Good news on lots of local fronts: Whit & Whimsey

BRUNSWICK, Ohio — At last. Most of the paving work along Pearl Road is done, and it’s such a relief to those of us who use it often — and especially since school days are right around the corner. Hopefully it will last a long time.

Meanwhile, work is just beginning on West 130th Street as Columbia Gas begins installation of the new gas line near Crestview Elementary School. I think I’ll avoid the area as much as possible for a while.

That was cool! It was so great to see Brunswick resident Summer Rios absolutely kill it in her on-air audition for “America’s Got Talent.” She was so good, the next day she was written up in Billboard!

You can see it at https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/pizza-maker-teen-summer-rios-stuns-with-audition-on-america-s-got-talent-watch/ar-AA1eFlr6 and you can replay it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjVKWpp8Jh8.

Business at the Barn: The annual showcase of local businesses by the Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance will be held again Aug. 16 at Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road in Brunswick.

The business-to-business event starts at 3 p.m., then it’s open to the public from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This year’s event is presented by MDG Flooring America. Stop by and check it out. Admission is free.

Also at Mapleside: It’s not too late to enjoy a Friday evening Concert in the Valley at Mapleside. Spazmatics plays Aug. 11, followed by Old School Aug. 18 and Breakfast Club Aug. 25.

Concerts run from 7 to 10 p.m., with food and beverages available. All concerts are $10 and tickets can be purchased the same day at the gate.

Get all the details at https://mapleside.com/cotv-4.

Back to School rally: I don’t know where the summer went, but it’s time to get those school supplies. And once again, people in need of supplies and a backpack can come to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1600 Pearl Road in Brunswick, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10.

Enjoy family-friendly activities, find out about community organizations and get a backpack filled with needed supplies.

This is the 21st year for the event sponsored by Holy Trinity with the help of the Brunswick Education Foundation, Brunswick Blue Pride, Salvation Army, Brunswick VFW, Brunswick Optimists and Brunswick Kiwanis.

Come and join the fun! For further information, call the church at 330-225-4148.

South Town Music Festival: For a fun day of great local music, get yourself to Medina’s South Town District for the Main Street Medina South Town Music Festival from noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 19.

Multiple venues throughout the district will be hosting free concerts by some of the area’s best bands.

The day of music kicks off with performances by Susie Everiss at Keller Meats and Found Sound Steel Pan Band at Hokulia & Ohio Valley Pizza at noon. The event culminates with “Rally at the Restore” in the evening, with performances by Paper Morning and the popular Legendz Experience.

There will also be a street fair on Mill Street featuring vendors, food and music from noon to 5 p.m.

At “Rally at the Restore,” beer, wine and cider will be available for purchase from Lager Heads Brewing Co., Medina Brewing Co., Wrecking Crew Brew Works and H2 Huth & Harris Wine Merchants.

Food will be available from Emi’s Taqueria, Hokulia Shaved Ice, Ohio Valley Pizza and Big Dog Daddy’s.

There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Medina County Habitat for Humanity. Title sponsor for the event is Armstrong, and presenting sponsors are Ohio Valley Pizza and Hokulia Shaved Ice. Supporting Sponsors are the Ohio Arts Council and Renewal by Andersen.

For the latest details, visit https://www.mainstreetmedina.com/south-town-music-festival.html.

Four of the best: Want to see some of the best art in the county? Head to the third floor of the Medina County District Library for the “Brothers In Art Show,” which runs through Aug. 27.

The award-winning artists of the Medina County Art League are George Harth, Craig Staufer, Ricky Williams, Bill Beuther and Darrell Kent.

Be sure to stop in — I’m heading over this week.

Affair on the Square: This year’s Affair on the Square Craft & Vintage Fair will feature 175 makers of the finest handmade crafts and vintage finds, surrounded by the beauty of Medina’s historic square.

Add in great live music and deliciousness from local food trucks and you have a fun summer shopping experience.

It will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13. You can learn more at affaironthesquare@gmail.com.

Ice cream social: The Medina County Historical Society will hold a family-friendly Community Ice Cream Social from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at the historic McDowell-Phillips House Museum, 205 S. Prospect St. in Medina, featuring the Huntington Bank Ice Cream Truck.

There will be games and face painting for the kids, as well as ice cream, sweets and popcorn. All food and drinks will be available by donation.

The Medina County Antique Power Association will have some of its implements on display in the back meadow.

Discounts for adults to walk through the museum will also be available, with kids younger than 16 admitted free.

The society is thankful for the sponsors for providing the event. They include Huntington Bank, Westfield Insurance, Discount Drug Mart and Mike and Judy Davanzo.

Special note: Pre-sale tickets for Spirits of the Past, presented by the Medina County Historical Society, Medina Show Biz Co. and Medina County Arts Council, will be available for purchase at the ice cream social also. The Spirit Walk will be Sept. 7, 8 and 9.

Another athlete: Dr. Anthony Cirino was so proud and happy, he posted his congratulations to his daughter, Sophia, who learned that she has made the freshman volleyball team at Magnificat High School.

Athletes abound in the Cirino family. Congratulations, Sophia.

New principal: Congratulations to Haley Mueller, who has been named associate principal at A.I. Root Middle School pending Medina City Schools Board of Education approval.

Mueller will replace Terri Horton, who recently accepted the position of director of student services with the Norton City Schools.

Mueller holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and a master’s degree from Cleveland State University. She began her career as a middle school social studies teacher in Akron, then served as an instructional coach.

She has been an elementary/middle school principal in the Cleveland area for the past three years.

“We are excited to have Haley join the A.I. Root staff. As associate principal, Haley will work closely with the staff and families of Root Middle School and Medina to continue building a culture of excellence and support for all students, said Principal Cindy Grice.

New Medina franchise: Expanding its presence in Ohio, Grasons, a leading estate sales and business liquidation company, announces a new franchise in Medina.

The franchise will enhance Grasons’ service offerings in the Midwest, serving communities in Medina, Brunswick, Strongsville, Middleburg Heights, Westlake, North Olmsted, Wadsworth, Lodi and Seville.

Keith Traylor, a seasoned operations manager with extensive experience in logistics, supply chain, warehousing and distribution activities, will be at the helm of this new venture.

“I am delighted to leverage my skills and experience in bringing the esteemed services of Grasons to our communities in Ohio,” said Traylor. “We aim to facilitate smooth transitions for individuals and families during their periods of change and are committed to providing excellent estate sale services.”

For more information about Grasons and its estate sale and business liquidation services in Medina, visit https://www.grasons.com/estate-sale-companies/medina-oh/ . To schedule a free consultation with Traylor, call 330-671-3398.

Hard to fathom: I’m wondering where the summer went. I’ve noticed that since I’ve been active in the farmers markets at the Brunswick Area Historical Society’s Heritage Farm, the weeks fly by.

If you’ve been trying to win one of those beautiful benches made by Rick Scheutzow, better hurry. The second winner is set to be drawn Aug. 27 and the third on the final day of the market — Oct. 8.

Of course, there’s also the back-to-school activities — even though it seems as if the kids just got out for the summer.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the summer so far, and if you haven’t stopped by to say hello at Heritage Farm, remember we’re there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. If you’ve never toured the historic farmhouse, be sure to stop by. I’ll be happy to talk about the big red barn, too.

See you soon.

Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com