BRUNSWICK, Ohio — It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween.
I often think that Medina County residents are crazy about Halloween, and it’s so much fun to drive around and discover how clever people are when it comes to their outdoor decorations.
The whole family can have fun — and be sure to take pictures. Now that everyone has phones, you don’t even have to take out the old cameras.
I think that anyone who spent time on an elaborate décor would be happy to see you stop to admire it and take a photo.
Be sure to wander through some of the neighborhoods in your city, because there are some spectacular sights.
Speaking of Halloween: If you’d like to get into the swing of the holiday, you might enjoy two annual events.
Sign up for Trick-or-Treat at St. Ambrose Parish from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Grotto on the parish grounds.
There will be candy tents, costumes, games, a DJ and all kinds of family fun at the annual event.
Be sure to RSVP for details, directions and more information at StAmbrose.us/Trick-or-Treat.
And the annual Trunk-or-Treat at Brunswick United Methodist Church runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26.
This fun, safe alternative for families is free of charge and includes food, crafts and face painting.
Go to https://www.brunswickumc.org/ and scroll down for more information.
Check out more: While you’re on the Brunswick United Methodist Church website, be sure to read the information about the upcoming free community soup dinners.
Church members will be serving up delicious homemade soup from 5 p.m. “until the soup runs out.”
Be sure to stop and enjoy yourself at the church, 1395 Pearl Road.
This month’s soup dinner is Oct. 16. Upcoming dates are Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19 and March 19.
Yum!
Sportsmen: Does anyone else remember the first Brunswick High School Athletic Hall of Fame? It seems to me we originally called it the Sports Hall of Fame, but that part of my memory isn’t working too well and I can’t even remember the year.
But I do remember that we held it in the Brunswick High School cafetorium and it was packed.
The first organizational meeting was called by Bob Kenderes with Grant Relic, and I recall how we tried to work out the details.
Lots of great people have been inducted over the years, and it’s nice to know that it continues after all this time.
I think Jim Hayas is the only person who has been named to both the alumni and athletic halls of fame.
The three Brunswick High School graduates who will be inducted into the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame are Gary Clift Jr., Jesse Marinaro and Tyler Ferrell.
The honorees have talents across football, baseball, basketball and soccer. Each of them represented Brunswick with distinction and continued their success beyond high school.
Clift (Class of 2015) Football & Baseball: In football, Clift etched his name into the Brunswick record books, ranking sixth all-time in school history with 1,042 career receiving yards.
In baseball, he was just as dominant on teams that gained Northeast Ohio Conference championships in 2012 and 2013.
Jesse Marinaro (Class of 2014) Soccer: Marinaro is one of the most decorated soccer players in school history, leaving behind a legacy built on vision, precision and leadership.
His name was etched into the record books across multiple offensive categories by the time he graduated, solidifying his place in Blue Devil lore.
His senior season in 2013 was truly special, when as team captain he tallied 18 goals, 15 assists and 51 points.
He was named first-team United Soccer Coaches All-Great Lakes Region — the first Brunswick player to earn that honor since 1991.
Tyler Ferrell (class of 2010) Basketball & Football: Ferrell played four years of basketball and three of football.
The 6-foot-5-inch Ferrell earned four letters in basketball with the Blue Devils and finished as the program’s career leader in rebounds (655), second in games played (87) and free throws made (278), fourth in scoring (1,136 points) and fifth in field goals (416).
He was also a three-year starter at tight end for the football team.
All the halls of fame honorees are invited to the Oct. 24 football game and festivities.
The induction ceremonies will be held Oct. 25 in the James Hayas Performing Arts Center, with the BEAT induction in the afternoon followed by the others at 7 p.m.
Delicious! The fourth annual Chocolate Walk is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 (which is Sweetest Day, of course).
While presale tickets are sold out, you can purchase tickets for $35 until the date of the event, which is the fundraiser for the Medina County Arts Council.
Go to https://www.medinacountyartscouncil.org/chocolate-walk where you can read all about it.
Secure your spot: Chef Tony at the Medina County Career Center is letting everyone know that you’ll have to reserve your spot to the annual From the Heart Scholarship Dinner which, by chance, falls on Valentine’s Day this year.
This is the 25th annual celebration. He explained that this is only the second time that the dinner has landed on Valentine’s Day.
The From the Heart title, he said, was created to explain compassion for the event, but the misconception is a happy coincidence to match with Valentine’s Day.
The dinner has historically been hosted on Presidents’ Day Weekend to allow for a recuperation day for the café team.
Reserve your spot at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecBjodURr9j2eswjJVXOFxRl9fTp9PAJ_QDGt5Ut0EJZNB5Q/viewform
Rejoice: “Sanyuka” is a Ganda word meaning “Rejoice,” and the Sanyuka Children’s Choir performed recently for Medina Sunrise Rotary, one of its sponsors.
Allan Kizito is executive director of Sanyuka Children’s Ministries in Uganda.
“My journey, from having been orphaned at 8 years old in Uganda, taken in by Christian missionaries through high school, graduating from Makerere University, founding Real Technologies Group, getting married and having our first child, winning a U.S. Department of State Green Card lottery and being offered a job in Medina, Ohio, was guided not by not by luck or through my own energy, but by the loving hand of God.”
Kizito, now a software engineer with Ohio-based OEConnection, founded Sanyuyka Children’s Ministries in Uganda in 2008.
He continues his overseas mission as a minister of the Gospel and pastor, offering Christ-centered child development programs that were initiated as a response to the ever increasing number of street, orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda.
Sanyuka is a family! It currently brings education, health care, food, clothing, a nurturing home setting, mentoring, purpose and spiritual discipleship to 55 children who were once orphans.
Many more children are on the waiting list.
Kizito and the vivacious Sanyuka choir concluded their beautiful music and dance presentation with a heartfelt thanks to all Medina Sunrise Rotarians, whose mission is “making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents and treasures,” and for joining with Sanyuka Family Children’s Ministries in Uganda.
“Together, we can become the instrument in changing a life, a generation, a country and Africa,” Kizito said.
For more information about getting involved with Sanyuka Children’s Ministries, supporting the 2025 Children’s Choir Ohio Tour or sponsoring a young life, contact Kizito at 312-515-7370 or https://www.sanyukachildren.org .
Blood needed: This month, Northern Ohio residents can help keep blood products ready for those in need of lifesaving transfusions by giving blood with the American Red Cross.
Emergencies often grab headlines, but the need for blood is constant, especially in October.
Donation appointments can often drop quickly, with people settling into busy fall routines and making plans around upcoming school breaks.
Donors of all blood types are asked to make an appointment to donate now.
As thanks, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Oct. 20-Oct. 31 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.
See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest for details.
You can donate locally:
• In Brunswick from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road
• In Hinckley Township, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Old Fire Station, 1410 Ridge Road
• In Medina from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Medina Fire Station 1, 300 W. Reagan Parkway or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at Root Candles, 640 W. Liberty St.
Peaceful demonstrations: Medina County Indivisible invites people to gather on the Medina Square at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 with their signs, American flags and voices to say NO KINGS in America.
All are welcome at this peaceful assembly of people concerned about our democracy and upholding our Constitution.
One of over 50 planned NO KINGS events in Ohio and 2,200 nationwide, Mosie Welch, an organizer for Medina County Indivisible, says, “We are coming together with our signs around Medina Square to say we do not accept overreach or attempts to diminish our freedoms and rights.
“If you have been on the sidelines and you are worried, please join us at this peaceful gathering.”
The evening will conclude with a candlelight uplifting of the U.S. Constitution.
During the rally, Medina County Indivisible will be accepting donations of new items for Next Step Up Emergency Housing Shelter at the north end of the Medina Square.
Items such as sponges, dish cloths, dish soap, dish drainers, bathroom cleaning supplies, shower curtains with rings, and laundry baskets are needed for clients transitioning into more permanent housing.
Participants are reminded to bring water and snacks if needed, and a chair if sitting is easier.
Direct questions regarding the October 18 NO KINGS, Medina Rally to Welch at 330-618-5838 or medinacountyindivisible@gmail.com.
CATsino Night: Join Kitten Krazy for its first CATsino night, featuring 18 gaming tables, raffles, 50/50 side boards, a buffet dinner, a cash bar and much more from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Medina County Community Center at the Medina County Fairgrounds.
This happens to be the same night as the Parade of Lights at Medina Square. If it is your tradition to enjoy the parade, you can come directly afterward and enjoy a buffet of food with your friends and family, as well as some games and raffles to benefit Kitten Krazy Cat Shelter.