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Larece Galer brings you the latest military news. To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

November a busy month

At this time of year, everyone’s thoughts are turning to the holiday season.
Being good citizens of course, the first special November day is Election Day. As American citizens, one of the greatest rights we enjoy is the right to cast a ballot.
Once the elections are over the holidays begin. The Marine Corps’ birthday is Nov. 10, and local detachments are selling tickets for the 238th Birthday Ball. The following day is Veterans Day, Nov. 11 and many government offices will be closed.
Once past Veterans Day, the Thanksgiving season will begin. Most of the posts will be collecting items to fill baskets for families that may not be able to have a holiday without some help.
Toys for Tots will be accepting new unwrapped toys and cash donations at various locations throughout the county. These are easy to spot — just look for Marines. Toys-for-Tots always means Christmas is near.

Baskets of Appreciation 
needs help
The Third Annual Baskets of Appreciation for families of service men and women in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties is looking for volunteers to help assemble the baskets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 at the Lake County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.
The group also will be accepting new items such as toiletries, toys and games, DVD and CDs, stocking stuffers, healthy snacks and miscellaneous goodies, kitchen and bathroom items, sweatshirts and T-shirts in all sizes for the baskets.
Baskets 12 inches and larger also will be accepted. Items are being accepted now through November and will be stored at Uncle Bob’s storage. For details and times, call 440-975-8880.

Veterans get free haircuts
Great Clips is offering a free haircut for a veteran when a service is purchased now through Nov. 11. Get a Great Clips cut and receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran. The free haircut cards are redeemable by veterans at any Great Clips between Nov. 11 and Dec. 31 with proof of service.
Veterans will be eligible to receive a free haircut on Veterans Day or a free haircut card to redeem by Dec. 31.

Fish fry in Willoughby
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, is hosting fish fry dinners the first and third Fridays of the month at the post home. For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Funeral detail available 
in Geauga County
American Legion Post 459, 14059 Goodwin St. in Burton, has a full military funeral detail available to any honorably discharged veteran eligible for full military honors. The honor guard, led by Newell Beaumier, sergeant at arms, is available 24/7, with a few days’ notice. For details call “Bo” at 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if no one answers.

Catholic War Veterans 
host membership drive
Catholic War Veterans will be hosting a membership and poppy drive at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road in Concord Township on Nov. 9 and 10 at all Masses. The group will observe a Blue Mass at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the church. All are welcome.
Post veterans also will host a membership drive following all masses at St. Mary Magdalene, 32114 Vine St. in Willowick Nov. 9 and 10. For details, call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander, at 440-257-2156 or cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Legion oratorical 
contest deadline nears
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
The Lake/Geauga Counties contest will be Nov. 17 at Wickliffe Senior Center, 900 Worden Road in Wickliffe. Interested students must register with Gary A. Minadeo, Lake County Oratorical chairman, before Nov. 13.
Visit the website at www.legion.org/oratorical for further information or call Gary Minadeo at 440-840-6164 or via e-mail at happy2help@att.net.

Marine Corps birthday ball
The 238th USMC Birthday Celebration sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 782 will be 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 9 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 133 South Spruce St. in Jefferson.
The event is open to the public and is business casual.
The evening will include an open bar and Chinese auction. Celebrate the birthday of American’s Marines with your local Marine Corps veterans and members of the Pvt. Henry Kalinowski Marine Corps League Detachment 782.
Tickets are $45 per couple or $25 single and available until
Nov. 1.
For ticket information, call Tom Lucas Jr., at 440-992-5861; 440-813-3914 or e-mail to lukejr68@gmail.com.Send check or money order made out to the Marine Corps League, c/o Tom Lucas Jr., 3105 Jefferson Road Ashtabula, OH 44004.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

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Thursday, October 24, 2013

New winter items needed

The weather has turned cold the past few days and feels more like winter, and having the money to buy items for the colder months may be a challenge for some.
Cuyahoga Community College AmeriCorps Completion Coaches will host a cold weather clothing drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with drop-off sites at Tri-C’s Eastern, Metropolitan, Western and West Shore campuses.
The drive will benefit veterans from the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
New unwrapped items needed are hats; gloves; coats; shoes and boots (men’s sizes 9 ½ to 12 and women’s 7 ½ to 9); sweatpants and shirts sizes medium through extra large; socks; underwear; T-shirts; blankets; and personal toiletries, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Mayfield Women’s 
Club makes kits
The members of the Mayfield Women’s Club have completed the first service project of the year by putting together 60 personal hygiene kits for homebound veterans.
The members filled the kits with washcloths, toothpaste, deodorants and various personal care items. The kits then were donated to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center for distribution to those needing the items.
The Mayfield Women’s Club invites women interested in joining to attend the meetings on the third Monday of the month at the Mayfield Village Community Center, 6627 Wilson Mills Road in Mayfield Village.

Fish fry in Fairport Harbor
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, hosts fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinners 4 to 7 p.m.
The public is welcome. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Halloween on a submarine
Submarine’s Spooky Halloween “The Strange Tide of History” on board the USS Cod (224) Memorial will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday at the sub’s dock, North Marginal Road between East Ninth Street and Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor.
The tour highlights include Cod crew-guided tours, eerie red lighting and some weird tales about war patrols by the World War II submarine and her sailors.
Tickets for youths and adults are $10 at the gate. Tours will be held rain or shine and include climbing vertical steel ladders, so please wear proper shoes.
For more information about the USS Cod, a National Historic Landmark visit www.usscod.org.

German Oktoberfest 
at Eastlake post
An Oktoberfest dinner will be served 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake. Authentic German cuisine will be served, such as schnitzel, goulash, red cabbage, potato pancakes, spaetzel and dumplings, with strudel for dessert. Ticket must be purchased by Wednesday and are $16 a person.
For details, call 440-942-3981.

Big Boys offered at 
tailgate party Nov. 17
VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a “Big Boy” Browns Tailgate Party beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 17 Serving will continue until game time or when the food is gone.
Big Boys will be $5 and fries at $1.
For details, call 440-942-3981.

U.S. Constitution 
subject of contest
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
The Lake/Geauga Counties Contest will be Nov. 17 at Wickliffe Senior Center, 900 Worden Road in Wickliffe. Interested students must register with Gary A. Minadeo, Lake County oratorical chairman, before Nov. 13.
Visit the website at www.legion.org/oratorical for more information, or contact Gary Minadeo at 440-840-6164 or via email at happy2help@att.net.

Holiday Bazaar 
at Mentor AMVETS
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road, Mentor, will host a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16.
The public is welcome. Table space is available. For details, call 440-257-5825.

Dinner helps auxiliary member
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a fundraiser to help one of the auxiliary members from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 17, at the post home. A spaghetti dinner will be available for $10. The event also will include door prizes. Advance tickets are available at the canteen by calling 440-943-9659 or by calling Pat Simonitis at 440-944-2843.

Marines Wanted
Marines in dress blues are requested to help the Fairport VFW 7754 and Lori Guzzi of the Ladies Auxiliary 7754 for the annual “Fill the Cruiser” event on Dec. 7, at the post home, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
Historically, this event has raised trailers full of new toys for the Lake-Geauga Toys for Tots campaign. For details about the event, call the post home at 440-352-1123.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Shutdown Shame

The shutdown of the national memorials in Washington, D.C., is a shameful episode in this nation’s history. This should not be a political question.
The World War II Memorial was built from donations from the warriors’ pockets and from the pockets of family members and schoolchildren in support of those fighting men and women.
The World War II Memorial website (http://www.wwiimemorial.com) gives a list of the donors. Perhaps we need to elect more politicians who have been in the military so that the significance of these memorials is better understood by those in office.

Veterans Day events wanted
Veterans Day is just around the corner. Please send in Veterans Day events that you may have to honor our men and women in uniform. Send the submissions to lgaler@news-herald.com.

Willoughby Post
offers fish fry dinners

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, is hosting fish fry dinners the first and third Fridays of the month at the post home. For details, call 440-951-9233.

Gunny’s Hall offers
daily menu items

Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, serves an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon between Labor and Memorial days. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders can be taken for an additional $1.50.
The detachment also serves lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include the daily special and regular menu items.
Fish fry meals will be served 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays at the hall.
For details or questions, call 440-974-9380. Meals are open to the public.

Painesville post
serves breakfast

American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays, with prices ranging from $3 to $6. For details, call 440-357-7711.

Sub Zero Mission
stuffing the bus in Mentor

Sub Zero Mission “Nobody Should Freeze to Death in America” and Mentor American Legion Post 3352 will host a “Stuff the Bus” event to help local homeless from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor.
Please bring your adult men’s and women’s gently used coats, gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, fleeces, hoodies and sleeping bags.

UWV organizational
meeting set

United War Vets will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ashtabula American Legion Post on Carpenter Road. This is the organizational meeting for the next year.

AMVETS clambake
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a clambake beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Tickets are $20 each and a cash bar will be available. For tickets, call John McCallister at 440-521-7235.

Madison reverse raffle
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a reverse raffle beginning with dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday.
In addition, Me and My Gang will entertain from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25 each. For details, call 440-428-7893.

Painesville hosts fish fry
The Auxiliary Unit of American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a fish fry from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at the post. Lake Erie perch or jumbo shrimp dinners are $11, and the dinner includes fries, slaw and dessert. For details, call 440-357-7711.

Mentor AMVETS
hosts clambake

AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host its annual clambake from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 per person. Extra clams will be $7. Also being served will be chicken, corn, yams and clam chowder. Tickets are available at the post or by calling 440-257-9217.

Men’s auxiliary offers
Sunday breakfast

VFW Post 2595 Men’s Auxiliary will host breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville. Breakfast will be $5 per person. For details, call the post at 440-354-9090.

Chardon VFW clambake
Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host its annual clambake from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26, at the post home. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for extra clams.
Tickets must be purchased in advance before Sunday. For information or tickets, call 440-285-3699.

Halloween at Gunny’s Hall
Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 Marine Corps League, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor, will host a Halloween party beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Gunny’s Hall.
Tickets are $10 per person and the evening will feature a 50/50 raffle, costume contest and the band Probable Cause. Tickets are available at the hall. For details, call 440-974-9380.

Marine Corps Ball Nov. 9
The 238th USMC Birthday Celebration, sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 782, will be 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 9 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson.
The event is open to the public and is business casual.
The evening will include an open bar and Chinese auction. Celebrate the birthday of America’s Marines with your local Marine Corps veterans and members of the Pvt. Henry Kalinowski Marine Corps League Detachment 782.
Tickets are $45 per couple or $25 per single and are available until Nov. 1.
For ticket information, call Tom Lucas Jr. at 440-992-5861, 440-813-3914 or email to lukejr68@gmail.com. Send check or money order made out to the Marine Corps League, c/o Tom Lucas, Jr., 3105 Jefferson Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004.

Submissions
To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Lucky means helping others

I admire anyone who can laugh, considers themselves lucky and always has some project going on. Bob Zonneville of Mentor is on my most admired list.
Zonneville recently was honored by the French Consulate with the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal. Zonneville was awarded the medal because of his actions with the 8th Infantry Division — “The Golden Arrow” — during World War II.
“I was gone three years and when I got home, I couldn’t buy a drink,” Zonneville recalled with his infectious laugh. He could not buy a drink because at the time he was not legally old enough to do so.
The Knight of the Legion of Honor was not something that he expected. The consulate contacted him in January and requested some of his Army paperwork. He returned what was requested and thought no more about it, as he was busy finishing up college.
Zonneville graduated from Lakeland Community College in Kirtland in May. As I said before, I admire anyone who always has a project going on.
The French medal appeared in Zonneville’s mailbox a few weeks ago. It came as a bit of a surprise because of the other things he was busy with. He will be the first to tell you how lucky he is and can give you a list of reasons why he is lucky.
“I was honored by this,” Zonneville said.
There is always a fundraiser, scholarship or something that needs his attention. He spreads his lucky life around helping others.
“I’m the luckiest person that walks,” Zonneville said. “That’s why I help others.”
Zonneville will celebrate his 89th birthday in January.

Female Young Marine awarded National Scholarship
Ashtabula County Young Marines Master Gunnery Sgt. Mary Wessell has been chosen to receive the National Jimmy Trimble Scholarship at the Young Marines National Headquarters in November. A Geneva High School senior, she is the female recipient of the $1,000 scholarship.
To be eligible, the applicant must be a Young Marine in good standing, have been in the Young Marines for three years or more, and be a graduating high school senior.
The scholarship is presented to one male and female each year in memory of Jimmy Trimble who was killed in action on Iwo Jima during World War II.
Wessell is the daughter of Kenny and Judy Wessell of Geneva.

Geauga County Veterans ID
still available

The Geauga County Veterans ID Cards were a huge hit, according to Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich.
The recorder’s office produced 115 cards, with a line out of the office and onto the sidewalk on the first day of issue. The identification cards will continue to be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the recorder’s office, 231 Main St. in Chardon.
For details, call the office at 440-279-2020. 

Stuff the bus for Sub Zero Mission
Sub Zero Mission will be accepting donations of gently used adult men’s and women’s coats, sleeping bags, sweatshirts, fleeces, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and new socks to help the sheltered and unsheltered homeless. Stuff the mission bus “Gemma” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Sheraton Furniture, 3806 Erie St. in Willoughby. Sheraton Furniture and McKinley Grove Community Center will host the event and offer refreshments and goodies.
Between 5 and 7 p.m., bring your toughest design question and a donation for Sub Zero Mission and receive a free pumpkin from Sheraton furniture.

Fish fry Friday in Fairport
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, hosts fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinners from 4 to 7 p.m.
The public is welcome. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Pork chops on menu
at Painesville VFW

The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a breaded pork chop dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Dinners are $10 each, and the public is welcome. For details, call 440-354-9090.

Flag disposal ceremony Saturday
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a flag disposal ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday at the post home. If you have old flags that need to be disposed of, they can be dropped off at the post for proper disposal.

Clambake weekend
n The annual Steam Engine Clambake will be Saturday at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Dinner includes a dozen clams, chicken, sweet potato, corn, clam chowder, cole slaw, roll and butter and homemade ice cream. Tickets are $20 per person and extra clams will be available. For details and tickets, call 440-974-9380.
n American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a clambake beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday at the post. Steak and one dozen clams will be $24 and chicken with one dozen clams will be $22. Entertainment by D.J. Woody is from 7 to 11 p.m. Call the post after 3 p.m. to place your order at 440-942-7762.
n AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a clambake, beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the post home. Tickets are $20 each and a cash bar will be available. For tickets, call John McCallister at 440-521-7235.
n VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host its annual clambake from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the post home. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for extra clams. Tickets are available only in advance and must be purchased before Oct. 20. For information or tickets, call 440-285-3699.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Fall Veterans Memorial service Saturday

Thirty years ago this month, the bombing of U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, shook our nation, as the cowardly attack took American lives and served as a warning of things to come.
The War on Terror is still being waged against an enemy whose uniform consists of clothing worn on the street.
To honor the fallen, the annual Fall Veterans Memorial will be at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Mentor Civic Center. The service will be about 45 minutes in length and commemorate the soldiers, sailors and Marines that served in Beirut and the invasion of Grenada.
While the greatest loss of life was Oct. 23, 1983, when 220 Marines, 18 sailors and 3 soldiers were killed in the barracks bombing, another 30 were lost in Beirut from the U.S. Peacekeeping Force and three were lost in Grenada.
The Lake County Marine Honor Guard will conduct the color guard details; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754 in Fairport Harbor will handle the honor salute; and Beirut veteran Al Opra will play Taps.
Marine veteran Bill Sickles, commander of the Greater Lake County Young Marines and a Beirut veteran, will be the guest speaker.
The memorial service is open to the public.

Chardon VFW Post serving cabbage roll dinner
VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a cabbage roll dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Call the post for tickets at 440-285-3699.

Learn about benefits at Willoughby Legion
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a registration for Veterans Affairs benefits (health information, etc.) from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the post home.
Please bring a copy of your DD-214, financial information for 2012, spouse information such as date of birth and Social Security number, as well as the date of marriage. Come and speak with a VA employee and learn about the benefits you are entitled to.
For details, call the post after 3 p.m. at 440-942-7762.
 
Flag disposal ceremony at AMVETS
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a flag disposal ceremony at 2 p.m. Oct. 12, at the post home. If you have old flags that need to be disposed of, they can be dropped off at the post for proper disposal.
 
Clambake season
n The Annual Steam Engine Clambake will be Oct. 12 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor.
Dinner includes one dozen clams, chicken, sweet potato, corn, clam chowder, cole slaw, roll and butter, and homemade ice cream. Tickets are $20 per person and extra clams will be available. For details and tickets, call 440-974-9380.
n American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center S. in Willoughby, will host a clambake beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at the post. Steak and one dozen clams will be $24 and chicken with one dozen clams will be $22. Entertainment by D.J. Woody will be provided from 7 to 11 p.m. Call the post after 3 p.m. to place your order at 440-942-7762.
n AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a clambake, beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 19, at the post home. Tickets are $20 each and a cash bar will be available. For tickets, call John McCallister at 440-521-7235.
n Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host the annual clambake from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26, at the post home. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for extra clams. Tickets are available only in advance before Oct. 20. For information or tickets, call 440-285-3699.

Fish dinners at Willoughby Post
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby is hosting fish fry dinners the first and third Fridays of the month at the post home. For details, call 440-951-9233.

Gunny’s Hall serving all week
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, serves an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon between Labor and Memorial days. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders can be taken for an additional $1.50.
The detachment also serves lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include the daily special and regular menu items.
Fish fry meals will be served 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday at the hall.
For details or questions, call 440-974-9380. Meals are open to the public.

AMVETS host holiday bazaar
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, will host a holiday bazaar at the post from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16. The event is open to the public. Tables are $15 or donate a gift basket to raffle and receive half price for the table. For details, call 440-257-5825.
To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

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