‘Difference Makers’ honored

ELYRIA — Leadership Lorain County honored four individuals and one organization on Friday for their decadeslong impact at the 2023 Difference Makers gala.

The 2023 class of honorees is the 30th anniversary of the Difference Makers honors and its first in-person ceremony since 2020.

Timothy Harris was honored with the Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership. Harris is president and CEO of Insurance Board and has 32 years of experience in insurance and risk management. After relocating to Northeast Ohio in 2007, he immediately got involved in the community, working with numerous nonprofit organizations including the Community Foundation of Lorain County and Elyriabased Save Our Children.

In accepting his award, Harris said he was “humbled and honored to be in such good company,” and said he wouldn’t be standing here today had it not been for great teachers he had who advocated for him, leading him on the path that brought him to Lorain County.

“The power of community is in its people. I can think of no greater investment than that,” Harris said.

Norva J. Ross, Linda Ong Styer and the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce were honored with the Excellence in Leadership Award.

Ross founded Pathways Enrichment Center in 1995 with the vision to inspire, teach and train individuals to enhance their potential in all aspects of personal development. Its mission is to bring resources to enhance the body (physical), the mind (cognitive) and relationships with others (social). Ross believes that this enrichment will have positive outcomes in aiding a person to enhance their behavioral and spiritual journeys.

In her acceptance speech, Ross said she was overwhelmed with gratitude that her work was being recognized.

“It’s been a privilege to serve my community with pride and joy for over 50 years,” Ross added. She said she was able to persevere through her faith in God and belief that all things are possible.

Styer was a senior program officer with the Community Foundation of Lorain County from 1996 to 2021.

Her initiatives through the Community Foundation include Project Match sending life-saving equipment to 21 fire departments, Patchwork Trails of 18 barn quilt squares created by 4-H Clubs highlighting our farms and the beauty of rural Lorain County, and One Lorain County connecting diverse grassroots urban voices and strengthening community ties. Her goal with each initiative is to invest and empower individuals to follow their passions to be difference makers in their own ways.

Accepting the honor, Styer advocated for a new leadership framework of relational leadership focusing on inclusion and sharing power in building a vision for a more meaningful and sustainable future.

“Inclusion and working together is the only way we will survive the 21st century,” Styer said. Lorain County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Gallo called small businesses the unsung heroes of communities and spoke on the importance of advocating for Lorain County’s business community, reflecting on giving close to $750,000 back to small businesses through grants during the COVID-19 pandemic, pledging to continue to fight for Lorain County.

Carmen Verhosek was honored Friday with the Emerald Award for Inspirational Leadership. An attorney and partner at Dooley Gembala McLaughlin & Pecora, Verhosek said she was humbled and honored to be recognized.

Amherst’s Workshop Players Theatre presents ‘Barefoot in the Park’

JOHN BENSON FOR THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

When it comes to Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” most folks either know the show thanks in part to the Tony Awardwinning production on Broadway or the Academy Award-nominated film.

For local community theater veteran Dave MacKeigan, his entry point to the Simon classic was the former.

“Way back in 1981, I was in the military stationed in Louisiana,” MacKeigan said. “My wife auditioned for ‘Barefoot in the Park’ and got the lead part of Corie. I got pulled in to do the technical side.

“Then I was deployed to Germany where they gave me an opportunity to direct the show, which I did in 1984 or 1985. That’s my first time directing it. I never directed ‘Barefoot in the Park’ again but I did a whole bunch of other shows.”

Those whole bunch of shows included plenty at Workshop Players Theatre, where MacKeigan returns again directing, you guessed it, “Barefoot in the Park.”

The local company presents the comedy featuring a cast of six performing weekends Feb. 23 through March 5 at the Amherst venue. “It’s a quirky show that gives the cast a lot of opportunities to have a lot of fun,” MacKeigan said.

The narrative revolves around newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter. The former is a straight-as-an-

Harvest

two organizations have a long history of partnership and 40 years of working together to bring the community “much-needed food and hope.”

Volunteering with Second Harvest for 30 years, Nordson also played a role in the organization’s expansion to its present facility, directly impacting its ability to respond to the increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nagajaran said Nordson has always sought to invest in the communities it serves as part of its rich heritage, investing $13 million in Northeast Ohio in 2022, and carrying that philosophy to communities it operates in across the country.

On Monday, Chase-Mo- arrow lawyer, the latter a free spirit.

Married for just six days, the couple has just moved into their overpriced and underwhelming apartment when Corie’s mother drops in.

The director said the legendary playwright was on to something special, capturing the nascent and delicate early days of nuptials.

“It’s one of what I think is Neil Simon’s better pieces,” MacKeigan said. “I like the era, I like the way the characters play out. It’s a walk down nostalgia lane for me. It also hits on early marriage and the things that happen.

“Every young couple at one time or another has gone through the same kind of thing where you just get so wound up but, yet, you are compatible and everything works out in the end. They don’t get divorced — spoiler alert.” refield said the campaign comes at a tumultuous period, with Second Harvest still seeing a 30 percent increase in demand for services from pre-pandemic levels.

With federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits set to end at the end of February, the need could grow with ripple effects throughout Lorain County.

“We’re really concerned and we’ve never seen a drop this significant and so it’s hard to say what sort of impact it’s going to have because it’s coupled with high gas prices and inflation especially,” ChaseMorefield added.

The campaign couldn’t come at a better time, she said, not only to raise

If You Go

WHAT: Workshop Players Theatre presents Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25 and March 3-4; 3 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 5

WHERE: Workshop Players, 44820 Middle Ridge Road, Amherst TICKETS: $18.50

INFO: call (440) 634-0472 or visit facebook.com/ WorkshopPlayersTheatre

Another spoiler alert is in regard to MacKeigan’s next Workshop Players Theatre show.

While he originally was supposed to do “Pippin” before the pandemic shut down the production, the musical will have to wait.

“Maybe we’ll do ‘Pippin’ in a couple of years,” MacKeigan said. “Next, I’m directing ‘12 Angry Jurors.’” awareness about food insecurity but also to respond to the multiple factors in play with benefits ending along with the continuing impact of inflation.

For the average senior citizen, benefits will decrease on average from around $283 to $23. Across the board, the average drop is $170 up to $560 for a family.

SNAP benefits account for approximately $4 million spent monthly in Lorain County grocery stores. Changes to the program could result in economic shifts locally.

Chase-Morefield explained every $1 in SNAP benefits has a multiplier effect of $1.90 in economic impact.