Lorain County Community Guide - May 4, 2023

Voter turnout exceeds expectations

Voter turnout on May 2 exceeded expectations by a few percentage points.

The Lorain County Board of Elections said 13.13 percent of eligible voters showed up at the polls for the primary.

Director Paul Adams had predicted 11 percent and Deputy Director Jim Kramer predicted 10 percent on Monday.

“I was very, very glad to see that, especially because of the weather,” Adams said, referencing Tuesday’s cold and gray rainy day.

Provisional ballots were still being counted by The Chronicle-Telegram’s deadline Tuesday.

With 216,088 registered voters in Lorain County, 6,382 voted early, with the highest numbers in Lorain, Elyria and North Ridgeville. Being an off-year election, Adams said most voters participating those who generally follow local government closely and are civically engaged, making the process for them smoother.

Lorain, Amherst and North Ridgeville all had slight changes to ward boundaries for this year’s election cycle.

There were 342 absentee ballots still outstanding,

Adams said. He said if they come back in time, the board of elections will review them starting May 10, though they won’t be certified until May 18.

The ballots must be received by Saturday, and any ballot errors corrected by that day as well.

There were 216,088 registered voters in Lorain County eligible to vote. Of eligible voters, 6,382 voted early.

The elections board will meet May 16 to consider ballot questions, and on May 18 to certify Tuesday’s election, independent candidate petitions, and to schedule a required audit.

Letters detail request for special prosecutor in county radio probe

$8 million in equipment and radios for Lorain County offices and grants to other first responders.

Kendal’s Lawn Chair Drill Team performs at Oberlin Big Parade

CARISSA WOYTACH

THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

OBERLIN — The squeak of hinges and the stomp of feet echoed throughout Kendal at Oberlin on April 27.

More than 22 residents, averaging about 80 years old, sang in unison, lifting lawn chairs above their heads or at their sides as Nina Love led the way.

Kendal at Oberlin’s lawn chair drill team performed at the Big Parade April 29, a highlight for the parade attendees and participants alike.

Don Parker, 89, has been involved with the drill team since he moved to Kendal in 2012. This year he will be in New Mexico during

Team since its inception nearly two decades ago.

ABOVE:

Thursday afternoon,

for their big performance at

on April 29.

More details on the proposed appointment of a special prosecutor to help the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office investigate allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the ongoing drama around an $8 million emergency radio contract have been revealed in letters between county officials.

In a letter to Sheriff Phil Stammitti dated Tuesday, April 25, and obtained by The Chronicle-Telegram, Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson said the Ohio Attorney General’s Office had declined to provide the county with a special prosecutor.

“Upon my inquiry, I was advised that the Special Prosecutor Division of the (attorney general’s) office is short-staffed and, for that reason, they are unable to answer this request,” Tomlinson wrote. He told Stammitti he was still working to find a special prosecutor to assist the sheriff’s office in their investigation.

Stammitti announced an investigation April 24 into the “methods and processes which have taken place as it relates to Lorain County’s efforts to secure a new radio system for first responders.”

The months-long controversy resulted from Lorain County commissioners Michelle Hung and Matt Lundy awarding a contract to Cleveland Communications Inc. in December for

Five cities and villages in Lorain County already use the radios, which are the preferred system of the Lorain County Fire Chiefs Association, Lorain County Deputies Association, Stammitti and other public officials.

Commissioners Jeff Riddell and David Moore rescinded that contract in January, saying — without giving any evidence — that it was improperly and unethically and possibly illegal awarded in an unfair bid process.

Cleveland Communications Inc. then sued the county for breach of contract in Common Pleas Court, and the deputies union filed a grievance with Stammitti.

Months of back-andforth allegations and arguments have followed.

Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office started investigating the matter and related items, issuing subpoenas in January and February 2022. That investigation continues, Faber spokesman Marc Kovac told the Chronicle on April 25.

Further documents obtained by the Chronicle state that subpoenas were issued by the sheriff’s office on county officials on March 23 for emails written by the Board of Commissioners and some of its employees.

Sheriff’s detective Lt. Robert Vansant also

DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

KRISTIN BAUER | The Community Guide

TOP: Janet Bolland, a resident at Kendal at Oberlin, smiles while sitting in her lawn chair in the middle of a routine during The Kendal’s Lawn Chair Drill Team rehearsal. Bolland has participated in Kendal’s Lawn Chair Drill

The Lawn Chair Drill Team rehearsed various songs and routines on

marching down the roads and parking lots of the complex,

the annual “Big Parade”

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide

Jim Jezewski, left, and Jason Parker, with the Lorain County Board of Elections set the equipment in place at Northwood Middle School ahead of Tuesday’s election. His team placed 14 machines at Northwood with a total of 70 machines spread over six locations.

DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Helen Mae Thomas Jones

Helen Mae Thomas Jones passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023, on the 30th anniversary of her father, Robert ‘Bob’ Thomas’ death (March 30, 1993) and the 100th wedding anniversary (March 30, 1923) of her parents, Bob and Dorothea Thomas. Helen was born April 28, 1924 to Bob and Dorothea Thomas in Oberlin.

When she entered the world, she was not breathing, however, after the quick response and skill of the midwife, Helen, she then let out a loud cry indicating great lungs and perhaps a foreshadow of her future as a soprano, a gift she used and shared throughout her life.

After graduating from Oberlin High School, Helen attended Howard University in Washington D.C. where she majored in music/voice. Often, she talked about singing with the Howard University Choir under the direction of Warner Lawson, Dean of College of Fine Arts.

Helen married her high school sweetheart, Clarence S. Jones on June 1, 1946 in Oberlin. They were blessed with two children, Clarence S. ‘Beannie’ and Helen D. ‘Pepper.’ If you asked her what was her greatest joy in life, she would respond, ‘my children.’ Helen was a mother who loved unconditionally. She prayed for and with her children. ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Let’s us rejoice and be glad’ was a verse she would repeat to her children and grandchildren, to remind them of God’s unwavering love.

Helen’s gift of music touched the lives of many. She was most proud of her work at Murray Ridge School in Elyria, where she was a special education teacher. Her proudest achievement at the school was the creation of the Choraleers, a choir whom she taught to sing in harmony, a choir that performed throughout the state. One of the favorite musical pieces of Helen and the choir was Barry Manilow’s, All the TIme. Wherever Helen resided, she attended a Barry Manilow concert. Her eldest grandchild, Nikki Poyer would accompany her out of love and Nikki would always comment that she was the ‘youngest person in attendance.’ Helen’s work in the community was recognized by the local Rotary Club who honored her with the Paul Harris Award, an award for outstanding community service.

Helen relocated to Wheaton, Illinois in the late 1990’s where she resided with her daughter, ‘Pepper’ Poyer and family. She loved every moment participating in the lives of her three grandchildren, Nikki, Michelle and David G. Poyer. While in Wheaton, she shared her musical skills at DuPage AME Church, a gift she had shared at churches in Oberlin for many years. Often, she journeyed to Wilton, Connecticut to visit her grandsons, Clarence ‘CJ’ and Justin Jones. She spent several months in Connecticut when the boys were youngsters. Helen’s trips East would include stops in New York City to visit her beloved brother, Don M. Thomas. In 2010, Helen moved to Atlanta with her daughter and family.

When Helen’s health began to decline, she became a resident at A.G. Rhodes Wesley Woods in Atlanta, Georgia where music therapy was provided. On occasion, Helen would play the piano that delighted the residents and staff. She enjoyed the special music performances held at the Center and could be seen tapping her foot and directing the performers from her seat.

Helen left her earthly village to join her husband, Clarence S. Jones; son, Clarence ‘Beannie’ Jones; parents, Bob and Dorothea Thomas; and a host of family members and friends who supported and loved her during her life’s journey.

One day she will meet again her daughter, Helen ‘Pepper’ Jones (David) Poyer of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren, Nikki Poyer of Atlanta, Michelle Poyer (Grady) Wilburn of Fairfax, Virginia, Clarence ‘CJ’ Jones of Wheaton, Illinois, David G. Poyer of Washington D.C., and Justin (Brittani) Jones of Manassas, Virginia; and four great-grandchildren, Jackson Jones of Manassas, Virginia, Asher, Luke and Gabriel Wilburn of Fairfax, Virginia; beloved brother, Don (Marilu) Thomas of New York City; nieces, Cheryl Jones Sanders of North Carolina, Gail (Andre) Thornton of Ohio, Lisa (Michael) McGloiry of California, and Sheila Thomas Benson of South Carolina; nephew, Mark Thomas of New York; and a village of family and friends who walked with her throughout her life. Graveside service will be held at Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. Celebration of Life will be held immediately following interment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donating to Friends of Murray Ridge (Choraleers), 1091 Infirmary Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035.

Josephine ‘Jo’ Margaret Scharein

Josephine ‘Jo’ Margaret Scharein (nee Long), 97, of Amherst, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 24, 2023 after a brief stay at Anchor Lodge Nursing Home in Lorain, following a full and blessed life.

Hempel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Helen DeSantis

Helen DeSantis (nee Bliss), 104, a lifetime resident of Lorain, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain, following a full and meaningful life. She was born February 7, 1919 in Lorain. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

BIG PARADE

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the Big Parade and has left the proverbial reins — in the form of a staff of white birch topped with a neon yellow tennis ball Parker picked up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — to Love, who has been involved with the group since its 2004 start.

Parker said the idea for the lawn chair drill team started when another resident’s family saw a similar team in Portland, Oregon.

Of the six routines the group performs, three are original to Kendal and written by Parker, he said. The other three were from the group’s inspiration in Portland.

“Last year, I missed the Fourth of July as I was getting over surgery, but otherwise I’ve never missed it,” he said. “I was standing on the sideline watching them (practice) and I kind of got nostalgic. … This is what’s been going on all these years and I’m just kind of watching it now instead of being caught up in it.”

The group marches with donated lawn chairs, with practices starting the Monday before the Big Parade.

The drill team is such a staple at Kendal that the retirement community has space set aside to house the majority of the lawn chairs, Parker said.

For almost 20 years, the lawn chair drill team has performed rain or shine — with only the pandemic preventing the team from gathering in 2020.

On April 29, members picked their quirkiest outfits, from mismatched shoes to oversized hats, and perform their six routines for Big Parade attendees.

“It’s such a hoot and it’s like you don’t know what you’re doing, but the crowd builds you up,” Love said. “They carry you because they love us. When they see us coming, it starts to roar.”

Love has been with the group since 2004, but this will be her first time leading it for the Big Parade. Clutching a note card of the drills at Thursday’s practice, she was nervous — but excited — for the performance.

“It’s fun to be there, and it’s fun to be able to see the whole parade — and the crowd is waiting for us,” Love said. “As soon as we start our idiocy, they start roaring, clapping.”

Parker said about two-thirds of the group performing Saturday are returning members, noting they’ve never had a problem getting new participants every year.

One of those newer participants is Jack Secrist, 78, who had watched

the group perform for years before he and his wife moved to Kendal.

Every time he saw the group at the Big Parade, he told his wife he was going to join it once they moved to the retirement community — and he stayed true to his word.

“I was a resident of Oberlin for 10 years and would come to the parade as one of the townies and really admired what these people from Kendal did,” he said. “I think it really showed sort of the spirit that Kendal wants to portray and does portray in this town. It’s fun and kind of eclectic.”

Last year Secrist practiced but tested positive for COVID-19 the day before the Big Parade, so he wasn’t able to perform, he said. This was his first year participating in the drill team’s signature event.

The Big Parade, a collaboration between the Oberlin community and college, stepped off at noon April 29 from the Mudd Library parking lot. Its theme was “Shipwrecked under the sea,” featuring floats of a shipwreck, pearl-encrusted clams and a large crab with pink lipstick.

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JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide

Western Reserve Land Conservancy walks the parade route dressed as bees with a message to “Protect our Pollinators!” in Oberlin’s Big Parade on April 29.

“It’s such a hoot and it’s like you don’t know what you’re doing, but the crowd builds you up.”

Nina Love

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.

Stephen Sturgill named Lorain Veterans Council 2023 Veteran of the Year

LORAIN — The Lorain Veterans Council named Stephen Sturgill The 2023 Lorain County Veteran of the Year on April 29 for his outstanding service, civic service and outstanding leadership.

Sturgill, a retired 23year veteran of U.S. Army, served in Operation Enduring Freedom, assisted in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and was a lieutenant in the 1483rd Transportation Company, after which he served as company commander in Afghanistan.

This year’s three nominees were Sturgill, General Brown and Edward Deeb.

“I’m definitely kinda speechless,” Sturgill said upon receiving the award. “I’m honored and privileged.”

Turning to his fellow nominees, he told them that he was “taken aback by their service.”

They are “very kind gentlemen,” Sturgill said. All should be inspired by those who came before, he said.

“All our candidates are worthy,” said Don Attie, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter

20 and the 2013 Veteran of the Year, who presented the award to Sturgill. Sturgill is the executive director of Wraparound Services for Lorain Schools.

His military awards include the Bronze Star, NATO Award and Army Commendation Medal. A member of numerous military veteran organizations, he also volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio’s food pantry.

It was the 66th annual event for the Lorain Veterans Council.

The event’s guest speaker was Tim Russell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Navy Cross recipient and former Cleveland and Vermilion police officer and Lorain and Erie county sheriff’s deputy.

Russell told the crowd at the Antlers banquet hall that he had no prepared speech and no war stories, only advice that “served to motivate me and my service and my life.”

He recalled how leadership roles were placed on him by fellow Marines when he volunteered to go to Vietnam.

“’Keep your mouth shut, kid, and maybe you’ll learn something and stay alive,’”

he recalled being told.

Then-Cpl. Russell won the Navy Cross for his actions on Feb. 2, 1968, when his unit came under attack at its base at Cam Lo, Vietnam.

Wounded by shrapnel, he refused medical attention, directed his unit’s defense for five hours and “forced the enemy to break contact and withdraw” while capturing 38 enemy soldiers and their equipment, according to his medal citation.

“The greatest reward any of us can have is serving others,” Russell said. “I have to do that: God’s watching.”

The Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution was given the Lorain Veterans Council’s first ever Community Service Award for “devoted service to our mission,” said Sturgill, who on Saturday also was newly installed as president of the Lorain Veterans Council.

Along with Sturgill, the Lorain Veterans Council also installed the following officers: Vice President Nelson Dunfee, Parliamentarian Mike Kachure, Treasurer Leo Citro, Secretary Tim Carrion and Chaplain Michael Simpson.

Adult Probation ‘dollar war’ provides 3,150 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank

Working to increase its community involvement by partnering with local nonprofits, the Lorain County Adult Probation Department recently hosted a “dollar war” to raise money for the citizens of Lorain County affected by a recent reduction in supplemental food benefit programs.

RADIOS

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requested an interview with Moore, according to a March 30 letter by Tomlinson to Stammitti. Tomlinson told Moore to talk to private legal counsel, according to the letter.

“Because I represent the board of commissioners and you, and because I prosecute your criminal cases, I have an inherent conflict in the circumstances that requires my recusal from a grand jury investigation of the commissioners and the board’s employees,” Tomlinson wrote in the letter.

Tomlinson originally made his special prosecutor request to Attorney

The department’s subsequent donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio will provide 3,150 meals to families, according to the probation department.

The probation department’s Intensive Supervision Unit raised the most money in the donation

General Dave Yost’s office on March 31.

In that letter, a copy of which also was obtained by the Chronicle, Tomlinson wrote that commissioners had not only voted to rescind the Cleveland Communications Inc. contract for the L3 Harris radio system in January, but also had voted to reduce Stammitti’s budget by $595,000. That prompted Stammitti and his deputies to speak up at several recent commissioners’ meetings.

“When the commissioners were informed that I would be unable to assist them further in this mat-

drive “while bringing friendly competition to the department,” probation Director JoEllen Mitchell said in a news release.

Every dollar donated to Second Harvest is enough to provide hungry families with seven meals, according to Second Harvest. Staff report

ter, one of them asked me whether the sheriff is permitted to launch a criminal investigation of him each time he casts a vote that negatively impacts the sheriff,” Tomlinson wrote in the March 31 letter. “I refer the commissioner’s query regarding the sheriff’s conduct to you for your review.”

In an emailed reply to the prosecutor’s office on April 17, Assistant Section Chief Christopher Kinsler of the attorney general’s office’s Special Prosecutions Section told Tomlinson his office couldn’t take the case for special prosecution.

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide

2023 Veteran of the Year Stephen Sturgill poses with his award on April 29.

Plastic bag collection creates ‘plarn’ mats

OBERLIN — A plastic bag collection has come full circle in Oberlin.

When city recycling coordinator Lori Sprosty got a call last year from a woman at Oberlin First United Methodist Church asking what she does with the plastic bags turned in during an annual Earth Day bag swap at the local IGA, she was initially suspicious.

But once Jean Shannon explained she and her friends needed the thousands of bags to make “plarn” to be knit or crocheted into “compassionate carpets” for people who are homeless, Sprosty was on board.

Now, a year later, Shannon and her band of volunteers — as many as 18 individuals coming to the assembly-line style sessions every Wednesday afternoon — have created about 70 mats all handed out to homeless individuals in Lorain County. The plarn — or plastic

yarn — mats help provide cushion and protection from the cold, wet ground to those sleeping rough, Shannon and Sprosty said. Each 3-foot by 6-foot carpet takes 500 to 700 bags

to complete and more than 50 hours to assemble.

Adding to Sprosty’s bag swap, fifth graders at Oberlin Elementary collected more than 1,000 plastic bags over a roughly two-

week span. The collection was part of the school’s International Baccalaureate program, which focuses on social and ecological issues such as plastic pollution, deforestation, video game

Olde Towne Hall Theatre presents

‘Into The Woods’ at Oberlin High School

The show must go on for Olde Towne Hall Theatre.

Less than a month after North Ridgeville had to close the 19th-century building due to safety concerns, the award-winning community theater company in a pinch moved its upcoming production of “Into the Woods” to a nearby Lorain County venue.

“Oberlin High School was gracious enough to offer their auditorium to us for our original performance dates and Fields United Methodist Church in North Ridgeville gave us temporary rehearsal space in the interim,” said “Into the Woods” music director Bryan Bird.

While the entire experience could be viewed as

a fairy tale with a happy ending, that’s not the case for “Into the Woods.”

“The show is based on fairy tales but they have a dark turn — more like the original Grimms’ stories,” said Bird, a 1998 Elyria High School graduate who lives in Strongsville.

“It seems like it’s a big happy ending at the end of Act 1. And in Act 2, you kind of get the after-story. It’s not all happily ever after.”

A Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, “Into the Woods” is a story based on wishes and curses.

There’s a Baker and his wife seeking a child, Cinderella hoping to attend the King’s Festival and Jack wishing his cow would give milk.

When the Baker and his

wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break it.

Everyone’s wish is granted but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.”

This marks Bird’s second experience with “Into the Woods,” which has a 20-member cast.

“It’s an interesting show because it’s a Sondheim score, so the music is kind of challenging,” he said. “It’s fun to play but it’s definitely a challenge because it’s so rhythmic.

“Sondheim deals a lot with just kind of weird rhythms but this score is a lot more repetitive so it’s one of those things where you break it down to see the patterns. The same thing vocally. He builds these harmonies.”

The music director said he’s impressed with the performers’ talents.

“Especially for community theater, this is an excellent cast,” he said.

“It’s a fun show because you come in and you think you know the story of ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Jack and The Beanstock’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ but it kind of takes that and flips it on its head. It’s a really quirky show.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Olde Towne Hall Theatre presents “Into The Woods” WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 5-6 and May 12-13; 2 p.m. May 7 WHERE: Oberlin High School’s Brubaker Auditorium, 281 North Pleasant St., Oberlin TICKETS: $15 INFO: othtnr.com

addiction and social media.

Students in different groups learn about their assigned issues and create presentations, including a website and video commercial, to be presented at a

May 23 exhibit.

From 6-7 p.m., the public will be able to view what each 15-student group has been working on — including the students who collected plastic bags to help Shannon’s group make the “plarn” blankets. The blankets have been distributed to the Salvation Army, Neighborhood Alliance, Oberlin Community Services and Valor Home, Shannon said.

Her group meets 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, and will continue to meet “until no one will come work,” she said.

Every station on the assembly line is vital, she said, from flattening the bags to cutting strips and twisting the plarn to the final knitters and crocheters.

“It’s just grown,” she said. “And it must be touching the hearts of people because they keep coming.”

Sprosty agreed.

“I’m really pleased now because I feel like it’s really come full circle, where we want to reduce, reuse, first,” she said.

PROVIDED | Lorain County Metro Parks Luke, an 8-year-old red tail hawk, died April 27.

Metro Parks announce passing of red-tailed hawk

STAFF REPORT

LAGRANGE — The Lorain County Metro Parks announced April 27 that Luke, an 8-year-old red tail hawk, has died.

Luke was under the care of the Metro Parks at the Raptor Center at the Carlisle Visitor Center in Carlisle Township. Luke had been at the Raptor Center since 2016 and had a permanently injured wing. With no hope for recovery and after exhausting all medical options, the Raptor Center staff in consultation with an avian vet euthanized Luke, the Metro Parks announced in a post to its Facebook page.

“While our flock may have one fewer member, we are glad to have had the privilege of caring for Luke for the past seven years. During that time, he touched many people who visited Carlisle Reservation. Luke was loved dearly by many in his role as a wildlife ambassador and will be greatly missed.”

The Raptor Center provides care to wild-hatched birds who have sustained permanent injuries. The birds serve as animal ambassadors and are used for education programming.

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide

Andrew Gibbs, 12, Alivia Simmons, 10 and Mark Shuck, 11, with the bags collected by the students at Oberlin Elementary School. The bags will be woven into mats for the homeless to sleep on.

JOHN BENSON FOR THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Primary Election

Murray Ridge levy passes by wide margin

staff try to be good stewards of taxpayer money.

Issue 6 for Murray Ridge Center passes by wide margin

A levy that supports the Murray Ridge Center/ Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities was overwhelmingly renewed May 2.

The renewal, identified on the ballot as Issue 6, passed with 20,317 votes, or 73.2 percent of the vote, according to unofficial election returns from the county Board of Elections. There were 7,439 votes against the levy, or 26.8 percent of the vote.

The 1.6875-mill renewal levy generates around $11.9 million annually and goes to fund the board’s operations.

Murray Ridge Superintendent Dr. Amber Fisher said she was “pleased” with the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.

“It’s really important for people with developmental disabilities in our county,” she said, “and we’re beyond pleased and beyond grateful.”

She said the center and its

“We take our fiscal stewardship very seriously; our whole agency does,” Fisher said. “We’re very intent on accomplishing our mission while always keeping the taxpayers in mind.”

The levy will not raise taxes. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $39 annually.

The board uses levy funds to leverage additional federal and state funding, with the levy making up up slightly more than onethird of its annual budget of more than $32.4 million, according to its 2022 budget.

The board served more than 3,000 children and adults in 2022, at both the Murray Ridge Center and during in-home visits.

The Murray Ridge School, at 9750 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, had 156 students from ages 6 to 22 in 2022. It provides preschool and kindergarten through 12th grade-level classes.

Adults served by the center get job and housing assistance, among other services.

Amherst Ward 2: Harmych moves forward to November ballot

AMHERST — Demo-

cratic voters in Amherst’s 2nd Ward backed Becky Harmych to represent their party on the November ballot in the race for City Council.

Harmych carried 98 votes, or 52 percent of the vote, compared to Nicole Janick’s 91 votes, or 48 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns from the Lorain County Board of Elections

Harmych will face Republican Jerry Gach, who was unopposed in the GOP primary, in November to determine who will face the 2nd Ward’s current councilman, Republican Ed Cowger.

Harmych said she knew it was going to be a low turnout Tuesday — having sat outside polling places with a golf umbrella, winter coat, rain boots and gloves on — but was thrilled with her win.

“I knew it was going to be close, and everybody on my committee that helped me kept reassuring me that

Greenwood Cemetery gets carved angel statue

WELLINGTON — Several graves at Greenwood Cemetery will soon have a new protector.

After the age of a large oak tree forced the Cemetery Board to have it cut down, the group wanted to do more than have the stump ground out.

So board members Bill Bogan, Dr. Bill Spreng and Gary Feron contacted Matt Missey, owner of Ohio Tree Carving, to turn the 10-foot fall stump into an angel, to overlook where the infants are buried.

it’s just going to be really close — it’s not going to be like two years ago where each of you had over 300 votes,” she said.

“We knew the tree would be missed, but it was a safety concern and had to come down,” Spreng said. “Especially for the families of the infants, it’s a little bit hard to go from a big, beautiful oak tree to (a stump) and we thought that this was one of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to do something.”

The more than 100-yearold tree went from a safety concern to a new landmark

in the historic cemetery, with Missey scoring out the angel’s wings and elbows Wednesday morning.

“Every tree is different, every carving is different,”

mately oversee the angel’s care once it’s finished. Missey is self-taught, he said, and has been carving for about 25 years.

The new statue is the latest in a list of upgrades the board has undertaken for the 1800s cemetery, including improving drainage, straightening headstones and placing gravel around headstones.

Once finished, the statue will be sealed to protect it from the weather, and there will be enough of a base on the bottom to allow it to be eventually placed on a stone pedestal if rot becomes an issue, Missey said. He estimated the statue will have a 30- to 50-year lifespan if properly cared for.

Cutting down the tree cost the board about $1,500 and the carving cost about $5,500.

BECKY HARMYCH NICOLE JANIK

“It’s like there was us on the ballot in Amherst in this ward, and then the levy for Murray Ridge. And that’s not a big draw to bring people out on a rainy, cold day … I kept telling them, I’m going to fight til the end.”

Harmych’s said her last-minute push to knock on doors and put out yard signs the day leading up to the election seemingly paid off.

Janik could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Amherst local Sunday sale: La Plaza FOR: 86 percent AGAINST: 14 percent

Missey said.

Design of the angel was a joint decision between the three board members and the cemetery’s sexton, Ed Levitt, who will ulti-

The cemetery is funded by Wellington and Wellington Township and has been in existence since the late 1840s.

A dedication of the statue is planned for Memorial Day.

Midview voters OK substitute school levy

Midview school district voters approved Issue 4, the district’s 8.69-mill, 10-year substitute levy at the polls on May 2.

With 13 of 13 precincts reporting, the levy was passing with 3,003 votes for the levy and 1,276 votes against it, or 71.2 percent for to 29.8 percent against, according to complete but unofficial results from the Lorain County Board of Elections.

An elated Superintendent Bruce Willingham thanked the community that showed up to support its schools.

“Again, we’re so thankful and appreciative. I had a staff member text me: ‘What’s so important about Midview is that our community shows up when it matters,’ and I think that’s the most meaningful thing someone’s sent me in a long time,” he said.

Willingham said he feels lucky to work in a district like Midview, with its strong alumni base of graduates who move back to raise their children there.

The schools are “reaffirming our commitment

to them,” he said, by being fiscally responsible.

“We don’t take it lightly. It’s amazing to be part of his right now,” Willingham said.

The levy will raise $6.2 million annually, replacing two other levies that were raising that total amount. It will not raise property taxes in the district, serving Grafton, Carlisle and Grafton townships, parts of the city of Elyria and Eaton Township.

The levy will cost homeowners $304 per year for every $100,000 of value on their homes.

School officials and supporters said the levy was about keeping current levels of service and education for the 3,200 students in the district.

The levy combined two existing emergency levies into one.

The first, passed in 2012, generated $1.6 million per year and the second, passed in 2013,

generated $4.6 million annually. Both expire at year’s end.

Together, they make up one-sixth of the district’s $36 million annual budget. The levy was aimed at avoiding possible budget cuts.

The money generated by the levies will be used to pay salaries, for building and bus maintenance, safety and more in a district that is growing as the towns in it also grow.

CARISSA WOYTACH THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide

Matt Missey of Ohio Tree Carving works on a tree carvinf inside Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington. The statue overlooks the infant area in the cemetery.

JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide Midview Schools hosted a watch party for its renewal levy, Issue 4, at its middle school Tuesday evening. Watch Party for the Midview Schools’ Issue 4 at Midview Middle School on May 2.

Wellington girls see success on Senior Night

Falcons best Dukes

Comets end Wildcats’ streak

Comets caught by Canfield Cardinals

The Community Guide

TOP: Amherst’s catcher Isabella Thomas-Friend (16) tags out Keystone’s Abby Pace (1) as Amherst’s Nevaeh Sadler (4) watches the play at the Prebis Memorial Tournament. The Comets won 4-2 against the Wildcats, ending Keystone’s 18-game winning streak.

ABOVE: Amherst celebrates a win over Keystone that handed the Wildcats their first loss of the season at the Prebis Memorial Tournament on Saturday, April 29.

RIGHT: Amherst’s Sierra Dorobek (9) pitches against Keystone at the Prebis Me-

Tournament.

RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide Firelands’ Peyton VanderPool moves to make the tag on Wellington’s Riley Reyna as he attempts to steal second base. Reyna was called out on the play on April 27. The Falcons won 4-2 against the

THOMAS FETCENKO |

morial

RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide Amherst’s Leah Sprague sends the ball to the plate against Canfield at the Prebis Memorial Tournament in LaGrange. The Comets 7-3 lost to the Cardinals on April 29.

RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide

LEFT: Wellington’s Lily Oswald connects for a hit against Firelands. The Dukes beat the Falcons 14-9 at Senior Night, April 27.

RIGHT: Wellington’s Hannah Ramirez scoops up a Firelands’ ground ball.

Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club

Jonah Schulz, author of “Common Sense for a Dying Nation” will speak to the Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club at 5 p.m. May 11 at the knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. Also speaking that evening will be Steve McKinley, candidate for Ohio Supreme Court, and Andrew McDonnell, a U.S. Naval Academy Admissions Officer. Members are free, guests are $5.

Amherst Historical Society

● Afternoon Tea is 1-3 p.m. May 21 at The Grange Hall in Sandstone Village. Please join us for tea and refreshments, enjoy beautiful wedding dresses on display, and tour the Village gardens maintained by the Amherst Garden Club. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 for members. Please RSVP by May 15 to (440) 988-7255 or office@ amhersthistoricalsociety. org. Payments can be made by cash, check or card. You can also register and pay by card using https://form.jotform. com/230463915767161

● Amherst Historical’s BBQ fundraiser is 5 p.m. May 26. Doors open at 5 p.m. and food, from Pogie’s Catering, will be served from 5:30-7 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, $25 for Amherst Historical Society members and are available by visiting po-

TV MOMS

BULLETIN BOARD

gies.loraincounty.com/e/ YWV, or by calling (440) 864-4654. Tickets are pre-order only by May 19. Amherst Historical Society members should order through the Society at (440) 988-7255. Music will be by Linda Howell.

● The Sandstone Village Car and Bike Show will be June 4 with registration from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and the Car Show from 12-4 p.m. There will be a photo area, Village building tours, garage sales, a blessing of the cars and bikes, raffles, DJ, food court, and more! Spectator parking will be at Amherst Junior High School with shuttle service to Sandstone Village.

● The Historical Society’s night with the Crushers is at 6:05 p.m. June 10. Tickets are $13, with a portion of sales benefiting the Amherst Historical Society. For more information, or help purchasing tickets, contact Tanner Carlson at (440) 934-8233 or tcarlson@lakeeriecrushers.com

● The Taste of History Military Living History event is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 17 at The Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Ave. The event will have samples of military food and rations, displays, kids’ activities and more.

Oberlin Heritage Center

For Oberlin College’s commencement weekend, the Oberlin Heritage Center will be offering several exciting public tour options that will explore diverse topics such as Abolition-

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

ism, Women’s History and Civil Rights.

Guided Tours:

● Friday, May 19

Jewett House Tour – 2:00 p.m.

Small Downtown; Big Stories – 4:00 p.m.

● Saturday, May 20

Freedom’s Friends (Oberlin Abolitionism) –10:30 a.m.

Civil War to Civil Rights – 1:30 p.m.

Architecture Tour – 4:00 p.m.

● Sunday, May 21

Civil War to Civil Rights – 10:30 a.m.

Freedom’s Friends (Oberlin Abolitionism) –1:30 p.m.

Plus, self-guided tablet tours are available Friday and Saturday from 10am3pm. Advance registration is required for history walks. Visit www.oberlinheritagecenter.org for more information, tour start locations, and pricing.

Amherst

Public Library

Amherst Library is celebrating National Library Week with the launch of six new items available for checkout with a library card: a Photo to Digital Converter, a Video to Digital Converter, a KillA-Watt Electricity Usage Monitor, a Cassette to MP3 Converter, a Film to Digital Converter, and an External DVD Drive.

Log into the online

Westwood Cemetery

● Stone cleaning at Westwood will be 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. the first Saturday of the month, May through October.

violence since 1989.

Registration is due May 22 via www.eventbrite. com/e/love-shouldnt-hurt5k-challenge-tickets-551791923497.

catalog or call the library at (440) 988-4230 to place an item on hold for pickup at the library, its drive-up window or with a pickup locker. Some items may only be available for inlibrary pickup due to size.

● 5/6 & 5/16 - Canine

Reading Buddies

● 5/8 - Watercolor Pencils & More

● 5/9 - Tabletop Game

Time

● 5/12 - Wakin’ Up the Sunshine with Music

● 5/13 - Mermaid Movie

Matinee

● Amherst Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a Records Commission meeting, followed by a regular meeting, including the 2024 Tax Budget, at the library at 5:45 p.m. May 8. Meetings are open to the public.

Carlisle Twp. Veterans Memorial

The Carlisle Township Veterans Memorial dedication is 1 p.m. May 20, Armed Forces Day.

Free parking will be at First Baptist Church of Elyria, 11400 LaGrange Rd., with shuttle buses available to transport attendees to and from the ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, if possible.

Cleaning techniques are easy and supplies are provided. Please bring any small gardening tools, gloves, and/or brooms to help remove debris. Please note that all participants will complete a volunteer form which will be provided once you arrive. Cleaning sessions depend on the weather; check our Facebook page for updates. Everyone is welcome. Location is Westwood Cemetery, 455 Morgan St, Oberlin.

● On Memorial Day weekend the Friends of Westwood Cemetery and Oberlin Heritage Center will be hosting a table to assist visitors in locating gravesites. The table will be inside the enterance gates and available 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 27-29, weather permitting.

Genesis House

Lorain County Safe Harbor’s Love Shouldn’t Hurt 5K and challenge virtual run/walk is June 1125. Participants can raise awareness for domestic violence issues in Lorain County and honor the lives lost through this virtual event.

There is a traditional virtual 5k, as well as six-person teams and an individual, 56-mile challenge. The 56 mile challenge represents one mile for each person in Lorain County lost to domestic

The six person team challenge is $240 per team; the individual 56-mile challenge is $45 per person and the individual 5k is $40 per person.

University Hospitals

University Hospitals will offer free stroke screenings throughout May for Stroke Awareness Month.

Screenings are available locally 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at UH-Elyria Medical Center, 630 East River St., Elyria.

Oberlin Library

The Oberlin Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a Records Commission meeting, followed by a regular meeting, 5 p.m. May 11. Meetings are open to the public, and the discussion will include the 2024 Tax Budget.

OCS

The Oberlin Community Services will host a “Beginner’s Guide to Renting or Buying” at 1 p.m. May 6 at the Cooper Community Resource Center, 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin. Jeffrey Keesee, mortgage loan officer for Northwest Bank, will discuss the pros and cons of housing options and how to prepare financially for either renting or purchasing a home. RSVP at (440) 774-6579 or marla@oberlin communityservices.org.

Nathan Perry Chapter names poetry contest winners

The Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Lorain County announced the winners of its “Honor American History” poetry contest.

A total of 56 poems were submitted from around the world.

First place was awarded to Anne Whitehouse of New York, who received a cash prize of $100 for her poem “Lady Bird,” a 25-line poem of the roles of men and women as observed by Lady Bird Johnson and her devotion to wildflowers.

Second place was award-

ed to John S. Perry Jr. of Wellington, who received a cash prize of $50 for his 40-line poem “Baptism by Fire.” His poem pays homage to and was inspired by the men of the Pennsylvania “Bucktail” Brigade, a unit in which two of his ancestors served during the Civil War.

Third place was awarded to John Vanek of St. Petersburg, Florida, for his poem “Cogs.” His 25-line poem focused on his father, a gentle soul who fought in WWII and hid his experiences until asked about it. Vanek also received a cash prize of $25. — Staff report

certain people’s glasses 44. The Great ____, Muppet 46. 1 year older than frosh 47. Treat without respect

*Samantha Stephens’ mom 50. Four Corners state

Unidentified Jane

Summit location

Like tuna tartare

*Rory Gilmore’s mom

*Hilary and Carlton Banks’ mom

Motionless

Actress Thompson

Island off Manhattan

Skeleton, archaic

Lt.’s subordinate

Yemeni’s neighbor 72. Marines’ toy recipients 73. Banned insecticide, acr.

74. Nostrils

DOWN

1. Basin, without vowels

2. Last piece of a loaf

3. Lowest female singing voice

4. Evis’s blue shoes

5. Harrison Ford or Jason Segel in “Shrinking”

6. Bud holder

7. *Rhoda Morgenstern’s mom

8. “That is” in Latin

9. Wedding cake layer

10. Famous Allen Ginsberg poem

11. Away from wind

12. Skilled in deception

15. G. Orwell’s “______ Farm”

20. Valentine, e.g.

22. Bottom line?

24. Inner circle

25. Old enough (2 words)

26. Neutered rooster

27. Influencer’s creation

29. *Meg, Chris and Stewie Griffin’s mom

31. Egghead

32. “____ like the plague”

33. Canvas primer

34. *Alex and Mallory Keaton’s mom

36. Pasta option

38. Virgo and Libra mo.

42. ____ Lewis, Lamb Chop puppeteer

45. By word of mouth

49. What catastrophe and ratatouille have in common

51. Wear (2 words)

54. Treated with EVOO

56. *Pebbles Flintstone’s mom

57. Law school entry requirement, acr.

58. First name palindrome

59. Civil disorder

60. They’re on Freddy’s street

61. Widespread

62. Relating to armpit

63. 3 squared 66. Tight one in football 68. Bro’s counterpart

Below is alistofquotesthat sharethe wonders of teachers

Hoorayfor Teachers!

TheNational PTAcelebratesTeacher Appreciation Week with a theme each year. Use the code to dscover this year’s theme!

Standards Link: Social Studies: Discover jobs and careers in ourcommunity

Teachers Care

Teachers workhard. They alsomakelearning fun, listenwhen students arehaving problemsand sometimes eventakecare of scraped knees and elbows

What does your teacher do for you and your classmates?

SillyBoard

Somebody gotinto theclassroom overnight and drew sillystuffon the white board. How many silly things can you find?

Decorate

this

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

Can you findat least10 differences between these twin teacherpictures?

Have afriend or familymember try. Did they find any differences you missed?

thatadd up to exactly $500?

Standards Link: Calculate sums to aparticular amount.