OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- You don’t have to live in Olmsted Falls to enjoy the autumn colors blossoming in our parks.
Lauren Stone, her daughter Madison, 5, and best friend Breanna Wint came from Waco, Texas, to check out the colors right here at David Fortier Park.
Lauren, who grew up in Berea, has lived in Texas for 10 years. She misses the change of seasons in her new, very southern location.
“I remember my parents bringing me here every year. It’s a place very familiar to me. So it’s like a tradition,” Lauren said of David Fortier Park. “I wanted to share it with my daughter and my best friend.”
It was the first time that Breanna, a cousin of Lauren’s husband, had viewed the park.
“This is the most northern place I’ve ever visited,” said the Texas native. “It is just beautiful.”
The threesome walked through the park and took several photos of themselves in front of the changing landscape.
Breanna Wint takes a photo of Lauren Stone and her daughter Madison in front of the autumn trees at David Fortier Park in Olmsted Falls. The trio are from Waco, Texas. (Joanne Berger DuMound, special to cleveland.com)
The colors have yet to reach their full transfiguration. Why not visit Fortier Park, East River Park, the Village Green, various township locations and others in the area to enjoy fall colors and take some photos with family and friends.
Rain may come soon and wash the leaves from their branches. That’s when I love walking along the paths and hearing the leaves crunch underfoot. All I miss is a dog tagging along.
Enjoy this season. It ends all too soon.
Fright contestants: It’s time to drive around the Olmsted community and view the contestants in the Fright Fight Halloween Decorating Competition.
Here, in no special order, are the addresses of the 20 homes and businesses in the running for the most decorated Halloween yard:
· 266878 Bagley Road
· 25586 Bronson Avenue
· 8810 Columbia Road
· 26668 Cook Road
· 6726 Crestwood Lane
· 6524 Fitch Road
· 34 Flagler Drive
· 8652 Forest View Drive
· 28580 Glen Hollow Lane
· 25327 Holton Road
· 110 Irma Lane
· 9265 Lindbergh Blvd.
· 9269 Patterson Lane
· 9502 Ponderosa Lane
· 7569 River Road
· 9030 Shady Elm Lane
· 9574 Taberna Lane
· 7134 Timber Lane
· 7200 Timber Lane
· 8815 Yellowstone Parkway
The Olmsted Chamber of Commerce, the sponsoring organization, has a map on its website that has a live Google version and may be downloaded as a PDF.
Those with lighted displays will turn them on from dusk until 10 p.m. The contest runs through Oct. 29. There are various categories. Each voter may select a first-, second- and third-place winner, but each must be a different display. The first-place winner receives $150; second, $100; and third, $50.
Last year’s winner, the Alan Perkins family at 7569 River Road, is eligible only for the Most Creative Display category.
So, trace your route and start touring the neighborhoods!
A special thanks to Quick Ship Delivery & Logistics, Falls PC Clinic, Olmsted Township, Margaret T. Karl and Nicole E. Brewer & Crew, who are sponsoring and/or supporting this event.
Township spooks: Olmsted Township again will have its Halloween Open House at the Olmsted Township Fire Station.
It is from 1 to 3 p.m. this Sunday (Oct. 16), with a costume parade and contest, a DJ dance party, crafts and games, refreshments, photo opportunities, Angelina’s Pizza, Grand Pacific Popcorn & Sweets popcorn truck, giveaways and just great fun. And it’s all free!
You are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to benefit our Christians in Action food pantry. It also is the start of the fire department’s participation in the Toys for Tots Drive. The drive accepts new, unwrapped toys for children in need. Your generosity is appreciated.
Spooky Walk: Feel like getting a bit spooked with local tales of ghosts, murders, accidents and hauntings?
Well, the Olmsted Chamber of Commerce will give you that chance. It is sponsoring a night of history and mystery with a spooky walking tour of Olmsted Falls.
It is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Grand Pacific Junction, with pizza, snacks and refreshments as you mingle with paranormal aficionados. The lantern-led, two-hour tour begins at 7 p.m. It will take attendees to some of the most notoriously haunted locations in the city.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Attendees will receive exact locations of where to park and the location of the pizza gathering after registering.
The tour will take place outdoors, rain or good weather. You should dress accordingly. Also, it will be dark -- of course. Who would want such a thrilling event during the day? You may bring flashlights, lanterns or other means to help illuminate your walk, which is about two miles.
This is a fun event, but some tales may be a bit scary or unsuitable for kids. Parents, use your discretion, please.
If you have questions, contact Megan Gaechle, the Olmsted Chamber’s executive director, at 440-235-0032.
Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3SNX3C0.
Church concert: Santuary Music, a praise and worship group with local ties, will perform at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 17 at St. Mary of the Falls Catholic Church.
This family music ministry hour is free and alive with praise through music and song.
Three members of the group are siblings -- Elizabeth, Joshua and Nathan Gonzalez. Christina Dupre, the church’s former music director, and Alex Kostritsa make up the rest of the ensemble.
The three siblings are Bulldog grads and have performed often with other family members, who are parishioners.
St. Mary of the Falls is located at the corner of Bagley and Columbia roads. Why not take an hour to join others in glorifying God -- and bring your children and grandchildren.
Patient transportation: Olmsted Township residents may receive free transportation to the main Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights and new Olmsted Medical Center on Bagley Road near Stearns Road.
The Southwest General Transport will provide the free rides for patients to their medical appointments at these two locations.
Olmsted Township residents should call 440-816-4046 to schedule an appointment for transportation.
Craft Fair: You’ll find lots of great items at the Columbia Park Charity Craft Show.
It is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Columbia Park Social Hall, 7100 Columbia Road.
This fair supports the Columbia Park TNR -- Trap, Neuter, Release -- program for feral cats. It helps keep the feral cat population lower in nearby neighborhoods. Table fees and any prize ticket sales go directly to the program.
Admission to the fair is a can or bag of cat food, which goes to residents who are feeding the feral cats.
Senior leaf raking: The annual Yard Charge will occur Nov. 12 for seniors living in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township.
Several groups will donate their time raking leaves from seniors’ yards. The groups include, but are not limited to, Olmsted Falls Cub and Boy Scouts, Olmsted Falls High School Key Club and Student Council, Olmsted Falls Middle School Builders Club, adult volunteers and others.
Seniors must register by Oct. 30. Contact Sandra Graham at 440-235-2588 or email [email protected]. This service is free.
Grandparenting: St. Mary of the Falls Grandparents Ministry will have its next meeting at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 in the parish’s Community Room. Those who would like more information about this ministry should call 440-235-2222, extension 122.
Local bus tour: Olmsted Township is offering seniors a chance to tour various locations within the community. The Olmsted Township Bus Tour and Lunch is set for Oct. 21.
This is a free event for Olmsted Township seniors. Buses will be at the Community Room, 7900 Fitch Road, at 10:30 a.m. for the 45-minute narrated tour. Lunch and fellowship will occur when the buses return to the Community Room. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Space is very limited now. Make your reservation today by contacting [email protected] or 440-782-5239.
Neighboring fundraiser: Some of our residents live within the North Olmsted City School District. Here is an upcoming fundraiser for this district.
The North Olmsted City Schools Education Foundation will host its fall 2022 fundraiser at Two Bucks-North Olmsted Nov. 13. Doors open at noon. The Cleveland Browns will play the Miami Dolphins in Miami that day, and the game will be televised at this event.
Take a chance on sideboards, basket raffles and 50/50 drawings. Food and beverages -- including wine, beer, well drinks and pop -- will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. This event is for adults only.
The cost is $30 per person. Tickets are available through Cheddar Up at https://bit.ly/3SRImh7.
The organizers would appreciate any donations of baskets, gift cards and other items for the various raffles. For more details or to donate items, contact Mary Lynn Jackowicz at [email protected] or Beth Roshetko at [email protected].
Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at [email protected]. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.
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