Lorain County Community Guide - Nov. 17, 2022

Political winds blowing to right

JASON HAWK EDITOR

After decades as a staunch Democratic territory, Lo rain County is continuing to slide to the right, midterm election results show.

With 111,681 ballots cast — that’s just over half of registered voters — the county helped deliver another term to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

In the eyes of Lorain County Board of Elections Chair Marilyn Jacobcik, the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Tim Ryan and Republican JD Vance was the biggest of the fall, revealing shifting political winds.

Ryan just barely won over a majority of Lorain County voters, though he lost the statewide vote.

Combined with key wins for Republicans at every level, it may not be fair anymore to consider Lorain County a “blue” county. The numbers show it has be come a deep purple.

“It seemed like the momentum built the closer we got to Election Day,” Jacobcik said last Wednesday,

No commissioner race winner yet

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

The race for a seat on the Lorain County Board of Commissioners between incum bent Democrat Matt Lundy and Republican chal lenger Jeff Riddell remains undecided.

The Lorain County Board of Elections will meet Nov. 21 to review provisional and absentee ballots from the Nov. 8 election, but no results will be announced.

Final vote tallies will not be certified until the Board of Elections meeting on Nov. 28.

More than 5,300 ballots remained to be officially counted in Lorain County after the polls closed last week, election officials said.

COMMISSIONER PAGE A3

Not forgotten

Fair price rising

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Going to the Lorain County Fair will cost a little more in August 2023.

Admission prices will rise from $6 to $8, following a fair board vote last week.

Memberships and season passes, which allow seven entries, will also increase to $40.

“When you compare it to other venues, that’s still less than what other fairs are charging,” said Rick Ternes, who has been elected board president for the second consecu tive year.

Like everyone else, the fair is dealing with inflation, he said.

The cost of water, electricity and gasoline have all shot upward. Fair organizers will also have to pay more next year for everything from blue ribbons to toilet paper, Ternes said.

Veterans honored at Welcome Nursing Home

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Eddie Young bowed his head in respect Friday as he spoke to a half-dozen veterans who gath ered in a circle of wheelchairs.

“You gentlemen who are sitting here, I’m humbled,” he said in a low voice, his eyes locked on the aging men who long ago retired their Army, Air Force and Navy uniforms. “You paved the way for us.”

Young himself was stationed with an Air Force fighter squadron in Guam at the end of the Vietnam War. He was among the members of American Legion Post 656 who visited Welcome Nursing Home to make sure veterans there were not forgotten.

One by one, the younger Oberlin veterans stepped forward to tell their elders they remembered.

John Cannon served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He spoke softly of being deployed to Da Nang and how “all hell broke loose” in the first rocket attack he endured.

The Rev. Dwayne Anderson of Grace Community Church in Lorain also served in the Air Force, during

“I came off the backs of those who served before me, so I want to say thank you,” he told nursing home veterans.

Offering up a prayer, Anderson asked for veterans to have the

The cost of maintaining and repairing the fairgrounds’ buildings has gone up, and Ternes said hiring security and parking attendants will cut much deeper into the fair budget in 2023.

“There’s a lot of hidden costs that people don’t realize is there,” he said.

There was discussion about push ing gate prices up even further, but Ternes said he feels $8 is enough to cover expenses.

Admission should have been in creased in 2021 as fairs across Ohio reeled from COVID-19 closures the year before, he said. But Lorain County Fair directors felt atten dance would already be on shaky ground, and didn’t want to risk los ing more visitors.

“We still want to be a venue where you can bring the family for a reasonable amount of money for the day,” he said.

Hitting the fair still won’t be cheap. Admission for a family of four will be $32, and food vendors already pushed prices past the $10 mark for many entrees this summer.

Toss in $25 apiece for unlimited ride stamps, and that family of four could easily blow past $150 in an evening.

That’s if amusement ride prices stay the same. Ternes said the fair board has not decided yet whether to invite back Michael’s Amuse ments of North Carolina or go with

Operation Desert Storm and Opera tion Desert Shield.

Photos by Jeff Barnes | Oberlin News-Tribune

Air Force veteran Eddie Young offers a sincere thanks to older veterans, all using wheelchairs, who gathered for a ceremony Friday at Welcome Nursing Home.

Army veteran Burt Latran Jr. speaks about his experiences in the military and what they mean to him.

Matt Lundy

Jeff Riddell

OBITUARIES

Walter Willard Young

Walter Willard Young was born July 30, 1927, in Ash land, and died on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at his home in New Bern, North Carolina.

He was the son of the late Willard George Young and Eva Pearl (nee Fulk) Young.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen Ruth (nee Lattimer); daughter, Barbara Anne (Samuel) Bidwell of New Bern, North Carolina; son, Michael Walter (Re becca) Young of Wellington; grandchildren, Carrie Ann (Christopher) Gibilisco of Westlake, John Walter Bidwell of Catonsville, Maryland, and Christopher Michael (Sarah) Young of Elyria and his great-grandchil dren, Audrey, and Daniel Gibilisco.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Frances Louise; sister and brother-in-law, Margery and Robert Stannard, and brother and sister-in-law, Robert, and Margery Young.

When Walter was two, the family moved to Wellington, where his father founded the Wellington Implement Com pany in 1929. Walter attended school in Wellington and was a member of the high school football team his senior year. It was during his high school years he met the love of his life while captaining a school science project.

Upon graduation, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Navy, July 1945 during WWII, and served in the SeaBees. After basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland, he was stationed 'aboard' the U.S. Naval Base in Hueneme, California.

Walter enlisted with his best friend, whom he met in kin dergarten, Dr. Sidney Ray. Their serial numbers were one digit apart. Walter and Sid remained best friends through out their lives.

After discharge from the Navy, Walter and Helen mar ried on June 6, 1948, and lived over 60 years in Welling ton. Later, they divided their time between homes in Wel lington, and New Bern, North Carolina until 2015 when Walter retired, and they moved permanently to New Bern.

Walter began working part-time for the Wellington Implement in his youth and eventually became co-owner, along with his brother, the late Robert 'Brigham' Young, and brother-in-law, the late Robert Stannard. The business was eventually passed on to his son, nephews, and niece, and is still a family-owned business today.

Walter was a member of First Baptist Church in Wel lington, joining Tabernacle Baptist Church upon his move to New Bern, North Carolina. He was a member of the Eagles and served on the Lorain County Fair Board as Treasurer. Walter enjoyed playing bridge with friends, fly ing airplanes, achieving a student pilot's license, riding his motorcycle with Helen as co-pilot, attending Wellington High School football games, and watching his grandson, Christopher, play soccer. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main St., Wellington. Services will be held Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 125 Grand Ave., Wellington begin ning at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon served at the church. A private burial will take place at Green wood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to First Baptist Church.

Norton-Eastman Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

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.

Amherst observances canceled

The annual Veterans Day event held at the Veterans Mural on Park Avenue in Amherst was canceled Friday due to inclement weather. It will be rescheduled for a later date.

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LORAIN

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WELCOME

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assurance their days of service were not in vain. He also asked for peace for the families of those who lost soldiers in war.

Burt Latran Jr. served in the army infantry. After graduating from officer school, he went to Germany and then Vietnam.

He recalled sporadic fighting and a few injuries.

“But thank God we didn’t lose one person,” he said.

Stationed 8,600 miles from home, Latran said he was shocked to encounter several Oberlineans during the war.

He also said he was grateful for his military experience.

“I tried to make a difference no matter where I was,” he said, saluting older veterans.

Roy Ebihara, who served in the army during the Korean War, said the armed forces are comprised of people of all colors, religions and cultures — but they are united in service to one country.

“We’re here to remember, we must always remember, that you people have done your service,” he told Welcome Nursing Home’s resident veterans.

Each was given a tiny folded flag.

Members of American Legion Post 656 also placed flowers in memory of former Welcome residents who have passed away.

FAIR

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another provider, and prices could go up in either case.

So could tickets to Grandstand shows, he said.

While contracts have not been locked in, Ternes said it appears the fair will move forward with bigname musical acts on Monday, Aug. 21 and Tuesday, Aug. 22.

But going with back-to-back con certs isn’t a given, he said.

“You’ve got to look every year at doing that. You have to look at what it costs you, and the ticket price,” he said.

Some acts, even smaller ones, can cost in the $130,000 to $140,000 range, Ternes said.

By the time the fair pays produc tion costs on top of booking, tickets may run up to $30, he said.

The good news is that exhibitor premiums are not increasing in 2023.

Junior Fair exhibitor and project numbers were up significantly this year, which is a good sign for the health of the fair overall, he said.

The goal is to move forward with a “solid product” next summer, while reining in spending. Ternes said the fair can’t afford to blow its budget,

since it also aims to break ground on the first phase of an $8 million facili ties project in late 2023.

The “Fairs Forever” campaign starts with construction of a 45,000-square-foot exposition center that will host events year-round. Fair board members hope it will generate a stable source of income/

The second phase will involve replacing two existing Junior Fair beef barns with a 14,000-square-foot barn.

A third phase entails building a covered arena and parking improve ments.

Using federal American Rescue Plan funds, Lorain County commis sioners voted earlier this year to put $1.5 million toward the fairgrounds construction projects.

Lorain County Probate Court Judge James Walther gave another $15,049 toward the building project last week.

The money was the last remaining from the 2011 sale of the county’s former Green Acres Children’s Home property to the city of Ober lin.

The Probate Court stipulated the

money had to be used in a way that benefited. About $200,000 previ ously went to 4-H.

“As soon as I heard about what they were doing out there at the fair, I knew this is where I wanted the rest of this money to go,” Walther said.

The Lorain County Agricultural Society also voted Tuesday to elect new officers.

Ternes will serve as president of the Executive Committee for 2023, and Scott Smith will serve as vice president. Marie Waite is immediate past president.

Additional directors include Dan Linden (term expiring in 2023), Joe Buchs (term expiring in 2024) and Patrick Twining (term expiring in 2025).

The following directors were elected to the fair board in August and were sworn in at the meeting: Don Crawford, Chris Jordan, Kim Meyers, Ron Pickworth, John Piwin ski, Kelly Squire and Brian Twining.

Each will serve three-year terms ending in 2025.

Steve Neff was also sworn in for a one-year term ending in 2023.

Provided photo

Lorain County Fair officers Steve Neff, Ron Pickworth, Don Crawford, Brian Twining, Kim Meyers, Kelly Squire, Chris Jordan, John Piwinski were sworn in.

John Cannon, an Air Force veteran, talks about his time during the Vietnam War. He addressed residents of Welcome Nursing Home in Oberlin on Friday, assuring veterans there they are not forgotten.

analyzing voter trends.

Historically, Democrats tend to vote early. Of those who cast ballots inperson or by mail prior to Election Day, 16,567 were Democrats compared to 10,354 Republicans, according to county Board of Elections Director Paul Adams, a Democrat.

Residents unaffiliated with either party represented the largest group of early vot ers, however, at 19,889.

Jacobcik, who is a Republican, said high-profile races and ballot issues drew a lot of independent voters “late in the game,” and Republicans turned out in force on Election Day.

Voters from both sides of the aisle were more involved in choosing Ohio Supreme Court justices this fall, too, she said.

For the first time, judicial candidates across the state were identified with a D or an R next to their name on the ballot.

Party politics aren’t the only factor at work. To understand Lorain County’s pri orities, just follow the money — turnout was highest in communities where bigdollar levy requests were on the ballot.

With both a city income tax and a school construction levy on the ballot, North Ridgeville was extremely busy, Jacobcik said.

The city’s 3-H precinct had the highest turnout in the county, with 84.72 percent of registered voters making their opinions known.

Avon, Avon Lake and Amherst precincts also saw large turnout, many climbing into the high 60s.

But countywide turnout as of Wednes day sat at 50.9 percent, short of the 55 percent Adams had predicted, or the 57 percent Deputy Elections Director James Kramer believed would materialize.

Some of that can be attributed to ultralow engagement in some of Lorain County’s traditional blue strongholds.

Many areas of Elyria and Lorain saw turnouts ranging from 20 to 40 percent — Elyria’s 5-A precinct dipped to 19.13 percent, and Lorain’s 2-D precinct had just 14.84 percent of voters show up, the

The morning after Election Day, Riddell had a 320-vote lead over Lundy — 53,951 votes for Riddell, or 50.15 percent, and 53,631 votes for Lundy, or 49.85 percent — according to incomplete and unofficial results.

Officials were reviewing 2,389 provisional ballots that could swing the race back to Lundy or possibly increase Riddell's lead.

Board of Elections Director Paul Adams said, on average, about 90 percent of provi sional ballots end up being counted.

There also were 2,874 outstanding mail-in absentee ballots still to be counted. Ad ams said normally between one-quarter and one-third of those ballots are returned and an estimated 99 percent are valid.

Also in play were 92 absen tee ballots with minor issues to be "cured" of small errors.

Those 92 voters were noti fied by the elections board of the issues regarding their ballots.

Between 75 percent and 85 percent of those were expected to visit the elections board offices at 1985 North Ridge Road in Sheffield Township to fix the issues before Tuesday.

A lead of less than half of 1 percent of the vote for either candidate triggers an auto matic recount.

In a lengthy statement emailed to The ChronicleTelegram last week, Riddell wrote that the campaign "was much more than I dreamed, being a first-time candidate."

"But the experience was terrific. I wish I had done it younger! Hundreds of new friends showed me how broad Lorain County is and gave me current insights to add to (my) lengthy experi ence. New friends are silver," he wrote. "Hundreds of old friends, some going back de cades, some having regained lost touch with, some engag ing in political discourse never done before fueled my drive to keep going despite the off-subject attacks of my

lowest in the county.

Nor did Oberlin College students appear to get involved, with precincts around the left-leaning institution registering turn out in the 20s — although it’s possible students chose to vote in their home states or counties.

Jacobcik said cities along the border with Cuyahoga County are wielding increasing influence over Lorain County politics. Avon, Avon Lake and North Rid geville have boomed in population, and their residents tend to lean to the right.

Meanwhile, fewer new housing de velopments are going up in Lorain and Elyria, she said. The likely result is that candidates will spend more time cam paigning to residents of high-growth areas.

Adams said total turnout will inch up ward before the election is certified in late November. That’s because Board of Elec tions workers are still reviewing 2,389 provisional ballots, of which he expects 90 percent to count.

There were another 2,874 outstand ing mail-in absentee ballots that had not been received by the Board of Elections at the close of voting. Those postmarked by Monday, Nov. 7 must be received by today to be counted.

Considering the higher turnout, Jacobcik said the election went remarkably well.

“I think our people did a heroic job this year, and they are tired. But they always rise to the occasion,” she said.

In the coming year, the Board of Elec tions must update precinct maps and poll ing locations with newly-drawn boundar ies that reflect changes in the 2020 census, she said.

Theoretically, those new maps should have been in play this fall, but redistrict ing and the special August primary caused delays. “We couldn’t implement them because we went from election to election to election this year,” Jacobcik said.

Workers will also need to be trained on new electronic poll books that have been ordered, and will be used starting in 2023, she said.

opponent. Old friends are gold."

"I want to thank first my wife and family for their sup port and understanding in the public eye. Thanks to those who supported the effort to get my message out, those who helped pay for signs, billboards, literature. Running countywide is a financial beast," Riddell wrote.

"Also, thanks to those who took a stand in the fight by placing my signs, large and small, who attended events to help spread the word, and walked in parades, and door-to-door, want to thank a lifetime of friends, neighbors, customers, employees, exemployees and acquaintances that supported me based upon personal history — this is unbelievably humbling," he wrote.

"I want to thank all those who took the time to read, engage and decided to sup port my vision. To those who elected to stay with the status quo, I apologize that I was not able to better present the cliff we are all on. I know it isn't easy to trust a first-time candidate, or a first-time neighbor, or a first-time busi ness," Riddell wrote. "It is a tight race which unfortunate ly will not be final for several weeks. For a newcomer to be so close to an incumbent of several terms surely indicates a call for change. I hope that call survives and I look for ward to serving if the voters wish it so."

Lundy acknowledged his continued service on the board was "on the wrong side of the razor."

He said Wednesday he knew it was going to be a close race based on research and voting trends.

"I think it's important that every vote is counted," he said about the outstanding ballots. "Let the process run its course and, most impor tantly, accept the results."

He said he spoke with some voters who were disap pointed in the election night numbers, but that he re mained "cautiously optimistic

about the number of votes that are still out there."

"I guess it really comes down to who we think are in those batches of votes, whether we think those individuals are leaning our way or (Riddell's) way. That's not really clear," Lundy said. "Everybody's got a theory or some premise as to what happens."

"As I've said, you can't predict elections anymore. Anyone who says they can, you don't want to play poker with them because they'll take your money," he said.

"The important thing is all the votes get counted," Lundy said. "Everybody's vote counts and we're prepared to accept the outcome. Which I think is something more folks in these elections need to be doing."

Lundy said he has "total confidence" in the Lorain County Board of Elections, which runs "a tight ship, a quality ship."

"Folks in Lorain County should feel very confident in the election process here," he said. "Our board does a great job, Democrats and Republi cans alike, working together. They're professional, they're thorough, they're by the book. I've always been very proud of our Board of Elections."

Nordson workers strike after contract talks fail

stroke of

Monday, 133 union members went on strike at Nor dson Corporation’s Industrial Coating Systems plant.

Picketers from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1802 held red-lettered strike signs in the air throughout the day at eight locations around the manufacturer’s buildings on Amherst’s south side.

The walkout came after nego tiations over a new three-year contract fell through, both sides said.

According to the union, the company’s “last, best and final” contract offer included manda tory overtime, and would have required employees to work at least 32 Saturdays per year, with Sundays as an option.

It’s unclear whether hourly wages are part of the negotia tions.

On Nov. 2, the union shared a tweet by former Democratic state Senator Nina Turner, call ing for a $25 per hour mini mum wage. However, it has not shared information on wages as part of the recent failed negotia tions.

Strikers at the site declined to comment Monday, directing media to speak with Local 1802 president Ron Adkins.

Reached by phone, Adkins said statements had to go through IAM District Lodge 54 spokesman Don Riffee, who in turn referred reporters to IAM Communications Director Jona than Battaglia.

Battaglia’s phone did not ac cept calls Monday afternoon. An automated message said the

caller could not be reached and did not go through to voicemail.

In a written statement online, IAM District 54 President T. Dean Wright Jr. said Nordson workers in Amherst “put them selves and their families at risk during a pandemic to ensure their critical jobs were done and that this company remained successful. Now we’re simply asking for a respectable contract that has a basic level of worklife balance for our members.”

Nordson Corporation pro

vided a statement from Indus trial Coatings Systems Division Vice President David Titone, who said the company is disap pointed by the union’s decision to stop work.

“We believe we have presented a fair and equitable proposal that will provide for industry-leading wages and benefits while allow ing for an economically sustain able profile for the company in a very competitive market,” he said. “We remain completely committed to reaching a new

contract with our employees.”

Amherst Mayor Mark Cos tilow said Nordson is one of the city’s largest employers, next to Tyson, the Amherst Schools and University Hospitals.

“I hate to see the manufac turing stop. It’s hard on any business,” he said, later add ing, “They’re very important. They’ve been here a long time and I hate to see it.”

Costilow said that with infla tion pushing up prices on food, clothing, shelter and gas, he

understands why workers are fighting for benefits. Yet he said he sees “legitimate wor ries” on the part of companies like Nordson, many of which are having difficulty shoring up their workforces.

Nordson said it expects to continue operating through the work stoppage by using avail able resources.

“All interim resources will be supported by the same safety training, processes and standards that are currently in place for regular employees,” it said.

The Industrial Coatings Sys tems plant in Amherst “pro vides both standard and highlycustomized equipment used primarily for applying powder and liquid coatings, adhesives and sealants,” according to Nordson.

The company said the seg ment was 12 percent of its total revenue in fiscal year 2021.

Nordson maintains a labor re lations website that specifically addresses the negotiation pro cess with IAM Local 1802. It claims its wages are 17 percent above market wages compared to other local manufacturing organizations.

The company site also said workers get a 401(k) with company match, health care benefits, life insurance, free health screenings and flu shots and access to more than 5,000 professional development courses.

It said Nordson has signifi cantly invested in its Amherst campus over the past five years, adding employee safety enhancements, new production systems and amenities.

Nordson also said it did not lay off any Industrial Coatings Systems Division workers dur ing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bruce Bishop | Amherst News-Times

Workers picket on Nordson Drive in Amherst outside the Nordson Corporation campus. Workers went on strike after negotiations fell apart with the company. Small groups of picketers were scattered around all entrances of the multi-building campus.

Oberlin agrees to $126K per year cybersecurity deal

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Wary of ransomware attacks and the prospect of failed backups, Oberlin City Council has agreed to spend $126,576 per year to beef up cyber security.

Its members voted unanimously last week to hire ES Consulting of Ontario, Ohio. The com pany will help monitor the city’s network and com

puter equipment for viruses and attacks, improve data backup and provide help desk support.

The deal includes an addi tional $27,334 in setup fees.

“If you’re data’s not safe, it’s a bad spot to be in,” said Tony Barnhart of ES Consulting.

He warned Council that there has been an uptick of ransomware attacks in the past six months. They hold computers and networks hostage, usually demand ing money before control is

returned.

Michael Wargo has been Oberlin’s information technology manager for the past year, and wasn’t happy with Advance Computer Connections, which the city previously paid to provide protection.

That company was recently purchased by ES Consulting. Barnhart said Advance Computer Con nections’ security services had been “very weak.”

He pitched improvements that would prevent viruses

‘Pretty intense’

from spreading from a sin gle computer to the city’s entire network, as well as hourly data backups to the cloud — that way, informa tion lost in an attack could be quickly recovered.

ES Consulting will also send fake “phishing” emails to city employees every month to see who falls for them. Phishing in volves getting someone to voluntarily click on a link or take other steps to give malicious users access.

The goal is to find bad

security practices and teach city workers to avoid them, said Barnhart.

“We don’t do it to get people in trouble. We do it so they can learn,” he said.

The new deal increases the cost taxpayers will foot to ensure security. The former Advance Computer Connections contract cost about $7,500 per month, while the new one will cost $10,548 per month, said Wargo.

Oberlin Finance Director Sal Talarico said insurers

want to know cities are tak ing cybersecurity steps.

“It’s not a matter of sav ing us money,” he said. “It’s going to continue to give us the ability to get insurance.”

Councilman Ray English threw his support behind the contract.

“I realize that this is addi tional expense, but having really good protection in the case of ransomware and the potential downside if the city is hit by that is really important,” he said.

To tackle business woes, Main Street seeks ‘heart’

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — An effort to save struggling businesses and revitalize the village’s downtown has revealed old wounds, according to consultants for Main Street Wellington.

Village Council has a limited budget to help businesses rebound, Ben Levenger of Downtown Redevelopment Services said in conference call last Tuesday. Merchants feel their concerns aren’t be ing heard and residents have a sense the village is slowly decaying.

“The town currently has an apathy issue, where essentially they’re stalled,” he told members of Main Street’s board. “They have groups of people who are en trenched in their visions and their ideas.”

Using a $13,000 grant, the nonprofit hired Levenger earlier this fall to analyze downtown Wellington’s assets and weak nesses as businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and wrestle with the effects of sky-high inflation.

While some “legacy” businesses with deep roots will weather the storm, others are in worse shape. Several stores closed their doors earlier this fall.

Officers awarded for saving man hit by train

JASON HAWK EDITOR

After being presented with Amherst’s Life Saving Award on Monday night, the young police officer recalled what it was like to rescue a man who was hit by a train in the early morning hours of Sept. 12.

“Being there was pretty intense,” he said, shaking his head.

Stanton, who joined the force in May after nearly four years with the Cleveland Police Department, works the night shift. Around 2:55 a.m. the night of the incident, he was on patrol in the area around Nord son Depot on the city’s south side, where there had been complaints of graffiti and drug use.

Stanton said he heard shouts for help coming from the railroad tracks near Ma ple Street, so he jumped out of his cruiser and ran to look.

He found Stephen Gatten, 42, of Am herst, lying there bleeding heavily from his lower half, according to Amherst Police Chief Mark Cawthon.

Stanton called for backup and paramed ics, and put a tourniquet on Gatten’s right leg to stop the bleeding, Cawthon said. That’s when officer Jake Podrosky ar rived, and helped bandage the victim’s

left leg.

Gatten was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Cawthon said he spoke to Gatten on Monday, and learned he is recovering at home now from severe leg injuries and abrasions all over his body.

“He’s very lucky,” the police chief said — train collisions tend to be fatal.

Podrosky agreed. He said the way Gatten slid down from the raised tracks is likely what kept him alive long enough to be discovered.

“His head was lower than his feet. If it was the other way around, he prob ably would have bled out,” Podrosky said.

Video footage from the train showed Gatten had appeared to have been passed out on the side of the tracks, said Cawthon. He said investigators believe he’d been intoxicated.

Cawthon presented Stanton and Po drosky on Monday night with medals to affix to their uniforms, recognizing their swift response.

“The quick action that they took, when you’re bleeding and with the severity of that injury, we believe that saved this gentleman’s life,” he said.

City Council gave the duo and Sgt. Brian Bowers, who investigated the incident, a standing ovation. Family, uniformed offi cers and dispatchers filled Council cham bers for the ceremony.

The village has an excellent stock of historic buildings that are in decent shape, Levenger said. Its infrastructure is aging however, and completely overhaul ing it would cost an estimated $5 million per block, he said.

Main Street wants to develop a strate gic plan for taking downtown to the next level — before that’s possible, Levenger said attitudes need to change.

Enter Sara Lightner of Vermont-based Community Heart and Soul. She told Main Street leaders that Wellington needs “to see each other as people again” and put aside old arguments.

If businesses and village officials want to succeed, the first step is listen ing to each other about what makes Wellington great, and why people choose to live, work and shop there, she said.

Realtor Elyse Coker, who sits on the Main Street board said there is a disconnect between building owners, business owners, village officials and residents.

A handful of business owners sat down Monday, Nov. 7 with Village Council

to share their concerns. Coker said she believes village ordinances need a full overhaul, and labeled the outcome “up setting.”

“I think we have a lot of personalities in our community,” she said.

Main Street Director Jenny Arntz had a different opinion of the Council meet ing. Village officials heard what business owners had to say and are ready to take steps forward, she said.

“I want everybody to understand it’s a two-sided situation, that there’s a lot of negativity with some business owners that needs to be worked on,” she said.

Mayor Hans Schneider said he felt progress was made, but he does not feel Council will rewrite its ordinance to the extent some business owners want.

He said Council plans to do a full re view of Wellington’s laws and permitting processes in 2023 — a process that hasn’t been done for two decades.

The goal is to find and eliminate con flicting ordinances and make common sense updates, Schneider said.

But he’s not committing to sweeping changes. For example, the village may agree to improve the permitting process for sidewalk sales, but it’s unlikely to OK outdoor dining, which would eat up sidewalk space.

Council is scheduling quarterly meet ings with business owners to talk through ideas, address issues and look for solu tions, he said.

“I think the most important thing is maintaining an open line of communica tion,” said Schneider. “… Our goal is to have a vibrant downtown. How do we best do that? I think by communicating together.”

Arntz said there is mistrust between business owners and village officials, “a lot of focus on the negativity.”

But Lightner said it’s important to be positive. Instead of starting by trying to fix old problems, she said Main Street needs to ask what ties Wellington together. She said that means listening towhat Welling ton Schools, Lorain County Community College, churches and civic groups have to say about the village’s future.

Rich Saccardi, president of the Main Street board, said he expects the heal ing process to unfold over the course of years.

“I think negativity will take care of itself as time goes by,” he said.

Columbia Gas is reminding Ohioans that funding is available this winter through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Program to help manage heating costs for those who qualify.

HEAP is a federally funded program that pro vides eligible Ohioans with financial assistance for their home energy bills. This once-annual benefit is applied directly to the customer’s util ity bill or bulk fuel bill.

“This funding is vital to so many of our cus tomers, especially those in vulnerable positions and facing a tighter budget this winter,” said President and COO Vince Parisi. “Here at Columbia we believe in keeping our customers – many of whom are seniors, live with children

or have disabilities – safe, warm and con nected, and this program will help us continue to do that.”

Applicants must have a household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify. Last year, more than 43,000 Columbia Gas customers received funding to help manage their energy costs.

Customers can apply for HEAP at energy help.ohio.gov, but it must be completed at your local energy assistance provider. Customers who received HEAP funding in previous years must reapply to be eligible for 2022-2023.

To find a list of local energy assistance pro viders or to see if you qualify for the program, call Columbia Gas at (800) 344-4077.

AMHERST — Officer Brandon Stanton was in the right place at exactly the right time to save a life.

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Amherst Patrolmen Brandon Stanton and Jake Podrosky pause on the steps of Town Hall on Monday night after receiving the Life Saving Award in a City Council ceremony.

BULLETIN BOARD

Learn tax season basics

Simple or complex? Student or retiree? Not every tax return is the same.

Find out what your tax preparer needs to know for your situation, with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Amherst Public Library, presented by O’Neal Tax & Bookkeeping.

Republican club meeting

The Columbia Area Republican Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Columbia VFW Post 9340, 25742 Royalton Rd., Columbia Township.

It will include the first video presentation in a series of eight presented by Victor Davis Hanson and Larry Arn of Hillsdale College. The series title is “American Citizenship and Its Decline.” It will be followed by a group discussion.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Columbia Area Republican Committee Chairman Jim Dowdell at (440) 213-4736.

Libertarians meet in Elyria

The Lorain County Libertarian Party will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at The Foundry Kitchen and Bar, 525 Broad St., Elyria.

A talk will be given by Elyria City Ward 1 Councilperson and LCLP Vice-Chair Andrew Lipian on his cannabis de-criminaliza tion proposal. This meeting is open to the public.

Fight hunger with Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls by the Lake will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd.

The cost is $20, $5 for children ages 6-12 who accompany a paying adult and free for kids ages 5 and under.

The event features unlimited soup and bread, and you can keep a bowl as a reminder of all the “empty bowls” in the world. The Avon High School Electric Orchestra will perform. There will be a raffle for Cleveland Browns tickets and a 30-inch digital electric smoker, as well as a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and local food pantries.

Empty Bowls by the Lake has raised more than $93,000 since 2012. For every dollar donated, Second Harvest Food Bank can provide seven meals.

Participating schools include Bay, Avon Lake, Olmsted Falls, Avon, Lake Ridge Academy, North Ridgeville, Vermilion, Elyria, Lorain, Midview, Put-in-Bay and Lorain County Community College.

Color your stress away

An adult coloring night will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 at the Amherst Public Library.

All supplies will be provided, along with a variety of coloring page options for all skill levels, plus tea and cocoa to sip on. This program is intended for ages 14 and up.

Registration is required. Visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call (440) 988-4230.

Holiday food giveaway

Oberlin Community Services will hold its annual Thanksgiving food distribution Tuesday, Nov. 22.

The November and December holiday food distributions aim to make sure every Oberlin family has the ingredients needed for delicious and plentiful dinners during the holidays. More than 240 families have signed up. Most will drive to OCS Tuesday between 1:30-5 p.m. to be greeted by staff and volunteers who are ready to load up cars with food. From turkey to mashed potatoes and desserts such as pumpkin pie, there will be plenty to share. For those who are homebound, OCS volunteers will hand-deliver boxes filled with turkey and all the trimmings.

To learn more about how Oberlin Community Services serves communities within Oberlin and Southern Lorain County, visit oberlincommunityservices.org.

Check out Japanese shows

The Tokusatsu Club will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Amherst Public Library.

Learn about, watch and discuss Japanese Tokusatsu films and television shows such as “Ultraman,” “Godzilla,” “Super Sentai” and “Kamen Rider.” The club is recommended for ages

15 and up, and meets the fourth Tuesday of each month.

‘Turkey Tango’ time

Prepare for Thanksgiving with engaging musical activities for ages 9 months to 6 years with music therapist Hannah Gonzalez at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Amherst Public Library.

Light Up the Village

The Amherst Historical Society will hold a “Light Up the Village for Christmas” ceremony from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Ave.

It will collect donations for Toys for Tots and Wreaths Across America. Village buildings will be open for tours and shopping. The Young Marines will sell hot chocolate and doughnuts, and Santa Claus will be there to hear Christmas wishes.

Brownhelm tree lighting

The Brownhelm Historical Society’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27 at the Historic Brownhelm School and Museum, 1950 North Ridge Rd.

The celebration will start with a 5:30 p.m. gathering featuring caroling, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and a visit from Santa.

The historical association is collecting goods this year to sup port Road to Hope. Attendees are asked to consider donating household items such as silverware, coffee cups, bowls, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, soap, laundry supplies, diapers and baby wipes, bathroom and kitchen cleaning supplies, shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Road to Hope is a drug and alcohol free residential facility on Lake Road, adjacent to Brown’s Lake Road Cemetery. It pro vides people with 12-step support in battling addiction.

Quilter meeting in Vermilion

The Vermilion Sit and Stitch Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 at the fellowship hall of Trinity Lutheran Church on Liberty Avenue.

Member Tamela Hanna will present a program on using a template for setting triangles, especially useful when setting quilt blocks on point. Members will also share their block of the month creations and show-and- tell projects.

For information on the guild and its programs, call Sandy Neiding at (440) 967-4190.

Blood drive at McCormick

The McCormick Middle School Builders Club will hold a Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 in the school’s gym, 627 N. Main St., Wellington. Register to donate blood at www.redcrossblood.org.

See ‘A Christmas Carol’

Travel back to when live radio broadcasts would bring stories to life through the use of special sound effects and vocal range.

Wellington Friends of Theater will stage “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Patricia Lindley Center for the Performing Arts in Wellington.

See the story of Jacob Marley, the three ghosts and Ebenezer Scrooge in this holiday production that is complete with radio commercial breaks.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, students and children. Cash or check only. There are no pre-sale tickets.

Discuss ‘Ranger Confidential’

The Wellington Reservation Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Lorain County Metro Parks Wellington Reservation Center on Jones Road.

The group is reading “Ranger Confidential” by Andrea Lankford during November. At the meeting, readers will discuss

Christmas program at EC

The 2nd Annual “Miracle on Poplar and Gulf” will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 at Elyria Catholic High School.

A “Journey to Bethlehem” performance will begin at 5 p.m., with a live nativity featuring real animals at 5:30 p.m. A lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. There will also be a Christmas bazaar and musical performances.

Children attending are invited to dress as angels or shepherds and be part of the events. The event is free. Elyria Catholic requests attendees take an unwrapped toy to be donated to children in Lorain County.

Help ‘Light Up Vermilion’

Light Up Vermilion will return for an eighth season from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 in the city’s downtown and Exchange Park.

Main Street Vermilion is planning family-friendly activities, and many stores and restaurants will add extra hours for holiday shopping and dining.

Winners of the Vermilion Arts Guild’s annual Vermilion Elementary School coloring contest will be named at 5 p.m. at Exchange Park. Santa Claus will arrive at 6 p.m. downtown, where Mayor Jim Forthofer will count down to the community tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. The Ritter Public Library will host a free Christmas concert by the Vermilion Community Band at 7 p.m. with refreshments.

Vote for your favorite business window display, take part in a scavenger hunt, visit Christmas alpacas at the park, collect treats and enjoy the sounds of Christmas carols.

Christmas shopping for kids

The Santa Shop will return from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., Carlisle Township.

It will be held during the Lorain County Metro Parks’ Night Lights event. This is an opportunity to encourage children to do their own shopping for parents, siblings, friends, grandparents, teachers or even pets. There will be many gift ideas to choose from, and free gift wrapping is available.

The Santa Shop is sponsored by Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County. Proceeds benefit the county park system.

Henrietta Christmas party

The first Henrietta Christmas celebration will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Henrietta Township Hall, 12050 Vermilion Rd.

Kids can take homemade ornaments to hang on the township tree, which will be lit at 6:30 p.m. when Santa arrives. There will be crafts for children, hot chocolate and doughnuts.

For more information, email fourhands4@zoominternet.net.

Holiday help in Black River

The Black River Schools are offering free, delivered Thanksgiving dinners to any Black River resident who is alone or unable to get out on Thanksgiving Day.

To reserve your dinner, call one of the school offices by Tuesday, Nov. 22:

• Elementary — (419) 736-2161

• Middle school — (419) 736-3304

• High school — (419) 736-3303

Meals will be delivered about noon on Thanksgiving Day.

The school district is also looking for Black River fami lies that need extra help during the holiday season. If you know of a family that could use assistance, or to provide a gift card for a family in need, call one of the school of fices or drop off gift cards at one of those offices.

The deadline to nominate families is Dec. 9.

Women’s Fund receives a gift from 100 Women Who Care

The Women’s Fund, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, has been awarded a $7,800 gift from 100 Women Who Care About Lorain County for its Change the Cycle initiative.

This donation will enable the Women’s Fund to pur chase nearly 90,000 tampons and menstrual pads to combat period poverty in Lorain County.

The goal of the Women’s Fund is to collect 1 mil lion pieces for distribution to Lorain County agencies, schools, libraries and residents.

Period poverty is the lack of access to affordable period products, which the Women’s Fund said is a growing is sue for many Lorain County residents.

“The idea of a menstruating person not having a con sistent supply of menstrual products is something many of our members never considered before,” said Susan Bowers, co-founder of 100 Women. “Knowing that many Lorain County women have to choose between their health and feeding their families motivated us to select the Women’s Fund as our recipient.”

Race disproportionately impacts the number of girls affected by poverty and access to products here in Lorain County: 65 percent of Black girls, 51 percent of Hispanic girls and 16 percent of white girls live below the federal poverty line.

Period products are not covered under WIC or by food stamps. One in five low-income women across Ohio report missing school or work due to the lack of period supplies.

Across the nation, menstruating people without period supplies often use substitute products, such as toilet tissue or socks, and stretch product usage, which can lead to severe health issues.

Thanksgiving delivery

The Lorain County Community Guide comes out every Thursday. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the next edition will be delivered to readers on Friday, Nov. 25.

it and choose their next book. Light refreshments will be pro vided. New members are welcome.

Healing vets’ invisible wounds

JASON HAWK EDITOR

ELYRIA — Denise Weller has seen how deep the invisible scars a combat veteran brings home can be — and how they affect a family.

She watched as her daughter’s marriage was put to the test.

In 2005, the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines lost 48 members to battle and roadside explosives during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jeremy Cain was lucky to survive, but returned home carry ing a deep weight.

He was welcomed by Weller’s daughter, Megan Cain. It took a full decade for Megan to real ize she needed help coping with the war at home, with Jeremy’s post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

“She learned there was a way for them to get past this,” Weller said. “Not for it to go away –she’s never going to be free of it – but to manage it, if both parties

are willing.”

On Veterans Day, Weller shared what her family has learned. She spoke about her daughter and son-in-law’s long emotional jour ney at Place to Recover Training and Resource Center in Elyria.

P2R, as the nonprofit styles itself, helps uplift and support people coping with life’s hard ships — those reentering society after incarceration or recovering with substance abuse treatment, for example.

Weller’s background is in the

‘It’s who we are’

arts. The Elyria resident spent 25 years with Oberlin-based Ohio Dance Theatre, known for stag ing holiday productions of “The Nutcracker” for many years at Lorain County Community Col lege.

She’d periodically use dance to express her views on social is sues, from drug overdoses to civil rights and domestic violence.

Megan and Jeremy’s story of survival channeled her ener gies in an unexpected direction. Today the mother-daughter duo

run Hearts of Patriots, a nonprofit that aims to help spouses of vet erans who live with unseen war wounds.

“This was not an intentional landing for me. It’s one of those life curves,” Weller said.

What Megan learned, and what many veterans’ spouses need to understand, is that PTSD and traumatic brain injury are not a marital problem, Weller said.

Veterans’ families often don’t

Treatment Court holds graduation

KEVIN MARTIN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Veterans share perspectives on honor

JASON HAWK EDITOR

In a Veterans Day ceremony Friday at Oberlin Elementary School, the Lorain County JVS superintendent remembered being “young and dumb,” believing he was invincible.

“I joined the military not knowing

anything about myself,” he said, later adding, “I had no idea what it meant for me willingly to lay down my life for someone I didn’t even know.”

Faircloth said he wanted to cause destruction. As an army ranger, he was trained in explosives and to leap from planes into the thick of combat.

But the most important training he received wasn’t battlefield tactics or how to handle weapons. Fair cloth said the army helped him learn

who he is as a man — it taught him character, discipline and respect for himself and others.

During his deployments to Panama and Saudi Arabia, Faircloth said soldiers fought side by side, regard less of skin color, gender or sexual preference. “The only color that was important to us was the color of blood, which is red,” he said.

Jackson thanked Walther and the Veterans Treatment Court team for believing in him and said he was so glad he accepted the help after initially declining.

“It’s been a great help. It was a struggle at first. Just do what you’re supposed to do. Set an alarm and make the call,” Jackson said.

“I really appreciate all the help that was given to me," he added.

The court enables veterans an alternative to incarcera tion, offering treatment and support from a team of mentors and advocates that connects them to services and benefits.

Walther joked Jackson dressed well for the occa sion but praised him for his overwhelmingly positive demeanor and his commitment.

“You remained firm, you were steadfast and you understood your post. And I appreciated that,” Walther said.

Jackson was mentored by fellow U.S. Army Veteran Arsenio Rodriguez who presented him with a U.S. Army hat, reminding him that he, and others will al ways be there for him for continued support.

“I don't know if you'll ever wear this or not. But please put it in a place where you can see it, where it will remind you of your journey and as a reminder that we don't stop being mentors. Call us whenever you want,” Rodriguez said. “We can still talk.”

Rodriguez told Jackson he knew his dad from his time working at Ford and remembers his mother from union meetings.

“I trust that you’re going to do really well,” Rodriguez added.

Prior to the presentation to Jackson, 2019 graduate Andrew Therens, addressed the court, providing en couragement to those going through the program.

“This court wants to see the best for everybody here. I’m living a life today I never would have imagined. I'm traveling. I have a good job. My life dramatically changed after this. This court will help you. Just let these guys help you,” Therens said.

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022

ELYRIA — A program providing support, mentorship and a path forward for veterans in the criminal justice system hosted its 26th graduation ceremony on Nov. 7. U.S. Army veteran Keith Jackson graduated from the Lorain County Veterans Treatment Court, a specialized docket overseen by Lorain County Probate Judge James Walther.

Photos by Jeff Barnes | Chronicle U.S. Army veteran Keith Jackson and his peer mentor, Arsenio Rodriguez, pose Nov. 7 during Jackson’s graduation ceremony from the Veterans Treatment Court program.

Judge James Walther

OBERLIN — Glenn Faircloth joined the army at age 17.

Photos by Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Members of the Midview Junior ROTC present the colors of the flag while veteran Steve Johnson salutes Friday in a ceremony at Oberlin Elementary School.

Angelo Angel | Amherst News-Times John Gelenius received the 2022 American Legion naire of the Year Award from Amherst American Legion Post 118 on Sunday, Nov. 6. It recognized his many years of dedicated work for the post, a member of the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard and a wealth of work on special projects. Gelenius served in the Air Force, sta tioned with the 397th Bomb Squadron at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan. He had top secret clearance because he was responsible for security on the flight line that ordered parts used in B-52 bomber black boxes. Today he serves as judge advocate at Post 118. “I don’t see how he does as many things as he’s into,” said post Commander Clark Bruner.

Electronic signs now allowed in Wellington, with rules attached

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Clearer rules for electronic message signs have been put in place by Village Council after roughly six weeks of discus sion over whether they should be allowed.

In recent years, the Wellington zoning board has given variances to certain businesses that have asked for signs. Mayor Hans Schneider said those variances were given in “kind of a hodgepodge manner” that lacked consistency.

“This was something we just needed to have on the books, giving us some good guidelines,” he said.

“I’m not expecting the Las Vegas strip in downtown Wellington, based on what was passed.”

A new ordinance adopted last

treat the trauma like a medical issue, she said. They end up battling each other.

Nor does the military do much to help heal the festering mental inju ries veterans take home, she said.

“They look like they’re in one piece,” Weller said. “We look like a happy family, and slowly it dis integrates. Before you know it, the marriage is a statistic.”

Like Megan, many military spouses “recognize in a situation like that, as a wife or a husband, that you are not the problem. The problem is the disease,” Weller said.

Her message on Veterans Day was that veterans’ families are desper ately in need of emotional support. They need communities to rally around them.

Living with PTSD and other invisible side-effects of war can get better, she said.

But the wounds will never fully heal, Weller warned. Even though

week limits how much light “elec tronic changeable message signs” can put off, and sets requirements to prevent them from being distracting to drivers.

Signs can’t be installed within 100 feet of a residentially zoned build ing. Nor can they be installed in the public right-of-way close to the road.

They must also be equipped to auto matically dim at dusk and overnight.

In residential zones, electronic signs must be turned off between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and in other districts they must go off between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The ordinance includes an excep tion for gas stations, which can display prices at any time.

Schneider said the ordinance was passed because there are a couple of businesses waiting to install electronic signs.

But he clarified the village has dropped tentative plans to purchase

veterans’ spouses and children didn’t cause those injuries or deserve them, they must learn to live with it forever.

With her daughter’s permission, Weller turned the Cains’ story into a stage production with dance at the core.

Now the tale has been adapted into a documentary titled “Blood Stripe: A Spouse’s Story.”

Like the theatrical piece, the film uses music and dance, but also incorporates video and photos, nar ration and interviews to tell how Megan and Jeremy’s marriage has survived.

The movie is complete, but has not yet had wide release. In 2020, it won Best Veteran Feature at the Freedom International Festival and the Outstanding Excellence Award at the Summer Depth of Field International Film Festival.

To request a screening, visit bloodstripe.org.

and install one of its own in front of Town Hall.

Council has discussed using fed eral American Rescue Plan funding to pay for a sign on S. Main Street.

There was immediate pushback from residents who did not want one in front of Town Hall, and Schneider said dis cussion of a sign at Union School Park has also been indefinitely tabled.

That’s due to cost overruns at the site of Wellington’s new police sta tion on E. Herrick Avenue, he said.

Supply chain issues and inflation have driven up the cost of construc tion materials there, he said — fund ing was pulled from Union School Park development to compensate.

Schneider said it’s likely officials will revive discussion of a village electronic sign at some point in the future. However, there is no cash earmarked for that project in the 2023 budget, he said.

Rental rates set for old Prospect Elementary use

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Fees to rent space at the former Prospect El ementary School on the city’s west side have been finalized.

By unanimous vote last week, City Council set the hourly rate at $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends to use the gymnasium.

A variety of meeting rooms will cost $30 to $45 per hour and crafting rooms will cost $25 per hour. The newly-passed ordinance also requires a $150 deposit, which will be re turned provided the facility is left undamaged.

The city acquired the old Prospect property from the Ober lin City Schools last year after its doors closed. Grades have moved to the district’s $17.8 million Oberlin Elementary School on N. Pleasant Street.

The city Recreation Department has since moved into the former Prospect building, and there has been talk of moving the IT Department there as well. The former school was also used on Election Day as a polling location.

But residents’ main interest in the building has been throw ing open its doors to public use. In a brainstorming session last year, they said it could be used as a senior center, art studio space, after-school activities, preschool play space, an animal shelter or even converted to affordable housing.

For now, the focus is on community events. Recreation Superintendent Ian Yarber said the building is being used already for indoor walking from 8 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and seeing a big response.

Walkers have also expressed interest in using rooms for meetings and family gatherings, Yarber told Council.

Weller said her hope is for the film to fuel interest in the work Hearts of Patriots is doing.

The nonprofit has been awarded two $10,000 grants to assist veterans — one from the Lorain County commissioners and anoth er from Elyria’s federal American Rescue Plan funding.

Hearts of Patriots already plans to run a holiday adopt-a-family program to provide gifts to veter ans, their spouses and children.

Weller said she also wants to use the grants to help veterans forge connections in their communities.

Veterans, especially those who engaged in combat, tend to be incredibly private to the point of withdrawing from society, she said. They don’t usually like crowds or loud noise, and avoid socializing.

That’s not healthy, Weller said.

“Part of healing is learning you can’t live in isolation,” she said.

WHO WE ARE

FROM B1

Oberlin City Schools Superintendent David Hall served in the Army National Guard for 20 years, including a 2004 tour of duty in Iraq.

He said it was an honor to serve.

“It’s part of our jobs. It’s who we are,” he said.

The job was saddled with sacrifice. Hall remembered leaving his wife to wonder where he was for weeks at a time, and whether he was safe.

Hall returned home to his family. Some of those with whom he served did not.

Calling for a moment of silence, Hall remembered three fellow soldiers who died while he was in Iraq.

Melissa Linebrink, communications director for the Oberlin school sys tem, understands how it feels to watch a loved one leave to join the armed forces. In August 2021, her son Ethan enlisted in the Air Force just months after graduating from Keystone High School.

“It was the best decision of his life,” she said.

Linebrink said it may be difficult, but it is a parent’s duty to support their child’s decision to wear the uniform.

“We did it with honor,” Faircloth said — but he also knows joining the military isn’t the only way to serve the country.

He said those also serve who show respect to the na tion’s most sacred ideals and to their families.

Oberlin Police Chief Ryan Warfield has served in law enforcement for 30 years, but is not a veteran. She shared the admiration he’s had for family members and police partners who did serve.

In his experience, those who return home continue to serve, even after hanging up their uniforms, Warfield said.

“Veterans, you have done your duty to your families, to your communities and to your fallen comrades and your country,” he said. “You’ve honorably served your nation with great distinction, and we can never say we thank you enough.”

Glenn Faircloth

David Hall Ryan Warfield

BACON AND EGGS FOR VETERANS

Marine Corps veteran completes LCCC journey

LEIGH KEETON LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ELYRIA — Samantha Hartman left for Marine Corps boot camp one hour after her 2001 high school graduation, still wearing her cap and gown.

The oldest of five was raised by her single mother and said the expense of col lege wasn’t practical at the time.

“It was either get a job and never ex perience life, or join the military and see everything,” she said.

Hartman said her three-month training in Parris Island, South Carolina, was a culture shock.

“The first 10 days, it was like walk ing around with two left feet,” Hartman said. “I didn’t know right from left. It was almost controlled chaos.”

Recalling a moment in time when she felt weakened, Hartman wondered whether she had made the right choice. But she was determined to finish what she started then, and that perseverance remained.

Hartman’s more than a decade in the Marine Corps took her around the world. Trained in field radio, satellite and com munications, she also spent time at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, managing classified materials.

She was deployed three times, once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. Hartman said her last 14-month deployment to Iraq was the most difficult.

“It was hard emotionally and men tally,” she said. “You’re missing all the holidays. It was almost like time stopped when you left, even though your family was carrying on.”

After returning to the United States in 2008, Hartman reenlisted and became a combat instructor at the School of In fantry in North Carolina. She spent four years there training new recruits and became the mentor she never had.

Hartman said she felt a special pull to help other female recruits, who make up just 9 percent of Marines.

“I loved it. I liked having an impact on the junior Marines,” she said. “I didn’t have that guidance as I was going through the ranks. There aren’t a lot of female Marines, so I really didn’t have anyone to look up to.”

In 2014, Hartman decided it was time to end her military career.

“My dad got sick, and it was time for me to be with my family. That’s why I hung my hat up,” she said.

One year later, her father passed away from complications with diabetes. And six months after that her mother passed away from cervical cancer.

“I’m glad I listened to that voice say ing it was time to go, otherwise I would have had regrets,” she said.

When she was ready, Hartman began thinking about the next chapter of her life. But the Marine veteran felt like she was starting from scratch and said find ing a job

she enjoyed was harder than she ex pected.

“I had all the experiences in the world, but I didn’t have a college degree,” she said.

That’s when Hartman, who was a new mother and working for the Transporta tion Security Administration at the time, began looking into Lorain County Com munity College’s associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonogra phy program.

She said she needed training that worked around her job and her child. And she wanted smaller classes, better instruction and better resources.

Hartman contacted LCCC’s Veteran and Military Service Members Center, where she met career and academic advisor Esperanza Correa, who guided Hartman through application and admis sions processes. Three years after leav ing the Marines, Hartman began com pleting pre-requisites for the sonography program.

The COVID-19 shutdown placed even more strain on Hartman and her studies.

“I went a month and a half without a paycheck,” she said. “I said if I had to choose between putting gas in my car to come to class, or putting food on the table for my daughter, I would choose food.”

In addition to leaning on her local Veterans Affairs office, Hartman found support through LCCC’s Advocacy and Resource Center, which helps students succeed in the classroom by removing barriers outside the classroom. With gas cards covering the expense of her commute, Hartman could focus on the increasing classroom workload as she moved through the program.

Every semester she took on 12 to 14 credit hours, and toward the end topped off her schedule with clinical experi ence. Hartman said any time she felt like it was too much, Correa was there to remind her what she was capable of.

“Espy was always calling and sending emails encouraging me, telling me, ‘You got this; you can do this,’ and I needed that,” she said.

Correa’s inspiration continued when Hartman learned she had breast cancer, and – just before surgery to remove the cancer – that she was pregnant with her second child. Hartman’s instructors asked whether she wanted to take a semester off, but she was determined to finish.

Surrounded by support, Hartman pushed through and earned her degree in 2021.

She’s also living cancer free. And be cause Correa’s gentle prodding doesn’t always end with graduation, Hartman plans to continue her education through LCCC’s University Partnership.

For now, she’s taking a moment to be with her two daughters, and to appreci ate all she’s been through and admire all she’s accomplished.

“It was a rough road. It was hard,” she said. “But I finished and I’m proud.”

Report: Inflation across U.S. starts to cool

Inflation is easing, according to new Consumer Price Index numbers released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

October’s prices are still 7.7 percent higher than they were a year ago — but they’re in retreat compared to record increases reported this summer.

Consumer prices rose 0.4 percent for the month, which was less than analysts had expected. Prices for cars, clothing and medical care dropped, while rent continued to climb. Shelter costs had their highest monthly increase since 1990.

“Today’s report shows that we are making progress on bringing inflation down, without giving up all of the progress we have made on

economic growth and job creation,” President Joe Biden said. “My economic plan is showing results, and the American people can see that we are facing global economic challenges from a position of strength.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average took a 1,000-point gain on the news, while the U.S. Treasury reported yields fell to 4.33 percent. At the same time, American corporations continue to record record profits — especially gas and other energy sector companies.

In late October, Exxon reported nearly $20 billion in profits for the quarter ending in September. Shell is on track to pass its record annual profit of $31 billion set in 2008.

Provided photo

Marine Corps veteran Samantha Hartman is embarking on a new path in life with a new degree from Lorain County Community College.

Photos by Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise Wellington students hosted a breakfast this past Friday morning at McCormick Middle School to show their appreciation on Veterans Day. Kids invited mothers and fathers, grandparents and aunts and uncles who served in the armed forces to sit down over a meal in observance of the national holiday.

ABOVE: Finley Sasack, Courtney Krosse, Cade Spangenburg and Wyatt Broud scoop eggs, bacon and biscuits onto cafeteria trays for waiting veterans and their families. BELOW: Jason Weese and his nephew, Dominic Reyna, share breakfast.

Water plant fire clean-up reaching $250,000 so far

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Clean-up costs from a Sept. 26 fire that destroyed portions of the Wellington water treatment plant have reached nearly $250,000.

Village Manager Jonathan Greever said last week that Sedgwick Insurance has ad vanced that amount to cover initial costs.

In a report to Village Council, he said the next phase of repairs involves hav ing Denes Concrete secure the building’s generator vault, along with construction of temporary walls and roof tie-in enclosures to winterize the plant.

Greever said he met in the first week of November with engineer Doug Nusser of Poggemeyer Design Group to talk about the next steps in financing reconstruction of the plant.

Plans are in place to apply for grants and loans to offset the costs, he said.

“Naturally, we will be linking this with a requirement that the insurance company adequately cover all costs as soon as is prac

ticable for all related matters,” said Greever. Council is also appropriating an addi tional $50,000 for overtime wages related to clean-up after the water plant disaster, said Finance Director Vanya Pfeiffer.

Wellington Water Superintendent Jon Love reported that he’s reached out to multiple contractors seeking quotes on demolition of the fire-damaged portion of the plant.

And after a fire consultant and insurance investigator visited in late October, the burned vehicle that allegedly caused the fire was removed from the site, along with blackened debris from the parking lot, Love said.

New equipment has been received for a temporary laboratory inside the plant, allowing the village to do limited daily testing, according to Love’s report to Vil lage Council.

But testing for biological contamination is still being done by the city of Oberlin through a mutual aid agreement – and Love said he doesn’t see that arrangement changing until a full lab is up and running in Wellington.

HALL SIGNS TO PLAY AT CSU

LCCC stages 'No Exit' Nov. 17-18

JOHN BENSON FOR THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

ELYRIA — As a young college stu dent taking part in her first college stage production, Lorain County Community College adjunct theater professor Stepha nie Wilbert remembers being blown away by a 2004 performance of “No Exit.”

“It’s one of my favorite plays,” said Wil bert, who attended LCCC before graduat ing from Cleveland State University.

“I worked on the lighting board and just fell in love with it. When it closed I immediately got the script. I’ve been reading it on and off for years.”

That preparation of sorts will come in handy as Wilbert for the first time gets to direct “No Exit,” which appears Nov. 17 and 18 at the Stocker Center’s Cirigliano Studio Theatre.

Written by Jean-Paul Sartre and adapted by Paul Bowles, the one-act philosophi cal drama is an existential classic that forces audience members to rethink how they view other people.

“It was written in the 1940s,” Wilbert said. “One of the famous lines of this play is, ‘Hell is other people.’

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Lorain County Community College’s Arts & Humanities Division presents “No Exit”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18

WHERE: Lorain County Community College’s Cirigliano Studio Theatre, 1005 Abbe Rd. North, Elyria

TICKETS: $9/adults; $8/LCCC students INFO: (440) 366-4040 or stockerartscenter.com

“So you wonder a lot of these horror movies where people are trapped and can’t get out, they’re in a weird space and are in a way torturing themselves. It kind of takes from ‘No Exit.’”

The LCCC production boasts a haunted and dreamy element with Wilbert taking a few liberties with the script.

“There’s one character of a valet who lets everybody in and out (of hell),” Wil bert said. “So what we did was take that character and split it into four people.

Lorain Community Music Theater seeking director for 'Godspell'

Lorain Community Music Theater is seeking a director for its upcom ing musical production of "Godspell" to be performed at Lorain High School Per forming Arts Center, 2600 Ashland Ave., Lorain, on July 27-30.

This is a paid staff posi tion. Auditions and some

rehearsals will take place at an off-site location in Lorain.

Prospective directors should submit a cover letter and resume, including past directorial experience and any other pertinent infor mation, no later than Dec. 1 to LCMTshows@gmail. com.

The LCMT Show Se lection Committee will review all applicants, with a projected decision date of Dec. 15.

Lorain Community Mu sic Theater is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1976. "Godspell" will mark its 45th musical pro duction.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the editor:

As I was walking home from Oberlin Community Services on perhaps the last warm sunny day of November, I was sud denly overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude for all the people who have made OCS what it is today.

I am so grateful for all the board mem bers and staff who have shaped and guided OCS over the years; for the volunteers, students and community service workers who have put in thousands of hours doing the work; for former and present City Coun

cil members, foundations, township trustees and others who have supported our work; to the clients from whom I have learned so much; and to the thousands of donors who have kept our operations running.

I am inspired by our rich heritage and by their good will. At this time of Thanksgiv ing, I thank each one — past and present — for their trust and support.

May you be blessed with much to be grateful for this holiday season.

Margie L. Flood, Executive Director Oberlin Community Services

Drug Task Force thankful for levy support

To the editor:

The Lorain County Drug Task Force would like to thank the citizens of Lorain County for their support during the Nov. 8 election.

We will continue to be responsive and good stewards of the trust Lorain County has shown us.

The 0.08-mill levy will allow us to sustain law enforcement initiatives, as well as recovery programs. These pro grams are partially funded by the state of Ohio through the Recovery Grant and the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program grant.

Without the support of Lorain County voters, we would have been in an uncer tain position when applying for these com petitive grants. Grant applications ask the applicant to show sustainability. The 0.08-

mill levy equates to $1.87 per $100,000 of property owned — this provides the Lo rain County Drug Task Force with roughly half of our operating budget.

The passage of the criminal justice levy demonstrates the county’s support of the Lorain County Drug Task Force and the sustainability of our projects, beyond question.

We will continue to investigate multikilo level dealers as well as the gram deal ers, as both of these lead to quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods.

Any questions or information can be called into the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office at (440) 323-1212 or the Lorain County Drug Task Force at (440) 3293851.

Major Donald

Barker, Commander, Lorain County Drug Task Force

“So if you ask me what is the narra tive, the through line of this play is that the characters are in hell and there are no physical tortures. They are each other’s torturers.”

Asked about a comparison production that falls under the same mindset and acts as a touchstone for theatergoers, Wilbert said the works of Samuel Beckett come to mind.

However, there’s also another element of “No Exit” that draws unexpected cin ematic comparisons.

“Any film with people being trapped and imprisoned,” Wilbert said. “Do I want to say ‘Saw?’ It’s not as gory but, honestly, ‘No Exit’ came first.

“Those characters have visions of what’s going on. That adds a really rich element, a really intriguing element that physicalizes the play by bringing the dialogue to life.”

For those folks who may question whether “No Exit” and its unique take on existentialism is a bit too heady or cere bral, Wilbert said the opposite is true.

“We’re devising elements of the play that weren’t originally in the stage direc tions,” Wilbert said. “We’ve actually brought it out of the cerebral and into a more physicalized world.

“Like you could probably understand it if you didn’t speak English. It’s a very contemporary production. We’re using a lot of contemporary acting styles that are going to help too. The actors do a really good job. It’s not a yawn fest.”

Oberlin utility rates may increase

Provided photo

The cast of “No Exit,” which appears Nov. 17 and 18 at the Stocker Cen ter’s Cirigliano Studio Theatre.

rate and a 4 percent increase to the water rate for 2023. The increases require a vote of City Council.

Feeling

blessed by those who give

Provided photo Amherst Comets volleyball star Nia Hall poses with coach Felicia Sanchez on Wednesday, Nov. 9 after a National Signing Day ceremony. Hall signed her commit ment to attend Cleveland State University to play NCAA Division I volleyball.

Child enticement case against Amherst man dropped

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Don Margolis said he never expected a brief conversation with two 12-yearold boys about his classic con vertible to lead to “a horrible nightmare.”

A child enticement charge against the 77-year-old Amherst man has been dropped, the case dismissed on constitutional grounds.

“The kids were nice kids and they wanted to see the car,” Mar golis said in a phone interview last week, recounting the Aug. 24 incident that led to his arrest.

The 50-year-old MG is “a conversation-maker,” he said, a piece of the past that brings him happiness.

According to Margolis, the boys approached his car in the

Dairy Mart parking lot on Cleve land Avenue and asked for a ride to the Amherst Public Library.

Margolis said he declined.

Giving a ride to both boys would have been impossible, he said, because there was only one pas senger seat — but he allowed one of the boys to hop in the car for a few seconds.

The interaction raised alarm among bystanders, and Margolis left, he said.

He said he agreed to talk to Amherst police, but ended up in front of Oberlin Municipal Court Judge Thomas Januzzi.

Margolis pleaded not guilty to the first-degree misdemeanor count. He spent the night in Lo rain County Jail while waiting to be fitted with a GPS monitor, and said he contracted COVID-19 from exposure to other inmates.

A third-generation mattress salesman, Margolis said he was

appalled by the uncomfortable mattresses at the jail.

The night was one of the worst of his life, he said — he re members wondering whether he would survive it.

When he was released on bond, Margolis said $1,200 in cash was missing from his wallet and his reading glasses were broken. Jail personnel gave him a $900 debit card with the rest of his belong ings, he said.

He spent the next 52 days on house arrest.

Four days before his trial was set to begin, the case was dropped. Margolis said his attor ney pointed out that the criminal section under which he’d been charged had been ruled unconsti tutional in 2014.

By a 5-2 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court said the statute could be misapplied to people in any number of innocent situa

tions.

The state high court’s ruling revolved around Jason Romage of Columbus, who was charged in 2010 after offering to pay a child to carry boxes to his apart ment. The trial court, Tenth Dis trict Court of Appeals and Ohio Supreme Court all agreed the law was out of line.

“Even though the state has a legitimate and compelling inter est in protecting children from abduction and lewd acts, a statute intended to promote legitimate goals that can be regularly and improperly applied to prohibit protected expression and activity is unconstitutionally overbroad,” Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger wrote in the majority opinion.

Amherst Police Chief Mark Cawthon said the dismissal of Margolis’ case “caught us off guard,” because Ohio legislators amended the child enticement

law in 2016.

Cawthon said in his view the law remains on the books and he believes there was probable cause to charge Margolis.

“It was a challenging case from our standpoint,” he said.

Januzzi, however, ruled that a law deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court is not a law at all.

“Since it is not a law, there is no charge,” said the Oberlin Municipal Court’s case log.

“Since there is no charge, there is no charge to be dismissed. Case closed.”

Margolis said he is angry about losing 52 days of freedom, and how his reputation has been af fected.

“It’s been a horrible night mare,” he said.

He is seeking to have the re cord expunged. A hearing to seal the record is set for Nov. 21.

Action! Wellington students make shops’ commercials

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — They are the TikTok generation, born seemingly with smart phones already in hand.

Maya Feron used her natural Gen Z eye for video this past Friday to shoot footage inside La Troje Mexican restaurant on E. Herrick Avenue. Her goal was to edit a 40- to 60-sec ond commercial highlight ing the businesses.

“Filming is an art. We’re just really trying to make everything beautiful, make everything tasteful and really trying to capture the atmo sphere,” said Feron, a senior at Wellington High School.

The film work was as

signed by teacher Dave Conklin, who for years has sent digital arts students to the village’s downtown to craft advertisements.

Friday, the effort involved 16 students making com mercials for 11 businesses.

“The impact of the as signment goes beyond the classroom walls,” Conklin said — he loves the idea of using his class to improve the community.

Putting away their cam eras during a lunch break with Conklin were junior Emily Mills and freshman Johnathan Jones. Mills said she had spent the morning grabbing shots of clothing and accessories at The Duke Shop and Jones filmed in side Truly Simple Boutique.

Kitty Hill, a sophomore,

shot B-roll at Wellington Music. She’s been shop ping there regularly since taking up the saxophone six years ago.

“Last night I wrote an original song about the business, and I’m going to have that playing in the background while I have a slideshow of pictures go ing,” she said, taking shots of guitars through the front display windows.

Feron said she started editing video during the quarantine phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, just to pass the time.

She doubts most of her classmates will make a career of videography — but she also feels the class helps hone valuable skills for the digital era.

Ex pa nd ingO ur Team of Va sc ular Experts in Elyria

Conklin’s students will spend a week editing their footage, with the goal of sending final copies to busi

ness owners tomorrow. The ads can be viewed on the class’ YouTube channel, accessible from the dis

trict’s website. But Conklin said he also hopes business es use the videos to promote holiday shopping.

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Our vascular specialists at UH Elyria Medical Center are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with any condition that affects the body’s blood vessels. Ateam approach ensures comprehensive care of patients with routine or complex

New Vascular Providers:

Benjamin Colvard,MD

Erica Fidone, MD Ghassan Elkadi, MD

Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise Wellington High School teacher Dave Conklin gives advice this past Fri day to sophomore Kitty Mills for how to frame effective shots at Welling ton Music on W. Herrick Avenue.

People around the world are grateful for a good harvest. A good harvest in the fall means there will be plenty of food for all.

In ancient Greek mythology, baby Zeus was fed by a goat foster-mother named Amalthea. One day, he broke off one of her horns.

began to pour out of the horn. This is the story of the “horn of plenty,” a familiar symbol of Thanksgiving in the U.S.A. today.

every other letter to discover another name for the “horn of plenty.”

BCTOHRY NBULCN OMPSIFA

Work with a family member to number the pictures in order to show how wheat grows from a seed to become bread. It takes workers at every step to get the bread to people.

Seeds are planted.

Wheat grows from seed. Grain is removed from the plant.

Wheat grains are ground into our.

Flour is made into bread.

Families gather to eat different kinds of round foods that symbolize the moon. These include eggs and mooncakes served in round cups.

Mooncakes are round pastries that are filled with a sweet filling.

All but one of these mooncakes has an identical twin. Can you nd the unique mooncake?

China: Moon Festival Canadian Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October. It was originally celebrated by an English explorer, Sir Martin Frobisher. When his ship reached Canada, he gave thanks for a safe arrival.

Japan: Labor Thanksgiving Day

What year did Sir Martin Frobisher reach Canada? Complete this math problem to reveal the year.

Long ago, people in Japan celebrated the harvest. As time went on, their day of giving thanks became a time to thank the workers who grew and harvested their food.

Today, Japan celebrates a Labor Thanksgiving Day. It’s a day to show gratitude for the workers in the community. School children make colorful thank you cards and gifts for the police, firefighters and hospital workers.

Ghana: Hooting at Hunger

In parts of Ghana, people celebrate a festival called

Hooting at Hunger

Years ago, a severe famine broke out among the people. The people put all of their energy into growing yams and soon had a big crop. Their hunger ended, and, with great joy, they “hooted at hunger.” This is the meaning of their name for their day of thanksgiving. Write down the letters on the correct path of the maze to the celebration’s name.

Thankfulness is Caring

On the first full moon in autumn, people in this country celebrate a thanksgiving holiday. Families get together to share food and give thanks for the harvest. In the evening, they take walks to enjoy the beauty of the full harvest moon. They call the holiday

Unscramble

Use the code to discover what the Japanese call their special thanksgiving celebration.

ANSWER: With the help of a crossing gourd.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Germany calls its Thanksgiving Erntedankfest. People take to the streets in parades. Some carry harvest crowns made of grains, fruit and flowers.

Erntedankfest

This week’s word:

GRATITUDE

The noun gratitude means the feeling of being grateful or thankful.

People around the world show their gratitude for a good harvest with a celebration.

Try to use the word gratitude in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Thankful!

Think back on things that have happened since last Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for that happened this past year?

A H I K N O R S

China’s harvest celebration is called the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival

the letters to discover which country celebrates Chuseok.

United Kingdom

Hold this page up to a mirror to read this paragraph!

© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Je Schinkel, Graphics Vol.