BRUNSWICK, Ohio –Ken Uram looked like he was having fun announcing contestants and winners on Oct. 21 at the annual Canine Costume Contest at Sunday at the Farm. The competitors gathered behind the big red barn at Heritage Farm and paraded their costumed creatures in front of judges Brian Ousley, Kim Ousley, Kristy Piper and Doug Juba.
The winner of the juvenile division was Elijah Wojnarowski showing off his dog, Buddy, all dressed for the next Ohio State game. He won a bag of dog food from Smith Brothers of Medina and Elijah won a gift certificate to Kelly’s Café. All the contestants received coupons for doggy day care at HoundsTown of Brunswick.
The first prize in the adult division was Geri Russell with her “corn dog,” Stu. Stu had a green stalk and corn kernels made from foam. Stu won a large bag of dog food from Smith Brothers and Geri won a $50 gift certificate from Family Farm & Home.
Second place went to Drogon (the dragon) in a costume made by his owner, Sheila Myers and third place was won by Myo Jean with Cameryn Glancy holding his leash.
The judge’s choice award was won by Bentley with Karri Glancy showing him. He won a huge basket created by Kim Ousley and Katie Georgekopoulos.
Judges also enjoyed judging Hope with Jennifer Wasninowski; Willow with Elaine Jacovetty and Vinny shown by Ray and Donna Lukach. And everyone got a chance to see the pups parade through the farm while the judging took place. Can’t wait until next year!
Strange: Did anyone else think it was weird that Dateline NBC and 20/20 on ABC both ran the same 2-hour story on Sept. 26? I admit to channel surfing during commercials and at first, I thought I just had gone back to the original channel until noticing the hosts were different. Did they really plan it that way? And to top it off, I guessed who the murderer was before the end.
Great rides: Brunswick City School District students joined riders from the Brunswick area at the 6th Annual Trike & Bike event on Sept. 19, raising $32,018 for pediatric cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.
The event, spearheaded by Brunswick City Manager Carl DeForest, honors the memory of Brunswick student Collin Nemet, who lost his battle with cancer in 2021. This year’s event brought together 65 riders of all ages who pedaled to make a difference. Since its inception in Medina County in 2020, the Trike & Bike initiative has raised over $217,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Brunswick students Grace DePompei, Harper McClain and Stella Ambans stood out among the top individual fundraisers. DePompei raised $1,225, while McClain collected $1,000 and Wambsgans contributed $850 to the cause. This year marks the second consecutive year that Harper has been recognized as the top fundraiser, while Stella has achieved this honor for the third straight year.
“I’m incredibly proud of all our students who participated in this year’s Trike & Bike event,” said Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer. “Grace, Harper and Stella show what’s possible when our students commit to making a difference. They’re putting compassion into action in a way that truly matters.
“I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Carl DeForest for his leadership in organizing this meaningful event for the past three years. His dedication to honoring Collin’s memory while advancing pediatric cancer research has created a lasting impact on our community.”
The event was supported by volunteers from the Brunswick High School girls’ soccer team and VOFT students, who helped ensure the day ran smoothly for all participants.
Top fundraising teams included Crushing Cancer ($3,875), City of Brunswick Junior Pedalers ($2,855), Brunswick Dodgers ($2,707), and Collin’s Crew ($1,615). The overall top individual fundraiser was Gabriel Napoli, who raised an impressive $2,550.
Grants awarded: The Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club Board of Directors approved the awarding of grants from the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet to Children’s Center of Medina County, SHY of Medina County, Living Hope Food Pantry, Live Inspired and the Brunswick Historical Society
The members of the Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club said they sincerely appreciate the financial support of all the advertisers, corporate sponsors, the efforts rendered by scores of individuals and the work of The Gazette Sports Dept. that make the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame Awards banquet and induction possible.
The Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club projects have provided funds to many charities and community service organizations, including: Jump Park, Medina Community Band, Medina City 4th of July Parade, Main Street Medina, Medina County Red Cross, Medina Handicapped Baseball, Community Service Center, various Youth Sports programs, Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, MCCC Key Club, K-Kids at Sidney Fenn & Northop, Aktion Club Windfall, Medina County United Way, Uptown Park, Paradise Village, Relay for Life, Medina Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Community Action/Medina County, Head Start Reading Program, Medina Creative Housing, Operation Homes, Boys and Girls State, she/The Arc of Medina County and the Medina County Home.
This was the 40th year for the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame.
Retired teachers lunch: The Medina County Retired Teachers Association will hold its fall luncheon meeting at noon Tuesday, Oct. 14 at Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina, Ohio. Bring a friend so to reconnect with old friends, enjoy making new ones, outstanding speakers, information about one day bus trips, help to support grants to classroom teachers and a scholarship for a local education college student and various fun activities during the program.
The cost of the buffet luncheon is $15.00. Reservations are due by Oct. 4 and can be made by contacting J Zurrell at 2901 Hamlin Road, Medina, Ohio 44256 or call 330-723-2364. Please make checks payable to MCRTA.
A Make And Take Workshop sponsored by Marloh’s Glass. will be the Marta’s program. Members will be designing a European glass bead and charm key ring or purse charm for themselves or a gift. The price of the workshop is $8 and the funds will start the 2028 Scholarship Fund.
All retired teachers and administrators are welcome including substitute teachers, private school teachers and college educators.
Dems meet candidates: Dr. Amy Acton, Democratic candidate for governor, and Allison Russo, candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, will be the headline speakers at the Medina County Democratic Party’s annual dinner on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The event will be held in the Medina Eagles back hall, 696 Lafayette Road, Medina. A social hour starts at 6:15 p.m. with dinner at 6:45. Speakers will begin at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $50 ($25 for students).Those wishing to attend or sponsor the event can pay online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mcdp2025falldinner.
For more information, go to www.medinadems.org
Ignite: The club for teens at Hope Church in Brunswick, is hosting the Great Pumpkin Chase on Sunday, Oct. 12 for middle school and high school students. This a team scavenger hunt event, starting and ending at Hope Church. The cost is $10 and covers transportation, event supplies, and dinner. First time visitors attend free! Click here for more info and to register https://hopebrunswick.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/199669882
Arboretum Tree Walk: The 6th annual Spring Grove Arboretum Tree Walk is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cemetery, the walking tour will showcase 79 of the 100+ species found on the grounds. The event celebrates the Spring Grove Arboretum, the first and only globally accredited arboretum in Medina County. Spring Grove is located at 775 East Washington Street in historic Medina.
Attendees should dress for the weather – the event will be held rain or shine. The event is family friendly with a scavenger hunt for young and old alike. The grounds are stroller, wagon, wheelchair and pet friendly. Starting point for the walk will be at the front of the Mears Building, 775 East Washington Street, where there is ample parking. Maps will be provided and each of the 79 featured species of trees on the walk are signed and labeled. The walk will be a great opportunity for attendees to snap a photo to submit to the Spring Grove Photo Contest that is currently running through Oct. 25, (for photo contest information, visit www.friendsofmedinacemetery.org ).
The Spring Grove Arboretum is a collaboration between Friends of the Cemetery and the City of Medina.
Gradiates: The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities was proud to officially recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the newest graduates of its 2025 Leadership Academy program.
Across the nation, people with developmental differences want opportunities to be leaders and to contribute their talents, ideas, thoughts, opinions and unique points of view to important decisions making bodies and processes within their communities. “When we started our Leadership Academy program three years ago, we knew there were individuals with developmental differences who had the drive and passion to get more involved in their community,” says Nicole Richter, MCBDD Training & Compliance Specialist. “The goal was to provide the opportunity to provide them with the skills, support and training they needed to take on local leadership roles.” Since then, Richter, with the help of Molly Usner, MCBDD Community Resource and Advocacy Coordinator, have been instrumental in growing and supporting the success of the MCBDD’s Leadership Academy and its participants.
The Leadership Academy is a six-month long program to help participants ages 18 and over develop skills needed to seek out meaningful leadership roles in community organizations in which they are passionate about. Additionally, participants are required to attend a Medina County Commissioners meeting, help in a civic endeavor, and attend presentations from people in leadership roles in several local community organizations.
In March, the program selected four new participants for the 2025 Leadership Academy; Shannon Harris, Alida Leidy, Nick Ryder and Kevin Winchester. Each being chosen based on the strength of their application and current levels of advocacy involvement.
“We have watched this class learn new skills and grow as future leaders. Each of them came into this class with the drive and passion for giving back, and what they learned in the past six months has only elevated the skills and knowledge they already possessed,” said Richter. “We are confident that each of these individuals will contribute to bettering their communities. We are so proud of the work they have done and we look forward to seeing the impacts they will make.”
Pumpkins and Ponies: The non-scary Halloween for youngsters is an annual event at Spring Mist Farms, 691 Pearl Road, Brunswick. The event is open from 6-8 p.m. Fridays and 4-8 p.m. Saturdays (not Oct. 31). Kids can enjoy pony and pony cart rides, a feed-barrel train ride, hay ride and more with all the farm’s animals on hand to make it more fun. Read more at https://springmistfarms.com/pumpkins.htm
Music makers: Our favorite local musician, Ken Uram is back playing at The Red Onion, 522 Pearl Road in Brunswick from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 10. Ken will be joined by guest musicians Scott Yeager and Johnny V. It’s always a lot of fun, good food and great music.
Makers Market: The third annual Makers Market at the Western Reserve Masonic Community will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Community Center, 4931 Nettleton Road, Medina. There will be vendors showing unique items including home décor, jewelry, bakery, wood crafts, candles, holiday decorations, local honey and maple syrup and lots more. For information call Leta Turnbaugh at 330-636-0594 or email lturnbaugh@omcoh.org.
Dance with Me: The Brunswick Recreation Center will host Project 16 Dance Studio’s program for children ages 16-23 months. The 6-week program is from 9-9:30 a.m. Mondays starting Oct. 6. It starts with an early morning stretch and then children will explore creative movement and play with slightly structured dance activites and obstacle courses set up to encourage curiosity, independence and movement. Caregivers can expect dance-based play and fostering communications for them and their children. Cost is $60 for members, and $65 for non-members.
There is also a Giggles and Grooves dance program for 2-4-year-olds from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Mondays at the center. Cost is $85 for members and $90 for non-members. For information on these or other programs stop in at 3637 Center Road, Brunswick or call 330-273-8000.
Blood Drives: The American Red Cross urges people to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are needed now.
As a thank-you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma through Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall. Bloodmobiles will be in Medina County:
Brunswick: 3-8 p.m. Oct. 2 at Saint Ambrose Church, 929 Pearl Road; noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at St Mark Church, 1330 N. Carpenter Road.
Medina: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 10/3/2025: 7 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Medina Hospital, 1000 E. Washington Street and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road.
CATsino night: Kitten Krazy will hold its fun fundraiser from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Medina County Community Center. A fun evening with food, gambling vouchers, drinks and more. Sponsorships are now available and tickets will be $75 each. Tickets and information can be found at https://www.kittenkrazy.org/
Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com