Gen and Jud Smith, owners of the Brimfield Bread Oven, wondered if anyone would come to their community pizza party June 29, and were they surprised and pleased when the crowd began gathering before the 4 p.m. start time. Being there was like going back in time to “BC” (Before Covid) when community gatherings were a common thing.
The weather could not have been more perfect (even though there was a tornado watch) and the pizza was free – a winning combination. It was obvious that no one was in a hurry to leave, with people relaxing on lawn chairs and blankets, children playing games, blowing bubbles, and making sidewalk chalk art — and of course eating as much pizza as they wanted.
The pizza party was a celebration as a “last hurrah” for the original brick oven that they built to start the bakery nine years ago, before it gets swapped out with a fancy new gas-fired deck oven. They also brought their baby mobile wood-fired oven and Jud’s brother, Harrison, out of retirement for the event. The dueling wood-fired ovens cranked out 240 pizzas to the delight of the hungry crowd.
The Brimfield Bread Oven is now closed for the month of July, with the goal of reopening on July 31. In the meantime, a bakery yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 13. Stay tuned for updates on their website at brimfieldbreadoven.com.
One of my favorite books that I loved reading to our children was Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. It is an endearing story about a friendship between Wilbur the pig and a spider named Charlotte. In the book, Charlotte devises a plan to keep Wilbur from being butchered, and he feels undeserving of what she had done. “Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte,’That in itself is a tremendous thing.” Life is better with friends.
Coretta Scott King taught a truth when she said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” By that measure, the Falcon community, comprising members of Brimfield and Suffield Townships, is truly a super great community, as evidenced by the recent fundraiser for Lisa Bey, who is currently battling cancer. The event was a huge success and a tremendous show of compassionate friendship. It seemed that the entire Falcon community was there, extending their hands and their hearts organizing, volunteering, donating, and supporting the Bey family who have unselfishly given so much to the Falcon community.
Mike’s Place served over 500 meals, the most they have ever cooked for and at a generous rate, with the help of donations from Hillcrest Foodservice and US Foods. Community youth made a significant impact, as young people from various baseball and softball teams, along with friends of the Bey children, enthusiastically donned pink shirts and took on numerous tasks, from waiting tables and running a drive-through carry-out, to many other supportive roles.
According to organizer, Bernadette Moore, “Everything went without so much as a hiccup! Their dedication and hard work played a crucial part in the success of the event. I just can’t say enough about the role the kids played; it was heart-warming to watch them in action.”
Adult volunteers from the Big Red Community Foundation, Lions Club, Suffield League, and other organizations also ensured that the event was well-orchestrated. To the Adam and Lisa Bey family: You have been our friends, and that is a tremendous thing!
July 4 – Happy Independence Day – “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela
Brimfield Parks and Recreation
July 8, 1 – 3:30 p.m. – Fossils for Kids at the Brimfield Community Center. Learn about ancient oceans and swamps of Ohio and fossils of the creatures that called them home.
July 12, 3-4 p.m. – Tots’ Nature Adventure at Lions Community Park, Honeychuck Pavilion. Nature scavenger hunt, obstacle course, and more. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved to the Brimfield Community Center.
July 12, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Summer Concert: Time Machine Band at the Brimfield Historical Society – Classic rock band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, snacks, and a friend. For more information about the concert visit https://brimfieldohio.gov/.
July 17 – July 19, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily – Nature Detectives Summer Camp at the Brimfield Community Center. Campers will use naturalist tools and field guides to solve mysteries by examining animal tracks, identifying bird feathers, dissecting owl pellets, and more. Cost and registration information can be found at https://brimfieldparks.ezfacility.com/OnlineRegistration.
July 19, 8:30 p.m. – Summer Night Hike at Lions Community Park, Honeychuck Pavilion. Walk the Bryner-Twitchell Trail in search of lightning bugs, flying squirrels, opossums, owls, and other nocturnal and crepuscular creatures.
July 20, 10:30 a.m. – Summer Concert with Mr. Jeff at the Brimfield Historical Society. For kids of all ages. Water and lawn chairs are recommended.
July 30 – August 2, 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Daily – Avian Adventures Summer Camp at the Brimfield Community Center. Campers will learn how to identify birds, what they eat, how they build nests, and more. Cost and registration information can be found at https://brimfieldparks.ezfacility.com/OnlineRegistration.
Brimfield Branch / Portage County Library
To register for events, please call the library at 330-442-4441.
July 2, 3:30-5 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT – Chess Club. Limited to 24 participants. Tweens, Teens.
July 8, 3:30-5 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT – Teen Art Club. Bring your works in progress. Limited to 10 participants. Teens.
July 9, 5:30-7 p.m. – Brimfield Book Club. “Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell. Books are available at the circulation desk ahead of time. Feel free to bring snacks to share. Adults.
July 10, 1-2 p.m. – Afternoon Book Club. Books are available at the circulation desk. Seniors, Adults.
July 11, 2-4 p.m. – Puzzle Exchange. Bring in your old puzzles and trade them. All ages.
June 11, 5-6 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT – Yoga with Joga Judith. Bring a yoga mat, water, and comfortable clothing. Limited to 15 participants. Seniors, Adults.
July 12, 10:30-11 a.m. – Summer Storytime. Children 5 and under.
July 12, 2-4 p.m. – Puzzle Exchange. Bring in your old puzzles and trade them. All ages.
July 13, noon-2 p.m. – Model Making and Painting. Learn how to make and paint miniature figures. Adults.
July 13, 2-4 p.m. – Puzzle Exchange. Bring in your old puzzles and trade them. All ages.
July 18, 10:30-11 a.m. – REGISTERED EVENT – Campfire Stories. Sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, and listen to some stories. Limited to 15 participants. Children.
July 20, 10:30-11:00 a.m. – Summer Storytime. Children 5 and under.
July 22, 1-2 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Play 20 Questions with a twist. Oddly specific guessing game for tweens and children. Limited to 15 participants.
July 23, 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Breaking Through your Genealogical Brick Walls. Genealogist Roger Marble will discuss tools to help. Adults.
July 24, 2 – 2:30 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Awesome Awesome Adventurer. Come play a life-size game. Limited to 6 participants. All ages.
July 24, 3:20 – 3:50 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Awesome Awesome Adventurer. Come play a life-size game. Limited to 6 participants. All ages.
July 24, 4 – 4:30 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Awesome Awesome Adventurer. Come play a life-size game. Limited to 6 participants. All ages.
July 24, 4:40 – 5:10 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Awesome Awesome Adventurer. Come play a life-size game. Limited to 6 participants. All ages.
July 24, 5:20 – 5:50 p.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Awesome Awesome Adventurer. Come play a life-size game. Limited to 6 participants. All ages.
July 25, 10:30 – 11 a.m. – REGISTERED EVENT. Heart Healthy Storytime with Miss Gabbi from the Portage County Health District. Limited to 20 participants. Children.
July 26, 10:30 – 11 a.m. – Summer Storytime for children 5 and under.
July 27, 1-2 p.m. – Financial “Rules of the Road”. Investing 101 with Bella Marshall from Edward Jones Investments. Basics of investing for adults.
July 29, 1 – 2 p.m. -REGISTERED EVENT. Jungle Terry. Join Jungle Terry and meet his amazing animals. Limited to 30 participants. All ages.
Young at Heart Group
Pearlmarie Goddard has graciously volunteered to be the club secretary.
July 1, 10 a.m. – Monday Breakfast at Mike’s Place (RSVP at 330-592-4318)
July 12, noon – Monthly bag lunch at Brimfield Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd.
July 15, 10 a.m. – Monday Breakfast at Mike’s Place (RSVP at 330-592-4318)
July 18, 3 p.m. – Hartville Kitchen outing. Call Audrey Stillwell at 330-968-3813 to make a reservation.
July 21 – Guardians baseball game. Candle Coach/LED Bus Co.
July 29, 10 a.m. – Monday Breakfast at Mike’s Place (RSVP at 330-592-4318)
German Family Society
August 3 – 4, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. – Meindl-Leisner Soccer Tournament, hosting 22 local and out of area teams. The event is free and open to the public. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Reuther Field at German Family Society, 3871 Ranfield Rd, Brimfield
The German Family Society’s Youth Group will be traveling to Germany, Austria, and France this month to tour various cities significant to the German heritage and share their dances and cultural experiences with other teens. They will also perform at the upcoming German Family Society 50th Annual Oktoberfest the weekend of September 6-8. More information can be found at https://germanfamilysociety.com.
Brimfield Township
July 10, 8 a.m. – Township Trustee Meeting
July 23, 6 p.m. – Township Trustee Meeting
Final thoughts to ponder: John Robert Wooden was the head coach for the UCLA Bruins, winning 10 national championships in a 12-year period. He wrote a book, Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court. Of friendship, he wrote, “Where friendship exists, you will find the markings of a formidable organization.” Of character, he advised, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at [email protected]
