7 minute read
Faces of North Ridgeville
Greatness of a Community Meet residents who are dedicated to making a difference.
By Linda Feagler
Wayne Fox
Owner, Fox’s Fired-Up Flags & Furniture
DURING THE FALL OF 2018, while searching the web for a Christmas present for his dad, Wayne Fox discovered a site that sold wooden flags. Instead of buying one, Fox wondered if he could fashion one himself. “The last time I made anything was in my sixth-grade shop class,” he says, adding that to get his wife, Paula, on board with the idea, he promised to make one for her dad, too.
Fox made room in his cluttered garage to cut the wood. He stained and did the necessary blowtorch work in the kitchen. “The day came when I had 26 stripes — enough for two flags — drying on the kitchen and dining room tables. Paula looked at them, paused, and asked, ‘Can you make one for my mom, too?” Fox made three flags that year, adding personal touches to honor his father’s and father-in-law’s military service. After he posted photos of them on Facebook, word spread and requests for orders poured in.
The craftsman, who’s also a bus driver for North Ridgeville City Schools, decided the time had come to launch Fox’s Fired-Up Flags & Furniture. He prides himself on making each of his wooden wonders unique. Some flags are shaped like the state of Ohio. Others feature monikers of Cleveland sports teams or are emblazoned with military details. Fox also crafts home decor items that includes coffee tables, signs and farmhouse computer desks, as well as benches his customers order to memorialize beloved family members, friends and pets. ”Everyone has a story to tell,” Fox says. “There’s nothing I love more than telling them in special ways through the pieces I am making for them.”
Danbury Senior Living is the best choice when it comes to the care of your loved one. Our RESIDENT-FIRST philosophy has a proven record of success. Created by caring people and perfected over time, Danbury invites you to see what makes us different.
Call today to learn more!
440.596.3797
33770 Bagley Road N. Ridgeville, OH 44039
Villas | Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care
youtube.com/TheDanburyDifference
Stephanie Marchant
Owner, Chez Marchant
STEPHANIE MARCHANT ADMITS it was love at first sight when she walked through the iconic 1895 Victorian farmhouse that was for sale on Avon Belden Road. “They don’t build houses like this anymore,” Marchant says. “From the minute I entered the house for the first time, I wanted to breathe new life into it and let the light in.” The barn on the property was a different story. The previous owner had used it as a makeshift gym. Marchant, an artist who enjoys knitting, painting and repurposing antiques, saw endless possibilities. She and close friend Erin Clark, set to work. They transformed the barn into Chez Marchant, which houses a workshop, along with a store featuring vintage and farmhouse decor they’ve built and restored. The duo travel to estate sales up and down the East Coast, scoping out treasures they can spruce up and pair with new owners. “My customers love the fact that these pieces have become so personal to Erin and me,” Marchant says. “Every one has a history behind it, and I enjoy sharing that with them.” Marchant’s husband, Rob, also exercises his artistic talents, which have included using the headboard and footboard of a bed that has seen better days to repurpose it into a bench. Every December, the Marchants hold an Open House in their home and invite local artisans to proffer their wares as well. Proceeds from the admission price are donated to North Ridgeville Community Care. “When I started Chez Marchant, I thought, ‘I can have this little shop out there and just have some fun,’” Marchant says. “I’ve been able to meet my neighbors up and down State Route 83, and they’ve been so supportive. It just goes to show that North Ridgeville is a big city with small-town charm.”
Family-owned and operated since 1984
George Panagiotou
Soccer Coach, North Ridgeville High School
IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO LEARN how much North Ridgeville means to George Panagiotou. The veteran spent 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His voice chokes with emotion as he describes the warm welcome he received after returning home following his last deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.
“At the time, my children were young, and my son was in kindergarten,” he says. “When I came home that spring, the elementary school set up a huge Welcome Home event. I got to shake hands with everyone and meet my son in his classroom. It was really special and beautiful.” A police officer for the city of Euclid, Panagiotou also appreciates all North Ridgeville has to offer — particularly when it comes to affordable taxes, close proximity to Interstate 480, great schools and the meticulous attention the police department takes to ensure the city and its residents remain safe.
“When we were looking for a community to settle into, I knew North Ridgeville was the ideal place to put down roots and raise my kids,” he says, adding that his family also found their faith-based home at Harvest Ridge Church on Lorain Road.
During the 15 years he’s lived in North Ridgeville, Panagiotou has been coaching soccer for the NRASL youth program. He’s also been coaching for the past six years at North Ridgeville High School for the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. Panagiotou says he’s driven by his faith to make a positive impact on his community.
“When I left the Marine Corps, I no longer had the opportunity to be able to mentor,” Panagiotou says. “Coaching has given me the opportunity to do just that. It gives me a chance to invest myself and my heart and my passion into these kids.”
COME JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM!
On-the-job training
Career growth opportunities Profit sharing plan
Competitive benefits
As an industry-leading flexible materials converter, we serve clients nationwide, from midsize industrial manufacturers to large OEMs and Tier 1 automotive suppliers. More specifically, we make cool stuff that goes into other cool stuff— things like light-weight aluminum heat shields and noise reduction patches for automobiles, test strips for medical diagnostic kits, and gaskets for any number of applications.
www.jbc-tech.com | 440.327.4522 7887 Bliss Parkway, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Apply today at jbc-tech.com/careers
Jim Hordinski
Ohio State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars
JIM HORDINSKI HAS devoted his life to serving his country. It’s a loyalty that began in 1967, when, as a member of the 1002nd Supply and Service Co., he shipped off to Vietnam. Hordinski was in support of the front lines at the Battle of Hamburger Hill — one of the longest and bloodiest of the Vietnam War.
Like many of his comrades, Hordinski was reluctant to talk about the horrors he experienced on the battlefield with his family. He found the camaraderie he craved at a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) meeting.
“Your local VFW post is the place where you can come in, sit down and talk to men and women who’ve gone through the same thing you’ve gone through and understand,” Hordinski says. “That means a lot.”
Hordinski, who’s lived in North Ridgeville for 16 years, served as Commander of the city’s VFW Post 9871 from 2012 to 2017, comprising 300 members. In June, he was sworn in as the VFW Ohio State Commander for the 2021-2022 term, overseeing 321 posts and 50,000 members.
VFW members assist veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and financial issues; conduct workshops on resumewriting and preparing for job interviews; and form a Color Guard at funeral services for fallen comrades.
Members of VFW Post 9871 are also engaged in a variety of community service initiatives that help civilians and soldiers alike, including donating to North Ridgeville Community Care, a nonprofit organization that helps residents in need.
“North Ridgeville works very well with the VFW,” Hordinski says. “The city is a beautiful community filled with caring people.”
