October 5, 2026
Upcoming library events: An introduction to genealogy presentation answers common beginner questions from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive. Learn how to get started, what records to look for, how DNA and online resources can help and how to avoid common mistakes. Pre-registration is required.
Friends of the Avon Library Book Room Hours (open to the public) are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday. Find books and DVDs for all ages for a suggested donation of $1 per item.
All Lorain County Public Library branches (including Avon and North Ridgeville) will be closed on Oct. 12 for Staff Development Day.
Holds left in the exterior lockers will be available while the libraries are closed and the exterior drop boxes will be available for returns.
Skate park update: Many may have noticed portions of the Skate Park by the Little League fields have been removed. According to city officials, the Skate Park is being updated. The pieces they removed were unsafe. They are in the process of finding replacement pieces, but the cost is expensive. Stay tuned.
Making a difference: The Knights of Columbus Council #3269 is hosting Holly Brinda, president and CEO of the Lorain County Big Brothers & Big Sisters, as she presents "Make a Difference One Child at a Time!" at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road. RSVP by Oct. 9 to rudybreglia@gmail.com. The public is welcome. Snacks and refreshments will be served following the presentation.
Pumpkin painting: Avon Heritage Elementary School’s Kids Who Care Club will be painting pumpkins with seniors at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Senior Center, 36786 Detroit Road. Seniors can call 440-934-2417 by Oct. 18 to register to attend.
Leaf raking for seniors: A one-time free fall leaf clean-up is available to senior homeowners (ages 70+) in need of assistance. Leaves will be picked up by volunteers, high school students and adults. The deadline to register (or when full) is Oct. 23, call 440-934-2417.
New comic store: Phat Daddy's Comics and Collectables recently opened at 3700 Detroit Road (corner of Stoney Ridge Road). Comic book enthusiasts may recognize the name as the owner has a location at Jamie’s Flea Market.
Hours of operation will initially be weekends only: Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Personal appointments can also be accommodated, call 419-706-6059.
Garden Club: The Avon Garden Club will meet Oct. 20 in the Orchid Room at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road. Guest presenter Rob Swindell from the Lorain County Audubon will be discussing leaves. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the free program starting at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Ward 3 representative: Andrew Sweigart was recently appointed to fill out the City Council term of former councilwoman Amy Gentry (resigned Aug. 31) which expires on Dec. 31, 2027. He can run for office next year if he desires a chance to keep serving.
Sweigart’s community involvement includes serving as chair of the Avon Lake 250th Jubilee Committee, member of the Avon Lake Historical Society, and volunteering with Scouting America Troop 338. He also works in supply chain management at Avon Lake-based Avient Corporation.
Store closing: Sad to hear Found Home Provisions, 763 Avon Belden Road, is closing its doors in December. Avon Lake resident Kristen Weede posted on Instagram that over the past few years, some of the responsibilities in her personal life have been changing and have become more challenging. She opened the shop in May 2023.
“There are some situations in life you can control and others you can’t,” she wrote in the post. “Unfortunately the shop is something I can control, so with so much thought and heartache I have decided to close the shop at the end of this year. I have thought long and hard about what they (daughters) said and it’s been hard for me to be fully transparent with myself this past year. I know my heart will hurt the day I close the doors for good, but I also know this is something I need to do. I am so lucky to have my wonderful husband, four daughters and amazing dear friends in my life that made this shop even possible for me and I am so truly grateful for them.”
The shop will no longer be selling gift cards going forward and Weede encourages everyone to use their gift cards before Christmas. She will be having a final sale in the shop after Christmas (exact dates will be posted on social media).
Donation: The Avon Lake American Legion Post 211 recently made a $15,000 donation to Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) to help the needy in the communities.
The Post has now donated $35,000 to CRS over the past three years.
Fall play: Bay High School Drama presents, “Radium Girls,” at 7 p.m. October 15 and Oct. 17 (no production Oct. 16 due to the football game), at the high school, 29230 Wolf Road.
The play is based on the true story of factory workers in the 1920s and follows lead character Grace Fryer as she battles corporate greed and denial after contracting fatal radiation poisoning from painting glow-in-the-dark watch dials. Her legal fight against the U.S. Radium Corporation ultimately paved the way for modern workplace safety laws and labor rights.
Tickets are available online.
Bird watching: The Black River Audubon Society presents Dr. Joe Blanda and his nature prescription program, “My Big Year: Birding for a Cause,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Road. The program will explore interesting destinations, unusual birds and help guests gain a better appreciation for a mindful approach to birding.
Craft show: Fields United Methodist Church 36th annual Craft Bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10, at 34077 Lorain Road. Admission is $1 and children are free. Shop for a variety of crafts for fall and the holiday season, as well as a bake sale.
Fall Fest: Bring the family for an afternoon of fun at Fall Fest from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road. Activities include games, hayrides, giant bounce houses and more.
Coffee chat: The mayor’s monthly Coffee & Conversation takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at City Hall, 7307 Avon Belden Road. Special guest is Assistant Fire Chief Mike Uhnak.
October is Fire Prevention Month and this is an opportunity to learn more about steps residents can take to help keep homes, workplaces and the community safe.
Trunk-or-Treat: The North Ridgeville Police Department and other area first responders will participate in the annual First Responders and Community Trunk- or-Treat from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Phantom Fireworks, 4900 Transportation Drive, Sheffield. The free, family-friendly event will bring together over 50 first responder agencies, local organizations, businesses and community members for an evening of Halloween fun.
More Halloween fun: Bring your little ghosts, goblins, superheroes and princesses to City Hall at 1 p.m. Oct. 30 for a not-so-spooky Halloween celebration. Children will parade through the building in costume collecting treats. Pre-registration is required online.
Health and wellness: The Office for Older Adults’ annual Health and Wellness Fair takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road. Dozens of vendors will be onsite offering information, resources and services to support seniors’ health and well-being.
University Hospitals will provide free glucose and blood pressure checks, and Marc’s Pharmacy will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Circle K opens: The new Circle K, 34273 Lorain Road, is already open, but the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 21 with an official ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m.
During the event from noon to 2 p.m. gas will be 30 cents off.
Sock donations: Socktober began in 2011 when middle school students saw the need for socks in local shelters. It has since grown into a nationwide movement, with donations reaching all seven continents.
Throughout October, the Office for Older Adults will be collecting new socks for the Lorain County Office on Aging's food pantry. Pick up an extra pair or two on your next shopping trip and drop them in the collection bin in the Senior Center lobby.
Grant awarded: Mayor Pamela Bobst recently announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Grant Program, approved by National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has awarded Rocky River $65,000 for the Rocky River Park Lake Access Design Project.
This will help to formalize some of the work within the Rocky River Master Plan that was completed for Rocky River Park.
Vandalism: Bradstreet Landing Park recently had vandalism and damage to the restrooms including a sink which was pulled fully off the wall. It was locked overnight, but sometime after it was opened Sunday morning Sept. 27 someone committed vandalism.
At Rocky River Park, the restrooms were also trashed. At Elmwood Park, by the ball fields, there was furniture and several things destroyed.
City officials have been deploying cameras throughout the parks and have plans for more and this is part of the reason why.
New restaurant: The former Asian Wok restaurant, 24389 Detroit Road, will soon be home to Mirchi House restaurant.
Fall Fest: The Westlake Recreation Center will host Fall Fest from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at 28955 Hilliard Blvd. The event is free and open to residents of all ages. Children ages 2-8 can take part in the pumpkin hunt, which requires pre-registration by Oct. 6. Registration is available online or by calling 440-808-5700.
Library closed: The Westlake Porter Public Library will be closed Oct. 12 for staff development and training.
Spooky music: Get in the Halloween spirit at Westlake High School Orchestra’s fall concert, "Spooktacular," at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Westlake Performing Arts Center (PAC), 27830 Hilliard Blvd. There will be a costume parade for kids, and other surprises throughout the night.
Business anniversary: Congratulations to the Stohr Family on the 65th anniversary of their company, Conveyor & Caster, 29570 Clemens Road. Mayor Dennis Clough recently presented Jeff and Trevor Stohr with a formal proclamation acknowledging Sept. 24, 2026 as Conveyor and Caster Day in Westlake.
