Courier 10-20-11

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NEOEA Day at Camp Whitewood - See page 8A

— See Buckeye Boo inside this week!

Council Honors Cindi Brunot - See page 4A Periodical’s Postage Paid

THE COURIER Conneaut own Ne wspaper Conneaut’’s Home T Town Newspaper

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2011

VOL. 20 NO. 42

75

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GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS, INC.

“Boo-tiful Brides” “The Haunt” Opens for 21st Year

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT – Randy Skalos wants to assure the community that rumors of his “Haunt on Williams Street” being “done” after its 20th anniversary last year are false.

Skeptics only have to drive by 585 Williams Street for assurance that all “The Haunt’s” favorite skeletons, tombstones, pumpkin heads and the one-of-kind 1800s hearse – not to mention the fogshrouded giant gargoyle perched atop the garage – are indeed back.

“At 21 years, it’s a milestone,” he says.

Skalos’ renowned display, touted as the largest between Erie, Pa., and Cleveland, formally opens 6 p.m. Saturday, following a “soft opening” Friday evening.

The display will light up each night 6 to 10 p.m. through Oct. 31.

As he has for the past two decades, Skalos adds to the display Purchased on Craig’s List, this Bride is among the newest additions annually and moves a few pieces to “The Haunt on Williams Street,” which opens for the 21st year from around, with the exception of the 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22 and remains open 6 to 9 p.m. nightly through Oct. hearse and horse skeleton central located in the side yard.

31.

“That keeps it interesting,” he said.

For example, a faceless figure holding a “Book of the Dead” is not new, but now stands guard close to the fence to make room for a new Bride figure standing behind an archway near the house.

Skalos’ acquisition methods have moved along with the times.

Whereas he once purchased only

End of The Line for Crazy Dave’s

See HAUNT page 12A

PHOTOS BY MARTHA SOROHAN

The bride of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, played by Jen Shellhammer, lights up the stage in “The Return of Frankenstein” at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buffalo Street, at 8 p.m. Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30. Call the CCCA at 593-5888 for tickets.

Shellhammer’s 1930s-era dress was purchased for $6 at the Salvation Army store.

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - A world premiere opens in Conneaut 8 p.m.

Friday evening when the curtain goes up on “The Return of Frankenstein,” an original play written

by Jen Shellhammer and Mike Breeze, at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buf-

falo Street.

Because both star in the play — he as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and she as his fiance, Elizabeth Lavenza — and Breeze is also directing, they have been concentrating on lines and other technical effects this week rather than watching the play take its final

See BRIDE page 9A

Sheriff May Be Responsible At LaECI Three Councilmen, City Manager Meet with DRC in Columbus

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

PHOTOS BY MARTHA SOROHAN

Owner Dave Jones, in the Sugar Bowl dining room during better days, takes over as cook for the Child Care Center at New Leaf United Methodist Church, and continues his part-time chef’s position at the church.

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

The former cook had died in June.

The offers could not have come CONNEAUT - Dave and Donna at a more opportune time. Jones Jones will open and close the doors said the couple had tried without at Crazy Dave’s Sugar Bowl for the success to sell the business. last time on Oct. 30.

“Years ago, Dave’s mom and The popular restaurant at 518 dad, Tom and Carol Jones, had Mill Street celebrated its third come to a fork in the road with the anniversary in Conneaut on Oct. restaurant, and someone helped 1. them out. His mom told Dave that “It’s the economy,” said Donna if he ever comes to a fork in the Jones. “The restaurant business is road and has to make a decision not there. People aren’t going out whether to stay with the Sugar to dinner. We’ve been struggling Bowl or accept another offer, to for the last year and a half.” accept the job offer and leave the The good news for the Joneses rest behind,” Donna said. “So is that Dave has picked up full- when the pastor came to us and time kitchen work preparing said he had a part-time job there, breakfast, lunch and snacks for and with the restaurant business The Child Care Center at New declining, we decided we’ll close it Leaf United Methodist Church. up. Dave now has other income.”

That full-time offer came just The closing of the Sugar Bowl days after the Rev. Scott Walsh, means the end of the line for an esNew Leaf pastor asked Jones if he tablishment that had been in the would be interested in handling family for three generations. Dave funeral dinners, Friday night com- Jones’ grandmother, Gertrude munity dinners, and a full brunch Lomyer, founded the restaurant in offered Sunday mornings between Conneaut and passed ownership to the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services. her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Carol Jones. They moved it to Route 20, in W. Springfield, Pa. Lomyer and her son and daughterin-law each ran the restaurant for 15 years.

See CLOSING page 10A

CONNEAUT - At-Large Councilman Neil LaRusch says he will not be 100 percent sure of anything

until he sees it in writing from Conneaut Law Director David Schroeder, but after Tuesday’s meeting in Columbus led by Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) Director Gary

Mohr, he believes it likely that the Ashtabula County Sheriff ’s Department will replace the Ohio Highway Patrol as law enforcers at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution once Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) takes over prison ownership Jan. 1.

LaRusch commented Tuesday

See PRISON page 8A

It Was All Staged: Girl Scouts Donate Puppet Stage, Puppets to CPL

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

Conneaut Public Library Youth Services staff members Pam Nyman (second left) and Stephane Gildone (second right) display new library puppets donated along with the stage by four members of Girl Scout Troop 80671 earning the Girl Scout Silver Award.

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

CONNEAUT - As Girl Scout leaders Lois Graff, Becky Hautala and her daughter, Jody, planned Troop 80671’s surprise presentation

of puppets and a portable puppet stage to Conneaut Public Library Youth Services’ Stephanie Gildone, the greatest challenge was convincing troop members that, in this situation, it was all right to lie.

“They said, ‘They’re lying, and

they’re not supposed to be!” said Graff, describing events leading up to the library presentation on Sept. 21. “We had to tell the girls that this was a ‘good’ lie.”

See PUPPETS page 7A

2A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

TOWN TALK Kingsville Public Library will be open for trick-or-treating on Halloween, Oct. 31, at 6006 Academy Street. It is also sponsoring a Costume Contest through Nov. 2, with prizes awarded for different age groups.

Though Crazy Dave’s Sugar Bowl Restaurant is closing Oct. 30, Donna Jones will continue to bake her mouth-watering pies, cakes, cookies and pumpkin rolls. Call her at 812-3149 to order.

With city leaf pick-up off the table this fall, residents are reminded that the Compost Site will be open to accept leaves. Call Public Works for compost site hours.

City Council President Tom Udell told Council Monday night that he liked what he saw of the city’s still-under-construction web site, except that his name had been misspelled on the preliminary list of contact information. “The city has been wanting to upgrade it for some time,” he said. For a sneak preview, visit www.lancedrew.com. Drew has considerable local information on the web site, including snippets of videos from local events such as the Sock Hop, D-Day, and Discover Conneaut. There are also many links. Once the web site is up and running, the city may take over the responsibility of maintaining it.

Ward 1 City Councilman Dave Campbell also offered condolences during

Civic Meetings Conneaut Area City Schools Board of Education work session, 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Southeast Building, 400 Mill Street Conneaut Port Authority, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 D-Day Ohio, Inc., membership meeting 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at American Legion and local committee meetings 12:30 p.m.

Conneaut City Council, 7 p.m. Oct. 24

D-Day Committee Welcomes Volunteers

Monday evening’s Council work session to the family of “Red” Jury, who died Sunday in Cleveland. “You couldn’t have met a nicer guy. We’ll miss him,” he said.

The Monroe Sirens’ next Hoagie Sale is coming Nov. 4 and 5. Order by calling Jodi at 594-1386 or Jill at 645-8547. Pickup at the Monroe Fire Hall, 4095 Center Road, is 2 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 or 8 to 11 a.m.

Nov. 5. Proceeds benefit the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.

Seniors Together is sponsoring a one-day Craft Sale 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Conneaut Human Resources Center, 327 Mill Street, with food, fun, door prizes every hour, and raffles. Admission $1. Children free when accompanied by an adult. To set up a table, call Mary Young 593-5273 or e-mail may12347@aol.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Powder Puff Football game scheduled Oct. 15 between female juniors and seniors at Conneaut High School was postponed due to rain and wind, and no make-up date has been set, according to Conneaut High School Athletic Director Joel Taylor. The annual event is a fundraiser for the junior class.

In case you haven’t heard — literally — WWOW-1360AM is back on the air with classic rock starting at 10 a.m., after Pat Williams’ “AM Live!” show. More details are coming in the Oct. 27 Courier.

Finance & Ordinance Committee, 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Agenda: Dispatching for North Kingsville Conneaut Cable Advisory Board, 6 p.m. Oct. 26 (postponed from Oct. 19) Conneaut Rec Board, 7 p.m. Oct. 26 Monroe Township Trustees, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Township Garage, 5578 S. Monroe Center Road Kingsville Township Trustees, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Fire Hall, 3130 Main Street

Members of New Leaf United Methodist Church Hospitality Committee (from left) Marcia Palm, Donna Jones, Virginia Hartman and Samara Jenkins volunteered at the 2011 DDay Veterans Luncheon, and will attend a committee meeting Saturday at the American Legion to begin planning the Veterans Luncheon for D-Day 2012. Volunteers for all D-Day Committees are welcome.

Cable Schedule

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers Local residents who want to be part of the local D-Day Planning Committee are invited to a D-Day 2012 meeting 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the American Legion, 272 Broad Street.

The D-Day Ohio, Inc., business meeting begins 10 a.m., and committees will convene after lunch.

Committees include Veterans’ Luncheon, Parking, Marketing, Fund-Raising, Volunteers, Media, and more.

Persons interested in becoming members of D-Day

Oct. 18-25, 2011

Ohio, Inc., may sign up at www.ddayohio.us. Membership of $10 per year grants Cable Schedule not voting rights for D-Day Ohio, available at press time.

Inc., board members. Board members will be elected at Saturday’s business meeting. Religious Next year’s D-Day Event Services: is Aug. 17-18 at Township St. Mary St. Frances Park.

Call Lori McLaughlin at Cabrini: Sun & Wed 3pm Biscotti’s Restaurant with / Mon & Thurs 1am First United Church questions. of Christ: Sun & Wed 4pm / Mon & Thurs 2am New Leaf United Methodist: Sun & Wed The Ashtabula County Bar and Legal Aid Society is spon- 5pm / Mon & Thurs 3am Good Shepherd soring a “Brief Advice and Referral Clinic” 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 272 Lutheran : Sun & We d 6pm / Mon & Thurs 4am Broad Street. The event is staffed by volunteer attorneys.

Family Fellowship: Residents are welcome to bring civil matters to attorneys.

No criminal matters will be considered. The clinic is “first Mon & Thurs 1.30pm Ashtabula Pentecoscome, first served.” No reservations are accepted. tal: Mon & Thurs 2:30pm

Legal Advice Clinic

Greenlawn Memory Gardens Fall Clearing Greenlawn Memory Gardens in North Kingsville will begin on Nov. 1 clearing the gardens of fall and summer decorations. Silk flowers will be removed and discarded from vases, which will be turned over for the winter.

Winter wreaths may be placed on graves and will remain until spring clean-up begins March 1. Call the cemetery at 224-1155 with questions.

Pink Yogurt Lids Being Collected at CPL

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - During Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October, the the Conneaut Public Library, 304 Buffalo St., is collecting Dannon or Yoplait yogurt pink lids in a bin near the entrance.

A donation canister is also provided.

Lids and monetary donations will be sent to the

American Cancer Society.

Breast cancer donors at the library will receive a free pink rhinestone Breast Cancer ribbon charm while supplies last.

This month, the library is displaying books to help newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families.

Free information, handouts and helpful web sites are also available to the public.

Girard Cemetery Ghost Walk is Oct. 22 The Girard Cemetery Ghost Walks will depart from the Hazel Kibler Museum, 533 E. Main St., Girard, Pa., at 7:30, 9, 10:30 and midnight on Oct. 22.

The Ghost Walks feature an evening of local history and legends as visitors tour the cemetery after dark with lanterns. This month’s walk focuses on Girard’s modern-day heroes, individuals instrumental in shaping and moving the community forward.

Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Hazel Kibler Museum (814) 774-3653.

Senior Calendar

GSLC Community S.E.N.I.O.R.S

People ages 50 and up are welcome. Health checks 9:45 a.m., 10 a.m. devotion, exercise and lunch the first and third Thursdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 876 Grove Street.

Oct. 20 - “Old Farmers Day” — dress the part for an educational, entertaining program CHRC Seniors Together Weekdays 11 a.m. at 327 Mill Street. Free.

Daily walking 7:30 a.m.

Oct. 20 - Craft Day

Oct. 25 - Project Day work on hats, gloves, scarves, visit Oct. 27 - Halloween Jingo Oct. 31 - Halloween party. Costumes optional.

Vote Cris

NEWCOMB for Conneaut School Board

ACMC Wound Healing Center

There is hope for healing.

Call the ACMC Wound Healing Center at (440) 994-7540.

Let’s Stay Focused On Our Future - Our Children Cris Newcomb, a graduate of Conneaut High School, Defiance College and Thomas Cooley Law School, understands the importance of a good education.

AND as a local practicing attorney, he understands the challenges we all face in this tough economy. On November 8, elect Cris Newcomb - someone who knows our community and has strong leadership capabilities. Cris is someone who believes our children deserve a great education! They are OUR future!

Paid for by candidate, C. Newcomb, 443 Main Street, Conneaut, OH 44030.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3A

No Leaf Pick-Up, City Manager Says

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - City Manager Tim Eggleston told Conneaut City Council at its work session Monday evening that city crews will not be providing leaf-pick up this year.

Eggleston said leaf pick-up has been abandoned because the Public Works Department lacks money in its budget for the fuel. In past Novembers, trucks have made two sweeps of the city to pick up leaves from tree lawns.

Eggleston hinted that the final decision is up to Council, since it approves city expenditures, but no councilmen objected to Eggleston’s announcement.

Eggleston also reported that SpyGlass, Inc., of Westlake, will audit at no charge the city’s telecommunications systems. SpyGlass reviews bills of communications providers and, according to its web site, is able to dissect complex carrier billing and isolate savings opportunities. Eggleston said when

SpyGlass last audited its telecommunications bills, the city recouped $6,500 in overpaid expenses. SpyGlass charges only if the city acts on its recommendations to upgrade or change its telecommunications system.

Eggleston also distributed copies of a city newsletter he would like enclosed with city water bills, beginning in November. The sample two-page newsletter included city department contact information, basic facts, i.e., that trash containers may be placed on tree lawns the night before trash pick-up but must be removed the next day, and upcoming dates of significance, such as Veterans’ Day and the Christmas Parade.

He noted that the city’s upgraded web site, www.conneautohio.gov, is nearly ready. Designer is Lance Drew (son of cable volunteer Lance Drew). Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell asked that the newsletter be included on the web site.

Law Director David Schroeder had no report,

other than to state that he had called an executive session following the meeting to discuss litigation.

Under Miscellaneous Business, At-Large Councilman Neil LaRusch announced a Finance and Ordinance meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 will discuss a city tree-cutting ordinance and a dispatching request from North Kingsville Village that could affect the city’s 2012 budget.

Ward 4 Councilman Tom Kozesky suggested that residents watch a CNBC program Oct. 18 entitled, “Billions Behind Bars,” a look at the private prison industry. Kozesky had seen a preview of the program and said that with CCA taking over ownership of Lake Erie Correctional Institution Jan. 1, it would be advantageous for residents to watch it.

In discussing upcoming legislation for the Oct. 24 meeting, LaRusch told Council that he had heard from three more persons expressing views on the Planning Commission’s recommended rezoning of a section of Route 20, from Chestnut Street to Parrish Road on the north and Gore Road on the south, from

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

This is a draft of a City of Conneaut newsletter to be mailed with city water bills, starting in November, City Manager Tim Eggleston told City Council Monday evening. The newsletter is intended to keep residents apprised of city happenings. residential to light business.

LaRusch did not reveal the content of the conversations, but urged persons who could not or did not attend the Sept.

13 public hearing on the rezoning recommendations to contact councilmen if they want their input considered when an ordinance to approve the rezoning receives its second reading Oct. 24.

Finance Director John Williams explained that an ordinance approving a $200,000 Ohio Pollution Water Control (OPWC) grant, in its first reading on Oct. 24, will partly pay to repair the collapsed Dorman Road culvert and ero-

sion on Keefus Road. The rest of the cost of the $350,000 project will be funded by $144,000 cash from the city’s Revolving Loan Fund and $10,000 contribution by the city in “In-kind” labor costs.

Eggleston is awaiting final approval from the state to use the Revolving Loan funds for this purpose. The state has given verbal approval since the project will benefit the city as a whole.

Williams also described the Chestnut Street aerial sewer project that extends from Lake Road to Detroit Street. The city paid $5,000 for a temporary repair a year

ago. A new bridge will cost $354,000, with costs evenly split between the city and OPWC funds. This legislation will also come before Council on Monday evening.

Council is also expected at that time to approve an agreement for, and to authorize, the purchase of 1.75 acres of property, at $6,140, for the new Creek Road water tower.

All this took just 17 minutes — one of the shortest City Council work sessions on record.

Council will meet 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 in televised meeting.

John Zappitello will be honored as Senior of the Month.

Recycling Brings in 19,775 Pounds Conneaut Salvation Army Red

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

CONNEAUT - The official count from the Oct. 9 “Recycling Round Up” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was 19,775 pounds, said Jerry Sipan, head of the Electronic Recycle Shop at Lake Erie Correctional Institution.

The number is about 1,500 pounds under what was collected at May’s Recycling Round-Up, but a huge success nonetheless.

“It took all day to get the stuff in,” said Sipan, describing the bulk as books and papers.

Earlier last week, when about half of the amount weighed in at 10,000 pounds, Sipan thought the latest Round-Up might be the best one yet.

Prison staff was at Good Shepherd the full four hours of the Round-Up. Four pickup loads and four dump trailer loads were hauled from the church parking lot

on Lake Road to LaECI’s Recyling Shop.

“We collected big-screen TVs, lawn mowers, exercise equipment and treadmills, small TVs and monitors, yard equipment, tools, plastic bottles and water bottles, and lots of books and magazines,” Sipan said.

LaECI staff were assisted at the site by members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which cosponsors the event. Dave LeVesque, owner of Conneaut’s Evergreen Lake Park, donated dump trailers. They sped up the collection effort by cutting down on the number of trips to the prison to unload recyclables.

Sipan has not received final word yet on the future of the recycling shop once Correctional Corporation of America (CCA) assumes prison ownership from the State of Ohio on Jan. 1. The highly profitable recycling shop provides good jobs for inmates.

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Kettle Drive Will Begin Nov. 18

By MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT – It may be hard to believe, but the Conneaut Salvation Army Service Unit Christmas Red Kettle Campaign is less than a month away.

Conneaut Salvation Army board members at their meeting Monday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church circled Nov. 18 on their calendars as the first day of the six-week campaign that can make or break its level of service to the community.

Red Kettles will be at three Conneaut locations and one Kingsville location.

Conneaut locations will be the front and rear entrances of Orlando Brothers Golden Dawn and K-Mart.

In Kingsville, the kettle will be set up at Orlando’s Golden Dawn on S. Main Street (Route 193).

With few exceptions, kettle hours will be 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

One exception is “Black Friday,” Nov. 25, when red kettles will be out at K-Mart only.

A second is that red kettles will be out at grocery stores only 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 23.

A third exception is that the Red Kettle campaign will end 1 p.m. Christmas Eve on Saturday, Dec. 24.

Individuals who would like to volunteer to ring bells for the Red Kettle campaign at Orlando Brothers Golden Dawn front or back entrances, or Orlando’s Golden Dawn in Kingsville, may call Morscher at. St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini at 5998570. Volunteers may ring in one-hour increments. Volun-

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

Penny Armeni (center) receives a plaque of appreciation from the Conneaut Salvation Army Service Unit for her five years of service as board treasurer. With her are the Rev. Frank Gore (left), CSASU board president, and Bill Houshour, Regional Field Representative of Salvation Army’s Divisional Headquarters in Cleveland. Armeni remains on the local Salvation Army board. “I really believe in the mission of the Salvation Army,” she said. New treasurer on the local Salvation Army board is Sr. Barbara Morscher. teers are not needed for the household expenses, exclud- Kingsville Elementary K-Mart site. ing HEAP programs spon- School to provide boots for The local Salvation Army sored by gas and electric needy children. Last year, board learned on Monday companies. the local Salvation Army that due to a drop in Red The board heard this year helped children at Kettle collections in 2010, its that Dominion East Ohio is Lakeshore Primary School.

Fiscal Year 2012 budget, excluding fuel oil from its Because the Conneaut which started Oct. 1, is HEAP program. Only natu- service unit includes $12,100 – down nearly ral gas customers will be as- Kingsville, North Kingsville $3,000 from Fiscal Year sisted. and Pierpont, in addition to 2011, which ended Sept. 30.

Residents may use Salva- Conneaut and Monroe, the “If we can exceed our Red tion Army assistance once board feels it is important to Kettle collections over last during any calendar year by help Kingsville and North year by $3,000, our annual visiting Kathy Paden, Kingsville children this year. budget will go up,” said the voucher coordinator, at the North Kingsville ElemenRev. Frank Gore, president Salvation Army office the tary School Principal Traci of the Conneaut Salvation first and third Wednesdays Morse is helping the unit by Army Unit. Gore said that of the month from 11 a.m. to providing names of needy $1,000 each month barely 1 pm. Reservations are not families. The board will purmeets the needs of residents accepted. chase vouchers from K-Mart seeking assistance with utilThe board is also working which are given to those ity bills, gasoline and other with K-Mart and North families.

“Escape To the Lake” Is Now “Western PA Escape”

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - Pittsburgh MS-150 organizers have dropped the “Escape to the Lake” name of the popular 150-mile cycling fund-raiser to reflect a new loop option being offered to cyclists participating in the popular ride next June.

The new name is ‘Western PA Escape.’

A new loop option starting and ending in Zelienople, Pa., is a response to a request by riders to cut down on return time. It is also an effort by the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (NMSF) to cut the cost of hiring buses to transport riders from Conneaut back to the starting point, said Lauren DiMaria of the Pittsburgh NMSF office.

Though local cyclists are relieved that Conneaut will not be eliminated from the

ride altogether, as rumored last June, the decision means that fewer than 1,400 cyclists can be expected to end the two-day ride June 10, 2012, at Conneaut Township Park.

Other route changes are in store for 2012 riders, including the elimination of the Edinboro, Pa., start point and overnight stop.

The 150-mile bike ride will begin June 9 in Zelieople, Pa., due partly to road construction around the former starting point of Coopers Lake, Pa. Organizers say the starting point has a large field for easy parking and access to the starting line. It has a flat starting route and space for all start-line festivities.

As the starting point has moved south, so has the overnight location, organizers say. It will return to Allegheny College in Meadville.

Cyclists may take advantage

of new facilities including airconditioned dorm rooms, refurbished dining halls and other areas. The Foundation has reserved blocks of rooms at five motels in Meadville for Bike MS “Western PA Escape” cyclists.

Cyclists will be asked to reserve college accommodations on the web site including camping sites. They may register for the event at any time and book housing and roommate decisions at their convenience.

On June 10, cyclists have two options. They may continue north and finish the ride in Conneaut, or loop back south to the starting line.

“Both routes will offer the same support, festive finish and sense of accomplishment when you finish,” organizers say.

The routes include more frequent rest stops with fresh fruit, snacks and bev-

erages than in past years, with bike mechanics at each rest stop. Luggage transport is provided from start to finish each day, and the Foundation also offers advice to help cyclists reach their goals.

On-line registration will be launched soon. “Earlybird” registrants, before January, will receive a discount.

The former “Escape to the Lake” is the Pennsylvania NMSF chapter’s largest bike event. In 2011, cyclists raised $940,000 for the Foundation, which organizers say helps 7,500 MS clients in western Pennsylvania. About $357,000 went to national research programs, and $423,000 to local programs and services.

Organizers also say that the “MS-150” name was changed five years ago. The proper term is now “Bike:MS.”

4A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

Cindi Brunot: Big-Time Umpire

Foster Animals, Artists to Highlight Open Studio Event

By MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

CONNEAUT - Disregard the images that come to mind of a woman with a master’s degree who owns her own environmental consulting firm that deals with hazardous waste disposal and petroleum assessments.

Much as she loves her 16year environmental firm in Boynton Beach, Fla., Cindi Brunot loves softball umpiring even more.

Having tossed around a softball with her brothers since she was a kid, Brunot began playing with the girls’ program at the Conneaut Local Youth Organization and began umpiring when there weren’t enough umpires to go around — still continuing to play ball.

Brunot was honored by Conneaut City Council last month as a local girl who achieved success. She achieved Elite Umpire status in 2008.

The modest Brunot, who dislikes talking about her accomplishments, played softball at Conneaut High School and at Youngstown State University. There, she continued umpiring and maintained her involvement upon moving to Florida directly after earning her degree.

“I did slow-pitch until the schools went to fast-pitch, and I’ve been doing it ever since because there is a shortage across the country,” he said.

Brunot calls games with the Florida High School Athletic Association, the Sun Belt Conference USA, Atlantic Sun Conference, collegiate South East Conference and the Big East. Ages of the players range from 8th graders to college graduates.

“I pretty much will go to games I can get to,” she said.

CONNEAUT Two things will be unique about Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “open studio” event at the Bushnell Road home of Sandy Shelenberger.

One is the Wolf Art of 10year-old Garrett Heath, a former Jefferson resident, depicted on tote bags and and shirts. The second is the presence of “foster animals” needing foster homes from the Ashtabula County Humane Society.

Shelenberger is hosting the event at her residence, 6859 Bushnell Road (Route 84), where local artisans will display their works and demonstrate their artistry.

Light refreshments will be offered.

“I’m having local artists here at my studio, and people may come and meet me and the artists. We’ll have a benefit raffle and the animals from the Humane Society,” Shelenberger said.

The Ashtabula County Humane Society (ACHS) offers a “pet fostering” program to help rescue abandoned or abused pets, since it does not shelter them at its facility. Its phone message refers callers who find abandoned pets to the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League.

According to its web site, the ACHS is in constant need safe, loving temporary foster homes for rescued horses, cats and dogs. From two to 20 horses, at any given time, are in need of homes while they await adoption; at times, they may be the center of court cases.

Foster parents of horses should provide a clean stall inside a barn, a turn-out pasture with fencing, and water, and “TLC.” Grain, hay and medical care are provided by the ACHS. Foster dogs need an in-

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

The Brunot family proudly stood by softball umpire Cindi Brunot as she was honored

by Conneaut City Council last month. Family members include (from left) Brunot’s brothers Doug and Rick; her sister Pam; her stepfather, Tom Shugerts and mother, Collette Shugerts, with City Council President Tom Udell (right).

Notifications for umpire openings come these days over the Internet, and umpires may bid on them as they see fit.

“The jobs could be a week, a weekend or longer,” she said.

Umpiring is not inexpensive, since umpires must purchase their own gear and pay travel expenses.

When it comes to controversial rulings, Brunot shrugs.

“I’ve only had to eject one person in 30 years,” she said, naming a two-year-old incident. “There were illegal pitches, and he was upset that I called the pitcher forth.”

Bruno said the ensuring argument was short-lived.

“He said just enough to find his way to the locker room,” she said.

Brunot said she always tries to keep a clean record.

“If they have to go, they have to go,” she said.

Brunot treats what she does matter-of-factly, and

Office of The City Council Cindi A. Brunot grew up as a City of Conneaut resident where like many others played various sports at CLYO including football and softball in addition to playing on the first girls basketball team for Rowe Junior High School in 7th grade, and; WHEREAS: Cindi graduated from Conneaut High School in 1981 after lettering in volleyball, basketball and softball and during her senior year she was chosen as the MVP for all three sports and also played the trumpet for the Conneaut High School Band, and;

urges more young people to get into umpiring.

“We do train umpires, yes, and most of them have to start at the middle school level, then do recreational ball,” she said. “But if they get involved, they can move up.”

Brunot said that umpiring is suffering the fate of other organizations across the country.

“We need to get younger people involved. The average age is about 40 or 45, and when the current umpires get old and retire, we need someone to take over. I’ve tried to get college players who are done playing the sport to pick it up, but it’s hard,” she said.

A problem for some may be the extensive traveling involved in being an umpire on the senior league circuit.

Brunot is rarely home from January through May, but feels fortunate that she can run her business from the road.

“And I have two good em-

ployees,” she said.

With enough experience that she can turn down jobs that require extensive and expensive travel, Brunot has no interest in umpiring baseball.

“It’s more of a male sport,” she said. “No women have broken through there except in the minors.”

In her years of umpiring, Brunot has made one observations.

“Kids’ don’t really appreciate the sport,” she said, “Some of them have this attitude of ‘expect.’ They don’t have a lot of respect for officials and what we do.”

Brunot has considerable respect for the recognition bestowed on her Sept. 19 by Conneaut City Council, including a proclamation listing her professional accomplishments.

“It feels good, and it’s an honor,” she said. “I never thought I’d be doing this.

But I love doing it. As long as my body holds out, I’ll continue.”

WHEREAS: Cindi obtained International Softball Federation (ISF) certification in January of this year then was selected as 1 of 6 international umpires to umpire the World Cup for Fastpitch Softball in Oklahoma City that was held July 21st through the 25th of this year, and; WHEREAS: some of her other accomplishments, includes being elected to the Ashtabula County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, NCAA College Fastpitch Official from 1995 to present and Ohio And Florida High School Fastpitch Softball Official from 1981 to present, and;

WHEREAS: Cindi moved to Florida in 1987 where WHEREAS: she received a basketball scholarship she still resides and owns and operates 2 businesses once of which is Envirospec, Incorporated. to attend Youngstown State University (YSU) where she played and also lettered in softball and basketball, and NOW THEREFORE: I, Thomas Udell, Council Presiwas the softball MVP in her senior year and graduated dent of the City of Conneaut, do hereby honor and recogwith a BA in Geology in 1986, and; nize Cindi Brunot for being an outstanding example of WHEREAS: Ms. Brunot became a Professional Li- one of the most accomplished individuals that were born censed Geologist in 1995 and earned her Master’s De- and raised in Conneaut, Ohio and urge fellow Conneaut residents to recognize Cindi as such. gree in Geology in 1997, and; WHEREAS: in addition to Ms. Brunot’s outstanding career as a Professional Geologist, she became a softball umpire in 1977, and obtained Elite Umpire Status in 2008 and; WHEREAS: Elite Status is the highest honor an ASA Umpire can obtain and Ms. Brunot is 1 of the current 360 in the Elite Program, and;

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: I, Thomas Udell, Council President of the City of Conneaut, Ohio, have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the City of Conneaut to be affixed this 19th day of September, Two Thousand Eleven.

Thomas Udell, Council President

“Corn Hole for Christmas” Tournament Nov. 13 The Conneaut Food Pantry is seeking two-person teams for a “Corn Hole for Christmas” tournament 1 p.m. Nov. 13 to help feed the Conneaut community.

The event will be held at the Conneaut Human Resources Center, 327 Mill Street.

Entry fee is $20 per person, or

$40 for each two-person team.

Food, drinks and beer are part of the event. The Cleveland Browns/ St. Louis Rams game will be aired on big-screen TV, and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the Conneaut Food Pantry.

Winning team receives $400, second-place receives $200, and third

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Registration and warm-ups begin at noon.

Teams registering before Nov. 4 will receive T-shirts.

The event is sponsored by Snap Fitness and Days Inn Conneaut.

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Sandy Shelenberger door environment, with no full-time “tie-ups” or outside environment. If the yard is not fenced, the dog should be on a lead or a cable run when outside. Loving temporary homes are also requested for cats. The ACHS provides food and medical care for dogs and cats.

But the focus of Shelenberger’s event will be artists and their artwork They include Tami Hritzay, “Hritzay Art With Heart,” featuring “pysanka,” or Ukranian eggs, gourd art, drawings; Shirley McElhaney, of Conneaut and Kinsman, offers mixed media, collage, encaustics (wax) and note cards; Cookie Sheldon, of Ashtabula, offering hand-made cards and knotted scarves; Brenda Southall’s “Tumbled Treasures” of Lake Erie beach glass jewelry; and Shelenberger’s own textiles, art quilts, encaustics, silk scarves, and fabric.

Chocolates — buckeyes and fudge — will be for sale, with donations going to the Ashtabula County Humane Society. Donations from Heath’s “wolf art” work, as well as a benefit raffle, also go to the Humane Society.

The event is a repeat of a successful “meet the artist” gathering Shelenberger hosted two years ago.

“It is a perfect opportunity to take a scenic ride in the country and perhaps even take in a covered bridge or a winery,” she said.

Grand River Fall Festival Is Saturday

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers HARPERSFIELD - The Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park is hosting its second annual Grand River Fall Festival 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22.”This is our second year of holding the Grand River Fall Festival and we’re hoping it’s as successful as the first year,” Rhonda McElroy said.

The free event will take place on the south side of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge.

“We’re going to have a bonfire and hay ride,” McElroy said.

Some details are still being planned but McElroy said it will all come together Saturday evening.

“Last year, we had free s’mores for everyone, but we have not yet determined whether we’ll have them again,” McElroy said. “We’re hoping to.”

Halloween costumes are encouraged. Children who come in costume will receive a free glow-in-the-dark bracelet, courtesy of the Friends.

The evening will be topped off with a special visit

from a Halloween friend.

“We will be reading the story of the Great Pumpkin and the Great Pumpkin will arrive,” McElroy said.

The Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge love to provide familyfriendly community events and preserve the bridge they love.

“Our advertisements say, ‘Take the family, bring a friend or even make a new one,’” McElroy said.

The group is still accepting donations and assistance for the Grand River Fall Festival.

“Everyone who wants to help or donate may contact us on our Facebook page,” McElroy said.

The friends are crossing their fingers for nice weather.

“It’s so hard to determine wether it’s going to be a nice day, with all the rain we’ve been having lately,” McElroy said. “We’re hoping for a nice night.”

Whether the sky is cloudless or rain begins to fall, the Festival will go on. “Unless the rain is really coming down hard,” McElroy said.

“It’s a really fun event and all are welcome to attend.”

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 5A

Pharmacy & Health Treatment for Serotonin Syndrome Serotonin syndrome may occur when there is too much serotonin in the central nervous system.

This condition can be caused by a drug interaction, such as when multiple medications that increase serotonin levels are taken together. Serotonin syndrome can be lifethreatening.

Anxiety, disorientation, sweating, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure are signs and symptoms of the condition. A tremor or twitching may also develop. Symptoms typically begin within the first day after starting a new medication or increasing the dose of a medication that increases serotonin.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa), have the potential to cause serotonin syndrome.

Tramadol (Ultram), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and venlafaxine (Effexor)

by Kerry Gerdes Gerdes Pharmacy 245 Main St. 593-2578 are examples of other medications that increase serotonin levels.

If the condition occurs, these types of medications should be stopped.

A benzodiazepine, such as diazepam (Valium), may be given to treat agitation and also small increases in blood pressure and heart rate.

If blood pressure and heart rate are severely increased, esmolol (Brevibloc) is a medication for the heart that may be prescribed. If additional treatment is still needed, cyproheptadine is an antidote that may be administered.

Letters to the Editor We at The Courier promise to maintain our integrity at all times while searching for the pulse of the community. We pledge to uphold the First Amendment granting freedom of speech to the press and all people.

“Meet the Candidates” A Farce Dear Editor: This letter is in reference to “Meet the Candidates Night” held in Conneaut on Oct. 4th. This event is a farce.

It has always been set up by the local Democratic party. As usual, it has been used as a propaganda tool to embarrass Republican candidates. The usual lies told to the public are that it is non-partisan. The League of Women of Voters has been mentioned as balanced. I have referred to this group as the “nag gang.” They only support Democrat candidates.

This year, the Democrat candidates met Sunday Oct. 2 and had a full- blown rehearsal. The questions and answers were given to the candidates.

A couple of years ago, every time one of the Democrat candidates was asked a question, he would go through his papers and read the answer. The Republican candidate setting next to him observed this activity.

A further lie was told by Debbie Newcomb when she stated to a reporter that she did not know that Mike Bamberger and Dave Campbell would not attend the event until that night when they did not show up.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4 about noon, she called Mr. Bamberger and pleaded with him to attend. So much for the truth by this group!

Then we have a letter by one of the “nag gang” stating that not showing up was disrespect to the voters.

Does this mean that lies told to the public does not show disrespect to the voters? I think not. Fair and honest debate is not possible when the event is set up and sponsored by the Democrat organization and held in a Democrat-run building complex.

Clarence Baugher Conneaut

Rib Burn-Off/Chili Cook-Off Thank You Dear Editor: The Coneaut Rib Burn-off/Chili Cook-off Committee would like to thank the community for its support of our recent fund-raiser.

Once again, Conneaut’s generosity came through loud and clear.

We have held this event for two years and, in spite of the weather, this year was more successful than last year. Again, we say thank you. We would also like to thank our ribbers, food vendors and crafters for participating and hope they will join us again next year.

Creating an event such as this takes several months of planning and many volunteers working together to make the event possible. The committee would like to thank for their time Chet Arcaro, Matt Crawford, Lembit Napp, Dave Dixon, Dean Nottingham, Bruce Mitchell, Dick Searles, J.D. Lazorik, Tom Parks, Dale Drew, Marty Landon and Dennis Rought, Jr., We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many businesses and organizations that continue to lend their financial support to this event.

Please support these business sponsors. If we have neglected to mention anyone, please accept our apology.

In closing, we would like to thank the Conneaut Township Park and the Conneaut Human Resources Center board for their support and encouragement.

When people work together, many things are possible.

The Conneaut Rib Burn-Off/Chili Cook-Off Committee: Ed Somppi, Neil LaRusch, Jim Supplee, Vince Parlongo, Matt Crawford, Pat and Bob Haas, Jeanette Speer, Carol Cunningham and Debbie Newcomb

KPL News: Costume Contest Kingsville Public Library, 6006 Academy Street, will host a Halloween Costume Contest for Children.

Children may visit the library Oct. 24 to Nov. 2 and pose for a photo in costume, holding their library cards.

Friends and family may vote for their favorite photo each time they check out a book between Nov. 4 and 10.

The winner will be announced on Nov. 11.

All children are invited to participate. Questions? Call the library at 224-0239

At Home With.... Vickie Marcy Hi everyone! Wow, what happened to our warm sunny days and nice breezy nights? It’s cold and raining and the forecast doesn’t look much better. I guess autumn has arrived and it’s time to get ready for winter, whether we want to or not.

Let’s face it, Thanksgiving is next month and officially, the holiday season starts on the first of November and that’s just a few weeks away. Sorry if it seems I’m rushing the season, but I like to plan everything and have it down on paper so I don’t forget anything.

Now is the time to finish up any yard work and get summer items stashed away before the cold and snow arrive and bury everything. Who wants to dig the grill or patio furniture out of snow drifts and pack them to the garage or basement? Not me, I’d rather be doing indoor chores with a clean conscious, knowing the yard will be ready to go when spring comes around next year.

Ever notice on a cold windy, snowy day how the wind howls around the corners of our homes and makes us glad to be indoors, all warm and toasty? Snuggled into my favorite chair, bundled up in a soft, warm blanket, sipping hot tea and reading a book, who could ask for more? Having a pot of soup, stew or chili simmering on the stove adds to the ambiance of warmth and happiness; it sure doesn’t take much to make me happy, does it?

Easy Chicken and Biscuits Serves six

mix well. Add pumpkin and spice, combine thoroughly. Fold in whipped topping, mixing well. Pour Two cups cooked, diced into prepared graham chicken breast cracker crust, chill for sevOne small can cream of eral hours or overnight. chicken soup One small can cream of Remember: If you would like to share an idea, hint, potato soup One small can mixed tip, or recipe, e-mail me at: vickiemarcy@yahoo.com. vegetables Until next time, stay safe Vickie Marcy 4 oz. milk and happy!

8 oz. cream cheese 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese Two cans refrigerated QUICK TIP OF THE WEEK: biscuits Supplies that you should have in your vehicle during the winter months should include: Flashlights In saucepan, combine and spare batteries, blankets, bottled water, protein milk and cream cheese. bars, chocolate bars, spare socks and boots, an extra Heat, stirring until cream change of clothes, extra sweat pants, kitty litter and cheese is melted; add a bag of coarse salt, (both for use on ice, if you get shredded cheese to pan, stuck). stir to melt. Add soups, stir until smooth. Add mixed vegetables and chicken, heat until bubbly, but not boiling . Pour int o a greased 9x13 pan, top with canned biscuits; bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until biscuits are browned and mixture is heated through.

Conneaut’s Creative Writing

Going to the Doggerels

Pumpkin Cheesecake 1 Ready to use graham cracker crust 1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 Cup canned pumpkin 1/2 Cup sugar 2 Teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed In large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, condensed milk and sugar,

Conneaut Community Center for the Arts 1025 Buffalo St. (440) 593-5888

Openings are still left in two classes starting Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts. The first is the Fall Youth Theater Class, for students third grade and up, under the direction of Madeleine Plosila. Classes run 1 to 3 p.m. for seven weeks. Students will perform “The Baddest Angel Band” Dec. 10 and 11. Call for fees.

Openings also remain in “Beginning Quilting” offered 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 22 to Nov. 26 with instructor Evelyn Boeson. Learn the basics of choosing a block design, colors, fabrics, cutting, piecing, layering and quilting. A six-student minimum is needed. Supplies will be discussed at the first session. Call for fees.

The Conneaut Community Center for the Arts’ annual Holiday Art and C r a f t M a r k e t r et ur ns Nov. 4 and 5 with three floors of gifts, from jewelry, woodcrafts, hand-painted ornaments to soaps, candles and birdfeeders. To reserve space at the Market, call 593-5888 or visit www.conneautartscenter.org.

A highlight of the Market is the Fried Perch dinner served 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4, dine-in or take out for $10.

Lunch will be sold 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5, with soup, sandwiches and homemade pies.

The “Birds of a Feather” quilt will be raffled Saturd a y a f t e r n o o n . Wi n n e r need not be present. Market hours are 5 to 9 p.m.

Nov. 4 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 5. Admission is $3.

nity Center for the Arts.

Mike Breeze will read “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the CCCA.

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This Won’t Hurt The dentist said, “Easy does it.

That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”

Said I, “That’s not so.

And how would you know If that was painless, or wasn’t?”

Pass the Antacid The snowman, abominable, Had a pain in his abdominal.

Perhaps spaghetti Upset the Yeti.

Although, that seems improbable.

Tom Harris

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6A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

Bibles for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Children

“Concert of Prayer” Sunday at NLUMC

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Third grade Sunday school students at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church received New International Version “Adventure Bibles” earlier this month. Pictured in the church sanctuary with the Rev. Frank Gore, pastor, they are Hannah Moxley (front), Elizabeth Eddy and Grace Patriarco (center from left) and (back, from left) Heather Farr, Jacob Sabo and Jasmine Steighner.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

“Cover Girls” quilter Carol Allds holds up a sampling of quilts that will be for sale at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fall Craft and Vendor Event 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church, Grove Street at Lake Road. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available.

Vendors Aplenty Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Craft Event

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - If you are looking to jump-start your Christmas shopping, look no further than Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 876 Grove Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The church is hosting a first-time Fall Craft and Vendor Event and admission is free.

Crafters and vendors include the Cover Girls quilters from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; photography by Dennis Steighner; Fancy Pants Bowtique; Fantastic Bowtastic; tea and accessories from Willow Tea Shop; Mary Kay; Lia Sophia; Blessings Unlimited; Miche Handbags; Thirtyone; The Jewelry Box; Scentsy; Pampered Chef;

Tupperware; Premier Jewelr y ; Beaut iCont r ol; Blingin’ Beehives Hair Accessories; plus purse charms, totes and blankets; baked goods; wine jelly; gift catalogue options; seasonal crafts; and artwork, paintings, prints and Christmas ornaments by local artist Bill Dalton.

Good Shepherd youth group will sell refreshments.

Religious Briefs The Rev. Scott Walsh, pastor, will preach Oct. 23 on “Another Night with the Frogs” at 9 a.m. contemporary service in the Worship Center and 11 a.m. traditional worship in the sanctuary at New Leaf United Methodist Church, 283 Buffalo Street.

The Living Word comes from Exodus 5:1 to 12:30.The Adult Choir will sing “The Lone, Wild Bird.”

On Oct. 23, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Grove Street at Lake Road, readers are John Chapin at 8:30 a.m. contemporary worship and Al Gee at 11 a.m. traditional worship.

At 11 a.m. worship Oct. 23 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Main & Buffalo Streets, greeters will be Fran and Tim Wojtowicz. Lil Monda will be the liturgist.

Pastor Joyce Shellhammer’s message is entitled “Trust While Traveling,” based on Hebrews 11:810. The choir, under the direction of Norris Kelly, will sing, “Love Grows Here.” Harry Casey is organist. Fellowship precedes worship at 10:30 a.m.

Greeters for 11 a.m. worship Oct. 23 at First Baptist Church, 370 State St., are Walt & Marti Anderson, Theresa Davies

and Richard Davies.

CHURCH MEALS The final chicken-and-biscuit dinner of the season will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the State Line Log Cabin, Route 84 and State Line Road. Sponsor is State Line United Methodist Church. Donation only.

CONNEAUT - New Leaf United Methodist Church pastor the Rev. Scott Walsh hopes that Sunday afternoon’s 2 p.m. Concert of Prayer will be the first of many.

“Jesus said He wants His house to be a house of prayer, so this is one way to take another step toward that goal,” he said.

The quiet and reflective 40-minute prayer service planned by Walsh and his copastor and wife, Jan, focuses on healing. The couple held a similar meditation several years ago, a joint service among the downtown church he pastored and two small rural churches she pastored near Cambridge.

“All are invited who are seeking God’s healing or wish to pray for a loved one’s healing,” Walsh said.

The service features three ten-minute movements, with music from the Taize worship tradition.

“People are going to love the music,” Walsh began.

“Taize music is described as ‘ancient echoes,’ or modern music that sounds like old Gregorian chant coming from a monastery or a convent echoing through the hills of Austria. It takes your breath away and puts you in an attitude of prayer.”

The recorded Taize music will fill the sanctuary during the prayers. The congregation will sing hymns with themes of breath and breathing, including, “This Is the Air I Breathe” and “Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me.” Three songs will be sung during each movement.

At the heart of the service is the invitation to pray.

Walsh cited I Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time,” and “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you;” and Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

During the first movement of the service, “Love God,” that focuses on prayer for healing for oneself or a loved one, members of the congregation may come forward for healing or payer.

FILE PHOTO

New Leaf United Methodist Church, 283 Buffalo Street, will have a Concert of Prayer service at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The second movement, reception of new members “Love One Another,” focuses and eternal life with Holy on praying for each other in Communion,” Walsh said. matters of employment con- “We might even add some cerns, family issues, etc. The drama to keep our eyes on third movement, “Make Dis- the Word.” ciples,” focuses on the New New Leaf continues to Leaf church family, its lead- expand its staff since markers, its mission, and build- ing two years in July the ing plans. merger of three United “The second movement is Methodist churches to form about praying for situations the new congregation. The — many are unemployed or church has hired an IT spehave relational needs — and cialist to develop and mainits web site, the third movement, we’ll tain pray for what we as a con- newleafumc.com, and is on gregation are doing. It’s an Facebook. Adding Dave exciting time,” said Walsh. Jones in the kitchen has Things are so exciting at been very successful, Walsh New Leaf that when asked said, with Sunday morning the significance of the Oct. brunch-between-services 23 date for “Concert of standing-room-only and free Prayer,” Walsh said that it Friday evening community was the only Sunday the ser- dinners attracting hundreds vice could fit into the church of people. Last week’s attendance was 275. calendar.

“It continues to grow and “It was one of the few ‘empty’ Sundays coming up,” makes a difference for people who are hungry,” Walsh said. he said.

As with all things at New On Oct. 30, the congregation will baptize 12 adults, Leaf, the Concert of Prayer children and infants, includ- service is committed to exing adult converts, and re- cellence. If the congregation ceive 32 new members. supports it, it will be reMarking All Saints Day, the peated.

“We’ll do it with one toe service will include tolling of the bells, lighting of candles in the water, to give people and reading names of church a taste. If they like what is members who have died in tasted, they’ll come back for the past year, as well as Holy a full meal,” Walsh said.

People of all denominaCommunion.

“It’s going to be a big Sun- tions are welcome. New Leaf day. We will be celebrating is located at 283 Buffalo new life with baptisms and Street at Madison Street.

Winter Coat Give-Away Is Friday at NKPC

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers NORTH KINGSVILLE - Gently used winter coats no longer needed in your household may be dropped off at North Kingsville Presbyterian Church, 6546 Church St. They will be distributed at a Winter Coat Give-Away 10 a.m. Oct.

21, sponsored by the church Mission Committee.

The date published in The Courier on Oct. 13 was incorrect.

The church will also have a “Soup Carry-Out,” with free chicken noodle and vegetable soup, starting 10 a.m.

Oct. 21.

Persons picking up soup must bring containers. Soup will be served until it is gone.

Church Festivals Church Fall Festivals Coming Oct. 29 “Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival” at First Assembly of God Conneaut First Assembly of God 389 West Main Rd will host a Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 for children ages 3 to 12.

The theme is “Jesus is the Light of the World.”

The festival includes a hay ride, games, food and “Trunk or Treat,” plus a costume contest. Prizes and awards will be given for the most original, funniest and theme-related costumes. (No scary or gruesome costumes, please!)

The festival is open to all children in the community at no charge.

The Winter Coat GiveAway is open to all residents and continue until coats are gone. Coat donors are advised to call Laird at 224-0132 or the church (440) 224-1491 in advance to make sure someone will be at the church to collect them.

Girl Scout troops 80201 and 80597 are assisting with the coat project.

Cabrini Cabbage Roll Sale

St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini Parish is taking orders through Oct. 26 for Cabbage Rolls. Six large cabbage rolls are being sold for $10.

Pick up 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Cabrini Hall, 744 Turkey & dressing dinner will be Mill Street. served 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at St. Andrew’s Call Anne at 593-4059 or Church, 3700 Route 193, Kingsville, which “HarvestFest at First Baptist Church includes corn, mashed potatoes, gravy, First Baptist Church “Harvestfest” will be held 11 a.m. Marie at 593-4948 to order. salad, roll & butter, apple sauce, homemade to 1 p.m. Oct. 29 for children 4 years through eighth grade, Sale proceeds benefit the pies and cakes. Adults $8, Seniors $7, Ages with games, stories, lunch. Costume judging in categories parish.

6-10, $4, 5 and under, free. $1 discount off of prettiest, most original and most realistic. tickets purchased in advance. Benefit St. Andrew’s driveway fund. Call 224-0964.

Bus snacks are included, and visitors will receive $35 in “comps” upon arrival at the Free dinners, prepared by Dave Jones, casino. Contact Mike or Tracy 594-1338 Conneaut residents have two opportu- or teamdavid3day@yahoo.com. are served 5 to 6 p.m. every Friday at New nities to travel by motorcoach to the SenLeaf United Methodist Church, 283 Buffalo A second Nov. 6 casino trip benefits the eca Allegany Casino on Salamanca, N.Y., Conneaut Food Pantry. This trip is $35 Street. on Sunday, Nov. 6. and leaves Conneaut K-mart 7:30 a.m.

Mike and Tracy David are sponsoring Nov. 6, arriving in Salamanca at 10 a.m. a trip to raise money for the Susan G. Church Sign of the Week: Departure from the casino is 4:30 p.m., Komen Race for the Cure, a breast cancer with 7 p.m. return in Conneaut. Cost of “God’s will: nothing more, nothing support and research group. the trip is $35. Visitors will receive $25 in less, nothing else.”

This trip leaves Conneaut K-Mart at 8 slot money and $10 for food at the casino.

— Amboy United Methodist Church a.m. Nov. 6, and departs the casino in Call Renea Roach at 593-5273, ext. 308 Salamanca, N.Y., at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $35. for reservations.

Casino Allegany Bus Trips

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

Alumni Calendar

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 7A

They Stopped the Summer Reading Slide

CHS ’64 Conneaut High School Class of 1964 will host a “Turning 65 Celebration” at the end of the month. The class will meet at Pat’s Fireside Lounge at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29, and 9 a.m. Oct. 30 at Basil’s Cafe.

Classmates, spouses and guests are welcome.

CHS ’45 Conneaut High School Class of 1945 will meet for lunch at noon Nov. 2 at Perkins Restaurant in Conneaut Plaza (note change of location). Spouses and guests are welcome.

Questions? Call Shirley Morrison at 599-8591.

Wizards, witches, muggles invited to the Forbidden Forest at Goodell EDINBORO, PA – As part of Edinboro’s Potterfest, Goodell Gardens will offer tours of the Forbidden Forest, planted by the famous Edinboro sisters, Carrie and Margaret Goodell.

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 2 until 6 p.m. for a tour that will begin in the Events Barn. Our magical cast of characters will guide you through the gardens, teaching you about all of our magical plants.

You never know what you might find in the Forbidden Forest! But be sure to visit with Hagrid in his hut, help him with his work, and meet many of his friends! Crafts and other fun activities will take place in the barn before or after your tours!

Ages 4 and under are free, 5-60 are $3, while 60 plus are $2. Goodell Gardens is located at 221 Waterford Street, just east of beautiful downtown Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Learn more about us at goodell gardens.org.

To find out more about Edinboro Potterfest and the other great magical events occurring that week, visit potterfest.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lakeshore Primary School students who read at least four days a week for 10 weeks of summer vacation hold up Certificates of Achievement at a “Stop the Summer Reading Slide” assembly on Oct. 7. They are front, left) Harrison Cleveland, Leah Huston, Maria Hanson, Kally Story, Aden Davidson, Jason Stiles, Hannah Anderson, Brady Petz, Gunner Schwartz, Moses Schwartz; and (back row, left) Donte Chase, Abby Falcone, Claire Eaton, Ella Burdick, Kera Bowers, Ricki Stutzman, Alex Kennedy, Levi Corlew, Anthony Stiles, Luke Huston, Jordan Baird.

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers CONNEAUT - October 7 was an important celebration for Lakeshore Primary School students who read — or whose parents read to them — for four days a week during the full ten weeks of summer vacation.

They marked their efforts to “stop the summer reading slide” with a school assembly, highlighted by selecting a free book, receiving a Certificate of Achievement, and participating in a read-aloud session with teacher Staci Zappitelli of “There Was An Old lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.”

Lakeshore Parent/Teacher Council sponsored pizza and drinks for the celebration.

Adopted by Lakeshore Primary School in 2006, the Stop the Summer Reading Slide program is based on research showing that reading to and by children will help stop the

loss of reading skills that typically occurs over the summer recess.

“The adage, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’ proves true for children who spend a summer without books or reading. But children who continue to read during the summer will sustain or actually gain skills,” Zappitelli said.

Zappitelli added that, according to The Read Aloud Handbook, parents can help children maintain reading skills throughout the year by allowing them to choose books to read themselves and by taking recoded books during car trips. Reading newspapers, magazines and other print materials counts, too.

But the best way parents can ensure good readers, however, is to model daily reading.

Lakeshore’s “Stop The Summer Reading Slide” committee consists of Zappitelli, Chrissy Barrickman, Connie Coxon, Principal Jim Kennedy, and the Parent/Teacher Council.

PUPPETS The presentation, which fulfilled a Girl Scout Silver Award requirement, left puppeteer Gildone shocked and surprised. She had met with Silver Award candidates Halee Butts, Jenna Porfilo, Kourtney Greenleaf and Tabitha Tuttle at the library a week earlier for a puppet workshop under the pretense that they were working on a Puppet badge.

“They worked with the puppets we had and took turns getting behind the stage,” Gildone said.

They returned a week later to present a puppet show for Gildone, the very day that she tried to leave work early due to a commitment at her son’s school in Erie, Pa. Library staff had to think fast to come up with a reason to keep her there through the end of the show.

“They told me if I met with the girls before they put on the puppet show, that I could leave right afterward,” Gildone said.

“They told me the puppet show would last just ten minutes and promised I’d be out by 4:30.”

Envious as she watched the Scouts put up a portable stage and bring out Muppet-like puppets, Gildone whispered to Conneaut Public Library Executive Director Kathy Pape that the stage was exactly the one she wanted.

It was a big improvement over the library’s flat cardboard puppet stage which had begun to collapse when used a few days earlier.

“Kathy told me that it cost at least $450 and it wasn’t going to happen,” Gildone said.

Glancing at her watch throughout the puppet show, Gildone watched the curtains close at the show’s end. Then, preparing to leave, she was shocked to hear the Scouts announce that the stage and the puppets were being donated to the library.

“I felt like I had been socked in the stomach,” Gildone said. “I’ve never been that surprised in my entire life.”

It was exactly as troop members and troop leaders

From page 1A had intended.

“It was the troop’s idea,” said Graff of the donation.

“They had to come up with something permanent for the community as a requirement for the Silver Award.”

The girls decided to purchase a puppet theater for the Conneaut library after seeing one purchased by the Kingsville Public Library, where one of the troop leaders had worked.

Troop leaders contacted Pape and CPL Youth Services’ Pam Nyman to determine which stage to purchase. Troop members spent the last year raising $900 by selling hoagies, homemade Easter candy, and setting up a createyour-own glass Christmas ornament table at the mall.

“Because it was to be a secret, we asked Stephanie if we could come in and have her explain puppetry, and then told her we wanted to present a play,” Graff said.

When Girl Scout Halee Butts asked Gildone if she performed puppet shows only in the library, Gildone responded yes because of the make-shift stage.

“She said she would love to have a portable one to take out,” Graff said.

When they arrived at the library Sept. 21 with the new, portable stage, the Scouts told Gildone it had been borrowed from the After-School Discovery Program at Ashtabula Area City Schools, where Graff teaches.

At the end of the performance came the truth.

“We said, ‘This stage and these 12 puppets are for you,’” Graff said. “and you should have seen her face. It was so funny. When we had been setting it up, Stephanie was staying to the staff that the stage was exactly the one she had talked to Friends of the Library about purchasing.”

Graff credits Pape with finding the stage on the web site “For You Puppets,” and the Texas saleswoman who patiently worked with her while the troop raised funds.

Joking that she will never again trust her staff,

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Gildone later told Graff that her troop members had not seemed involved enough to be working on a badge.

“I thought that if they didn’t have to write a script or make puppets, it must be an easy badge,” Gildone said.

Gildone, who with Nyman includes puppetry during Story Hours and the library’s “Library Line” show on Conneaut Cable TV, says the stage comes just in time for the Girl Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary in April.

Plans are in the works to invite current and former Girl Scouts to the library for a fund-raiser puppet show to help Troop 80671 get to a national Girl Scout birthday event in Washington, D.C. Gildone still shakes her head when she recalls telling Pape at one point that she thought the library had held enough fund-raisers to buy the coveted puppet stage.

“She at one point said we didn’t have enough money because they had ‘slipped up,” Gildone said.

“I had no inkling.”

A plaque will go up in

the library thanking the troop.

And Gildone was on hand Saturday at Monroe United Methodist Church

when Butts, Porfilio, Greenleaf and Tuttle — students at Conneaut Middle School, Conneaut High School, Lakeside

High School, and homeschooled, respectively — received their Silver Awards, the second-highest award in Girl Scouting.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Members of Girl Scout Troop 80671 stand with Conneaut Public Library staff members Stephanie Gildone and Pam Nyman, at right, after presenting them with a portable puppet stage and a dozen Muppet-like puppets for library programming last month.

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8A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

Teachers receive continuing education at Camp Whitewood

BY WENDY GRUSKIEWICZ Gazette Newspapers

Two,” he said.

Miller also told of a large Amish community in WINDSOR MILLS - Mexico, to which the About three-dozen teachers Mesopotamia Community on Friday gathered at 4-H sends aid.

Following the lecture, cuCamp Whitewood to participate in several professional rious teachers asked quesdevelopment programs dur- tions about the Amish way ing the countywide North- of life, which included mareast Ohio Educators Associa- riage, birthing, business practices and tourism. tion teacher’s day.

A question about Amish Teachers used their day away from the classroom to businesses prompted Miller learn about the Amish com- to talk about the book “From munity and the wonders of Plowshares to Profits” which 4-H Camp Whitewood with seeks to explain why only two separate programs that five percent of Amish owned were held concurrently. One businesses fail compared to group attended a two-hour a 55-percent failure rate in lecture in the cozy camp din- the general population.

Miller said he attributed ing hall on the blustery day as colorful leaves drifted by the success rate to work the windows and a welcom- ethic.

“Show a little craftsmaning fire burned in the fireship in everything you do,” place.

Eli Miller, a member of Miller said. “When I was the Mesopotamia Amish growing up, we were all community, engaged the farmers and we were poor. teachers with a history of the Now there are some very Amish people and their reli- wealthy Amish,” Miller said.

Miller attributed much of gion. Miller told stories of the persecution of the Amish the new-found wealth to the by the Swiss and the recent healthy furniture business. apology to the Amish com- Miller also said tourism in munity from the Swiss gov- the Amish community, while ernment for the horrific acts not always a good thing, is good financially for the famiof 400 years past.

Miller also told of lies.

Questions from the teachCatherine the Great of Russia inviting the Mennonites ers about marriage, birth to the Ukraine. Those Men- and death in the Amish comnonite Russians eventually munity prompted the eruimmigrated to Canada, and dite and witty Miller to rethen to Paraguay, Miller late stories of community life. said.

“The whole process from “There are no Amish left in Europe,” Miller said. “The birth to death is all within last Amish assimilated with the community. Not too the general population be- much happens around here tween World Wars One and unless everybody knows

Several dozen area teachers enjoy a warm fire and peaceful scenery in the 4-H Camp Whitewood dining hall as they listen to a lecture by Eli Miller of the Mesopotamia Amish community. about it,” Miller said.

Miller said divorce, though not unheard of, is rare in the Amish community. Those divorced individuals do not remarry. Remarriage is allowed only after the death of a spouse.

Miller estimated there are 150 to 200 marriages each year in the Mesopotamia and Middlefield communities.

Births usually occur not at home but at a hospital or a birthing center, Miller said. Funerals are held within three days of death, while a crowd of 1,000 or more attending the funeral is not unusual. It is an old German tradition, Miller said, to stay at the cemetery until the grave is completely covered.

Miller related that the Amish church is divided into

districts based on population. Service is held every other Sunday in the home.

Each district is comprised of approximately 25 to 30 families with more than 90 districts in the immediate area.

Other questions from the teachers centered on education and health concerns.

Miller said an eighth grade education is the norm, with very few going on to receive a GED and even fewer attending college. He said the vast majority of education involves hands on work to learn a trade.

Regarding health, Miller said the Amish eat a very rich diet and he feels the incidence of heart disease and cancer in the Amish community would be comparable with the general population.

He also answered questions about the celebration of holi-

days, saying that the Amish celebrate Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving much the same as non-Amish families with a few differences. The Amish do not decorate their homes or place a Christmas tree on display, but do make or purchase gifts for friends and family, Miller said.

During the Amish lecture another group of teachers was touring the Windsor Mills area with Program Director Eliza Porter as they learned about the “Seven Wonders of Whitewood.”

Both groups gathered for an Amish lunch, followed by tours of an Amish school and other stops of interest.

Camp Director Brandon Mitchell said 4-H Camp Whitewood hosts numerous events throughout the year.

A schedule is available at www.4hcampwhitewood.com.

PRISON evening after returning from the 45-minute meeting dealing with the prison sale.

City Council President Tom Udell, Ward 4 Councilman Tom Kozesky and City Manager Tim Eggleston also made the six-hour round trip to the state capital upon learning from LaRusch Monday night of Tuesday morning’s meeting with Mohr, DRC attorney Greg Trout, Rep. Casey Kozlowski (R-99), representatives of the office of Sen. Capri Cafaro (D-34) and others.

LaRusch had read about

PHOTOS BY WENDY GRUSKIEWICZ

Eli Miller from the Mesopotamia Amish community on Friday presented an in-depth history of the Amish people to several dozen area teachers during their professional development day with the Northeast Ohio Educators Assoc.

From page 1A the impending meeting over the weekend in the newspaper, and called Columbus representatives Monday to verify it. Not until Monday afternoon did a confirmation come from Cafaro. LaRusch informed Council of the meeting during a post-work session executive session.

LaRusch said that according to Mohr, the DRC met 60 days ago — mid-August, before the Sept. 1 prison sale was final — with the state-wide sheriffs’ association, which voted unanimously to assist with prison

investigations once the Ohio Highway Patrol ceases to have jurisdiction over nonstate-owned prisons.

“The DRC people said if they have to, if our sheriff chooses not to respond to a prison investigation for whatever reason, they would approach legislation to come up with another option, whether the Ohio Highway Patrol or whatever,” LaRusch said.

The matter was the most significant of city administrators’ concerns regarding the prison sale. They had

heard that the Conneaut Police Department would be forced to assume law-enforcement responsibilities at the prison when the state gives up ownership. They told Ohio Rep. Casey Kozlowski (R-99) at a meeting of Council’s Finance & Ordinance Committee in Conneaut on Oct. 10 that the local police department has neither money nor manpower to do so.

Kozlowski told the Finance & Ordinance Committee that he would take that and other concerns

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back to a meeting with Mohr the following day. But he had not officially reported back to Council, LaRusch said.

During Tuesday’s meeting in Columbus, LaRusch said DRC officials were on the phone with Law Director David Schroeder.

Schroeder set up a meeting in Columbus on Friday to meet with Trout.

“Dave is going to discuss other nuances that the city will be ironing out,” LaRusch said.

LaRusch also said that Mohr assured them that CCA wage cuts for LaECI employees will be closer to $1.50 per hour, not $3 or $4 per hour rumored.

“That’s still pretty significant when you get down to income tax collections,” he said.

Mohr also clarified another city concern, that 55 acres of wetlands that were part of the 120 acres purchased by CCA would be excluded from the sale. Mohr said the 55 acres were never part of the sale acreage and will be donated to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

LaRusch said other matters were talked about which he is not at liberty to discuss.

“There are things we still need to work out. The City Manager and the Law Director had talked to the Ohio Highway Patrol and different things had come up, and this was not brought to the city’s attention,” he said. “The city is still looking into what’s fair and what’s right, and we’ll try to represent the citizens of this community as best we can.”

LaRusch still feels that the city should not have been left out of prison sale conver-

sations. He calls the lack of notification of Tuesday’s meeting depressing.

“This is happening in our city, it’s something we’re worried about, and we wish we’d been involved, wish we knew what had been going on. The citizens deserve that. I think the people in the meeting understood, but they still seem to be focusing on the big picture.”

LaRusch said Tuesday’s meeting ended amicably with an exchange of business cards and promises to keep city administrators in the loop. He said DRC officials listened and responded to local concerns.

“They said CCA wants to be a good neighbor. We want to be a good neighbor as well,” he said.

He called it a productive meeting, acknowledging that the process of transferring a state prison to a private owner is a new process for everyone. Kozlowski continues to maintain that the sale is benefit for Conneaut, LaRusch said.

“We all knew it would be a three-hour trip down, a short meeting, and a threehour trip back, but we had to show them that we are paying attention. We’re watching what’s going on and holding the best interest of our citizens. Prison problems should not be settled on the backs of our citizens.”

Still, LaRusch says that until he hears Schroeder’s professional opinion, he is taking what he heard Tuesday with a grain of salt.

“We all trust Dave implicitly. When Dave comes out with his opinion after the meeting on Friday, we’ll all feel at ease,” he said.

Neither Eggleston nor Udell returned calls to The Courier Tuedsay evening.

Historical Society Welcomes Rosemary Kroner Rosemary Kroner, R.N., of University Hospitals, will talk about “Pneumonia” at the 7 p.m. Oct. 25 meeting of the Conneaut Area Historical Society at Villa at the Lake, 48 Parrish Road.

A 50/50 raffle, auction, social time and refreshments are part of every meeting. The public is invited.

Man Cited for Marijuana Possession UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 West Main Road Conneaut, OH 44030 440-593-1131 UHConneaut.org UH Geneva Medical Center 870 West Main Street Geneva, OH 44041 440-466-1141 UHGeneva.org

© 2011 University Hospitals CONGEN 00054

by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers

They complied when an officer advised them to leave.

He then examined the area CONNEAUT - At 5:54 under the ramp and discovp.m. Oct. 15, officers patrol- ered a fleece camouflage ling the skate park observed backpack that contained a individuals underneath one burlap sack with a large of the skate park ramps. plastic bag full of suspected The individuals came out marijuana. when police entered the Officers contacted park. They were 14-, 15-, Bennett by telephone, and and 16-year-old juveniles asked him to come to the and 19-year-old Cody police department. He Bennett. They told police stated that the backpack they had been huddled un- and the contents inside did der the ramp to stay warm belong to him. He was cited while they were talking. for possession of marijuana.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 9A

BRIDE form from behind the scenes.

But they are confident that the two-act play told in 19 scenes is a fitting sequel to last year’s popular CCCA Halloween thriller, “Frankenstein 1932.”

Shellhammer pulled the main story from Mary Shelley’s version of the classic tale of the perils of man as creator, with a few bits inspired by old Universal films such as “The Bride of Frankenstein” and “The Son of Frankenstein.”

Suffice it to say that in this sequel, The Creature — played again by six-foot, eight-inch-tall George Deli of Cherry Valley — which roared back to life at the end of last year’s “Frankenstein 1932” is still haunting the European village, and Breeze’s Victor Frankenstein remains committed to his scientific project.

Bringing back other characters from “Frankenstein 1932,” Shellhammer and Breeze added new characters, including a gypsy, a shepherd, a priest and a pair of police officers who add comic relief. The end result is a 28-member cast of eccentrics frightened by a rash of village murders.

Shellhammer, a fifthgrade teacher at Gateway Elementary School, and Breeze, a veteran area actor and director who moved to Conneaut three years ago, have been collaborating on the project for about a year.

From page 1A It is Shellhammer’s first attempt at writing a major play.

“I’ve always loved writing, but I’ve stuck mostly to poetry and non-fiction,” she said.

She credits Breeze with the idea to write an original play at the close of last year’s “Frankenstein” production.

But he did not ask for help writing dialogue until last winter, and she waited until after school ended in June to begin. It took three months to complete.

“He developed the outline, and I began writing the dialogue over the summer,” she said. “He helped edit and added to the story as I went along. It definitely was a collaborative effort.”

As with any major undertaking, Shellhammer said the greatest challenge of writing the two-act sequel was getting started.

“It seemed like such a huge project that I was overwhelmed in the beginning,” she said. “Taking it scene-byscene made it much more achievable.”

Once she got started, the actual writing was not difficult, because of Shellhammer’s love of theater and telling stories. A great deal of time was spent researching ideas, words and names that appear throughout the play.

“I haven’t taken any classes on writing plays. It just came naturally,” she

Ticket Special A special “buy two — get two half-off” ticket offer is available to theater-goers for Friday evening’s 8 p.m. opening of “The Return of Frankenstein” at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buffalo Street.

Regular price tickets for 8 p.m. performances Oct. 22, 29 and 30 are $12 non-members and $10 CCCA members. By taking advantage of the offer, four tickets may be purchased for the price of three on Oct. 21.

A “Coffee and Crumbs” dessert matinee at 2 p.m Oct. 23 is $10 non-members, $8 members.

A “Spirits and Gruel” appetizer and beverage buffet will be served 7 p.m. Oct. 28, preceding the 8 p.m. curtain. Tickets for buffet and play are $20 non-members, $18 members.

The final “Tricks and Treats” performance 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30, features cider, donuts and candy at regular ticket price of $12 non-members and $10 members.

Call for reservations at (440) 593-5888. Reservations are recommended for the Oct. 23 matinee and the “Spirits and Gruel” performance. Last year’s final performances sold out.

More Potter Festival events scheduled this weekend

BY CHRISTOPHER LAFURIA Gazette Newspapers

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

“Return of Frankenstein” cast member Stephanie Gildone measures cast member Chris Joslin for a cape costume during weekend rehearsals for the play. Gildone repeats the role of Mathilda which she played in last year’s “Frankenstein 1932.” Joslin is on stage for the first time portraying a police officer investigating murders. said.

But she did acquire practice by teaching playwriting to her fifth-grade students for the first time last year.

“I saw the students wanting to write and act out skits, so I decided to capitalize on that enthusiasm, and we all had a blast,” she said.

Shellhammer’s nervousness about watching the production unfold during six weeks of rehearsals melted when the cast gathered to read the play for the first time.

“It was neat,” she said.

“To hear them laugh at our jokes, and get upset when appropriate, gave me great joy. I knew that I had done my job, and the audience would get it.”

As rehearsals progressed, she loved watching the characters come to life.

“The actors bring so much more depth and background to the characters. They start to develop a life beyond the written pages. They have dimensions that I had not forseen—and I love it!” she said.

Like any writer,

Shellhammer sees parts that need editing for the final draft.

“But not as many as I feared,” she said.

She also wrote it with an eye toward next year’s sequel — a given even before the production opens on Friday.

“An outline for another story is already in the works.

I think it will be pretty exciting. Mike is full of ideas,” she said.

Shellhammer plans to continue writing plays.

“YES!” she said. “There is the third installment of ‘Frankenstein,” and in my classroom, I am working on writing plays with my students which will culminate in a playwright’s festival in a month or two. I have always loved the idea of being a professional writer, so who knows what the future has in store?”

She won’t leave out Breeze as a “Frankenstein” collaborator, however.

“I definitely include Mike as my co-author. The story would not exist without him,” she said.

EDINBORO – This weekend, Edinboro’s first-ever Harry Potter Festival continues, with several fun and exciting events throughout Edinboro.

According to festival director Dr. Corbin Fowler, professor at Edinboro University, there are some very important events that you cannot miss.

• On Thursday, the Girl Scouts of Western PA will be hosting a Potions & Chemicals Class at Hugwarts for Potterfest from 4-8 p.m.

There will be no charge for the event, which will be held at 5681 Route 6N in Edinboro.

When you stop by the Girl Scouts of Western PA on Thursday of Potterfest, you will be in the Hugwarts Classroom of Headmistresses Courtney and Traci.

They will present excerpts from the Harry Potter story and do chemical demonstrations for approximately one hour. Demonstrations will occur at 4:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the excerpts and chemical demonstrations, potion making will be offered. Attend either one or both.

• Magical Chalk Walk: There will be a magical chalk walk on Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at noon, through the streets of Edinboro (weather permitting) with artists of all ages and abilities. Buckets of chalk will be available in front of Eclectic Etcteras Coffee House, Earthshine Co., Lady Gray Antiques, and Cat Water Who Signature Art Gallery. For more info, contact Renee at (814) 734-2909.

• First Annual Potterfest Quidditch Cup Match on Saturday: Edinboro “Flying” Scots versus the SUNYFredonia Quidditch team; Saturday, Oct. 22, early-mid afternoon (time to be announced) at Edinboro University (under the Dome if the weather is bad). Muggle quidditch is an NCAA recognized sport played by over 200 college teams in the United States.

The

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Dr. Corbin Fowler and the Edinboro community are presenting the first-ever Harry Potter Festival this week. quidditch World Cup is being held again this November in NYC, Nov 12-13. This sport may be the first sport to have been created based on a fantasy novel. For more information, contact Dr Corbin Fowler at (814) 7345069 or corbinfowler3@gmail.com.

• Forbidden Forest Tours at Goodell Gardens: 221 Waterford St.(Rt. 6N) Edinboro, PA; (814) 734-6699; Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2-6 p.m. As a part of Edinboro’s Potterfest, come visit Hagrid and his friends in the Forbidden Forest at Goodell Gardens. Wizards, witches and muggles of all ages are invited to tour the Forbidden Forest planted by Carrie & Margaret Goodell.

The magical cast of characters will guide you through the gardens, teaching you about the plants and their magical properties. Ages 4 and under enter free, 5-60 entry fee is $3, and 60+ folks enter for $2. “We’ll have a magical cast of characters, including many familiar faces from the books and movies, who will help guide visitors through our grounds,” said spokesperson Amber Wellington. “We’ll teach muggles and wizards alike about the famous herbologists, Carrie and Margaret Goodell, who lived here and cared for our woods.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ THE CHANGE CONNEAUT NEEDS ★ TO MOVE FORWARD! ★ ★ Clean Up the Town • Enforce Existing Laws ★ ★ Make Conneaut a “Model Community” ★ ★ Ward One Ward Two Ward Three Ward Four ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ PHIL TAMMY S. THOMAS E. DOUGLAS F. ★ HEDRICK GARCIA LEDFORD KOZESKY ★ ★ Jobs • City Pride • Focus • Determination • Cooperation ★ ★ Elect the “Team” That Cares About Conneaut! ★ ★ ★ On November 8, ★ GO TO THE POLLS and TAKE THIS SAMPLE BALLOT! ★ ★ THE RIGHT CHOICE — THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR CONNEAUT! ★ ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Paid for by Conneaut Democrats, D. Spencer, Treasurer, 170 Buffalo Street, Conneaut, OH 44030

10A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

CLOSING

Site Solver

From page 1A

Jones said upon bringing the restaurant back to Conneaut in 2008 that he was realizing his parents’ dream. Most of the business had come from Conneaut.

“When the restaurant moved, the clientele followed it to West Springfield. I don’t know of a part of any day where someone doesn’t say something about my mom and dad,” Jones said at the time.

Ironically, a lack of space in W. Springfield prompted the move back to Conneaut.

Jones said people from Conneaut stopped driving to W. Springfield because there were not enough seats. In those days, during the dinner hour, people often had to wait up to an hour to be seated. “ With so few seats, we could not take reservations,” Jones said.

At the new Mill Street location, the dining room seated 64 people and banquet rooms held up to 80.

The restaurant has been the regular meeting site for Conneaut Rotary Club, Seniors Together monthly lun-

Guess the location

PHOTOS BY MARTHA SOROHAN

Crazy Dave’s Sugar Bowl, 518 Mill St., will close its doors at the end of the day Oct. 30. cheons, various high school alumni groups, and the popular “Dinner & Doctrine” series at St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini Church, among others.

In addition to good food and good prices, Jones was community-minded, sponsoring a free Thanksgiving dinner each year as a way of giving back. He never hesitated to put out canisters for various non-profit fund-raisers or to sponsor benefit dinners, such as the meal for leukemia patient Caleb Coltman several years ago.

Aware of the cut in state funds to libraries, Crazy Dave’s donated $630 in Thanksgiving dinner tips to Conneaut Public Library two years ago. Jones also opened his parking lot for

the Labor Day Cruise-In benefit for the Conneaut Area Historical Society Museum.

Though admitting the change is “scary,” the Joneses see a silver lining in the latest cloud hanging over Conneaut’s economy.

For the first time in years, Jones’ 12-hour days will be over, and he will have evenings and Saturdays off.”

“He will actually get paid days off, he’ll be done at 2 p.m., and we’ll have a normal life,” said Donna, who is returning to school to obtain an insurance license.

Yet it still hurts when people tell Jones they will no longer have a place to go out to eat in Conneaut is painful.

“Maybe there are too

many restaurants,” she said, noting that Perkins and Antonette’s have reopened in the past three years.

“There are lots of places to eat. We had low dinner prices. I don’t know what else we could have done.”

Jones once heard an acquaintance in the same situation say that if everyone in the city had come in once a month and spent $10 on dinner, they’d be doing okay.

“It’s true,” she said.

There is one final silver lining to the cloud, one for the enter community.

Jones will continue the traditional free community Thanksgiving Dinner, serving from Fellowship Hall at New Leaf United Methodist Church.

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

Do you know the location of this Halloween-themed Site Solver? Be the first to call its location to The Courier (440) 576-9125, ext. 116, starting 5 p.m. Oct. 20, and you will win an eight-inch cake from Conneaut Dairy Queen.

Last week’s Site Solver was a “Bates Motel” sign at a residence on the north side of Liberty Street. Winner was Brian Potts.

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Seminars to be held at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake 4888 North Broadway (State Rt. 534), Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041 Monday October 24, 2011 at 2 PM and 6PM SEATING IS LIMITED Please RSVP to Attorney Trey Peterson

(740) 282-1911 or (866) 807-5199 If you are unable to attend please call our office for more information.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 11A

The Buckeye Band Boosters are proud to bring back Ashtabula County’s

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12A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

HAUNT at Halloween trade shows in Chicago, he now picks up items off the Internet.

That is how he found The Bride. Manufactured by Morbid Industries, of Connecticut, she came to Skalos via Craig’s List.

“I typed in ‘Haunted House props,’ and she came up,” he said. “She came as is, even with the veil.”

“A man had rented some items in a storage unit, and didn’t pay the rent one month,” Skalos said. “So the owner sold everything out of the unit, and this was one of them.”

The arch in which she stands came from a Strongsville garden store.

Another addition new is a “breathing grave,” in which dirt in a fresh grave softly rises and falls.

“It’s very random, a very good effect at night,” Skalos said, of the item made by a friend who sent the plans and has already come by to give his approval.

Skalos also purchased new masks for Barnabas Collins, who greets visitors along the driveway, and a werewolf next to the garage.

From page 1A He has added new strobe lights in the garage, which offers a “haunted house” display with talking mirrors.

“When the lightning flashes, it’s noticeable,” he said. “It adds to the dramatic effects.”

And he has a new tombstone with raven sound-effects that is named for someone executed in 1692. Part of its inscription reads, “when ravens cry, I shall return.”

Skalos has been working on the massive display since Labor Day. Pieces that are not water-resistant are covered with plastic bags until opening night. That is, unless hit by strong winds.

“Someone asked me once what was worse, heavy winds or driving rain, and I have to say the wind. It’s so brutal. I’ve never had anything blown away, but some plastic bags were blown off over the weekend,” he said.

Though Skalos continues adding finishing touches in advance of Friday’s “soft opening,” the last pieces – 22 jack-o-lanterns – won’t go out until Oct. 28.

“Carving them is like an assembly line. My friends help me,” he said.

Skalos said that in the display’s 21 years, no one has ever suggested he purchase a certain piece seen in another display. He says that nothing in his display is available in local stores.

“I think they are so amazed by the things that I have that they think that if something unique is out there, I probably already have it,” he said. “It all adds to the uniqueness and originality.”

As he has marks 20 years of the “Haunt,” Skalos doubts that he will maintain the tradition for another 20.

“I bought the hearse from people in Erie who called it quits after doing a display for 20 years,” he said. “So I’ve outlasted their longevity. But in the beginning, I didn’t think I’d be doing it this long, either.”

Skalos expects his biggest crowds on Halloween night, after trick-or-treating ends at 7 p.m. He buys enough candy for 1,000 trick-or-treaters and also

hands out glow bracelets.

“It gets so crowded that I have to let them into the garage in groups,” he said.

The day after Halloween, it all comes to a screeching halt.

“I almost dread Halloween because I know the next day, I have to begin taking it down,” he said.

Taking it down in a dayand-half is nothing compared to the six weeks of putting it up. Once down, Skalos will mow the grass for the first time since Sept.

15.

“The fear of snow is partly why I rush to get everything down in a hurry,” he said. “We had snow just once, but it didn’t stick.”

Those so inclined to leave donations at the display will be assisting the Conneaut Food Pantry.

The City of Conneaut will close Williams Street from 6 to 9 p.m. Halloween night to accommodate the crowds visiting “The Haunt” and the Harringtons’ friendlier display on the south end PHOTOS BY MARTHA SOROHAN of the street.

“It’s fun, lots of fun,” This gravestone is a new addition to this year’s Haunt on Williams Street.

Skalos said.

Boo! From the “Boo” Frightening visitors at the Buckeye Boo, a haunted house at North Kingsville Elementary School sponsored by the Buckeye Band boosters, is “Witch Hazel,” aka Linnell Lilac (right), Kristen Sharp, of Ashtabula Township, in a blood-covered garment (left), and a zombie (below). The Buckeye Boo is open 7 to 11 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31. Admission is $5. Read more in The Recorder section.

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

PHOTO BY MARTHA SOROHAN

PHOTO BY SHAR HOWE