AYCE buttermilk pancake breakfasts will be served at Abundant Life Ministry Center, 13724 Carlton St., Burton. Plain, blueberry or banana pancakes and sausage are $10. Eggs may be added for $2. Free delivery is available to local businesses with orders of two or more.
American Legion
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Burton Middlefield American Legion Atwood-Mauck Post 459 is serving its annual AYCE pancake, sausage and scrambled eggs breakfasts every Sunday through April 19, excluding Easter, at the post at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-13 and free for children under 6.
Berkshire Athletic Boosters
Sundays in March, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Berkshire Athletic Boosters are hosting AYCE pancake breakfasts in the Berkshire High School cafeteria, 14155 Claridon Troy Road in Burton.
Burton Fire Station
Sundays in March, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Burton Fire Station will serve all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfasts every Sunday in March at the station at 13828 Spring St. in Burton. Call 440-834-4416 for info.
Geauga Historical Society
Sundays in March, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Geauga County Historical Society is hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts in the Lennah Bond Activity Center at the Century Village Museum, 14653 East Park St. in Burton. For more information, call 440-834-1492.
Parkman Chamber Pancakes
March 8, 15, 22 & 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parkman Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual pancake breakfasts at Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road. Eat-in or drive-through options are available. For more information, call Denise Villers at 216-215-4156.
Seldom Seen Farm
March 7 and 14, 8-11 a.m.
Seldom Seen Farm is hosting pancake breakfasts and tours during the drive-it-yourself Northeast Ohio Maple Tour at the farm located at 10055 Madison Road in Montville Township.
Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
Amish Taxi Driver ‘Knew His Profession Was Illegal’
B Jamie
a suspended license when he hit and killed a Middlefield motorcy clist in October received the maxi mum 18-month prison sentence for vehicular homicide Feb. 20 from Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Rambo.
Creek Road in Leavittsburg, had three active license suspensions and 35 total lifetime license sus pensions at the time of the crash, said Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas Burling. Claar pleaded no contest to the fourth-de gree felony charge Dec. 22.
time again: you are not allowed to drive, and he disregarded all of that and got behind the wheel and killed someone,” Burling said. “He decided to throw all of his eggs in the basket of being an Amish taxi driver when he knew that profession, for him, was illegal.”
porters, family and friends, who were sitting inside the courtroom for Claar’s sentencing.
The victim, Joseph “Joey” Plotts, loved camping and traveling with his dog, Sweetie. He was a graduate of Cardinal High School and served as a firefighter and
“I’m a Christian man; I will not judge you,” said Joseph’s father, Harvey “Gene” Plotts, who turned directly to Claar. “God will judge you. And I hope he judges you real soon.”
in tears, told the courtroom he had been abused as a child, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had substance abuse issues.
“It haunts me everyday. I have nightmares every night,” Claar said. “I sleep very little. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of your little boy. I would give my life now if See Claar • Page 3
Cardinal Students are Problem Solvers
Community
Meetings
Listed are upcoming public meetings and executive sessions in Huntsburg, Middlefield and Parkman townships, the Village of Middlefield and Cardinal Schools. Huntsburg Twp.: March 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road. Middlefield Twp.: March 9, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Office, 15228 Madison Road, unless otherwise noted. Middlefield Village: March 5, 12 p.m., Housing Council; March 10, 6 p.m., Planning Commission; March 12, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation Committee, 6 p.m. – Finance & Ordinance Committee, 6:30 p.m. – Safety Committee, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.
Parkman Twp.: March 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.
Cardinal BOE: March 11, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting; March 25, 6:30 p.m., work session. All meetings held at BOE Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, unless otherwise indicated.
Cardinal fourth- and fifth-graders competed in the GCCTM Problem Solving Tournament on Feb. 21 at JA Garfield Elementary, earning three red ribbons and a trophy award. Participants included fourth-graders Vivian Fetheroff , Violet Motika, Zachary Homa, Hadlei Tingley, Kody Kriynovich, Isabella Chace, Layla Angelo, Ryan Hart, Madelyn Tenney, Elizabeth Klouda, River Davis and Elsie Owens; and fifth-graders Jaxson McCarthy, Maddy Grover, Alayna Knauff and Jonathan Jurgelis.
Town Crier
Have A Heart Spay/Neuter
Valley Save-A-Pet will open its 2026 Have A Heart low cost spay/neuter program on March 2. The program offers cat and dog sterilizations at a discounted rate to pet owners.
Call 440-232-2287 any Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for information and to apply for a spay/neuter certificate. Calls will also be answered on the first Saturday of the month beginning in April. Feral cat caregivers are also encouraged to call.
To learn more about the organization’s programs and events, visit www.valleysaveapet.org.
FGP Explorer Series
March 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
Join Foundation for Geauga Parks for a mile-long wellness walk on the new UH Geauga Community Wellness Trail with naturalist Vicki Solomon. Experience the physical, mental and social benefits of the European tradition on volksmarching. For information or to register, visit foundationforgeaugaparks.org or call 440-564-1048.
Library
MIDDLEFIELD BRANCH
16167 East High St., Middlefield, 440-632-1961. Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.
Library Led Discussion
March 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.,
Discuss “The Best Way to Bury Your Husband” by Alexia Casale. No registration is required.
Stuffie Party and Sleepover
March 13, 4-4:45 p.m.
Kids in grades K-5 may bring their stuffed animals to a special story time. After story time, the stuffed friends will stay overnight and have all kinds of fun with friends once the lights go out.
Meet Us in the Garden
March 7, 10 a.m.
The OSU Lake County Master Gardener Volunteers host their first Meet Us in the Garden talk of 2026 at the Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave.
Join for “Seed Starting” and learn how to start vegetables and flowers from seed, caring and nurturing them to have ready to plant come spring.
The session is free, but registration is required. Visit mentorpl.org or call 440-2558811. Call the helpline at 440-853-2625 with any gardening questions.
Bloodmobile
The American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood supply recover from a severe blood shortage. Visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment. • March 10, Cardinal High School, 14785 Thompson Ave., Middlefield, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. • March 18, Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St., Middlefield, 12-6 p.m.
Genealogical Society Meets
March 10, 7 p.m.
Guest speaker Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage will present “MyHeritage Library Version and MyHeritage.com: Finding Your Old and New World Roots” via Zoom at the next meeting of the Geauga County Genealogical Society. The program will include a demonstration of the MyHeritage Library Edition super search engine and features available through the MyHeritage subscription website. Pre-registration is required at geaugalibrary.libcal. com. Sign-in begins at 6:45 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m.
Harriet Tubman Movement
March 19, 10 a.m.
The Harriet Tubman Movement, an advocacy group that supports individuals who have experienced forms of exploitation, will meet at the Middlefield Senior Center, 15820 Ridgewood Road, Middlefield. Call 440-6320611 to register.
Obituaries
Richard Ellis Cooper
Richard Ellis Coo per, age 83, of North Huntingdon, Pa., passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Mon day evening, Feb. 23, 2026.
Born on March 12, 1942, in Middlefield, Ohio, Dick grew up across the street from the Methodist church in a small Amish-country community that in stilled in him a lifelong reverence for faith, the natural world and honest curiosity.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Charlene Cooper; and his brother, Milton Cooper.
He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Katherine “Kathy” Bekeny Cooper; their son, Jonathan (Sarah) Cooper; and grandchildren: Rachel (Josiah) Ferenczy, Hunter, Melanie and Isaac.
A gifted educator with a Ph.D. in Science Education from Michigan State University, Dick built a distinguished career shaped by the belief that good teaching could change a child’s life.
He met Kathy at Hiram College and together they pursued that conviction across the country. From Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science to the Pueblo communities of New Mexico, Dick brought hands-on science to Native American children in a way that honored their culture rather than displacing it. That work ultimately carried them east to Hamilton, Mass., where he served as Science Curriculum Supervisor for the Danvers school district.
Claar
from page 1
I could. I would give you folks that — but I can’t.”
One of Claar’s jailmates, a man named Joe, also spoke on his behalf.
Just before receiving his sentence, Claar asked for a continuance, saying he needed to get money for his disabled mother.
It was during those New England years that Dick and Kathy welcomed their son, Jonathan, into the family through adoption.
Later roles at General Electric and Scitex preceded their return to the Cleveland area, where they settled in North Olmsted before moving to North Huntingdon in 2013 to be near family.
Faith in God was the steady current beneath Dick’s entire life. Deepened through Koinonia and lived out in Stephen Ministry and years of Sunday school teaching, his faith was active and relational. He had a teacher’s gift for making children genuinely curious about Jesus.
Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed many hobbies including scuba diving, fly fishing, woodworking and traveling.
After a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2009, Dick met the disease with characteristic resolve, becoming a driving force behind a local support community for patients and caregivers. As mobility and speech became more limited, those around him were still regularly treated to a brief, well-timed remark that made clear he was present, listening and smiling.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, Pa., with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those comfortable to donate in Dick’s honor to New Hope Presbyterian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., (www.newhopepresbyterian.com); or the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania (www.pfwpa.org).
For online condolences, please visit, http://www.kepplegraft.com.
Eighteen months in prison was the maximum sentence allowed for Claar, who received 80 days credited to time served. Rambo also suspended Claar’s license for five years upon his release.
As the sheriff’s deputy handcuffed Claar and removed the contents of his pockets, including a wad of cash, his friend Joe asked what he wanted him to do with the money.
It was for his commissary, Claar replied.
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Faith Matters Searching for the Fountain of Youth
When I was an elementary student, I loved to learn about the Age of Exploration in the 15th-17th centuries. Portuguese, Spanish and English explorers navigated their ships across the oceans, pioneering new maritime routes and discovering territories previously unknown to Europe. Explorers like Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco De Gama and Sir Francis Drake guided their ships thousands of miles across dangerous seas in search of new lands, precious spices and gold.
Perhaps the most intriguing explorer for me was Juan Ponce de León. Tradition tells us—perhaps not accurately—that he was in search of the Fountain of Youth. This legendary spring was said to restore youth and vitality to anyone who drank from or bathed in its waters. It was believed that the magical water could cure sickness, reverse aging and grant long life or even immortality.
By Roger Kruse
My wife and I visited St. Augustine, Fla., three years ago. It is a fascinating, historical city where Ponce de León landed his ship back in 1513. However, he probably never set foot on the spot where the Fountain of Youth Park is located. It was the Timucua Native Americans that settled there 500 years earlier. Nevertheless, there you will find a spring of water reputed to be the Fountain of Youth. We did have a drink of that not so sweet tasting water that day we visited and we have now rediscovered our youth…. or maybe not.
If you are like me, you do what you can to enhance and preserve your health. I exercise daily, try to eat nutritious foods and daily ingest a handful of vitamins and supplements to enhance my immune system and mitigate my aches and pains. Does it preserve and protect my health? I hope so. Will it help to prolong my years upon God’s earth? It may or may not affect how many birthdays I have yet to celebrate. However, ultimately, my life and yours too, are in the hands of almighty God.
Of course, there is no legendary Fountain
of Youth. Nevertheless, I have good news for you. There is a “fountain of life” that the Bible tells us about and “living waters” that Jesus promised to His followers. Psalm 36:7-9 speaks of God’s unfailing love and the blessings He bestows on His people. The Lord is described as the “Fountain of Life,” who gives us drink from His river of delights. Jesus promised the Samaritan woman that He could give her a “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). At another time, our Lord announced that a thirsty person should come to Him for a drink. “Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within” (John 7:37,38). Jesus made it clear that He was speaking about the Holy Spirit who would indwell and empower His followers.
In Revelation 7:17, we have the promise of God that the Lamb (the exalted Jesus) will lead His people to springs of living water. Later, in the same heavenly preview, we are told of “the river of the water of life, as clear as a crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
Unfortunately, we cannot stop the relentless march toward our earthly demise. We are all losing ground day by day. Our physical bodies will eventually succumb to the inevitable process of disease and death. There is no cure for old age. Yet, God promises that our yearning for the “Fountain of Youth” will in fact be realized, if we come as thirsty souls to Jesus. By all means, start drinking now from the Fountain of Life. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you streams of living water within. By faith in Jesus, take ahold of God’s promise that one day soon, you will drink from the river of the water of life that flows down the main street in the heavenly city to come.
Roger Kruse finds joy in each new day. His life in Middlefield, Ohio, is surely blessed. Nevertheless, he anticipates a long and refreshing drink from the crystal, pure waters that flow from the throne of God.
FOR RENT
Chagrin Falls: 1BR with garage, heat, water, pool. In a nice area. $1,100/mo. Available April 1. 234-3803491.
FOR SALE
Majacraft Rose spinning wheel. 2 Lazy Kates, 1 extra drive band, 9 bobbins, jumbo flyer, fiber. $1,200. 440-564-1239.
Tanning bed for sale: $525. Wolff System, Sunvision Pro 24 SF. Newer bulbs. Working fine. 440-313-1411. Weak/dead internet areas in your home? Solve your problem. Motorola 3.1 Cable Modem. TP-Link X55 Deco 3-piece satellite router. Easy install. $130. 440-6692763.
REDUCED: Lithograph Prints, signed personally by the artist: Robert Bateman “Midnight Black Wolf” $1,600. Carl Brenders “Monarch Eagle” $400 and “Full House Boxes” $400. 440-729-0070.
Have you had a sad death in your family? I mourn with you in a book I wrote “Bitter Grief of Parting” $5 each. 330-889-2089.
Vintage Baby Buggy: $65. 440-487-2955. Whiskey Barrels, Wine Barrels, Jack Daniel’s Barrels: starting at $125. Great for decorations. 440-3215788. Middlefiled area.
RECORD ALBUMS, Old Cameras, HO Train items, large granite counter-top pieces, fresh/salt water aquariums, old clocks, kerosene lamps. Inquire. 440-338-3563. Russell.
Small worm composter bin for your garden by Vego Garden, fill with organic peels/cuttings to attract worms, $35, call/text 440-668-8768.
400 piece lot FP GEO TRAX Train set. 60’s vinyl albums. 5 drawer chest. Also, FREE Crib Mattress. 440-7291082.
Family Burial Plot for sale. All Souls Cemetery. Serene location in prime section. Section 16. 216-440-8743. Nursery Infant Scale-$6. Honda CRV floor mats-$8. Vintage metal tricycle-$15. George Foreman Grilling Machine-$10. 440-346-7708, leave msg.
Two double-hung Provia replacement windows: combined dimensions 75 7/8 X 53 5/8. Perfect for a front window $500. 440-336-5044 George. Custom sizes & shapes available.
HELP WANTED
Now Hiring Maintenance Associates! Full and part-time positions available at Legacy Village and Oakwood Commons. Apply: hiring@first-interstate.com
Cleaning person needed once/month for Burton colonial. First floor only. $25/Hr. 330-998-9463.
Wanted: need someone to reupholster two recliners. Also need ride to work, from about Burton Square to Madison Road in Middlefield, 6am-3pm, flexible. 440834-8104.
PETS & ANIMALS
One Year Old CKC registered Male Beagle. $40. AlsoWanted: Mallard Ducks. 440-321-8152.
Dog Boarding Day Care: in-home. Call John 440-5338870. www.happyhoundhouse.com
F1b Aussiedoodle pups! Ready and partially trained $1000/female, $800/male. Super Cute! Hypoallergenic, smart, sweet, loyal, 10-13lbs full grown. Text 440-796-9682 for website/application info.
Shih-Tzu/Bichon/Poodle Puppies: wormed, vaccinated, vet checked. Ready to go on April 4. $500 each. Pick out yours today with $50 deposit. 440-883-9059.
“Franklin” adult gray tiger cat needs indoor home. 14 pounds of sweetheart! Social, neutered, vaxxed. Good with other cats. Rebecca 440-321-2485.
Pasture-Raised Cornish Cross broiler chickens: dressed & frozen. Whole bird at $3.50 lb. Average weight 8 lbs. 440-387-9857.
Private Investor paying cash for homes/land in any condition. Call or text Brian today at 440-346-0161 for a No-obligation offer. No repairs needed. Fast closings. .34-acre Bainbridge lot on 306, part of Lake Lucerne community with amenities. Tap into utilities: gas, electric, sewer, private community well. SAVE BIG! 75k . 440-574-1599.
Real Estate Transfers
Following is a list of area real estate transfers for the weeks ending Feb. 20 and Feb. 27, 2026, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.
MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP
John Dale Alden and Debra Lynn Pineda, 15660 Georgia Drive, to James R. and Penny E. Timmons (trustees), $406,000. (3.21 acres)
MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE
The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, North State Avenue, to Spidalieri Enterprises LLC, $15,300. (0.61 acres)
The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, North State Avenue, to Spidalieri Enterprises LLC, $9,800. (0.32 acres)
Spidalieri Enterprises LLC, North State
Avenue, to The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, $8,000. (0.10 acres)
NVR Inc., 15391 Oak Hill Drive, to Matthew S. and Sarah K. Shesko, $407,200. (0.21 acres)
PARKMAN TOWNSHIP
Nancy M. Miller and Vernon A. and Ada M. Yoder, 15527 Patch Road, to Vernon A. and Ada M. Yoder, $57,000. (3.95 acres)
Noah I. and Barbara E. Yutzy (co-trustees), 17050 Nash Road, to Chester L. Gingerich, Laura N. Gingerich and Robert C. Gingerich, $319,000. (19.59 acres)
Marty I. and Sarah Ann Schmucker, 16989 Tavern Road, to Lester L. Sr. and Betty R. Gingerich, $500,000. (7.72 acres)
Marvin A. and Iva M. Hershberger, Patch Road, to Allen R. and Nancy M. Miller, $40,300. (2.68 acres)
SERVICES
AM Rides LLC: Reliable transportation for Amish crew hauling, cleaning crews, hunting trips, auctions, and towing. Safe, insured and on time. Airport trips also available. Call Craig: 330-431-8282.
Buckeye Landscaping looking for new clients for upcoming season. Services including mowing, mulching, pruning, spring/fall clean-ups, also snow plowing. Call 440 883 9124.
Independent Provider will come to you home and do Caregiving. Certified with references. 440-313-1804.
Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.
To advertise in the Classifieds, contact the advertising department at 440-729-7667 ext. 500 or email your ad directly to ads@karlovecmedia.com
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