Wednesday, November 2, 2022 • Vol. 15 No. 12 • FREE
Merry Middlefield Returns Dec. 10
THIS WEEK
Staff Report
Merry Middlefield will return to Middlefield for the sixth year with area businesses collecting new, unwrapped toys and gift cards to be donated to local non-profit charities. This is a group effort of Middlefield Chamber of Commerce member businesses, sponsors, volunteers and others who donate their gifts and time. On Saturday, Dec. 10, catch the Grinch in action between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., when he appears at various participating businesses during the day to steal gifts that have been donated by the community. Kiwanis Club of East Geauga will hold a breakfast in the Cardinal High School multi-purpose room. The Grinch and his dog Max will stop by from 9-11 a.m. and will be signing books (one per family) while they last. Kiwanis is asking visitors to donate a toy to receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a great prize. A craft show from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. will round out the morning at the high school, located at 15928 E. High St., in Middlefield Village. The fun continues at 6 p.m. inside Great Lakes Outdoor Supply, 14855 N. State St., Middlefield. The Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou Who will deliver an award-winning dramatic performance where the Grinch will have a change of heart. After the performance, visit Santa for a free photo with Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou Who. Bring a camera and stay for the fireworks at 8 p.m. Middlefield Chamber asks that anyone donating consider gift cards and new unwrapped toys. A few ideas to help in selecting the toys include dolls, stuffed animals, board games, remote control cars, and sporting goods. All items collected will be given to local non-profit organizations for distribution. Look for the green standing Grinch and Grinch posters at collection locations.
Postal Customer Local / ECRWSS
POST
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
Middlef ield
Why Did the Woolly Bear Cross the Road? Page 7
Cardinal Schools Pages 8-9
Classifieds Start on Page 10 ANN WISHART/KMG
karlovec media group
Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich itemized positive changes in the village during his annual State of the Village luncheon at Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen Oct. 18.
Mayor Proud of Middlefield’s Continuing Achievements By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich itemized the successes the village has seen during his term and laid out his to-do list during the annual State of the Village address Oct. 18. “It may seem like bragging – and I am,” he said to the crowd of residents, businesspeople and officials at Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen. Garlich mentioned half a dozen deserted businesses that have been repurposed or replaced by ACE Hardware, Taco Bell, Tractor Supply, ALDI and others. “Our focus was to get those spaces filled and create an environment of cooperation and support,” he said, adding Harrington Square has been remodeled. “We see more activity in this community in a year than many see in a decade,” he said. Hartville Hardware and Lumber is building just west of the village and Garlich said he is hoping the company will want the parcel to be annexed. Yoder Furniture has moved
into the village and Heritage Mantels is next, he said. Renovations and expansions are not limited to retail operations. Ohman Family Living has expanded its Briar Hill nursing home to include several nearby houses the family has renovated for senior living, Garlich said Village council created a storefront improvement fund to provide grants to businesses looking to start a facelift. Two businesses have applied and Garlich said applicants are welcome. Infrastructure has been a priority for the village and the mayor credited voters for approving a 0.25% earned income tax in 2018. The financial boost of more than $600,000 per year has led to repaving streets and drilling a new well for the village water supply soon, Garlich said. He and his administration are working on 2023 initiatives that include attracting a hotel to build in the village. “A hotel is a high priority for us. The Amish community is crying for one,” the mayor said, adding he also wants to get University Hospitals to set up an urgent care
facility in the village. Most of the doctors in the area can’t take on new patients, Garlich said. He credited Leslie Gambosi-McCoy, village administrator, for much of the business the village has brought in. She also secured a $1.4 million grant for the new well, which is likely to cost $2.5 million, he said. Despite the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the village continues on a sound financial footing, reported village Fiscal Officer Nick Giardina, adding, however, the future looked a little murky when the virus was peaking in 2020 and 2021. “Finally, we are at a place where we can see some normalcy,” he said before Garlich began his address. “We’ve weathered this pandemic, financially, very well, thankfully.” The income tax withholding revenue from businesses is like a barometer of Middlefield’s economic health, Giardina said. The businesses are doing quite well, with many employees making good wages and employment up, See Middlefield • Page 5
Seeking Sales Rep Karlovec Media Group is hiring an account representatives to sell print and online advertising in and around Geauga County. Candidates must be able to manage time wisely, meet deadlines and have reliable transportation. All of our staff must be willing to work in a team environment to help grow our newspapers. The ability to understand and live with a deadlinedriven business is a must. The ideal candidate would have at least two years of sales experience. Submit resumes to editor@karlovecmedia.com
Middlef ield Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
POST
facebook.com/middlefieldpost