The Grapevine

by S. Serdinak

Nick Murrin built a chimney swift tower in the Richfield Heritage Preserve as part of his Eagle Scout project with Broadview Heights Troop 810.

Murrin chose to do his project in the RHP because he had volunteered and camped in the park in previous years.

Chimney swifts are mosquito-eating birds that have very short legs and are not able to perch. Instead they cling to vertical surfaces, such as chimneys. In recent decades homeowners have screened their chimneys, reducing nesting sites for the birds. A chimney swift tower has nesting chambers.

Flocks of birds might be seen flying into the tower at sunset. Murrin observed this the day after he finished building the tower.

Michael Wheeler, mayor of Richfield Village, purchased a $100 ticket for a raffle that was held at Regina Health Center’s Holy-In-One golf outing, held at Firestone Country Club. Out of 200 tickets purchased, Wheeler’s was drawn to win a trip for two to Pebble Beach, Florida. The trip includes airfare, a three-night stay, two rounds of golf and a $400 gift card.

The Holy-In-One event was started almost a decade ago on the front lawn of Regina Health Center, located on Broadview Road. Organizers of the 2022 golf outing said that 240 golfers played 18 holes of golf on Firestone’s two championship golf courses. The outing raised $208,000 for the skilled nursing facility. Executive Director of Regina Mark Yantek helped honor Roger Gries, bishop of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, for being the honorary chairperson for 23 years.

Peggy Patterson, head chef at the Senior Center, was a huge help to the Chamber when they decided to sell hot dogs at the Enchanted Forest. She saved the day! Community teamwork at its best.

The children that attend Bath Elementary School fostered a cat that regularly visited their school, seeming to know when the children would be outside for recess. The Marc Braun family, the owners of Pip, took the time to send a note saying that Pip had died, and they were grateful to the children for their foster care during the school days.

The information in the article about the Oviatt House in the September Richfield Times needs to be updated. Ken Bowman has retired from his position as a restoration carpenter with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  He continues to donate his time and expertise in leading the restoration of the Oviatt House.

Ken Brown, is one of the board members of the non-profit group. His last name was incorrect in the September article. He is a consistent member of the re-construction crew.

Clive Fester joined the board of the Oviatt House in September. Fester has been a steady worker in restoring the 1836 building. He also volunteers for other projects in the Richfield Heritage Preserve. 

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