AVON LAKE, Ohio — Avon Lake Ward 3 Councilwoman Eileen Campo recently announced that she will not seek election to her council seat this fall.
She was appointed to the seat last April when veteran councilman, Larry Meiners, moved to Arizona.
“After much deliberation, I am choosing to explore other ways I can be of service to my community,” Campo wrote in an email. “Therefore, I will not be running for election to the Ward 3 council position in 2019. My term ends December of 2019, and I will be working hard through the duration of my term. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on council, and I encourage others to get involved in city government.”
Campo is an Avon Lake High School graduate and currently works for the school district as a paraprofessional.
Ward 3 residents interested in running for the seat should contact the Lorain County Board of Elections at loraincountyelections.com for information on the process.
AVON
Christmas trees: What goes up, must come down. Residents can now recycle their used live Christmas trees in two ways. Option 1: Placing curbside for Avon’s Service Department to chip as weather and schedule permits. All decorations must be completely removed. Option 2: Bag/bundle curbside for Republic Services with bulk collection Friday. For more information, call the Avon Service Department 440-937-5729, or Republic Services 440-458-5191.
Garden Club meeting: Learn about wetlands during a presentation by Rebecca Donaldson, naturalist from the Mentor Marsh Nature Center, at the Avon Garden Club meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Orchid Room at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road. For more information, call Kathy at 440-668-3969.
Kindergarten Information Night: The Avon Local Schools will host an informative night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Avon Early Learning Center, 3075 Stoney Ridge Road. If your child will be 5-years-old by Aug. 1, they are age eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall. It is recommended parents attend the meeting even if you are unsure if you are sending your child to kindergarten. The meeting is for adults only. For more information, call Jeanne Yeagley at 440-934-5124.
Night at the Races: The annual Avon Lions Club Night at the Races will take place Feb. 9 at Tom’s Country Place. The event is the club’s sole fundraising event. Last year’s proceeds and this year’s proceeds are being used for the interactive music play area, “Harmony Circle” at Avon’s new Every Child Playground next to the Avon Aquatic Facility. The equipment was installed last summer and is specially designed for those with visual impairment. Consider donating, buying a horse, buying an ad, sponsoring a race, and/or attending the event. For more information, call Joe at 216-534-0941.
New playground equipment: Schwartz Road Park has a new swing set with an expression swing and adaptive swing, as well a new tire swing. A shade will be installed over the play structure in the spring.
College graduate: Kimberly Sumislawski received a master’s degree in Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate from Ohio Dominican University.
Dean’s lists: Slippery Rock University recently announced its Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or higher) students for the fall 2018 semester. Avon residents include Natalie Goforth and Andrew Sumser. Earning a place on the University of Mount Union list are Madison Caroscio, Taylor Mitchell, Margaret O’Donnell, Mitchell O’Hara, and Alexandra Sauter. Rachel Kolibas is included on the Dean’s List at Belmont University.
AVON LAKE
Art teacher honors: Congratulations to Avon Lake City Schools art teacher, Teela Kovacs. She was nominated and won the “Outstanding Art Teacher of the Year” for the northeast region of the Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA). She will be honored this fall in Columbus at the OAEA’s annual conference. Kovacs was nominated by Learwood Middle School art teacher, Leslie Koelsch-Carson. Kovacs is currently the art teacher at Erieview and Westview elementary schools. She began teaching in the district in 2013.
State Board recognizes school: Ohio’s State Board of Education has granted Eastview Elementaty School its Overall A Award. As an Overall A Award winner, the school’s Report Card shows Eastview is demonstrating “high academic performance and building bright futures for students of every background and ability level.”
Beard fundraiser: Avon Lake police officers participated again in “No Shave November/December.” Officers who wanted to grow a beard donated money each month. More than $1,000 was raised for Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and Rainbow Babies And Children’s Hospital.
Vaping program: Parents are encouraged to attend an important presentation to learn more about the rising concern of vaping in the middle and high school. Two presentations will take place, the first is at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at Learwood Middle School. A second presentation will also take place at 7 p.m. Feb 7 at Avon Lake High School. Lisa Goodwin, prevention specialist with LCASA Way, and Avon Lake City Schools’ resource offices Robert Walborn and Brain Hurd are the featured speakers.
Dean’s lists: Slippery Rock University recently announced its Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or higher) for the fall 2018 semester. Avon Lake students include Isabel Farr and Morgan Henderson. Earning a place on the University of Mount Union list are Sarah Hessel and Thomas Petrella.
Adult guitar lessons: If you are interested in learning to play the guitar, lessons are now available at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 19 at the Avon Lake Public Library. Guitars are provided and lessons are given by an instructor from Avon Lake’s Ron Zehel Music Guitar Center. To register, go to alpl.org.
OhioMeansJobs Orientation: Representatives from OhioMeansJobs Lorain County will introduce services offered to help you find a new job, a better job, or even get training for in-demand occupations from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Avon Lake Public Library. To register, go to alpl.org or in-person at the library.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Aces Grille closes: Patrons and residents were shocked to read on Facebook that Aces Grille, 32650 Lorain Road permanently closed its doors last week. No official explanation was given. A “For Sale” sign is posted on the front door.
Indoor walking: The North Ridgeville City Schools will host indoor walking at Liberty School, 5700 Jaycox Road, on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. throughout the year. Each walking event will also feature a guest speaker. Upcoming walking dates and speakers include: Jan. 17 with Diana Jacura, a yoga instructor for the North Ridgeville Parks and Recreation Department, and Jan 31with North Ridgeville City Schools Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio and Assistant Superintendent Keith Ahearn.
School board: During a recent meeting Board of Education Special Organizational Meeting, Kelly McCarthy and Marci Saxon were sworn in as Board of Education president and vice president, respectively, for 2019. This is the third year both have served in the roles.
Dean’s lists: Stephanie Matis made the Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or higher) at Slippery Rock University. Cole Gillberg made the list at Coastal Carolina University. Rachel Autumn Blumfeldt earned a place on the list at Campbellsville University. Earning a place on the University of Mount Union list are Riley Gannon and Amber Thompson.
If you have news to share regarding an event, award or other interesting tidbit happening in Avon or Avon Lake, and North Ridgeville send me an email at [email protected]. The column’s online version is at Cleveland.com/Avon, which offers direct links for many of the news items listed.
