Lorain County Community Guide - Dec. 30, 2021

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

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Volume 8, Issue 52

WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Can Oberlin level the playing field?

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — A sweeping plan to erase inequalities and promote the American ideal of justice for all is being embraced by Oberlin City Council.

For nearly two years, City Manager Rob Hillard and scores of volunteers have been debating ways to improving access to jobs, health care, education and other necessiJason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune ties for people of all walks.

“The thoughtfulness of those Oberlin City Council hears a report on ways to promote conversations, I think, cannot be equality and fairness for all residents in a meeting on overstated,” said Councilwoman Monday, Dec. 20.

Political ward map balanced

Mary Price — many of those who took part have worked in field related to social justice for decades.

Their recommendations, summarized in a report from Hillard, were laid bare last week in an hour-long special hearing.

The long list calls for workforce development initiatives, support for minority businesses and a study in the wide range of wealth and poverty in Oberlin. “(It’s) very critical, the opportunity to have wealth, to feed your family, to have work opportunities,” Hillard said.

The report also suggested Council pursue ways to create

affordable housing, continue to fund public transportation, plant trees and create parks and public restrooms.

It also advocates for a number of education programs aimed at telling people about recycling options, community gardening programs that give residents find to produce and county programs designed to prevent evictions and homelessness.

Mental health was a common thread — especially in discussion about the Oberlin Police Department. The report called for FAIRNESS PAGE A3

DE-STRESSING WITH SNOW CONES Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Sakiya Smith scoops out ice for snow cones and Brianna Sadler serves them up during the lunch hour on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst. The seniors were part of a health fair that aimed to help their classmates “chill” out — with finals and the holidays both around the corner, many teens were fighting stress. School counselors and reps from The LCADA Way, Genesis House, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County and other agencies were all on hand to guide the way.

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Minor changes are being made to the political maps that determine who represents Amherst residents on City Council.

Every 10 years, when results of the U.S. census are released, Amherst is required to balance its wards based on population.

An ordinance passed in 2003 requires four wards “fixed so that each ward shall contain, as nearly as practicable, an equal number of inhabitants.”

Changes aren’t always drastic — this time around, “the differences are pretty minimal,” said Councilman Brian Dembinski, who chaired the committee that worked on new ward lines.

The changes are aimed at enlarging Ward 3, which lies in the center of Amherst. Portions to the south and east are lumped into the third ward on the new map.

WARDS PAGE A3 Classifieds, legals, display advertising, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-329-7000 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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News staff Jason Hawk news@LCnewspapers.com Phone: 440-329-7122 Submit news to news@lcnewspapers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. Tuesday Send obituaries to obits@chroniclet.com

Omicron casts its shadow JASON HAWK EDITOR

Basketball games are getting canceled due to outbreaks. Many restaurants are barely able to stay open. A couple of school districts had so many sick teachers they were forced to limp into Christmas break early. And while doctors and nurses remain exhausted, hospitals are filling up.

The delta variant of CO-

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will bring. It’s too early to forecast what January will hold.

The county was watching last week for its first confirmed cases of the variant — but with cases next door in Cuyahoga County, Adams said it was safe to assume omicron was already here and simply hadn’t been detected.

Federal health officials said Monday, Dec. 20 that the fast-spreading mutation had already replaced delta as the dominant strain in

the United States, accounting for 73 percent of new infections the previous week.

It’s spreading so fast that public health workers are having trouble keeping up, Adams said.

In the meantime, a run on at-home self-testing kits has drained the local stock.

Adams said LCPH, public libraries and nonprofits like El Centro de Servicios Sociales were wiped clean.

OMICRON PAGE A3

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Send legal notices to jyoder@chroniclet.com Submit advertising to chama@chroniclet.com

VID-19 has thrived with the return of cold weather.

Now omicron looms.

“I think it's difficult to predict what's going to happen,” Gov. Mike DeWine said last week during an appearance in western Ohio. “It's pretty clear that the next 30 days, we're going to get hit.”

Lorain County Health Commissioner Mark Adams said experts are watching what’s happening in other countries for clues about what omicron

Election

Oberlin

Wellington

Two more candidates join hunt for Betleski’s seat • A6

City Council bids farewell to two of its members • A5

Rosemark becomes fourth generation firefighter • A6

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A5 • KID SCOOP A8

Page A2

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Sharing Christmas delivers 800 hot meals ANGELO ANGEL and KYMBERLI HAGELBERG THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Donna McKinney marshals a small army of volunteers every year to make sure folks who might not otherwise get one have a hot holiday meal.

“Close to 100” volunteers signed up to cook, package and deliver more than 800 meals — including dessert — to folks all over Lorain County. The work started at 7:30 a.m. Christmas morning and went until donations ran out.

Many of the volunteers come back — “They keep my cellphone number year after year,” McKinney said, and they bring others along.

Sharing Christmas Inc. has been McKinney’s project for 28 years now, and she’s been chairman of the board of the nonprofit for the last 16 years. This year the host church is Fields United Methodist Church in North Ridgeville.

McKinney got started volunteering at her church after she retired. She’s seen the demand for the meals grow each year. The meals used to be served in a sit-down dinner at the host church, but since COVID-19 it’s delivery only to people who signed up ahead of time.

They deliver at local apartment buildings that have responded to flyers

ANGELO ANGEL / THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Peggy Tucker, left, and Kathy Bailey prepare a pot of stuffing Saturday at Fields United Methodist Church in North Ridgeville. sent out to the group and Co-organizer and Sharing was to have all 800 meals People “wouldn’t be here to individuals, many who Christmas board member done and out by 3 p.m. if they didn’t want to be, would normally receive Jennifer Bachman said For the previous two so everyone’s here because Meals on Wheels. prep work started at 7:30 years, Bachman said her they want to be, and it’s a “Meals on Wheels don’t a.m. filling to-go boxes, job was making stuffing good thing. Jesus served deliver on the weekend or cutting rolls and pies, mak- “as fast as I could make it.” and we serve and that’s any holiday, so we just try ing stuffing and mashed “I couldn’t feel the tips how we look at it,” Tucker to pick up the slack,” McK- potatoes. Meat was already of my fingers when I was said. “In giving, you reinney said. prepared. done,” she said. “I couldn’t ceive.”

“When I was asked to “Though we all have move fast enough to move Recipients were very volunteer it just made masks on, it’s good to see the stuffing out.” thankful, and “we’re being sense,” she said. “To serve everyone’s eyes smiling,” Volunteer Peggy Tucker blessed, too. That’s the way others on Christmas Day, she said. said she has been volunwe look at it,” she said. there’s no better way to Having a bigger space teering for about 10 years, Volunteer Aaron Savage serve the Lord.” this year meant things starting with driving and found out about the event The line was out the door were a little more efficient, then moving to work through his in-laws, and Saturday.

Bachman said. The goal inside. said they have done some-

OBITUARIES MARTIN WARREN OFFINEER passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and friends on Monday, December 20, 2021 from Glioblastoma.

Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

JOHN SPAIN, 97, of Vermilion, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021 at Keystone Pointe following a brief illness. Hempel Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

ROY FOREST SHAFFER, JR., resident of Amherst, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic. Hempel Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

CLIVE SMITH, 70, of LaGrange, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Keystone Point in LaGrange.

Hempel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

WILLIAM ‘BILL’ JOSEPH VEREB, 67, of Elyria, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at St. John Westshore Hospital in Westlake, following a lengthy battle with diabetes. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

ELVIS FRANKLIN DOLLAR, 85, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021, surrounded by loved ones Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

Our condolences go out to families that have suffered the loss of a loved one.

To place an obituary or death notice in the Community Guide, call (440) 329-7000.

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thing similar for another church for many years. He called the ability to give back “wonderful.”

“We don’t have children of our own so we’re always loking for ways to be part of the community,” he said.

“There are a lot of people in a lot of need and we are certainly way more fortunate than so many.”

“It makes me feel good.

Any time you can help other people out, it’s a good thing,” Savage said.

Volunteer Linda Molnar’s day started at 8 a.m. with cooking. She was assigned to help run the kitchen.

“It feels great when everybody is called to serve, and they come and volunteer their time on Christmas Day when they could be spending it with their family, it’s wonderful,” she said, having volunteered with her husband for the last 20 years.

“We’re all friends and we all get it done,” Molnar said.

Bachman said she heard stories of people “so happy” seeing their delivery drivers that they invited them in to have a conversation.

“To me, that’s Christmas,” she said. “It does your soul good to serve the Lord.”

Contact Angelo Angel at (440) 329-7155 or aangel@chroniclet.com.

Contact Kymberli Hagelberg at (440) 329-7197 or khagelberg@chroniclet. com.

‘Furry family’ rescued by police KEVIN MARTIN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM LORAIN — The Lorain Police Department got a Christmas surprise, rescuing a litter of puppies and their mother in what the department calls a reflection of the spirit of Christmas.

The department recounted the unconventional call in a Facebook post. The six puppies and their mother were discovered by patrol officers Mark Pultrone and Matthew Bonkoski in an alley off of Broadway.

With their hands full in more ways than one, the officers called in a familiar face: retired Lorain Police Humane Officer Rick "Doc" Broz. Retiring in 2020 after 30 years, Broz handled all animal calls in the City of Lorain in the latter part of his tenure and volunteers with Friendship Animal Protective League.

The trio were able to transport the furry family to Friendship APL, where they are being cared for and doing well.

"Thanks to all involved.

If there ever was a call that

Photo courtesy of Lorain Police Departement

The Lorain Police Department rescued a litter of six puppies and their mother on Christmas in an alley off of Broadway. They were taken to Friendship APL. From left: Officer Matt Bonkoski, retired LPD Officer Rick “Doc” Broz, and Officer Mark Pultrone. reflected the Christmas spirit, it is this one. Thanks to all who came out on Christmas morning to help this furry family. Merry Christmas to all," the post said.

Broz wrote that while the mother was a little scared and defensive, they were able to encourage her into the cruiser while gathering up the six puppies.

"A couple quick phone

calls and I got the family to a safe, warm, and dry place as we await a foster while we try to determine how she ended up in this predicament. I guess it was a Christmas miracle that it hasn't been bitter cold and these beauties were able to stay alive until they were found."

Since being posted Christmas morning, the initial viral post by the Lorain Police Department has garnered nearly 300 shares and nearly 300 comments and well wishes.

Friendship APL called the holiday delivery its "very own Nativity scene" in a separate post.

"I am so happy that our doors are always open for these six little miracles and to have incredible people around me to help care for them."

The mom and puppies are in the process of being fostered until they are ready for adoption.

Contact Kevin Martin at (440) 329-7121 or kmartin@chroniclet.com.

Follow him on Twitter @ KevinMartinCT.

Sprenger employee, Amherst Manor win holiday competition Sprenger Health Care recently selected and rewarded a Towne Center Community Campus staff member and two facilities in the area as part of its Holiday STARS companywide competition.

Sprenger’s Holiday STARS competition celebrates and rewards its employees and facilities for spreading goodwill throughout the community during the holiday season.

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, staffers were encouraged to share how they made a

difference in the community this holiday season.

Holiday STAR submissions were reviewed and voted on by Sprenger’s Culture Committee. At the employee level, Sprenger Health Care named Towne Center Community Campus staff member Jodi Watkins one of this year’s Holiday STARS. Watkins was selected for this honor after she and her family purchased gifts, raised money, supplied all the fixings for a Christmas dinner and organized

a home visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus to make the holidays brighter for her husband’s friend and his loved ones who are currently living with the aftermath of being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

Towne Center Community Campus is in Avon Lake.

At the facility-level, Sprenger Amherst Manor on North Lake Street in Amherst and Village of the Falls in Olmsted Falls also were selected as Holiday

STARS for collecting and donating non-perishable food, clothing, supplies, gift cards and more to benefit military families and local seniors receiving assistance from the U.S.O., Amherst Office on Aging and Olmsted Community Center.

Sprenger awarded Watkins $100 and an additional $100 to a charity of her choice. The organization will also provide lunch for all staff members at its Amherst Manor and Village of the Falls facilities.

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Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Overnight parking ‘snow’ ban repealed JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — An overnight winter parking ban will be repealed after nearly a half-century on the books.

Oberlin City Council voted unanimously last week to get rid of an ordinance that bars vehicles from being parked overnight on residential streets between November and April.

After a long discussion earlier in the month, there was little left to be said Dec. 20.

Councilman Kelley Singleton said a small number of residents complained that removing the snow ban would cause “absolute chaos,” but he wasn’t inclined to agree.

“I do not agree with them, and I look forward to getting rid of this (ordinance,” he said.

Times have changed since 1973, when the ban was first adopted, he said.

City Manager Rob Hillard, who cham-

pioned the repeal, previously provided data showing that snowfalls of more than 2 inches are rare in Oberlin, and have grown more so in recent years.

In a real snow emergency — the kind the snow ban was meant to address — police would be too busy to ticket and tow violators, he said. They’d have other priorities.

Residents who are concerned about the change should call his office if they have specific issues with overnight parking being allowed, Hillard said — he’ll work to resolve them if possible.

“I do appreciate the conversation, and I appreciate the concerns expressed,” he said.

Council waived a third reading of the repeal before casting a final vote. Some of its members were eager to get the discussion, which was also hashed out over a year ago, done with.

“Great. Finally,” outbound Council President Linda Slocum breathed after the vote.

The snow ban will no longer be effective starting Wednesday, Jan. 19.

FAIRNESS programs that build relationships between officers and youth; it also suggested using trained social workers or psychologists instead of police to respond to mental health crises.

Hillard said reshaping city policies on mental health could reduce over-reliance on police for 911 response.

“The police are asked to do a tough job, and in many respects to do jobs they may or may not be equipped to deal with,” he said.

The full report suggests 200 tasks to be undertaken — in the minds of several Council members, that would require the creation of a “social equity coordinator” to push changes along.

“What we’re talking about here is culture change,” and it will be a long, hard road, said Councilwoman Elizabeth Meadows.

The report sounds “pretty,” she said, and if put to work would make Oberlin “a bet-

ter community, one where everybody has the same opportunities.”

Meadows said the work should start with training sessions for city workers, so they can understand what social equity is — it’s a way of leveling the playing field for people, regardless of race, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, family status and other factors.

Oberlin resident Tracie Haynes called the proposals “important work” that is “not optional.”

She also gave a warning: If undertaken without dismantling the systems that create inequality, the report’s goals will be unattainable.

Hillard said the broad push for social equity is the most important project he’s worked on in his 33-year career.

“It is a continual effort. It will not stop, because it cannot stop,” he said.

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shaped again in 2031, however, according to Dembinski — he suspects that farmland on North Lake Street across from the Amherst police station will be developed, “but that’s just an educated guess.”

Councilman Martin Heberling praised the work of the committee that worked to make sure the wards will have even populations.

“Judging how things may turn out in the near future, I can see that they would almost equal out,” he said.

With full approval by Council, Clerk Olga Sivinski will send the new map to the Lorain County Board of Elections, where it will be divided into updated voting precincts.

Later this year, all registered voters affected by precinct changes will be notified by postcard, said Council President Jennifer Wasilk.

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DeWine is aware and is promising new kits are on the way, but like other material goods there are supply chain issues to overcome, Adams said.

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines has also risen sharply here, he said. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was common for LCPH to give 30 shots on any given day; on Dec. 20, the health department administered 140.

Hospital staff are also being overwhelmed, he said: “I’ve seen it first hand with hospital workers, the fatigue and stress they’re in.”

DeWine ordered 1,050 National Guard members deployed to hospitals across the state. Adams said they were being staged in Ohio’s five or six largest counties — Lorain County is the ninth largest.

But Lorain County also has one of the highest case counts, data shows. There are about 120,000 residents here who have not been vaccinated against COVID, and of those about 100,000 have not yet contracted the disease, according to LCPH. Adams said that group faces the greatest danger right now. Those who have been vaccinated and boosted, even if they do catch the virus, have much better outcomes.

A recent peer-reviewed study showed people who have been vaccinated but did not yet get a booster have about 35 percent protection against COVID — and about a 75 percent chance of staying out of the hospital if they do get sick, he said.

Exactly how much “armor” varying vaccines and boosters give is becoming clearer every day as more studies are done, Adams said.

The good news is that in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, which are being watched closely, cases are not rising rapidly. In Lorain County, 91 percent of that population is vaccinated.

“We’re not seeing any of the alarming numbers that were occurring last year,” Adams said.

There has also been a decrease in animosity between people over COVID-19 vaccination and mask-wearing, he said.

There are still people changing their minds and venturing out to get their first vaccines.

Adams is issuing a plea to those who remain on the fence about being vaccinated: Just call him to talk it over, no commitment necessary.

“I’m not going to judge you in any way,” he said.

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Outlying parts of the city have seen new housing developments in the past decade.

But the oldest portions of town, which lie in Ward 3, are built out with no room for growth.

When balancing all four wards, Dembinski said construction in newer subdivisions was taken into account, since they will add residents that weren’t around for the 2020 census.

The redrawn map also takes into consideration a 100-unit manufactured home park that has been proposed by developer Britt Lilley in Ward 4. Elected officials are divided on the issue, but it appears poised for approved in a 4-3 split at Council’s Dec. 27 meeting.

Ward 1, which encompasses the northwest corner of Amherst, remains relatively unchanged for now.

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Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

OPINION

Positive stories I need to hear

Provided photo

Dane Adams shows a collage he created, featuring ocal owl species. It is among the prizes at Main Street Wellington’s First Friday event on Jan. 7.

Fine-feathered fun awaits at Wellington’s First Friday WELLINGTON — You could say that the first Friday of the new year is for the birds.

Main Street Wellington’s monthly First Friday party will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the village’s downtown, where it highlights local businesses.

Area wildlife enthusiasts Dane Adams and Rob Swindell, who share a passion for bird-watching, will be part of the festivities at Main Street’s office, 118 West Herrick Ave. For the bulk of his professional life, Adams led a dental practice in Wellington. In his space time, he’s always been fascinated with birds, and in retirement grew involved with the Black River Audubon Society, where he fostered an interest in capturing their beauty through photography.

He’ll present a short program on his interests, including a slide show, at 7:15 p.m.

Main Street will also host Swindell, who is a writer, photographer and conservation

advocate, as well as the Black River Audubon Society’s current president.

Bird enthusiasts may recognize Swindell from his column on birding in the Chronicle Telegram, and for penning a wide-ranging opinion column in the Amherst News-Times, Oberlin News-Tribune and Wellington Enterprise.

At First Friday, he will provide information about Audubon and share additional photos of birds found in the area.

Throughout the evening, shoppers can visit participating downtown Wellington stores and restaurants to collect tickets for a “bird log.” Turn it in with receipts by 7 p.m. at the Main Street office to be entered into a drawing for prizes.

They include a framed photo collage of owl species and several 2022 bird calendars, all created by Adams.

There will also be bird books, as well as a framed and signed watercolor print of a bald eagle by Oberlin artist Kim Luzkowski.

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“We rest always on the razor's edge between one (beauty, hope and joy) and the other (ugliness, despair and fear),” said Shelley Douglas. To create hope around the subject of a changing climate is a challenge, but by applying our personal positive energy to visible solutions seems to me the path to follow.

It is well worth gathering up visions of positive actions that have already been taken to counter the fears we live with regarding climate change. Accentuate the positive steps and enlarge those steps. If we can personally become agents of change, we can begin to see glimmers of hope for our future and the desired common good.

Those are the stories I need to hear.

Recently, I found this personal reminder on a scribbled note: “How do we learn to value those things we cannot live without — air, water, the sustaining fabric of life on Earth? How must we regard the future — more than we prize money and short-term convenience? Is it true that nothing less than a spiritual awakening can transform us?”

Albert Einstein said in 1939, “If science, like art, is to perform its mission truly and fully, its achievements must enter not only superficially but with their inner meaning into the consciousness of people.”

So I turn my attention to what I hear each day on the news. The visuals and the headlines may stimulate and inform, but there is plenty to be afraid of.

I have a certain responsibility to find the honest

JOYCE PARKER COMMUNITY PEACE BUILDERS

sources beyond social media hearsay. Seeing the videos of real life news reporters does get to my emotions. There’s no doubt that sadness and fear are huge motivators. After all, fear has served the survival of the human species — and still does.

Climate change is certainly a complex and fearful issue with much division in regard to the effective means to slow the process of detrimental change. Even when we agree that we must alter our behaviors to benefit all life on earth, it is difficult to bring about those changes. We see dramatic photos of melting ice and air pollution from our wildfires and fossil fuel use. We see human suffering and loss from floods, wars, and changing climates.

Of course, we are fearful for what may be coming our way and for our grandchildren. We may have reason to be angry for the change and suffering we’re already experiencing. We may be the next ones to suffer and our lives may be changed for the worse.

Should we despair? I think that we need to focus some of our attention — and do the research — to find the stories of human behavior and the science factors that are making positive strides in protecting our planet.

Changes have ripple effects both positive and negative. More hearts and minds need the hopeful vision to see what is possible. Hope and faith need to replace any overworked fear element that haunts us. Intelligence and the reasoning of good science can guide us. Persistence and trust need to grow among us.

I praise the groups, communities, governments and corporations who are putting out news of their efforts to slow the fast rising temperature of our planet.

I hope that news media will grasp more of those stories. It certainly will get my attention, fulfill my need for hope and provide positive visions for me to make more specific changes in my behavior.

We step away and see from space the beautiful “blue marble” photograph of earth given to us by our astronauts. As one human race we have risen to be the dominant species. We can see that the responsibility for change is with us, the human tribe, trying to survive on planet Earth together.

Joyce Parker is secretary of Community Peace Builders, and has been an active member over the past decade. Carry on the conversation at communitypeacebuilders@ aol.com.

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To the editor: What a joyous event was the return of the Empty Mugs Holiday Spectacular!

This annual fundraiser for Oberlin Community Services, organized by the Oberlin College Pottery Co-op, was once again held at First Church in Oberlin on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Hundreds of people came despite rain and high winds to participate in the holiday fun, which was adapted to COVID times. Two brass ensembles and then a pianist serenaded guests as they shopped, choosing among hundreds of beautiful, hand-crafted pieces of pottery.

The Board and staff of OCS are deeply grateful to all of the people, organizations and businesses who donated time, talent and resources — it couldn’t have happened without you! Although we cannot possibly name everyone to whom we owe gratitude, we extend especial thanks to Pastor David Hill and First Church, Helen Shrayer and Oberlin College Pottery Coop, Oberlin Conservatory brass musicians and The UPS Store.

The event was a merry, festive afternoon of music, mugs, and generous support for OCS, a community-based organization whose mission is to empower area residents through emergency assistance, food programs and other services while promoting systemic change. The more than $8,000 raised at this event will help

Provided photo

families in our community stay warm and sheltered over the coming winter.

Margie L. Flood Executive Director, Oberlin Community Services

Violence is a choice, not cause for compassion To the editor: Having compassion for documented violent criminals by having our justice system directed toward early release from prison, no or low bail, failure to prosecute or reclassification of violent crimes represents misguided emotion by liberal politicians and prosecutors and not equal justice.

Criminals are violent by choice and not chance! Accountability must always be present in our society for violence. Public safety and not comfort and freedom for violent criminals should always have priority in our nation of laws.

Limiting interaction with others, denying mobility and having effective law

enforcement are our society’s primary means of deterrence for violent criminals and protecting the innocent. Only successful approaches that reduce violent behavior by criminals should be pursued by our justice system.

Rejecting society’s punitive actions on violent criminals and embracing “anti-police” approaches by liberal politicians and prosecutors promotes criminality as shown by the recent increases in serious violent crimes in our major cities. Compassion should be reserved for victims. Violent criminals have already made their choice.

Tomie Patton President, Avon/Avon Lake Republican Club

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Oberlin City Council says farewell to Price, Slocum at last 2021 meeting JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Two outbound City Council members were given a sendoff last week in the moments before their final meeting.

Bowing out were Mary Price, who served a two-year term, and Linda Slocum, who wrapped up six years on Council, the last two as president.

“It’s been an absolute honor to be trusted with this position,” said Price, who lamented that her personal circumstances prevented her from seeking re-election this past fall.

City Manager Rob Hillard praised her commitment to improving communication and her passion for social equity work.

Slocum, he said, was always willing to ask tough questions while also lending her support. She was part of the Council that hired Hillard five years ago; he said Slocum makes him want to be a better manager.

His big regret is that the final two years of her tenure were obstructed by the COVID-19 crisis.

“I’m sorry that COVID had to be your presidential term, because the challenges of COVID are over the top,” Hillard told Slocum.

Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Councilwomen Mary Price and Linda Slocum accept awards recognizing their years of service as elected officials.

Despite the pandemic, Council has managed to accomplish tasks that were close to her heart, Slocum said — it worked on plans to strategically expand sidewalks throughout town, and to transform the Morgan Street reservoirs into a wetland.

“We are moving forward,” she said. “We are on the right path.”

Neither Price nor Slocum appeared on the November general election ballot.

Seven candidates filed to run for seven Council at-large positions, most incumbents — stepping in to fill the two empty seats were former Councilman Bryan Burgess and newcomer Eboni Johnson.

Page A5

Oberlin College president updates on COVID-19 situation OBERLIN — After a surge in COVID-19 cases reached Oberlin College this week, President Carmen Twillie Ambar sent a bulletin to the campus community informing them it was the highest number seen since the pandemic began.

The “ObieSafe Update: Moving into Winter Break” message was sent Dec. 23.

Ambar wrote that there had been 158 positive cases reported in the previous seven days, mostly among students and mostly mild or asymptomatic.

Although Oberlin College did not initially see an increase in coronavirus cases during the most recent statewide increase, Ambar wrote that “early this past week, the situation changed and COVID numbers grew quickly.”

The college distributed 537 rapid test kits Wednesday afternoon and evening, and about 100 Thursday morning, according to the bulletin. Most students have left campus for winter break, Ambar wrote, adding that the college’s focus is now on caring for those who remain on campus while sick and keeping other students safe from the virus.

She described the situa-

tion as “a moment to reset and recommit to safe practices such as being diligent about wearing masks.”

Masks continue to be required inside Oberlin College buildings when with others and when outdoors in a group.

Oberlin College is requiring all students, faculty and staff members to receive a COVID-19 booster shot by the start of the spring semester on Feb. 19, or as soon as they are eligible after that date.

Additionally, all students, faculty and staff are required to receive a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of whenever they return to campus following winter break. Those who have a vaccination exemption will be required to take weekly PCR testing.

Regarding the completion of the fall semester and Winter Term, Ambar wrote that “students may choose to be remote during this time. All fall classes will have remote options available to finish the semester in January, and many classes will be remote only.”

The college is also taking additional precautions including offering only takeout dining on campus, according to the bulletin.

Stammitti named president of State Sheriff's Association

ELYRIA — Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti was elected Nov. 16 to serve as president of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association for 2022.

Stammitti is the first Lorain County Sheriff to ever serve in the role and was selected as president of the organization’s executive board in a vote taken by all 88 of Ohio’s sheriffs.

Founded in 1931, the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association represents all Ohio sheriffs in advocating for positive changes to Ohio’s criminal justice system in addition to providing affordable training programs for sheriffs' offices.

Amherst native named to Ohio Dominican Dean’s List

Provided photograph

Lorain County JVS instructor Tony Tyree, Superintendent Glenn Faircloth and Weldbot President Levi Bowman show off a new FANUC CRX Cobot.

Welders-in-training get to work with new Weldbot PITTSFIELD TWP. — A robot partner has taken up residence at the Lorain County JVS, where it will work side-by-side with welding students.

The FANUC CRX Cobot from the Stow-based company Weldbot is a collaborative robot, designed to work in tandem with a human operator.

It is used to make seat brackets for Ford pickup trucks, parts for Cub Cadet lawn mowers and high-pressure oil field pipes.

Weldbot President Levi Bowman said his company is dedicated to advancing manufactur-

ing through robotic welding and custom machine building.

“I actually got a call, and we heard that there was a need to update equipment in the Lorain County JVS welding lab and we saw an opportunity to help out,” he said.

Instructor Tony Tyree said welding and fabrication students at the JVS high school and Adult Career Center will use the new equipment.

“Students will begin to get used to this new technology by using it in some small production runs so they can get used to setting up a

fixture and a table to locate some parts and also write the program with timers to see how quickly they can complete a part,” he said.

FANUC is the most sold robot in the world and one of the most user-friendly robots on the market, said Tyree.

Bowman said learning to use the robotic tool now will make students more valuable to future employers. It will also introduce teens to robotics programming.

Senior Tyler Pilarczyk said he feels inspired: “It shows how far welding has come from where it first started.”

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Ohio Dominican University has named Alexander Brill of Amherst, to its 2021 Fall Dean’s List. Brill is among 319 students who earned a place on the list this past semester.

In order to make the Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must have achieved a 3.5 GPA or better after taking a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Ohio Dominican University is a comprehensive, fouryear, private, liberal arts and master’s institution, founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican tradition by the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The University has approximately 1,350 students and offers undergraduate degrees in 39 majors and eight graduate degree programs. At ODU, students connect their passion with a purpose.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on December 20, 2021. 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 of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Resolution 43-21 Recognizing & commending Greg Argenti for outstanding public service as a member of Lorain City Council. 44-21 Recognizing & commending Rob McFarland for outstanding public service as a member of Lorain City Council. 45-21 Recognizing & commending Breanna Dull for achieving status as a Certified Municipal Clerk. 46-21* Concurring w/ expenditure of $4,630,013 of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Ordinance 218-21 Recognizing & commemorating Marie Bonaminio by naming the green space at the NE Corner of Broadway & W. Erie the “Marie Bonaminio Memorial Pollinator Garden” 219-21 Adopting the rec to approve the rezoning of 2725 Grove Ave from B-2 to MU. 220-21 Adopting the rec to approve the rezoning of 1247 West Erie Ave from R-3 to B-2.

221-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a purchase agreement for the sale of 1144 W. Erie Avenue. 222-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into an agrmt w/ Lorain City School District for use of the city fields and facilities. 223-21* De-Ap-

propriation. 224-21* Transfer.

225-21* Advance. 226-21* Appropriation. 227-21* Appropriation. 228-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a letter of intent for the potential sale of real property located in the Colorado Industrial Site. 22921 Repealing Ord 188-11 and dividing the City into 8 wards pursuant to ORC Sections 731-01 & 731.06. 230-21* Appropriation- 2022 Temporary Budget. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 12/30/21; 1/6/22 20695311 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO PURCHASE OF DISTRIBUTION MATERIALS 2022 Sealed bids will be received by the Utilities Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 10:00 AM EST, Friday, January 21, 2022, Utilities Department, 1106 First Street 44052.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 10:15 AM EST, Friday, January 21, 2022, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

Enter into contracts for the purchase of various materials used within the City of Lorain Water Distribution Department for repair and replacement of infrastructure. These materials include but are not limited to: repair clamps, curb stops, corporation stops, quarter bend couplings, fire hydrants, hydrant extension kits, service saddles, nuts and bolts, etc.

All in accordance with specifications now on file at the Engineering Department.

Bids must be accompanied

by Certified Check or Cashier’s Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract.

Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid check/ bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked ‘BID CHECK/ BOND’ with the bidders name & address on the bid check/bond envelope.

Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, handicap, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act. Bidders shall be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning these matters.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www. cityoflorain.org or at the Law Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday. Bidders are required to use the printed form which will be available upon application.

The Director of Public Safety/ Service reserves the right to make separate or combination awards and to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in the bids received.

By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service.

L.C.C.G. 12/23-30/21 20694910

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Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Four generations

ELECTION 2022

Two running for Betleski’s common pleas judge seat JASON HAWK EDITOR

Provided photos

Katie Rosemark (middle) practicing fighting fires. She is the fourth generation from her family to answer the call to be a firefighter.

Rosemark carries on her family’s firefighting legacy JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — As a kid, Katie Rosemark had a lot of heroes to look up to.

She practically grew up in a fire station thanks to her grandfather, Mark Rosemark, who would let her run and play around the engines.

“He is amazing,” the younger Rosemark said of her grandfather. “He’s the strongest man I know, and now I’ve finally done something I feel like has earned his respect.”

She has decided to answer the family calling. The 2013 Wellington High School graduate has added another certificate to her wall after graduating from the Cleveland Fire Academy.

When she reported for duty Dec. 28 at Cleveland’s Tower 1 station, her family celebrated its fourth generation of firefighters.

Rosemark’s great-great-grandfather AJ Weber, great-grandfather Bob Weber and his brothers Mark and Bill were all Wellington firefighters. And her uncle, Harry Drennan, also a Wellington graduate, is a retired firefighter in Strongsville.

But in Rosemark’s eyes it’s her

grandfather, Mark, she looks up to most. He served the Wellington Fire District for 22 years while also working as water superintendent and pulling a couple of stints as interim village manager.

She said he inspired her to public service, and remembered the pride she felt when Mark would go on fire calls when she was younger.

Rosemark had another motivation to follow in Grandpa’s footsteps: She grew up with three brothers, “and I wanted to prove to them that just because I’m a girl, that doesn’t mean I can’t drive a fire truck,” she said.

Only one factor marred her victory march. Rosemark was unable to take part in her fire academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 21 after contracting COVID-19.

She was quarantined this past week, but still looking forward to going on active duty in Cleveland.

Rosemark said she feels lucky — Capt. Steve Manzuk, who she’ll work with the next year, was an instructor at the academy.

“He’s amazing, and I already know I’m going to learn so much from him,” she said. “I’m not so much scared, because I know I won’t be going into a fire by myself ever.”

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 DECEMBER 30, 2021 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 85 SOUTH MAIN STREET UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED DECEMBER 30, 2021 ��������������������OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF NEW YEAR’S DAY

Two more candidates have announced they will run for Lorain County Court of Common Pleas in 2022, both seeking to replace Judge Mark Betleski, who will not seek another six-year term.

Attorneys Kim Meyers and Zachary Simonoff have thrown their hats into the race. They join Avon Lake Municipal Judge Darrel Bilancini, who was the first to announce early in the fall that he would run for the job.

Meyers has practiced law for 37 years.

“I think it’s important the court has an experienced person, and I think I bring that experience,” he said.

For more than a decade he has served under Betleski as a magistrate and staff attorney. His duties have included conducting pretrial conferences, hearings in open court, hearings on evidentiary damage and discovery matters, temporary restraining orders, injunctions, civil stocking protection orders and settlement conferences.

Meyers also assists Betleski in preparing decisions, reviewing briefings and preparing rulings on a wide variety of civil and criminal matters.

Before working as a magistrate, Meyers was in private practice as a partner at McCray, Muzilla, Smith & Meyers in Elyria for 24 years. During that time, he handled cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, insurance defense, education, employment and labor, discrimination, business, government, criminal and traffic law.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Dayton. He is admitted to the bars of Ohio and Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court, District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Meyers is a member of the Ohio, Arizona and Lorain County bar associations and the Ohio Association of Magistrates. He has served 10 years on the executive committee of the Lorain County Bar Association and as its president from 2005-2006.

The South Amherst native and Brighton Township resident has also been involved in a number of community organizations. Meyers was a member of the Wellington Kiwanis Club for 15 years, serving as its president and working on service projects and fundraisers; he was elected lieutenant governor for Ohio District Division 13 Kiwanis, and also served as an advisor for both the Wellington and Oberlin high school Key Clubs.

Meyers previously served on the Lorain County 4-H Endowment Board and the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board. He is a graduate of Leadership Lorain County Class of 1991.

He has served as a director on the Lorain County Fair Board for 18 years and as its president on several occasions. As a spokesman for the fair, he has been at the

center of controversies over the sale of the Confederate flag at the fair, as well as the decision to severely downsize the fair in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Meyers also sits on the Ohio Fair ManagKim ers Association Board Meyers of Directors, helping to shape statewide policy and guidance.

For 23 years, Simonoff’s practice has focused on criminal defense, consumer matters and foreclosure proceedings.

“Having been in a lot Zachary of courtrooms, I know Simonoff how a judge’s decisions directly impact the lives of real people,” he said. “A good judge must abide by the principles of fairness and impartiality and make timely decisions based solely on the law and the facts presented. A good judge will not be influenced by political or community pressure and will maintain the integrity of the court in which they serve.”

Before law school, Simonoff served for 12 years in the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. He also served as a logistics specialist for the Department of the Navy.

Today, he serves as the defense attorney for the Lorain County Veterans Treatment Court.

Simonoff attended George Washington University, studying history and international affairs. He attended law school at the Cleveland State University Marshall College of Law. Simonoff formed and chaired the foreclosure section of the Lorain County Bar Association and is now chair of the real estate and the criminal law sections.

He served on the Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board and is on the board of directors of the Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County.

Betleski’s seat is one of three local judgeships that will appear on the May 3 primary ballot, according to Lorain County Board of Elections Deputy Director James Kramer.

Also on the ballot are the seats held by common pleas Judge Christopher Rothgery and Domestic Relations Division Judge Sherry Glass.

Rothgery has pulled petitions to seek re-election, according to Kramer; the filing deadline is Feb. 2.

Judicial elections in Ohio will look a little different starting this year. Party affiliations will appear on ballots next to the names of candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, due to changes made by Senate Bill 80.

Local judicial primaries will also be partisan. However, no party affiliation will be listed for candidates who move on to the November general election.

JANUARY 3, 2022 ��������������������������REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 7:00 P�M COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 4, 2022 ��������������������������HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - 5:15 P�M CONFERENCE ROOM 1

Greenhouse raises pay in search of workers

JANUARY 5, 2022 ��������������������������PLANNING COMMISSION - 4:30 P�M- CONFERENCE ROOM 2

CAMDEN TWP. — Green Circle Growers has raised its minimum hourly rate for entry-level workers to $17 per hour in a bid to expand its workforce.

The family-owned greenhouses at U.S. Route 20 and State Route 511 aim to add 100 or more employees. These entry-level roles are in anticipation of a heightened need at the holidays and

JANUARY 11, 2022 ������������������������PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - 4:30 P�M CONFERENCE ROOM 2 JANUARY 12, 2022 ������������������������OCIC - 8:00 A�M - CONFERENCE ROOM 1 JANUARY 12, 2022 ������������������������OURCIT - 3:00 P�M - CONFERENCE ROOM 1 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.

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beyond, and include such positions as general labor, growers, crew leaders, shipping and receiving, forklift operators, material handlers and other light industrial roles.

The company is also offering a $400 signing bonus and benefits.

For more information, visit www. greencirclegrowers.com.

C O L L E G E

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A7 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

■ OHIO AREA RESIDENTS CASH IN: It’s hard to tell how much these unsearched Vault Bags loaded with rarely seen Gov’t issued coins that everyone will be trying to get could be worth someday. That’s because each Vault Bag is known to contain nearly 3 pounds of Gov’t issued coins some dating back to the 1800’s including all those shown in today’s publication. In addition, after each bag is loaded with over 200 rarely seen coins, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks are never searched to determine collector values. So you better believe at just $980 these unsearched Vault Bags are a real steal.

Rarely seen United States coins up for grabs in Ohio -zip codes determine who gets them Unsearched Vault Bags loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins some dating back to the 1800’s and worth up to 50 times their face value are actually being handed over to residents who find their zip code below and beat the 48 hour order deadline UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ISSUED COINS SEALED IN EACH BAG:

OH RESIDENTS: IF YOU FIND THE FIRST THREE DIGITS OF YOUR ZIP CODE BELOW. CALL: 1-800-869-3164 UV32161 270 271 272 273 274

Silver Morgan Dollar 1878-1921

Silver Liberty Head 1892-1915

Silver Walking Liberty 1916-1947

Silver Peace Dollar 1921-1935

Silver Ben Franklin 1948-1963

“The vaults at Federated Mint are going empty,” said Laura A. Lynne, Director of Coin and Currency for Federated Mint.

T h at’s because a decision by Federated Mint to release rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins, some worth up to 50 times their face value, means unsearched Vault Bags loaded with U. S. Gov’t issued coins dating back to the 1800’s are now being handed over to U.S. residents who find the first three digits of your zip code listed in today’s publication.

“But don’t thank the Government.

As Director of Coin and Currency for Federated Mint, I get paid to inform a nd educat e the genera l publ ic regarding U.S. coins. Ever since the decision by Federated Mint to release rarely seen Gov’t issued coins to the general public — I’m being asked how much are the unsearched Vault Bags worth? The answer is, there’s no way to tell. Coin values always f luctuate and there are never any guarantees, but we do know this.

Each unsearched bag weighs nearly 3 pounds and is known to contain rarely seen Morgan Silver Dollars and these coins alone could be worth $40 - $325 in collector value each according to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins.

So there’s no telling what you’ll find until you search through all the coins.

But you better believe at just $980 these unsearched Vault Bags are a steal, “said Lynne.

“These are not ordinar y coins you f ind in your pocket change.

These are rarely seen silver, scarce, collectible and non-circulating U.S. coins dating back to the 1800’s so we won’t be surprised if thousands of U.S. residents claim as many as they can get their hands on. That’s because after the bags were loaded with nearly 3 pounds of Gov’t issued coins, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade quality of very good or above, the dates and mint marks were never sea rched to determine collector values and the bags were securely sealed. That means there’s no telling what you’ll find until you search all the coins,” said Lynne.

The only thing U.S. residents who find their zip code printed in today’s publication need to do is call the National Toll-Free Hotline before the

275 276 277 278 279

280 281 282 283 284

285 286 287 288 289

■ UNSEARCHED: Pictured above are the unsearched Vault Bags being handed over to Ohio residents who call the National Toll-Free Hotline before the 48-hour deadline ends.

And here’s the best part. Each Vault Bag is loaded with over 200 Gov’t issued coins, including all the coins pictured in today’s publication, some dating back to the 1800’s and worth up to 50 times their face value. Each coin is verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above before the bags are securely sealed and the dates and mint marks are never searched by Federated Mint to determine collector value.

48-hour deadline ends.

This is very important. After the Vault Bags were loaded with over 200 Gov’t issued coins, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade quality of very good or above, the dates and mint marks were never sea rched to determine collector values. The Vault Bag fee has been set for $1,500 for residents who miss the 48-hour deadline, but for those U.S. residents who beat the 48-hour deadline the Vault Bag fee is just $980 as long as they call the National TollFree Hotline before the deadline ends. “ R emember this, we ca nnot stop collectors from buying up all the unsearched bags of coins they can get in this special advertising announcement. And you better believe with each bag being loaded with nearly 3 pounds of Gov’t issued coins we’re guessing they’re going to go quick,” said Lynne.

The phone lines will be ringing off the hook beginning at precisely 8:30 a.m. this morning. That’s because each unsearched Vault Bag is loaded with the rarely seen coins pictured left and highly sought after collector coins dating clear back to the 1800’s including iconic Morgan Silver Dollars,

a historic Peace Silver Dollar, stunning Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars, the collectible Silver Eisenhower Dollars, spectacular Silver Liberty Head Half and Quarter Dollars, rarely seen Silver Franklin Half Dollars, high demand President Kennedy Silver Half Dollars, beautiful Silver Standing Liberty Quarter Dollars, American Bicentennial Quarters, rare Liberty V Nickels, one cent Historic Wheat Coins including 1943 “Steel Cents”, one of the beautiful Winged Liberty Head Dimes, scarce Indian Head one cent U.S. coins and the last ever minted Buffalo Nickels.

“With all these collectible Gov’t Issued coins up for grabs we’re going to do our best to answer all the calls,” said Lynne.

Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the U.S. Gov’t issued coins. That means U.S. residents who find the first three digits of your zip code listed in today’s publication can claim the unsearched bags of money for themselves and keep all the U.S. Gov’t issued coins found inside.

Just be sure to call before the deadline ends 48 hours from today’s publication date. ■

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES R1054R-2 TAX. FEDERATED MINT, PO BOX 1200, MASSILLON, OH 44648 ©2021 FEDERATED MINT

Page A8

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 38, No. 4

Circle all the aliens from the planet Zott using these clues: Aliens from Zott each have at least three eyes, but no more than six. They have antennas, but never curly or wavy ones.

Their clothes have stripes, but only vertical ones.

Earth is a “Goldilocks” planet. It's neither too hot nor too cold for liquid water, which is a key ingredient for life. Part of what makes Earth just right is its distance from the sun!

Hey there!

I’m Goldilocks!

You probably have heard my story: I went into the home of the Three Bears and found a bowl of porridge that was not too hot, not too cold, but just right!

Source: nationalgeographic.com/astrobiology/goldilocks-worlds/

Because of my well-known story, scientists use the name Goldilocks to describe a planet that is just right for life as we know it on Earth!

If a planet is too close to its sun, it’s too hot for life. But if a planet is too far away from its sun, everything is frozen. Around many stars there’s a Goldilocks Zone where there is the potential for water on a planet’s surface.

Goldilocks planets have habitats that are healthy for life.

A habitat is a place where an animal lives. It provides the animal with food, water and shelter. Different habitats are home to different animals.

A

B

Choose a spacecraft and race against a friend to see who gets to the Goldilocks planet first.

C Which Goldilocks astronaut is different from all the others?

Are we there yet?

Which Goldilocks planet is the closest to Earth? Proxima Centauri b (also called Proxima b) is a planet orbiting in the “Goldilocks” zone of the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri.

Discovered in 2016, it is about 4.2 light years from Earth.

Until faster ways of traveling through space are discovered, it would take you a long time to reach Proxima Centauri b from Earth using current spacecraft. How long? Circle every other letter to find the answer.

D

CSVEBVUELNFTPYAFX IDVLEMTJHYOBUNSTA RNVDWYDEAATRGS

Just Right

Look through the newspaper for pictures and words that reflect your community. What kinds of things make your community a place that is “just right” for living there?

E

Standards Link: Students describe the physical and human geography of their local community.

Kepler-16b is a distant planet that exists just outside a Goldilocks zone.

It was first discovered in 2011.

Some scientists have given it the nickname Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s home planet in Star Wars. Why does Kepler-16b remind them of Tatooine?

Use the secret code!

1=B 2=I 3=N 4=O 5=R 6=S 7=T 8=U 9=W

7

4

5

9

4

2

7

1

2

7

6

6

8

3

6

GOLDILOCKS POTENTIAL PORRIDGE DISTANCE PLANET EARTH RIGHT STORY WATER JUST ZONE COLD BOWL FOOD HOT

E S J P A R P F E S

C C E U E R O A T A

N C T T S O R O E C A E A O D T R F O R

POTENTIAL

S K C O L I D L O G

The adjective potential means something that might happen someday, a possibility.

D R P L A N E T L T

Noah had the potential to be a great soccer player.

T W N O H Y I L B I

I R W A Z T G E W H

S L A I T N E T O P

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

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

Cold Poems

Make It Better

Newspapers are called watchdogs of the community, investigating and reporting on things that need changing or improving. Look for an article about something that needs to change in your community and write a letter to the editor.

ANSWER: Night-bears.

Standards Link: Language Arts: Students write persuasive letters citing evidence.

This week’s word:

Write a poem about the cold.

What’s the best part of winter weather? Do you enjoy cold weather or do you prefer the warmer days of spring?