Geauga Business Magazine, Spring 2022

Berkshire Debuts New K through 12 School

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CO-PUBLISHERS

Chris Yuhasz

Persistence of Vision, Inc.

Casey Zulandt Ten10 Design

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Megan Fogle

Liz McMahon

Paris Wolfe DESIGN

Stephanie Scott Ten10 Design

Geauga Business articles are written and selected for their general interest and entertainment value. Authors’ views do not necessarily represent the policies of the Co-Publishers, nor does their publication constitute an endorsement by POV Print Communications or Ten10 Design. All submissions are subject to editorial space availability and editing. For advertising opportunities or submissions, contact Ten10 Design.

PERSISTENCE OF VISION, INC.

16715 West Park Circle Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 povcommunications.net cyuhasz@povprint.com p. 440.591.5443 x222

TEN10 DESIGN 119 Main Street Chardon, OH 44024 ten10design.com info@ten10design.com p. 440.286.4367

MEET PARIS

Raised in Chardon, Paris Wolfe has been writing since her little hands could grip a thick, blue Laddie pencil. Armed with two communications degrees from Kent State University and an ergonomic keyboard, she now writes business and lifestyle stories for various publications in Northeast Ohio. When she’s not writing at her Chardon home, she’s researching food and travel or enjoying the snow on her skis.

Where to Start?!

Letter from the Editor

Dear Business Leaders,

Very few careers appeared accessible to women when I was a young girl: teacher, secretary, nurse, and homemaker. When I enthusiastically announced to my mother, “I want to be a writer,” she cautioned me to take typing and shorthand – “Something I could always fall back on, just in case.” Mom meant well.

I am sure that you have become very familiar reading our opening message from my good friend Margie Wilber! Sadly for us at GBQ, Margie announced her retirement in the last issue and has moved into her new lifestyle of retirement. I will be taking the helm for now and I want to start by sending a big THANK YOU to Margie for 10 great years of partnership with the Geauga Business Magazine. Margie’s talent in writing, second to none, has been exceptional for every issue we have co-produced, and her spark and good sense of humor is greatly missed by all of her friends at GBQ, POV and the Geauga Community. Although Margie has started to slowly “wind it down” with her business, you can still find her walking the park trails or driving her little black sports car around town! Margie your friends all wish you the best!

The good news is there are an increasing number of careers available to women today. In fact, well-known companies, like IBM and General Motors, have recently appointed female CEOs, and the trend towards women in leadership positions is on the rise. According to Hult International Business School, there are more women running Fortune 500 businesses today than at any point in the 65-year history of Fortune 500. Still, where young men are encouraged to be ambitious and assertive, women are told from an early age not to be “bossy.” Let’s change that habit.

Now as Disney says – the show must go on, and that is exactly what we are going to do. I have been fortunate enough to work closely with the crew at Ten10 Design, Joe and Casey Zulandt over the last 8 years. When Margie announced her retirement, I asked Joe and Casey if they would become involved with the publication, and they have become a great partner as we continue to move forward. Things will look a little different, but you can be assured we will give it our best effort and are always welcome to hear your ideas and suggestions!

There are many advantages of women in the workplace. A diverse workplace has shown to foster creativity and innovation. Women excel at the soft skills needed for business leadership, like effective communication, empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Women represent huge economic power and important consumer insight. It is estimated that women contribute approximately $20 trillion in consumer spending every year, accounting for 85% of consumer purchases. However, despite this fact, only 11% of creative directors in advertising are women.

For a growing number of women, the fastest route to success is launching their own business. Women-owned business in the U.S. have increased 74% over the past 20 years. Our start-up culture empowers women and is making the balance of career and family easier. This issue of Geauga Business features several women who are making their mark – Judge Mary Jane Trapp, lawyer Betsy Rader, two female pilots, a photographer, an owner of an outdoor dog sports complex, and a videographer/ musician. I hope their stories inspire other young women to reach for their dreams.

With Great Appreciation,

Margie Wilber

Editor-in-Chief/Publisher, Geauga Business

It is no surprise we also work very closely with Kimm Leininger and the Geauga Growth Partners. As I had mentioned to Kimm, the magazine reminds me of a small college newspaper. Most everyone has some connection to someone else. I think that the best part of that is that we find so many interesting business stories to report on that feature both the established and new businesses in our community. We also plan on reporting on the efforts and events of our local nonprofits. So many of you are affiliated and support these great groups. In the past few months, the team has been able to visit several businesses and groups and we thank them for their time and commitment to helping promote business in Geauga County. Below, I will also be introducing you to our writing team. Hopefully, they will call upon you for an interview or an idea but you are always welcome to contact us. My mission is to focus on what the business community would like to see. Our next issue is scheduled to be release in early September.

President, Write 2 the Point

Chris Yuhasz

Chris Yuhasz

Publisher, Geauga Business President, POV Print Communications

Editor-in-Chief/Publisher, Geauga Business Magazine

President, POV Solution

POV Solution Staff (L-R): Chris Yuhasz and Lincoln

Here We Go!

My name is Casey Zulandt, and I want to officially welcome you to a new era of Geauga Business Magazine!

Ten10 Design, along with POV Solutions, are proud to bring you this publication that focuses on the businesses that call Geauga County home and serve as the heartbeat of our thriving economy. Thank you to Margie Wilber for her years of service to advance the magazine to what it is today. I also owe particular thanks to Chris Yuhasz for inviting me and my team to contribute to the future of this publication.

I grew up out of state, but with getting married and moving to the Northeast Ohio area after college, my husband and I knew that Geauga County was the place to not only raise our family, but to open our business that has called Chardon home since 2009. We moved Ten10 Design to the Square in 2020 and couldn’t imagine planting roots anywhere else. And we know we aren’t alone.

Our goal is to bring you content on all things Geauga business – from the business owners to the workers - and everyone in between. We want to share the stories that have never been told, to highlight the unsung heroes of our communities, and to bring new perspective to the term “shop local.”

Much has changed over the course of the last decade, but one thing that hasn’t is the dedication, drive, and ambition that makes Geauga unique.

In this issue, we proudly feature articles highlighting improvements to a local school district, celebrate award winning business, relive successful fundraising events, and more!

We hope you enjoy this fresh, new approach to the publication, and if you have any feature suggestions or would like to explore advertising opportunities, I would love to hear from you!

Casey Zulandt Co-Publisher, Geauga Business Magazine CEO, Ten10 Design

119 Main Street Chardon, Ohio 44024

info@ten10design.com 440-286-4367

Meet the Team at Ten10 Design: (top row L-R) Stephanie Scott, Myles Seidel, Jim Scheuermann, Kristen Bruckman, Alex Leonard, Hayley Chatal, Jim McCarthy, Megan Fogle (seated L-R) Casey and Joe Zulandt.

National Polymer Wins Excellence in Manufacturing Award

By: Paris Wolfe

National Polymer, a 17-year-old company in Chagrin Falls with 24 employees, won the 2022 Excellence in Manufacturing Award from the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), in coordination with Geauga Growth Partnership. They are the second winner of these honors. Last year, GGP presented the inaugural Excellence in Manufacturing Award to Solon Manufacturing in Chardon.

MAGNET is a non-profit consulting group that works to grow the manufacturing industry in Northeast Ohio. Geauga Growth Partnership facilitates interaction among business, education, and government to accelerate economic growth in Geauga County. Together the organizations created this award in 2021 to recognize manufacturers that are growing and expanding their customer base and workforce.

According to founder Adrian Dekrom, “Our growth efforts have resulted in business with multi-billion-dollar, global technology companies. Because of this we have increased our top line more than 200 percent and our collective bottom line more than 500 percent over the last two years. This has allowed significant reinvestment in the facility and equipment and people in the organization to sustain growth in the future.”

National Polymer is an important business in Geauga County given their operations and hiring practices, says Kimm Leininger, President of Geauga Growth Partnership.

“Their ability to continually meet the needs of their customers by developing new technologies and solutions has propelled their company as a leader in the coatings industry,” she says. “In addition, their flexibility and ability to think differently around workforce development, has allowed them to hire individuals who provide quality work and has allowed these employees to meet the demands of their busy lives away from work. As the name suggests, National Polymer focuses on polymeric materials like adhesives, sealants, coatings, and engineered laminates. Polymer Coatings are coatings or paints made with polymeric binders that provide superior adherence and protection from the environment and/or physical detriments.

National Polymer, a 17-year-old company in Chagrin Falls with 24 employees, won the 2022 Excellence in Manufacturing Award from the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), in coordination with Geauga Growth Partnership.

“Most of our staff and resources came right from Geauga County”

National Polymer Laboratories (NPL) develops custom formulations for manufacturers. Most this unit’s work focuses on custom adhesives and coatings. For example, they recently developed environmentally friendly adhesives for acoustic guitar assembly.

National Polymer Development (NPD) compounds and makes the adhesives and coatings that were created by the lab (NPL). As an example, they’re producing high, moisturevapor transmission adhesives for the construction industry to mitigate mold.

National Polymer Coating Technologies (NPC) manufactures unique, coated products using client-proprietary materials developed by NPL and made by NPD. As an example, they’re producing many materials that are used in semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Engineered Polymer Coatings provide protection against UV degradation, water damage, chemicals, condensation, heat, fire, electrical discharge, static, abrasion, and more. Added features may include color, gloss/satin/matte finish, slick or grip surface, self-healing properties, hydrophobic surface, hydrophilic surface, and the list goes on.

Dekrom founded the business in 2005, with just 2 employees, to develop custom formulations. In 2009 the company expanded to produce custom-compounding formulations for manufacturing customers. In 2019, National Polymer expanded again to provide services through process development and manufacturing of roll-toroll, coated products for unique applications.

In 2019, Dekrom partnered with Jim Duvall, a former colleague, to form the newest company, National Polymer Coating, as principals. Duvall also serves as chief operating officer for National Polymer. Duvall has a strong polymer background. He was interested in science from an early age and started studying metallurgy at Case Western

Reserve University. It didn’t take long before someone pulled aside – a la the 1967 classic movie The Graduate -- and told him to consider “plastics” or polymers as a career. Today, he has a master’s degree of Polymer Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

According to Jim Duvall, “We were able to launch National Polymer Coating and obtain ISO certification rather quickly. This allowed us to sign manufacturing contracts with a few multi-billion-dollar global companies that use our development and coating services. We were able to hire and train a good manufacturing staff and, along with our engineering group, we have a very good team. Most of our staff and resources came right from Geauga County.”

The duo and their team of chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineers are always creating new products and processes. The small polymer formulation lab has grown to three business units that create, produce, and apply polymer materials. “We’re willing to try technically challenging things that

others might hesitate on,” says Duvall. “That’s important because if it was easy the client would find someone else or do it themselves. We’re crazy enough to try it and most times smart enough to figure it out.”

Dekrom sees growth as the addition of more manufacturing lines and developing joint ventures with customers as well as growing their local business. He says, “We don’t have a lot of customers from Ohio and this area. We need to let them know about us. They’re the easiest ones to reach. “

“We’re willing to try technically challenging things that others might hesitate on.”

Berkshire Opens New $52 M School

By: Paris Wolfe

When 1,350 students and 162 staff and teachers return to Berkshire Local Schools in Fall 2022, academic life will be different...

PreK through grade 12 will report to one new 200,000-square-foot building on the Kent State University Geauga Campus, just north of Burton Village. These students will encounter a new education model as they shift to Project-Based Learning in a building created to support the change.

The facility is separated into three wings or “houses” by grade level. That means PreKelementary students learn in one wing of the building, middle in another, and high school in yet another. Each group has access to shared common areas, including the gym, auditorium and cafeteria. The campus also has courtyard areas and athletic fields. In addition to Project-based Learning, the new school is ready to showcase educational options that include vocational education through Auburn Career Center and/or college education at Kent State Geauga.

Being neighbors with KSU enables collegebound students enrolled in College Credit Plus to learn from KSU instructors in the high

school wing or at the KSU facility. Meanwhile, students interested in allied health, diesel mechanics and other technical careers have spaces for learning those skills. The new building facilitates students’ learning for workforce success and moves them from decades-old buildings that were inadequate.

Each wing, for example, has makerspaces engineered for the age group to inspire creativity and problem-solving. These spaces go far beyond the labs of yesteryear to include various tools and materials to build prototypes and models.

These are all key to Project-Based Learning. “This is a shift from the traditional, lecturedbased educational philosophy where students are seated in rows, and the teacher is stationary at the front of the room,” says Berkshire Superintendent John Stoddard.

He came into the position as the project was already underway and managed it through the completion.

“This approach has the teacher acting as the facilitator of learning instead of the filler of empty vessels,” he explains. “This is important because when the students are active learners, it leads to deeper learning and more ownership over the learning process.”

Employers value the skills this develops. In fact, in an official study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 93 percent of employers said they value workers’ critical thinking, ability to solve complex problems, and communication skills more than grades.

The district has been preparing teachers for the shift. “We spent the better part of an entire school year defining the skills we wanted our students to have when they exit our system,” says Stoddard. “Once we established that, we had to decide how it would be possible to facilitate that because the staff was already working their hardest, and their plates were full. The result was that we needed to shift our instructional methods, and we spent that school year learning about and preparing for a Project-Based Learning approach.

“Each wing has makerspaces engineered for the age group to inspire creativity and problem-solving.”

“We then devoted large blocks of our teacher training and in-service time to creating project-based lessons and activities with the goal of a three-year implementation plan. Each year we added another layer,” says Stoddard, “and we have made sure to create a training for all new staff to the district in order to introduce them to project-based learning.”

Still, change can be challenging. “It takes time to get acclimated to a new instructional method,” he acknowledges. “We spent a lot of time educating our staff on the change process, the sense of loss that naturally accompanies any change, and the stages of grief they would undoubtedly move through. Our staff has responded incredibly to this change, which is a testament to their desire to continue learning, growing, and creating the best environment for their students.”

Change all started in 2012. Then-president of Geauga Growth Partnership Tracy Jemison talked to various businesses about their employee needs. “At that time, the local workforce was becoming an issue,” he says. More college graduates existed than jobs and fewer skilled laborers than open positions.

That led him to learn more about STEM schools as well as the project-based learning model. He wasn’t the only one thinking about change. At the same time, school board president John Manfredi approached leaders about similar issues.

These challenges coincided with the consolidation of Thompson/Montville’s Ledgemont School District into Berkshire Local Schools. The newly merged district became eligible for state funding for new schools. A dream started to form.

As the dream evolved, it included building a high school on the KSU Geauga branch campus. Leasing land from the university would save the district real estate expense. Meanwhile, the university benefits from the natural pipeline of graduating students to the branch campus.

As the dream became a plan, the next step was funding. State allocations for new facilities usually require a 92 percent local match. With some legislative work that changed. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission allocated 55 percent, while the community raised 45 percent. Local funds were secured in May 2018 when 66 percent of Berkshire district voters approved a 38year bond issue to raise $28 million. And the Great Lakes Cheese in Troy Township and its founders, the Epprecht family, donated $2 million.

“Businesses were looking for problem solvers who could think on their feet, had a good work ethic,” he says. “For us to compete, we needed to have a versatile workforce.”

“When the students are active learners, it leads to deeper learning and more ownership over the learning process.”

The new school cost a total of $52 million. While Berkshire’s share was $18.7 million, the levy’s added $10 million covered additions such as a high-tech classroom for vocational training on large diesel engines – a highdemand job in Geauga County. The money also supported an auditorium and an additional gymnasium that state funding didn’t cover.

The project experienced delays because of pandemic-influenced supply-chain delays. However, construction will wrap up in time for the 2022-2023 school year.

“I’m excited for the students going there,” says Jemison. “The classrooms are arranged for collaboration. Students will learn to do critical thinking and problem-solving. They will be better prepared for the 21stcentury workplace and the wonderful career opportunities that exist now and in the future.”

“Our mission has always been to work with our communities in developing and supporting pathways to lifelong learning and to promote the value of earning a degree at

The district’s four older buildings – two elementary schools, one junior/senior high school, and the Board of Education Building -- were sold or repurposed. The Board of Education building will be converted into a diesel (medium/heavy truck) technician lab for students and the district’s transportation department.

Kent State University,” says Angela Spalsbury, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at KSU Geauga. “Fifty-four years of graduates contributing to a thriving economy in our region is our testament. This new partnership between higher education and our public school system is integral to that mission. It is all for our community.”

gym,

athletic fields.

John Stoddard Berkshire Superintendent

Grant Funds Propel Rural Counties into the Future

By:

Early in 2020 — just as the COVID-19 pandemic was emerging and before society was forced to shift to remote classrooms and telemedicine appointments — Kent State University’s Regional Campuses at Geauga and Ashtabula applied for an expansive distance learning grant from the federal government. Now, it is poised to bring rural Geauga and Ashtabula counties on par with the latest technological advancements in education, medicine and workforce development.

“We saw this grant as an opportunity to innovate and offer more educational opportunities to students within our communities,” said Lance Williams, director of operations and special projects for Kent State University’s Geauga Campus and Twinsburg Academic Center (TAC). “Our collective vision positioned this grant to serve as a nexus between local schools, libraries and the workforce.”

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

The USDA grant program exists to help rural communities use distance learning to connect to each other and the world. It promises to help bridge the digital divide common in rural areas, where bandwidth is inadequate compared to more densely populated communities. For example, the connectivity enhancements this program provides can link teachers and medical service providers located in one area to students and patients in another.

Locally, this project will expand educational opportunities for middle and high school students who take college-level courses that count toward their high school diploma and college degree, effectively bolstering the K-12 school systems’ missions of providing quality education to their students.

The project also will benefit adults with some completed college coursework. Area residents will be able to enroll in degree programs that may lead to career advancement and income mobility opportunities that are aligned to regional employer needs.

Within the university, the project will enhance experiential learning activities for nursing and allied health students, who will gain more opportunities to demonstrate their critical thinking and clinical judgment skills. Now, the community’s future nurses and health care practitioners will be equipped to provide a better quality of care to rural residents.

(STEM) education, as well as distance learning education, workforce development and telehealth education initiatives.

Ashtabula grant partners include Andover Public Library, Kingsville Public Library, Pierpont Township Board of Trustees, Grand Valley Local School District, Pymatuning Valley Local School District and SPIRE Institute. They will coordinate to connect resources to the residents of Ashtabula County, which is the largest county in Ohio, totaling nearly 1,400 square miles. This grant effectively launches the rural communities of Geauga and Ashtabula counties into a three-year period of increased access and opportunity brought about by enhanced accessibility through community partnership and engagement.

In his capacity as principal investigator of the grant project, Williams sought $428,091 for Kent State Geauga through Project CORD: Connecting Ohioans in Rural Areas Through Distance Learning, a grant funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With $64,214 (representing a 15% match) in additional funding from Kent State University, the total amount for this project is $492,305 — making it the largest federal competitive grant that Kent State Geauga has ever received.

Kent State Ashtabula received $156,955 in USDA grant funds for a total budget of $180,499 with matching funds. The total of the joint grant project between Kent State Geauga and Kent State Ashtabula is $585,046.

POWERED BY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

With this in mind, Kent State Geauga has partnered with three Geauga County libraries, along with Berkshire Local Schools, Great Lakes Cheese and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. These partnerships will improve and expand community access to College Credit Plus (CCP), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

“We are pleased that Kent State University at Ashtabula is included, along with Kent State Geauga, as recipients of this grant,” said Kent State Ashtabula Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Susan J. Stocker, Ph.D.

“We have a mission to extend access to higher education and provide opportunities for learning and development to help better the lives of people in our communities,” Stocker said. “The technology that will be implemented with this grant will allow us to do that and has great potential to make a difference in the lives of so many people in Northeast Ohio.”

“We saw this grant as an opportunity to innovate and offer more educational opportunities to students within our communities.”

“We have a mission to extend access to higher education and provide opportunities for learning and development to help better the lives of people in our communities.”

Estelle R. Brown for Kent State University Regional Campuses

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Local Kent State students also will see the installation of an additional Zoom Room at the Geauga Campus, Twinsburg Academic Center and Ashtabula Campus — each to be equipped with dynamic locating technology cameras and ceiling array microphones with autofocus technology — that will enhance the distance learning experience.

Plus, both Geauga and TAC will be utilizing state-of-the-art lightboards that allow instructors to create immersive presentations and on-demand instructional content. Still, this represents just Phase One of the ambitious project.

Phase Two of the project has the potential to include additional Kent State Regional Campuses, along with more rural libraries and

school systems as grant partners to share in further equipment upgrades for state-of-theart distance learning capabilities. The Geauga and Ashtabula campuses will coordinate to submit a joint proposal by 2023.

“Our mission at Kent State Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center is to serve the educational needs of our community,” said Kent State Geauga Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D. “With our collective partners and funding from this grant, we are better able to serve more rural students and positively impact the lives of area residents.”

In his official announcement about this remarkable initiative, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) commented, “Ohio

communities need access to the technology necessary to provide proper workforce development and health education services. This funding will give Kent State University the tools needed to adapt and ensure that the community’s needs are being met.”

“This funding will give Kent State University the tools needed to adapt and ensure that the community’s needs are being met.”

These initiatives will greatly benefit rural residents across the two northeast Ohio counties including:

Preston Superstore

BY: PARIS WOLFE

Preston Superstore in Burton has been family-owned and operated for nearly 30 years. The dealership offers a selection of new vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford and Kia as well as Certified Pre-Owned used vehicles of all makes and models. Jackie Preston-Franck, customer relations manager, shared a bit about the dealership with us.

WHEN DID PAT PRESTON ACQUIRE THE DEALERSHIP?

Pat bought the Chevrolet dealership 29 year ago. It relocated several times as he looked for a forever home. Burton was a perfect fit. Pat grew up in the small town of New Castle, Pa. He loved the feel of a small town and Burton reminded him of that. WHAT MAKES THE PRESTON SUPERSTORE DIFFERENT? It starts with Pat’s background in hospitality. He studied hotel management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He worked more than 15 years for Marriott Hotels, where he learned the importance of customer experience. He taught us to make sure

WHAT DOES GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE LOOK LIKE?

We lead by making our guests comfortable and happy. Instead of leading with a sales pitch, we listen to the wants and needs of our guests and try to match them to a vehicle.

We have refreshments in guest lounges. We provide pizza on Saturdays to guests and team members. We have complimentary pickup and delivery service as well as shuttle service for our guests. We provide complimentary car washes to all service guests. These little touches that go a long way.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Many things have changed since the pandemic in the car industry but the key to staying in the game is to adapt to change and develop new ways of doing things and understand what is important to our guests.

For our guests, not a lot has changed in the way they shop. They still do most of their research online and then come into the dealership. For those who feel more comfortable, we will do onsite deliveries.

WHAT VEHICLES SELL BEST?

In this area, we sell a lot of trucks and SUVs. These vehicles withstand our weather and keep people feeling safe. All three of our brands have so many great options.

HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY?

Pat made giving back a priority when he started this business. This community embraced us, and we have embraced them right back. That's what a community like this is all about. Pat has always had a soft spot for schools and veterans, but our giving is not limited to those areas. We are active in the local 4-H program and many other organizations.

10779 Mayfield Road Chardon, Ohio 44024

10779 Mayfield Road Chardon, Ohio 44024

440.286.POND (7663) 800.689.LAKE (5253) fax: 440.286.1300 info@aquadocinc.com

440.286.POND (7663) 800.689.LAKE (5253) fax: 440.286.1300 info@aquadocinc.com

Treasure Shop -

Honest Scales Recycling, located in Middlefield, is your home for all-in-one recycling. We take all types of scrap metals - ferrous and non-ferrous are both accepted metals. With over 20 years of experience, our facilities are equipped to process light scrap metals such as: aluminum, copper, and brass; as well as heavy metal objects such as: motors, appliances, and cars.

Laura Bartchak Co-Founder and Executive Director

helping people along the road to freedom

Building for the Future

Approaching its 35th anniversary of partnering with families in Lake and Geauga counties, Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity is leading the charge to change the landscape of affordable housing in the dual-county area it serves through a three-pronged approach of advocacy, volunteerism, and support. Having just completed its 96th Habitat home, Lake-Geauga Habitat believes that affordability is the key to home ownership and works to provide just that. Demonstrating a commitment to this belief, Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity will celebrate its 100th home built by June 2024. Habitat for Humanity knows that safe, decent, and affordable housing plays a critical role in helping families create lives filled with hope and possibility.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, nearly one-third of households in the United States faced housing cost burdens. In Ohio, 1 in 9 households spend 50% or more of their net income on housing. The ongoing increases in housing costs is a driving force behind the combined current poverty rate of 14.1% in Lake and Geauga counties.

Cost burdened families live in substandard housing and/or in underserved communities as a means of ensuring that they have a place to live. These families often make decisions between healthy food, reliable transportation, quality healthcare, and education as the cost of rental housing increases. The ultimate sacrifice made by low to moderate income families comes in the form of their future. Families spending more than 50% of their net income are struggling to save the money needed to secure a conventional mortgage and move themselves into more affordable housing solutions. This reduced financial mobility ensures that individuals and families are trapped in a cycle of financial insecurity. Habitat for Humanity serves as a voice for people in need of decent housing by working to shape and change policy that affects access to housing.

Habitat for Humanity is uniquely positioned to give cost burdened families in Lake and Geauga counties a path forward to homeownership. Through zero-interest mortgage loans that are no more

than 30% of gross income at closing – Lake-Geauga Habitat is creating transformational financial wealth in the lives of families experiencing housing instability. Habitat for Humanity’s ability to mobilize a vast network of volunteers to assist with construction and critical home repairs allows us to continue these programs in a timely and costeffective manner. Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity’s focus is on changing a family’s economic outlook through affordable home ownership.

Habitat for Humanity helps families and communities reap the rewards associated with stable housing. With our commitment to building one hundred homes and beyond, Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity will not only accelerate its service to the community but will also highlight the challenges our community faces because of housing instability. Lake-Geauga Habitat will bring partners together and engage our community to assist our commitment, mobilize volunteers, and impact the lives of our friends and neighbors over the next two years. Our work will have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of families and our community.

There is a movement underfoot, that a safe, decent, affordable home is a foundation of opportunity, but it is out of reach for far too many. The evidence is quite clear that we are witnessing a severe housing affordability crisis in America, and its consequences are spilling over into many other sectors such as education, health care, civil rights, homelessness, and economic mobility. Will you join Habitat for Humanity in creating a change for Lake and Geauga counties and for those families who call these communities

their home? Your support enables us to continue building houses, improve neighborhoods, renovate unsightly properties, and foster independence and stability. And through this, we are building much more than houses. We are building homes and impacting your community.

Now is the time for a bold initiative that will bring attention to the need for affordable housing. Join us in our mission by becoming a corporate partner, volunteer or donor and become part of our story.

If you would like to learn more about advocating, volunteering, or supporting Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity, please visit: Lake-GeaugaHabitat.org

one every

deserves a decent place to live.

No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life, to feel strong and stable, and to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures.

Gifts made in support of Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity by June 30, 2020, will be matched and have twice the impact!

Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity supports our neighbors to achieve this strength and independence through homeownership. Our everyday efforts help demonstrate how affordable housing provides people with the opportunity to lead healthy lives in stable homes. This impact is transformational not just for individuals but for our entire community – revitalizing neighborhoods, strengthening our economy, and creating stability for the next generation.

The Painted Wooden Door

BY: LIZ M c MAHON

W alk into The Painted Wooden Door shop in Middlefield and you’ll immediately notice the serenity of this bright space with its clean lines and contemporary farmhouse décor. Magnolia meets Middlefield.

“Hobby Lobby was always my favorite store,” remarked shop owner Shirley Byler. “I went there regularly to see what was new and to satisfy my curiosity. Then, a few years ago, I decided that I could make things as good if not better than they could.” She set up her workshop and made the leap from self-taught hobbyist to businesswoman in short order. In 2021, Shirley and her husband, Steven, opened The Painted Wooden Door at 14690 S. State Street (next to Cinda’s Restaurant).

Strong support from the Amish community and general word of mouth have effectively publicized the shop so far. “Farmhouse style is still very on-trend and Middlefield likes a hometown feel,” said Kim Breyley of the local Chamber of Commerce. “I hear nothing but positive comments about The Painted Wooden Door.” This time of the year is particularly busy, with weddings, showers, graduations, and other gift-giving occasions.

Except for a few special pieces of furniture, everything is for sale, from furnishings and collectibles to the motivational message signs produced in-house by Shirley. That the store carries only the highest quality products is fundamental to the family’s business strategy. They define quality to include the use of real wood, that the product is well crafted and visually pleasing, and that the paint job is well done.

Shirley’s overall goal “is to succeed” but she recognizes the pressure of juggling all the balls – family, children, creating items to sell and build inventory, paying the rent, and being alert for the unexpected. Still, the concept of success and eventually producing a catalog, hiring a team to help, and having a bigger space isn’t filed under Daydreams.

The Painted Wooden Door remains unique both in look and in inventory, with no comparable shop nearby. Its hard-working owners invite people to make a habit of stopping in to browse, get ideas, and purchase for their office, home or friends’ occasions.

Hours: Mon, Thurs: Closed

Tues, Wed: 9 am-3 pm

Friday: 9 am-8 pm

Saturday: 9 am-2 pm Sunday: Closed

“I decided that I could make things as good if not better...”

Emerald Ball

Raised over $19,000 to Support Next Step of Family & Community Services

ABOUT LEADERSHIP GEAUGA COUNTY

Founded in 1995, Leadership Geauga County is a communitybased 501c3 nonprofit organization working to develop and encourage current and future leaders from a cross section of Geauga County.

The organization builds bridges between the public, private, and non-profit sectors with annual programs that inform, educate, connect, and inspire the county’s seasoned and future decision-makers to serve as catalysts in building strong organizations and vibrant communities.

Our program is a unique combination of relationship building, leadership development, personal and professional growth, and outstanding community education.

S ince 2001, Leadership Geauga County has honored service has significantly enhanced Geauga County’s quality of life, by recognizing each with the organization’s Emerald Leader Award at its gala event, the Emerald Ball. The Emerald Leader Award is given annually to an individual, a business and/ or a non-profit agency that exemplifies outstanding leadership by positive contributions to Geauga County through volunteer service, philanthropy, or innovation.

On March 5 Andrea Pollock was the recipient of the 2022 Emerald Leader Award. at the Emerald Ball. Andrea was nominated because of her selfless devotion to the individuals she has helped through Next Step and The Chagrin Falls Park. Andrea is a small but mighty presence in our community.

Andrea is currently the Director of Next Step, a program that provides community-based stable housing and individualized services and support for young adults, ages 18 through 24. Focus is placed on young adults aging out of foster care and/or finding themselves homeless. Andrea tirelessly seeks funding, creates assistance programs and provides needed emotional support to these at-risk youth. Leadership Geauga is proud to help support the programming Next Step provides for our community.