Oberlin steps up search for manager
Garrett Looker
The Community Guide
Oberlin City Council on Monday green lit a request for proposal for a search firm to aid the council in its attempts to hire a new city manager.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time,” said Oberlin Council President Eboni A. Johnson. “Now we’re at the point where we can start now advertising publicly that we are looking to hire a city manager and receiving applications from candidates.”
Monday’s unanimous vote was the latest step in the city’s search for a new manager since Robert Hillard stepped down from the position in May. Hillard had served Oberlin since 2016.
“Hopefully within not too long, we’ll have a pile of candidates that we can consider and then move on with the interviewing process,” Johnson said.
The advantage Oberlin will gain by hiring a search firm is a broader access to quality candidates nationwide, Johnson said. A search firm will also help speed up
Amherst gathers to remember boy killed by mother
Garrett Looker
The Community Guide
AMHERST — Community members gathered Sunday to remember and celebrate the life of Alex Louks.
On Nov. 20, Louks was shot and killed by his mother, Risa Louks, according to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. She then set their Amherst Township house on fire and took her own life, authorities said.
Alex Louks was a third grader at Powers Elementary School, where family, first responders and other members of the community met to remember him.
“We felt like we wanted to do something here, obviously with our community who wanted to celebrate Alex’s life,” said Mike Molnar, superintendent of Amherst Schools. “Today’s ceremony was to do just that.”
The ceremony was held near a pollinator garden just south of the school and a plaque was placed to commemorate Alex, Molnar said. The service included
remarks from Alex’s father, Guy Louks, as well as words from Powers Elementary Principal Brian Teppner and a poetry reading from Alex’s teacher, Julie Hammond.
Stories of Alex’s life were shared Sunday, including his love for doughnut holes — his favorite food, Molnar said — and animals.
“He had a joy for life,” Molnar said. “Just grateful we could do that today.”
Sunday’s remembrance service also was attended by Amherst Police Chief Mark Cawthon.
In his 32 years of service, Cawthon said he has seen the community face similar moments of trauma and hardships.
“It’s rough,” Cawthon said. “It’s rough on the folks that have to deal with it, first responders, of course, and the teachers. You just see the pain. It’s an unfortunate, unfortunate scenario that, obviously, we don’t ever want to see anybody have to go through.”
But in some of those hardest moments, Cawthon said he’s seen the commu-
the process, she said.
“They’re helping us to kind of extend our reach,” Johnson said. “Speed is a concern, but I think not as much of a concern as the quality of candidates.”
Since Hillard stepped down to become the city manager of Charlotte, Michigan, Jon Clark has served as Oberlin’s interim city manager.
Council members expressed their desire to move forward in the city’s attempts to find a new manager during Monday’s meeting. Council member Jessa D. New
said the Council had been “kind of chomping at the bit.”
Before the Council voted, discussion revolved around certain language of the request proposal, specifically with the job description.
“The one thing I wanted search firms to know is that we have a finalized job description that’s been approved by Council,” said Councilman Ray English. “And I did not see reference to that in the RFP (request for proposal). And I think that needs to be there.”
nity come together.
On Sunday, community members brought stuffed animals, one of Alex’s favorite things growing up.
They placed them on a bench outside the school to be donated to the Amherst Police Department.
One day, those stuffed animals will be used to help other children going through moments of crisis — something to give them
Wellington shares in tax-credit
WELLINGTON — The ES Tripp House has been awarded a historical preservation tax credit worth $103,000, part of an effort to rehabilitate historic buildings throughout Ohio. Built in 1848, the ES Tripp House, 210 S. Main St. in Wellington’s Historic District, is a home that “has a few lines in every chapter in the history of Wellington,” said Rick Hatton, who owns the property
with his wife, Linda, and applied for the historical preservation tax credit.
“I’m excited as a citizen of Wellington to see the renovation completed,” Hatton said.
“It’s going to be a great addition to the history of the town.”
Over the years, the Hattons — who live across the street from the historic Tripp House — watched as it fell into disrepair. Following the spring of 2023, Rick and Linda bought
the property at auction for $54,000 in the hopes of renovating it, Hatton said.
Even though the Hattons have begun renovations, a full restoration would be impossible without the “essential” tax credits.
Wellington’s ES Tripp House was one of 37 historic preservation projects awarded a collective $56 million in tax credits to aid rehabilitation initiatives throughout the state.
It is part of the Ohio Department of Development’s
comfort and relief, officials said Sunday.
“It’s all just a touching tribute to Alex’s love of life, and Alex’s desire to just spread joy and care to everyone,” Molnar said.
“It was a meaningful way we could continue Alex’s love for life and animals and friends.”
Cawthon agreed, saying the tribute to Alex will have an impact moving forward.
‘giveaway’
Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program.
“By preserving our historic buildings, we’re retaining the unique identity of Ohio’s communities,”
Gov. Mike DeWine said.
Since the 1950s, about a century after it was first constructed, the building was split into seven apartment units.
Since purchasing the property, the Hattons have had to demolish parts of the home for reasons of safety and restoration.
A plaque commemorating Alex Louks’ life was placed at Powers Elementary School in Amherst on Sunday. Mike Molnar, superintendent of Amherst Schools, said it’s all a touching tribute to Alex’s love of life and Alex’s desire to just spread joy and care to everyone.
John Penton turns 99, celebrated. A3 Langston kids help hurricane victims. A4
Amherst community members gather Sunday to donate stuffed animals in memory of Powers Elementary School third grader Alex Louks. According to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Alex was shot and killed by his mother, Risa Louks. Authorities said she later set their Amherst Township house on fire and took her own life.
GARRETT LOOKER / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
Garrett Looker The Community Guide
PHOTO PROVIDED
This photo shows the exterior of a historic house at 210 S. Main Street in Wellington.
Resthaven Memory Gardens superintendent Jonathon Cline helps Rick Stone, a member of American Legion Post 211 and American Legion Riders, as they hand off boxes to Jack McGuire, also of Post 211, and several other volunteers who were loading wreaths into a storage building at at Resthaven in Avon last week. The Wreaths Across America program is operated by the Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The delivery consisted of 69 boxes with 12 wreaths per box. Another 48 were to be delivered later in the day to Lorain High School for further distribution.
Wreaths laid at county veterans’ graves
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Owen MacMillan
The Community Guide
CARLISLE TWP. — Volunteers traversed the icy fields of Brookdale Cemetery on Saturday, brushing aside the snow that covered headstones to find the resting places of American military veterans and laying a wreath to honor them.
They were participating in the Wreaths Across America program, a national program which sees tens of thousands of wreaths laid at the graves of veterans across the country every year.
Several groups across Lorain County participated Saturday in addition to the event at Brookdale.
The Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held ceremonies at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon, Elmwood Cemetery in Lorain and Nesbitt Cemetery in Grafton Township at the same time Saturday.
The ceremony at Brookdale was organized by the Lorain County Civil Air Patrol and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1079 of Elyria.
Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lt. Samantha Fisher gave a speech on the importance of the day as a chance to honor and remember past veterans, both those who fell in battle and those who died years later.
“We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many different people from many walks of life,” Fisher said. “The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Laying here before us, in cemeteries throughout the nation, are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
Fisher then asked a procession of veterans to place a wreath at the base of flags at the Brookdale military memo-
rial, each representing a branch of service and one representing prisoners of war.
Wreaths were laid below the flags, in turn, of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (a Space Command wreath was also laid beneath the Air Force flag), Coast Guard, prisoners of war and those missing in action.
David Ice, an Army veteran and Vice Commander of VFW Post 1079, laid the wreath underneath the flag of the U.S. Army.
“It was a very honorable occasion,” Ice said. “Anybody that knows me knows I’m very proud of my service, and I support everything to do with all the military, but it was nice that I was allowed to (lay the wreath) for the Army.”
Fisher concluded her speech by thanking the volunteers who had come to lay wreaths alongside the graves, and asked them to take a moment as they did to remember each veteran by name.
“It’s important to have that intimate moment with the hero that you’re honoring, but please remember to take a step back and take a look at the complete picture that all of us have accomplished through the mission to remember, honor and teach,” Fisher said. “(These wreaths) symbolize our honor to those who served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation (and) to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf.”
Volunteers then set upon two rows of wreaths, quickly grabbing every wreath up and dispersing across the snowy cemetery, falling needles trailing behind.
The grave markers of veterans had been marked with small stickers, but the snow and ice had come after, making it and arduous process to find each veteran.
Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123.
BRUCE BISHOP / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
OWEN MACMILLAN / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
A line of veterans listen to Lorain Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lt. Samantha Fisher before they lay a wreath before the flag of their respective service branch at Brookdale Cemetery on Saturday.
Steven Jacob, a member of Sons of the American Legion Avon Lake 211 and American Legion Riders, carries a box of wreaths into a storage building.
Lorain Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lt. Samantha Fisherstands next to the veterans memorial at Brookdale Cemetery before laying out wreaths.
Penton, 99, honored at Christmas party
Annual family, ownership group gathering
his 99 years, John Penton has seen plenty. There have been great times: Winning world motorcycle championships here and abroad. Setting records (like the time he drove from New York City to Los Angeles in a little over 52 hours in 1959). Revolutionizing off-road motorcycling and creating his own brand of bikes that became the elite standard in motorcross and racing.
He — and several members of his family — are in the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame. There’s a book and a documentary about his life.
He’s a normal sort of legend — and an Amherstonian through and through.
“And for all that, Dad traveling around the world and doing all of that, he never lived further than 300 yards from where he was born,” his son, Jack, said. “Probably not even 100 yards.
“Heck, I myself lived less than a year in California but I don’t even count that. To this day, I live maybe a mile and twotenths from the farm. This is home.”
The family partriarch was honored last week at Sandstone Village where it was standing room only at the annual Christmas party and membership meeting of the Penton Ownership Group, a 500-plus member club of enthusiasts, employees, and some former racers who meet monthly in Amherst.
There, in the former one-room schoolhouse, Penton held court at the foot of the Christmas tree, a tiny man with a huge shadow, sitting in a folding chair and smiling at all who approached to say hello.
One of the Penton Ownership Group’s founders, Paul Danick, said the group has members everywhere, including Europe.
Penton sport motorcycles were manufactured by KTM from 1968 to 1977, and the name was sold to KTM.
Penton also created and sold Hi-Point line of off-road motorcycle accessories, boots and trailers until before selling that business in 1988.
“I’ve always said I ‘bleed Penton green,’” Danick, who was sold on the brand early, said. “We all started this group to keep the Penton name alive.
“I bought a very early Penton and it had
a weakness in the transmission. I abused it and the local dealer wasn’t able to repair it. I was only 16 at the time. I called them back here (in Ohio) and John Penton himself took it apart and I watched him.”
“He showed me everything while he was doing it and he said ‘Paul, I want you to go back and help me with these. I tell you, it was sort of like watching Noah repair the ark.”
Danick ended up on Penton’s race teams, racing in California and Oregon. In 1973, he was on Penton’s team in the International Six Days Trial, the “Olympics of motorcycling,” when it was held in America and again the next year when it was held in Italy.
“John treated everyone so well. He wouldn’t just show you motorcycling, he showed you how to live, to do all you can. When the going gets tough, keep going. He was just that type of man,” Danick said.
Son Jack, also in the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame, said that in his dad’s era, men came back from World War II with a bravado borne of the times.
“When they came home — if they came home, if they survived — they were kind of bulletproof. They took a lot of chances in business, in life, in sports. They were tough,” he said.
The 99-year-old Penton has dealt with a lot. His father died young, leaving his mom to raise seven kids on the family’s North Ridge Road farm. Then, his first wife died unexpectedly, leaving him to raise their three young boys. In later years, a nephew was killed in a car accident.
He went on to have another son and stepchildren from his second, long-term marriage.
Todd Huffman, director of the documentary about him, “The John Penton Story,” was among the dozens of friends, peers and colleagues (some who shared his last name) at the party.
“God has been so good to me. He has put me through his testing, too. I’d say if you follow him, that’s the way to have a good life,” Penton said.
“And in the end, I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun.”
Help restock Amherst classroom school supplies in January
The Friends of the Amherst Public Library is holding a month-long drive during the month of January to collect supplies to benefit students at Powers Elementary, Firelands Elementary, and St. Joseph schools.
The most-needed school supplies are crayons, pencils, thick and fine-tip dry erase markers, glue sticks, 2-pocket fold-
ers with no prongs, colored pencils, and thick and fine-tip markers.
Supplies can be dropped off in the drop box just inside the Amherst Public Library front door.
Monetary donations to go toward needed supplies can be made at: tiny.cc/100DayRestock.
UNDATED FACEBOOK PHOTO
John Penton has traveled the world but has never moved from his Amherst home.
O Christmas tree
O Christmas tree
John Benson The Community Guide
Equal parts creative, esoteric and innovative is the best description of the Elyria Arts Council’s Creative Christmas Tree Contest.
For nearly a decade, community members have met the challenge of conceiving unconventional holiday trees, making them out of things such as high-heeled shoes, melted water bottles, books and cat food can lids.
“This contest requires participants to construct a tree out of non-perishable materials instead of simply decorating a tree,” Children’s Program Director Anne Jesse said.
“This year, participants were given the option to sell their trees.
There are a few for sale. Participants enjoy this contest so much though, many want to keep their tree in end.”
So far, the 2024 contest has 26 entries, the most ever Jesse said.
More importantly, there are entries created with materials not used previously.
“We have creative entries made of glass,
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Dec. 30
WHERE: Elyria Arts Council, 336 Broad St., Elyria INFO: 440-328-3025 or Elyriaartscouncil.org
driftwood, yarn, fabric, crystal, clay, cardboard, beach glass, plaster, Styrofoam and recycled metal,” she said.
“There is a trio of miniature trees made from over 800 miniature green origami cranes. We even have a tree that was designed to highlight an invasive species, the spotted lantern fly.” In addition to the Eastern Heights Tech Club submitting a “Tech Tree” using computer hardware, there are also “Wicked” and “Minecraft” trees.
People vote by depositing money in the jars for their favorite tree. Voting began earlier this month at an open house at the Broad Street gallery.
Reach John Benson at ndiffrence@att.net IF YOU GO
“This contest helps us raise funding for our children’s programming and class scholarship fund,” Jesse said.
There are three different categories — small tree, large tree or collection of smaller trees.
In addition to first-, second- and third-place winners, there will be awards for Best Student Entry, Most Unique Materials and Best Use Of Materials.
The trees will be on display through the end of the month.
“This all started as a crazy, fun idea of Anne Jesse’s for a fundraiser for our children’s art programs,” Arts Council co-founder and board of directors member Clint Rohrbacher said.
“So simple. Make a Christmas Tree out of anything but a tree. It was a challenge everyone took to heart, becoming a holiday tradition and a unique way for families, artists and organizations to not just celebrate the holidays, but their creative talents as well. They just get wilder and more wonderful each year.”
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Happy Crushers Christmas extravaganza
‘Around the World’ event to be held at Avon stadium
John Benson The Community Guide
For folks who ever wondered what Santa Claus experiences traveling the globe on Christmas, a new Lorain County attraction has that answer.
The immersive, multicultural holiday extravaganza
Christmas Around the World, open daily through Jan. 4 at Crushers Stadium in Avon, transports guests for a multisensory experience.
“With Northeast Ohio being a cultural melting pot, we wanted to tie in different traditions of Christmas throughout the world,” said Adam Roggenburk, CEO of Heritage Production, which produces the Cleveland Oktoberfest. “It’s a fully integrated family event.”
Set up as an international theme park, Christmas Around the World boasts a heated entertainment tent — with a bar, stage and cozy seating — featuring live performances by global singing groups.
Food vendors will serve up authentic holiday fare from around the world including Italian fire-roasted pizzas, Mexican street food and Polish pirogies.
Then there’s the North Pole Sweet Shop, presented by b.a Sweetie Candy Company, providing holiday-worthy desserts like handcrafted hot chocolate bombs, sweet fudge and mini doughnut creations.
“We have a Santa expe-
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Christmas Around The World
WHEN: Now through Jan. 4 (Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve)
WHERE: Crushers
Stadium, 2009 Baseball Boulevard, Avon
TICKETS: $15 to $25
INFO: Christmasatw.com
rience where you take a picture in front of a green screen,” he said. “Your family photos can be in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, Big Ben or any other landmark in the world.” Guests will journey across the globe collecting passport stamps as they visit 16 decorated rooms.
Designed by top Broadway builders and artists, each room is a visual masterpiece immersing visitors in the sights, sounds and flavors of holiday traditions from around the world.
Activities at Christmas Around the World include a tubing hill featuring a 200-foot ride into the stadium and a miniature golf course.
The two centerpieces of the event are the Cleveland Glockenspiel transformed into a North Pole masterpiece with live performances, cocktails and children’s treats, as well as a 52-foot animated Christmas tree.
“We brought the concept to Avon because of the stadium location,” he said.
event gives
“Having a 52-foot Christ-
mas tree on the side of I-90 is pretty cool. That attraction actually came in from Italy.
“It’s a full video interactive show every hour on the hour at night that’s tied to music in the ballpark.” USA Expositions is producing the event in collaboration with the city of Avon and the Lake Erie Crushers.
“We’ve designed this event to be a true holiday spectacle, packed with unique experiences,” Lake Erie Crushers Chairman and Managing Partner Len Komoroski said.
Reach John Benson at ndiffrence@ att.net
Christina Jolliffe The Chronicle-Telegram
LAGRANGE — The Keystone community is rallying after a local mother, wife, sister and friend received a harrowing medical diagnosis.
Tara Sivec, 47, a local author of romance novels and a Keystone High School graduate, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer last month. Her sisters-in-law, Jen and Janet Sivec, started a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $21,000 so far.
The high school baseball team, which Sivec’s son, Drew, and Jen Sivec’s son, Charlie, play on, started a drive asking for gift cards to help the family.
“I reached out to one of Tara’s sisters to ask how the baseball team could help,” said Amy Younglas, 48, of Wellington, who is involved in the effort. “She said a gift card collection would be useful, so I reached out to baseball coach Bert Fitzgerald and he said, ‘absolutely.’”
The entire Keystone community has rallied behind the effort, she said.
“Keystone is such a supportive, giving community,” Younglas said. “They always want to reach out and help in some way. That’s what you get with a small community. We’re family.”
Oberlin resident Jen Sivec, whose husband, Jeff, is an assistant baseball coach at Keystone, agreed.
“It’s a really great community and they’ve been a part of that community ever since the kids were little through sports and things like that,” she said. “Once we posted what was going on, the response was immediate. One mom
started a food train. Amy reached out asking what she could do. They didn’t even think twice.” It doesn’t hurt that Sivec is so beloved.
“She has a wonderful heart,” Jen Sivec said.
“She’s a kind person — hilarious, funny, super creative. If she has an opportunity to make someone feel good, she’s going to do that. She’s the kind of person who has a box on her porch for delivery drivers. Just little stuff like that.”
The family was initially shocked by the diagnosis but is pulling together to do whatever they can.
“We want to make sure she’s happy and that she knows she’s loved,” Jen Sivec said. “Her first treatment was this week. She has a wonderful oncologist, who has assured her there are lots of opportunities for treatment.”
Sivec, her husband, Jimmy, and both of their kids,
Mikah and Drew, have gone through the Keystone Schools.
“The teachers, staff and administrators certainly know the family,” Younglas said. “We had collection envelopes at each of the buildings, and the superintendent offered to extend that to the administration office and the bus garage.”
Friday was the last day to donate gift cards so as to not interfere with other fundraisers being held at the schools, she said.
“We’ve had a pretty good reception,” Younglas said. “We wanted to see what we could collect between Thanksgiving and Christmas break without taking away from the toy and food drives going on in the schools.”
The hope is that the gift cards can be used to take some of the burden off of the family in the months ahead.
“This could happen to
any of us,” Younglas said.
“They have a challenging road ahead of them. So much of their focus should be on that. If they need dinner and are at Cleveland Clinic, or they need gas for the way home or they need things for the house from Walmart, the last thing they need to worry about is that.”
The GoFundMe will be kept going for anyone still wishing to donate.
“People in the community have been incredibly generous,” Jen Sivec said. “Whether it’s $10 or $1,000, people in the community just know her and love her, and we’re just really appreciative.”
If you want to donate gofundme.com/f/supporttara-sivecs-battle-againstbreast-cancer Contact Christina Jolliffe
PHOTOS PROVIDED
The
everyone a chance to pick up that last-minute Christmas gift. Guests can get their photos
Send
Both teams started off slow and could not find many baskets in the first quarter. Clearview led 8 to 6 at the end of the first quarter. Amherst found its momentum in the second quarter and took the lead with 6:36 left in the second quarter. Amherst went on to win 46-30.
Vermilion started out hot and jumped out to a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Firelands battled back in the second quarter and closed the gap to 21-18 at the half. Firelands continued to control the momentum in the second half and tied the game at 26 with 3:23 left in the third quarter. Firelands led the game 34-30 at the end of the third quarter. Firelands finished the game strong and win 49-43.
Firelands explodes in 4th
Firelands led 11-8 after the first quarter. Wellington came back to lead 22-18 at the half and 2624 after three quarters. However, Wellington fell apart in the fourth quarter and only managed to score 3 points the entire quarter, while Firelands scored 21 to give them a 45-29 win over Wellington.
Wellington’s Brooke Lehmkuhl and Firelands’ Aubrynn Reichle battle for a loose ball.
Wellington’s Landon Whitehouse drives against Columbia’s Carter Hess.
Left, Firelands’ Kendra Hardwick hits for three points over Vermilion’s Abby Gawry in the fourth quarter.
Firelands Jordyn Copley gets fouled at the basket by Vermilion’s Abby Gawry.
Vermilion’s Jeighla Peak brings the ball up the court past Firelands’ Stella Frederick.
Photos by Russ Gifford The Community Guide
Wellington boys lose Wellington stayed close to Columbia early but trailed 27-15 at the half. Wellington was able to trim Columbia’s lead to 4 with 56 seconds left but ended up losing, 40-33.
Amherst’s Abby Broaddus tries to drive past Clearview’s Lexi Rodriguez.
Wellington’s Justin Smith drives to the lane pressured by Wellington’s Tomas Lisa.
Wellington’s Alex Frenk hits for three points against Columbia.
Wellington’s Brooke Lehmkuhl scores two points over Firelands Jordyn Copley.
Firelands’ Lexi Schrader steals the ball from Wellington’s Cam Morris.
Firelands beats Vermilion
Amherst’s Jayla Cruz moves to the basket past Clearview’s Annie Green. Amherst’s Ainsley Hunker hits a short shot in the lane past Clearview’s Adrianna Comley.
Amherst beats Clearview
BULLETIN BOARD
Russia Twp. meeting Dec. 30
The New Russia Township Board of Trustees will conduct its 2024 Year End and the 2025 Organizational meeting on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. at the township offices, 46300 Butternut Ridge Road, Oberlin.
Amherst Historical Potluck in Jan.
The Amherst Historical Society’s annual Potluck Luncheon and Meeting will be Jan. 11, 2025 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Volunteers, members and supporters are invited to the event at the Amherst Historical Society Hall, 113 South Lake Street, Amherst.
There is no cost but reservations must be made by Jan 7 at (440) 988-7255 or office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org
The main dish will be provided. Please contribute your dish to the potluck by last name category:
A through E— soup or salad
F through K— vegetable side dish/casserole
L through R— starch side dish/casserole S through Z— dessert
Amherst Historical Super Bowl
Its Super Bowl Fundraiser will be held Feb. 9 at the Amherst Historical Society Hall, 113 South Lake Street, Amherst. Doors open at 5 p.m. Kickoff is at 6:30. It is $10 per person.
The game will be shown on a 10-foot screen. There will be tailgate food and a 50/50 raffle. BYOB with pop and water available; RSVP by Feb. 1 at (440) 988-7255 or office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org
Jingle run/walk on Christmas Eve
The annual Jingle All the Way 5K and 1-mile fun walk will be held in downtown Amherst Christmas Eve morning. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. run.
Non-participants can come out to see the participants dressed in holiday attire as they walk and run through town, meet with Santa and Mrs.Claus or have a mug of hot cocoa.
Last year Community Congregational United Church of Christ, along with approximately 250 participants, raised over $5,000 for Blessing House, a crisis center providing shelter for children and support for their families.
Contact Pastor Brian Russell at Com-
AT THE RESTAURANT
munity Congregational United Church of Christ at (440) 988-9148 or pastor@theccucc.org; or Sister Mary Berigan at Blessing House at (440) 240-1851 or srmary@ blessinghouse.org
Historical Society gift shop open
The Lorain Historical Society’s Museum and Gift Shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday.
Discounts, as much as half off some items, will be offered on Saturdayf.
Items for sale include pieces from its 1924 tornado collection.
For more information call (440) 2452563 or visit www.lorainhistory.org. The Lorain Historical Society is located in the Carnegie Building at 329 W. 10th St., Lorain.
Rescue hearing Monday
A probable cause hearing in Oberlin Municipal Court against a Wellingtonbased animal rescue that was raided by the Friendship Animal Protective League on Nov. 20 has been continued to Monday at 8:30 a.m.
The Friendship APL removed 37 animals from Lee’s Wellington property after allegedly finding unsanitary conditions including dirty cages and dehydrated animals with no access to fresh water.
Lee, who was allowed to keep 19 animals, said she had enough room for all 56 animals she had.
Formerly known as Michelle Knight, Lee is a kidnapping survivor who was freed in 2013 after nearly 11 years of captivity.
Amherst Library Board to meet Amherst Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library at 5:45 p.m Jan. 13. The meeting is open to the public.
Allen Hospital wins award
Mercy Health – Allen Hospital announced it has earned a 2024 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspectives.
Performance Leadership Awards from Chartis Center for Rural Health recognize top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in all three categories.
For more information about Mercy Health, visit mercy.com.
Helping Oberlin kids
Wee Care Closet co-founder, Tammy Koleski, (seated) drops off $4,122 worth of donations, including boots, shoes, jean, sweatshirts, winter coats and toys, for Oberlin City School District students. Items, were acquired through monetary donations to Wee Care Closet, a non-profit organization founded by Koleski, her sister Pam Richards, and family friend Mary Felton. Donations can be made by calling (440) 935-4910 or finding them on Facebook.
Lorain County Dems to meet
The Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 7 via zoom.
The meeting link will be sent to members via email.To learn more about the group, visit LCDWOhio.com or find it on Facebook.
Audubon Society to go ‘batty’
Marne Titchenell, Extension Wildlife Program Director for the Ohio State University, will present “Bats: What you didn’t Learn Watching Batman” at the Black River Audubon Society’s Jan. 7 meeting. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Nickel Plate Diagonal Road, LaGrange.
She will discuss the lives of Ohio bats, including common myths, ecology, and how to help Ohio’s bat populations.
Marne helped establish the Ohio Bat Working Group and co-authored the Ohio Bat Conservation Plan. She also works to provide a variety of educational programs centered on wildlife ecology and biology.
OBERLIN CITY SCHOOLS
Some placesare very coldinthe winter.Icy winds blow.Water freezes and snow covers the ground. What do animals do to survive thesefreezing months?
Whales, penguins and seals haveathick layer of body fat, called blubber,to keepthem warm. The blubberona largewhale can be very thick. It is almost impossible for the cold to go through the blubber and chill the whale.
AWhaleofa Ride
HowBlubberWorks
Q: How thick is whale blubber?
To find out, add the numbers along the correct paththat leads theseal to the iceberg. Only two of the hitch-hiking penguinsabove are thesame. Can youfind them?
To find out howblubber keepsanimals warm,try making this blubber mittand taking The Blubber Test.You’ll need:
theshortening in a zip-lock bag.
Penguin Fitness
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