Bill and I recently had the privilege of attending the swearing-in of Brimfield’s new chief of police, Christopher Adkins. Rest assured that the police department is in very capable and qualified hands, as he has been serving our community since 2001 in the ranks of patrolman, sergeant, captain and now chief.
He was previously assigned to the detective bureau and was a K-9 handler with K-9 Joker for eight years. Chief Adkins is a former member of Metro SWAT, where his main assignment was that of a drone pilot. His education includes associate and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and a master’s in criminal justice administration. Since 2015, Adkins has been a part-time college professor at Kent State University in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. He is also an instructor in multiple topics, including firearms and active-shooter response, and is a State of Ohio K-9 evaluator and a member of the Civil Air Patrol – U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.
Chief Adkins and his wife, Nikki, have been married for 12 years, and their happy dogs and cats are “their kids.” He is a self-described “child at heart,” with video gaming, Legos, playing drums and designing custom programs for the gaming community serving as his spare-time passions.
For any who may think that “playing” is a waste of time, research has proven the opposite to be true. Playing as an adult relieves stress, fuels creativity and problem-solving abilities, and facilitates happiness and well-being. It keeps one youthful and energized, and it enhances leadership skills. Being playful and a “child at heart” is healthy self-care, and it is one more reason that our community is in good hands with Chief Adkins at the helm of the Brimfield Township Police Department!
Important dates
May 7, 1-6 p.m. – Red Cross Blood Drive at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2776 Hartville Rd., Rootstown – Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Life-saving care starts with one person making a generous donation. As a bonus, all who give blood this coming Thursday will receive a $20 Amazon e-gift card, along with homemade refreshments of soup and cookies. Registrations can be made online at RedCrossBlood.org or the free Red Cross Blood Donor App (enter sponsor keyword: LDSRootstown in the red box). Walk-ins are also welcome.
May 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Sue Fields Spring Clean-up – Lions Community Park, 4484 Edson Rd. – Bring unwanted scrap metal and large items to dispose of. Free hot dogs will be available. Propane tanks will be accepted. Items NOT accepted include tires, fluorescent bulbs, petroleum products, items with asbestos, biohazards, wet paint, tanks and drums. For Brimfield residents only.
May 10 - Mother’s Day – While Oprah Winfrey does not have children, she noted that “biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” Instead, she acts as a mentor and “mother” figure to students at her Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa, where they “overfill” her maternal need. While talking about motherhood, she proclaimed, “We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as ‘just a mom.’ It is on her back that great nations are built.” Whether you are a mentor or a mother of one or many, Happy Mother’s Day!
May 25 - Memorial Day – As a federal holiday, Memorial Day is meant to be a solemn time to honor military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This became more personal to our family when our youngest son married Emily McClimans just over a year ago. Deployed to Afghanistan, Emily’s father, Captain Josh McClimans, was killed in a mortar attack on April 22, 2011 while walking to the base hospital to begin his shift as a registered nurse in the ER. He never got to see Emily graduate and earn advanced degrees, never met her darling children or celebrated life’s victories with her. She has had to carry the burden of life without her beloved father, but Emily is proud of her father’s legacy of commitment and dedication to our country. Memorial Day includes a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. Along with all who have died in the service of our country, we will remember and express gratitude for Captain Josh McClimans.
Brimfield’s Memorial Day events
8 a.m. – 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Restland Cemetery
8 a.m.-noon – Brimfield Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at Brimfield Methodist Church, 1235 Tallmadge Rd. Cost: $10 for ages 11 thru adult, $5 for children ages 10 & under
3 p.m. – National Moment of Remembrance – A moment of reflection and gratitude
Brimfield Township Meetings – All township trustee and zoning commission meetings are held at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 1333 Tallmadge Rd.
May 4, May 18, June 1 – Trustee meetings
May 14 – Zoning commission meeting
Brimfield Township Trustee meeting review for April:
- Officer Schreckengost (“Schreck”) and K-9 Donkey (dog’s name) are busy training. Residents have inquired about donating funds for K-9 Donkey, so a Zeffy account is being set up to make donating easier.
- The trustees approved a 3% cost-of-living wage increase for non-union employees in the police department and administrative office.
- A few months ago, Trustee Kevin Scott discovered that for years unnecessary taxes had been paid on township-owned parcels. It was reported that this situation has been rectified, which is now saving the township thousands of dollars.
- Well over 100 people attended the Senior Citizen Luncheon and Expo at the fire department. Firefighters grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry group, and the rain did not dampen the fun that was had.
- A conditional offer of employment as a firefighter was made to Nick Krestan, contingent upon pre-employment checks and screenings.
- The board approved a proposal to build “The Nova,” a mixed-use event center for weddings and other celebrations, with an on-site owner/manager residence. It is located across from Brimfield Plaza on the empty lot next to the former Ricco’s building.
- Plato’s Closet projects an opening in August.
- Menards is installing electric vehicle charging stations in the front portion of the lot.
- Trustees approved a revision of the data center moratorium verbiage after receiving a draft resolution from the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office. They approved a six-month moratorium.
- The road crew is now working 10-hour shifts Tuesdays through Fridays and staying busy with road repair, ditch work and culvert pipes.
Brimfield Community Cupboard
Each year, non-profit organizations in Brimfield are invited to apply for a NOPEC Community Grant of $1,500 to be used for a free community event. The Brimfield Community Cupboard received this year’s grant to host a bike rodeo for children and their families June 13. It promises to be a grand event. Word has it that there may be a Stoddard’s Ice Cream Truck involved.
Save the date! More information to come soon!
Brimfield Historical Society
May 17, 1-4 p.m. – Kelso House Museum open to the public
Young at Heart Club
- May 4, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place
- May 17, 1 p.m. – Neil Diamond Tribute Dinner & Show at The Venue at Danny Boys, Tallmadge. Cost is $37. Contact Patty Yensel for reservations at 330-235-9245 or 330-654-8333 ASAP
- May 18, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place
- June 1, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place
Driving through Brimfield and seeing Facebook pop-ups, there seems to be an increase in small, home-based businesses selling things such as eggs, produce, flowers and baked goods. One unique business that I recently noticed on Facebook is Summer’s Sunrise Sweets Bakery Sale at 1394 Arcadia Rd. off state Route 43. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The pictures of her baked goods look amazing. Supporting local businesses is important, and I would like to list as many as possible in my June column. If you know of a business that would like to be included, information can be emailed to me at mars@ohiomars.com or leave a voicemail at 330-673-0241.
Thousands of children have benefited from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. By signing up for the Imagination Library, children ages 0 to 5 receive a free book in their mailbox every month!
Interested in enrolling? Go to ohioimaginationlibrary.org/enroll or visit the website and click on the photo of Dolly to register.
Brimfield Branch Library
- May 4, all day – Mother’s Day Card Workshop. All ages. Limited while supplies last
- May 5, all day – Mother’s Day Card Workshop. All ages. Limited while supplies last
- May 5, 1-2 p.m. – Polymer Clay Magnets. For ages 9 and up. Limited to 10 participants
- May 5, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Book Club: “The Martian” by Andy Weir. For adults
- May 6, all day – Mother’s Day Card Workshop. All ages. Limited while supplies last
- May 6, 1-3 p.m. – Homeschool Group Board Games. For tweens and all ages. Limited to 30 participants
- May 7, all day – Mother’s Day Card Workshop. All ages. Limited while supplies last
- May 8, all day – Mother’s Day Card Workshop. All ages. Limited while supplies last
- May 8, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime. For children 5 and under
- May 9, noon-2 p.m. – Learn to Paint Miniatures. For adults
- May 11, 5-6 p.m. – Lego Freebuild STEAM Event. For children and tweens. Limited to 10 participants
- May 12, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Beginner’s Yoga with Yoga Judith. For adults. Bring mat and water. Limited to 15 participants
- May 13, 10:30-11 a.m. – Baby & Me Storytime. For baby and caregiver
- May 15, 4:30-5:45 p.m. – Movie Talk: Science Fiction - Sci Fi Movie Discussion. For adults
- May 16, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime. For children 5 & under
- May 18, 4-6:45 p.m. – Dungeons and Dragons with Dave - Learn D&D. For adults. Limited to eight participants
- May 19, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Genealogy with Roger Marble. For adults
- May 21, all day – Puzzle Swap! Trade for new ones. For adults
- May 22, all day – Puzzle Swap! Trade for new ones. For adults
- May 22, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime. For children 5 & under
- May 23, all day – Puzzle Swap! Trade for new ones. For adults
- May 23, noon-2 p.m. – Crafternoons - Crafting Get-Together. For adults
- May 26, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – “Passing of the Armies: Soldiers’ Lives After the Civil War” - Civil War History. For adults. George N. Vourlojianis, Ph.D., emeritus professor of history, will discuss what happened at the end of the Civil War when millions stacked their arms and returned home to a nation forever changed
Final thought: My 97-year-old mother passed away eight months ago. I miss her every day. Toward the end of her life, she often asked if she had been a good mother, and we would assure her that she was, indeed, a good mother. Never let an opportunity to express love pass by.
“Successful mothers are not the ones who have never struggled. They are the ones who never give up, despite their struggles.” – Sharon Jaynes
Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at mars@ohiomars.com.
