Short Takes on the Westside, February 17: Edacious grows, Bay Sculptures

Avon

Spring programs, anniversary party: Spring is in the air! Pre-registration is now open online for all spring programming, including story times and crafts, at all branches with the Lorain Public Library System (Avon and North Ridgeville included).  

The library system is also celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, rebranding recently took place with a new logo and themed programs will be offered from April through December.

In 1901, the Lorain Public Library Association was formed to provide a free library for Lorainites, making knowledge and exploration accessible through books.

That mission expanded in 1931 with the introduction of bookmobile services, bringing materials directly to neighborhoods in surrounding service districts. Within a year, the “traveling library” had book collections established inside county schools, churches, grocery stores, a Civilian Conservation Camp (CCC) and one stop at a tuberculosis sanitarium (the latter which had a permanently quarantined book collection).

Each branch will celebrate with its own decades-themed anniversary party as well: Main Library the 1950s (built in 1957), Domonkas Branch the 1960s (built in 1964), Columbia Branch the 1970s (built in 1973), North Ridgeville Branch the 1980s (while it isn’t when the current branch was built, it is when it moved from one location to another), South Lorain the 1990s (LPLS broke ground for this branch in 1999), and Avon the 2000s to present (this branch went through a major renovation in 2021).

Storage addition: Pickering Hill Farms, 35715 Detroit Road, is requesting approval from the city’s Planning Commission (meeting is Feb. 18) for construction of a 5,816-sq.-ft. storage building behind 808 Shaved Ice.

Good citizens: Eighth-grade winners of the Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest from Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception School were recently presented with cash/gift-cards by Knight Rudy Breglia of the Father Ragan Council.  

The students wrote essays on "Out of the 267 popes that have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorite popes?” The Council is hoping that through creative writing, the students have a learning experience that will help them become better citizens who are more connected to their community and their faith.

Congratulations to Isaac Perkins, Ila Ondrus, Kendall Cooke and Maryn Maxey.

Resale event: Come shop at the Avon Early Childhood PTA Spring Kids Kloset resale event from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 28. The sale features gently used maternity, infant and children clothing, winter gear, toys, games, furniture, strollers, swings and more.

Early Bird admission is $5/adult from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. General admission is $2/adult from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Registration for sellers is open through March 21. For more information, email kidskloset@avon-ecpta.org.

Fast friends: Socialize with other twenty- and thirty- somethings with speed friending, a series of short conversations designed to help participants meet new friends, from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive.

After chatting there will be time for coffee and casual activities. Registration is available online.

Country festival: The Country Rising Festival, headlined by BigXthaPlug, is a one-day outdoor music experience dedicated to spotlighting the artists redefining country music set to place July 24 at ForeFront Field (home of the Lake Erie Crushers).

Also performing is Ernest, Dylan Marlowe, Austin Snell, and Lakeview. Country Rising will feature live performances, line dancing, local food and drink, interactive games, a mechanical bull, and VIP lounge experiences.

Tickets are currently available online.

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Avon Lake

Goonie's gone: After only one year in business, The owners of Goonie’s Dog Shop, 33473 Lake Road, have decided to permanently close the restaurant. It had been slated to re-open in the spring after a winter hiatus. There just wasn’t enough business last year to keep the location viable.

Edacious Kitchen + Bar owners had renovated the former John’s Bait and Tackle Shop space in early 2024. Goonie’s menu consisted of hot dogs, fries and milkshakes, as well as offering lobster rolls seasonally.

The owners have already moved on from Goonie’s and are renovating the former Isla’s Ice Cream shop, 140 Lear Road, to become a sandwich shop that will also serve Isla’s handmade ice cream, as well as offer wine/beer, and boozy milkshakes.

It will be called William Fine Sandwich Shop & Cold Creamery. Andrew and Lisa Gorski from Edacious will be operating it. David Maison and Tara Mercio are handling design and build-out. Mykala Hyland from Isla’s will be making the ice cream.

An official opening date was not provided, but it will likely be later in March or early April.

Ward 1 meeting: City Council member Rob Shahmir will meet with residents from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.

Bunny hop: It’s almost that time again! Easter is on its way and the Avon Lake Historical Society is once again offering families photos with the Easter Bunny. Cost is $20 for residents (per family), and $30 for non-residents. The photo opportunity (10 minute time blocks) will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 at Veterans’ Memorial Park – Folger Home, 32756 Lake Road. Pre-registration (required) opens online Feb. 18.

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Democrats club: The Avon Lake Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The organizational meeting will focus on plans and goals for the mid-term election year. All are welcome to attend, joining others who put people first and are committed to taking action to preserve our democracy.

Notary available: Did you know that the Avon Lake Public Library offers Notary services to all Ohio residents free of charge?

If you’ve been paying for these services at your bank or at another vendor - or if you’ve struggled to find a vendor to supply Notary Public services in evening or weekend hours, this service might be just the perfect thing for you. Appointments are preferred to ensure that Notaries are on staff and available to perform services.

For more information, call the information desk at 440-933-8127.

Smart money: The city’s annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2023, has received the Certificate of Achievement (COA) for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. This is the ninth consecutive time that the city has received this recognition.

Good neighbors: Last year the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop, 156 Lear Road, was able to give $460,588 back to the community, and helped provide $15,000 of in-kind giving.

Community support of the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop’s mission through donating, shopping, and volunteering allows the Thrift Shop to help those in need in the community. The shop has been serving the community since 1979.

Every year, end-of-year grants are awarded by the Avon Lake United Church of Christ in partnership with the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop. Grant awards are provided either for specific projects or as general support to organizations, focusing on work in the following areas identified as current priority concerns by Avon Lake United Church of Christ, including poverty, hunger, homelessness, refugee resettlement, domestic violence, addiction/recovery, and dementia support.

The recipients of the 2025 grants include Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services, Camp Imagine, Denison Avenue United Church of Christ, Family Planning Services of Lorain County, Footpath Foundation, Good Knights, Inc., Genesis House, Harbor and Bridge, Honey from the Rock, Hosanna Industries, Inc., LIFE a Dementia Friendly Foundation, Living Water Association, Mercy Health Foundation Lorain Market, Neighborhood Alliance, North Ridgeville Community Care, OhioGuidestone, Primary Purpose Center, Inc., St. Augustine Community Cupboard and Closet, St. Paul's Community Outreach, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, The Road to Hope, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Washington United Church of Christ, and West Park United Church of Christ Community Cupboard.

Bay Village

Best pizza: Bay High School’s Key Club raised over $5,800 for the Thirst Project during the recent Pizza Bake Off. Kudos to Pizza by Robert, Danny Boys Pizza, Gina’s Pizza (Bay Village), Dirte Pi, and Pizza Hut for donating their time and pizza to help make the night such a success.

Congratulations to the Pizza Bake Off winners:

• Pizza by Robert – Best Sauce & Best Overall
• Danny Boys – Best Pepperoni
• Gina’s Pizza – Best Cheese
• Dirte Pi – Best Specialty
• Pizza Hut – Best Crust

Art honors: Bay High School recently announced that 18 students received 34 awards in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Of these recognitions, nine were Gold Key awards, 11 were Silver Key awards and 14 were Honorable Mentions. The Gold Key award is the highest honor of distinction in this competition, and these works move on to the National level of the competition.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. You can find out more here.

Senior artist Sophia DiCicco was also recognized by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) for her sculpture titled "For My Daughter's Wedding.” This piece has been selected by the esteemed jury to be on display for the K-12 National Ceramic Exhibition during next month’s NCECA conference in Detroit. Only 100 entries were chosen from 1,000 submissions. This recognition is not affiliated with Scholastic.

Ensemble honors: Congratulations to Bay High School students Devon Gerig and Keller Shea, asked to participate in the Ohio Music Education Association's (OMEA) All State Band and Jazz Ensemble, respectively. Gerig was one of only four Tuba players in the state, and Shea was one of only two tenor sax players invited to perform.

North Ridgeville

Inaugural Tree City: In honor of its commitment to plant, grow and maintain trees to benefit its community, North Ridgeville has earned its first Tree City USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation.

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.

A copy of the city’s Master Tree Plan is available online.  

Scholarship honors: North Ridgeville High School senior Gale Nelson has been named a National Honor Society (NHS) Semifinalist and awarded a $3,200 NHS Scholarship for her leadership, service, and character.

A talented musician and leader, Nelson is involved in choir, orchestra, theater, Student Council, and NHS. She plans to attend Bowling Green State University to major in Music Education and pursue her dream of becoming a choir director.

Fish fry: The VFW Post 9871, 6805 Lear Nagle, Fish Fry starts Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) and continues every Friday during Lent from 4 to 7 p.m.

The menu includes perch, shrimp and pierogies. Follow the VFW on Facebook for more details.

The event is open to the public for drive-thru service only. Place order at the hall entrance and pick up your food at the doors on the exit driveway. Only VFW members and their guests can eat in the canteen.

Payment can be made with cash or check only for drive thru orders. There are no phone-in or call ahead orders.

As an added touch, the food is free for on duty North Ridgeville first responders.

Rocky River

Schools presentation: Save the date and plan to attend the Rocky River City School district’s State of the Schools address at 7 p.m. March 10 in the Rocky River High School auditorium, 20951 Detroit Road.

Principal update: The search for the next principal of Rocky River High School is in full swing as the job has officially been posted. A complete job description, including salary range, is posted on the district’s website. District officials hope to announce the new principal by the end of March.

Westlake

Beautiful music: Westlake High School seniors Natalie Chang (cello) and Lucas Marques (bass trombone) recently performed with the Ohio Music Education Association's (OMEA) All-State Orchestra in Columbus. The top student musicians from around the state are chosen for this prestigious honor based on a rigorous audition.

Boxing matches: Local promoter and Bay Village resident Tim Newhouse of Newhouse Boxing is bringing professional boxing to La Centre Conference & Banquet Facility, 25777 Detroit Road, Feb. 28.

Among the notable matchups is undefeated Cleveland heavyweight Roney Hines (15–0, 8 KOs), who is scheduled to face durable veteran Curtis Harper (19–11, 6 KOs) of Jacksonville, Fla.

Former world-ranked contender Thomas Mattice (22–5–1, 17 KOs) of Cleveland is set to meet Eduardo Pereira (25–14, 19 KOs) of Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil.

Local favorite Michael Moore (19–4, 8 KOs) also returns to the ring after appearing on Newhouse Boxing’s inaugural show. Moore, who gained national recognition through The Contender on EPIX, is slated to face Samuel Wildenhaus (13–4, 7 KOs) of Columbus, Ohio, in a matchup that pairs familiarity with regional edge.

Another highlighted bout features Michael Chaise Nelson (22–4–1, 8 KOs) of Mansfield, Ohio against Martin Tucker(11–11, 5 KOs) of Toledo.

Tickets are limited. For more information, click here.

Company expands portfolio: Shamrock Companies, an integrated marketing, technology, and project management solutions company, recently announced the acquisition of ProServ Business Products LLC, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based provider of print, branded promotional products, and fulfillment services.

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