By ANGELA HUSTON
Special to The Gazette

Even at 7 a.m., the enthusiasm and excitement were apparent as almost 200 guests arrived for the 12th “Rising Up and Moving On” Awards Breakfast held April 24 at Rustic Hills Country Club.

The annual event hosted by Medina County Job and Family Services celebrates the successes and accomplishments of youth in the community who have risen above adverse conditions and moved on to a better life.

Louise Brown greeted everyone and Michelle Boardman delivered the invocation. JFS Director Mead Wilkins addressed the group, noting these young people and those who work with them have been successful because of the dedication of the staff and support of the community.

Sharon Holmes presented this year’s 13 award winners by individually inviting each case worker to come forward with the student and friends or family accompanying him or her. A short overview of each one’s circumstances was followed by an update of where they are today.

The emotional, heartwarming stories of Gerald, Heather, Zachariah, Myra, Carrie, Emily, Herbie, Mikaela, Samantha, Tyler, Dawn, Sarah and Brenden, who surmounted the trials of living in addictive, abusive, domestically violent, neglectful and unstable situations, were a testament to what is possible with help.

Attending staff, family members, foster parents, representatives from partnering agencies and friends included Jodi Albertson, Pam Butcher, Gail Carmon, Sharon Danko, Diane Dockrill, Medina County Commissioner Pat Geissman, Karen Glass, Jan Gordon, Susie Griffiths, Medina Chief of Police Dennis Hanwell, Medina County Sheriff Neil Hassinger, Caryl Hess, Dean Holman, Jeff Jackson, Chris Jacob, Dennis and Kathy Kinzelman, Gillian Laribee, Mary Pantalone, Kelly and Andrew Parker, Nancy Pitts, Debra Radecky, Traci Roberts, Anita Spacek and Janis Zachman.

Junior Leadership Medina County

The philosopher Virgil stated, “They can because they think they can.” Junior Leadership Medina County provides Medina County sophomores and juniors with the opportunity to discover their personal emerging leadership abilities and develop this vision of possibility.

On April 17, the program graduated its fifth class of 33 members at Weymouth Country Club.

This class chose to support two local organizations: Project: LEARN through a book drive and Community Services Center through a coin collection.

County leaders who shared insight regarding professional choices included Medina County Park District Director Tom James, attorney and conservationist J. Jeffrey Holland, Westfield Bank President Jon Park, Medina Police Chief Dennis Hanwell, Judge John Lohn, and United Way of Medina County Director Julie King.
Representative Bill Batchelder and Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley also addressed the students on different aspects of leadership.

Speaking on behalf of the students were Anne Druesedow, Joe Griffith, Lynn Plummer and Joshua Fabri.

Administrative Professionals Day

The Medina County Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals celebrated Administrative Professionals Day on April 13 at Weymouth Country Club. IAAP President Peggy Folk welcomed Medina County Commissioner Sharon Ray, who, on behalf of the county commissioners, proclaimed April 20-26 Administrative Professionals Week.
The popular event included networking, more than 20 vendors, a light dinner and guest speaker Meghan McHale Bilardo, director of consultative services for BMA. She addressed the event theme, “Unlock Your Potential” by defining healthy conflict, a process by which individuals focus on the content of the conflict rather than the relationship of the people involved.

The committee responsible for planning the event, headed by Co-Chairs Diane Sullivan and Shelley Mack, included Donna Anderson, Helen Angell, Folk, Pieri Levandofsky, Heidi Powers and Debra Sukey.

Powers and Betsy Lehky briefly delivered personal, inspiring membership testimonials to the audience.

Among those attending were Chapter Founder Elaine Frankowski, Patty Doyle, Lisa Taylor, Jan Schirripa, Mary Conway, Nina Chapman, Pat O’Sullivan, Jean Sanford, Barb Moxley, Linda McCracken, Vickie O’Neill, Karen Soles, Steve Rogers, Barb Talbert, Julie Zabkar, Carla Gonzalez, Joanne Bartos, Debbie Vorndran and Susan Jakubowski. The evening concluded with generous door prizes from every vendor.

Medina Stamp Club

Three years ago Beth Lofy, Connie Eskesen, Karen Charek and Debbie Schwandt formed The Medina Stamp Club to share rubber stamping and scrapbooking ideas with others who had the same interests.

They now number more than 25 members.

In addition to stamping, the women do community service projects.

Most recently they have used their stamping talents to make and send cards to service men and women to use to keep in touch with loved ones back home. At Christmas they made 40 packs of note cards and donated them to the Inn at Medina for residents to correspond with family and friends.

Last year member Patsy Trainer was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in the fall. She absolutely loved the club and was instrumental in bringing in new members. Trainer’s husband donated some of her stamps and supplies to the club, which had an “in-house” sale that raised $340.

In remembrance of Trainer, the Medina Rubber Stamp Club held its first Annual Stamping and Scrapbooking Garage Sale April 19 at the Poe United Methodist Church. They sold another $230 of Trainer’s supplies, bringing the total to almost $600 which they donated to Hospice of Medina in her honor. The remaining supplies were donated to Stewart’s Place, for kids with cancer to do scrapbooking.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month from June through May. Dues are $10. For more information, contact Lofy at bdmlofy@zoominternet.net or 330-723-2165.

Soup and All That Jazz

Main Street Café captured both the Judges’ Award and the People’s Choice Award at Medina’s Soup and All That Jazz fundraiser for Faith in Action held April 17 at Elmcroft. Heimatland Restaurant won second place, and Coppertop Restaurant took third.

Judges were Medina County District Library Director Carole Kowell, Medina Police Chief Dennis Hanwell, Medina County Commissioner Pat Geissman, Medina County Sheriff Neil Hassinger and candidate for commissioner Brian Feron.

“Elmcroft of Medina was very pleased to host the fourth Annual Soup and All That Jazz again this year,” said Resident Director Jackie Mitchell. FIA Executive Director Julie Wayman added, “Thank you to all of the chefs, restaurants and sponsors who participated in the event.”

Program Director Doris Kilbane said, “We are grateful to all those who helped create this fun event, including the following sponsors: Diamond, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Band sponsor, Select Specialty Hospital of Northeast Ohio, Inc. Gold sponsors, Elsass Financial Group, HANDS Foundation, Louis Perry and Associates, Western Reserve Bank, Medical Onsite Management and Medina Village Retirement Community. And Silver sponsors, Medina Meadows, Joseph Hanna, Sussman and Associates and Meadowview Care Center.”

Huston may be reached at areanews@ohio.net.