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Frosty’s Fest is Sunday, December 8, 2024. It begins when Santa, his Sleigh, and his Elves arrive at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center, located at 7001 W. Ridgewood Dr. It follows the annual Parma Christmas Parade, which begins at 1:00 pm. This family focused event has a lot to offer, FREE admission and it’s is open to the public, no residency is required. As in past years, you’ll have free photos with Santa, kids crafts, activities, lots of extras too, like face painters, Disney Princesses, Sparky and The Grinch will be attending. Bakeries will be on hand with their mouth watering holiday goodies for you to purchase. Food and beverages, for sale, indoors and out. Choirs will be singing to enhance the holiday mood. You’ll also be able to watch live, a demonstration of ice sculpting.

If you are a reader of my monthly column, which I take pride in writing myself each month, you are well-aware of my legislative achievements in just my first 23 months as your state lawmaker.

Medicare is critical to caring for America’s seniors—nearly 1 in 5 Americans rely on it for health coverage! Ensuring that doctors are paid fairly for the important work they do for Medicare beneficiaries is no easy task, but failing to do so could lead to worse care for millions of retirees. 

Sean Mabin, owner operator of Prama Artspace & Gallery, is showing at Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., in Chagrin Falls, for the 53rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition through December 16.. He won the “completely different” Maxine Agger Kopecky Award, and a cash award. Sean & his wife Angie Reali-Mabin are showing at Pinwheel Gallery, 2019 Broadview Rd., in The Snow Show, which runs through January 3.

Parma Symphony Orchestra will perform a LIVE Holiday Music Concert on Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 PM at Valley Forge High School Auditorium located at 9999 Independence Boulevard in Parma Heights featuring Dr Randolph P Laycock conducting: Rossini’s William Tell Overture John Rutter’s Five pieces for orchestra.O Magnum Mysterium arranged by Dr. James Feiszli and a Selection of Holiday favorites 

For the first time, a documentary about the early Parma Settlers will air through December 2024. The documentary begins with the first settlers that arrived in the Parma area in the early 1800s and the development of Parma is followed all the way through the Civil War. These early pilgrims purchased their plots of land in Parma from a Connecticut Land Company before setting out on their long journey to take possession of them. After arriving in the Cuyahoga County area the settlers followed an Indian trail on the eastern side of the Cuyahoga River. They did so until crossing over the river to where Rockside Road is now located. They then continued westward, to where the Pearl and Ridge Road intersection is now.

The Parma SWAT Team would like to thank the Parma residents, city employees, friends and family, and both local and neighboring businesses in making the annual golf-outing held on October 4th, the most successful to date. The Parma SWAT Team is comprised of 26 total members and represents the Central Region of the Southwest Enforcement Bureau. Included in the total are 19 SWAT operators and 4 Tactical EMS members. We also have 3 auxiliary members on the team. The goal of our fundraising efforts is to educate and interact with the community and raise awareness of the Parma SWAT Team. We also strive to further fund the purchase of updated tactical equipment and training with the donations we receive.

In Ohio, there are only 62 available workers for every 100 open jobs. In the last two years, I’ve had the chance to meet with business leaders and workers across my district. Many of them tell me they can’t find workers to fill jobs in the skilled trades—and similarly, workers don’t have the preparation they need to fill those jobs. This disconnect between the skills businesses need and the training and knowledge candidates possess is known as the “skills gap.” And it’s wider than ever. 

On Saturday October 19th from 1-4pm we had our 1st Annual Wiremens Credit Union Member Appreciation Day. Thank you to the City of Parma for their assistance and the Parma Firefighters for stopping up with a fire truck and ambulance. We are grateful they were able to stop. What a huge hit. We had perfect weather with amazing food trucks -Jimbos Original Steak Sandwiches, Black Kettle Barbeque and Braysons Ice-cream. We had 2 bounce houses as well as an extraordinary face painter for the children. 

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOCAL TAXPAYERS - AARP Foundation has kicked off volunteer recruitment for its Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest volunteer-based tax preparation service. Volunteers may sign up to assist taxpayers either in person or virtually, with a number of roles available.

Standing in front of her childhood home, Chrissie Hynde’s recent return to Akron triggered a cascade of memories for me. It’s funny how a single image can conjure up an entire era of your life. That era revolves around a house on Lucerne Ave. in Parma, Ohio. I left it in 1990, and my mother sold it in 1994. That house hasn't been mine for over 30 years, yet it remains the repository of my earliest and most vivid memories.

Recently, I took part in the Transatlantic Summit of the Strong Cities Network in Columbus in the Governor’s office at the Ohio Statehouse. In attendance were the following: Andrii Besedin, Mayor of Kupyansk, Ukraine, Oleksandr Senkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Tobias Engle, Manager of the International Affairs Strategic Investment Division of the Ohio Department of Development, Michael Schadek Director of Regional Partnerships for the city of Columbus, and representatives of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, Nazar Zhdan, State Relations and Advocacy, Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, Past President, and George E. Jaskiw, M.D., President.

Sue Holick-Bade has an ink and water color on display in the Cuyahoga Valley Art Centers’ Student & Faculty Exhibition running Oct 29th through Dec 6th. CVAC is located at 2131 Front St in Cuyahoga Falls. Exhibition hours are M-T & R-F 10-3, W 1-6, Sat 10-2. Artist reception on Dec 6th, 5:30-7:00pm and is open to the public. She has two works, a water color and a faux stained-glass, on display at Laurel Lake Gallery in the Women’s Art League “3 Media Plus Exhibition” running Nov 2nd through Dec 5th. The gallery is located at 200 Laurel Lake Dr in Hudson.

Mark your calendars, and save the date! On Sunday, December 8th is We Are Parma Proud’s flagship event, Frosty’s Fest. This family friendly extravaganza takes place on the Parma City Hall campus, encompassing the Donna Smallwood Activities Center, parking lots and the Powers Blvd Library, where multiple events will take place. Frosty’s Fest follows the annual Christmas Parade which begins at 1:00 pm.

The holidays are fast approaching. Now is the time to start your holiday shopping for Christmas. Parma Arts is holding an arts and crafts event on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 7335 Ridge Rd. FREE admission, open to the public. All the items for sale are handmade by local artisans and crafters. Each piece is original, unique, one of a kind items that you won’t find at that big box store. All are affordably priced, handmade by your talented friends and neighbors.

Lots of treats in Polish Village in October! A drive down the main streets in Polish Village is a treat for the eyes. You’ll see spooky ghosts, witches and fall decorations in the large flower pot planters. It’s the introduction to fall in Polish Village, getting ready for the big event, Treat & Greet!

Join in for a Funday Sunday Game Day with the We Are Parma Proud non-profit on Sunday October 6, 2024 at Bleachers Sports Grill, 6855 Ridge Road, 12:30 to 3:30 pm. $25 entry includes a build your own, all you can eat, at the taco bar. Drinks include draft beer, wine and soda. Side boards, lots of great raffle baskets too!

As your state representative, I view one of my main jobs as bringing home dollars from Columbus to our local community to positively impact our quality of life. I am very happy to report that, after a lot of hard work, I recently successfully negotiated and secured $700,000 in funding for University Hospitals Parma Medical Center’s Breast Cancer Center.

This past year in Ohio, over 3,500 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses. This tragic drug crisis has continued to rip apart families and communities in our state and around the country. I have been working hard in Congress to advocate for common-sense border security measures to stop the flow of drugs, like fentanyl, at the Southern border. 

Get ready for spine-chilling thrills and hauntingly creative displays as Parma’s neighborhoods become a battleground of Halloween décor! The Spooky Showdown invites all brave and imaginative City of Parma residents to join in this epic Halloween house decorating extravaganza! Get ready for a hair-raising event like no other — the Spooky Showdown Halloween House Decorating Contest!

MINI MONSTER WORKSHOP! Just in time for Halloween! Create your own Mini Monster using clay. For ages 9 through adult, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Parma Art Center, located in the Parma Parks & Rec Building, 7335 Ridge Rd. Cost is $10 a person and includes all supplies needed. Local artist is Bili Kribbs is the instructor teaching basic sculpting techniques using polymer clay. To register, email kathrynmabin@att.net. Class size is limited so don’t hesitate.

Living in Parma we are blessed to have some of the best Safety Forces in Northeast Ohio. On Thursday August 15th the Ward 6 Safety Meeting was held at my house with over 80 residents attending. This event was postponed by one week due to the tornado coming through Parma. Throughout the question and answer time the residents expressed their thanks and appreciation to all of our Safety Forces.

On July 8, 2024 of this year, it has been decided that the unidentified victims of the Cleveland Torso killer will be exhumed from their graves in an effort to identify them. Dr. Thomas Gilson, the Cuyahoga Chief Medical Examiner, is teaming up with the ”DNA Doe Project” to use DNA testing on the their remains.

I was very excited recently when I got word from the Governor’s office that he was going to sign House Bill 466. H.B. 466 is the second bill that I have introduced that the Governor has signed into law. I am told that it is rare for a freshman member of the Ohio House of Representatives to pass one bill, let alone two. After teaching American Government to middle and high school students for 30 years, I am literally living my life’s work.

The 5th Annual Cleveland Photo Fest runs through September at Bostwick Design Initiative at 2731 Prospect Ave in Cleveland. This year there are several exhibits. A black and white portrait exhibition of 60 Cuyahoga County Mayors and Civic Officials, including Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter. The Women’s Self Portrait Show, which includes photos of 40 women. CATography a national cat photography exhibit, and more. Lots of local talent in this exhibit.

What’s in a Name? Lots if you’re a Lois The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Lois Club (NEOLois Club) had its first meeting on November 14, 2003 There were 11 women named Lois at the first event.  Since then, the group has grown to its current membership of just under 40 members this year. The ladies decided to continue with these luncheons on the same schedule at the National clubs, as there are several across the country, including Canada, which is on the 5th Tuesday of the month. Generally, there are 4 such days in each year, and occasionally there are 5. There are Lois Club groups on Facebook too!  An annual convention is scheduled in different locations throughout the states that presents an opportunity to travel, sight see, and meet others who share the name of Lois. This event is open to friends and family.

In Ohio, agriculture provides 1 out of every 7 jobs, making it one of the state’s biggest economic drivers. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have been working to support our agriculture industry and consumers who rely on our farmers and producers for affordable food. 

Bring your family and friends to the Annual We Are Parma Proud’s Picnic In The Park on August 3rd, from 11 AM to 2 PM. It’s back at the Ridgewood Basin Park, formerly known as Ridgewood Lake Park, across the street from The Shoppes at Parma, next to the Splash Pad. Free admission!

Jan McAndrews, Parma Arts member, and member of Tribe Ostara Tribal Belly Dancing will be at Cleveland Pagan Pride Festival, 730 Broadway Ave., Bedford, performing improvisational sword, skirt and zill performance, in beautiful & colorful, ethnic clothing with movements inspired by Middle East, North Africa, Spain & India folklore dances, on Saturday August 17.

Save the date! Saturday, August 24th from 1pm to 3pm come to The Parma Art Center, located at 7335 Ridge Road in the Parma Parks & Recreation Building. Kids, Teens, Mom & Dad, Grandparents too, creatives of All ages, 2 to 102, are welcome to join in on the fun!

The Parma Area Historical Society (PAHS) will hold a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 am to acknowledge the installation of Mobi-mat walkways at Stearns Homestead, making the farm more accessible to wheelchair users and individuals with mobility needs. The portable sidewalks reduce physical barriers and allow all visitors to more easily access the barnyard area and interact with the farm animals.

While driving through the Polish Village section of Parma you’re sure to spot the beautiful flower pots on Ridge and Pearl Roads. The pots are a part of a beautification program that began a few years ago called Adopt-A-Pot. Local residents, businesses, and churches along with volunteers from the non-profit Polish Village Parma, Inc., and Councilwoman Debbie Lime, plant the flowers, weed, and water them. Kudos to all those volunteers who work so diligently to better our community and make it a great place to live.