Balloons signaled farewell until fall: Whit & Whimsey

BRUNSWICK, Ohio – That was a LOT of balloons! When the Healthy Kids Running Series held its final event for the spring on June 1, they created this huge balloon structure, inflating them, and moving the whole thing down to (of all places) the old outhouse at Heritage Farm. It was a big hit as were all kinds of prizes and surprises for the 120 kids, ages 2-14, who ran. Luckily, those balloons didn’t blow away with the wind that day.

Organizers Bobbi Kovalik and Tammy Mushangazhiki and their volunteer team are already planning ahead for the fall series starting in mid September, so stay tuned.

Music, music: Shirley Ann and Bruce Walker are certainly busy musicians. Shirley, who is conductor of the Historic Medina Symphony Orchestra/Symphonia of the Western Reserve, was once again selected to play TAPS at Gettysburg National Park. Hopefully it wasn’t winter-like again, as this year’s presenting date was June 6. This year, for the first time, buglers will be presenting at the Pennsylvania Memorial within the park.

Shirley, a trumpet professional, has taught in the Ohio Public Schools and is retired since 2019. Shirley was named into the Who’s Who of Professional Business Women of America, and she was honored to be a Torchbearer for the Salt Lake City, Utah 2002 Olympics.

She has been honored for her volunteerism, dedication, and community service for the military. She was designated as an honorary member of The Medina County Marine Corps League in 2001. Mrs. Walker is proud to have served closure for soldiers and families through TAPS since she was aged 14. As a civilian bugler for the military, Mrs. Walker performed with 40 buglers at Arlington National Cemetery for the 100th celebration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

As for Bruce, the University of Mississippi announced on its Facebook page that Bruce Walker was coming back to town to compete in the Senior Division of the Annual World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival.

Bruce began his music career in the 1970s as a ragtime and jazz pianist for area restaurants and ice-cream parlors. He is adept at most jazz and pop styles, and was the keyboardist for numerous cover bands, big bands, and headed his own jazz/pop group Midnight Blue. He began playing ragtime and jazz piano as a teenager after being inspired by some early jazz recordings and watching the ‘ragtime piano lady’ on The Lawrence Welk Show. Having taught himself to play and read music at an early age, he took formal studies while an engineering student in college. He has recently released an album called, “Old-Time Piano.” From the Facebook posts from Ole Miss, seems that everyone had a great time at the event.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Mr. Walker holds a degree in electrical engineering and is a retired Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio, specializing in failure analysis, having worked for a prominent defense contractor, and a major manufacturer of Industrial Automation products.

Arts Awards: The Medina County Arts Council honored three outstanding champions of creativity and community. The Service to the Arts Awards by the Medina County Arts Council are dedicated to recognizing the exceptional contributions of individuals and organizations that elevate the arts in Medina County. From visual artists to performers, to community organizations, the awards celebrate those whose work shapes the cultural landscape of our county.

One of my longtime Brunswick friends, Barbara McGreer, was honored for her lifelong dedication to enriching the cultural landscape through education and advocacy. I’m so happy for her.

Second honoree was Adam Albright, for his visionary contributions that continue to inspire artistic excellence and collaboration.

And Integrated Community Solutions was honored for empowering inclusive access to the arts and strengthening our creative community.

Around the corner: I’m looking forward to the 40th reunion of the Brunswick High School Class of 1985 because I’m going to try to tag along on their farewell tour of Brunswick High School from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 21. The high school will be torn down, so this may be their last chance to see the school. RSVP via email to: bhs85reunion40@gmail.com.

The group has a whole busy weekend planned so if you haven’t already done so, email bhs85reunion40@gmail.com for details. There is also a private Brunswick High School Class of 1985 Facebook page.

Reunion committee members include Jim Bollinger, Barbara Bowers, Kim Pruitt Dunford, Leshia Showman Litton, Gary Moll, Terry Odom-Mullins, Michelle Klubnik and Terry Wayne.

Distinguished Service: Congratulations to Canavan Elementary fourth grade teacher Beth Nickley and Fenn Elementary kindergarten teacher Melissa Ciesinski, who recently received the Distinguished Service Award. This award is the highest honor that Medina City Schools bestows on its employees. Its purpose is to recognize an outstanding contribution of time, talent, or effort to the District. Recipients are positive role models for their peers and exemplary representatives of Medina City Schools.

The district also honored Huntington Bank – Public Square as the recipient of this year’s Business Partner Award, recognizing their exceptional generosity, unwavering partnership, and continued commitment to our students, staff and community. Huntington Bank has been a steadfast supporter of Medina City Schools. Each March, they open the doors of their beautifully restored downtown lobby to host the Student Art Show opening reception, offering young artists a professional and highly visible space to display their work. This unique venue transforms student art into a public celebration, allowing families and community members to take pride in the creative achievements of Medina’s youth.

Don’t forget: Excitement is building for the Strawberry Arts Fest, formerly known as the Sharon Showcase. Scheduled for June 14 in the Community Park in Sharon Center. The event will celebrate local artists, musicians, and businesses. The free daytime family festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the evening concerts will begin at 6 p.m. with music by The Adjustments, followed by Out of Eden, an Eagles tribute band, at 8 p.m. Concert admission is $8 online and $10 at the door, with doors opening at p.m..

Purchase Tickets Here https://www.cognitoforms.com/AccessTheArts1/StrawberryArtsFestConcertTickets

Notable: Are you registered for June’s Notable Woman Luncheon, now sponsored by Leadership Medina County? Those in attendance will get to know more about Peggy Andryszak, President of Shoreline Enterprises. I’m happy to say Peggy is my niece and I know she’ll give a great presentation.

Juneteenth music: Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach and the Medina County District Library present Mentor-based musician Erin Nicole Neal. Erin attended Rutgers University, where she did extensive research on protest songs/music/composers who responded to the socio-political climate of the 1960s-civil rights. Erin wrote her master’s thesis on this topic and brings her expert knowledge of civil rights and black history to her concert program. She’ll sing and play blues, rock, pop and soul tunes while filling the audience in on the historic details of Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday in the United States.

Among the best: The 2025 Visual Art Festival’s “Best of Medina County” High School Show spotlighted the extraordinary talent of young artists across the region, and Medina High School made a memorable impression with eight student artworks selected for this prestigious exhibition.

Senior Addison Dressel, leading the honors, captured the Best of Show award for her intricately rendered colored pencil drawing, Two Sides of the Same Coin. Addison received a $300 prize and continues to build on a portfolio with accolades including Scholastic Gold and Silver Keys and multiple Best of Show wins at the county fair. Addison, a devoted artist throughout her high school years, recently submitted her AP Drawing portfolio featuring deeply personal portraits. She has contributed extensively to the school community through the Art Club and other creative initiatives. This fall, she will attend Bowling Green State University to major in Art History, aspiring to a career that keeps her connected to the art world.

Also recognized was sophomore Ana Burjanadze, whose striking mixed-media work, The Knight and the Panther, stood out among talented student artists and earned an Honorable Mention.

Congratulations to all the talented students who were chosen for the exhibition.

Secret agents? That’s what the poster says – Secret Agents Wanted. An Investigation Destination is the theme of the Brunswick United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School this year running from 6-8 p.m. July 7-10. Youngsters will be on a special mission to discover clues about the King of Kings and to investigate eyewitness accounts of the Lord in action. Sing songs, do experiments, make crafts and play games. And it’s all free. Register or get more information at www.brunswickumc.org or call 330-225-3179.

Steaks by the Lakes: A dinner party to benefit the Medina County Arts Council will be hosted at the home of Paul and Susan Becks at 6 p.m. June 26. Chef Tony Stanislo of the Medina County Career Center Culinary program and Karl Gerhard, columnist of “Cookin’ with Karl” will prepare a delicious meal for dining with the arts. Tickets are $125 per person with a limit of 12 to be sold. So hurry to sign up at https://www.medinacountyartscouncil-bloom.kindful.com/e/dining-for-the-arts-2025

Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com