Inside this week
Students learn diplomacy through Model UN
Ashtabula County Country Christmas — 48 pages of holiday happenings
— See Page 5A
Student Council helps fill cupboard at Geneva Food Pantry – See Page 9A
THEGAZETTE
Vol. No. 135, No. 47
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011
Periodical’s Postage Paid
75¢
GACS BOE listens to public Active Blessing missionary visits JAHS concerns over levy’s failure to pass BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers GENEVA - The Geneva Area City Schools (GACS) Board of Education met last Wednesday for its monthly meeting and to talk to the public about their options after their levy failed. “We are here to talk. We are not here tonight to make decisions,” Superintendent Mary Zappitelli said. Right now, if nothing is cut, GACS will barely end the school
PHOTOS BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME
Emily Locy explains the many different ways the funds can be used. BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME Gazette Newspapers
Locy explained to the council that Active Blessing Uganda is an organization of ex-child soldiers JEFFERSON - The Jefferson that are helping others. Area Senior High School Student “We are a USA charity supportCouncil is working on an upcom- ing the Ugandan NGO in rescue, ing fundraiser - but not for them. care and education of their street According to Council President kids. We are involved in projects Jennifer Hall, the student council of economic development, peace, wants to raise money for some kind spiritual life, athletics and more. of charitable organization next Our support gives them the oppormonth. tunity they need to get a fresh start “Last December we raised over on life and to rebuild,” Locy said. $500 for Haiti Relief,” said Student Locy went on to say that there Council advisor Stacy Hinkle. are many ways to help. One is to One recent morning before buy necklaces and bracelets made school started, the council listened of paper beads. to guest speaker Emily Locy. Locy, “All proceeds from bead sales a 2007 graduate of Geneva High will go directly to support the eduSchool, leads the organization cation and care for 22 orphans supcalled Active Blessing Uganda. ported by former child-soldier, Hall explained that many council Alfred Okeny. He’s already put members are a part of the Model three street girls through nursing United Nations team at JAHS and school with these funds,” she said. debate about the issues in Uganda See BLESSING page 7A that Locy deals with on a daily basis.
Public comments sought for Harpersfield Dam restoration project BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP - The Harpersfield Dam was saved from being moved downstream to Lake County, but now the project to repair the dam is on and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is asking for citizens’ feedback. “We have an another opportunity to share our concern and love for the Harpersfield Dam. The Buffalo District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be reviewing the deterioration of the Harpersfield Dam and is requesting our comments within 30 days,” Chris Akios, biologist on the Environmental Analysis Team, said. “However, the case was opened on Nov. 4, so we have to act quickly.” The Harpersfield Dam was constructed in 1868 and there has been reports of cracks beginning to appear. The Buffalo District of Army Corps Engineers (USACE) has now developed a restoring-of-the-dam, scoping information study and report online that highlights the need for the dam and suggested plans for repairing it. “Although the structural integrity of the dam appears sound, recent evaluations have determined
that the abutments supporting the dam have begun to crack and the long-term structural integrity of these retaining walls has come into question,” the report said. According to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Harpersfield Dam has protected the Grand River from the migration of sea lamprey, therefore keeping existing aquatic life in tact. “The study is needed to determine how best to maintain or improve ecosystem functions - including riverine connectivity, habitat and fish communities in the vicinity of Harpersfield Dam and in other portions of the Grand River and Lake Erie that are influenced by the dam,” the report said. “Of important concern is the aging infrastructure of the dam and the influence that the dam has on the environmental condition of the Grand River.” The dam currently prevents the use of chemicals to control the lamprey, a system the the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has used on the Great Lakes and the Grand River downstream from the dam. The report details all possible ways to restore the dam and what the outcome could be if the dam is left in its current condition. “Future conditions with the no action alternative and potential impacts associated with the preferred alternative will be assessed in relation to several parameters,” the report stated.
year with a positive balance. “If we keep everything in place, we will end this school year with a cash balance of approximately $625,000,” Zappitelli said. The district has three more opportunities to pass a levy in March, June and November of 2012. “If we do not pass a levy by June 2012, we will have to cut expenditures for the 2012-2013 school year by approximately $1.2 million,” Zappitelli said. Even if the levy passes in an upcoming election, GACS will still
have to reduce expenditures by $500,000 to $600,000. “At this time, the board has not made a decision about whether or not to go back on the ballot,” Zappitelli said. Zappitelli said it is clear the community did not want to pass the levy, as the levy failed by about 60 percent. But she said the school board and the community must determine what is next for the district.
See GACS page 5A
PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN
The Geneva Area City Schools Board of Education opened up its public section of the Nov. 16th meeting to listen to suggestions, questions and concerns over the district’s future after their levy failed.
Ashtabula clicks away for ‘We Hear You, America’ sweepstakes BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - The Reader’s Digest’s “We Hear You, America” sweepstakes is once again in full swing and Ashtabula has high hopes. Last year, Ashtabula participated in the contest where people vote for their city and came away with $1,000. “Last time we were only presented with a ‘token’ check for $1,000 as a stop on the RV tour. After sending e-mails to various community leaders and activists and posting on a local internet forum to get ideas for how to use the money and looking for folks to step up to match the funds, the money was turned over to the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association after matching funds were offered for improvements to the
downtown area...effectively turning the $1,000 into $3,000,” City of Ashtabula Ward 3 Councilor Ann Stranman wrote in an e-mail. Stranman is hoping to rally the community once more. “Earning one of the top prizes this time (of $50,000, $25,000, or even $10,000) could really help to make a difference in the community, especially if we’re able to secure matching funds again,” Stranman said. The contest runs through March 1, 2012, and Stranman is keeping her eye on the prize. “We were in first place early in the day [Wednesday], but by the afternoon, dropped down below the top five,” Stranman said. “Through the efforts of many individuals who went on and voted non-stop for hours, we were able to reclaim our number one spot.” Stranman said some of the
people voting were from out of town or no longer lived in the Ashtabula area. “I feel this shows the level of hometown pride our people possess,” Stranman wrote. “We believe in Ashtabula.” Some of the rules have changed this year. “The contest is a bit different this time in that folks can vote as much as they want,” Stranman said. With being able to vote multiple times, the site has added extra security. “To ensure all votes are entered manually, the site requires you to enter in a captioned word. It should be noted you only have to enter the wavy word. It is not necessary to enter the one that looks normal,” Stranman said.
See SWEEPSTAKES page 7A
Marshmallows and linguine at LJHS SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP - What can I build for $200 out of marshmallows and linguine pasta? Students in Mrs. Campbell’s seventh-grade enrichment class at Lakeside Junior High School put on their construction hats. The assignment began with the students working in groups to create a company, naming it and
sketching a draft of their structure. Each group was given $200 to purchase construction materials – large marshmallows, $10, small marshmallows, $7, linguine noodles, $4.50, and a golf ball, $14.75. The object was to construct the highest “selfstanding building” that can hold a golf ball. The winning group had a 14.5-inch structure.
See COMMENTS page 7A Pictured (left to right): Cyle McAfee, Jamar Bruner, Janelle Hanna and Ta’la Callaway.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
2A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
Memorial service held for residents of the Country Retirement Campus BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
“It’s a real nice service to invite our employees to, because we are so attached to ASHTABULA - The our residents, as well as the Country Club Retirement other residents because Campus of Ashtabula held they become great friends its second annual memorial with the people here and service for all the residents then we invite the families,” who passed away this past Daye said. Daye said everyone who year with the help of the Hospice of the Western Re- attends can leave with a sense of closure and a way serve. “This is our second year for all emotions to let go in that we’ve done it and we’ll an environment of underbe doing this as an annual standing. “It’s a real nice memorial event with the Hospice of the Western Reserve and service that we hold once a the Country Club,” Mindy year around Thanksgiving,” Daye said. Daye said. Daye said the service The service provided songs, prayers and a went smoothly this year and community’s shared grief they have learned from last with the lighting of four year. “It’s a little more orgacandles labeled grief, cournized this year. With last age, memory and love.
The list of names of residents of Country Club Retirement Campus of Ashtabula who passed away this past year was listed as the service went on with song and prayer.
PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN
Susan Hamme and Roger Zale perform peaceful and healing music during the memorial service. year being the first year, we now have experience,” Daye said. Daye works hand in hand with Hospice as they plan the service and send out invitations. “Jerry [Danalchak] does such a great job getting everyone together and putting together the programs and we work together,” Daye said. “We start planning about two months in advance.” Daye said she is glad to be a part of the service and introducing the annual event to the retirement community. “It really is something we enjoy doing. It’s just really fulfilling,” Daye said. Daye said they get a list ready prior to the service of people to invite. “We contact all of the families of the people who are in the list of the deceased and the residents
each get an invitation,” Daye said. Daye said the service can be very emotional for families, especially for husbands and wives who have remained together even after moving into the Country Club Retirement Campus of Ashtabula. “Sometimes it’s too hard for the families to come out, but it’s nice because we do have a lot husband and wives residents who come here and live together,” Daye said. Daye said the residents and employees gave them positive feedback since their first year of initiating the memorial. “They really like it because it gives them closure,” Daye said. “It really helps them especially during this time of the year.” Daye said Hospice is a wonderful foundation to work with, and she sees their heartfelt dedication every time they come onto the retirement campus. “It’s wonderful because they don’t just come in and do this for the service,” Daye said. “They come in and do this for their Hospice patients and they’ll play the guitar for them and read prayers with them.” Daye is grateful to all the Hospice members who take the time to give a sense of love and peace to their residents. “Hospice has been so wonderful,” Daye said. “We are lucky to have the Hospice of the Western Reserve.” Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazette news.com.
Roger Zale sings The Lord’s Prayer as a solo. Zale is a Hospice of the Western Reserve member and comforts the patients with his songs.
Jerry Danalchak concludes the services as the lighted candles in front of him flicker in the name of grief, courage, memory and love.
Morgan Road West reopens in Plymouth Township PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP – After undergoing major reconstruction, the Plymouth Township trustees are pleased to announce that Morgan Road, west of State Route 46, has reopened to traffic. Plymouth Township was awarded an Ohio Public Works Commission grant to upgrade the low-lying road to eliminate frequent flooding. A combination of OPWC grant and township funding has allowed the Plymouth Township Trustees to make the road safer for the traveling public. The project included widening the road with cooperation of abutting
property owners, and installation of clay sub-base and limestone base. Ditches were cleaned and lowered with new drainage pipes installed. Township equipment and labor was used, along with an outside contractor. Additional labor was supplied in collaboration with Sheffield and Kingsville township road departments. Final grading, seeding and additional berm work will be completed in the spring. Marker posts have been installed to alert motorists to soft shoulders. There are no immediate plans for paving, due to limited households on that section of road.
Two men killed in fatal crashes in Dorset Horse also killed in related incident BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Two men were killed in crashes on Route 193 in Dorset Township on Friday night, Nov. 19. Although the crashes occurred separately, they were related and happened within seconds of each other shortly after 9 p.m. Friday on Route 193, one mile south of Route 307, according to reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Daniel R. Posey-Brown, 46, of Dorset, was killed in the first crash after his 1998 Honda struck a runaway horse, which also was killed, headed southbound in the northbound lane of Route 193, OSHP Trooper Jason Hayes said. “The horse and Mr. Brown were killed in-
stantly,” Hayes said. After hitting the horse, Brown’s vehicle went off the road and hit a guard rail, coming to a rest in the middle of Route 193, Hayes said. Hayes said the horse, owned by Atlee Miller, had wandered loose from an Amish event at the Dorset Community Center. He said a group of people, including some in a minivan, were trying to catch and coral the horse when the crash occurred. The crash occurred before they could reach the horse. Within a minute of Brown’s crash, a second crash occurred, killing William L. Gibson, 33, of Geneva. Gib s on wa s driving southbound in his 1997 Ford F350 pickup, Hayes
said. His vehicle struck Brown’s, swerving off the roadway and striking and overturning on the guardrail, Hayes said. A ccording to the Ashtabula County Coroner ’s Office, Gibson likely died from head and neck injuries, while Brown died from blunt trauma to the head, neck and chest. The Dorset Fire Department and South Central Ambulance both responded to the scene. Hayes said they will conduct the crash reports and forward them on to the Ashtabula County Prosecutor ’s Office to determine if any charges need to be filed. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
COMMUNITY
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3A
‘Stuff the Truck’ Jefferson Elementary students for MANNA help boost troop morale BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - The Jefferson Fire Department is looking for residents’ support in “Stuffing the Truck” for MANNA. The Jefferson Fire Department will set up at BiLo from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, to collect items for MANNA. The MANNA project is an organization through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on East Satin Street in the Village of Jefferson that seeks to feed the less fortunate. Stuff the Truck is an opportunity for people to contribute to the cause and give something back to the community this holiday season. Supporters are asked to bring a donation or a nonperishable food item to help Stuff the Truck on Saturday,
Dec. 3. MANNA is Jefferson’s local food pantry and has spent around $2,000 per month on food for the local residents, which amounts to about 6,000 pounds of food a month. Additionally, the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce is wrapping up a drive in November dedicated to Money for MANNA. For 20 years, the Chamber has supported MANNA and the November drive by asking for community members to donate to the cause. This year, MANNA will serve around 9,000 community members in the Jefferson area. To contribute to the Chamber’s drive, send a monetary donation to MANNA, c/ o Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 100, Jefferson, OH 44047.
Jefferson Senior Center Calendar of Events • Card and Bingo, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday • Arthritis Exercise, 1-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday • Knitting Club, 2-4 p.m. Tuesday • Ceramics, 10 a.m. Wednesday • Pinochle, 6:30 p.m. Thursday • Presque Isle Casino, first Friday of every month. Bus leaves the center at 1 p.m.
Reverse raffle raises $2,500 for community center BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Jefferson Community and Recreation Center representatives and village officials are pleased with the results of their firstever reverse raffle. The S.O.C.C. organization sold out the $25 tickets for the reverse raffle, which was held Saturday, Nov. 12, at the community center in downtown Jefferson. Before the raffle was held, JCRC Director Allison Brown said she hoped it would be a good fundraiser for them, as the money raised will go toward both the Jefferson Senior Center and the Jefferson Community and Recreation Center. Well, it looks like it has been one. In his report to Jefferson Village Council on Monday, Nov. 21, Village Administrator Terry Finger said S.O.C.C. saw a net income of about $2,500 from the reverse raffle.
“We had a great time,” Finger said. As for the use of some of the money, Finger said the Recreation Department plans to ask the S.O.C.C. organization to purchase replacement dumbbell weights with some of the proceeds. Upcoming activities at the community center include a Christmas Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The craft show is free to the public and will feature a variety of crafts and homemade items, including artwork, jewelry, chocolates, holiday ornaments, candles and more. Santa Claus also will make an appearance at the community center after the Christmas parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
THE GAZETTE USPS 273-820 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 ................................... John Lampson President ............................ Jeffrey J. Lampson General Manager .................... William Creed bcreed@gazettenews.com Senior Editor ......................... Stefanie Wessell swessell@gazettenews.com Reporter .................................... Sadie Portman 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 The Gazette (USPS 273-820) is published weekly by The Gazette Newspapers, Inc. at 46 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, OH 44047. Periodical’s postage is paid at Jefferson, OH 44047. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Gazette, P.O. Box 166, Jefferson, OH 44047. Printed on Recycled Paper
LETTERS POLICY We encourage letters to the editor on topics of interest to our general readership. Although letters should be of sufficient length to express your idea, please limit them to 400 words or less. Letters should include your name, address, telephone number and hand written signature. We reserve the right to edit all letters for style, clarity and libelous content.
Questions? Call Us at (440) 576-9125 Classifieds ............... Subscriptions .......... News ......................... Sports ....................... Advertising ..............
Becke Schindler x104 Cassie Nagy x102 Stefanie Wessell x107 Byron Wessell x115 Rick Briggs x205
PHOTOS BY STEFANIE WESSELL
Students in the sixth-grade classes helped coordinate a school-wide project to collect items for care packages for soldiers serving overseas. On Friday, members of American Legion Post 103 came to collect the items. BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
The project doesn’t just help the men and women serving overseas, however. JEFFERSON - Students A Veterans Affairs Hospiat Jefferson Elementary School are helping to boost the morale of military troops serving overseas this holiday season. Throughout the school year, students have been collecting items for care packages that will be sent overseas. Teachers Tina Yeager and Anna Berardinelli helped coordinate the project, Principal Todd Tulino said. “We have been collecting items to send to our troops serving stateside and overseas to help boost their spirits as the holidays approach,” Tulino said. Yeager said it was a class project for the sixthgrade classes, with students in every grade helping to collect the items. “It’s a community-service project that they do for veterans,” Yeager said. The project cumulated on Friday, Nov. 18, as representatives from the American Legion Post 103 came to the school to fill a van full of food, toiletries, socks and other items for Items for care packages the troops. Elementary School.
tal needed 125 socks to socks they collected to help give out during their holi- with that, Yeager said. day party, and the students The project also has are sending over the 170 been split across two school districts. Geneva High School teacher Sue Vara is having her homeec students bake cookies to send to the VA Hospital for the party, Yeager said. Representatives of the American Legion Post 103 were very appreciative of the donations from the students. Now, the items will be assembled into care packages, Ladies Auxiliary President Marie Schulz said. Schulz said the American Legion Post 103 will try and send the care packages to local soldiers serving overseas. If people have the address of a local soldier, they can contact Schulz at (440) 645-0103. “When I was overseas, it was so special to get something,” American Legion Post 103 member Gary Petrochello said. He said mail from people back home, especially students, was always a morale boost for the soldiers. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspafilled the van at Jefferson pers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
Watson ready to take seat on Jefferson BOE BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Residents in the Jefferson Area Local Schools District will see a new face on the Board of Education this January. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters chose Ron Watson as one of their two picks for the Board of Education seats. Watson will replace Dave Keep, who chose not to run for re-election. Patrician Hoyson was reelected to her seat during the election. Although this will be Watson’s first term on the JALS Board of Education, he’s no stranger to school administration. When he lived out west, he served as principal in one school district while serving on the Board of Education in another district. He also has ties to schools in Ashtabula County, as his father was a superintendent for 10 years and his mother a teacher. “I grew up here,” Watson said. Although Watson has lived in a variety of places, he said he always wanted to return to Jefferson. He moved back here about two
FILE PHOTO
Ron Watson years ago, and since he’s basically retired, he had some time that he wanted to spend giving back to the community. “I wanted to get involved,” Watson said of what prompted him to run for a seat on the school board. Watson attended Jefferson schools himself, and he’d like the school district to continue its trend of excellence. He sees competitive salaries and upkeep of buildings as budget priorities, and feels that hiring the best teachers and administrators
and providing them with top-notch materials to teach is a way to keep up with that academic achievement. “I don’t have any big agenda,” Watson said. “I want to see it continue to be a great school district.” As for upcoming issues that the school board will have to face, Watson recognizes that school districts will have to deal with a loss of revenue, primarily because of real estate devaluation. Additionally, although the decision was made before he became a board member, Watson said he hopes the matter to sell the old elementary school property to the Village of Jefferson will be settled one way or another without having to put it on the ballot. (A group of citizens intend to seek a referendum o n J e f f e r s o n Vi l l a g e Council’s decision to purchase the building and property at the old Jefferson Elementary School on 104 E. Jefferson St. Council worked out the deal with Jefferson Area Local Schools Superintendent Doug Hladek and other school officials ear-
lier in the year. As part of the agreement, the village will pay $300,000 for the remaining parcel of land and building at the old elementary school site. The deal consists of $150,000 in cash and an additional $150,000 credit package for in-kind labor and improvements spread over an unspecified period of time. The village intends to use the property for the police department, who need the additional room.) “The plan they’ve worked out, that seems like a good plan,” Watson said. Besides his upcoming term on the JALS Board of Education, Watson serves on the Board of Directors for the Jefferson Historical Society and as a volunteer for the Hospice of the Western Reserve. He also works part time at Tom David Motor Sales, mostly just as a way to stay in touch with the community. “I like to talk to people,” Watson said. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
HMPL Association elects new trustees BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Members of the Henderson Memorial Public Library Association elected two members to their Board of Trustees during their annual meeting on Sunday, Nov. 13. The Henderson Memorial Public Library Board of Trustees is composed of nine members who serve four-year terms. Members of the HMPL Association vote on the trustees, and any library patron can join the association
for an annual fee. Besides electing board members, members of the association also contribute to the support of the library financially and by volunteering. This year, members of the association re-elected Trustee Fred Grimm and elected new trustee Felicia Matras. Members of the full board, along with the year their term expires, are: • Beth Baker, 2012. • Cynthia Zigmund, 2012. • Lou Ann Chapman, 2013.
• Rick Briggs, 2013. • Michelle Fioritto, 2013. • Charlene Kusar, 2014. • Jim Janson, 2014. • Fred Grimm, 2015. • Felicia Matras, 2015. Board meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. The public is welcome to attend. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.
4A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
First graders celebrate Thanksgiving with their grandparents BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
each table festive and welcoming for their family. “They made place mats JEFFERSON - A Jefferson telling their grandma or Elementary first-grade class grandpa why they are held a private Thanksgiving thankful for them, they feast with their family and made pilgrim cups with their grandparents last mints in them and then they made a little turkey card for Wednesday afternoon. “I would like to thank you them,” Wright said. “The for letting me borrow your grandparents get to take all children for this year,” Julie of that with them.” Wright said she could not Wright, the first-grade have prepared the meal teacher, said. Wright has always done without the help of her stuthe feast with whatever dents’ parents. grade she has taught. “The parents are the ones “I’ve taught all different who are serving the food and grades, and I have just who set up and everything,” moved back to first grade Wright said. “I have the best this year and I do the feast parents and these children with all of my classes, but I are just blessings.” Wright said her class this have never extended it to grandparents,” Wright said. year is full of happy and juWright uses the dinner as bilant students who are very a way for her students to conscious of the meaning of learn about Thanksgiving, family. but she said her class this “They are a wonderful year initiated extending an class and they are just very invitation to their grandpar- happy,” Wright said. ents. With the success of the “We talked about the grandparent invitations, meaning of Thanksgiving Wright would like to see the and why we do this and they meal continue on next year came up with the idea to in- and she hopes to expand the vite their grandparents. I concept into a broader audihave to give them credit,” ence. Wright said. “I hope to convince all the Wright said it did not classrooms to do the same take long for the planning to next year and that way we’ll pan out. just make it huge,” Wright “We started planning this said. maybe about three weeks ago and it has grown,” Sadie Portman, reporter Wright said. for the Gazette, may be The students took a first- reached at sportman@gazette hand approach into making news.com.
Charles and Mary Brenkus sit with their grandson Tanner Lee after he finished singing a song he learned in music class.
Alexis Knauff shows off the hat pilgrim bonnet she made in class to her grandparents.
PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN
Julie Wright’s first-grade class at Jefferson Elementary School performs for their family and grandparents before sharing a meal with them.
Sandra Varkett gets food during Wednesday afternoon’s family Thanksgiving meal at Jefferson Elementary.
Ron Glink holds his granddaughter, Sofia Glink, as they Helen Patrick talks with her grandson Jacob Blood as prepare to share a Thanksgiving meal prepared by the they wait to be served their Thanksgiving meal. students’ parents.
Restaurant offers a way to give back on Thanksgiving BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
Donna and granddaughter Gianna Colvetta share a Thanksgiving meal during school last Wednesday afternoon.
ATTENTION LANDOWNERS
Landowner Groups Forming SHORT-TERM COMMITMENTS MAXIMUM PROFITS
AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP - Quinn’s Family Restaurant in Austinburg Township is holding a charity Thanksgiving Buffet on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dinner will be free of charge, with only donations asked. All donations will be going toward local families in need. “It’s all going to needy
Before you sign, know ALL the facts.
Transmission
• Transmissions • Clutches • Differentials • Transfer Cases • Power Takeoffs
www.GasLeaseNow.com
1-800-982-0913
Service All Makes & Models Over-the-Counter Parts Sales Free Towing Available
Mon. - Fri. 8-5; Sat. 8-1
Free Estimates
440-293-6376
families for their Christmas holiday,” Joe Quinn, owner of the restaurant, said. Quinn said the idea came to him because he hates the idea of parents not being able to afford a Christmas for their children. “I love kids. I have two of my own, and I thought it’d be wonderful to hold a dinner so they can have a Christmas,” Quinn said. The money raised will be given to the families in a unique way. “I am going to take the family out Christmas shopping without the kids around and I’m hoping to raise $500 for each family to shop with,” Quinn said. Quinn did his research to find the perfect family in need. “I’ve been going around to local churches looking for names of needy families,” Quinn said. Quinn has one family he has chosen and they will be
at the dinner on Thursday to begin celebrating their holiday season. “So far we have one family who is a single mom with two kids and her mother all living under one roof,” Quinn said. Quinn said he is hesitant on choosing another family until he sees how much money they raise. “I’m hoping to raise at least $1,500,” Quinn said. If Quinn reaches his goal, then he will choose additional families, giving each family $500 to spend on their Christmas shopping. The free Thanksgiving meal will consist of ham, turkey, mash potatoes, yams, corn, cranberry sauce and dessert. “It’s going to be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” Quinn said. Quinn invites everyone in the community to come out and support a worthy family.
“The idea of not being able to afford a Christmas for your kids is really hard,” Quinn said. “I want the kids to wake up to have a Christmas.” The idea of charity goes beyond just asking for donations for a Thanksgiving meal, but is also extended to the whole staff of Quinn’s Family Restaurant. “My chefs are coming in to volunteer their time and so is my waiting staff,” Quinn said. Everyone working at the restaurant on Thanksgiving will be donating their time and service to help those in need. “This is something that I believe in and hope to continue on next year, too,” Quinn said. “All families should be able to have a Christmas.” Quinn’s Family Restaurant is located at 2093 State Route 45 in Austinburg Township.
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 5A
Students learn diplomacy through Model UN BY CASSANDRA NAGY Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Climate change, Palestine, Iran and human rights were just a few of the issues being tossed around at Jefferson Area High School on Friday, Nov. 11, through Saturday, Nov. 12. The Jefferson Model UN team hosted the 21st annual United Nations/Urging Student Activism conference that weekend. This was the third conference hosted at JAHS since 1991. Four schools totaling 300 delegates from northeast Ohio were in attendance for this year’s conference. Among the participating schools were: Madison, Avon Lake, Lorain and Jefferson. Dr. John Patterson, the group’s advisor at JAHS, explained that this number is significantly less than it has been is previous years. Nonetheless, the students were in high spirits, dressed in their best and prepared to tackle the global scale issues. The timed sessions, which simulate the sessions of the United Nations, consist of group sizes with 12-13 delegates. There are seven committee sessions running consecutively throughout the day. Among the committees represented at the conference were: two Security Councils, UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), UNHabitat (Human Settlements), Arab League, UNHRC (Commission on Human Rights) and UNESCO (Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). “International diplomacy on any issue is complicated and time consuming and requires great patience for resolution,” Dr. Patterson ex-
plained. He further stressed, “Jefferson takes any students at this level. The program helps them to develop the skills necessary to further explore into the nature of such issues as Palestine.” Nancy Champlain, assistant advisor, relayed that the junior high school’s involvement with the conference was strong this year. She explained that they had only three weeks to prepare, working only on Fridays. “They are very involved. Some will even go all the way through with the program into high school,” said Champlain. Assistant Advisor Terri Trisket conveyed that the Model UN, “Gives students the skills they need for later in life. They learn to keep trying, there is a learning curve and they keep at it.” Other advisors also had positive things to say about the program. “Model UN paves the way to develop life-long skills, organization and listening skills. Model UN covers all the communication skills that you have to learn to be successful in all aspects of life,” Assistant Advisor Mary Beckwith said. Among those students participating were student Stacy Wayman, a fourth-year member of the Jefferson Model UN group. Her position with the group is the Under Secretary of Council, helping out with questions, answering chairs questions and assisting with the awards. “I enjoy seeing rookies really grow and acquire knowledge and become informed about the world,” Wayman said. The two-day conference ended with an awards ceremony on Saturday.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Samantha Burnett and Stacy Wayman competed in the Model UN conference at Jefferson Area High School on Ben Pickard and Brad Kobernik were among students Nov. 11-12. from four schools at the Model UN Conference.
Jefferson Junior High School students also participated Austin Norris and Ethan Bish represented Jefferson Area High School at the Model UN Conference. in the conference.
Jef ferson Area High School students competed in the Pictured are Ashton Allen and Sarah Solarek, Model UN conference. participants.
GACS “We heard you loud and clear in this last election,” Zappitelli said. “So now we need to talk about why.” Zappitelli said she has heard many reasons why people did not vote for the levy, but she did not feel it was the place to discuss why the levy failed but instead look at the school district’s future. “The main question I want to ask tonight is, what do you want this district to look like?” Zappitelli said. GACS can cut expenses in four areas, academics, services, extracurricular or by adding fees. “I have to believe that this board will support academics to the bitter end and continue to make systematic reductions in every other area they could,” Zappitelli said. The public was allowed to speak, and one member suggested an income tax increase instead of property tax increase, which would go back to the school. “I think that’s a very valid topic to explore,” Zappitelli said. The school board members said raising income taxes has been an area they’ve previously discussed. It is a viable option for the district. Other audience members were eager to display their affection for the district and the advancement they’ve seen in their own children. “I am very impressed with Geneva,” Jenny Peroun said. “I think anyone from outside the community would think maybe we were an affluent community.” Peroun said the appearance of Geneva may also be a reason why many people did not understand the emergency situation the district was facing. “I hope more people will pay attention now,” Perouna said. Ford Behm, a school board member for 13 years,
From page 1A said part of the school’s visage can be blamed on the school board as they have managed to balance their budget for 18 years without placing a new levy on the ballot. “This board and the other members who have served on this board through the years have done everything possible to keep our expenses down and do everything possible to not go to the ballot,” Behm said. Another audience member asked how much would be saved if every extra service the school provided was taken away. Kevin Lillie, GACS school board treasurer, said $600,000 would be saved if buses were cut to a state minimum. If all clubs were cut, a savings of $470,000 would be seen. “There’s roughly over a million dollars,” Lillie said. “I really can’t answer what courses would be stripped and how much we would save in that area of the budget.” The school board was concerned if they were to cut all these services, the GACS district will be less appealing and they would lose even more funding with open enrollment. Lillie said state cuts have declined and they are trying to make up for an amount that was previously given to them. “I am concerned that this is not the end. I think this is going to be the beginning,” Dennis Brown said. Zappitelli conducted a straw poll at the end of the public section of the meeting asking if those in attendance thought they should put the levy back on the ballot or work with what they have as of now. The overwhelming vote by a show of hands was to place the levy back on the ballot. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@gazettenews. com.
Junior high students were in high spirits dressed in their best and prepared to tackle the global scale issues.
Timonere talks about plans as city manager BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - James Timonere found out Election Day, Nov. 8, that the City of Ashtabula residents had voted him as city managerelect. “I was very humbled by the outcome of the election,” Timonere said. “To get that kind of support is really humbling.” Now Timonere is taking the outpouring of votes and putting together a plan for Ashtabula’s future. Timonere said some items take precedence, like the city’s budget. “We have to have something by the end of the year and we will aggressively go after figuring out the budget,” Timonere said. Once the budget has been finalized, Timonere plans on cleaning up departments and making the city more accessible to businesses and residents. “There is some in-house reconstructing in several different departments, like the
housing and engineering departments,” Timonere said. “There are issues there we need to fix.” Timonere said the residents and businesses are the city’s customers and they need to feel a connection with the city officials. “We need to provide top notch customer service for our residents and the local businesses,” Timonere said. Timonere has been in contact with council-elect members as well as incumbent members and says he has had great dialogue with them. Now that Timonere has been elected to the city manager’s position, his current position as Ashtabula Area Chamber of Commerce president will have to be filled. “Unfortunately, I cannot do both because they are both full-time positions,” Timonere said. Timonere said he feels confident about where the chamber currently sits and will use the knowledge he has gained to make city ini-
tiatives. “We have to revitalize both the Harbor area and Main Avenue, but that’s going to take more than a fouryear term to do,” Timonere said. Timonere said in order for those areas to grow, the city must be more business friendly. “We need to put forth steps for businesses to grow and expand,” Timonere said. “Right now there is too much red tape and road blocks in local and state government.” Timonere said there is a false belief in the government creating jobs, but they can promote job growth. “I believe government can create an environment for jobs to be created, but they do not create the jobs,” Timonere said. Timonere wants to see the city cleaned up and be a comfortable and vibrant place for people to live and spend their leisure time. Timonere said the city must focus on the short-term picture before tackling longterm goals.
“There is so much in the short hand that has to be fixed before we even look at the long-term goals because if we don’t fix the things in the short term, then the longterm goals will never be achievable,” Timonere said. Timonere said the city must get back to the basics and ask everyone their vision of the future. “We want to bring council and the residents together and ask them, ‘What do you want to see Ashtabula become?’” Timonere said. Timonere feels the city is a lot more accessible than many believe, and he hopes to continue to be accessible as well as open to the residents. “I’ve never had a problem getting information that I’ve requested,” Timonere said. Timonere said he knows the city has problems that must be faced, but he is up to the challenge and does not take the public’s faith in him lightly. “The only thing I can do is do the best I can to live up to the public’s expectations of me,” Timonere said.
Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park lights up for the holidays BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP - The Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park are gearing up for the annual Light Up the Bridge Festivities on Dec. 3, starting at 5 p.m. with a theme of A Covered Bridge Christmas. “The leaves are falling and the temps are dropping, which means the holiday season is fast approaching,” Denise Weinmann wrote on the Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park’s blog. The Light Up the Bridge has become an annual event for the park as a way to invite the holiday season in and to wrap up the year. “The Covered Bridge
Christmas event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, and that will be the final event at the park in 2011,” Weinmann wrote. Rhonda McElroy, a member of the Friends who conducts much of the marketing, said they are working on a whole lot of fun for the event this year. “We are having our raffle with items from Giant Eagle, Old Mill, A.C. and J Railroad, Spring Hill Winery, Fire House Winery and Ferrante Winery,” McElroy said. A food drive will also be in place. “We are holding a food drive with Operation Home Front, and we are collecting both food and monetary donations,” McElroy said. The friends will also be as-
sisting the Red Cross with Mail for Heroes. “We will be getting cards together so they can be sent out to the military,” McElroy said. The Red Cross officials could not make the event, but the Friends will do the legwork for the organization by collecting the cards. They will also have a bonfire and are trying to book live music for Saturday evening as the lights are officially lit up. “The Friends of the Covered Bridge Park are actively working to prepare for the lighting of our Christmas tree and, of course, the covered bridge, too, thanks to all those who supported the Lighting of the Bridge pasta dinner fundraiser earlier this
year,” Weinmann wrote. To tie in the holiday spirit, a special visit from Santa will wrap up the night. “Santa will stop by to visit the children and pose for a few photos,” Weinmann wrote. The Friends of the Harpersfield Covered Bridge are still looking for donations of cookies and time by volunteers. “Helping hands are always welcome and very much appreciated,” Weinmann wrote. All those interested in helping out with A Covered Bridge Christmas can visit the Friends’ website at http:// friendsofthecovered bridgepark.shutterfly.com or email them at friends ofthecoveredbridge@gmail. com.
6A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
Religious Briefs Jefferson church provides an outlet for Ongoing Ashtabula: Nov. 23 Rock Creek: Thanksgiving Eve dinner those dealing with cancer Holiday Happenings at BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers
try to keep the atmosphere as light as possible. “If they cry, then that’s JEFFERSON - Randy okay, and if they laugh, Demse, a member of the that’s even better,” Demse Jefferson United Method- said. ist Church, felt a calling Demse said they have when he noticed there was seen a variety of perspecbarely a person who could tives from people who come not say they have been in to discuss the issue of touched by cancer. cancer. Whether it was a fam“We had a lady who acily member or friend living tually brought her husband with the illness or the per- last week and he gave us son themselves fighting the perspective from the with cancer, Demse saw a caregiver’s point of view need for a cancer support and how it affected his life,” group in the community. Demse said. “Quite a few members The support group inof our church have cancer, vites any and all who are and we felt the Lord find- interested, and all vantage ing us and calling us to points of the disease are form this group,” Demse welcomed. said. “When cancer strikes, it Since September the affects everyone, their famsupport group has been ily and friends,” Demse said. meeting and gaining mem- “We invite everyone of all bers each week. denominations to join us.” “We put up fliers around Demse has found the town at Golden Dawn, the group provides a place to library and anyone else feel open and those who atwho let us put the informa- tend are able to share any tion out there,” Demse and all feelings. said. “A lot of people just need So far the highest num- a someone to listen to ber of people in one session them,” Demse said. has been five, but Demse In the end, Demse said said they are looking to the idea for the group does grow and open their arms not fall back on him, it falls to anyone who might need back on his strong belief in to talk. God. “It’s more of an encour“This is the Lord’s agement and fellowship work,” Demse said. type of group,” Demse said. The Cancer Support “We look at Bible verses Group meets every second and people choose verses Thursday of the month at that they feel connect with 7 p.m. at the Jefferson what they’re going United Methodist Church’s through.” parlor, and refreshments Demse said it is about are provided. sharing and making connections with people who Sadie Portman, reporter understand. for the Gazette, may be Demse said they try to reached at sportman@gazette lift each other’s spirits and news.com.
Come to a community Thanksgiving Eve dinner hosted by Eagleville Bible Church Fellowship Team. Come enjoy a home-cooked meal and fellowship! Serving from 4 to 6 The Bethany Lutheran Church, located at 933 Michip.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. The church is located on State gan Ave. in Ashtabula, will hold Holiday Happenings Route 45, six miles south of I-90 and six miles north of throughout the holiday months. The events include: State Route 6. This event is free of charge and open to ev• Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve Wor- eryone. Reservations are encouraged but not necessary. Call (440) 563-3407 to RSVP or for more information. ship Service.
Bethany Lutheran Church
• Sunday, Dec. 4, Pikku Joulu. Bethany Lutheran commemorates St. Nicholas Day by decorating the Christmas tree and sharing light refreshments.
Dec. 3 Jefferson: Cookie Stroll
The Bulah Calvary United Methodist Church will have • Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Fellowship Candlelight Din- a Cookie Stroll from 10 a.m. until gone at the church, loner. Catered Cabbage Roll dinner. Cost $5 per person. Tick- cated at 2070 State Route 193 N. in Jefferson, at the corets on sale now. ner of Bulah Road and Route 193. The cost is $5 a pound. • Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17. Nisu Bake Sale. Contact Maxine Koski to pre-order. • Saturday, Dec. 24, 5-11 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service. Every Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service.
Ongoing Jefferson: Choir to sing Handel’s Messiah on Christmas Eve Rehearsals have begun for a special musical performance at the Jefferson United Methodist Church. Singers and guests are asked to join a special choir that will sing Handel’s Messiah on Christmas Eve at 9 p.m. at the church, located at 125 East Jefferson St. in Jefferson. Jodi Bishop will be directing a communitywide choir to learn the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Rehearsals began Sunday, Oct. 23, from 4:306 p.m. and will continue on Sundays at that time until Christmas Eve. Books of the music will be on hand, but if you own your own, you’re welcome to bring it, church representative Pat Cramer said. Interested singers can call the Jefferson United Methodist Church office at 576-4561 for further information.
Dec. 3 Geneva: Craft and Bake Sale Once again the Geneva United Methodist Church will be doing your holiday baking for you. All you need to do is come to the church at 89 S. Broadway on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and pick up all the goodies that you need for your holiday entertaining. There will be many varieties of cookies, including decorated cut-out sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies, plus fudge, Buckeyes, pizzellles, candies, pies, pumpkin rolls and breads. Be sure to get there early to get your choice of these delicious baked goods. You can also do some Christmas shopping at the many craft tables set up all around the church. This may be your last chance before the holidays to shop our gifted local crafters. Geneva United Methodist Church is located in the heart of Geneva just one block south of the intersection of Main St. and Broadway. The sale is in the Fellowship Hall and there is plenty of parking in the rear of the church with entry from there right into the sale area.
Dec. 11 Ashtabula: Christmas Cabaret
A “Christmas Cabaret” concert by the Musical Theater Project of Cleveland (singers/actors Bill Rudman, Nancy Maier, Sandra Simon) will perform evergreen Christmas songs as well as traditional Carols at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Ashtabula (4901 The Jefferson Community Thanksgiving Service will be Main Ave.) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. A pre-concert Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. The location for this ser- dessert table will be offered at 6 p.m. The concert and vice is First Baptist Church, Jefferson. The Rev. Fred desserts are free and open to the public and additionally, Grimm of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will be the speaker. a free “Meet-the-Artists” reception will follow the A community choir will perform. All are welcome. performance. The concert is sponsored by the Fine Arts Concert Committee of the Church (phone 440-992-8100/ website www.stpetersashtabula.org).
Nov. 23 Jefferson: Thanksgiving Service
Church Directory ASSEMBLY OF GOD First Assembly of God 2300 Austinburg Rd., 275-7720 Pastors Don and Debra Hammer 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Worship Faith Community A/G Church 5835 Route 166, Rock Creek, 474-1851 Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian L. Wright Sr. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday Services New Life Assembly of God 1961 La Fever Rd., Geneva Pastor Harry Pishcura, 466-6093 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday Services BAPTIST Central Missionary Baptist Church 930 Clay Road, Dorset, 858-2460 The Rev. Dave Chappell, Pastor 10 a.m. Sun School 11:30 a.m. Worship KIngsville First Baptist Church (Am.) 6003 St. Rt. 193, Kingsville 224-1081 The Rev. David Hines 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Worship First Baptist Church (American) 4353 Park Ave., Ashtabula, 992-9836 Rev. Doug Wright 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship First Baptist Church of Jefferson 85 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson 576-1631 Rev. Jerry Bentley, Pastor 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship
Fellowship Bible Church EVCA 417 West 46th, Ashtabula, 992-2500 Pastor Ed Christian, Pastor Duke DiPofi 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship
West Avenue Church of Christ 5901 West Ave., Ashtabula, 992-0737 Michael D. Williams, Minister 9:30 a.m. BIble Class 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Worship
First Grace Gospel Church 5730 Adams Ave., Ashtabula 997-8191 David Adams, pastor 9:30 a.m. Sun. School, Informal Service 10:45 a.m. Bible Hour 7 p.m. Bible Study & Prayer Time
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
CATHOLIC
Austinburg First United Church of Christ Rts 45 & 307, Austinburg, 275-5125 Rev. Allison Milligan, Pastor, 275-1129 (Pastor’s Office) 11 a.m. Worship and Sunday School www.austinburgucc.org
Assumption Church 594 West Main, Geneva, 466-3427 Father Melvin Rusnak 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday Mass
First Congregational United Church of Christ 41 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, 576-4531 Pastor James E. Brehler Sunday Worship at 10 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church 3049 St. Rt. 45, Rock Creek, 563-3010 Pastor, Rev. David Weikart Mass times: 6 p.m. Sat 11 a.m. Sun (Sept. - May) 8 a.m. Sun (June-Aug.) 12 Noon Wed &Fri
Unionville United Church of Christ 6870 S. Ridge Rd., 428-2235 On Rt. 84 east of County Line Rd. Rev. Robert Cunningham 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship
Mother of Sorrows 1464 W. 6th St., Ashtabula, 964-3277 Father Joseph Ruggieri 5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass 10 am Sun Mass (11:45 am Spanish) 8 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday Mass Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 1200 E. 21st St., Ashtabula, 998-4111 Father Joseph Ruggieri 5 p.m. Saturday Mass 8 a.m. & 12 noon Sunday Mass 8 a.m. Wednesday Mass St. Andrews Church 3700 St. Rt. 193, Kingsville, 224-0987 Rev. Stephen M. Wassie 9 a.m. Sunday Mass
First Baptist Church of Dorset 2471 Route 193 N., Dorset 858-9623 Ed Pickard, Pastor 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Service
St. Joseph Church 32 East Jefferson St., Jefferson 576-3651 Rev. Stephen M. Wassie 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday Mass Sat. 4:30 p.m. Mass
Fundamental Baptist Church (Ind.) 2219 Allen-Comp Rd., Dorset 858-2609 Pastor Michael Allen 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. Worship Services
St. Joseph Church 3330 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 992-0330 Father Philip Miller 4 p.m. Saturday Mass 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 8 a.m. Monday & Friday Mass
Geneva Baptist Church - SBC 903 West Main St., 466-1481 Pastor Richard L. Thompson 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. Worship Services Lighthouse Baptist Church 2929 Carpenter Rd., 964-0222 Senior Pastor John Jones 10, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Worship People’s Baptist Church 3837 West Ave., Ashtabula 992-9582 Rev. Louis F. Grandberry 11:00 Morning Service The United Church 75 South Broadway, Geneva, 4662824 Pastor Bob Cunningham 11:00 a.m. Worship BIBLE Bethel Bible Church 877 E. Beech, Jefferson, 576-5949 Pasot Joseph Laing Sundays at Jefferson Comm. Center, 11 E. Jefferson Street 9 a.m. Bible School, 10 a.m. Worship Chapel on the Ridge 9582 North Ridge E., Geneva 993-7502 Pastor: Ronald Wright 10 a.m., 6 p.m. Sunday Services Eagleville Bible Church 1981 Rt. 45 North, Rock Creek 563-3407 www.eaglevilleonline.com Pastors Bill McMinn, Chris Christian and Josh Wood 8:30; 10:15 a.m. Sunday Worship
St. Joseph Mission - Our Lady of Miracles 4317 West Ave., Ashtabula, 997-7121 Father Philip Miller 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church 1104 E. 15th St., Ashtabula, 964-3536 Father Andrew Gretchko 4:30 p.m. Divine Litergy CHRISTIAN CHURCH First Christian Church 6920 Austinburg Rd., Ashtabula 993-7056 Rev. Richard L. Well 9 a.m. Contemp Service & Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Traditional Service CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ALLIANCES People’s Church 300 S. Ridge Rd. E., Geneva 466-2020 Rev. Jim Walker 10:45 a.m. Worship CHURCH OF CHRIST Geneva Church of Christ 1007 S. Broadway, Geneva, 466-7689 9:20 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Rock Creek Church of Christ 2965 High St., Rock Creek 563-9528 9:30 a.m. Bible Study, all ages 10:30 a.m. Cont. Worship & Children’s Church
Unionville United Church 6970 S. Ridge Rd., Unionville 466-2824 Pastor Bob Cunningham 9:30 a.m. Worship CHURCH OF GOD Ashtabula Church of God 2244 Harbor Ave., 997-3410 Rev. Jay Rock 10 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. worship Church of God in Christ 3417 Hiawatha Ave., Ashtabula 997-3922 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Ceremony & Worship Jefferson Church of God 2701 St. Rt. 46, Jefferson, 992-6267 Rev. Leon J. Alexander 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Worship EPISCOPAL Christ Episcopal Church 65 S. Eagle St., Geneva, 466-3706 10:30 a.m. Worship Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church 341 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 964-8089 Pastor Nicholas Rizzo 10 a.m. Adult BIble Study 10:30 a.m. Worship St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 4901 Main Ave., Ashtabula, 992-8100 Rev. David Evans, Interim Pastor 8 & 10 a.m. Sunday Worship INDEPENDENT
LUTHERAN Bethany Lutheran Church 933 Michigan Ave., Ashtabula, 964-3157 Pastor Larry Mackey 10:30 a.m. Worship 9:15 Sunday School Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church-LCMS 4896 N. Ridge W. Ashtabula, 466-4554 10:30 a.m. Worship & Children’s Church Faith Lutheran Church-ELCA 504 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 964-9087 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship Messiah Lutheran Church - ELCA 615 Prospect Rd., Ashtabula, 992-9392 Rev. Dr. Michael Meranda 4 p.m. Saturday Holy Communion 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday Holy Communion 9:45 a.m. Adult Forum 11 a.m. Sunday School St. John’s Lutheran Church - LCMS P.O. Box 500, Geneva, 466-2473 9:30 a.m. Sun. School & Adult Bible Class 10:30 a.m Service St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 89 East Satin St., Jefferson, 576-4671 Rev. Fred Grimm 8 & 10:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 9:15 a.m. Sunday School Zion Lutheran Church - LCMS 2310 W. 9th St., Ashtabula, 964-9483 Pastor Mark Berg 9:15 a.m. Bible Class 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 Children’s Church METHODIST Ashtabula First United Methodist Church 4506 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, 993-3806 Rev. John M. Germaine, Pastor 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (10:45 in winter) Bulah Calvary United Methodist 2070 Route 193 N., Jefferson 858-2651 Pastor Aletta Burkholder 10 a.m. Sunday School 11:15 a.m. worship Dorset United Methodist Church 2800 St. Rt. 193, 858-2831 Rev. David Miller, Pastor 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship Gageville United Methodist Church 4063 St. Rt. 193, Kingsville, 224-0165 Rev. David L. Blood, pastor 11 a.m. Worship
Ashtabula Baptist Church 5909 Sheppard Rd., Ashtabula, 228-9423 Pastor Dan Evans 10:30 a.m. Worship Service
Geneva First United Methodist Church 89 South Broadway, 466-2817 Rev. David & Rev. Suzanne Hill 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Sunday School
Park Street Christian Church 97 Park St., Geneva, 466-4601 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 7:30 p.m. Wed Bible Study
Harbor United Methodist Church 322 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 964-9240 Rev. Sandra Dennis 9:30 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) 11 a.m.Worship
Second Congregational Church of Christ 319 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, 964-9640 Rev. Peter Pritchard 10:00 Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship
Jefferson United Methodist 125 East Jefferson St., Jefferson, 576-4561 Pastor - Meredith Coleman 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday Worship 9:40 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
Well of Hope Chapel 4254 E. Center St., N. Kingsville 593-3159 The Rev. Tim Ranyak, pastor 10:45 a.m. Sunday Services
Leon United Methodist Church 3599 Stanhope-Kelloggsville Rd, Dorset Pastors Jason Hockran & Quincy Wheeler 10 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Sunday school
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS East Ashtabula Congregation 5614 Poplar Ave., 992-3637 10 a.m. Public Meeting & Watchtower
Rock Creek Community United Methodist Church 3210 N. Main, 563-3291 Rev. David Miller, Pastor 9 a.m. Worship, 10:15 a.m. Sunday School
Saybrook United Methodist Church 7900 South Depot Rd., Ash. 969-1562 Rev. Jeff Stoll 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Worship Services South Harpersfield United Methodist Church 5524 Cork-Cold Springs Rd., Geneva 466-4778 Pastor Shirley A Stoops-Frantz 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship
Peoples Church The Christian & Missionary Alliance 300 S Ridge E, Geneva, 466-2020 www.peopleschurchgeneva.com Senior Pastor Rev. Alex Zell Youth Pastor Stan Heeren 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Worship Open Door Community Church 5802 Cemetery Rd, Kingsville 224-2675 The Rev. Greg Evans, pastor 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship
MORMON Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 571 W. Seven Hills Rd., Ashtabula 993-3616 9:30 a.m. Sacrement 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Priesthood & Relief Society NAZARENE Ashtabula First Church of the Nazarene 1820 S. Ridge Rd W., Ashtabula 992-0246 Rev. Michael Legg 9-10 a.m. Sunday School 10:10 a.m. Morning Services Edgewood Church of the Nazarene 3025 N. Ridge E., Ashtabula 997-5645 Pastor Kevin Ellis 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Worship Geneva Church of the Nazarene 710 Centennial, Geneva, 466-4711 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Worship Jefferson Church of the Nazarene 55 E. Satin St., Jefferson, 576-6556 Pastor Rodney Kincaid 8:30, 11 a.m., 6 p.m. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday School
Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Ashtabula County Ash Senior Citizens Center, 4632 Main St., Ashtabula, 964-5432 11 a.m. Service PENTECOSTAL Apostolic Faith Body of Jesus Christ of the Newborn Assemblies 772 Griggs Rd., Ashtabula 993-8339 Bishop Charles D. Keyes Sr. Faith Freedom Fellowship 205 West Liberty St., Geneva 466-8282 Pastors Raymond & Edith Baker 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Praise and Worship Grace Christian Assembly 906 Joseph Ave., Ashtabula 964-8592 Elder Gerome Sing 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Worship Pentecostal Community Church 5348 Peck Rd., New Lyme 576-0384 Pastor Scott C. Ardary 10 a.m. Sunday School/Worship 6 p.m. - 1st & 3rd Sun., Evening Service PRESBYTERIAN
Kelloggsville Church of the Nazarene 4841 St. Rt. 84, Kingsville, 224-1136 Pastor Jerry Webb 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. Worship
East Side Presbyterian Church 3440 Edgewood Dr., Ashtabula 993-7546 Reverend S. Shane Nanney 9 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship
NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH New Apostolic Church 2305 W. 19th St., Ashtabula The Rev. William McNutt 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 8 p.m. Wed Worship NONDENOMINATIONAL Alive Community Church 4527 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, 992-7684 Pastor Darren Gollon Fellowship 9:30 a.m., Service 10 a.m. Bread of Life Ministries Ashtabula Plaza, 2257 Lake Ave. 998-BOLM Pastor Karen Bales, 858-9484 10 a.m. Sunday & 7 p.m Tuesday Breaking Thru at the Crossroads 3277 St. Rt. 167, Jefferson, 293-4421 Pastor Enos Ali, Co-Pastor Launa Ali 10-11 a.m. Sunday School 11-11:25 Sunday Brunch 11:30 Sunday Service Edgewood Alliance Church 3137 E. Center St., N. Kingsville 224-2111 Senior Pastor Gary Russell 9 a.m. Sunday School, 10 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Worship 6 p.m Wed. Bible Study Int. Gen. Assmbly Of Spiritualists 5403 S. Ridge W., Ashtabula 969-1724 Classes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 11 a.m. worship - Guest speaker every Sun. Lenox Federated Church 2610 Lenox-New Lyme Rd, Jefferson 576-9932 Pastor: Ken Zaebst 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship & Teaching
The First Presbyterian Church 4317 Park Ave., Ashtabula 993-3731 Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Long, Pastor 9:30 a.m. Sun. School 10:45 a.m. Worship Kingsville Presbyterian Church 3056 W. Main St., Kingsville 224-1023 Rev. Bonnie Habbersett 10 a.m. Worship and Sunday School North Kingsville Presbyterian Church 6546 Church St., Kingsville 224-1491 Ken Ayers, CLP, pastor 10:30 a.m. Worship Pierpont Presbyterian Church 71 St. Rt. 7 S., Pierpont 577-1218 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Rome Presbyterian Route 45, Rome Township Mary Jo Foust, Commissioned Lay Pastor 11:10 a.m. Worship (May-Sept) Trinity Presbyterian Church 1342 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula 993-7111 Rev. Arvid Whitmore 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Berean Seventh Day Adventist 874 Center St., Ashtabula 992-8796 Pastor Gregory Jackson Sat. 9:30 a.m. Bible Study Sat. 11 a.m. Divine Worship
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 7A
SWEEPSTAKES Stranman said with the new voting system, she thinks Ashtabula has a real shot at one of the grand prizes. “This is reassuring and gives us a real shot at ending up with a high ranking and being eligible for one of the larger prizes. Last time there were towns with around 300 people that had over a million votes, which would lead me to believe they were using a program of some sort to do automated voting,” Stranman said. All automated voting is know banned from the sweepstakes and anyone who attempts to do so are disqualified. Stranman said she is also aware of the sweepstakes earlier this year than last year. “Another advantage this time is we’re hitting the ground running right out of the gate, whereas last time we didn’t become aware of the sweepstakes until it had already been underway for several days,” Stranman said. “We’re starting off strong and just have to stay strong and be sure to vote as much as we can everyday.” Stranman is looking for-
From page 1A
BLESSING
ward to a new year and Ashtabula and believes they can get a head start with the sweepstakes. “I’m hoping the community will band together to support this effort to earn us some funds for community projects,” Stranman said. “Those who go and vote should be sure to submit their ideas as to what the funding should be used for.” To cheer for Ashtabula, go to the Reader’s Digest website at http:// wehearyouamerica .readersdigest.com
The hand-made necklaces can be purchased at Jeff ’s Flowers in Jefferson. In fact, that is where Hinkle discovered the organization. “I saw the necklaces at Jeff ’s and approached the kids about it,” Hinkle said. The necklaces will also be available through JAHS teacher Carolyn BehrJerome. “Emily was one of my students when I taught at Geneva and we attend the Methodist Church together,” she said. When Locy was asked if her organization sells the mosquito nets to help protect Sadie Portman, reporter the children, she replied, for the Gazette, may be “Yes. They help, but I sleep reached at sportman@gazette with a net every night and news.com. still got malaria.”
From page 1A According to Locy, 20 percent of all childhood deaths in Africa are due to malaria. Locy will soon be returning to her new home in Maryland and then back to Uganda. Student Council will hold a hat day sometime next month. “The kids will donate money to wear a hat and we’ll give that money to Emily’s organization,” Hinkle said. Active Blessing’s ties to Jefferson and the high school run deep. It was founded by Jane (Leonard) Snyder, who graduated from JAHS in the late 1960s. To find out more information about Active Blessing, Members of Student Council listen to Active Blessing go to ActiveBlessing.com. missionary Emily Locy.
Over $27,000 in engineering scholarships available COLUMBUS - The Engineers Foundation of Ohio (EFO) is offering nearly $25,000 in academic scholarships to qualifying engineering students for the 2012-2013 academic year. “It’s programs like EFO scholarships that continue to give Ohio a technological edge in the international marketplace by encouraging our best students and engineers to re-
main in the state,” says EFO Executive Director Tim Schaffer. Each year EFO offers the scholarships to top engineering students from throughout Ohio. To qualify for most EFO scholarships, applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the state of Ohio, and be graduating high school seniors admitted to an engi-
neering program approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) at an Ohio engineering college or Notre Dame. In addition, candidates must meet the minimum academic standards of a SAT score of 600 in math and 500 in reading or composition (or an ACT score of 29 in math and 25 in English) and a 3.0 grade point average on the
four-point scale. Additional criteria apply to some scholarships. For instance, the Lloyd A. Chacey, PE, Memorial Scholarship provides $2,000 annual grants to college juniors and seniors who must apply in their sophomore years. EFO’s scholarship application and brochure, which details the specific criteria for the scholarships offered this year,
may be obtained from our website at www.ohioengineer.com (click on “Students & Educators”, then on “Programs for Students”, then on “Scholarships” and print from PDF files) or in high school guidance and career offices throughout Ohio or by calling EFO at (614) 223-1177. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15.
COMMENTS From page 1A These parameters include fish and wildlife resources, water quality, historic properties, employment, air quality, environmental justice and noise, among others. “Overall, the recommended rehabilitation of the Harpersfield Dam is not expected to result in any significant adverse environmental impacts,” the report said. Since the report has been written, the USACE now wants the public’s hand in giving them their comments and questions on the matter. “Throughout the scoping process, stakeholders and interested parties are invited to provide comment on this Feasibility Study,” the report said. “Interested parties are welcome to contact USACE-Buffalo District to discuss their views and recommendations regarding this study.” For the full 19-page report, go to http:// www.lrb.usace.army.mil/ missions/public/ review.html and click on the Harpersfield Dam link. Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.
The Zonta Club of Ashtabula announces scholarship opportunities ASHTABULA - Scholarships are available from the Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area. The club is part of Zonta International, an organization of business and professional women dedicated to improving the status of women worldwide. The Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area is taking applications for scholarships. Qualifications include: • Undergraduate or graduate female student. Sophomore status or above for the following fall semester/quarter. • Applicant or parent/ legal guardian must be an Ashtabula County resident. • Based on financial need and academic achievement (B average or above). • Ashtabula Area Zontian immediate family members are ineligible. • Planning to graduate or enroll at least half-time (six or more credit hours) per term for the upcoming academic year Completed applications are due by March 1. For more information, or to request an application, please call Robin Bolender at 224-2485 or e-mail zonta5ashtabula @yahoo.com.
Community
HealthConnections Ashtabula Heart Failure Education Program Lori Slimmer, RN, CBPN-IC Wed., December 7 and Thurs., December 8 | 2 – 4 p.m. Ashtabula Medical Arts Center 2131 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula RSVP: 440-415-0180
Safe Sitter® Program Wed., December 28 and Thurs., December 29 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ashtabula Medical Arts Center 2131 Lake Avenue, Suite 4, Ashtabula Must attend both days. Register: 440-415-0180 /440-593-0364
Conneaut Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Thurs., December 8 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 W. Main Road, Conneaut Call: 440-593-0364
Health Smart Luncheon Fri., December 16 | 11:30 a.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center WH Brown Community Room 158 W. Main Road, Conneaut RSVP: 440-593-0364
Geneva SOLACE (Surviving Our Losses and Continuing Everyday) Support Group Join families and friends who are concerned about the growing problem of opiate use in Ashtabula County. The members of SOLACE will share their stories of loved ones and the fight against drug abuse. Cindy Stec and Miriam Walton, MA, MSW, LISW
Register online today! UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 West Main Road Conneaut, OH 44030 440-593-1131 UHConneaut.org UH Geneva Medical Center 870 West Main Street Geneva, OH 44041 440-466-1141 UHGeneva.org
© 2011 University Hospitals CONGEN 00041
Wed., December 14 | 7 p.m. UH Geneva Medical Center Education Room 870 W. Main Street, Geneva Call: 440-415-9559
Knee & Hip Pain Seminar Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, CBPN-IC Thurs., December 15 | 2 – 4 p.m. UH Geneva Medical Center Private Dining Room 870 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0180
Senior Health Forum & Luncheon: Speech and Communication for Older Adults Kenneth Kozlosky, MS, CCC-SLP Wed., December 21 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Geneva Community Center 72 West Main Street, Geneva RSVP: 440-415-0180
Jefferson SOLACE (Surviving Our Losses and Continuing Everyday) Support Group
December ‘11 Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Random Total Cholesterol Eight-hour fasting is recommended. No reservations necessary. Tues., December 6 | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Ashtabula Medical Arts Center 2131 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula Wed., December 7, 14, 21 | 8 – 10 a.m. Spire Institute 1822 S. Broadway, Geneva Wed., December 7 | 4 – 7 p.m. Walmart 3551 N. Ridge East, Ashtabula Thurs., December 8 | 9 – 11 a.m. Ashtabula Senior Center 4632 Main Avenue, Ashtabula Fri., December 9 | 1 – 3 p.m. Giant Eagle 2390 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula Tues., December 13 | 10 a.m. – noon UH Conneaut Medical Center 158 West Main Road, Conneaut
Join families and friends who are concerned about the growing problem of opiate use in Ashtabula County. The members of SOLACE will share their stories of loved ones and the fight against drug abuse. Cindy Stec and Miriam Walton, MA, MSW, LISW Wed., December 7 | 7 p.m. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 89 E. Satin Street, Jefferson Call: 440-415-9559
Tues., December 27 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. Madison Senior Center 2938 Hubbard Road, Madison
Free Health Screenings
There are many things that make this a special time of the year…visiting with family and friends, celebrating the joy of the season, looking back on the year gone by and looking forward to a healthy new year in 2012. Happy Holidays from all of us at UH Conneaut Medical Center and UH Geneva Medical Center.
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.
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!
8A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
Geneva State Park and Geneva Lodge make a connection BY DEE RILEY For Gazette Newspapers
State Snowmobile Association volunteered to get the bridge built. GENEVA - State Park Mike Blakeman, former volunteers from Geneva, Geneva State Park manPymatuning, Punderson, ager, said that this is one of Mosquito Lake, West the largest bridge projects Branch, Portage Lakes, in the state park system. Wingfoot Lake, Quail HolThe driving force behind low, Guilford Lake, Beaver this project was the Lodge Creek and Jefferson Lake and Conference Center at put in a united effort to- Geneva State Park. In 2005 ward building a snowmo- they identified the off-peak bile and pedestrian bridge months in winter and at the Geneva Lodge and wanted to draw business to Conference Center. those months. The park and They erected two sec- lodge officials wanted to tions of the 177-foot bridge make snowmobiling and on piers over the water of hiking from the park to the Cowles Creek. The 250-ton lodge easy for special events crane was provided by All and possible concession proErection and Crane of In- grams. dependence, Ohio. “The distance to get to ODNR Division of Engi- the trail road system is two neering Gus Smithhisler, miles without the bridge the state parks construc- and a place to unload the tion crews and the Ohio snowmobiles,” said Gary
Hines, president of the Ohio State Snowmobile Association. The area chosen allows for windbreak for the pedestrian bridge and allows snow build up. The bike trail doesn’t allow for snow build up and is not legal to ride snowmobiles on. Jeannette Petrolia, general manager, and Eric Franz, assistant manager of the Lodge, had the support of the Ashtabula County commissioners, the mayor and the Village of Geneva-On-The-Lake to put in place the portion that was built to connect the park and lodge. Hines said that he was really excited to link the lodge and park for public PHOTOS BY DEE RILEY snowmobiling and he Crews are pictured hooking the 250-ton crane to the first section of bridge to be put in wants to expand the trails place. with local clubs.
Crews give the signal to swing the bridge over Cowels Creek. The first section of bridge is set in place on the pilings.
Planking is laid down to prepare for the second section of bridge.
The second section is swung out to unite with the rest of the bridge.
Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary Student Council helps fill cupboard at Geneva Food Pantry
Workers are tying the two sections of bridge into place.
Ashtabula County
BUCK FEVER NIGHT Friday, November 25th Ashtabula County Fairgrounds Expo Bldg., Jefferson Social Hour - 4:30 p.m. • Buffet Dinner - 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 each
Bigger & Better Than Ever! Gun Raffles • Auction • Door Prizes Reserve Today — No Door Sales. Bring the Whole Family! Call Ron Tusai at (440) 563-3384, or Dennis Malloy at (330) 507-9489
bility! Call for Availa
PHOTO BY JAN PERALA FOR GENEVA SCHOOLS
Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary Student Council members are, front from left: Victoria Cutchall, Breanna Burton, Kaitlyn Gibson and Makaila Currence; and, back: Alyssa Green, Kylie Frye, Student Council Advisor Mrs.Amy Kennerknecht, Angela Cutchall, Skylar Granchi, Hannah Hudson and GPS Principal Mr. Michael Penzenik. BY JAN PERALA Geneva Area City Schools GENEVA - Last Friday, the cupboard at Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary (GPS) was filled to the brim with all the trimmings for Thanksgiving dinners. Today that cupboard is bare and no one could be happier than the kids at GPS. “We sent all the food to Geneva Food Pantry to make sure that people who need the food have a good Thanksgiving,” GPS Stu-
dent Council Vice President Kaitlyn Gibson said. “There were boxes full of canned pumpkin, stuffing mix, corn and turkey gravy and everything. It makes us feel really good to know that some families who might not have a big dinner on Thanksgiving, will now.” GPS Student Council members, with the help of their advisor Mrs. Amy Kennerknecht, have been working for weeks to collect nonperishable food items. Students posted flyers and publicized the effort on the announcements.
Joyce Howard of the Food Pantry explained that the need is greater today than at any time in memory because of the depressed economy. “We are so appreciative of the generosity of these students and the entire community. The support for the Geneva Food Pantry is just unbelievable and we thank the kids at Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary for helping us fill our shelves,” he said. To contact the Geneva Food Pantry, call 4663048.
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 9A
New director named for KSU at Ashtabula Physical Therapist Assistant program
Community walks for Homesafe
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured are members of the Zonta Club of Ashtabula before starting the Awareness Walk at the Ashtabula Towne Square on Monday, Oct. 3. Casey Kozlowski, state representative of the 99th House District, was the guest speaker to kick off Violence Prevention Week. Homesafe Director Sherri Price also spoke about the challenges that face Homesafe in the next year. A sponsorship walk was held during the week of Oct. 3, with the funds raised going to Homesafe. From left in the photo: Casey Kozlowski, Commissioner Peggy Carlo, Janet Vettle, Elaine Swanson, Nancy Koproski, Homesafe Director Sherri Price, Linda Coblitz, Barbara Oxley and Daria Narducci. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kathy Giffin ASHTABULA - Kent State University at Ashtabula has welcomed Kathrine A. Giffin as the new director for the physical therapist assistant technology (PTST) program. She now leads the largest physical therapist assistant (PTA) program in the state of Ohio. Giffin practiced as a licensed physical therapist assistant for over 20 years in outpatient orthopedic and wellness settings. Her academic experience includes academic coordinator of clinical education for Kent State at East Liverpool, faculty member for Remington College PTA program, and as an A.C.E. certified personal trainer. She earned a master of education in instructional design for online learning from Capella University and holds a bachelor in integrated health studies with a health science concentration from Kent State. Giffin is also a 1991 graduate of the East Liverpool Campus PTST program.
Kent State University at Ashtabula plans open house ASHTABULA - Kent State University at Ashtabula will host a Campus Open House Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 4-7 p.m. Those interested in becoming Ashtabula Campus students and their families are invited to see all the campus has to offer. Current students who are still undecided about a major can benefit from this event too. There are more than 10 bachelor’s degrees and more than 15 associate degrees that can be earned entirely on the Ashtabula Campus. Visitors to the Open House can explore all the possible degree options. There will be experts to tell you how to apply for admission, pay for college with financial aid and write effective scholarship essays. Tours of the campus will be given by student ambassadors. Representatives from student organizations will be on hand to talk about student life opportunities. The Open House is free and open to the public. Please visit www.ashtabula.kent.edu/openhouse to let the campus know if you are stopping by.
After School Discovery begins annual appeal campaign ASHTABULA - After School Discovery (ASD) announced that it has begun its 2012 Annual Appeal Campaign. ASD has been a 501(c)3 non-profit business in Ashtabula County for 18 years and has served the children in eight school districts throughout these years. They have always been innovative and up to the challenge of changing their after school programming opportunities and services, as needed by the school system, the families and, most importantly, the children served. This current school year ASD has an after-school program at Ashtabula Lakeside Intermediate for fourth through sixth graders, and one at Ashtabula Lakeside Junior High School
County. The students will attend seven or right classes over a four-week period and are challenged by new discoveries in science, math, art, foreign languages and business marketing. The ASD Annual Appeal uses the funds received to help offset expenses that are not covered under the grants or contracts already received and to directly support the student activities. Non-profit funding has been cut immensely over the years, so any donations received are greatly appreciated by ASD and their students served. Donations may be mailed to Post Office Box 113, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005. If you have questions, please call the ASD Business Office at 440-993-1060.
Candle of Love Ceremony Dec. 4 at Zaback Funeral Home by MARTHA SOROHAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - Ducro Funeral Services will host the annual Candle of Love Ceremony 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at ZabackDucro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect, Ashtabula. The ceremony to remember loved ones is open to the entire community, regardless of where funeral services were held. “The service is for everyone who has lost someone, not just for those who lost loved ones in the last year,” said Lisa Demshar, Pre-Arrangement Planning Advisor at Ducro Funeral Services. The Candle of Love service includes music by Monica
An array of health-education programs offered at SPIRE Institute BY JAN PERALA For SPIRE Institute
PHOTO BY JAN PERALA
In this photo, Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, BGS, CBPN-IC of University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center, talks with Geneva resident Charlotte Hunt (left) about an upcoming educational program she will present at SPIRE Institute that will discuss Methicillin-Resitant Staph Aureous.
Gribus; a message by the Rev. Mike Legg, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Ashtabula; the lighting of candles; and the reading of names of loved ones. Attendees will write loved ones’ names in a Book of Remembrance as well as on Christmas cards. The cards, which are held throughout the service, are hung as ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance near the conclusion of the ceremony. Sue Ducro, widow of Ducro Funeral Services’ J. Peter Ducro, who died this year, will
read an original poem during the symbolic lighting of candles. She will also talk about the origins of Ducro Funeral Services’ annual “Candle of Love” service in Ashtabula County. A responsive reading will include the familiar “We Will Remember Them,” Rabbi Sylvan Kamens’ 50-year-old poem found in “New Prayers for the High Holy Days” which read, in part, “In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we will remember them; So long as we live, they, too shall live, For they are now a part of us, As
we remember them.” Guests will receive a Holiday Help packet to help ease feelings of loss during the holiday season. Refreshments will follow. Planners also hope that those helped by the “Candle of Love” service in past years will share their experiences to help persons in the early stages of grief. “The service is a brief and meaningful way to memorialize loved ones, whether the loss is recent or not,” Demshar said. For more information, call (440) 992-2191.
Obituary Neal Edward Dunford July 7, 1930 - November 15, 2011 Neal Edward Dunford, 81, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in Rockport, Texas. He was born July 7, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of the late Earl Guy Dunford who passed away during Neal’s early childhood. Neal was raised by his mother, Billie Durst and stepfather, Philip H. Durst who are also both deceased. Neal lived in Ashtabula and Jefferson Counties most of his life. He had planned to make Rockport, Texas his final home. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Noel Dunford, Philip Durst and Alan Durst. Neal is survived by his daughters, Cathy Renee Lindsey of Rockport, Texas and Debra Lynette Estrada of Twain Harte, California; four adopted children, Wendy, Cindy, Laurie and Dale; step-daughters, Laura and Jessica; brother, Gary Durst of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; sister, Diane Trivison of Cleveland, Ohio; 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Neal served in the U. S. Army from 19541956 from which he received an honorable discharge. His primary profession was builder/developer. He owned Dunford Construction Company. As a member of the Ashtabula County Builders Association, he served a term as Vice President and President and was designated Outstanding Member of the Year in 1979. Neal
was also a member of the Ashtabula County Planning Commission and served on several builders’ association committees. Softball was one of Neal’s passions. He pitched for many years in the Jefferson Village Softball League. He served as President of the Jefferson Area Little League in which he also coached. He was the sponsor and manager of the Jefferson Women’s Softball League and then the Dunford Construction Women’s Softball Team. Neal led his team to state and then on to the world tournament in Modesto, California in 1980. As Neal requested direct cremation, a casual graveside gathering will be held at 3 P.M., Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Rockport Cemetery, 2040 Tule Park Dr., Rockport, Texas to allow friends and family to pay their last respects. The family especially thanks the wonderful people at Rockport Coastal Care Center and AIM Hospice who provided for his needs and his comfort during his final days. The family also requests that any memorial contributions be made to Rockport Coastal Care Center, 1004 S.Young St., Rockport TX 78382. Arrangements entrusted to Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. ROCKPORT/ FULTON, TEXAS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY To Place Your Advertising, Call 576-9125 GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS Bose Sound System Computerized Scoring Bumpers Every Alley 440-576-4786
DARREN RYAN 1484 STATE ROUTE 46 NORTH, SUITE 3 JEFFERSON, OHIO 44047 Office: 440-576-3466 Fax: 440-576-3468 E-Mail: drya4@amfam.com 24-Hour Claims Reporting: 800-374-1111
Haase Enterprises SPIES HECKER
Featuring: "Our Business Is A Wreck" Spraybake 1496 State Rt. 46 North Paint Booth & Oven Jefferson, Ohio 44047 GENESIS CertifiedCollision COMPUTERIZED 440-576-1900 Repair Center LAZER UNIBODY Fax: 440-576-5422 MEASURING SYSTEM Robert Bealer -HUNTER ALIGNMENT SYSTEM Owner
AUSTINBURG
GENEVA - Fostering health and wellness for all is a core component of the mission advanced by SPIRE Institute, and the world-class sports and education facility hosts a wide array of educational programs provided by health professionals from a variety of sources. On Tuesday, Nov. 29, University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center ’s Community Outreach Department will offer a program at SPIRE designed to educate the public about Methicillin-Resitant Staph Aureous (MRSA). Nancy Hutchens, RN, CDE and Lori Ann Slimmer, RN, BGS, CBPN-IC will present the program from 11 a.m. to noon at on the Mezzanine in the Fields and Courts Building. Methicillin-Resitant Staph Aureous is a highly contagious skin infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. Methicillin was introduced for treatment of staph infections in 1959. By 1961 many strains of staph aureus became resistant to it. The program will discuss the chain of infection, the clinical symptoms, treatment and ways to prevent the infection. Advance reservations are required. Please signin at the walkers’ registration table in the Fields and Courts Building at SPIRE, or call 466-1002. SPIRE Institute is located at 1822 South Broadway in Geneva. For more information about health education programs at SPIRE Institute, visit the website at www.spireinstitute.org.
for seventh and eighth graders, both running Monday through Thursday. ASD has added two new ventures with a before- and after-school care at the new AACS Primary Campus, called Discovery Cove, and the Strive 4 Success tutoring program. ASD’s core value words/ actions of respect, strive, communicate, care and believe are resonated throughout all programs, in their tutoring, art and music enrichment, physical activities and initiatives, and youth development activities. Applications to participate in the program are available at the school offices. The Gifted and Talented Program is just revving up for the fourth through eighth graders throughout Ashtabula
Since 1990
Peter Haase O: 440-275-1537 C: 440-344-6884
General Contractor Residential • Commercial BASEMENT RENOVATIONS EXCAVATING CONCRETE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Remodeling • Maintenance • Repairs Free Estimates • No Up-Front Costs We Welcome Small Jobs • Senior Discounts Geneva, Ohio • Mike 440-813-8004
GRAY’S AUTO SALES 1320 Rt. 46 N. Jefferson 576-3848 “The Home of the Nice Man!”
10A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
JAHS Cheerleaders cheer to a win at Falcons Showcase Showdown Extravaganza Menus Jefferson Area High School 11/23 Chicken Quesadilla, Chips & Salsa, Whole Kernel Corn, Cinnamon Apples 11/24 No School 11/25 No School 11/28 No School 11/29 Cheeseburger on Bun, Crispy Tater Tots, Corn on the Cob, Diced Pears 11/30 Ham & Cheese Stromboli with Marinara Sauce, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit
Jefferson/Rock Creek Elementary School Lunch Menu 11/23 French Bread Pizza, Green Beans, Diced Pears 11/24 No School 11/25 No School 11/28 No School 11/29 Chicken Strips w/Dip, Baked Beans, Ranch Goldfish, Mandarin Oranges 11/30 Corndog on Stick w/Dip, Corn Cobbettes, Blueberry Applesauce SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Jefferson Area High School Falcon Varsity Pictured, top left to right, Sarah Solarek, Tesla Stone, Cheerleading Squad finished in first place over the past week- Coach Unsinger, Ashton Allen, Abby Kovacs and Kadi end at Mineral Ridge High School. The girls competed in a Scafuro. Showcase Showdown Extravaganza sponsored by Cheertime Pictured, bottom, left to right: Kate Beattie, Alexis Athletics Ohio. The freshman squad finished second. Northrop and Natasha Le Grange.
Wall of Honor
Breakfast Menu 11/23 Cinnamon Tastries, Fruit Juice or Fruit, 11/24 No School 11/25 No School 11/28 No School 11/29 Choice of Cereal, Apple Granola Bar, Fruit Juice 11/30 Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Fruit Juice or Fruit
Jefferson Area Local Schools Holiday Activities Rock Creek and Jefferson Elementary schools winter band/choir concert 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Jefferson Area Senior High Auditorium/Junior High Cafeteria
High School Choir Holiday Concert 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 Jefferson Area Senior High Auditorium/Junior High Cafeteria
Jefferson Elementary Christmas Program 7-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 Jefferson Area Senior High Auditorium/Junior High Cafeteria
Rock Creek Elementary Christmas Program 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 Jefferson Area Senior High Auditorium/Junior High Cafeteria
Junior High Student Council Holiday Dance 1:20-2:20 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 Jefferson Area Senior High Auditorium/Junior High Cafeteria PHOTO BY STEFANIE WESSELL
Students at Jefferson Elementary School honored veterans this month by creating a Star Flag in the hallway. Students brought in photos of men and women who have served or are serving in the military to create the flag. Pictured, from left, are sixth-graders Brent Cotton (of Scott Vacca’s class); James Mattingly (of Brenda Sandella’s class); Siarra Brazil (of Tina Yeager’s class); and Morgan Penrose (of Christy Seymour’s class).
High School Annual Reindeer Games 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 Jefferson Area Senior High Gymnasium
Spiderweb collects coats for families
BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
JEFFERSON - Spiderweb, an outreach program located at 133 East Jefferson St. in the Village of Jefferson, is collecting warm outerwear for the entire family in preparation for the winter season. “The Winter Room opened Sept. 12, and since that time
465 coats were given out for 1,070 people. Can you see the shortage?” Spiderweb Director Sherry Cullers said. Cullers said Spiderweb accepts donations of coats, hats, gloves, boots and scarves that are clean and in good repair. “Donations that had come in during the summer were stored, waiting until the cold
season was here, but that supply has dwindled to almost nothing. We currently have only six coats for children, no boots and (no) gloves,” Cullers said. If people want to help, Cullers suggested that they go through their closets. If they see coats, pairs of mittens or boots that they no longer wear, she suggested that they
donate them. All donations can be dropped off at Spiderweb and are tax deductible. The Clothes Closet is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Since 1980, Spiderweb has been making a difference in families’ lives one person at a
READ ALL ABOUT IT...
Every Week in Your Local Community Newspaper
30
$ The Gazette Jefferson Area
00 Per Year
Out Of County $
46
00
time. Through various services, the program strives to inspire and encourage at-risk youth and their families to make healthy choices and gain self-confidence to succeed through a support network of caring volunteers. “Are you ready to make a difference in someone’s life? Call Spiderweb at 576-4547 for more information about
volunteer opportunities and about the other services they offer for residents of Ashtabula County,” Cullers said. Spiderweb is an Ashtabula County United Way agency. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell @gazettenews.com.
The Ashtabula County
Gazette Geneva • Ashtabula
Per Year
PLEASE START MY SUBSCRIPTION TO
❏ GAZETTE
❏ ASHT. CO. GAZETTE
❒ $30 per year ❒ $57 for 2 yrs. $ $ ❒ 25.50/year Sr. Citizen ❒ 48.50 for 2 yrs Sr. Citizen ❒ $87.50 for 2 yrs Out of County - ❒ $46 per year
1-800-860-2775
P.O. Box 166, Jefferson, OH 44047
AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY NEWS
Local Features, High School Sports, Features, Headline Stories and Editorials! ~ There is something to suit every taste!
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 11A
JEFFERSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 100 Jefferson, OH 44047-0100
www.jeffersonchamber.com Ph: 440-576-0133
------------2011 OFFICERS & BOARD OF CONTROL------------President, Pat Bradek of Subway
Vice President, Janet Wolff, WEK Manufacturing
RecSecy, Mary Jo Braden of Lakeview Treas., Peggy Stadler of KeyBank
Patty Fisher, Clerk Treas., Village Bill Creed, The Gazette
JoAnn Whetsell, Ken Forging
Betty Morrison, Ashtabula Co. Covered Bridge Festival Dan Weber, Andover Bank
George Dubic, Jefferson Healthcare Jerry March, CruiseOne/Village Rep.
Real Estate Service Since 1908
MLS
REALTORS - APPRAISERS
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES & MEETINGS
EDWARD R. CURIE JAMES A. REUSCHLING BROKERS/OWNERS
Miller Realty Co.
Regular chamber meeting: Tues., December 6th at The Deli in the Rye at 7:30am. This meeting is co-hosted by Lakeview Federal Credit Union and The Deli in the Rye.
of Jefferson, Ohio
Jefferson’s Holiday Celebration & Parade will be held on Saturday, December 3rd throughout the village. The theme this year will be Snow Angel Christmas. Christmas parade applications are available at village hall. See Patty Fisher. The Annual Christmas Commercial Window Decorating Contest will have the Snow Angel theme. The winner will receive an advertising package courtesy of Gazette Newspapers.
The
113 N. CHESTNUT ST. JEFFERSON
576-2811
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
CHICKEN MARINARA
The evening will be topped off by the annual Christmas Parade at 6:00pm. Kicking things off will be the Friday book sale at the Henderson Memorial Public Library. The Christmas craft show will be from 9-4 at the Community Center. Kids’ craft making will be from 10-4. The ice sculpture demonstration will be from 10am2pm. The kids’ Santa shop will be open noon-4pm. The craft making and Santa shop will be at village hall. Nora the reindeer will visit in front of village hall at 3:00. The High School Choir will sing at 5:30pm at the gazebo before the parade. The Grand River Trail Riders Snowmobile Club will raffle a 2011 Arctic Cat Snow Pro 120, $2,000 and 7 other prizes. The Perambulator Museum will be open and decorated for the Season from 11AM – 5 PM every Saturday through the 7th of January . The Jefferson Village Depot will hold a Williamsburg Christmas Party from 3:00 – 5:00 and a Candle Light Christmas Walk from 5:00 – 6:00. The Jefferson Historical Society will be open from 11:00AM – 3:00PM The Society will be decorated for the season with trees, trains and some animated toys.
ER NOVEMBED R U FEAT
Jefferson Open for Breakfast Every Day 135 N. Chestnut St. Jefferson, OH
440-576-3004
GLAZIER INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
The AC&J Railroad will host the Christmas Train, which will run November 26th, December 3rd & 4th, and December 10th & 11th. Saturday departures are 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Sunday rides are at 1:00 & 3:00. Tickets are available online www.family trainrides.com
Serving Our Community Since 1936
PHONE (440) 576-2921 or 1 (800) 322-1661 41 WALL STREET JEFFERSON, OHIO 44047-1138 jbaker@glazierins.com James A. Baker, Agent
Petros Design
23 Jefferson Merchants invite you to the 19th Annual Jefferson Holiday Sale-ABration. There will be drawings in every store for a 4’ fully decorated Christmas Tree. You may also register in these stores to win a Christmas Basket filled with gifts and gift certificates from all participating merchants. Register to win from noon through 4:30 on December 3rd. The basket may be seen at Classy Consignments. Participating merchants include Valerie’s Hair Design, Jefferson Rehab and Wellness, Western Reserve Farm Co-op, Subway, Josephine’s Ristorante, Hofstetter’s Jewelry, The Jefferson Diner, Sarna’s Tree Farm, Classy Consignments, Family Dollar, Mugs, Pizza Joe’s, Radio Shack, Rite-Aid, Deli in the Rye, Drug Mart, Jeff’s Flowers, Allstate Insurance, Wild Side Bar and Grill, Domino’s, Thorne’s BiLo, Carpet Store & More, and Jefferson’s newest retailer, Another Time Around.
Quality Laser Etching Endless Possibilities Pictures on Marble and Granite
The Henderson Memorial Library welcomes Felicia Matras to their Board of Directors. She was elected to the Board at the annual meeting on November 13.
LLC
Personalized Gifts Awards • Home Decor
Membership in the Jefferson Area Chamber includes membership in NOACC, Providing Superior Business Benefits to Chamber Members for over 10 Years, for details visit www.noacc.org.
Kathy Housel, Owner 942 St. Rt. 46 North Jefferson, Ohio
440-576-7625 petrosdesign@embarqmail.com
Old Reserve Realty
Haines Memorials,
JIM CASE REALTY, INC.
LTD.
1 Lawyers Row Jefferson, Ohio Phone 576-6985 Carol Fulwiler, Owner/Broker
Lauri Haines Allen
We’re Proud To Be A Part Of Jefferson’s Past, Present And Future
Equal Housing Oppor tunity
1640 State Rt. 46 N. Jefferson, OH 44047
Bus: 440-576-2637 Fax: 440-576-2638 hainesmem@suite224.net www.hainesmemorials.com
Crystal Clear Water
WATER TREATMENT, POOLS & SPAS, SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATION 895 Route 46 N Jefferson, Ohio
440-576-5421
YOUR AD HERE! Contact Rick Briggs at 576-9125 x205 today!
12A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2011