September 28, 2026
Little red caboose: For decades, Ron Larson has played a role in preserving the history and character of the City of Avon. His dedication to historic preservation has gone far beyond simply recognizing the importance of Avon’s past and he has taken action to ensure that pieces of that history are not lost forever, as noted in a Facebook post.
Over the years, he has been instrumental in saving and relocating several historic buildings that were facing demolition. Rather than allowing these structures to disappear, he has given them a second chance by carefully moving them to their final home at Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Road, where they can continue to tell the story of Avon for generations to come.
The buildings are now home to Strip Steakhouse, Clifton Barn, and The Edit (formally Details location).
Yesterday (Sept. 28), another staple of Avon’s history, the historic train caboose with the help of the city, was moved from Olde Avon Village to its new home across the street to land near the city’s recreation department building (former Jameson Homestead).
History of the 1918 Baltimore & Ohio Classic Caboose
The Classic (C-398) eight-wheel Woodside cupola caboose was built and placed into service during World War I. It was designed to accommodate a crew of six and was equipped with a coal-burning stove, water tank, ice bin, and original bunk-bed mattresses made of mohair.
The caboose was donated to Olde Avon Village by the Hogrefe Family, where it stood beside the original Avon Nickel Plate Train Depot for nearly 40 years.
The caboose, with its distinctive dark-red exterior and white lettering, was originally restored by the late Dr. Delbert Fischer and his wife, Jean.
Dr. Fischer operated an antique tool business from the caboose and would often welcome visitors aboard with the sound of a train whistle.
Although the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line never ran directly through Avon, it was an important part of railroad transportation and Avon’s history. The railroads brought commerce, opportunity, and connections that helped shape the community and its residents.
Historical Society meeting: The next meeting for the Avon Historical Society will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Avon Olde Town Hall, corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge roads. Jameson Family member Jon Wysochanski will share his knowledge of his family who settled in Avon in 1824. The meeting is open to the public.
Arbor Day celebration: The city’s Tree Commission is hosting its annual Arbor Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct.3 at the Every Child’s Playground, 36265 Detroit Road. Free trees will be given to the first 30 residents who attend. The event also includes a petting zoo, refreshments, scavenger hunt, planting demos, and much more.
Paper shred: Gather up your papers to be shredded from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at the “old” City Hall building, 36080 Chester Road.
Greenhouse update: Many may have noticed construction crews razing the greenhouse at Pinehaven Garden Center, 39424 Detroit Road. The owners posted on Facebook explaining that they are still open for businesses and have all lots of fall items available. They are just doing a little renovating to make sure the greenhouse is extra beautiful and ready for customers in the spring.
Successful event: This year’s Hope for B.E.S.T. fundraiser may have been moved indoors due to the weather Sept. 19, but that didn’t stop the community from coming out and raising $25,000 for mental health resources, tools, and programs for students in our area schools.
Top hospital: Cleveland Clinic officials recently announced that Avon Hospital has been recognized as a top performer by Vizient, one of the largest healthcare performance companies in the country.
Among hundreds of hospitals that were evaluated, Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital is one of six Cleveland Clinic hospitals being awarded for performance in areas of safety, efficiency, and patient-centered care.
Republican Club: The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will meet at 5 p.m. Oct. 8 in Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road with a “Candidates’ Night” featuring Ohio Representative Gayle Manning and now Senate Candidate; and former Judge Colleen O'Donnell, Candidate for Ohio Supreme Court. Also speaking is former Ohio Senator Gary Cates on Issue 3 that has further voter identification requirements to prevent fraud. Refreshments will be available. Guest cost is $5.
Boo night out: Meraki House, 34970 Detroit Road. Suite 240, is hosting a Ladies Halloween Night Out Booze, Boos and Besties event from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23. Come dressed as your Halloween alter ego, or just come as you are. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
The event includes a welcome Halloween cocktail, spooky grazing, Halloween music Bingo, Karaoke After Dark, costume contest and prizes. Cost is $40.
Trick-or-Treat: The city will celebrate Halloween with Trick-or-Treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Daylight Saving Time also ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 1 so it will be nice to have an extra hour to recover.
SOUPer Bowl: Avon/Avon Lake’s Community Resource Services (CRS) 16th Annual SOUPer Bowl Food Drive is Oct. 16 at the Avon vs. Avon Lake Varsity Football Game at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, 175 Avon Belden Road.
The SOUPer Bowl is a friendly competition between community members in Avon and Avon Lake to see who can collect the most food by weight. Cash donations and online contributions are also accepted. Each $1 contributed will be counted as 5 pounds of food. All donations will directly benefit families in Avon and Avon Lake through CRS's onsite food pantry and financial assistance for emergency expenses. The winner of the food drive competition will be announced at half time and will be presented with the SOUPer Bowl Trophy.
Since its inception in 2010, the SOUPer Bowl Food Drive has collected 92,814 pounds of food and $227,189 in monetary donations.
Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any of the following locations now through Oct. 16:
Family fun: Since the weather didn’t cooperate for the annual Design Engineering annual Cruise-In last month, the group is hosting Cars, Coffee & Claus from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at Avon Lake Towne Center, corner of Walker and Avon Belden roads.
Bring your classic, hot rod, muscle car, exotic, truck, Jeep—or whatever you love to drive (no entry fee)—for a morning of cars and coffee while supporting Santa & Me 1983.
Pumpkin festival: The city’s first-ever Pumpkin Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Love Coffee Roasters, 33473 Lake Road. The event includes a pumpkin pie eating competition (email if you would like to participate for a chance to win a $25 Love Coffee Roasters Gift Certificate), a best Jack-O-lantern competition (email for submissions, in-person submissions only), fall drinks, pastry items, and Trick-or-treat booths for children.
Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) will be onsite accepting canned food donations. Guests who donate can receive a free mini pumpkin (while supplies last) courtesy of Stop 65 & Rockwood Living.
Smooth Jazz: The Westshore Arts Council and BAYarts present Dave Sterner’s Tricotism jazz trio at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Huntington Playhouse, 28795 Lake Road. Reserve your seat online (cost is $5). Evening includes original art, complimentary refreshments and a cash bar.
Upcoming library events: The Friends of the Library Book Sale is Oct. 1- 4. Hours are from 5 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and Sunday, Bag Day from 1 to 3 p.m. The sale will include books, puzzles, movies, music, and other items.
College Now FAFSA Workshop will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Drop ins are welcome.
Halloween: Trick-or-Treat will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Daylight Savings Time also ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 1 so folks get an extra hour to sleep after Halloween.
Life savers: Mayor Kevin Corcoran and Fire Chief John Reese recently presented several individuals (Sept. 21 City Council meeting) with the Citizens Lifesaving Award for saving a man’s life last month. Avon resident Vince Gargaro collapsed on Bainbridge Road during the North Ridgeville Corn Festival.
Thank you to Mike Holtzman, Chris Weissling and Benjamin Clarkson for their response after Gargaro suffered a medical emergency that caused his heart to stop. Although Holtzman, Weissling and Clarkson did not know one another before that evening, each stepped forward to help.
Holtzman, an off-duty Beachwood firefighter, was attending the festival with family and friends when he noticed a commotion on Bainbridge Road. After finding the man on the ground, Holtzman relieved another bystander who had begun CPR and continued providing chest compressions.
Weissling, a Corn Festival Committee volunteer and graduate of paramedic school and the Tri-C Fire Academy, was volunteering elsewhere at the festival when he heard a radio call requesting someone to perform CPR. He immediately responded and joined Holtzman in providing CPR while they waited for an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Clarkson was walking along Bainbridge Road when he saw the emergency and immediately began searching for an AED. A festival volunteer directed him to the Safetyville cabin. Clarkson ran to retrieve the device, then returned it to those providing care, according to the press release.
Clarkson’s quick retrieval of the AED was a critical part of the response. Once the device arrived, Weissling applied the pads and administered a shock while Holtzman continued CPR. A pulse was restored before North Ridgeville Fire Department paramedics, who were stationed at the Corn Festival, arrived and assumed care.
In addition to receiving the Citizens Lifesaving Award from the city, Holtzman was presented with the Fire Academy Excellence in Service Award, while Weissling received the Fire Academy Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their actions.
Water main project: City officials will host a public information meeting regarding the Northview/Jameston water main projects that are coming up and as a part of that, they will be incorporating traffic calming measures to Northview between Center Ridge and Westway at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at City Hall, 21012 Hilliard Blvd.
Choir honors: Rocky River High School student Hollie Tennant has been selected for the 2027 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Choir. The group will perform in January at the OMEA Professional Development Conference in Columbus.
Indoor pool update: Renovations to the Natatorium at the Westlake Recreation Center continue and the facility is on schedule to re-open in mid-October.
For those members who chose to freeze their membership, the additional time will be added to memberships when the pool re-opens.
As the facility approaches its 28th anniversary, this marks the first major overhaul of the indoor pool area since it opened in 1997. The improvements include:
Station renovations: City Council voted to approve authorization for the mayor to enter into an agreement with Sixmo, Inc. for architectural services (not to exceed $82,250) for the police station renovation project. The building sustained damage during a flood several months ago.
Ducks in a row: The Westlake Historical Society’s annual Duck Race & Silent Auction takes place at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 (silent auction starts at noon) at the Westlake Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Blvd. The event also includes a pie contest, children’s craft table, and refreshments. Adopt your duck online.
Book sale: The Westlake Porter Public Library’s Friends’ Annual Book Sale is Oct. 14-18. Shop for books (fiction, non- fiction and children’s), DVDs, CDs and audiobooks at bargain prices. Visit the library’s website for daily times and additional details.
