Lorain County Community Guide - May 7, 2020

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LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, May 7, 2020

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 7, Issue 19

Signs of the times

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

Greg Waldecki of Lorain helped pull a small deer from a storm drain on Thursday, April 30.

The deer waited at the side of his house for his friends to return.

Lucky 'Bucky' gets unstuck JASON HAWK EDITOR

LORAIN — The yearling was hanging around when Greg Waldecki left for the grocery store last Thursday morning.

He never expected to return and find it stuck, knee deep, in a storm sewer grate in front of his house on Santina Way. "He wasn't moving. He was shaking a little bit," Waldecki said.

With help from his friend, Dave Minnich, he managed to work the frightened deer's legs loose and dislodge a wedged back hoof, all while avoiding being bitten.

The little guy was clearly scared out of his wits, shuddering and scraped up.

So Waldecki did what any kind heart would — wrapped the small deer in a warm blanket and gently place him in the bed of his truck.

And of course he gave him a name: Bucky.

"My wife makes fun of me. She tells me I have more compassion for animals than people," he laughed. "Animals don't do me wrong."

The big question: What next?

Waldecki said he had no idea what to do with a hurt LUCKY BUCKY PAGE A2

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Photos by Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

Rob Glatz, an Amherst teacher and coach, places a yard sign at one of his students' homes, Matthew Kirsch, along with his wife Jessica and daughters Zoe and Jade. Amherst staff placed signs at each of their seniors' homes to surprise them.

Teachers sneak out after dark to stage a surprise for their seniors JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — They didn't get to say goodbye in person. So under cover of darkness last Tuesday, Steele High School teachers hatched a plan to tell seniors how much they're missed.

They visited the homes of 313 graduates-to-be, leaving signs staked in yards to Nate Wolshuk, a social studies and history teacher, carries signs out of Amherst Steele High be discovered at sunrise.

"Amherst loves our School on April 28.

Ohio’s slow reopening gets underway JASON HAWK EDITOR

Deaths statewide surged past the 1,000 mark this past week, totaling 1,135 as of press time Tuesday.

The same day, there were 460 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and another 53 probable cases here in Lorain County.

Local health officials reported 38 deaths, and said there were 340 people being monitored and another 319 people who had direct contact with coronavirus patients had been released. In all, 177 cases were

Copyright 2020 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

deemed recovered.

Gov. Mike DeWine has extended Ohio’s stay-at-home order until May 29, though some businesses are now being allowed to reopen with strict cautionary steps in place.

Manufacturers, distributors, construction businesses and general office environments were allowed to open Monday, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirements for both employees and customers.

Retailers and consumer service providers can reopen this Tuesday.

All workers must wear face coverings. Though customers are asked to wear protective masks, DeWine

walked back an order that would have made them mandatory.

Businesses must also conduct daily health assessments of employees to determine whether they are safe to work. Hand washing, social distancing, and sanitizing work spaces throughout the day are all required to reopen.

Not every building will be allowed to open their doors: schools, daycares, dine-in restaurants, hair salons, spas, senior centers, adult daycares, rehabilitation centers, gyms, recreation centers, movie theaters, concert halls and sports venues must all REOPENING PAGE A2

INSIDE THIS WEEK

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seniors, Class of 2020," the signs read.

"I miss them so much," said Joyce Kasnyik, one of the 44 staffers who took part in the stealth operation.

"It's a closure for me. At least I can do something for these wonderful kids."

Comets track coach Rob Glatz was happy to discover he had a sign to deliver to runner Matthew Kirsch.

"I've seen him grow through my program for six years and achieve some SURPRISE PAGE A2

Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Public library sees win in early levy results • B1

‘Heavenly’ organist David Boe dies from COVID-19 • B1

School superintendent says levy victory is unlikely • B1

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CELEBRATING SENIORS B3

Page A2

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES Thomas Bartish Thomas Bartish, 55, passed away unexpectedly May 1, 2020, at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born May 3, 1964.

Thomas was a child at heart who was a loving father to his children. He worked as a tool and die maker for Shiloh Industries, in Wellington, for over 20 years.

He is survived by his children, Celine and Hunter; his wife, Deanna (Dowler); brothers, Ernie (Deb), Joe (Roxanne), Michael (Tina), Jamie, David (Lisa), Chuck (Dawn); sisters, Norma Knoble (Larry), Sue Gott (David) and Mary Honeycutt and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Norma (Bauer) Bartish; brothers, Geoff and John Bartish and sister, Constance Bartish. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents John and Emma Bartish and William Arthur & Matilda Elfreda Bauer.

Thomas will be cremated. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, we will not be holding services at this time.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to the family in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by NortonEastman Funeral home in Wellington.

Condolences and donations for the Bartish family can be given at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

CELIA "CEAL" "CECELIA" MCCOY passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Oak Hills Nursing Home in Lorain at the age of 97. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

ESTHER GUZMAN ORTEGA (nee Ramirez), 94, of Lorain, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Avon Place, following a full and meaningful life. Arrangements

by Hempel Funeral Home.

JOYCE MAE TUTKOVICS, 85, of Lorain, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020, at her home surrounded by her children. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

GEORGE A. GEORGAS, 81, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, after a lengthy illness. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

REOPENING

FROM A1 remain closed by executive order.

“We put this plan together based on all the information we have about how dangerous COVID-19 still is right now, balanced with the fact that it’s also dangerous to have people not working,” said DeWine. “COVID-19 is still out there. It’s still killing people. We’re asking Ohioans to be reasonable and rational. Please don’t take huge chances, and please use common sense when you go out and where you go out.”

On Monday, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said that Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle deputy registrars around the state may begin reopening as early as later this month.

Also revealed was an increased capacity for testing made possible by Thermo Fisher and ROE Dental Scientific.

“It’s important to remember, that testing is only one response to this virus. It allows us to quickly identify individuals infected with COVID-19, promptly isolate them, and determine who they’ve been in close contact with to minimize the spread,” said DeWine. “Increased testing capacity does not replace infection control and prevention practices such as social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and sanitizing high-touch surfaces.”

LUCKY BUCKY

FROM A1 animal, and he didn't want to see Bucky put down. He called some refuges, but none would help — deer are overabundant in Ohio and often considered a nuisance.

So he rubbed some disinfectant on the yearling's scrapes, made sure there was some food nearby and let him bed down in his backyard.

Deer herds often pass through the well-wooded west side property, he said.

It didn't appear Bucky was injured too badly, said Waldecki, and his best bet was to join up again with his family.

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2 Fast 2 catch: Racers speed away from cops JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Like something straight out of "The Fast and the Furious," flashy road racers drew police attention Saturday night on Route 2.

A large group of Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes and Dodge Neons — estimated at about 30 — took to the highway just before 11 p.m.,

slowing down to 30 mph and then revving up to challenge each other, according to Amherst Police Lt. Dan Makruski.

He said dispatchers were alerted that speedsters traveled up Route 58 and got on Route 2, heading west.

Some racers bailed when police pursued.

"Our guys were trying to catch up to them. They got off at Oak Point, but our guys got stuck in traffic," Makruski said after consulting with

Ptl. Jake Podrosky, who was there that night.

With officers obeying red lights and hemmed in by traffic, the racers jumped back on Route 2 and, taking up both eastbound lanes, sped off to the east. "Officers aren't going to do 80 or 90 mph to catch up with these vehicles," Makruski said.

The sleek cars reportedly wound up on Route 254 in Sheffield Village.

Vin Diesel could not be reached for comment.

POLICE REPORTS AMHERST

• April 20 at 7:29 p.m.: A man was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

• April 20 at 11:09 p.m.: A man who lost his wallet received a message that someone was attempting to transfer money from his bank account.

• April 21 at 8 a.m.: A drone was found on the roof of City Hall.

• April 25 at 11:38 a.m.: Raymond Woods Jr. was charged with criminal trespass and violations prohibited.

He allegedly approached people at Speedway on Route 58, asking for money and hitting vehicles. He was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

• April 25 at 9:09 a.m.: A power washer was reported stolen from Tractor Supply Company on Cooper Foster Park Road.

OBERLIN

• April 13 at 9:30 a.m.: A purse was reported stolen and later returned.

• April 14 at 5:31 p.m.: Lira Maxwell was charged with violating a protection order.

• April 16 at 7:20 p.m.: Danielle Glass was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, state testing

Lorain County Metro Parks

Park hours have been changed to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the county, and restrooms with outdoor access have been reopened.

Until further notice, indoor facilities remain closed, and playgrounds, splash pads, benches, water fountains and bike stations cannot be used.

Forest Hills Golf Course has also reopened under strict operating guidelines.

All previously-scheduled public programs have been canceled. That includes summer concerts for 2020, the Mill Hollow Classic Cruisin' Car Show and the Black River Celebration.

Room reservations and shelter rentals are not available through May 31. To reschedule a reservation for dates after Aug. 31, call 440-458-5121.

Head Start to remain closed

Lorain County Community Action Agency’s Head Start Centers will not reopen to finish the 2019-2020 school year.

“We fully understand Governor (Mike) DeWine’s directive about schools,” said LCCAA President and CEO Jackie Boehnlein. “For us, bringing children back into our centers for the couple of weeks remaining in our program year does not make sense. When we re-open for fall, we will operate differently with staff fully trained on our expanded safety protocols and new procedures for receiving and caring for children.”

Head Start staff are working remotely when feasible and are being paid, Boehnlein said.

Teachers continue to post short lessons, story times and many at home learning ideas. Head Start has also conducted a Virtual Spirit Week and celebrated the Week of the Young Child and Volunteer Appreciation

refusal, driving under suspension, open container in a motor vehicle and violation of the public health order.

• April 19 at 2:39 a.m.: A broken window was reported on North Main Street. A brick was apparently thrown through it. Police followed muddy boot tracks, which disappeared on the roadway.

• April 22 at 3:13 p.m.: Danielle Glass was arrested on a warrant for contempt of court through Oberlin Municipal Court.

• April 25 at 4:53 p.m.: Police were called to a domestic dispute on Kimberly Circle.

• April 25 at 10:56 p.m.: A woman said her 15-year-old burned her sister’s shoes with a lighter. The girl was taken to the police station, but was released to her mother.

• April 28 at 4:34 p.m.: Police stopped a group of males after a report they were carrying firearms, and an officer reported seeing one person try to conceal an item.

Two BB guns were confiscated.

• April 28 at 6:08 p.m.: An East College Street resident said a man kicked in his apartment door and assaulted him.

• April 29 at 8:35 p.m.: Solomon Friedman was arrested on a warrant through the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas for contempt of court.

Editor’s note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Week remotely.

“We have had to get creative. Fortunately, that is what early childhood educators do best,” said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski. “We miss our students terribly and are doing everything we can to support them in continuing to learn during this strange time.”

LMRE issuing bill credits

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is giving back $2.2 million to its members.

Because it runs on a not-for-profit basis, the cooperative returns excess revenue beyond its operating costs to residents every winter in the form of capital credits.

To help residents weather financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, LMRE issuing credits this spring.

It is also waiving late fees and avoiding service disconnects until further notice.

“We stand here committed to you in these difficult times and stand ready to serve and protect in every capacity we can,” said General Manager Ed VanHoose. “Stay healthy, stay safe.”

In past years, LMRE has provided checks to members who had a capital credit disbursement over $100. This year, to expedite the process and to get the funds where they are needed most, all disbursements to members will be handled as credits on May billing statements.

Former members of LMRE will continue to receive capital credit refunds as a check.

“We know that in times like this, every dollar helps. We hope this will alleviate some of the pressure you are feeling in these uncertain times,” said a statement from the cooperative.

SURPRISE

FROM A1 great successes," he said. "I know he was poised for a great end to his senior year, and I'm excited to show him he's one of the seniors we're so proud of."

Principal Joe Tellier said he wanted the signs to be a surprise reminder for Amherst seniors that, even though their big year isn't ending as expected, they are still loved.

"We just want them to know they're not forgotten," he said.

"There are so many things we can't do. This is something we can do."

"This is it for them. They won't be coming back, so we have to send them off right," he said.

That's not quite true — seniors will have one last moment in the spotlight. They're getting a virtual commencement ceremony, even if it won't be held in front of thousands of cheering fans like usual.

Graduates will be invited one at a time to march down Steele's main

corridor, past balloons and bouquets, to receive their diplomas in scheduled five- to 10-minute blocks May 13-15.

Just a few family members, school personnel and photographers will be present because of the threat posed

by COVID-19.

The three-day ceremony will be filmed and edited into a movie that will be sent on DVD to graduates' families.

In a recorded segment, Tellier will honor the yet-to-be determined valedictorian and salutatorian and other academic all-stars, as well as the class president and graduates who plan to enter the military.

"You're going to be able to see all of your classmates get their diplomas. You're going to hear the valedictorian give their speech," he said.

"I get goosebumps talking about it," he said. "It's not what we wanted for them, but given the parameters

of what we're dealing with, it's the best we can give."

Senior class adviser Marie Stack has overseen commencement ceremonies since 1992.

She'll be there for the virtual ceremony filming, working behind the scenes to make it as big as she can for the class.

"I miss the kids now. I miss them like crazy," she said, walking out the door with a stack of signs tucked under her arm. "They always made my day... It will be different, but they'll have something to remember."

Amherst's graduation ceremony was originally scheduled for May 23, delayed until July 11 and finally canceled on the advice of Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health.

"The thought is that July and August aren't going to change anything," Tellier said.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE (USPS 673-960) is published every Thursday, 52 weeks per year by Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company, 225 East Ave., Elyria OH 44035.

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Thursday, May 7, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

Hospitals resume elective surgeries, with testing required for all patients JASON HAWK and LAINA YOST

As elective surgeries resume in hospitals, the experience looks a little different than what patients are used to.

There are extra precautions in place for those reporting for knee replacements, hernias, colonoscopies and other routine procedures at Mercy Health Lorain and University Hospitals Elyria to keep everyone at the hospitals safe.

Starting about 72 hours in advance, anyone who schedules an elective surgery at Mercy will be contacted to get tested for the coronavirus.

Dr. Gil Palmer, chief clinical officer at Mercy Health, said testing has ramped up to the point where they are able to test both the patients and staff for the virus.

"If you want to envision an environment that has as much safety built into it as you can, you want to make sure that the patients coming in don't have active viral infection and the people looking after the patients don't have active viral infection," he said said. "So, if you have an elective procedure, we're going to ask to test you because you may not even know that you have it."

Physicians and associates are being tested at the hospital once a week.

"We have very adequate resources to make sure that everyone who needs to get tested gets tested," Palmer said.

UH North Ridgeville Health Center has become a testing site for surgical patients. A couple of days before undergoing a procedure, they'll take a nasal swab test for the coronavirus, said UH Elyria Medical Center Presi-

dent Kristi Sink.

"If the patient's tested negative and the questionnaire rules out symptoms, that's the best we can do to say this patient's prepared for surgery and can handle it well," she said.

Positive tests will be reported to the physician, she said. They won't necessarily lead to cancellation — if the need is great and the risk low enough, they'll forge ahead.

Both hospital systems in the county are keeping existing safety measures in place.

Physical distances will be marked on the floors of Mercy Health Lorain, sneeze shields are in place and everyone will wear masks.

Palmer said that patients are asked to wear their own masks into the hospital, but if they don't have, a mask will be provided to them.

Everyone entering UH Elyria is screened for fever and asked about symptoms, and no visitors are allowed, even with elective surgeries reinstated.

Patients will be required to wear cloth masks inside, said Sink.

At Mercy, visitor limitations will also remain in place. Palmer said it's possible visitors will be asked to wait in the car and be phoned for updates.

Appointments will be spaced out differently as well. A 15-minute appointment may be extended to 30 minutes to allow the staff more time to clean, and to prevent patients from being stacked up in a waiting room.

Part of Gov. Mike DeWine's new order for allowing elective procedures to return was that they cannot require a stay in the hospital.

Palmer said if something comes up, a patient could spend the night if

needed.

"They're so many prongs that go into planning this," he said. "At all times, we want to maintain a level of safety and preparedness for a potential COVID surge. ... While we're opening up our programs and testing and diagnostics and surgeries, we have another prong that's maintaining that state of readiness around COVID in general."

Technology, and the capacity for telehealth that DeWine has opened up, will also help Mercy limit the number of people that need to go to the hospital.

Sink said the precautions put in place in Ohio have helped keep hospitals under capacity. UH Elyria had prepared for a surge that would have filled beds, especially in intensive care.

But there's no room for hospitals to let down their guard.

For the time being, the new protocols put in place at hospitals will be the new normal. Palmer said everything they've looked at shows the virus will be here through 2020.

"Reopening will just be a wonderful next step in our battle and our struggle with the COVID virus in the community," he said. "And being able to do what we're doing and being able to provide the care in our community and start to take care of the things that have been bothering our patients during this time that have largely not been able to be addressed."

"I think what the COVID experience overall has done for us is given us a chance to look at how the processes fit together," said Sink. "... I think we come together stronger than we were before."

“If you have an elective procedure, we’re going to ask to test you because you may not even know that you have it.”

Dr. Gil Palmer, chief clinical officer at Mercy Health

Provided photo

Veteran and foodie Ted Gucik chats on camera with "Carnival Eats" host Noah Cappe at the Lorain County Fair in August 2019.

'Carnival Eats' to feature couple at the county fair JASON HAWK EDITOR

Ted Gucik will show off his famous mac attack taco in a segment on The Cooking Channel's "Carnival Eats" at 9 p.m. Sunday.

Host Noah Cappe visited the Lorain County Fair for two days last summer to get a taste of local fare, and spent more than three hours filming with Gucik.

Amherst residents Ted and Barb Gucik have been serving up food at the fairgrounds in Wellington for seven years. Together they run Sarge's #1 Concessions.

The name of their business pays tribute to Ted's 30 years in the service. After serving in Vietnam, he retired from the army as a staff sergeant.

As an army trainer, he already had experience in front of a camera. So when Cappe rolled around, Gucik said he felt right at home.

"It was interesting. It was fun," he said. "We spent a lot of time talking about the military, about our food... We'd throw comments back and forth and just have a great time."

Getting the premier treatment Sunday night will be the Gucik's signature dish, a deep-friend flour tortilla bowl piled high with macaroni and cheese, pork and coleslaw.

And if you watch closely, you might see some faithful Lorain County Fair patrons who made the rounds on the fair's closing day. The Guciks said the "Carnival Eats" crew spent an hour just shooting crowds

Page A4

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR By mail is the way to vote

Ziegler should be reinstated

Tests for seniors are a priority

To the editor: Voting by mail should replace voting at the polls in its entirety.

The two institutions that can definitely be trusted are the county Board of Elections and the United States Postal Service. The money saved by eliminating the need for poll workers could be used to offer free postage on the envelopes used to vote by mail. The person voting would also have more time to consider what they are voting for and would not be confined to the hours of the polling place. It would also prevent unwanted entry to schools and churches from anyone trying to harm someone. In addition, the voter would not be harassed by someone trying to place unsolicited campaign literature into their hand.

The additional revenue would boost the Postal Service and perhaps keep it afloat until we as a country are able to vote online.

Voting by mail would solve the registered voter problem and guarantee safe passage of the ballots to the county Board of Elections.

Joe Bialek

To the editor: I am writing this letter in response to your recent article, "Cafeteria worker fired over lunch incident" that appeared in the Community Guide on April 30.

Although I do not condone Mrs. Ziegler’s action, I feel the punishment does not fit her action. I have been fortunate to have known Mrs. Ziegler as a fellow colleague for five years. In that time, I had witnessed her kindness and empathy to all whom had been in contact with her. How many times in my life or in those whom are reading this letter have wished they had not said or done something impulsively and regretted it afterward? There but for the grace of God go you or I. Mrs. Ziegler has been a rock in the Wellington school community for years. I believe she should be reinstated.

John Zbornik

To the editor: With the nation's focus turning to the devastation that the coronavirus has brought upon people served by providers in the long-term care and senior housing and services sectors, it is ever more apparent that this sector is in particular need of high-quality, widely available and reliable testing.

I am the CEO of Kendal at Oberlin, a nonprofit organization in Oberlin that serves approximately 350 older adults and employs 250 full and part-time staff. Our organization is part of the Kendal System that overall serves more than 3,900 older adults and employs nearly 2,000 full- and part-time staff in 13 operating organizations in eight states.

We are urging government and health officials to assist in getting priority for coronavirus testing for older adults in long-term care and seniors housing and services sectors. Reliable mass testing will provide those served by aging services providers, as well as the heroes who provide that care, with the greatest assurance that they are being cared for in a safe environment, without exacerbating the risk of inadvertent spread among highly vulnerable older adults.

The current practice of rationing the limited numbers of reliable tests by departments of health and other agencies with jurisdiction is understandable and necessary today. However, as time progresses and our nation becomes more capable of providing reliable mass testing, our leaders and administrators must see the aging services sector as a top priority, on par with America's health care systems and hospitals.

Reliable mass testing will empower these housing and care environments to sustain healthy older populations over the long-term and reduce the numbers of people who would otherwise require care within a health care system and hospital that is overwhelmed by the coronavirus.

Without rapid, reliable testing, older adults will remain on tenterhooks until proven antibody testing and vaccinations are readily available.

Our health care workers now are recognized as heroes, and we should honor our elders as valuable members of society.

Let's treat both groups as the precious resources they are and get them the tests they need.

Barbara W. Thomas Kendal at Oberlin, CEO

Family physicians are heroes

To the editor: Family physicians and their practice teams are on the front lines of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are playing a crucial role in caring for those impacted and in controlling virus spread.

Faced with a deluge of respiratory triage and chronic care management via telehealth, family physicians are To the editor: answering the call on top of a normal workload that My wife and I have been lifelong residents of Welalready tests the limits of the primary care infrastructure. lington. Some people may or may not remember back to Family physicians and their practice teams are helping 2004. But 16 years ago on April 17, 2004, my wife Linda, limit the burden on emergency departments, all the while while we were on vacation, suffered a stroke to her spinal operating with inadequate supplies of personal proteccord. Now, while still paralyzed, she has continued to be tion equipment and testing kits. They worry that they may an encouragement and inspiration to myself and many become infected, be unable to care for their patients, and others. infect their families and loved ones. Since telemedicine As a longtime piano teacher, I definitely miss her piano services are typically not covered at the same payment playing. She still plays the piano, but only for short pelevels as in-person visits, they worry about keeping their riods of time. During the past 16 year, she has been in a practices open as many family medicine practices, prior number of physical rehab facilities, hospitals and ICUs. to the pandemic, were already on the edge of economic Many people have continued to ask how she is doing. viability. Nonetheless, family physicians and their practice Considering everything she has been through, she is doing teams are putting their lives on the line for their patients remarkably well. She still has a good attitude and posiand communities. tive outlook. Thank you for asking and please continue to There are many heroes in plain view at this very difficult pray. time. Ohio’s family physicians are certainly among those May we all stay safe and healthy during this current courageous heroes. crisis we are all going through.

Ann M. Spicer Ted Hyde Executive Vice President Wellington Ohio Academy of Family Physicians

Thank you for your prayers

COLUMN

Every day feels like a Wednesday during quarantine W ednesday is “hump day” in our world.

It is our traditional halfway mark in the work week. By Wednesday afternoon, we begin to anticipate the weekend but know we’re not quite there yet. By Wednesday afternoon, we are a bit weary and tired from the week and our energy begins to drag, but we’re not quite running on empty.

On Wednesday afterSUNNYSIDE FARM noon, there typically MIKE GOCSIK seems like nothing is going on. It’s the same reality. Things are differold same old. There is a ent. Things are unsettled. restlessness inside of us.

Life has changed. We do There is a longing for not know what is next. the weekend. An anticiDr. Amy Acton, who pation of better things on has led our state’s rethe horizon, a hopefulsponse to this pandemic, ness.

Every day feels like it's referenced that our state is “entering the eye of Wednesday. For many of the hurricane” with more us, the novelty of bestorms coming our way. ing asked to stay in our It seems likely that in homes has worn off.

Even for our children, the our immediate horizon is more discomfort, more concept disaster, more job loss of life that they had and sadly, more death. known being dramaticalWe are hearing conflictly changed has become

ing messages to get back to work and to stay home and remain socially distant.

Nothing seems clear, nothing is resolved. It feels very much like a Wednesday.

Over my life, I have had many unique experiences. In the early 2000s, I had the opportunity to visit and later work closely with a community of monks outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist monastery about 45 minutes northeast of Charleston. The monastic life and culture were very foreign to me and being a young Midwestern kid in his late 20s, the monastic life was as strange as it was intimidating. However, over my time working with and visiting their community, especially their abbot, the late Fr. Francis Kline, I grew in awe and deep admiration of the individuals and the community that inhabited

the monastery.

Mepkin is a special place that to this day looks and feels like heaven on Earth. In monastic life, silence and solitude are foundational aspects to daily living. Monastic rules and traditions make both necessary in the monk’s pursuit of God. A monk’s life is routine, ordinary, centered in work and prayer. Most monasteries rely on an established daily routine that has been in place for centuries.

The monastic life is very much counter cultural to our current society. We crave excitement.

We are constantly in search for entertainment.

A monk’s way is to take a step, a small step. To do small and seemingly insignificant things with great love. They give up all else in this pursuit.

It is in the mundane and the routine that the monk finds their purpose.

As mundane, routine and ordinary their lives seem,

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Experience preferred Background check will be conducted. No Smoking.Work until fall cleanup is completed.

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LEGALS PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on April 20, 2020.

The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain. org). The following summary has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal

accuracy as required by state laws.

Reso. 16-20 Proclaiming 4/28/2020 "Workers' Memorial Day" in the City of Lorain.

17-20* Reso of intent to approve addendum to the City of Lorain's current EDA Title IX Revolving Loan Fund to assist current EDA Title IX loan holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. 18-20* Supporting the adoption of add'l legislation by U.S. Congress in response to COVID-19 pandemic, enacting will provide unrestricted funds directly to local governments. Ord. 27-20 Approving the Chief of Police, through the Mayor, to accept the 2020 Law Enforcement Body Armor Grant from the OH Attorney General's Office ($10,274.55).

28-20* Auth the issuance/ sale of notes, in anticipation of bonds for approx. $2.8M to refund notes originally issued to pay for the Streetscape improvements. 29-20* Auth the S/S Dir. to enter into an agrmt w/ ODOT to purchase sodium

chloride from vendor awarded the 2020-2021 contract. 30-20 Auth the S/S Dir. to become a member of OHWARN, to assist Util. Dept. w/ personnel, equipment, materials, supplies in the event of an emergency. 31-20 Auth the S/S Dir. to enter into an agrmt w/ COMDOC to upgrade copier & printer fleet and document imaging system. 32-20* Amending Ch. 1537.07Definitions of Chapter 1509 of the Lorain Codified Ordinances.

33-20*Amending Ch. 1537.08- "Housing License Required" of the Lorain Codified Ordinances. 3420* Amending Ch. 1509.99"Failure to Comply with a Notice or Neglect of Maintenance" of the Lorain Codified Ordinances. 35-20* Auth the Auditor to pay 2 invoices submitted by the Util. Dept. invoking the Then & Now Certification exception process. 36-20* De-Appropriation. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 4/30; 5/7/20 20662379

LEGAL NOTICE In the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 225 Court Street, Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, 44035.

Case No. 20DR087552.

Lena Clifford, 165 Groveland Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, Plaintiff vs. Charles Irvin Clifford, Defendant.

Charles Irvin Clifford, whose last known address was Las Vegas, NV but whose address other than as set forth is unknown and cannot with the exercise of reasonable diligence be ascertained, and upon whom service of summons cannot be had in the State of Ohio, will take notice that on April 6, 2020, Lena Clifford, as Plaintiff, filed her complaint against him in the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

they live an extraordinary, vibrant, thriving existence! Their life is a Wednesday. Every single Wednesday, when nothing seems to be happening.

And its there where they find their love, where they find hope.

“The monastic vocation is therefore by its very nature a call to the wilderness, because it is a call to live in hope," wrote Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and well-known author. "The monk carries on the long tradition of waiting and hoping.”

I see this time and Merton’s words a challenge for us all. To find the hope. To be the hope that others are seeking. Every day seems like a Wednesday right now. Nothing special seems to be taking place. We are being asked to isolate ourselves and to stay at home. Life is uncertain.

We have been given an opportunity to stop,

to press pause. Our “call to the wilderness” was forced upon us, but here we are — and it is here that we can make the choice to not only live in hope but be the hope.

This pandemic is a very serious challenge we are all facing. It’s scary.

As the late Fred Rogers put it, “When I was a young boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers, you will always find people helping.'”

The examples of monks and the amount of love they put into routine has helped me and continues to bring me hope. Let’s all strive to “be the helpers” by fully embracing our Wednesdays ahead.

Mike Gocsik is president of Sunnyside Farm, LLC. He is a leadership development consultant that specializes in unique, equine-assisted retreats on their family’s farm in Vermilion.

Not the sheriff's office

Division, of Lorain County, Ohio, being Case No. 20DR087552, requesting a divorce from Defendant, and an award of a reasonable sum for any costs, expenses, and attorney's fees in this action, and for such other relief as shall be proper and necessary, based upon the grounds that the parties are incompatible, and that the parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption for at least one year.

Said above named defendant will further take notice that he is required to answer the complaint on or before the 18th day of June, 2020.

LENA CLIFFORD, Plaintiff By: CHRISTOPHER P. REWAK, (#0085957), 300 Fourth Street, Elyria, OH 44035, Attorney for Plaintiff

L.C.C.G. 4/16-23-30; 5/7-1421/20 20661752

Placing your own classified ad in the Community Guide is easy! Call 440-329-7000 today!

A man pretending to be a Lorain County sheriff's deputy has been calling residents in an illegal cashgrab scheme.

Real LCSO detectives learned April 30 that residents had received calls from 440-310-7057 ext.

702. The man on the other end claimed to be a Lt. Mike Crum with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Civil Processing division.

There were a number of cons being run, detectives said, including bogus claims of an outstanding warrant and fines.

The sheriff's office does not seek or divulge warrant information over the phone, and it doesn't ask for payments to clear warrants.

If you get such a call, don't give out personal information, and block all calls coming from that number.

Investigators said the scammer has disconnected his number and may try the same scheme from another one. You can report any such attempts by calling Detective Lt. Robert Vansant — a real member of the sheriff’s office — at 440-329-3880.

You can also report scams to the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Visit www.ohioattorneygeneral. gov/ReportaScam.

B

OUR TOWNS

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, May 7, 2020

Library sees levy victory in early numbers JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — No twist is in store for the Amherst Public Library's $5 million bond issue, said Director Don Dovala.

With a 23.5 percent lead on Election Night, he's confident how the book on Issue 16 will end.

"I'm counting it a win," he said.

Tuesday night's chapter ended with 2,773 votes for the tax increase and 1,715 against it.

There are more absentee ballots to be counted as they're delivered by mail, but Dovala said he can't imagine enough to spoil the tale.

"The library and the board of trustees would like to thank the community for its and support and trust," he said Wednesday.

"Our planned expansion will allow us to provide the best possible environment and services to our community."

The original library, facing Park Avenue, was built in 1906 with financial help from steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. An

addition was built in 1976, and now Dovala and company say they need more space for children, meetings and tutoring.

The biggest need is for separate loud and quiet areas, especially with many Amherst students flocking to the library after school to unwind and study.

The library board has envisioned about 10,000 square feet on two-stories, eating up just five parking spaces on the south side of the building.

After declaring a win Wednesday, Dovala said the board will

discuss moving ahead with architectural and engineering plans at its May 11 meeting.

The space might have to be smaller than originally planned if prices rise due to tariffs or a coronavirus-fueled recession, Dovala said.

He expects the addition to open in 2023 or 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic could slow the process — "It's going to be a learning curve for everybody," he said. "Bids, you normally did them in person.

We're not sure how long it's go-

DEMOLISHED AFTER 58 YEARS

ing to be until we can do that."

However much the final election tally shifts between now and mid-May, Dovala said he sees the outcome as validation of the Amherst Public Library's mission, even while it's closed due to the public health crisis.

"I think people know they definitely need and appreciate the library, even more so when something like this happens," he said.

The Lorain County Board of Elections will not release updated numbers until next week.

Weber: Without a miracle, school levy won’t pass JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — The hope drained from Ed Weber's voice as the first results rolled in last Tuesday night, showing far from enough support to save Westwood Elementary School.

Even with unopened absentee ballots expected to arrive by mail for days, the Wellington Schools superintendent admitted defeat.

Just before 10 p.m., the Lorain County Board of Elections posted the first count for Issue 16. It stood at 682 for the district's multi-million-dollar levy (42.52 percent) and 922 against (57.48 percent).

"I don't know if there's that many more votes to receive there," said Weber. "I would say that would be a big 'wow' if that happened."

After failing by a similar margin in November, school system had hoped to convince voters to support $8.7 million in cash to repair a leaking roof and bad boiler at Westwood, and patch problems at Wellington High School.

Issue 16 would also collect $224,478 annually to pay for regular upkeep on school buildings. The total price tag for the owner of a $100,000 home: a $101.15 per year tax hike.

Down by a 15 percent margin, Weber said he didn't

Photos by Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Demolition started Wednesday, April 29 at the former Oberlin Clinic on Route 511. Workers from Ross Builders Co. of North Ridgeville used excavators to smash the long-standing medical building to pieces. It was started in 1962, and its demise comes after the opening of Mercy Health's new Wuu-Shung and Amy Chuang Medical Center next door. The Oberlin Clinic grew over the years from seven physicians and a dentist to 35 physicians and allied health personnel, according to historian and former doctor W. Jeanne McKibben. Allen Hospital purchased the clinic in 2000, and later became part of the Mercy Health system.

MIRACLE PAGE B2

Wheels are slowly turning, COVID-19 closures still abound

'Heavenly' organist, educator David Boe dies of COVID-19 Provided photo

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Hearing David Boe play the organ was like heaven, said the Rev. Jimmy Madsen.

Every Sunday morning for more than a quartercentury, he would listen to Boe flood the sanctuary at First Lutheran Church in Lorain with angelic sound.

"He was just such a huge presence," Madsen said.

"He was a great musician, and a great person, incredibly humble but very learned. He not only knew music very well, but knew theology."

Boe, who spent 46 years fostering the talents of young musicians at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, died Tuesday, April 28 due to complications from COVID-19.

He passed at age 84 at Glenbrook Hospital near his home in Chicago.

Boe joined the ranks at Oberlin College in 1962,

David Boe, former dean of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, played the organ every Sunday at First Lutheran Church in Lorain, where he was director of music for many years.

STAFF REPORT

WELLINGTON — Full staffing has resumed in all Wellington village departments as Ohio's slow reopening resumes.

After a quiet period with no more coronavirus cases confirmed in town, Mayor Hans Schneider said he is not ready to give the all-clear.

"There most certainly are unknown positive cases here and we all need to be aware of how we conduct ourselves if we have to go out in public," he said Thursday, April 30. "Simple rule — act as if everyone is positive."

Town Hall will stay closed to the public until further notice. Meetings will continue to be conducted online, with no chance for in-person participation.

CLOSURES PAGE B2

1960-2020 techniques not employed in 300 years.

People from all over the world would visit to hear Boe play the organ, Madsen said. It was the first INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. major instrument Bromhome-farm-auto-health-life-business baugh built, but was sadly Full service incinerated in a 2014 arson. Call or stop in independent for a FREE In command of the pipe insurance INSURANCE agency. organ, Boe elevated the QUOTE. performance of the small church's choir, he said, playing at a level that could only be expected at a very large, wealthy church in a big city, "and there he was in Lorain, Ohio, every Sunday morning."

Protecting What’s Important "He could just make anyScott Beriswill Denise Breyley thing happen, and was so 35881 Grafton Eastern Rd. 173 Depot Street kind and gentle in all of Grafton, Ohio 44044 Wellington, Ohio 44090

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Beriswill

was associate dean of the conservatory from 1974 to 1990 and served as dean before his departure in 2008.

He helped build the school's world-renowned collection of more than 30 organs, including Finney

Chapel's iconic Kay Africa Memorial Organ, which was installed in 2001.

As director of music at First Church, he was instrumental in the commission of a pipe organ by master craftsman John Brombaugh, using historical

ORGANIST PAGE B2 (440) 926-3312 www.beriswillins.com (440) 647-6010

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Page B2

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Most students on board with studying from home JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — About three-quarters of students are keeping up with dayto-day work remotely, Superintendent David Hall told the Oberlin Board of Education last week.

Those who aren't keeping up with virtual learning are contacted for "wellness checks."

"We understand it's difficult at home," Hall said.

The school district has provided 253 computers to more than 150 families, and Oberlin Cable Co-op has given free Internet hook-ups to about 50 customers who needed access for school work, he said.

Commencement won't be held at Finney Chapel this year due to health concerns.

Hall said staff are working to develop an alternative ceremony to recognize graduating seniors.

The Oberlin City Schools will spend the summer figuring out what learning will look like in the fall.

Hall said classes may still all happen online, students might be allowed to return to school full-time and get special tutoring sessions to catch up, or there may be a mix.

Hall said there's also the possibility of a staggered start, with buildings opening after students begin work from home.

School board President Albert Borroni said parents deserve credit for taking on new roles in their kids' education.

"It gives us an appreciation of our teachers, but at the same time it can really drain you emotionally," he said.

In other business, the Board of Education took the first steps needed to place two renewal levies on the November ballot.

One generates $940,000 in operating cash for the district, mostly going toward employee salaries and benefits.

The other is a two-mill permanent improvement measure that can be used to pay for for roof repairs, boilers, equipment, buses, textbooks and other physical items that last more than five years. The Lorain County auditor's office has been asked to determine how much the property tax would generate, based on recent changes to valuations.

As a show of thanks for passage of a bond issue last year to pay for Oberlin's new elementary school, the district would continue to collect only one of the two mills.

Treasurer Robert Rinehart said the school system is on track with its fiveyear forecast — for now.

But he warned income tax collections will likely drop by $1 million next year, and $90,000 in losses from the Ohio Lottery's contributions are expected.

Administrators are already negotiating memorandums of understanding with unions in case layoffs are needed.

Rinehart said a lot of support workers could be affected if school buildings don't reopen in the fall.

In the meantime, the Oberlin City Schools are saving a bit of money on heat, lighting and phones while doors are closed.

Rinehart said there have also been unexpected expenses, such as mailings to families across the district, and making copies of work to send home with students.

ORGANIST

FROM B1 it," Madsen said.

And yet Boe played with no conceit or pride — humility the Lutheran preacher's son learned growing up in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

He started piano lessons at an early age, graduated magna cum laude from St. Olaf College, then earned a master's degree from Syracuse University, according to an obituary provided by Oberlin College.

Boe continued his studies as a Fulbright Scholar at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt, Germany, and started his teaching career at the University of Georgia.

Throughout his career, Boe taveled expansively, performing concerts in Europe.

He served as national president of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society, and as secretary of the National Association of Schools of Music, and was a consultant for music programs at more than 35 institutions. He was also vice president of the American Organ Academy and had been a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame.

In Oberlin, he championed a $1 million renovation of Warner Concert Hall and a $2 million expansion of the conservatory library, which today houses some 345,000 items, including recordings, scores and books.

Toward the end of the Cold War, Boe co-founded the American-Soviet Youth Orchestra, the first fine arts exchange produced jointly between the United States and USSR. Its musicians performed across the world.

William Porter, a professor of organ at Oberlin College during the 1970s and 1980s, described Boe as "a remarkable human being: quiet, reflective, compassionate, understanding, deep in his thoughts, loyal in his commitments, and unfailingly trustworthy. He was truly a gentle man."

David Kazimir, who studied under Boe, is now curator of organs at the conservatory in Oberlin.

“David’s gentle spirit, thoughtful guidance as a teacher and prodigious knowledge of the organ throughout time were a constant source of inspiration to me and countless others, as a student and beyond,” he said. “He taught me to think and act in life in ways that help make music serve the needs of the world.”

Boe had battled Parkinson's disease since his retirement, according to the college, but stayed in touch with Oberlin.

In 2011, the David and Sigrid Boe Organ was dedicated at Peace Community Church in Oberlin. The recreation of an 18th century instrument, it honors both Boe and his wife.

They returned to the Oberlin College campus in 2016 for the dedication of the David S. Boe Organ installed at the front of Fairchild Chapel. It was their final visit.

Madsen said Boe's music continues to shape the First Lutheran congregation.

The organist's reputation allowed the church to attract incredible musicians after his retirement. "It was such a lasting legacy that he left," he said.

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Contractors are doing site work for Oberlin's new elementary school, which will is being built next to Oberlin High School.

Screenings all in a day's work at construction site JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — A nurse has been hired to take the temperature of every worker entering the construction zone for Oberlin's new elementary school, screening for COVID-19.

Before they can go on the job, contractors have to answer questions to make sure they're symptom-free, Brad Gellert of ThenDesign Architecture told the Board of Education last week.

"If the nurse feels there's something suspicious, they're not admitted to the site," said project consultant Dan DeNicola.

The North Pleasant Street entrance to the campus, which includes Oberlin High School, has been closed. To make sure all workers are screened, all must pass through a Park Street checkpoint.

Restroom facilities must be sanitized every hour, Gellert said, which is a directive handed down by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. "We're hoping once the governor starts to change his directives, the facilities commission will also change theirs," he said.

There aren't a lot of workers reporting right now — just enough for early site preparation work — so it's easy for them to social distance on the job, he said.

That will change after May 22, when the

Oberlin school board is expected to approve construction bids.

Tim Rini of Greenspace Construction, which is overseeing the project, said the bid deadline was moved back to May 8 due to questions about the package. That's resulted in more bidders, which Rini said is a big benefit.

District Superintendent David Hall said the project is on schedule, and the bids will show whether it's still on budget.

The new school is scheduled to open in 2021 for students in prekindergarten through fifth grade.

It will include solar panels to provide power for both the elementary and high school, Hall said. The school board has inked an agreement with Enerlogics Networks of Youngstown for a power purchase agreement, which is expected to generate significant energy cost savings over the next 20 years.

Enerlogics will also install an interactive display at the elementary entrance, showing kids how much power the solar panels are collecting.

A $45,000 grant has also been secured from the Oberlin College Green Edge Fund to provide environmental dashboards at the new school.

The interactive screens show how much electricity and water are being used in real time.

MIRACLE

FROM B1 see a miracle brewing.

He also felt stung by other results — voters supported a $922,547 per year Wellington Fire District levy by a nearly 40 percent margin, at least with the first 2,145 ballots counted.

"That's too bad — they're going to vote yes on fire and no on schools?" said Weber. "Now I guess we put the time in, do a survey and see what we do from here. We did so much of the work to find the best deal.

There's no other deal that's better."

The 2019-2020 school year had an optimistic start. Weber said everything was coming together, grades were up and "Wellington was on the rebound" after facing harsh state report card realities.

With a more than likely failed levy and a recession in the wind due to the COVID-19

crisis, his outlook is gray.

"There's no guarantee the Board (of Education) will want to tee us up again for another try in November if we're not successful tonight," he said.

The Wellington Schools have worked to recession-proof their finances. Weber said it has enough tucked away to withstand a three-year blow to tax collections. That doesn't mean it has enough cash to sink into Westwood Elementary, though — not without help.

"The board does not want to close Westwood. They do not want to do it. They will try and try again to get community support," Weber said. "But we can't risk solvency to keep it open."

The Lorain County Board of Elections will not release updated numbers until next week.

CLOSURES

FROM B1

Utility bills can be paid via mail, online, over the phone or at a drop box outside Town Hall.

Wellington's recreation park on Johns Street will remain closed through at least May 31 — that includes the splash pad.

With the park closed, that means no organized sports such as baseball, softball or soccer will be able to take place.

Wellington's Memorial Day parade has

already been canceled, and the Gazebo Garden Walk has been postponed.

"It’s a fluid situation so decisions regarding future events including the Fourth of July parade (and) activities will be made at a later date and after we carefully evaluate all the information on hand at that time," Schneider said.

"The health and safety of our residents is always a top priority and our decisions going forward will reflect that."

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 APRIL 16, 2020

BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Page B3

CELEBRATING SENIORS If the pandemic cancels high school commencements, then we’ll bring a graduation ceremony to you in our pages!

Here are some of the seniors whose final year has been cut short by the COVID-19 crisis.

Your senior can be included in an upcoming edition: Send a photo and the student's name, the name of the high school they’re graduating from, plans (college, major, military, work options) and an idea of their aspirations for the future to news@ lcnewspapers.com.

MADISAN CAMPBELL will graduate from Oberlin High School. She plans to attend the College of Wooster and pursue interests in music and science.

TAYLOR BEALER will graduate from Wellington High School and the Lorain County JVS allied health program. She plans to attend Lorain County Community College to study nursing.

MAKAYLA RIGGINS will graduate from Oberlin High School. She plans to attend Oberlin College on a full academic scholarship to study biochemistry. She hopes to one day become a pharmaceutical scientist.

Amherst library meeting

The Amherst Public Library board will hold its 2021 budget hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11 at the library. It will be followed by a records commission and a regular meeting.

All are open to the public.

Summer baseball canceled

The Amherst Athletic Association has canceled its 2020 baseball and softball season due to the public health crisis.

The announcement comes amid a continuing ban on recreational sports tournaments and organized recreational leagues in Ohio, as well as a ban on mass gatherings. School facilities, including diamonds, stadiums and tracks, remain closed until June 30 by order of the Ohio Department of Health.

The Amherst Athletic Association said its board is looking at creative ways of offering opportunities to play ball if the restrictions are lifted.

Kids who were signed up to play either roll over their paid registrations to the 2021 season or request a refund via email to amherstball@gmail.com by May 31. Be sure to include the name of the participant, program they are registered for, name the check should be made out to and address to which the check should be mailed.

National Honor Society

Two students have been inducted into the National Honor Society at Firelands High School, Principal Robert Maver announced.

The Class of 2020 inductees are Grace Ransom and Elizabeth Unger.

"In this time of uncertainty, we would have liked to honor them with an induction ceremony, but due to the circumstances of today, we feel that our students needed to be recognized, regardless if we could do it in a live situation," Maver said.

The following students have also been inducted as part of the Class of 2021: Alexander Angle, Matthew Balas, Chayce Baldwin, Anne Bartish, Keegan Bibb, Cole Bober, Brianna Bonomolo, Hattie Born, Nathaniel Boucher, Zachary Brill, Christian Brotko, Chandler Brotko, Emily Campbell, Renee Clippinger, Gwyneth Conibear, Ashley Crawford, Kristin DeWitt, Eduardo Diaz, Julia Douzos, Grace Edwards, Leanna Francis, Joshua Gallo, Kelsey Hardwick, Emma Hicks, Frank Janezic, Gabriella Keith, Casey Kelley, Julia Krynak, Emilia Lewis, Daniel Lima, William Lockhart, Audrey Lyons, Andria Mains, Emma McCrann, Dale Milde, Madison New, Samantha Novak, Delaney Overstreet, Patience Rafter, Seth Robinette, Jasmin Schuler, Garrick Sebolt, Rebekah Selent, Grace Sherban, Samuel Solowiej, Megan Sutton, Dylan Taylor, Aaron Urban, Paiton Widener and Evan Zidar.

South Amherst alumni

Due to the coronavirus, the South Amherst Alumni board has decided to cancel its July 18 banquet. The Class of 1970 will be honored next year along with the Class of 1971.

Scholarship applications will still be accepted until June 30. Any graduating senior whose parents or grandparents graduated from South Amherst High School may apply.

Call Barbie Standen at 440-988-3505 for an application.

Donations will also be accepted. They can be sent to Standen at 915 Milan Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.

Next year's banquet will be held on July 17.

Oberlin library meeting

The Oberlin Public Library board will hold its 2021 budget hearing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the

MACKAYLA MATEJCIK will graduate from Amherst Steele High School. She plans to attend Lorain County Community College and Kent State University to study real estate and interior design.

MAXWELL CARRIER will graduate from The Gow School. He plans to attend Union in New York and major in computer science.

CHRISTIAN PFEIFFER will graduate from Amherst Steele High School. He plans to play basketball for Baldwin Wallace University.

LEAH BRATTON will graduate from Oberlin High School. She plans to attend Ohio State University to study communications.

GIANNI DIMACCHIA will graduate from Amherst Steele High School.

He plans to attend the Miami University honors program at the College of Creative Arts, studying game design and simulation, as well as interactive media.

HANNAH HENDRIX will graduate from Amherst High School. She plans to finish her associate’s degree at Lorain County Community College and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science at the University of Tampa. Her passion is conservation.

FAITH SISSON will graduate from Midview High School. She plans to attend West Virginia University to major in biology on the pre-med track. She plans to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

KEVIN RUTKOWSKI will graduate from Wellington High School. He plans to attend Bowling Green State University in the Air Force ROTC program, majoring in aviation.

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library. It will be followed by a records commission and a regular meeting. All are open to the public.

One Day $75

Check our website for dates

Police overtime

Oberlin police officers have been separated into work groups to minimize exposure to COVID-19.

In response, City Council changed rules for police overtime in an emergency vote.

Employees will now get time-and-a-half compensation for excess hours in a two-week window instead of a oneweek window.

City Manager Rob Hillard said the change allows officers to be scheduled for more than 40 hours one week, and given flex time off the next without affecting the budget.

"We're happy we have a staff that's able to function through this healthfully," said Council President Linda Slocum.

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Summer fair canceled

The Oberlin Family Fun Fair and Classic Car Show, which had been scheduled for August, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There are so many logistics associated with planning and presenting this full day of fun... and the future requirements of crowd sizes are not known (thousands of people show up for this event each year)," said a message from organizers. "Maybe we can do something in the fall?

We are sad and know you will be too!"

Chalk Walk postponed

The Oberlin Chalk Walk, scheduled for June 20, has been postponed due the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers said they are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and making decisions to keep artists, volunteers and the community safe.

The Oberlin Chalk Walk is a free event that celebrates the Italian sidewalk-painting tradition. It generally draws hundreds of people — amateurs and professional artists alike — who stake out spaces to decorate along the city's sidewalks.

Library to offer pick-up

Starting Monday, May 11, the Herrick Memorial Library will allow card-holders to borrow materials by placing holds online or by phone at 440-647-2120.

Materials will be available for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day following the request. Park in the library lot and phone in, and staff will place materials in your trunk.

All materials should be returned to the outside book drop. The public will not be allowed in the library until further notice.

Eagles hold food drive

The Wellington Eagles will hold a food drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at 631 South Main St. to benefit Well-Help and the people the nonprofit feeds.

Nonperishable and non-expired food is welcome, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, diapers and toiletries. You can drop off donations at the front entrance of the aerie. The Eagles will match total cash donations up to $1,000, and each person who gives (one entry per vehicle) will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods or a $50 Visa gift card.

Well-Help is assisting about 120 families through the COVID-19 crisis. it serves people who need food in Wellington, Kipton, Rochester and the townships of Brighton, Camden, Huntington, Penfield, Pittsfield, Rochester and Wellington.

• LANDSCAPING • EXCAVATION • HARDSCAPING • LOADER WORK • DIRT MOVING • HAULING • MISC. WORK

“We’ll Get Dirty, So You Don’t Have To!”

CALL SAM 440-865-7572 Watch Out for Financial Scams Related to Virus On one hand, the coronavirus has brought out the best in us. People across the country are pitching in to help others, from providing protective masks to health care workers to holding video chats with confined residents of assisted living homes to simply buying gift cards to support local businesses. On the other hand, a small number of bad actors are taking advantage of the situation to try to defraud people. How can you guard against these virus-related scams?

For starters, be aware of three common scams connected to the coronavirus: • Websites claiming to help and track the pandemic – Look out for websites that claim to help you work remotely or provide financial resources to the afflicted. These sites may try to trick you into giving up personal information, donate money or load malware onto your computer. Don’t trust information technology (IT) “helpdesk” agents you don’t know. And check out any obscure organization claiming to help virus victims. You can easily find many legitimate groups that actually work to alleviate suffering, and that deserve your support. To find these reputable organizations, go to an Online clearinghouse, such as charitynavigator.org, which rates thousands of groups on their financial health, accountability and transparency.

• Products claiming to prevent or cure the disease – When there’s a real treatment or vaccination for COVID-19, it will be big news, and you will hear about it. Until then, ignore any claims for pills, potions, prescriptions or other products that promise “miracle” cures. Not only will they waste your money, but, if you click on attachments from “phishing” emails advertising these fake treatments, you could end up supplying crooks with sensitive data, such as your Online account logins, passwords, and credit card and bank account details.

You can find a great deal of health informa-

OH-70097431

tion on the virus at the Center for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov), of course, but if you or your loved ones are feeling ill, please contact a physician.

• “Risk-free” or “guaranteed” investments – The coronavirus has caused two separate, but related, areas of stress. The first is the health concern, and the second is the financial/investment component. The enormous volatility of the financial markets has caused much concern among investors, and scammers are seizing the opportunity to offer “risk-free” or “guaranteed” investments “perfect” for this particular time.

Again, responding to these types of offers can bring you nothing but trouble. All investments carry risk of one type or another, and they typically don’t come with guarantees, although some do offer significant protection of principal. In these turbulent times, your best move is to stick with a long-term investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

Here’s one more suggestion: Warn your elderly relatives about the increased potential for scams. The elderly are always the most susceptible to fraud, and now, when they may be more isolated than before, they may well be even more vulnerable.

So, make sure you’re talking to these loved ones, and urge them not to make any sudden, out-of-the-ordinary financial moves.

Even in normal times, it’s regrettable that we have to be on the alert for scam artists – and it’s even more unfortunate during a period of national crisis. However, by being reasonably vigilant, and by taking the proper precautions, you can avoid taking on the “collateral damage” that can occur in this environment.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Michael E. Verda AAMS Financial Adviser 12289 Leavitt Rd. Suite E. Oberlin, OH 44074 Bus.: 440-774-4625 Fax: 866-486-8146

Steve Schmittle

mike.verda@edwardjones.com

steve.schmittle@edwardjones.com

Financial Adviser 20 South Main Street Oberlin, OH 44074-1627 Bus.: 440-775-4357 Fax: 888-204-0352 Fax: 800-755-4944

Member SIPC

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Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, May 7, 2020