Grapevine

Bath’s own, Magistrate Jennifer D. Towell was selected for a Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Women of Distinction Award for her commitment to making the community a better place to live and work, and for her dedication to the law profession. The awards event recognizes female leaders who exemplify Girl Scout values of ethical leadership, professional accomplishments, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others while also raising funds for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. In highlighting these honorees, GSNEO inspires girls to achieve their own goals and dreams. 

Towell was honored alongside nine other women including her colleague, Judge Annalisa Williams at a ceremony held at the InterContinental hotel in Cleveland. Her husband, Tom Towell, and eldest son, Tommy Towell, attended along with Jen’s parents, Dave and Evie Freimuth. Friends Traci Buckner, Heather Broholm, Adam Symons, Kelley Behrens, September Howet, Ann Manby, and Emily Murthy were also present to celebrate.

In more news about the good work women and girls are doing in our community, congratulations to Girl Scout Troop 90190! Troop leaders Lindy Cibula and Shelley Faulhaber guided twelve fifth-grade girls to earn the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn, the Bronze Award. The criteria for this award include a minimum of 20 hours of service in building a team, exploring the community, choosing and planning a project, and educating and inspiring others. The troop worked with the Bath Elementary School administration, Revere Local Schools district, and the Bath PTA to partner on the project, and raised funds through cookie sales to bring their plan to fruition. The girls constructed a Gaga Pit, a variant of dodgeball that is played with one ball, as their gift to Bath Elementary School students. 

Girl Scouts earning their Bronze Award include Addi Baron, Allana Perry, Ava Albright, Lucy Slemenda, Mahika Srivastava, Sami Brubaker, Sophie Cibula, Trina Hajak, Celia Shiban, Simone Albrecht, and Anika Bhalla.

Moved by the bravery of the mothers in war-torn Ukraine, pediatrician and mother, Dr. Deanna Barry, adopted a family in Ukraine to help provide financial and emotional support during this unspeakable time. Through a friend, she was connected with Valentyna Korolko, 31, and her daughters Solomiia, 10 and Anastasia, 8. Korolko was widowed during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine war. At the start of the most recent war, the family spent a week hiding in their cellar before escaping to Lviv. They were evacuated to Poland on March 5. Korolko was able to briefly return to Ukraine in May to salvage what she could from her destroyed apartment.

Through her practice, Barry Pediatrics, Barry partnered with mother and photographer, Nat Hansumrittisak and along with mothers from her practice, hosted a fundraiser for Korolko. Hansumrittisak photographed the mothers and grandmothers of the practice with their children in honor of Mother’s Day, asking for donations for Korolko and her family. To get involved or offer words of encouragement, email info@barrypediatrics.com with the subject line “Valentyna.”

Rep. Bill Roemer introduced House Resolution 129 honoring Lauren Bay Regula as a 2020 Olympic bronze medalist in softball. The commendation included recognizing Lauren as a part of Ohio’s venerated athletic heritage. The 2020 (played in 2021) Tokyo Olympics were her third Olympic games as a member of the Canadian women’s softball team. The House of Representatives of the 134th General Assembly of Ohio adopted the resolution this spring.

I also wanted to provide an update on a story we shared with you last month. Keira Holzman, 10, daughter of Richfield Elementary School second-grade teacher Amanda Holzman, is doing well since her surgery to remove her leg due to a serious congenital condition. She is getting ready to return to school and finish fifth grade with her classmates. Amanda’s second-grade class was delighted to welcome her back by wearing their “Keira Strong” shirts. The entire school buildings of Richfield Elementary and Bath Elementary also wore their shirts to show support.

To all those that are graduating high school and college this month: a heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on your next adventures!

Please share your stories, milestones and news by emailing me at AVukoder@scriptype.com. ∞