Vitality is radiated from exceptional art and architecture. – Arthur Erickson
Despite his humble beginnings and history of severe reading difficulties, Tom Mayer is now a well-known watercolorist who has won numerous art awards. However, if it wasn’t for his older brother’s support, Tom never would have been accepted into college.
While attending Kent State University, Tom was unable to complete one of the comprehensive exams needed to become an architect because of his slow reading speed. However, because of the intensive interventions that his girlfriend Kathy suggested, Tom eventually passed all of the comprehensive exams and for years worked as a highly respected architect. Immediately after graduating from KSU he married Kathy and, 55 years later, they continue to support each other in numerous ways.
Years ago when I worked as a school psychologist, I encountered young artists who had severe reading impairments. Often, I discovered that these talented artists were used to thinking in three dimensions and had difficulty seeing in two dimensions, which is required for effective reading. Tom shared that was true for him, too! There are many reasons for reading difficulties, and some districts have seen an increase in reading challenges since covid. Therefore, please take the time to read aloud with your children and grandkids and encourage them to read, because who knows how much your help will elevate them to achieving their greatest passions.
Since being retired, Tom spends his time creating masterpieces in his Sand Hill Studio on Hartville Road. At the 2024 Portage County Fair, Tom received Best of Show in the Fine Arts Division, and his granddaughter, Samantha, earned Best of Show in the Pre-K category.
Each year, Tom donates a painting for the St. Joseph Festival and Camp Christopher. To see his latest juried piece at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, visit 2131 Front St. in Cuyahoga Falls between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Recently, Newt and I visited this center and were wowed by Tom’s wintry scene. For a fun date, I highly recommend visiting this art center — and if you love Tom’s painting as much as we did, please vote for it to be the People’s Choice Award.
Any girls who live in Randolph or Atwater who are interested in Girl Scouts are invited to a Girl Scout informational/recruiting meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Atwater Town Hall.
Waterloo Viking youth between the ages of 5 and 14 who are interested in playing youth soccer this spring need to register by March 1 at https://waterlooyouthsoccer.com. Spring soccer season begins April 19.
The Randolph Ladies Cemetery Association will meet at noon March 5 at the Randolph Senior Center. Dues are $5, and lunch will be provided.
The Randolph Senior Luncheon will take place at noon March 10 at the Randolph Senior Center. Please bring a dish to share, your own table service and $2 to cover the cost of chicken. A magician will be performing.
The Randolph Garden Club kicks off a new season with its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 17 at the Randolph Community Center. Laurie Noebe will be impersonating Mamie Eisenhower. Dues to join the Garden Club are $10.
A chili cook-off fundraiser will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at Friendship Bible Church. Also, a 13-week Bible-inspired Grief Share Class will commence March 1 at Friendship Bible Church. Sign up at https://friendshipbiblechurch.org.
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE MEETINGS
– Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Randolph Senior Center
– March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Randolph Senior Center
PORTAGE COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS
– Feb. 19, 4-5 p.m.: Poetry Club for kids/tweens
– Feb. 26, 11 a.m.-noon: Winter Storytime
– March 1, 2-3 p.m.: Birthday Party for Dr. Seuss for kids
– March 4, 4-5 p.m.: Pokemon Club for teens, tweens
– March 5, 5-6 p.m.: Chess for kids
– March 7, 4-5 p.m.: Tech help from teens
– March 10, 4-5 p.m.: 3D printing program for teens/kids
– March 11, 5:30-7 p.m.: Randolph Book Club; pick up a copy of “Lion Women of Tehran” at the circulation desk
– March 14, 4-5 p.m.: Celebrate PI day with crafts, games and pie for teens/tweens
– March 15, 3-4 p.m.: Ides of March celebration for teens. Pizza will be provided
– March 17, 4-5 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Day bingo and crafts for tweens/kids
– March 18, 5-6 p.m.: Ohio’s Earliest Cultures presented by Holly Stoneburg of Portage Parks
– March 20, 2-3 p.m.: Kite-making program for tweens/kids
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 22, a Spring Into Health event will take place at the Randolph Community Center. This free-to-the-public event has been organized by a handful of Randolph citizens to promote the health and well-being of farmers and gardeners. Most of the dynamic speakers are from Randolph Township, but with support from Sarchione Chevrolet and the Randolph Massage and Wellness Center, there will be a keynote speaker from New York who has successfully farmed 1,600 acres for over 50 years. Thank you sponsors!
With unexpected changes happening every day, I believe it is even more important to hear local inspirational stories. Please contact Sandy at 330-569 4801 or [email protected] with news and stories.
