For the 23rd year, families in need will receive free school materials in a bag at the beginning of the academic year.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 1600 Pearl Road in Brunswick, will host the event on Thursday, August 7 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Families can get free information from representatives of local groups, and there will be activities for kids and families.
With the assistance of the Brunswick Education Foundation, the Stuff the Bus event, the Salvation Army, the Brunswick VFW 9520, the Brunswick Optimists, and private donations, Holy Trinity members have sponsored this event.
Families are invited to join in on the excitement. Call the church at 330-225-4148 for further details.
On August 5, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., please bring your donated school supplies to Heritage Farm, 4613 Laurel Road. Every donation will be included in the Holy Trinity event. Bring your mother along as well, as Sunday is Mom Appreciation Day at the Farm Market.
Yes, the moment has come. Although it seems unthinkable, our children’s school year begins on August 19. Flashback will play a back-to-school outdoor show at the Brunswick Recreation Center from 2-4 p.m. August 9. Bring a lawn chair so you can take in the fantastic music. It’s free.
Business at the Barn:When it’s time for Business at the Barn, you can tell that summer is passing quickly. The 2025 version, hosted by Kiba Studios and MDG Flooring, will take place in the Barn at Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick, from 3-6:30 p.m. on August 20.
Businesses are able to network and engage throughout the first two hours of the VIP reception. The Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance hosts this annual event, which is open to the public from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is usually a lot of fun.
Looking ahead:The Colors of Honor have not been held in Brunswick for a long time, but thanks to the Rotary Club of Brunswick, they will return on August 15–17 at Cuyahoga Community College’s Brunswick Campus. In addition to the Medina County Vietnam Historical Project, which honors 33 Medina County residents who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, there is an amazing display of American, military branch, and first responder flags. Keep an eye out for the tents and flags that will be a part of the event, which will have an opening ceremony on August 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Jazz under the Stars: On August 2, at 7 p.m., Organic Trio will perform in Medina’s public square as part of the Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach’s ongoing summer Jazz under the Stars performance series.
Chris Hovan’s Organic Trio explores the traditional organ combo genre with a fresh focus that prioritizes swing and soulful energy, capitalizing on the current Hammond organ renaissance. The trio, which includes Michigan natives Cliff Metcalf on organ and Chandler Carpenter on guitar, covers both contemporary material and well-known standards from the jazz canon.
For this free performance, bring sandwiches, lawn chairs, and blankets. The concert will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty Street, Medina, in the case of rain. For additional details, give 419-853-6016 a call.
Chris Hovan studied classical percussion at Baldwin-Wallace College’s music conservatorium. Hovan has performed in a number of locations in Northeast Ohio. In addition, Hovan plays percussion with Bob Niederriter and The Jazz Shepherds, the horn-based group Funkology, and the Doobie Brothers parody band China Grove.
Cliff Metcalf studied under jazz organ virtuoso Tony Monaco at Holland, Michigan’s Hope College, from which he graduated. He took part in the inaugural Jazz Organ Summit in the fall of 2016, which brought together well-known musicians and fans from throughout the US. Metcalf, who is currently living in Holland, Michigan, as a music instructor, has a busy schedule of performances and is frequently spotted at pubs and festivals around Central and Northwest Michigan.
Born in Brunswick, Chandler Carpenter is a newcomer to the Cleveland-Akron jazz scene. He studied under numerous eminent teachers at Youngstown State University, where he obtained his master’s degree in jazz performance, after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Akron. He has played with the DANJO Jazz Orchestra, drummer Owen Davis, and has been a frequent member of the house band at BLU Jazz Akron’s weekly jam sessions. Third Law Collective has also played his music at the Bop Stop on multiple occasions. At the moment, Carpenter lives in New Jersey and teaches music in private schools.
Other times: Visit the McDowell-Phillips House Museum, located at 205 S. Prospect St., Medina, to see the Not Just a Pretty Dress exhibit. There are now more dates available, such as 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, August 2. August 3rd and 17th, Sundays. The Medina County Historical Society is showcasing wedding dresses, associated clothing, and customs from the 1810s to the 1980s. More than twenty-five bridal dresses and outfits from our collection. The exhibition ends on August 17. Each person must donate $10 for admission. There are also options for private tours. For information and to make an appointment, please contact [email protected] or give 330-722-1341 a call.
The John Smart House Museum, located at 206 North Elmwood, Medina, also features a special Yesterday’s Toys exhibit by the Medina County Historical Society. The unique exhibit and the museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. August 3, Sunday. Half an hour before closure, the final tour begins. Appointments for private tours are available upon request. For further information, give us a call. The cost of admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children aged seven to eighteen. Youngsters under seven can go freely as long as an adult holds their hand. Members of the Historical Society are eligible for a discount. Call the museum at 330-722-1341 or send an email to [email protected] for additional information.
Update on mosquitoes: The Ohio Department of Health notified the Medina County Health Department (MCHD) that five additional mosquito samples obtained during the mosquito monitoring program had positive West Nile virus (WNV) tests. With this, Medina County now has eight WNV-positive samples overall for 2025. Three sites—Hubbard Valley Park in Seville, Letha House Park in Spencer, and Brongers Park in Hinckley—were used to identify the five novel mosquito samples. The Ohio Department of Health reports that mosquito populations in at least 16 additional Ohio counties have been found to carry the West Nile virus. Visit www.medinahealth.org or contact 330-723-9688, option 3, for additional information about the West Nile virus or the Medina County Health Department’s mosquito control program.
Affair on the Square:The historic Medina square will once again be filled with more than 170 booths of handmade crafts and vintage finds at the 34th annual Affair on the Square Craft & Vintage Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10.
The event features specially selected crafters and artisans of handmade items in all mediums including beautifully handcrafted jewelry, home d cor, soaps, lotions, metalwork, wood work, wearables, vintage and repurposed, and so many more unique items.
A few of the most well-known food trucks in the neighborhood will entice guests with some delectable fare.
Victor Samalot will bring his timeless Latin groove and Jazz instrumental styling to the Medina Gazebo from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Folk rock artists Parsons and Polk will follow from 2:30 to 5 p.m. covering favorite artists such as Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffet, and James Taylor.
For the kids there will be balloon animals and a make-it-take-it craft booth. Admission to the show is free. For more details, go to www.affaironthesquare.net
Closed to the public:The Medina County Solid Waste District will be closed on Saturday, Aug 2 for repairs. There will be no residential specialty waste, hazardous waste, bulk waste drop-off or yard waste taken that day. There will be no access for commercial yard waste or transfer facility disposal.
District employees said, The safety of everyone visiting our campus is of the utmost importance and repairs are needed to ensure that safety. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Normal hours will resume on Monday, Aug. 4.
Stand-out champions:The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Stand Out Champion Awards: Melanie Kasten-Krause, Trent Fumich and Nicole Moehring. This award recognizes people in the community who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy and commitment to the developmental disability field in Medina County. This year s recipients have shown a dedication and passion to touching the lives of people with disabilities, and the MCBDD is proud to recognize their contributions.
With over four decades of service, Melanie Kasten-Krause has been a steadfast advocate for individuals with developmental differences. As the former Executive Director of The Society, she played a pivotal role in transforming the organization into a cornerstone of support for individuals and families in Medina County. She also serves on the board of directors for the Medina County Mental Health and Recovery Board, collaborating on initiatives that integrate mental health and developmental disabilities. Despite her recent retirement, Melanie remains a passionate voice for inclusion and continues to inspire others to advocate for a more inclusive community.
Nicole Moehring s advocacy is deeply personal. After her son Evan, who has Fragile X Syndrome and autism, was denied justice following a sexual abuse case, Nicole founded Voices of Change in 2018. This nonprofit educates, advocates for, and empowers people with disabilities. Through her writing and activism, including the book Evan s Voice, Nicole strives to create a more educated, inclusive, and just world. Her efforts have led to her involvement in the Advisory Board for the Ohio Attorney General Committee for Crime Victims with Disabilities and the development of Evan and Gillian Says, an educational series aimed at reducing the risk of abuse for children with developmental and intellectual differences.
Diagnosed with autism, Trent Fumich has turned his personal experiences into a platform for advocacy. His book, Autism Does Not Have Limits, offers an authentic look into the life of a high school student recently diagnosed with autism. Through his writing, Trent emphasizes that individuals with developmental differences are capable of achieving their goals. His determination and creativity serve as an inspiration to others, proving that a diagnosis does not define one s potential.
Medina County has many great champions for people with developmental differences, states Stacey Maleckar, MCBDD Superintendent. Melanie, Trent, and Nicole exemplify the spirit of the Stand Out Champion Awards. Their unwavering dedication and advocacy have profoundly impacted people within our community and helped break down the barriers they encounter, and we are honored to recognize their contributions, and passion.
Time to register:Medina and Brunswick Schools are now accepting enrollment for the 2025 2026 kindergarten class. Families are encouraged to begin the registration process early to ensure a smooth start to their child s educational journey.
For more information or assistance with the registration process, please contact the Medina Student Registration Office at [email protected] or 330.636.3100 or in Brunswick contact Kim Frantz, Registrar, at 330-273-0470 or via email [email protected].
Anniversary:The Medina County Health Department is proud to announce the 19th anniversary of the Medina County Medical Reserve Corps, a national network of volunteers, both medical and non-medical, who help make our communities stronger and healthier during disasters and every day.
The MRC was created over 20 years ago after the attacks of September 11th, when thousands of volunteers, many of them healthcare workers, offered their services to support response and recovery efforts. Formed in 2006, the Medina County MRC had about 45 volunteers. Today, Medina s MRC has grown to over 550 volunteers. Volunteers are from all walks of life and assist in many ways including during emergencies as well as other events such as health fairs and preparedness activities.
Bothmedical and non-medical volunteers are needed to help improve the health and safety of our communities. You don t need a medical background or any special skills to be a part of the MRC, just a willingness to help in a time of need. MRC plays a critical role in helping to keep our emergency response system running smoothly and also supporting first responders during an incident. Remember, emergencies and disasters come without warning. When emergencies happen, we want our communities to be prepared and have a team of volunteers ready to assist. To register and become an MRC volunteer, visitohioresponds.odh.ohio.gov.
For more information on the MRC and other programs and services offered by the Medina County Health Department, call 330-723-9688 or visitmedinahealth.org.
Contact Boyer at [email protected]
