Brunswick Middle School families are ready to start new year: Whit & Whimsey

BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- There wasn’t a parking space anywhere in sight, and the Brunswick Middle School open house had just begun. It was the time when students in grades 6-8 and their families could meet their teachers for this school year. The middle school is built as a series of “pods” for each grade level. It seems only fitting that the eighth-graders would be on the third floor -- which meant a lot of stairs to be climbed.Thankfully, this time we entered on the second floor. And this time, we didn’t have to visit the lower levels -- saving too many leg aches. My great-grandson was assigned to the Liberty pod. Other eighth-grade pods are the Guardians and Blue Jackets. While we had stopped in to pick up schedules the day before, I was worried we wouldn’t find his locker again, so we made him bring along the paperwork.It turned out that the teachers had arrived early and put each student’s name on their locker. Those who were new to the building were trying to sort out exactly where they had to go, but with administrators and the police officers who are assigned to the school helping out, everyone eventually found their way.Schools are probably already in session as you read this, so this is my annual reminder about driving carefully. More kids are walking or riding bikes or scooters, and school buses will be everywhere. Remember to give them plenty of room and stop when those red lights are flashing.Healthy kids: The fall session of the Brunswick Healthy Kids Running Series is set to begin Sept. 13 and continues for five weeks (skipping Oct. 4) at Heritage Farm/South Park, 4613 Laurel Road in Brunswick. It will be taking place right after Sunday at the Farm, so the big red barn will be open too. Co-community coordinators Bobbi and Tammy are planning to be at the Community Homecoming Aug. 29 and 30 at Heritage Farm, so you can learn more about it and sign up those youngsters -- yes, starting at age 2. Want to know more about it? Go to https://healthykidsrunningseries.org/race-locations/brunswick-oh/ .Help others: Hope Church in Brunswick is asking area residents to help stock the Hope Cares Pantry for the next distribution on Aug. 22. Donations can be dropped off on Sunday mornings between services at the basement entrance to the 1881 Pearl Road building.These items are currently needed: toothpaste, Band-Aids, cotton balls, toilet paper (four-packs) and laundry detergent (30 to 35 ounce bottles).The bad news: When you get to be my age, reading obituaries is hazardous to your emotions. I hate crying, but the news one day last week did it. The obituaries were for two old friends, Alan Penn in Medina and Tex Combs in Brunswick. Both were such wonderful members of our communities.Alan (who just recently disclosed to me that his real name was Albert) passed away Aug. 5 at just 77 years old. His career spanned more than 50 years across education and community leadership, with local and statewide involvement. I first met him in 1975, when he accepted the positions of dean of students and agriculture supervisor at the Medina County Career Center. In 1989, Alan finished his career as the director of the West Shore Vocational District based in Lakewood City Schools and began working as a supervisor of student teachers for the University of Akron.Back in those days, each group of students held banquets and I’d attend them all to write stories. That’s where I met Alan’s wife, Jeri, and his children Jody and Randy. I loved talking with them each time.Alan served as president of Governor Taft’s Ohio Community Service Council, which promoted volunteerism through groups such as Points of Light and AmeriCorps. The group encouraged meaningful service through Make a Difference Day Ohio.Alan always kept me up to date as a member of the Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club. He also was a member of the Lakewood Kiwanis Club, the All-Ohio Internet Kiwanis Club and an honorary member of the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club. His dedication provided him the opportunity to serve in many local, district and international positions, leading up to serving as International Kiwanis president in 2011-2012. During Alan’s term of office, Kiwanis partnered with UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus worldwide through the Eliminate Project.Following his term of office, Alan served as volunteer executive director of the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation, which gives grants to local Kiwanis Clubs to improve communities. Alan was recently appointed to the position of executive director for the Medina County Community Foundation, bringing with him his lifelong commitment to service. He was a member of Medina United Methodist Church, where he served and provided support in many capacities. He organized the church’s golf league and led and supported the Keeping Connected Luncheon, a monthly lunch with a program for adults.Friends will be available to say farewell from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at Waite Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St. in Medina. On Aug. 29, visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. at Medina United Methodist Church, 4747 Foote Road in Medina.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation, PO Box 668, Circleville, OH, 43113, or to Medina United Methodist Church.And then: Tex was 88 when he passed away Aug. 9. I think at one time, everyone knew Tex in his 31-year “job” as a Brunswick volunteer firefighter, where he was the last part-time chief. He was also the building inspector for Brunswick for 30 years.When he retired, he continued sharing his expertise as chief building official for North Royalton and electrical inspector for Brecksville and Broadview Heights. An expert in his field, Tex helped write portions of the Ohio Building Code relating to fire safety.Tex, who was one of nine children, was a true family man. He shared 65 years with his beloved wife, Jean (Widdifield) Combs. Together, they built a loving home, raised a large family and opened their hearts as foster parents to more than 30 children over five decades. He was a Brunswick Youth Sports coach and a longtime member of the Brunswick United Methodist Church Men’s Golf League since its inception. Tex was also a proud Master Mason for 58 years and an active member of Quarry Lodge No. 382 in Berea.In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to Shriners Children’s Erie, Office of Philanthropy, 1645 W. 8th St, Erie, PA 16505.Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waitefuneralhome.com.Kimberly Manix, Tyler Rasey and Medina County Fair Junior Fair Board members Berkeley Craddock, Kaley Sheppard and Giuliana Izzo are the recipients of this year’s Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities Stand Out Champion Awards.Patti HetkeyStand Out Champions: The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities has announced the recipients of the 2026 Stand Out Champion Awards.They are Kimberly Manix, Tyler Rasey and the Medina County Fair Junior Fair Board. The Stand Out Champion Awards honor community members who go above and beyond to create opportunities, remove barriers and inspire others to make Medina County a more welcoming, inclusive and accessible place for people with developmental disabilities.After 38 years in special education, Kimberly Manix retired from Cloverleaf Local Schools. She believed every student with developmental disabilities deserved the opportunity to succeed both in the classroom and in the community. She helped students build independence through real-life learning experiences while empowering them with confidence and self-advocacy skills. She also mentored fellow educators as Cloverleaf’s first special education instructional coach.Tyler Rasey has built a life around helping others, beginning at age 12 when he became the youngest person to complete a 150-mile bike ride benefiting people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Since then, he has ridden more than 1,500 miles, raised over $15,000 for MS research, volunteered in his community and supported causes including Alzheimer’s disease, juvenile diabetes and local hunger relief. As a Medina County Special Olympics athlete, Tyler has earned 20 gold medals while competing in multiple sports and representing Ohio at state and national competitions. The Medina County Junior Fair Board believes the county fair should be a place where everyone can create lasting memories, regardless of ability. Made up of 53 young leaders ages 11 to 19, the board has made inclusion a priority by identifying barriers and creating opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to fully enjoy the fair. Through sensory-friendly events like Fair Friends and other accessibility initiatives, they have helped make the fair more welcoming for everyone. For more information about each of these outstanding champions, visit https://www.mcbdd.org/current-news/.Reunion: The Medina High School 40th reunion of the class of 1986 will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 29 at The Foundry, 333 Foundry St. in Medina. Sounds like fun.More golf: Buckeye Hospice Care is sponsoring a fall golf outing to benefit HANDS Foundation and Medina County Senior & Adult Foundation on Sept. 18 at Pine Valley Golf Club, 469 Reimer Road in Wadsworth.The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration and breakfast, followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $100 per player and includes lunch, dinner, two drink tickets, cart and 18 holes of golf. Call or email 440-377-6037 or jiorio@uckeyehospicecare.com.Don’t forget: I know it’s a really busy time for families, but be sure to stop at Heritage Farm, 4613 Laurel Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30 for an America250 event -- Brunswick Community Homecoming. The emphasis will be on old-fashioned kids games and friendly fun getting to know (or getting back together with) friends and neighbors. Admission and parking are free and there will be many community organizations on hand. Be sure to stop and say hello.Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com.