Around Brimfield: Brimfield breaks ground on new senior living facility

Coincidence or a miracle? You can decide for yourself. I was fascinated by a short post on Facebook that had a Brimfield connection, so I asked Kim Davis, the person who posted it, for more of the story. She was happy to share. It seems that she and her husband, Mark, were visiting their son, Jerry. In her words:

“The guys were in the living room talking. I tuned out their conversation until I heard Mark ask Jerry where the quilt rack had come from. Jerry explained how he’d seen it in town on the side of the road and had picked it up because it was nicer than his old one. Mark mentioned it looked like cherry wood, and I peered around the corner to see the quilt rack in question. This wasn’t a cheaply put-together quilt rack; it was a hand-crafted, heirloom-quality piece of woodworking, and Mark and I were sure we knew the carpenter who’d made it by the craftsmanship. “There’s one way to find out for sure,” I said as I grabbed the rack from the dark living room and brought it into the kitchen’s light. I was certain I would find a signature on the bottom as I flipped the rack upside-down. Even better than just a signature, under the varnish in a carpenter’s pencil I found writing I knew so well: “By Ernest F. Bennett Brimfield Ohio. June 1978”. Jerry had found a quilt rack made by his great-grandfather! Ernest F. Bennett created many quilt racks in his Brimfield workshop while his wife, Evelyn, created beautiful, hand-sewn quilts. I still have one of Grandma’s quilts displayed on one of Grandpa’s quilt racks. The found quilt rack was as beautiful as the day it had come out of Grandpa’s shop, and it had come full circle back to the family. What a find!”

What are the chances of finding such a treasure? I believe in miracles!

Brimfield Township News

Trustee Meetings – 1333 Tallmadge Rd, Township Town Hall

• Aug. 1 – 2 p.m. – Special Trustee Meeting, Swearing in Jasmine Golden as Fiscal Officer
• Aug. 6 – 8 a.m.
• Aug. 20 – 8 a.m.
• Sept. 3 – 8 a.m.

On July 7, the Brimfield Township Board of Trustees met and approved a resolution to amend the distribution of the first half of the 2025 Tallmadge JEDD funds previously allocated to the police, fire and road departments. On advice from the State of Ohio Auditor’s Office, the amount of $15,000 for each department was allocated to the general fund. It is anticipated that the second half of 2025 JEDD funds will replenish the amounts currently being reallocated.

On July 28, a special meeting was held to replace retiring Fiscal Officer John Dalziel. With 19 dedicated years of service, Dalziel has been a champion for our township, always going the extra mile volunteering for township events, including many years of being “Santa” along with his wife, Wendy (aka Mrs. Santa).

Out of three applicants, Jasmine Golden was hired and will serve as fiscal officer until the next election, which means that her name will be on the ballot in November. All petitions for candidates who wish to run must be submitted to the Portage County Board of Elections by Aug. 6. Jasmine happens to be a graduate of Leadership Portage County Class of 2025. As a board member of LPC, I have had opportunities to meet Jasmine and look forward to getting to know her better as she serves as our new fiscal officer. A very warm welcome to Jasmine!

Fanfare and Digging in the Dirt

Last week, a jubilant crowd participated in the groundbreaking and celebration of The Village of St. Edward assisted living facility. The building promises to be as beautiful as its three current facilities in Fairlawn, Green and Wadsworth and will be a wonderful asset to our Brimfield community.

New Life for Brimfield Plaza

Brimfield Plaza has been in disrepair for many years, but owner Keith Michael is excited about its restoration. The plaza has been thoroughly powerwashed, given a new roof, and the parking lot repair and repaving has been reconfigured with parking right next to the sidewalk. A Hallmark Shop is scheduled to open in September, and it is anticipated that Wing Warehouse will open in October or November. The new restaurant will have a 17-foot sliding, black-framed glass front. All signage on the plaza will be uniform with channel letters. Other businesses are in the works, and it promises to be a wonderful place to shop and eat.

Brimfield Historical Society

With the recent cancellation of Swamptown Fest, The Villas at Wyles Farm, a luxury apartment complex being built on Kelso Drive, is sponsoring the “Wyles Farm Fest – A Summer Night to Remember” from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Kelso House Barn, located at 4158 State Route 43. With a goal to foster community connections and support, the evening features live music from the band Cool Change. The North Water Brewing Company will have drinks for purchase, with all profits benefiting the Brimfield Historical Society. Other vendors include Pizza Hut selling personal pan pizzas, Field Band Boosters selling popcorn, and the Brimfield Historical Society selling hot dogs, pop and flavored water.

Activities planned include performances by the marching band and cheerleaders, a tug-of-war contest with the football players, a mechanical bull and much more! This event is all about coming together as a community and giving back.

• Aug. 10, 1-4 p.m. – Kelso House Museum will be open for tours.
• Aug. 19-24 – Portage County Randolph Fair – Look for the Kelso House Museum display booth in the Antique Building.

Young at Heart Club

• Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place
• Aug. 15, 4:30 p.m. – Corn roast and sausage sandwiches at Brimfield Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd. – $10 at the door.
• Aug. 25, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place

For more information, contact DonnaRae Flanary, BYH President, at 330-592-4318.

Brimfield Branch Library

Register for events at https://events.portagelibrary.org/events?l=Brimfield+Branch&r or by calling the library at 330-442-4441.

• Aug. 2, 10:30-11 a.m. – Summer Storytime. For children 5 and under.
• Aug. 2, 2-3 p.m. – International Friendship Day – Make friendship bracelets with your friends. Intended for ages 8 and up. Limited to 12 participants. Registered event.
• Aug. 4, 5-6:45 p.m. – Crafternoons – Meet other crafters, trade tips and share stories. Adults.
• Aug. 6, 1-1:30 p.m. – S’mores Storytime – Story around mini campfires and s’mores! Ages 5-8. Limited to 10 participants.
• Aug. 8, 10:30-11 a.m. – Summer Storytime. For children 5 and under.
• Aug. 9, noon-2 p.m. – Model Painting. Adults.
• Aug. 12, 1-2 p.m. – The Bubble Lady – Sue Durante will amaze you with bubbles that multiply, bubbles that do acrobatics, square bubbles and more. Limited to 30 participants. Registered event.
• Aug. 12, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Brimfield Book Club – “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Adults. Join us for a discussion of “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month prior to the meeting.
• Aug. 13, 2-3:15 p.m. – Teen Escape Room: Art Heist. For grades 7-12. Limited to 6 per session. Registered event.
• Aug. 13, 4-5:15 p.m. – Teen Escape Room: Art Heist. For grades 7-12. Limited to 6 per session. Registered event.
• Aug. 14, 5-5:45 p.m. – Trivia Night! Come solo or with a team. Adults.
• Aug. 15, 2-3:15 p.m. – Teen Escape Room: Art Heist. For grades 7-12. Limited to 6 per session. Registered event.
• Aug. 15, 4-5:15 p.m. – Teen Escape Room: Art Heist. For grades 7-12. Limited to 6 per session. Registered event.
• Aug. 16, 10:30-11 a.m. – Summer Storytime. For children 5 and under.
• Aug. 16, 2-3:15 p.m. – Teen Escape Room: Art Heist. For grades 7-12. Limited to 6 per session. Registered event.
• Aug. 19, 5:45-6:45 p.m. – Yoga with Yoga Judith – Beginner’s Yoga – Bring a yoga mat, water and comfortable clothing. A few mats will be available. Limited to 15 participants. Registered event.
• Aug. 21, All day – Craft Swap – Bring your excess craft materials and pick up some. Adults.
• Aug. 22, All day – Craft Swap – Bring your excess craft materials and pick up some. Adults.
• Aug. 22, 10:30-11 a.m. – Summer Storytime. For children 5 and under.
• Aug. 22, 4-5 p.m. – Mario Kart Tournament – Race your friends in Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch and win prizes! For ages 10 and up. Limited to 8 participants. Registered event.
• Aug. 23, All day – Craft Swap – Bring your excess craft materials and pick up some. Adults.
• Aug. 23, noon-2 p.m. – Crafternoons – Meet other crafters, trade tips and share stories. Adults.
• Aug. 26, 5-6:45 p.m. – Dungeons and Dragons with Dave – Explore dungeons, fight monsters, solve puzzles and complete quests! Learn about and play one of the most famous games in the world. Limited to 10 participants. Registered event.
• Aug. 28, 5-5:45 p.m. – Thursday Mystery Club – Crack the Case – Unravel a mystery through a variety of mystery-themed games and puzzles! Adults.

Big Red Alumni – 5th Annual Gathering

Aug. 16, 2-5 p.m. – All alumni, all classes. For information, contact Don & Karen Upson at 330-990-2250 or 330-990-2251.

German Family Society

Sept. 5-7 – Mark your calendar for the annual Oktoberfest, which will take place at the German Family Society at 3871 Ranfield Rd. in Brimfield.

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Final thought to ponder: “When we take joy in the distress and ruination of other people, we make monsters of ourselves.” – Kat Rosenfield, writer, columnist and novelist.

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Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at mars@ohiomars.com.