Lorain County Community Guide - July 6, 2023

7-district plan for county government proposed again

A group calling itself the Citizens for Equal Representation for Lorain County is making another push to reformat county government, eliminating the three-member, at-large Lorain County Board of Commissioners in favor of a seven-member county council.

Group members Brian Hoagland and Homer Taft presented the group’s plan to the board at its meeting June 30. It is the group’s fourth attempt at changing Lorain County government since 2014.

Hoagland said he has advocated “for many years” for district-based representation in county government, as opposed to the three commissioners elected at-large. On Friday, he and Taft asked commissioners to put the issue on the ballot for the November general election.

Hoagland claimed word-of-mouth feedback he received was that Lorain County voters favor a change in the form of county government.

Citizens for Equal Representation

proposed similar changes in 2014, 2015 and 2017. All three proposals failed to make it to the ballot.

Instead of three at-large commissioners, the plan proposes seven elected county council members, one from each of seven districts representing about 45,000 residents.

This “guarantees residents have someone from each of their districts” representing them on a county council, and “fosters communication” between county government and residents, Hoagland said.

He said it is very expensive to campaign to more than 300,000 Lorain County residents as opposed to a district in which a candidate lives with only 45,000 residents. No other elected positions would be changed, eliminated or made into appointed positions, Hoagland said.

Ohio law allows for the proposal to be put to voters on the ballot as long as two-thirds of the board of commissioners votes to do so.

A self-described “semi-retired” attorney and former Libertarian candidate for Ohio state Senate in 2018, Taft said the proposal is governed by Ohio Revised Code section 302.03.

The seven members of a county council would each be paid $56,000 per year for what Hoagland and Taft said would be a “part-time” elected position. That’s $392,000 total for the seven-member council, more than the total salary of all three current county commissioners.

Hoagland said the group wants a salary “that is attractive and provides for excellent candidates” but one that won’t burden the county with too much of an expense and a workload comparable to a city council member.

The $56,000 figure was reached because it is approximately 60 percent of the salary of each of the current county commissioners.

“The idea is to attract qualified people and to add to their regular pay as this is a part-time job,” Hoagland said.

Citizens for Equal Representation said they were willing to present the board with experts including Dr. Mark Sailing, a senior fellow and research associate in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, who helped the group design its proposal.

Anger, jubilation over end to affirmative action

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday sweeping aside affirmative action in higher education, institutions of higher learning across the country have decried the decision.

Oberlin College and Conservatory President Carmen Twillie Ambar said the decision would not dissuade her institution from valuing diversity on campus.

“(The) decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, announced this morning, has left me deeply saddened and concerned for the future of higher education,” Ambar said in a statement. “At the same time, it has steeled my resolve to defend Oberlin’s most cherished values: diversity, social engagement and academic excellence.”

Wellington hosts groundbreaking for Union School Park project

WELLINGTON —

With the turn of a shovel, upgrades to Union School Park will soon be underway.

Wellington hosted a groundbreaking ceremony July 3 to kick off a fundraising effort for the former McCormick Middle School site, which the city acquired in 2018.

Mayor Hans Schneider said Phase I of the park upgrades, which includes two separate playgrounds

on the Dickson Street side of the lot, will be open by next year. The playgrounds are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Wellington, with their opening coinciding with the club’s 100th anniversary.

Phase I will cost an estimated $450,000, and the Kiwanis have raised nearly $25,000 for the project. The village also received a private donation of $125,000 last year and put up another $100,000 toward the project.

Eventually, the park will include the two playgrounds — in honor of the

playgrounds at the former middle school — as well as a community Christmas tree, script Wellington sign, life-size statue of the Spirit of ‘76 trio and water feature.

Archibald Willard, of Wellington, painted “The Spirit of ‘76’ for the country’s centennial celebrations in 1876.

Schneider said there will be opportunities to sponsor various aspects of the park, including memorial benches, trees or bricks, the script Wellington sign, a walking path, and a retractable movie screen.

“We think this can really be transformational,” he said, comparing it to when the village opened Rec Park in the 1980s — bringing all of the sports teams together from other parks scattered throughout the area.

“We think this is going to be a place where we can hold events,” he said. “People will be able to come down here and rest and relax — the whole Carpenter Street side is going to be primarily trees and benches. … We think it’s going to bring a lot to

In her letter, Ambar relayed the story of Oberlin alumna Mary Jane Patterson, who was born to enslaved parents but became the first African American woman to earn a bachelor’s degree when she graduated from Oberlin College in 1862.

“The education of Mary Jane Patterson—and the leadership role for which it prepared her — was no accident of history but a conscious choice,” Ambar said.

She wrote that Oberlin as an institution valued diversity “in all its forms” as a tool for challenging students and providing a more full education.

Continuing to cherish and achieve that campus diversity was something the Supreme Court ruling would make more difficult, Ambar said.

“Affirmative action is a powerful tool for addressing stubborn, corrosive inequalities and for fostering a campus community that reflects the rich tapestry of our society,” she said.

Ambar said that Oberlin would have to consider the implications that the ruling would have on the college’s efforts to create a diverse campus.

“Students of varying backgrounds and experiences have been coming together on our campus for nearly 190 years, and the evidence is irrefutable: A diverse student body makes for a superior education for everyone,” she said.

DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide

The groundbreaking ceremony for Wellington Union School Park was held on July 3. Pictured are (left) Carol Burke, Ed Weber, Keith Rowland, Mark Bughman, Gene Hartman, Mayor Hans Schneider, Jonathan Greever, Gary Feron, Ralph Wright, Susan Alspach, and Tim Simonson.

CARISSA WOYTACH THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Jason Keith Floyd

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jason Floyd, 50, who departed from this world Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Born May 24, 1973, Jason was the beloved son of James Keith and Patricia (nee Cole) Floyd. Growing up, he shared a special bond with his brother, Jeff, who stood by his side through thick and thin. Jason’s family was the cornerstone of his life, and he deeply valued the love and support they provided.

Jason was a proud father, devoted brother, cherished son, loving grandfather, and loyal to his beloved companion Cindy. He leaves behind a legacy of familyhood, dignity, determination, and generosity.

As a father, Jason was the pillar of strength and perseverance to his children; Michael Floyd, Shelbi Shreve, Jordyn Pigman, Tyler Floyd, Hannah Floyd, and Allysa Floyd. He took great pride in their resilience and watching them thrive. His children will forever treasure the wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love he poured out.

Jason found great joy in being a grandfather to his adored grandchildren; Finley Floyd, Parker Floyd, Rylie Floyd, and Dawson Pigman. He delighted in showering them with affection and love. He leaves behind a lasting imprint on their lives, and they will always carry his spirit with them.

Family and friends will be received Monday, July 3, 2023 at the United Church of Huntington, 26677 State Route 58, from 12 noon until the 2 p.m. funeral service. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Wellington.

Arrangements were entrusted to Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, Wellington.

Condolences may be shared online at www.nortoneastmanfuneralhome.com, where a full obituary can also be found.

Katherine ‘Kay’ Stevens O’Brien

Katherine ‘Kay’ Stevens O’Brien, formerly of Oberlin, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the age of 85.

Kay spent her life taking care of children. After raising her own five children, she went on to take care of many foster children. She also volunteered in a kindergarten classroom and was known by the entire school as ‘Grandma Kate’.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Nell Stevens; her sister, Pat Arnold; and her husband, Joe O’Brien.

Kay will be greatly missed by her children, Laural Homstead, Amy Homstead Rubin, Carrie Homstead Barnett, Steven Homstead, Jonathan O’Brien; her sister, Penny Locke; and their families.

Donna Grace Witherow

Donna Grace Witherow (nee: Sutton), 85, of Amherst Ohio passed away surrounded by her family Tuesday, June 27, 2023, from a short illness.

Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

Our condolences go out to families that have suffered the loss of a loved one. To place an obituary or death notice in the Community Guide, call (440) 329-7000.

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Shirley Howard becomes first woman pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church

LORAIN — Shirley Howard has been involved with the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lorain for decades and has held virtually every role one can in the congregation: Sunday school teacher, usher, minister, superintendent of Sunday school and others.

Now, she takes on the church’s top position — she was installed June 25 as the first woman pastor in Mount Zion’s nearly 100-year history.

“I’ve been a member of Mount Zion for really 40 years,” Howard said.

“I was ordained there in 2003, and then in 2023 I became the pastor of that same church...If you can name it, I’ve done it.”

Around a hundred congregants and leaders from other Baptist churches gathered Sunday to celebrate Howard’s installment with a ceremony of song and sermons.

The Rev. Melvin Woodard III, now pastor of the New Salem Baptist Church in Indianapolis, previously served as pastor of Mount Zion from 1995 to 2006.

Woodard delivered an impassioned speech about Howard and said God had called her to take up the post of pastor.

“I didn’t come here because I was good or careful or smarter than anybody else,” Woodard said.

“I came here because God needed me to open the door, so that sister Howard could become Pastor Shirley A. Howard.”

In 2003, Woodard ordained Howard as a minister. It was a controversial decision, both he and Howard said, and made her one of the first women ordained at Mount Zion.

At the time, and still today in some churches, ordaining women was an uncommon practice in Baptist churches.

Women being elected to the highest office in a congregation, pastor, is still very uncommon.

“We are a Baptist church, and Baptists traditionally don’t really hold to women being pastors,” Howard said. “It’s not something that they do, because of the Baptist persuasions, I believe.

Other denominations don’t have a problem with it, but somehow Baptists do.”

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest convention of Baptist churches in the country, recently made headlines by expelling several churches that had elected women pastors.

Mount Zion is a part of the National Baptist Convention, which consists mostly of Black congregations and allows women to be pastors, though their election is still rare.

“Some of you may have been wrong in thought,” Woodard said. “You may have said Mount Zion doesn’t need a female pastor. But you don’t know what Mount Zion needs, only God knows what Mount Zion means.”

Howard said she was actually once uncomfortable with the idea of a woman serving as pastor of her church.

In fact, there was a time when I had a problem with it,” she said. “Until I got into the word of God and he revealed to me that the Holy Spirit that resides in a man is the same Holy Spirit that resides in a woman.”

But despite that early uncertainty, Howard believes her 40 years teaching the

children and congregants of Mount Zion — and 20 years preaching to them — have prepared her better than anyone else to lead the church.

“I believe in what I know and first of all, I feel God called me to this position,” Howard said.

“For 20 years He prepared me to fill this position and gave me three things I need to do: teach, preach and train. I’ve been there for 40 years, and I know pretty much what Mount Zion needs.”

Teaching has always been a core part of who Howard is.

Overlapping with the start of her time teaching Sunday school at Mount Zion, she was a teacher at Lorain City Schools for over 40 years.

“A lot of those children, I would say they are my children,” Howard said.

“Because I taught them.”

A fellow Lorain woman pastor Norva Ross, also the executive director of the Pathways Enrichment Center, recalled her first time meeting Howard, and welcomed the new pastor to leadership.

“It is a great honor and a privilege to share this day with (Howard),” Ross said. “That is because when I met her, she shared

her heart, and on this 25 year journey, she has never quit.”

Many in attendance made it clear that they recognized this as a historic event for them, their church and their community.

One such attendee was the Rev. James Williams, pastor of God’s Believers in Christ Church of Lorain.

“I thank God I am alive to be a part of this historic event in this city and in this church,” Williams said.

Joshua Woodard, the youngest son of Pastor Melvin Woodard and Howard’s godson, spoke as well, reading a proclamation signed by Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley.

The proclamation recognized Howard as the pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, and designated June 25 as “Pastor Shirley Howard Day.”

It is a new day in Mount Zion Baptist Church, as the congregation moves on under a woman pastor for the first time ever.

“God has given me the qualifications and the dedication to make it happen,” Howard said. “My job is to present it, it is up to them to present it or reject it.”

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OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

OWEN MacMILLAN | The Community Guide

Shirley Howard smiles as leaders from other Baptist churches gathered Sunday to celebrate her installment as the first woman pastor in Mount Zion’s nearly 100-year history on Sunday, June 25.

Amherst Council honors longstanding small businesses

• Mama Jo’s Pies

AMHERST — Amherst City Council honored small businesses that had been in the city for 25 years or more at its meeting June 26.

David Janik, D-at Large, said the idea grew out of a conversation he had after joining Main Street Amherst’s executive board in March.

He said many Main Streets are concerned with businesses closing, but in talking to Executive Director Teresa Gilles she noted Amherst hadn’t had that same problem.

“Without you, the backbone of our businesses,

The districts would be:

1. All of Amherst; wards 4 and 8 of Lorain; all of Brownhelm Township including the portion of Vermilion in Lorain County; Amherst Township excluding the portion of the township within South Amherst; and all of Elyria Township except the portion not contiguous with and entirely surrounded by the city of Elyria.

2. All of Oberlin and the villages of Wellington, South Amherst, Kipton, Rochester, LaGrange, and Grafton and Henrietta, New Russia, Camden, Pittsfield, LaGrange, Grafton, Brighton, Wellington, Penfield, Rochester and Huntington townships.

3. Elyria Ward 3; North Ridgeville Ward 3 and precints 4A, B, C, F, and G in North Ridgeville; Camden Township excluding the Ward 5 extension of the city of Elyria; Eaton Township excluding any portion of the village of Grafton; and Columbia Township.

4. Elyria wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 and the portion of Elyria Township entirely contained within and surrounded by the city;

5. All of Avon and wards 1, 2 and precincts 4D and 4E of North Ridgeville;

6. All of Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, Sheffield and Lorain Ward 1.

7. All of wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Lorain and all of Sheffield Township.

Taft said his group believes a map of “roughly equal districts” it provided to the board complies with all the requirements of the law for equal proportion of representation.

This new form of government, Taft said, will be “a very dedicated part-time job for good people ... and you’re going to want to make sure they’re going to want to spend the amount of time necessary to do that.”

Commissioner David Moore, a Republican who in 2014 and 2015 was the spokesman for Citizens for Equal Representation and backed its failed plans to bring the charter form of government to the voters, said Friday the board would take the matter back up at its meeting on July 11 after he, commissioners Michelle Hung and Jeff Riddell and their legal counsel had time to review the proposal.

“I believe the public, the citizens of Lorain County should have a choice on whether or not to keep this style or go to the alternative form of government,” Moore said.

He invited Lorain County residents to watch the July 11 meeting online at the board’s YouTube channel or attend the meeting at 5 p.m.

we wouldn’t be where we are today with the thriving downtown and the thriving city that we have,” Janik said.

Honorees included:

• Amherst Cinema

• Ben Franklin store

• Cedar Pub

• Fraley and Fox Construction

• Hastee Tastee

• Hot Dog Heaven

• The Mermaid’s Tale

• Olde Town Pizza House

• Park Lanes

• Quarry Cafe

• Ron’s Barber Shop

• Your Deli

• Ziggy’s Pub and Restaurant

• Zilch Florist

• Dr. Scott Iliff

• Dr. Eric Stocker

on the fourth floor of the Lorain County Administration Building at 226 Middle Ave. in Elyria on that date.

“I think it will be a historic debate, conversation, and step one to allow the public of this county to have a choice. And that’s the main thing: To allow people the ability to choose,” Moore said.

Hung said that she hadn’t received all the documents she needed to review.

Messages seeking comment on the plan were left for Riddell on June 30.

Criticism

Initial public reaction to the Citizens for Equal Representation plan was not favorable.

During one of two public comment periods at Friday’s board meeting, Brian Baker of Brownhelm Township said he was “puzzled” how Citizens for Equal Representation could say Lorain County residents aren’t represented by their government.

Lorain County was formed in 1824, and “for 200 years we’ve been using this system” of a threemember board of commissioners, Baker said.

“We have mayors, township trustees, villages and I think the process has always been used,” he said. When a township resident has a concern and if they can’t go straight to their commissioners, they go to their township trustees who bring it to the commissioners.

“If we say there isn’t representation, I guess we’re saying the elected officials in those lower offices don’t communicate with the commissioners,” Baker said.

Baker said during a decade and a half working in Washington, D.C., he kept hearing people say “’We need less government.’” He questioned why the drive is now to create more government.

Baker asked the commissioners to have Budget Director KC Saunders at the July 11 meeting to discuss how the proposed sevendistrict plan would affect the county budget.

“Let’s put everything on the table,” he said. “A notification in the paper, not just a resolution. Let’s do a public hearing.”

Aden Fogel of Sheffield Lake, a frequent critic of commissioners Moore and Riddell, questioned the board as to what kind of candidates for public office would want a part-time, $56,000 per year job with no health benefits.

“If your little current clique wasn’t pathetic enough, what would a group of part-time $56,000-a-year

• Vegas Jewelers

• Midwest School of Ballet

• Amherst Memorial Studio

• Strauss Construction

• A Beau Monde Salon

• Dr. Michael Musengo

• Kiedrowski’s Bakery

• Hempel Funeral Home

• Garland Misencik Funeral Home

• Lorain Music and Vending Co.

• Rehabilitation Consultants

• Paul’s Sunoco Service

• The Junction

• Amherst Animal Hospital

• Peck and Gambish

• Personal Stitch Sportswear

commissioners consist of? This is just ridiculous in my opinion,” Fogel said, calling it a “pipe dream” and accusing Riddell of being Moore’s “puppet.”

Background

Citizens for Equal Representation for Lorain County tried in 2014, 2015 and 2017 to get the issue on the ballot.

Moore, who was involved with the volunteer signature collection drives by Citizens for Equal Representation for Lorain County, declined to tell The Chronicle in July 2015 how many signatures the group had collected either that year or the previous year.

In an interview with the newspaper in July 2014, Moore said “the only people who he’s encountered opposed to reform in Lorain County are those invested in the status quo,” according to Chronicle archives.

“Good government scares a lot of people who are in government,” Moore told the newspaper at the time.

The 2014 and 2015 proposals also called for replacing the three atlarge commissioners with a seven-member board elected from districts around the county, according to Chronicle-Telegram archives.

It would have eliminated the county recorder, treasurer and coroner, as elected positions, and given the elected county council the power to appoint all three.

It also would have created an appointed county executive position with powers similar to that of the current county administrator position.

The offices of county auditor, prosecutor and sheriff would have remained elected positions under the plan.

Citizens for Equal Representation was billed as nonpartisan, but The Chronicle reported at the time that most county Democrats were critical of the proposal, arguing it would have favored the Lorain County Republican Party based on how the districts were drawn.

Cuyahoga and Summit counties are the only two of Ohio’s 88 counties with anything other than a threemember board of commissioners form of government.

Both have county councils and a county executive — 11 council members and an elected executive in Summit County, since 1981, and the same in Cuyahoga County since voters approved a new county charter form of government in 2009 in reaction to a massive public corruption scandal.

Legal Aid Society has help for student loan borrowers

With two legal decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30 overruling the Biden administration’s student loan debt forgiveness plans, things may seem bleak for the millions of student loan borrowers whose debt payments are likely to resume in October after a three-year pause.

Locally, there are resources to help borrowers know their rights and possibly get involved in other student loan debt forgiveness plans.

Student loans “give needed financial assistance to people who want to further their education but cannot afford it,” according to The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. “Sometimes, however, when paying back a student loan there are legal issues related to payment plans, loan forgiveness, and other lending questions.”

Payments on federally held student loans have been paused since former President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act, in

It remains to be seen how institutions will actually have to adapt their admissions processes, but Ambar said Oberlin College will stand by its commitment to “an eclectic campus.”

“It’s true this ruling makes our work more difficult,” she said. “But now is the time to draw inspiration from Mary Jane Patterson and others who demanded better for themselves and for this country. We will stand together to uphold the values that have defined Oberlin College for generations.”

Lorain County Republican Party Chairman David Arredondo, who was himself a senior associate director of college admissions at Oberlin College from 1988 to 2000, celebrated the court’s decision.

“Going forward from today’s historic Supreme Court decision, we should no longer see ethnic and racial check boxes on college applications,” Arredondo said in a statement. “Selective college admissions must consider the best and the brightest, not race or ethnicity.”

Arredondo shared his own idea for how college admissions could be more equitable and championed the privatization of student loans.

“Socioeconomic and legal immigration status (should) be used to help less advantaged college applicants,” he said. “We should boost working class and non-college graduate households and first-gener-

March 2020.

Trump extended the pause twice, once each in August 2020 and December 2020. President Joe Biden extended it three times in 2021 and then twice more in 2022.

When lenders and several states challenged Biden’s authority on student loan debt forgiveness, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland filed a legal brief on behalf of more than 70 legal services and borrower advocacy organizations.

Josh Rovenger, a Harvard Law School-trained supervising attorney in the Economic Justice Practice Group at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and a student loan justice fellow with the Student Borrower Protection Center who has helped negotiate rules on student loans with the U.S. Department of Education, said he was surprised and disappointed by Friday’s Supreme Court decisions.

“I think one, there have been long-standing rules about who can bring lawsuits in the first place and, in general, a third party cannot sue on behalf of harms that happened to someone else,” he said.

ation immigrant families.”

Arredondo said that in modern America, admissions methods that may have been necessary at one time are no longer needed.

“The end of affirmative action is long past due; the America of 2023 is not the America of 1964,” he said.

“The greatest testimony to this is the 2008 presidential election in which a majority of voters elected Sen. Barack Obama as the first African American president.”

Arredondo questioned what diversity truly meant, and who had the right to determine what groups received its focus.

“Today, the biggest excuse for retaining affirmative action is diversity,” he said. “Again, what is diversity? Who decides who is Asian? Black? Hispanic?

Native American? Why is it largely defined by race and ethnicity as opposed to diversity of thought and opinion, geography, socialeconomic background?”

Sharon Sweda, chairwoman of the Lorain County Democratic Party, said that an America different from that of the 1960s is being put at risk by decisions like the end of affirmative action.

“It’s as though we are reverting the country backward,” Sweda said. “Between this and the reversal of Roe v. Wade, it feels like we are reincarnating the 1950s. (This decision) serves only to really affirm the legacy we have in this country of being racially unequal.”

But “that’s essentially what the state of Missouri did on behalf of MOHELA” — the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, one of the nation’s largest servicers of private and federal student loans — in the case of Biden v. Nebraska, Rovenger said Friday.

As the three-judge dissent in Friday’s 6-3 decision in Biden v. Nebraska pointed out, the statute was designed to give the U.S. secretary of education “wide discretion to respond to national emergencies” such as the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure student loan borrowers were not affected.

He said Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion in Department of Education v. Brown, the second case decided Friday in a unanimous 9-0 opinion, showed, “really the only thing the court was doing ... was evaluating the case under the HEROES Act” — the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, which was a supplement to the CARES Act.

Fortunately for student loan borrowers, the presi-

dent “has a lot of other tools to cancel student loan debt” not addressed by the Supreme Court’s decision. Under the Higher Education Act, executive orders can be used to cancel some student loan debt on the basis of fraud or borrower disability, Rovenger said. Some of those could even be put in place before student loan repayments start again in October, he said.

Unless that happens, the federal government has many “punitive collection tactics” while the administrative processes to fight or challenge debt collection “don’t really work,” Rovenger said.

The U.S. Department of Education can seize earned income tax credits, child tax credits, garnish wages, seize Social Security retirement benefits and also seize your income tax refunds, he said.

“It’s fair to say borrowers were drowning in student loan debt before the pandemic,” Rovenger said. “The system was already broken beforehand. There’s a caricature of a student loan borrower as a fancy lawyer or doctor, but 40 percent of borrowers don’t

have credentials, didn’t finish their degrees, and still have debt.”

Before the pandemic, a borrower defaulted on a student loan every 26 seconds, Rovenger said.

“There was a wave of defaults and delinquencies, and I think that risk has re-emerged given today’s decision,” he said.

Resources

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland welcomes “all the calls” worried borrowers want to make ahead of repayments starting in October, Rovenger said.

It also may be able to represent individual borrowers who find themselves in a legal bind. General questions can be directed to the Legal Aid Society at (440) 210-4532

For Lorain County residents interested in resources, the Legal Aid Society will be hosting an event titled “Know Your Rights: Student Loan Repayment Resumes,” at the Elyria Public Library’s West River Branch, 1194 West River Road N. in Elyria, from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14.

The event is free but registration is required at

elyrialibrary.libcal.com/

event/10897446. Register online, or call (440) 3249825.

The Sept. 14 presentation “will provide borrowers with the tools they need to navigate the return to repayment,” including an introduction to the basics of student loans; a new income-driven repayment program that will benefit most borrowers; an overview of loan discharge and forgiveness programs; a review of time-limited programs for borrowers in default and those who have been in repayment for decades; an update on the status of the government’s one-time cancellation program, and where borrowers can find additional help, according to the Legal Aid Society.

Those currently working or recently unemployed who have questions about their rights at work, about unemployment benefits or student loans can call the Legal Aid Society’s Economic Justice Information Line at (440) 210-4532 (for Lorain, Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties) or (216) 861-5899 in Cuyahoga County.

Lorain County Historical Society program gives overview of railways in Lorain County

CARISSA WOYTACH

THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

CARLISLE TWP. — Lorain County’s place in locomotive history was on display on June 29.

Adam Matthews, of Amherst, a member of several local locomotive societies, gave an overview of the rail lines that ran through Lorain County. The event was part of the Lorain County Historical Society’s bicentennial speaker series at Carlisle Reservation.

Rail lines ran everywhere in Lorain County, from the 1830s to the current lines upheld by Norfolk Southern and CSX.

Many ran into the steel mill in Lorain, Matthews said, vying to get into the industrial hub to transport coal into the booming business. The oldest was the New

York Central System, which ran from 1831 to 1968. Lines stopped through Shawville — now North Ridgeville — and downtown Elyria, Oberlin’s freight depot — roughly where the McDonald’s is now — and down to Kipton.

The New York Central system merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1960s to form Penn Central. The merger was a failure, Matthews said, with the company competing with itself due to the layout of the lines. Eventually after government intervention, Conrail was created, which was later split between the Norfolk Southern and CSX lines.

The B&O line ran from 1828 to 1987, taking coal from Maryland and surrounding areas up to the steel mills in Lorain and Cleveland. It was eventually taken over by the

Chesapeake and Ohio Railway to become the Chessie System. The Chessie System merged with the Seaboard System Railroad to form CSX.

The Nickel Plate Railroad has nothing to do with the road of its namesake, Matthews said. The roadway took its name from the Nickel Plate quarries that predated the railway.

Matthews touched briefly on several wrecks in the county, including the Great Kipton Train Wreck in 1891, when a Fast Mail train heading east collided with a Toledo Express train heading west, resulting in nine deaths. The wreck was caused by a malfunction of a pocketwatch, prompting railroaders to carry watches from the Ball Watch Company in Cleveland, after Webb C. Ball was commissioned as Chief Time Inspector following the wreck.

the community and really be an extension of the downtown historic district.”

He said it is entirely feasible for the village to see the other phases of the park completed within the next few years, depending on how quickly sponsors get on board.

For more information, or to sponsor or donate to the project, contact Schneider at (440) 935-4733 or

In 1916 Lorain County saw its deadliest train wreck in Amherst, with 27 killed and 47 injured. A Buffalo Express train was stopped at a signal parallel to Milan Avenue near North Lake when it was struck from behind by another Buffalo Express train.

The collision pushed cars onto the opposing tracks, which were then struck by a 20th Century Limited train.

The Nickel Plate Railroad ran from New York to St. Louis from 1881 to 1964. Its Avon Lake depot still exists, he said.

The Grafton Tower from the Big Four Railroad — which predated the village itself — is also still standing.

Nickel Plate Road engine 384 also is still standing, though rusted, by the county fairgrounds in Wellington.

hschneider@villageofwellington.com; or Village Manager Jonathan Greever at (440) 647-3827 or jgreever@villageof wellington.com.

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide

Raililroad historian Adam Matthews gave an overview of railroading during Lorain County’s Bicentennial Speaker Series held at the Carlisle Reservation Visitors Center on June 29.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Oberlin Community Services gets donation from Rotary

OBERLIN — Oberlin

Community Services received a $20,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Oberlin at an event June 30.

The donation is split between outgoing president Melanie Satterfield’s administration and incoming president Shontae Jackson’s administration.

“It took us a long, long time to make this commitment, but they need a cooler,” Satterfield said.

“Jason (Hawk) sent a request and we went to the board and … we decided it was the best thing we could do for the community. We wanted to help out and this was our way of making a difference in Oberlin.”

The funds will surpass the nonprofit’s Jaqui Willis Memorial campaign’s goal of $100,000. Two anonymous donors will match the $100,000 raised to help with renovations of the new pantry and warehouse

space. “We’re seeing more families every single week come through our doors,”

$5k Huntington Bank grant to help OCS guide interns

OBERLIN — Huntington National Bank has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Job Experience Training Interns program — or JETI program — at Oberlin Community Services.

The money will be used to provide growth opportunities for at-risk adults ages 18-24 who work with OCS through OhioMEANSJobs.

These interns get valuable paid training while working in the food pantry and warehouse, packing boxes, stocking, making deliveries, cleaning, assisting with office work, gardening and helping with programs and promotions, OCS said in a news release.

Every JETI individual’s needs differ — they may need support to earn a GED, enroll in vocational classes at the Lorain

County Joint Vocational or Lorain County Community Council, get a driver’s license and move into more permanent jobs.

“We’re helping a lowincome population that desperately needs added support,” said OCS Resiliency Coordinator Marla Brewer. “We offer basic life skills that are going to give these young people an advantage, such as financial literacy classes and driver’s ed, and a document lock box to keep important paperwork safe. The whole idea of this program is to be a stepping stone to make sure JETIs are prepared for whatever’s next in their lives.”

The JETI program was launched in spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented volunteers, especially area retirees who were at high risk of contracting the virus, from donating their time.

said Jason Hawk, Oberlin Community Services’ Communications and Development Coordinator.

“Today, in 3½ hours we had 119 families receive food. … We’re out of space. We can’t help any more

people.”

Jackson said as president of Oberlin Rotary she hopes to focus on mental

health, minority health and environmental studies, including the relationship between food, culture and health.

Food is at the center of Jackson’s professional life, as the owner of Steel Magnolia restaurant and farm in South Lorain. Her farm, in Lorain’s 5th Ward, is in a food desert, she said, so she understands the need OCS is filling with its pantries and how the cost to provide those services has risen.

Rosa Gadsen, OCS’ outreach and volunteer coordinator, said the costs have gone up while supplies have gone down.

Hawk said with Rotary’s help the walk-in coolers and freezers at the new warehouse at the Cooper Community Resource Center will allow the nonprofit to get more food out the door than ever before. He said phase I of renovations at the resource center should be done by the end of July, and the nonprofit hopes to see it open in September.

The Lorain County Engineer’s Office is collecting survey data and doing environmental studies for four upcoming construction projects that should make Lorain County roadways safer in the coming years.

Public notices on the engineer’s website state that the work will include new sidewalks in Sheffield Township, a new bridge in Wellington Township, a roundabout in Carlisle Township and safety improvements on a portion of Lake Avenue in Elyria Township starting in 2025 and 2026.

The projects are:

• New sidewalks along the north side of North Ridge Road from the Clearview Schools campus to Cooper Foster Park

Road in Sheffield Township.

• New crosswalk markings and upgraded curb ramps at Broadway and North Ridge Road will be included. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and traffic will be maintained during the work.

No additional right of way will be required to construct the project, according to the engineer’s office.

The estimated cost of the walks and crossings is $390,000. Of that, 100 percent is being paid for with a grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

• The replacement of Hawley Road Bridge, approximately 0.63 miles north of state Route 18 on Hawley Road in Wellington Township.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025

and will involve detours.

Additional right of way will be required to construct the project.

The estimated cost of the bridge is $1.1 million, of which 95 percent is being funded through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

• The reconstruction of the intersection of Oberlin-Elyria and LaGrange roads into a modern roundabout in Carlisle Township.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and traffic will be maintained during the work. Additional right of way will be required to construct the project.

The estimated cost of the new roundabout is just over $1.5 million. Of that, 80 percent is being paid for with a safety grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

• The safety improve-

ment of Lake Avenue between Griswold Road and Elyria Avenue in Elyria Township.

The recommended and approved countermeasures include the repair of the existing concrete pavement with an asphalt overlay, reducing the roadway from four through lanes to two with a center two way left turn lane, dedicated bike lanes and new pavement markings, according to the engineer’s office.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and traffic will be maintained during the work. Additional right of way will not be required to construct the project. The estimated cost is $1.5 million, with 80 percent funded through a Federal Highway Administration safety grant, according to the engineer’s office.

EATON TOWNSHIP —

Dozens of residents turned out again at the township zoning commission meeting June 27 to object to Ross Environmental Services’ amended request to rezone 120-plus acres of its own property to heavy industrial.

The Elyria-based company, which owns an incinerator on Giles Road in the township, went back before the township board to request a zoning change.

The company wants to build a monofill to bury waste ash from its incinerator on its own property, rather than truck it out of state to other landfills. It needs permission to rezone its property from light industrial to heavy industrial to do so.

A previous request was denied in March following two public hearings. The zoning commission has 30 days starting Tuesday to make a recommendation to the township Board of Trustees on the amended request.

The commission scheduled a second hearing for July 12 so members can do more research. Com-

mission Chairman James Drozdowski said it was “only fair” to review all the documents and public comments provided to the board before making a decision.

The company’s request to rezone 122.6 acres of its property was made in May, two months after its original request to rezone more than 200 acres was denied.

Opponents said June 27 they object to how the new request was made and received by the township.

Inorganic waste ash from the Ross incinerator will be mixed with cement or limestone, then buried 10 to 17 feet deep atop a 3-foot layer of nonporous clay, sandwiched between layers of plastic sheeting, according to the company.

Residents said they are concerned about the proposed 48-year lifespan of the monofill, about water leaching out of the monofill and into neighboring streams, and whether the plastic sheeting will last long enough to prevent groundwater contamination. The 23-acre monofill will be topped with dirt, top out at 50 feet tall, and there won’t be any odors or noise pollution, according

to Ross. Two rows of trees will shield it from view, according to Ross.

To continue transporting ash from its incinerator to outside landfills or monofills leaves Ross vulnerable to shutdowns and price increases at those destinations.

“We’re not doing anything new here,” said Darrell Zielinski, vice president of business development for Ross told the commission. “This is all tried and true.”

None of that was enough to satisfy residents’ concerns, opponents of Ross’ plans told the zoning commission. Zoning, they said, helps protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents.

Resident and former township trustee Donna Hicks said she had been to “many meetings” this year on the topic, but had “yet to hear” the zoning commission discuss anything.

The company’s plans “increase the chance of illness, disease and death” for residents, Hicks said, questioning if there was a “predetermined outcome” or a “behind-the-scenes agenda.”

A new zoning designation means more traffic, more trucks and could

potentially let the company do whatever it wants on its property as long as it’s allowable under the rules for heavy industrial property, opponents said.

They also accused Ross or people acting on its behalf of suggesting or outright writing zoning regulations to help the company.

Resident Nick Masters said Ross is a corporation “trying to impose their will on us.” If township zoning can’t protect public health, what good is it, he asked.

Several residents said

they can smell the smoke from the Ross incinerator stacks from their homes. The business has been in the township since at least 1949.

Matt Nakon, Ross’ attorney, said the only concern for the zoning commission is whether his client’s request conforms to township zoning rules. Ross is “highly regulated” by the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA, he said.

That didn’t convince residents like Karen Johnson. She said to “give in” to the

company’s request, “by its very nature is putting the community at risk.”

“There’s no such thing as ‘no risk,’” Johnson said. Ross is and should be subordinate to Eaton Township, not the other way around, she said.

Resident Kevin Taylor asked the commission to “think about your responsibility to Ross and to your residents.”

Whatever the decision is “will be judged by future generations and perhaps by God himself,” he said.

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide

The Oberlin Rotary donated $20,000 to Oberlin Community Services on June 30. Pictured are (left) Rosa Gadsden, Melanie Satterfield, Shontae Jackson, and Jason Hawk.

Falcons take flight in Lorain County Hot Stove tournament

THOMAS FETCENKO | The Community Guide

LEFT: Firelands’ Mady McKinney (3) safely makes it to second before Keystone’s Alex Gast (5) could secure the ball in time to make a play on Friday, June 30 at Firestone Park, in Spencer.

BELOW LEFT: Firelands’ Hayden Sheppard (2) slides safely into home before Keystone’s Melanie Solkiewicz (8) can secure the ball in time to make a play on Friday, June 30 at Firestone Park, in Spencer.

BELOW RIGHT: Firelands’ Sadie Keathley (17) high-fives teammate Reese Allsop (99) while the pair played against North Ridgeville on Tuesday, June 27.

Lorain County All-Stars lose to Cuyahoga County team

RIGHT: Martin Polonkay of Amherst Steele starts the game pitching for Lorain County during the 2023 Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game on June 28 at Canal Park. In a game that started two hours late due to heavy rain, the Navy all-star team lost 4-1 to the Red all-stars.

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide LEFT: Firelands’ Cory Ransom gets his catchers gear on during the 2023 Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game on June 28 at Canal Park.

Property tax bills due July 7

Property tax bills are due Friday, July 7, according to the Lorain County Treasurer's Office.

Treasurer Dan Talarek announced that 132,792 real estate and special assessment bills have been mailed with a July 7 due date.

Payments will be accepted in person at the treasurer's office on the second floor of the County Administration Building at 226 Middle Ave. in Elyria, in a drop box in the lobby of the administration building, by mail or online through the taxpayer's bank or financial institution.

Taxpayers who choose to mail their bills will be considered timely if their payment is postmarked on or before July 7, according to Talarek's office.

Ohio law requires a 10 percent penalty fee to be assessed on all payments postmarked after the closing date.

Property owners who have questions should call (440) 329-5787. Questions about property values can be directed to the Lorain County Auditor's Appraisal Department at (440) 3295488. Current Agricultural Use Value Program, owner-occupancy and homestead inquiries can be made by calling the auditor's office at (440) 329-5212.

Boys and Girls Clubs free summer meals

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio

BULLETIN BOARD

ll participate in the summer food service program, providing food to children at sites throughout Lorain, Erie and Huron counties June 12 to Aug. 11.

Children up to 18-years-old. Individuals 19-through-21-years-old with mental or physical disabilities currently enrolled in an educational program can also receive summer meals. McCormick Middle School in Wellington, along with several schools in Lorain and Elyria are feeding sites.

United Way of Greater Lorain County

United Way of Greater Lorain County is calling on the community to support its annual Fill the Bus school supply drive campaign to provide essential supplies to local schools.

Donations are being accepted at the United Way's downtown Lorain office, 642 Broadway Ave., or through an Amazon Wishlist link that can be found online at uwloraincounty.org/fillthebus, through July 28.

The United Way will distribute the collected items to schools in the first week of August.

The effort "aims to ensure that children have the tools they need for academic success and to alleviate the financial burden on teachers who often purchase supplies out of their own pockets when students don’t have their own supplies," the United Way said in a news release.

Last year's Fill the Bus drive saw nearly 30,000

THEME: MOVIE ANIMALS

The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com

school supplies distributed to 11 school districts in Lorain County, made possible by 47 businesses hosting collection drives and individuals donating from the community.

Lorain County Historical Society

49th Annual Ice Cream Social is 12-3 p.m. July 9 at The Hickories Museum, 509 Washington Ave., Elyria.

Tickets are $7 per person, on sale now at www. lchs.org/events. Tickets can also be purchased at the event. All proceeds benefit the work of the Lorain County Historical Society. Enjoy ice cream while listening to the musical selections of Solid Brass and the Lake Ridge Legacy Chorus, hunting for clues to the outdoor scavenger hunt, playing old-fashioned games, or looking at the antique cars on the lawn. The Hickories Museum will be open for tours. Mimi’s Food Truck will offer food and drinks for sale. LCHS will be holding a 50/50 raffle plus basket raffles.

Amherst Public Library

7/7 and 7/21 - Music and Movement Storytime

7/10 - Watercolor Pencils

and More Art Workshop

7/10 - Splash + Play Outdoor Sensory Playtime

7/18 - Canine Reading

Buddies

Herrick Memorial Library

Registration is required for most programs. Call (440) 647-2120 to register or for more information.

• READ to PUTTER from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.

• Summer reading program through July 31

• Monday Kindness Crafts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

July 10: Sprinkle kindness donut ornament

July 17: Felt heart pocket hug

• Summer Story Times through July 1

Family story times are

10:30 a.m. Tuesdays

Baby lap-sit story times are 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays

• School-age programs are 11 a.m. Thursdays

Today: Recycled paper boxes crafting

July 13: wire and bead balloons

July 20: Summer Reading finale

• Open Tech Help is 1:30-3 p.m. July 12

• Glass charms craft is 6 p.m. July 18

• Intro to Canning is 6 p.m. July 20

Workshop Players

The Workshop Players Theatre are holding auditions for “Death Trap” by Ira Levin, directed by Barry Saxon, from 6:30-9 p.m. July 10 and 11. Auditions will be held at the theatre, 44820 Middle Ridge Rd., Amherst. Bring a resume and head shot if available and be prepared to stay the entire time. It is suggested, but not necessary, to attend both days.

Rehearsals will start Aug. 7 and run 6:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Performances are Sept. 1417 and 22-24.

For more information, email pegasus227+Deathtrap@ gmail.com

CS Lewis and Friends

CS Lewis & Friends Book Group will meet at the Amherst Library at 7 p.m. July 11. The group will discuss Chapters 4 through 9 of Lewis’s “The Great Divorce.” Contact Marcia Geary at (440) 988-9803 or mgeary@ gearylawllc.com with questions. All are welcome!

South Amherst Alumni Banquet

The South Amherst alumni banquet is July 15 at the New Russia Township Hall. The class of 1973 will be honored. Invitations have been sent out and must be returned by July 1. t. If you haven’t received one, please call Jerry Bozicevich at 440773-5546.

Any senior who’s parents or grandparents have graduated from South Amherst is eligible to apply for a $500.00 scholarship. Please call Jerry for an application. Donations for the scholarship fund are always welcome. For more information, call Raynelle Bozicevich (440) 2421283, raynelle187@oh.rr. com or

Jerry Bozicevich (440) 773-5546.

Avon/Avon

Lake Republican Club

machine

Rocks, to a bartender

Bowling prop

Lush

Trots and canters

Broadcasting medium

Inflammatory swelling

Highland tongue

Sock pattern

Go back over

Milo and Otis, e.g.

*”Dunston Checks In” animal

Wheel on a spur

Private theater box

Resembling wings

MacFarlane or Rogen

Go-____ 62. *Bullseye, Hamm and Lotso Bear, e.g. 63. Lyric poem 64. Immediately, doctor’s jargon

DOWN 1. Air quality concern 2. Fibber

3. Farm measure 4. Sushi condiment 5. Natural moth repellent 6. To change, as in the U.S. Constitution 7. Fork prong 8. *”Harry Potter” animal (2 words)

9. Earthenware pot

10. *”Born Free” animal

11. I in T.G.I.F.

13. Administer diazepam

14. When Cinderella wins

19. Civil wrongs

22. “Some Nights” band

23. *”Life of Pi” animal

24. Close call

25. Bank job

26. Gossamer

27. Cry like #5 Across

28. Liquorice flavored herb

29. Hues

Lightness of ____”

40. “That feels good!” exclamation

41. Set in motion

44. Like a go-getter bird

46. Lies in ambush

48. Wept

49. It makes waste?

50. Singular of #17 Across

51. Home versus ____ game

52. Guesstimate phrase (2 words)

53. To perfection (3 words)

54. Taj Mahal city

55. As opposed to gross

of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. Dolan will also discuss his campaign for U.S. Senator. Members are free and guests are $5.

Avon Democratic Club

Join the Avon Democratic Club for its annual baseball fundraiser at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Mercy Health Stadium, 2009 Baseball Boulevard, in Avon, as the Lake Erie Crushers face the Washington Wild Things.

Tickets can be purchased by going to: https://secure. actblue.com/donate/ adcbaseball2023

Proceeds will benefit the Avon Democratic Club, local Democratic candidates and voter outreach.

NAMI Lorain County

NAMI of Lorain County will host its miniature golf outing 5:30-9 p.m. Aug. 3 at Sportsville in North Ridgeville. Check-in for the outing kicks off at 5:30 pm with play beginning at 6:00 pm. The participant fee is $25 for a single player, while the fee for a foursome is $100. Registration fees include food, beer and wine, and a fun time!

Oberlin Heritage Center

The Heritage Center’s summer camp registration is now open.

• Architecture Camp is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7-11. It is for children ages 8 to 13.

Members (including children and grandchildren of members) $110

Non-members $125

• Atronomy and antiquity camp is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14-18. It is for children ages 10-15.

Members (including children and grandchildren of members) $110

Non-members $125

For more information, please email our Museum Education and Tour Manager at tourinfo@ oberlinheritage.org or register online at oberlinheritagecenter.org

The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will present state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chardon, on the new state budget and news from the statehouse at 5 p.m. July 15 at the Knights

Oberlin Public Library

The Oberlin Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library at 5 p.m. July 13. The meeting is open to the public.

32. Backgammon predecessor

33. * “Babe” animal

36. * “Anchorman” and “The

Wizard of Oz” animals

38. Kundera’s “Unbearable

56. * “Willard” animal SOLUTION

BerryChallenging

In most partsofthe country,July is the month when blueberries ripen. Do the math to discover some blueberry facts. If the answer is an even number, that fact is TRUE. Blueberriesdonot ripen afterthey have beenpicked.

Blueberries aregoodfor your heart.

Asingleblueberrybush canproduce up to 6,000berriesinone year

2+2+2+2= TRUE FALSE

Star Berries

The blossom end of eachblueberry forms theshape of a perfect five-pointed star.A Native Americanlegend tellshow the Great Spirit sent“starberries” to end the children’shungerduring afamine

ChefLeBloo baked a dozen delicious blueberrypies, but can’t remember where he left themto cool. Can you find all 12 on this page?

To figure outthe answer to this important question, number the parts of the sentences in order.Then, write the answer on the lines below

Billy andBetsy are picking blueberries. But what’s this? There is more than just blueberries in the bushes. Can you find a car,a bird, a shoe,a crayon,a fish a cat and a glove while findingyourway through themaze?

Playthis game withafriend or family member.Taketurns drawing horizontal or vertical lines to connecttwo dots Each time your line closes asquare, that’s worth1point. If thesquarecontains a blueberry, that’sworth3points!

In the 1600s, when settlersarrived in North America from England, they had to find food. The Wampanoag people showed them how to plant corn and how to gather and use native plants. An important native plant was blueberries! These could be eaten fresh or dried and stored for the winter

Blueberry Roots

Blueberries have roots that go way back in history

In fact, they have been growing in North America for about 1,3000 years.

Native Americans found many uses for these tasty little blue balls. They ate the ripe berries and made a tea from the leaves. They said thistea was good for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to treat coughs.

The juice of the blueberries made an excellent dye for baskets and cloth.

The berries added flavor to stews, soups and meats.

How Blue AreYou?

If someone says he is blue, it usually means he is sad, not painted. Look through the newspaper and find picturesorwords that mean the same as sad Then cheer yourself up by finding aword that means the opposite of each sad word.

ABSOLUTELY AMERICA BERRIES DYE EAT GLOVE GROWING HEART JUICE JULY EAVES PEN OOTS AFE YARD

Replacethe missing words.

In March of 2023,the blueberrybecamethe state fruitofMississippi—thanks to agroup of fourth grade_ _from MannsdaleUpperElementarySchool

They _about howstudents in Kansas persuadedtheir state legislature to name theSandhill plum as their state fruit

Thestudents startedbyresearchingwhich major fruit_ is produced in Mississippi. They discovered it wasthe blueberry. Just under2,000 acresofland is used to the fruitand produces around 8.5 million poundsofblueberries

Theclassreached outtoJillFord who their area in the Mississippi StateLegislature.

“Nothing thrills my soul likehaving children get_ in theprocess,” said RepresentativeFordafter the billmaking the blueberrythe statefruit wassigned

With hundreds of topics,every Kid Scoop® printable activitypack features six-to-seven pages of high-interest extra learning activities forhome and school! Getyour free sample todayat:

Y L E T U L O S B A

J A E H E A R T E G

T R R A R T U X R N

B N I D V O W Z R I

U S P C Q E O R I W

J T E Y D A S T E O

M U N O B N W F S R

A C I R E M A V C G

J Y V C G S J U L Y

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple directions; spell commonsight words. Unscramble thelettersonthe label of each jar to discover whatkind of jamisinside it St d d Li k R di C hension: spe l common LE RIP RO SA YA Findten or morenumbers in today’s newspaper.Roundoff each number to the nearestten.Ifthe numberismore than100, roundoff to the nearest hundred also. Standards Link: Mathematics: Number Sense. Students round offnumbers to the nearest ten or hundred. Round O Sk m read ng ANSWER: tPu them raunde magnifying glass

This week’sword: P M W G E V O L G A

NATIVE

Onemeaningofthe noun native is aperson, animal or plant thatisfound naturally in a given place.

Tryto use theword native in asentence today whentalking with your friends andfamily members.

TheMagic Blueberry

Write astory about finding amagicblueberry

Find thetwo starberries that match.