Independence Grapevine

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic greeted Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on Sept. 20, when she stopped by his Independence gym, the Strong Style Training Center. The two sparred and exchanged gifts. Miocic presented her with signed boxing gloves, and Grabar-Kitarovic gave him a personalized Croatian soccer shirt. She was in town to give the keynote speech at Croatian American Professionals’ fourth annual conference in Cleveland that evening.

The new gazebo at Elmwood Park became a reality thanks to 59-year Brettin Drive resident Alex Kunevicius. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday by giving the gift to the city. Kunevicius contacted the recreation department and said he wanted to donate his 25-year-old gazebo to Elmwood Park. Service department employees moved it from his yard to the park, and the recreation department spruced it up with fresh paint, gave it a new roof and added a stamped concrete area between the gazebo and Elmwood Pond.

Scratch Restaurant recently partnered with Compassion International to create a sweet way for customers to support the Christian humanitarian aid organization’s mission to help children living in poverty around the world. Not only is the restaurant sponsoring a child in Ghana, it is selling desserts and donating the proceeds to the organization. In August, Scratch raised $384 in three weeks by selling chocolate chip cookies. The money is earmarked for pregnant mothers and infants in developing countries who need care. In September, it sold brownies for Compassion International’s disaster relief fund.

Congratulations to Independence High School students Josie Lee and Anthony Presot for being named the 2019 Homecoming Queen and King.