BRECKSVILLE, Ohio – On Oct. 24, Brecksville Mayor Daryl J. Kingston led a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the city’s new pickleball courts, located next to Kids Quarters at the Brecksville Community Center campus.
In his remarks, Mayor Kingston expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you to our Service Department, Service Director Joe Kickel, Recreation Director Rachele Engle, the Recreation Commission, City Council members, and local players for bringing these pickleball courts to life! We’re thrilled to offer this fantastic new facility, which invites everyone to experience the fun, fitness, and friendships pickleball fosters. Let the games begin!”
The new courts represent Brecksville’s commitment to enhancing recreational options and promoting healthy, active lifestyles for residents of all ages. Recreation Director Rachele Engle shared her excitement, adding, “This new facility is a wonderful addition to Brecksville’s recreation offerings, designed for all ages to enjoy. Alongside the new ramp and staircase, these courts mark an exciting beginning to the Kids Quarters Renovation.”
The Kids Quarters renovation project has been progressing in phases, with Phase Two scheduled to continue next spring.
Though relatively new to many, pickleball has quickly become one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports. Similar to tennis, the game has its own unique rules, including a requirement to let the ball bounce on each side before volleying, and a designated area known as the “kitchen,” where players cannot hit volleys.
For more information, contact the Community Center at 440-546-2300.
Winter wonderland: Strongsville will kick off the holiday season at the annual Winter Wonderland Lighting Celebration Sunday, Nov. 24, on the Commons.
At 5:30 p.m., the entire Commons will become a Winter Wonderland as the giant Christmas tree, the gazebo and all the displays light up.
As always, Santa will arrive in town to meet with kids in the gazebo and there will be a spectacular holiday fireworks display.
There will be new decorations and attractions this year. The ice tunnel of lights will return with an all-new lighting theme, and an ice carver will create a work of art before your eyes.
The Holiday Lights Trolley will take guests on a tour, the Strongsville Rotary will serve up hot chocolate and Dunkin’ will provide doughnut holes.
Next door, the Historical Village will be decked out for the season and open for visitors.
The event is free and open to everyone.
Explorer club: Local fourth, fifth and sixth graders are invited to discover Polaris and explore careers through its second annual Explorer Club. This after-school program features fun, hands-on classes taught by Polaris instructors.
The next session will take place on Dec. 3-4 and 10-11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The program fee is $60, which includes two classes and all class materials. There is also an optional early drop-off at 4 p.m. each day featuring bonus career exploration activities.
Classes promise to fill up quickly so interested students and families are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible at www.polaris.edu/explorerclub.
Priority registration for Polaris partner school district (Berea, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville) students opened on Oct. 28. Registration for the general public (outside of Polaris’s partner school district communities) started Nov. 4.
The Explorer Club class lineup includes the following exciting options: Anatomy Academy; CAD Creators: 3D-Printers & Design; Design & Press: Custom Creations; Drone Masters; Glamour Me; Pencils to Pixels; Rescue 911; Sweet Holiday Kitchen; The Art of Cooking; Tool Time and Virtual Reality Winter Wonderland.
Registration and class descriptions are available online at www.polaris.edu/explorerclub. Some sessions are ACE funding eligible. For additional details, call the information line at 440-891-7666 or email [email protected].
A special wish: The Brecksville Kiwanis are thrilled to announce the success of this year’s Trick-or-Trot, sponsored by The Ken Ganley Companies. The event on Saturday, Oct. 19, saw 181 enthusiastic participants who came together to support A Special Wish Foundation, Northeast Ohio. A Special Wish, located in downtown Brecksville, is dedicated to granting wishes for children aged birth to 20 years who are facing life-threatening illnesses.
Thanks to the generous contributions of participants and sponsors, Kiwanis proudly raised over $10,000 during this year’s race.
Event organizer Denise Gawlik said “We are grateful for the incredible turnout and support from our community. Every dollar raised will help make a difference in the lives of children who need our help the most.”
The Trick-or-Trot continues to be a beloved annual event, bringing together families and friends for a day of fun, fitness, and philanthropy. The Brecksville Kiwanis looks forward to building on this success in the coming years.
Holiday lighting ceremony: Help kick off the holiday season at the 23rd Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1, on the North Royalton City Green.
The North Royalton Lions Club will help serve free hot cocoa and pastry. Santa will arrive in style atop a fire engine, and then make his way to his house to listen to boys’ and girls’ wish lists.
Meanwhile, Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz will flip the switch on the holiday lights from the gazebo. DJ Putrino Productions will be playing Christmas tunes throughout the event. Come and spread some holiday cheer.
Christmas teas: High Tea is being served featuring new and old recipes in the Lathrop House at the Strongsville Historic Village, 13305 Pearl Rd. from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec.7 and 8.
Enjoy tantalizing teas, sumptuous sandwiches, designer desserts, boutique baskets and enchanting entertainment to complete this year’s holiday theme.
Tickets are $38 per person. Peruse the Historic Village that is all decked out in vintage Christmas décor. Parking is free. Tickets go fast so call at 440- 572-4967 for reservations.
Ring the bell: The Salvation Army Red Kettle will be outside the Broadview Heights Giant Eagle store again this year. All the money collected will be used in the South Suburban Salvation Army unit that serves Independence, Broadview Heights, Brecksville and Seven Hills.
If you would like to ring the bell, call the Human Services Center in your respective town. In Brecksville it’s 440-526-2499; in Broadview Heights the number is 440-526-4685; in Seven Hills it’s 216-525-6230 and in Independence its 216-524-7373.
The money collected is primarily used to prevent electricity and natural gas shutoffs for residents in the four local cities.
The bell will be ringing from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.
Explorer of the year: In recognition of his outstanding service and dedication, North Royalton High School student Kees Driesen has been named the 2023-24 Explorer of the Year for Cleveland Police Explorer Post #7. Driesen’s commitment to community service has been exemplary, dedicating his Saturdays and additional time over the past two years to serve the Cleveland community.
The Police Law Enforcement Explorers program, which trains young adults in various aspects of law enforcement, recently celebrated the accomplishments of these Explorers on Oct. 26. As part of their comprehensive training, Explorers like Driesen participated in intensive scenarios including “Officer Down” situations, CPR certification, and traffic stop procedures.
The program is for individuals ages 14-20. In addition to doing police training, the Explorers also do a lot of volunteer work and attend community events. They support a Christmas gift handout at Tower City, Trunk or Treat events, hand out school supplies to children in the city of Cleveland and participate in bike-a-thons and local Golden Glove events. Driesen plans to continue with the program.
Read more news from the Sun Star Courier here.
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