BRUNSWICK, Ohio – Everything old is new again. That seems to wrap up the past month or so for me, thanks to the telephone for the Brunswick Area Historical Society.
About a week ago, the phone rang. It was Marjorie Hay Thompson calling from Virginia and she had just discovered a packet of papers among items from her parents, Walter and Twyla Hay. They were marked “Important church papers passed down to Twyla Hay.”
Walter and Twyla were very involved at First Christian Church until they passed away. Marji wondered if the historical society was interested. I explained we had an amazing collection from the church, which was sold to Tri-C last year, ending the congregation’s 184 years in Brunswick.
When I received the papers, I was stunned. Among notes and letters from the mid to late 1900s, I found an envelope with deeds from the 1800s. Holy mackerel! I could still actually read most of them (some were very faded). Those shown here include transfers of property between churches in 1893.
Every piece of paper I found has names that anyone who’s been around Medina County for a while would recognize – most of these early folks have streets bearing their names.
Carol from Hinckley called to tell me she had picked up a box from the trash because it was unusual. But then she found it filled with papers, photos and letters and couldn’t bear to throw them out. Anyone know the Monda family from Boston Road? Their memorabilia is with us and I’d love to hear from them.
That’s dedication: The Rotary Club of Brunswick always has interesting items, including birthdays, anniversaries and among the latter, are the number of years that members have been active with the club. This time four members were celebrated for 35 years as members. Congratulations to Pat Carlson, Bill Kugler, Bill Wilkinson and Stan Socha.
Yard sale: The Medina County Historical Society will hold its Spring Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 1 on the front lawn of the McDowell-Phillips house, 205 S. Prospect St., Medina. The rain date is 9-3 on May 2. Masks will be required and the house will not be open for tours at this time. If you have any questions call Andrea Spickler at 330-421-6474. Please no early birds! Thank you for your continued support!
Teacher honored: Outstanding leaders in Catholic education were honored during the NCEA national convention, NCEA 2021, held virtually this week. Thompson, a first grade teacher at Brunswick’s Saint Ambrose School, was one of only three educators across the country to receive this esteemed award.
This award highlights the outstanding work being done in Catholic education communities across the country. This year the honored individuals are educators, principals and pastors entrusted with the faith formation of our Catholic school communities.
“Catholic schools offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence,” said NCEA Interim President/CEO Kathy Mears. “We draw on the Church’s long tradition of educating the whole person: mind, body and spirit. This is done as a community pursuing faith, truth, beauty, goodness, wisdom and virtue. These leaders are the core of our Catholic school education system and serve as inspiration to all of us working within the framework of Catholic education.”
A Catholic school teacher in the Diocese of Cleveland for 15 years, Mrs. Thompson has been at Saint Ambrose for three years. She likes to think she lives like she is wearing her faith on her sleeve, as a mother and a teacher, working to be a role model for her own children and the students
in her school. Leading by example, she says she “Strives to be a loving Christian through my service to others and the kindness I show to all.”
She ties faith into her classroom activities, sprinkling in faith learning experiences and conversations of love, service, and morals.
“It is said that adversity reveals character. Mrs. Thompson came to us two weeks before we started the 2020-2021 school year, asked to move to a then-vacated first grade teaching position. Her faith, vision and willingness to give the best for each of her students and our school family are what challenge and inspire her. We are blessed by the strength and excellence of Mrs. Kelly Thompson and also our entire faculty who work tirelessly to provide Everything for every student every day” said Principal Lisa Cinadr
“On behalf of the Diocese of Cleveland, we at the Office of Catholic Education are delighted to see Mrs. Kelly Thompson recognized by the NCEA for her excellence in forming young people. She provides a shining example of the dedication and care that all Catholic educators are called to emulate,” said Dr. Frank W. O’Linn, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
Recalling an Ash Wednesday prayer service where Saint Ambrose Parish Pastor, Father
Bob Stec, said, “It’s the little things that make a big difference,” Mrs. Thompson thought about her LLP Award. She says she didn’t do anything big, but perhaps it is the countless little things she does every day, that when all put together, make a big difference.
Cruise-Ins set to begin: See some of the best classic, collectible, rat rod, hot rod, and muscle cars in Northeast Ohio, and enjoy classic tunes from the 1950-70s with DJ Richie, as Main Street Medina kicks off the weekly cruise-ins in Medina’s South Town, from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday evenings, May 12 through Oct. 13, 233 Lafayette Road (Habitat for Humanity of Medina County parking lot). The cruise-ins are sponsored by South of the Square Collision Center, with additional support by Armstrong, Buckeye Super Wash, Serpentini Chevrolet, and Habitat for Humanity of Medina County. The South Town Cruise-In is free and open to the public. Cruise-in participating car parking is in front of the Habitat building. Event guest parking is in the side lot between Habitat and CVS.
For more information, please call Main Street Medina at 330-722-6186 or email info@mainstreetmedina.com.
Covid Rapid Tests available: Medina County District Library is partnering with the Medina County Health Department and Ohio Governor’s Office to provide free Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Covid-19 Antigen At-Home Test Kits to the public.
Test kits are available by phone reservation only at all MCDL locations. Patrons must provide a name, email, and date of birth upon request to receive a kit. Contact-free distribution will be arranged through Curbside or Locker service. Rapid tests are not returned to the library.
Medina County Health Department Community Relations Specialist, Natalie Lonjak says, “Rapid tests are most accurate in diagnosing Covid-19 when symptoms are present. Tests are intended for people who are experiencing symptoms and are not recommended for people who do not have symptoms.”
Patrons are not permitted to host telemedicine sessions in the library. Patrons must download the NAVICA app and schedule a live, virtual tele-med visit to complete the test and receive results. Paper instructions will accompany each test.
For more information and links to the Medina County Health Department and Rapid Test requirements and instructions go to https://mcdl.info/HeretoHelp .
Partnering to provide food: MCDL is also partnering with Feeding Medina County to offer a Macaroni and Cheese Drive through April 30. “For many years MCDL offered Food for Fines in March as a way for patrons to pay down their library fines with food donations, while also helping the community.” says Suzie Muniak, MCDL Assistant Director. In early 2020 MCDL went fine free, eliminating most fines for patrons.
“We spoke with Feeding Medina County Director, Katy Fuerst, early this year hoping to find an easy way for patrons to continue supporting FMC at the library” says Muniak. That’s how the Mac and Cheese Drive was born. Donations can be either boxes or cups and donors are asked to please note best by and expiration dates. The donations are earmarked for the Weekender bags for both students and seniors in Medina County.
Donations of mac and cheese can be made at all six MCDL locations. Monetary donations may also be made directly to FMC
Live concerts are back: Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach will bring back Jazz/Opera under the Stars this summer, with live professional concerts in Medina’s Uptown Park.
Due to COVID-19, last season’s concerts were all streamed. “We are excited to be back on the square,” said ORMACO’s Executive Director, Thomas Sigel. “People are ready to attend live events again. We will still take precautions to ensure that everybody remains safe.”
Now entering its 11th season, Jazz/Opera under the Stars has become part of the social and cultural fabric of Medina County and attracts many music lovers from around the region and beyond making Medina a fun destination.
Opening the season on June 5 is Oberlin-based musician Daniel Spearman (trumpet) and his band SoundEVR. The ensemble will perform a mix of original compositions written by Daniel Spearman, along with songs from the American Songbook, arranged to fit the high-energy style of the band. The band draws heavily from the Hard Bop style of Jazz from the 1960s, led by artists such as Art Blakey and Lee Morgan. SoundEVR will combine those sounds with dance music of the 1980s to create a sonic experience unique to this band.
Members of the Cleveland Opera Theater return for an evening of opera, operetta and Broadway favorites on June 19.
See the full season listings at https://ormaco.org/
All concerts start at 7 pm. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy the concerts. In the event of rain, the concerts will be held at The United Church of Christ, 217 East Liberty St. Medina.
Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are still available in order to make the concerts free to the public. To date, the following have provided sponsorship: Christopher Hofer, Jan Leatherman, Russ and Angie Huston, Rick and Tammy Kirby, Medina County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Medina County Arts Council, David and Susan Ungham, Jim and Adrienne Gerspacher, Nancy Sprowls, Scott and Amy Snyder, Dale and Jackie Smith.
To learn how you can become involved call 419-853-6016. For more information visit https://ormaco.org/.
Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com.
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