BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- St. Ambrose School joined parochial schools across the Diocese of Cleveland and nationwide to celebrate Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28-Feb. 3.
St. Ambrose began the week by celebrating and thanking more than 110 movers and shakers at its annual Community Leaders Breakfast.
Brunswick city officials, Rotarians, first responders and community leaders in education joined parish leadership, volunteers and other important stakeholders for this beloved event.
“It is a privilege to gather to celebrate all the beautiful things happening at St. Ambrose Catholic School and in our community as we kick off Catholic Schools Week,” said Breanne Logue, the school’s director of institutional advancement.
“Honored guests heard from students within our community about the impact of St. Ambrose School and Parish on their lives.
“We welcomed our St. Ambrose Catholic School (SAS) alumnus Benjamin Dietrich, a current senior at St. Ignatius High School, who spoke about how his opportunities at SAS gave him a solid foundation in being service minded, leadership driven, highly academic and centered on faith.”
Special guests Len and Sara, personalities from 95.5 The Fish radio, were live on campus for the event and met with students on-air.
The keynote speaker was Amy Harker, an experienced educator and leader from the Ohio Personalized Learning Network, who shared the importance of personalized learning in a next-generation education, highlighting St. Ambrose School as an example.
“I have the best job in the world. I’m an educator! ... Every day, I GET to work with excellent schools and outstanding educators who want to put learners at the center of all they do,” Harker said.
“Educators who want to design schools that inspire students to be empowered to own their own learning and be ready for what’s next. I love being a part of a team that impacts so many and to be able to support educators across Ohio who want to make a difference.”
Principal Lisa Cinadr highlighted the STEAM artifacts and projects the students have been working on this year. St. Ambrose Catholic School is proud to be the first STEAM-designated (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) school in the state of Ohio.
For more information, go to www.SaintAmbroseSchool.us.
Education in action: The Medina City Schools invites you to join them for an evening of innovation and creativity at the “Portrait to Practice” expo from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Medina High School, 777 E. Union St.
The expo will showcase the deeper-learning projects created by students and staff from all grade levels. Witness firsthand the creativity and innovation the students of Medina City Schools have to offer, and get a glimpse of the future of education.
In addition to the deeper-learning projects, the “Portrait to Practice” expo will also feature art displays by Medina High School students, face painting and entertainment by students in the music program.
Sample delicious refreshments created by cooking class students and experience Turtle Therapy. Plus, you’ll have the chance to create and tinker in the maker space. Be sure to get your expo passport for a chance to win some giveaways.
This event is free and open to the entire community, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to see the future of education in action.
From left, the Ancient Order of Hibernians division financial secretary, Joe Casey; division chaplain, deacon Bruce Dobbins; volunteer Becca Hobbs; and division president, Joe Gill.Courtesy of AOH
Good deeds: The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Brigade Division 1 of Medina County, presented a check and a sack of diapers in late January to BirthCare of Medina County.
The Hibernian brothers collected money at their Christmas party in December specifically to assist this Catholic Charities agency.
BirthCare’s mission is to provide emergency assistance and sympathetic support to families with young children to help assure their safety, warmth and health.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is an Irish-Catholic men’s organization that was founded in New York in 1836 and currently has members located throughout the United States.
For more information, contact Joe Casey at 330-219-9770 or [email protected].
Candidate Meet & Greet: The Medina County Democratic Party invites residents to get to know their Democratic candidates at a Meet & Greet from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Don Tequila’s Restaurant, 1158 N. Court St. in Medina.
Attendees can meet the following candidates: U.S. Congress 7th District -- Matt Diemer and Doug Bugie; Ohio Senate 22nd District -- Kathy Salem; Ohio House of Representatives 66th District -- Bradford Scott Quade; Medina County Commissioner -- Carol Brenstuhl; Medina County Clerk of Courts -- Tina Allen Kolessar; and Medina County Recorder -- Donna Miller.
“We’re very excited about our slate of candidates this year,” Medina County Democratic Party Chair Mike Kovack said. “Issues last year, like majority rule and women’s health care, have shown that Republican politicians are out of touch with the people of Medina County.
“This social event is an excellent chance for our friends and neighbors to discover and explore their options at the ballot box.”
The cost to attend is $15, which covers heavy appetizers and soft drinks. There will be a cash bar. Whether attendees pay now or at the door, they’re asked to RSVP by Feb. 19 at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2024candidates.
For more information about the Medina County Democratic Party, go to www.medinadems.org.
Galactic Gala: This sounds exciting, doesn’t it? The Galactic Gala, presented by Automatic Tool & Die, is a fundraiser for Feeding Medina County featuring Kelly Dobrek, anchor and Emmy-award-winning meteorologist on 19 News This Morning.
Another special guest will be retired astronaut Michael Foreman.
The event begins with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and photo opporunities at 5:30 p.m. March 8 at Blue Heron Event Center in Medina. The evening includes dinner and a brief program at 6:30 p.m., with music and more to follow.
Open house and more: The Medina County Historical Society (MCHS) will hold its first open house of the year at the John Smart House Museum, 206 N. Elmwood Ave. in Medina, from 1 to 4 p.m. March 3.
This will be a self-guided tour of the museum. There will be docents in various locations to answer questions and provide some interesting facts.
Admission donation prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students ages 7-18. Children younger than 7 can tour for free -- with a hand-holding adult. MCHS members receive a discount!
If you have any questions, call 330-722-1341 or email [email protected].
And don’t forget the upcoming Medina County Historical Society Trivia Night! Trivia is back March 2, benefiting the Medina County Historical Society. It will be held at the Medina Eagles Club, 696 Lafayette Road.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and trivia starting at 7 p.m. Dinner includes chicken, pork, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn, salad and dessert.
There will be a cash bar, 50/50 raffle, gift basket raffles and a wine fridge raffle.
This is a team effort, so get your teams ready for some fun and excitement. Price is $40 per person; teams consist of up to eight people.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Send your team member names, your phone number, email and checks made payable to MCHS to 206 N. Elmwood Ave., Medina, OH 44256 ATTN: TRIVIA.
If you have any questions, call 330-722-1341 or email [email protected]. Deadline to register is Feb. 23.
Get breakfast and win: If you’d like to help the HANDS Foundation, have breakfast and, perhaps, win $1,500, here’s your chance.
The Breakfast Reverse Raffle will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at St. Ambrose Hilkert Hall, 929 Pearl Road in Brunswick.
Tickets are $25, including your chance to win the grand prize. There will also be basket raffles and more. Get tickets from Lori Betz at 216-990-3739.
Almost spring: We’ve had a taste of spring already, and the Medina County Soil & Water Conservation District can keep the spirit alive -- even if the weather turns on us for awhile.
The annual Spring Native Plant Sale is among the many choices you can find in the array of plants available to order for pickup in May. Visit https://medinaswcd.org/ and enjoy browsing.
Cook-off: Start up your grills! It’s time to prove you’re the best backyard BBQ chef in all of Medina County!
Enter the Amateur Backyard BBQ Cook-off at the Medina County Home & Garden Show, sponsored by Fresh Coat Painters, March 2 at the Medina County Community Center.
Entrants in the cook-off will prepare their best chicken and/or ribs to compete with other backyard BBQ chefs to win bragging rights as the “Best Backyard BBQ in Medina County,” along with cash prizes and trophies.
Entries will be judged in a blind competition by three local experts.
It’s only $10 to enter and will surely be a fun day of friendly rivalry and great smoky smells!
For rules and an entry form, go to www.medinahomeandgardenshow.com or email [email protected].
The Medina Home & Garden Show takes place in the Medina County Community Center on the south side of the Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Road in Medina.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2 and 3. When the show closes at 5 p.m. that Sunday, all plant materials -- trees, shrubs, flowers -- will be for sale at below-wholesale prices.
Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older and free for children 12 and younger.
This year’s theme centers around the solar eclipse on April 8, of which Medina will be in the path of totality. Astronomers will present information on the eclipse and how to prepare for it.
The Main Garden, designed and installed by Greenkeepers Lawn & Landscaping, will feature a “Star Gazing in the Woods” theme with a cabin.
Reminiscing: Even when I’m not sick, this is always a nostalgic time of year for me. When it was snowing a couple of weeks ago, I remembered that it was in that kind of weather in early 1969 that I made my way from Harvard Drive to the Leader Post office on Manhattan Circle (yes it was called a circle back then).
I applied for a job with editor Bill McCarty. Then, I waited.
In March, I was called to say I had been hired as a typist. I was just about to turn 20. It’s been an adventure, for sure.
And when I became involved with the Brunswick Area Historical Society, I learned that it was in March that Brunswick’s first settlers arrived.
So I celebrate both anniversaries together -- makes me feel young. Well, at least something is older than I am.
Thanks to all of you for continuing our adventure together.
Contact Boyer at [email protected]