News roundup for Nov. 20, 2020

Local Mayflower organization donates meals to first responders The Western Reserve Colony of the Society of the Mayflower Descendants of Ohio donated 47 meals to area first responders on Sunday as part of its annual Compact Day celebration. The Brunswick Police Department received 30 meals. The Colony celebrates Compact Day annually, as it is the anniversary of the day the Pilgrims signed the document on board the Mayflower. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the signing. Christina Wagner Schepis, the organization's lieutenant governor, said typically the group has a large celebration at Skyland Pines Lodge in North Canton, however, with the current pandemic and the governor's orders in place, members had to get creative this year. She said that instead of hosting a large meal with members, a small group gathered for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner before delivering donated meals to first responders. "We wanted to make sure we still celebrated our passenger ancestors, even if we couldn't do so in our traditional manner," Schepis said in a statement. "Our members responded in such a supportive way to make sure our first responders were taken care of. I couldn't be more proud." Members of the society must prove lineal descent from one of the 102 Mayflower passengers. For more information on the society, visit https://ohiomayflower.org/western-reserve/. Local dealerships handing out turkey vouchers Ken Ganley Kia and Ken Ganley Nissan of Medina will host their Great Turkey Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at their dealerships. Ken Ganley Kia is located at 2925 Medina Road, with Ken Ganley Kia at 5180 Montville Drive. The dealerships will distribute a free gift certificate for a turkey can be redeemed at Buehler's Fresh Food stores. There is a limit of one turkey per household while supplies last. General manager Steve Sawyer said his dealerships believe in supporting the community. "We want to add holiday cheer to families and hope that feeling continues to spread throughout the area," he said in a statement. "We know it's been a tough year for everyone and we are so grateful for our community. We want to give back to help everyone have a great holiday, even if it looks different than in years past." The event is part of the dealerships' monthly random acts of kindness promotion. Each month, Ken Ganley Kia and Nissan give back to the community by supporting residents and local organizations. Previous outreach includes providing a free coffee truck for a local elementary school staff, leaving flags and gifts for neighborhoods for July 4th holidays and supplying snacks and posters for local healthcare workers. Medina Schools Hall of Fame committee names inductees The Medina Schools' Hall of Fame Committee recently selected the inductees to the Class of 2020. The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have made important contributions and provided extraordinary service to their community and chosen field. This honor also recognizes non-graduates who have served as positive role models to students of Medina Schools and significantly promoted and supported the district. There are five categories in which individuals can be nominated: Academic/Career/Life Accomplishments; Athletic Accomplishments; Cultural/Performing Arts; Special Honorary Achievement; and Major Contributions to the Medina Schools. The 2020 inductees are honored in the following categories: Mitch Lehman, Academic/Career/Life Accomplishments; Athletic Accomplishments, Taylor Burke; Cultural/Performing Arts, Richard Doyle. All are Medina High School graduates. Major Contributions to the Medina City Schools, Dr. J. Bradley Garner; and David Knight, Special Honorary Achievement. These individuals will officially be inducted into the Medina Schools' Hall of Fame during a ceremony in the fall of 2021. For more information, contact Amy Busby at busbya@medinabees.org or Jeanne Pritchard at murphyma@zoominternet.net. Columbia Gas warns of utility scams In conjunction with National Utility Scam Awareness Week ending today, Columbia Gas of Ohio is reminding the public to be aware of scammers targeting residential and business utility customers. One of the most common scenarios involves threats to shut off the gas without immediate cash payment on a bill. Scammers will sometimes ask for payment via prepaid debit cards or gift cards as well. While anyone with a phone number is susceptible, scammers often target small businesses, seniors and those who don't speak English as a first language. Other common red flags of utility scams include unsolicited requests for personal and banking information, constant pressuring to pay or program offers that seem too good to be true. Additionally, Columbia Gas employees and contractors always carry ID badges and will gladly show you upon request. Ask them for ID before granting access to your home or business. The best way to avoid falling victim to utility scams is to always exercise caution. If you are ever suspicious of a phone call, email or any other communication from someone claiming to be Columbia Gas of Ohio, please call the customer care center immediately at (800) 344-4077. Portman involved in COVID-19 vaccine trial U.S. Senator Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, spoke recently on the Senate floor about his participation in the Ensemble Phase 3 trial for the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson and managed by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services. At a time when the coronavirus is surging and only about half of Americans have confidence in the upcoming vaccines, Portman said he felt it was his civic duty to participate in a vaccine trial to raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness while encouraging others to participate as well. He discussed the importance of the vaccines to ensure Americans feel comfortable returning to retail establishments, schools, the workplace and gathering with friends and family. Portman applauded the Trump Administration's Operation Warp Speed, which has led the unprecedented development of the vaccine candidates, and urged his fellow elected officials to stop casting doubt on a potential vaccine for the sake of political victories. New fire pit park at High & Low Winery High & Low Winery + Bistro announced the opening of Fire Pit Park, which is located in its parking lot at 588 Medina Road, Sharon Township. Guests are asked to bring their own folding chairs and blankets, and High & Low will take care of the rest — firewood is available for sale along with food and drinks for carryout. A staff member will take orders pit-side and run them out when ready. Other than the purchase of firewood, there is no fee to use a fire pit, but reservations are recommended by calling (844) 466-4456. Tasting rooms will remain open as well. The fire pits are socially distanced from each other, and lights strung from vineyard posts enhance the ambiance. The park will remain open throughout the fall, winter and spring. Guests can get outdoors to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy fantastic food and drink, all the while socializing in what has proven to be a relatively safe environment. ORMACO receives grant from arts council The Ohio Arts Council awarded $20 Million in CARES Act Economic Relief for the Arts. A total of 296 grants were awarded, including $20,500 to the Ohio Regional, Music, Arts and Cultural Outreach, of Medina County. Buchfellner performs in UF's recital Matthew Buchfellner, of Brunswick, recently performed in the University of Findlay's fall senior instrumental recital. Buchfellner performed "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin. Located in Findlay, the university is known not only for science, health professions, animal science and equestrian studies programs, but also for cultivating the next generation of business leaders, educators and global citizens through a dedication to experiential learning, both in and outside of the classroom. Tailgating for Team raises $75K Ohio's Hospice LifeCare raised more than $75,000 for its Tailgating for Team LifeCare fundraising event, which was held in October. This event replaced the Ohio's Hospice LifeCare Spring Gala that was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, this was our most successful fundraising event yet," Kurt Holmes, executive director of Ohio's Hospice LifeCare, said in a statement. Ohio's Hospice LifeCare,a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio's Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties. Webb receives BW's Giving Circle Award Brunswick's Kayla Webb was one of four students who received a Women for BW Giving Circle Award during the fall 2020 semester. The Giving Circle provides funding for faculty and staff special project awards up to $5,000 and Student Academic Enrichment Awards up to $2,000, with nearly $24,000 available in 2020. Webb, a graduate of Brunswick High School majoring in early childhood education, received a Student Academic Enrichment Award of $2,000 to help publish and distribute her children's book, "The Show and Tell that Changed the World," which features several diverse young ladies who share and embrace all that makes them beautifully different. She also plans to use some of the award to build a website with additional resources to empower young ladies, including lesson plans, activities and demonstrations, discussions and community. Summa Health named to top 50 Summa Health announced its Akron campus was named as one of the nation's Top 50 cardiovascular hospitals for 2021 by Fortune and IBM Watson Health, a business unit of IBM dedicated to the development and implementation of cognitive and data-driven technologies to advance health. Summa is the only hospital system in Northeast Ohio to receive this year's award. As one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals, the study showed Summa Health achieved better survival rates, fewer patient complications, fewer healthcare associated infections, lower 30-day mortality and readmission rates, shorter lengths of stay and lower inpatient expenses, when compared to similar hospitals. Tuma helps bring 'Muses Anonymous' to stage Annaliese Tuma, of Medina, was part of the cast and crew from Baldwin Wallace University that staged "Muses Anonymous" during the fall 2020 semester. Ohio's home sales on the rise Sales activity in the Ohio housing marketplace in October rose 16.5 percent from the level of closings that occurred during the month a year ago, according to Ohio Realtors. "Activity in the Ohio housing marketplace was brisk in October, as we posted healthy gains in sales levels and average price," Ohio Realtors president Chris Reese said in a statement. "Our October results mark the fourth consecutive uptick in monthly activity following the slowdown that occurred following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring." Sales in October reached 15,849, a 16.5 percent increase from the 13,604 sales recorded during the month a year ago. October's average home price of $223,444 reflects a 16.2 percent increase from the $192,347 mark posted during the month last year. Three polka events have been canceled Three Cleveland Polka Association events at the Holy Spirit Party Center in Parma have been canceled. The Toys for Tots Turkey Trot Dance scheduled for Nov. 28 and the Christmas Dance for Dec. 5 were called off. Previously, the general membership meeting on Wednesday was canceled. ODOT's weekly construction report The following construction projects are anticipated to affect highways in Medina County next week. All outlined work is weather permitting. North Carpenter Road major reconstruction: North Carpenter Road, between Grafton and Boston roads, will have daily lane closures for continued project work. The contractor is planning on replacing a slab of roadway that needs repaired. When this work occurs, they will utilize temporary signals for the closure as the repair is in the mainline pavement and will take multiple days to cure. Flaggers will maintain traffic. Estimated completion date is later this month. State Route 162 culvert replacement: state Route 162, between U.S. 42 and Lance Road, is closed for a culvert replacement. The estimated completion date is Tuesday. Pawnee Road (County Highway 28) in Spencer/Chatham Township between Old Mill and Shaw roads previously closed for the replacement of a culvert is now open. — From staff reports