This year, the Summerfest committee has selected Michelle Zivoder as Grand Marshal for the parade and festivities. Zivoder has accepted under protest as she puts it. “I prefer to hang out behind the scenes, rather than front and center.” The committee thinks her numerous contributions to the community are worthy of the position. Although it is out of her comfort zone, the committee believes she deserves the honor.
Michelle moved to Nelson Township in 1991 with her husband Bob. It is here that they raised their boys, all of which graduated from James A. Garfield Schools. Michelle wasn’t here long before she hit the ground running. She volunteered for her children’s youth sports activities, including being on the youth football board. Her kids are now adults and she still gives back to the community, including the schools.
Here is what school Superintendent Ted Lysiak had to say about Michelle. “The Garfield community is full of individuals who give of their time freely to ensure the values of where we live are preserved. So, when someone stands out as a champion in this arena, they are going well beyond most and are exemplary. Without doubt, Michelle Zivoder is one of these people, who consistently donates her time to better the lives of others. If there is someone who bleeds our G-Men colors, it is Michelle. From generating ideas for staff appreciation to designing logos, serving on our tax issue committee and contributing to any fundraiser our schools conduct, Michelle is a champion for the entire Garfield Schools community. I am honored to work with her and proud to call her a friend,” said Ted Lysiak.
I also asked Mayor Rick Patrick about Zivoder, here is what he had to say, “Michelle has always been a great asset to the village, the Chamber of Commerce and Summerfest. She has always been there in time of need to help with anything and get the job done. She doesn’t ask for recognition, and most people don’t know how much she actually does for everyone involved,” said Patrick.
Here are some of the other things Zivoder has done for the community. Zivoder has been a Garrettsville Chamber of Commerce Secretary at least 12 years, spearheading the summer and winter “shop local” promotions; she was part of the transition team of the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) and now serves on the board as secretary. She also helps with the food distribution, and fundraising. Michelle serves on the local YMCA board too. She has been a huge part of Garrettsville Summerfest Committee for a long time, which she says, “Has been forever,” she was a part of several James A. Garfield (JAG) levy committees and was a part of the Garrettsville Strong fundraiser – working with her team to create and market the “Garrettsville Strong” t-shirts.
Speaking of t-shirts, she has helped numerous Garfield school groups throughout the years with fundraising by making t-shirts for them – spending many weekends at youth & PTC tournaments over the years. On occasion you can even find Michelle and Ben in Ravenna and at Hiram College pressing t-shirts for whatever the cause is… all to help others make money for their events. She also does the Garrettsville Summerfest shirts.
She is, as she puts it, “An entrepreneur without a brain,” the community begs to differ on that one. Michelle owns the Weekly Villager with her son and business partner, Ben Coll. She also started Villager Printing where she prints banners, t-shirts, announcements, fliers, as well as the Discover Garrettsville, Explore 44444, Only In Ravenna and the Headwaters community guides. Recently, a large press was added to do more in-house printing jobs — allowing people to print locally instead of ordering from Vista Print or driving out of town to one of the “office stores”.
After the devastating fire in 2014 that destroyed a large portion of Main Street, she and then business partner Chris Gerez, opened The Villager Emporium as a place for businesses to market their wares. That business has grown from a corner of the building to two-levels of shopping with over 80 consigners. The Villager Emporium carries new, used, hand-crafted and repurposed items in the store. Recently, Sara Hill and Anne Wohlever from the JAG PTO opened Lucrettia’s Closet, which is a gently-used women’s boutique. Located in the upstairs of the Emporium a portion of the proceeds from the clothing sales go back to the PTO.
Zivoder tries to put her efforts into giving back to the community. Last year during the Covid restrictions, she worked with the PTO and helped set-up a store wide Santa shop for the kiddos. The kids were able to shop with family, or if they needed help, she and PTO staff helped them. Proceeds for this went back to the PTO – a win-win for both the kids and the JAG PTO.
She said, “Of all the things I’ve done, I am most proud of my kids – they have always been, and will always be my number one priority and reason for living.” Her oldest son Ben is a business partner in the Villager, and he resides in town with his husband, Andrew. Middle son Steven resides in Hilliard with wife Lindsey, where he works in the finance department for Bath and Body Works. Youngest son, Jesse is a firefighter/EMT for the Garrettsville-Freedom- Nelson Fire District, Community Ambulance and Howland Fire Department. He’s engaged to ShyAnn and will start paramedic school in August. Michelle and Bob’s grandkids, Gavin and Madison reside in Aurora with their parents, Shane and Allison.
Everything Michelle does, she says, “I do because of my love and devotion to the community, not for accolades”. She does struggle being honored for what she has accomplished because she is a very humble person and says she is not in it for the glory. That being said, we as a community do not know how she does it all, but we are sure glad she does.
Thank you, Michelle and congratulations, on being named the Garrettsville Summerfest 2021 Grand Marshal! It’s ok to bask in the glory for one weekend — then get back to work!
