Learn all about 4-H
Leprechauns invade Huron Primary
— See the
— See page 9A
special section inside this week’s paper
Change in the works at GHS —
See page 4
THE GAZETTE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
Vol. No. 136, No. 12
Canine cuts become hot topic in the City of Ashtabula BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - The City of Ashtabula has decided to cut its canine program for the Ashtabula Police Department, effective on April 1 of this year. City Manager Jim Timonere said the program is no longer economically responsible for the city to continue with a $40,000 budget deficit. “This is a decision I never thought we would have to make. Police Chief (Robert) Stell has informed me we will end the year approximately $40,000 over the amount budgeted for the police department if we maintain current levels,” Timonere said. “Therefore, and regretfully, effective 12:01 a.m. April 1, 2012, the K-9 program will be discontinued. All K-9’s will be decommissioned as of this date and time.” Lt. Rodney Blaney and Patrolmen Adam Simons, James Hildebrand and Christopher DeFina, all officers who work with the canines, received a memorandum from Timonere on March 8. The decision also comes after two lawsuits have been filed by Ashtabula police officers who work with the canines. The officers claim they are not paid the correct rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Cleveland. “The Fair Labor Standards Act, passed in 1938, requires that workers, including employees of state and local government, be paid time-and-a half for all hours worked over 40 in a work week,” Jason R. Bristol, a Cleveland attorney who is representing the officers, said.
BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - The Jefferson United Methodist Church invited the whole community into its church and new administration and educational wing on Sunday afternoon. “‘Welcome to the Future’ actually was the theme for our new addition vision,” the Rev. Meredith Coleman said. “For many, many years we’ve had the need for more classroom space.” The church broke ground during last year’s Easter Sunday and opened the doors for Sunday School use in December. On Sunday, church officials were ready to show off their new addition to everyone in Jefferson. “Here we are after much prayer, visionary, planning, graphing, discussions and meetings with members of our church and the Jefferson community,” Coleman said. Coleman said the church received support through many outlets, whether it was her congregation members attending meetings or community member donating time, skills and supplies. “The whole community and this whole congregation have been valuable in bringing in this new addition,” Coleman said. “It has been a joint effort where God has been the leader.” Coleman was grateful for the Jefferson community.
PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN
The Rev. Meredith Coleman welcomes the community to the Jefferson United Methodist Church’s open house for its new education and administration wing. “I want to say my (thanks) to the faithful people and the committees who have been so important in getting this new addition started,” Coleman said. Coleman said she also received great input from the teachers of the church’s Sunday School.
“Our Sunday School teachers have been vital in the new addition as well,” Coleman said. Some local companies that gave their support and donations were Anchor Plumbing, APL Electric, Carpet Store and More, Crimson King Masonry, Elliot Drywall,
See BOE page 13A
Gage Excavating, Housel Construction and Western Reserve Drafting. “These are just some of the many of those who worked with us throughout the whole completion of the project,” Coleman said.
See CHURCH page 7A
Geneva Chocolate Fest enjoys a sweet crowd BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
Jefferson Area Local Schools receives Auditor of State award JEFFERSON - Auditor of State Dave Yost announced last week that the Jefferson Area Local School District has received the Auditor of State Award for its clean audit report for the year ended June 30, 2011. The Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit. Entities that receive the award meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report: —The entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles); —The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs; —The entity’s management letter contains no comments related to: ethics referrals; questioned costs less than $10,000; lack of timely report submission; reconciliation; failure to obtain a timely Single Audit; findings for recovery less than $100; and public meetings or public records.
75¢
Jefferson United Methodist Church opens doors to new addition
See CUTS page 7A
BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
Periodical’s Postage Paid
PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN
Amanda Kish and business partner Laura LaCavera showed off their cupcakes at the Chocolate Fest. The two will be featured on the March 25 episode of Cupcake Wars, airing on Food Network at 8 p.m.
GENEVA - The Chocolate Fest, held each year by the Geneva Rotary Club, packed Geneva High School last Tuesday with 39 vendors and aisles full of people waiting to sample chocolates. “We have a great crowd today. It’s huge. We’ll probably get between three to 400 people in here today,” Terri Vincent, organizer of the festival, said. Turtle brownies, multiple flavors of cupcakes, homemade chocolate-covered pretzels and many more chocolate items were featured as businesses gave out the sweet treats and also got a chance to interact with the community. “We didn’t do anything different this year, but there are a lot of new chocolates I saw out there. There are a lot of cupcakes this year and there’s some truffles,” Vincent said. Vincent said the Chocolate Fest started out with a few homemade items, but the first year was a lot of storebought candy. Now however, the vendors go all out and try to top the previous year.
See CHOCOLATE page 8A
Kindness counts at Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary BY JAN PERALA Geneva Area City Schools GENEVA - Students at Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary School (GPS) know that even one small, thoughtful gesture from a classmate can change a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day into a really great day, and their everyday acts of kindness were noted and rewarded by the school’s parent teacher organization. According to GPS Principal Michael Penzenik, PTO members asked teachers to be on the alert for random acts of kindness in the classroom during the month of February. When teachers noticed students being kind, thoughtful or helpful they wrote their names on a ticket to be placed in a drawing. “One student from each class won their pick of a book from the Scholastic Book Fair for a value of $10,” explained Penzenik. “So many acts of kindness were noticed by teachers that we had a very large pool of names to draw from, and 24 students took home a book from our book fair thanks to our PTO.”
See KINDESS page 8A
PHOTOS BY JAN PERALA FOR GENEVA SCHOOLS
Geneva Platt R. Spencer students whose good deeds earned them a new book courtesy of the school’s PTO are front from left: Ashley Cropek, Sarah Beduhn, Danielle Haydu, Cierra Weismuller, Ellie Baily and Brittany Podluzne. Row 2: PTO Secretary Tammy Washington, Educational Assistant Patricia Nicholes, Kyle Covert, Dayanara Ordonez, Faith Poole, Ava Jodon, Baily Harper, Kerra Tapia, Alyssa Green, Destiny Herron and PTO Vice President Stephanie Jeppe. In back: GPS Principal Michael Penzenik, Kallee Jodon, Cyrus Smith, T. J. McCoy, Denny Dixon, Nick Panich and Jade Krihwan. Not Pictured: Lane Distler, Colin Young, Isabelle Gomez and Michael Gersper.
2A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Dr. Kalil guest lectures for Gifted Class On Thursday, March 29, the third graders in the Ashtabula Area City Schools Gifted and Talented Resource Room Program will venture to Severance Hall to attend the Cleveland Orchestra’s Educational Concert, Carnival of the Animals, a musical menagerie of creatures and beasts. The concert conductor is James Feddeck with special guests, Joela Jones, piano player with the Orchestra and Arthus Eriendsson, Youth Orchestra, piano. French composer Camille Saint-Saens’s beloved classic Carnival of the Animals headlines this concert dedicated to the musical escapades of the animal kingdom. The parade of animals features a lion, turtle, elephant, kangaroo, swan, and more, represented by instruments of the orchestra. Other selections include: Scene from Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky), “Flight of the Bumblebee” (RimskyKorsakov), “Waltzing Cat” (Anderson), “The Cuckoo” (Respighi), “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks” (Mussorgsky), “Hippo Dance” and “Mosquito Dance” (White). To prepare the third graders for their first trip to the orchestra, Dr. Timothy Kalil
the third graders. The musicians will tell about their experiences as members of this world renowned orchestra and answer any questions the students may have about their musical experience at the educational concert. Joela Jones, featured piano player for the concert, is principal keyboardist for the Cleveland Orchestra and plays piano, harpsichord, organ, celesta, synthesizer, and accordion. She has appeared as a soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra at least 200 times, playing more than 50 difSUBMITTED PHOTO ferent works. She Pictured are Dr. Timothy Kalil (center standing) with Ashtabula Area City School Gifted and has also appeared Talented teacher Theresa Clutter (left) and GT Coordinator Rosemary Timonere. Gifted and as soloist with the Talented students Lindsey Pallutch and Kaitlin Toth watch and enjoy his presentation. orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Dewas the guest lecturer for ministrator, highly pub- recitals at St. Peter’s Fine troit, Houston, Philadelphia, the gifted and talented class lished author on American Art Concert Series and the and San Francisco. She on Friday, March 16, at music, composer, concert Cleveland Clinic’s noontime teaches advanced orchestral Michigan Primary. Dr. Kalil presenter and former piano “Concerts in the Sky” Series. keyboard techniques at the is a local classical, blues, jazz faculty member at the UniFollowing the Educa- Cleveland Institute of Muand gospel pianist, arts ad- versity of Kansas. His per- tional Concert, Dr. Kalil has sic. Richard Weiss is the actformances include duo for- arranged for Joela Jones and mat with Joela Jones, piano Richard Weiss to meet with ing principal cellist of the
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ is next on stage
G.B. Community Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center will open Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” on Friday. The show will play on March 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and April 1. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. An English gentleman, Jack, pretends to be his own brother, named Ernest, so he can have fun in the city without ruining his reputation with folks at his country estate. Unfortunately, he’s just fallen in love with a woman who insists that she can only marry a man named Ernest. But when Jack’s best friend shows up pretending to be this same brother Ernest, chaos ensues! Directed by Douglas Anderson, the cast includes David Ard as “Jack,” Justin Brown as “Algy,” Ashley Perts as “Gwendolen,” Morgan Ruane as “Cecily,” David Bucci as “Chasuble,” Shannan Farmer as “Merriman,” Curtiss Barron as “Lane,” Linda Fundis as “Lady Bracknell,” and Marti Dixon as “Miss Prism.” Theater tickets are $14 patron seating, $12 general admission adults and $11 seniors and students. Save $2 per ticket when you purchase tickets in advance. Advance sale tickets must be purchased prior to 4 p.m. on the day of the show or by Saturday for Sunday performances. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Ashtabula Arts Center box office or by phone at (440) 964-3396.
Uganda trips change many lives BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
orphans of the nation. “Most of the kids we saw are all orphans,” Coleman JEFFERSON - Five said. members of the Jefferson JUMC brought with them United Methodist Church clothing and shoes for the (JUMC), Dee Wyermend, children. Lyn Fleming, Annette Paul, “We also made pillowcase Sandy Corbet and the Rev. dresses for the girls and got Meredith Coleman, traveled all these angels and we put to Uganda, Africa for 15 days them in the children’s pockrecently. ets,” Coleman said. “We “We try to do an interna- bought shoes for 135 kids.” tional trip every two and half They also brought soccer years,” Coleman said. “We’ve balls with them since the been planning this trip for children do not have toys. less than a year.” “We also brought soccer The trip started on Feb. balls because they didn’t 24 and ended on March 10. have anything to play with, The five women worked with but they knew how to use Active Blessing of Uganda them,” Coleman said. “They and visited former child sol- were bouncing the balls off diers and orphans. their knees and kicking “We were way back in the them around.” bush for 15 days,” Coleman In the near future, the said. “The scenery looked church hopes to raise enough like something out of Na- money to buy an ox for the tional Geographic.” orphanage. The trip started in the cit“We are in the process of PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - The Ashtabula County Historical Society’s famous bean soup is featured for the group’s Ides ies of Uganda before they buying an ox so they can of March fundraiser this Saturday, March 24, at the historic ventured to the remote or- farm and produce food,” Blakeslee Log Cabin site, located on Seven Hills Road and west phanage of Active Blessing. Coleman said. “In the cities there were Coleman said even with off state Route 11. Soup cooked in a huge kettle over an open fire along with homemade pies and cornbread will be served a lot of street children,” all the horror some of these Coleman said. “You have children have experienced, from noon to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 with no advance reservations needed, says children as young as three they were full of hope and Cher Shepherd, ACHS president. The event is held regardless and four years old begging had the support of the young for food.” adults who took them underof weather conditions. Church members Jane neath their watch. “We’d like people to come join us at the Blakeslee Cabin to “Even with all the hearteat in on the premises or they can take home our famous soup Snyder and Emily Locy both and fixings. All the proceeds from this event help us maintain work directly with the break, there were these project in Uganda and Locy young men all under 26 who our three historic sites in our county,” said Shepherd. For more information, persons may call Julie Miller at (440) is currently living in Uganda were looking after the chil576-0125 or Shepherd at (440) 813-8618 or check the society’s with Active Blessing and the dren,” Coleman said. “One website at www.ashtacohs.com.
Bean soup featured for Ides of March fundraiser
Cleveland Orchestra. During his senior year at Eastman School of Music, he joined the Cleveland Orchestra and appeared as soloist with the Orchestra many times. He teaches at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Kent/Blossom Festival. He coaches the cello sections of the New World Symphony, the CIM Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. Dr. Kalil will accompany the third graders along with Theresa Clutter, Gifted Teacher, and Rosemary Timonere, Gifted Coordinator. After lunch in Smith Lobby, the students will travel to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to view the “Mythical Creatures” exhibit, on loan from the American Natural History Museum, New York. The exhibit features dragons, unicorns, and mermaids. When students return to class, they will participate in the Art Contest sponsored by the Orchestra. This is an opportunity for students to express themselves creatively. Students may draw or paint a picture of what they saw or how the music made them feel. Winners and their parents will be invited to a Cleveland Orchestra concert at Blossom Music Center or Severance Hall.
Meet Your Neighbor had 93 children under his care.” Coleman said you see firsthand how little the orphans have but they make do. “It was just an incredible trip,” Coleman said. “It’s a trip you will never forget.” Coleman said even with a language barrier, a universal language of love was spoken as they shared time and resources. “Most of the children spoke local languages, but the older children translated for us,” Coleman said. The children of Uganda value education but many cannot afford to go to school. “A lot of children just want school fees because they can’t go to school without school fees,” Coleman said. Funds meant to go to orphans’ schooling many times end up in the wrong hands, and they rarely see a sort of scholarship the government is supposed to set aside. “The government does have money allocated for orphans and it doesn’t get to them,” Coleman said. “The government is really corrupt.” Coleman said the corruption of the government runs deep, even with electricity, as they have power plants but they sell most of their electricity to other countries because they can make more of a profit. “Things we take for granted here are not readily available, like turning on the faucet for water or turning on a light,” Coleman said. “People live very primitively.” The women always had water to drink but many times they did not shower. Coleman said they spoke
with many different people living in many different lifestyles. “Everyone made us feel very welcomed,” Coleman said. “They called us the visitors from America.” Coleman said they did not see much wildlife as many of the lions and elephants and other African animals are on reserves to protect them from poachers. “We saw some animals like camels, cattle, goats, some straggly looking dogs and lots of chickens,” Coleman said. “Roosters just roam the streets.” Every aspect of their trip was another adventure even the motor vehicles they traveled on. Coleman said they traveled on Bottats in the city, which are bikes that sit three people, and rode in rugged vans seating 12 people plus everyone’s luggage. “To travel was really tough. There are a lot of pot holes and the roads are really rough,” Coleman said. Coleman is not sure when they will return to Uganda but said it will happen again when God sees fit. “I’m glad we were able to be there as long as we were,” Coleman said. Coleman said you come back with a fresh look on the world, and even if they had not captured much of the trip on camera, there are images that will not soon leave her mind. “The whole trip was just incredible,” Coleman said. “It changes you.” Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazette news.com.
In The Military Durbin graduates from basic training Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary C. Durbin graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Durbin is the son of John Durbin Jefferson and grandson of Richard Durbin of Aurora. The airman first class is a 2008 graduate of Jefferson Area High School.
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
COMMUNITY
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3A
Jefferson Area High School Rock Creek gives Roadrunner Award students take Ohio Graduation Tests to kindergartner
PHOTOS BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME
To show each other support, several sophomores wore specially designed t-shirts on Tuesday, the day of the Math OGT. Front: Kasi Brown, Nicole Demas, Carolyn Behr-Jerome (teacher) and Ashley Katona. Back: Nathaniel Hembree, Josh Rose, James Church, Quincy Hall (showing the design on the back), John Lesneski, Nathan Stone (showing the back of the shirt), Joe Krince and Jesse Ludwick. PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME Madison Loveland stands next to her kindergarten Gazette Newspapers teacher Heather Csepegi as she was honored with the Rock Creek Elementary School’s Roadrunner Award. JEFFERSON - On March 12-16, Jefferson Area High BY SADIE PORTMAN Madison is a model stu- School sophomores joined Gazette Newspapers dent even if she is just in thousands of other 10th gradher first year of school. ers across Ohio to take the ROCK CREEK - MadiEach student who re- Ohio Graduation Tests. son Loveland was honored ceives the award is given Students are required to on Friday morning with a t-shirt and book to com- pass all five tests (Reading, the Rock Creek Elemen- memorate his or her Mathematics, Writing, Scitary School’s Roadrunner achievement and to con- ence, and Social Studies) as Award. tinue his or her education a graduation requirement. The Roadrunner Award even after school hours. These high-stakes tests were is the school’s version of Madison is the youngest first given to the class of Student of the Month and student to receive the 2007, according to the Ohio is represented by the award this year, and she Department of Education school’s mascot, a roadru- smiled when she received (ODE). nner. her prizes. Each school district adMadison was nominated “Madison will receive a ministers the tests at the by her kindergarten Roadrunner T-Shirt and same time of the year under teacher, Heather Csepegi. ‘The Big Blue Book of Be- strict guidelines from ODE. Madison is the daughter ginner Books,’” school offi- JAHS chose to give the tests of Marc Loveland of Rock cials said. in a small group setting so Rock Creek Elementary only 10th graders reported to Creek. “Miss Csepegi nomi- School officials are grate- school at the regular time. nated Madison to be our ful they can continue this Tests were then adminisFebruary Roadrunner,” program with the help of tered during the first three school officials said. Cantini’s Village Market. class periods. All other stuRock Creek Elementary dents reported by fourth pe“Madison is a hard worker, great helper and excellent School and Cantini’s Vil- riod (10:24 a.m.) and the lage Marker in Rock Creek school day proceeded as listener.” Csepegi sees Madison sponsor this program. usual. as a prime example of a Assistant Principal JerSadie Portman, reporter emy Huber explained that the student who is caring toward her classmates and for the Gazette, may be entire school and the teachwilling to listen. Csepegi is reached at sportman@gazette ers were used during the testnews.com. proud of her student. ing time. Students who weren’t testing were encouraged to use that time as a study hall. Michelle Krek thought the tests were easy. Her friend USPS 273-820 Mariah Dean thought the sci-
ence was the hardest. Both girls hope they passed all five, so they don’t have to take them over next year. Students who do not pass one or more tests on their first attempt retake the tests they need to pass during their junior and senior years. Ohio Graduation Tests are administered each fall and spring. For a small fee, A-tech offers an optional summer administration. In general, the sophomores felt an entire week of testing was exhausting. “I think they should give us one test a week instead of
five days in a row,” Kendra Clisby said. “I think the hardest tests should be given first. The order should be History, Science, Math, Reading and then Writing,” said Mikayla Lingo. Emilie Camp agreed that Science and History were the most difficult. Students in Integrated Math II wore specially designed T-shirts during Tuesday’s Math OGT. The front read “JAHS Math Jenius” with genius purposely spelled incorrectly. The back read “Soaring for the goal!” and had a picture of a Falcon
tearing apart the number 400. Four hundred is a passing score. The ODE website states “the testing requirements were established by the Ohio General Assembly in 2001 based on recommendations by the Governor’s Commission for Student Success. These tests were designed to ensure that students who receive a high school diploma demonstrate at least high school levels of achievement.” Tests will be sent to ODE and graded by professionals. The results should come out in May.
THE GAZETTE
Office located at: 46 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047 Address editorial correspondence to: P.O. Box 166, Jefferson, Ohio 44047 (440) 576-9125 Fax: (440) 576-2778 Email: gazette@gazettenews.com Publisher Emeritus .................. John Lampson President/Publisher ................ William Creed bcreed@gazettenews.com Senior Editor ......................... Stefanie Wessell swessell@gazettenews.com Reporter .................................... Sadie Portman sportman@gazettenews.com Advertising ................................... Rick Briggs SUBSCRIPTION RATES Local Delivery (1 year) .................................. $30.00 Seniors - Local Delivery (1 year) .................. $25.50 Out-of-County (1 year) .................................. $46.00 Seniors - Out-of-County (1 year) .................. $39.10 Annual subscription rates non-refundable
Jefferson Area High School students work hard on the Science Ohio Graduation Test.
South Sycamore project resumes in Jefferson BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - The Village of Jefferson Street Department resumed its South Sycamore project on Monday, March 19, Village of Jefferson Administrator Terry Finger said during a council meeting that night. Phase 1 of this project involves the rehabilitation of the truck route at South Sycamore Street from Route 307 to Cedar Street. The road is currently a truck route, but it is unpaved and in need of repairs. “We will be able to maintain traffic initially,” Finger
said. However, Finger said South Sycamore Street will have to be closed for several weeks after all of the drainage work is complete to enable crews to rebuild the road. “We will not pave the surface of South Sycamore Street until fall,” Finger said in his administrator’s report. “This will allow truck traffic to further compact the roadbed before paving in the fall.” In other road news, Finger said crews are redressing road intersections where trucks have missed the road and tracked up the tree
lawns. Additionally, Finger said the village also has resumed brush pick up at curbside and will continue on the first of each month. “Residents should mark Saturday, May 5, on their calendars as the scheduled day for village-wide curbside rubbish removal,” Finger said. In fire department news, Finger said the new fire truck has been ordered. At a previous meeting, council had passed an ordinance authorizing Finger to secure and enter into a financing contract for the principal amount, not to exceed, of
$468,199, and enter into a contract with Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. for one Arrow XT pumper fire truck, according to village specification and Pierce Manufacturing’s bid on Jan. 16. Council also passed the second reading of an ordinance declaring a 1988 Ford fire truck as surplus no longer needed for municipal services and authorizing its sale to the highest and best bidder. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
Village Administrator’s report for the period ending March 16, 2012. Projects update:
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The Great Easter Egg Hunt returns March 31 BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
Sponsored by the Gazette and the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce, the JEFFERSON - Hundreds Easter egg hunt is a popuof brightly colored, plastic lar tradition in the commuEaster eggs will decorate the nity, giving children in four football field at the Jefferson different age groups the opArea High School on Satur- portunity to win candy and day, March 31. prizes, thanks to generous Rain or shine, that’s when donations from JeffersonJefferson’s Great Easter Egg area businesses and indusHunt 2012 will be held. try.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31. Children will be split into four age groups, giving them an equal chance to fill their baskets with the plastic eggs. Age groups this year are: ages 1-2, ages 3-5, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11. One lucky child in each age group will win a bicycle.
If your child doesn’t walk away with the bicycle, don’t worry. There will still be plenty of other prizes they can win, as more than 3,500 Easter eggs will be loaded with candy and chances to win hundreds of prizes. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
4A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Change in the works at GHS Our Lady of Peace to hold stone supper dinner, other events
PHOTO BY CLARE CARLISLE FOR GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL
Ideas in the Works at Geneva High School - Students Contemplate Creating School Newspaper. A group of Geneva High School students are brainstorming some wordy possibilities. They are interested in creating a student composed newspaper at the school. Pictured are (front from left) Morgan Nazor, Lindsay Snyder, and Quinn Crosby. In back are Jacob Groce, Josh Smith, Riley Doherty, Anhelena Lebron, Ford Carlisle, Jamie Oliver and David Smalley.
By Ford Carlisle, Gazette Student Columnist Clare Carlisle, Eagle Eye Photographer Geneva High School Mahatma Gandhi once said “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” A change has started at Geneva High School. Many members of the teaching staff can’t even remember the last time that Geneva had a school newspaper. And even then, “it wasn’t very good,” reflects one teacher. Now, a group of Geneva students are starting a school newspaper. Until work has begun on the first issue, this is only an idea. There are many
problems needed to be solved; namely, that no one has worked on a school newspaper before. Another future problem could be creating sections other than the two strongholds after the first meeting: sports (the male consensus), and a fashion column (the female consensus). But it is my belief that if a group of stu-
dents can ask, “Why isn’t there a school newspaper?” and take action to try and resolve that, then the problems faced can be overcome. Many members of our Geneva High School community are excited about the prospect of having a school newspaper. My favorite part of what I envision our school newspaper to be
is a series of articles made by students, for students. We have no teachers giving ideas for articles that we might feel entitled to write. The members of our staff will have the final say as to what goes into the paper. This still gives us a sense of freedom. If the students say that we should have a paper devoted to sports and fashion, it could happen. It wouldn’t be very good, but it could happen. Truth is, we don’t know what it is yet. We don’t know what it can be. But we have the option to choose. I hope that we make a great school newspaper. And I believe that with the group that will be working on the newspaper, the group that is able to see something as flawed, and work to change it, we have that opportunity.
Green Tea to play in Battle of the Bands Finals BY BYRON C. WESSELL Gazette Newspapers ORWELL - The band Green Tea was formed by Grand Valley High School students Zach Gage, Shawn Davis and Kevin Cedar back in 2011. Additions have been made to the band as they brought in bassist Zak Thomas and guitarist, John Munro to join the band. “We started this band because we love playing and listening to music. Rock isn’t dead, if anything it has just started,” Green Tea said on its Facebook page. Zach Gage fronts the band on the mic and plays lead guitar. The band features three other guitarists in rhythm guitarist Shawn Davis, Thomas on bass and John Munro doing more rhythm guitar and some back-up vocals. Kevin Cedar handles the drumming. The band has been influenced by Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Foo Fighters, Weezer, White Stripes, Sublime, Pepper, 311, Led Zeppelin and Stevie Ray Vaughn, among others. “We believe in creating music that everyone can enjoy and connect with. Our goal is to make music that tears down walls and brings people closer together,” Green Tea said. Green Tea recently played a gig at Geneva-on-the-Lake at the Cove to benefit the recent Chardon High School shooting. All of the money
BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
PHOTOS BY BYRON C. WESSELL
The Green Tea line-up of Zak Thomas (bass), Kevin Cedar (drums) and Zach Gage (vocals and guitar) performed at the Cove on Friday, March 16. brought in at the door will go to the victims’ families. The band Tripp, based out of Florida, was also scheduled to make an appearance. Green Tea’s next concert will be on Friday, March 23, as part of the Relay for Life battle in Akron. The battle of the bands will be held at Akron University in the Paul A. Daum Theatre, which is located in Kolbe Hall. The band will also be playing Friday, March 30, at Wilbert’s Food & Music in Cleveland starting at 9 p.m. Green Tea has already won a battle of the bands contest
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at Peabody’s and will play again in the finals. The Gorilla Music Battle of the Bands finals featuring Green Tea will take place on July 21 at Peabody’s. Tickets can be purchased in advanced from members of Green Tea for $8. Live versions of their songs
Chocolate Strawberries Fresh-Filled Cannolis
Shrimp Scampi on Angel Hair
The After School Discovery announces sponsorship of the USDA-funded Child and Adult Care Food Program for Spring 2012. After School snacks are available to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and will be served at no separate charge §226.23(d). In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating
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from their performance at Peabody’s can be found on Youtube by searching under Green Tea “Talk To Me” and “Open Mind.” For more information and updates on concerts, check out Green Tea on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ GreenTeaBand1
After School Discovery to sponsor food program
Friday, March 9, 16, 23 and 30
Eggplant Parmesan
On Thursday, March 22, there will be the Stone Soup Supper (5:30 p.m.) and the Lenten Mission Service (6:30 p.m.) with a presentation by Lynn Zalewski, of Catholic Charities at Mt. Carmel Church. On Thursday, March 29, there will be the Stone Soup Supper (5:30 p.m.) and the Lenten Mission Service (6:30 p.m.) with a presentation by Brian Corbin of St. Vincent DePaul, at Mother of Sorrows Church.
Jefferson Community Center to host Spring Craft Show
Little Italy Gnocci with Lobster Marinara
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Fr. Ernesto Rodriguez of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Ashtabula serves some homemade wedding soup during the “Stone Soup” Lenten supper at St. Joseph Church. Following the supper was the first of the three Lenten Mission Services, which included Evening Prayer, a presentation by Sr. Patricia McNicholas and Benediction.
Free Estimates
440-293-6376
on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The following sites will be participating: —Celebrate Program at Lakeside Intermediate School, 401 West 44th Street, Ashtabula, Ohio —Club 212 Program at Lakeside Junior High School, 6620 Sanborn Road, Ashtabula, Ohio —Discovery Cove Before and After School Care Program at Michigan Primary Building, 2300 Wade Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio For more information, please call the After School Discovery Business Office at 440-993-1060.
ter news, the center is still looking for instructors who are interested in starting some type of program at the center. The community center offers quite a few programs for adults, including the many activities at the senior center and the weight room and fitness center. With spring coming up, the community center wants to expand its youth programs, Blair said. The community center also is eyeing those months when students will be out of school for the summer, looking for something to do during the day. To do that, community center staff members are asking people in the community who want to be an instructor for a program at the facility to give them a call, if they have a special kind of skill that can translate into a program for youth. The potential classes could range from dance classes, cheerleading, tumble classes, gymnastics and other programs, Blair said. If people are interested in teaching a class, Blair said it’s important that the time commitment is there, so the community center can organize a set schedule for the program and promote it. If someone is assigned as an instructor, they will receive a share of the fees paid to the community center for the program, Blair said. Some children’s programs currently offered at the Jefferson Community Center include music lessons and karate. Blair said the community center also is looking for adult volunteers for its TBall program, which is gearing up now. To pitch an idea for a youth program or to volunteer for the T-Ball program, adults can call JCRC Director Allison Brown at 5769052.
JEFFERSON - The Jefferson Community and Recreation Center will host its annual Spring Craft Show this Saturday, March 24. The Spring Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jefferson Community Center, located at 11 E. Jefferson St. in the Village of Jefferson. Admission is free. Senior Center Coordinator Christina Blair said approximately 80 to 85 crafters are participating in this year’s show. “It’s always huge,” Blair said. “There’s every kind of crafter you can imagine.” Not only will there be the usual handmade craft items for sale, but Blair said vendors also will be selling candles, jewelry, herbs and spices and more. A concession stand also will be made available during the event. Visitors also will have the opportunity to win items during the event. Every crafter has donated an item to be raffled off, Blair said. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 a piece or seven for $5, and names will be drawn for random prizes during the craft show. The winners do not need to be in attendance when their name is drawn. All of the proceeds benefit the Jefferson Community and Recreation Center and the Jefferson Senior Center, Blair said. Proceeds from the concession stand and items donated from the seniors go toward the senior center. The Community Center also is preparing for its spring rummage sale, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21. During the Jefferson Village Council meeting on Monday, March 19, Jefferson Mayor Judy Maloney said residents are invited to donate items to the rummage sale, such as items they find Stefanie Wessell, senior during the spring cleaning of editor for Gazette Newspatheir homes. pers, may be reached at In other community cen- swessell@gazettenews.com.
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 5A
Media Magic filming spans 15 years BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - Media Magic is celebrating 15 years in business this year and held a celebration at Harbor Perk last Thursday. Media Magic is a local film company that puts together commercials and other promotional material for many local businesses and organizations. “We’re really committed to this community, and one of the more important parts of our mission is to actually help out the small businesses in the county and in the surrounding areas,” Cheryl DicksonWalker, owner of Media Magic, said. Dickson-Walker works with her husband David Wa l ke r, w h o is M e dia Magic’s chief Avid editor. Clifford “Kip” Gynn is a freelance production sound mixer who has been working with Media Magic since the beginning and was there on Thursday to celebrate with his fellow coworkers and friends. “We take a real handson approach, and we work very hard to help them succeed,” Dickson-Walker said. Media Magic just recently shot a commercial for Crystal Clear Water Solutions and just released the commercial for viewing last week. “We work with itty-bitty businesses and large businesses and all different types of industries that we’re personally not familiar with,” Dickson-Walker said. “We learn all about these things and then we share them with other people.” Those at Media Magic have even gone out of state to help with promotional videos for Molded Fiber Glass. “We worked on a video promoting their wind energy project, and we went out to South Dakota to video tape the work at their plant,” DicksonWalker said. “It’s like two football fields long where they’ve got these blades and wind farms.” Dickson-Walker said she loves her clientele and being a resident of Ashtabula County. She is always learning about the place she calls home. “We make friends and we establish long-term relationships,” DicksonWalker said. Dickson-Walker said Media Magic would like to do more documentary and full-length film work in the future. “We want to eventually probably get more involved with film,” Dickson-Walker said. Right now, they are currently in the middle of creating a documentary that will focus on the wheelchair mission initiated by local Rev. Neroy Carter. “He and Glen Warner have been distributing wheelchairs over to Nigeria,” Dickson-Walker said. “They have filmed footage over in Nigeria and we’re adding to it.” Many people in Nigeria are wheelchair bound due to a polio outbreak, and before Carter’s and Warner’s mission, they were forced to crawl on the ground. “These guys are doing fantastic work overseas, and we’re trying to support that and get more awareness,” Dickson-Walker said. Dickson-Walker would like to finish the project before a film festival deadline in November. “We’ll be working on this film probably for the next year, and we’re hoping to take it to film festi-
Gazette Newspapers
v a l s , ” D i c k s o n - Wa l k e r said. “It’s really enjoyable to work on something like that.” Meth.com is another documentary short they’ve been working on with the Conneaut Drug Free Commission. The film is about 16 minutes long and will be available for classrooms and parents. “We’re putting together a film to educate parents and educators and young people about the dangers of meth and to teach the parents what to look out for,” Dickson-Walker said. Dickson-Walker says the business is a great way to promote the county, and she is looking forward to continuing to grow with the community. “Things come up, and we would never even know about the good in our commu n ity w i thout doing what we do,” DicksonWalker said. Sadie Portman, reporter PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ Cheryl Dickson-Walker, David Walker and Clifford “Kip” Gynn stand together in front of the Lift Bridge on the Ashtabula Harbor, celebrating 15 years of working together. gazettenews.com.
Community
HealthConnections Ashtabula
Geneva
Madison
Safe Sitter® Program
What Are your Feet Telling You?
Arthritis
Tuesday, April 3 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Must attend both days. University Hospitals 2131 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula RSVP: 440-998-5763
Vincent Cibella, DPM Tuesday, April 10 | 11 a.m. SPIRE Institute 1822 S. Broadway, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0261
Rosemary Scardino, RN-BC, CCM Tuesday, April 24 | 12:15 p.m. Madison Senior Center 2938 Hubbard Road, Madison RSVP: 440-415-0272
Heart Failure Education Series
Free Health Screening
Ashtabula Seniors Health Fair Lori Slimmer, RN, MEd Nancy Hutchens, RN, CDE Friday, April 13 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ashtabula Town Square 3315 North Ridge East, Ashtabula
Conneaut Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Jorga Melaragno Every Tuesday & Thursday | 11 a.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center WH Brown Community Room 158 W. Main Road, Conneaut RSVP: 440-593-0364
Diabetes Education Program Nancy Hutchens, RN, CDE Danielle Nies, LD, RD Monday, April 16 | 1 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 | 1 – 3 p.m. Thursday, April 19 | 1 – 3 p.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center WH Brown Community Room 158 W. Main Road, Conneaut RSVP: 440-593-0364
Health Smart Forum & Luncheon Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters Maureen Ordman-Fike Alzheimer’s Association Friday, April 20 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center WH Brown Community Room 158 W. Main Road, Conneaut RSVP: 440-593-0364
Conneaut Chamber Business Expo Nancy Hutchens, RN, CDE Tuesday, April 24 | 2 – 6 p.m. Conneaut Human Resources Center 327 Mill Street, Conneaut Call: 440 593-0364
Register online today! UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 West Main Road Conneaut, OH 44030 440-593-1131 UHConneaut.org
Check out www. Gazettenews.com For local news, sports, school happenings, community events, church news & more!
April ‘12
UH Geneva Medical Center 870 West Main Street Geneva, OH 44041 440-466-1141 UHGeneva.org © 2012 University Hospitals CONGEN 00094
Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, MEd Tuesday, April 10 | 9 – 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 11 | 9 – 11 a.m. Must attend both days. UH Geneva Medical Center Private Dining Room 870 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0180
Senior Health Forum & Luncheon Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters Maureen Ordman-Fike Alzheimer’s Association Wednesday, April 18 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Geneva Community Center 72 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP required: 440-415-0180
Knee & Hip Pain Seminar Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, M.Ed. Monday, April 23 | 11 a.m. Geneva Senior Center 72 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0180
Diabetes Education: Reading Food Labels and Counting Carbohydrates Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, MEd Wednesday, April 25 | 1 – 3 p.m. UH Geneva Medical Center Private Dining Room 870 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0180
How to Improve Your Balance Eva Evans, PT, DPT, MPT Ed Wasner, PT Thursday, April 26 | 8:30 a.m. SPIRE Institute 1822 S. Broadway, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0261
Free Mammogram for Uninsured Women Age 40 – 64 Courtesy of the Susan G. Komen Grant UH Geneva Medical Center 870 West Main Street, Geneva To find out if you qualify for complimentary testing, call 440-998-0695.
Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Random Total Cholesterol Eight-hour fasting is recommended. No reservations necessary. Tuesday, April 3 | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. University Hospitals 2131 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula Wednesday, April 4 | 4 – 7 p.m. Walmart, 3551 N. Ridge East, Ashtabula Wednesday, April 4, 18 | 8 – 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 11 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spire Institute, 1822 S. Broadway, Geneva Tuesday, April 10 | 9 – 11 a.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 West Main Road, Conneaut Thursday, April 12 | 9 – 11 a.m. Ashtabula Senior Center 4632 Main Avenue, Ashtabula Tuesday, April 24 | 9 – 11 a.m. Madison Senior Center 2938 Hubbard Road, Madison Friday, April 27 | 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Grand Valley Baptist Church 5805 State Route 45, Rome
Watch the Pat Williams Show Tune in to the Pat Williams Show Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on CableSuite541 Channel 6 and Time Warner Cable Channel 21. View the latest health education interviews with University Hospitals experts, and be sure to call in with your health questions!
6A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
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WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
CHURCH Coleman gave thanks to God, who she said makes all things possible. “This is God’s house and without God, we wouldn’t have been able to do a thing,” Coleman said. Coleman said she is proud to be a part of the community and its vision of the new addition. “They tell us without vision, the people will stagnate, the people will perish, and we certainly didn’t want the joy of this congregation and the light of this community to grow dim,” Coleman
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 7A
From page 1A said. The church also had extra money to spend on the church’s improvements. “We came in under budget, which is almost hardly ever heard of these days, but it was because of the dedication and the generous hearts,” Coleman said. The money was used to repair cracked walls and paint the sanctuary. The church is still planning to purchase new carpeting and add much needed roofing. “Because we came in under budget, we’ve been able
to do some work in this older building,” Coleman said. Coleman said it is great to not only have a great new addition for the church but to restore the heart of the old church. “We are so pleased to welcome you into this place, as we continue to grow in Jesus Christ and our spirits are raised in him,” Coleman said. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazette news.com. Jefferson United Methodist Church Administrative Assistant Pat Cramer talks with the local Boy Scouts representatives.
The Rev. Meredith Coleman stands by the Girl Scouts booth in the new wing’s gymnasium where a community fair was held.
A puppet show was put on for the children by the Jefferson United Methodist Puppet Players, or JUMPP.
The new educational wing is shown to the Jefferson community on Sunday with personal tours and questions answered by church members and administrators.
The children wait for a puppet show to begin in the preschool room. Each room in the educational wing had The Jefferson United Methodist Church’s praise team special projects and crafts for children of all ages to participate in. performed for those who stayed in the sanctuary.
Council tables purchases pending finance meeting BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Jefferson Village Council decided to table the purchase of a new vehicle and a new piece of equipment during its meeting on Monday, March 19. Council had been set to pass the third reading of an ordinance authorizing Jefferson Village Administrator Terry Finger to enter into a contract with Leader Machinery Company LTD for the purchase of a Duraco DuraPatcher, model 125DJT at a cost not to exceed $62,000. Council also had been set to pass the third reading of an ordinance authorizing Finger to enter into a contract with Tesco for the purchase of a light transit, wide-body vehicle.
The van would be used for the Jefferson Community and Recreation Center, including the senior center. The price for the van with the lift is $50,165. Councilor Brian Diehl moved to table the purchases until a finance committee meeting could be held. The motion passed, with only Councilor Jerry March casting a vote against tabling it. Diehl said council wishes to look at the budget once again and see if it’s still agreeable to moving forward with the purchases. Also during the meeting, resident Cayce Baxley had asked council about its plans to use income-tax money the village plans to receive from having the $99 million Mega Millions lottery ticket winner sold at a Speedway gas station in Jefferson last summer
CUTS Bristol believes the program disbanding is the city’s retaliation for the lawsuit, which states the city knowingly paid the canine specialists less than the required amount. “The officers in Ashtabula spent several hours each day training, grooming, exercising and preparing the dogs for duty and were not properly compensated for those hours,” Bristol said. “The dogs live in the officers’ homes and require a tremendous amount of care and attention.” Bristol said if the lawsuit is in retaliation, the city will once again be in violation of federal law. FLSA also prohibits such retaliation from occurring. Money to buy the highly trained canines was donated by several local busi-
for some of its recent planned equipment purchases. She asked if the village could count on that money, wondering if other communities would try to claim a portion as well, since all of the lottery winners don’t live in the village. “There is no precedent yet,” Solicitor Jerome Lemire said. Lemire said there’s a lack of clarity in the law, but the village believes it has a right to claim some of the money, although it does anticipate some challenges. The village already has an ordinance dealing with lottery winnings. Diehl said the equipment purchases already were scheduled to be made without consideration for the lottery money. It was just that they were going to be purchased with loans, he said.
From page 1A nesses and organizations, including American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, East Ashtabula Club, Eagle’s Club, Ashtabula Metropolitan Housing Authority and the employees of Grand River Rubber. Bristol also warns the dogs will need to be dealt with properly if they are no longer a part of the police force. “A highly trained police canine can’t simply be donated to a loving family,” Bristol said. “The dog’s bond with their master and can be dangerous if improperly handled.” The city residents have taken to social media, putting comments on Facebook about their concerns or agreements over the canine cuts. A meeting is being held for city residents to discuss
their options this Thursday, March 22, at 4:30 to 6 p.m. Anyone is welcomed to stop in and share their opinion. “We will be meeting to discuss what issues we as the public can do to save our loved K-9 unit,” citizen Mark Leatherman said. Timonere said the choice to cut the program came after carefully looking at the city’s budget. “I had to make a choice between keeping officers on the road or the K-9’s,” Timonere said. “I feel it’s extremely important to keep the officers employed.” Chief of Police Robert Stell did not return a request for comment on the issue. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazette news.com.
The church also provided refreshments and light food for the community members who joined them in the celebration of the new wing.
Children invited to the Princess Ball BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Young girls and boys and their families are invited to spend a magical afternoon and evening at the Jefferson Community Center on Saturday, March 31. The Longest Day of Play-A Family-Affair Committee is hosting a fundraiser to help support The Longest Day of Play, which will be held on June 23, 2012, Community Service Coordinator Kathryn Whittington said. The Princess Ball will
be held on Saturday, March 31, at the Jefferson C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r, l o cated at 11 East Jefferson St. in Jefferson. During the Princess Ball, parents and their children are invited to attend one of the sessions and have fun with 10 beautiful princesses who will make their day magical, Whittington said. There will be music, dancing, pizza, beverages and cake provided, Whittington said. The Princess Ball tickets are $10 per person (presale only) and there are
two sessions available. Session I is from 12-2 p.m. and Session II is from 4-6 p.m. To order tickets, specify how many tickets you wish to purchase, and for which session, and make the checks payable and mailed to: Longest Day of Play, P.O. Box 1175, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005. For group sales of 20 tickets or more, contact Whittington at (440) 9981811. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
8A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
CHOCOLATE “A lot of people are really using their imagination to come up with neat things. There is even chocolate-covered bacon,” Vincent said. “Every year the vendors try to out do themselves.” This year all the money raised goes to building a pavilion in the City of Geneva in the park planned in the lot next to the Recreation Center. “It’s a project close to my heart, and it’s going to take quite a bit of money to build it,” Vincent said. For almost every year, Maureen Faulkner-O’Toole has come to the festival where she shows off the jewelry she sells. “It’s a good community
From page 1A
event, and I know there are a lot of people here today. It’s a great way to get seen as well as help out the community with the pavilion,” Faulkner-O’Toole said. Crystal Bradbury owns Crystal’s Cakes and Cupcakes in Geneva and loves giving people a taste of her cupcakes. “Everyone’s response to this event is really great. With this turnout, it’s a great way to showcase my business,” Bradbury said. Each year the Chocolate Fest also falls right before another big event for Bradbury where she sell her cupcakes at a women’s luncheon. “We do another event in
about two weeks and this gives me a chance to tell them about that and get some advertising,” Bradbury said. Whether it was the crowds enjoying an Oreo truffle or the vendors handing out the treats, the place was filled with satisfaction. Vincent said this is one of the biggest event the Rotary puts on every year and it is the one she looks forward to. “Everyone really enjoys themselves,” Vincent said. “How could you not? There aren’t many people who don’t enjoy chocolate.” Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.
Stacy Jones sells her handbags and hands out chocolate turtle pies at last Tuesday’s Chocolate Fest.
Maureen Faulkner-O’Toole stands next to her daughter. Faulkner-O’Toole displayed Bonnie Bucholz had a chance to sell handmade purses, sewn by Candy Arp, while the jewelry she sells and handed out turtle and peanut butter brownies. giving out chocolate-covered pretzels and other treats.
Devin Ward, of SPIRE Institute, talks about the chocolate they made and the services they offer at the institute.
Crystal Bradbury, right, and her two partners share a taste of their cupcakes. Bradbury was one of many bakers who showed off their chocolate cupcakes.
Rae Ann to hold memorial for Chardon victims BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers GENEVA - Rae Ann Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is holding a memorial for the victims of the Chardon shooting, which occurred on Feb. 27. The memorial will be held at 7:30 a.m. on March 27. The center has also been selling t-shirts for the cause and hopes those who have bought one will wear it to the memorial service. “We’ve raised over $2,200 in just the shirts alone, and then we will be having the bake sale and we had over 300 carnations that have been donated, so we will be selling those at the event for a dollar,” Beth
Cheney said. The residents of Rae Ann are also getting involved as they too have been greatly affected by the news of the shooting. “The residents are making Chardon pins,” Cheney said. Cheney said the news of the shooting really affected them as they watched the events unfold on television. “They watched the news, and they just want to do something to help,” Cheney said. “They decided to make pins and it was such a great idea.” Many of those making pins have a personal connection with losing a child. “Several of the ones making pins have lost children
when they were young, and it’s been very difficult for them in particular,” Cheney said. “It brought back a lot of feelings and emotions.” Cheney said not many people think of the impact such an event can have on the elderly, and Rae Ann sees the memorial as healing for the victims and their families as well as the community. “They read the paper just like all of us do, and it’s just been so difficult for our residents,” Cheney said. The idea to hold the service was brought forth by a nurse at the center. “One of our nurses got to talking to several of us, and she said we have to do something and we just kind of
KINDNESS
went from there and it’s really snowballed,” Cheney said. Several well-known names will be speaking at the event such as, State Rep. Casey Kozlowski, State Senator Capri Cafaro, Commissioner Dan Claypool and a representative from the Chardon Angels of Hope. “We’ve got a lot of people who are coming. We’re very happy with the support we’ve been getting,” Cheney said. “It’s just amazing how the community comes together.”
Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary fifth grader Brittany Podluzne and kindergartener T. J. McCoy choose some reading material from the school’s Scholastic Book Fair with the help of educational assistant Patricia Nicholes. Teachers noticed T. J. and Brittany helping their classmates Sadie Portman, reporter with homework and entered their names in a drawing for for the Gazette, may be a book valued at $10 from the book fair. The kindness reached at sportman@gazette counts book drawing was sponsored by the school’s PTO. news.com.
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From page 1A
Students who won a book from the GPS Book Fair are Ashley Cropek, Sarah Beduhn, Danielle Haydu, Cierra Weismuller, Ellie Baily, Brittany Podluzne, Kyle Covert, Dayanara Ordonez, Faith Poole, Ava Jodon, Baily Harper, Kerra Tapia, Alyssa Green, Destiny Herron, Kallee Jodon, Cyrus Smith, T. J. McCoy, Denny Dixon, Nick Panich, Jade Krihwan, Lane Distler, Colin Young, Isabelle Gomez and Michael Gersper.
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 9A
AACS Huron Primary students invaded by leprechauns!
Lakeshore Artists entertained by guest speaker BY DEE RILEY Gazette Newspapers
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Pictured checking one of the classroom traps are kindergarteners Ethan DuFour and Darcy Howe. Kindergarten students at Huron Primary were given a special assignment at the beginning of the week. The assignment was to create a “Leprechaun Trap.” AACS elementary teachers have been plagued each March with Leprechauns sneaking into their classrooms, creating huge messes and then leaving with no explanation. This year the teachers decided to
be proactive and hoped to catch the leprechauns before the damage was done. Friday morning, kindergarteners arrived at school “armed” with leprechaun traps they created at home. Throughout the day students checked their traps hoping to catch a leprechaun and end the problem! Unfortunately, the leprechauns got away again! In Mrs. Rebecca
Contenza’s room, the leprechauns not only made a mess but also took pictures of themselves by each of the students’ traps! When the students entered the room after recess, the pictures were flashing on their classroom smart board. “We could not believe it,” said Contenza. “We had no doubt that we’d catch them this year!”
When the squeeze is on! WEEKLY PASTOR’S COLUMN Pastor Rod Kincaid Jefferson Church of the Nazarne Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Cor. 11:24-28) A wonderful family from our church brought us some fruit called “cuties.” They look like miniature oranges and they are delicious! As I was pealing one of these cuties I couldn’t help but noticed how juicy they were. You could barely apply pressure to them and the juice poured out like water pouring from a faucet. What I noticed was that until pressure was applied to the “cuties” the juice remained inside. This caused me to ask a question: What pours from leadership when pressure is applied to them? This week’s article is pertaining to leaders (in the church or in the secular world) and the topic of pressure. At some point all of us will face this thing called “Pressure.” It’s all around us. Some pressures are small and insignificant whereas some are large and very difficult to handle. There is the pressure of life itself: meeting expectations, growth, and change. There is the pressure from our jobs: deadlines, quotas to be met, and outdoing last quarter’s profits. There is the pressure of the family: bills to be paid, kids going to college, and your marriage. Whatever the case may be, pressure is everywhere and it will be applied. There are many things that may happen when pressure is applied: As a leader, the first thing that may happen to us is we RESORT BACK TO THE OLD! When pressure is applied to leaders there is this natural tendency to resort back to what we have learned and practiced in the past. There is nothing wrong with this unless those old habits are BAD habits. Hopefully, what we as leaders have done is developed our leadership skills and become better
in reacting to pressure. The worse thing we can do is resort back to bad habits. The second thing that may happen is HIDDEN THINGS MAY COME TO THE SURFACE! I have found that when pressure is applied issues reappear that I had thought were no more. Some old issues that I thought were no longer part of me come out of nowhere and are revealed. There are two things we need to do when this happens. 1) Deal with it! – Don’t make excuses for it or try and justify your actions. This may be the very reason it’s reappeared. 2) Look at it from a positive perspective! – Don’t beat yourself up because it has reappeared. Be thankful it was brought to your attention so you can continue to work on it and eventually get victory over it. The third thing that may happen is we start LOOKING FOR SHORTCUTS! There is nothing wrong with shortcuts. Trying to find a more efficient way to do something by sliming it down is good, overall. But it is a different story when we are looking for shortcuts in order to relieve or remove the pressure. Don’t get me wrong, I know that shortcuts can temporarily give relief but they usually don’t remove or stop the pressure. They may buy time to come up with the solution but, 9 out of 10 times, shortcuts are not the solution to the problem. As a leader we will deal with pressure. The question we need to answer is “How do we deal with it?” Three things to remember: 1. RESIST OLD HABIT - Continue to develop yourself as a leader and resist those old habits. Becoming a good leader requires many things and one of those is conviction. A conviction to do what is right rather than what feels right. 2. DEAL WITH IT POSITIVELY – Don’t try and get around the pressure. Deal with it! Also, don’t beat yourself up over any mistakes or mishaps! Learn from them and move forward. 3. LOOK UP – To many times God is the last one we go to when pressure is being applied. We tend to try and solve the problem on our own. We do this by looking all around for the easy way. Don’t look around for the easy way out! Look up! In conclusion, I believe God is looking for leaders who are looking at HIM for direction and answers. Pressures can cause us to look elsewhere but our eyes should always be fixed on the one that no pressure is too big for. God Bless Pastor Rod Kincaid Jefferson Church of the Nazarne
Religious Briefs March 21 Ashtabula: Free rigatoni dinner
March 25 Ashtabula: Omer String Quartet
The Ashtabula Baptist Church, located at 5909 Shepard Rd., will host a free rigatoni dinner, with salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Served from 5-6:15 p.m. with a free Movie to follow.
The Omer String Quartet, a student ensemble from the Cleveland Institute of Music, will perform a recital of classical music and popular songs at St. Peter ’s Episcopal Church in downtown Ashtabula, 4901 Main Ave., on Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and will be followed by a free and open punch and cookie reception. Sponsored by the Fine Arts Concert Committee of the Church. FMI, phone the Church at 440-992-8100.
March 25 Denmark Township: Easter Egg Hunt Bulah Calvary UMC, located at 2070 Route 193, will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at noon. Come and join us for a lot of fun!
March 23, 30 Rock Creek: Fish/Shrimp Dinner The Sacred Heart Church located on Route 45, just north of Rock Creek, will hold its annual fish/shrimp dinners. Adults are $8, children ages 4-10 are $4, and children under three are free. Carryouts available. Call for phone orders at 563-5255. Proceeds benefit our Adult Support Group.
March 29 Saybrook: Free Community Dinner A free community dinner will be held on Thursday, March 29, from 5-6 p.m. in the Church Social Hall. Come enjoy a free dinner, dessert and drink, served to you by members of Saybrook United Methodist Church, 7900 S. Depot Rd, Saybrook (across
from Saybrook Elementary School). All are welcome!
March 31 Jefferson: Community Children’s Easter Celebration First Baptist Church of Jefferson announces its annual “Community Children’s Easter Celebration” on Saturday, March 31, starting at 1 p.m. Children through sixth grade will also enjoy games, stories, prizes, crafts, balloons, cookies and punch. The public is welcome and there is no charge. The “Community Children’s Easter Celebration” will be held at First Baptist Church, 85 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson.
April 1 Ashtabula: Easter musical The Ashtabula Baptist Church, located at 5909 Shepard Rd., will host a special Easter musical presentation by Companions of the Lamb, God’s Gift of Love, at 6:30 p.m. April 1. A love offering will be taken.
ASHTABULA - The Lakeshore Artists met at 1:30 pm March 9 for their first meeting of year at the Ashtabula Fine Arts Center. G u e s t speaker and caricature demonstrator Tim Hosler lived in K i r t l a n d , Painesville and Galveston, Texas where he air brushed T-shirts for 21 years before moving back PHOTO BY DEE RILEY to Painesville. Tim Hostler shows his finished caricature of Lakeshore Artist member, He worked Bud Davis. the art circuit with the T-shirts, silhouette other learned skill that he Hosler can be seen at Art cutting and mural work. He does freehand using scissors in the Park in Painesville, now has a studio over his ga- and is a lot of fun to watch and the Maple Sugar Festival in rage in Painesville. very entertaining for a crowd. Chardon, at the Conneaut Not liking school, he Hosler’s talents include Burn Off, the Great Lakes taught himself how to draw. working on a 50-foot mural Mall, and at the Geneva He likes contemporary work at the Fairport Library and Grape JAMboree Festival in the best, people and has also a mural on the side of a the crafts department, just to taken several workshops. Geauga hardware store. name a few. “I like caricature drawing Hosler says that he gets Lakeshore Artists membecause it fits in a box and I more dimensions in his cari- bers are now in the planning can turn out a lot of them in catures by working on a live stages of preparing for their a short period of time,” person than a photo. He has big annual May art show at Hosler said. been doing this profession- the Ashtabula Fine Arts CenThe silhouettes are an- ally since 1979. ter.
Bethany Lutheran Church announces Lenten services Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 933 Michigan Ave. in Ashtabula, has announced the following Lenten services: April 1 - 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday worship service April 5 - 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday worship service April 6 - 7 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae service April 8 - 9 a.m. Strata Breakfast April 8 - 10:30 a.m. Easter worship service All services are with Pastor Larry Mackey.
SSJP News Saints John & Paul School presents speaker Dr. Ray Guarendi on the topic of ‘Raising Good Kids’ On Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Saints John & Paul High School cafeteria, 541 West 34th Street, Ashtabula, Ohio. Dr. Ray Guarendi will be speaking on the subject of “Raising Good Kids.” Dr. Rayis the father of 10, a clinical psychologist, author, national public speaker and nationally-syndicated radio host who speaks about successful family dynamics, good parenting techniques and raising successful children. His message will resonate with all parents, from those whose children are very young to those with teenagers. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Admission is free and open to the public.
THE TRENN FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO
THANK YOU!
The fundraiser was a huge success! We could not have done it without each and every one of you. Jordan Trenn is doing well and is working hard on his recovery. Again – Thanks to: Denny & Mikki Cox Lisa & Fran Collins Paul & Jen Cox Vickie Campbell Tim Foster Gary & Lenore Fusco Kym Kirk Franny Martone Andy & Julie Jahola Vickie Milano John Bowler Ralph Penna Toni Cramblit Barb Gurto Ralph Tadsen Al Hakkandy Alice-Faith Pastotnik Jay Goudy Jim Locke Sue & Mitch Williams Madyson Paradie Caitlyn Howe Theresa & Mike Wilson Mrs. Armstrong Gary Petrochello Charlie, Katrina Kovacs Greg & Nikki Przepiora Hanna & Josh Love Dee Love Laura Cole Bryan & Robin Wells Jay & Lynn Bader Mike & Kristie Blood Jocelyn Pekarcik Bill Zetlaw Joe & Mary Anne Pete Mike & Rena Hadlock Sheila Dansereau Dave Koski Lisa & Gary Howe Chris & Terry Paradie Linda & Jim Atzemis Willie & Cheryl McConnell David & JoAnn McConnell Bobbie Brockway Dave & Bonnie Howe Bunny Zigmont Ed & Jackie Trenn Jeff & Sharon Trenn Ed & Deedra Trenn Cathy Trenn Elaine & Rocky Nelson
Mark & Teresa Pope Nick & Nicole Leorch Kristin McConnell Frank & Autum Snyder Ron & Janet Barnett Chad & Terry Adams Brenda & Gary Jerauld Christina Strong Jim & Sue Atzemis John & Nancy Dyrcz Hubler Family Wilcox Family Mendrela Family O.B. Department at ACMC Bevins Family Justin & Ellen Bruckman Taylor & Jamie Atzemis Star Beacon Jefferson Gazette Jefferson Fire & Rescue ACMC Cleveland Clinic Metro Hospital Kay’s Place Lakeway’s Quinn’s Mr. Chicken Perkins (Ashtabula) Edgewood Diner Capp’s Purola Pizza Covered Bridge Pizza JD’s Pizza Capo’s Pizza Pat Catan’s American Legion Post 103 J. R. Hofstetters Jeff’s Flowers Mike’s Bikes Liberty Tax Service Heart & Hands Photography Radio Shack (Jefferson) Bloomer’s Florist Save-A-Lot (Conneaut) Physical Therapy Dept. (Conneaut) Jefferson Schools • End Zone Club • Honor Society • Jr. & Sr. High Harbor Perk Carlisle’s
Rock House (Perry) Great Lakes Auto Auto Zone (Jefferson) Peri-Operative Dept. Geauga Hospital Employee’s Bath & Body Ashtabula Dental Assoc. Subway (Jefferson) Deli-in-the-Rye Harassments Thorne’s Bi-Lo Mugs Jefferson Diner Outdoor Army Navy Nuff Stuff Sleep Gallery Buckeye Chocolates Ashtabula YMCA Defina’s Premiere Fitness Weather Sealco Rapid Photo Dusty & Steve’s Village Fuel Mart Home Depot Harbor Golf Club Cleveland Cliffs Cleveland Browns McDonald’s Corp. KPMG Top Performance Third Dimension Master Cuts Cutting Edge Ultimate Appearance Kim’s Studio BJ’s Beach House Martini’s Brockway Topsoil Auxiliary of Legion Post 103 Infinity Resources MFG Albino’s Degee’s Bar Crow’s Nest EAC Tom David Motors Giant Eagle (Ashtabula) North End Club Sons & Riders of Legion Post 103
To our friends & family, we wish to Thank You & extend our love. IF WE MISSED ANYONE, PLEASE FORGIVE US.
10A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Ohio Surveyors celebrate National Surveyors Week, March 18-24, 2012 The profession of land surveying will be honored with the 3rd Annual National Surveyors Week March 18-24, 2012. Ohio’s surveying community will recognize this national event with a variety of activities throughout the state with local chapters of the Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio. Surveying is a historic profession, which has been in existence since the dawn of civilization. Ancient Egyptian “rope stretchers” laid out the dimensions of the pyramids and monuments, and the profession has grown through the modern age with available technologies. Today’s Land Surveyors use GPS equipment, ground penetrating radar, thorough research, scientific calculations, and other tools to assist in their tasks of measuring the land. Surveyors were an important part of the development of the United States and the shape of our state boundaries. Many of our country’s leaders were actively engaged as land surveyors at some point in their career, including: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Land surveying has continued to be an important part of our military history as well. From the civil war battlefield, where surveyors were used with artillery companies to measure distances so that cannon fuses could be cut to proper length, to the modern day battlefield
where topographic measurements for operation planning and the construction of bases is essential, the need for accurate surveying has been a constant in our military forces. Today’s land surveyors are an integral part of every construction project and land transfer made in the state. By law, only a licensed professional surveyor may establish property boundaries. In Ohio, Professional Surveyors must be licensed and meet rigorous education and testing standards. Surveyors must possess a specialized Bachelor’s Degree, pass two rigorous exams, earn four years of experience and maintain continuous education requirements to qualify for licensure by the state. On Saturday, March 17, Ohio’s newest Professional Surveyors and Surveyor Interns, along with the Professional Engineers and Engineers in Training, were honored at a ceremony at the Statehouse beginning at 10 a.m., during which they received their license certifications and recite their professional oath. This ceremony, held twice each year, was hosted by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers, the Engineers Foundation of Ohio, the State Engineers and Surveyors Board, and the Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio. In addition, a special display of historic survey equipment can be viewed at the Ohio Statehouse throughout
March to honor National Surveyors Week. Some “jewels” of the collection on display include: an original indexed book of Franklin County Virginia Military Surveys, a hand-made tripod circa 1920, a turn-of-the-century brass allidade, and the prized W.L.E. Gurley Y-level which dates to 1870. The display is located on the lower level (or crypt area) of the Statehouse, adjacent to the Statehouse Museum. Items for the exhibit were provided courtesy of the Franklin County Engineer’s Office, and the display coordinated by the Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio. The Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio, Inc. is a membership-based association providing services to Ohio’s Land Surveying community. PLSO provides members with communication of survey-related issues, representation regarding legislative matters, administration of state-wide programs and promotion, and continuing professional development opportunities through conferences, seminars and one-day workshops. Twenty chapters of the organization serve regional members throughout Ohio. For more information about Land Surveying, or to find a professional surveyor in your area, visit the organization’s website at www.ohiosurveyor.org or the website of the State Engineers and Surveyors Board at www.peps.ohio.gov.
Woman’s Club to meet April 3 ASHTABULA - Woman’s Club was honored to have Renee Palagyi, executive director of Ashtabula County American Red Cross, discussing “Disaster Preparedness” on March 13, 2012. She told of her trials and tribulations of being a disaster volunteer nationwide through the American Red Cross. Ms. Palagyi also gave very valuable information of what to do in case of another ice storm, flood, or an extended electrically outage. Our two final meetings are April 3, with entertainers Story Weavers, “You only get old once,” and May 8, with speaker Oleg Kruglyakov, who is from Siberia, Russia, entertainment with folk songs and as Balalaika soloist. Meetings are at Kent State University at Ashtabula in the Blue
and Gold Room and are from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tea, coffee and a seasonal dessert are included. Woman’s Club of Ashtabula is having a membership drive; any woman over the age 18 residing or working in Ashtabula County may become a member. Woman’s Club goal is to promote an atmosphere of fellowship and goodwill by providing programs which will entertain, inform and educate. Woman’s Club meetings are held at Kent State Ashtabula in the Blue and Gold Room. If interested in becoming a member, please contact membership coordinator Linda Callahan or any member of Woman’s Club. – Submitted by Suzanne Kist Woman’s Club Publicity/Historian
JOIN US FOR JEFFERSON’S
t a e r THE G tn 2012
u H g g aE ster E Sponsored By: The Gazette Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Made possible with the generous donations of your Jefferson Area Businesses & Industry.
Saturday March 31st 11:00 A.M.
Jefferson High School Football Field Rain or Shine
4 Age Groups Ages 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11 4 BICYCLES TO BE GIVEN AWAY! 1 FOR EACH AGE GROUP
OVER 3500 EASTER EGGS
Loaded with Candy and Hundreds of Prizes!
Taste & Tour Weekend scheduled for March 24-25
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Paul Skelton and his niece, Judy, submitted this black and white photograph, taken sometime in the first third of the 20th Century. The photograph shows an operating sugarhouse “on the hill” complete with a team of horses hitched to a bob-sled loaded with a gathering tank and two local boys perched on the roof. BY CHRISTOPHER LAFURIA Gazette Newspapers EDINBORO – On Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25, thousands of local maple syrup enthusiasts and visitors from outside of Erie County will be racing to the Edinboro area to greet the sap as it flows from local maple trees. Two coinciding events will also these guests to enjoy locally produced maple products, gather with friends and neighbors, and support local service organizations and maple producers. From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on both days, the Edinboro Area Historical Society and the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting the second annual Edinboro Maple Festival. Hungry guests will enjoy pancakes, sausage and the finest locally produced maple syrup from Erie County. Allan Montgomery, from the Edinboro Area Historical Society, said that he antici-
pates over 3,000 visitors to the area for the maple festivities throughout the counties. After the success of last year’s inaugural festival, Montgomery said he had no qualms in adding the “annual” tag to the event. “Because we’re going to have a second, a third, and a fourth,” he said after last year’s event. “I was that confident that we were going to start numbering them.” The cost for the event, which will be located at the fire hall (125 Meadville Street in Edinboro), will be $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. In addition to the delicious meals, guests will also enjoy live family-friendly entertainment and crafts from local artisans and vendors. Last year, Montgomery explained that the organizations working tandem with each other “Both the maple producers, the historical society and the maple festival can merge,” he said. “We can help support each other.”
After the meal is over, guests are invited to take a free tour of dozens of local sugarhouses in Erie, Crawford, Venango and Warren counties as part of the Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Association’s eighth annual Taste & Tour Weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., local sugarhouses will be opening their doors to the public for visitors to see the process of producing maple syrup. Maple producers will showcase their process of tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and transforming it into a variety of delicious maple products. Many sugarhouses will have free samples available as well as products for sale. For maple producers, the weekend gives them a chance to escort visitors through their maple farms to see how this process works. Christopher LaFuria can be reached at clafuria@ gazettenews.com or at (814) 756-4133.
Rabies clinic protects pets from predators BY CHRISTOPHER LAFURIA Gazette Newspapers ALBION – When it comes to pets, the top priority for most owners is prevention – prevention of diseases, discomfort and danger. One local animal clinic will soon be offering an affordable rabies clinic to help pet owners prepare their pets for protection. On April 14 and April 21, the Albion Animal Center, located at 11 Wells Ave., will be offering a rabies clinic from 11 a.m. until noon. The cost for the rabies clinic will be $10 per pet and must be paid in cash prior to the rabies shots. “We’re trying to eradicate any CONTRIBUTED PHOTO chances of disease outbreak in our Protect your dog or cat this spring by attending the area,” said Rosmarie Eldred, office annual rabies clinic at the Western Reserve Animal manager at the Albion Animal Clinic on April 14 or April 21. Center. “It’s a community service rabies exposure. event to make sure that our pets are proThe CDC reports that small mammals, tected.” such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, chipThe same rabies clinic will be held at munks and rabbits, usually are never found Albion Animal Center’s sister clinic, Westto be infected with rabies. ern Reserve Animal Center, located at 1199 According to the CDC, each state collects State Route 7 in Pierpont, Ohio. specific information about rabies. In addiWhile a rabies outbreak might not have tion, the CDC publishes rabies surveillance occurred in the Albion area, Eldred said that data every year for the United States. Maps it’s important to take preventative steps to are available through the CDC to see a chart ensure safety for all pets in the region. of where animals are reported to be rabid. Shots will be available on a first-come, Symptoms of rabies begin with similarifirst-served basis for all cats and dogs in the ties to the flu. First symptoms are generally area. weakness or discomfort, fever and headache, According to the Centers for Disease Conoften lasting for days. trol and Prevention (CDC), rabies is a preDiscomfort or itching near the site of the ventable viral disease of mammals that is bite may be an indicator of rabies presence. often transmitted through the bite of a raOnce clinical signs of rabies appear, the bid animal. The majority of rabies cases redisease is nearly always fatal, and treatment ported to the CDC occur in wild animals such is typically supportive, according to the CDC. as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. Preventing rabies is done through adminRabies affects animals in several differistering passive antibodies and a round of ent ways. According to the CDC, the virus rabies vaccines. infects the central nervous system, which Any questions about the rabies clinic can can spread the disease to the brain. Animals be directed to the Albion Animal Center at that may be bitten or scratched by a wild (814) 756-4441. rabid animal should be tested for a possible
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 11A
Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 84 • 866 East Main Street • Geneva, Ohio 44041 Phone: 440-466-8694 • Fax: 440-466-0823 Email: info@genevachamber.org • Website: www.genevachamber.org
Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce
2012 Board of Directors & Officers Officers President: Tim Lenart, Individual I-Vice President: Bill Widlits, Chestnut Homes II-Vice President: Kim Patrone, Quail Hollow Resort Treasurer: Douglas Braun, Lakeview Federal Credit Union Executive Director: Sue Ellen Foote
Board of Directors Jennifer Brown, City of Geneva Beth Cheney, Rae-Ann Geneva Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Jaime Cordova, SPIRE Institute Banquet Center and Fuel Mike Goddard, Crawford Insurance Agency Cliff Henry, Harpersfield Township Brett Horvath, Geneva Area City Schools Evan Jahn, Waste Management Renee Keener, Keener Accounting & Tax Service Shirley Lehmann, Northwest Savings Bank Tony Long, JLS Computer & Accounting Service Richard Phinney, Rosemary’s Pizza Darrell Ramsey, HDT EP, Inc. Eileen Seiter, Andover Bank Amanda Tirotta, Lakeview Federal Credit Union Terri Vincent, Loudermilk Tractor & Cycle
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS • The 13th Annual Geneva Area Community Day has been cancelled this year.
Marine Assist, LLC Mailing: P. O. Box 854, Geneva, Ohio 44041 Office: 3107 S. Myers Rd. #1, Geneva Contacts: Captain Ken Schoenfeld and, Captain Frank Reed Phone: (440) 466-3254, Cell: (440) 645-8381 Web: www.MarineAssistLLC.com Email: captken@marineassistllc.com We are like roadside service for boaters. Emergency towing, rescue, and salvage of members on Lake Erie.
March 23, Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department hosts Lenten dinner, Harpersfield Community Center on Cork-Cold Springs Road, 5-7 p.m., cost adults $8, seniors $7.50, for seniors and $5 children. FMI 466-1064. March 27, Geneva Community Togetherness Memorial Service to Support and Honor Chardon High School, at 7:30 a.m. at Rae-Ann Geneva Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 839 W. Main St., Geneva. Show support by wearing a red shirt. Baked goods and other items for sale, proceeds benefit the Chardon Angels of Home Memorial Fund. FMI 466-5733.
15TH ANNUAL CHINESE AUCTION April 1, 2012 (Sunday) To have a successful auction we need donated items. It's no April Fools! The Geneva Area Chamber will hold its 15th Annual Chinese Auction on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Geneva High School. The purpose of the auction is to raise funds for the Chamber's Scholarship Fund for Geneva High School student scholarships. This is a fun family event, and it is for a good cause. The doors will open at 1 p.m., and the drawing will start at 2:30 p.m. The auction tickets are $5 including refreshments, ten auction tickets and door prizes. Additional auction tickets will be for purchase at the auction for 5 for $1. At the auction separate tickets will be available at the auction for Grand Prize and 50/50 Raffle for $1 each or 6 for $5. Each Grand Prize will have its own separate drawing. Pizza and soda will be available to purchase. The Scholarship Foundation is 501(c)(3), and you will receive a tax deductive receipt for your donation. Some examples of the regular auction and door prizes are restaurant certificates, specially filled baskets, golf passes, sports tickets, sports items, plants, tools, toys, and much more. At the auction, tickets will be available for the grand prize, and for a 50/50 raffle. Last year there were 228 regular auction items, 18 grand prizes, 61 door prizes, 8 silent-auction items, and the 50/50 raffle was $565. Please drop off donations at the Chamber office on Route 20, 866 East Main Street, or call to have your donation picked up 440-466-8694.
April 1, 15th Annual Geneva Area Chamber Chinese Auction, at Geneva High School, tickets $5. per person. Doors open 1 p.m., Drawing 2:30 p.m., Grand Prize and 50/50 tickets sold at event. Donations and tickets call 466-8694. April 1, Catherine's Christmas Spring Time Mini Shop re-opens. 910 East Main St. (Rt. 20), Geneva. Phone 466-3545. April 2-till April 10, Spring Break for Geneva students. April 4, Ashtabula County Profiles Breakfast, 8 a.m. at Kent State University Ashtabula Campus in the Blue-Gold room. "Next Generation Technology for your home and business", Ken Johnson, President and General Manager, Conneaut Telephone Company. Reservations call Mary Collins (440) 964-4312, or email ashtabulaprofiles@kent.edu. April 6, Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department hosts Lenten dinner, Harpersfield Community Center on Cork-Cold Springs Road, 5-7 p.m., cost adults $8, seniors $7.50, for seniors and $5. children. April 7, Geneva Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Geneva Methodist Church. The Easter Bunny will be there to have your picture taken with him. There will be a raffle and a 50/50 drawing. FMI call Chris Larick 466-1685, email clarick@ncweb.com. April 7, 32st Annual Geneva Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park. Held sunshine, rain, or snow. The Easter Bunny will greet all hunts at 11 a.m. Bring your own basket. Each hunter will receive an extra prize! Come one, come all and enjoy this family event. FMI call Chris Larick 466-1685. April 8, Easter April 10, Geneva students resume classes after spring break.
2012 EVENTS The Lodge at Geneva State Park
April 14, Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula, Inc., Spring Concert fundraiser, 9 p.m. at Lakeside High School, FMI or tickets call 440-964-3565.
4888 North Broadway-SR 534, Geneva, Ohio 44041 TheLodgeAtGeneva.com/Event Search.aspx (440) 466-7100 or 800-801-9982 Wine Shuttle from The Lodge~ Now till December 17, Stay at The Lodge and let us drive you through Wine Country! Every Friday and Saturday all year long with additional availability in spring and summer. Call the front desk for available dates and times. Reservations required. Call 440-466-7100, press 0. Live Entertainment at The Lodge~ Now till December 30, Come enjoy live entertainment and lounge specials all year long! Open to local residents every weekend. Visit our website for a list of entertainers. Sweetheart Getaway ~ Now till March 31, Treat yourself to a romantic getaway with the one you love. Indulge with wine, chocolates and breakfast for two. From $125 plus tax, per couple.
April 20, 7th Annual Senior Service Health Fair, at Geneva Community Center, 9a.m. to 1p.m.. Free to the public. FMI call Rae-Ann Geneva 466-5733. April 21, Geneva-on-the-Lake Spring Clean-up. FMI April 24, Free Community Appreciation Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Rae Ann Geneva, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., 839 West Main St., FMI call 466-5733. May 5, Geneva City Spring Clean-up, (put items at curb on May 4, by 6 p.m.). FMI 466-4675. May 5, Geneva Township Spring Clean-up at Geneva Landfill -Waste Management, 8 am to noon. May 5, Blessing of the Bikes, at Sporters on the Strip, Geneva-on-the Lake, hosted by Geneva Kiwanis, Geneva-on-the-Lake Kiwanis, and Ashtabula Kiwanis. More information to follow. May 11, Ashtabula Co. Senior Citizen Conference, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kent State, hosted by Job & Family Services. FMI 994-2027.
CIVIL WAR MONUMENT REDEDICATION CEREMONY "The community of Geneva invites you to attend the three-day celebration of the rededication of its Civil War Veterans Monument. Originally built in 1860 and then dedicated in 1880, the Monument has just been moved to its permanent location in historic downtown Geneva. So set aside May 18, 19, 20, 2012 to help celebrate the new home of this very important historic monument. It will be a celebration like no other. Take a step back in time to when Lincoln was president and the Civil War was fought. There will be Civil War reenactments, crafts, entertainment, and much more. Go to www.visitgenevaoh.com for more information. Because of the Civil War Monument Re-Dedication celebration the Chamber will not be hosting Community Day this year. The Chamber will be offering help to the City in plans with the monument celebration. FMI call the City of Geneva at 466-4675.
THE EASTER BUNNY IS COMING TO TOWN The Kiwanis Club of Geneva is sponsoring their Annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg Hunt on April 7, 2012. The breakfast will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Geneva from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Kiwanis Park at 11 a.m. Guests will have two choices of meals this year: the traditional "All-you-can-eat" Pancakes with sausage or a serving of sausage gravy and biscuits. Assisting this year will be members from the Key Club from Geneva High School and Aktion Club of Lake County. Both organizations are sponsored by Geneva Kiwanis. Key Club is a service organization for high school students ages 14 to 18 and Aktion Club is a community service group composed of adults who live with disabilities. Proceeds will be used by Geneva Kiwanis to assist with the many community service programs in Geneva City during this year of 2012. Tickets are available from any Geneva Kiwanian. Suggested donations are: adults $5, children 6 to 12 years $4, and children under 5 years are free. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will also be available: 8X10 individual pictures $5 and family picture $10. Also there will be a raffle for several door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. The winners to be announced at the Easter Egg Hunt or you will be called. At 11 a.m. the Easter Bunny will greet all "Hunters" at Kiwanis Park. Bring your own basket for egg hunting. All "Hunters" will receive an extra prize for their basket from Kiwanis and the Easter Bunny. More information call President, Chris Larick 440-466-1685, email: clarick@ncweb.com, or Fred Frisbie 440-983-4288, email: frfj1932@roadrunner.com.
May 18-20, Geneva Civil War Monument Rededication Celebration. FMI call the City of Geneva at 466-4675. June 20, Chamber Golf Outing at Powderhorn Golf Course. September 24, Chamber Fall Dinner October 24, Chamber Candidates Night December 5, Chamber Annual Dinner
GENEVA TOWNSHIP TO HOLD SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY Waste Management Geneva Landfill will provide free waste disposal for Geneva Township residents from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Geneva Landfill will also, host a cookout with free hot dogs and soft drinks for all participating Geneva Township residents. In order to receive free disposal, residents must show proof of residency with either a driver's license or a current utility bill. Residents should avoid bringing the following items: no tires, yard waste, batteries, appliances containing Freon (air conditioning units, refrigerators, dehumidifiers) and liquid waste. Waste Management Geneva Landfill is located at 4339 Tuttle Road, Geneva Township. For more information on clean-up day, call Waste Management at (440) 466-8804.
MARK THE DATE!
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12A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
3050 State Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004
440-993-0011
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B.J. BAKER BICYCLE SALES AND SERVICE Serving Ashtabula County Since 1949
WIDE VARIETY OF NEW BIK ES Schwinn Mongoose • GT Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-5:30 • Fri. 9:30-9:00 • Sat. 9:30-4:00 • Closed Sunday
997-3486 996 W. PROSPECT RD. • ASHTABULA
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Lakeshore Auto Parts keeps rolling after six years
440-992-3000 2323 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio (Across from ACMC)
Mon.-Fri. 9-8; Sat. 9-5; Sun. 12-8
BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - For more than six years, Lakeshore Auto Parts in Ashtabula has been in business specializing in locating the right products and parts for its customers. Larry Spangler owns Lakeshore Auto Parts, which is located at 3050 State Rd. in Ashtabula just a quarter mile from Route 20. Although the store may look small from the outside, inside thousands of items line the shelves. “We sell auto parts,” Larry said, summing up his business. He estimates Lakeshore Auto Parts has almost 300,000 items in its inventory, which are new parts. Larry said he offers all quality parts and doesn’t get involved with used or junk parts. The employees also can perform machine work, such as turning drums and rotors and making hydraulic hoses. He estimated about 30 percent of his business is composed of walk-in customers looking for parts to finish a project at home, while garages looking for parts for repairs make up the other 70 percent of his business. Lakeshore Auto Parts is independently owned and Larry has been involved with selling auto parts since he finished high school and has over 30 years of experience behind him. Workers at Lakeshore Auto Parts include Robert Johnson, with three years of experience at the counter; Tony Solembrino, driver; Josh Vegh, driver; Larry’s nephew, Kevin Spangler, driver; his son Dustin Spangler, with six years of experience at the counter; his son, Ryan Spangler, as the IT tech; and Denise Swick as Lakeshore Auto Part’s office manager. Larry said he deals with seven different warehouses that help him keep his shelves stocked and locate the right product or part for his customers. “We can just about get anything,” Larry said. Lakeshore Auto Parts carries a wide variety of products, ranging from windshield fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and nuts and bolts, to large batteries for man lifts, dozers and other heavy equipment. Whether the customers are looking for products to start an oil change or finish rebuilding
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PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN Lakeshore Auto Parts is located a quarter mile from Route 20 at 3050 State Road in Ashtabula. a car, Lakeshore Auto Parts is sure to find the parts. “If it rolls, we’re on it,” Larry said. Lakeshore Auto Parts also delivers auto parts to all local businesses in Ashtabula County. If the store does not carry it, they can try to find it for the customers. Customers are welcome to call or stop in at the store and ask about locating a part. Larry said at Lakeshore Auto Parts’ independence is something that separates the store from chain stores. Being independently owned, Lakeshore Auto Parts has more flexibility in searching for parts that are not already in the system. Some product lines that Lakeshore Auto Parts carries include Moog chassis; Wagner brakes; Wix filters; Weatherhead hydraulics; Dayco belts and tensioners, as well as Gates belts; Fel-Pro products; BCA and Timken bearings; Cloyes timing chains; Anchor motor mounts; O.E. Dorman Solutions precision u-joints; Walker exhausts; Four Seasons air conditioning; NGK, AC, Autolite and Champion spark plugs; A-1 Cardone steering and brake products; Monroe shocks and struts; and Wagner lighting. Lakeshore Auto Parts also carries USA-made alternators and starters that come with a lifetime warranty. Lakeshore Auto Parts has had the benefit of serving very loyal customers. “It’s nice to have friends,” Larry said. Lakeshore Auto Parts, located at 3050 State Road in Ashtabula, is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
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MEDICAL ACCESSORIES UNIFORM APPAREL (440) 998-7580 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10-7PM Sat. 10-4PM • Closed Sun.
See us for your healthcare supplies. We carry many hard-to-find items. If you cannot find what you need, ask us ~ we can help!
Don’t forget us for your interior remodeling projects! Serving Ashtabula County for 3 Generations! Hrs: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
The front of Lakeshore Auto Parts store. Owner Larry Spangler is proud to be able to serve his customers for more than six years in Ashtabula.
4707 STATE RD. ASHTABULA
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WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 13A
First Baptist of Church announces Easter week services JEFFERSON - First Baptist Church of Jefferson announces Easter week activities: Thursday, April 5 – Maundy Thursday Communion Service, 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 6 – Walk of the Cross around Jefferson. The walk begins at First Baptist Church at 6 p.m. Before the Walk First Baptist Church of Jefferson has a Stuffed Potato Dinner available free to the public. Easter Sunday, April 8 – 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Oakdale Cemetery (the old part) 7:30 a.m. Breakfast at the church 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service
BOE Superintendent Doug Hladek said the school district is required to have an audit performed every year, and the independent firm Canter and Associates performed the audit this time around. “We’re very proud that this year we had a nice, clean audit,” Hladek said. Hladek praised Treasurer Bonnie Brockway and other district staff for their record keeping throughout the year and for their assistance with the auditors. “Bonnie is a very good treasurer, an experienced treasurer,” Hladek said. As the audit was being performed, Brockway and other district staff were asked to provide various records to the auditors and answer questions. “We’re very proud of the audit,” Brockway said. “It does take a team effort of the district working together and the staff working together to keep the records up to date.” The full copy of the audit can be viewed online at www.auditor.state.oh.us/ under the March 13 release date. Some of the key financial highlights for fiscal year 2011 for the Jefferson Area Local School District are: • In total, net assets decreased by $409,237, which represents a decrease of less than 1 percent from fiscal year 2010. • Revenues for governmental activities totaled $19,949,412 in fiscal year 2011. Of this total, 82.7 percent consisted of general revenues while program revenues accounted for the balance of 17.3 percent.
From page 1A
• Program expenses totaled $20,358,649. Instructional expenses made up 55.4 percent of this total while support services accounted for 33.2 percent. Other expenses rounded out the remaining 11.4 percent. • The District’s major governmental funds are the general fund, the bond retirement debt service fund, the building capital projects fund and the classroom facilities capital projects fund. The general fund had $16,009,192 in revenues and $16,235,355 in expenditures. During fiscal year 2011, the general fund’s fund balance decreased $388,268 from $3,460,418 to $3,072,150. • The District’s other major governmental funds are the bond retirement debt service fund, the building capital projects fund and the classroom facilities capital projects fund. The bond retirement fund had $1,549,907 in revenues and $1,451,863 in expenditures. The bond retirement fund balance increased $152,016 during fiscal year 2011. The building capital projects fund had $5,140 in revenues and $2,953,553 in expenditures. The building capital projects fund balance decreased $2,548,413 during fiscal year 2011. The classroom facilities fund had $5,039 in revenues and $331,275 in expenditures. The classroom facilities fund balance decreased $726,236 during fiscal year 2011.
Jefferson Historical Society’s Annual Spring Rummage Sale BY BARBARA J. HAMILTON Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - The Jefferson Historical Society will be having a rummage sale on Friday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. until noon. Hundreds of donated items from area residents’ attics, garages and estates can be purchased at the lowest prices of any sale you could attend! All proceeds go to support the historical society. Clothing will be accepted but will be used for a different fund raiser. Saturday is fill-a-bagfor-a-buck day. A grocery bag can be purchased for one dollar and whatever fits in the bag is yours. The Society, located at 42 East Jefferson St. in the former Trinity Church, will also be sponsoring an exclusive preview sale, craft session and luncheon on Thursday, March 29. Attendees will be able to find out what to do with rummage or garage sale finds. Are you looking for a savvy way to save? Could you make a candle from discarded crayons or a favor
PHOTO BY BARBARA J. HAMILTON
Pricing the wide variety of items to be sold at the annual Spring Rummage Sale to be held at the Jefferson Historical Society March 30-31 are, from left, board members Shirley Howley, Marlene Laidley and Phyllis Wayman. from a styrofoam cup? Jan Baber, a local crafter, will show projects that anyone can make with a little bit of effort. Each participant will have a kit to take home to try making something from basically a throw-away. The program begins at 11 a.m. at the Historical Society’s research room. Following the demonstration will be lunch. Chef Susan Masirovits has a menu to please: vegetable crudités,
Caribbean chicken salad with tropical fruit and guava dressing, sweet potato banana muffins, orange cake with vanilla sauce and toasted coconut and tea, coffee and punch. After the luncheon and craft session, the guests will be able to have the first chance to rummage and buy articles donated by Society friends. The preview is $10 per ticket. Reservations may be made by calling Susan at 576-7112.
Free parking is located behind the former church building. The Society is handicapped accessible. If you have items of any kind to be picked up for donations, please call Marlene, 576-7430, or Norma, 576-2681. If you would like to bring your donations to the society yourself, please call the same numbers listed so the building can be opened for you.
Hang Suite hosts art show
Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette NewspaPHOTO BY DEE RILEY pers, may be reached at Chris Raab and Jeremy Shank united their artistic talents for a show at the Hang Suite on Main Avenue in Ashtabula on March 17th and 18th. They are both members of the Lakeshore Artists. swessell@gazettenews.com.
BEAT THE APRIL 1 INCREASE! THE BIG THREE OF OIL & GAS LEASING: 1. Environmental Protection 2. Landowner Rights 3. Increased $$$ Groundbreaking Water Quality Guarantee Monitoring Well Installations Your Environmental Advocate UPCOMING LOCAL Q&A SESSIONS AND LAST CHANCES TO LOCK IN LOWEST COMMISSION Monday, March 19 Windsor Community Center 5530 U.S. 322 West Windsor, Ohio 44099 Monday, March 26 Trumbull Fire Hall 2443 S.R. 534 South Geneva, Ohio 44041
Wednesday, March 21 Plymouth Fire Hall 1001 Plymouth Rd. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 Wednesday, March 28 Richmond Town Hall 5939 Footville-Richmond Rd. Andover, Ohio 44003
AL L E V EN T S BEG I N AT 6: 30 P. M . www.nelashale.org | 330-854-1966 | info@nelashale.org
14A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Curtain to open for Falcon Follies’ 37th year this weekend BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - After over a month of rehearsals, the Falcon Follies is ready for another year of community fun and entertainment. This year’s theme is Great Getaways, Great Adventures. Falcon Follies will be held in the Jefferson Area High School auditorium Thursday through Saturday, March 22-24, beginning at 7 p.m. on each night. The show is full of dance and musical numbers along with seven walk-on ads, all written by local talent. Each skit, walk-on ad and dance number will fit right along with the theme. Many have an added slice of light heartedness and humor. “The rehearsals are going great,” Seanna Butler said. “It’s going to be a really good show.” The show is child and family friendly and is sure to engage people of all ages. The Falcon Follies performers held their first dress re-
PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN
The Falcon Follies dance with the world during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal. The follies are preparing for opening night on Thursday. hearsal on Tuesday and got a chance to try out their wellrehearsed scenes in the costumes they will be donning when the curtain is opened. The show is a fundraiser for
the school district and has been an annual event for 37 years. “The show is so much fun. It’s just an added bonus that it raises money for the kids,” Butler said. The funds raised from the show will go back to the teachers for supplies and special trips for the students. “We are hoping to raise between $7,000 to $8,000,” Butler said. “If we raise somewhere in between there, that’s a good average show.” Butler said they do have a smaller number of ads in the program this year, but the Falcon Follies still see its goal of around $7,000 to $8,000 as a feasible number to reach. This year directors, Jody Anthony and Cindy Butler, are directing for the first time, but they are far from being new to The Falcon Follies jam out with the all women’s number, the follies as each has per“Roam If You Want To.” The Falcon Follies will be shown formed in the show multiple beginning this Thursday with closing night on Saturday. times in the past.
“The directors have put a lot of effort into this show,” Seanna Butler said. “They’re first-time directors and they have done a really great job.” Butler said the show is great for the whole family and at price that will not break the budget. “It’s a fun, cheap night out,” Butler said. Falcon Follies is not just a tradition for many audience members but for the performers as well. “There’s a lot of people who come and do the show year after year,” Seanna said. “It’s the social aspect that brings many people back. We really are a follies family.” Tickets are $5 for students at the door ($4 in advance), and $7 for adults at the door ($6 in advance). Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazettenews.com.
Kindergarten registration to be held for Jefferson Area Local Schools Kindergarten children must be five years of age on or before Sept. 30, 2012
5 DTAP, 4 IPV, 2MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Chicken Pox (Complete Immunization Record is required at the time of registration.) 3. Proof of Residency Bring your most recent electric or other utility bill – must have your name, address and date on it. (If you are living with a relative or friend, bring their most Registration and screening will be by appointment recent electric or other utility bill – must have their only at: name, address, and date on it.) • Jefferson Elementary School 4. Legal document showing proof of custody if a Tuesday, April 17, 2012 and Wednesday, April 18, divorce or separation is involved. 2012 Developmental Screening: • Rock Creek Elementary School A series of tests will be given to your child. The arThursday, April 19, 2012 eas screened will be: Language Arts, Math, and Speech/ Make your appointment by calling your school office Language. The screening program will not exclude any from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Monday, March 19, children from school that are of legal age. However, it through Friday, March 30. will help parents make informed decisions about their Important: During this call, please be prepared to child’s school career. Allow approximately 45-60 mingive your child’s full name, mailing and street address, utes for your appointment. home phone number, cell phone number, date of birth, Additional Services: and the names and work phone numbers of parents/cusJefferson Safety Town Registration – sponsored by todian/guardians. the Jefferson Community Center You need to bring your child to the registration apRock Creek Safety Town Registration – sponsored by pointment and your child’s: Rock Creek Elementary School PTO 1. Birth Certificate It is important that you register your child on one of 2. Immunization Record – State law requires: these dates so that we can plan classes now for the fall.
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News From Our Schools BY DOUG HLADEK Superintendent
Jefferson Area Local Schools Welcome to Spring! It’s hard to believe we did not miss any school for snow days during our unseasonably mild winter. The spring flowers and tree blossoms have added color to the landscape. Jefferson Area High School athletes can be found in droves around the stadium and tennis courts practicing for spring sports. The well-drained stadium turf allows teams an opportunity to practice when other fields are too wet to use. Track, softball, and baseball teams will begin competition this week while tennis matches will begin next week. This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the Falcon Follies will perform their outstanding community entertainment in the high school auditorium. Show times are 7 p.m. each night and the talented participants guarantee to amuse the audience. The Falcon Follies have donated the proceeds from the event to our schools through requests for educational supplies and equipment from school staff. Our Jefferson Area High School Model UN students will participate in The Northcoast High School Conference held at Kent State University Ashtabula Campus on March 23 and 24. Students from Ohio and surrounding states will gather to match wits on issues of international relations and foreign affairs. Our team is practiced and poised for another successful conference. Students from Rock Creek Elementary School in grades 3-6 attended and enjoyed a special performance of “Doktor Kaboom” at the Ohio Theatre in Cleveland on March 16. Doktor Kaboom performs a comedy science show blending theatre arts with science experiments to entertain and educate. Jefferson Elementary School students in grades 3-6 have been practicing for a talent show to be held Friday, April 13, from 6-8 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The event is sponsored by the sixth-grade class. Tickets are available and a bake sale will be held to benefit the sixth-grade field trip. A group of Jefferson Junior High School language arts students attended the Kent State Ashtabula English Festival March 16. Students were required to read prescribed books and participate in challenging educational discourse. Next week Junior High students will participate in a Career Day to explore future occupations and listen to speakers. Jefferson Area Local Schools are being challenged by rising operating costs and reduced revenues from the state. The district will face serious budget constraints next school year and beyond. Cost cutting measures are being developed for approval by the Board of Education at future meetings. The district has reduced costs for the past several years through reduction of staff positions and other program cuts. Again this year staff reductions, program adjustments, and other means will be needed to maintain costs. The Board will be considering funding options to maintain a balanced budget for the future. Thank you for supporting our schools. Check the district website calendar or watch for announcements about our activities at www.jefferson.k12.oh.us, or visit your schools. For more information about your schools, contact me at the Board of Education office (576-9180).
Falcon High School Menus March 21 Taco Salad w/Lettuce Meat, Cheese, & Chips Refried Beans Blueberry Crisp Choice of Milk March 22 Roasted Chicken Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Strawberry Shortcake Choice of Milk March 23 Cheese Quesadilla Golden Corn Chips & Salsa Peach Cup Choice of Milk
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WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Lifelong learning starts with Early Literacy at Ashtabula County District Library By Tom Milligan
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 15A
Kozlowski talks about changes to help with schools and economic growth BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
Community Relations Coordinator Ashtabula County District Library We live in an age in which “lifelong learning” is no longer just a nice, wholesome sort of thing one might wish for, a small element in one corner of an idealized picture of a happy, satisfying life. Increasingly, lifelong learning is an economic necessity. In was once possible to settle into a career at age 18, or younger, and still be working at that trade 40-some years later. Nowadays, changing careers two or three times over the course of a working life is more the norm. And even if we don’t change careers, the pace of technological change forces pretty much all of us to be able to learn to adapt to new ways of doing things. And what is the skill most fundamental to all learning? Reading, of course. So it only makes sense to get started on the development of that fundamental skill as soon as possible. Educators tell us that children who start school without certain basic skills and knowledge of books are already behind, and may struggle—sometimes unsuccessfully, for their whole lives—to catch up. Things like being able to tell the front of the book from the back, knowing which end is “up,” that the letters are essentially a code which stands for the sounds of the language, that we read them from left to right, from the top of the page to the bottom and so on. Experts call them “pre-literacy” or “early literacy” skills, and although they may sound like simple common sense, none of us are born knowing them. And the fact is, educators tell us, too many children are starting school without them. Which is why at Ashtabula County District Library we’re committed to providing programs and resources supporting and encouraging parents and caregivers to make sure their children acquire these necessary skills in the first five years of life. After providing food and shelter, it’s maybe the most important thing you can do for a child, and if you’re able to read yourself you’re fully capable of doing it. You just need to develop your own awareness about the skills needed and the ways of interacting with small children that develop them. “Every Child Ready to Read” is a training program for adults developed by the Public Library Association and the Association of Library Services to Children. It’s designed to help adults develop the awareness they need, and learn the techniques that nurture the necessary skills in their pre-school children. Youth Services Coordinator Barb Tack, and Tina Conrad of ACDL’s Geneva branch, both trained in presenting “Every Child Ready to Read,” routinely model the recommended techniques in their Storytime programs, Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings at the Ashtabula Library and Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings at Geneva. And Ms. Tack will present a full-length “Every Child Ready to Read” program at 6 pm April 10 at Ashtabula Library, explaining the goals and techniques in detail, the first in a series of regular demonstrations designed to encourage adults in the process building strong learning skills, even in infants. It turns out you actually can’t start this process too soon. Now, please don’t try to sit down and try to “teach” your toddler. Whenever you talk, or sing, or read to little ones you are teaching them about language and reading, you’re stimulating their imaginations and you’re sharpening their natural curiosity about those objects with all the pieces of paper stuck together. And an actual book doesn’t even have to be present at all times. Reading the signs out loud in public places, singing nursery rhymes or silly songs of your own making, even just telling out loud the story of what you’re doing together, on your way to the store, sweeping the floor, etc., are all ways of developing these “pre-literacy” skills. ACDL is also launching “Babytime,” an early-literacy initiative for children 18 months of age and younger, Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. at Ashtabula Library starting March 28. It’s much like Storytime (which is designed for kids ages 18 months to 6 years old), but with shorter books, larger-format books with bigger pictures, and more singing and finger plays appropriate for younger kids. And then there’s BookFLIX, the online “talking books” service from Scholastic publishing company, a hundred pairs of books, half fiction and half non-fiction, in nine different subject areas and varying degrees of reading difficulty. Voiced-over narration, word-by-word highlighting, and animated graphics help build the skills of beginning readers at the computer by themselves, or in the company of a grown-up. It’s available through the website: www.acdl.info, though you will have to enter your ACDL library card number. If you have preschoolers in your life—your own children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or kids you care for while their parents are at work—getting them ready to learn to read on their own is a critically important goal you can help achieve. ACDL is committed to supporting you.
GENEVA – State Rep. Casey Kozlowski addressed the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce, local educators and school administrators, along with the senior National Honor Society students and their families, on Monday night. “Education most certainly plays an extremely important role in our community and state,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski was previously a school board member and understands the issues they have in today’s world. Kozlowski helped introduce House Bill 30, which puts much of the power back to the local level. “This legislation included changes to various accounting, spending and reporting requirements, including eliminating the authority of the superintendent of public instruction which imposed rules in these areas,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski said no two school districts run the same way, and legislation can hinder schools from operating in the best manner for their community. “[The legislation] also empowered school districts to decide whether they would be engaged in family and civic engagement teams and allow local school districts to have greater flexibility on the programs and services that they wanted to offer,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski is also helping to bring more of the Teach America program to Ohio. Teach America is a program that allows college graduates without teaching degrees but with other areas of expertise teach students and become certified in teaching. “In Ohio alone we have close to 2,000 applicants for the programs,” Kozlowski said. Before 2012, applicants for Teach America would most likely be assigned to an area outside the state. “Now we will be keeping these talented teachers in our state and, more specifically, in northeast Ohio,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski also addressed school funding. “To this day, school districts struggle with funding problems, forced to put levies on local ballots in hopes that they pass in these economically trying times,” Kozlowski said. Ohio’s school funding has been in the forefront for 15 years after Ohio’s funding of school through property taxes was declared unconstitutional. “We have witnessed inaction on both sides of the aisle, and as someone who is serving in his first term in this legislature and walked into this, it is time we took action,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski is personally doing research to change the state’s school funding and trying to get a full and accurate picture of what is occurring. “We soon will be holding hearings to collect testimony from citizens who know the ins and the outs of our complex education funding system,”
Special Sensory Storytime to be presented at Ashtabula Library’s downtown facility A special program for special-needs children and their families has been scheduled for 11 a.m. next Saturday (March 31) at Ashtabula County District Library’s main building on West 44th Street. “Autism Family Day,” featuring a “sensory story time” will be presented by ACDL’s Youth Services Coordinator Barb Tack, who leads the Library’s efforts in supporting early literacy and reading with—as opposed to reading to—young children. “Autism and autism-spectrum conditions are now appearing in about one out of every 110 births in the United States,” she notes, “and the rate is even higher—about 1 in 70—for boys. It’s a complex developmental disability that usually shows up by the time a child is three years old, and though it can have very different symptoms among various individuals, it always affects the child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.” Some of the characteristic behaviors in children suffering from the condition—“flapping” of the hands or arms, rocking, unusual emotional volatility
and several others—are seen as disruptive in “normal” social situations, which can discourage a family from bringing an autistic child to programs like Storytime, the regularly-scheduled 45miniute program of stories, songs and crafts designed to encourage the development of “pre-literacy skills” in young children, she says. So while the “sensory storytime” program isn’t “restricted” to kids with autismspectrum issues, “we structure the program with more attention to making a comfortable space for kids with those issues and their families.” There will be a schedule, posted visually for the children to see and “tick off” as each item is completed, because these children often have an easier time concentrating when they feel they know what’s supposed to happen. There will be carpet tiles to delineate personal spaces, “sensory” experiences like singing and waving ribbons or crepe paper to discharge pentup energy, and books and songs that encourage more interaction with the characters
in the story and with the reader. “And all the while, probably without anyone’s really being aware of it, the children are slowly developing the early literacy skills they’re going to need, every bit as much as “normal” children need them,” says Ms. Tack. “The rhymes of the songs call attention to similarities in the sounds of words, the sequence of events in any given story develop a child’s ability to understand how stories work and construct their own, and the colorful pictures stimulate the senses and provide opportunities to talk about colors and shapes,” she says. The program is a new initiative for the library, says Ms. Tack, but with the incidence of autism-spectrum conditions increasing nationwide “we want to see what the need might be” to continue this or similar programs, she says. The program is offered free of charge, but the Library asks participants to call and register (997-9341, ext. 231) in advance so as to be able to make adequate preparations.
Kozlowski said. Kozlowski said the state has also passed legislation to keep school funding at the state level the same. “School districts will receive the same amount of state aid as they did the previous year...Some school districts here locally actually saw a slight increase,” Kozlowski said. Schools will still lose federal funding, though. Kozlowski would like to hold lagging districts accountable and said it takes more than money to make a successful school. Kozlowski wants to see all schools running at high standards. Kozlowski has also spent time talking with small business owners. “The small businesses here certainly are the backbone to our community,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski said many winery owners had concerns over restriction on making distilled products. “They explained to me that they are interested in taking
some of the grapes they grow here locally to the next level and start producing distilled products,” Kozlowski said. The existing laws prohibit Ashtabula County businesses from getting approved to produce distilled products. “Only counties that had a population greater than 8,000 could actually apply for and receive such a permit,” Kozlowski said. “This effectively left out Ashtabula County and parts of northeast Ohio entirely.” Kozlowski was once again on the front of the legislation, which was signed into law at the end of December by Gov. John Kasich and becomes effective this Thursday. “We have a local business actually just outside of Geneva that is close to opening its operation as a result of this legislation,” Kozlowski said. Kozlowski sees the value of Ashtabula County’s resources and wants to see those resources used to continue economic growth. “Other parts of the state
and country would love to the resources we have right in our own backyard,” Kozlowski said. “We certainly have so much to offer.” Kozlowski is continuing to push the Jobs Ohio initiative and the Common Sense initiative, which will both help increase economic growth in the state. “[With] this, coupled with reforms to make Ohio a better place to do business, we have become the number one job creator in the Midwest for 2011 and number nine in the United States,” Kozlowski said. “In 2010, we were 47 in job creation [in the United States].” Kozlowski is proud to be a representative for the State of Ohio and sees a great future. “I am proud to say that northeast Ohio is really on cusp of a great come back, so we will continue this work,” Kozlowski said. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazette news.com.
16A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2012
Business Expo offers bridge from residents to business owners BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
“We are here to help anyone who needs long-term or short-term care,” Arther JEFFERSON - The said. Many businesses, such Jefferson Business Expo was once again held on as Fleming and Billman FuTuesday afternoon at the neral Home, were at the Jefferson Community Cen- expo for a repeat visit, seeing the expo as great expoter. The center was filled sure. Alisa Nierzejewski of with booths ranging from local restaurants like the Fleming and Billman said Deli in the Rye to banks she loves the interaction such as Key Bank and First with the local community. “It’s good public relaMerit Bank. “We like to be involved tions. We like to come and with the community. We meet the people of like to intermingle and get Jefferson,” Nierzejewski to know people in the com- said. “It’s really nice to meet munity,” Amanda Arther of the people. That’s what we the Jefferson Healthcare like to do.” For some, though, it was Center said. Jefferson Healthcare their first time and they reCenter offers medical and ceived a pleasant response nursing care and a variety by those coming through. “This is our first time out of resources. Staff see the expo as place to display here, and it’s a very nice event,” Beth Cheney of Raetheir qualifications.
Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said. Dawn Fedarko of Key Bank said the expo was slow at first but began to pick up when people started getting off of work. Key Bank brought information packets for the people walking through and even the businesses with booths. “We brought some things about mortgages and home equity loans and some banking products for the businesses,” Fedarko said. Fedarko said she wants to make sure everyone has a chance to have their questions answered. “If we get a lot of people walking around, hopefully they’ll be able to see what we do and come in and ask us questions,” Fedarko said. “That’s what it’s all about. If they come in and ask ques-
tions, we can go from there.” Other businesses were home businesses like Party Lite, which is a candle company. “I’ve been here since the start of the expo,” Cappy Childers of Party Lite said. Childers enjoys the public’s response to the expo each year. “I like meeting the other vendors, and I get a chance to talk with people who I wouldn’t normally be able PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN to talk to,” Childers said. Deli in the Rye, located right in Jefferson, offered free The next event held at samples at its booth at the expo on Tuesday. the Jefferson Community Center will be this Saturday’s Craft Fair, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazettenews.com.
Many connections were made during the Jefferson Business Expo held on Tuesday at the Jefferson Community Center. The business owners saw the expo as a great way to connect with the public.
Beth Cheney of Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center had a chance to talk with former patients about the great care they received.
Jerry March of Cruise One talks with those walking through the expo about travel plans Amanda Arther of Jefferson Healthcare Center is happy and booking to be representing the center for the first time this year. vacations as the summer months approach.
Geneva Middle School student headed ‘Down Under’ with People to People Organization
PHOTO BY JAN PERALA
Nicholas Gala is packing his suitcase and heading “down under” with the People to People organization in June. He will spend 15 days in Australia. His family is planning a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for his trip. The dinner will be held March 26 from 58 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel located at 1388 Hubbard Rd. in Madison. Tickets are $10 each and are available in advance or at the door. A 50/50 raffle and a Chinese auction will also be part of the evening’s events. For tickets or information, please contact Michelle Gala at 466-4025 or by email atmichellegala@windstream.net. Nicholas is a student at Geneva Middle School and the son of Steve and Michelle Gala of Geneva.
After School Discovery announces Kinder Cove ASHTABULA - After School Discovery will provide a half-day enrichment program open to any kindergartener who will attend the Lakeside Primary Campus beginning fall 2012. Kinder Cove will complement the half-day Ashtabula Area City School Kindergarten Program and will be located on the Campus in the Michigan Building. Kinder Cove will focus on helping children meet or exceed kindergarten benchmarks by strengthening academic, social, emotional and physical development. Children may attend two, three or five days/ week in the morning or afternoon. The fee for five days/week is $67 and a non-refundable $25 registration fee will hold a place. Space is limited.
“Our strong collaboration with teachers and principals at the Lakeside Primary Complex gives us the opportunity to communicate directly with teachers and provide linkages with the school day teachers and curricula,” said Lisa Schira, Program Director. Busing will be provided to/from Kinder Cove/kindergarten for those who attend five days per week, and staff will assure that students are safely transported between buildings. Before and after school services are also available on the campus through After School Discovery for an hourly fee. For more information, contact After School Discovery business office at 993-1060.
Choosing ACMC. It’s more than a healthcare decision. Our community relies on ACMC for so many things in addition to quality healthcare. Things like good-paying jobs. More than 1,000 jobs, in fact, resulting in a $50 million payroll each year that is placed into our local communities — ranging from Geneva to Conneaut to the southern portions of Ashtabula county. Jobs that help support other county businesses. Jobs that generate nearly $650,000 in local income taxes — directly benefitting our roads, our parks, and our police and fire departments. When you choose ACMC — a community-based, not-for-profit hospital — you’re putting money back into our local economy. You’re helping to support the job of a relative, friend or neighbor. And you are providing a foundation to ensure that ACMC is here to benefit you and our community for generations to come. And our promise in return? With your help, to continue to invest in our communities and to deliver the highest level of care possible. For a healthier community, choose ACMC. It’s a decision that affects so much more than your health.
www.acmchealth.org