BRUNSWICK, Ohio – This seems hard to believe, but this week marks the 50th anniversary of our newspaper in Brunswick and Strongsville. Way back then, a group of active residents were unhappy that both communities got little coverage from any media as we were the far ends of our counties. So, guess who agreed to become a publisher.
The first edition of the very non-professional looking County Line was published on June 6, 1973. We used really old technology – basically hand typing everything. No truly local paper had survived long here, though many had attempted it, and it was tough going. We were in the little green building on Hickory Ridge with free rent provided by Joe Conroy. Our staff included Melinda Wetzel, Jerry O’Connell, Bill Hunter, Emily Oravec, and Linda Kinsey, who would later be executive editor of all the Sun Newspapers. Investors paid $1,000 each to get us started. We couldn’t pay our staff much and I wasn’t taking a salary. Olga Dobbins of the Buckeye Lounge made sure I at least got one meal a day.
My first publisher (the Leader Post), Neil Gowe of Gowe Printing finally came to the rescue almost two years later. He then renamed the papers to the Brunswick Times and Strongsville Star and after a couple of buyouts – here we are.
It doesn’t seem like yesterday, but it sure doesn’t seem like a half century ago.
MCBDD Safety Town: The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities will host its annual Safety Town Plus+ program at the Medina County Achievement Center, 4691 Windfall Road, Medina from June 19-23.
Children with developmental disabilities from across Medina County are invited to participate in a five-day program with each day focusing on a specific safety lesson: traffic safety, fire safety, gun safety, calling 911, bike safety and animal safety. Typical Safety Towns provide hands-on safety education for children. The MCBDD’s program offers all the typical fun “PLUS” the extra help some children with developmental disabilities may need. Designed for children in grades K-1 with special needs, this program has activities, games, stories and crafts to encourage (in a fun way) how to stay safe and make good choices during emergencies. MCBDD’s Safety Town PLUS+ modifies instructions and creates multi-sensory activities to give students the best chance to practice important safety skills. MCBDD will be working together with Sgt. Beverly Fraser of the Medina County Sheriff’s Department and a variety of other local first responders and volunteers for this weeklong event.
Space is limited and the deadline to register for this year’s program is Friday, June 9.
For more information or to register, visit www.mcbdd.org/event-calendar/
Or contact Christie Kimbler at 330-725-7751 ext. 269, or [email protected].
Shred it: The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is also hosting a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Medina County Achievement Center, 4691 Windfall Road, Medina.
If you are buried under piles of paperwork, have stacks of old files or just need a safe, secure way to get rid of unwanted documents, then stop by and drop them off. A shredding truck will be on-site to immediately handle all shredding needs. Confidential information such as bank statements, medical records, legal documents, tax records and papers with a social security number can be shredded for safety.
Shredding is limited to four boxes or bags per vehicle. While this is a free event, donations will be accepted towards the MCBDD Donor Scholarship Fund.
For more information on the MCBDD, visit www.mcbdd.org
Still working: Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center work continues and painting in the pool complex is taking longer than originally expected according to the recent notices. Due to the complexity of the project, and the additional maintenance that our staff still needs to complete, the pool closure has been extended until June 11, 2023.
The HVAC system, air ducts and grids have been painted. We are waiting on the ceiling tiles to be re-installed. The Kitchen and Meeting Room 1 and 2 will be closed May 30 to June 2.
Kitten Krazy Car show: The Classic Car Show to benefit Kitten Krazy Cat Shelter is now scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 6201 Lafayette Road, Medina. The show is free to attend but if you want to enter a car, it’s $10 per show vehicle. For information about the event, contact Charles at 772-485-8028.
In addition to trophies and ribbons for all the vehicles, there will be door prizes, games of chance, raffles, food and beverages for sale and more.
Child Safety Network award: How about former Valley City resident Stephen Tako’s Motivated to Act non profit received the “Innovation in Curriculum” Award from the Child Safety Network for creating an innovative and entertaining way to teach young children how to be good citizens, demonstrate empathy and more with his wonderful books and videos based on Junga, the Dancing Yeti.
The latest film was launched last month with red carpet opening and is called Yeti, Set, Go! All about a football game. You may remember I told wrote about the Browns’ own Brian Sipe being one of the characters.
Congratulations Stephen – your Ohio friends and family are really proud of your wonderful accomplishments.
This limited edition, signed poster will be auction for Father’s Day.
Did you know: Brian Sipe actually signed a poster of that Yeti, Set Go! Poster – only 50 were printed – and the Brunswick Historical Society was the recipient of one of them. Not only Sipe and Tako signed it, but the four other former NFL players who are also voices of the video. The poster will be raffled for Father’s Day at the first two Sunday at the Farm Outdoor Markets this year at Heritage Farm, 4613 Laurel Road, Brunswick. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday June 11 and (Father’s Day) June 18 and the poster goes to the lucky winner that afternoon. Be sure to stop and buy a ticket to help the historical society and win something really special. Sunday at the Farm has it’s own Facebook Page now.
Our Neighbors: The Strongsville Historical Society is having its annual yard sale from 9 a.m. to 40 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 9 a.m. to noon Friday, June 23. The Historic Village is at 13305 Pearl Road, with entrance on Zverina Road.
They are doing a major spring cleaning and will have dozens if not hundreds of vintage and antique items that are deaccessioned, donated for our sale, or that have been found in storage throughout our village that they have decided not to accession for their collection.
Cedar Fair theme parks join Red Cross: The American Red Cross and Cedar Fair theme parks are teaming up to encourage donors to help save lives this summer. Those who come to donate blood at select blood drives in the Northern Ohio Region from now through Aug.1 will receive a free Cedar Point ticket.
The Red Cross encourages donors to book a time to give blood now to address a recent drop in donation appointments that could lead to fewer transfusions for patients in the weeks ahead. Blood donations tend to decline during the summer months when donors are busy with vacations and outdoor fun. Unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t take a summer break.
All those who come to donate at select blood drives will receive one free ticket, valid for entry to Cedar Point, while supplies last. Tickets are valid during the 2023 season and other restrictions may apply. Check park website for information on capacity, open dates and hours.
To find a Cedar Point blood drive near you and schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code “CEDARPOINT” call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App. Appointments for these blood drives are highly encouraged. Donors without appointments are not guaranteed a Cedar Point ticket, as supplies are limited.
Open House: The Medina County Historical Society will have an open house on from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 4 at the John Smart House Museum, 206 N. Elmwood, Medina. This will be a self-guided tour of the museum. There will be docents in various locations throughout the museum to answer questions and provide some interesting facts. Admission donation prices are $5 for adults; $4 for MCHS members & Seniors; $3 for Students 7 – 18 years. Children under 7 are free with a hand-holding adult.
If you have any questions, please call 330-722-1341 or email [email protected]
Contact Boyer at [email protected]
