BRUNSWICK — That was unexpected.
I was among the hundreds of people who drove children to the middle school on the first day of classes.
The school personnel was out in force, directing traffic, which is rather effective, I may add. Each of them had on a blue T-shirt.
After my great-grandson Izak got out of the car, I noticed a white-shirted person directing us out. Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer was the unexpected traffic controller!
I turned into the queue solely to capture a picture of him, rather than heading down Manhattan to get off on Center Road.
He commented, “I LOVE doing arrival duty!” after I forwarded it to him later that morning.
How many other locations did he direct traffic to that morning, I wonder now?
Brunswick graduate: Whoa, hearing this was shocking. On August 13, Jeff Potter passed away. The 59-year-old Brunswick native graduated from Brunswick High School in 1985.
The tiny, local pharmacy that used to be on Center Road might be familiar to you. I can’t remember the name, but it was run by Jeff and his wife, who are both pharmacy graduates.
He later opened a compounding pharmacy in Medina where he filled custom prescriptions for patients and doctors.
I’m confident that many people, particularly his four children, will have pleasant memories of him.
Lastly, everyone, myself included, was curious as to why so many motorcyclists were congregating outside the old Auto Zone store next to Brunswick Plaza.
For a long, it was a medical office, but now that the signs are up, it’s a Ducati dealership.
I’ve heard that Ducati is a renowned Italian motorcycle manufacturer that is well-known for its racing heritage, high-performance bikes, and innovative designs.
Based on my research, Ducati was established in 1926 and has its main office in Bologna, Italy. The brand is a byword for quickness, flair, and creativity.
Greetings from Brunswick.
I had no idea what Dave Goodyear was talking about when he asked me about something he had seen south of Medina’s square. I decided to go see.
At the Portsmouth housing development’s entryway is a stunning wooden carving of a Native American.
When I asked Medina County Historical Society President Brian Feron what it was, he simply replied that it has been there for a long time.
This is when Google or artificial intelligence comes in handy. This is who R.L. Blair was, according to the sign next to it.
Master woodcarver R.L. Blair (1945–2023) was renowned for his elaborate, emotive sculptures. For Walt Disney Imagineering, he produced over 150 wood sculptures that can be found in Disney parks all over the world, such as Tokyo Disney, Disneyland, and Disney World.
Blair, in spite of his enormous influence, favored anonymity. Disney wants people to think Tinker Bell made it, he once joked.
Natural themes, Native American symbols, and humorous characters are frequently seen in Blair’s carvings. He created works that combine workmanship and storytelling using hefty hardwoods.
A sculpture made from a tree trunk that is 66 inches tall and has five emotive faces that appear to be growing out of the wood itself is one of his most well-known pieces.
One of his pieces may be in a private collection, a public art installation, or even a piece that was commissioned for a local event or venue if you have seen it in Medina.
Finding one in Medina is a pleasure because his art is extremely collectible and rare.
Therefore, I’m still unsure of how or why it’s in Medina. Does anyone know?
Join the Knights of Columbus for their Chicken Roast at St. Ambrose Parish on September 6th, commencing at 5:30 p.m., outside (or inside Hilkert Hall in the event of inclement weather).
The Yearbook Band is providing entertainment.
Half a chicken, redskin potatoes, fresh green beans, water or lemonade, and a piece of cake are included with adult tickets, which cost $25 per person.
Chicken tenders, fries, drinks, and dessert are included in the $7 children’s meal tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the church front desk by August 31.
The People deserve pawpaws!The Ohio Pawpaw Festival, a three-day festival of food, music, sustainability, and community focused on the largest natural tree fruit in America—the pawpaw—is one of Ohio’s most distinctive and cherished celebrations.
With live music, workshops, food vendors, and family-friendly events, the 26th annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival, which takes place from September 13–15 at picturesque Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio, offers a blend of education and fun in celebration of the tropically flavorful and incredibly nourishing pawpaw.
Through delicious food and drinks, a comprehensive schedule of lectures and activities covering pawpaw growing, cuisine, genetics, medical usage, and other sustainability-related themes, the event showcases the pawpaw’s rich past and potential for the future.
Competitions for the largest and best pawpaws, a pawpaw cook-off, the greatest artwork linked to pawpaws, and the renowned pawpaw-eating contest are among the special events.
This year, Medina Countian Ronda Leffel is in charge of the pollinator tent once more. Wild Northeast Ohio was founded by her.
A full weekend of free, enjoyable events, such as instructive crafts, free posters, literature, moth lighting demonstrations, and a DJ dance party, will be held at the pollinator tent.
With an average of one ticket drawn every hour the tent is open, Wild Northeast Ohio will be holding a raffle with a ton of fantastic prizes.
Center Caf: On October 8, the Medina County Career Center will open The Center Caf.
The Center Caf’s calendar for the current academic year is shown below. Go to https://files.constantcontact.com/c63b95bc001/c797fd07-bc07-4bb0-8aee-a675a3940cad.pdf?rdr=true to download and print the schedule.
Hope Church: Ladies, mark your calendars on October 4, when a few sessions from the True Woman 25 conference will be re-played all day long at Hope Church, located on Pearl Road in Brunswick.
“Love the Word, live the Word, behold the wonder” is this year’s theme.
Speakers for the session will include Jackie Hill Perry, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, and others. There is lunch included.
You can register and get more information on the church’s website at https://hopebrunswick.org/.
A purposeful career:The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities has announced its upcoming Direct Support Professional Job Fair, which takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Medina County Achievement Center, 4691 Windfall Road in Medina.
This event is an opportunity for job seekers to explore a career as a direct support professional — playing a critical role in the lives of people who have developmental differences.
Depending on the needs of each individual, job responsibilities may include assisting with social skills development, daily tasks like housekeeping, money management, and/or accompanying people to doctor’s appointments or other events, as well as generally assisting them in becoming more independent.
During the event, job seekers will be able to meet face to face with multiple organizations that are actively hiring for roles supporting people with developmental differences in Medina County.
Job seekers may even participate in on-the-spot interviews.
Attendees who are interested in becoming a direct support professional will need to have a high school diploma or GED and a passion for helping others.
No prior experience or college degree is required.
Interested applicants are encouraged to bring copies of their updated resume and a photo ID to this event.
For more information, contact Crystal Brodzenski, MCBDD community project supervisor, at 330-725-7751, extenskion 128 or by email [email protected].
Uh Oh:The Medina County Health Department (MCHD) has received notification of a laboratory-confirmed positive human case of West Nile virus.
This is the first reported human case of West Nile virus for the 2025 mosquito season in Medina County.
MCHD wants to encourage all residents to prioritize personal protection against mosquitoes.
Prior to this first human case, MCHD identified 30 different mosquito samples across Medina County that tested positive for West Nile virus between June and August.
These samples came from mosquito traps that MCHD monitors.
Make sure to avoid peak hours when mosquitos are most active — morning, late afternoon and evenings — and wear lightweight, light-colored pants and long-sleeved shirts to help prevent mosquito bites.
When outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, para menthane-diol, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the directions on the package.
West Nile virus symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, a skin rash on the torso and swollen lymph nodes.
While the risk of severe symptoms is low, individuals 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of having more severe symptoms.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to seek medical attention.
If you need a medical care provider, contact the Health Center at the Medina County Health Department by calling 330-723-9688, option 1.
Power tools and gingerbread?Yep, you heard right! Come to Root Candle Company s Bee Culture Conference Roomat 1 p.m. Sept. 13 for a fascinating presentation on gingerbread and gingerbread competitions by National Gingerbread House Competition winners Cheryl and Bill Filion.
The talk is presented by the Medina County Historical Society.
The Bee Culture Conference Room is located inside Root Candles retail store, 623 W. Liberty St. in Medina.
Parking for the event is available directly across West Liberty next to and behind Root s tan brick building.
If you have questions, e-mail the Medina County Historical Society [email protected] call 330-722-1341.
The Medina County Historical Society is seeking entries for its third annual Gingerbread House Contest. The competition is open to all ages.
The categories are Children: 8 years old and younger; Youth: 9-17 years old; and Adult: 18 and older.
The sweet creations will be judged by the public on overall appearance and originality/creativity. A $50 prize will be awarded to the winner of each age category.
For more information and to print your application, go towww.medinacountyhistoricalsociety.com, email the Medina County Historical Society [email protected] call 330-722-1341.
Applications must be completed and returned by Sept. 30.
Grandparents Day:If you are a grandparent, be sure to stop at Sunday at the Farm at Heritage Farm, 4613 Laurel Road in Brunswick, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 14.
There will be a free raffle for everyone who attends, and Katie G. usually has some surprises up her sleeve.
It s also the first day of the Healthy Kids Running Series, with the runners, ages 2-14, starting at 3 p.m. at Heritage Farm.
So it should be a great, busy day. See you there.
Contact Boyer [email protected]
