Grapevine

The Barry Family dedicated the funds raised from their 14th annual Betty Lou Barry Memorial Golf Tournament to A-T Children’s Project, an organization fighting for answers to a rare, degenerative disease called Ataxia-telangiectasia. David Barry presented a check for $20,404 to the organization at the close of the superhero-themed event held at Roses Run Country Club. Golfers came from all over to support the tournament’s goal of having fun while helping others.

Cancer survivor Molly Oldham received a $12,000 wish from the organization “Wishes Can Happen” and she turned it into a $40,000 gift to support organizations that fund cancer research and programming! Molly, 21, who is just three years from her initial cancer diagnosis, transformed Stewart’s Caring Place into a selfie museum and hosted a “Gratitude Gala” this July, honoring local and national cancer advocates including Bath resident Jeannine Marks, executive director of Stewart’s Caring Place, a cancer treatment center in Fairlawn.

More than 300 guests and 18 organizations participated in the fun, meaningful event. Residents including Debbie and John Higgins with Carson Strong, Vince and Amanda Marchetta, representing the American Cancer Society, Lisa and David Craine with Craine’s Crew, Monica Comunale with Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation, Michelle Avery and Emma Harlukowicz with Kimberly Walton Foundation, Jeannine and Steve Marks with Stewart’s Caring Place, and Carrie and Kylie Jacobs with Kylie Rose’s Run were a part of the festivities. Molly, her mother Bunny and sisters Jordan and Lilly also hosted 20 cancer families as their guests for the gala. Molly plans to continue the momentum of community support for cancer patients and their families. Visit bit.ly/MollysGratitudeGala for details.

Akron Cooperative Farmsis transforming underutilized land into community gardens and entrepreneurial enterprises with the help of many civic-minded people including Bath resident and co-op board member, Ben Tegal. Four and a half acres of land that was formerly Akron’s Patterson Park baseball fields is now a beautiful urban farm with 130 gardeners producing vegetables, fruits and flowers to feed and provide income for their families. The farm primarily serves families at the poverty line with most of the farmers being first-generation immigrants. Recently, a pavilion was constructed to serve as a workspace, a place for the farmers to have community events, and a classroom for educational programs. ACF is hosting an event called “Pies and Pints” on Sept. 10 at the farm to fund additions of electricity and plumbing to the pavilion and purchase sinks, tables, chairs and other equipment. For more information on the farm and how to get involved, contact Ben at benjamin.tegel@auxingroupwm.com.

Twelve local children, ages 5-10 performed Dayshanda Ash’s original play, “Not Your Average Fairytale, Take Two” as part of the Western Reserve Playhouse’s summer educational programs. The story was directed by Anna Popa and August Scarpelli served as education director. The cast was made up of Brie Punwani, Clara Ginge, Cora Fredrick, Ella Lenze, Harrison Price, Kennedy Fredrick, Morgan Lehman, Nora Bialik, Scarlett Dudly, Trevor Pawlak, and Violette and Vivian Vukoder. The children performed for two nights for about 100 guests each as the culmination of three weeks of rehearsals.

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and I am sending best wishes for a good school year to all the students.

I would love to tell more stories from our great community as well as share in celebrating your accomplishments and good news, so please continue to send them to me at avukoder@gmail.com. ∞