Favorite activities are coming back for all ages to enjoy: Whit & Whimsey

BRUNSWICK, Ohio – It’s back! Last year seemed endless with so many great events cancelled so I was pleased to see that the Brunswick All Alumni Get Together is back again on the usual first Friday in August.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Brunswick Eagles Pavilion, 349 Pearl Road.

Jan Hovater Middleton said while many things are the same, like a cash bar, some precautions are in order.

“We will be handling our food bar just a bit different. Our goal is for everyone to be comfortable with missing last year’s event due to Covid. You are encouraged to bring one person servings, bite size portions wrapped individually. Or you may bring restaurant prepared food, in the original box or container. We will follow the state of Ohio for the mask mandate at that time. We want everyone in attendance to feel comfortable.”

And just a reminder: no pets.

The Eagles will hold a 50/50 raffle as a thank you from the alumni for offering their pavilion each year. If you have any questions or concerns, call or text Middleton at 216-210-8586 or email [email protected].

Cute canines: This year the Canine Costume Contest at Heritage Farm is at noon on Aug. 15, so time to get those costumes ready. Come to the big red barn at 4613 Laurel Road with your animal and sign in. Adult and junior (16 and younger) divisions. They’ll parade through the farm and have some prizes for each of the winners. If you need information, email [email protected] or call 330-441-0202.

Fingers crossed: I guess I’m not the only one worried about the flare-up of Covid 19. It would be so terrible to have to go back to those tight restrictions again. I really don’t mind wearing a mask, so I might start doing it just in case I might inadvertently spread something although I’m vaccinated. Hopefully, those who decided not to vaccinate will take precautions to keep everyone else safe, even if they aren’t worried about themselves, which is certainly their right.

I do like idea of the “We’re a team” commercials that Ohio has on TV (many during the Olympic coverage) pointing out how our personal choices make a difference to the people about whom we care.

On schedule: The Rotary Club of Brunswick was visited by Santa at a recent meeting in honor of the group’s Jingle Bell Gala coming back this year. The Jingle Bell Committee reports that the event will be at Weymouth and this year on Nov. 11, and rather than a sit-down dinner, there will be stations ….one Italian and the other with Steamship Round and Salmon. Due to the increase cost of food, however, ticket prices will be $75 a person or $125 a couple. Sponsor a table of eight for $500. Keep up to date with the club at https://www.facebook.com/brunswickOHrotary/

Plant sale: The Medina County Soil and Water Conservation District is in the midst of its fall native plant sale, with orders being taken until Sept. 1 and pick up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9. You can see detailed plant and kit descriptions at medinaswcd.org and you can check out their booth at the county fair this week.

New look: If you haven’t driven north on Pearl Road lately, you might be surprised to see the new look at Mapleside Farms. A new stone façade is in place and looking refreshed after all these years.

Open House tours: The Medina County Historical Society is pleased to announce the McDowell-Phillips House Museum will be open for tours from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 11 at 205 S. Prospect St., Medina. This will be a guided tour of 8 people starting every 20 minutes. No reservations, it is first come first served. The museum has undergone extensive work and a few areas remain to be done but it is ready for you to see! Admission donation is Adults $10, MCHS Members and Seniors $9, students 7 – 18 years old $7 and under 7 with a hand holding adult, free. Masks are optional. Legal parking is available on nearby streets, but please do not park on Blake Ave. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or phone 330-722-1341.

Square is buzzing: The annual Affair on the square is back from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8. The craft and vintage fair on the beautiful historic square will include booths of more than 150 handmade crafts, great food from five local food trucks and enjoyable music from talented artists. Visit https://www.affaironthesquare.net/ for a full list of exhibitors, entertainers and food trucks.

Rotarians are field buddies: “Play Ball!” announced Ken Richardson, President of The Miracle League Baseball of Northeast Ohio, as the All-Star National Teams took the field at Sam Masi Park in Medina, a beautifully maintained, fully handicapped-accessible field for baseball, softball and T-ball.

Medina Sunrise Rotarians became field buddies for three fun and competitive innings of America’s favorite pastime, “Baseball.” The ball game was played by young athletes in an organization that allows individuals with special needs to play the great game of baseball in a safe and welcoming environment.

With handshakes and congratulations to the baseball players, everyone gathered around “Homer,” the Miracle League Mascot, who recently arrived at his home field, Medina Lions Miracle League Field at Sam Masi Park. Homer is a gift from the Findlay Miracle League and traveled to Medina last week. He has been placed in an area specially designed for him by Dan Vinez of Vinez Construction and Matt Blynne of Blynnscapes Landscaping. Homer was fastened to his concrete pad by Parks and Recreation Director Jansen Wehrley.

Sunrise Rotary club members also learned about aspiring Eagle Scout, Jacob Sebaugh at a recent meeting. Sebaugh is a Troop Leader with BSA #507 in Medina. Accompanied by his father Dan, the Medina High sophomore presented his Eagle Scout Project. His Scoutmaster Craig Wrobleski pointed him in the direction of Rotary to build a community partner for his ambitious project.

“What I will be doing for my project,” explained Jacob, “is building an ADA approved wheelchair accessible deck/ramp for a neighbor in Medina who has been diagnosed with ALS. This is a debilitating disease that targets the muscles of the human body. Unfortunately, she has become wheelchair bound now. The ramp’s purpose is to add a second escape route if some house emergency were to happen and to also allow her to spend her remaining time with her family and in her own home.”

Following Jacob’s well-received presentation, Jack Young (Past District Governor and Rotary International’s Chair of the Fellowship of Scouting for North, Central and South America) congratulated both Jacob and his father. Jack expressed every confidence in Jacob’s future success as he leaves this week for Philmont Scout Ranch – 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness with backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs – on his Adventure to Eagle.

Volunteer opportunity: If you’ve thought about volunteering for Main Street Medina, here’s a chance to see how everything works. The Main Street Medina Volunteer Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Medina County District Library in community room A. Be sure to check it out.

Blood donations needed: The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. There is an emergency need for donors to give now to ensure blood is on hospital shelves when patients need it.

As a thank-you, those who come to donate Aug. 1-15, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive, VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Those who come to give throughout August will also receive a free 4-month subscription offer to Apple Music by email (new subscribers only). More details are available at https://www.redcrossblood.org/feelthebeat .

There are a lot of opportunities to give in Medina County:

Brunswick – 3-8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Saint Ambrose Church, 929 Pearl Road; 1-7 p.m. Aug. 9, Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14, St. Mark Church, 1330 N. Carpenter Road.

Hinckley – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14, Hinckley Fire Department, 1616 Ridge Road.

Medina – 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Medina Hospital, 1000 E. Washington St.; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6, Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road; 1-7 p.m. Aug. 9, Medina Fire Station 1, 300 W. Reagan Parkway.

Valley City – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 8, Saint Martin of Tours, 1800 Station Road.

Wadsworth – 2-7 p.m. Aug. 11, Wadsworth YMCA, 623 School Drive.

Winning ways: Congratulations to Mary Tulenko for winning the Virtual 5K walk/fun drawing. All those who posted/sent photos to the Brunswick Historical Society wearing their “I saved Brunswick History” shirts were eligible. Mary’s name was pulled from those at the meeting of the historical society. She gets an engraved brick as her prize.

The group thanked all those who participated especially Scott Wolff and Eric Schwalm who were co-chairs. I loved some of the photos, too. Check them out on the historical society Facebook page.

Contact Boyer at [email protected]