Ringing in Summer Fun!

The Celebrate Summer event was held July 28 at the Center Road School in Mantua Ohio. The Mantua Restoration Society organized the family-oriented event that was sponsored by NOPEC. There were activities for kids, face painting along with free food and beverage and live entertainment. Swifty the Clown was on hand creating amazing balloon characters seemingly out of thin air. MSFD personnel were there showing off an ambulance and firetruck. The school itself looks better every time I visit. The showcase today was the newly restored bell tower which does much to give the old school an iconic appearance. The gleaming white tower looked brand new. Visitors even got the opportunity to ring the bell. It was amazing to hear the old school bell ring out across the grounds, and could be heard quite a way into the distance. I was given unparalleled access and even managed to photograph the bell later a perilous climb to the base of the tower. It was much larger than I imagined. I was honored to meet Nora and Travis Brant, especially poignant since the passing of Cal Brant who was instrumental in the restoration of the bell tower. Sadly Cal died before the project was completed. However it was a delight to watch his family ring the bell in his honor.

Chuck Casalicchio kicked off the afternoon’s entertainment with his karaoke. Valerie Salstrom was up next with swing dancing lessons and routines. And the afternoon was capped off with a performance by the Walnut Hill Cloggers from Garrettsville.

Many thanks to the organizers, volunteers and participants for a great day and posing for my camera. Hope you enjoy this visual recap of the afternoon.

Written by Dave Dreimiller