NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- It may not feel like spring, but it’s time to start planning for the gardening season.
The North Ridgeville Community Garden is now accepting applications for plots. The fee per plot is $20.
The garden is located along Chestnut Ridge Road across from Alternate Ohio 83 (near the exit at Ohio 10), at the roundabout.
This is the 14th season for the project, a partnership with the City of North Ridgeville.
The 2-acre garden has 95 plots, each measuring 20 feet by 15 feet. North Ridgeville Community Care, open to residents, also has an area measuring 75 feet by 125 feet at the west end of the garden.
The plots are measured and marked off by volunteer gardeners. The fertile soil is plowed by a local farmer in the spring.
Weather permitting, the plots are usually ready for planting by Memorial Day.
If you had a plot last year, you will be able to have that same plot this year. Additional open plots will be assigned on a first-come basis, according to information from the city.
Free water is supplied to the plots via a system of hoses connected to a main water source. A large tiller and a variety of garden tools are available to maintain the plots.
Each gardener plants and cares for their own plot. At the end of the growing season, any extra produce is donated to North Ridgeville Community Care. It can be put in a labeled bin near the west end parking area.
Application and guidelines are available on the city’s website, nridgeville.org.
Completed applications with a check, payable to North Ridgeville Community Garden, can be dropped off at the Mayor’s Office, 7307 Avon Belden Road.
For more information, contact Bob Marquis, North Ridgeville Community Garden manager, at 440-864-2939.
AVON
Sight center fundraiser: Join the Cleveland West Shore Delta Gamma Alumnae group for the Sips & Dips for Sight charitable event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m May 2 at the Red Tail Golf Club, 4400 Nagel Road.
Proceeds will benefit the Cleveland Sight Center’s summer recreation program for visually impaired youth and Guiding Eyes Northeast Ohio Puppy Raising Region via the Delta Gamma Foundation.
Pre-sale tickets are $35, and $40 the week of the event or at the door. Appetizers are included, and there will be a cash bar.
Sponsorships also are available, which include a tabletop exhibit. Contact Susan Elder at susanalder@gmail.com.
To purchase tickets, go to memberplanet.com/s/deltagammafoundation/sipsanddips2024.
Republican Club meeting: The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will meet at 5 p.m. May 9 in the Father Ragan Knights of Columbus Hall, 1783 Moore Road.
The guest speaker will be Kim Russell, former Oberlin College women’s lacrosse team head coach, who was removed by Oberlin after a “harsh campaign” that was meant to demoralize/punish her, according to a press release.
She is now an ambassador for the Independent Women’s Forum, which advocates for female athletes, the safety of women in sports, not allowing athletes to select their gender-identity and upholding the original meaning of Title IX that included the right to single-sex competition, according to the club.
State Rep. Dick Stein (R-54) will also speak about current activities in Columbus.
The fee for guests is $5.
Plant sale: The Avon Garden Club will host a spring plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 18 at 36744 Detroit Road.
Members will be selling plants from their gardens. Perennials, house plants and seeds will be available for purchase. Cash or PayPal accepted.
For more information, contact avongardenclub.webs.com.
Two Bucks closes locations; Avon remains: It was great to hear that the Avon Two Bucks location, 36931 Detroit Road, is remaining, but sad that other restaurants in the area are closing.
Two Bucks officials recently posted the bittersweet news on social media. A portion of the post reads, “We have made a difficult but strategic decision to sell several Two Bucks locations (Lakewood, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted and Parma) at the end of this week.
“These locations will embark on exciting new journeys under new ownership groups.
“However, our beloved and original Avon location will remain open, unchanged and will continue to serve the amazing community with unwavering commitment.
“This strategic shift opens new opportunities, enabling us to focus on our strengths and deliver even greater excellence.
“As we eagerly anticipate the emergence of new eateries in our former locations, we extend our heartfelt wishes for their resounding success.
“We have so many fond memories of serving the local community and working with tons of great people from the area. Our appreciation goes out to our valued patrons, amazing team members and partner vendors for their support and service throughout the years.
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make, both personally and professionally, for many reasons. However, ultimately, this move will put the company in a much better position for continued success.
“Navigating the restaurant industry in this post-pandemic world, with growing economic issues, is becoming increasingly difficult.
“The world and the industry are quickly changing around us, and we recognized that a smaller restaurant group would be more manageable for us in terms of operations and guest experience, positioning us for future success.”
AVON LAKE
Mayor’s address: Mayor Mark Spaetzel will deliver his first State of the City address at 7 p.m. April 25 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.
The event is hosted by the Avon Lake Kiwanis Club.
Chorale spring concert: The West Shore Chorale spring concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 5 at the Dr. Daniel B. Ross Performing Arts Center at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Avon Lake High School choir and drama programs.
For more information, email mklisi65@gmail.com.
Cleveland Pops concert: The Cleveland Pops Orchestra Chorus, under the direction of William Zurkey (retired Avon Lake High School choral director), will be performing a mix of traditional and modern religious and Americana music at 4 pm. May 5 at the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd.
The concert will feature Scott Ewing and members of the chorus.
No tickets will be sold, but free-will donations will be accepted at the door. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Serving drinks: Guests can finally enjoy a margarita at Las Margaritas, 519 Avon Belden Road.
The Mexican restaurant now has a liquor license. To celebrate, the restaurant is offering half-price drinks every Monday and Wednesday.
Shout-out: Congratulations to Avon Lake Police Sgt. Ron Cantleberry on his retirement. He served the community for 25 years.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Fishing derby: The North Ridgeville Parks & Recreation and Fire departments’ annual fishing derby is from 7:30 a.m. to noon May 4 at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road.
The free event is for children ages 3-18. A $5 donation for Aluminum Cans for Burned Children is encouraged.
For more information and to register, go to northridgeville.recdesk.com.
Ballet performances: Ballet Legato, Lorain County’s professional ballet company located in North Ridgeville, presents “Alice in Wonderland” at 7 p.m. May 4 and 2 p.m. May 5 at the Elyria Performing Arts Center, 600 West Ave. in Elyria.
The show features guest appearances by Cleveland area dance professionals and over 25 young performers from Lorain, Cuyahoga and Richland counties.
Ticket prices range from $20 to $26. For more information, go to balletlegato.org/performances.
Coffee chat: Join Mayor Kevin Corcoran for his next Coffee & Conversation with the Mayor from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 7 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 7307 Avon Belden Road.
New officer: Welcome Kevin Barber, recently sworn in as a patrolman with the police department.
He is currently attending the Police Academy at the Polaris Career Center and will graduate in late May. Soon after, he will begin the field training process.
LORAIN COUNTY
National Drug Take-Back Day: It’s time to clean out those medicine cabinets.
Several area police departments are collecting unused or expired medication for safe disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27.
Drop off your medications at the Avon Police Department, 36145 Detroit Road; Avon Lake Police Department, 32855 Walker Road; or North Ridgeville Police Department, 7303 Avon-Belden Road.
If you are unable to drop off, each police department has a disposal box in the lobby for safe drop-off throughout the year.
Restaurant closes: After 23 years in business, Quaker Steak & Lube, 4900 Transportation Drive in Sheffield, is closed permanently.
Officials from corporate Quaker Steak made the decision not to renew the lease due to slow sales and not recovering from the pandemic.
The Vermilion location (5150 Liberty Ave.) is still open.
Democratic club: The Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. May 7 at Railroad Brewing, 820 Center Road in Avon.
Members will discuss the National Federation of Democratic Women’s national conference and signature gathering for the anti-gerrymandering initiative.
For more information, go to LCDWOhio.com.
If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to jshortavon@aol.com. Follow me on Twitter @jshortavon.
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