Sandstone Candle Works coming to Olde Avon Village: Short Takes on Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville

AVON, Ohio -- A fun new business is coming to Avon.

The owners of the Sandstone Candle Works candle bar recently announced that they are moving from Amherst to Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Road.

The space was designated for Duck Island Cocktails, but the sangria bar never opened.

“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were informed a couple of months ago that the building owner (in Amherst) will be reclaiming the property for other purposes,” Joni Poli said in an email.

“As a result, we needed to find a new location for our beloved candle-making experience.

“After an extensive search, we are thrilled to announce that we have found the perfect new home.

“This charming location is conveniently situated just down the street from Avon Commons, near the Strip Steakhouse.”

For those not familiar with Sandstone, customers can buy candles right off the shelf. Or they can sit down at the candle bar and blend scents to get a custom fragrance.

During the holidays, my family and I visited the Amherst location and made our own candles, sugar scrubs and lotions.

It’s a fun experience to share with family and friends.

Sandstone is also available to host parties in their party room that can seat about 25 to 30 people.

The owners are planning to open April 23 (subject to change).

For now, follow them on Facebook or go to sandstonecandleworks.com.

AVON

Egg hunt: Still looking for an Easter egg hunt for the kids?

Stop by Avon Christian Heritage Church, 36465 Chester Road, at 11 a.m. April 19. Bring your own basket.

Story time: Hopefully, Mother Nature cooperates: It’s time for the Avon Library’s Story Time in the Woods at the Every Child’s Playground, 36265 Detroit Road.

Stop by from 10:30 to 11 a.m. April 25, May 9 and May 23. Dress for the weather and bring a blanket.

More donuts, Jet’s update: Jack Frost Donuts will be opening soon in the former Avon Eye Design space at Olde Avon Village (next to Strip Steakhouse), 36840 Detroit Road.

The owners are still waiting on approval and permits from the city, but are excited to be coming to Avon.

I reached out once again to the Jet’s Pizza owners regarding an update on the much anticipated opening of the pizza shop, 36785 Detroit Road.

They replied: “We still have a few hurdles to cross before we can open. We are hoping within the month, but can’t confirm that yet.”

Lots of people keep asking on social media when Jet’s is going to open. Jet’s will open when the owners are ready to open.

For now, support the many other locally owned restaurants and pizza shops in town.

Urgent care opens: A new Cleveland Clinic urgent care and outpatient care facility opens April 14 at 1813 Nagel Road (the former Mercy Health urgent care space).

The updated space, which includes 14 exam rooms and X-ray capabilities, was previously a medical facility and has a layout that’s conducive to primary and urgent care visits.

The Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital and Richard E. Jacobs Health Center are nearby and offer additional imaging, such as ultrasound and MRI.

Haunted vendors: Vendor applications are currently being accepted for the 10th annual Haunted Garage Sale and Hearse Cruise-in at Crushers Stadium.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9.

For more information and an application, email clevelandhauntclub@gmail.com.

State Science Day: Holy Trinity School recently announced that four students -- Kevin Bee, Brady Haber, Cassidy Shaner and Demi Kacir -- represented the school at the Ohio Academy of Science’s Science Day at Ashland University last month.

The students competed alongside students from across the region.

A special congratulations goes to Cassidy and Demi, who received an outstanding achievement rating of “Superior” and were honored with The Michael R. Hudson Outstanding Young Scientist Award.

As a result of their performance, the two students advanced to next month’s State Science Day at The Ohio State University.

State Science Day, a program of the Ohio Academy of Science, is one of the largest science fairs in the nation.

This year’s event will be held virtually, with scholarship and sponsored awards available to participants.

Gallery show: The 10-year anniversary of the “Best of the Best” gallery show at Creative Space Avon, 33760 Lear Industrial Pkwy, will open from 7 to 9 p.m. April 26.

The juried show will be judged the week prior to the opening.

The 34 artists in the show all are past winners from the past 10 years of gallery shows. They either were a previous Best of Show, Directors Choice, Peer Review or Special Event artist exhibitor.

Art media include paintings, photography, fused glass, woodcraft, ceramics, digital art and drawings.

A free closing reception, open to the public, will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. May 16.

Lute player and Brazilian jazz guitarist Michael Manderen will provide the entertainment. Refreshments will be served.

The gallery is open by private appointment between the opening and closing dates by calling 440-823-7406.

District administrative changes, retirement: A host of administrative changes are coming to the Avon Local Schools, pending Board of Education approval (meeting is April 14).

Lindsey Peters will become the new director of student services, a position currently held by Jason Call.

Peters comes to the district from the Lorain City Schools, where she currently serves as special education supervisor at Lorain High School.

She is an Avon resident and has two children in the district.

Call is moving to Heritage Elementary School, where he will be the school’s gifted coordinator and assistant principal.

He was a principal at Heritage for 10 years before moving to the district’s special education department in 2018.

Current Heritage Assistant Principal Stefanie Lowery is moving to Avon East Elementary School to be the assistant principal there.

At Avon Middle School, current Assistant Principal Mason Acheson is moving to the high school as an assistant principal.

Brendan Zepp, current director of the ombudsman program, will become the new assistant principal at the middle school.

And Athletic Director Erich Frombach announced he plans to retire, effective June 30, after 19 years at the high school.

Shout-outs: The Avon Landmarks Preservation Commission recently presented Bill Hricovec, owner of Tom’s Country Place, with an Avon Historical Marker.

Tom’s Country Place banquet facility and catering service, 3442 Stoney Ridge Road, was built in 1959 by Thomas and Mary (Rink) Hricovec, both from long-time Avon families.

Members of the family have served the community in many capacities over the years, including volunteering their time on the fire department, in church organizations and at many fundraising events held at their facility.

Tom’s Country Place sits on 20 acres, part of which originally was a truck farm run by the Hricovec family, providing vegetables for market.

As a fourth-generation family-run business for the past 66 years, it is a landmark not only known by the residents of Avon, but to many in the surrounding Lorain County communities.

Bill Hricovec, the third-generation owner, is a culinary graduate of Johnson and Wales University.

-- Congratulations to the Avon High School Fortnite eSports team, which took the regional championship and third place in the state competition.

AVON LAKE

Easter Bunny pictures: If you still haven’t taken the kids for pictures with the Easter Bunny, there is still time.

Stop by from 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m. April 19 at Christ Church Westshore, 726 Avon Belden Road, for free pictures.

Registration is required. Email cmiddlemiss1958@gmail.com.

Democrats meeting: The Avon Lake Democrats Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. April 22 at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road.

All are welcome to attend.

Join others who put people first and who are committed to good government, equality and justice.

Find the club on Facebook and at avonlakedemocrats.com.

Tennis courts, track updates: Avon Lake City School District officials recently provided an update regarding the new tennis and pickleball courts at Avon Lake High School and the track at Learwood Middle School.

At the tennis courts, the windscreens have been placed, some additional landscaping work is about ready to begin and work is being done to prepare for storage options and the placement of an AED on the site.

If Mother Nature cooperates, surfacing and painting can be completed. But the weather needs to be nice for multiple days in a row, with temperatures above 50 degrees and no rain.

Design work is in process for possible renovations to the track at Learwood Middle School.

The district’s insurance broker reviewed the track over the winter and requested that the district make plans to complete a project or be prepared to close the track.

According to district officials, some type of solution is needed. The track is used for physical education classes, school and community practices and general recreation.

The high school’s Memorial Stadium facility alone does not have the capacity to meet school and community needs.

The Avon Lake Athletic Boosters have donated $50,000 toward renovations of the Learwood track, a portion of which is being used to complete the design phase of a potential project.

Final Duck Island pop-up; Gitta’s closing: It’s sad to hear that Duck Island Cocktails, 186 Lear Road, is closing soon. The final pop-up event to purchase sangria is from 1 to 5 p.m. April 19.

The owners posted on Facebook, “A great opportunity has presented itself to us, so we will be closing Duck Island at the end of the month.

“Thank you to all who have supported us throughout these past years. We will always be grateful.”

I reached out to the owners for information on the opportunity, but did not hear back.

-- Another business is closing, as the owner of Gitta’s Table, 32457 Lake Road, recently posted on Facebook that she is closing April 19 after 10 years in business.

Until then, Gitta’s will be starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (April 16-19). They’ll only be selling wine and retail items -- no food.

The owner noted that a new business is coming in and will be serving coffee and lunch.

Photography on display: The Black River Audubon Society, in collaboration with the Avon Lake Public Library, presents the 2024 Audubon Photography Awards.

The display of the best in bird and nature photography will be on view at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., now through April 30.

The exhibit features award-winning images from the National Audubon Society’s annual photography competition.

Volunteer honors: Congratulations to Avon resident Chrissy Schaefer-Yug, recipient of the John T. Shook Community Service Award from Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS).

The award pays tribute to a very special friend and longtime CRS board member who passed away in 2018.

Yug is a dedicated and passionate advocate for community service, volunteering for different local organizations, including CRS.

She is a front desk volunteer at CRS, treating every client with dignity, warmth and respect. She also volunteers for Santa’s Workshop, spending many hours setting up and organizing all the toys, pajamas and coats.

According to CRS officials, most impressive is Yug’s work on the Charity Ball committee. She has single-handedly raised over $40,000 for CRS by organizing the football squares and Louis Vuitton raffles.

Beyond her own contributions, she is committed to instilling the values of service in her three children.

Through her example, she is shaping the next generation of socially responsible citizens who understand the value of service and kindness.

Tree planting: A tree-planting ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. April 25 at Walker Road Park, 31565 Walker Road (south end by the turnaround).

Free Catalpa tree seeds will also be provided.

Garage sale: Donation drop-off for the annual Holy Spirit Ladies Guild Garage Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 28-29 at Father Mosovsky Hall, 410 Lear Road.

Shop the sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 1 and 9 a.m. to noon May 2 ($5 fill-a- bag day).

Ward 1 meeting: Councilman Rob Shahmir will host a resident meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 29 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.

For more information, email rshahmir@avonlake.org.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE

Road closure: The railroad crossing on Root Road will be closed for repairs April 21-25.

During this time, the road will be closed to through traffic and a detour will be in place. Please plan accordingly.

Roofing company opens: Celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony (at noon) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17 at Legacy Roofing, 6287 Lear Nagle Road.

Tour the newly remodeled offices and warehouse and see roofing and siding design samples, photos of community involvement and inspiration from the company’s past projects.

Upcoming library events: An American Red Cross blood drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.

Appointments are needed and can be scheduled online. Go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.

-- The Friends of the North Ridgeville Branch Library book sale takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 24, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 25 and 26, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. April 27 at the library.

-- A workshop on clear, confident public speaking will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. April 30 at the library.

Learn effective verbal communication skills essential for public speaking, including techniques to manage anxiety, engage audiences and deliver messages with confidence and clarity.

Through interactive exercises and practical tips, attendees will develop the tools necessary to express their ideas more powerfully and authentically.

Pre-registration is required. Go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.

Assistant principal leaving: North Ridgeville High School will be looking for a new assistant principal, as Edward Kosek was recently named principal at Sandusky High School.

As mentioned in last week’s Short Takes, Assistant Principal Meghan Hignite has been named principal at North Ridgeville High School.

Seniors’ foot care: Dr. Thomas Emmert, a podiatrist with Total Care, will visit the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road, at 8 a.m. April 23.

Appointments are first come, first served by the sign-in sheet at the front desk.

The cost of the clinic is usually covered by Medicare and supplemental insurance.

If it is your first visit with the doctor, contact Dr. Emmert’s office at 216-529-1800 before your appointment to verify that they have the necessary information.

If you are planning out your year, the doctor will also be at the center July 16 and Oct. 8.

Theater performances: The Olde Town Hall Theater presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Grafton Ghost Light Theater, 1111 Elm St. in Grafton.

Show times include 7:30 p.m. April 25-26, 2 p.m. April 27, 7:30 p.m. May 2-3, 2 p.m. May 4 and 7:30 p.m. May 9-10.

To purchase tickets, go to oththeatre.com/joseph.

Garden club meeting: The Garden Club of North Ridgeville will meet at 6 p.m. May 13 at Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Road.

Guest speaker will be Thomas Becker of OSU Extension of Lorain County, featuring “Garden Pests, Diseases and Beneficials.”

For more information, call 440-365-8522.

LORAIN COUNTY

Seeds available: The Lorain Public Library System has partnered with High Mowing Organic Seeds to offer a selection of seeds at each branch.

There are more than 19 different varieties of organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable, herb and edible flower seeds to choose from.

Patrons are welcome to select five free packets per month on a first-come, first-served basis -- while supplies last.

Simply fill out the “Seed Library Checkout Form” and give it to staff, then take your seeds home and plant them.

Each of the six branches (including Avon and North Ridgeville) will be offering a “Seed Saving” program this summer, as well as culinary program offerings that include “Vegetable Gardening Basics” and “Summer Harvest Cooking Demonstrations.”

Additionally, the library system has created a free pamphlet featuring recipe ideas for some of the produce grown from the available seeds.

All recipes referenced are from cookbooks available for loan.

Happy Easter!

If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to jshortavon@aol.com. Read Short Takes online at cleveland.com/avon. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.

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