Newton Falls – “I could do this every year!” exclaims first-time judge Susan Holub. Those of us in Kiwanis were delighted with comments like this from the crowd, since this was the 95th year for the Kiwanis annual event, though this was not quite a cakewalk. Because of covid-19 concerns, Kiwanis had to re-think what to do for the kids of our town. The no cakes event became a costume contest with music. Everyone loved the performance of the Newton Falls Tiger Marching Band and we thank them and director Mark Semrau. Kiwanis welcomed the almost-visible sun, and the help of long-time and new friends and volunteers to the Saturday daytime event.
We would first like to thank George and Mary Koutsounadis of Covered Bridge Inn and Chuck Crum from B Squared Coffee. Next, we thank D.J. Eric Szijj for the music and Karen Rutan at the P.A. system. We thank the city manager and the Newton Falls city workers and street and electrical departments for help with the scheduling set-up and break-down, and city clerk Kathy King for coordinating everyone’s tasks.
We thank members of Pastor Steve Spurlock’s First Baptist Church for their hot chocolate stand.
Thank you, businesses and friends who contributed over $1,400 for the many prizes and more in gift certificates in the costume contest. There were some very creative costumes. Some of the favorites were the Olive Garden salad, the baby gnome, Cousin Itt, the alien, the mad hatter, the minion family and Pirates of the Caribbean.
For cash and/or gift certificates, we thank these continuing prize donors: AAA I-76 Antique Mall in Rootstown, American Legion Auxiliary Post 236, AmVets Post 112, AmVets Post 112 Auxiliary, Anonymous friend, Art Effects, Auto Smith, Benson’s BS, Big D’s Newton Grill, Borowski Memorial Home, Buckeye Welder Sales, Covered Bridge Inn, Dairy Queen, Domino’s Pizza, Ella Johnson CPA, Phil & Carole Elliott, Faces Lounge, Falls Convenient Mart, Falls Fitness, Chris Forepaugh and NF United Methodist Church, Gardenia Salon and Spa, Hair Loft, James Funeral Home, Mayflower/Wollam Insurance, Mi Amigo, Newton Falls Chiropractic, NF Shop ‘n Save, Newton Falls Subway, Nice lady we met at the doctor’s office, Ohio Tax Lady, Ron Platt CPA, Rood’s Wallpaper & Paint, RS Imprints, Sam’s Pizza, The Shop–Brenda Lane, Stow-It Storage, Texas Roadhouse in Niles, Tiger’s Den Pizza, VFW Post 3332, VFW Post 3332 Auxiliary, Bob & Kathy Wujcik, Cody Zeleny, Zip Lube. New donors include B Squared Coffee, Bill Vennette, Broad Street Vintage, Church Mouse, Eagle Creek Tactical, Fieldview Acres Mercantile, Karen Rutan Fitness, Ted & Denise Kolacz, Trustee John Nemet, Mary Ann Williamson, Wayne Richards. Thank you to Kiwanis members for their visits to these businesses.
NF Kiwanis thanks our judges this year: Carly Nicholas, Adam Zimmerman, Susan Holub, and our volunteers this year: a friend, Mary Ann Willliamson, Ted Kolacz, Eugene Rutan.
Cakes for our traditional cakewalk are made and donated by various clubs and organizations in town to make money for their own activities. We facilitate their fundraising this way. We hope to restore the tradition after covid is conquered. Our tentative date is Saturday, October 29, 2022.
