June 15, 2026
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Healthy seniors: The Senior Center is hosting a Health Fair from 10 a.m. to noon June 18 at 36786 Detroit Road. More than 15 health and safety vendors will be onsite. Screenings available during the event include cholesterol, glucose, and hearing. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP is appreciated, call 440-934-2417.
Wellness challenge: Now in its 11th year, the University Hospitals Avon vs. Avon Lake Community Wellness Challenge is underway. Avon Lake has won seven out of the past 10 years.
Participants of all ages are encouraged to be active wherever and whenever convenient to them, but they are also offered expert assistance with a brief well-being assessment that includes blood pressure testing, waist circumference and In Body Composition at the Avon fitness center location, 1997 Healthway Drive.
Registration is available online, or call 440-988-6801.
Orange barrels: Construction begins this week on Chester Road and includes the resurfacing and rehabilitation of 0.55 miles from Chester Industrial Parkway to west of American Way. The resurfacing will be suspended at Moore Road and will resume at a point that is 400-ft east of East Cypress Lane.
One lane traffic will be maintained during construction with the use of flaggers and/or temporary traffic control devices. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 1 (weather permitting). Please use caution when traveling in the area.
On the move: As previously reported in Short Takes, City Hall is moving to 36600 Detroit Road (former Village School building). The old City Hall, 36080 Chester Road, will be closed during the day except for Mayor’s Court on Wednesdays.
All meetings, i.e. City Council, Landmark Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Tree Commission and Zoning Board, will take place at the old City Hall on Chester Road during the evenings as scheduled.
Butterfly house: The Miller Nature Preserve Butterfly House, 2739 Center Road, opens for the season on Father’s Day, June 21. Learn about the full life cycle from caterpillar to butterfly and discover which plants help attract them to backyard gardens.
The house had been free to visit in years past, but this year there is a $2 admission fee to walk through (children ages two and under are free).
Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (weather permitting) through Aug. 31 (closed July 4).
Guests can bundle admission to the Conservatory and Butterfly House for a $5 admission fee.
The new seasonal display at the Conservatory features fairies and dragons. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4.
House preservation: The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is working with City Council and the Planning Commission to preserve the circa 1840’s Classic Greek Revival Colvin Sweet Home, 32135 Detroit Road.
The focus is more on saving the home in its original location and having it be incorporated into the Petros Development Group’s development plans as a part of thoughtful growth rather than demolishing it, according to the Landmarks Preservation Commission members.
Preserving the property aligns closely with the goals of the Landmarks Preservation Commission and demonstrates the group’s shared commitment to protecting Avon’s heritage while supporting thoughtful growth.
Merging together: Studio Da Vinci is moving next door (former Paper Crane Botanicals space) and merging with Jennifer Bueck Cermacic at 690 Avon Belden Road, Unit 1B. The location provides a creative space for parties, groups, fundraisers and hosting classes to teach crafting skills.
Money matters: The school district recently named Phillip Oko as its new treasurer (effective Aug. 1). He replaces Autumn Reed who left the district in April to work for the Bay Village City Schools.
Oko is currently the treasurer/CFO at Garfield Heights City School District. His contract with Avon Lake runs through July 31, 2031.
Paper Chase returns: The Paper Chase is a community tradition dating back to 1983. Teams of six-eight participants (one car per team) compete in a scavenger hunt around Avon Lake and bordering communities, with the final, secret stop is an after party with food and drink tickets provided. The winning team earns a cash prize. This year, the event will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Road. Cost is $60 per player. To register, the team captain should email cgbradley1@yahoo.com.
Deer data: Residents are reminded to report nuisance deer to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources UrbanDIRT program anytime. The information provided to UrbanDIRT online helps the city with deer management decisions.
Feedback needed: Let your voice be heard to help city officials better understand how they can improve communication and transparency moving forward with regard to roads and capital improvements in the community. Residents are encouraged to complete an online survey by July 6.
Music fest: The annual BAYarts Art & Music Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 at 28795 Lake Road.
More than 70 local art and craft vendors will be onsite. A complete list is available online.
Additionally, the BAYarts Ceramics Department will be hosting their Orphan Pottery Sale in the studio, selling unique pieces left behind by teachers and students as a fundraiser for the studio.
Scholarships: Last month, Bay High School held its annual Scholarship & Academic Awards Night. Nearly $140,000 in college scholarships were given to seniors. The scholarships were from local community organizations and residents. Kudos to the Bay Kiwanis for making this event possible for the last 65 years.
Council discussions: City Council members were busy Monday (June 15) discussing the possible sale of portions of city-owned property at Center Ridge Road and Ranger Way to The Shops at Ranger Way LLC. The legislation authorizes the sale and includes findings supporting the transaction.
City Council will consider an ordinance updating the city's through truck traffic regulations and establishing enhanced penalties for violations.
Electric bicycle regulations are in the news in just about every city. Add North Ridgeville to the list. City Council is considering updates to legislation regarding bicycles and motorcycles. The changes are intended to address the growing use of electric bicycles in the city by clarifying operating and safety requirements. The updates are aimed at protecting riders, pedestrians, motorists, and users of shared paths and public streets.
Seasons of love: Olde Towne Hall Theatre presents, “Rent,” June 18-21, and June 26-27 at Grafton Ghost Light Theater, 1111 Elm St, Grafton. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Shred day: Gather up your sensitive documents and other papers for a free Shred Day from 9 a.m. to noon June 20 at the library parking lot, 35700 Bainbridge Road.
Each household may bring up to five standard-size copier paper boxes or five grocery-size bags of documents. Staples are fine, but no paper clips, binder clips, binders, spiral-bound notebooks, other metal objects, batteries or electronics. The event may end early if the truck is full.
Blood drive: The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive at the library from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 25. Appointments are needed and can be scheduled online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Park celebration: Residents are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Root Road Park at 2 p.m. June 23 at 8949 Root Road. Free ice cream, courtesy of Bone Appetit Creamery, will be available.
Loan program: The Heritage Home Loan Program will be presenting to residents the details of the program at 6 p.m. June 17 at Memorial Hall at the Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Summer market: Support local business and vendors during the Summer Fun: CLE Market and Concert from 4 to 8 p.m. June 19 at City Hall Park, 21012 Hilliard Blvd.
Art show: Stop by the Senior Center, 21012 Hilliard Blvd., to view more than 300 works of art on display by community members ages 50 and over during the 34th Annual Art Exhibit and Sale now through July 2. The Senior Center is open during the week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ranked in the Top 10: Cleveland Magazine’s annual “Rating of the Suburbs” June issue is out and Rocky River is rated as the No. 2 suburb in Northeast Ohio (Chagrin Falls gained the top spot). This is the second year in a row the city received the No. 2 ranking.
Neighboring Bay Village is No. 5. A complete list is available online.
Big boy train coming back: If you missed the chance to see Big Boy No. 4014 (the world’s largest operating steam locomotive), it’s passing through the area again July 13 (around 1 p.m.) and stopping at the former Rocky River Nickel Plate train station, 19060 Depot Street. The train’s schedule is available online.
Summer concerts: Grab your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a concert at Clague Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 21 featuring The Edge (pop hits) cover band.
The next concert is June 28 and features Ray Bans (classic rock and island music).
A complete list of summer events is on the city’s website.
Master challenge: Dover Intermediate School students recently competed in the WordMasters Challenge national vocabulary competition featuring nearly 125,000 students annually. The school’s sixth-grade team earned 185 points out of a possible 200, placing ninth in the nation.
Students Lia Brogan, Calvin Chang, Nathan Cummings and Oliva Tan earned a perfect score of 20 in the Gold Division Challenge. Students Emmy Volkman and Danny Yaman also achieved high results. Congratulations.
Happy Father's Day!
If you have a news item or event to share, please send an email to jshortavon@gmail.com.
