy PAtterson Amy@kArlovecmediA com

Geauga County Commissioners honored the memories of former Fairboard Secretary Paul Harris and Director Vicki Koller during their meeting Aug. 29 at the Great Geauga County Fair.

Harris died suddenly in June, while Koller passed away in October 2023.

“‘Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal. When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure,’” Dvorak read, quoting an Irish headstone engraving. “Our county fair is important to so many peo ple. All the fair board members only want all of us to have a great memory at the fair. And yes, our county fair is a lasting treasure.”

Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri congratu lated the fairboard on picking up the pieces after Harris’s death.

Harris always had great communication with commissioners.

“I totally miss him,” Spidalieri said. “It was a tough day and I'm sure everybody is going to miss him this year, but we're gonna move on and … do what we need to do to be

day of the fair, Logan said this year’s fair was already a success, with midway vendor spots

Well

from page 1

Several years ago, residents near the Ohio Department of Transportation salt depot and garage complained of salt in their well water.

Further investigation and testing revealed road salt contaminated the shallower aquifer under parts of the township along Tavern Road where the salt dome was located. ODOT has since removed the dome and the township took ownership of the site, now called the North Garage.

In March 2023, Ohio Rep. Steven Deme-

Courthouse

from page 1

Paschke said she is excited about the renovation and new addition, as well as the support and security it will provide the people working inside.

“What's more important to me than the building are the people that are working in it, and the people that put their time and their effort into serving the public and doing the work we do,” she said.

Paschke added she appreciates everyone being a good sport about various woes — from parking to other disruptions — associated with the project.

“I think this emphasizes, to me at least, that the people who work in this building every day are … much more important than the building,” she said.

“Just by them doing this and the pictures being taken, they know that they're part of history. That's important to me,” Commissioner Jim Dvorak said of the staff and officials.

As a second-generation bricklayer, with a grandfather who was a coal miner in Maryland, Dvorak said workers understand putting on hard hats to get a job done on time and on budget.

However, he added, many projects are only appreciated after they are finished, unlike the courthouse.

sold out and the largest junior fair sale ever, with more than 750 blocks going up for auction.

“Our Junior Fair program has really grown,” he said.

Spidalieri thanked Logan and said people don’t always understand the scope of what’s involved in running the event, or in maintaining the grounds and multiple buildings at the fairgrounds.

“I just look at it as — just think about your house (and) how much, you know, of a pain it is to just mow your grass, (and) keep stuff painted," he said. "And when you look at this, multiplied by how many pieces you guys have, it's just incredible. And your staff is so committed here, too."

Commissioners also heard from county Finance Director Adrian Gorton.

He explained changes being made to a carryover balance projected in the county budget to comply with demands from the Geauga County Budget Commission, which turned down Gorton’s proposed budget in two previous hearings.

Spidalieri also thanked his colleague, Commissioner Tim Lennon, for his service during eight years on the board. Lennon chose not to run for re-election this year.

Carolyn Brakey — who currently sits on

the Geauga County Board of Health — is the Republican nominee for the seat.

Lennon would be missed, Spidalieri said.

“Today is a kind of a bittersweet day. Tim Lennon has been a commissioner here for eight years,” he said. “I just want to tell you that, thank you for your service and … thank you for what you've done. And I'm sure that (for) a lot of the residents of this county, it's a … sad year to see you go, (and) I feel very confident that Carolyn is going to … fill those shoes well.”

“Tim, it's been an honor and a pleasure to work with you,” Commissioner Jim Dvorak added. “Thank you for asking the tough questions because you make us all think.”

Lennon said he was looking forward to having more time to spend with his children, but he may return to meetings in the future.

“I'd like to be maybe out in the peanut gallery,” he said. “And maybe I'll throw darts back at you guys.”

He agreed the day was a bittersweet one because the fair is his favorite time of year as a public official.

“This is kind of the enjoyable part of it, you know, this is the real Geauga County,” he said. “The kids, the Junior Fair, the people — to me this is … the reason why we do it.”

triou and Ohio Sen. Vernon Sykes met with trustees, county officials and residents.

Subsequently, wells financed through the OEPA were drilled down to about 300 feet after high iron content was found in water at 200 feet.

Geauga Public Health Administrator Adam Litke worked with OEPA for grants to cover the cost of drilling the wells.

The total cost of drilling was about $700,000, he said in a phone interview Aug. 30.

“There’s one well, might be two that have some methane,” Litke said. “It’s a naturally-occurring substance.”

He went on to say methane is a known issue in Parkman, so having the gas in the

water of one well is not surprising.

However, the problem apparently did not arise at the time the well was drilled and was connected to the residence.

“To our knowledge, the well was fine,” Litke said.

About the time the salt issue arose, trustees were informed well water in the Parkman Township Community House could be set on fire due to a high methane content.

“I think it’s just natural gas,” said Brian Wilson, the owner of Southwind Drilling Company, of Mesopotamia Township.

That well extends to an aquifer more than 200 feet below the community house and draws from a layer of Berea

sandstone, which typically exudes low levels of methane, he said a year ago. The township purchased equipment for about $7,000 for a Kinetico water purification system for the community house, Duchscherer said.

Litke said that would be one solution for the resident with methane in the water. If methane becomes a problem in more of the wells drilled to alleviate the salt problem, the township could drill a community well with pipelines to area residences.

That would be a multi-million-dollar expense that would likely be shouldered by township property owners.

“When the job is complete, everybody ful, the wallpaper, the glass block or whatev er thing is beautiful,’ but this (project) is the

ting this together,” he said. “And everybody that's touched anything with this historic workers, electrical guys, plumbers, whatever — they're part of the history-making of this.”

Newbury

from page 1

A Renovation in the Making

The older part of the building is close to 30 years old, Fire Chief Ken Fagan said.

“We moved in in 1990,” he explained.

The process of planning for the renova tions and addition began in 2019.

“We decided to do the addition and ren ovation at the same time. Some people said, ‘Well why don’t we just do the addition’ and our committee said, ‘Well we might as well do everything so everything’s brand new and then it’ll last another 30, 40 years,’” he said.

Included in the new section of the build ing are a fire prevention room for looking over plans, offices and a conference room.

“In the old station — in the old part — we had a conference room,” Fagan said. “And, as the years went on, it became more of a storage (area) because we were running out of room. So, we started piling stuff in all the rooms that we had.”

The refurbished section now includes a room for file storage, as well as multiple other storage areas. It also contains a com munications room, a quiet study room and a kitchen with a pantry.

Maps of the township line the walls to the truck bay for staff to check as they head out for a call. The gear locker room now also sports outlets and USB ports, allowing firefighters a spot to charge flashlights and phones.

A number of amenities for the firefighting staff are also included in the new section of the building.

“We opted for individual dorms. A lot of places, everybody sleeps together or they have knee high walls, but there’s been studies and it makes sense. If everybody has their own room, they sleep better,” Fagan said. “If you sleep better, you operate better.”

The department houses six small rooms for staff, each containing a bed, AC unit and TV. Close by the dorms are a fitness room, locker room and laundry room.

While the number of staff in the department is currently small, these amenities have been designed with a larger crew in mind. It can fit more people if, down the road, the department chooses to hire and expand, Fagan explained.

The existing section of the building was entirely gutted, the chief said, adding the department moved all their belongings into a

each equipped with a full sized bed, an AC unit and a TV.

40-foot shipping container, where they were kept for eight months.

In the meantime, staff operated out of a construction trailer in the front parking lot.

In the future, the department plans to use the shipping container for training, Fagan said.

FD Plans for a Growing Future

While the changes to the building may be completed, changes within the department are still ongoing, as it continues transitioning from being volunteer run to staffed full time.

Newbury’s fire department was founded as a volunteer department in 1954, the chief said.

Since then, the township has changed in some significant ways — more people have moved in and the population is older, he said.

“A few years ago, the nursing home in Newbury basically doubled in size, so that increased the needs,” Fagan said.

The department’s calls have also drastically increased in recent years, with 2022 having 692 calls, 2023 having 792 and 2024 being on track for a total well into the 800s, the chief said.

“When I first started (in 1982), we were probably averaging 20 calls a month,” said

Funds a Limiting Factor for Potential Housing Code

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

After previously floating the idea of a housing code with the Geauga County Board of Health, Health Administrator Adam Litke delivered an update regarding its cost at the Aug. 28 regular meeting.

“It’d probably cost us $100,000 to do a housing code because you’d have to have a person for at least the first couple years. It’s probably going to be a hotbed like everything else when it starts getting looked at,” Litke said. “We don’t have $100,000 to throw at a person and I wouldn’t want to lay someone off just because, ‘All right, we’ve done it for three years, now it’s less,

we’re gonna lay somebody off.’”

Places around the county are looking to cut expenses, not expand them, he said.

“I can’t imagine some of these localities, some of the subdivisions want to give us an extra $10-15,000,” he said.

Board member Ashley Jones noted her reservations about potentially impeding on residents’ rights.

“You certainly want to help with the nuisances and make sure people are safe and healthy, and I think that ultimately we can look at these on a case-by-case basis,” she said, agreeing with Litke the funds are a major limiting factor.

“It’s a loaded gun that you point at somebody,” Litke added. “And it can be subjective who you point it at.”

Fagan. “Now, we’re averaging 75.”

The increase in calls combined with fewer volunteers sparked the department’s decision to move to a full-time staff.

“When (Treasurer Belinda Fagan and I) first started, there was, sometimes there was a waiting list of people that wanted to volunteer,” Fagan said, adding the department had been allowed a maximum of 45 members at the time.

“So, we had 45 members. Then, as the years progressed, that dropped to 35, and it dropped to 25, and then it dropped to 10,” he said, adding firefighting is a job that requires a lot of time and many volunteers had busy lives, some with children and multiple jobs to balance.

Towns decentralizing has also played a role.

“At our old fire station, across from the old fire station was a business called Newbury Industries. And the owner of that company was 110% behind the fire department,” Fagan recalled. “There was, I believe at one time, eight or 10 people that worked at his business that were on the volunteer department. Because he was such an advocate for the fire department, whenever there was a call, he let all them go across the street and

go on the call. But, you don’t have that anymore with businesses.”

Volunteer vs. Staffed

To the public, the primary difference in service from a volunteer versus a staffed department is response time, Fagan explained.

“The volunteer department, when a call comes in, you’re depending on people coming from home or back then, people coming from work. So, they would come to the station, get their gear on and then get on the truck and go,” he said. “Call comes in now with the staffed (department), you’re cutting out that travel time, so you’re getting a lot better response.”

Calls are otherwise handled the same, and volunteers and staff have the same qualifications and certifications, Fagan said, adding volunteers are also more likely to be local, while staff may be from outside the township.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on the relationship that we had with the Newbury residents. Over a period of 40 years, you get to know people,” he said, noting the department intends to carry on that same service and friendly relationship as they hire more people on.

“So far, the people that we’ve hired — and we’ve only had people on staff for August — it’s working out really well,” he said. “They’re very good with patients.”

The department is aiming to have two fulltime employees and one part-time employee on every shift, Fagan said.

Fire inspections are another area that benefits from a staffed-department, the chief said, recalling how he used to have to inspect buildings on his own time, usually evenings or weekends.

The department will now not only be able to carry out inspections on a more regular basis, but will also be staffed around the clock, Fagan said, adding they had already helped a few people who had dropped by the station, one of whom was an elderly woman who got lost following the April tornadoes.

The township has already seen the benefit of faster response times.

“We had a call at 5 o'clock in the morning for a house fire. I was at home and I went direct from home to the fire. And (the staff) was here at the station, they got in the truck and, because of us being staffed, it was contained to just a room and contents fire,” Fagan said, noting he believes it would have spread more with a longer response time.

“It can only get better from here,” he said.

West G Schools to Implement New Reading Program

By Allison Wilson editor@kArlovecmediA com

West Geauga Schools will be switching from its current reading comprehension pro gram to a new one, or perhaps, an old one depending on your age-group.

The program aligns with the science of reading approach, said Assistant Superinten dent Nancy Benincasa during the West Geau ga Schools Board of Education meeting Aug. 19.

Superintendent Richard Markwardt not ed despite it being “new” to current staff, it is actually an old school method.

“I think this is an approach that, for those of us who are over 60, this is the way we learned, is the science of reading,” he said, listing methods such as sounding out letters and putting them together. “People who are in their 40s now, learned the whole lan guage approach, which we’re not embracing anymore. So, it was really difficult for them to transition from that back to the way that some of us learned.”

Benincasa began her presentation to the board with some background as to why the change is happening.

“The science of reading is something that has been identified by the (Ohio Department of Education) and recognized as what it is, which is the body of science which tells us that reading is not intuitive, we are not natural born readers,” she said. “Although a very small percentage naturally learn to read, the majority of readers need to have very explicit teaching to learn how to read.”

The science of reading, she explained in an email Sept. 3, is a nod to the brain research identifying the need for explicit instruction in areas such as phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

The plan Benincasa presented to the board reflected Ohio’s plan to raise literacy, she said.

“Beginning in 2024/2025, we need to have a mandated core curriculum that aligns to the state of Ohio list they have provided, which follows the science of reading,” she said.

While the state has been pushing it for the past year and a half, the science of reading is something West Geauga has already

In 2017 and 2018, the district ran an audit of their current literacy practices, Benincasa said, adding based upon their findings, they decided to overhaul those practices and instead follow the science of reading. Prior to the audit, the district used an approach known as balanced literacy, which uses a variety of instructional practices to teach reading and writing, she said Sept. 3.

In that time, the district was asked to adopt a program called Heggerty. Another program, Fundations, which teaches phonics, was adopted in 2019. Making Meaning, teaching reading comprehension, was adopted in 2020, she said.

The state now has a list of approved comprehensive programs school districts are mandated to offer, Benincasa said, going on to define comprehensive as following a clear scope and sequence, being taught explicitly, following the research, and teaching all aspects of language.

There are 12 approved programs districts

of reading, she said, adding Fundations and Heggerty are approved, Making Meaning is not.

“So, ultimately, we have to choose a different comprehension program to align with our foundational skills programs,” she said.

A team consisting of representatives from the teaching staff, principals and office administrators was put together to evaluate the programs, Benincasa said.

“Through a rubric-based process, we looked at four core programs, two of which did not include foundational skills such as phonics.

Following both the rubric process and heavy conversation, the team settled on Wit and Wisdom, which did not include the foundational skills.

“We liked the fact that it carved out (phonics and phonemes),” said Benincasa. “Because we have well established those two pieces of the puzzle and we don’t want to get rid of the work that we have put in, to be hon-

est.”

The program will also have students using books and is strong in knowledge building, she said.

“Having said all this, it is gonna cost you,” she told the board. “It is an extensive investment. We’re looking at the quote. Roughly, it is going to be around $200,000. The state of Ohio, in their mandate, is reimbursing individual school districts based on the number of students up to a certain amount. We are going to get a reimbursement for $90,000.”

The purchase will include grade level exemplar texts and full class sets of books.

At the moment, the district is looking at “need to,” “want to” and “dream of” versions of what can be adopted to get the program successfully laid out, Benincasa said, adding she expects to have a more exact quote for the board to vote on at its next board meeting.

If the board votes in favor of the purchase, it would take about two to three weeks to get the physical materials in, she said, adding teachers would have access to digital copies right away with the goal to implement the program in quarter two or three.

Board President Christina Sherwood asked who had vetted the texts.

Benincasa said they have been vetted by the state and the district will also vet as the program is being implemented, noting the volume of texts to check is massive.

Teachers will always have the option to not use something they find inappropriate, she added.

Board member Pam Claypool asked what grades the program will be implemented at. While Wit and Wisdom goes through eighth grade, Benincasa said the district is looking to adopt them for kindergarten through sixth.

Benincasa also took a moment to thank the district’s staff for their willingness to adapt.

“I don’t know many staffs of people who willingly throw out everything that they have, and they have created and they have worked so hard for, and upended everything they know because something was better,” she said.

Munson Ballfield Maintenance a Drag on Finances

Township Officials Discuss Options for Better Care

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Every year, hundreds of children in Geauga County try out for baseball and softball teams.

Parents invest in equipment and time. Coaches evaluate and train players. Schedules are set and the season begins.

But, baseball and softball coaches peer into the future hoping to secure fields where their 2025 teams can practice and compete.

Munson Township Park on Bass Lake Road sports three little league ball fields and a high school-level league field. Vetters Field and Kowalek Field off Auburn Road are also in demand.

Chardon Hilltoppers High School teams, recreation teams and travel teams are all in need of practice and game venues, so players of all ages and abilities can compete when baseball season begins.

Consistent and professional maintenance of those fields was a main topic of discussion at the Aug. 27 Munson Township Trustees meeting and at several previous meetings.

Jeremy Rellinger, who schedules for Mad Batters and Geauga Knights travel teams,

told trustees the township fields need to be properly maintained so youth can play safely on them.

“We have enough teams and coaches. What can we do to help maintain the fields?” he asked. “When we ramp up for spring, lots of teams would like to use your fields, if they were in better shape. They are great fields.”

Asking the teams’ coaches to take over the maintenance isn’t an option because they don’t have the equipment for the job, Rellinger said.

Trustee Andy Bushman, liaison for the township park board, said the township usually contracts for maintenance of the fields.

“We’ve been getting some quotes,” he said, adding if the township makes those arrangements, the cost must be shared by the leagues starting in 2025.

Rellinger said the travel teams include the maintenance costs in their budgets and player fees.

In a phone interview Sept. 1, Bushman said the Munson rec baseball league merged with the Chardon and Hambden leagues about 10 years ago.

While the cost of maintaining the fields was

shared among the league and the township for years, a new organization took over the league and didn’t subscribe to the tradition.

“Munson Township’s been paying most or all of the cost,” Bushman said. “The township spends about $20,000 some years. If you include the mowing, it’s more than $25,000.”

Chardon Hilltoppers take care of maintenance on Zambory and Shannon softball fields, he noted.

Typical baseball season was over mid-July, but trustees agreed at an earlier meeting to have Innovative Landscaping maintain four fields four times in the next four to six weeks so there’s less work to do come spring, Bushman said.

The cost is $75 per field per drag, adding up to more than $1,500 total for the remainder of 2024.

Over the next few months, he said the trustees and baseball representatives will get together with the landscapers and decide what needs to be done by whom and how often, he said.

“We need people with the right knowledge and equipment to take care of the fields,” Bushman said. “Our fields used to be the best and they are still pretty good.”

Young Seamstress’s 4-H Project Takes Her to State

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

Anne Drockton, 10, of Chester Town ship, learned many things this summer while sewing a colorful, lace-trimmed skirt.

“I learned patience,” she said in a re cent interview. “And how to cut a straight line and use a pattern.”

She started the project after stitching up a pin cushion with owls on it — her first effort as a member of the Giggles and Stitch es 4-H club that meets weekly at Adam Hall in Auburn Township.

Each of the 15 or 20 girls in the club worked on some piece of clothing during a state-wide 4-H project called Sew Fun, Anne said.

When she completed the skirt, Anne en tered it in The Ohio State University Exten sion contest held at Berkshire High School in Burton Township and was awarded a big blue ribbon for the Outstanding Sewing Project of the Day on July 16.

Anne also was chosen as the Ohio State Fair representative, said her mother, Tricia Drockton.

That earned her a trip to Columbus, where she placed in the top 12 out of 60 9and 10-year-olds competing in the 4-H Sew Fun Awards junior division in August.

Century Village Filmed For ‘Empowered’ TV Clips

By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com

The steam-powered saw mill at Geauga County’s Century Village Museum was busy last Wednesday morning as huge cherry logs were transformed into lumber.

The belt-driven saw made short work of the logs brought in by Jim Vinecourt, who watched the process.

It was not an uncommon occurrence except for the cameraman recording it.

Ryan Chester homed in on the saw, the fire under the boiler that creates the steam to drive the saw, the logs as they were cleanly cut into boards and the men operating the equipment.

Chester and his assistant, B.J. Halsall, were filming the work for WBC Production, an internet-based company recording Aug. 28 for Empowered.

Vinecourt said the saw mill crew was using the slab wood from the lumber cutting in the boiler fire that created the steam engine that powers the saw.

“I was up at 6:30 (a.m.) to fire it up,” said Vinecourt, who is treasurer of the Geauga County Historical Society/Century Village.

Chester was filming the mill and most of the other 29 buildings that make up Century Village in Burton Village. WBC is producing footage for Empowered, which “uses educational television to create a snapshot of our world and the endless possibilities that will shape the future of society,” according to the Empowered website.

Once the filmed footage is edited and approved, it will be aired on national television, possibly as early as October, said Stefanie O’Connor, Century Village curator, archivist

and grant writer.

It will highlight the museum’s treasures in 60-second segments at the end of “Antiques Road Show” and a five- to six-minute segment to appear sporadically elsewhere, she said, adding Meg Ryan would be doing the voice-over.

A 60-second commercial also will be aired, O’Connor said.

Several individuals were interviewed for the footage, including O’Connor.

“I was a little nervous,” she admitted. “I’m not used to the limelight. But it was okay once we got started.”

She credited the volunteers for dressing up in hot 1800s period dress to add a realistic touch to the museum’s many structures and half-million artifacts.

Jen Laurer came from Pennsylvania when she got the call, O’Connor said.

The event comes hot on the heels of efforts to raise funds to keep the museum open.

As the treasurer, Vinecourt spoke at length for an article in the Aug. 29 Maple Leaf about the cost of maintaining the museum, which sits on more than 60 acres with a fine view of the farm and valley.

Numerous events will also help raise funds for the museum and can be found on the website centuryvillagemuseum.org.

The cherry logs being sliced into lumber were victims of the recent storm that blew through Geauga County.

Vinecourt — not dressed in a period costume — was phlegmatic about the loss of the trees. The rough-cut lumber will come in handy and might be used as a deck for the hay wagon, he said.

“There’s always a place for a board on the farm,” Vinecourt said.

Anne credited her grandmother, Libby Drockton, of Chester, for her advice. The home-schooled fifth-grader also learned how to use a sewing machine and thread a needle to make neat stitches.

Tricia admired her daughter’s handicraft and newly-acquired skills as a seamstress, but she denied having any similar leanings.

“She didn’t get it from me!” Tricia said with a laugh.

this summer.

She also attended the 4-H

Awards junior division in August at the Ohio State Fair grounds in August. Her friend, Lucy Weaver, left, encouraged her to join the Giggles and Stitches

club.

Her friend, Lucy Weaver, also homeschooled, urged Anne to join Stitches and Giggles, Tricia said.

“I’ll stay with 4-H,” Ann said. “I’m thinking of doing gardening next year or sewing again.”

The skirt, which hung in the 4-H booth at the Junior Fair Buildings during the Great Geauga County Fair, probably was not a project Anne would have undertaken on her own without her 4-H association, she said.

Body Found in Pine Lake Aug. 30

stAff rePort

The body of a 71-year-old Chardon woman was discovered by a kayaker the evening of Aug. 30 in Pine Lake in Punderson State Park, Newbury Township, said Newbury Township Fire Chief Ken Fagan.

The woman was reported missing the day before, he said.

“The kayaker was coming into shore when he believed he saw a body and called 9-1-1,” Fagan said in a text Sept. 3. “The fire department found the body about 50 feet from shore in a patch of lily pads.”

Geauga County Sheriff’s officers,

Punderson park rangers, and fire department personnel from Newbury, Burton and Munson were on scene, he said.

Sheriff Chief Deputy Tom Rowan said on Sept. 3 the woman dropped a friend off at a doctor’s appointment and when she didn’t return to pick him up, he reported her missing.

Rowan said the woman's identity would not be released until he confirmed the family was notified.

While investigation into the incident is ongoing, it was likely an accidental death from drowning, he added.

ANN WISHART/KMG

Ryan Chester and his assistant, B.J. Halsall, of WBC Production, filmed the pioneer process of turning logs into lumber at the Geauga County Century Village mill in Burton Village Aug. 28. The film will be edited into clips and shown on national television for a year starting in October or November.

for the skirt she sewed in the 4-H Sew Fun competition

Sew Fun

4-H

Opening Day Takes Flight at Fair

West G Reclaims Chicken Flying Trophy from Kenston

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

The Great Geauga County Fair’s opening day took flight Aug. 29 as fairgoers flocked to the annual Chicken Flying Contest at noon at the small grandstand.

There was nothing small about the friend ly rivalry between Kenston and West Geauga school districts or the anticipation of the cov eted trophy’s next nesting place.

The contest marked the first for new ly-hired Kenston Superintendent Bruce Will ingham, who said prior to the contest he was excited to defend Kenston’s title — the dis trict won the trophy in 2023.

“I think like (former Superintendent Steve Sayers) shared last year, it's always great to have a friendly rivalry with another Geauga County district,” Willingham said. “However, in full transparency, I don't think I've held a chicken since I was 12 years old in Oklahoma.”

Each bird’s flight is made from a pole high perch and the distance is measured from the starting point to landing.

Like the flipping of a coin, the competi tion was close.

But, West Geauga ultimately took the win as a Black Copper Marans hen named Penny — owned by West Geauga’s Gavin Heffron — landed a flight of 17 feet and 1 inch against Kenston’s Ruth Rose, owned by Alexis Toot, which flew 16 feet and 11 inches.

“The Chicken Flying Contest is one of the most exciting events in my life, surpassed only by the birth of my children,” said Richard Markwardt, the soon-to-retire West Geauga Schools superintendent. "I'm glad to have the trophy back at West Geauga Middle School.”

Markwardt, who is an owner of a small farm and raises chickens, said he didn’t want to enter one of his own chickens.

“My chickens are so old that most would need a parachute to compete,” Markwardt said.

For Erin Demas, this year marked the third she and her daughters, Adeline, 8, and Emilia, 6, competed in the contest. They en tered their hens, Chicky-Chick and Puff Puff.

“We love the friendly rivalry between West G and Kenston while the sixth-graders from each school attend a field trip to the fair,” Demas said, calling the entire fair expe rience priceless, especially for children.

“Please come out and support the local 4H kinds in the fair,” Demas said. “See their animals, ask them questions, bid in the auc tions. These kids work their tails off all sum mer for this one weekend. They love it, we are all exhausted, but it is worth it.”

Spectators lined the fences and cheered

New Show Educates on Nature’s Wild and Wonderful

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

Some first-time fair participants slithered in on opening day, many of them often stereotyped as scary villains or Walt Disney charmers.

But, Grant Kemmerer came to set the record straight with his Wild World of Animals Show Aug. 29 at the Great Geauga County Fair.

“The purpose of the show is education, but it moves at a fast pace with many animals to see,” said Kemmerer, of Bentleyville, Pa. “The main talking points are the importance of all animals, that these wild animals are not pets, the problems facing wildlife today and dispelling myths and misconceptions about certain animals.”

“Oohs” and “awes” filled Midway Stage 2 as audience members trickled in to take early

seats at the bleachers for the new entertain ment show, which featured 12 different ani mals including a sloth, capybara, falcon and eagle-owl, as well as other reptiles, birds and mammals.

“My first animal, he falls into a category of big and, for me, heavy,” Kemmerer said. “This is an alligator snapping turtle. He grows to be the largest freshwater turtle in the world. They can hit sizes of 250 pounds and live in the neighborhood of 200 years. He’s a little over 100 years of age right now.”

Kemmerer travels across the country sharing his passion with his adopted animals in a trailer. Educating people for more than 35 years at state fairs, schools and special events is the highlight of his life, he said.

His wife, Jaimie, a former nurse, helps tend to their farm at home, which includes

flew 94 feet; Champion Rooster Shrek, owned calling it a very positive educational journey.

The Great Geauga County Fair

Fairgoers Enjoy New Butterfly Attraction at County Fair

By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com

Just beyond the roar of the midway at the Great Geauga County Fair was a welcome oasis where beautiful and delicate creatures fluttered around the Natural Resources Area.

Deborah and Jason Lurie from Spring Hill, Fla., travel throughout the United States with their butterfly exhibit to help educate and entertain.

The Great Geauga County Fair welcomed their Butterfly Encounter’s interactive exhibit where visitors got to experience butterflies close up within a netted area.

“Our exhibit allows fairgoers to get an up-close look at the butterflies,” Deborah said. “We have been traveling for 11 years all across the United States entertaining and educating fairgoers. This is our first time at your fair and we are very excited to be here and share the joy with everyone.”

According to Insect Lore, butterflies live all over the world, except Antarctica and “one of the most well-traveled types of insect on the planet, with many species migrating thousands of miles across the globe.”

Twelve-year-old Savannah Louden, a seventh-grader at West Geauga Middle School, took delight visiting them.

She held a small stick with an attached sponge to feed the gentle-winged creatures

surrounded by bright colored flowers.

“I found it to be very calming and relaxing because the butterflies were calm and spread their calmness to others,” Louden said. “I have always liked butterflies and I love the fishing places (at the fair).”

Fair Entertainment Director Keith Chapman said the exhibit was a great fit and a dream of his for the Natural Resource Area, which features exhibits from the Geauga Park District and Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District.

“Holding the stick and having a butterfly land on your hand puts one up front and close,” Chapman said. “How fun is that? One group will educate one about the importance of making a butterfly garden and providing the plants which they eat. The other group will cover the stages from eggs to transforming into a butterfly. And now, with the addition of the Butterfly Encounter, it is just that, an encounter with the butterflies.”

There are normally about 100 butterflies released on opening day.

“Depending on what we're allowed to bring in your state because we are governed by the (Ohio) Department of Agriculture,” Deborah said. “Normally, we have painted ladies, sometimes swallowtails, sometimes monarchs, maybe some Buckeyes or red admirals. We like to try and keep a variety for everyone to see.”

ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG

West Geauga Middle School’s Savannah Louden took delight in experiencing the interactive new Butterfly Encounter in the Great Geauga County Fair’s Natural Resources Area. See Butterfly• Page 11

Wild

from page 8

nearly 300 animals, many of which are given to the couple when people can no longer care for them.

They take in orphaned and injured animals, aiming to make their lives the best they can be, Kemmerer said.

He has supplied animals for feature film, television, commercial and print work for three decades. They’ve appeared in television shows including, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “Saturday Night Live,” “Good Morning America” and “Fox and Friends.”

“We are always excited to share our animals with any and every event we do,” Kemmerer said. “The more people in attendance, the better. The Geauga fair seems like a very well put together event.”

Butterfly

from page 10

Learning about butterflies through their migration, their life cycle, watching them lay eggs and emerge from a chrysalis is amazing and everyone should experience it, she said.

“They bring a sense of calmness and serenity to everyone that gets a chance to feed a butterfly,” Deborah said, adding that’s why they keep traveling across the nation after 11 years to share their Butterfly Encounter with all ages.

“We would just like to thank the fair for bringing us here from Florida to entertain and educate your fairgoers about butterflies and how wonderful they really are,” Deborah said. “The joy on people’s faces and the fact that they’re so eager to learn makes it so rewarding.”

Jackie Sanislo, from Thompson Township, said the Wild World of Animals Show was great.

“It had many different animals you normally don’t get to see,” said Sanislo, whose kids are in Thompson Ledge Dairymen 4-H club. “I like the way he used humor and was informative. I’d say my favorite was the armadillo. I thought it was cute scampering around the stage. We are having a great time at the fair. We have been coming to the Great Geauga County Fair for years.”

Hambden Township’s Holly and Ron Frank were one of the first show-goers to take seats at the bleachers.

“He had a good variety of animals, some that you would not see at other animal shows,” Holly said.

Ron added he hopes it returns next year, but to a larger stage at the fair.

“It was a refreshing change of shows added to the fair,” Holly said. “Hope he comes back next year. It was well worth the watch.”

S P O R T S

Hilltoppers Pick Up First Win in Sutton Era

By hAley AdAms sPorts@kArlovecmediA com

During the offseason, it was all about change for the Hilltoppers. With the departure of long-time coach Alison Fisher, the Hilltoppers filled the void with assistant coach Bryan Sutton, and also had to fill voids left by multi-year lettermen Emma McCartney and Skylar Toth, as well as libero Grace Legan.

During a strong, non-conference schedule to start the season, the Hilltoppers went 0-4 in their first four games at the Columbus Invitational, featuring some of the state’s top teams, the first overnight trip in program history. Then they hosted Geneva in their home opener Aug. 27, a 3-0 win.

“We really wanted to come out strong, and we wanted that first set,” said junior outside hitter Addison Koppelman. “We wanted to come out with a lot of fire on the court.”

Chardon did just that.

A back-and-forth first start was awarded to the Hilltoppers. The Eagle jumped out to a 5-1 lead behind some hitting errors from the Hilltoppers.

See Hilltoppers • Page 13

Kenston Begins Rivalry Games Victorious vs. West G

By BriAn lAvrich sPorts@kArlovecmediA

The Kenston football team lost a heart breaker in Week 1 against Boardman. To avoid starting the season 0-2, the Bombers and Head Coach Jeff Grubich knew what they had to do.

One week after losing 19-18 to the Spar tans on the road, Kenston came out strong to defeat rival West Geauga, 38-7, at Bomber Stadium.

The victory lifted the Bombers to 1-1, while West G dropped to 0-2.

“The kids responded and played well,” Grubich said. “It’s important because they are a school from right down the road. You can tell the kids care by their attention during preparation. When you go out in the com munity and you see a kid wearing a West G football T-shirt and you’re wearing a Kenston football T-shirt, the kids take pride in that.

“Our whole intent was to start fast. We felt we came out flat against Boardman. We forced a punt (on West G’s first possession), then we scored on our first series. That was a big key that we talked about in practice.”

Grubich said several players stood out for the Bombers, led by senior captain Dylan Krupp.

“He was outstanding on both sides of the ball,” Grubich said of Krupp. “He had some big blocks in the run game and caught a nice

See Kenston • Page 13

TORREY MCNEAL/KMG

Kenston’s Tymir Cardona scores during Kenston’s 38-7 win over West Geauga at Bomber Stadium. It is the last time in the foreseeable the two former rivals will play each other due to the Wolverines.

Lakers Swamp Huskies Early and Often

By rich kelly sPorts@kArlovecmediA.com

First-year head coach Rich Turner has coached at larger schools before. He knows how important health is to any football team.

This year, Turner's Cardinal Huskies came out in their season opener and battled a talented and deep LaBrae team until they got worn down late in the game.

Already down a top player in Max Soltis, whose season has been cut short by serious injury, keeping focused on the positive will be huge.

Aug. 30 at Richard A. Moss Stadium, Cardinal played its home opener against a Pymatuning Valley Laker team coming off a solid season last year — one that has even greater hope for this season, based on returning experience at key positions and a much deeper lineup, one that is also much bigger than past PV teams.

With these items in their tool belt, the Lakers easily claimed the game, 48-0.

“We started out tonight missing most of our interior linemen,” Coach Turner explained. “That’s a tough way to start against a team as big and strong as PV. Missing Max is tough to begin with, but then late in the first half when we lost our quarterback, we really had to make some big changes.

“That really was the turning point of the game for us, but I’m really proud of how the new kids worked once they got into the game. PV was just much bigger and stronger than we were.”

Cal Ciminello hit Reese Soltis for a 15 yard gain on a slant pattern, crossing the middle on the first play of the game for a first down for the Huskies. Distinctly outsized, the Huskies quickly saw pressure on Ciminel-

Hilltoppers from page 12

Coach Sutton’s team began to click on all cylinders when senior setter and team captain Abby Kolcum got her offense rolling. Koppelman got her first kill of the match off a roll shot that landed short in front of the Eagles’ defense.

The Hilltoppers tied the set at six apiece, then again at eight. When junior middle blocker Aubrey Fetchik recorded back-to-back aces to stretch the lead to two, 11-9, Geneva Head Coach Anna Haeseler was forced to call a timeout.

A powerful 10-0 run late in the opening set helped set the tone for the remainder of the match. After a strong Chardon run at the service line, Coach Sutton’s team secured set one, 25-12.

An opening kill from middle hitter Julia Trask put the Eagles on the board first in

Kenston from page 12

screen pass. On defense, he had a strip and a fumble recovery, and he’s outstanding on special teams.”

Grubich also complemented his offensive line.

“The offensive line did a much better job, especially with pass protection,” Grubich said.

Kenston’s three starting defensive linemen — Zyar Scott, Troy Freshman and Sam

lo as the next two plays fell incomplete, but both were very close to being completions for good yardage.

A punt that included a superb roll in the Huskies' favor set up PV on their own 5 yard line three minutes into the game.

PV’s strongest point this season is having a pair of bulls in the backfield who have played together all the seasons of their careers so far. Add in a few big new guys, and keeping the bulls under control is like trying to catch Roadrunner.

Quarterback Ryan Croston kept the ball on the first Laker play around left end, cut back in after breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and was off to the races down the left side for a touchdown.

The Lakers saw just how much of a problem the passing game in short yardages could be for them, and adjusted in a hurry. Two screen passes lost yardage, forcing another punt. This one fell into the arms of Jaron Nowakowski at his own 42 yard line. After starting to his left, he cut back to the right behind a pair of huge blocks into wide open territory and went the distance.

The next drive for Cardinal (0-2) led to another punt, but this one went sideways, setting up PV at the Huskies 38 with 5:29 left in the first period. Four plays later, Croston took the ball to the 1 yard line, and the other bull in the backfield, Ty Vickery, plowed his way in to open a 24-0 lead.

Shortly thereafter, Ciminello took a big hit rolling to his right and had to leave the game for the rest of the night.

Battling hard, the Huskies were simply overwhelmed in every facet of the game.

Croston scored from 15 yards out on the first play of the second period. The Lakers took their next possession 64 yards in five

set two, but after a Geneva setting error, the Hilltoppers evened the set. Junior Madison Kilpeck recorded three straight service points, including an ace in the short run. Out of an Eagles timeout, junior Brooke Wright recorded a kill after a shanked pass off the Hilltoppers.

To stretch the lead to 17-8, Mackenzie Siko got in on the fun with a kill of her own out of the middle hitter position. Fetchik ended the second set with a kill, finishing it 2515.

Chardon Head Coach Bryan Sutton talked about the tempo and pace of the game for the Hilltoppers, knowing he could get more out of them after the first couple sets.

“We knew we had to speed our tempo up and get better passes,” Kolcum said. “As we went on and saw the game play on, we were able to play our game.”

Chardon got off to a hot start in the third set, leading 13-5 after kills by Siko and Kop-

Meeks — played havoc with the Wolverines.

“The defensively line was able to get pressure and played tremendous,” Grubich said.

But things won’t get any easier for the Bombers next, as they travel just down the road to face another rival at Chagrin Falls. The Tigers have started 2-0 against West G and Youngstown East.

“I think they do a nice job offensively of spreading the ball around and utilizing the run and the pass,” Grubich said. “That keeps defenses off balance. We have to read our keys and we have to grade out 90 to 95 per-

plays, with Vickery breaking over left tackle again from 38 yards out. Then, with a running clock in the second half, the Laker subs got into the act as Brayden Shinault took the ball in from 16 yards out with 6:13 left in the third quarter to close out the point production of the night.

Running the ball was not in the cards at all for Cardinal. Minus Soltis to begin with, then adding the loss of Hunter Gresch and Paul Marcum to the mix during the week, and with Ciminello leaving early, Reese Soltis tried to step up, as did younger teammates, but the Lakers were just too big and too strong.

In fact, Cardinal netted minus 36 yards rushing on 14 carries. Ciminello did hit on

pelman. Setter Abby Kolcum had most options open for much of the evening in her role as setter. Her defense was held down by junior libero Morgan Kilpeck.

Coach Haeseler’s team would not go away as quietly in the third set, though. Chardon called a timeout at 16-9 after an ace was recorded. A quick response from the Hilltoppers and a 4-0 run from junior defensive specialist Claire Legan recorded two aces, then the Eagles were forced to take a timeout themselves.

A double block from Koppelman and Fetchik closed the set 25-15 and the match 3-0.

Chardon finished with a number of athletes in its stat columns.

In two home games, Koppelman has recorded 20 kills. Kolcum has finished with 50 assists. Against Geneva, Legan led the team with eight aces, while Koppelman finished with eight digs.

It would be the first win of the Sutton

cent on our tackling.

“Defensively they are physical. They rally to the football. They have been impressive and aggressive. They are similar to West G. They are going to bring the pressure.”

So is playing two major rivals in back-toback weeks a positive or negative?

“It can play to your advantage if you handle it right,” Grubich said. “The kids know we watch Chardon, West G and Chagrin. We see them around in our community. We have those games circled every year.”

five passes for 47 yards before he got caught in a big pileup along the sidelines in the second quarter, but he'd basically not have had the time to throw downfield anyway.

“We’re just going to have to have the kids rally around each other this week to get ready for Grand Valley next Friday night,” Coach Turner said.

Croston gained 140 yards on four carries for the Lakers, and Vickery hoofed his way to 139 on 13 tries as well. Everybody knows those two players are a load, and they showed it in this game. Whether the presence of the missing Huskies would have stemmed the tide is not likely, but the game could have been much more competitive.

era for the Hilltoppers. Coach Sutton, a 2001 graduate of Chardon High School, took the reins during the offseason. He served as an assistant coach for the last several seasons, and was head coach of the Chardon boys team. His team recently finished in back-toback Elite Eight games during their first two seasons as a program.

Sutton also served as an assistant coach for long-time NDCL Head Coach Tom Ray and won back-to-back state titles with the Lions. On Oct. 12, Sutton and his Lions will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Coach Sutton’s 2024-25 team has also taken down the previously undefeated team of Ashtabula Edgewood with a final score of 3-1. The Hilltoppers are now on a two-game winning streak and looked to extend that streak during back-to-back conference matchups against Eastlake North and Mayfield.

“We needed that win against Edgewood,” Sutton said.

BILL FUGATE/KMG

Cardinal sophomore Joshua Hartman looks on as the Huskies lost their home opener 48-0 to Pymatuning Valley.

Chardon Lights Up Memorial Field

By mAtt JAWorski sPorts@kArlovecmediA com

While the Chardon football team lit up the scoreboard Aug. 30 in its 42-0 victory over Tiffin Columbian, the new LED lights at Memorial Field also put on quite a show.

Fresh off their trip to Orlando, the Hilltoppers continued to feed the ball to senior fullback Vinny Colombi, who scored three more touchdowns to bring his season total to seven scores in two games.

Besides handing the ball off to Colombi, junior Drayton Allgood showed off both his arm and his legs in his first home game as starting quarterback.

The two, along with senior halfback Caleb Hewitt, combined to give Tiffin Columbian’s defense problems all night long.

Chardon (2-0), wearing new red tops with black strips on the shoulders, dominated the Tornadoes (1-1) in all three phases of the game.

“I wouldn’t have predicted that score,” Chardon Head Coach Mitch Hewitt said. “That’s a good football team across the field, which means we must be getting better. Despite our scrimmage schedule and our first two opponents, we’re healthy right now, which is really encouraging because we've got a tough stretch coming up.”

Chardon’s dominance started on the opening drive, as the Hilltoppers embarked on a drive that lasted 5:28 and Chardon methodically moved the ball down the field. The last six plays were handoffs to Colombi, which culminated in a 4-yard touchdown score.

“With the offensive line, there’s a good chance we’re gonna get yards on every play,” Colombi said. “We have three or four guys that are able to run the ball anytime. If I’m not running the ball, I’m blocking. If I’m running it, my guys are blocking for me.”

“He’s a great player, a hammer,” said Allgood when describing Colombi. “He plays so hard and blocks really hard. When we need him, he comes up with what we need.”

Down 7-0, Tornadoes Head Coach Judd Lutz opted to go for it on fourth-and-short from inside Tiffin Columbian's own 35-yard line

Chardon’s defense was up to the task and stopped its opponent, giving the Toppers the ball back on the Tornado 34-yard line

The decision by Lutz — to go for it instead of punt — backfired on Columbian and changed the course of the game.

“We saw that on film; they were going for everything on fourth downs, and he converted last week,” said Hewitt of Lutz’s call. “I’m really proud of our defense, because I thought our defensive line was sort of our weak link three weeks ago, and I think they got mad at me for saying that and they’ve really come to play.

“We’ve got the two best defensive line coaches in Ohio, so it’s only a matter of time and they’re going to buy into it.”

Colombi capped off the short drive with a 6-yard score to put Chardon up 14-0 with 2:19 left in the first quarter.

Just over a minute later, the Tornadoes turned the ball over on downs on the Chardon 33 yard line

When the first quarter ended, the Toppers enjoyed a 95-39 advantage in offensive yards and held the ball for nearly nine minutes.

With many of their players going both ways, Tiffin Columbian began to get worn down in the August heat.

About 2:30 into the second quarter, Colombia picked up the hat trick with his third touchdown.

The next Tornadoes drive ended in a blocked punt by senior Beckett Dotson, who

scooped up the loose ball and took it 34 yards to the house for a touchdown with 8:10 to play in the second quarter.

Dotson’s touchdown marked the first touchdown scored by a Chardon player not named Vinny Colombi this season.

Up 28-0, the Toppers were not done.

An interception by junior linebacker Jayden Buth about a minute later set up Chardon’s final score of the night.

Allgood ripped off a 75-yard run to the right side, turning on the jets and beating several Tornadoes in a footrace to the endzone. The score pushed the Chardon lead to 35-0, and the rest of the game was played under a running clock.

Late in the third quarter, Allgood connected with Hewitt on a 24-yard touchdown pass to end the scoring at 42-0.

Colombi finished the night with 53 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Allgood ran for 116 yards and one score. He was three of five through the air for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Hewitt chipped in 25 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards and a touchdown,

Overall, the Toppers gained 309 yards of total offense, including 248 yards on the ground.

While the offense lit up the scoreboard, the defense made life miserable for the Tornadoes.

Tiffin Columbian was held to 158 total yards of offense — 114 passing and 44 rushing.

Entering the season, the biggest question mark surrounding the Toppers was on defense, but for the second straight game, Chardon's defense has played well.

“Our linebackers are lights-out, there’s no doubt about that,” Hewitt said. “We moved Buth to linebacker where he belongs. Our secondary is growing up. They’re real inexperienced, and seeing them develop is

encouraging. They’re going have bigger tests on the road, and we’re not good enough yet to handle what we need to handle.”

Unlike last year’s game, when Chardon was penalized for more than 100 yards, the Toppers also played a relatively clean game.

“Our senior class decided that three words represent us: unstoppable, discipline and violence,” Colombi said. “We want to be disciplined because we had a lot of crucial penalties last year that cost us the game. So this year, we need to be disciplined and just do our job on each and every play.”

For Chardon, this was one of four home games on the schedule, and Hewitt told his team at halftime how special it is to play football at Chardon.

“Sometimes you get these moments and you take them for granted what a special Friday is in Chardon,” Hewitt said. “Look around and enjoy it, because I take it for granted, too. It’s good sometimes that we all reflect that.”

Colombi called the home crowd and environment at Chardon Memorial “awesome,” which creates a special feeling for the players.

And of course further enhancing that environment were those new LED lights, which treated the crowd to a light show during halftime and postgame.

The Toppers now turn their attention to Avon Lake, which Chardon beat 28-10 last year.

“The same thing that happened tonight, Avon Lake is going to try to do that to us,” Hewitt said. “We went to Tiffin, they beat us. They came here and we had the upper hand. I think Avon Lake thinks the home field advantage will be to their favor.”

“I think we just have to lock down in practice this week,” Allgood said. “We play a really good team in Avon Lake next week.”

Hawks Fly Away Late From Badgers to Win 34-7

By AlAn kornsPAn sPorts@kArlovecmediA com

Talking about the upcoming football season, Hawken Head Coach Mark Iammarino stressed how important special teams were.

In fact, he said he wanted execution on special teams to lead to good plays, either offensive or defensive.

On Aug. 29, in the Chagrin Valley Conference Game of the Week, the Hawks special teams followed the plan on a key third-quarter play, leading to a 34-7 victory over the Berkshire Badgers.

The game was tight, and the Badgers were forced to punt from their own end zone.

As soon as Berkshire snapped the ball, senior Julian Javoris was in the backfield in a flash to block the Badgers punt.

Hawks sophomore Mitch Greenberg alertly pounced on the football for a touchdown and a 20-7 lead.

Afterward, Javoris talked about this important special teams play.

“During halftime, we schemed up on the punt that we should all send everyone,” Javoris said. “They were kind of pushing back and not attacking forward. I saw my opportunity to fill the hole and block the punt, and luckily Mitch was there to recover it.”

Javoris gave credit to Hawks Special Teams Coordinator Dan Walton for putting him in a position to block the punt.

“I think Coach Walton does a good job

scheming up special teams and putting us in an area to succeed,” Javoris said, “and the way he schemed it up, I mean, I got through the hole free, no one even touched me.”

With the momentum in their favor, the Hawks went on to score two additional fourth-quarter touchdowns, making the final score 34-7.

Hawken got on the scoreboard first, early in the second quarter, when junior NCAA DI quarterback recruit Donovan Moorhead con nected with Kene Obi for a three-yard touch down pass.

Obi attributed his touchdown catch to an excellent play designed by the coaching staff.

“That first touchdown was all just a great play design,” Obi said.

With little time left in the first half, and looking like the Hawks would go into halftime leading 7-0, standout senior running back Jor dan Johnson had other ideas.

On the last play of the half, Johnson took a handoff 73 yards for a touchdown. After Javoris converted the extra point, the Hawks led 14-0 at halftime.

Johnson added his second touchdown of the contest late in the fourth quarter on a 53yard touchdown run.

In a post-game interview, Jordan described the touchdown run.

“My line opened up a hole, so when I get to the second or third level, it's all up to me,” Johnson said. “(After getting through the initial hole), I had to make one more cut. After that, I felt everybody shifting to the left side, so with that one cut, I got the advantage on

For the game, Johnson had 250 yards on only 16 carries (15.6 yard per carry average) and two touchdowns.

In only two games this season, Johnson already has accumulated 388 yards and four touchdowns.

Obi's pick-six after Johnson's second touchdown completed the scoring for the game.

In addition to their strong performance

Against the Badgers, the Hawks had 68 tackles, seven tackles for losses, two sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Leading the Hawks in tackles for the contest were Miles Hamilton (12), Ryan Whiting (11), Charlie Mallett (7), Obi (7), Jackson Hedin (6), Mitch Greenberg (5) and Rohan Gildea (4).

The Hawks next face Gilmour on Sept. 6, when the Badgers also travel to Conneaut.

Bulletin Board

Effective Aug. 1, 2023, for-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. E-mail submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

Dorothy’s Porch

Sept. 5 and 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dorothy’s Porch, a free community giveaway of clothing for the family, bedding, household items, toys and books, will be held at Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Road in Chardon.

This And That Garage Sale

Sept. 5-7

St. Mark Lutheran Church Women’s League will host its annual This and That garage sale at the church located at 11900 Chillicothe in Chester Township. The sale runs Thursday from 6-9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds support its monthly community lunch and mission grants.

FGP Explorers Series

Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to noon

Join Foundation for Geauga Parks for a nature interpretation at the Rookery, 10110 Cedar Road in Chester Township.

For information or to register, visit foundationforgeaugaparks.org or call 440564-1048.

Chinese Auction

Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

St. Patrick Church is hosting its annual Chinese auction at the church located at 16550 Rock Creek Road, Thompson Township. Call 440-298-1327 for information.

Geauga Skywatchers

Sept. 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join Geauga Skywatchers Club for an astronomy presentation at the Bainbridge Library. To register, visit online at www. geaugalibrary.net.

VFW Wednesday Dinners

Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.

Chardon VFW Post 6519 will serve jumbo chicken wings every Wednesday in September at the post located at 752 Water St. Open to the public. Call 440-285-3699 for carryout orders.

Twilight Soiree

Sept. 12, 5:30-9 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for Foundation for Geauga Parks’ Twilight Soiree at Fowler’s Mill in Chester Township. The event features gourmet cuisine, live music, live and silent auctions, and nature-related programming and night sky viewing.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 440-564-1048 or visit www. foundationforgeaugaparks.org.

Harvest Handmade Market

Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chardon Square Association is hosting Harvest Handmade Market on Chardon Square. The free event features unique handmade goods and food, including the Kiwanis Corn Roast. For information, visit chardonsquareassociation.org.

CWC Lunch and Fashion

Sept. 17, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join Christian Women’s Connection of Lake County for a ladies luncheon and fall fashion show at Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Road, Wickliffe. The program features fashion by Carriage Trade Boutique on Chardon Square, presented by owner Mariann Goodwin.Stonecroft speaker is Shirley Davidson

To RSVP by Sept. 12, email cwcstonecroft@yahoo.com or call 440-488-4351.

Auburn FD Clambake

Sept. 21, 6-8 p.m.

The Auburn Fire Department is hosting its annual clambake at the fire station located at 10950 Washington St. in Auburn Township.

Presale tickets only are available by calling or texting 440-343-0054, emailing Auburnclambake@gmail.com or contacting any Auburn Fire person.

Junk in the Trunkfest

Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sell items from one’s trunk or set up a table at Junk in the Trunkfest held in conjunction with Auburn Township’s annual community picnic at Auburn Community Park, 17484 Munn Road, Auburn Township. Vendors must preregister by Sept. 25 at www.auburntownship.com.

For information, call Nancy at 440-5437028.

Christmas Boutique Vendors

St. Anselm Women’s Guild is now accepting vendors for its Christmas Boutique taking place at 9 a.m. Nov. 9. If interested, contact Shirley Chambers at 216-832-5158 or shirlthewhirl76@yahoo.com.

E-Bike Fundraiser

Sept. 15

An e-bike rally along the Maple Highlands Bike Trail is being held to support the 501c3 nonprofit Kyle Strong, which raises funds for mental health counseling, support and suicide prevention. Registration is from noon to 1 p.m. at 102 Cherry Ave., Chardon.

Geauga Public Library

Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Include an email and phone number when registering for programs to receive updates about all programs. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.

Storytimes

Join for a storytime that is sure to engage, connect and inspire children with their imagination. A complete list of upcoming storytime programs is available to view on the website’s programs calendar.

Discussion Groups

No registration is required.

• Bainbridge, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., “One, Two, Three” by Laurie Frankel

• Middlefield, Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., “Mary & the Birth of Frankenstein” by Anne Eekhout

• Chardon, Sept. 14, 3 p.m., “Gladiator” (2000)

• Thompson, Sept. 17, 2 p.m., “Sweetgirl” by Travis Mulhauser

• Bainbridge, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett

• Chardon, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., “The Exceptions” by Kate Zernike

Teens & Tweens Craft Night

Sept. 5, 6-8 p.m. • Thompson Teens in grades 6-12 will use a styrofoam egg, push pins and paint to create a colorful and luminescent dragon egg.

Star Trek Day

Sept. 8, 2-3 p.m. • Geauga West Hop on the Starship Enterprise to celebrate Star Trek with crafts and an episode from the original series.

Monarch Migration

Sept. 9, 4-4:45 p.m. • Middlefield Youth in grades K-5 will learn about the

Alzheimer’s

Monarch butterfly and their unique migration patterns.

Art to Go: Made in America

Sept. 10, 1 - 2 p.m. • Geauga West

Imagine American life during the 1700s and 1800s and explore the resourcefulness of settlers as they embellished their world with functional art.

Roald Dahl Day

Sept. 11, 4-4:45 p.m. • Middlefield

Youth in grades K-5 will celebrate Roald Dahl, the author of “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory,” with games, activities, chocolate and more.

Transformers LEGO

Sept. 12, 4-5 p.m. • Chardon

Youth in grades 3-5 will use science smarts and mechanical mastery to create a LEGO Transformer.

Photo Editing in Photoshop

Sept. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. • Geauga West

Boost one’s resume by learning the basic photo editing techniques used in Adobe Photoshop, such as removing unwanted objects, blemishes and more.

New Passport Fair

Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Middlefield

Need a passport? Stop by and start the process at this one-stop passport shop program. Visit the GCPL website for more information.

Fascinating Fungus & Mushrooms

Sept. 16, 7-8 p.m. • Chardon

Join the Geauga Park District to learn all about fungi and mushrooms and their important role in our environment, medicine and more.

Senior News

& Dementia Learning Series

Register for a three-part series of classes on Alzheimer’s and dementia that will be held at Ohman Family Living at Holly, 10190 Fairmount Road in Newbury Township. All classes run Mondays in September from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Call Dawn to register at 440-632-3653.

On Sept. 16, “Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia” will provide basic information that everyone needs to know about memory loss issues and what they mean for everyone.

During “The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” on Sept. 23, attendees will learn how to recognize common signs of the disease, how to approach someone about memory concerns, the importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis and more.

On Sept. 30, “Effective Communication Strategies” will examine how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer's. Learn how to decode their verbal and behavioral messages and identify strategies to help connect and communicate at each stage of the disease.

Obituaries

Richard Donald Swenders

Richard Donald Swenders, age 73, of Hambden Township, peacefully passed away on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center surrounded by his best friends and family, Heidi French, Kathy Disien and Ginny Travers.

He was born Feb. 10, 1951, in Detroit, Mich., a son of Edward and Marion (nee Hen dricks) Swenders. Formerly of Detroit, Richard had lived in Chardon since 1973. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.

Richard graduated from nursing school and was employed by Heather Hill and University Hospitals Geauga Campus as a floor nurse and eventually worked on The Behavioral Health Unit until retirement.

After retirement, Richard went back to work at Generations Behavior Health in Geneva, Ohio, working in medical records.

Richard was an avid dog lover, enjoyed decorating his home for all holidays and was an avid and accomplished baker in his spare time.

Most of all, Richard enjoyed life with his friends and family.

Richard is survived by his sister, Gloria Goines; nieces Janet Seets, Ashley Seets Johns, Vickie Campbell; and nephew, Lincoln Johns. He also leaves behind his faithful pets, Baby Boy, Honey and Baby Jane.

He is preceded in death by his longtime companion, Eddie R Davis; parents, Edward and Marion Swenders; brother, Robert Swenders; and niece Linda {sis} Campbell.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, from 5-7 p.m., with a short memorial service immediately following, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St, Chardon.

A private family burial will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Andover, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Richard’s name to the Geauga County Dog Warden, 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Richard P. Rzepka

Richard P. Rzep ka, age 72, passed away peacefully on Aug. 31, 2024.

He was born Nov. 20, 1951, in Roches ter, N.Y., to Leon and Betty (nee Gachows ka) Rzepka.

Richard spent his professional career in medical imaging for over 40 years, retiring as VP of UMG/Del Medical.

Richard was a passionate supporter of arts and culture, locally, nationally and internationally, from Opera at La Dolce Vita to 30 years of theater at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada.

He was an avid reader and loved spending time by the river and at the beach. He enjoyed pepperoni pizza, Coca Cola, Bob Dylan, Grappa, The Great Geauga County Fair and, especially, his granddaughters’ events.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Lorraine (nee Gensler) Rzepka; daughter, Ann (Ryan) Budziak, of Chardon; beloved granddaughters, Eliza and Rozalyn; sisters Suzanne (Rick) Brickell, of Cary, N.C., Patricia Rzepka, of Penfield, N.Y.; brothers, John (Lisa) Rzepka, of Fairfax, Va., Tom (Annette) Rzepka, of Rochester, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, from 6-8 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon.

Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Expressions of Sympathy may be made to the Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094; or St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1404 E. 9th St., 3rd Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Information and Condolences may be shared online at www.burrservice. com.

Health & Wellness

Women’s Connection

Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 6-7:30 p.m.

Geauga County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is hosting Women’s Connection: Peer Recovery Support group every Thursday in September at 8389 Mayfield Road, Suite A-2, Chester Township. For more information, visit namigeauga.org or call 440-286-6264.

Bloodmobile

American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Donors of all types, especially type O blood, are critically needed to help patients receive lifesaving medical care. Donation appointments may be made by downloading the free Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling

1-800-733-2767.

Sept. 8, Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 12, Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St., Middlefield, 12-6 p.m.

Sept. 16, Geauga West Library, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township, 12-6 p.m.

Sept. 19, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 11900 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township, 12-5 p.m.

Sept. 19, Geauga Library Admin. Building, 12701 Ravenwood Dr., Chardon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sept. 20, Munson Town Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, Munson Township, 12-6 p.m.

Sept. 26, Chardon United Methodist Church, 515 North St., Chardon, 12-6 p.m.

Sept. 29, St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chardon Schools

Bus Safety Training

Students at Park and Munson elemen tary schools spent time with the district’s transportation department in recent days to go over school bus safety training.

AP Scholar Awards

Congratulations to the 65 Hilltopper students and recent graduates who have earned honors through the College Board’s 2024 Advanced Placement Scholar Awards.

Each year, nationwide, AP Scholar Award recipients are announced in late summer for exceptional achievement on AP exams taken the previous spring.

AP Scholar Awards affirm college-level achievement through the following desig nations — AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Scholar with Honor, and AP Scholar.

For a listing of award recipients and criteria, visit the news page at chardonschools.org.

Back to School Bash

Chardon Middle School students enjoyed fun in the sun at the building’s Back to School Bash on Aug. 23.

Students who attended the bash enjoyed various activities, including inflatable

games,

and a

Thank you to the Chardon Middle School Parent Teacher Organization whose time and efforts were critical in making the event a success.

snacks

dunk tank manned by a rotating cast of middle school staff members.

SUBMITTED

Chardon Middle School students enjoy the Back to School Bash on Aug. 23.

SUBMITTED

Students enjoy snacks, including snow cones and popcorn, at the Back to School Bash.

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Request for Proposals for Lease Space for the Bainbridge Senior Center

The Geauga County Board of Commissioners is seeking proposals for a 5-year lease for a space that can be utilized as the Bainbridge Senior Center. The purpose of the Bainbridge Senior Center is to serve as a space for Geauga County seniors to engage in recreation, education, and congregate meals in addition to serving as a home delivered meals and Senior Center staff location. Space must be available for use Monday through Friday from 7:00 am-5:00 pm. Preferred amenities are listed as followed:

• Located in Bainbridge Twp.

• 6,000 square feet minimum

• 1 or more large space(s)/room(s) exceeding 1,200 sq. ft

• Minimum of 2 handicap accessible restrooms for men and 2 for women or 4 unisex restrooms

• Minimum of 50 parking spaces for daily use by lessee

• Ability to accommodate commercial kitchen equipment for daily use to prepare meals (1 Convection Oven-3 phase electric 220 volt, 1 Refrigerator-120 volt, 1 Freezer-120 volt, prep sink and/or hand washing sink, 1 steam table-120 volt)

• Ample dedicated storage space with the ability to be locked.

• 1-2 dedicated offices (min 120 sq. ft each) with the ability to be locked

• Snow removal/ walkways salted by lessor

• Trash removal/dumpster provided by lessor

• Allows tenant to install internet and telephone Lease specifications and required lease proposal forms can be obtained from the Geauga County Department on Aging, 12611 Ravenwood Dr., Ste 200, Chardon, Ohio between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Sealed envelopes containing the proposal and other required documents should be sealed and clearly marked “Proposal-Bainbridge Senior Center Lease.”

Proposals must address the above criteria and criteria set forth in the lease specifications and are due by 1:45 pm October 9, 2024 at the Offices of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, 12611 Ravenwood Dr., Ste 350, Chardon, Ohio 44024, and will

be opened and read at 2:15 pm thereafter in Room 330.

The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this request as determined to be in the best interest of the County and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

After initial review of the submittals, the County may invite applicants for an interview and/or schedule a tour of the proposed lease facilities. It is expressly understood that the County shall incur no costs as a result of this interview and/or tour, nor bear any obligation in further consideration of the submittal.

The County will conduct negotiations with the prospective lessors to obtain a lease at the best and lowest price reasonably possible considering the fair market value of the property and any relocation and operational costs that may be incurred during the period the lease is in effect. The terms and conditions of this Notice will be incorporated into the lease.

Questions concerning this Request for Proposals should be submitted in writing to Jessica Boalt, the Director of the Geauga County Department of Aging, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Ste 200, Chardon, Ohio 44024 or via email at JBoalt@CO.GEAUGA.OH.US and a written response to the questions shall be prepared and provided to all prospective lessors who have obtained the lease specifications and lease proposal forms.

A copy of this legal notice will be published in the Maple Leaf, Spirit of Bainbridge and posted on the County’s internet site on the world wide web. Go to: https://bocc.geauga.oh.gov/ public-notifications/request-for-proposals/ BY ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Christine Blair, Clerk Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals for Lease Space for the Middlefield Senior Center

The Geauga County Department on Aging is seeking requests for proposals for a 5-year lease for a space that can be utilized as the Middlefield Senior Center. The purpose of the Middlefield Senior Center is to serve as a space for Geauga County seniors to engage in

recreation, education, and congregate meals in addition to serving as a home delivered meals and Department on Aging satellite site. Space must be available for use Monday through Friday from 7:00 am-5:00 pm. Preferred amenities are listed as followed:

• Located in Middlefield Twp./Village of Middlefield

• 2,400 square feet minimum

• 1 or more large space(s)/room(s) exceeding 1000 sq. ft

• Minimum of 2 handicap accessible restrooms for each men and women or 4 unisex restrooms

• Minimum of 20 parking spaces for daily use by lessee

• Ability to accommodate commercial kitchen equipment for daily use to prepare meals (1 Convection Oven-3 phase electric 220 volt, 1 Refrigerator-120 volt, 1 Freezer-120 volt, prep sink and/or hand washing sink)

• Ample dedicated storage space with the ability to be locked.

• 1-2 dedicated offices (min 120 sq. ft each) with the ability to be locked

• Snow removal/ walkways salted by lessor

• Trash removal/dumpster provided by lessor

• Allows tenant to install internet and telephone

Lease specifications and required lease proposal forms can be obtained from the Geauga County Department on Aging, 12611 Ravenwood Dr., Ste 200, Chardon, Ohio between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Sealed envelopes containing the proposal and other required documents should be sealed and clearly marked “Proposal-Middlefield Senior Center Lease.”

Proposals must address the above criteria and criteria set forth in the lease specifications and are due by 1:45 p.m. October 9, 2024 at the Offices of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, 12611 Ravenwood Dr., Ste 350, Chardon, Ohio 44024, and will be opened and read at 2:10 pm thereafter in Room 330.

The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this request as determined to be in the best interest of the County and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

After initial review of the submittals, the County may invite applicants for an interview and/or schedule a tour of the proposed lease facilities. It is expressly understood that the County shall incur no costs as a result of this interview and/or tour, nor bear any obligation in further consideration of the submittal.

The County will conduct negotiations with the prospective lessors to obtain a lease at the best and lowest price reasonably possible considering the fair market value of the property and any relocation and operational costs that may be incurred during the period the lease is in effect. The terms and conditions of this Notice will be incorporated into the lease.

Questions concerning this Request for Proposals should be submitted in writing to Jessica Boalt, the Director of the Geauga County Department of Aging, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Ste 200, Chardon, Ohio 44024 or via email at JBoalt@CO.GEAUGA.OH.US and a written response to the questions shall be prepared and provided to all prospective lessors who have obtained the lease specifications and lease proposal forms.

A copy of this legal notice will be published in the Maple Leaf and posted on the County’s internet site on the world wide web. Go to: https://bocc.geauga.oh.gov/public-notifications/request-for-proposals/ BY ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Christine Blair, Clerk Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

SALE OF REAL ESTATE

In the State of Ohio, County of Geauga, Case No. 24-F-000098 - United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC (Plaintiff) vs. Tonya Romig, et al, (Defendants)

In pursuance of an Order of Sale directed to me in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public online auction the following described real estate: Property Address: 18812 Ravenna Rd., Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 Legal Description:A full legal description of the property may be obtained at: www.buddybartonauctions.com.

Parcel Number: 01-063570

Said Premises Appraised: $125,000.00

Minimum Bid: $83,333.33

Location of Sale: Online Bidding at www.buddybartonauctions.com.

Bidding Open Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Bidding Closes Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM

2nd Provisional Open Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM

2nd Provisional Close Date: Wednesday. October 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the amount of $5,000.00 is due by wire transfer within 48 hours upon conclusion of the auction. Funding must take place within 30 days of confirmation of sale. A 5% Buyer’s Premium shall apply. The auction is subject to postponement and cancellation. Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient. Ross Barton III, Private Selling Officer, info@buddybartonauctions.com, 330-4641375 Sep5-12-19, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Russell Township

Russell Township Board of Zoning Appeals will be holding a public hearing on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Russell Township Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, Ohio to consider the following appeals.

Application #564: (Continued from June) Submitted by Vocon Partners, LLC. On behalf of Laurel Schools Butler Campus, located at 7420 Fairmount Road, Parcel #26-707034. This meeting is a continuance from the June 10, 2024, Hearing. The Applicant is seeking a Conditional Use Approval for the construction of an Environmental Science Building, approximately 11,950 square feet, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Application # 565: Submitted by Scott Lang for property at 7142 Kinsman Road. The applicant is seeking to construct a 12’x28’ shed that requires both a side and front yard variance to the setback regulations.

Application #566: Submitted by RAM Construction, on behalf of Mr. James Gaines, for property at 8535 Century Lane. The applicant is seeking a variance to construct a detached garage that will be an increase in size to a previously granted variance.

The Board of Zoning Appeals welcomes factbased testimony to assist in making an informed decision.

Shane Wrench, Zoning Department Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT FOR SHADE TREE

City of Chardon

Residents of the City of Chardon and property owners shall take notice that the estimated assessment for the control of blight and disease of shade trees within public rights-of-way and for planting, maintaining, trimming and removing shade trees in and along the streets of the City of Chardon based upon an estimate and request for funds by the City of Chardon Shade Tree Commission has been submitted to Council, which has passed a resolution of necessity assessing all lots and lands within the City (not exempt from real estate taxes) in the amount of $55,000 for one year from the date of the resolution. The remainder, if any, shall be paid out of the general fund.

The rate charges and the amount of the assessment based upon millage per assessed value is on file with the Office of the Geauga County Auditor at 231 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio and may be inspected from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This notice is served pursuant to Section 727.14. No other notice shall be given.

Mark Iacofano, Finance Director Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT FOR STREET LIGHTING

City of Chardon

Residents of the City of Chardon and property owners shall take notice that the estimated assessment for street lighting based upon charges by the electric power supplier has been submitted and Council has passed a resolution of necessity assessing all lots and lands within the City (not exempt from real estate taxes), in the amount of $130,000 for one year from the date of the resolution. The remainder shall be paid out of the general fund.

The rate charges and the amount of the assessment based upon millage per assessed value is on file with the Office of the Geauga County Auditor at 231 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio and may be inspected from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This notice is served pursuant to Section 727.14. No other notice shall be given.

Mark Iacofano, Finance Director Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT FOR SIDEWALKS

City of Chardon

Residents of the City of Chardon and property owners shall take notice that the estimated assessment for the repair and maintenance of existing sidewalks, and the construction of sidewalks in developed areas that lack sidewalks has been submitted and Council has passed a resolution of necessity assessing all lots and land within the City (not exempt from real estate taxes), in the amount of $100,000 for one year from the date of the resolution. The remainder, if any, shall be paid out of the general fund.

The rate charges and the amount of the assessment based upon millage per assessed value is on file with the Office of the Geauga County Auditor at 231 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio and may be inspected from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This notice is served pursuant to Article XVIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution, Res. No. 13-24, and R.C. 727.14. No other notice shall be given.

Mark Iacofano, Finance Director Aug29 Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

Case No. 2024 CVG 0411 - Jacques MHP, LLC vs. Loretta Jones, et al.

NOTICE OF A PETITION FOR WRIT OF EXECUTION

Notice is hereby given that the Plaintiff, Jacques MHP, LLC, a manufactured home park owned and operated by Gemstone Communities, intends to petition the Chardon Municipal Court to issue a Writ of Execution to obtain title to that certain manufactured home titled in Defendant’s name. The manufactured home is located at 12860 Mayfield Road, Lot 102, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

By Natalie M. Browning, Attorney for Plaintiff, MansourGavin, LPA, 1001 Lakeshore Avenue, Suite 1400, Cleveland, OH 44114. 216-523-1500. Sep5-12, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 24-F-000513 - Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc., Plaintiff, vs. John Doe(s)

Name Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of John S. Stanton and their unknown spouses and creditors; and the unknown spouse of John S. Stanton, et al.

John Doe(s) Name Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of John S. Stanton and their unknown spouses and creditors; and the unknown spouse of John S. Stanton, whose last known address is 15229 Munn Road, Newbury, OH 44065, will take notice that on August 7, 2024, Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. filed its Complaint in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas at 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, assigned Case No. 24-F-000513 and styled Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. vs. John Doe(s) Name Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of John S. Stanton

AUBURN TOWNSHIP

Kenneth J. and Sandra L. Hocevar, 10574 Longview Trail, to Michael and Jacquelyn Gormley, $370,000. (1.78 acres)

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Bruce H. and Brenda L. Cochran, 8740 Washington St., to Wade Park Properties Ltd., $166,300. (9.65 acres)

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge (s/l 420), to Gary and Karen L. Olson, $285,000. (0.82 acres)

Darlene M. Jonozzo (successor trustee), 8514 Tanglewood Trail (Unit 1 Bldg. 5), to Victor and Gaetanina Melaragno, $275,000. (0.00 acres)

Nationstar Mortgage LLC, 16800 Akron St. and Akron Street (s/l 346, 349-350), to Martin and Charissa Sallach, $125,000. (0.30 acres)

BURTON VILLAGE

Cynthia Boehnlein (successor trustee) and Barbara H. Goff (trustee), 14578 Dean Court, to Cynthia Boehnlein (trustee) and Cynthia Boehnlein (trustee), $0.00 (0.27 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Reed Real Estate IV LLC, 115 Pine Hollow Circle, to Thomas McPeak Jr. and Kennedy Marie McPeak,

and their unknown spouses and creditors; and the unknown spouse of John S. Stanton, et al. The object of, and demand for relief in, the Complaint is to foreclose the lien of Plaintiff’s mortgage recorded upon the real estate described below and in which Plaintiff alleges that the foregoing defendant has or claims to have an interest:

Parcel number(s): 23-301800, 23-301900, 23385303

Property address: 15229 Munn Road, Newbury, OH 44065

The defendant named above is required to answer the Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication of this legal notice. This legal notice will be published once a week for three successive weeks.

By Ann Marie Johnson, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, P. O. Box 165028, Columbus, OH 43216-5028. 614-220-5611. AMJohnson@mdklegal.com Sep5-12-19, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 23-F-000745 - Government Loan Securitization Trust 2011-FV1, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Delaware trustee and U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Co-Trustee, Plaintiff, vs. Edward T. Conklin, et al., Defendants

The Defendant, Unknown Spouse, if any, of Edward T. Conklin, whose current address is unknown, will take notice that on December 21, 2023, the Plaintiff, Government Loan Securitization Trust 2011-FV1, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Delaware trustee and U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Co-Trustee, filed its Complaint in Case No. 23-F-000745, in the Court of Common Pleas of Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024 seeking a foreclosure of its mortgage interest in the real property located at 14777 Ashwood Drive, Newbury, OH 44065, Permanent Parcel No. 23-021050, (“Real Estate”), and alleged that the Defendant has or may have an interest in this Real Estate.

The Defendant, Unknown Spouse, if any, of Edward T. Conklin is required to answer the Plaintiff’s Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last date of publication of this notice. In the event that the Defendant, Unknown Spouse, if any, of Edward T. Conklin failed to respond in the allotted time, judgment by default can be entered against them for the relief requested in the Plaintiff’s Complaint.

By Carrie L. Davis (0083281); Michael R. Brinkman (0040079); Yanfang Marilyn Ramirez (0074242); Aaron M. Cole (0091673), Attorney for Plaintiff, Reisenfeld & Associates, LLC, 3962 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227. voice: 1-513322-7000; facsimile: 513-322-7099. Aug29 Sep5-12, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE

Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals

Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on September 18, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Munson Town Hall,

12210 Auburn Rd., Munson, OH to consider the following appeal for a variance.

CASE 24-20: Bradley New 11681 Chestnutdale Rd., Chardon OH – requests to construct a home addition including a front porch 14’ from the left/west side property line and 22’ from the road right-of-way. Violates SEC. 411 Minimum Dimensional Requirements – minimum side yard is 25’ and minimum setback from the road right-of-way is 80’. Paula Friebertshauser, Secretary Sep5, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 24-F-000356 - PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AKA PNC BANK -VS- ANTHONY PACIOREK, ET AL. DEFENDANTS

Anthony Paciorek, and Christine G. Uronis nka Christine G. Paciorek, whose last known address is 8576 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH 44072, and who cannot be served, will take notice that on 05/24/2024, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Money, Foreclosure and other Equitable Relief in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, Case No. 24-F-000356 against Anthony Paciorek, and Christine G. Uronis nka Christine G. Paciorek and others as Defendants, alleging that, Anthony Paciorek, and Christine G. Uronis nka Christine G. Paciorek are in default for all payments from September 1, 2023; that on April 21, 2009, Anthony Paciorek, and Christine G. Uronis nka Christine G. Paciorek executed and delivered a certain Mortgage Deed in which said Defendants agreed, among other things, to pay the Note and to comply with all of the terms of the Mortgage Deed hereinafter described, which Mortgage Deed was filed in the Recorder’s Office of Geauga County, Ohio on April 27, 2009, recorded in Instrument No. 200900793631 that, further, the balance due on the Note is $252,989.83 with interest at the rate of 5.1250% per annum from September 1, 2023; that to secure the payment of the Note, executed and delivered a certain Mortgage Deed to and thereby conveying, in fee simple, the following described premises: Situated in the State of Ohio, in the County of Geauga, and in the City of Novelty: Commonly known as 8576 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH 44072 and further alleging that the aforesaid Mortgage is a valid and subsisting first and best lien upon said premises after the lien of the Treasurer; that the Note is in default, whereby the conditions set forth in the Note and Mortgage have been broken, that the Mortgage has become absolute and that Plaintiff is entitled, therefore, to have the Mortgage foreclosed, the premises sold, and the proceeds applied in payment of Plaintiff’s claims; that the Defendants Anthony Paciorek, and Christine G. Uronis nka Christine G. Paciorek, among others, may have or claim to have some interest in or lien upon said premises; that all of the Defendants are required to set forth any claim, lien or interest in or upon the premises that he, she, or it may have or claim to have or be forever barred therefrom; that Plaintiff’s Mortgage be declared to be a valid and subsisting first and best lien upon said premises after the lien of the Treasurer, if any, that its Mortgage be foreclosed; that all liens be marshaled; that the

Real Estate Transfers

$278,000. (0.20 acres)

FLG Chardon LLC, 241 High Fox Drive, to NVR Inc., $90,000. (0.17 acres)

FLG Chardon LLC, 182 High Fox Drive, to NVR Inc., $90,000. (0.25 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Brian P. Snowden, 13141 Forest Road, to Christina Michelle Taddeo and William Steven Bilski, $405,000. (7.84 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Nicholas L. and Denica Talty, 14215 Rock Creek Road, to Dean Giovanni and Dealitte Ringholz, $190,000. (1.11 acres)

Eleanor Strobach Werman (TOD), 14910 Rock Creek Road, to Kelly Suzanne and John P. Abbott, $349,900. (1.50 acres)

Eleanor L. Werman, Rock Creek Road, to Kelly Suzanne and John P. Abbott, $349,900. (0.79 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP

Irene M. DeMoss (TOD), Kinsman Road, to Daniel and Julie Johnson, $100,000. (12.14 acres)

Irene M. DeMoss (TOD), 16841 Kinsman Road, to Jeffrey T. Mader, $310,000. (4.09 acres)

Dale Willis, 14996 Bundysburg Road, to Windsor

equity of redemption of all Defendants be forever cut off, barred, and foreclosed; that upon the sale of said premises the proceeds be paid to Plaintiff to satisfy the amount of its existing lien and the interest, together with its disbursements, advancements, and costs herein expended; and for such other and further relief to which is may be entitled in equity or at law. Defendants are further notified that they are required to answer the Complaint on or before October 17, 2024, which includes twenty-eight (28) days from the last publishing, or judgment may be rendered as prayed for therein. Submitted by Suzanne M. Godenswager (0086422), Sandhu Law Group, LLC, 1213 Prospect Ave. Suite 300, Cleveland OH, 216373-1001, Attorney for Plaintiff. Sep5-12-19, 2024

GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NOTICE FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 350, Chardon, Ohio 44024, or by mail at the same address until 1:45p.m., local time on October 9, 2024 for Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living for Geauga County Residents Age 60 and Over, and will be opened at Two O’clock PM and read immediately thereafter in Room B 303.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bond or certified check, cashier’s check, or money order on a solvent bank or savings and loan association, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the amount bid and shall be held as a guarantee that in the event the bid is accepted and a contract awarded to the Bidder, the contract will be duly executed in conformity with the invitation and the bid.

Envelopes containing the bid and other required documents should be sealed and clearly marked Attention: Clerk, Geauga County Board of Commissioners, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 350, Chardon, Ohio 44024, “Bid – Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living for Geauga County Residents Age 60 and Over”, as well as the name and address of the bidder. The successful bidder is required to enter into a contract assuring the faithful performance of all things to be done and furnish a performance bond in a sum of not less than Twenty-Five percent (25%) of the total bid price for the completed work, said bond to be that of an approved surety company authorized to transact business in the State of Ohio meeting the requirements of O.R.C Section 153.57.

Specifications may be obtained at the Office of the Geauga Dept. on Aging at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 200, Chardon, Ohio 44024, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, disability or national origin.

The Geauga County Board of Commissioners reserves the right to waive any formalities, irregularities or to reject any or all bids.

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the County’s internet site. Go to: https://bocc.geauga.oh.gov/public-notifications/bid-openings/ and click on the project name to view this legal notice. BY ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Christine Blair, Clerk Aug29 Sep5, 2024

Road Land LLC, $120,000. (2.12 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

NVR Inc., 15256 Timber Ridge, to Joseph Raymond and Kayla Marie Wilkinson, $296,700. (0.21 acres)

Middlefield Parkway, 15234 Timber Ridge, to NVR Inc., $66,600. (0.21 acres)

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

Dimaily Coufal, 15996 Leggett Road, to Denica and Nicholas L. Talty, $270,000. (2.82 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Mary Grace Bohach, 14242 Ravenna Road, to Liudmyla Roesler, $255,000. (1.04 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

Benjamin Greenberg, 15765 Main Market Road, to Rodney R. and Pamela A. Zeigler (co-trustees), $407,000. (18.90 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

Scott C. McGill (trustee), 15070 Hill Drive, to Adrien Ace Jr., $480,000. (2.28 acres)

Joseph M. and Andrea Santora (co-trustees), Cypress Pond Lane (s/l 1), to Robert Hobohm and Katie

Imhof, $289,000. (5.23 acres)

Betty A. Rugg (TOD), 8450 Music St., to Danielle Farrell, $320,000. (2.04 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Janet M. Buccola, 110 Dorset Drive, to Emily O’Connor Vaisa and Jeffrey Vaisa, $690,000. (0.75 acres) Dwight T. and Mary T. Milko, 104 Paw Paw Lake Drive, to Stephen and Abigail Shell, $440,000. (1.00 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

Benjamin Greenberg, Main Market Road, to John A. and Norma O. Hershberger, $100,414. (7.02

acres)

AUTOS & PARTS

1997 Jeep Wrangler: manual shift, 4-cylinder, runs good, gauges don’t work, frame needs repair, top like new, good tires & rims, 100k mi. $1,000. 440-336-5044.

2002 Chevy Z71 4-wheel 1/2-ton Truck: Excellent motor, transmission, rear end. Body and frame rusted. Factory steel bed. Asking $1,000. 440-313-1178.

2008 Nissan Xterra: Nice, $11,400, MUST SEE, 134k, Winter Ready, Well Maintained. 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster: $4,800; 10k, Great Shape. MAKE OFFERS 330-858-3213.

FOR SALE

Never used Grace EZ3 Fabri-Fast Quilting Frame: Partially put together, did not fit as planned. $350/OBO! Cloth leaders did not come with it. Will deliver. 330 327-0379, leave message.

Toro Wheel Horse 38” Riding Mower: $400/OBO. Husqvarna self-drive and push mowers. DWS715 DeWalt compound miter saw, new, in box; $200. 440-272-5736. COMPLETE GEO TRAX SET: with tracks, structures, figures, engines, controllers, vehicles. Best Offer. Call 440729-1082.

SHED: VGC, 10x14, you move; $2,500. Also, 25 Totes, $5 each, one or all. 440-655-9999, Newbury.

Sundowner 2-horse bumper-hitch trailer: excellent condition, custom tack room; $5,000 firm. 216-618-0416. Full Electric Hospital Bed: rails, mattress and remote. Used for 3 days. ProBasics brand. $200. Call 440-3131411.

Howard Rototiller: 42” wide, for compact tractor. Cat 1 three-point hitch. $1,800. 440-487-2955.

24-foot aluminum extension ladder, $200. Vintage grinding wheel, on stand, 2-inch by 20-inch wheel, $300. Massage table, used, headrest and bolster attached $125. 440-286-6878.

Coleman Camp Stove for hunting cabin, $20. Additional camp stove, VGC, $40. Brown couch $100. 440-834-8816.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

Second Hand Treasures. A unique shopping place. Something for everyone! Weekly Sales: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 9a-5p. Many $1 bargains. 9098 Old St Road, Rt.608, Chardon.

Estate Sale: Sept 6-7, 1p-4p, 9600 Fairmount Rd, Russell. 70yrs accumulated items, including chairs, rockers, clocks, oil lamps. Cash Only.

HELP WANTED

PETS & ANIMALS

Kittens: Frankie & Johnnie, 3-4 months old kittens, need an indoor forever home; hopefully together. Neutered & vaxxed. Call Rebecca 440-321-2485. Five(5) Kittens, born June 22nd, assorted colors. 440313-1804.

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE fact: the majority of Americans know marijuana is harmful! Others choose to risk their lives.

REAL ESTATE

Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.

SERVICES

Joe Eicher doing roofing, siding, remodeling, cleanout houses, we do most anything. Call between 8a-4p, 440-813-4272. No answer, leave message.

Classifieds

Albert’s Complete Tree Service: 45+yrs experience! Competent in all aspects of Arboriculture, Forestry and Land Clearing. Also, Firewood, Excavation and Sewer Work. Free Estimates. 440-687-5404.

WANTED TO BUY

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119.

karlovec group 8389 Mayfield Road, B-5 Chesterland, OH 44026 Fax: 440-729-8240 All classified line ads run in The Geauga County Maple Leaf on Thursdays, and in the Chesterland News and Middlefield Post on the weeks each newspaper is published. The Chesterland News and Middlefield Post are published every other week on opposing weeks.

To advertise in the Classifieds, contact the advertising department at 440-729-7667 ext. 500 or email your ad directly to ads@karlovecmedia.com ☐ Here is my ad. The per week cost is $15 for the first 25

(found on mailing label)

I would like to be a MAPLE LEAF SUBSCRIBER and advertise for FREE. Enclosed is $55 for an in-county 12-month subscription (subscription rate valid through 12/31/24)

Geauga Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Aug. 23 to Aug. 29, 2024.

ANIMAL PROBLEM

Aug. 25

7:55 a.m., Cloverdale Drive, Middlefield. Caller believes she saw a black panther. Huge cat with a long tail. Complainant saw a large black animal behind her residence near the tree line. The large catlike animal took off southbound through the woods. Responding officer checked the area but was not able to locate any animal.

Aug. 26

4:12 p.m., Bell Street and Auburn Road, Newbury. Monkey sighting near corn field. Called in by West Geauga Schools transportation. School bus drove past it and bus garage called it in.

CITIZEN DISPUTE

Aug. 27

3:59 p.m., Ravenna Road, Newbury. Neighbor has issues with caller putting out Trump signs. Neighbor is screaming at the caller's husband. She also pulled up the sign and threw it on the ground. Parties are now separated. Female advised it started over a property line dispute. Dispute over property line and political signs on property. Advice was given.

NOISE PROBLEM

Aug. 24

1:34 p.m., Chestnut Drive, Newbury. Next door neighbor has speakers in the windows aimed at the caller's house. He does not know the address. The mailbox is not marked. Advised of the complaint. She is playing Christian music for her garden, and not excessively loud. Complainant advised there is no noise ordinance. Complainant he has large speakers and will “fight fire with fire.”

SUSPICIOUS

Aug. 23

9:42 a.m., GAR Highway, Montville. Male is requesting a phone called from a deputy.

He is not home at this time. He states he saw a video of his wife and another male who she has been having an affair with. In this video they were talking about how they were going to kill the caller.

Aug. 26

6:03 a.m., Madison and Adams Road, Middlefield. Amish male was hit by eggs thrown from a pickup truck, happened previously around the same time of day. Was going southbound toward Route 608. Deputy spoke with complainant who advised while traveling northbound on Madsion Road he was struck with an egg. Complainant advised he was not going to hospital for being struck by the egg. Complainant also advised he was unable to get a license plate, but stated vehicle was a truck. Documentation at this time.

Aug. 28

6:32 p.m., State Route 44 and Clark Road, Chardon. Southbound on Route 44 there is a male on a bicycle stealing Trump signs out of people's yards. Middle aged white male wearing black. Caller believes he may be tossing the signs into the woods. Area was checked, no male located. Deputy observed multiple Trump political signs with damage observed.

THEFT

Aug. 24

10:51 a.m., Huntley Road, Huntsburg. Theft of a mailbox. Left a message for complainant who advised that mailboxes in area were taken overnight. No suspects at this time.

Aug. 29

7:28 p.m., Newcomb Road, Parkman. Caller states his chainsaw is missing from the property. Last time he saw it was after tornado/storms and used it to cut up trees. Caller states this location is the same as where the ATM was found. Spoke with complainant who was adamant somebody stole his chainsaw in the last three weeks. Finally complainant agreed to walk his property with me and we located the chainsaw.