CVT

Chagrin Falls, Solon make it through first round

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❑ Page C1 Volume 41 / Number 7, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

November 10, 2011 • 75¢

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ISSN 0194-3685

Mayoral winners:

Bain, Mulcahy, Riley victorious

By SALI McSHERRY

• Election results, Page 5.

No coin toss was necessary in a Pepper Pike rematch between the victor, former Councilman Richard Bain, and current Councilman Frederick Taft, this time in a run for mayor, with a vote of 1,877-762, according to unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

In Orange, incumbent Mayor Kathy Mulcahy handily won against village Councilman Edward Bonk with 65 percent of the vote, 974-521. And in Gates Mills, Councilman Shawn Riley beat out Councilman Douglas Bletcher in the race for mayor with almost 53 percent of the vote, 574-520, according to unofficial

results.

Mr. Bonk, Mr. Bletcher and Mr. Taft all are in the middle of four-year council terms and will retain their seats.

Ms. Mulcahy, who will begin her fifth term in January, said she looks forward to the opportunity to position Orange into being self-sustaining. She also has something else on her mind. Eight days ago, she became a grandmother for the first time, she said.

She said she has unfinished business that includes moving forward with a merger study with Moreland

Richard Bain Pepper Pike

Kathy Mulcahy Orange

Shawn Riley Gates Mills

Hills, Pepper Pike and Woodmere in which Cuyahoga County is taking the lead.

Back in 2005, after recounts, Mr. Bain and Mr. Taft, both attorneys by profession, finished in a tie for the final seat on City Council. Mr. Taft ended up winning the seat by coin toss.

The plan to lead Pepper Pike back to fiscal health is Mr. Bain’s focus, he said, and he will implement the Please turn to next page

High school in Orange shut by bomb threat

By SALI McSHERRY

Photo by Itamar Gat

Waiting and talking (Left to right) Judi Naft and Jean Bain, both of Pepper Pike, Daria Hamond, of Orange, Pepper Pike Mayor-elect Richard Bain and Councilman-elect Anthony Gentile were in front of the polls Tuesday morning at Garfield Memorial Church at Lander Circle.

Orange levy OK’d; West G loses

By SUE HOFFMAN Voters in the Orange School District handily approved its 5-mill operating levy Tuesday. Based on unofficial Cuyahoga County Board of Elections results, 3,508 voters, or 60 percent, approved the levy, and 2,366 voters, or 40 percent, voted against it.

The ballot issue was the district’s first operating levy since 2004.

While the Orange levy was strongly supported, voters in the West Geauga School District turned down a 0.95-mill permanent-improvement levy for the second time with a vote of 3,927-3,512.

Please turn to next page

On top of anxiety and worry, Orange High School students and staff will have to make up three days of school because of a bomb threat that closed school this week.

The high school was closed to students and staff Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and it was unclear as of Wednesday morning whether it would be closed Thursday.

As of Wednesday morning, bomb-sniffing dogs had combed the high school twice and found nothing suspicious, Pepper Pike Police Chief James Crivel said. The FBI was called in Tuesday and was working with school resource officer Todd Bennett.

The threats were made by email to high school administrators and the school superintendent beginning Sunday night, communications coordinator Louis DeVincentis said. Another threat was made Monday night, and on Tuesday night, the threat was sent to some teachers, as well as administrators, he said.

The FBI had leads, but no information was available early Wednesday because of the ongoing investigation, according to the bureau and Orange schools officials.

The school district had reached out to the community for assistance, asking people to call high school Principal Paul Lucas if they have any information.

The safety and security of the students is the priority, Mr. Lucas said.

“We know you are all concerned, and we are confident that an arrest will be made in this situation. The person or persons involved will be punished to the full extent of the law, and they will have to bear the full cost of this investigation,” School Superintendent Nancy Wingenbach said.

All extracurricular activities at the high school were canceled. In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, school closings due to bomb threats are not covered by calamity days, also known as snow days, so they must be made up.

Plans had been to reopen the school Wednesday. As a safety precaution, no book bags, backpacks or large bags of any kind were to be allowed in the high school or on the bus, and small purses could be subject to search, according to Mr. Lucas. If school were to reopen today (Nov. 10) the same protocol was to be in place.

Anyone with information regarding the threat is asked to call 216-831-8600, ext. 2601.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Auburn hosts drilling forum

Chamber looks at economy

Leaf collection keeping up

Auburn Township and the Geauga County Planning Department, with county Planning Director David Dietrich, will host a forum on oil and gas drilling, with a focus on hydraulic fracturing.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Auburn’s Adam Hall on East Washington Street. It will provide information on leases and on drilling into deep shale formations.

An event held Oct. 27 in Hambden was well attended, according to Auburn Trustee Patrick J. Cavanagh, and the goal is to provide a similar forum in the southern area of the county.

Township Trustees will move their regular meeting that night to Adam Hall, starting the meeting at 7 p.m. and then shifting into the forum.

“This is a good opportunity for professionals to educate people,” Trustee John Eberly said. “It has been quite a controversial topic.”

Guhan Venkatu, an economist in the research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, will be the featured speaker at the Nov. 15 luncheon meeting of the Solon Chamber of Commerce. He will present information on the economic and financial issues that affect businesses and residents in the Fourth District comprised of Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. His recent research focused on the housing and mortgage markets in this district.

The event is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Hawthorne Valley Country Club, 27840 Aurora Road in Solon. Admission is $20 for chamber members and their guests and $40 for nonmembers. Registration deadline is 3 p.m. Nov. 11, with late registrations charged an additional $5, if space is available. Call the chamber at 440-2485080 to register. Prepaid reservations are requested.

Service Director Thomas Bandiera reported to Solon City Council’s public works committee last week that leaf collection is in progress, and 3,000 yards of leaves have been collected.

Weather permitting, leaves will be collected through mid-December, Mr. Bandiera said. “I’m pleased with the progress.”

Students may compile survey

Veterans pavilion rededicated

Auburn Trustees are considering the use of a Kenston High School statistics class to compile information on a survey sent out to township residents. The township sent out 2,200 surveys, and information will be used to support Auburn’s land-use planning.

The township zoning commission updates the land-use plan every 10 years, working with the Geauga County planning commission.

Trustee Patrick J. Cavanagh told fellow trustees Monday that he talked with teacher Thomas Gabram, who said the work could be done by Christmas break. They did not talk of costs, but the township would pay for any materials used in the project, he said.

Burton Township will host a rededication of its veterans pavilion at 10 a.m. Nov. 12 at the township park immediately south of the Town Hall.

Trustee James Dvorak said the ceremony will include various Geauga County officials and the placing of a new sign on the pavilion.

He said, when the veterans pavilion was in need of repair recently, Marous Brothers and Carter Lumber in Middlefield provided free labor and materials to shore it up.

GOP chairman is guest speaker The Southeast Republicans will host Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chairman Rob Frost for their next meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Solon Community Center on Portz Parkway. Doors open at 6:30, and the forum is open to everyone.

Mr. Frost will speak on the Nov. 8 election results and address the role that grassroots clubs like the Southeast Republicans can have on the 2012 election.

For more information, call Dennis Tidmore at 440-498-1396.

Geauga police dog featured Midge, considered the world’s smallest K-9 drug-sniffing dog, is gaining more national attention.

Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland, Midge’s owner and handler, said crews from the Discovery Channel’s “Animal Planet” were in the county last week to film Midge’s exploits for an upcoming special on amazing animals. He said no date for the show has been announced.

He said crews arrived at 7 a.m. and left by 5:30 p.m., after following Midge on a typical day. It included a stop at St. Anselm’s Catholic School in Chester for a talk on substance abuse and a staged traffic stop.

Roof replacement progresses Service Director Thomas Bandiera told Solon City Council’s public works committee last week that progress on the roof replacement for the service department is going along well.

He showed photographs of the progress and said that the full-time quality-assurance monitor is briefing the city daily on the project.

“I would like to say we will be done on schedule,” Mr. Bandiera said, but rain days have played a part in a bit of a delay. “As long as we have good weather, they are moving quickly,” he said. “They are under contract to complete phase one by Nov. 30.” He said he does not want to force the contractor to work in rainy weather.

City breaks rainfall record Sewer division manager William Drsek reported to Solon City Council’s public works committee last week that the city has broken the record of rainfall for the year. The average rainfall to date is 38 inches, “and we are well over 50,” he reported.

The division received 50 sewer calls for the month of October, he said, “and things appear to be working well.”

Workers also visited the city’s flood control areas twice during the month, Mr. Drsek said.

During the fall, residents are encouraged to make an extra effort to keep leaves off the roads and onto the tree lawns, so they do not cover the catch basins, he said.

Mayors

From previous page

recommendations of the citizen-based financial review committee. While the city has adopted some of the recommendations that were reported in April to City Council, many have not been, he said.

Mr. Riley, who has been a Gates Mills councilman for nine years, also will focus on finances. “The village is facing serious fiscal challenges,” he said. “I have the experience and appropriate collegial nature to foster the necessary teamwork and cooperation to accomplish what needs to be done.”

Ms. Mulcahy, a certified public accountant, said, “Under my stewardship, the village has been able to accumulate $2 million in reserves. We have

no unfunded debt, a very high bond rating, a dedicated revenue source to maintain our village’s infrastructure, thus relieving a huge budget challenge felt by all communities, and managed to keep fiscal stability during challenging economic times.”

She and her opponent, Mr. Bonk, have sparred over several village issues. Ms. Mulcahy was a proponent of purchasing land for a service center and expanded parkland that was approved by voters last fall, while Mr. Bonk opposed the sale.

Mr. Bain said Tuesday night he was planning to attend the Pepper Pike budget review meeting yesterday (Nov. 9) and already has spoken to outgoing

Mayor Bruce H. Akers about getting involved in upcoming meetings pertaining to the running of the city. He said he wants to “hit the road running.”

Other plans for Pepper Pike include establishing a structure for wages, benefits and human resource programs and initiating and pursuing opportunities for responsible regional cooperation, Mr. Bain said.

“The residents of Pepper Pike have responded to my message for positive change, and we have together turned the page to go forward to realize a bright future for our city. I look forward to working with council, the department heads, employees and our residents so that we can, together, accom-

Levy

plish the necessary tasks that lie ahead.”

Mr. Riley, an attorney and head of the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins, said he wants to reach out to his opponent for the Gates Mills mayor’s position, Mr. Bletcher. “I value him as a councilman and contributor,” he said.

Mr. Riley was backed by the political action committee, Gates Mills Forward, led by Robert Reitman, who is village tax administrator, and Councilman William Barnes, who is treasurer of the group. Mayor Connie White also endorsed him.

From previous page

The levy would have generated $631,480 a year for school facility maintenance and cost homeowners $29 per year per $100,000 of market value.

The Orange operating levy will generate an estimated $5 million a year and cost property owners about $153 per $100,000 valuation annually.

“I’m grateful,” Orange School Superintendent Nancy Wingenbach said Wednesday. “I think it’s exciting to have the community confirm their support through their votes. They indicated they believe in what we’re doing.”

Dr. Wingenbach said the district will

continue to tighten its belt even with the levy passage. “We made it clear we’re still reducing expenditures.” She said that intention gave the levy committee a good message to share with the community.

Dr. Wingenbach gave credit to longtime school board member Cynthia Eickhoff, who led the levy campaign.

“It was well organized and tightly constituted,” she said, focusing on all the positive aspects of the school district.

Orange school officials also pointed out that the district had extended its levy cycle three years beyond the

school board’s original four-year projection. The district had reduced expenditures by $1.4 million, they said.

In the West Geauga district, school board President William Beers said, “We’re disappointed it didn’t pass. We responded to the community’s request to limit the levy to five years.

Obviously, it was not enough.”

West Geauga voters had turned down a 0.95-mill permanent-improvement levy last May that would not have required renewal. They also rejected a 1.12-mill bond issue in November 2010 which would have been used for facili-

ty maintenance.

Mr. Beers said essential repairs must be done. “We’ll have to look at reductions in staff and programs to fund the most critical safety issues,” he said.

The levy was to be used to replace roofs nearing the end of their cycle, as well as old rooftop heating units, and resurface parking lots that have weather-related damage and high volume of traffic. School officials also were looking to replace exterior tiles at the high school and middle school with a more durable product.

Chagrin Valley Rotary Club Rotary International, For more information: where together friends make a Contact: Martine Scheuermann at 440.247.6118 martinehome@roadrunner.com difference. Here and around the world. www.chagrinvalleyrotary.com

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Two councilmen lose Russell trustee loses; seats in Chagrin Falls Auburn trustee wins

By BARBARA CHRISTIAN

Two Chagrin Falls incumbent councilmen, Adam Jacobs and Robert Williams, lost bids to retain their seats in Tuesday’s election.

That race saw 10 candidates in a race for seven council seats. Among the winners who will take their places on the council dais Jan. 1, 2012, are three first-time candidates — Michael N. Chess, James Holdren and James Newell.

Incumbent council members who held onto their seats Tuesday are Janis Evans, Janna Lutz, Council President Steven Patton and Richard Subel.

Election night totals had Mrs. Evans in first place with 926 votes, followed: by Mr. Patton with 894; Ms. Lutz, 760; Mr. Subel, 744; Mr. Chess, 731; Mr. Holdren, 631 and Mr. Newell, 625.

Mr. Jacobs garnered 583 votes and Mr. Williams ended with 532. Denise Moore, also a first-time candidate, received 547 votes.

All vote totals are unofficial until the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections certifies them later this month.

Mrs. Evans, owner of Evans Printing in Solon, said she’s relieved the election is over and spent part of Tuesday night collecting the 100 political signs she had put out in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s election.

“It’s an honor to serve your community, and I am just so grateful to everyone who supported me and helped me,” she said. “I will do my very best to help our village get going in the right direction.”

Controversy over the development of former village land on West Orange Street was an example of the

direction council should avoid in the future, she said. “Council was lax in our communication skills, and we need to do better at that.”

Before the election, Mrs. Evans said big projects like the West Orange Street development needed to be better explained, She proposed an oversight committee to serve as liaison between any developer and residents.

Tuesday evening, Mrs. Evans said she plans to pursue that idea.

“Projects of more than a single home need to have some oversight,” she said. “We are going to have to figure out a way to do that.”

Mr. Chess and Mr. Holdren were successful in their first tries for public office and ran as a team promising to value the village’s past.

Mr. Chess has firsthand knowledge about the good old days, he said. He grew up in the village. He had spoken at council meetings, critical of the handling of the West Orange Street development.

Mr. Newell’s campaign consisted visiting virtually every home in the village. A civil engineer, he told voters his experience as development review coordinator for Fort Collins, Colo., would serve the village well, because he has knowledge of municipal infrastructure.

Mrs. Evans said she welcomes the new council members but is sorry council will lose Mr. Jacobs’ and Mr. Williams’ experience and talents.

“Bob knew his stuff on the board of zoning appeals and was invaluable,” she said of Mr. Williams. “And Adam brought so much knowledge about our accounting systems.”

Mrs. Evans said she sees their loss is part of an “overall mood in the country about incumbents.”

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN One incumbent lost to a challenger Tuesday among the Auburn, Bainbridge and Russell trustees races, while one incumbent held off his opponent.

Russell incumbent Kristina Port, who is finishing her first four-year term will not return, after losing with 1,043 votes to Justin Madden, who won with 1,156 votes. Candidate Martin Winston received 252 votes.

In Auburn Township, incumbent Trustee Patrick J. Cavanagh saw opposition but took the top spot with 1,517 votes, while his challenger, Claudine Steinfurth, got took 934 votes.

One seat on the board of trustees in Bainbridge is being vacated by incumbent Trustee Matthew Lynch, who ran for judge of Chardon Municipal Court.

He lost in the judgeship race Tuesday to Terri Stupica, of Chester. Candidate Tim Snyder came in third in the race.

Those who sought to gain the Bainbridge trustee seat were Christopher Horn, Henry Vavrik and Jeremiah Polz. Mr. Horn, a former trustee, won the race with 2,852 votes, while Mr. Vavrik garnered 686 votes and Mr. Polz 623 votes.

In Russell, Mr. Madden is a member of the Russell zoning commission and former member of the township board of zoning appeals.

He is an attorney and a partner in the Cleveland law firm of Landskroner Grieco Madden Ltd. “I learned one candidate doesn’t win a race,” Mr. Madden said. His success indicates the support and encouragement of many people in Russell, he said. “They want the township to remain the way it is,” he said. “They wanted a candidate who will keep it the way it is, a quiet community with residential character.”

He said he is going to post hours at

the administration building to talk to township employees. “I want to sit down with them and I’m excited about working with them for the benefit of our Russell residents,” Mr. Madden said.

In Russell, Mr. Winston opposed the single-trash contract for the township and said he created more information for voters. “Voters have an appreciation for turning the light on so government doesn’t operate in the dark,” he said.

Auburn Trustee Patrick Cavanagh has lived in the township his entire life and is a fourth-generation dairy farmer.

He was first elected as a trustee in 1995 for a four-year term. He was reelected to the seat in 2003 and in 2007.

He said he believes township zoning is strong in the township and addresses current issues. Mr. Cavanagh also noted that the township is on strong footing financially.

Mr. Horn said this week, “I’m pleased by the support of the Bainbridge community. At the same time, I know I have to fill many expectations.”

Mr. Horn said he sought to make thoughtful decisions for the township when he served as a trustee from 1996 to 2007.

“I think you have to evaluate issues and make decisions and move on,” Mr. Horn said. “Sometimes it appears the trustees are discussing issues that came up when I was on board.”

He would like to review budget issues and five-year plans for the township departments and move forward on them, he said.

Mr. Horn would also like to reinstate a newsletter to residents, he said.

“Communications are important.”

Russell Fiscal officer Geraldine Heck, Auburn Fiscal Officer Susan Plavcan and Bainbridge Fiscal Officer Cherianne Measures all ran for re-election unopposed.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Chagrin Valley election results BENTLEYVILLE

WOODMERE

Mayor (elect 1) Leonard A. Spremulli

273

Village Council (elect 2) Kathleen Hale Jonathan Slain

218 176

CHAGRIN FALLS VILLAGE Mayor (elect 1) Thomas G. Brick

Village Council (elect 7) Michael Chess Janis Evans James Holdren Adam Jacobs Janna Lutz Denise Moore James Newell Steven E. Patton Richard J. Subel Robert Williams Referendum Bell Street Park Lease For Against

1,014 731 926 631 583 760 547 625 894 744 532

Village Council (elect 4) Tennyson Adams Gerald J. Carrier Jennifer M. Earley Sandra Hahn Benjamin Holbert Marie Jones Stuart Lecht Sanford Rosenbluth Azaadjeet Singh

117 74 80 42 121 46 67 51 98

AUBURN

Township Trustee (elect 1) Patrick J. Cavanagh Claudine R. Steinfurth

1,517 934

Fical Officer (elect 1) Susan Plavcan

1,837

1-mill Road Levy For Against

1,752 900

BAINBRIDGE 1,234 364

CHAGRIN FALLS TOWNSHIP

Township Trustee (elect 1) Christopher Horn Jeremiah C. Polz Henry Vavrick

2,852 623 686

Fiscal Officer (elect 1) Cherianne Measures

3,061

Trustee (elect 1) John Finley

873

Fiscal Officer (elect 1) Elizabeth Boles

823

1.85-mill Fire Levy For Against

2,405 2,266

Mayor (elect 1) Douglas Bletcher Shawn Riley

520 574

2-mill Road Levy For Against

3,006 1,655

Village Council (elect 3) Lawrence S. Frankel Mary M. Reynolds Nancy W. Sogg Sandra Turner Robert Weitzel Ed Welsh

431 525 474 502 414 564

Clerk (elect 1) Beth Decapite

651

GATES MILLS

3.5-mill Renewal Levy For Against Charter Amendment Renew Preservation Levy For Against

728 382

752 349

HUNTING VALLEY

Mayor (elect 1) Richard R. Hollington Jr. Village Council (elect 3) Barbara A. Burkhart Gerald Medinger Scott Mueller Lawrence Sears

261 194 199 178 168

MORELAND HILLS Mayor (elect 1) Susan C. Renda

Village Council (elect 3) Ted Buczek Daniel Fritz Stephen D. Richman Paul J. Stanard

1,069 677 676 839 545

ORANGE

Mayor (elect 1) Edward J. Bonk Kathy U. Mulcahy

521 974

Village Council (elect 3) Mark B. Bram Brandon Duber Frances R. Kluter Walter H. Krohngold Mark A. Parks Jr. Kevin Vonhaz

614 916 677 635 723 117

Charter Amendment Change Architecture Board For Against

1,148 215

PEPPER PIKE

Mayor (elect 1) Richard M. Bain Frederick Taft

1,877 762

City Council (elect 3) Anthony Gentile James LeMay Gail B. Mayland Clevis Svetlik

1,646 1,839 1,959 827

RUSSELL

Township Trustee (elect 1) Justin Madden Kristina Port Martin Winston

1,156 1,043 252

Fiscal Officer (elect 1) Geraldine E. Heck

1,741

1-mill Park Levy For Against

1,658 939

SOUTH RUSSELL Mayor (elect 1) Matthew E. Brett

1,389

Village Council (elect 2) John O. Binder James Flaiz

1,071 892

4.2-mill Expenses Levy For Against

1,131 521

CHAGRIN FALLS SCHOOLS Board of Education (elect 2) Harry G. Cashy Michael F. Hogan Todd D. Lyle

2,084 2,352 1,033

ORANGE SCHOOLS

Board of Education (elect 2) Thomas J. Bonda Pippa L. Carter Angela Wilkes

3,260 1,287 2,875

5-mill Operating Levy For Against

3,508 2,366

KENSTON SCHOOLS

Board of Education (elect 2) Joan Hamilton James P. Jimison Anne Randall Christopher Smith

2,067 3,043 3,643 1,374

WEST GEAUGA SCHOOLS Board of Education (elect 3) Jackie Dottore Michael B. Kilroy Anthony Kosley Ben Kotowski Robert A. Somrak Jr. Dawn M. Toth

2,951 3,107 1,049 2,959 1,985 1,866

0.95-mill Improvement Levy For 3,512 Against 3,927 Chardon Municipal Court (elect 1) Matthew J.D. Lynch 12,977 Timothy H. Snyder 5,415 Terri L. Stupica 13,141

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Retired police chief wins spot on board

By SUE HOFFMAN A victory by retired Bainbridge Police Chief James P. Jimison in the Kenston School Board race Tuesday means that school board President Joan Hamilton will be stepping down at the end of the year.

Mr. Jimison, who served on the school board for a short time in 2006, received 3,043 votes, while Ms. Hamilton, now completing a total of 10 years on the school board, received 2,067.

“I’m glad I was voted in and I’ll do the best job I can,” Mr. Jimison said.

While the election returned Mr. Jimison to the school board, the big winner in the four-way race for two seats was incumbent Anne Randall, who garnered 3,643 votes. Christopher Smith, who received 1,374 votes, lost his second bid for a seat.

Like Mrs. Randall, other incumbents were big winners in Tuesday’s Chagrin Valley school board races.

Among them, Thomas J. Bonda won

the most votes in the Orange School Board race, as did Michael B. Kilroy in his run for a second term on the West Geauga School Board.

Newcomers will also be abundant on the 2012 school boards, as a result of some incumbents deciding not to run for re-election.

In the Orange race, Mr. Bonda received 3,260 votes, and the other winner, newcomer Angela Wilkes, received 2,875 votes. Pippa L. Carter lost her second bid for a board seat with 1,287 votes.

Mr. Bonda, of Pepper Pike, now completing his third four-year term on the board, is vice president of business development for Outerbox Solutions.

Mrs. Wilkes, of Pepper Pike, is a clinical counselor and partner in a counseling practice and active volunteer in the schools. Both Mr. Bonda and Mrs. Wilkes had urged passage of the district’s 5-mill operating levy, which was approved by voters Tuesday.

Two newcomers will sit on the Chagrin Falls School Board. Michael F. Hogan and Harry G. Cashy will fill the

seats of Karen Wise and Elizabeth O’Neil, who decided not to seek re-election.

“I feel very fortunate,” Mr. Hogan said. The last time he ran for school board in 2009, he lost by 20 votes. This time he took the most votes. “I’m looking forward to being part of that group and lead the district to maintain its high standard,” he said.

Mr. Hogan received 2,352 votes, including 1,261 in Cuyahoga County and 1,091 in the Geauga County portion of the Chagrin district. Mr. Cashy won 2,084 votes, including 1,043 in Cuyahoga County and 1,041 in Geauga County.

Todd D. Lyle, who was defeated, received 1,033 votes, including 574 in Cuyahoga County and 459 in Geauga County.

In the West Geauga School District, Mr. Kilroy led the winners with 3,107 votes in a six-way race for three seats.

Newcomers Ben Kotowski, who captured 2,959 votes, and Jackie Dottore, with 2,951 votes, were the other win-

ners. Also running were Anthony Kosley, Robert A. Somrak Jr. and Dawn M. Toth. Two current board members, Benjamin Pintabona and Dean Patterson Jr. had decided not to run for re-election.

Mr. Kotowski, a graphic designer and member of the Russell zoning commission, said four respected people in the community helped him win with their endorsements. He said he has no particular agenda. “People want the continuity of keeping the quality of schools that we have traditionally had,” he said.

“First, we owe it to the community to provide the very best education for their children,” Mrs. Randall said in the Kenston race.

Mr. Jimison resigned from the school board eight months after taking office in 2006. Serving as police chief at the time, he said some school board members claimed the hiring of an off-duty policemen at school events could be a potential conflict. He said he did not agree with them, but his resignation was in the best interest of the school system and police department.

Voters give approval to continuing levies

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN A new 1.85-mill continuing levy for fire operations in Bainbridge was approved Tuesday by voters. The levy passed with a 2,405-2,266 vote.

Township officials predicted cuts in operation for the fire department if the new levy did not pass. Those cuts could have included not replacing some vehicles as part of the department’s plans over the next 10 years.

Residents will pay an additional $56.66 per $100,000 of market value.

The continuing levy will generate $1,002,888 in 2012.

The levy is needed to help fund fire department operations and staffing at

the station, according to officials.

Bainbridge Trustee Lorrie Benza thanked residents who voted Tuesday and those who spoke in support of the township fire and road levies.

“We know that in a tight economy, it is extremely difficult to support tax levies. Indeed it is a difficult decision for us as trustees to even ask our residents to do so,” Mrs. Benza said.

The new fire levy will maintain the number of firefighters and emergency medical service personnel assigned to each shift. To continue the response times and emergency services provided by the department, the levy was necessary, Mrs. Benza said.

Officials had stressed the levy was

not to be used for the addition to the fire station which is in the planning stages.

Voters in Auburn, Bainbridge, Russell and South Russell voted Tuesday on renewal levies as well. The renewal levies do not increase taxes.

In a 3,006-1,655 vote, Bainbridge residents approved a 2-mill, five-year road and bridge levy that will generate $734,117 annually starting in 2012.

Residents pay $40.99 per $100,000 of home market value.

In Auburn Township, residents gave their approval, 1,752-900, to a 1-mill, five-year, road and bridge renewal levy.

There will be no increase in the $30.15 cost annually per $100,000 market value. It generates $256.035 annually

for the roads.

Russell voters gave approval, 1,658939, to a park district 1-mill, five-year renewal park levy. Residents pay $16.50 per $100,000 of market value. It is expected to yield $149,313 in 2013. It has been used to purchase lands for parks, and officials said it maintains open space in the township and preserves water quality for water wells.

South Russell Village placed a 4.2mill, five-year renewal levy on the ballot.

It passed Tuesday 1,131 to 521 votes.

There will be no increase in the cost of $31.21 for each $100,000 of market value. The annual yield will be $166,441 in 2013 and is used for the general operating expenses of the village.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Villages’ newcomers rule Election Day

By SALI McSHERRY Five newcomers won election Tuesday to the village councils in Gates Mills, Hunting Valley and Woodmere.

In Gates Mills, newcomer Sandra Turner, who has been active in gas-well drilling safety issues, won a council seat with 502 votes. Council incumbents Ed Welsh, with 564 votes, and Mary Reynolds, with 525 votes, topped the list to win re-election. Former village Clerk Robert Weitzel lost his bid for council with 414 votes, newcomer Lawrence Scott Frankel followed with 431 votes, and Nancy Sogg, who is on the finance committee, also failed to win one of the three seats up for election with 474 votes.

Topping the list of winners for four council seats in Woodmere village was former Councilman Benjamin Holbert, with 121 votes, and newcomer Tennyson Adams, with 117 votes.

Azaadjeet Singh, who serves as an adviser to current Mayor Charles Smith, won a seat with 98 votes. Council President Jennifer Mitchell Earley, who was appointed to her seat by Mayor Yolanda Broadie, was fourth on the winning list with 80 votes.

Incumbent Woodmere Councilman Gerald Carrier lost his bid with 74 votes.

Also failing to win seats were newcomers Sandra Hahn, with 42 votes, Marie Jones, 46 votes, Sanford Rosenbluth, 51 votes, and Stuart Lecht, who previously ran unsuccessfully for council and mayor, with 67 votes.

Hunting Valley, where three Village Council seats were up for election, incumbent Councilman Lawrence Sears lost his seat with 130 votes. Newcomer Barbara Burkhart finished first with 161 votes, while newcomer Scott Mueller,

with 146 votes, and incumbent Gerald Medinger, with 154 votes, also won seats.

While he considered that all the candidates were well qualified, Hunting Valley Mayor John Wheeler had endorsed Mr. Sears and Mr. Medinger, saying they have focused on village priorities, with no personal agendas.

Dr. Turner said her first priority would be to meet each of the department leaders and staff who deliver services to Gates Mills residents. “I want them to understand that we will partner together on behalf of the village. I want to learn what they do and how they do it. I want them to share ideas, concerns and opportunities for efficiency and improvement of service delivery,” she said.

Mr. Singh said he wants to diversify the local economy in Woodmere by attracting more professional firms and financial companies, making the village a hub for regional headquarters for foreign companies. He had circulated petitions in an effort to recall council members Benjamin Clark and Glenda ToddMiller, who are in the middle of their four-year terms.

Mr. Holbert said it has been difficult in Woodmere to deliberate and move legislation along because of personal agendas and personality conflicts among council members and bickering with the mayor.

Mrs. Burkhart said she wants to ensure that Hunting Valley acts responsibly to protect its beauty and maintain infrastructure and steward finances.

Mrs. Reynolds said being re-elected affords her the opportunity to remain part of a strong team that thoughtfully has and will manage Gates Mills’ unpredictable revenue stream.

Orange, Pepper Pike newcomers gain seats

By SALI McSHERRY Three newcomers won council seats in Orange and Pepper Pike, while a former councilman was returned to office in Moreland Hills. Some incumbents also retained their seats in the three communities.

In Orange, newcomer Brandon Duber won with the most votes of the six candidates vying for three seats on Village Council. He received 916 votes, while longtime Councilman Mark Bram lost his seat with 614 votes, according to unofficial results from Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Council President Mark Parks Jr. took second with 723 votes, and veteran Councilwoman Frances Kluter was third with 677 votes to retain their seats. Newcomers Walter Krohngold, with 635 votes, and Kevin Vonhaz, with 117 votes, fell short.

Incumbent Councilwoman Gail Mayland topped the list of three winners in Pepper Pike with 1,959 votes.

Newcomers James LeMay took second with 1,839 votes and Anthony Gentile was third with 1,646 votes. Longtime Councilman Clevis Svetlik lost his bid for another term with 827 votes.

In Moreland Hills, Village Council President Stephen Richman led the pack with 839 votes, while Councilman Ted Buczek and former Councilman Daniel Fritz won seats with 677 and 676 votes, respectively. Councilman Paul Stanard lost with 545 votes.

Mr. Gentile said he would take his cue from Pepper Pike Mayor-elect Richard Bain. “As far as I am concerned, Rick will take the lead in this turnaround situation,” he said.

Mr. Gentile said he’s more than willing to offer advice based on his expertise as deputy finance director in Hunting Valley. He said he hopes the new elected officials will have transition meetings with outgoing Mayor Bruce H. Akers.

Mr. Duber, an attorney, said he will continue to attend Orange meetings before his January start as a Village Council member. He said he hopes the focus will be looking at new ideas

revolving around how the community can move forward, compete with other municipalities and surpass them.

Getting rid of the pettiness among some government officials also is on his list, he said.

Mr. Parks, who assists the chief Cuyahoga County fiscal officer and has been on Orange Village Council for four years, said he has demonstrated his ability to work with all council members.

Due to aggressive monitoring of finances, Orange is on solid ground, unlike some other communities which are experiencing layoffs and furloughs.

With 24 years of service to Orange, Mrs. Kluter said she will be a valuable legislator on the issue of regionalism.

In Moreland Hills, maintaining a high level of service during a time when the tax base is shrinking is a major issue.

From considering a regional approach to cost savings, securing grants, being selective and creative in bidding for products and services and building up contingency funds and focusing on needs versus wants, the village is ready, said Mr. Richman, an attorney who has served on council for almost eight years.

As a firefighter, Mr. Fritz said his experience in the public sector would bring the needed perspective for discussions on regional approaches..

Mrs. Mayland, Mr. Gentile and Mr. LeMay are in agreement about turning the city of Pepper Pike’s financial health around. They said there will be tough decisions to make and that transparency and trust in government will be vital to the success of the Pepper Pike.

Mr. LeMay, who was a member of the citizens financial review committee, said the recommendations to cut in employee compensation packages and place a road levy on the ballot warrant further discussion and action.

Mr. Svetlik said, “It has been a distinct honor and privilege to serve Pepper Pike as a councilman for the past 28 years. Over the last decade, our city has always been rated as one of the top 10 suburbs, and twice we were rated as No. 1.”

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8 THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Asbestos discovered in old bus garage

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN Asbestos has been found in the old school bus garage next to the Russell Police Station. Now, Township Trustees are looking at remediation costs, estimated at $10,000.

Russell Township bought the property with the bus garage in 1999 from the West Geauga School District.

The township has built police and fire stations on the property on Chillicothe Road (Route 306), where the old Russell School stood.

The school bus maintenance facility has been leased to the school district by the township until a new garage could be built at Metzenbaum Center in Chester.

EA Group, of Mentor, conducted the

environmental study in the building.

“The bus garage has a problem,” Trustee James Mueller said. “It turns out, there is asbestos.”

The school district will be asked to pay for the remediation expenses, according to trustees.

Trustee James Dickinson said his goal is to get West Geauga to pay those costs.

“We want to see the report and what was found,” he said. “My feeling is to send the report to the school board.”

The school district was leasing the building, so the question is what they are going to do about it, he said.

In January, the district agreed to remediate any environmental hazard, he said.

If the school district does nothing, the township will have to pay and then

send it the bill, according to Mr. Dickinson.

“We haven’t decided yet to tear it down,” he said. “But it’s an eyesore, and I don’t think it can be used.”

John Podgurski, legal counsel for the school district, said he has not seen the study yet. School district representatives will review it when it is received, he said.

The terms of the sale of the building have to be reviewed as well.

Mr. Podgurski also noted that Russell and West Geauga have the same taxpayers, who ultimately will pay the costs.

“The idea is to find a good neighbor way to resolve the matter,” he said.

Russell Trustee Kristina Port said the asbestos report is needed from the EA Group. “We’d like to see it. I think we

need to look at the report and from their recommendations take it to the next level,” she said.

The school district is the only entity to have ever occupied the bus garage, Mr. Mueller said.

“They didn’t think there was anything wrong, but they are obligated by the lease agreement,” he said. “They agreed to be responsible for environmental problems in the building.”

The asbestos is in the drywall materials in the structure, Mr. Mueller said. It was installed sometime in the 1950s or 1960s.

“We might have bought it as is, but we have a lease that says they agreed to deal with environmental problems,” Mr. Mueller said.

Suspects flee without beer

Bat taken from fighter

Repeat caller told to stop

Employees at the Giant Eagle supermarket at Tanglewood Square shopping center in Bainbridge reported Oct. 31 that an attempt was made to push a cart full of beer out of the store without paying.

When the suspects saw they had been spotted, they abandoned the beer, which was valued at about $100, and jumped in a car, according to the Bainbridge police report. They were pursued by a Bainbridge officer on Chillicothe Road (Route 306) south to Tamarack Trail, a cul-de-sac, where the vehicle was clocked at 70 mph before being blocked in.

Police conducted a search and found $75 worth of meat that had been taken from a store in Aurora.

Thomas Mundy, 21, of Ravenna, and Samantha Mitchell, 20, of Aurora, were charged with theft in the incident.

A Chagrin Falls resident reported Nov. 1 that a fight was under way on Center Street, and he had taken a baseball bat away from one of the juveniles involved. Chagrin Falls police officers found no one in the vicinity but took the bat for evidence.

A manager at Our Lady of the Wayside on Harvard Road in Orange reported Nov. 1 that a man had called 10 to 12 times in one day asking to speak to a female employee. He was told not to call her at work, the manager said.

After Orange police arrived, the man called twice.

An officer told the man not to call again or he could face a harassment charge.

Vehicles damaged in driveway Pepper Pike responded to a Nov. 4 report that two vehicles parked in a driveway on Kersdale Road were heavily damaged.

One vehicle had a shattered windshield and windows, along with a hole in the passenger-side window and scratches on the hood, police said, and a couple of rocks were found inside. The other vehicle dents, police said, and a door into the garage was damaged, but no entry was gained.

Gun pulled outside tavern

Shoplifting brings charges

Bainbridge police are investigating a Nov. 6 incident at the Greenville Inn in which an argument in the bar over a woman reportedly resulted in a gun being pulled in the parking lot outside.

Police were unable to locate the gun or its owner.

The incident is under investigation.

Two juveniles and an adult were arrested in connection with a Nov. 6 incident in which clothing valued at more than $100 was concealed and taken from the Wal-Mart store at Marketplace shopping center in Bainbridge.

A 12-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy from Bainbridge were released to their mother. Ashley Belk, 21, of Cleveland, was charged in the incident.

In a Nov. 1 incident at Wal-Mart, store security observed some clothing being paid for while other clothing items were not. Bainbridge police charged Stephanie Bolton, 31, of Garrettsville.

Cyclist hit; driver skips An 81-year-old Pepper Pike man was charged with hit-skip in connection with a Nov. 4 accident involving a car and a bicycle in the city.

Pepper Pike police said the cyclist was making a turn at Lander and South Woodland roads when she was cut off by a car. She suffered bumps and bruises, police said, but was able to ride home.

A witness followed the vehicle and recorded the license plate number, police said.

Charles Diebold, 81, of Creekside Drive, who was charged with hit-skip, told police he didn’t recall the incident, according to the report.

Wandering horses rounded up A resident of Riverview Drive in Bainbridge’s Spring Valley subdivision reported Nov. 7 that four black horses were in his front yard. Bainbridge police contacted the owner on Snyder Road and escorted her to round up the horses.

Snow job under investigation The Geauga County Sheriff’s Department is trying to determine whether three men sitting in a parking lot late at night were there legitimately or it was a snow job.

Lt. John Hiscox, of the sheriff’s department, said a patrolling deputy saw the men parked in a car behind the Pond on Washington Street in Auburn Township at about 1 a.m. Nov. 2. After being questioned, the men said they had received permission from a maintenance worker at the skating rink to take snow from the property, but they could not give a name of the maintenance worker.

Former boyfriend gets warning A resident of Carriage Hill in Chagrin Falls reported Nov. 1 that a former boyfriend who was prohibited from being on apartment property had just been there.

A Cleveland man was located on Main Street in Chagrin Falls and advised that he would be arrested for criminal trespassing if he was found on the propert. He told police he did not know he was prohibited from being there.

Santa didn’t take hostage Police went to check on a Bainbridge resident after a Cleveland woman reported Nov. 4 that she had called the man numerous times and was told that Santa Claus was holding him hostage and he was bound with duct tape.

According to Bainbridge police, an elderly man told them the kidnapping story was made up, because he didn’t want to talk to the woman.

Credit card hit for $4,000 A Pepper Pike resident reported Nov. 2 that $4,000 worth of fraudulent transactions had been made on his credit card. Pepper Pike police said 10 transactions were made on the card.

Car wrapped in cellophane A Bainbridge resident reported Nov. 1 that a car parked at the Tanglewood Square shopping center was found wrapped in cellophane. Bainbridge police said there have been several similar incidents reported recently in yards in the township.

Fabricated check cashed A representative of Emergency Response and Training Solutions in Bainbridge reported Nov. 4 that a company check for $2,992 had been cashed in the state of Washington. Bainbridge police said it appears that checks were fabricated by using information from the company’s checking account.

Arguing couple separated Chagrin Falls police responded to a 911 call on Maple Street Oct. 31 and separated two individuals who were arguing. According to the report, the couple said there had been no physical violence of threats of physical violence. No charges were filed.

Food-stamp card taken A Bainbridge resident reported Nov. 5 that her food-stamp card had been taken and used to purchase $340 worth of groceries. She told Bainbridge police the card was missing after an individual was in her house on Nov. 2.

ID used for credit purchases A Bainbridge resident reported Nov. 5 that someone used her identification to make purchases on her credit cards. Bainbridge police are investigating.

Landlord wants keys back The owner of a rental home in Chagrin Falls reported Nov. 4 that a tenant moved out, did not return the house keys and did not respond to telephone calls. Chagrin Falls police contacted the former tenant, who said she would return the keys when she gets back into town.

House ransacked; coins taken A resident of Richmond Road in Solon reported Nov. 3 that, when he returned home that day, the door from the garage to the house was kicked in, and the house was ransacked.

Limited-edition silver gambling coins, an onyx ring and a Nintendo Wii system valued at $2,000 were missing, according to the Solon police report.

Van valued at $600 stolen A Solon man reported Nov. 4 that his 1991 Chevy Astro van valued at $600 was stolen from Vintage Wine Distributors on Davis Industrial Parkway in Solon.

Car valued at $500 taken A resident of Solon Boulevard in Solon reported Nov. 2 that his 1990 Buick LeSabre valued at $500 was taken from his driveway.

Loaded gun stolen from car A Painesville man reported Nov. 6 that a loaded gun and cellphone with a total value of $490 were taken from his car while it was parked at Chagrin Family Therapy on SOM Center Road in Solon. The gun was a 44 Charter Arms revolver, according to the Solon police report.

Purses stolen from two cars Two people reported Nov. 3 that their purses were stolen from their cars in the parking lot at KindrichMcHugh Funeral Home on Bainbridge Road in Solon. In one of the vehicles, the window was broken out, while the other one was unlocked, according to the Solon police report.

A credit card from one of the victim’s purses was used twice at BP gas stations, according to the report.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Aaron Fox (left), of Auburn, enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps when he was 17 and fought at Iwo Jima. He is shown at a recent event with Major Gen. Paul Lefebvre and Sgt. Bob Sulyok. Mr. Fox will speak at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Triangle Park in Chagrin Falls.

Pacific Theater Marine is Veterans Day speaker

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN Aaron Fox, of Auburn, a World War II veteran, enlisted when he was just 17.

As a Glenville High School student in Cleveland, many of his friends who were a year older had left to join the service, and all the girls were sending care packages to the troops, he said.

“I felt I wanted to be part of the scene,” he said. “In those days, every guy wanted to help.” So he decided to leave school and enlist.

“The principal had a fit,” Mr. Fox said. The principal finally agreed that, if he took his trigonometry book and passed his test, he would give him his diploma when he returned home.

Mr. Fox will talk about his war experiences at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Triangle Park in Chagrin Falls. The Chagrin Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12067 will host the Veterans Day service.

“I was a skinny kid and went to sign up with the Marines,” Mr. Fox said. The prestige of being in an elite force attracted him to the U.S. Marine Corps, he said.

They saw him walking around with the trigonometry book, he said. “They figured I was a mathematical whiz and after boot camp they sent me to Forward Observers School.”

Members are trained to fire and drop artillery on the ground in front of the Marines’ advancing skirmish line, Mr. Fox said.

Members are half artillery and half infantrymen, he said. “We’re on the ground being shot at, and at the same time we’re phoning back information to the rear line.”

He carried a heavy Browning Automatic Rifle on duty. “They thought it was funny because I was so skinny, carrying that big weapon,” he said.

“It was a tough campaign for a kid,” Mr. Fox said. “It’s hard on the nerves.

You dare not make a mistake. If you fig-

ure wrong, you could drop artillery on your own troops.”

He participated in the invasion of Guam in June 1944 and then went to Iwo Jima in February 1945. He was 18.

The Japanese troops were dug in and were killing off the Americans.

He said 6,800 Marines were killed on Iwo Jima. “It was a bloodbath,” Mr. Fox said. Iwo Jima, about 750 miles off the coast, is like a back door to Japan, he said. “We sacrificed our people. But every island had heavy casualties,” he said.

“It was just luck,” he said of his own survival. “If you survived, you were very, very lucky.”

The Marines fought and captured Iwo Jima, and Mr. Fox was witness to the famous raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima by five Marines and one Navy corpsman. The flag was raised on Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island.

There were 450 troop ships docked there on Feb. 23, 1945, and they all sounded their horns as the flag was raised, Mr. Fox said.

“We went back to Guam and the Japanese were hidden in the jungle. We had to root them out,” Mr. Fox said.

“They were hidden in caves and everywhere else that they could hide. We went on patrol day after day.”

In August 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped, and, in February 1946, he returned home as a corporal, he said.

“There aren’t too many survivors left,” Mr. Fox, 86, said of those who fought in World War II. After discharge, he received his high school diploma and went on to earn a master’s degree in political science at Western Reserve University. He established the Fox and Associates Inc. advertising agency that operated many years in Cleveland, New York and Minneapolis.

Voters approve lease of portion of park

By BARBARA CHRISTIAN By almost four to one, Chagrin Falls voters Tuesday upheld Village Council’s decision to lease a portion of Bell Street Park to owners of a neighboring building for use as a restaurant patio.

The unofficial vote was 1,234-364.

Tuesday evening, Greg Bumbu, who, with Dennis Lehman and Brooke Spectorsky, owns the building, thanked voters, Mayor Thomas Brick and council for “having faith we will turn the building into something everyone will enjoy and be proud of.”

The village’s five-year, $3,500 annual lease agreement with the partners includes two five-year extensions. The leased area consists of what is an existing cement pad located next to the building, but on park property.

A group of residents headed by Steven Griggs sought to stop the lease of

what they termed “parkland” used as access way for repair of the dam. They faulted council for lack of transparency in making the deal.

The building owners pointed out that the area holds a Dumpster, air-conditioning unit and a parking space. All of that will be removed for seasonal tables and chairs and provide even easier dam access, they said.

Mr. Bumbu credited success at the polls on Tuesday to voters educating themselves on the issue. He added he and his partners enjoy the village parks and hope funds from the lease will be used to support parks.

Now that the vote is in, Mr. Bumbu said he and his partners will pick up where they left off last winter before the referendum stopped work on the building. That will include design work and attracting the right restaurateur.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

H. Kenneth Douthit III, Publisher David C. Lange William J. Kennedy Editor News Editor P.O. Box 150 • Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 525 E. Washington Street • (440) 247-5335 E-mail: editor@chagrinvalleytimes.com Published Every Thursday by The Chagrin Valley Publishing Company (USPS) 014-150 525 E. Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 Periodical Postage Paid at Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 Subscriptions $30.00 a year within Cuyahoga, Geauga Counties $36.00 a year for other areas.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to The Times, P.O. Box 150 • Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 Sixteen-time winner of the Ohio Newspaper Association General Excellence Award: 1990-1994, 1996, 1999, 2001-2008, 2010

These truths offer little solace State is failure to education Like many other sectors, public school systems are struggling through tough economic times.

They also face a state government that not only has refused to abide by a series of Ohio Supreme Court rulings regarding its unconstitutional, inadequate and inequitable funding for public education but actually has become more hostile toward it.

Somehow, though, the school districts of the Chagrin Valley are persevering with streamlined operations, cutbacks in personnel and programs and concessions in salaries and benefits by teachers and other employees. Excellence in education continues in the Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Orange and West Geauga School districts, but no one should believe that these levels can be maintained without a reversal of current trends.

The Orange district, which had a 5-mill operating level on this Tuesday’s ballot, stretched its previous levy for seven years, longer than any other one since 1975. State cutbacks are projected to cost the district $5.9 million through fiscal year 2016. Orange schools already have reduced expenditures by $1.4 million and will have to continue to cut costs.

Chagrin Falls schools are looking at a likely operating levy next year. The last one was passed in 2007. The district faces a loss of about $695,000 over the next two years due to Gov. John Kasich’s budget cuts. Eight teaching positions were cut in 2007. Salary increases negotiated last year are just 1.25 percent in 2011 and 1.5 percent in 2012 and ‘13. Teachers also agreed to higher insurance deductibles.

Even though its state revenues are down by $957,000 this year, the Kenston School District is delaying its next operating levy until 2013, stretching the last one to eight years. The most recent teacher contract, which runs to February 2013, includes no base raises in salaries.

The West Geauga School District, where a $3.7 million, five-year emergency levy is up for renewal this coming March, will lose $1.2 million in the state’s tangible personal property tax phase-out over the next six years. West G is reducing $3 million in salaries and expenses over the next four years, and its teachers have agreed to a salary freeze in fiscal 2013 and ‘14.

Public schools face even greater budget losses — more than $900,000 per year in Kenston, for example — through state politicians’ plans to expand the low-performing private-school voucher program.

Despite ample evidence that state government is failing Ohio schoolchildren, local school boards and local teachers are the ones expected to make the big sacrifices.

Letters to the editor The Times welcomes letters to the editor and attempts to publish as many as space permits. Letters should be original.

Name must be included, along with a daytime telephone number for confirmation. Letters should be 500 words or less and may be edited for length or legal concerns. Letters thanking lists of people or businesses are not accepted. They should be typewritten and double spaced if sent by mail or fax. Email to: editor@chagrinvalleytimes.com — subject “Letter to the editor.”

Unlike Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judges Forrest Burt and David Fuhry, who have recused themselves from the impending trial in connection with the death last May of former Geauga County Juvenile Court Judge Charles “Chip” Henry, I will not recuse myself from writing about it.

Like Judges Burt and Fuhry — and many people in Geauga County and the Chagrin Valley — my family has had a close friendship with the Henry family. Friendship, along with their working relationship in the Geauga County Courthouse, necessitates the judges’ recusal from the trial. While my friendship would disqualify me from any jury that might be seated in the case, it does not prevent me from expressing my opinions about it.

In August, three months after a hit-and-run driver killed Mr. Henry as he rode his bicycle along Rapids Road in Troy Township, an arrest was made. Kelly Cox, 42, a Troy resident, was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, disregard for the safety of persons and property, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and two counts of endangering children.

According to the charges, her own children were in the car, and a blood-alcohol test registered 3½

by Dave Lange COUNTY LINE times the legal limit for driving.

Mrs. Cox previously was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident in which a parked car was struck in 1999. Those are some disturbing truths.

At the time, Mr. Henry’s sister, Dorothy Henry Lee, who is a magistrate in Geauga County Common Pleas Court, speaking for the family in regards to the woman’s arrest, said her brother “would have wanted to see her treated as anyone else would be in this situation, no better or worse.”

I too believe in the American justice system and the basic tenet that people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

At a pretrial hearing last week, Mrs. Cox’s attorney filed a motion for a change of venue, based on the notion that extensive publicity about the case would make it impossible to seat an impartial jury in Geauga County. That may well be an unfortunate truth.

Her attorney also filed a motion to suppress statements Mrs. Cox made to the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the scene of the accident and contends that evidence, including the blood test, was collected improperly. It’s true that lawyers can be paid to conceal the truth.

In a somewhat related story, former state Sen. Timothy Grendell, who was appointed by Gov. John Kasich to take Judge Henry’s place on the bench, effective Sept. 21, announced on Oct. 24 that he is scrapping a diversion program for juveniles involved in minor drug and alcohol offenses.

The truth is that diversion programs work. Mr. Henry served as juvenile judge for 18 years, but Mr. Grendell thinks he knows better after just one month on the job. His knee-jerk imposition of a zero-tolerance policy is a none-too-subtle suggestion that his predecessor was soft on juvenile crime, which is an offensive lie.

On a positive note, the Geauga Park District has established the Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure, honoring the late judge, who loved the outdoors and was dedicated to improving the lives of area youth. That is one truth that gives me solace.

Dim light needs clapping hands Remember the stage version of “Peter Pan,” when Tinker Bell is dying, her light slowing dimming, and we kids were asked to bring her back to life? Remember how we were told the little fairy would live to fight another day if only we could clap long and hard enough?

Remember how we clapped until our hands stung and our ears rang?

Why wouldn’t we want to save Tinker Bell? She had been an integral part of the story we were witnessing. We loved “Tink.” She was helpful, resourceful and true, a tiny light but major hero of our tale.

Well, folks, we have our own Tinker Bell here in Chagrin Falls, and, oh boy, does she ever need some saving.

Our Tinker Bell has been a part of our story for a very long time, even if we didn’t know it or fully understand her role and importance. Like Tinker Bell, she has been a constant and helpful presence and an important part of our shared history.

But her light has dimmed significantly in the past three years, she is beginning to bow under the pressure of development, and plans are to (gasp) kill her off. We won’t go so far as to call the developer “Captain Hook,” but you get the idea.

In case you haven’t guessed by now, our Tinker Bell is Linden

by Barbara Christian WINDOW ON MAIN STREET Hall, a once gracious historic home and the last remaining presence of Windsor Hospital. It played a big role in the story of our town from the earliest part of the last century.

When the property was sold for a new cluster-home development, we were eased by the knowledge that the graceful old gal was to be saved and integrated into the soonto-be beautiful new neighborhood.

That is how it should be, we told ourselves. And how great it was the developer was acting un-developer-like and had the sensitivity and sense of history to promise it would remain and become a home again, restored by an as-yetunknown family who would love it, as did its original owner.

But times have changed, and dark forces in the economy dictate Tinker Bell, aka Linden Hall, must go. Executed, no less, by a bulldozer that will drive its claw into her sides, force her to the ground then

cart her off to the graveyard of broken promises.

In December, members of the village’s architectural review board will address this grisly option and could vote to allow that to happen — even as the Chagrin Falls Historical Society investigates whether it can save her and use her for a new museum.

Remember Tinker Bell? Remember how empowered we felt as kids when we clapped long and loud and how slowly but surely Tinker Bell’s light began to grow brighter?

Remember our spontaneous outburst of joy and cheering that followed when Tink took off, fluttering around the stage alive and healthy?

We could save Tinker Bell again.

Linden Hall could live, if not by our applause but by our will. Write or call the architectural review board and ask members to hold the developer to his promise, at least until the historical society can find out whether it can save and reuse Linden Hall.

Write to: Architectural Review Board, Robert Barclay, chairman, c/o Chagrin Falls Village Hall, 21 W. Washington St., Chagrin Falls 44022. Or call and leave a message for Mayor Tom Brick at 440-2478399.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

True story about police So you think that everything you needed to know about what our Bainbridge police do you find in the police blotter, right? Wrong, not even close. That’s entertainment, often comical but not the best account of the finest police work going on right here in Bainbridge that never makes the blotter.

I have learned a lot about how our police department operates, from dispatch to the investigation of car crashes, fights, felonies, operating vehicles while intoxicated, drug busts, thefts, homicides, suicides, K-9 capture and more.

You can learn all this too by taking the next offering of the citizens academy in 2012. It is worthy of everyone’s bucket list. It is free and so much fun.

The presentations are so riveting that participants didn’t event want to take breaks.

I didn’t realize the many hats the officers wear simultaneously to save us money — from response to incidents to the full investigation and documentation of them until completion, all while continuing to do patrol duties. Some of the officers have specialized skills such as voice analysis, firearms, interviewing and crash reconstruction. They are a resource for other departments who lack the expertise.

Our detectives are sharp as tacks.

Wow, it is impressive. Did you know that their work has made national television and news? I learned how they successfully brought criminals to justice, cracking cases that others couldn’t or wouldn’t when the crime crossed state lines. Bainbridge cops have some big-time talent. I felt bad calling them about all my little stuff over the years, but they handle those kinds of things too. While we go about our daily routine and not thinking about it, see how they are proactive against crime before

it hits families or businesses.

I know police in other places often get a bad rap, but here in Bainbridge the bar for employment is high for character and training to avoid ugly public scrutiny. All officers are college educated, and the force has longevity here, including Officer Tango, the dog.

The late, great Andy Rooney said, “A writer’s job is to tell the truth.” The truth is that the citizens academy class and not the police blotter will be your best source of information how the police department operates and what they do. I was hoping to “flunk” it so I could take it again next year.

They are mindful of their humble operating budget for even the smallest request, frugally cognizant of even getting the best deal on printer cartridges.

I hope others take the citizens academy class to get an appreciation for how much they do that doesn’t get the recognition deserved. We are fortunate to have a department who passionately and competently take on whatever the streets hand them on par with your slickest TV law-enforcement heroes.

Check out the citizens academy classes for 2012 so you can see for yourself what a good deal we’ve been getting for our money.

Lil Fecek Bainbridge

Keep holidays glowing When you think about Chagrin Falls, our hope is that you think of Blossom Time, beautiful autumn foliage and one of the finest lighting displays around.

Like the time your family gathered for the lighting of the big tree or walked your child to deliver a letter to Santa’s mailbox, remember each light and decoration represents joy and celebration to people of all faiths and all walks of life. They belong, in every sense, to all

of us.

The village of Chagrin Falls — which is really each and every one of us — remains generous in its willingness to pay for the electricity for the lights and moving the big tree that adorns the triangle.

Now we ask for your help to keep the lights glowing brightly. The Jaycees donate hundreds of hours to install, maintain and take down the display. It costs $20,000 annually for new evergreens, bulbs, roping and ribbons to create the holiday spirit that we all hold so dear.

We are reaching out to the entire Chagrin Valley to help raise money for our holiday display. We are not asking for much. Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated by the thousands of residents and visitors whose spirits are brightened by every visit.

Won’t you please help keep the village as joyful as ever during the holiday season? Perhaps you can think of it this way: When you walk or drive through our town from November through January, you’ll be able to say to yourself, “There is not a better place to be during the holidays than My Chagrin Falls, and I helped make it happen.”

Thank you for your consideration.

Make checks payable to Chagrin Valley Jaycees, Charitable Foundation — Christmas Lighting Fund and send to P.O. Box 522, Chagrin Falls 44022. Your donation is tax deductible.

With best wishes for the upcoming holiday season, please join us at the Raintree Restaurant from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 for our annual holiday open

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house. Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres furnished; cash bar.

Janis Evans and Alasdair Cooper Christmas Lighting Committee Chagrin Valley Jaycees Foundation

Beautiful gift of music Students from the Chicago Public Schools provided a little bit of magic in Chagrin Falls last Saturday, when the world-renowned Chicago Children’s Choir arrived to spend the day giving music clinics and a concert.

In the afternoon, the choir and the directors held clinics for area vocal students. Singers from Kenston High School and the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Choir participated, and they all experienced how the Chicago Children’s Choir brings children from diverse backgrounds together for a message of harmony.

I really enjoyed the evening concert.

It was a rich performance of songs from all over the world and showcased how beautiful music can be made when gifted and uniquely talented students work together. I was not prepared for how much I would truly enjoy their concert, so I hope this is not the last we have seen of the Chicago Children’s Choir. I sincerely hope Chagrin Arts will bring them back another time.

Diana Nazelli Chagrin Falls

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Benjamin Franklin: “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Star shines over CVLT Steve Shields, who passed away on Oct. 27 after a brief illness, was a friend and benefactor of the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre for over 50 years. A memorial service was held at the Federated Church on Nov. 5. He is survived by his brother Ed (wife Grace), who reside in Chagrin Falls, a brother Harold (wife Gloria), and 15 nephews and nieces.

His contributions to the theater were innumerable. He was an active participant in its life and works with his building at 56 River St. housing its River Street Playhouse, a black-box experimental facility often offering new plays with new actors and directors.

More than that, Steve was a generous person, an exceptional writer and a good friend of theater people, backstage and onstage, over most of its storied 82year history.

His stated three passions were writing his memoirs of World War II, remodeling his building and continuing to support live theater, to help preserve those masterpieces of the art of drama.

CVLT hopes to continue his dreams.

Chagrin Falls favorite son and chairman of CVLT’s ongoing capital campaign, Tim Conway, upon learning of his death, offered these comments to both Steve’s family and to the theater family: “I was sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. That’s a big chunk of Chagrin history that will follow him to his place of rest. It’s sad to hear of those passing who are so much a part of the wonderful history of Chagrin. He was a good friend and loyal contributor to the heart of what makes Chagrin the unique town it is. We are all lucky to be able to call the ‘village’ home and to have known folks like Steve who were, and are, so much a part of this wonderful village.

He will be long remembered and

blessed with thanks from those who knew him. Bless you, Steve, and thanks.”

CVLT will hold a memorial tribute to Steve at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 in its main-stage auditorium open to the public.

Steve’s star shines brightly above the theater and its energies, guiding and sustaining us for the future.

Tom Neff, President Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

Flat tax wrong answer This letter refers to the recent flat tax proposals that have been mentioned by the candidates for the republican presidential campaign.

I suggest that we all get our calculators out and apply that 9 percent or 20 percent to our adjusted gross income and quickly see that a flat income tax is definitely not the way to correct our current tax code. This method will leave us in as bad an unbalanced tax system as we are already in, or even worse, with the top earners having top incomes and the rest of us scraping the bottom of the barrel.

It will also not close up some of those bad tax loopholes that need to be closed, nor will it stop the special contributions to the oil and gas industry or big businesses making windfall profits.

The only way our tax code can be corrected to normal is in group tax brackets as it has been in the past but not showing favoritism to the top 1 percent. If this is too much of a stretch in the math, then I suggest you refer to the schedule used by former President Bill Clinton, since that seemed to work for the country. This will give you a breakdown on the various groups.

Also, I am hearing from Warren Buffett that one of the changes that need to be made is in the tax on capital gains, which brings down the taxes

considerably on the wealthy. One thing that has always puzzled me is that there is a break on the capital gains tax but nothing for personal savings interest. A break on personal savings interest might encourage more people to save a little, if that is possible in this economic environment.

I do not believe the charitable deduction should be eliminated. A maximum in one year of 30 percent of adjusted gross income seems adequate. A carryover to the following year was always accepted.

We need to give a tax break in interest on home mortgages and student loans, which are unsolved problems in our economy. Whatever help we could give on these would be appreciated by those affected.

I haven’t gone into business deductions here but mostly personal deductions. But, of course, small-business deductions and free-trade deductions should be taken into account, along

with other acceptable deductions if employers pay for employee insurance.

Elaine R. Wisniewski Newbury

Impact on community I have been involved with United Way Services of Geauga County for a number of years. I continue to support and volunteer for United Way, because I know that the services provided truly impact our friends and neighbors within our community. I have seen how United Way helps bring people and resources together so that they can lead independent and productive lives. This leads to a much stronger community in which to work, live and play.

Barbara L. Kimbrew Assistant Vice President Human Resources Manager Geauga Savings Bank Newbury

Know your legislators OHIO REPRESENTATIVES Marlene Anielski, District 17 77 S. High St., 12th floor Columbus 43215 Phone 614-644-6041

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES Steven C. LaTourette, District 14 1 Victoria Place, Room 320 Painesville 44077 Phone 440-352-3939

Richard Hollington Jr. District 98 77 S. High St., 10th floor Columbus 43215-6111 Phone 614-644-5088

Marcia L. Fudge, District 11 3645 Warrensville Center Road Suite 204 Shaker Heights 44122 Phone 216-522-4900

U.S. SENATORS Robert Portman 1240 E. 9th St., Room 3061 Cleveland 44199 Phone 216-522-7095

OHIO SENATORS Timothy Grendell, District 18 7413 Tattershall Drive Chesterland 44026 Phone 440-729-6145

Sherrod Brown 1301 E. 9th St., Room 1710 Cleveland 44114 Phone 216-522-7272

Thomas F. Patton, District 24 17157 Rabbit Run Drive Strongsville 44136 Phone 440-238-7132

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Cleveland attorney appointed to Senate

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN John J. Eklund, a Cleveland attorney and a Munson Township resident, will serve in the unexpired term of the Ohio 18th Senate District.

Former state Sen. Timothy J. Grendell, R-Chester, left the position vacant when he was appointed to replace the late Judge Charles “Chip” Henry on the Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court.

Mr. Eklund was appointed by the Ohio Senate Republican screening committee to fill the vacancy.

He was to be sworn in Nov. 9 during the Senate session. It was to be his first day on the job.

The Republican Senate screening committee interviewed several candidates for the position before making the recommendation that Mr. Eklund fill the vacancy.

Mr. Eklund, 56, will represent residents in Geauga and Lake counties and a portion of Cuyahoga County, including Gates Mills.

“My goal is to help people of the 18th District identify their need, to form solutions where possible and to help them implement those solutions,” Mr. Eklund said.

“I’m excited to be of help to people of the 18th District,” he said. He plans to

get out and meet with all people, including local officials and local organizations, he said. “I want to start the process of communication on a level they’ve never seen before.”

One of the matters affecting the area is gas well drilling which raises a series of potential issues, he said. “It’s on people’s minds, and I expect to hear more.”

Mr. Eklund said he spent a number of years defending freedom of the press in his career. “I will be open and available with media outlets,” he said. That is in the best interest of everyone and the state, he said.

He and wife, Meg, and family have been residents of Geauga County for 30 years. “We raised two daughters in the Chardon schools,” said Mr. Eklund, who formerly served on the Munson Township zoning commission.

He has a fondness for Geauga County, including its rural and semirural settings, he said. “I love the fact of living in the Snowbelt. It takes a sturdy sort to be a Geaugan. Each community has a cohesiveness and a can-do attitude of their own in Geauga County.”

Mr. Eklund was admitted to the law practice in 1980 and has been with Calfee, Halter and Griswold since then.

He serves as chairman of the antitrust and trade regulation group and is head of the antitrust litigation practice.

He will run for election to the four-year term in 2012, he said. He is a member of the Geauga County Republican Party.

Mr. Grendell had represented the 18th Senate District since 2004.

Applicants for John J. Eklund, of Munson the 18th Senate Township, was District position appointed to were Walter fill the vacancy “Skip” Claypool, in the Ohio 18th of Chester, Colleen Senate District.

O’Toole, of Concord, John Advey and Mark Saric, of Chester, Wayne Clough, of Madison, Christopher Galloway, of Concord, Charles Stevens, of Chester, Becky Lynch, of Mentor, Jamie Callendar, of Concord, state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, Ted Peterson, of Munson Township, and Michael Petruziello.

Eight went through the actual interview process by the screening committee, according to John McClelland, of the Senate Republican Press.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Without levy, board sees schools’ struggle

By SALI McSHERRY Chagrin Falls School Board is considering a 7.9-mill levy on the March 6 ballot that would cost homeowners about $242 per $100,000 valuation.

Even with a levy that would generate $3.8 million a year, the district would have to make sacrifices in order to maintain an annual $4 million cash reserve, board member Karen Penlar said at Monday’s meeting.

Part of the district’s strategic plan adopted by the board is to hold two months of expenditures, a total of about $4 million in reserve, annually, district Treasurer Anne Spano said. Chagrin will have to reduce its estimated $24 million yearly budget by approximately $2 million over four years, she said.

With a 7.9-mill levy, the district’s cash reserve in 2015 is estimated at $3.2 million, and in 2016 it’s estimated at $901,000, Ms. Spano said. A 6.9-mill levy wouldn’t come close to providing for the necessary cash reserves, she said.

School Superintendent William Koons said the administration will discuss reductions in the budget for the board’s review later this month.

While Ms. Spano’s figures are conservative, cuts would still be necessary, she said.

The district stretched the typical

four-year levy cycle by a year, Ms. Spano said. The last levy, which was 7.9 mills in November of 2007, generated $3.9 million a year and cost homeowners about $242 per $100,000 market valuation.

The school board’s plan had been to place an operating ballot on the May 2012 ballot, but it had to rethink its position due to issues with Democrats and Republicans sparring over revising congressional districts. Ohio lawmakers passed legislation last month to hold two primaries, one which had already been planned for March 6 and an additional one set for June 12.

School board member Mary Kay O’Toole said she’s concerned legislators might change their minds and decide not hold a June primary, which could put the school district in limbo. There are so many uncertainties attached to the June date, she said.

School board President Karen Wise said it might be more difficult to plan for a June levy, because families typically are in summer mode, with vacations and other activities scheduled. In March, there’s a “captive” audience, she said, because school is in full swing.

The district is lucky to have a levy committee comprised of proactive people who have come forward, she said.

School board member Elizabeth

O’Neil questioned what the downside would be in placing the issue on the March ballot.

Dr. Koons said, if the board determines it’s the best course of action to place the issue on the March ballot, a levy campaign would become the No. 1 priority.

He said the administration could have a budget plan with additional cuts in place prior to Dec. 7, the deadline for putting the issue on the ballot for the March 6 election.

While board member Anne Thomas did not attend the meeting because she was in China, fellow members said she told them she was in favor of placing the levy on the March ballot.

Mrs. Penlar said she would have liked to see a cost-reduction plan already put together if the school district is planning to place the levy on the March ballot.

Mrs. Wise said, because the plan previously was to place the issue on the May ballot with new board members in place who could start the process the first of the year, the current board and administration have had to regroup following the news there could be two state primaries.

Dr. Koons said he was to meet with members of the last levy campaign committee Nov. 11 to get their take on plan-

ning a strategy.

Mrs. Wise said there were some creative funding options explored in 2009 by an all-volunteer alternative schoolfunding committee.

According to a community survey in 2009, an income tax wouldn’t be an option, Mrs. Penlar said.

While there appeared to be some interest by the 700 respondents in combining operating and permanent improvement levies, ultimately, it was thought it was a better idea not to go in that direction, Ms. Spano said. Voters aren’t as familiar with combining levies, she said, and historically the district has been successful in passing operating levies. Also, an operating levy would give the schools more flexibility in how it can spend money. A permanent improvement levy might be considered with a building project down the road, she said.

The committee of 32 volunteers presented the board that year with options including a traditional property tax with a permanent-improvement levy, an earned-income tax with a property-tax rollback and a conversion levy. A b o u t 61 percent said they were likely to vote for a traditional property tax levy in the next levy cycle.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Chagrin River Road closed for two weeks

By SALI McSHERRY Work on Chagrin River Road to minimize flooding issues in Hunting Valley began last week.

The road will be closed during business hours for about two weeks, likely until the middle of November, village Engineer Christopher Courtney said.

The biggest concern is if the road will be open for emergency vehicles, he said.

Even when the crews are working, emergency vehicles will be able to get through if necessary, he said.

The road will be open to travelers between around 5 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Monday through Friday and open during the weekend.

Village Council had OK’d $40,000 for the emergency work on the road, onehalf mile south of Fairmount Boulevard, the lowest-lying area in the village. Cue Excavating Contractors LLC, of Newbury, was hired for the job.

Last week, Hunting Valley was granted the necessary permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers within two weeks of the request.

The road has been closed for more than two weeks, longer than any other time, village Service Director Donald Cunningham recalled.

Last winter, the road was closed on several occasions due to flooding from snow and ice thaws.

With record-breaking rainfall this year, the area has experienced high

water for extended periods of time due to large amounts of sediment and debris clogging up culverts and drainage channels east of Chagrin River Road that drain to the river, Mr. Courtney said.

The focus of the work will be on minimizing the chance for future water issues on the road, he said.

The company will clear out the first three culverts south of Fairmount Road, which were filled with debris, including logs, sticks, gravel and sand, he said.

The permit enables the village to clean out stream channels and re-establish the historical bottom elevation of each channel, along with placing rock channel protection at the outlet of each culvert, Mr. Courtney said.

Placing rock on the downstream side of each of the culverts will aid the village in providing annual maintenance issues, he said. The village will maintain the cleaning of culverts in its right of way.

Private property owners in the lowlying area have indicated they are making drainage improvements on their land, Mr. Courtney said.

More than a year ago, the village installed wood gates across Chagrin River Road at two points, Shaker Boulevard as well as Hunting Hill Farm, which immediately is north of the wetlands area where the flooding has been occurring for decades, Mr. Cunningham said.

Russell wants to end engine retarder noise

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN Truckers will have to refrain from using their engine retarders to brake in one more community.

Russell Trustees approved a resolution Nov. 2 that prohibits the use of engine retarders within the township.

Trustees James Dickinson and James Mueller voted for the resolution, while Trustee Kristina Port abstained from the vote. She said she needed more information before making a decision.

Truck drivers already have such restrictions in neighboring Bainbridge and Chester townships.

The resolution, prepared by Russell Police Chief Timothy Carroll, notes that the Ohio Revised Code grants township trustees the authority to regulate noise from cars, motorcycles or other devices using internal combustion engines when the use of such devices causes the vehicle’s motor to race in such a manner as to cause the exhaust system to emit a loud, cracking or chattering noise unusual in its normal operation.”

The use of engine retarders causing that noise, unusual to its normal operation, will be prohibited on Chillicothe (Route 306) and Kinsman (Route 87) roads.

A violation of the resolution will be a minor misdemeanor and fines will be collected and placed in the township’s general fund.

Mr. Dickinson said use of engine retardants causes loud noises by the trucks, and some people who live on those routes have said it is intrusive.

It is like shifting down on a car, and it slows the vehicle, saving on brakes, but it makes the loud noises, he said.

Trustees’ action last week is a first step, he said.

Once signs are up, the police chief can decide how the resolution will be

enforced, Mr. Dickinson said.

“This only applies to big trucks on routes 306 and 87. Bainbridge and Chester already have the restrictions,” he said.

Many communities prohibit use of engine brakes, Mr. Mueller said. He doesn’t see the need for use of a decibel meter, he said. “We don’t want to have sound police running around. It’s obvious when the brakes are used.”

Mr. Carroll said signs will be posted at four points. They will be set up at the entrances to the township on Chillicothe and Kinsman roads.

There is heavy truck traffic in those areas, he said. One resident said it is especially loud on Kinsman Road near the intersection with Chillicothe Road.

The signs could work as a deterrent to truck drivers. The signs are being used in Chester Township. A sign that notes “End Engine Brake Restriction” is at the entrance to Russell on southbound Chillicothe Road.

Ms. Port said she wants more information from the police department, specifically about the use of a decibel meter to measure sound. “I didn’t see anything in the motion,” she said.

“There was not enough information provided.”

She said, if they are going to have a resolution, they have to enforce it.

Mr. Carroll said signs are a deterrent.

If a meter is used, the users have to be trained on them.

Chester Police Chief Mark Purchase said the township’s restriction has been in place about a year.

Signs are up on Chillicothe and Mayfield (Route 322) roads, and the department does not use a decibel meter, Mr. Purchase said. So far, the department has never had to enforce the restriction, he said.

Chagrin Falls coach praises squad for focus, maturity See Pages C1-2.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Multiples name of game at early learning center

By SUE HOFFMAN Starting kindergarten is often considered one of life’s major transitions.

“It was a lot harder sending three at once,” said Adriane Lioudis, whose triplets, Christian, Mia and Peter, are kindergarteners at Gardiner Early Learning Center in the Kenston School District.

“I wasn’t really sure if they were ready to be spread apart,” said Mrs. Lioudis, who has two other daughters, ages 7 and 4.

As it turned out, they didn’t have to be separated, she learned at the end of the summer. All three are in Mary McCabe’s afternoon class.

“Their teacher is amazing,” Mrs. Lioudis said. While the children are in the same class, she said, Mrs. McCabe does a good job of dividing them among the four activity tables in the classroom.

“It’s been a very happy year,” she said. “They love going on the bus. They love their teacher and friends.”

All three said they also love computer class.

The Lioudis triplets aren’t the only multiples in the class. Joining them are quadruplets Emma, Hunter, Spencer “Boomer” and Tyler Brownfield, whose triplet sisters were together in kindergarten four years ago.

Since the school has only one afternoon kindergarten class, and the Lioudis and Brownfield families live in areas designated for the afternoon, the decision on where to place the triplets

and quads was an easy one, Principal Marilyn Kahle said. Both families were fine with that, she said. The seven children make up one-third of the class.

Other multiples, including five sets of twins, abound in this year’s kindergarten class at Gardiner. All the multiples together comprise 17 students — just four fewer than the record 21 students in 2007.

Twins Ava and Griffin Marcoguisepe attend different morning kindergarten classes.

Their mother, Cher Brown, said she didn’t have a preference but thought separate classes would have an advantage for them. “I thought it would be good for them to have their own space,” she said. “They socialize well. They have always been independent and make friends easily.”

Ms. Brown said her twins were already used to attending preschool and the transition to kindergarten went smoothly. “They were excited and I was excited for them.”

Of the other twins at Gardiner, two sets attend the same all-day kindergarten classes and two sets attend different all-day classes.

“In deciding on class placement, Kenston doesn’t have a policy to separate multiples,” Mrs. Kahle said. “Our decision is based on conversations with parents. For some, it’s important to keep them together, especially if coming into kindergarten is a huge transition. For others, it’s good for them to come in as individuals.”

Photos by Itamar Gat

Sibling kindergarteners at Gardiner Early Learning Center include (top, left) quadruplets Emma, Hunter, Tyler and Spencer “Boomer” Brownfield, triplets Christian, Peter and Maria Lioudis, twins Jackson and Grant (beneath) Beclay; and other twins (from left) Brett and John King, Nolan and Marisa Meyer, Janie and Lindy Kerchenski, and Griffin and Ava Marcoguisepe.

Mrs. Kahle said research over the last 10 years has shown that starting kindergarten is one of life’s major transitions.

“It’s important for the decision to be based on individual family situations.”

Since Gardiner is only a kindergarten

building, all of the students will have another transition to Timmons for first grade. “When they move into first grade, we do separate the vast majority of multiples,” Mrs. Kahle said.

Council candidate faces discrimination lawsuit

By SALI McSHERRY A lawsuit alleging employment discrimination and retaliation was filed against Flight Services & Systems Inc., a Cleveland-based company in which Gates Mills resident Robert Weitzel serves as chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Weitzel ran this week for Village Council.

Jose Lopez, who is Puerto Rican, said last week he worked as a ramp agent for Mr. Weitzel’s company at the Rochester International Airport in New York and that he was fired in 2005 because he spoke Spanish on the job.

A former co-worker, Richard Colon, also Puerto Rican, and former supervisor James Cromer, who is AfricanAmerican, also were named as plaintiffs.

The New York State Division of Human Rights determined in 2007 after the case was forwarded to the department, “There is probable cause to conclude that the complainant was unlawfully discriminated against based on his national origin,” in regard to Mr. Lopez.

The suit then was filed in U.S. District Court

Western District of New York in 2007. Mr. Lopez said he hopes the case will be heard by a jury within a year.

Flight Services & Systems Inc. attorney Elizabeth Cordello wrote in an email last week, “This lawsuit has been ongoing for well over four years and during that time the plaintiffs have been represented by four different law firms. FSS has asked the court to dismiss all of the claims and is awaiting a decision on that request. FSS has every confidence in the legal process and that this lawsuit will be dismissed in its entirety.”

According to Mr. Lopez, he and Mr. Colon were told they were not allowed to speak Spanish at work. Mr. Lopez complained about the “English-only” rule to the company’s human resources department, and his

employment was terminated on the following day, he said. Mr. Lopez and Mr. Colon claimed they were required to work alone during their shifts and remain at work after their shifts had ended while white employees were allowed to work in groups and leave work as soon as their shifts ended. After Mr. Colon complained to the company management about the practices, Flight Services & Systems fired him, according to the lawsuit.

Mr. Cromer said he was denied promotions while less-qualified white employees were promoted, according to the suit. When he told his supervisor he planned to file a discrimination complaint, he was fired, according to the lawsuit.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Russell seeks grant for energy study

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN Russell Trustees will pursue a $50,000 grant to update township buildings to improve energy use and reduce costs.

They agreed Nov. 3 to sign up with Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council and to take advantage of the grant.

The township will join the council and drop its agreements to buy electricity through the Council of Smaller Enterprises.

First Energy Solutions offers the $50,000 grant through Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council to communities that are members of the council.

The township hopes to save on energy costs with upgrades to facilities to make them more efficient, trustees said. Those measures involve upgrading heating and cooling systems as well as replacing drafty windows.

NOPEC is a nonprofit organization that provides energy aggregation, offering member communities in Northeast Ohio discounts on electricity and natural gas.

Trustee Kristina Port said her recommendation is to accept the grant.

However, the funding will not be approved until the township drops out of the Council of Smaller Enterprises.

Russell has been one of the few communities that have not applied for the grant.

Trustee James Mueller said they can let the existing contract with COSE expire and then go with NOPEC. The grant will be available in 2012.

“Before we get the grant, we have

to move from COSE to NOPEC,” Trustee James Dickinson said. If the township goes with any other entity but NOPEC, the grant money is taken back, he said.

Hopefully, the upgrades to the facilities with the grant will reduce the township’s energy consumption, Mr. Dickinson said.

At the end of the day, the township is going to be with NOPEC, one way or another, Mr. Mueller said.

“I’m willing to take the $50,000.

“We’ve committed to do the paperwork for the grant and to get out of COSE,” he said.

The building with the most energy-related problems is old Town Hill, Mr. Mueller said. It has no insulation in the walls or ceilings and the windows do not have double panes. “The police and fire departments are in good shape,” he said.

The goal is to obtain the grant in early 2012. “There’s no sense in wasting time to do it,” Mr. Mueller said.

It is a question of whether the township should turn its back on $50,000 for energy savings, Mr. Dickinson said. The township will have to stay with NOPEC through 2019, he said.

As soon as they sign an agreement with NOPEC, they will get the first installment of the grant.

Ms. Port said the $50,000 would allow the township to start projects to improve energy efficiency. The township will realize substantial savings in energy costs, she said.

She will be sending a letter to NOPEC by Nov. 15 and by Dec. 1, they hope to have the first installment, Ms. Port said.

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Russell Trustees want to have master plan

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN Optimal use of existing Russell Township facilities is one of Township Trustees’ goals for the coming year, they said.

Township Trustees reviewed a list of goals Nov. 2 they would like to pursue in 2012.

Trustees said the mission is to develop a master plan for the facilities, working with department heads to determine department needs.

As part of that plan, they will be looking at the use of the old fire station and relocation of the existing recycling center to the former school bus garage, next to the Russell Police Station.

They said they will consider an architect or university for development of the master plan.

In the category of administrative goals, trustees want to improve communications with residents, and to coordinate plans to improve communications and data systems.

Russell Trustee Kristina Port said she wants to start a program with the Institute of Sustainable Development. It can be a tool to help review green sustainable programs for the township, she said.

Trustees agreed to add it to their goals list.

Ms. Port said, with the sustainable green planning, they would look at recycling and how the township uses its resources.

“It’s a process, and it makes you think about operations and procedures and how we are managing township resources,” Ms. Port said.

“We would discuss them and then come up with improvements,” she said.

With the long-term goals, trustees

want to deal with changing situations as they occur, Trustee James Mueller said.

The state legislature is changing laws that affect local governments all the time, he said.

As to long-term planning for township buildings, a university or college could be used in that planning, Mr. Mueller said. Finding better ways to conserve energy is part of the process.

Trustee James Dickinson said the township could contract with a university such as Cleveland State University whose Center for Public Management does studies for governments.

They survey employees, and needs are identified. An architectural engineer could plan the changes, Mr. Dickinson said.

Ms. Port said she would like a holistic study of the buildings. The township needs to look at use of the land where the old school bus facility was located, now that the buses are gone.

Next year, the township will be preparing for a review and update of the township’s land-use guide plan. It was last updated in 1995. “We need to start the process,” Mr. Dickinson said.

Other matters have included uses of the old fire station for storage. The goal is to engage an architect to study optimal use of the buildings, Mr. Dickinson said.

It should start with asking the departments for their needs.

Finding additional storage is a need, according to Trustee James Mueller.

“Let’s have our own people tell us what they want first,” Mr. Mueller said.

Mr. Dickinson said, “We’ll take one step at a time.

As to zoning, the trustees said they want to do some public education and to strengthen enforcement.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

As part of Red Ribbon week, Chagrin Falls Police Officer Jared Prill, with the help of his police dog Sonny, conducted assemblies for each Chagrin Falls Intermediate School grade level about drugs and alcohol use.

Chagrin Falls Lenny May 440-247-5500, ext. 4022

RED RIBBON WEEK Chagrin Falls Intermediate School students recently celebrated Red Ribbon Week.

The week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country allowing communities to make a commitment to drug prevention and education.

As part of the activities, Chagrin Falls Police Office Officer Jared Prill, accompanied by his dog Sonny, addressed grade level assemblies at the Intermediate School. Mr. Prill provided valuable information about drugs and alcohol to students.

During his career, Mr. Prill has been assigned a variety of duties, including being part of a drug task force.

For the past five years, he has worked with Sonny who is certified by the state to do police work. Working together, Mr. Prill and Sonny have made more than 300 arrests.

Sonny takes all of his commands in German which insures that he will follow only the commands of Mr. Prill. Sonny is an “active alert” dog, which means that he scratches when he finds the object of his search.

Because dogs’ noses are 200-200,000 times more powerful than a human’s nose, air fresheners are no deterrent for Sonny, and he can smell things months after they have been present.

ANNUAL EGG DROP The annual Chagrin Falls Middle School Egg Drop is a culminating hands-on-lab activity that is done in the eighth-grade science classes.

Chagrin Falls Middle School eighth-grader Brandon Suzelis is shown preparing to drop his protective egg creation.

The event allows the students to put the terms they have learned about into action and display the forces and motion of falling objects, while also addressing gravity, momentum, inertia, acceleration, speed, mass, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. The lab has once again, proven to be most creative by all participants.

There were some exceptional designs, some of which displayed intricacies in their planning while others had success in the simplicities of their design.

The most successful was a brilliant creation by Brett Sooy and Andrew Lietman who dropped their egg from the greatest heights possible of nearly 7 meters.

The second-place finishers included Brooke DiPasquale, Hope Winovich, and Ashley Weitzel, who found success at a height of 5 meters.

‘12 ANGRY JURORS’ The Chagrin Falls High School Drama Department presents “12 Angry Jurors” Nov. 17 - 20.

The defense and the prosecution have rested and the jury is filing into the jury room to decide if a young man is guilty or innocent of murdering his father. What begins as an open-and shut-case of murder soon becomes a mini-drama of each of the jurors’ prejudices and preconceptions about the trial, the accused, and one another.

The play will be produced in the Studio Theatre next to Sands Community Room located on the 7-12 campus, 400 E. Washington St. ACADEMIC AWARDS At the recent home football game vs. Perry, State Rep. Marlene Anielski, from the 17th District, presented Academic Excellence Awards to Chagrin Falls High School, Chagrin Falls Middle School, Chagrin Falls

Intermediate School and Gurney School. Staff members from each building along with Superintendent Dr. Bill Koons and Board of Education President Karen Wise were at the game to receive the awards.

‘ALADDIN’ ON TAP The Chagrin Falls Middle School-Intermediate School Drama Club cast and crew of 85 students will present Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.” at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 2 and 5 p.m. Nov. 19.

This exciting story will include all your favorite characters from the city of Agrabah including: the Sultan, Jasmine, Aladdin, Jafar, Iago, Razoul, the Genie and the Magic Carpet. Under the direction of Pat Haynish and Lucy Brown, this Arabian tale will be presented at the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School Auditorium.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. Please call 440-247-9235 to reserve your seats.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

During the recent National School Bus Safety Week, Orange Schools bus drivers reviewed rules of activity and behavior with the students who learned how to exit the vehicle from both the front and the back of the bus. They were also taught how to help each other by demonstrating where to go once departing the bus. Pictured here are fifth-graders Haley Shedden (left) and Emily Ciuprinskas (right) as they assist third-grader Zaneta On and first-grader Kaylee Santana (waiting) in getting off the back of the bus while other students evacuate from the front of the bus.

Orange

Kenston

Lou DeVincentis 216-831-8600, ext. 6626 Staci Vincent, 216-831-8600, ext. 6627

Katy McGrath 440-543-9677

SENIOR OF THE MONTH Orange High School senior Ally Zabell was selected as the Kiwanis of Lander Circle Senior of the Month for November 2011.

The award is based on leadership, integrity, personality, trustworthiness and dependability. Ally, along with her family, will be invited to a dinner hosted by the Kiwanis at the Garfield Memorial Church. In addition, she received a personalized award plaque and her name will be posted in the Student Services Office.

‘A LITTLE BIT ...’

The Orange High School Thespians present “A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That” at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Orange High School auditorium.

The high school is located on the Orange Schools Campus, 32000 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike.

The performance will be a combination of a variety of scenes and songs from various plays. The one-act plays will include “The Happy Club,” “A Chocolate Affair” and “That Something Special Coffee House.” Tickets are available at the door for $5 each.

The ensemble cast consists of Arielle Miller, Ally Zabell, Yasmeen Alrahem, Marissa Berggrun, Hannah Levine, Bryonna Crenshaw, Joseph Holbert, David Holbert, Matthew Harris, Tola Adidepe, Anne Scheps, Eve Gleeson, Chloe Antrobus, Ruth Aminu, Isaac Cadesky, Josh Rapkin, Marcus Henderson and Josiah Rogers.

Retired Brady Middle School teacher Elaine Sonnie and her son, William Sonnie, will serve as directors. Orange High School Teacher Dave Opfer will be the technical director. Costumes are designed by retired Brady teacher Nancy Domiano. Senior Samantha Fenton is overseeing publicity.

MARMALADE WINNERS This week’s Orange Marmalade recipients are first-grader Lila Tye from Mrs. Marijana Benjamin’s class for cleaning up the art room without being asked; second-grader Kate Medina from Mrs. Carolyn Newman’s class for cleaning up the Legos even though she didn’t make the mess; and fourth-grader Janaan Qutubuddin from Mrs. Michelle Edwards’ class for cleaning up after our class activity.

Each week staff is encouraged to nominate students for the Orange Marmalade Award. This is a positive recognition program where staff members identify students who are being especially helpful, cooperative, kind and polite.

TIMMONS ZOO CREW Timmons Elementary School thirdgraders who work hard and show great effort are named to the Zoo Crew.

Members of the Zoo Crew are rewarded with goofy and crazy games and activities before school each week for eight weeks. Congratulations to the first quarter Zoo Crew members: Deborah Bennington, Dylan Britton, Alexa Busby, Angelina Castro, Abby Edwards, Victoria Estergall, Grace Geisler, Sean Gurd, Maria Hammerle, Samantha Henrikson, Sarah Jaroch, Spencer Koch, Emma Koenig, Alec Kolenic, Nick Leonetti, Jack London, Matthew Majkowski, Aaron Manis, Maris McKnight, Maddie Ostoyic, Micayla Paglia, Grace Roberts, Michael Ruf-Young, Morgan Skalsky, William Smith, Nathan Spencer, Kiefer Steward, Mollie Tewskbury, Anthony Valocchi and Bobby Ware.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Kenston Intermediate School has announced their Students of the Month for November.

Students selected for their participation in physical education were fourthgraders: Jonathan Abbarno, Rachel Apshago, Nolan Bartolone, Mason Jakacki, Sofia Keating, Donovan Maynard, Mary O’Neill, Marcie Oglesbee, Jonathan Tomcufcik and Samuel Willkomm; fifth-graders: Regina Artale, Evan Brickmann, James Keszenheimer, Michael Mercer, Jack Roman, Allison Sewell, Kyle Silk, Kate Taylor and Bennett Wenger.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS The following students at Kenston Middle School were nominated by their related arts teachers to receive the student of the quarter award certificate.

During the awards ceremony each student was presented an award certificate as well as a gift coupon. Students were nominated for the award based on their achievement and success during the first grading quarter in the Encore classes.

Sixth-grade students earning Encore honors were Carlton Allen, Brian Apshago, Aron Butler, Jessica Garrison, Sarah Herbruck, Jacki Jeromin, Connor Kenosh, Connor Kure, Max Mackenzie, Patrick Sheehan and Zach Skala.

Seventh-graders recognized for their efforts in Encore classes were Dominic Bartolone, Kyra Benza, Isaac Cooper, Megan Hiser, Mackenzie Kwak, Nick Manacchio, Sam Mendolera, Lauren Obman, Sam Secura, Katie Smith and Brianna White. Eighth-graders earning Student of the Quarter honors were Parker Banning, Sophia Bruzik, Mara Cass, Emma Edwards, Madison Kochert, Hannah Markel, Emily McDonough, Alexis Millard, Bailey Mulhern, Susan Smith, Nate Spicuzza and Julia Taft.

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Civil rights attorney Historical group gets good news on museum to speak at Ursuline

By BARBARA CHRISTIAN Renovation of the former Linden Hall building on East Summit Street and its conversion to a new Chagrin Falls Historical Society museum can be done, according to a report by the group’s feasibility study committee.

The documentation was presented Nov. 1 to the historical society’s executive board and Heritage Fund trustees.

Estimated cost of the purchase and restoration of the 1844 Greek revival home, now part of the Falls Walk cluster home development off East Summit Street in Chagrin Falls, is $2.5 million, according to historical society President John Bourisseau.

He said work has begun to identify a professional fundraiser who can advise the organization on whether that is achievable.

In preparation for the finding, Mr. Bourisseau will expand the society’s financial study committee.

He cautioned that these initial steps are only the beginning of a long process and the historical society’s executive committee will vote on each step in the process. “We are still pretty much at the beginning, we are in no rush and a long way from making a decision,” Mr. Bourisseau said of the purchase and restoration of Linden Hall.

“It’s a salvageable building, very historic and should be saved,” Mr. Bourisseau said. “If we can’t save it, we hope someone else will.”

The immediate next step in the process will come Nov. 14, when the restoration feasibility committee, headed by former Chagrin Falls Councilwoman Beth B. Skeel is to present the report to Village Council.

That will be followed the next morning, when the committee returns to Village Hall to present its restoration costs to the village’s architectural review board.

The architecture board is reviewing an application from Linden Hall’s current owner, Gary Spaeth, who is developing the Falls Walk subdivision.

Mr. Spaeth has argued that the building is in ruins, has no historical features remaining and cannot be economically rehabilitated.

For that reason “the architectural review boards are eager to see our restoration costs,” Mrs. Skeel said.

One of the criteria for granting a demolition permit is economic reasons, and Mr. Spaeth has said it has been determined the cost to restore Linden Hall would outrun its finished and intrinsic value.

He also has told the architecture board that he has been unsuccessful in attracting a buyer who would bring it back to its original use as a private residence.

Mrs. Skeel said members of the restoration feasibility committee intend to fight the demolition.

In addition to herself, members of the committee are: Kathryn Watterson, a former Village Council member and former Chagrin Falls Township trustee; Diana Nazelli, a historic preservationist and former Chagrin Falls Township trustee; Carolyn Sihler, whose family was the former owner of the Windsor Hospital property; and Mr. Bourisseau.

Working with the committee is historic consultant Wendy Hoge Naylor, of Chagrin Falls, and consulting registered architect is Jill V. Akins.

Preliminary plans for use of Linden Hall, should the historical society take on the restoration, were drawn by Ms. Akins. They show Linden Hall would expand the current museum in the Shute Building by almost 1,400 square feet.

“Our vision for the space would be a first-floor reception area, kitchen, meeting and display area, a parlor for a curator and librarian office plus an elevator, closets and restroom,” Mr. Skeel reported. The second floor of Linden Hall would be devoted to document archives, a computer room, work room, two display rooms and a restroom, she added.

When restored, the building would have two stairwells in the front and rear of the building and a basement which would feature climate-controlled object storage.

In its conclusion, members of the committee said: “We believe this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most important historic houses in Chagrin Falls as the future home of the historical society. We trust that such a project would generate community and regional enthusiasm for history, fulfill the mission of the society and show stewardship for future generations (and) an opportunity to ... bring greater enthusiasm to our organization and its important mission.”

By SALI McSHERRY Avery Friedman, a 1963 graduate of Orange High School, civil-rights attorney and CNN legal analyst, will speak about social injustice from 7 to 9 p.m.

Nov. 17 at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, where he is visiting professor in constitutional law.

The college has created the Avery Friedman Human Rights Scholarship for students enrolled in its legal studies program. The scholarship recipients will be selected based on their commitment to the advancement of human rights. Mr. Friedman teaches courses in women and the law, civil rights, employment law, constitutional law and law and the media.

He was instrumental in a discrimination case several years ago against former Woodmere Mayor Yolanda Broadie and the village by three police officers.

The values, voice and vision of the college, along with the Ursuline Sisters’ motto to transform society through contemplation, justice and compassion, have been the centerpiece of his instruction, according to Ursuline College President Sister Diana Stano. His students find in Mr. Friedman both an intellectual and moral model of the good that can be done through the law, she said.

Mr. Friedman, who is a member of the Orange High School Hall of Fame and has been a member of an alumni band, has lectured at more than three dozen law schools, including Stanford, Berkeley, Duke, Tulane and Texas universities. He is the first living white male to be inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame. He has been recognized in Time magazine, the New York Times and USA Today as a nationally distinguished civil rights lawyer and law professor, according to Sister Stano, and has been CNN’s legal analyst every Saturday for nine years.

The first major donor to the Avery Friedman Human Rights Scholarship was the Cleveland Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In addition to other donations, all funds from the event will go toward the scholarship.

Sister Stano and the evening’s master of ceremony, broadcaster and author Larry Morrow, of South Russell, will welcome attendees. The proceeds from this evening will benefit the Avery Friedman Human Rights Scholarship.

The cost of admission is $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. For more information, call Angela DelPrete at 440-646-8371.

The event will be held at Daley Dining Hall, 2550 Lander Road.

Trio charged in burglary after chase into woods

By SALI McSHERRY After two Cleveland men and one Cleveland Heights man were arrested in connection with a burglary in Pepper Pike Oct. 31, police are investigating possible links to other burglaries in the area.

Electronics, including video game equipment, an Iphone and televisions, as well as gold coins, with a total value of about $3,500, were recovered, Pepper Pike police said.

A groundskeeper at Pepper Pike Country Club told police he saw a couple of men taking televisions from a house owned by the club on SOM Center Road (Route 91). He said he yelled to them to stop and immediately called police.

The suspects drove away, heading south on SOM Center Road and west on Shaker Boulevard, according to the report. A Pepper Pike police officer who was eastbound on Shaker Boulevard

gave pursuit when he saw a van matching a description of the vehicle at the country club. The van pulled into a driveway, where the occupants jumped out and ran into a wooded valley behind the house, police said.

Pepper Pike police called for mutual aid from neighboring communities, including Lyndhurst police, who brought a tracking dog.

Police said Cory Wilson, 24, of Cleveland, was found in the woods and was charged with burglary and receiving stolen property.

Later in the week, police arrested two other men in connection with the burglary, DeAngelo Scott, 21, of Cleveland, and Carl Perkins III, 20, of Cleveland Heights.

Police said they are investigating whether the Oct. 31 incident may be connected to a rash of recent burglaries in Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Orange and Solon.

Judge equates gas boom to gold rush in 1849

By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR. The rush to lay claim to millions of cubic feet of natural gas through the fracking process is the equivalent to the 1849 California gold rush, according to Geauga County Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell.

Mr. Grendell was one of three guest speakers last week who informed some 80 public officials and residents at an oil and gas well informational meeting hosted by Hambden Township Trustees and the township’s zoning commission.

They described the fracking process, its potential threat to the county’s water resources and how residents can protect themselves when drillers knock at their doors.

“This is going to be a game changer for Northeast Ohio and Geauga County,” said Jeffrey R. Huntsberger, an attorney who has worked for the oil and gas well industry, as well as individual landowners, on the issue.

He told the audience that the state, which has seen 273,000 wells drilled in the past, is expected to see a rush to drill into the Utica shales lying 7,000 to 9,000 feet below ground.

The fracking process, or hydraulic fracturing, involves shooting water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into shale formations to unlock reservoirs of natural gas.

Mr. Huntsberger said the boom in drilling is expected to add an estimated 200,000 jobs and $350 million in taxes into the state.

However, he said, there are also costs to people’s lifestyles. “It is changing fairly rural areas into semi-industrial areas,” Mr. Huntsberger said. He said each operation requires the clearing of 10 to 25 acres to create a “major industrial operation.”

Because the majority of Geauga County residents rely on ground water at shallower depths of 50 to 300 feet, there is cause for concern, Mr. Huntsberger said. “Geauga relies on ground water and has to be concerned about this. They have to come through that layer of water, and that’s where problems can occur.”

Geauga County Health Commissioner Robert Weisdack said, because water is essential for life in the county, everyone must remain vigilant to protect it.

“Water is the lifeblood of this county,” he said. “We need to make sure, we need to be vigilant that our water is not contaminated.”

Mr. Weisdack said he conducted water well tests in a 2-mile radius around injection wells in Hambden and Montville townships to determine whether there were any signs of conta-

Herb Hammer reviews Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s ‘Lonely Planet’ Page B3

mination. None was found, he said, but many of those who were invited to participate refused, fearing that finding a problem would force them to disclose that to prospective buyers.

He said a check with the Ohio Department of Health revealed only two cases of cancer within the tested area. “I feel very comfortable, very relieved,” Mr. Weisdack said.

He said he would like to continue monitoring the area to ensure no problems are there or arise.

Mr. Grendell said, while the majority of land leases by drillers, primarily in the 1980s, were between the drillers and landowners, a new face has emerged. Land agents or brokers have entered the scene and will try to secure the leases from landowners, he said.

However, he said, some of these agents are not the most honest people.

He said one that he learned of offered $50 an acre when drillers are offering up to $5,000 an acre. They can also tie up the property once a lease is secured by holding it rather than selling it to drillers right away, he said.

Mr. Huntsberger said there has been no serious fracking incident reported in Ohio, although some have been reported in Pennsylvania.

He said the process involves 3 million gallons of water for each well drilled. Of the fluid sent to fracture the shale deposits, he said, 99.5 percent is composed of sand and water. The remaining portion is proprietary chemicals. Another 15,000 gallons of hydrocarbons come back through the well head and must be disposed. He said drillers have been dumping them into municipal systems which then treat and release them. However, he said, in West Virginia, residents have seen rises in salt levels in streams, as well as heavy metals, such as arsenic and barium, that exceed federal drinking water standards.

Mr. Huntsberger said there is no danger from regulating these processes, because drillers cannot take their jobs to China. The shale is here, he said.

Mr. Grendell said there are no standard leases or government-approved leases, as some drillers or agents may claim. He said residents are free to write whatever conditions they choose, such as the distance a well must be from homes, whether drillers can use the ground water for the process and how much a landowner should be paid for leases and royalties.

Mr. Huntsberger said the best guarantee to ensure a landowner’s rights is to hire an attorney to assist in writing the lease.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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Live and Learn Record funds raised University School, in Hunting Valley, raised a record $10,196.78 to capture the first-place trophy at the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance Into the Light Walk last month at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. University School nurse Denise Hodson, faculty member Lauren Calig and student representatives Kevin Froimson, Chris Lincoln, Ryan Clements, David Andersen, Walker Chieffe and Mason Monahan led the school’s fundraising team.

Helping to support the University School fundraiser were coach Ben Boka and the baseball team. Top individual fundraisers were Sam Weidenkopf, a junior from Chagrin Falls, and Conor O’Hara, a sophomore from Twinsburg.

Several other area schools contributed to the Into the Light Walk.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School, in Munson, raised more than $3,000 and Solon High School, more than $1,100.

Other local contributors included Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Orange and West Geauga school districts and a team from Federated Church in Chagrin Falls.

The Walk had three goals: to “shine the light” on depression and suicide prevention; to provide an opportunity for survivors of suicide to experience healing in a safe, anonymous way; and to raise funds to support SPEA and its signature program, Recognizing Teen Depression and Preventing Suicide, presented in 110 Northeast Ohio high schools, including several local schools.

For donations or information, call SPEA at 216-464-3471.

Children’s programs Registration started this week for December children’s programs at the Solon Library. Register online, by telephone or in person. For more information call 440-248-8777. The library is located at 34125 Portz Parkway.

Special programs include “Let’s Shine! Play, Learn & Grow,” 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 5. A wide variety of toys, books and other activities will be available for children from birth through age 4 to enjoy while Debbie Friedman, of the Jewish Community Center, discusses

Andrew Gabrielsen, of Chagrin Falls, enrolled as a freshman this fall at DePaul University in Chicago. *** Ayla Cash, of Pepper Pike, is on the 2011 homecoming court at Ohio State University.

She is a junior in the college of arts and sciences. *** Erin Striegel, Russell, enrolled as freshman this fall DePaul University Chicago.

of a at in

*** Sarah Wright, daughter of John and Sandra Wright, of Solon, received a B.A. in Spanish and religion, summa cum laude, during spring commencement at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich. The 2007 Solon High School graduate is pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit administration and leadership at Cleveland State University.

the value of hands-on creativity and answers questions about preschool child development. Registration is required.

“No Wimpy Kids Allowed,” for grades three to five, is scheduled at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 7. Participants should pick up their favorite “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book by Jeff Kinney. Then they will test their knowledge of Greg Heffley and his friends with trivia questions and activity challenges.

Registration is required.

Kindermusik of Cleveland will provide a free demonstration class at the library, Dec. 9. Toddlers from 18 to 36 months have their class at 10 a.m., and babies from birth to 17 months are scheduled at 11 a.m. Learn how music improves language and literacy skills, social and emotional development, and mathematics and pattern recognition skills.

Registration is required.

No registration is needed for the story and craft, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 10. Easy crafts with popular themes and favorite stories are featured in this monthly program for ages 2 to 5 and caregivers.

The library has no weekly story times in December. Story times will resume Jan. 2.

Blue Ribbon activities The Blue Ribbon program is in full swing this fall at the Solon Community Center. The program offers high quality, adapted recreation and leisure activities for persons with disabilities. All programs are open to Solon residents and nonresidents.

A fitness walking group for ages 14 and up walks from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

Thursdays. The group meets in the lobby and generally walks outside. Cost is $15 for five weeks. Register anytime.

“Rec Ex,” held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays at the second floor fitness area, is for ages 16 and older. Get to know the fitness equipment in this program, which runs from Dec. 5 to 21. Cost is $30.

Registration’s through Nov. 28.

“What’s Baking?” is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Individuals 12 and older will enjoy making and decorating holiday cookies in the community center kitchen. Registration is through Dec. 6.

The fee is $7.

by Sue Hoffman

University School won the first-place trophy at Suicide Prevention Education Alliance’s Into the Light Walk for raising more than $10,000.

A holiday party, 7 to 9 p.m., Dec. 16 in the community center banquet rooms, features a dance with a disc jockey and gift exchange. Cost is $10.

Registration’s through Dec. 9.

Look for more activities in 2012, with a karaoke and dance night, Jan. 20 and Feb. 24; pool party, Feb. 4; Valentine’s bowling party, Feb. 12 and the annual Fun Fest, March 3.

To obtain more information or volunteer, call Holly Buckey at 440-3371427.

Dinosaur party Chagrin Falls Library is presenting a dinosaur party, 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12, Learn dinosaur trivia, eat cake and enjoy a favorite movie. Bring the camera to have your picture taken with a special guest, the “library dinosaur.”

Registration is requested. Call 440247-3556. The library is located at 100 E. Orange St.

Teens create jewelry Technology and 3-D modeling are used for many hobbies including jewelry creation. The Orange Library is hosting a jewelry designing program at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22 for ages 13 to 18.

Participants design necklaces and

bracelets online, and then complete their creations in the library class. The library will supply the beads, wire and computer applications. Teens supply the ideas.

To register, call 216-831-4282. Space is limited. The library is located at 31300 Chagrin Blvd. in Pepper Pike.

Magical ride?

Chagrin Falls Library will present “A Magical Historical Ride Down River Road,” 2 to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 13.

Noted local historian and storyteller Dan Ruminski will take participants on a nostalgic virtual ride down historical River Road in 1917.

H e will provide a fascinating look at two of the most famous estates, the Circle, owned by Walter White, and Halfred Farms, owned by older brother Windsor White. The Whites, including third brother Rollin, were behind the creation of White Motors.

Learn how and why these brothers built these estates, what motivated them and at what cost. Also hear why Charles Lindbergh flew to the Chagrin Valley. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Chagrin Falls Library.

Call 440-247-3556 to register. The library is located at 100 E. Orange St.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Live and Learn Kids Book Club Kids book club, for students in kindergarten through second grade, meets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15, at the Chagrin Falls Library. Students read a pre-assigned book before coming to the library, where they enjoy a book discussion, activity and book-related snack.

The book discussion is on “Just a Dream” by Chris Van Allsburg. When he has a dream about a future Earth devastated by pollution, Walter begins to understand the importance of taking care of the environment.

To register, call 440-247-3556. The library is located at 100 E. Orange St.

Teen activities Teen advisory board meets from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 16, at the Chagrin Falls Library, 100 E. Orange St. The board offers students in grades six to 12 an opportunity to plan teen programs, help with children’s activities, talk about books and make new friends. Snacks are provided.

The same age group will have an opportunity to play Wii and board games at the library, 7 to 8 p.m., Nov. 16.

Enjoy an evening of open play on the Wii such as sports and carnival games.

Or play games like “Apples to Apples” and “Sorry.” Refreshments are provided.

Registration is requested for both programs. Call the Chagrin Falls Library at 440-247-3556.

Student honored Rachel Anderson a Gates Mills resident who’s a junior at Laurel School, in Shaker Heights, was among the top students in the country selected to attend

the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute last month in Des Moines, Iowa.

The institute, held during the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, drew 1,400 people from 75 countries to discuss the world’s hunger and food security issues. The World Food Prize, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, was founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug to recognize and inspire great achievements in improving the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world.

To be considered for participation, students researched global food security issues in the country of their choice, then submitted and presented papers to renowned experts and scientists.

At the institute, Rachel and more than 130 other high school students had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of internationally renowned World Food Prize laureates and leaders in food, agriculture and international development.

Rachel presented a paper on “The Millennium Goals: Agriculture to Trade” and participated in roundtable discussions with experts in industry, science, academia and policy. Research for the paper focused on examining major issues in global agriculture, development and food security in other countries.

Participants also helped with a hands-on service project packaging meals for Outreach International, a hunger-fighting organization that serves people in Iowa and abroad.

They also viewed the 2011 World Food Prize Laureate Award ceremony that honored the former president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and former president of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor.

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Star shines over CVLT Steve Shields, who passed away on Oct. 27 after a brief illness, was a friend and benefactor of the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre for over 50 years. A memorial service was held at the Federated Church on Nov. 5. He is survived by his brother Ed (wife Grace), who reside in Chagrin Falls, a brother Harold (wife Gloria), and 15 nephews and nieces.

His contributions to the theater were innumerable. He was an active participant in its life and works with his building at 56 River St. housing its River Street Playhouse, a black-box experimental facility often offering new plays with new actors and directors.

More than that, Steve was a generous person, an exceptional writer and a good friend of theater people, backstage and onstage, over most of its storied 82year history.

His stated three passions were writing his memoirs of World War II, remodeling his building and continuing to support live theater, to help preserve those masterpieces of the art of drama.

CVLT hopes to continue his dreams.

Chagrin Falls favorite son and chairman of CVLT’s ongoing capital campaign, Tim Conway, upon learning of his death, offered these comments to both Steve’s family and to the theater family: “I was sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. That’s a big chunk of Chagrin history that will follow him to his place of rest. It’s sad to hear of those passing who are so much a part of the wonderful history of Chagrin. He was a good friend and loyal contributor to the heart of what makes Chagrin the unique town it is. We are all lucky to be able to call the ‘village’ home and to have known folks like Steve who were, and are, so much a part of this wonderful village.

He will be long remembered and

blessed with thanks from those who knew him. Bless you, Steve, and thanks.”

CVLT will hold a memorial tribute to Steve at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 in its main-stage auditorium open to the public.

Steve’s star shines brightly above the theater and its energies, guiding and sustaining us for the future.

Tom Neff, President Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

Flat tax wrong answer This letter refers to the recent flat tax proposals that have been mentioned by the candidates for the republican presidential campaign.

I suggest that we all get our calculators out and apply that 9 percent or 20 percent to our adjusted gross income and quickly see that a flat income tax is definitely not the way to correct our current tax code. This method will leave us in as bad an unbalanced tax system as we are already in, or even worse, with the top earners having top incomes and the rest of us scraping the bottom of the barrel.

It will also not close up some of those bad tax loopholes that need to be closed, nor will it stop the special contributions to the oil and gas industry or big businesses making windfall profits.

The only way our tax code can be corrected to normal is in group tax brackets as it has been in the past but not showing favoritism to the top 1 percent. If this is too much of a stretch in the math, then I suggest you refer to the schedule used by former President Bill Clinton, since that seemed to work for the country. This will give you a breakdown on the various groups.

Also, I am hearing from Warren Buffett that one of the changes that need to be made is in the tax on capital gains, which brings down the taxes

considerably on the wealthy. One thing that has always puzzled me is that there is a break on the capital gains tax but nothing for personal savings interest. A break on personal savings interest might encourage more people to save a little, if that is possible in this economic environment.

I do not believe the charitable deduction should be eliminated. A maximum in one year of 30 percent of adjusted gross income seems adequate. A carryover to the following year was always accepted.

We need to give a tax break in interest on home mortgages and student loans, which are unsolved problems in our economy. Whatever help we could give on these would be appreciated by those affected.

I haven’t gone into business deductions here but mostly personal deductions. But, of course, small-business deductions and free-trade deductions should be taken into account, along

with other acceptable deductions if employers pay for employee insurance.

Elaine R. Wisniewski Newbury

Impact on community I have been involved with United Way Services of Geauga County for a number of years. I continue to support and volunteer for United Way, because I know that the services provided truly impact our friends and neighbors within our community. I have seen how United Way helps bring people and resources together so that they can lead independent and productive lives. This leads to a much stronger community in which to work, live and play.

Barbara L. Kimbrew Assistant Vice President Human Resources Manager Geauga Savings Bank Newbury

Know your legislators OHIO REPRESENTATIVES Marlene Anielski, District 17 77 S. High St., 12th floor Columbus 43215 Phone 614-644-6041

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES Steven C. LaTourette, District 14 1 Victoria Place, Room 320 Painesville 44077 Phone 440-352-3939

Richard Hollington Jr. District 98 77 S. High St., 10th floor Columbus 43215-6111 Phone 614-644-5088

Marcia L. Fudge, District 11 3645 Warrensville Center Road Suite 204 Shaker Heights 44122 Phone 216-522-4900

U.S. SENATORS Robert Portman 1240 E. 9th St., Room 3061 Cleveland 44199 Phone 216-522-7095

OHIO SENATORS Timothy Grendell, District 18 7413 Tattershall Drive Chesterland 44026 Phone 440-729-6145

Sherrod Brown 1301 E. 9th St., Room 1710 Cleveland 44114 Phone 216-522-7272

Thomas F. Patton, District 24 17157 Rabbit Run Drive Strongsville 44136 Phone 440-238-7132

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Solon artist pads best year at VAC Juried exhibit presents prizes

By BARBARA CHRISTIAN It’s been a good year for Solon artist Judy Takacs. It got even better last Friday, when she arrived for the opening reception of the Valley Art Center’s 40th annual Juried Art Exhibit and learned she had won the best-of-show award.

Better indeed. Her winning entry, a pair of oil portraits, “Cracking Up” and “Stillness,” is the fourth best-of-show award she has won this year.

Mrs. Takacs had never won any award for her art before this year’s bonanza.

The long dry spell was particularly true of her attempts to get past the selection process for the annual juried event in Chagrin Falls. “This is the place where I have been rejected the most,” Mrs. Takacs said of her past experiences with VAC. It speaks volumes about her perseverance in the face of the consistent rejection.

Her work selected by this year’s single juror, working artist and painter Lucette Johnson.

The life-size spontaneous portraits of her sons, Eric and Mark, are far from classical. No stiff poses or studied smiles here. Instead, “Cracking Up” and “Stillness” capture a moment in time during a family vacation in Hawaii, Mrs. Takacs explained.

There is something about the light in that place and the color of the sky that make the paintings glow, she said. But the thing which gives the two portraits that indescribable something is simply technique, Mrs. Takacs said. It’s all about creating contrast by “using a lot of reds and making the darks and the blacks transparent,” she said. Black

Photo by Itamar Gat

Judy Takacs, of Solon, took the best-of-show award with a pair of oil portraits, “Stillness” and “Cracking Up.” paint, in particular, can deaden a work if it is used without imbuing it with a sense of light, she said.

Mrs. Takacs is a specialist in the subjects she chooses. “I only paint people,” she said.

That may be a far cry from her original training as a graphic artist. The 1986 graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art ran her own graphic arts business before settling down to raise her family.

She said she began painting seriously again five years ago and approaches her art as she would a job, working in her studio during regular hours six days a week.

During last Friday’s opening reception, Mrs. Takacs stood before the two portraits of her sons, smiled for the camera and reflected on the large satin ribbon imprinted with the words “Best

of Show.”

“This has been a very lucky year,” she said. Her three other best-of-show awards were for work entered in the Bay Arts Juried Show, Lakeland May Show and the Shaker Heights Library Show.

Mrs. Takacs’ portraits are not alone in the winners circle at the Valley Art Center.

Another oil portrait, “Wild Man John,” by Carol Medhurst, of Aurora, was awarded first place. Highlighted by assertive brush work, her portrait is somehow reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s own self portrait.

Second place was awarded to Chagrin Falls artist Ann Beringer for her pastel “Warm Memories.” The title does not match the content of the darkly mysterious work, which invites the

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viewer to look closer and appreciate the pastel medium and the surface textures it produces.

Third place went to Pennsylvania artist Mary Ann Dobbs for “Which Way,” a set of finely crafted jewelry pieces using sterling silver, fine silver and what the artist termed “faux bone.”

A new award was presented during this year’s juried art exhibit in honor of one of the center’s original leaders and artist. The Phyllis Lloyd Memorial Award was presented to Charles Deihl, of South Russell, for his mixed-media work “Red Fish Red Cloud,” yet another portrait in what is a portrait-rich exhibit this year.

Its Southwestern themes and quirky addition of glittering gold fish would have pleased Mrs. Lloyd, who was known for a wry, almost secretive approach to her trademark abstract paintings and who chose the Southwest in which to spend her retirement years.

The Hardy Watercolor Award was presented this year to “Play of Light,” a watercolor by Terry Mamounas, of Aurora.

The Elsie and Byron Lutman Award went to Rosalie Brown, of Mayfield Heights, for “Send in the Clowns ...

Don’t Bother They’re Here,” a dollar bill embellished with beads, ink and colored pencil.

Ten honorable mentions were presented to artists Donna ChristleyRobbie Grodin, Kim Dockrill, Toni Fiderio, Tim Haas, Dicc Klann, Thomas Noble, Gail Peters, Carol Prior, Michael D. Prunty and Joy White.

Bridget Rousch, VAC gallery director, said the turnout for this year’s juried show was on target with previous years. A total of 309 entries were submitted, and 102 works were chosen for the show.

The 40th annual Juried Art Exhibit remains on view Monday through Saturday until Dec. 14. For more information, call 440-247-7507.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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ART PALETTE SOLON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Works by impressionistic painter Rob Crombie, through Dec. 16 (reception 67:30 p.m. Nov. 10). Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call 440-337-1400.

ORANGE ART CENTER, 31500 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike: “Animals in Art” exhibit and trunk sale, patron party 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1 (advance tickets $30), display 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 5-9. Call 216-831-5130.

CHAGRIN FALLS LIBRARY, 100 E. Orange St., Chagrin Falls: Photography by John Tillotson, through Dec. 30. Call 440247-3556.

HAMLET ATRIUM, 200 Hamlet Hills Drive, Chagrin Falls: Photography by Janice and Bernie Katz, through Nov. 18; “In Memory of Florian Lawton,” the private collection of Emerson Alexander on exhibit, Nov. 23-Jan. 27 (public reception 2 p.m.

Jan. 12). Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Call 440-247-4676.

FEDERATED CHURCH, 76 Bell St., Chagrin Falls: Photography from around the world by Anne Gruettner, through Nov. 30.

BEACHWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, 25225 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood: Beachwood Arts Council presents “Art Effect,” highlighting the works of painters Susan Woldman, Natasha Turovsky and B. Skufca and photographer Elisa Vietri, Nov. 11-Dec. 3 (free public preview 6-8 p.m.

Nov. 10). Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Call216-292-1492.

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE GALLERY EAST, 4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills: “Three Cleveland Artists,” Dennis Long, Alan Mintz and Gadi Zamir, through Nov. 14; faculty show, “Biennial 2011-12,” Dec. 1 (reception 6-8:30 p.m.)Jan. 30. Hours are 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Monday-Thursday. Call 216-987-2038.

SHAKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights: “Dream Weavers: the Art of the Loom,” featuring nine textile artists, through Dec. 30.

Museum hours are 2-5 p.m. TuesdayFriday and Sunday. Call 216-921-1201.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH South Wing Gallery, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights: Group show, representational and abstract paintings by Diane Farr, Lee Heinen and Regina Rubin Cody and ceramics by Cheryl Weinstein, through Dec. 4. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekends. Call 216-5815.

MUSIC NOTES VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 87 E. Orange St., Chagrin Falls: Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series features Quire Cleveland and the Cleveland Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, tickets $25 preferred, $20 general and $15 students. Call 440-724-4345.

HAMLET ATRIUM, 200 Hamlet Hills Drive, Chagrin Falls: Johnnycake Ridge Singers chorus, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15, free and open to the public. Call 440-247-4676.

PARK SYNAGOGUE EAST, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike: “Harp and Heels,” featuring dinner and concert with soprano Laura Pedersen and harpist Calvin Stokes, registration 3:30 p.m., concert 4:15 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13, tickets $27, concert only $15. Call 216371-2244, ext. 122.

STAGE LINES RIVER STREET PLAYHOUSE, 56 River St., Chagrin Falls: “Lonely Planet,” 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday through Nov. 12, tickets $10. Call 440-247-8955.

ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL Auditorium, 32000 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike: “Xanadu,” 7 p.m. Nov. 18-19, 2 p.m. Nov. 20, tickets $10 at the door. Call 216-8318601, ext. 5103.

NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN, 13000 Auburn Road, Munson: “Animal Farm,” 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-12, tickets $7 at the door, NDCL students free.

AURORA COMMUNITY THEATRE, Aurora: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday through Nov. 19, tickets $16, youth 18 and under $11. Call 330562-1818.

Photos by Itamar Gat

Juried exhibit award winners

Award winners were announced last Friday for the 40th annual Juried Art Exhibit at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls. First place was awarded for an oil portrait, “Wild Man John” (left photo), by Carol Medhurst, of Aurora, with brush work reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s self portrait. The Phyllis Lloyd Memorial Award was presented to Charles Deihl, of South Russell, for his mixed-media work “Red Fish Red Cloud” (right photo).

Friends land on ‘Lonely Planet’ As we step into Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s River Street Playhouse, we find the walls of the stage covered with maps. The sign on the counter explains, “Jody’s Map Store.” And there he is, Jody, alone in the store he never leaves.

“Lonely Planet,” Steven Dietz’s tightly wound, two-character play, has much to say about maps but more to say about the human condition. Jody has one friend, though by the look of things, he would rather his friend, Carl, went away.

But Carl comes back and then leaves again, running off to one of his imaginary jobs. He tells simple stories about being an art restorer at a museum, the owner of an auto glass shop and a tabloid reporter, among other occupations. In his whimsical way, he admits to lying about all of it.

Mr. Dietz, with his skill for detail, allows us to wander through Carl’s relationship to his maps. Is Mexico actually larger than Greenland? Do flat maps carry the true shapes of the world?

Pondering the dozens of maps could be endless. Are these maps a metaphor for something else or just a “map game” Jody keeps playing, sequestered in his low-end-of-town store?

Mr. Dietz plays a guessing game with us, allowing Carl to be the comic while Jody remains the straight man. What is going on?

GANG to tour exhibit at VAC The next Geauga Arts Network Group program will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls.

Bridget Roush, VAC’s gallery director and communications manager, will provide a guided tour of the center’s 40th annual Juried Art Exhibit. She will share back stories about the art and artists featured in the show. The exhibit, which opened Nov. 5, includes a wide range of media, from fabric art and jewelry to photography, sculpture and painting.

A graduate of Bowling Green State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ms. Roush has been curating VAC’s exhibits since autumn of 2010/ The Geauga Arts Network Group is an ad hoc group whose mission is to promote communication, collaboration and cooperation across artistic disciplines for artists living or working in Geauga County. For further information, contact Joanne Durante, at 440729-6481. The Valley Art Center is at 155 Bell St.

by Herb Hammer THEATER One day a chair is found sitting in the center of the store. Before long, more chairs turn up. Then Carl arrives with his arms loaded with even more chairs, abandoned chairs about to fill the store.

Did we know what the author had in mind from the start? I think so. We realize early that Carl is bringing in chairs once belonging to those who have died of AIDS, though the word AIDS is never spoken.

The flamboyant Carl is suddenly the gentle person we knew he would become. And though Jody spends a lot of time reliving his dreams, he’s actually a frightened, kind soul, afraid to be tested in spite of Carl’s urging.

The conclusion could be done in any number of ways, though Mr. Dietz has chosen the most obvious. His play is more about this unusual relationship between two gay men than it is about HIV. He gracefully avoids sentimentality but does allow us one hug as Carl

and Jody are finally clear as to what they mean to each other.

As bad news comes indirectly in the form of a cascade of chairs, “Lonely Planet” encompasses loneliness, terror, futility and, finally, friendship. Surely, this 1995 play is outdated. Yet skilled actors have allowed us to brush that aside.

Don Knepper’s Jody is a quietly desperate hermit whose movements are slow and calculated. His fears grow gradually. Mr. Knepper has grasped the soul of this lonely man and has made him live.

Matt Mortensen plays Carl, constantly shifting gears from wild comic to affectionate friend. The young Mr. Mortensen is slow at developing Carl, but, once he does, he’s exceptional.

Directing by David Malinowski has its moments. He has allowed exasperating dead air, long pauses which are often maddening. His two characters tend to speak to each other from opposite ends of the stage, creating some discomfort. For the most part, though, Mr. Malinowski does get it, keeping the action poignant without overdoing the sentimentality.

Mr. Dietz has created a believably powerful friendship, and really that’s what “Lonely Planet” is all about. It runs through this weekend. Call 440247-8955 for tickets.

Paintings on display “Sunset Path” and other works by local artist Rob Crombie, a painter of the impressionistic style, are on show in the Solon Center for the Arts Gallery, 6315 SOM Center Road. A meet-the-artist reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today (Nov. 10), and the exhibit continues through Dec. 16. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 440337-1400 for more information.

Local news, sports, arts, events and classifieds every week.

Call 440-247-5335 to subscribe.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

by Joan Demirjian memory, language skills, thinking ability and other intellectual functions and lasts about 15 minutes.

Each individual will meet in a private session with a trained health-care professional who will administer the screening quiz. The participants will receive a copy of the final result.

The screenings are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nov. 15 at five locations: Chardon Senior Center, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon; West Geauga Senior Center, 11414 Caves Road in Chester; Chagrin Falls Senior Center, 7060 Woodland Ave. in Bainbridge; Middlefield Senior Center, 15820 Ridgewood Drive in Middlefield; and UH Geauga Medical Center, 13221 Ravenna Road (Route 44).

Call the department on aging to register at 440-279-2130.

Winter is a blast Geauga Park District held a preview last week of its exhibition, “Snow Belted: Winter’s a Blast.” The exhibits are now open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Russell Township.

Visitors can access the exhibit daily through March 1 with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visitors of all ages will follow paths through rooms transformed with snowdrifts and bare trees to meet field and forest critters who find winter’s blast an annual ordeal.

Kids can go through vole tunnels and down the slide at the Otter Banks with the warning, “Beware of Predators.”

Exhibit information will show visitors the differences in the weight of snow by water contest. There will be displays of photos and videos of snow and storms.

There will be games that have been used through the centuries to beat the winter blues. Visitors can retreat to any icy cave to test their virtual skiing skills.

They will observe how the earth’s revolution gives rise to winter, and take a close look at the formation of snowflakes. There will be a locally built Lego sculpture and nature store sales suitable for stocking stuffing.

No registration is required for the free exhibit. For more information, call 440-286-9516.

Puff pastry is topic

Geauga Park District naturalist John Kolar test drives the X-Box surrounded by spectators at the park district’s preview of “Snow Belted: Winter’s a Blast” event. The exhibits are open daily through March 1 at the West Woods Nature Center in Russell.

Each comes with choice of homemade fries or baked potato, cole slaw, roll and butter and coffee. Dessert and beverages will be available.

Those who wish are welcome to bring their American flags, before 7 p.m. to be retired. The VFW post will also have new flags available for sale.

For more information, call the post at 440-349-1863. The post hall is next to the Solon Hardware store.

Register for ski club

Chagrin Falls Community Education is offering a class on making puff pastry for the holidays.

Participants will learn how to mix, roll, layer and fold the dough. Puff pastry dough can be used to make everything from apricot or nut-filled folded cookies to turkey pot pie.

They should bring five sticks of unsalted butter and a rolling pin, preferably one without handles. Some premade dough will be available to practice rolling, folding, cutting, filling, baking and eating.

Everyone will leave the class with recipes, samples and a folded package of puff pastry for immediate use or to freeze.

Pam Bayus is the instructor. She is a proponent of homemade baked goods with more than 20 years of home baking experience.

The class will be offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Pepper Pike Learning Center, Room 8 in Pepper Pike. The class fee is $34. To register, call 440-247-5375.

The last day to take advantage of Orange Community Education and Recreation’s Boston Mills Ski Club early bird discount is 5 p.m. Nov. 11.

The Boston Mills Ski Club is for students in grades three through 12 and registration takes place at the Pepper Pike Learning Center, on the Orange Schools campus, 32000 Chagrin Blvd. in Pepper Pike.

Once registered with the Orange Community Education and Recreation for busing and supervision, parents must also register with Boston Mills by going to its website.

The ski club will meet on Saturdays, Jan. 7 through Feb. 11. The club includes five lessons, three anytime passes and a pass to ski or snowboard every Saturday for the rest of the season.

The discounted fee for transportation and supervision is $59 for residents of the Orange School District or $69 for nonresidents, plus $135 nonrental or $188.25 with rental, payable to Boston Mills.

For more information, call 216-8318601.

Organize documents

Shelter offers discounts

In a class offered through Chagrin Falls Community Education, instructor Carol Foss will teach how to name and save information on computers and how to transfer the information to other drives or media.

The class will explain how to understand and use this knowledge to organize and back up documents, pictures and music. Everyone should bring a jump drive to class which will be held 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 at Chagrin Falls High School computer lab. The fee is $141. To register, call 440-247-5375.

Cleveland Animal Protective League is offering families an opportunity to give homes to homeless animals with a discounted adoption fee. The APL has hundreds of healthy, friendly, deserving felines waiting for a chance to have a home.

To help them find homes, the APL is reducing the adoption fee to $5 for all cats five months old and older and $20 for cats younger than five months. The adoption event will be held 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 12 at the APL shelter, 1729 Willey Ave. in Cleveland.

With so many cats now, the APL is struggling to bring in new cats that need help. All animals being adopted are spayed or neutered and have received age-appropriate vaccinations and treatment for worms and fleas.

Fish fry is scheduled Solon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1863, 6340 Melbury Ave. in Solon, is celebrating Veterans Day with a fish fry 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11. There will be a flag retirement ceremony at 7 p.m. when more than 300 flags will be burned.

The public is invited to the fish fry and the flag retirement.

The fish fry will offer a choice of beer battered white fish for $9 or breaded butterfly shrimp for $10.

Book to be discussed The third Tuesday book discussion will meet 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Chagrin Falls Library, 100 E. Orange St. in Chagrin Falls.

The November selection is “The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia: A Novel,”

by Mary Helen Stefaniak. It is a story of the Great Depression-era small town turned upside down by a worldly teacher.

Populated by unforgettable characters, including three impressive camels, the story rides a magic carpet from a segregated schoolroom in Georgia to the banks of the Tigris and back again.

Everyone is welcome.

For more information, call the library at 440-247-3556.

Computer email is topic Chagrin Falls Library will present the program, “Email with Gmail,” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the library, 100 E. Orange St. The free two-hour class is limited to 10 people.

Participants will be able to sign up for a free Gmail account that can be checked from any Internet computer.

Gmail is Google’s email service and offers spam filters, ways to organize messages and more.

Participants should already be proficient using a computer mouse and keyboard plus have prior experience with the internet, as taught in “Internet Essentials.”

They will need to have a free working Gmail account before the class begins. The class is being offered as part of the Connect Ohio Grant.

Call the library at 440-247-3556 for more information and to reserve a spot in the class.

Taste the chocolate Solon Library will host a session, “Chocolate: A Discussion and Tasting,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Chef Bev Shaffer, local culinary instructor and author of five cookbooks, will take participants on a chocolate journey, complete with tidbits and nibbles along the way.

The evening will end with one of her homemade brownies from her cookbook, “Brownies to Die For!” Books will be available for purchase and signing. The library is at 34125 Portz Parkway. For more information and to register, call 440-248-8777.

Screening is free Geauga County Department on Aging is partnering with University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center to provide residents with free memory evaluations Nov. 15.

Memory screenings are for everyone, regardless whether one has memory concerns now or for future comparisons. The screening is safe and simple and checks memory and other thinking skills. The screening consists of a series of questions or tasks designed to test

Auditor seeks top dog Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha is seeking the No. 1 dog in Geauga County. To kick off the 2012 dog registration, Geauga County Auditor’s office is conducting the “No. 1 Dog Contest” for all fourth- and fifth-graders in the county.

Mr. Gliha asks that a short essay be sent to his office by Nov. 18, explaining why the writer thinks his or her dog is the No. 1 dog in the county.

Representatives from the Geauga and Burton public libraries and the Geauga County Auditor’s office will judge the essays on Nov. 21. The winner will receive the first dog tag for 2012 from Mr. Gliha on Dec. 1.

More information is available at all public libraries in the county or by contacting the auditor’s office at 440-2852222, 440-564-7131 or 440-834-1856, ext. 1604 or directly at 440-279-1604.

Enjoy the outdoors Join the Cleveland Metroparks for a 2.5-mile walk from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25 to walk off the Thanksgiving feast.

The walk will be held at the arboretum off Arbor Lane in South Chagrin Reservation, north of Cannon Road in Moreland Hills. For information, call 440-247-7075.

Transportation available Those who have a doctor’s appointment that is outside of Geauga County and who are looking for safe and reliable transportation can call Geauga County Department of Aging.

The department’s escort program offers transportation for Geauga County seniors, 60 or older, to get to their medical appointments out of county.

The department offers transportation to Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake, Portage or Trumbull counties for medical appointments.

The program runs weekdays and has wheelchair accessible vehicles if needed.

For more information on the program or other programs available for seniors, call the department on aging at 440-279-2130, 440-564-7131 or 440834-1856, ext. 2130.

Award is presented Geauga Humane Society held its 2011 annual volunteer appreciation dinner recently. Every year, Geauga Humane Society bestows its Humanitarian Award to someone who has gone above and beyond to demonstrate compassion towards animals.

This year’s recipient was Gai Russo.

She is a longtime Rescue Village volunteer who is dedicated to saving lives.

From dog walking, to donating portions of her art sales to events, she is a champion of animals and a deserving recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award, according to the humane society.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

As director of religion of the Chautauqua Institution, and as program coordinator at South Franklin Circle, she is deepening interfaith understanding by exposing these communities to diverse global religious viewpoints.

South Franklin Circle is a lifestyle model for people seeking an alternative to a traditional retirement community.

It is owned and operated by nonprofit Judson Services Inc.

Resident is honored The Rev. Dr. Joan Campbell, a resident of South Franklin Circle retirement community in Bainbridge, was recently selected as one of 50 seniors nationwide to be featured in Leading Age’s “Celebrate Age” exhibit in Washington, D.C. Leading Age, a national association representing nonprofit organizations serving older adults, developed the exhibit in honor of their 50th anniversary celebration at its annual meeting.

More than 400 individuals were nominated to be part of the exhibit, which included stories and photos from each selected participant. A panel of older adults selected the individuals based on their “zest for life and commitment to making a difference in their communities.”

The Rev. Campbell, 79, has been a long-time advocate for peace and justice, committed to creating and supporting initiatives that build interfaith understanding.

She was executive director of the U.S. Office of the World Council of Churches and in the 1960s, she worked with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to break down racial barriers in Cleveland.

She recently served as an adviser in the development of the Charter of Compassion, created by author Karen Armstrong and affirmed by the

Elegant tea planned

The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, of Bainbridge, was featured in Leadingage’s “Celebrate Age” exhibit in Washington D.C.

Technology, Entertainment and Design organization. The charter has been signed by nearly 80,000 people in 77 countries.

Friends of Womensafe will host its Christmas Tea 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Red Maple Inn, 14707 S. Cheshire St. in Burton. Tickets are $45 each. Because space is limited, those who would like to attend are asked to call now to make reservations at 440-285-3741.

Participants will enjoy dainty sandwiches and freshly baked scones with cream and jam while listening to the life story of Amelia Earhart.

There will be a Chinese auction with a variety of certificates, baskets and unique gift items.

Lake Health and the Red Maple Inn are making it possible to provide the event at a reasonable price.

Friends of Womensafe is a nonprofit corporation with the sole mission of generating unrestricted funds for Womensafe, of Geauga County. In its first four years, Friends of Womensafe

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has donated $140,000 to Womensafe and built a strong team of more than 60 members.

New friends are being sought to help plan and execute fundraisers. It is an opportunity to lend talents to a growing organization that provides support for people in crisis. Membership applications can be obtained when calling 440285-3741.

Attendence noteworthy West Geauga Kiwanis Club congratulated members who have obtained the distinction of perfect attendance for the past year.

They are: Bart Alcorn, one year; Eric Milnar, two consecutive years; Pete Ronis, two consecutive years; Rich Levine, three consecutive years; Les Scott, three consecutive years; Dave Puruczky, 13 years and currently on a four-year streak; Gary Huston, 22 consecutive years; Bill Martin, 23 years on an 11-year streak; Dom Romonto, 25 years, currently on a 19-year streak; Dave Grenier, 26 years on a 12-year streak; Robert Miller, 46 years; and Gene Seelinger, 24 years.

The West Geauga Kiwanis Club meets 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Baptist Church on Chillicothe Road (Route 306) in Chester. Anyone interested in membership can contact Ken Mantey at 440729-2896.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Stagecrafters stages ‘Xanadu,’ story of magical Greek muse Orange Community Education and Recreation’s Stagecrafters Teen Academy will present “Xanadu” Nov. 18 to 20 in the Orange High School auditorium.

“Xanadu” follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time, the first Roller Disco. But when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.

The roller-skating musical rolls

along to the original hit score composed

by Jeff Lynne, of the 1980s band ELO, and songwriter John Farrar. Broadway storyteller Douglas Carter Beane weaves a moving, electrifying tale of fun.

The Stagecrafters production team includes producer Wendy Scott-Koeth, director Richard Hinkelman, musical director Angela Kaso and choreographer Abby Lausin, along with a cast of local young actors.

Curtain time is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

Orange High School is at 32000 Chagrin Blvd. in Pepper Pike. Call Dale Van Niel at 216-831-8601, ext. 5103 for more information.

Art sale is benefit for Rescue Village Diana Frankhauser (from left), Noah Wohlever, Casey Wilcox and Andrew Kotlar perform in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Geauga Theater.

Magical land of Narnia visited in Geauga holiday production The magical land of Narnia will come alive this December as the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild presents “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The classic production, dramatized by Joseph Robinette and based on the book by C.S. Lewis, is directed by Angela MiloroHansen in her main-stage directing debut.

The fantasy follows the story of the four Pevensie children who have been evacuated from their London home during World War II. In the country house of Professor Kirke, the youngest daughter discovers a wardrobe which to leads to the enchanted land of Narnia.

All the characters from the story will come to life on stage, including the mysterious great lion, Aslan, Father Christmas, Tumnus the Faun and White Witch. Holiday music will be included at each performance and paired with the adventurous tale.

The diverse cast for this production

is comprised of numerous regional actors, children and adults, and those who are new, as well as experienced, on the Geauga stage. John Kolar, who plays Aslan, recently was seen as the dentist, Orin Scrivello, in “Little Shop of Horrors” at Geauga Theater. In the role of the White Witch is Lakewood actress Barbara Chirdon, new to performing in Chardon. The Pevensie children will be played by Andrew Kotlar, as Peter, Diana Frankhauser, as Susan, Noah Wohlever, as Edmund, and Casey Wilcox, as Lucy.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” runs from Dec. 2 through 18.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, with a special holiday rate of $5 for children 10 and under. The historic Geauga Theater is at 101 Water St. on Chardon Square. For more information or to purchase tickets for the play,

Ornaments get to take ‘Bough’ The Geauga Council for Arts and Culture is seeking regional artists to showcase in its “Art Takes a Bough” community project featuring handmade holiday ornaments.

Entries must be submitted from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 or 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 7 at Big Creek Park’s Donald W. Meyer Center in Chardon Township.

Applications are available at the Meyer Center.

Once all ornaments are submitted, the general public is welcome to see them on display and available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, followed by an open house and reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Meyer Center.

Guests at the reception will have the opportunity to place silent bids on the

ornaments and enjoy holiday refreshments and music. At 7 p.m., Bill Hixson, a floral designer who has helped decorate the White House for the holidays for more than 27 years, will speak about legends and lore surrounding popular, iconic holiday figures, as well as flora and fauna of the season. His ornaments will be available for sale and signing at the event, as well.

Proceeds from the ornament auction and sale benefit participating artists, the Geauga Park District and Geauga Council for Arts and Culture. For more information or to participate as an artisan, contact Teresa Runion at 440-2790882.

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“Art From the Heart,” the Geauga Humane Society’s holiday fundraiser, will be held Dec. 9 and 10 at Freedom Design Kitchen and Bath in Chagrin Falls. It will feature hand-crafted artisan gifts, with proceeds benefiting the animals at Rescue Village in Russell.

On the opening Friday, from 5 to 9

p.m., shoppers will be treated to the art sale, an artists raffle, hor d’oeuvres, wine tasting and adoptable animals.

During the Saturday hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the art sale will continue, along with adoptable animals.

Freedom Design Kitchen and Bath is at 21 N. Franklin St. Call 440-338-4819,

Local youth perform drama Camille Rekhson (left), of Pepper Pike, played Helen Keller, and Shelby Kammer (right), of Solon, performed the role of Anne Sullican in the recent Mandel Jewish Community Center’s Playmakers Youth Theatre production of “The Miracle Worker.”

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District celebrated its 67th year at the annual dinner meeting Oct. 19 at the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds. The meeting began with election of one member to the Geauga SWCD fivemember board of supervisors. Dee Belew and Mary Slingluff were this year’s candidates. Mary Slingluff was re-elected to serve a three-year term.

The district gave a special program to honor Al Bonnis, retired district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Conservation poster winners and Conservation Teachers of the Year, Chris Kostiha, of Burton Elementary School, and Cheri Goggin, of Berkshire schools, were honored.

Joe Lausin was also recognized as Best of Show winner in the hay and grain show at the 2011 Great Geauga County Fair.

A live auction of seven decorated rain barrels from the 2011 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign. The auction raised more than $1,200 for the conservation district’s environmental education programs.

Rain barrel artists and buyers were: Old Wooden Barrel by Yvonne Delgado, bought by Cheri Goggin; Pineapple Portrait Barrel by Berkshire junior and senior high schools, bought by Chris Hannon; Feline Serenade by Lisa Urankar, bought by Carol Donaldson; Under the Deep Blue Sea by the Rodusky family, bought by Lois Hummer; Amusement by Byron Leffler, bought by Jeanie Lowe; Grape Face by Taryn Zwolinski, bought by Ann Thompson; and Times of Lunara by Geralyn Cartor, bought by Pat Goggin.

collaborative of local agencies and community representatives, sponsors the event.

Rochelle Payne, a service coordinator with Geauga Help Me Grow, was one of the 2011 award winners. She had been nominated four times for the award but her nominations were unique in that two were because of her work as the Ravenwood Mental Health Center’s child case manager.

Dr. William Rowane, the other award winner, is a Ravenwood Mental Health Center child psychiatrist. He has worked in that capacity for 16 years and is known as a tireless advocate for his clients.

“This award is presented on a biannual basis to individual in Geauga County who have exhibited a continued commitment to Geauga’s families and children, couple with a special passion for their work,” Betsy Griffin said. She is president of Geauga Family First Council and the Geauga County outreach coordinator for Starting Point, Northeast Ohio’s child care and early education resource and referral agency.

The award is named in honor of John Murray, an original member of Geauga Family First Council and the Geauga County administrator from 1993 to 1999. “John Murray epitomized the phrase ‘above and beyond the call of duty,’” Jim Adams, Geauga Mental Health and Recovery Services board executive director, said.

A special presentation was made at the reception in memory of Charles “Chip” Henry, who was killed last May in an accident while riding his bicycle in Troy. He was a founding member of Geauga Family First Council, and was a recipient of the John Murray award in 2003.

Efforts are honored

YMCA holds boutique

Two community members were recently recognized for their work on behalf of Geauga families and children at the sixth John Murray Commitment to Families and Children Award reception. Geauga Family First Council, a

Geauga Family YMCA, 12460 Bass Lake Road in Munson, will be holding a holiday boutique 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10.

Those who are interested in renting booth space for the boutique can call

District celebrates

Brenda Seiler at 440-285-7543. Space is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The sale will feature items from local artisans and merchandisers, including crafts, jewelry, soaps, lotions, scholastic books and more.

There will be complimentary massages from a licensed massage therapist.

Lunch can be purchased from the YMCA swim team and there will be a raffle for a chance to win prizes.

Shoppers can also support the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign by participating in a Chinese auction. Auction gifts are donated from the event exhibitors.

The Geauga YMCA is a branch of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland. The Geauga branch offers a broad range of programs including child care, summer day camps, aquatics, health and fitness and youth sports.

Program needs help Sponsor a Family is a holiday program providing food and gifts to lowincome families and seniors in Geauga County. For the past 40 years, Geauga County Job and Family Services has coordinated the program during the holiday season.

Last year, 630 families, from all locations in the county, received help through the program. It included more than 1,322 children who received toys and gifts.

In addition, between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds of food, was donated, sorted, packed and delivered.

Sponsor A Family matches lowincome families who need assistance during the holidays with area churches,

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organizations, companies, families and individuals who would like to help.

Families, foster children and seniors are referred to the program.

The goal is to match as many families as possible with sponsors from the community. Those not matched with a designated sponsor will receive food and gifts from donations Job and Family Services receives.

Area schools, businesses, organizations and churches collect food and toys to donate while individuals and families have made donating to Sponsor a Family part of their holiday tradition. Monetary donations are used to buy meat, staples and other basic items.

Volunteers are an essential part of the program, donating time to sort and pack food and gift donations to the families and to make deliveries.

Toy collection drives will begin Nov. 14 at the following locations: Middlefield Banking Co. in Middlefield (main branch); Huntington banks in Middlefield, Chardon and Burton; Geauga Savings Bank in Newbury; and Citizens Bank in Bainbridge and Chester.

To made donations, volunteer time or for more information, contact program coordinator Sara Shininger at 440-285-9141. Monetary donations are accepted to purchase food and other items not provided by donations.

Checks should be made to “Special Services.” Indicate Sponsor a Family in the memo portion of the check. They should be mailed to P.O. Box, 309, Chardon 44024. New toys, coats and other donations are accepted at Geauga County Job and Family Services, 12480 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Group gives $10,000 gift Womensafe started with a small group of women invested in empowering women with opportunities to make a difference in the community. Most importantly, the ladies were invested in continuing to speak up and address issues that directly involve the gender.

More than 30 years later, the concept still exists with addressing domestic violence in the community. Women are joining together to make a difference.

Most recently, the 100-Plus Women Who Care: Western Reserve made a $10,000 charitable gift to Womensafe to serve their mission of providing a “meaningful impact” in the community.

The group, 100-Plus Women Who Care: Western Reserve, is interested in supporting the local community through philanthropy. It welcomes members from all walks of life and varying financial backgrounds.

Quarterly, the women come to the table

Thanksgiving celebrated The Chagrin Valley Council of Churches will gather at 4 p.m. Nov. 20 for an ecumenical, community celebration of Thanksgiving at Valley Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge. The focus will be on how local churches and their members can celebrate God’s blessings by sharing with and caring for others.

Guest speakers will be Anne Goodman, from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and Joanne Randall, from United Way of Geauga County. All donations will be divided between their two agencies. The gathering also will celebrate the work of Mindful Mondays and Bainbridge Area Food for Friends.

In addition, the worship service will feature an anthem performed by a community choir, and those who would like to participate are invited to join the rehearsal at 3 p.m. that day. Special music also will be provided by the Valley Bells and other participants from neighboring churches.

Valley Presbyterian Church is at 17560 Chillicothe Road. Call 440-5431071 for more information.

Alliance gives thanks The community Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Solon Alliance of Interfaith Leaders will be held at 6 p.m.

Nov. 20 at Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church.

This year, participants will give thanks while sharing a meal together, with each congregation responsible for providing specific dishes and the host church responsible for set-up, bever-

with $100 checks with one focus, that of impact.

Womensafe provides emergency shelter and resources for victims of violence in the community. The gift from the group will be used to directly serve women and children who are struggling with living in a violent environment and the recovery process.

Womensafe offers 24-hour crisis management and support. For assistance, call 888-285-5665.

donated back to the community, according to Mr. Rupp.

For tree sale information, Mr. Rupp can be reached at 440-460-0156.

The West Geauga Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Baptist Church on Chillicothe Road (Route 306) in Chester. Anyone interested in membership can contact Ken Mantey at 440-729-2896.

Tree sale to begin

Western Reserve Land Conservancy and its conservation partners have been honored by the top environmental agencies of the United States and Canada for preserving land in the Grand River watershed and increasing public awareness of the ecosystem.

The Land Conservancy’s Grand River Corridor Protection Project was chosen as a 2011 Success Story by the State of the lakes Ecosystem Conference from 30 United States and Canadian nominations. The award recognizes outstand-

West Geauga Kiwanis Club is preparing for its annual Christmas tree sale.

Dennis Rupp was appointed by Bart Alcorn, president of the club, as chairman of the sale.

The sale will be held in the Chester Square Plaza, across from Drug Mart.

Fresh cut, Ohio-grown Scotch pine, Fraser fir and blue spruce have been selected. They are up to 10 feet tall.

Prices are reasonable and profits are

ages and bread. Volunteers are needed to help organize the effort and may do so by contacting Peggy Anderson, church secretary, at 440-248-5260.

Those attending the service are asked to bring nonperishable food for the Church of the Resurrection food bank.

Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church is at 35100 Solon Road. Other members of the Solon alliance are Advent Lutheran Church, Church of the Resurrection, Kol Chadash, Solon Community Church and Solon United Methodist Church.

Church expresses thanks As a way of saying thanks for all its blessings, St. Anselm Church in Chester is extending an invitation to all to attend its free 20th annual Thanksgiving dinner to be held in Kelly Hall.

The buffet-style dinner will be served from noon to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. It will include roast turkey, stuffing, real mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, vegetables, beverages, salad, homemade apple sauce and desserts, along with door prizes.

Any donations or free-will offerings will go to the Geauga Hunger Task Force. St. Anselm Church is at 13013 Chillicothe Road. Call 440-729-9575 for more information or to make donations.

Bereavement group meets Park Synagogue is sponsoring a bereavement support group for individuals who have experienced the death of

Conservancy honored

a loved one. The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on six Thursdays, Dec. 1 through Jan. 5, at Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd. in Pepper Pike.

Ieda Warshay will facilitate the group. Participants will gain insight into the stages of mourning and the normal feelings of grief experienced after the death of a loved one. Group members also will find support, strength, friendship and hope from each other.

The support group is free and open to the community. Pre-registration is required by Nov. 21. Contact Ellen Petler at 216-371-2244, ext. 122, from more information and to register.

Reconciliation prepared A parents-only meeting for those with second-graders preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today (Nov. 10) at St. Joan of Arc Church in Chagrin Falls. It will include the theology of the sacrament, the remote and immediate preparation for the children’s reception of the sacrament, the rite of penance and parents’ involvement within the communal celebration.

Also at St. Joan, adult men and women are asked to consider being altar servers for funeral Masses. The church averages about 30 funerals per year, and the normal time is 10 a.m.

Monday through Saturday. Those who are able to perform the corporal work of mercy are asked to call the Rev. David J. Walkowiak, pastor, or the Rev. Gary J. Malin, associate pastor, at 440-2477183.

St. Joan of Arc Church is at 496 E. Washington St.

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ing efforts to protect the Great Lakes Basin.

The Success Story award was presented to the land conservancy at a conference recently in Erie, Pa. The land conservancy, which works to preserve the scenic beauty, rural character and natural resources of Northern Ohio, has permanently protected more than 4,000 acres in the Grand River watershed. It covers more than 453,000 acres in Lake, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Geauga and Portage counties.

The Grand River, which in 1974 was designated a State Wild and Scenic River, drains about 712 square miles and is home to 87 species of fish, 115 bird species and 60 rare plants.

The land conservancy has preserved more than 380 properties and more than 23,500 acres in Northern Ohio. It was formed in 2006 by the merger of eight local land trusts. Grand River Partners Inc. merged with the land conservancy in 2009.

Children to perform The youth of Valley Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge will present a Christmas program, “We Three Kings,” during the worship service on Dec. 18.

Children age 4 and older will practice after church on Nov. 13 and 20 and Dec. 4, and a special dress rehearsal will be held Dec. 17.

Children’s Sunday school classes are collecting mittens, gloves, hats, socks and scarves for a mission project this month. Donations may be added to the tree through Nov. 30.

Also, the annual Christmas Angel Tree project to help less fortunate people in Greater Cleveland will be ready on Nov. 20. Angels listing desired gifts will be placed on the tree in the narthex. Members of the congregation will select angels, purchase the corresponding gifts and place the unwrapped gifts under the tree. The project continues until Dec. 11.

Valley Presbyterian Church is at 17560 Chillicothe Road. Call 440-5431071 for more information.

Food baskets filling Members of Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Solon are collecting nonperishable food items for Thanksgiving baskets that will be shared with the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center in Bainbridge. The goal is to fill the shopping cart located near the membership picture board.

The baskets will be packed and delivered on Nov. 16.

For more information, call 440-2485260. Pioneer Memorial Church is at 35100 Solon Road.

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THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Friday HAMLET VILLAGE, 200 Hamlet Hills Drive, Chagrin Falls, hosts a Veterans Day party and ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Atrium to honor veterans. Chagrin police Detective Tim Reed gives the invocation, and Chagrin Falls VFW presents a program with a bagpiper. All veterans will be recognized individually. Veterans, their spouses and friends are invited for live music with the Mike Jacobs Band. Free and open to the public. For reservations, call 440-247-4676.

NORTH CHAGRIN NATURE CENTER, off SOM Center Road in Mayfield, hosts Family Friday Night from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Learn how animals and plants prepare for winter during an evening stroll.

Free and open to the public. Call 440-473-3370.

FROHRING MEADOWS, 16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge, hosts a guided hike from 7-8:30 p.m. to learn moon folklore while hiking through the meadow. Meet at Katydid Shelter. Free and open to the public. Call 440-286-9516.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at: Hathaway Brown School, 19600 N. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Notre Dame College, 1857 S. Green Road, South Euclid, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Cardinal High School, 14785 Thompson Ave., Middlefield, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-733-2767.

WEST GEAUGA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chester, annual fall book sale honors all veterans today in honor of Veterans Day with a voucher for $2 toward their book sale purchase. Books are priced from 25 cents to $1. Movies, books on CD, puzzles, games and collectibles are specially priced. Nov. 12 is $3 bag day. Also, free drawing for signed copies of Rick Porello’s “To Kill an Irishman.” Call 440-729-4250.

Saturday MAPLE MOUNTAIN CHORUS OF SWEET ADELINES fall show “Broadway! Then and Again Reunion” is performed at 3 and 7 p.m. at Hope Ridge United Methodist Church, 9870 Johnnycake Ridge Road in Concord. Featured is the men’s quartet “Curbstone Harmony” in barbershop style. Tickets are $10. Call 440-639-0961 or 440-729-1470 for tickets and more information.

MAYFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester, invites the public to its community Thanksgiving dinner from 4:306:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Cost per plate is $8 for ages 11 and up, $5 for children 5 to 10, under 5 are free, dine-in only. Take-out orders are $8 each and meals consist of roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy, veggies, homemade rolls and pies. After dinner, the youth drama ministry presents “Pirates of Penzance” in the worship center. Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds benefit outreach ministries. Call 440-729-4006.

CLARIDON GIRL SCOUT TROOP 1324 sixth annual Santa Shoppe is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Claridon Town Hall, Mayfield and Claridon-Troy roads. Tables are $20 each. Crafters and vendors welcome. Call 440-635-1173.

ORANGE SENIOR CENTER, 32000 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike, presents Holiday Boutique 2011 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free and open to the public, the boutique features handmade specialties from the senior center’s Loving Hand gift shop, fine arts and crafts by skilled artists and crafters, home decor, holiday items, clothing and more. Call 216-831-8601, ext. 5700.

ST. JOHN BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 36125 Aurora Road, Solon, annual winter craft fair is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free and open to the public, it features handmade art and crafts, ethnic foods, lunch available and entertainment. Call 216-570-8201.

CITIZENS ADVOCATING RESPONSIBLE ENERGY sponsors an ethnic dinner fundraiser from 5-7:30 p.m. at Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road. Admission is $10 per person for all-you-can-eat, children 6 to 12 are $5, and under 6 are free. Foods from around the world include pierogies, shepherd pie, elk chili, German potato salad, ground nut stew, chicken paprikash, desserts and more. No reservations are required, and carry-out is available. Proceeds help CARE’s mission of preservation and conservation of natural spaces and productive farmland. Call Jim Galm at 216-346-0782 or Brian Ross at 440-7153670.

GEAUGA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS offer a class to create a Thanksgiving table decoration from 9 a.m.-noon at the Geauga County OSU Extension Office in Patterson Center in Burton. Master gardener Phyllis Mihalik leads the class to create a fall arrangement from nature’s bounty including hydrangeas, cattails, astilbe, nuts, seed pods and dried flowers. Learn the basics of flower preservation and arranging and make your piece to take home. Supplies and refreshments are included in the $35 fee. Pre-registration and prepayment are required. Call 440834-4656.

ST. ANSELM WOMEN’S GUILD annual Christmas boutique is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Anselm Church, 13013 Chillicothe Road, Chester.

Admission is $1 with chance at door prize. Over 80 vendors, snack bar, bake sale, raffle with great prizes. Join the Boutique Bounce, including Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, and St. Mark Lutheran Church, 11900 Chillicothe Road, Chester. Have your card stamped at each show for a chance at gift baskets. Call Nancy Battenfield at 440-729-9684.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at Legacy Village, 25145 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 800733-2767.

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT holds a two-mile hike

Blvd., Pepper Pike, Caregiver Support Group meets from 3-4 p.m. Christa Willis from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Marilyn Brennan, a licensed social worker, discuss various support services available to caregivers and the Family Caregiver Support Program. Open to all caregivers in the area. A $2 donation is suggested. Call 216-831-8601, ext.

5700.

Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. Meet at the West Woods Affelder House off Chillicothe Road entrance in Russell.

Call 440-286-9516.

Sunday AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at: Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; and St. Helen’s Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-733-2767.

OBSERVATORY PARK of the Geauga Park District, 10610 Clay Road in Montville, hosts “Timbertots” for ages 3 to 5 with adult from 3-4 p.m. in the Robert McCullough Science Center.

Explore the world of weather with hands-on activities. Pre-registration required. Call 440-2869516.

SHAKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM, 16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, hosts local artist Fran Steinbock for a workshop to create felted wool flowers from 2-5 p.m. Fee is $50 for members and $55 for nonmembers and includes instruction, wool fiber and felting equipment. Bring two bath towels and sharp scissors to the class. To register, call 216-921-1201.

Monday CHARDON SENIOR CENTER, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Munson, hosts a special program by the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District at 10:30 a.m. to discuss what can be recycled and what to do with household hazardous wastes. Enjoy Earth bingo and win prizes from recycled materials. Call 440-2792130.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at: First Covenant Church, 29400 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, 1-6 p.m.; Longfellow Elementary School, 35200 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake, 2-7 p.m.; St. John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor, 1-7 p.m.; and Tri-Point Medical Center, 7580 Auburn Road, Concord, 12:30-4:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-733-2767.

CHAGRIN FALLS SENIOR CENTER, 7060 Woodland Ave., Bainbridge, hosts a Medicare update at 11 a.m. Bring questions to this informal meeting. Call 440-247-8510.

GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH, 470 Center St., Chardon, meets at 7 p.m. in the meeting room. Call 440-279-1900.

Tuesday CHAGRIN FALLS SENIOR CENTER, 7060 Woodland Ave., Bainbridge, hosts the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals to administer free memory screenings.

For an appointment, call 440-279-2130.

WEST GEAUGA SENIOR CENTER, 11414 Caves Road, Chester, welcomes a professional from Geauga Medical Center to administer cognitive memory screenings. For an appointment, call 440-729-2782.

SOUTH FRANKLIN CIRCLE DIALOGUES presents “Trees, Forest and Communities: the Holden Arboretum’s Vision for the Future” by Clement Hamilton, president and chief executive officer of Holden Arboretum, at 7:30 p.m. in the Chautauqua Room, 16600 Warren Court, Bainbridge. Free and open to the public with complimentary valet parking. To register, call 440-2471300.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at: Cleveland Clinic Beachwood, 26900 Cedar Road, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Mayfield Village, 6622 Wilson Mills Road, 2-6 p.m.; and Newbury High School, 14775 Auburn Road, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-733-2767.

CHARDON SENIOR CENTER, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Munson, participates in National Memory Screening Day with activities designed to challenge your memory. Call 440-279-2130.

GEAUGA ARTS NETWORK GROUP meets at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls. Bridget Roush leads a tour of the center’s 40th annual Juried Art Exhibit.

Refreshments served. Call Joanne Durante at 440-729-6481.

SUNNYBROOK PRESERVE of Geauga Park District, 12474 Heath Road, Chester, hosts “Timbertots” for ages 3 to 5 with adult from 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. in the Lodge. Explore the world of weather with fun hands-on activities. Pre-registration required. Call 440-286-9516.

CHARDON COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM holds a community meeting to discuss Ohio’s Social Host Law from 7-8 p.m. at Auburn Career Presentation Center, 8140 Auburn Road, Concord. Experts will be on hand to take questions regarding the law and how it could further limit the ability of teens to obtain alcohol from adults. Refreshments provided by the students in Auburn Career Center’s culinary arts program. No pre-registration is required. Call 440-285-9119.

ORANGE SENIOR CENTER, 32000 Chagrin

GEAUGA COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT children and adolescent immunization clinic is from 911:30 a.m. at St. Lucy Mission, 16280 Kinsman Road, Middlefield. Free for Geauga County residents; nonresidents pay $5 per child per visit.

Bring immunization records with you. Call 440279-1950.

BURTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH “Good Samaritan Dinner” is served from 5-6:30 p.m. at the church on Burton Square. Adults are $7, children 4 to 11 are $3, and under 3 are free.

Homemade meal consists of meat, two sides, bread, dessert and beverage. Take-out is available, call 440-834-4495 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the day of the dinner. Proceeds help emergency needs of local families.

JUDSON SERVICES host a forum “Understanding Choices in Senior Care” at 7 p.m. at Solon Community Church, 33955 Sherbrook Drive, Solon. Free and open to the public. Call 216-791-2321.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at South Pointe Hospital, 20000 Harvard Road, Warrensville Heights, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-733-2767.

CHARDON SENIOR CENTER, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Munson, hosts Bernadette Gliha at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the changes in Medicare that may impact health-care coverage. At 12:45 p.m., a Geauga Park District naturalist presents “Trees are More Than Leaves.” Call 440-2792130.

OBSERVATORY PARK of Geauga Park District, 10610 Clay Road, Montville, hosts “Timbertots” for ages 3 to 5 with adult from 10-11 a.m. in Robert McCullough Science Center. Explore the world of weather with hands-on activities. Pre-registration required. Call 440-286-9516.

WEST GEAUGA SENIOR CENTER, 11414 Caves Road, Chester, hosts students from St. Anselm School for an interactive intergenerational event at 11 a.m. Call 440-729-2782.

Thursday GEAUGA COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT children and adolescent immunization clinic is from 3-6 p.m. at St. Lucy Mission, 16280 Kinsman Road, Middlefield. Free for Geauga County residents; nonresidents pay $5 per child per visit. Bring immunization records with you. Call 440-2791950.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, CLEVELAND SECTION hosts the eighth annual Lois Zaas Memorial Advocacy Lecture from 7-9 p.m. at Temple Emanu El, 4545 Brainard Road, Orange. A panel of speakers discuss “The Immigration Dilemma,” followed by a question-and answer-session. For reservations, call Julie Hayes at 216-378-2204, ext. 100.

BIG CREEK PARK of the Geauga Park District, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon, hosts Maple Town Tune Traders Jam Session from 7-9 p.m. in the Meyer Center. Singers and musicians in all genres are welcome. Bring snacks to share. Call 440-286-9516.

JUDSON SERVICES sponsors an informational session about home- and community-based services through its Smart Living at Home program at noon at the Sara’s Place, 1501 Chagrin River Road, Gates Mills. A light lunch is served following the presentation. Free and open to the public.

To register, call Melissa Schneeweis at 216-7913211.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at Eastlake Municipal Center, 35150 Lakeshore Blvd., 2-7 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-7332767.

CHAGRIN FALLS SENIOR CENTER, 7060 Woodland Ave., Bainbridge, welcomes nursing students from Kent State University to provide free blood-pressure checks and a program on healthy living at 11 a.m. Call 440-247-8510.

Sandra Ekstrand

Professor Sandra Ekstrand, formerly of the Chagrin Valley, associate professor of economics, accounting and business administration at the University of Mount

Next Friday ORANGE SENIOR CENTER, 32000 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike, hosts a health and wellness program, “Understanding Arthritis: How to Help Your Aching Bones,” at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. To register, call 216-831-8601, ext.

5700.

NORTH CHAGRIN NATURE CENTER, off SOM Center Road in Mayfield, hosts Friday Movie Night: “Life After People” from 7:30-9 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and popcorn is served. Free and open to the public. Call 440-473-3370.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood, call 800733-2767.

Coming Up GEAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY RESCUE VILLAGE, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell, celebrates its 10th birthday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the community room. Free and open to the public, enjoy balloon animals, face painting, games and more. Please bring a “gift” for Rescue Village. For reservations or more information, including wish list, call 440-338-4819, ext. 10.

GEAUGA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS offers a family fun class with simple origami for all ages from 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 19 at the Geauga County OSU Extension Office, Patterson Center in Burton. Work easy paper folding into animals, insects, trees and more. Open to children ages 6 and above accompanied by an adult. Fee is $15 for adults only; supplies and light refreshments are included. Pre-registration and prepayment are required. Call 440-834-4656.

NORTH CHAGRIN NATURE CENTER, off SOM Center Road in Mayfield, hosts “Scout Saturday: Nature Merit Badge” from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 19.

Scouts bring their blue card and nature worksheet to complete most of the requirements for the nature merit badge. Registration is required.

Sunday bird walk is from 9-10 a.m. Nov. 20.

Search the pond and marsh for waterfowl.

Binoculars are recommended. Free and open to the public. Call 440-473-3370.

MENTOR SENIOR CENTER, 8484 Munson Road, annual arts and craft sale is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 19. Free and open to the general public; senior center membership is not required to attend. Call 440-974-5725.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE is offered Nov. 19 at: Mitchell’s Ice Cream, 6130 Kruse Drive, Solon, noon-4 p.m.; Valley Presbyterian Church, 17560 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Chick-Fil-A, 9611 Mentor Ave., Mentor, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 20 at: Word of Grace Church, 9021 Mayfield Road, Chester, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 21 at: Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church, 5312 Mayfield Road, 1-5 p.m.; South Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Drive, 1-7 p.m.; Geauga West Library, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chester, 1-7 p.m.; and Painesville Assembly of God, 10949 Johnnycake Ridge Road, 1-7 p.m. Nov. 22 at: Hilton Garden Inn, 700 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, 2-7 p.m. To donate blood, call 800-7332767.

BIG CREEK PARK of the Geauga Park District, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon, hosts Steve and Helen Humpal, owners of For the Birds, Wildlife and More in Chardon, to share their secrets of inviting birds into your backyard to feed from 1:303 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Meyer Center. Free and open to the public, school age and up, with no registration required. Call 440-286-9516.

SHAKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM, 16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, Sunday Spinners Series is from 2-5 p.m. Nov. 20, free with museum entry. Gifted spinners and weavers from Northeast Ohio demonstrate their talents. Call 216-921-1201.

CHARDON SENIOR CENTER, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Munson, hosts a representative from Geauga County Board of Mental Health to present a program designed to enhance communication skills when talking to health-care providers at 12:45 p.m. Nov. 21. Also, newsletter folding begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 21. Call 440-2792130.

WEST GEAUGA SENIOR CENTER, 11414 Caves Road, Chester, hosts a Thanksgiving feast from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 22 for members of West Geauga and Chagrin Falls senior centers.

Enjoy dinner and dance to the sounds of “Steppin’ Out.” Call 440-729-2782 or 440-279-2130.

Union in Alliance, has received the excellence in education award sponsored by Ohio Magazine.

Most of her professional experience is in business, education and health-care environments, which is why her approach to teaching is to incorporate those experiences and industry knowledge into the curriculum. She has been instrumental in the development of the

human resource management major at the university.

Ms. Ekstrand earned a B.A. in management from Malone University and an M.S. in organizational development and analysis from Case Western Reserve University. She also earned certification as a senior professional in human resources and other certifications through the Center for Creative Leadership.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 C1

PLAYOFFS

Chagrin Valley Times / The Solon Times

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has 717 football-playing schools this year. There are six divisions determined by student enrollment. Each division has approximately 120 schools in it and 32 schools from each advance to the state playoffs.

There are four regions in each of the six divisions.

Each region has approximately 30 teams in it. The top eight teams from each region advance to playoffs.

Tigers to face Ravenna; Comets-Mentor, Act II

By TONY LANGE Division III Region 9

Division I Region 1

Photos by Itamar Gat

Chagrin Falls’ Bradley Munday (33) intercepts this pass intended for Firelands’ Jake Myers.

No. 1

Solon’s Khoury Crenshaw leaves two would-be tacklers from Willoughby South, Michael Strumbly and John Marron, in his wake.

Chagrin Falls Tigers (11-0)

No. 5

Solon Comets (10-1)

No. 1

Mentor Cardinals (10-1)

vs.

No. 4

vs.

Ravenna Ravens (9-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Warren G. Harding, Mollenkopf Stadium/artificial turf

7 p.m. Saturday, Parma, Byers Field/artificial turf

Chagrin Falls coach praises squad for focus, maturity

Solon coach: Team must prove it belongs on field with Cards

The Chagrin Falls Tigers (11-0) will travel to Mollenkopf Stadium in Warren for their fourth consecutive regional semifinals game.

This year, they will take on the Ravenna Ravens (9-2).

The winner will advance to the Division III Region 9 finals against the winner of the Lake Catholic (10-1) and St. Vincent-St. Mary (92) game.

Chagrin Falls is the top seed in the region and Ravenna is the fourth seed.

The Tigers are coming off a 6614 win against previously unbeat-

In a matchup of Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division cochampions, the Solon Comets (101) will travel to Byers Field in Parma for a rematch against the Mentor Cardinals (10-1).

The winner will advance to the Division I Region 1 finals against the winner of the St. Edward (8-3) and St. Ignatius (9-2) game. All four teams were ranked in Ohio’s top 10 Division I teams in the final Associated Press poll.

While Mentor was ranked fifth in the AP poll, the Cardinals are the top seed in Region 1. Solon

en Firelands team. In the postgame huddle, head coach Mark Iammarino said, “New opponent, same formula, round two.”

“These guys are very, very focused. I’m very impressed with the maturity of this team,” Iammarino said about his players.

“They never get too up or too down. And I think they realize what they need to do week in and week out and I’m proud of them the way they come out and prepare and it’s going to take it because you’re going to face

was ranked 10th in the AP poll and is the No. 5 seed in the region.

When Solon and Mentor met on Oct. 6 during the regular season, the Cardinals prevailed 4420, handing the Comets their only loss of the season. The Cardinals were able to outscore Solon 24-6 in the first quarter of that game and became the first team to beat Solon on its home field since 2007.

Solon head coach Jim McQuaide said the Comets need to prove they belong on the field

Please turn to next page

Please turn to next page

Division III Region 9 Tournament

Division I Region 1 Tournament

#1 Chagrin Falls (10-0)

#1 Mentor (9-1)

66

48

#1 Chagrin Falls (11-0) #8 Oberlin Firelands (10-0)

14

#4 Ravenna (8-2)

42

#5 Ravenna Southeast (10-0)

35

#1 Mentor (10-1) #8 Cleve. John F. Kennedy (9-1) 16

7:30 p.m. Friday Warren G. Harding

Home Team #4 Willoughby South (8-2)

12

#5 Solon (9-1)

37

#4 Ravenna (9-2)

7 p.m. Friday Parma Byers Field

Home Team

#5 Solon (10-1)

Winner* #2 Mentor Lake Catholic (9-1)

47

Winner* #2 Cleveland St. Ignatius (8-2) 29

#2 Mentor Lake Catholic (10-1)

#2 Cleveland St. Ignatius (9-2)

#7 Cleveland Benedictine (7-3) 21

#3 University School (9-1)

14

#6 St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-2)

27

#7 Boardman (7-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday Bedford

14

Away Team #3 Cleveland Heights (9-0)

14

#6 St. Vincent-St. Mary (9-2)

*Winner advances to state semifinals.

7 p.m. Saturday Brunswick

#6 Lakewood St. Edward (8-3) #6 Lakewood St. Edward (7-3) 28 *Winner advances to state semifinals.

Away Team

C2

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Solon cross-country reaches new height

By TONY LANGE

DIVISION I The Solon Comets placed fifth at the Division I state cross-country meet Saturday, the highest-ever for their school.

The previous best team effort by Solon was eighth place, head coach Stephen Cerne said.

“That was the one thing we hadn’t yet accomplished, so it was nice to kind of knock that one out and for them to have their season culminate in that kind of finish because you never know going week to week,” Cerne said. “You can talk about it, prepare them mentally for it, physically, but until it actually happens, it’s just a dream. So, to see them actually do it was great.”

The Comets were beaten only by state champion Dublin Coffman, runner-up St. Ignatius, third-place Walsh Jesuit and Hilliard Davidson in the 16team, 154-runner, 5-kilometer race at the National Trail Raceway near Columbus.

Running for Solon were sophomore Kevin Blank, 16:05, senior Dan Urbanek, 16:25, senior Max Haiss, 16:32, junior John Riordan, 16:35, junior Grant Behnke, 16:39, sophomore Kevin Burns, 16:55, and junior Eric Hansen, 17:53. Their individual sequence in the team race was 11-2638-41-44-67-110.

Before the race, Cerne said he talked with his runners about the individual pain that each one of them would endure through the race.

“When you’re out there running, you’ve got to think about your other teammates,” Cerne said. “I told them just to put the effort forth because Dan Urbanek and Max Haiss, this is their last time running. So I wanted those younger guys to just think about that.

As much pain as you’re in, three, four more seconds of pain in terms of pushing yourself a little harder and knowing the glory you’ll feel when you’re in the top five.”

A top-five performance like that of last Saturday will continue to build the Solon program for years to come, Cerne said.

“The more success we have, the more kids that want to be a part of it, the harder they’re going to work to be like the team from the previous year or better,” he said. “So, that’s very encouraging. We had probably 30 kids come down from the team. We had a number of alumni down there. So, it was nice for the camaraderie.”

Five of Solon’s varsity seven ran personal best times, Cerne said.

This group of seven runners for Solon High School placed fifth in the state cross-country finals, the highest ever achieved by a Comets team. Grant Behnke, (left to right) Eric Hansen, Kevin Burns, Dan Urbanek, John Riordan, Max Haiss and Kevin Blank.

Sophomore Kevin Blank is in the final strides as he pushes himself at the state finals Saturday. Five of Solon’s seven runners recorded personal bests in the competition.

“It was just a nice event. Whenever you get there, you’re happy,” he said “Whenever you perform that well, that’s just a blessing. On the way home, all you could really do was smile.”

DIVISION II The University School boys cross-

country team finished 16th in the Division II state meet last Saturday.

Before the race, head coach Kirt Komocki said he talked to his Preppers about course strategy on the new National Trail Raceway route the Ohio High School Athletic Association chose for this year’s state race.

“We told them to try to pass people

Chagrin Falls tougher opponents each week.”

Ravenna is coming off a 42-35 win against Southeast. In five playoff appearances, it was the Ravens’ first postseason win in school history.

Top scorer for the Ravens, D.J. Jones, rushed for 195 yards on 34 carries including five touchdowns against Southeast. He also caught two passes for 32 yards. All his touchdown runs were three yards or less.

Ravens’ quarterback Brandon Holt was 7 of 8 passing for 108 yards and an interception.

While Ravenna won a game it was favored to win, it was in the minority

From previous page across Ohio. Out of 24 regions, 11 No. 4 seeds and 13 No. 5 seeds advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

During the regular season, Ravenna’s two losses came against Lake Catholic (10-1), which beat the Ravens 21-14 on Sept. 3, and against Kent Roosevelt (101), which beat the Ravens 42-35 on Oct. 28.

While the Ravens’ offense is averaging 39.5 points per game this season, their defense is giving up 19.2 points per game.

Meanwhile, Chagrin Falls enters Friday’s contest with a 13-8 playoff record in nine postseason appearances.

The Tigers were ranked No. 4 in Ohio among all Division III teams by the final Associated Press poll.

Chagrin Falls is known for having multiple weapons. After the win against Firelands, Iammarino said Bradley Munday looked electric for the Tigers.

“Bradley looked like he was playing at a different speed than anybody they had,” Iammarino said. “I mean, he was electric. He’s just so fast they couldn’t keep up with him. They didn’t have an answer for him and that’s good.”

Munday tallied 60 yards on five carries and 80 yards on five catches including two touchdowns. He also had one of

Solon with the Cardinals in this rematch.

“They played much better. They forced us into a lot of mistakes,” McQuaide said of the initial matchup.

“They’re a very good team. Now we need to get ourselves ready to show that we’re a very good team also. I don’t know how else you approach it. We need to show that we’re the same caliber team that they are and we did not do that the first time.”

The Cardinals outgained Solon 471 yards to 276 yards during that regular season game.

one by one on every straightaway and fight for every single spot because you could be in 80th place overall and still be in the team race at like 50th place just because of the number of individual racers,” Komocki said. “It was definitely a runners’ course, very fast.”

Competing for the Preppers in the 16-team, 146-runner race were sophomore Jakob Weisblat, 17:10, junior Stephen Staats, 17:46, senior Will Moore, 17:56, freshman Brad Tramer, 18:23, senior Repton Salisbury, 18:23, sophomore Walker Chieffe, 18:35, and senior John Anderson, 18:54. Their finishing sequence in the team race was 37-69-76-95-96-102-110.

Despite finishing last at the state meet, the Preppers ran well, Komocki said.

“I knew we were going to be toward the back,” he said. “We had five PRs and I was happy with that. Jakob PRd by like 35 seconds. Those guys were just way faster than us. We needed to PR everybody by 35-40 seconds and even with that we would have beat maybe two or three teams.”

Overall, it was a good experience for everyone and there were no regrets, Komocki said.

“You never know when you’re going to get this opportunity again,” Komocki told his runners. “The regional was a little bit easier this year, so our goal was to take a swing, take a shot and then the same thing with the state meet. You never know when you’re going to be back here again, so you might as well do your best and focus on what you can control and I told them to embrace the moment and leave it all on the course. I think they did.”

the Tigers’ five interceptions.

While Chagrin Falls and Ravenna have not played each other for more than seven years, the two teams did have a common opponent this season, the Field Falcons of Mogadore.

Chagrin Falls beat Field 31-16 in week three. Ravenna beat Field 38-13 in week seven.

TONY’S TAKE: Chagrin Falls wins by a touchdown to play the winner of the Lake Catholic and St. Vincent-St. Mary game.

From previous page Mentor’s only loss of the season was to Twinsburg, which beat the Cardinals 38-35 in the last game of the regular season. The Comets were able to beat Twinsburg 27-21 in overtime two weeks before.

The Comets are coming off a 37-12 win against the No. 4 seed, Willoughby South Rebels. Solon held the Rebels to 49 yards passing, a defensive effort they will need to repeat to have a shot against Mentor’s star quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Mentor is coming off a 48-16 win

against No. 8 seed Cleveland John F. Kennedy in a game that Trubisky completed 14 of 22 passes for 292 yards and five touchdowns. The Cardinals’ wide receiver Cameron Kavan accounted for 153 of those yards.

In the history of the Solon-Mentor matchup, the Comets lead the series 9-8.

In 2006, Mentor beat Solon 17-14 in the regular season and then again, 45-0, in the regional quarterfinals. In 2007, Mentor beat Solon 27-0 in the regular season and then again, 23-13, in the regional semifinals.

With a 21-16 all-time playoff record, this is Solon’s 17th appearance in the state tournament. With a 15-11 record, this is Mentor’s 12th appearance. Both teams are seeking their first state championship.

Solon was regional runner-up the past two seasons, losing to state runner-up Glenville in 2009 and state champion St. Edward in 2010.

TONY’S TAKE: Solon wins in overtime to play the winner of the St. Ignatius and St. Edward game.

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

ROUND 1:

C3

Chagrin Falls 66 | Firelands 14

Munday, Munday: Junior keys first-half spurt as Tigers roar

By TONY LANGE Silent cowbells, tongue-tied mouths that had been prepared to blare into bullhorns and limp banners quickly became the tone in the visitor stands at C.S. Harris Stadium as frustrated Firelands fans watched their season come to an end Friday night.

The Chagrin Falls Tigers (11-0) dominated the visiting Firelands Falcons (10-1) in the Division III Region 9 quarterfinals, a battle of the unbeaten that ended being a mismatch.

It was the Falcons’ first playoff appearance in school history, which meant the Tigers did not know much about them, head coach Mark Iammarino said.

“We felt like what we needed to do was control what we could control, which was our own game,” Iammarino said. “We felt like it would be more important to have them defend us.”

Starting the scoring frenzy for the Tigers was Bradley Munday who ran 15 yards into the end zone to put Chagrin Falls up 7-0. He also had two touchdown receptions in the second quarter.

Overall, Munday tallied 60 yards rushing on five carries and 80 yards receiving on five catches.

Munday also had one of the Tigers’ five interceptions on a long pass down the sideline.

“All night, the quarterback was scrambling. We had to stay on the wide receivers. Our coaches had emphasized that all week,” Munday said. “On that interception, I was staying on their receiver and I heard everyone screaming, ‘Turn around. Turn around,’ and I did and it just so happened the ball landed in my hands right there.”

After Alex Hallwachs’ 25-yard field goal and Everett Dishong’s 95-yard interception return for a touchdown, the Tigers led 17-0 before the Falcons scored their two touchdowns to make it 17-14 midway through the second quarter.

The Tigers’ blitz was working extremely well and it was just a couple big plays that went the Falcons’ way, middle linebacker Kurt Vidmer said.

“We knew we had been dominating them. We knew we were winning all our individual battles and those big plays are going to happen sometimes when the quarterback likes to roll out,” Vidmer said. “We were confident, but definitely wanted to get back into gear and wanted make sure we took away all their options.”

From there, the Tigers finished the half with four offensive touchdowns sparked by three interceptions.

The sequence: 9-yard touchdown run by Tommy Iammarino, interception

by Bradley Munday, 21-yard touchdown run by Jack Campbell, interception by Andrew Winkelman, 26-yard touchdown catch by Bradley Munday, interception by Michael Munday, 12yard touchdown catch by Bradley Munday and the Tigers were up 45-14 at halftime.

One of the linemen applying the pressure that forced the quarterback to throw interceptions was Mike Tozzi.

“The playoffs are a whole new breed.

We knew we had to be physical tonight,” Tozzi said. “We switched gaps so we could confuse them a lot. It was a lot of communication on which gap we wanted to exploit, which lineman we thought we could get a little bit of an edge on depending on what the situation was.”

In the third quarter, Iammarino threw two more touchdown passes to Anthony DeCamillo and Michael Hageman. Overall, Iammarino was 15 of 17 passing for 211 yards and four

Bradley Munday leaves the ground to pull in a pass.

Anthony DeCamillo dives in front of defensive back Dakota Dodge of Firelands (7) to snare a touchdown pass.

Photos by Itamar Gat touchdowns.

DeCamillo had four catches for 56 yards and Hageman had four catches for 59 yards.

“I had a few shaky passes early on, but I was able to get past that and move on to my normal ways and we were able to click in the passing game,” Iammarino said. “Having short fields produced by our defense was basically what won the game. We just kept rolling.”

Matt Iammarino had the final touchdown of the game on a 51-yard punt return where it looked as if he would be tackled at the 5-yard line, but pulled off an acrobatic stunt to stay on his feet.

Mario Sahlani had the final interception of the game, which secured the second-half shutout and allowed the Tigers to kneel out the clock.

Chagrin Falls’ Wes Kenyon (61) and Kurt Vidmar lay a smackdown on the scrambling Firelands quarterback, Kyle Smith (5).

C4

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

ROUND 1:

Solon 37 | Willoughby South 12

Rebels snuffed: Comets swarm to slow South’s star tailback

Solon’s Jesse Circelli lays out to block an extra point attempt by Willoughby South’s Aiden Simenc after a first-quarter Rebels touchdown.

Coach says defense kept Rebels off-balance

By TONY LANGE Kareem Hunt should get the ball every play of the game, a South Rebels fan said before the regional quarterfinals kicked off between South and Solon last Saturday night at Harry E. Winters Stadium.

“Amen to that,” a fellow South fan said.

That didn’t quite happen, but Hunt did carry the ball 30 times for 224 yards. It just wasn’t enough to get past Solon (10-1) which swarmed the junior running back who rushed for 484 yards the previous week.

In the end, the Comets prevailed 37-12.

With the win, fifth-seeded Solon advanced to the regional semifinals against top-seeded Mentor (10-1) at Byers Field in Parma. South ended its season (8-3).

Against South, the leading tackler for Solon was Ryan Schwenke with 16 takedowns. He also had an interception on the first possession of the game, which set up Alex Knight’s 31-yard field goal to put the Comets up 3-0.

Hunt answered with a 1-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter. A blocked extra-point by Jesse Circelli kept the game at 6-3.

In the second quarter, the Comets were able to gain

the momentum.

Patrick Kramer scored on a 10-yard quarterback keeper. C.J. Hanna caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Drew Barksdale. And Barksdale scored on a 40yard quarterback keep.

While Hanna scored a touchdown, he is more known for his defensive presence as Solon’s secondleading tackler with more than eight tackles per game.

“Hunt is a great back,” Hanna said. “We had to swarm to him to make sure that he came down. One person alone could not tackle him.”

On offense, Kramer was 18 of 25 passing for 180 yards. His most popular receiver, Cory Stuart, had seven catches for 88 yards.

“I mean, that’s what we practiced all week,” Stuart said about sticking to a balanced pass-rush game in the second half. “It’s not about complacency with the Solon Comets. We want to get after you and if you’re going to fall asleep and take some plays off, we’re going to make you pay for it.”

On the first drive of the third quarter, Khoury Crenshaw carried the ball 27 yards and fumbled the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line. Darian Hicks recovered it for a Solon touchdown.

(Above) Cory Stuart of Solon makes a catch in front of Kareem Young of Willoughby.

(Right) Comet Nick Davidson gives the Rebels’ Tyler Rus a ride for a few yards.

Photos by Itamar Gat

Crenshaw had 19 carries for 97 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Barksdale, who plays wide receiver and defensive back, subbed in at quarterback again and ran the ball 19 yards into the end zone for the final score of the game.

“It’s really nothing unusual,” Barksdale said. “I just come in when they call my number and try to do what I can do. I’ve got a good line in front of me and good receivers down field blocking, so it’s nothing different for me.”

When the Comets were up 30-6 early in the third quarter, head coach Jim McQuaide said there was no thought about abandoning the passing game to try to run out the clock.

“At any time, Hunt could break a big one off. The lead wasn’t safe. You know what I’m saying? It was a different kind of lead. So, our goal was to play what we play, and try to keep them off-balance,” he said. “I thought we did a good job defensively bottling up what they were trying to do and then just try to keep them off-balance offensively, throwing the ball, running the ball, just doing different things that way and that was our goal as we were coming through.”

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

ROUND 1:

C5

St. Vincent-St. Mary 27 | University School 14

Missed chances: Coach says perfection needed to top Irish

By TONY LANGE Dropped passes, missed tackles and a lack of first downs pinned the University School Preppers and their season up against the wall as St. Vincent-St. Mary commanded a 20-0 lead at halftime Saturday afternoon at Scovil Field in Hunting Valley.

The Fighting Irish are a really good football team, University School head coach Jim Stephens said.

“To beat them, we would have had to play almost a flawless game and we certainly didn’t do that in the first half,” he said. “When you run a spread offense, you have to catch the ball. We had opportunities and made some drops.”

The Preppers’ offense went three-and-out on their first four possessions of the game. Down 13-0, the Preppers punted the ball on their fourth possession and what appeared to be a dead ball was scooped up by

the Fighting Irish and returned 40 yards for a touchdown.

“I can’t figure that one out,” Stephens said. “The only thing I can figure is our kids saw a flag go down and they stopped running. That’s the only thing we can figure out is they saw a flag and then the flag was called off. They just stopped running. That one hurt.”

Turning the ball over on a failed fourth-down conversion on the Irish’s 9-yard line to close the half and missing a 33-yard field goal attempt to open the second half did not help the Preppers’ cause.

In the second half, however, the Preppers did outscore the Irish 14-7.

Kevin Smith scored on a 19-yard touchdown run, which finished off a 10-play, 83-yard drive for the Preppers in the third quarter.

Jordan Barham caught a 42-yard pass from Tyler Eden for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The final score was 27-14.

It’s sad because the Preppers could have scored three more touchdowns on open passes that were dropped, Stephens said.

“Against a good team like that, you have to take full advantage of all your opportunities. We just were not opportunistic,” he said. “That loss should not take away from the season. It was one of the great seasons in the school history. It was our first year in the league (Premier Athletic Conference) and we finished in second place and nobody was picking us to do that.”

During the postgame huddle, Stephens told his players that the loss does not take away from a 9-2 season.

“You got us here. You got us to the playoffs. I’m grateful for that,” Stephens said. “It’s not about wins and losses. It’s about what you got out of it.”

University School quarterback Tyler Eden (10) rolls out to pass to open wide receiver Jeff Reimann (8).

University defenders Ethan Barham (2), Michael Classen (73) and Jarrod Lubin combine to tackle SV-SM running back Sae’Von Fitzgerald.

Fighting Irish defender Aaron Adkins (41) appears to be going for a strip of quarterback Tyler Eden. Rowan Cade (68) blocks.

Preppers’ wide receiver Jeff Reimann (8) tries to get away from a gang of Fighting Irish defenders including Brent Myers (43) and Nathan Bischof (23).

Photos by Chris Meier

C6

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

ROUND 1:

Walsh Jesuit 35 | West Geauga 0

Finishing: Wolverines have motto to follow in offseason

By TONY LANGE The West Geauga Wolverines (7-4) were unable to find the end zone Friday against the Walsh Jesuit Warriors (9-1) at Boliantz Stadium in Macedonia.

The Wolverines were able to ring up 273 yards, but the visitor side of the scoreboard still read zero after 48 minutes of football.

It’s all about finishing, head coach Lou Cirino said.

“I think our guys going into this offseason think that might be the motto as we talk even more about this season and how hard it is to finish,” he said. “We’ve got to do a better job of emphasizing it and focusing on it.”

After Walsh scored on its opening possession, West Geauga drove 50 yards to within the Warriors 30-yard line on its first offensive series, but had to punt.

The Warriors next two touchdowns were set up by West Geauga’s offense, which threw an interception and lost a fumble. That gave Walsh a 21-0 lead at half.

Walsh had its final two touchdowns in the third quar-

West Geauga running back Domenick Varga (34) bursts through a gaping hole in the defensive line as Walsh’s Scott Young (35) gives chase.

Wolverine defenders Josh Suba (44) and Jeff Pausch (55) are about to put a pincer movement on Walsh running back Brock Jones (21).

Other Wolverine players visible are Dan November (55) and James Penny (75).

ter, one of which was after another intercepted West Geauga pass, to win the game 35-0.

The Wolverines were able to drive down to Walsh’s 9yard line with a first down at the end of the third quarter, but came up empty again.

After the game, Cirino said he told his seniors, “I love them and I appreciate everything they’ve done for the program and to spend their last moments in the locker room enjoying the time that they have there.”

The next morning, Cirino said he woke up at 3:30 and traveled to Georgetown University with three of his seniors for a college visit. He hopes to see as many of them play college ball as possible, he said.

“The seniors, they set a standard of what the work ethic should be like for our team and so that’s the thing that excites you the most is that our guys understand what is supposed to be done,” Cirino said. “So right now, I think going into the offseason, our kids know what it means to work, know what it looks like to work.”

West Geauga head coach Lou Cirino talks to some of his players, including Jay Sargent (51), during a timeout.

There’s a wall of humanity in this pile, including Zak Kucera (12) and Dan November (55) of West Geauga and Zach Kordich (22), Nick Film (25) and Rob Russell (46) of Walsh Jesuit.

Photos by Chris Meier

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Lancers emerge as final four regulars

By TONY LANGE Down two games to none, the Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers had a decision to make before stepping back out onto the volleyball court in the Division III regional finals Saturday in Barberton.

Head coach Kelly Coughlin gave a clear message to his players before the third game, he said.

“Before I put them back out on the court I said, ‘If you don’t believe you can win this, then have a seat on the bench. I’m looking for six girls who believe we can beat this team,’” Coughlin said. “They all hustled out onto that court because they knew we could do it. They knew their backs were up against the wall and they had to play perfect the rest of the way.”

The Lady Lancers’ opponents, the Dalton Bulldogs, entered the match undefeated at 27-0 and were ranked No. 2 among Division III teams statewide by the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association. Entering the match at 24-2, Gilmour was fifth in the coaches poll.

The Bulldogs won the first game in extra points, 26-

24, and then beat the Lancers again in the second game 25-22 for the early advantage.

Being down two games in high school volleyball is meaningless because it takes three games to win, Coughlin said.

The Lady Lancers won the third and fourth games 25-21 and 25-15 to even the score and send the match into a final fifth game.

What made Dalton a dangerous team entering the win-or-go-home fifth game was their final-four experience in the Division IV state tournament in 2010, Coughlin said.

“They knew how big this prize was,” he said. “They knew how big the regional championship is. They knew all the rewards that go with winning that championship. So, they knew what they were playing for and we knew what we were playing for, which made them very dangerous.”

In a back-and-forth fifth game, the Lancers and Bulldogs were tied at 15-15. In high school volleyball, the fifth game only goes to 15 points, but a team must win by two.

A kill by freshman setter Megan Polak gave the Lancers a 16-15 lead. Senior outside hitter Maddie Kosar went up for a Dalton season-ending kill, but a Lady Bulldog dug the ball right back over the net. On Kosar’s second swing, the ball hit ground and Gilmour won 17-15.

“As a coach, I’m too analytical to get caught up in one play, one moment,” Coughlin said about game-ending kills. “When she’s taking those swings, the only thought that’s going through my head is just finish it. It was the right play, right set, the right find. Watching her since August first, seeing her, you expect her to finish that play and she did what I expected her to do.”

With the win, the Lady Lancers improved to 25-2 and qualified for the state final-four tournament for the fourth time in five years, as they were absent in 2009.

Gilmour was to play Columbus Bishop Ready at noon today at the Wright State University Nutter Center just outside of Dayton.

The Lady Lancers were state runners-up in 2008 and 2010.

Hawken boys soccer claims regional title Hawks’ second-half explosion burns Chipps

By TONY LANGE After a 0-0 first half, the Hawken School boys soccer team netted three goals and a regional championship Saturday in a Division III matchup against the Chippewa Chipps at Ravenna Stadium.

With the win, the Hawks improved to 17-4 and advanced to the state semifinals against Mansfield Christian. The Chipps ended their season at 15-5-1.

In the first half against Chippewa, the Hawks were trying to enforce their passing game and ball movement, head coach Dani Giulvezan said.

“They defend very well and we weren’t able to establish our own game,” he said. “So going back in the second half, we had a real long meeting at halftime. Our kids understood that we needed to score two goals and it needed to be fast, so we could take “We have a rich their enthusiasm away and calm history at things down.”

Striking first for the Hawks was Hawken Upper Zach Whiting. Two more goals School and we and it was 3-0.

With that lead, the game was embrace our over and the Hawks subbed in history. I really their bench midway through the think my team second half, Giulvezan said.

Baltes was the engineer is very, very tal- for“Grant those last two goals, so everyented and I thing started with him,” think they have Giulvezan said. “He did a really job for us.” whatever it nice Making their 10th appearance takes to make in the state final four tournament, history again the Hawks also had help from David Nelson and Tom Granot in and win the the semifinals last week as state champi- Hawken eliminated Elyria onship this Catholic 5-4. Nelson had three goals, while Granot scored two. year.”

Granot, however, did not play Dani Giulvezan against Chippewa and was quesfor the Mansfield head coach tionable Christian game, Giulvezan said.

“We have a rich history at Hawken Upper School and we embrace our history,” he said. “I really think my team is very, very talented and I think they have whatever it takes to make history again and win the state championship this year. I was very, very proud of them with how we played without Granot, how they worked and let all the talking be done by the way they played.”

Against the Chipps, Hawken started in a 4-5-1 lineup, but quickly transitioned to a 4-4-2 after seeing what Chippewa had to offer, Giulvezan said.

“We were able to read the game a little bit better and have a better understanding of what the other team had to offer,” he said. “That’s a great tool to have and it’s great to have players who can accommodate to any changes during the game, which formation will suit us the best and to do what we need to do.”

If the Hawks beat Mansfield Christian, they will play in the state championship game at noon Friday at the Columbus Crew Stadium.

C7

Thanksgiving run/walk The Lake County YMCA will be hosting a 5K Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day. The run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 24, at the Central Branch in Painesville and is divided into age groups. The winner of each group will receive a pumpkin pie. Age groups are: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 3034, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over.

“Our Turkey Day Run/Walk is a great opportunity for everyone to have fun and work up an appetite,” said Beth Horvath, Health and Wellness Director at Lake County YMCA Central.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on race day with the run/walk starting at 8:30 a.m. The race route will begin and end at the YMCA Central Branch as it twists east on a bike path and through Lake Erie College.

Fee is $15 for early registration and $20 on race day. The registration fee includes a free T-shirt that is guaranteed if you sign up by Nov. 15 and preregistration is requested by Nov. 15.

Volunteers are needed to assist with participants.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Beth Horvath at 440-3523303.

Basketball registrations set New Promise Church will begin registration of boys and girls for Upward Basketball now through Dec. 23.

Cost is $60 for the first child and $50 for each additional child. After Dec. 23, the cost will be $70.

Deadline for registration is Jan. 21.

The league begins practice on Jan. 21.

An awards banquet is planned for March 31.

Please contact the church office for a registration form or with any question.

New Promise Church is at 8671 EuclidChardon Road in Kirtland. Telephone number is 440-256-3705.

Photos by Itamar Gat

Hawken’s goalkeeper Peter Labus soars to make a fingertip save against Chippewa in the regional finals Saturday.

Jacob Naft (13) takes a shot on goal in front of Chippewa’s Lucas Skoglund. The ball bounced off Zach Whiting for the Hawks’ first goal.

Local runner selected NORTON, Mass. — A Chagrin Falls runner is one of eight Wheaton College men’s and women’s cross-country student-athletes named to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

Junior Lindsay Petrenchik is a repeat selection to the team after being named in 2010.

Junior Michael Richard, Chicopee, Mass., of the men’s team joined six other members of the women’s team on the squad: seniors Savannah Geasey, Portsmouth, R.I.; Kimberly Nash, Tempe, Ariz; and Taylor Wills, Kinderhook, N.Y.; and sophomores Rose Harris, Worcester, Mass.; Shoshana Kruskal, Newton, Mass.; and Hillary Wilson, Amherst, N.H. Petrenchik holds a 3.6 grade-point average as a biochemistry major.

C8

THE TIMES, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Haiss finishes 5th, sets school record at state meet

By TONY LANGE

DIVISION II

DIVISION I

Most cross-country runners competing as a team would hope for their No. 1 and their No. 5 runners to be within a minute of each other.

The Chagrin Falls girls team had a pack that was even tighter as the Lady Tigers finished 12th at the Division II state meet on the National Trail Raceway course last Saturday.

While the top five runners from each team contribute to the team scoring, No. 6 and 7 runners still impact the outcome of the meet as their placement can knock other teams’ runners further back in the scoring.

Chagrin Falls’ top five runners were within 35 seconds of one another, which means they don’t have a clear-cut frontrunner, but their pack is dangerous nonetheless. The Lady Tigers’ one through seven varsity squad was within 65 seconds of one another.

The fact that all seven of Chagrin Falls’ runners will return for next season means the Lady Tigers have a good chance of moving up in 2012.

Running at the state meet were freshman Allie Dustin, 20:28, junior Rae Carleton, 20:31, junior Jessica Walker, 20:38, junior Claire Barcelo 20:46, junior Kate Girouard, 21:03, sophomore Kathryn O’Neil, 21:17 and freshman Anne Moyse, 21:33.

Their finishing sequence in the team race was 42-4756-66-75-85-91.

Solon junior Therese Haiss finished fifth overall at the Division I state cross-country meet Saturday and broke the school record with her 18:18.27 time in the 5-kilometer race.

There were 152 runners in the race that took place on the National Trail Raceway course near Columbus.

In 2010, Haiss finished 23rd overall with an 18:39.3 on the Scioto Downs course in Columbus.

The new championship course was flat with a couple small up-and-down climbs, Haiss said.

“Everyone knew it was going to be a fast day. The ground was dry, which made for a nice end of the season,” she said. “Since it’s the state meet, people definitely go out faster, which was definitely what happened. I went out like a 5:30 first mile, which is really fast.”

Haiss was with the lead pack in about seventh place for the first mile, moved up to about third during the second mile and then dropped back to seventh at the beginning of the third, she said.

With about 800 meters to go, she was fighting for fifth place, she said.

“It was crazy,” Haiss said. “I was switching around from like seventh, sixth and fifth for the entire last 800.

But in the last straightaway I was in fifth and then the Mason girl caught up to me and in the last like three steps I beat her out. It was really close and crazy.”

Haiss ended up beating Mason’s senior, Monica Lake, by one-tenth of a second.

Before the season started, Haiss said her goal was to finish in the top 10.

“I was really happy. I was not expecting to be in the top five,” she said. “I was really high because I also broke my school record, which was great.”

DIVISION III The Gilmour Academy girls cross-country team made its sixth state appearance in seven seasons last Saturday. This year, however, was their first appearance without a single senior on the racing squad.

With three freshman, two sophomores and two

juniors, the Lady Lancers still managed to finish ninth overall out of 16 teams and 154 runners.

The Lancers basically focused on mental preparation the week leading up to the race, head coach Matt Lindley said.

“The girls are always really excited to go obviously,” Lindley said. “They like to paint a banner to hang in the grandstands and things like that. So, they were really excited to go as they obviously should be.”

Running for the Lancers were sophomore Halle Markel, 19:32, junior Alexis Anton, 19:44, freshman Caitlin Whetstone, 20:26, sophomore Rachel Novinc, 21:44, freshman Megan Porter, 21:47, freshman Courtney Rulison, 22:07, and junior Margaret Dick, 22:26. Their finishing sequence in the team race was 13-19-35-78-79-88-96.

Meanwhile, junior Rachel McKay represented Hawken School as an individual and finished with a 19:45, which was 34th overall.

The new state championship course seemed more like an ordinary invitational with its flat-like and spectator-friendly features, Lindley said.

“Needless to say, the competition was not ordinary, but the girls liked the course,” he said. “Obviously it was real fast, it went by real quick. We had a good time.

I think the state of Ohio association picked a good site.

I think it has generally got positive reviews.”

It’s an exciting feeling to have a varsity seven returning for next season, Lindley said.

“That’s one thing I did tell, especially the ninthgraders, was just to kind of take it all in and experience the whole thing so that in years to come, hopefully they get another chance, you know, that experience is really valuable,” he said. “I told them for next June, when you’re sitting on the couch thinking about what to do, use this as a motivator. Think about this and think about making it back here.”