PRESORT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 104 CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO 44023 “We’re locally owned!” Serving Every Home in Auburn and Bainbridge Vol. 9 No. 5 Boxholder or Occupant ECR / Pre-Sort Spirit of Bainbridge For the Community • By the Community March 6, 2015 Lynn Fagerholm, science teacher at Kenston Intermediate School who will receive an Impact Award from the Bainbridge Civic Club on March 15 at their annual pancake breakfast, is shown with students, from left, Jack Magliettta, Lauren Reding, Gwen Gembarski and Grace Birch. Bainbridge Civic Club Selects Lynn Fagerholm for Impact Award The Defense Never Rests Kenston’s Michaela Barnes battles a Nordonia player for possession of the ball with Emily Lamb (left) and Julie Hajdu defending in the Bombers’ 49-27 loss to the Knights. Kenston’s girls earned a second place finish in the Chagrin Valley Conference. Photo by Tony Palmieri of www.chagrinvalleyphotography.com. Members of Kenston’s class of 2014 perform at last year’s Kenston After Prom Fashion Show. Photo courtesy of Kenston High School. Kenston Fashion Show March 13 On Friday, March 13, beginning at 7 p.m., the Robert A. Lee Auditorium at Kenston High School will be rocking with the annual Kenston Fashion Show. This popular family-friendly event is a fund-raiser for After Prom and features Kenston juniors and seniors modeling casual and formal wear from local retailers as they show off their creative choreography and dance to some great music. This year’s hosts, Luke Winovich and Josh Heiferling, promise to keep the evening lively as they introduce the models and offer colorful commentary and comedy. Tickets are $6 at the door, and all proceeds go to After Prom. Statistically, prom night is one of the most dangerous nights of the year. After Prom parties provide a secure place for students to have fun and be safe after the prom. KHS After Prom offers a drug and alcohol-free party filled with food, fun, games, entertainment and prizes. It is essentially an “end of the year party” so all juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend even if they do not attend prom. Sophomores and freshmen must have attended prom with an upper classman in order to attend After Prom. The Bainbridge Civic Club has selected Kenston Middle School teacher Lynn Fagerholm as the recipient of their Dennis Martin Impact Award, for her commitment and approach to serving students in the Kenston Middle School Science programs. The Award recognizes individuals and organizations in our community who represent, through their actions and steadfast devotion, the values and mission of our club and of our award’s namesake, Dennis Martin. Award winners have demonstrated a valuable and sustained commitment to our community, self-less service, dependability, and passion with purpose. The award will be presented at the Club’s annual pancake breakfast on March 15 at 10:30 a.m. (Other pancake breakfast dates are March 8 and 22.) The Impact Award is accompanied by a $500 stipend. Lynn’s efforts to develop children by building student opportunities for science learning through innovative programs include: Discover E’s Future City Competition, Kenston District STEAM Night, special STEM and Discovery Days, and various summer camps, which have helped shape the character and values of many of our community’s sons and daughters. Her enhancement of this service by attracting local engineers, health care professionals, and other experts to her learning programs, and inclusion of community science resources such as the Geauga Park District, local chapters of the American Chemical Society and the American Society of Materials, are recognized as evidence of passion for the programs and caring for her students. Lynn contributes many community hours to: Bainbridge Area Food for Friends, the Chagrin Falls Park Advisory Board, Bainbridge Civic Club events and Kenston Science Olympiad competitions. Her work with Valley Presbyterian Church mission and deacon commissions also make Lynn a role model for her students and the community in general. The Bainbridge Civic Club, organized in 1941, is comprised of men who either work or reside in Bainbridge or Auburn and who are committed to provide service and assistance to citizens and local organizations that support worthy causes in their communities. To find out more, please visit www.bainbridgecivicclub.org. Inside this Spirit... • In an issue such as this one, our writers address timely topics in unique way. For example, while many of us wrote to issues facing senior citizens, Maureen Donnellon penned a tribute to the senior dogs in our lives. Don’t miss a single word of it! • Senior Guide is a valuable resource, whether you are a senior, or caring for an elderly loved one. Begin the journey on page 25. • Our Spirit Camp Guide is a sure sign of spring! Plans are underway for warmer temps and the ensuing fun! Begin the adventure on page 34---and when you book your child’s summer activities, please tell them you saw it in the Spirit! Our next Spirit will be delivered March 27. Editorial deadline is March 13. Ad deadline is March 18. Our Spirit Spring Home & Garden Guide will be included. Call us today at 440-543-4321 for more information! SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE From Bainbridge Trustees... A Return to Spring Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the sub-zero wind chill days and most of the snow are behind us. Inevitably though, we will be thinking spring only to get that late season snow storm…the heavy stuff that bends and breaks branches and causes us to doubt that warmer weather is soon to come. Picture the daffodils sprouting up through the snow, the birds chirping and nesting around us, and nature awakening for another year of growth and life. Bainbridge Township and its employees and elected officials are similarly preparing while the cold and snow are still around us. Each of the departments do the day-today business of the township regardless of the weather, but still have the foresight and commitment to prepare for the post-winter season by reviewing their budgets, planning the projects, readying the equipment, hiring the staff, and setting the wheels in motion for upcoming projects. All of the department heads evaluate their staffing and budgetary needs and make recommendations to the trustees. Each has their own particular project that requires diligence, preparation and advance planning. Our Zoning Department continues its work on the comprehensive zoning rewrite and evaluations of the many ordinances that create our built environment, with the hope of completing this monumental task by the end of 2015. The Police Department considers numerous training opportunities that allows it to remain ever vigilant and on top of issues and situations that could negatively impact us. Fiscal provides each department and the trustees with accounting, budgeting, insurance, and just recently, human resources assistance, identifying new laws, trends and processes for all of us to do our job efficiently and legally! Fire constantly reviews their equipment, training and staffing situation to stay current with lifesaving techniques. In fact, the trustees are working on a proposal from the chief and officers to reorganize the staffing situation in the department, considering a move to incorporate fulltime firefighter paramedics into each shift. It is hoped that this significant planning effort, in conjunction with a previous study, will yield some decisions in the next few months. The most apparent planning effort our residents experience on a day-to-day basis is the work of the Service Department, yet most of you probably don’t know how this department came to be and its role today. Twenty-five plus years ago, the township operated a road department which worked on or facilitated road repair projects, plowed and occasionally salted (though more often using cinders and sand) streets, cleaned ditches, replaced culverts, and constantly maintained its equipment and storage yard. A group of residents volunteered their time to serve on the township’s Park Board and built, maintained, and scheduled the township’s only park, Settlers Park, ensuring there were baseball and soccer fields, a picnic pavilion, gazebo and a playground. A part-time cemetery sexton, the caretaker of the township’s cemeteries, worked with the township’s zoning clerk to sell plots, schedule burials, and keep the records, on cardboard sheets no less! This same individual was also responsible for maintaining the township’s buildings, with help from the police and fire chiefs and the “highway superintendent” (Road Department head). Three years ago, the township still had a Road Department, responsible for the same things it did 25 years ago, still had a Parks Board that meets monthly to discuss parks issues, and still had someone looking after the cemetery along with a resident-based Cemetery Committee that meets monthly. But it also had new streets, three new parks, many more buildings, a significant cemetery expansion, and lots of new technology! After several years of formulating a purpose and process, the trustees hired a Service Director in 2012 whose primary responsibility is to successfully migrate and manage the roads, parks, buildings and properties, and cemeteries into one department and one facility. This task, expected to be fully completed by year’s end, has required considerable patience, deliberate direction, and more patience! In the end, the efficiencies of managing budgets, staff, equipment, tasks and work orders, and facilities under one roof, under a single point of responsibility, will be very beneficial for all of us as residents. Examples of these efficiencies include “big picture” oversight of the budgets, combination work forces for numerous and varied projects (from a sign shop to carpentry projects to road, park, building and cemetery maintenance), streamlined salt and brine applications, maintenance of vehicles, resident services (recycling center, senior citizen assistance on our annual Clean-Up Week, document shredding, facility rental, and event planning…Fourth of July and Bicentennial preparation). Planning for post-winter projects is a year-round effort and the trustees truly appreciate each and every employee as they contribute to efficiencies of their respective departments and for their role and participation in the planning process. We hope you, as residents of Bainbridge, have an opportunity to observe first-hand the results of our employees’ commitment to proactive management and the run to spring! As always, please comment on anything that you question, observe, or appreciate so we can work with the particular department to fix, improve or consider implementing your thoughts. Visit us on the township’s website at www.bainbridgetwp.com or email us at trustees@bainbridgetwp. com. Think Spring! Your Bainbridge Trustees, Lorrie Benza Chris Horn Jeff Markley and Fiscal Officer, Janice Sugarman Try It...You'll Like it! Enjoy Delicious Pancakes and Support Your Community! BAINBRIDGE CIVIC AND WOMEN’S CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFASTS SUNDAYS, March 8, 15 and 22 8:30AM - 1:00PM Special Tours of Kenston High School Seniors $6.00 Adults $7.50 Children (5-12) $4.00 ENJOY DELICIOUS PANCAKES AND SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY! PAGE 2 www.spiritofbainbridge.com March 6, 2015 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE 7 days a week winteR houRs • mon-sat • 9 - 5 • sun • 10-4 open 16540 ChilliCothe Road | ChagRin Falls, ohio 44023 | 440.543.5123 | 888.543.5123 sprin k n i h’t get caught with your pants d g! T on ow n. d SPRING GARDENING CELEBRATION Saturday, march 14 & Sunday, march 15 Some class sizes are limited. See details at www.lowesgreenhouse.com or call 440-543-5123. saturday, March 14 Landscape School… Design, Install, Maintain • Sat. Mar.14th 10:00-11:00am Young Tree and Shrub Pruning Workshop • Sat. Mar. 14th 11:30-12:30am The Basics of Veggie Gardening • Sat. Mar. 14th 1:00-1:45pm An Introduction to Growing Herbs • Sat. Mar. 14th 2:00-2:45pm Lawn School • Sat. Mar. 14th 3:00-3:45pm sunday March 15 Getting Started with Organic Gardening • Sun. Mar. 15th 12:00-12:45pm Gardening in Raised Beds • Sun. Mar.15th 1:00-1:45pm Container Gardening Tips, Tricks and Techniques • Sun. Mar. 15th 2:00-2:45pm Gardening in Deer Territory • Sun. Mar. 15th 3:00-3:45pm Its not too early to think about spring landscaping projects. YES, we will cut your lawn... get a lawn maintenance quote Lawn School Container Gardening YES, we will weed your landscape beds... get a quote. YES, we can prepare a landscape design for your home... call to set up an appointment. YES, we can install your landscape... get booked early before our spring schedule fills up. it’s seed startinG time Deer Territory don’t forget our feathered friends we have fresh birdseed as well as all new selection of feeders to attract birds to your yard. • we have everythinG you need to be successfuL www.LowesGreenhouse.com March 6, 2015 www.spiritofbainbridge.com PAGE PAGE33 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District Encourages Stewardship through Conservation Poster Contest The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 26 – May 3 as Stewardship Week, marking the 60th year of the national event. In celebration of Stewardship Week, Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a Poster Contest. Corresponding with stewardship week, the Poster Contest is themed “Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators.” It is an important time in conservation across the world. More citizens are showing interest in where their food comes from and the quality of their soil and water. Join in our celebration and let your community know about the importance of pollinators. The purpose of the contest is to instill in our youth a connection to the important benefit of protecting our natural resources. All students from public, private, and home schools are encouraged to enter. Posters must measure between 8 ½ inches x 11 inches and 22 inches x 28 inches and must be submitted to the Geauga SWCD office at 14269 Claridon-Troy Rd., Burton, on or before Friday, April 24, 2015. The Geauga SWCD is offering a $30 first prize and $25 second prize in each category. Categories are by grade and are as follows: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The first place winners in each category will move on to the Area competition, where they will then have an opportunity to move on to the state competition and then National. For information about Stewardship Week and the Conservation Poster Contest, contact Geauga SWCD at 1-440-834-1122 or www.geaugaswcd.com. Additional information about Stewardship Week is available on the NACD website at www.nacdnet.org. BEFORE You Self-Publish... Words, Ink. Your effort is too important for errors! Book Editing • Proofreading Anne E. Bauswein 440.543.4321 440.478.2950 [email protected] FALLS FLOOR Gallery Celebrating Our 10th Year of Service in the Chagrin Valley! HARDWOODS CORK CARPET BAMBOO CERAMIC LAMINATE VINYL 8547 E. Washington Street Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 O’Savings O’Savings to Be Be Had! Had! to (Rt. 306 & E. Washington Street) 440-543-1556 Monday - Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-4 Closed Sundays SALE IN PROGRESS Call store for details Bainbridge Library Pages If you or anyone in your family or special interest group has a special or unusual collection that cries for exposure, we would love to feature it in the display case in our lobby. Stop in and speak to someone at the Circulation desk to make arrangements for displaying your items. LIBRARY EVENTS QUILT RAFFLE Thanks to the Chagrin Valley Quilt Guild’s generous donation of several beautiful wall hanging-sized quilts, the Friends of the Bainbridge Library is holding a series of quilt raffles. The second quilt is on display in the library, and entrants can purchase individual raffle tickets for $1 or six tickets for $5. The winning entry will be drawn on Tuesday, March 31. FRIENDS OF THE BAINBRIDGE LIBRARY ANNUAL MEETING Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. After a short meeting, join the Friends of the Bainbridge Library for a “Lost Cleveland” presentation by local historian Dennis Sutcliffe. Follow Alan Freed on his journey to Cleveland and beyond as Rock and Roll is being born. Dance at the Moondog Coronation Ball. Listen to audio clips from early rock-and-roll stars. Don’t miss this rockin’ event! You do not have to be a member of the Friends group to attend this presentation. All are welcome! AARP tax assistance will be offered Saturdays and Mondays, through April 13. Times vary; call the Bainbridge Library at (440) 543-5611 to schedule an appointment. When you arrive for your appointment, bring a copy of your 2014 tax returns, all 2014 tax forms you have received, all health information/forms concerning the Affordable Care Act, proof of identity, and your social security card. If you plan to do your own taxes, the library has books on personal taxes, business taxes, estate taxes, and strategies for lowering your taxes. Federal and state tax forms are also available. YOUTH PROGRAMS St. Patrick’s Day Party - K – 2, Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m. Get your green on and join us for a St. Patrick’s Day party where we’ll play games, read stories and do some fun hands-on activities. Construction Craze - Grades 3 – 5, Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m. Bring out your inner architect, engineer, and artist! Build replicas of famous structures or create your own amazing architecture using craft sticks and rubber bands. It’s Raining…Sharks! - Teen, Friday, March 20 from 7–8:30 p.m. A freak hurricane brings thousands of sharks ashore in LA and a fearless group of friends struggles to not become shark bait. Come sink your teeth into this modern cult movie and gobble up some shark-infested shenanigans. Easter Egg-stravaganza - Family, all ages, Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m. Get ready for the holiday by decorating eggs at the library. Bring 2 to 6 raw or hard-boiled eggs. Learn an easy way to blow out your raw eggs so you can enjoy them for years to come. Twice Upon a Time - Family, ages 3 and older, Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Join the Youth Services staff as they present their annual puppet show. ADULT PROGRAMS Book Discussion - Monday, March 9 at 2 p.m. This month the group will discuss Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. The selection for April is The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. Copies are available at the circulation desk and new members are always welcome! The Labyrinth as a Healing Meditation Tool - Monday, March 23 at 7 PREPARATION p.m. Used as a meditation tool, a labyrinth combines the imagery of a circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path to bring healing to the mind, body, and spirit. Chuck Sidoti will explain how you can personally use the labyrinth as a healing tool. Call to register. Back-to Basics Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Herbs and Vegetables - Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. Jeff Griff of Lowe’s Greenhouse will share what a beginning gardener needs to know to be successful in growing edibles in pots or gardens. Even seasoned gardeners will learn some useful tips. Call to register. One-on-one drop-in assistance is available Sundays, 2–4 p.m. for people who have questions about their smart phones and electronic devices. The Bainbridge Library is located at 18900 Haskins Rd. 17222 Snyder Rd. For more information, Bainbridge log on to www.geaugalibrary.net. To (440) 543-7787 register for programs, call (440) 543-5611. Follow Bainbridge Library on [email protected] Facebook. INCOME TAX • Federal • State • Local Cuts and Color FOR HAIR Spring is almost here. Time to think about that change in color. Maenza's is a fully licensed barber and beauty salon. SERVING THE CHAGRIN VALLEY AREA FOR 38 YEARS 440-543-5544 PAGE 4 8557 E. Washington, Chagrin Falls www.spiritofbainbridge.com iHs Tax & Accounting LLC March 6, 2015 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE Isaac Cooper Earns Eagle Scout Award Isaac Cooper, 15, will be presented with Scouting’s highest honor at a ceremony on March 22 at the Aurora United Methodist Church in Aurora. In order to achieve the rank of Eagle, Isaac had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and show leadership by planning, developing and leading a community service project. For his project, Isaac restored the Marian Shrine at the Church of the Holy Angels on Chillicothe Road in Bainbridge. In addition to restoring the shrine, landscaping was designed and put in as well as the installation of a granite bench for the use of anyone who wishes to pray at the shrine. Isaac previously earned Cub Scouting’s highest award, Arrow of Light, while a Scout with Pack 102 in Bainbridge. He is also a member of The Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society, and has attended National Youth Leadership Training. He has earned 46 merit badges to date, as well as the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem. Isaac attends Kenston High School where he is a member of the swim and dive team and baseball team. Isaac volunteers his time at Hillcrest Hospital and for Bainbridge Area Food for Friends. Isaac is a First Degree Black Belt in Kuk Sul Do, a member of the HAY group, and serves as a cross bearer for the Church of the Holy Angels. Fewer than 4% of all scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Isaac is joining a lifelong brotherhood that includes many outstanding Americans including Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg, Walter Cronkite and President Gerald Ford. He is the son of Mary and Michael Cooper of Bainbridge Township and is a member of Troop 265 in Aurora. We may not always say it in print, but we do appreciate your support of Spirit of Bainbridge, your only locally-owned newspaper. Thank you! Isaac Cooper The Blarney Frog By Tom Kuby Ambling along a roadside in Tipperary, Ireland, three years ago, I discovered a quaint thatched cottage on a hill. There was a chill in the air enough to warrant the trickle of smoke coming from the chimney. A few goats and sheep meandered in the verdant pasture in the foreground as a middle aged woman appeared on the side of the house, carrying a small green pail and noticed me. When she saw me approaching the house out of curiosity, she threw the contents in the pail over her shoulder, like one feeling superstitious might do with salt for good luck. When she did, a large green frog flew with the flow of water. I stood still, amused. “Well, come up,” she said in her distinctive brough. “You saw what happened, did ye?” “I thought I saw a green frog leap out of the pail when you tossed the contents over your shoulder,” I said. “Indeed you did,” she replied. “And do you know why?” “I haven’t the foggiest idea,” I said. “It’s an old Irish custom. When we see a stranger coming toward our home, we fetch our frog-pail and give it the breeze. It’s good luck for you as well as for me. The leaping frog is a good omen for those who have good will in their hearts and we invite them in for a spot of tea and conversation. “So, will ye be coming in for some Irish hospitality?” she asked. Intrigued, I agreed and took a chair by the fireside as she poured a mint-flavored brew. “So, where are ye from?” she asked, answering with a barrage of Irish proverbs that ended with what she called the blessings of the leaping frog and hope: ”May it leap into your life and bring you joy, happiness and a long life. It will if you put some of your green on this plate,” she said holding a saucer with an image of a green frog tipping his top hat and surrounding words: a hundred thousand thank you’s. As I left the house, feeling pleasantly conned, I said to myself - like you - this whole episode is just another bit of Irish blarney. March 6, 2015 www.spiritofbainbridge.com www.spiritofbainbridge.com PAGE 5 EDITORIAL SPIRIT Spirit of Bainbridge Mission Statement Our mission at the Spirit of Bainbridge is three-fold: To enhance the Bainbridge-Auburn area with a positive sense of our shared humanity. To be a catalyst of community pride for local businesses and assist in publicity for community-minded groups. To continue our founding support of Bainbridge Area Food For Friends and A Taste in Bainbridge. SPIRIT STAFF Anne E. Bauswein Editor Melissa Schiller Editorial Assistant Matt Blowers Sally Burton Kathy Deptola Maureen Donnellon Dr. David Fakadej Kathleen Bliss Goldfarb Jeff Griff Noah Gross David King Bev Kus Jo Lindberg Emily Moran Dan Murray Carol Osbourne, DVM Lisa Parker Ann Rapisarda Jess Skoczen Melissa Schiller Steve Yingling Contributors Susi Kawolics Tom Kuby Mary C. Ryan Anne Swift Mary Swift Guest Columnists Palmieri’s Fine Art Photography Photographer Laura McCune Victoria Rovder The Fontanelle Group Account Representatives Carla Antczak Victoria Rovder Graphic Designers Betty Franek Billing Anne E. Bauswein John Bauswein Publishers PAGE 6 Community Spirit Bainbridge Swing Dance March 6 Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five play live at Bainbridge Swing Dance at Bainbridge Township Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023) on March 6. The Swing Dance, with live performance, begins at 9 p.m., preceded by a one hour swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Experienced and non-experienced dancers are welcome. This public, family-friendly event is open to all ages. No partner is required for the lesson or the dance. Admission is $10 per adult, $8 per student or $25 per family. Admission includes lesson, live performance and dance. For additional information, please contact Will Craig by calling (216) 316-0068 or E-mailing [email protected]. Contra Dances Planned Troy Township Contra Dance is held at the Troy Community House, 13950 Main Market Rd., Rt. 422, Burton, OH 44021, every first Saturday of the month (October through June). This dance is lively and friendly. No need for prior dance experience. Each Contra Dance, throughout the evening, is taught through simple instruction by dance caller Kenny Wilson. Live music by the band “Mr. Haney.” Introductory dance lesson, by Will Craig, starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Contra Dance is from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Admission is $8 per adult, $5 per student, $25 per family and children under six years are free. For more information contact Will Craig by calling (216) 316-0068 or e-mailing [email protected]. GCHS Pancake Breakfasts The Geauga County Historical Society will hold its annual pancake breakfasts. The breakfasts will be held in the Lennah Bond Activities Building on the grounds of the Society’s Century Village Museum in Burton. Serving hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday of March. All-you-can-eat pancakes served with maple syrup produced from our own sugar bush. Adults $7, children 5-12 $5, children 4 and under free. BRC Spaghetti Dinner March 22 The Bainbridge Recovery Club is hosting its annual community spaghetti fundraiser dinner on Sunday, March 22 from 1–5:30 p.m. at Centerville Mills Park clubhouse, 8558 Crackle Rd., corner of Rt. 306 and Crackle Road. The meal will include homemade sauce and meatballs, salad, beverages and dessert. Take-out dinners will be available. There will also be entertainment and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are: adults - $8, children ages 5 to 12 - $5, and children under 5 - no charge. Pre-sale tickets can be ordered by calling 440-248-8178. Bainbridge Civic Club April 1 Open Meeting Featured Spring Clean-Up Tips Despite heavy snows and teeth-chattering cold, everyone knows that spring will eventually arrive and that means homeowners need to think about their yard and gardens. What better time than to visit with Jeff Griff of Lowe’s Greenhouse on Wednesday, April 1 when he will brief the Bainbridge Civic Club and guests on everything associated with spring clean-up. Hear about fresh landscaping, colorful flowers and the “do’s” and “don’ts” about renovating your tired yard. This is an open meeting. Everyone is welcomed. Yes, men bring your spouse or significant other to this special program, which begins at 8:00 p.m. at Bainbridge Town Hall. Reservations are not required. For further information, please call Hadge Hissam, 440-543-5884 or Chuck Hesse, 440-543-7425. Put us on your calendar. Bainbridge/Chagrin AARP Chapter #4527 Don’t forget we are still collecting food and paper products for Bainbridge Area Food For Friends pantry. For further info, please call Betty Franek at 440-543-4767. SPIRIT FACTS The Spirit of Bainbridge is locally owned and operated. The Spirit is not responsible for the views expressed by its writers. All Letters to the Editor must be signed and include a daytime phone number. We will withhold signature upon request. We reserve the right to edit for clarity or space considerations. Letters are published in the order received and as space permits. PHONE: 440-543-4321 Please leave a message! FAX: 440-543-2670 ADDRESS: 18106 Snyder Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023. E-MAIL: Editorial - [email protected] Advertising - [email protected] BAINBRIDGE AREA FOOD FOR FRIENDS: Donations of non-perishable food and toiletry items, etc., may be dropped off at Bainbridge Library (lobby bin) or at the pantry (lower level of Bainbridge Town Hall). Cash donations may be made at PNC Bank, Bainbridge. If your organization would like to sponsor a food drive, call one of the phone numbers below. If you or someone you know needs the assistance of the pantry, call Frank Schnabel, pantry coordinator, at 543-7901 or 708-9829 (leave a message) or call Ruth Carlton, outreach coordinator, at 440-247-5587. The local food pantry was founded in 1990 by John and Anne Bauswein. Bainbridge Area Food For Friends is not affiliated with Harvest for Hunger or Geauga Hunger Task Force. www.spiritofbainbridge.com www.spiritofbainbridge.com Moms Meetup Group Chagrin Falls & Surrounding Areas Moms Meetup Group is the largest and oldest membership-only Eastside mom’s group on Meetup.com. The goal of the group is for new and existing moms (with children under age 5) to meet for events, share information and build relationships. These moms could be stay at home women or working ladies who want to meet other people with shared interests. Membership dues are $15 a year. If you are interested in hearing more about our organization and/or attending one of our events, you can find us at: http:// www.meetup.com/The-Chagrin-Falls-and-Surrounding-AreasMoms-Meetup-Group/ BNI Meets Every Friday BNI (Business Network International) meets every Friday from 7:30-9 a.m. at Home Savings Bank, 7075 N. Aurora Rd. ,Aurora, OH 44202. Call Pam at 330-715-4327 if interested in coming to a meeting. Hubs Square Dance Club We invite you to try Western Style Square Dancing. The Hubs Square Dance Club is now accepting reservations for new dancers. Beginner Dances are held each Monday evening at the Bainbridge Community Church, Rt. 306, just south of Rt. 422, beginning at 7 p.m. No experience is needed. The Hubs Square Dance Club invites all ages to participate in square dancing. To register or for more information call Ray at 440-632-1074 or Joe at 440-241-2308 or [email protected]. New Clevelanders The New Clevelanders club is a social and philanthropic organization made up of a friendly and diverse group of women who are new to the suburbs of Cleveland, east of the Cuyahoga River. The club offers a wide variety of activities and events on a monthly basis with something that appeals to almost every interest. Join us for our next new member coffee held the first Thursday of every month. For more information please visit our website at www.newclevelanders.com. Artisans Sought The Award Winning Mantua’s Art on the Hill & Wine Tasting is seeking artisans. The festival will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Each year, “Art on the Hill & Wine Tasting” attracts over 70 artisans from the northeast Ohio area as well as from nearby states. This is an excellent opportunity to sell and display your handmade works of art. Please email or call event organizer Christine Pitsinger at communityjournal@ yahoo.com or 330-414-6486 for an application or additional information. Letter to the Editor To the Editor: On Feb. 1, Geauga Park District hosted an event known as Frozen Fest at The West Woods park. This event was a fourhour celebration of winter, and what better place to celebrate than Geauga County, Ohio? Despite the event taking place in the middle of a snowstorm, the first-ever Frozen Fest drew 1,703 visitors - attendance which we believe to be more than any special event in Park District history. Positive feedback continues to pour in, with this event being free to everyone who attended. The entire day was filled with happy faces and people who were amazed by all that Geauga Park District has to offer. From the elaborate face painting to the snowflake sugar cookies to the winter princesses, the event proved to be quite popular. Seeing this, the staff was clearly energized to give back and see so many people having such a wonderful time in the park. The afternoon also included 65 snowshoe rentals, which are still available free of charge every day of the week between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center. Additionally, 100 regional artists contributed to the Frozen Artistry Community Art Exhibition, featuring 335 portrayals of winter as Nature’s art form. This display remains at The West Woods Nature Center through April 19. Many thanks abound, especially to our steadfast corps of volunteers. I also want to express a big thank-you to our staff. Their success is the result of a recent reorganization and realignment of quality people with quality skills. Their passion, excitement and desire to do a great job on this event is definitely recognized. I can tell you they are looking forward to the next big event. Finally, I want to thank the attendees. We are proud to serve you through new and exciting initiatives. In a time of speculation and fear mongering associated with “take back our parks,” it is nice to see positive people prevail who recognize a common sense approach to park utilization. Our Geauga Park District is better than ever. We will continue to welcome all county residents of every age, every ability, and at all times of the year to come Connect with their Geauga County Parks. Thank you for your continued support for your Geauga Park District and the quality services and programs we provide. We look forward to serving you now and in the future. John Oros Geauga Park District, Interim Director March 6, 2015 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE Winter Glory By Sally Burton As we sit in the middle of the coldest snap I can remember, I am searching for positive things to write about. I want to ride my horse, but it is way too cold for that. I want to hike with my dogs, but their paws do not do well on the frozen turf. I would like to hike by myself, but am getting to the age where I worry about slipping and falling on the ice. Wanting to stick with my resolution to always look for the positive I have come up with a list. So what is there to be happy about? *Wearing thick, snuggly sweaters *The taste of chili or homemade soup after being out in the cold *The warmth of my small house when I walk in the door *The absolute beauty of the snow as it sparkles in the moonlight *The smell of baking cookies that permeates the house *Jumping into bed with two dogs who like to sleep really close *Lying on the couch under blankets watching movies *Watching kids sled ride with huge smiles *When the phone rings and the caller says….Snow day (or cold day!) *Knowing all the insects and germs can’t survive the cold *Watching the snow fall when I am safe inside *The brightness of the stars on a clear, cold night *Comparing who got the most snow over night with my relatives *Bundling up and actually being warm *Changing into comfy sweats and sweatshirts after work *Knowing there is no good reason to go out into the cold once I get home *Fluffy socks on my feet *The barrenness of snow that has not been trod upon *Snowmen, snow women and snow forts *Trees covered with ice or snow glistening All in all I guess winter isn’t too bad! But here’s hoping spring comes soon! KCE Open Mike Night Kenston Community Education, in association with Matthew F. Blowers III and Emerick Gordon, who are both resident poets, songwriters and musicians, is offering an Open Mike Night on Thursdays from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Auburn Town Hall, on the corner of East Washington St. and Auburn Road. This event is for all talented children, teens and adults to showcase their songs, dancing, poetry, comedy, musical instrument ability, juggling, and or any other talents that they wish to share. Spectators are welcome, but seating is limited to 50 occupants. This is a community outreach program to highlight the talent in the area, and give them a venue to perform and polish their work. Teachers are welcomed to encourage their students to perform publicly. There will be a $2 cover charge at the door. There will also be a sign-up sheet to determine the order of the performers. For more info please call 440-543-1737. 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March 6, 2015 STIHLdealers.com www.spiritofbainbridge.com PAGE PAGE77 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE Awakening Beauty - Guatemalan Smiles By Debra Classen I settle into my seat, anxious, excited, anticipatory and grateful—all at the same time. I look out my window to watch the sunny landscape of Dallas, Texas, become a mere speck and then finally disappear under the clouds. I grab my husband’s hand and give it a squeeze of gratitude, before settling back. Most of the passengers on board are doctors, nurses, dentists and medical clinicians from Michigan, with only seven of us from Cleveland who join this year’s team of Michigan HELPS International. Over 100 people are traveling to a village in Guatemala to provide health care to families who will receive only this once a year (or less) provision of medical intervention of any kind. My anxiety is all the unknowns, everything is new. Although I know this is a medical mission, I also know I am not a medical person. I have never been at my best when observing blood, or vomit, or…well, you get the point. I consider one of the great attributes of my husband, which I will be forever grateful for, is his ability (willingness?) to clean up vomit or ‘whatever’ (unidentified appearance of a ‘pile’ coming forth from a child or pet) when sickness happens. This is only one of many concerns, along with my first time visit to a third-world country. I wonder, “What will it be like?” because I cannot yet imagine; I have spent all of my life and most of my travel in two states: California and Ohio. And there is the fear of humiliating myself on various levels; sleeping in a room full of cots with lots of other people and in a semi-conscious state talking in my sleep, snoring, etc. My husband is used to this by now, but other people? And lastly--my awful morning stagger to the coffee pot, not a pretty sight. On and on I run through the list of worries; health issues of my own worry me because I didn’t want the helping/being helped to go in the wrong direction, but I will discover that I was the one who received the gifts. Then there is also the whole communication issue, I vaguely remember some high school Spanish from decades ago. I have days when my pronunciation of English flounders, even sober. Spanish really is a non-issue, because I am not going to learn it during the flight down and here too I will learn the language of love can be spoken anywhere. I attempt to push my worries aside, it is time to trust in God. I settle in, not because of this swirling mass of questionable ‘helping’ tools I possess, but because I am tired and want to sleep. Almost drifting off into a dream state where I was a helping dynamo of Spanish medical gifts, I am awakened by the pilot’s announcement. We are barely an hour into the flight and it seems we are going back to Texas, a volcano has erupted, spewing volcanic ash in and around Guatemala City and closing the airport...and so begins one of the greatest trips of my life. Three days and three countries later I settle into a seat on a bus, which is slowly winding its way up a steep mountain in a dense fog and encroaching darkness. The stop in San Salvador had given me two stamps on my previously unused passport and I am proud of earning these stamps, due to volcanic eruption. Tuesday night we arrive in San Mateo, to greetings from the earlier arrivals who had worked tirelessly to set up the make-shift hospital-- everything is ready for tomorrow morning. In the morning I meet Lu and it is her enthusiasm, smile and humor that sweep me into the benevolence and warmth of her friendship. Her well spoken English and Spanish help acclimate me to the people and the work. Lu is a teacher and brings 10 high school interpreters from Guatemala City on four mission trips each year. The students amaze me; bright, responsible and focused, they have tremendous responsibility. They will work all week, alongside patients and team, interpreting and explaining even medical terms between doctors, nurses and their patients. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, the sun is shining and a cool breeze blows. The wisps of clouds are strewn across the jagged, indigo cutout of sky, butting up against an outline of mountains. Today, I am assigned to triage, or processing patients. The colorful, winding line of tiny Mayan people has been forming for two days, as families walk or take a bus to get to the makeshift hospital. Beautiful women in colorful weavings of skirt and blouse, with crests of head-dress, scarves and ribbons tied in their braids, appear like tropical birds with brilliant plumage. Adult children accompany elderly parents, women carry babies in papooses, holding another child by the hand. Men come in work clothes, their faces creased by life and laboring in the sun. The day flies by and I learn that we had processed 300 people into the clinic. The team is working to make up for the two days we lost and the flow of processing is almost seamless. I am amazed by the team’s compassion and hard work, and the beauty of the Guatemalan people. Although I have minimal words of mutual understanding to communicate with, the smiles, touch of a hand and dark, penetrating eyes of a baby peering over the top of the papoose communicate something easy to understand in any language. From Tuesday until Sunday, we are immersed in another world, another time and place. One day processing patients, the next day on a bus heading further up into the mountains to visit simple homes to install stoves for families who have cooked their meals over an open PAGE 8 Original Artwork by Debra Classen fire on a dirt floor. Everywhere people are cooking, building stoves, visiting an orphanage, helping a patient in recovery, playing with the children, an entire community formed and breathing for a week, before it will all be disassembled and everyone will return to different lives. There is not time, nor need for worry over what to do, how to communicate; the extraneous has been removed and we each a part of this whole, a part of humanity. Years, even decades of studying theology, had not revealed to me the beauty of the Gospel message in the ways the simple beauty and goodness of these people’s lives are evident. Materially impoverished, they are rich in family and faith. The simplicity of their beauty lies, not in their doings, but humbly in their being. It is not formed by the emergence of a beauty that is attained, it is created by the Creator. We each have this invitation to live and to be in the world and to know our place of love in it too, yet how easily we are distracted from this truth. The awareness of this moves over me, like the clouds sweeping over the mountain, forming the outlines and beauty of the souls of these people. I learn too, about our dependence on one another, the integrity of each of our lives is created by the interworking, the weaving together of care, generosity and love for one another. Different lives, different gifts, culture, language, country…flow together in a rhythm of kindness, human gentleness. I remember Mother Teresa’s words, “I am only one small drop in the ocean, but without that drop that ocean would be less.” Sixty-two dental visits, almost 1,000 clinical visits, and 131 surgeries make up a part of the whole of changing people’s lives, but there are also the touch, prayers, words, people who cook, change Band-Aides and comfort, that are an immeasurable part of it too. It is an experience of the beauty of people that awakens me, and yet I am surrendering at the same time, to an embrace I trust. It is not the heart-wrenching poverty that is beautiful, because poverty is struggle and need, hunger and sickness; instead it is the invitation to surrender and trust in the source of life that radiates, revealing secret springs of faith and courage. We all must trust in our “daily bread.” All my concerns, worries and fears on the plane had not made it to this village. I didn’t realize it at the time, but for one week, I had surrendered to life, and each moment had been the prayer. It wasn’t just the people of Guatemala, it was the people who came, who have come in the past and will come again. It was a group of people who integrated their gifts, lived their faith in a God who is goodness, truth and beauty. These people were all walking around “shining like the sun,” radiating the original creation of their lives by the Divine Artist. And as I so often find when I surrender to God, God will always outgive the giver. For the first time in a long time, or perhaps for the first time in my life, I understood why God came as a human being. He came to reveal the divine spark within each of us. www.spiritofbainbridge.com March 6, 2015 SPIRIT & FAITH Symbols of Lent Valley Lutheran Church will host Morning Lenten Devotions on Wednesdays through March 25 from 9:15-9:45 a.m. Start your morning right with a brief devotion led by Pastor Jeffrey Stephens as we explore the ‘Symbols of Lent.’ Come a few minutes early, sit in the warmth of the sanctuary and let the music wash over you. There will be a Children’s Message for our preschoolers, and an Adult Message that follows, with prayer and meaningful music. Afterwards, we hope you’ll enjoy some refreshments and fellowship. Valley Lutheran Church is located at 87 E. Orange St. in Chagrin Falls, right across the street from the Cuyahoga County Public Library. For more information, call 440-247-0390 (x201). Music in a Sacred Space “Music in a Scared Space’ will be presented Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Rd., Solon. Chamber music for strings and winds, featuring members of the Cleveland Orchestra will be presented, including music from Mozart and Nielsen, culminated by the Schubert Octet. The event is open to the public. Free will offering. Reception to follow. VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH And Valley Christian Preschool 87 E. Orange St., Chagrin Falls • 440-247-0390 • www.valleylutheran.org SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Service & Children’s Sunday School ST. JOHN FUNERAL HOME Celebrate Passover with Seder in a Box! The Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) announce the launch of a new initiative called jHUB, a central resource for interfaith families to connect to each other and to Jewish Cleveland through social gatherings, holiday experiences, and Jewish learning in an open and non-judgmental environment. According to the Greater Cleveland Jewish Population Study, 38 percent of Jewish Cleveland’s married households are interfaith, and 13,000 adults in an interfaith family see value in being connected to the Jewish community. jHUB will help interested interfaith families find their place in Jewish Cleveland. “Every person is a valued member of our community. At jHUB, we embrace all kinds of Jewish families, and help them connect to Judaism in their own way,” said Rabbi Melinda Mersack, Director of jHUB, who understands that interfaith families face unique challenges. For some families, celebrating holidays can be difficult, noted Mersack. jHUB is proud to embrace all interfaith families during the Jewish holiday of Passover with Seder in a Box, a free package that contains all the resources needed to hold a meaningful and fun Passover Seder. Each Seder in a Box will include Passover recipes, a Seder Plate (ritual plate), Haggadah (the story of Passover), and more. Interfaith families may order a Seder in a Box at www.jewishcleveland.org. For more information about jHUB or to order a Seder in a Box, visit www. jewishcleveland.org or contact Rabbi Melinda Mersack at [email protected] or 216371-0446 x232. By Jess Skoczen Also in Bedford 923 Broadway Avenue Bedford, OH PH: 440-232-1155 FAX: 440-439-1840 *Chuck, Lois, *Sue and *Chris St.John (*Licensed) Heroes • Customary Funeral Services Every good movie has a hero. Someone to serve and protect people. But, what is a good hero without a good villain? You need a villain in the story, otherwise the story itself would be very boring. But not very many villains are given as much love as the hero. One of my favorite Disney villains is Hans from the movie Frozen. I have to admit, for a cartoon character, he’s kind of cute. He’s very smart and cunning and if he used his power for good and not evil, he might actually be a pretty good prince. When he revealed his evil plan, I was very surprised, so I cheered when Anna and Elsa kick him to the curb. Plus, it was awesome. Magneto is my favorite X-Men villain. He’s smart, stubborn, but also very misunderstood. He has a dark past, and because of that, he despises all humans. His real name is Eric Lensherr, but his code name is Magneto because he has the power to control anything metal. He strongly believes that all humans want to do is get rid of mutants like him, so he builds an army to stop them. The only person who understands him is his long time friend Charles Xavier, who is very much like his conscience. I can talk about these guys forever! I love Magneto’s character because I understand how he feels, that some people are scared of you when you are different. But he also should be more trusting and not so quick to judge people. One of the best and funniest villains would have to be Gru from Despicable Me. Now I know what you’re thinking. Technically he’s not a villain, but he was when we first met him. He had all kinds of cool gadgets like the freeze ray and his cookie robots, and he even had a cool lair where he had evil meetings with his minions. Minions are little yellow guys that speak gibberish but they are the funniest, if not cutest, ever! Yes, they are not the sharpest tools in the shed but what they lack in brains, they make up for in comedy relief. There are so many great villains we love to hate. It’s one of the reasons we love movies so much. Without a good villain in the movie, the movie would be boring. Sometimes when we have bad days and all we want to do is blame everyone else, that’s when we become the villain. But, then you can also become the hero in your situation because you have to decide what the best choice is. When the situation comes to an end, hopefully it’s a happy ending. We all have a hero and villain side. It’s just a matter of which side we use more often. Who are some of your favorite movie villains? March 6, 2015 New Bainbridge Location 16381 Chillicothe Road Bainbridge Township, OH PH: 440-708-1855 FAX: 440-708-1308 Serving all Faiths, Nationalities and Races with Kindness, Dignity & Compassion • Cremations • Direct Burials • Out of State Transfers • Accomodating Facilities PRE-NEED FUNERAL PLANNING www.spiritofbainbridge.com • Very Ample Parking • Grave Markers and Monuments PAGE 9 SPIRIT of BAINBRIDGE Is It Spring Yet? By Jeff Griff Linda Cain First Vice President Financial Advisor, CFP® Personalized and Caring Advice • Understanding you and your expectations • Developing a customized strategy • Implementation, analysis and communication Integrity is the foundation of everything we do at The Cain Group at Morgan Stanley. Personalized and customized service is what distinguishes us from our peers. We feel that communication is imperative to a successful relationship for sound investment planning. 31099 Chagrin Blvd. Pepper Pike, OH 44124 Office: 216-360-4900 Direct: 216-360-8637 [email protected] morganstanleyfa.com/linda.cain Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification and marks CFP®, Certified finanCial PlannertM and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. ©2014 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. How many times have you heard someone say “It’s 5:00 somewhere” as an excuse to consume adult beverages during the daytime? Well, we are only a few days away from the first day of spring so we don’t need any excuses to get outside and begin to get some early gardening chores done. Provided the weather is above freezing, this is an ideal time to prune your landscape and orchard plants. Most of your trees and shrubs will benefit from dormant pruning. That is, pruning done before the plants begin to grow in the spring. Proper pruning offers many benefits to your landscape/orchard plants; extended life span, increased flower/ fruit production, enhanced appeal and a more orderly appearance. Like so many other tasks, before you start pruning, know what you want to accomplish. Proper pruning (for ornamental shrubs) is the selective removal of branches in an effort to maintain the plant’s natural appearance or habit of growth. Shrubs and/or trees trimmed to an artificial size or shape require more pruning than shrubs pruned to keep their natural shape. Pruning for fruit bearing plants is designed, not for appearance, but for maximum production and ease of harvest. Proper pruning is not difficult but does require a base of knowledge in order to obtain optimum results. If you are interested in learning more about pruning specifics, be sure to join our Pruning workshop at Lowe’s Greenhouse on Saturday, March 14. We are still a few weeks away from having to cut lawns again but there are some tasks we can get taken care of early. We can get out there and pick up the fallen sticks and branches that are seemingly everywhere. It is still too early to think about crabgrass or weeds but it is a good time to sharpen the blades on the mower, check the belts and fluid levels so you can be ready for April. For more information about lawn care join us at Lowe’s on March 14 for our Lawn School. We are entering the time of year when the danger of deer browse is at its highest level. Many of the natural food sources deer seek have been exhausted leaving your luscious landscape plants as the only remaining option. Be sure to protect your plants with repellent sprays and/or physical barriers such as mesh or burlap wraps. For those of you who have experienced extensive damage, you may want to consider utilizing more deer resistant plant selections for future plantings. We have a Gardening in Deer Territory lecture on Sunday, March 15 if you are interested in more information. We are closing in on the time we can begin to plant our early season vegetable crops. Peas, potatoes and onion sets are examples of some vegetables that can be planted as early as mid-March provided the snow has gone and your soil has been prepared. If you are a beginner gardener or looking to learn more details about gardening with edibles you will want to check out Gardening in Raised Beds, The Basics of Veggie Gardening and Getting Started with Organic Gardening classes all being held on Sunday, March 15. It may not be spring quite yet but it is coming very soon so now is a great time to get the gardening season off to a good start. By getting some of these early tasks taken care of now, you will lighten your load making spring more fun and less stressful. By gathering more information, we can all have more fun in the garden and be more efficient in our gardening efforts. Now go outside and have fun in the dirt. Sports Camps, Enrichment Camps and MORE! Register TODAY for a Summer FULL Of FUN www.kenstoncommunityed.org 440-543-2552 PAGE 10 www.spiritofbainbridge.com March 6, 2015
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