Happy anniversary to Fields United Methodist Church (UMC), 34077 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville. The church is set to mark 200 years of faithful witness and ministry with a bicentennial celebration throughout 2025.

riders on horseback, according to the press release.

In 1835, the growing congregation began to meet in the local schoolhouse on Butternut Ridge Road (later named Lorain Road), and were originally known as the Briggs Corners M.E. Church.

As Ridgeville Township grew (eventually becoming the City of North Ridgeville), so did the congregation. This included more permanent structures, and acquiring land for expansion.

By 1967, the congregation moved down Lorain Road and broke ground for its new facility – where the current church is now located.

The church’s name also changed numerous times throughout the years. In 1881, Gilbert Fields managed the Briggs Corners General Store and sought permission to open the area’s first post office. The government named it the Fields P.O., and the area soon became Fields Corners. The congregation then became known as Fields M.E. Church (later Fields Methodist; and in 1968, Fields UMC).

“As we remember and give thanks for the rich heritage of our congregation, we also recommit ourselves to growing in our love of Christ and serving our community,” said Sondra Snode, pastor of Fields United Methodist Church, in a press release. “We invite the community to join us in celebrating our past and walking with us into the future.”

In addition to monthly remembrances and outreach, upcoming events include special weekend services May 31 and June 1, as well as October 4-5. Previous pastors will help lead worship throughout the year, and a special historical presentation is planned for the summer.

For more information, go to fieldsumc.org, or contact the church office at 440-327-8753, or via email at [email protected] .

Shred day: Gather up your documents and other papers for the city’s summer Shred Day event from 9 a.m. to noon June 7 at City Hall, 36080 Chester Road.

Qdoba coming: Add another Mexican restaurant to the growing list in the area as the fast casual chain, Qdoba Mexican Eats, is coming to the northwest corner of Detroit Road and Healthway Drive (next to Jersey Mike’s) at the end of the year.

The restaurant chain has been slowly expanding again in the area with a location preparing to open in a few weeks at 26440 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.

The Avon location will employ 30-40 people at the restaurant. For more information on the chain, go to qdoba.com.

Upcoming library events: The Tiny Art Show is coming to the Avon Branch Library, 37485 Harvest Drive. Participants of all ages can pick up supplies (while they last) including small canvas, paint and brushes beginning June 9. Return your mini masterpieces by June 30.

The Tiny Art Show will be on display during the month of July at the library.

– A Celebration of Route 66 will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 11 at the library.

The Victor Samalot Duo will pay tribute through road music, along with visuals and backstories of one of America’s most iconic highways. Guests will learn the history, cultural impact, nostalgia and travel tips along the way.

Pre-registration is required, go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs .

The library also has fishing polls available for check-out and bikes will be available soon.

Democratic club: The Avon Democratic Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 12 at the Avon Branch Library, at 37485 Harvest Drive.

Guest speaker will be Dee Baker, Lorain County Democratic Party’s outreach director, who will provide members with many ways to become more involved in advocacy.

The Avon Democratic Club (ADC) meets in even-numbered months on the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Upcoming dates include Aug. 7 (Baseball Fundraiser at Crusher’s Stadium), Oct. 9, and Dec. 11 (Holiday Party at Big Top Brew House, 820 Center Road, Avon).

For more information, go to avonohdems.com . To make a donation to ADC’s Act Blue account, go to secure.actblue.com/donate/avon-democratic-club-1 .

Summer concerts: Enjoy an evening on the patio listening to music from a variety of genres at 6 p.m. on select Thursdays throughout the summer at the Miller Nature Preserve.

The first concert is June 12 and features music from Rockport. The June 26 concert features Burning River Swing.

For a complete schedule go to loraincountymetroparks.com/whats-happening#concerts .

More summer concerts: It’s just a baseball venue…Crushers Stadium, will transform into the ultimate summer outdoor concert destination with the debut of the Lake Erie Crushers Concert Series.

The seven-show line up includes Mr. Speed (KISS tribute band) June 13; American Ride: A Toby Keith Tribute June 14; Are You Ready For It?: A Taylor Swift Experience July 11; Kenny & Luke’s Country Beach Party July 12 ; 24K Magic: A Tribute to Bruno Mars Aug. 29; Wallen Nation: A Morgan Wallen Tribute Aug. 30; and Gone 2 Paradise: A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Aug. 31.

All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Single or full-series tickets are available.

To purchase tickets, go to .lakeeriecrushers.com/lake-erie-crushers-concert-series .

Shout-out: Congratulations to the Avon Middle School grade 8 choir and orchestra students on two successful performances at the recent Music in the Parks event at Cedar Point.

The students competed against schools from across Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Wisconsin. The choir received an Excellent rating, and the orchestra received a Superior rating.

Erieview update: The Avon Lake City Schools Board of Education recently passed (May 20 meeting) a resolution to officially close Erieview Elementary School at the end of the current school year.

During the Board of Education meeting, school officials also explained that the board has no plans to turn the building (Erieview) into an administration building for the district.

The superintendent did say that the district is in talks with city officials as the city is interested in the building, and city officials are working through the details of what that would look like for the city.

City officials have been toured the building three times to look at it for possible office space and how the city can best use the building and keep it viable for the community. It is currently used by the city to run their summer Day Camp program.

Eagle art show: The bald eagles nest at Redwood Elementary School attracts bird watchers and photographers daily. Many photographers post amazing images on the Avon Lake Bald Eagles Nest Facebook page.

The administrators of the Facebook page are hosting an Avon Lake Bald Eagles Nest Photography Art Show at the Avon Lake Public Library 32649 Electric Blvd., throughout the month of June.

A special community Reception/Artist Meet & Greet with the artists will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 9 in the Waugaman Gallery at the library.

Pup crawl: The third annual Pup Crawl to support Love-a-Stray takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. June 13.

The crawl begins at the Dogg House Bar & Grill, 33475 Lake Road. There will be music, raffles and other fun activities throughout the event.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to loveastraydog.com .

Summer market: The first CLE Market of the summer season takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 19 at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 32770 Lake R oad.

From handcrafted jewelry and textiles to artisanal foods, home decor, and original artwork, the market offers a diverse array of products from the community.

Buckle Up Bowl winners: Congratulations to Avon Lake High School, winners of the Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition’s 2025 Buckle Up Bowl conducted through the Lorain County Public Health.

Buckle Up Bowl is a student-led competition that empowers students to impact the driving habits of their classmates, friends, and family, according to the press release. Students competed for most improved seat belt rate, most creative campaign, and best buckled high school in Lorain County.

Avon Lake students had a 97.6% seat belt usage rate during the campaign.

Other high schools in Lorain County participating in the contest included Avon, Brookside, Columbia, Firelands, Keystone, Midview, and Oberlin.

In 2024, 605 unbelted-related crashes occurred in Lorain County according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS). A seat belt is the best way to protect yourself from injury and death in a crash.

Garage sales: The Avon Lake Early Childhood PTA (ALECPTA) is once again hosting the Avon Lake Citywide Garage Sale.

Sales will take place beginning June 19.

If you are interested in participating as a seller and supporting the ALECPTA, register at alecpta.com .

For $15 the ALECPTA will advertise the sale and include your address and a brief description of what you are selling on a sellers map. You price and sell your own items and keep all profits. The seller is responsible for all signage at your sale. The deadline to sign up is June 9.

Prior to the sale(s) if you are planning to shop, the map and information will be available on the ALECPTA’s website for shoppers to download and use.

For more information, go to alecpta.com .

Republican club meeting: Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will meet at 5 p.m. June 12 at Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road, Avon. The program will feature “Education As Envisioned By Our Founders” by Liz Griffiths, board member of Northeast Ohio Classical Academy, a K-6 tuition-free public Charter school, and Principal Jim Beatty.

Also speaking is Charles Drubel representing Americans For Prosperity, a community-based action-oriented advocacy organization. Refreshments will be available. Guests cost is $5.

Shout-out: Kudos the American Legion Post 211 for their recent donations and service in the community and beyond. Post members recently sent care boxes to military members overseas.

Here at home, the members recently met players and parents from the “Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Youth Baseball Association (SSLYBA) Adapted League and surprised them with donations towards the league.

The SSLYBA Adapted League is for children grades K-6 in Lorain County that may struggle on a typical team due to developmental delays and/or disabilities. The goal is to provide a welcoming space where all players can enjoy the game of baseball without judgment or pressure to perform a certain way.

Wendy Walker, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 211 (Avon Lake) presented a check for $1,500; Mark Sabo, treasurer for the American Legion SONS Post 211 (Avon Lake) presented a check for $2,000; and Mike Schrull presented checks for $2,000 from the American Legion members, and $100 from the American Legion Riders Post 211 (Avon Lake) .

Vehicle blessings: Dust off those old cars, bicycles, or whatever transportation you choose and “Cruise-In” to St. Peter Catholic Church, 35777 Center Ridge Road for a blessing May 30.

The Cruise-In begins at 5 p.m. in the church parking lot. The blessing of all vehicles and drivers will be at 7 p.m. followed by an Ice Cream Social in the gym.

The event is part of the celebration for the church’s 150th Jubilee year.

Summer reading: Join the fun during the Summer Reading Kick-off party from 1 to 4 p.m. June 9 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.

Zap the Magician will get the party started at 1 p.m. and the celebration will continue with activities, games and crafts.

Pre-registration is required, go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs .

Wellness program: A presentation from Heart & Sole, a health collaborative from the United Way of Greater Lorain County, regarding how Heart & Sole works with the community to improve health and wellness will take place at 8:30 a.m. June 4 at Lorain County Community College (LCCC) Ridge Campus, 32121 Lorain Road.

Free breakfast and coffee will be provided. Space is limited. To register, go to tinyurl.com/yc7texdt .

Identity theft: Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and how to recognize consumer scams during a program at 6:30 p.m. June 10 hosted by the North Ridgeville Post 9871 Veterans of Foreign Wars, 6805 Lear Nagel Road.

Enter to win a $100 gift card when you attend. Food and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

Big trucks: Children and families can get up close and personal with several big trucks as the annual Touch-A-Truck event set to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at the Shady Drive Complex, 37077 Shady Drive.

The free event encourages children and adults to touch vehicles, ask questions and climb inside to take in the view from the driver’s seat.

Special education honor: North Ridgeville City Schools recently announced that Shelley Klemens, a paraprofessional in the district’s special education program, has been named the 2025 Special Education Paraeducator of the Year by the Ohio Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

The statewide award recognizes paraprofessionals who demonstrate exceptional support to students with disabilities and/or giftedness and who promote inclusive, high-quality education, according to the press release.

Klemens was selected for this honor due to her commitment to student success, her compassionate and consistent approach to her work, and the significant impact she had made on students, families, and colleagues.

“It is such an honor to be recognized with this award,” said Klemens, in the press release. “Working with students is my passion, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a team that supports and uplifts one another every single day. Watching students grow and overcome challenges is the most rewarding part of what I do.”

The award will be presented to Klemens during the 2025 CEC Ohio State Conference June 6 in Columbus.

If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to [email protected]. Follow me on Twitter @jshortavon .

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