Fun in the City
Fall Fest brought smiles and seasonal fun to the residents
Discover how neighbors stepped up to help neighbors
Mayor Mark Spaetzel
Council President Jennifer Fenderbosch
Council Members
Zach Arnold
Amy Gentry
David Kos
Rob Shahmir
Geoffrey R. Smith
K.C. Zuber
150 Avon Belden Road Avon Lake, OH 44012 440-933-6141 • avonlake.org 4 Conversation with the Mayor 6 City
News
Discover what you’ll find at the Avon Lake Library’s revamped DiscoveryWorks, plus learn about more ways to play in the city.
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22 Restaurant Directory
11
Helping Hands
Sometimes a little help goes a long way. The community thrives when neighbors reach out to help each other, and 2024 was no exception. Discover their inspiring stories.
23 Fall Fun
Avon Lake’s first Fall Fest offered lots of free fun for residents of all ages
first Avon Lake Fall Fest brought joy, festivity and fun to the city.
Photo by Ken Blaze
A Year in Review
Mayor Mark Spaetzel reflects on his first year in office.
WITH NEARLY 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, Mayor Mark Spaetzel is a third-generation resident of Avon Lake with street cred. His grandmother was in the first graduating class of Avon Lake High School in 1923. After more than 35 years serving as a police officer in Northeast Ohio — the last several years as police chief, Spaetzel’s first year in office has involved being at the epicenter of the eclipse, the planned implosion of the Avon Lake Power Plant, and a damaging tornado that whirled through town.
“I’ve always looked at challenges and overcoming them is what makes life interesting and fulfilling. And I thought, what better next step than to be mayor?” he points out. “This job has certainly supplied lots of challenges and opportunities for me. And, it’s really all about just giving back to the community, and doing the best we can to keep Avon Lake as great as it is and even make it greater.”
We asked him for a few more insights from his first year.
QTELL US ABOUT YOUR HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR FIRST YEAR.
A Spaetzel has a growing list: “I’m very proud of getting the Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) started. That’s been a project that’s been on and off in planning stages for 3+ years and something that’s on everybody’s wish list in the community, especially those with young children. Another thing I ran on, which is certainly not exciting, is creating efficiencies so that our city can use our tax dollars wisely. We’ve been making great
strides by streamlining our processes and procedures. Our residents will see an improved level of service. And finally, the demolition of the Avon Lake Power Plant for redeveloping our lakefront. It’s going to be the largest transformational project Avon Lake has ever seen.”
AQWHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LAKEFRONT PROJECT?
“We have a development agreement that includes a plan for the city to purchase roughly 23 acres for a lakefront park that would flow right into Miller Road Park where we have a boat launch and a fishing pier. When you look at the business and recreational opportunities, the access to the lake, it’s a very unique chance in a suburban environment to create an amenity for the community and the region. I can’t think of another spot along Lake Erie where there’s the potential for a public entity to get 23 acres of lakefront land.”
Q ANY SURPRISES SINCE YOU TOOK OFFICE?
A
“I would say the amount of time that this job has required this year. I’ve worked with seven mayors in my career, and the easier they make it look, the less you think they do. But that’s not the case. I would say 10- to 12-hour days are the norm right now. And I don’t mind doing that because I don’t see it as work. In the first nine months, I had to replace directors because they retired,
including an HR director and a Finance Director. So I’ve learned a whole lot about employee relations and a lot about finance. Another thing I would add is that I’ve been so impressed by the level of dedication and professionalism our city employees portray every day. I knew it was there, but it’s different when you actually see these men and women in action.”
AQWHAT LESSONS WERE LEARNED FROM THE SOLAR ECLIPSE?
Even though the April 8th solar eclipse drew people from 20 plus states and three countries to the epicenter in Avon Lake, the numbers were much less than projected, but still a very successful event in the books. Reflecting on the months of planning and preparation, Spaetzel says: “Never underestimate the value of an experience and how it can help you in the future. We learned so much during this process that we can now apply to other things that we do in the community. Even though you’re going through it, and it can seem painful at the time, you’re learning a whole lot that you can transfer to other things.”
— As told to Chrissy Kadleck
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More to Discover
This winter the Avon Lake Public Library will unveil
A MULTI - GENERATIONAL CORNERSTONE of the community, DiscoveryWorks at the Avon Lake Library is in the final stages of a $1.2 million reimagining and reinvestment.
“The STEM-focused space, a beloved “mini COSI” of hands-on exhibits and learning activities for all ages, was in need of refresh on the eve of its 30-year anniversary,” says Avon Lake Public Library Director William Rutger.
“Our goal was to work with a professional company, and give it a refresh, but also level it up a little bit from its humble beginnings into a more cohesive look,” Rutger says. “We also wanted to improve on fan favorite exhibits, and introduce some new ones. We see about 30,000 people come
through DiscoveryWorks each year. It gets a lot of love from the community, and we also draw a lot of people from the surrounding area as a destination.”
The 3,500-square-foot space was closed in early May, and is expected to reopen in mid-January or earlyFebruary. The library has worked with RGI Creative, a design agency in North Ridgeville, over the last couple of years to redesign DiscoveryWorks, and ensure the entire area, including exhibits, feels welcoming and inclusive to all learning styles and learning levels.
“When we first embarked on this project, we did a survey to hear what people wanted,” Rutger says. The result? “More than 40 interactive table-top, hands-on, and educational exhibits.”
Did you know?
As an Ohio resident, you are entitled to a library card at any one of the 251 public libraries in the state. “So even if you don’t live in our community, you are welcome to get a library card at the Avon Lake Public Library,” says Library Director William Rutger. “You don’t need a library card to go into DiscoveryWorks, but we have a variety of other resources and materials that are equally exciting as DiscoveryWorks. Our children’s department, our adult department, and the rest of the library are also fun places to be.”
Sneak Peeks:
BUILD A HOUSE
This free-standing playhouse is an enhanced exhibit that lets kids lay floor tiles, install carpet tiles, stack bricks, and paint. You’ll also find a magnetic wall inside that allows for interior decorating. Also included
electricity, and insulation.
DIGITAL AQUARIUM
This new exhibit allows kids to color sheets featuring fish native to Lake Erie. Once scanned at a station, their fish appears in the aquarium and swims around. You can also press buttons and learn facts about various fish.
BUBBLE BOOTH
“We are bringing back the bubble booth safer, stronger, and it is bringing an element from the past back into the space,” Rutger says.
“Our hope is when you come into DiscoveryWorks, if you’ve been there before, you’ll be excited and surprised by the changes, but you will still see elements of what made DiscoveryWorks so unique and special to you.”
— Chrissy Kadleck
More Ways to Play
FROM ONE OF THE FASTEST - GROWING SPORTS to dedicated bike lanes to the rebuilding of the community’s beloved playground, Avon Lake is home to an expanding list of places to engage in play for all ages.
PICKLEBALL
A combo of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, pickleball has more than 13 million enthusiasts nationwide. In September, Cleveland Premier Pickleball had its grand opening on Pin Oak Parkway, serving up a new facility for ballers to learn and hone their skills.
The 56,000-square-foot facility is the vision of owners Justin Hellinger and Chris Haas, president and CEO of All Pro Freight.
“The City had recently worked with All Pro Freight for their plans to build a 200,000-square-foot expansion on the back of their current building in the industrial parkway,” says Ted Esborn, the City’s Community Development Director. “That expansion opened up room in the front of their facility to open up a pickleball club.”
The club offers 15 pickleball courts, four of them championship sized to host tournaments, and attracts those looking for a high-end sporting experience.
“When you walk in, you certainly don’t believe that you’re in a warehouse space. It feels exactly like you’re in an upscale athletic club,” Esborn says. “We’re very excited to have this state-of-art facility in our community.”
BIKE LANES
In collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation, bike lanes were repaved along Lake Road in a construction project that was completed in 2023.
“We have a fairly extensive biking network,” says Jonathan Liskovec, the City’s Public Works Director. “There was a lot of work done by the City in recent years to expand bike lanes and multipurpose trails for active transportation and recreation, and that focus continues to be front and center.”
AVON LAKE PLAY SPACE
The highly-anticipated Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) project kicked off in May 2024. The $1.7 million effort, led by design firm Kimley-Horn of North Ridgeville, is expected to be split into two phases, one that will be completed in 2024, and the second in 2025.
“The first phase is going to be a year-round sledding hill with vantage points on top and carved into the northern face of the hill for people to enjoy and appreciate Lake Erie,” says Liskovec. There will be artificial turf installed as well as some concrete work involved.
The second phase will be south of that location and will include all the playground features — swings, slides, and climbing structure.
“We’re hoping to have the entire project complete by late next summer, with plenty of time for the kiddos to get out there and break it in,” he says.
— Chrissy Kadleck
A Public Works Department crew works on the ALPS project.
Lake Erie can be seen from atop the new Avon Lake Play Space.
StrivingKeep
Avon Lake is a community where neighbors come together to assist others when they need a little help. Discover their inspiring stories.
By Chrissy Kadleck
If a community is judged by the way it takes care of its citizens, then Avon Lake has set a high bar. It’s a place where residents are more than willing to jump into action to assist their neighbors and extend a helping hand when in need.
From potluck dinners for those without power and outof-town responders, to help after damaging summer storms, to bringing the transformative power of music to those with disabilities and struggling with trauma, to providing lowcost furnishings and clothing to others who have limited
incomes, nonprofit organizations and caring volunteers throughout the city step up in meaningful ways.
“What has impressed me the most during my first year in office is how everybody comes together to help one another out,” says Mayor Mark Spaetzel. “With 26,000 residents and 150 employees, you got to be able to have neighbors helping neighbors, people who step up, help each other, volunteer their time and do what needs to be done to make it a great community.”
Here are some of their stories.
Thrift for Good
In its 45th year, Good Neighbor Thrift Shop is mission-driven to give back to the local community with its nonprofit thrift shop operated by the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, which donates all of its proceeds to charities.
“Since day one all the profits have always gone to charity,” says Manager Kristen LePrevost. “We donated almost $300,000 last year, most of which stays in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties.”
Good Neighbor Thrift Shop funds its core mission to address poverty, food insecurity, domestic violence, and addiction
support. Annually, the organization supports community organizations such as Neighborhood Alliance, the Haven Center Homeless Shelter, Genesis House domestic violence shelter, as well as sober living facilities. It also has an open grant process that enables it to fund efforts such as the LIFE Memory Café, which offers resources, education, and engaging activities for anyone touched by dementia.
“While our mission is to make money to give away, it’s also to provide a place where people can buy affordable things, especially in the world of inflation these days,” she says.
And, on a neighborly level, Good Neighbor Thrift Shop is active every day. For many years, it has partnered with Avon Lake’s local food pantry to connect with clients in need of clothing, furniture, and housewares. In the last couple years, it has worked with social workers in the school district to help children in need with clothing. A few times a year, it opens the shop early for the residents of local nursing homes to shop by themselves so it is easier for those with mobility issues.
Just recently, Avon Lake School District reached out because they
to come grab whatever they need. We do that to help teachers who have to buy all their own supplies, too. We’re more than happy to do it, and we’re so blessed that we have a ton of donations — actually we are inundated with donations most days.”
Good Neighbor Thrift Shop is powered by 50 to 60 active volunteers who “all love helping people,” LePrevost says. “We are well known in the community. Organizations and people come to us, and even if we can’t help them, or we don’t have what they need at that moment, we usually can find someone that can help.”
had a couple of high schoolers who desperately needed bikes, which would be their only means of transportation due to their living situations.
“We have a wide network of people we work with, and within days we were able to find bikes that they could use to get around,” says LePrevost. A church volunteer drove to Mansfield to pick up the bikes, then delivered them to the students at their current homes, along with bike helmets.
“Multiple times a week, people reach out to us with a family or friend in need, and we open up our store and tell them
During the destructive August storm, Good Neighbor Thrift Shop never lost power so they invited people to come in, use their wifi, and enjoy coffee and donuts in the days following the tornadoes and heavy winds.
“We had one of our volunteers bring in her neighbor’s hearing aids to charge,” she says. “People would just come and sit with their iPads to check their emails or text people. It was just a very, very cool experience — everyone just being able to talk, connect, and catch up with people. That to me was kind of the definition of having a community store that day.”
While our mission is to make money to give away, it’s also to provide a place where people can buy affordable things, especially in the world of inflation these days.”
—Kristen LePrevost
Kristen LePrevost, Manager of Good Neighbor Thrift Shop
Giving Back to Responders
St. Joseph Parish had just held its annual Lake Breeze Festival the first weekend in August, with their tents only dismantled and removed hours before the tornado rolled through Avon Lake on August 6th.
Even though staff members and volunteers were exhausted and recovering from the months of preparation for the annual festival, church parishioners wanted to do something to help fellow residents and out-of-town storm responders.
“We had seen chatter amongst a community Facebook Group about doing something for the linemen and those still without power,” says Tamara Burge, Director of Communication & Marketing. Burge and her predecessor, Kayla Goodwin, originally joined forces via text and reached out to Father Ron
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COURTESY TAMARA BURGE
Community Potluck, Joseph Social Hall
We estimate that we had about 150 individuals come through for food or to charge cell phones. The lineman came from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Florida, Alaska and they were so grateful.”
—Tamara Burge
Wearsch, pastor at the church, to gather consensus on leading a potluck meal the following afternoon, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 11.
No convincing was needed. In fact, after the Saturday vigil mass, Fr. Ron spent that evening by himself arranging the St. Joseph social hall with tables for seating and charging stations.
Cheryl Monschein, one of the more than 2,000 parishioners at St. Joseph, and her husband, Mike Monschein,
drove around the neighborhood on Sunday morning looking for the trucks and linemen to inform them of the community potluck.
“On her way to the church to come set-up and assist, she happened to cross paths with the foreman in charge of all linemen in the area,” Burge says. “He sent out a mass text to all of his associates to let them know.”
influx of drop-offs around Noon. One couple even went to the new coffee shop down the street, Emilie’s Coffee House and Wine Bar, and bought all of its cookies to bring to the community potluck. People streamed in with donations, including potato and pasta salads, fried chicken, pizzas, corn on the cob, pulled pork and coleslaw, baked beans, lots of cookies and desserts.
Food had already started arriving during masses on Sunday morning, with a big
At 1 p.m., the parking lot started filling with utility trucks. “Fr. Ron stood in the gathering area of the church and
greeted each of the linemen as they entered,” Burge says. “We estimate that we had about 150 individuals come through for food or to charge cell phones. The lineman came from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Florida, Alaska, and they were so grateful.”
One man commented to Fr. Ron at the event that: “Often times people believe they must travel to some faraway place to enter the ‘mission field.’ We have been blessed that you recognized that ‘mission field’ was right here in your midst.”
Burge says the effort was entirely heartwarming and showed what could be accomplished in just a few short hours with many helping hands. “One gentleman said he was flabbergasted at the food and said he hadn’t had a homemade meal in weeks because they’re storm chasers and they just go from one storm to the next,” she says. “They had been eating gas station meals for weeks — so they were super appreciative.”
KEN BLAZE
Injury Assistance
It wasn’t unusual for Gary Primuth to drive hours from his home on Parkland Drive to take canoe excursions with his best furry companions. An avid outdoorsmen, Primuth had logged more than 70 solo trips to Canada.
Since forest fires had canceled his planned trip to Minnesota in August 2021, Primuth, 79 at the time, had decided that he would head to Clendening Lake in southwestern Harrison County in Ohio to take his dog, Tommy, and go canoeing.
“It was a beautiful day. We had the whole place to ourselves, so I decided to take the dog out for a stretch because I saw a little open patch. I figured we’ll walk around,” he says. “When I went to jump out of the canoe, I realized my legs fell asleep, so they buckled and I went down on a rock and broke my hip.”
Gary Primuth, Avon Lake Resident
I’ve always taken care of myself from the time I was a teenager, but it made me realize how valuable neighbors and friends truly are.” —Gary Primuth
Primuth fell in the water and screamed, and Tommy, the 12-year-old miniature poodle, was terrified.
“He was a shy dog anyhow, and he didn’t want to get back in the canoe. I kept trying to get him in, but then I had to get myself back in, which isn’t easy with a broken hip,” he says. “I was very worried about him, but I had to leave because I thought I was going to pass out from the pain, and I had four miles to paddle.”
As he was paddling, Primuth spotted a young woman with her child having a picnic at another clearing. He paddled over and told her he thought he broke his hip, and asked her to call 911 to meet him at the boat ramp.
“She was a real lifesaver, a real angel,” he says. “I had another half hour to paddle, but once I got there, the ambulance and park ranger were waiting for me. I don’t know if I could have gotten out of the canoe by myself.”
Primuth was shuttled to the hospital for surgery, while the responders found Tommy in the clearing, and got him to safety.
“Wilderness canoeing is kind of my hobby, but I used a lot of prayer,” he says. “You don’t take 70 wilderness canoe trips without relying on prayer. I’ve had my chestnuts pulled out of the fire several times. And like I say, it’s confirmed my faith.”
After a successful surgery, Primuth reached out to his Parkland Drive neighbors, Jack Jannuzzi and Mike Kertes, and told them what had happened. The two men jumped into action.
“They drove down, picked up my Suburban, put the canoe on top, went to the pound, got the dog, and brought him back, and boarded him here in Avon Lake until I got out of rehab,” he says. “My neighbors did a fantastic job, and it
meant a lot to me. I’ve always taken care of myself from the time I was a teenager, but it made me realize how valuable neighbors and friends truly are.”
Reunited with Tommy after a few weeks in rehab, Primuth received a discounted rate at Avon Lake Animal Clinic because a neighbor’s son owns the clinic, and then his buddies from his shooting club paid the remainder of the bill.
Primuth says his neighborhood is a social one, with neighbors regularly getting together for bonfires and adult beverages. “There’s only about a dozen homes down here, but most people get along and are very friendly, and they help each other out constantly,” he says. “It’s always has been a close-knit neighborhood. We have all kinds of people from different walks of life and different vocations, but it’s a very personable neighborhood, and I’m very pleased to be here.”
Music With a Mission
Passionate about the transformative, healing power of music, Marilyn Zeidner founded Music on a Mission in 2007. She had seen it firsthand with domestic violence clients in her work as the executive director of Genesis House.
The mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with different needs by providing creative, interactive programming. “We use the proven benefits of music for people with different needs of all ages,” says Zeidner, who retired from Genesis House in 2012. “We do music intervention for kids with disabilities in 25 classes a month in seven school sys-
tems. And, we teach dance and movement to adults with developmental disabilities. We have a band that plays music from the forties, fifties and the sixties, and they play in several assisted living and memory care units.”
The Kids in Tune program serves 336 different children with disabilities in the school districts of Lorain, Elyria, Avon,
Marilyn Zeidner, Founder of Music on a Mission
Avon Lake, Olmsted Falls, Summit Academy, and Murray Ridge School.
“We have two instructors who go to the Murray Ridge workshops in Lorain, and teach dance and movement. They have so much fun. And they also go to Gathering Hope House, which is a drop-in center for people recovering from mental illness,” she says. “And same thing, they sing, they dance, they learn different routines.”
And then there’s Barnegie Hall, which is situated on Zeidner’s property in Avon Lake, where the organization hosts about 20 concerts a year. “The barn, which was completely renovated and restored by volunteers in 2009, is a live music hub featuring all genres,” Zeidner says.
“The concerts help to support our programs, and supporting live music is part of our mission,” she says. “It’s usually $20 and BYOB, so people can bring a bottle of wine or whatever they want and snacks. One hundred percent of the donations that we take in go to our programs.”
A hallmark of Music on a Mission’s outreach is its veterans programming — especially its Project DREW (Delivering Restorative Energy to our Warriors).
It is named in honor and memory of Captain Drew Ferguson, who grew up in Avon Lake and was a friend of Zeidner’s daughter. “He was a musician, songwriter, and artist,” she says. Drew served in the US Special Operations as a Team Leader in Special Forces, where he completed combat tours in Afghanistan. Tragically, he died by suicide in 2017.
“We only have five or six workshops a year for DREW with only five or six veterans at a time. We pair them one-on-one privately with a songwriter, and they spend half a day sharing a story or experience. They come back the next day, and the songwriters have crafted their story in a song. It’s magic.”
Zeidner says they have done 30 workshops since 2017 and have been able to touch more than 150 veterans from across the country.
COURTESY MARILYN ZEIDNER
Neighbor Spotlight
“Eric Eichler has snow blown our walks numerous times over the years. If it’s a snowy morning, he’s often out there with the snowblower. We are so grateful for his help.”
— Sharon Kane
“I am somewhat new to a neighborhood that has residents that have lived there for years. But the folks in this neighborhood are warm and welcoming. I would like to give a shout out to Gloria and Orey Camillo. Gloria has put little treats on my doorstep for both my daughter and me on Easter and Christmas and even Halloween! Her husband Orey is always willing to lend a hand — if he sees me on a ladder stringing Christmas lights, he will go out of his way to help and make sure I don’t fall. He cuts fresh flowers for me to take home to enjoy and is always ready with a glass of wine and chair. And they always have a treat for my sweet chow hound, Lily.”
— Ella Boitel
“Barb Aiello lives across the street from me. She has selflessly helped me numerous times. During the summer, I am out of town a lot. She gets my mail, and returns garbage cans I may have left out. When she knew I was returning, she offered to turn on the AC in my house so that it’s not 100 degrees when I arrive. She has also taken the time on occasion to watch over my dog, Buster. Sometimes I think he loves her more than me! She also looks out for her nextdoor neighbor, who has had many health issues. Best. Neighbor. Ever. I cannot thank her enough for all of her kindness.”
— Bernadette Hisey
“Brooke Potrzeba is a new member of our community! Having moved here from Florida, she knows what it’s like to go through disasters like the aftermath of the tornado we experienced this summer. Thankfully, she didn’t lose power, so she graciously helped not only her neighbors but also strangers across the community — offering power banks, warm meals, and breakfast served from her driveway. We’re so lucky to have Brooke as a part of our community!” — Kaitlyn
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3rd Base Bar and Grill
118 Moore Road
440-933-9939
Big M Pizza
153 Lear Road
440-653-5280
Buffalo Wild Wings
32914 Walker Road
440-933-7325
Cafe Melissa 32950 Walker Road
440-961-0072
China Chef
33382 Walker Road
440-933-7002
China King 1 375 Lear Road
440-933-6006
China Star
114 Moore Road
440-933-6688
Close Quarters Pub
31953 Lake Road
440-933-5217
Dairy Queen
33720 Walker Road
440-933-2208
Dirte Pi
146 Lear Road
440-961-0061
Homestead: (440) 329-5222
Dogg House Bar & Grill
33475 Lake Road
440-933-7000
Domino’s Pizza 33382 Walker Road 440-933-3099
Edacious Kitchen & Bar 33451 Lake Road
440-653-5995
Emilie’s Coffee House & Wine Bar
457 Avon Belden Road
Fenik’s Frozen Custard 684 Avon Belden Road
440-930-8499
Fratello’s Restaurant 32085 Electric Blvd. 440-933-3380
Game On 33382 Walker Road 440-961-0763
Gitta’s Table and Wine Shop 32457 Lake Road 440-933-5888
Goonie’s Dog-Shop 3343 Lake Road 440-961-0029
Ibiza Mediterranean Restaurant
33481 Lake Road
440-653-5953
Jake’s on the Lake 32485 Lake Road 440-933-8304
Johnny’s Boathouse
33424 Lake Road 440-930-2685
Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant
445 Avon Belden Road 440-930-4910
Las Margaritas 519 Avon Belden Road 440-653-9566
Lear Road Inn 164 Lear Road 440-653-5143
Legacy Restaurant & Grille 750 Jaycox Road 440-930-5570
Marco’s Pizza 32730 Walker Road 440-930-7200
McDonald’s 32799 Walker Road 440-933-2738
J. CRAIG SNODGRASS, CPA, CGFM
Lorain County Auditor
226 Middle Avenue, 2nd Floor • Elyria, OH 44035
General: (440) 329-5207
Auditor Snodgrass: (440) 329-5170
Appraisal: (440) 329-5488
Board of Revision: (440) 329-5269 CAUV: (440) 329-5485
Licenses: Dog, Vendor, Junk Yard and Cigarette (440) 329-5717
Real Estate: (440) 329-5212
Special Assessments: (440) 329-5210
Tax Exemption: (440) 329-5739
Tax Map: (440) 329-5757
Owner Occupancy: (440) 329-5203
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Mr. Hero
32730 Walker Road 440-933-5207
Old School Pizza and Wings
445 Avon Belden 440-961-0892
Parker’s Grille and Tavern 32858 Walker Road 440-933-9400
Pizza Cutter 33501 Lake Road 440-933-5570
Pizza Hut 377 Lear Road 440-930-8600
Plum Asian Fare & Sushi 32730 Walker Road 440-930-2623
Rico’s Tacos and Tequila 33493 Lake Road 440-961-1050
Rio Coffee Brewery 33388 Walker Road 440-930-7201
Romeo’s Pizza 428 Avon Belden Road 440-930-8575
Salad KraZe 690 Avon Belden Road 440-933-9123
Starbucks (inside Giant Eagle) 31990 Walker Road 440-933-5078
Subway 33382 Walker Road 440-930-2727
Subway 375 Lear Road
440-933-9099
Taco Bell
510 Avon Belden Road 440-930-4371
Tailgators Sports Bar 33499 Lake Road 440-933-4007
Taki’s Greek Kitchen 377 Lear Road 440-930-8888
Thai Chili
32730 Walker Road 440-933-8424
The Kitchen All Day Brunch 32822 Walker Road 440-653-5699
The Quarry 182 Lear Road 440-653-5103
Fall Fun scene
Avon Lake’s first Fall Fest offered lots of free activities and enjoyment for families.
FROM HORSE - DRAWN WAGON RIDES TO PUMPKIN DECORATING to festive photo ops, the first Fall Fest was a gourd-smashing success with more than 500 people converging on Bleser Park on Avon Lake Homecoming Day, September 21.
The two-hour community event spearheaded by Avon Lake Kiwanis Club kicked off immediately following the Homecoming Parade, and was designed to promote entirely carefree family fun and fellowship.
Chris Spaetzel, chair of the event and wife of Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel, says the original idea was to promote and revive the local Kiwanis Club, and inspire new members to join the global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world.
as a take home souvenir, climbing wall, inflatable obstacle course, games, prizes, antique car rides, and complimentary hot dog, chips, and water.
“The big part of the event was that everything was free unless you wanted to buy a ticket for one of the raffles, so families truly could come out for an afternoon of free fun without any pressure to buy anything,” she says. “All of the games we had — whether you won or not — everybody got prizes. It was a pretty awesome event, I have to say, to get the community out and see all the smiles, all the happiness.”
“As I started talking to other people in town and other Kiwanians, everybody was getting more and more excited with more ideas that we decided to go out and recruit sponsors. The community generously stepped up and shared our enthusiasm,” Spaetzel says. So a simple meet & greet grew into a full-fledged festival with a petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin decorating
Nearly $700 in donations from businesses in Avon and Avon Lake were raffled off in a Family Basket (containing lots of restaurant gift cards) and a Spirit Basket with Avon Lake pride items. All raffle proceeds benefitted the Avon Lake Kiwanis Scholarship Fund.
“We’re already starting to look for sponsors for next year and volunteers. If anybody wants to join Kiwanis, we’re always looking for new members,” she says, adding that high school volunteers also participated, and some were even able to even earn community service hours. “We’ve had so much good feedback from people saying it was fun to come out and be part of the community.” — Chrissy Kadleck
