A quote by author Nora Roberts caught my attention the other day. She said: “Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room.”
It made me laugh as I reflected on the last year that a live Christmas tree graced the Mars home. For years, my husband had unsuccessfully tried to convince me that an artificial tree would be easier to put up, but I grew up with live Christmas trees and was insistent that I would never have anything but a live tree.
It was sometime in the 1980s that Bill was out of town on a business trip, and Christmas was fast approaching. I decided that I would surprise him by picking out a tree for our high-ceilinged living room. Ever on the lookout for a bargain, I was excited when a salesman offered me a big discount on a beautiful tree that had been a canceled special order. Even after the tree would not fit into our Suburban and had to be tied to the roof of the car, it did not occur to me to be a little concerned that it might be a little too tall for our living room. After all, it didn’t look that big outside.
Bill was more than a little surprised when he came home and discovered that the tree was about 4 or 5 feet taller than the ceiling and so wide that it blocked the entire stairway coming into the room. After chopping it down to size, we discovered that our tree stand was not made for a monster tree, so he crafted a custom stand for it.
Bill has the patience of Job, but the final straw was when the tree stand broke, and the decorated tree came crashing down and had to be anchored to the wall with heavy rope and then redecorated. Since I felt solely responsible, I humbly suggested that perhaps we should buy an artificial tree for the following year.
That year seemed “too bad, too hard and too sad,” but our children still talk about Mom’s most awesome and memorable Christmas tree, and fortunately, our marriage survived. As bad as it seemed at the time, it is now a funny memory.
Fire department
Speaking of Christmas, Santa’s sleigh is in the shop for a tune-up before he starts his trip around the world, so he is teaming up with the Brimfield Fire Department for his annual visit to local children on one of its fire trucks.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Santa will be escorted through the north part of Brimfield (from the north side of Tallmadge Road and northward). Then from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Santa will make deliveries in the south part of the township (from the south side of Tallmadge Road and southward).
If you wish for your child/grandchild to participate, please note the following:
– Wrapped gifts must be brought to the fire station by 4 p.m. Dec. 10.
– All gifts should be clearly labeled with the child’s name and address on the package.
– Keep gift size to a minimum.
– All gifts going to one household should be put into one bag.
– Limit of one gift per child.
– Have cameras ready, as Santa is going to be so busy and will not be able to come into each home.
– Although not mandatory, cash donations are appreciated, and any money collected will be given to charity.
Local business news and updates
– A few people panicked when they passed by the center of town and only saw empty space where Joe’s Barbecue trailers used to be. Not to worry, Joe’s temporarily moved to the site of the Brimfield Bread Oven parking area until he is able to move back onto his original site. His new brick-and-mortar restaurant is hopefully going to be finished by late spring or summer 2025.
– With Christmas just around the corner, “THINK LOCAL” as you shop for gifts. One of my favorite and reasonably priced gifts to buy for grandchildren of all ages is a Boogie Board, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) writing board which comes in an array of styles, shapes and colors. I carry four different boards in my church bag, as they are the perfect quiet activity for squirmy little people (squirmy big people, too). It may surprise you to know that Boogie Boards are produced here in Brimfield at Kent Displays. Their products include LCD drawing tablets, writing tablets, smart notebooks, memo boards and drawing kits. Boogie Boards can be bought at many retailers and online, but you can also shop their showroom at 343 Portage Blvd. To inquire about showroom hours, call 330-673-8784.
– Gift cards are always the right color and size, especially when they come from the Brimfield Bread Oven, Mike’s Place or many other Brimfield businesses.
– Cold temperatures did not stop over 100 runners and walkers from participating in the annual Brimfield Lions Club “Gobble till you Wobble” race on Thanksgiving morning. The collection of many bags of non-perishable food and $535 benefited the Brimfield Community Cupboard. Kudos to the Lions Club for another successful community event.
Brimfield Parks and Recreation
– Now through Dec. 6: Tour of Lights Registration Period – Brimfield Township’s fourth annual holiday lighting contest. Register your home to compete against other residents for the best light display, determined by votes from the public. Visit Brimfield Township Parks and Recreation’s social media pages and website for registration information, contest rules and more! To view the rules and regulations or register for the contest, visit www.brimfieldohio.gov.
– Dec. 12, 1-3 p.m.: Timeless Memories Scrapbooking at the Brimfield Branch Library – Participants will have a double-page, winter-themed layout to cut and put together. Bring wintertime pictures to the class, or add them later. Cost and registration information can be found at https://brimfieldparks.ezfacility.com/OnlineRegistration.
– Dec. 14 through Dec. 31: Tour of Lights Voting Period – It’s time to vote! Help choose which house is the ultimate holiday masterpiece! Visit Brimfield Township Parks and Recreation’s social media pages and website for voting information, voting rules and more! Winner will be announced Jan. 3. To view the rules and regulations or vote in the contest, visit www.brimfieldohio.gov.
– Dec. 15, 8 a.m.: Christmas Audubon Bird Count at McGuire Park – Registration NOT required! New address for the park: 3822 Cascades Blvd., Kent OH 44240
– Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-noon.: Noon Year’s Eve at the Brimfield Branch Library – Ring in the New Year early with a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” party! Designed for kids to celebrate the start of the new year without staying up late. Join us for fun activities, games, crafts, music and a special countdown to 12 noon. Perfect for all ages. Don’t miss the balloon drop and sparkling cider toast as we celebrate in style!
Brimfield Branch Library
– Dec. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Financial Planning with Bella Marshall of Edward Jones Investments.
– Dec. 5, 5-5:45 p.m. – Books and Banter – Join a lively discussion of this month’s title. There are two sessions for this novel, so join whichever one fits your schedule. Adults.
– Dec. 7, 9-10 a.m. – Books and Banter – Join a lively discussion of this month’s title. Second session.
– Dec. 7, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Dec. 9, 4-5:30 p.m. – Teen Art Club – REGISTERED EVENT – Bring your WIPs. Intended for those in grades 7-12. Limited to 10 participants.
– Dec. 9, 5-6:45 p.m. – Crafternoons – Meet and converse about crafts and trade tips with other crafters. Seniors, adults.
– Dec. 10, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Brimfield Book Club – Discussion of “The Maid” by Nita Prose. Adults.
– Dec. 11, 10:30-11 a.m. – Baby & Me Storytime – Songs and a story for baby and
caregiver! Children under 36 months.
– Dec. 12, all day – Puzzle Swap – Exchange puzzles. Seniors, adults.
– Dec. 13, All day – Puzzle Swap – Exchange puzzles. Seniors, adults.
– Dec. 13, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Dec. 13, 4-5 p.m. – Super Smash Bros. Tournament – Battle your friends on Nintendo Switch. Intended for ages 10-17. Limited to 4 participants per game. Players may have to wait between turns. Tweens, teens. REGISTERED EVENT.
– Dec. 14, all day – Puzzle Swap – Exchange puzzles. Seniors, adults.
– Dec. 14, noon-2 p.m. – Model Painting. Adults.
– Dec. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. – Genealogy with Roger Marble – Learn more about finding your family’s roots with new techniques. Adults.
– Dec. 19, 4-5 p.m. – Do You Want to Build a Snowman? – Make your own snow and build a snowman. Intended for children in grades 3-6. Limited to 15 participants. Tweens, children. REGISTERED EVENT.
– Dec. 21, 10:30-11 a.m. – Winter Storytime. Children, adults.
– Dec. 23, 5-6:45 p.m. – Family Movie Night – Bring the family to enjoy popcorn and watch “Anastasia” (1997). Limited to 30 participants. All ages.
– Dec. 28, noon-2 p.m. – Crafternoons – Meet, converse and trade tips with other crafters. Seniors, adults.
To register for events, visit portagelibrary.org/events or call the Brimfield Branch Library at 330-442-4441.
Brimfield Young at Heart
– Dec. 6, noon – Christmas Holiday Party at the American Legion, 1945 Mogadore Rd. $15 admission or free with paid 2024 dues.
FYI: The next visit to Hartville Kitchen will be in January 2025. For more information, contact DonnaRae Flanary, BYH President, at 330-673-9342 or 330-592-4318.
Brimfield Township Meetings/News
– Dec. 11, 8-10 a.m. – Township Meeting at the Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd.
– Dec. 12, 7-8 p.m. – Brimfield Board of Zoning Commission meeting at 4538 Edson Rd.
– The Board of Zoning Appeals meets the third Wednesday of the month as needed.
Highlights from recent township trustee meetings:
– Trustees voted and passed a memorandum of understanding with the FOP sergeants and patrolman unions for contract changes that allow 10-hour shifts.
– Approved the purchase of ammunition supplies from Vance’s Law Enforcement at an amount not to exceed $11,500.
– Hired Beth Crano, a graduate of Kent State University, as a full-time police officer. She has served as a reserve officer with the department since 2009 and previously served as an investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task force for several years.
Merry Christmas!
Last year, to the astonishment of everyone who was at New York’s Times Square, every bright, flashing sign suddenly went black. After a short time, music began to play, and all the signs lit up again, this time with a spectacular depiction of the Nativity. The breathtaking scene is available to watch at lighttheworld.org2024 (click on the play icon). During this Christmas season, light the world with kindness! It is the best of gifts!
Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at [email protected].
