Lorain County Community Guide - Sept. 14, 2023

‘This was personal’

Lorain man reported on Flight 93 crash in his own community

It was a cold morning on Sept. 11, 2001 and Kirk Swauger was working with a friend to replace the front windows of his home near Somerset, Pennsylvania.

Within an hour Swauger, who now lives in Lorain, would find himself at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 and in the midst of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.

Swauger, then a reporter with the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, was on vacation and had removed both windows when he received a call from his motherin-law; a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

“We turn on the T.V. watching this, I make some joke about how the editor’s going to be sending me to New York City,” Swauger told a Chronicle reporter in his office at The AbbeWood retirement community in Elyria, where he now works as sales director.

Within a half hour his editor had called, but she had sent him

somewhere much closer to home.

There were reports of a plane down outside Shanksville, only about 15 minutes from the home Swauger shared with his wife and two young children.

His wife took their children to their church and Swauger took off in his car towards Shanksville, unsure of what he would find when he got there or even exactly where he was going.

“One of the things on the drive up there was the concern I had for my family,” Swauger said.

“Because at that point I was driving into the unknown.(My family) were at a house with no windows 15 minutes away. I’m thinking, okay, well what if there were terrorists that survived?

The community, everyone else is vulnerable. There was so much uncertainty at that time.”

The crash site

On the drive down, Swauger was on the phone getting information from 911 dispatchers he had built up relationships with in his 20 years at the TribuneDemocrat.

He said he had an idea that it may have been connected to what he had seen on T.V. happening in New York City, but there was no way to be sure.

“We didn’t know what was down, what was happening,” Swauger said. “It could have been a false alarm for all we knew. But once again I’m talking to the 911 guys and they’re filling me in, “hey this was something bigger,” but they didn’t know either.”

With the help of those dispatchers, Swauger was able to locate the crash site and, after being turned away at the main road by police, pulled into an old recycling plant overlooking a field.

“I’m able to look down at the scene directly, probably about 50 yards,” he said. “And all I could see at this point was a 15 to 20 yard smoldering crater. There was literally no evidence of a plane, and out of the smoke occasionally a piece of mail would waft up into the air.”

That smoldering crater was all that remained of United Airlines

Neighborhood Alliance breaks ground on new shelter expansion

LORAIN — Thirty years after Haven Center first opened its doors, Lorain County’s only family homeless shelter is getting an upgrade.

Neighborhood Alliance staff, alongside city, county and nonprofit officials, threw the first shovelfuls of dirt on a new expansion to the center.

UAW Local 2000 marches ahead of possible strike

SHEFFIELD — Brian Dorsey stood on the side of Abbe Road in the village Saturday, holding up a sign and chanting in unison with dozens

of other autoworkers.

The Brownhelm Township resident and veteran Ford worker of nearly 30 years was outside the United Auto Workers Local 2000 hall, surrounded by fellow autoworkers, their children, spouses and supporters at the corner of Abbe Road and

French Creek Road.

“I’m here to support my brothers and sisters of the UAW Local 2000,” Dorsey told a reporter. The solidarity rally happened just days ahead of a possible strike by the UAW against the big three Detroit

The expansion will include about 20 additional beds and changes to the center’s layout to better accommodate couples and families with children in a new J-shaped addition.

The addition also will create a courtyard for families with children to play outside without going in and out of security.

Neighborhood Alliance Executive Director Alicia Foss said the expansion will allow the Haven Center to house 80 people, which means the nonprofit can avoid putting families or single residents in hotels.

Over the past few years the center has seen the number of families — and the size of families seeking shelter — rise, she said. With the current layout staff often had to clear out the women’s dorm room to house larger families together.

The current layout also provided families with little privacy and required them to walk through the men’s and women’s areas to use the bathrooms. The bathrooms in the center serves about 30 people, Foss said, comparing it to staying in a college dorm as an adult.

Foss said when she first came in as CEO in 2015 there was a drawing of what Haven Center’s “dream” would be, and it wasn’t nearly as large as the expansion the group kicked off Sept. 7.

That original plan included space for programming and classrooms, she said, but now they’ve traded that need for growing calls for shelter.

The pandemic was a

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide Kirk Swauger was a reporter who worked on Sept. 11, 2001 when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in his coverage area. FLIGHT 93 PAGE A5

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The UAW Local 2000 hosted a solidarity rally at their union hall on Abbe Road on Sept. 9.

Frederick Steven Zwegat

Frederick Steven Zwegat, 74, of Oberlin, passed away at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus on Friday, September 8, 2023 surrounded by family. Fred (known as Rick by his family) was born July 1, 1949, in Cleveland, where he was raised until he moved to Western Pennsylvania to continue his education. He eventually moved to Oberlin, where he made his home from 1987 until his passing.

Fred graduated with the class of 1967 from St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and went on to receive his master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fred served as the Director of Audio Visual Services at Oberlin College for 29 years, implementing smart classroom technology across campus, before his retirement in 2016.

Fred had a deep interest in Japanese art and culture, and was an avid collector of Japanese woodblock prints and tea bowls. While raised Catholic, later in life, he became a Buddhist. Fred was artistically inclined and enjoyed oil painting, photography, stained glass work, woodworking, and gardening. He was a member of the Cleveland Museum of Art Print Club for more than 20 years and visited art museums around the world with his wife and daughter. In his younger years, he spent time backpacking and climbing the Americas and Europe. Fred enjoyed traveling and when time permitted, could be found fly fishing at Sunnybrook Trout Club. He was also a life-long Cleveland sports fan, avid reader, and history buff. Fred treasured the many precious moments driving his daughter to volleyball practices and watching her play through the collegiate level. His sense of humor and quick-wit were one of a kind, and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tina W. Zwegat (nee Cunningham); his daughter, Zoë (Andreas)

Zwegat Schmid of Brunswick; his brothers, Larry (Jan)

Zwegat of Broadview Hts. and Bill (Marlene) Zwegat of Sagamore Hills. He also leaves many loved and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbors, former colleagues, and friends who will keep him in their hearts.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Dolores Zwegat (nee Odziemski).

Friends may call Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. The Reverend David Hill, Pastor of First Church in Oberlin, will officiate. Burial will follow in Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Cleveland Museum of Art Japanese Collection or The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, 39171 Tassajara Rd., Carmel Valley, CA 93924. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home’s website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

Alan Lesner

Alan Lesner, 77, of Amherst, was called home to his Lord on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

Mary Lou Mullins

Mary Lou Mullins, 76, of Brighton Township, died at her home surrounded by family Friday, September 1, 2023. She was born in Berea, Ohio to Harley Musser and Ruth Simmerer April 27, 1947.

She graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1965 and attended Kent State University the following fall.

She was married to Edward Harold Mullins Jr. in 1966 and lived in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, in their early years of marriage. With the continued growth of their family, the couple moved to North Ridgeville until the fall of 1988 and was a resident of Brighton Township for the remaining 35 years of her life.

Mary Lou had a lifelong legacy of giving and service. She was a member of Faith Baptist Temple in North Ridgeville where she taught Children’s Church, Youth Group, Home Economics, and Physical Education Classes.

As a member of Camden Baptist Church, together she and Edward created a Youth Missionary Educational Program. She also had an active role in the Naomi Circle and Missionary Society. In the Brighton area, she was also involved in the Garden and Friendship Clubs.

Through her continued legacy of service, she was involved with Woodman Life and an active member of Lodge 142 and 6099. She presented American History Awards, Patriotic Handbooks, American Flags, CPR manikins, organized a multitude of food drives, and community outreach projects throughout Ohio. She also traveled with her children and grandchildren to the Woodman Youth Camps in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Mary Lou was a devoted wife to her beloved husband Edward throughout their 40 years of marriage and a loving homemaker and mother to her five children, Valerie, John Paul, Jennifer, Julie, and Michael. Her care and kindness nurtured a home full of balance and love. She was the foundational rock and glue that bound the family together.

Often times at her Brighton residence, she would be found tending to her gardens, watering her plants while being surrounded by her wildlife companions.

Survivors include her children, two sons, John Paul Sr. (Katy), and Michael (Jessica); two daughters, Jennifer (Jeremy) Knapp, and Julie (Larry Chaffins). She is also survived by six grandchildren, Kelsey, Benjamin (Hadley) Adkins, Elisabeth (Joseph) Jones, Katalin (Justin) Piatt, John Paul Jr., and Tyler; five great-grandchildren; her sister Margaret Orient; and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Harley and Ruth Musser; her husband, Edward Mullins Jr.; her daughter, Valerie Adkins; her sister, Barbara Weyand; and her brother, David Musser.

Viewing Friday, September 8, 2023 from 4 until 8 p.m. Funeral Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. viewing), Camden Baptist Church, 17901 State Route 511, Wellington, OH 44090.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to Camden Baptist Youth Ministries is requested. Norton-Eastman Funeral Home is honored to assist the family and expression of sympathy may be shared online at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Laidrien Marsha Jordan

On Monday, September 4, 2023, Ladrien Marsha Jordan completed her time here on Earth and began the next leg of her journey through the Universe. Hempel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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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Annabelle Leininger

Annabelle Leininger passed on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Keystone Pointe Health and Rehabilitation Center in LaGrange.

Previously, she lived in Oberlin for many years and was a valued member of staff as an administrative technician in the comptroller office at Oberlin College for 48 years from 1956 until her retirement in 2004. She was born to Michael Hart and Dorothy May (Beam) Leininger on March 13, 1937, in Huntington, Ohio. She graduated from Sullivan High School in 1955 and attended Oberlin School of Commerce.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both sisters, Ardith Leininger Roberts of Lodi and Lois Leininger Lang of Ashland; and her best friend and companion, Carolyn Macha.

She is survived by her brother, Roy (Sherrel) Leininger of Brownsboro, Texas; niece and caregiver, Dee (Ed) Grant of Lodi; nieces, Morgan (Karla) O’Donnell of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Merrie Leininger of Washington, D.C.; nephews, Rick Roberts (Carla Hillwig) of Lodi, Rodney (Marisol) Roberts of Tempe, Arizona, Michael (Tammy) Roberts of Tempe, Arizona, Wade (Anita) Lang of San Bernadine, California, and Jonathan (Dawnell) Leininger of Moorefield, West Virginia.

The family would like to thank the staff at Keystone Pointe and the Mercy New Life Hospice for their wonderful care.

To honor Annabelle’s wishes there will be no services.

Donations can be made in Annabelle’s memory to Mercy New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Rd., Lorain, OH 44053.

Online condolences to the family can be made to the Norton-Eastman Funeral Home in Wellington: https:// www.eastmanfuneralhome.com

Consulting firm updates on Lorain County strategic plan

STAFF REPORT

Lorain County officials said a series of meetings last week were expected to help them and a consulting firm gain more insight into developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the future of the county.

Dave Beurle, CEO and founder of Future iQ, visited Lorain County last week and had more than two-dozen meetings scheduled with county leaders, officials and community members to talk about the process of developing the plan, he told commissioners on Sept. 5. Included was a meeting with the Community Foundation of Lorain County, which is helping Future iQ and Dave Greenspan, the county’s special projects coordinator with translation, to seek out input from Span-

ish-speaking residents. Through the end of the year, and with the help of a website that will allow residents to learn and give input, county staff and officials will be engaging with the community to get perspectives, thoughts and direction on Lorain County’s future.

On the website, residents will be able to find surveys, survey results and events in a “very transparent and very open way,” Beurle said.

The plan is to be done with the entire process and release the strategic plan in April, ahead of Lorain County’s bicentennial.

Beurle said the Community Foundation is “a real partner to give us access to a group of the community that is very hard to reach but whose voice is important when we have discussions about the future.”

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factor in the increase in need Haven Center has seen, she said, but the economy, cost of housing and rising child care and food costs also have played a role.

The addition will include en suite bathrooms and a separate wing for families that will include a living room and kitchenette on the second floor, with elevator access.

“For a family to be in shelter, that’s very traumatic for them,” Foss said. “It’s very traumatic for the kids, it’s frightening for them. It’s also traumatic for the parents wondering what the impact will be longterm on their children. So we really wanted to create a space that had more of a family feel to it.”

The $3.2 million expansion will hopefully be done by mid-2024, Foss said,

UAW FROM A1

automakers, which could happen if new contracts aren’t reached.

Passing drivers honked their support of the union workers as pro-union slogans and chants filled the air.

“Who are we?” came the call. “UAW!” came the response.

Marchers carried blue signs reading “Justice for retirees,” “Record profits, record contracts,” and “United for a strong contract.” They cheered every time a car honked its horn in support.

The back of their many red shirts said: “Solidarity 2023. ‘Starts with me.’ We are the union.”

A union health and safety representative, Dorsey said he wants a safer work environment in which to build quality American products, and for the unions to get back what they lost in concessions to the big three automakers around the time of the $17.4 billion bailout by former president George W. Bush in 2008.

“We gave them concessions, we got nothin’ back,” Dorsey said.

The UAW has also demanded an end to tiered pay. Whereas veteran workers in one tier can earn $28 per hour or more, union members said that’s $10 or more per hour than what their mostly younger co-workers earn in a second tier.

Workers hired after 2007 make somewhere between

and once construction is complete renovations will start inside.

The project has received a $1 million pledge from the Lorain County commissioners in addition to $900,000 from the city of Lorain and a combined $1 million from the Nordson Corporation Foundation, the Stocker Foundation and the Nord Family Foundation. That’s alongside monetary support from Neighborhood Alliance staff and board members, Foss said.

Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley said he saw the Haven Center’s need after visiting when he first took office in 2020, and hoped to provide more funds for additional renovations and programming through the city’s Community Development Block Grant funds. He also referenced the

$16 and $19 per hour, according to both workers at the rally on Saturday and an explanatory story posted online by MSU (Michigan State University) Today that gave some examples of what the UAW wants from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — formerly Fiat Chrysler.

Dorsey said his son, also an autoworker, will have to work eight years before he reaches the full pay rate.

That’s more than twice as long as the three years

Dorsey worked before he made full rate, he said.

And when Dorsey’s son does retire? He won’t have a pension or medical benefits to fall back on, his father said.

“I want my son to have everything I have,” Dorsey said.

Another 30-year veteran autoworker, Bobbi May of Lorain, said she’s seen retirees get out of their cars at the UAW hall and limp into the building after “beating up their bodies” for years in factories and on assembly lines.

The auto plant is “where your body gets broke up,” she said.

A member of UAW Local 1250 in Brook Park, May said she was marching in solidarity with Local 2000 on Saturday, having spent 12 years with Local 2000 in the past. May said workers deserve raises, tiered pay needs to go away, and she wants quality-of-life guar-

city’s need for permanent supportive housing, as the support Haven Center provides is temporary.

A proposed 62-unit permanent supportive housing complex on Broadway has stalled since it was first introduced in early 2022.

Nord Family Foundation’s Giovanna Kallas said the foundation believes in sustaining places like Haven Center.

“The aim is to open doors for more individuals and families,” she said, “ensuring that they receive the support and assistance that they truly deserve.”

Joan Szcepanik from the Nordson Corporation Foundation presented Foss with a check for $187,000 raised by the Nordson Corp. employees golf outing and matched by the company.

antees, job security promises, temporary full-time workers to get permanent jobs and longer breaks.

“We were never made whole” after making concessions in the mid-2000s, May said. And when workers suffer, so do the schools and small businesses in the communities supporting auto manufacturing, she said.

The UAW rejected wage and benefit offers from the big three automakers on Friday. It has demanded 46 percent across-theboard increases over four years, the Associated Press reported.

UAW President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket, the AP reported.

“The automakers have yet to offer our members a fair contract,” he said.

Fain said automakers can afford raises to make up for inflation and previous concessions because they’re making billions in profits and paying millions to CEOs. He blamed auto price increases on corporate greed.

With days to go until a strike deadline affecting nearly 150,000 autoworkers, May said she thinks the majority will vote to strike. Dorsey said he hopes not to, “but if it comes to it, we should strike for the right reasons,” he said.

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide Neighborhood Alliance President/CEO Alicia Foss speaks during a groundbreaking of the Haven Center’s shelter expansion on Sept. 7.

Late Jane Norton receives DAR Medal of Honor

Jane Norton being involved,” Eswine said.

LORAIN — Philanthropist and civic leader Jane Norton was posthumously awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution’s national Medal of Honor, the organization’s highest award, at a ceremony at the Lorain Historical Society on Sept. 9.

Robbie Brown, regent of the Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society DAR, and Diane Eswine presented the medal to Ben Norton, who accepted it on his late wife’s behalf.

“Thank you very much,”

Ben Norton told the DAR members and those in attendance at the ceremony on Saturday. “I wish Jane was here to receive this.”

Jane Norton died at age 82 in April, having lived and worked in Lorain County all her life and contributed to many civic organizations and efforts to improve the county.

Brown said Jane Norton deserved the “most prestigious honor” that the DAR gives for her “extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism.”

“I don’t think there was anybody more in Lorain County that fit all of those qualifications that one needs to receive this medal” than Jane Norton, she said.

Eswine did much of the research that was presented to DAR officials in the application for the medal.

“Nothing significant has happened in Lorain County for the last 40 years without Ben and

“That says something. I can’t say enough positive about what I found out about the Nortons while I was researching.”

The Lorain Historical Society’s Carnegie Center, where the medal ceremony took place, also wouldn’t have been possible either but for the contributions of the Norton family, Brown and Eswine said.

Jane Norton was on the historical society board for six years and helped raise $3 million that was used to rehab the building and create an endowment.

“It’s a pleasure and honor to stand before you today on behalf of Jane to accept this ultimate honor,” Ben Norton said. He praised Brown for her support and Eswine for her research. “You were the one who made this award possible,” Norton said.

“I can say that Jane was humble, surprised and pleased as she was told that she would be the recipient of this award” two weeks before her death, her husband said.

“Life is fragile and very unforgivable. This award will have a special place of honor in our family room and every time I look at it, I will have good memories of DAR and of being here today, and I’m sure the Norton family will look at this every day whenever they’re over at the house, and remember mom.”

The award is normally given to a living person, but in Jane Norton’s case it was approved by the

national organization prior to her death, Brown said. The Nathan Perry Chapter received permission to award it posthumously, she said.

This will mark the first time the Nathan Perry Chapter has bestowed this medal upon a community member, “highlighting the exceptional nature of Jane’s achievements,” the chapter said last month when it announced the honor.

Jane Norton worked as a dietitian at Elyria Memorial Hospital, taught adult education classes and at Lorain County Community College, was the first executive director of the Stocker Foundation, and served on the boards of numerous civic organizations and foundations. LCCC’s culinary arts building was christened the Ben & Jane Norton Culinary Arts Center in the couple’s honor in 2012 after they were among its first donors and also helped raise money toward its construction.

“I appreciate all of you being here in attendance today, thank you for your support,” Ben Norton told the crowd on Saturday. “As you all know Jane was the love of my life, and the heart and backbone of our family. So with that, her legacy will be long remembered.”

STEVE MANHEIM |

The Community Guide

ABOVE: Robbie Brown, left, Regent of the Nathan Perry Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, presents the DAR Medal of Honor for Jane Norton, accepted by her husband Ben Norton on Sept. 9.

RIGHT: Norton’s award, presented to her husband.

Freshmen find ‘Common Ground’

Residents upset with gas processing plant

COMMUNITY GUIDE

OBERLIN — Residents expressed concern at a City Council meeting Tuesday about a facility processing methane gas.

The Lorain Renewable Natural Gas Facility received complaints from several nearby residents of Oberlin and New Russia Township about noise, safety concerns, and a flame from methane.

Joshua Brown, of New Russia Township, questioned if his home was in a “blast zone” and what the facility means for his family’s safety and property values. Other residents complained of noise and gas burning off allegedly singeing nearby treetops.

EDL has operated a gas reclamation facility at the county landfill since 2001, using it to generate electricity.

the roughly $80 million processing plant, and it was his understanding the facility would not be disruptive. He said he looked forward to the city getting more answers to residents’ concerns at its Sept. 18 Council meeting.

EDL has operated a gas reclamation facility at the county landfill since 2001, using it to generate electricity, according to previous reporting

The Oberlin High School class of 2027 visited Common Ground on Sept. 6 as part of the district’s “Freshmen Experience.”

Thanks to a grant from the Oberlin School Endowment Board, freshmen took part in experienced-based programming in an effort to foster life-long exploration, learning and growth, according to a news release from the district.

During the day, students learned trust techniques, how to properly communicate with each other in an encouraging way and the concept of conflict resolution.

OHS Principal Brent Betts said it’s crucial for students to understand team building, overcoming adversity, embracing opportunities, celebrating differences and growing kindness.

“Allowing our freshmen students the opportunity to learn from each other, rely on each other and focus on each other allows for them to understand what it means to a unit,” Betts said. “Our freshmen class was given the opportunity to bond together at Common Ground a place focused on growing and connecting others in an unique fashion.”

FLIGHT 93

Flight 93, after its 44 passengers and crew fought back against hijackers who had taken over the plane as part of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Authorities believe that during the struggle one of the hijackers crashed the Boeing 757, killing everyone on board.

Because of the lack of any wings, engines or other obvious indicators of a large plane, Swauger had assumed what crashed had been small, maybe a single-engine mail plane. But there were witnesses at the recycling plant, and as Swauger spoke to them he learned they had certainly seen an airliner.

It had rolled over in the sky and then crashed straight down into the earth “like a missile,” fast enough to completely destroy the plane.

Swauger was at the scene for about three hours, before he was shooed away from the site by state and federal authorities to a “command center” nearby.

It was a terrifying and confusing situation, but Swauger said he separated himself from those emotions as he learned what he could then returned to the office of the TribuneDemocrat to write his story.

“The pentagon and the towers, those were national stories,” he said. “This was personal.”

The Aftermath

In the days and weeks that followed the crash of Flight 93, federal authorities and national news outlets flooded into the rural community.

Within about a month, Swauger said families of the passengers and crew started to arrive.

“It’s something that’s changed their lives forever,” Swauger said. “There’s the initial panic, (then) the responsive outpouring of the community helping the people that are coming in from outside with meals, with lodging, with kindness and courtesy. And, of course, as the situation progressed, they were working on the

memorial itself.”

The first memorials for those killed on Flight 93 were mementos family members pinned or hung to the fence which cordoned off the site of the crash.

Eventually, as those same family members came to Shanksville to try and make sense of what had happened to their loved one they formed the beginnings of an idea to build a true memorial.

“That took years and so the families of Flight 93 were really adopted by that community,” Swauger said. “So you got to know every one of the family members, they got to know you (and) they shared their stories.”

Speaking with family members to tell their stories became something that Swauger did often on the anniversary of 9/11 until he left the news business in 2009.

He said that his position writing about the tragedy as a member of the community rather than an outsider covering it gave him a unique insight and access.

“As each anniversary passed, you would be able to call them up and do an in-depth profile because they’ve been there the whole time,” he said. “More so than the national media outlets could do, because you’d formed a relationship with them.”

Swauger said there isn’t any one particular story about 9/11 and the crash near Shanksville that stands out to him, but that he was happy he was there to tell people what they needed to know.

“I can’t necessarily name one story, but getting an opportunity to meet the families and to share their stories of their loved ones – that was huge,” he said.

EDL operates the facility at the Lorain County Landfill, turning methane gas into natural gas.

EDL’s North America Head of Business Development Joshua Martincic said the project was developed with the Lorain County Landfill. Once up and running, it will be one of the largest facilities of its kind. The facility pumps methane from Republic Services’ Lorain County Landfill to be cleaned and exported for resale as natural gas.

He said his company surveyed several sites before settling on the Hill Creek Drive location, which started operations about a month ago.

The flare is normal during startup and will be minimized once the facility is fully up and running in the next month or so, Martincic said.

“We want to be good neighbors,” he assured those gathered, noting EDL has facilities across North America and the complaints residents raised are nothing they haven’t handled before.

Councilman Ray English said the city spent a lot of time considering

Affordable housing

City Council unanimously approved a plan for five city-owned lots to be used for single-family affordable housing on Tuesday.

The housing will be built by Revitalization Strategies at 225 Sumner St., a lot on North Prospect Street near Union Street, 878 Kimberly Circle, a lot on Smith Street near South Pleasant Street and 69 S. Park St. The city has been in discussion with Revitalization Strategies since late 2021.

Homes would cost about $225,000 to build and federal housing subsidies would bring the cost for homeowners down to about $125,000, according to information presented at an April meeting.

The city’s 2017 housing study, completed by Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, recommended at the time the city address maintenance and rehabilitation needs in its current housing stock, and provide smaller, affordable homes for sale.

Oberlin CARISSA WOYTACH THE

PHOTO PROVIDED | Oberlin Schools

BRUCE BISHOP | The Community Guide

A home in the 37000 block of Detroit Road in Avon displayed ‘Never Forget,’ a tribute to Sept. 11, 2001. The home is well-known in the city for its large flag and patriotic themed yard decor.

Comets soar above Bruins

Set and match

Lady Dukes shred Wildcats

Wellington boys take a hit

All photos RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide Firelands’ Grace Tansey prepares a set at Wellington. The Falcons beat the Dukes 3-0 on Sept. 7.

TOP: Wellington’s Jaclyn Krakomperger brings the ball under control at Keystone.

ABOVE: Wellington’s Jaclyn Krakomperger passes the ball foward at Keystone. The Lady Dukes bested the Wildcats 4-2 on Sept. 11.

Amherst’s Sophia Blanden gets fouled by Padua’s Emily Wentz during a game Sept.9. The Comets won 6-1 against the Bruins.

TOP: Wellington’s Dulse Gomez battles for the ball with Keystone’s Brandon Seman.

ABOVE: Wellington’s Spencer Brasee collects the ball at Keystone. The Dukes lost 6-1 to the Wildcats on Sept. 6.

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Don Wharton, signer, songwriter, speaker and storyteller will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 115 Central Dr. at 8:30 a.m. and 10 .m. sept. 17. Don Wharton left a teaching and coaching position at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, MI in 1979 to pursue a full-time music ministry. He has performed over 3,000 concerts at churches, schools and conventions in all 50 states and three foreign countries. He has written over 250 songs, recorded 20 album projects, written 3 books and 5 screenplays, and survived one plane crash. Don continues to pursue a full schedule of concerts and speaking engagements, writing, and, most recently, producing films.

Workshop Players

● The Workshop Players will present “Deathtrap” by Ira Levin.

Directed by Barry Saxon, In this classic comedic thriller, a washed-up playwright is dying to rise to the top once more. A diabolical solution presents itself in the form of one of his graduate students whose script promises to deliver. Deathtrap provides an abundance of twists and turns and offers hilariously sudden shocks for audiences who will be spellbound until the very last moment. This not-to-be-missed play is the granddaddy of wellwritten thrillers.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-16, 22-23 and 3 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24. Doors open 45 minutes before show time.

BULLETIN BOARD

Tickets are $18.50 and group rates are available Tickets are available online at workshopplayers.org or by calling (440) 634-0472.

● Auditions for “Arsenic and Old Lace” are 7 p.m. Sept. 17 and 18. Possible call backs are on the 20th. No parts are pre-cast, some men’s roles may be filled by women and some actors may be asked to play multiple roles. For more information, contact director Pat Price at joeandpatprice@centurytel. net

● ABBY BREWSTER: Female 50-75 or able to play age). A darling lady, very modest with typical Victoria charm and grace. She is the absolute embodiment of the values and polite society of a bygone age … all except for the poisoning thing ...

● MARTHA BREWSTER (Female 50-75 or able to play age). Very sweet, but more submissive than Abby, though still a strong woman. Always wears a high collar.

● ELAINE HARPER: (Female 25-40 or able to play age). An attractive girl, surprisingly wise in the way of the world for a minister’s daughter. She is full of zest and spunk. She must progress from casual happiness to utter bliss, to twisted confusion, to stark fear, to relief…so the actress must be able to hit many levels.

● MORTIMER BREWSTER: (Male 30-50 or able to play age). Abby and Martha’s nephew. Once he discovers the first body, he must be electrified. This actor pretty much controls the show. He must be capable of physical comedy, have solid comedic timing, all

OCEAN DWELLERS

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while remaining highly likable and engaging.

● TEDDY BREWSTER: (40-60 or able to play age) Mortimer’s kind-hearted brother. He believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, a belief he must make very real for the audience. He is serious in his portrayal and therefore funny,

● JONATHAN BREWSTER: (40-60 or able to play age). A psychopath with numerous murders to his credit, he must be an imposing, scary guy! Short-tempered and creepy Jonathan is a definite presence.

● DR. EINSTEIN (Male, any age, but probably leaning toward 40-60). He is a German plastic surgeon, so must have an accent to show it. He is submissive, maybe even intimidated by Jonathan. He is a good guy whose life has gone bad. It would be good for the audience to sympathize with him.

● THE REVEREND DR, HARPER (Male 50-70) THE ACTOR PLAYING THIS ROLE MAY BE CAST IN AN ADDITIONAL ROLE AS WELL. As Elaine’s father, he shows concern about the upcoming marriage. He is dignified, refined and mildmannered, but steadfast in his concerns. Cameo.

● OFFICER BROPHY: (25-50) A likable sort of fellow. The typical policeman on the neighborhood beat who knows his “people.”

● OFFICER KLEIN: (25-

40) Brophy’s partner, who doesn’t talk as much as his counterpart, but who values his job and the people he protects.

● OFFICER O’HARA: (any age, may be male of female). Full of life, O’Hara is a good- natured wannabe playwright who is eager to succeed with his /her writing … maybe a bit too eager! This character doesn’t mean to come across as annoying, but to Mortimer, maybe he/she is!

● MR. GIBBS: (55-80 or able to play age. THIS ACTOR MAY BE ASKED TO ALSO PLAY OTHER ROLES). An elderly man who wishes to rent a room and nearly falls victim to the “wine” until Mortimer chases him away, Cameo.

● LIEUTENANT ROONEY: (any age and may be played by male or female). This is the person in charge of the local police precinct, very little patience for blunders. This character runs a pretty tight ship being clearly in charge at all times.

● WITHERSPOON: (any age) This is the superintendent to Happy Dale. Mildmannered and kind, this character can be played by male or female. If a male, it is possible this role would be combined with Rev. Harper and Mr. Gibbs.

Oberlin Public Library

Oberlin Public Library’s

Board meeting is 5 p.m. today.

Brownhelm Historical Association

Connect to a Cause is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21..

Last year the Brownhelm Historical Association raised $17,000 from more than 60 donors. A quarter of everything raised from the event will go into BHA’s Endownment fund, with the other 75 percent used for immediate needs.

BHA is eager to participate in Connect to a Cause and hope you will help us reach our goal of raising at least $10,000! The minimum donation is only $5. You may donate by sending a check directly to the Community Foundation of Lorain County using this donation form (must be received by the Community Foundation by September 21st) or you may donate through the Connect to a Cause website: https:// www.peoplewhocare.org/ c2c2023 on Sept. 21 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Amherst Historical Society

For more info on any programs, please contact the Amherst Historical Society at 440-988-7255 or office@ amhersthistorical society.org

● The Amherst Historical Society will present “Murder She Rhymed,” a 1920s murder mystery dinner theater this September.

Written by Jack Pachuta and directed by Valerie Farchman, it is set in 1928 Moose Jaw, Sashatchewan, a haven for Al Capone and a place of vice and corruption.

Tickets are $40 per person, $35 for AHS members. Dress for a 1928 party with prizes, a buffet and raffles. This year’s performances are 6 p.m. Sept 16 and 23 and 2 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24. Reservations are required by Sept. 8.

● The Amherst Historical Society would like to interview individuals with ties to the sandstone quarry – either those who worked there or had a family member who worked there. Interviews are being planned to begin in September or October.

● Acrylic Painting is 2-4 p.m. Oct. 7. It will be led by Brian Mickey at The Grange, 763 Milan Ave. It is $10 a person, ages 14-and-over. It is limited to 20 people.

Attendees must bring wo 16x20 stretched canvases, three acrylic brushes, acrylic paints (black, white, blue, red, yellow, brown, green, orange and purple), a wide palette knife and an optional apron and easel. Water, cups, palettes and paper towels will be provided.

● By My Lantern’s Light is 3-5 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 at the Cleveland Avenue Cemetery. Tours will start every 15 minutes. Tours are $5 with ages 5 and under free and are paid the day of at the cemetery. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please join us at Cleveland Avenue Cemetery 590 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst Ohio 44001. Additional parking is at St. Paul Lutheran Church 115 Central Drive, Amherst, OH 44001.

Harvest of the Arts

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 is the 40th annual Wellington Harvest of the Arts, a juried fine and folk art festival at 101 Willard Memorial Square. There will also be a handmade quit raffle and lunch at the Friends of the Library Cafe. The fundraiser provides for community programming for the Herrick Memorial Library. For more information, call (440) 647-2120.

Avon/Avon

Lake Republican Club

● Lorain County Commissioner Jeff Riddell will speak to the Avon/Avon Lake Republican Club at 5 p.m. today on the Seven Districts Alternative Government Plan and the 911 and crime lab crime levy. New Avon Lake Superintendent Joelle Magyar will speak on the district’s 7.6mill levy. The meeting is at the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. Members are free, guests are $5.

● Kate Makra, executive director of Cleveland Right to Life and vice-president of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio will discuss the abortion rights amendment to the Ohio Constitution on the November ballot at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. The presentation is sponsored by the Father Ragan, St. Bernadette and St. Ladislas councils. RSVP by Sept. 15 to rudy breglia@gmail.com.

*A type of whale or the color of many dolphins

55. Overnight lodging

57. *Inspiration for a certain pineapple dweller 60. *Inspiration for Marvel’s Doc Ock 64. South American juice flavor 65. Bearded antelope 67. All thumbs

Pineda of Journey 69. Stomach pain-causing acronym 70. Hundred, in Italian 71. Hammer part

Not stood

Bar, legally

DOWN 1. R&R destinations

2. Angie Thomas’ “The ____ U Give”

3. Seaward

4. *Cetology

5. Thin layer

6. *Like green sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle 7. Grass “carpet” 8. Newsstand, e.g. 9. Fungal spore sacs 10. *Edible bivalve

34. Student’s request for ChatGPT?

*#19 Across’ earless cousin

Hostile to

Opposite of ecbatic

Smoke, sometimes

Energy unit

Front of cuirass

Confident answer

Give a boot

Dad! Dad! Ineed $49.95for a cool video game Ijust saw on aT Vcommercial!

Aissomething you must have in order to survive. Youneed shelter,clothing, food,waterand sometimesmedicines.

Aissomething you would like to have, but can live without. A music player,acomputer, a televisionandabike are wants, not needs.

ometimesitishardtodecide if something is a needora want. Forexample, cake is afood, but it is nota need. It’s awant. Which of thesefollowing foods are more wants than needs?

Ireally, really, REALLY need that video game,dad! ?

Youmay want $49.95, butwhatyou need is to learnthe di erence between wants and needs

Lookateach picture. Put a green N on each picture that showssomething you need each day

Put ared W on each picturethatshows something youmight want, but not need

Unscramble this list of words. Hint: They all have something to do withmoney!

In

The school cafeteriaismaking students think before they buy asnack. The prices are all written in code! and so forth until you getto

To figure out what each snackitem costs, you must first find out what number goes with each letter in the word. Then, add the numbers that “spell” each word to get the price.

For example:

WANTS NEEDS

Four students were asked to list theirneeds. How many did each student list? Use the clues to complete the chart.

None of the students listed more than five needs.

No one listed the same number of needs.

The totalnumber listed was 13.

Hayley listedthree needs.

Dylan listed fewer needs than Hayley

Kayla listedthe most needs.

STUDENT NEEDS