Well. Don’t miss the next one.
The next “do” at the Candlelight Winery, that is. The recent evening featuring food trucks and other festivities was an unqualified success, with only the Premier Crepes truck left standing by the end of the evening—the others had run out of food, they were so popular. Entrees were available, so were dessert items, there was seating inside and outside, good reviews of just about everything were floating around. There was a raffle supporting #GarrettsvilleStrong ; there was music—Steve Howell finished up the evening to general acclaim (There were inquiries about the good doctor’s next CD), mellow and entertaining. Early on, the Fox Channel 8 TV crew was out to see how we country folk get on…very well, thank you. The new landscaping focused on a pond with a fountain, gravel paths, strategically-located tables and firepits, a mix of sun and shade locations for the early evening (The spanking-new coop and the chickens were a bonus). Both locals and outlanders looking for a good time seemed to be having a fine night out. It got the Sheri Johnson seal of approval and Patrick Hayden’s celebration put an end to any dissent. It was a swell occasion. Watch for announcements of any future celebrations. You don’t want to miss this much enjoyment this close to home.
Community EMS and Chief Chris Sanchez put on a nifty little down-home parade on Saturday, May 31 which showed off some of the equipment used in life saving situations—squad vehicles, for instance—and the individuals charged with running the affairs of the EMS district(Mike Elias, John Zizka, Jeff Kaiser, Tracy Brunner) as well as units of the Garrettsville/Freedom/Nelson Volunteer Fire Department and visiting units from the Windham Joint Fire District. The James A. Garfield Marching Pride played rousing tunes, the Grand Marshal, Fire Chief David Friess and the Garrettsville Police were all part of the show as well. The whole extravaganza wound up at the Community EMS headquarters on Forest St., where hot dogs, beans, salads, chips and beverages were part of the picnic atmosphere. There were even inflatables—a slide and a bounce house—for the kids. Adults could participate in health screenings offered by the local University Hospitals staff. It was all about our health—not simply emergencies. Watch for it next year.
Then it was on to the Village Book Store, where author Laura Peskin was available to discuss and/or sign a copy of her new paperback book, Deep Cover Cleveland (Vol. I). It’s an interesting book, chock-full of tidbits of history, prehistory, illustrations and even geology. Since the State of Ohio has pretty much abandoned the serious study of Ohio’s history and geography, this is a nice little catch-up on the points that you might have missed. Lots of local names dropped throughout keep the reader looking for more and learning along the way.
Village Book Store no doubt has more copies available for purchase, as well as other eclectic choices and you can find just about any special-order items that you might fancy. Stop in and check out the selection. There will be more authors making appearances through the year. Stop and inquire.
Graduation was inspiring, as usual, and touching this year, as a memorial diploma was awarded to the dad of Nick Stock, who died in a tragic auto accident. “Gone but not Forgotten” about says it.
O.K., now that the ugly old asbestos siding is being removed from the 150+ year-old building downtown in preparation for its restoration, the advertising on the antique siding underneath can now be seen. Pretty cool, actually, but I can’t make out all of the words. I got, “CARRIAGES, WAGONS and SLEIGHS” on one space, “SEEDS and POTATOES (I think) on another and “FARM IMPLEMENTS” on the third but I think that there are at least two other words that I can’t decipher. Anybody want to clue me in? I think that it would be neat if “the look” could be maintained and the words restored “as is”. It’s a formidable old building—a survivor, so to speak– and as soon as the wreckage in the back is removed( More parking?), it may become the symbol of a rejuvenated downtown. Not that carriages are likely to make a comeback….
And speaking of carriages…the improved situation for “horseless carriages”, all the way from Hiram through Garrettsville to the Trumbull County line, due to the completion of the resurfacing of State Route 82 is a welcome change. Should make SummerFest more enjoyable. ROCKIN’ to REBUILD, indeed. Now if the Liberty St. bridge could just be finished a little bit ahead of schedule—the decking seems to be on right now—so that the World’s Largest Tractor Parade can be routed around there to disperse, we’ll be good to go. TOTALLY!
