Around Ravenna: Vera Mae Murray Hamrick turns 100, plus mark your calendars

Junior Thursday Literary Club is having a 70th anniversary open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at Reed Memorial Library, 167 E. Main St., Ravenna.

They would love to have past members and anyone interested in joining to join them to answer questions about the organization. Everyone is welcome.

The club originated in 1955.

—

Mark your calendar: The Dueling Pianos are coming to Ravenna to entertain and support their mission of the Shepherd’s House of Portage County.

Enjoy a night of music while shining a light on homelessness and supporting life-changing transformation.

The event will be held Nov. 21. More information to follow closer to the event.

—

Vera Mae Murray Hamrick, the eldest of eight children of J. Glenn and Effie Mae (Enlow) Murray, was born July 8, 1925, in Akron. She is celebrating her 100th birthday.

She has lived 80-plus years of her life within two miles of the light at the center of Rootstown. After graduation from Rootstown High School in 1943, she married her high school sweetheart, Pvt. Paul H. Hamrick, that same year and did not see him again until the spring of 1946.

During World War II, she worked as a secretary at B.F. Goodrich Chemical Plant, where they invented/discovered synthetic rubber.

The Hamricks and their young daughters were the first residents of the first allotment – Baronwood Estates – on Sabin Drive.

Diana Lynne married Tom Wolcott and resides in Tampa, Fla. Paula Sue married Bruce Barthol and still resides on Sabin Drive, as does their son, Jason Paul, and wife Stephanie and their two children, Temprince Collena and Zane Bruce.

Vera now resides, happily, at the villas on Sabin Drive, eldest and healthiest.

Happy belated 100th birthday, Vera!

—

Come celebrate and support the 15th annual Hope in a Handbag fundraiser. The event will be held Oct. 9 at the Kent American Legion. They will have purse bingo, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and a basket raffle.

Enjoy complimentary small plates and desserts, with a cash bar.

The event is from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at American Legion Post No. 496, 1945 Mogadore Rd., Kent.

For more information, contact Trisia Gump, 705 Oakwood St., Ste. 221, Ravenna, OH 44266. Tickets are $50 each, and the event is open to the public.

—

Contact Angie Reedy with your Ravenna news at 330-297-7228.