Bring your household animals to the 18th Annual Blessing of the Pets from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 on the front lawn of St. Raphael Catholic Church, 525 Dover Center Road, Bay Village.
Julia Mosier brings her dog Rosie to be blessed every year at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Photo courtesy of Dan Straitiff.Dan Straitiff
Individual blessings will be given to each animal. Dog and cat treats and giveaways from Hot Diggity Dog Pet Sitting will be distributed and a garden statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, will be given away.
The event was first held in 2005 to commemorate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“We welcome all our friends in the surrounding neighborhoods to join with us on this day, to give thanks for all God’s creatures – especially our faithful animal companions – and ask for his continued blessings on our families, our community, and on all living things entrusted to our care,” said Fr. Dan Schlegel, St. Raphael pastor, in a press release. “Our pets represent God’s abundant love and care for all of us. They are a blessing in our lives and we take this opportunity to ask God to watch over them and protect them.”
The event is free and parking is behind the church. Dogs should be on leashes. Cats and other pets should be in carriers or cages. The event will be canceled if it rains.
BAY VILLAGE
Deer survey: City officials are asking residents to complete an online deer management survey. Increased development in surrounding cities leads to decreased habitat for wildlife. Deadline for responses is Oct. 25.
Coffee talks: Community Coffee Chats are a great way for parents and residents to meet Bay Village City Schools Superintendent Scot Prebles and Treasurer Meghan Rohde and ask questions related to the district. The first chat of the new school year takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at Mojo’s, 600 Dover Center Road.
Snow Angels program: Winter will be here before you know it. Qualifying seniors ages 60 and over looking for assistance with snow removal can apply by Oct. 18 for the city’s Snow Angels Program.
To process your application, proof of income with the most recent 1040 form U.S. individual tax return must be provided.
Volunteers are also needed to be a Snow Angel. As a Snow Angel volunteer, you are paired with a senior for the entire winter season and are responsible to provide them with snow removal.
For more information, go to cityofbayvillage.com.
Waste roundup: It’s time to gather up your household hazardous waste, computers, and other scrap waste for drop off from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27; and from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 28 at the Service Department, 31300 Naigle Road.
For a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items, go to cityofbayvillage.com.
Pool stats: Recreation Director Dan Enovitch provided the following statistics during a recent City Council meeting regarding the Bay Village Family Aquatic Center this summer: Pool memberships sold 2,612; daily admissions: 35,106; average of 700 visitors per day; 300-plus participants in the Learn-to-Swim program, 120 participants in the Swim Team. The summer statistics are comparable to previous years.
ROCKY RIVER
Homecoming royalty: Congratulations to Rocky River High School seniors Sam Fadel and Rosie Murray, crowned Homecoming King and Queen last weekend.
Medicare 101: Open enrollment will begin soon. Learn more about Medicare and the coverage plans during a presentation at 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Senior Center, 21014 Hilliard Blvd. To register, call 440-333-6660.
Preventing fall injuries: Seniors can help to prevent falls and injuries by focusing on strength and balance exercises which help to restore muscle strength and reaction times. Strength and balance exercises will be demonstrated during a special presentation facilitated by Infinity Helping Hands at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Senior Center.
Medical equipment: The Senior Center offers a variety of medical equipment residents registered at the center can borrow including walkers, wheelchairs, and canes. For more information, call Mary Hildebrandt at 440–333-6664.
Leaf clean-up, snow removal: Seniors are encouraged to register for free leaf clean-up and snow removal. A one-time fall leaf clean-up is available to homeowners who are age 70 or older. Leaves will be raked by local scouting troops, students, and athletic teams usually sometime in late October.
When it snows, snow plowing is available for seniors for the driveway apron only, to remove snow that has been displaced from the street when the streets are plowed. Snow will only be removed if at least three inches of snow has fallen and after the city snow plows have cleared all Rocky River streets.
Homeowners are responsible for having their driveways and sidewalks cleared. The Senior Center maintains a list of individuals residents may call if they need to hire someone for snow removal.
To be considered for either of these free programs you (or a friend or family member) must call Mary at 440-333-6664 by Sept. 30. Please provide the homeowner’s full name, address, phone number and email address if applicable. No late registrants can be considered.
WESTLAKE
Homecoming: The Westlake City Schools kick off Homecoming with the Powder Puff football game from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the football stadium.
The traditional Rose Arch Ceremony will take place during the school day Oct. 4 at the high school.
The Homecoming Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in the parking lot of Lee Burneson Middle School, 2260 Dover Center Road, and will travel down to the high school on Hilliard Blvd.
The Homecoming pregame festivities begin about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 prior to the football game against Buckeye at 7 p.m.
Photography project: Stop by the Community Services Center, 28975 Hilliard Blvd., this month to view a photographic display project by Westlake photographer, Katie Garlock.
The show is open to the public and features remarkable women over 70 who are in a ‘renaissance’ period of their lives. Garlock was inspired to do this project when, after age 70, she began to feel invisible in her professional world, according to information submitted in an email. Her slogan, “After the Middle Ages comes the Renaissance” is a play on words.
Each ‘model’ has their story posted next to their photographs, and there is also a QR code to scan for more information.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to [email protected]. Read Short Takes online at https://www.cleveland.com/topic/westlake. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.
