BRUNSWICK, Ohio – With all the bad news bombarding us, I really like this idea – a time for laughter and for a great cause.. Join the supporters of Oaks Family Care Center at the inaugural Comedy Night Fundraiser on Friday, April 4 hosted by Hope Church, 1905 Pearl Road, Brunswick. Here’s a chance to come together, share joy and support families in our community with this wonderful nonprofit organization. Nationally touring comedian Shawn Reynolds, who has appeared on TBN, CircleTV, ABC and NBC, Shawn’s DryBar Comedy special has racked up millions of views. He’s also the founder of “Stand-Up For Adoption,” a benefit series raising thousands for families adopting children with special needs. You won’t want to miss this great way to help. Seating is general admission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to give you time to grab a great seat before the show kicks off at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 for a pair of tickets. (Please note that this event is geared for older teens and adults.) Get Tickets! https://givebutter.com/oakscomedynight Another friend: Sad to learn that Leah Mae Bage Mortelette passed away March 7 at the amazing age of 100. Anyone who had any interaction at Brunswick High School starting in 1968 would remember this wonderful lady who was secretary there until 1984. She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Lynn Frantz and son, Jack Mortelette and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends. Donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Learn about our neighbors: Rod Knight from the Liverpool Historical Society will be speaking about Valley City and early settlers (among the very first in Medina County) at 6:30 p.m. March 27 at Goodyear’s Big Barn, 691 Pearl Road, Brunswick. The free program is hosted by the Brunswick Area Historical Society. Rod’s so knowledgeable about the history of his community – including during the war of 1812 – and I’m looking forward to it. Hope to see you there. Special event: The Parish School of Religion students at St. Ambrose Parish will be performing a Living Stations of the Cross ceremony at 7:30 p.m. March 21 at St. Ambrose Church, 929 Pearl Road. That’s a perfect presentation for Lent, isn’t it? You can always learn more about St. Ambrose programs and events at https://stambrose.us/ Don’t forget: Lent fish fry at St. Ambrose every Friday through Good Friday and at Brunswick United Methodist Church just twice this year, March 28 and April 4. You can find them both online and can eat in or carry out. Breakfast reverse raffle: It’s time for the annual HANDS Foundation Breakfast Reverse Raffle sponsored by Generational Living and Foundations Health starting at 9 a.m. March 29 at Western Reserve Masonic community, 4931 Nettleton Road, Medina. Tickets are $25 for a chance to win $1,500. Contact Lori Betz at 216-990-3739 to RSVP or buy a ticket. World Tour Of Music: The Oblivion Project, formed in 2003, is dedicated to the exploration and performance of the over 3000 Nuevo Tango works of Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla. For the past decade, musicians from all across the Americas have collaborated to explore and share the uncompromisingly unique, unequivocally attractive language of Piazzolla’s tangos. Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach brings The Oblivion Project, The Nuevo Tango of Astor Piazzolla, to the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, Akron, at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30 as the culminating concert in the Spring 2025 World Tour of Music residency. Featuring a side by side performance with the Ellet High School Jazz Band. This program is free. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit https://ormaco.org/ or call 419-853-6016. (You can also learn more about the September trip to Italy). 40 years: I know it’s hard to believe so many years have passed, but the Brunswick High School class of 1985 says, “It’s time to party like it’s 1985!” in celebration of its 40th high school reunion June 20-22. The weekend festivities kick off with a Classmates Family & Friends Golf Outing/Scramble June 20 at Coppertop Golf Club, 5740 Center Road, Valley City. Tee times begin at 1 p.m. Cost is $50 per person (includes cart). RSVP via email to Gary Moll if planning to attend: gmollcpa@gmail.com. An Ice Breaker will be held at 5 p.m. June 20 at The Backyard, 1813 Pearl Road, Brunswick. Guests can purchase their own food and drinks. A farewell tour of Brunswick High School, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick, will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 21. The high school will be torn down in a few years, so this may be your last chance to see the school. RSVP via email to: bhs85reunion40@gmail.com. On June 21, join classmates from 7 to 11 p.m. at Amy’s Rustic Event Center, 6780 Center Road, Valley City. Tickets are $35 per person and include beer and wine, and appetizers. No outside beverages or food are permitted. Payment can be made via Venmo (@kim-dunford-7), Cash APP ($Dunford7), or check made payable to Kim Dunford, mailed to 14455 Painesville Warren Road, Thompson, OH 44086 (ladies, please provide maiden name). A Morning After Brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22 at Planted Flag Brewery, 3594 Pearl Road, Medina. Guests can purchase their own food and drinks. If you have additional questions, email bhs85reunion40@gmail.com. Follow the class reunion on Instagram and X @bhs85reunion40. There is also a private Brunswick High School Class of 1985 Facebook page. Reunion committee members include Jim Bollinger, Barbara Bowers, Kim Pruitt Dunford, Leshia Showman Litton, Gary Moll, Terry Odom-Mullins, Michelle Klubnik, and Terry Wayne. Roundtable: The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities hosted a “DD Dialogues” roundtable event on Monday, March 3 at the Medina County Achievement Center. The event brought together elected state and local officials with leadership from various agencies and organizations in Medina County to discuss critical issues and areas which continue to be of greatest need for people with developmental differences and their families. The Medina County Board of DD hosted the event as an opportunity to help elected officials understand the impact of preserving critical funding and support for the Ohio DD system. The event began with a brief welcome by MCBDD Superintendent Stacey Maleckar followed by introductions of attendees which included State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-22), State and Representative Melanie Miller (R-67). The roundtable provided an opportunity for elected officials to engage directly with MCBDD leadership, families, and community advocates to gain insights into the challenges and successes within the developmental differences system. Topics included funding, policy initiatives, community services, and ongoing efforts to enhance inclusion and support for individuals with disabilities. During the event, invited guests shared firsthand experiences about individuals and families who rely on critical services and the continued support needed so people with developmental differences have the care they need to have safe and meaningful lives. Family members shared stories of how current funding and resources enable their families to tackle the daily challenges that come having a family member with a developmental difference. Building skills for life: At Medina High School, students in Tim Bracken’s Home Repair and Maintenance class are gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will serve them for years to come. This course equips students with practical skills in home improvement, empowering them with knowledge they can apply in their own homes or future careers. Throughout the year, students learn to safely operate power tools under supervision such as table saws, drills, and nail guns—building confidence in their ability to tackle real-world tasks. Recently, the class focused on drywall and lighting, engaging in a step-by-step learning process. As part of this hands-on lesson, students constructed a frame, drilled holes for wiring, and completed an electrical circuit to light a bulb—a critical skill in home maintenance and repair. Their next challenge will be to install drywall, create an intentional hole, and then master the techniques needed to repair it. Looking ahead, students will gain even more practical experience by learning how to install bathroom faucets, further expanding their knowledge of household maintenance. This course teaches valuable trade skills and fosters problem-solving, independence, and resilience—qualities that define one of the Portrait of a Bee competencies, resilient lifelong learners. Run or walk: The Debbie Hopkins Memorial 5K Run, 1 Mile Walk, and Kids Dash is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at Crestview Elementary School, 300 W 130th Street, Brunswick. This event honors the legacy of Debbie Hopkins, a beloved educator who dedicated over 30 years of her life to teaching and positively impacting the lives of students in the Brunswick City School District. Organizers said Debbie Hopkins was more than a teacher—she was a coach, advisor, and mentor who created a warm, student-centered learning environment emphasizing life lessons, growth, and success. Her husband, Dale Hopkins, founded Passionate Educators to continue her legacy of inspiring and supporting educators. This nonprofit organization works to honor extraordinary educators and make meaningful contributions to the education community. The event, hosted in collaboration with the Crestview Elementary PTO and Passionate Educators, Inc., will feature a 5K Run/Walk, a 1 Mile Fun Run, and a 100-yard Kids Dash. It is an opportunity to celebrate Debbie’s impact, unite the community, and support the ongoing mission of cultivating educational excellence. For detailed race information, including registration fees, start times, packet pick-up instructions, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the official event website, . Participants can register online, sign up to volunteer, or donate directly through the website https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Brunswick/DebbieHopkinsMemorialRun . Veteran’s breakfast: Plum Creek Senior Living Community will hold a Veteran’s Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. March 25 at 891 Marks Road. If you are veteran who would like to attend, RSVP by March 21 to 330-220-4900. A passing thought: Did you get up in the middle of the night to watch the eclipse of the moon? We did. It really was interesting to see the moon turn red. Can you imagine if you had lived long before anyone had any idea of what was happening? When I visited Yellowstone National Park, I felt the same way about the gurgling mud pools and geysers. I usually try hard not to get political but can you imagine if our current officials were in charge of some large population in ancient times? I can just imagine rounding up “enemies” and blaming them and very likely sacrificing them to appease some unseen entity. Scary then and for today’s older population (like me) scary now. Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com