Sunflower field in full bloom, events planned: Short Takes on Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville

Avon, Ohio

The Prayers from Maria Sunflower Field along Jaycox Road near Middleton Drive is in full bloom. Parking is accessible from Middleton Drive. The sunflower field is open daily from dawn to dusk.

A variety of special events are scheduled at the field for visitors. Sip some wine and walk through the field from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4.

Bring your dog to walk in the field on Pet Day from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 5. The event is sponsored by Rocky River Animal Hospital.

Morning yoga will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 12. An hour-long yoga session is followed by breakfast treats.

Dress up in your best costume and walk around the field collecting candy during a special Trick-Or-Treat event from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19.

There is no fee to walk Maria's Field of Hope, but donations are appreciated. Those interested in helping to raise awareness and funding for the group can dedicate a sunflower for $25.

Sub shop opens: Jersey Mike's was scheduled to open a few weeks ago, but unfortunately did not. It's now set to open Oct. 2.

New rides: Our Lady of the Wayside received a generous $1 million donation from the estate of Carol Glowe, Mentor resident and retired assistant manager from Lincoln Electric who died in 2022.

Her estate, which totaled $10 million, was distributed in $1 million increments to 10 area nonprofits, and Our Lady of the Wayside was one of the grateful recipients.

"Carol Glowe's estate will enable the amazing people with developmental disabilities Wayside supports to enjoy the amazing community we all share," said Terry Davis, Wayside's President and CEO in a blog post. "These three new vehicles will be a great addition to our fleet of 115 specialized vehicles. The access, freedom, and wonderful life experiences these vans will provide are a celebration of Carol Glowe's beautiful legacy. On behalf of the 500 people Wayside serves, our Board of Directors, and 500 staff, we are so very grateful."

Republican club meeting: The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will meet at 5 p.m. Oct. 10 in Father Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road. Featured speaker will be Tom Hach, executive director of Free Ohio Now and the state director of Ohio Freedom Action Network. Also speaking is John Prajzner, a veteran who is serving currently as assistant to the Lorain County Recorder and a candidate for Lorain County Treasurer. Meetings are held every second Thursday each month. Guests cost is $5.

Knights fundraiser: The Father Ragan Council is partnering with the St. Ladislas Council of Knights for a "Knights at the Races" fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at St. Ladislas Church Hall, 2345 Bassett Road, Westlake.

Tickets are $30 per person for dinner and access to betting. Pick a horse for $25. For a reservation form or more information, contact Pete Catanese at 440- 465-4946 or via email . Mail checks to Knights of Columbus, PO Box 224, Avon, OH 44011 and make payable to Knights of Columbus.

RSVP by Oct. 21 for ads and RSVP for dinner reservations by Oct. 18 with your name(s), the number attending, your phone number, email address and check.

SimSim temporarily closed: SimSim Mediterranean opened in Avon Commons earlier this spring. Currently, the restaurant is temporarily closed.

A sign posted on the door reads, "Our Dear Customers and Community. As we thrive to deliver an excellent service, we are regretfully announcing a temporary closing due to a staffing shortage. Sorry for the inconvenience and we thank you for your support, Your family and neighbors the "SimSim Team."

AVON LAKE

Food drive: The Avon Lake Boat Club is sponsoring a food drive to benefit Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Donations can be dropped off at the Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center 32850 Electric Blvd. Items needed include pasta, sauces, canned fruit, soups, snack food, boxed pasta and side dishes, cereals, and canned meats and chilis. No expired items, please. Household products needed include bath tissues, cleaners and dish soap.

Donors are eligible for a random $25 gift card giveaway.

Garage sale: The Holy Spirit Parish Garage Sale is accepting donations from 9 to 7 p.m. Oct. 21-22.

The Garage and Bake Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The $5 Fill-A-Bag Friday is from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 25. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Blood drive: The Vitalant Blood Drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road. Please eat before you donate. Bring a photo ID and a list of any medication. Appointments are preferred.

To make an appointment and earn reward points, go to vitalant.org and search with Blood Drive Code: U004.

Shout-out: Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) supports families with children heading back to school each year through its Back-To-School Backpack Program. This year, CRS distributed 287 backpacks and school supplies to students in Avon and Avon Lake. The nonprofit also distributed Kohl's gift cards to help purchase new clothes, Famous Footwear gift cards for new shoes, and a gift card to Walmart for incidentals like socks and underwear. Thank you CRS for all you do in the community.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE

Safety Fair: The North Ridgeville Safety Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at Fire Station #1 and Police Station campus on Ranger Way. The family-friendly event includes games, bounce houses, face painting, touch-a-truck, building tours, and other safety and health-related information.

Business closed: Ridgeville Nutrition (teas, meal replacement shakes), 35075 Center Ridge Road (plaza with Aldi) has permanently closed.

Coffee chat: Join Mayor Kevin Corcoran for his monthly Coffee & Conversation from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 11 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 7307 Avon Belden Road.

Catch basin repairs: Denes Concrete, Inc. will begin catch basin repairs this week. The project includes concrete replacement and structural repair of 48 catch basins at various locations throughout the city.

The work is expected to be completed by late October. Two-way traffic will be maintained at each location and cones will be used when necessary.

A tentative schedule and location map are available on the city's website, go to nridgeville.org .

Homecoming: The North Ridgeville City Schools are celebrating Homecoming this week. The football game is at 7 p.m. Friday against Midview.

Fall fest: Celebrate all things fall during Fall Fest from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road.

The event includes games, food vendors, face and pumpkin painting, balloon animals, pumpkin bowling, photo booth, and hayrides (weather permitting).

Theater production: The Olde Towne Hall Theatre may be closed, but the shows must go on.

Tickets are currently available for "Fools" by Neil Simon, staged at the Grafton Ghost Light Theater in Old Grafton School, 1111 Elm Street, Grafton.

Show date/times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11-12; Oct 18-19, and Oct. 25-26. A 2 p.m. show is scheduled on Oct. 20. For tickets, go to othtnr.ludus.com .

Drive in Halloween: Aut-O-Rama Drive-In Theatre. 33395 Lorain Road, is hosting a Retro Halloween Weekend and Trick-or-Treat Oct. 18-19.

Bring candy to pass out to the Trunk-or-Treaters as they go from car to car before the movies. Decorate your trunk for the Trunk Decorating Contest.

Screen I movies are for families and feature, "Hocus Pocus," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and "Poltergeist."

Screen II is for adults and features "Children of the Corn," "Hellraiser," and "The Hills Have Eyes."