The weather is ideal to get outside and build a snowman in your yard (or in a city park) and enter the Avon Lake Parks and Recreation Department's annual Snowman Contest.
From now through March 2, build your snowman then take a picture of your masterpiece and submit it to the Avon Lake Parks and Recreation Department.
A prize will be awarded to the winning individual/family. By submitting an entry, contestants grant the Avon Lake Parks and Recreation permission and authority to use the pictures in advertising or promotion.
Submit online via email to the Avon Lake Parks and Recreation office at ALREC@avonlake.org along with your family name.
Resurfacing project: Construction season is right around the corner and City Council recently voted to address pavement maintenance conditions and to improve pedestrian access on Schwartz Road. The project includes repairing and re-paving Schwartz Road west of Nagel Road, installing a sidewalk along the west side of Nagel Road over Schwartz Creek, and performing temporary pavement repairs along Riegelsberger Road during the upcoming construction season.
Additional details of the Schwartz Road West Resurfacing Project from Nagel Road to Jaycox Road include the following: Widening of the existing asphalt roadway from the average width of 20-ft. to 26-ft. to be striped to accommodate 11-foot-wide travel lanes and 2-foot-wide asphalt berms along both sides of the roadway; retaining the three-lane curb and gutter section at the current asphalt pavement width of 33 feet; asphalt pavement planing; asphalt resurfacing with a 2 ¼ inch asphalt pavement; intersection improvements; partial and full depth pavement repairs; utility adjustments; curb ramp replacements; and pavement striping. The overall project will be approximately 2,900-ft. in length
Trivia nights: Test your knowledge during a free trivia night competition from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road. Play individually, or as a team. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Registration is required, go to tinyurl.com/MNP-Trivia-Night or call 440-937-0764.
Additional trivia nights include Feb. 27, March 27 and April 24 (same time).
School open house: Holy Trinity School, 2610 Nagel Road, is hosting an Open House from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 26 for all grade levels (preK-8). Tour the school and hear from school officials.
Shout-out: Congratulations to Avon Middle School eighth-grader Reese Goodman. Her VFW Patriot's Pen Essay won First Place at the State level and she is now moving onto the National competition.
Owned and operated by Avon Lake resident Chris Kreitzer, the business will continue to create custom design orders and will continue to host Lake T online fundraisers with direct shipment.
An announcement on Facebook reads, "This difficult decision is necessary for the long-term sustainability of Lake T Apparel. We deeply appreciate your support over the past two years. What began as an idea at a football tailgate, has grown into a meaningful way to support the community."
Lake T Apparel will be running inventory sales through Feb. 1. The storefront will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays only.
Schools update: The Board of Education met last week (Jan. 6) for its annual Organizational Meeting. Congratulations to Jim Stobe, who was again elected president of the Board of Education, and Michael Sherban who was again elected vice president.
A Special Meeting of the Board of Education also took place Jan. 6 to address several items pertaining to the future of the school district. A presentation was delivered by a representative from the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research, who shared some of the results from the scientific survey that was conducted in the community over the last several weeks. Attitudes and favorability ratings regarding the district were included in the survey and presentation, along with data about how citizens receive information about the Avon Lake City Schools, according to district officials.
The survey was conducted with 550 residents of the school district, yielding a 4.2% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Research was also conducted regarding future building options for the district in the near future. Random sampling of district residents allows for a statistically reliable sample and ensures the data is valid, according to the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research representative.
In addition, the Board of Education passed several resolutions as a first step toward considering the best path the Avon Lake City Schools should take in addressing the current operational and building needs.
All of the information presented at the meeting is on the district website, including audio recordings of both meetings (go to the Board Agenda section within the Board of Education tab under District tab on the district homepage). Go to avonlakecityschools.org.
Regional water survey: Avon Lake Regional Water needs your help. In compliance with state and federal regulations, the department is required to verify the material of all service lines within its distribution system. Some customers received notices from the department if their service line material is unknown. If you are one of those customers, officials encourage you to take the survey. If you have any questions or need help locating or identifying your service line, call 440-933-6226. To take the survey, go to tinyurl.com/5b92vsur.
Dog fundraiser: Help support Love-A-Stray by attending the 11th Annual Strikes for Strays fundraiser Feb. 23 at Spevok's Nautical Lanes, 184 Miller Road. Non-bowlers are also welcome to attend. Doors open at noon and bowling is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bowlers are $25 per person (pre-registered), or teams of six for $125 per team. Cost includes shoe rental and food. Cost is $10 for non-bowlers and includes food.
To register, go to form.jotform.com/243116930756155.
Organizers are also seeking raffle items, please email lasbowling@gmail.com.
For more information, go to loveastraydog.com.
Shout-out: Last month St. Joseph Parish School winners of the "Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest" were presented with cash or gift cards by Knight Rudy Breglia of the Father Ragan Knights of Columbus Council #3269 of Avon and Avon Lake.
The students wrote timely essays on "Identifying the Most Important Virtues for Elected Officials." The Council is hoping that through creative writing, the students have a learning experience that will help them become better citizens who are more connected to their community and their faith, according to the press release.
Congratulations to eighth-graders Kaylie Coy, Elizabeth Dorton, Elizabeth Downie, Lillian Krakora, Charlotte Moeller, and Isabella Sartor.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Spaghetti dinner: The North Ridgeville Senior Center is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road. Tickets are available in advance at the Senior Center or at the door on the day of the event. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children 10 and under.
Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, side salad and bread. Pop and dessert are available for $1 each. Dine in or take-out is available. Proceeds benefit programs at the Senior Center.
Health talk: Dr. Alexander Zolli, surgeon-in-residence at Lorain County Community College, will be presenting, "How the Mind & Body Ages" during a health talk at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road. RSVP by calling 440-490-2056.
Preschool registration: North Ridgeville's Early Childhood Learning Community Preschool registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. For more information, go to nrcs.net.
LORAIN COUNTY
Grant applications: Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) is again seeking applicants for its Healthy Places Grants. LCPH aims to fund projects that will build healthier communities and make a long-lasting impact for health, according to the press release.
Any nonprofit, government agency or community organization that serves Lorain County can apply for up to $10,000. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14, 2025. LCPH will award a total of $50,000.
Proposed projects should change the physical landscape to improve health in a public space. Examples include walking trails, bike racks, lighting, community art, community gardens and outdoor fitness equipment. LCPH staff offer technical assistance both through the application process and during project implementation. LCPH will notify awardees on March 3. All grant projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2025.