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Dennis Capotosto and 1961 classmate Bob Duche shared a laugh at the impromptu reunion.
Let's call it the reunion before the reunion. I got the call last week that Dennis Capotosto, Brunswick High School class of 1961, was going to be in town. While fellow classmate, Joe Bilski is planning another class reunion on Aug. 12, Dennis hasn't attended a reunion since the 10th and he wasn't going to be back from his home in California in August.
So Joe called a quick reunion of nearby classmates and they got together at Coppertop to catch up. In addition to Joe, other classmates included Ken Strauss, Marty and Maryjane Baytos, Marty Polakowski, Bob Duche, Jackie Hunter, Peggy Craddock, Chuck Tiliske, Gary Parsons, Agnes and Terry Keenan plus several spouses. Also in attendance was Chuck Davis, former Medina Police Chief. Denny was a Medina officer until he headed out to California. Dennis is retired now and was in town to visit his sister in Akron.
If you are a 1961 alum who hasn't received information and want to attend the reunion call Joe at 330-225-1153.
Many area students earn honors and diplomas: Joseph Simonis of Hinckley was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, International Honor Society in Economics in the spring 2016 semester. Simonis is a graduate of Highland High School majoring in international business, economics and marketing.
Northeast Ohio Medical University honored 210 of Ohio's newest physicians, pharmacists and medical professionals during the University's Commencement, May 21. Hinckley's Kimberley Rose Richter was among the graduates who received a Doctor of Pharmacy diploma and Medina's William Richard Hardy received a Doctor of Medicine degree.
Nathaneal Mol of Brunswick has graduated from the University of Findlay. Mol received his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics degree with the academic designation of summa cum laude.
Youngstown State University celebrated the culmination of the academic careers of hundreds of students at Spring Commencement including James Czekaj of Hinckley who earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Certificate in Human Resource Management and Leadership. Kelly Saunders of Medina received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Allied Health.
John Carroll University celebrated Commencement on May 22. Brunswick students who received bachelor's degrees are Colin Curtis, Jacqueline Nash, Emily Dralle, Michael Hydzik and Daniel Mascio.
Local students who graduated from the University of Mount Union on May 7 including Brunswick students, Jaime Eyssen, a Human Resource Management and Public Relations major, Sarah Jansen, a Early Childhood Education major, Andrew Oktavec, a History major and Maggie Kuharcik, a Psychology major. Hinckley grads are Julie Janmey, a Psychology major and Adam Bialosky, an Interactive Media major. Medina graduates were Kelsey Shewbridge, an English major, Katherine Doraty, a Marketing major, Andrew Dorman, a Mechanical Engineering major, Cassi Bowen, a Criminal Justice major, William Hiteshue, a Management major and Lucas Supan, a Management major.
Did you see this? Former Brunswick Mayor, Gary Werner, will be performing with the band, Spell Bound, at 9 p.m. June 18 at The Sandtrap, 6824 Bunker Road in North Royalton. Good to see he's still drumming!
Alumni also making news: It was great to hear that Alexander Nixon, a St. Edward's grad and Brunswick resident (who worked on the BEAT while he was here) has a new job as an associate manager, CMI at Newell Brands in Atlanta.
Brunswick High Distinguished Alumni Hall of Famer, Mark Puente has made the move from Baltimore, where Mark was an award-winning journalist at the Baltimore Sun to St. Petersburg, Florida, to follow wife Laura's career path (she's been commuting for years). Mark will return to the Tampa Bay Times on July 5. Mark added, "I am excited about returning to a beat and unearthing daily stories." We wish them luck.
This is a great site with old photos: Have you seen the Roadside History of Medina on Facebook? Lots of folks are posting great old photos and Scott Campbell, owner of Ohio AMX recently posed a photo of Anderson Drug Store in the mid 1970s that is really interesting to see. There are also videos and many other interesting photos.
Kiwanians help others: The Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Board voted to give up to $500 to the Medina Youth Baseball program for a banner to be displayed at their ball park and acknowledged that its Aktion Club made a donation to the Society for Handicapped Citizens for $1800.
See Brian's act: Many of you know that Sun Reporter, Brian Lisik, is a popular musician around the Akron area and he will be performing at Heritage Farm during the June 26 Farmers Market. So stop by, 4613 Laurel Road, between noon and 2 to cheer him on.
Don't forget the yard sale: The Emmanuel United Church of Christ is having its Annual Community Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 25 at 6656 Center Road, Valley City, rain or shine. For more information or to reserve your space, call 330-483-3655 or email [email protected].
Sad news to report: I was sorry to see that Mary Meinke died on June 7. This wonderful lady was the longtime secretary at Brunswick United Methodist Church and such an asset to the community. Our condolences to her family and many, many friends.
Climate justice is film focus: The Earth Alliance group of Southwest Unitarian Universalist Church will present the next in a series of climate justice films, "Disobedience: the rise of the global fossil fuel resistance" at 7:30 p.m. June 25 at the church. "Disobedience" tells the story of four communities preparing to participate in Break Free from Fossil Fuels actions in May 2016. Following in the tradition of Unitarian Henry David Thoreau, the movie urges us to consider taking righteous action when the wheels of justice are blocked or move too slowly.
Admission is free, snacks and discussion will follow the film. The church is located at 6320 Royalton Road in North Royalton.
Walk for Independence: The 7th Annual Independence Walk and Celebration for Medina Creative Housing will begin at p.m. July 3. Every year people walk together to show a united effort to overcome the obstacles that individuals with disabilities face. Obstacles may be accessible housing, recreational and social interaction, life skills training, and gainful & meaningful employment. Medina Creative Housing strives to help those that we serve achieve their dreams of independence. You are invited you to come walk, celebrate and raise money for a great cause. Check out the walk brochure at medinacreativehousing.com.
Treat dad to breakfast: Brunswick VFW Post 9520 is having a Father's Day Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon June 19 at 1439 S. Carpenter road. This is open to the public and fathers eat for free when accompanied by family members. The cost for this full breakfast with beverage is $8 for adults 13 and up, $5 for 5-12 year olds and free for 4 and younger.
Ride for Life is coming up: Oaks Family Center's ride in support of the unborn will be held from 10 a. m. To 5 p.m. July 23 starting at Christ Church, 23080 Royalton Road, Columbia Station. Coffee and pastries will be served from 9 to 10 a.m. with departure at 10 and the ride will end with a barbecue at MGM Landscaping Contractors, 7291 Stone Road, Medina.
Additional guests can come to the BBQ for $10 (adults) or $5 (children under 12).
Trophies will be issued for bikes in various categories: Best Custom, Oldest/Vintage, Furthest from Home, etc. Kickstand plates will be provided for first 125 riders. Get all the information at oaks-family-care.org/.
The 2016 Getaway Guide is here: The Medina County Visitors Bureau announces the release of the new 2016 Medina Getaway Guide. This year's guide has been given a total make-over and it's pretty cool. The promotional piece is a premier publication and is user-friendly. The Guide is designed to assist visitors in finding things to do, shopping, dining, lodging and much more throughout the county. Call the Bureau's office at 800-860-2943 or email [email protected] to request a copy be mailed to you. Or stop at the office, 32 Public Square, Medina, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick up a free guide.
This is one of the models made by local artist, Bob Lewis.
Bob' work is really interesting: Brunswick artist Bob Lewis is so talented and I noticed on his Facebook page photos "for my Navy Buddies." It shows the second model ship he built representing two of the Adams Class Destroyers that he served aboard. It is made from scratch using Match Sticks, Tooth Picks, Balsa Wood, Foam and Paper measuring 16" in length (about 1/300 scale). He also created the plans and drawings for both ships using AutoCAD software. "All three ships are gone now, as are many of the sailors and friends who served on them, so we honor them by continuing to tell the stories of our lives in the Navy. He also added photos of the two destroyers and fast frigate that he served in the early 70s as an Electronic Warfare Technician, a rating which is also now gone.
Contact Boyer at [email protected].