COVID could not stop Care and Share’s Thanksgiving tradition

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI Contributing Writer Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Care and Share program at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, although it looked and operated differently than in other years. For the past 30 years, the dining hall at the Church was filled with families and with those who had nowhere else to go on Thanksgiving Day. Year number 31, because of the pandemic, took on a different look, although the dedication of the volunteers stayed the same. The dinners served to 1,300 people on Thanksgiving Day came in a white container and were delivered to those who requested a ....

Santa Claus is coming to town

In past years, there has been a variety of things and events that help to celebrate the Christmas season. There have been events, such as holiday craft fairs, concerts, visits to Santa, the lighting of the City Green and a parade offered by the city administration, churches, schools and organizations throughout the community. All of these things have served to make happy memories and have become a part of the holiday tradition. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused many of these traditions to be set aside this year. Although the foregoing of some of these time-honored traditions, albeit ....

Service clubs feel effects of pandemic

Despite the challenges a global pandemic brings, members of North Royalton’s service clubs continue to make an impact on their community and the agencies they help. Activities, regular meetings and fundraising events that raise thousands of dollars each year for scholarships and other worthy causes may have been canceled for most, but members’ desire to help and serve remains stronger than ever – and brings with it a renewed vigor for the New Year. The North Royalton Lions Club has seen an increase in membership, said President Keith Gruber. After canceling their annual fundraisers, me ....

City Council passes annual budget

The North Royalton City Council introduced legislation at its November 17 meeting for the city’s 2021 budget. The ordinance was sponsored by Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz and placed on second reading. It was then placed on third reading at Council’s December 1 meeting. Over the past several years, the budget discussions with city administrators and Council began in the fall of the previous year. Last year, however, the timeline shifted to the beginning of 2020 in order to allow for the new Mayor and Council to have input. According to Ohio law, Council must adopt its yearly budget by March ....

Hunting down that perfect gift for that special someone

The holidays will look a little different this year, but that won’t bring an end to the tradition of hunting down gifts to put under the Christmas tree for loved ones. What are the trending gifts this year and what are the top items and gift ideas for our loved ones of all ages? With many residents working from home and not venturing out, they are finding more things that need to be done around the house. Taking care of a home project can make a very satisfying gift. Gadgets that might be of interest to people in your life who are handy or are looking for some items to provide a unique f ....

School Board News

The North Royalton Board of Education held their November meeting on Monday, November 16, via Zoom. One resident commented on how the District is responding to COVID-19 numbers. The Board approved a resolution that appointed North Royalton Board of Education member Jacquelyn Arendt to the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2021. The Board approved the following 2020-21 appropriation adjustments: 022-District Agency, Sectional Disbursements from NE District Athletic Board, from $ 17,940.97 to $19,020.97; 019; Other Grants, from $178,845.96 to $194,447 ....

Council approves expansion of Stormwater Grant Program

The North Royalton City Council has voted to expand a current grant program that allows home owners associations to apply for grants in order to help subsidize stormwater-related projects that are deemed to be a nuisance. The program will now expand to include a collective of residents who live in an area that is experiencing certain stormwater problems. “We know some areas that would possibly benefit from this,” said City Engineer Mark Schmitzer. The applications for the grants, either from homeowners’ associations or a collective of residents, will have to be approved by him in orde ....

Santa’s Elves are Hard at Work . . .and Santa is waiting for your Letters

Since it has been such a hectic year, Santa asked the North Royalton Lions and the Royalton Hills Lions to assist him.  Santa knows all the good work the clubs perform in the community all year round, including scholarships, adopt a highway, a veteran’s breakfast as well as an Olde Timers Banquet and working with the North Royalton Food Bank to name a few.  The two Clubs eagerly agreed to help, following their motto “We Serve!”  A special red mailbox has been placed at the North Royalton Fire Station on the City Green to receive all of your letters.  It is quite a sight to see it li ....

The ‘Great’ battle against Covid-19

The line was not quiet during a recent telephone interview with Saint Albert the Great School Principal Ed Vittardi. In the background and from his open office window, children could be heard at recess playfully shouting and noisily chatting outside. It’s exactly the noise Vittardi wants to hear. He recently released a letter to school families alerting them that classes will remain in-person and face-to-face despite recommendations from the county to transition to remote learning. When making these decisions, Vittardi always aims to serve the best interests of his school community (which ....

On Tuesday, November 10, a presentation was given at City Hall on the North Royalton Community Report of the Rocky River Stormwater Master Plan. The presentation was given by members of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. About fifteen residents attended. Donna Friedman, Watershed Team Leader and Matthew Scharver, Deputy Director of Watershed Programs presented the plan, specifically highlighting some of this effort as it pertains to North Royalton. Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said that “one of my top concerns is to address the numerous stormwater issues that we have continued to de ....