Northeast Ohio Parent Avon Lake Community Focus August 2021

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A v o n Lake

AVON LAKE LIVING

Find out why residents love this family-friendly town

August 2021 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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Avon Lake Cares

By Angela Gartner

A PARENT PROJECT IN THIS CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY TO HELP PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

M Top: Mendy and her “Mom,” Avon Lake High School teacher Mrs. Bair were nominated to receive gift cards donated by EarthWise Pet in Avon Lake. Mrs. Bair and Mendy were nominated because Mendy’s visits to the high school brought students a sense of normalcy during the stressful year. Middle:The group connected school employees and families with donations including financial assistance paying utility bills, holiday gifts, and clothing in times of need.

Bottom: Many requested materials and activities to entertain and occupy students during indoor recess. Photos courtesy of Avon Lake Cares

eghan Barlow and her family have lived in Avon Lake for 15 years. As a clinical pediatric psychologist, she volunteered in her children’s school district to provide continuing education with a workshop for teachers on balancing work-life stress.

The pandemic brought additional stressors to teachers and parents across the U.S., and the Avon Lake community was not spared. Parents like Barlow who were heavily involved in the schools wanted to do more to help the educators.

A committee of parents formed Avon

Lake Cares, supported by the PTA, to provide resources and support to faculty and staff in the school district. “(We) wanted to show them that we cared about them, especially this year,” Barlow says. “It’s a win-win situation. This was a way the parents could contribute in a meaningful way and help parents feel a little better about the school year.”

Avon Lake City Schools is a close-knit school community. Barlow says the schools were open to the project and wanted to help make things work. She says the whole community participated.

“There were so many people who wanted to help and were so willing to give,” she says, adding they were surprised at how quickly they received responses to requests.

Avon Lake Cares used Facebook to solicit resources and donations for school requests and teacher appreciation efforts.

Many of the teachers requested specific classroom materials, but the group also helped teachers help their students and organized campaigns to send teachers gift cards, raffles and notes to show they care.

For this school year, she hopes the project will continue in some capacity and keep providing support over the next several years.

“I always knew teachers’ jobs didn’t stop when the school bell rung, but I didn’t fully appreciate how much they do on their own,” she says. “This year we got to see the depth of what they do for our kids.”

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m i e T i d n n e p S

Avon Lake

This town has plenty to offer its residents and visitors

By Sterling Haynes

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von Lake offers plenty of family-friendly activities for parents and children of all ages to enjoy. When spending the day in the city, consider visiting the following hotspots in town and nearby cities.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVON LAKE

ACTIVITIES & SHOPPING

Enjoy a lakeside view at Miller Road Park (33760 Lake Rd.). Packed into the 14.7 acres are a gazebo, fishing pier, benches, playground and open areas for children to play. Walk along a paved trail or bring a bike. Picnic tables and grills are available for family gatherings. Also, check out the other city parks such as Veteran’s Memorial Park (32756 Lake Road) avonlake.org/ our-community/our-parks For more outdoor activities, Lorain County Metro Parks Kopf Family Reservation (32649 Electric Blvd.) is right in town to enjoy the wooded scenery. Come try the trails, playground, have a family picnic and participate in other park fun. loraincountymetroparks.com/kopffamily-reservation Looking for a fun night out or friendly-family competition? Head to Spevocks Nautical Lanes. (184 Miller Rd.). This 21lane bowling center features a full service bar and lounge, as well as state-of-the-art Extreme Rock N Bowl sound and a light show system. nauticalbowling.com Looking for a new bike, for you or the kids? Marty’s Cycle Center (453 Avon

Belden Rd.) has a variety of different brands, including road, kids, BMX, mountain bikes and more. Meet these bike specialists who have been in business since 1986. martyscycle.com The Anchor is an indoor space (33483 Lake Rd.) to play sports. Hit balls in the batting cages, play pickleball, basketball, tennis and volleyball. This is a great recreational facility that provides opportunities for everyone. avonlakeoh.myrec.com The Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center (32850 Electric Blvd.) has plenty of opportunities for splash fun with water slides and a pool. The whole family can also enjoy outside activities with tennis courts, playground and more. Pool is open to residents and guests of residents. avonlakeoh.myrec.com Check out a great storybook at the Avon Lake Public Library (32649 Electric Blvd.). Returning this fall is Discovery works with science-based learning activities for kids. alpl.org If you are looking to stretch out your mind or body, visit Avon Lake Yoga (379 Lear Rd., Suite 300). Classes, workshops and more for teens and adults. avonlakeyoga.com Good Neighbor Thrift Shop (158 Lear Rd.). Have your family shop for gently-used clothing and household items, with all profits supporting the Avon Lake United Church of Christ giving program. avonlakeucc.org/thrift-shop/

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HOT AND COLD TREATS

Head over to Fenik’s Frozen Custard for a frozen treat (684 Avon Belden Rd.). Unlike traditional ice cream, frozen custard contains egg yolks. Fenik’s serves homemade frozen custard, ice cream, sorbet, and non-dairy frozen desserts in Avon Lake, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties. Signature flavors include French Silk, Salty Caramel Truffle, French Roast Coffee and Flavor of the Week. feniksfrozencustard.com Grab a cup of exotic coffee at Rio Coffee Brewery (33888 Walker Rd.).

Professional baristas roast over 20 varieties of beans twice a week. Try coffee from Kenya, Ethiopia, Adagio blends, and Rio Asoba blends. Stop by for freshly prepared soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. Full bakery includes muffins, cinnamon rolls, and apple turnovers. coffeeatrio.com There’s a new ice cream shop in Avon Lake: family-owned and operated Isla’s Ice Cream (140 Lear Road, Avon Lake), which opened this summer.

Check out their flavors and celebrate this new opportunity for cool treats in the city. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ islasicecream for hours and info.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KLINGSHIRN WINERY

EarthWise Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa (375 Lear Rd.).

This locally-owned store provides pet grooming and products for all your furry friends’ needs. If you are unsure what’s best to feed your pet, they have a certified pet dietitian who can help. avonlake.earthwisepet.com/avonlake

GRAB A BITE TO EAT

Parker’s Grille & Tavern is an American bistro-style restaurant in Avon Lake (32858 Walker Rd). From specialty burgers and hand-cut steaks to flatbreads and fresh salads, Parker’s has something for every taste. Enjoy impeccable service and an award-winning selection of wines, cocktails, and beers.

View the menu at parkersgrilleandtavern.com Refined Italian Cuisine and fine wine awaits at Fratellos (32085 Electric Blvd.). Fratello’s is an unpretentious white-tablecloth eatery offering familiar Italian dishes & a variety of wines. Menu includes breaded veal with a roasted tomato pesto, linguini with clam sauce, fettuccini alfredo, and almond-and-walnut-crusted chicken on a bed of spinach topped with Asiago cheese and steamed mussels. fratellos.net Klingshirn Winery is a family tradition of excellence since 1935 (33050 Webber Rd.). Stop by the family-owned winery for inexpensive regionally-produced wine tastings. Customers can also purchase freshly-cut flowers, various plants, and freshly picked seasonal produce. Bring along food to eat with the wine and enjoy it outside at one of many picnic tables. klingshirnwine.com Be sure to check hours of operation and health guidelines for each establishment before visiting.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVON LAKE

BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS SPECIAL ADVERTISER LISTINGS JOSEPH L. MOTTA CO., LPA

Joseph L. Motta Co., LPA is devoted to protecting families from life’s most challenging situations. Their goal is to provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have planned your affairs to help avoid the financial disruptions that often accompany death or incapacity. Each client receives our personal attention because we want you to feel comfortable discussing issues that can be emotionally difficult to address. Avon Lake, 440-9302826, josephlmotta.com

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

At Lorain County Metro Parks, you never have to hear “There’s nothing to do.”

Take the family on the paddle boats at Wellington Reservation. Visit the beach at Lakeview Park.

Explore the children’s discovery trail at Carlisle. With the Lorain County Metro Parks, nature is always nearby.

Loraincountymetroparks.com

SWEET KIDDLES A flexible childcare center providing high-quality, convenient, cost-effective care whenever you need it.

Just reserve time on the easy online portal or smartphone app. Care for children 6 weeks to 12 years, with before- and after-school programs, Preschool and Pre-K. With five locations in the Cleveland area, you can find the one that best fits your needs. Best of all, when you don’t come, you don’t pay. sweetkiddles.com

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On the shores of a beautiful Great Lake, we welcome visitors to enjoy our Avon Lake. Visitors and residents enjoy summer concerts in various parks around the city as they relax with cool breezes off of Lake Erie. Avon Lake is a great place to play with a myriad of programs and events such as: Fishing with Friends, Star Parties, Baseball Summer Classic, Big Trucks, Yoga in the Park, and The Trail of Haunted Tales.

VERTAVA HEALTH

Vertava Health provides evidence-based and comprehensive behavioral health care to help people achieve long-term success in recovery and wellness. With inpatient rehabs and outpatient wellness centers across the country as well as virtual behavioral health care options, they offer a full continuum of addiction treatment and co-occurring mental health care. They also offer a wide range of services including individual counseling, support groups, family therapy, medication management, and more to meet people’s varying needs on their journey to heal. vertavahealth.com/rocky-river

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—Avon Lake Mayor Gregory Zilka

avonlake.org Economic Development and city business opportunities: avonlake.org/economic-development Avon Lake Parks and Recreation: avonlakeoh.myrec.com Avon Lake Historical Society: heritageavonlake.org Avon Lake City Schools: avonlakecityschools.org Avon Lake Early Childhood PTA: alecpta.com Avon Lake Public Library: alpl.org Kopf Family Reservation, Lorain County Metro Parks, Avon Lake: loraincountymetroparks.com/kopf-family-reservation Avon Lake Boat Launch and Fishing Pier: avonlake.org/our-community/boat-launch Avon Lake Community Garden: avonlakecommunitygarden.org Cornerstone Preschool, Avon Lake: cornerstonepreschoolal.com Goddard School of Avon Lake: goddardschool.com/schools/oh/avon-lake St. Joseph Parish School, Avon Lake: stjosephparishschool.org

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