Avon High School Athletic Department earns excellence award: Short Takes on Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville

Avon, Ohio

The Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) recently awarded Avon High School Athletic Director Erich Frombach and the entire Athletic Department at the school with the Bruce Brown Award of Excellence.

The purpose of the award is to recognize ongoing and consistent efforts on the part of Ohio interscholastic athletic departments that demonstrate best practices in the endorsement and promotion of education-based athletic programming, according to information from the high school’s recent newsletter.

Specifically, this award recognizes schools that demonstrate intentional efforts to shift the culture of school-based sports programs as an on-going process, according to information from the high school.

AVON

Car wash re-opens: Following the acquisition and rebranding of five Rainforest Car Wash locations, including 1505 Traveler’s Point, Avon, by Whistle Express, the new Whistle Express Car Wash will celebrate a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at 11 a.m. Sept. 20. During the event, a check presentation of a $5,000 donation to the Prayers from Maria Foundation will take place.

A host of giveaways and other activities are also planned for Sept. 21 including Cleveland Monsters’ home opener tickets and Metro Parks Zoo passes. The Prayers from Maria ice cream truck will also be onsite from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Coffee and donuts: The Avon Parks and Recreation Department’s popular free Coffee and Donuts at the historic Wilbur Cahoon House, 2940 Stoney Ridge Road, dates have been extended. Visit the home from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday now through Nov. 20. To reserve your spot, contact the Senior Center at 440-934-2417.

Upcoming library events: Kids will learn to make fun recipes from Avon Local Schools Chef Jorge Rodriguez during the Kids in the Kitchen program from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Avon Branch Library, 37485 Harvest Drive.

Local college planning consultant Alyson Campbell will walk parents and students (ideal for grades 8-12) through all they need to know to prepare for applying to college including timelines, best practices and keys to making informed decisions for your student and family during a presentation from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Avon Branch Library.

Pre-registration is required for the events listed, go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.

Shout-out: Congratulations to Avon High School graduate Justin Schwab (Class of 2024) who was a 2024 Silver Medal Writing Portfolio Award Winner from the national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition.

This year, out of 9,500 portfolios entered, 23 received Silver Medal awards. The graduating seniors who earned a Silver Medal Portfolio Award also received a $2,000 scholarship.

AVON LAKE

Road closure: Redwood Blvd. at Ashwood Drive will be closed for gas line work for two weeks.

Outdoor market: UR Decor and More is hosting its final outdoor market for the season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at 680 Moore Road. Shop multiple vendors in the parking lot and enjoy food and drinks as you shop.

Pancake breakfast: Boy Scout Troop 334 will host an ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at American Legion Post 111, 31972 Walker Road. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children under 12-years-old, and free for children under 4-years-old.

Ward 1 meeting: Councilman Rob Shahmir will host a resident meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. For more information, email [email protected].

Eclipse banners: Purchase a piece of history and support the Avon Lake Historical Society. The group is selling the 2024 Total Eclipse Banners that were displayed on poles throughout the city in advance of the historic eclipse this past spring. The 30″x54″ vinyl banners are $50 each. To purchase, go to avonlakehistoricalsociety.org.

Democrats meeting: The Avon Lake Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road. Guest speaker is Lili Sandler from Lorain County Rising, sharing her experience as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Yard signs will be available and the public is welcome to attend.

Environmentally Speaking: Learn about rain gardens during a special program featuring Patti Donnellan, district administrator for the Lorain County Conservation District, at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.

Rain gardens are designed to capture rainwater and/or snowmelt and prevent the rapid release of stormwater into municipal water systems and storm sewers. They are designed to temporarily hold and soak in runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios, or lawns, according to information posted on the city’s website.

This program is part of a year-long environmental series, presented in partnership with the Avon Lake Public Library and Avon Lake’s Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB), that addresses the environmental concerns of Avon Lake’s residents expressed via the EAAB survey. Each session focuses on a different topic presented by experts who will educate, as well as provide tools and resources for making an impact in our community.

Halloween decorations: Do you have the best Halloween decorations? Enter the annual Haunt the House contest. Send a photo of your house or yard decorated for Halloween for a chance to win a prize from local businesses. Include your address so residents can drive by and see the display before casting their vote. A list of entries will be posted by the city in a few weeks.

Deadline to enter is Oct. 14. Voting runs from Oct. 16-31. The winner will be announced Nov. 1. Email [email protected].

Sip & Shop: Stop by John Christ Winery, 32421 Walker Road, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 and shop local vendors selling items including macramé, honey, jams, syrups, crafts, jewelry, soaps, baked goods, organic doggie treats, and fresh wild flower bouquets. Come early and enjoy brunch or small appetizers, as well as a large selection of  cocktails.

Donation, smokehouse competition: Representatives from American Legion Post 211 recently presented a check for $10,000 to Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS).

“CRS is deeply grateful for this generous donation, which will enable us to continue our unwavering commitment to reducing the effects of poverty for community members in Avon and Avon Lake,” said Pam Ohradzansky, CRS executive director on Facebook.  “We are fortunate to live in a community where people come together to care for their neighbors in need.”

In other CRS news…The year’s King of the Smokehouse competition will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at Erie Outfitters and Erie Marine Sales, 5404 East Lake Drive, Sheffield Lake, to see who will be crowned the 2024 King of the Smokehouse.

Contestants will be putting together their best spread of smoked meat. Entries will be judged on up to four different categories (beef, pork, chicken and other) by a panel of blind judges and the public.

For a $10 (or more) donation and some canned goods, guests will be able to sample all of the entries. The Smokehouse event will also feature a 50/50 cash raffle, a raffle to win a Weber Slate Flat Top Griddle, and other awesome prizes. All proceeds benefit CRS.

For more information, or if you would like to enter the contest, text or call Tyler at 440-787-5290.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE

Academic honors: North Ridgeville High School recently announced that four members from the Class of 2024 earned an Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma. Congratulations to Arden Dlugosz, Kate Hugick, Cassidy Miller, and Fotih Turopov.

To receive an AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP exams of their choice.

The school also announced that 58 other students have earned AP Scholar Awards for their exceptional performance on AP exams:

● AP Scholar: 15 students

● AP Scholar with Honor: 12 students

● AP Scholar with Distinction: 21 students

● AP Senior and Research Certificate: 10 students

High school update: The community is invited to meet representatives from ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and Hammond Construction, as well as North Ridgeville City School District officials to receive updates on the design of the new high school and maintenance/transportation facility. A Community Night will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Road.

Mental health presentation: September is Suicide Prevention Month. The North Ridgeville City Schools are hosting a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at North Ridgeville High School, 34600 Bainbridge Road. To register for the free event, go to bit.ly/3MnQHYc.

Bank opens: The new Chase Bank location, 34385 Center Ridge Road (next to Giant Eagle), is now open.

Youth basketball: The city’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a youth basketball program for boys and girls in grades 1-9. The leagues help develop the player’s skills, experience and knowledge of basketball.

Teams practice and/or play games one-two times per week. Practice days/times are picked by the coach and what works best for their schedule. Practices generally start in November, and league play tentatively starts in December. Games are played on Saturdays with potential games on Sundays.

Sign up online or in-person at the department, 7307 Avon Belden Road, by Oct. 11 to receive the early bird rate. After Oct. 11, the program fee increases by $10.

To register online, go to nridgeville.org/parksandrec.

Active Transportation Plan: The third and final public meeting for the North Ridgeville Active Transportation Plan will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the North Ridgeville Academic Center Community Room, 34620 Bainbridge Road.

The planning team will present recommendations to improve connectivity in North Ridgeville through sidewalks, trails and other safety and mobility improvements. The presentation will also include priorities for Safe Routes to School improvements at the Early Childhood Learning Community, Liberty Elementary School, Ranger High Tech Academy, and the North Ridgeville Academic Center, according to information in the city’s newsletter.

Spaghetti Dinner: The Lions Club is sponsoring upcoming Spaghetti Dinner to support the programs at the North Ridgeville Senior Center. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road.  Dine-in or take-out options are available. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children 10 and under. Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, side salad and bread. Pop and dessert are available for $1 each.

Shout-out: Thank you to everyone who donated to the Lions Club Food Drive benefiting North Ridgeville Community Care. According to the club, donations beat last year’s record by over 2,000 pounds

The total amount collected this year was a whopping 9,140.8 pounds. Kudos to the North Ridgeville City Schools, St. Peter Catholic School, and other area churches and businesses for organizing food collections in advance of the event.

In addition, $390 was donated online. To donate, go to nrcommcare.org.

LORAIN COUNTY

Democrat meeting: The Lorain County Democratic Women’s (LCDW’s) Club will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Lorain County Democratic Party Campaign Headquarters, 2063 North Ridge Road, Unit B,  Lorain (behind the Robert Taylor Insurance Office).

Participants are encouraged to bring an appetizer to share and their own lawn for seating.

The group will discuss the upcoming election and the passing of anti-gerrymandering legislation.

For more information, go to LCDWOhio.com.