Critical Needs Continue

from Joy of Medina County Magazine January 2023

Utilizing Three Boundary Types

WE CONTINUE TO SERVE

Medina County board of developmental disabilities

month

From the time a child is born with a developmental disability until the end of their life, the MCBDD is there to help them through life’s challenges. We help with everything from early intervention and education for children to employment and community inclusive living for adults.

347number of children (ages 0-3) we help in our Early Intervention program and work with their families to support their needs.

COMMUNITY: IN DEED Guardian of the Road

by Amy Barnes

It seems no matter how much news coverage there is on the dangers of driving around a stopped school bus, no matter how many flashing lights and signs, no matter the risk to children loading and unloading from the bus, or even the dangers of running head-on into another car, some drivers still insist on being just plain stupid.

One such driver met their match in Richard (Rick) Emert, who is employed by Lloyd’s Towing.

He was in his tow truck, patiently waiting behind a stopped school bus, when the car behind him decided to pass not only him but the stopped bus on Baxter Street in Medina as children were boarding the bus.

Emert was not going to sit by and let that happen.

Before the car succeeded in passing him, he had calmly eased his tow truck across the road, effectively blocking the car’s progress.

Not understanding what Emert was doing, Chelsey Connors, parent of one of the children boarding the bus, thought at first that it was Emert who was passing the bus. She admits her “momma bear” came out and she was less than pleasant to Emert.

However, to her credit, after Connors understood the whole situation, she went on social media and profusely thanked Emert for his protection of her son and the other children at the stop.

Connors even called Lloyd’s Towing to apologize to Emert and thank him. She gave us permission to use the information she posted and was happy to hear that Emert was going to be rewarded for his good deed.

Thank you, Rick Emert. Your guardianship of the road and dedication to children’s safety is to be commended. We hope you enjoy the gift cards to a local company this magazine rewarded you with.

Local businesses who provide gift cards to be awarded to In Deed winners will be mentioned and thanked by name in the In Deed column. For more information, email Joy@ BlakeHousePublishing.com

ENTERTAINMENT: OFF THE SHELF

“Exiles” can Stand Alone

by Mary Olson

Book: “Exiles”

Rating (out of 5 possible):

“Exiles” is the third Aaron Falk mystery by Australian novelist Jane Harper.

Set in Aussie wine country, “Exiles” follows “The Dry” and “Force of Nature” but can easily be read on its own.

A unique character in contemporary mysteries, Federal Police Investigator Aaron Falk is motivated to heal victims’ pain, as he has experienced much pain in his own past.

Falk is visiting dear friends for the christening of their son during the area’s annual wine and food festival. A showcase of the finest agricultural offerings, the festival draws people from all over Australia for evenings filled with good food and drink, carnival rides and connection to the community.

The christening of young Henry is a time for Falk to reconnect with friends he has put second to his career. But past crimes have a way of haunting Falk, and his passion for justice simply will not allow him to stand by as people grieve without closure.

One year ago, at last year’s festival, a 6-week-old baby was found abandoned in her stroller. Her mother, Kim Gillespie, was a local who had lost touch with friends and family after her divorce. Those who knew Gillespie were stunned that she would walk away from her child, yet the mother never has been found.

Gillespie’s disappearance casts a shadow over the current celebration and forces Falk to take another look at not only this mystery, but at a second unsolved case from six years earlier, as well.

In the case from six years ago, an early morning hit-and-run had killed a local accountant walking his dog on his usual route near the festival grounds. Even in this close-knit town, the case instantly went cold.

As Falk grows closer to friends new and old, he begins to see fault lines in the community which eventually lead to long-hidden truths. He also feels his own heart opening to possibilities he had closed off.

The pacing of this novel is slow and steady. Patient readers who enjoy a rich setting and psychological insight will savor Harper’s complex characters and slow revelations. Themes of grief, hope, found family, and redemption deepen the story and set it apart from other contemporary mystery novels.

Mary Olson is the readers’ advisory librarian at the Medina County District Library. To learn more about her, go to https://bit. ly/3gZ1mg1