As the holiday season approaches, we invite everyone to join us for the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 6th at 6:00 pm, a cherished tradition that brings our community together to celebrate joy and togetherness. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there with cookies and hot cocoa at this free festive event.

As we bid farewell to 2024 and look forward to the opportunities that 2025 will bring, it's a wonderful time to embrace gratitude and community spirit. One way to do this is by participating in Wreaths Across America, a heartfelt event dedicated to honoring our veterans by placing wreaths on their graves. This year, it will be held at the Concord Township Cemetery on December 14th, and everyone is encouraged to attend, come rain or shine. This noble cause not only pays tribute to those who have served but also strengthens our community bonds. For those unable to attend in person, you can still contribute by making a donation online, ensuring the continuation and expansion of this meaningful tradition.

In terms of community safety, Concord Township is making significant strides. Thanks to the successful passage of Issue 2, we are working to modify the policing contract with the Lake County Sheriff's Department, ensuring 24/7 coverage with two dedicated deputies starting in January 2025. Meanwhile, our Fire Department maintains its current staffing and response times, supported by a budget that allows for the replacement of old equipment.

The Lake County Land-bank has begun working on the demolition of Fire Station 1, a structure that served us well since 1966. We are grateful for their funding of this project. Additionally, with funding from Lake County and the State of Ohio, a new waterline is being installed along Girdled Road, though the project faced some delays due to locating utilities and planning the placement of the waterline. As we advance, the township is identifying financing options to continue our fire station construction project, fulfilling a commitment made by the Trustees in 2020. The support from Local Government Fund changes and anticipated RID revenue will be instrumental in resuming this vital project.

As we wrap up another wonderful year, we want to extend our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas to all of our community members. May this festive season bring you joy, peace, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Thank you for making our community a vibrant and welcoming place, and we look forward to an even brighter new year together.

Merry Christmas,

The Concord Township Trustees 

Sean Supler, Recreation Director, 440-639-4652

Susie Cobb, Administrative Assistant, 440-639-4650

Rachel Lamb, Program Coordinator, 440-639-4651

DECEMBER CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Friday, December 6, 6:00 P Tree Lighting. Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cooki­es & Hot Cocoa, Town Hall Campus, 7229 Ravenna Road. 

VIDEOS FROM SANTA

Sign up for a free, virtual personalized message from Santa for your kids this year! Register by December 15 and receive a short video via email before Christmas!

LIGHT UP CONCORD CONTEST

Please note: there are new elements this year. Homes or businesses will be judged based on curbside appeal only. Judges will not enter the property. A “People’s Choice” Award goes to the home that receives the most votes, and the winner of each category will receive a prize. Winners will be contacted by phone and announced on the Concord Township website and Facebook page.

Be the envy of your neighborhood for your beautiful – or Clark Griswold-inspired – holiday decorations, and enter the annual Holiday Decorating Contest! Enter the contest here by December 10. Online voting 12/19-1/5, with winners announced after 1/6. The voting link will be available at www.concordtwp.com or on our Facebook page.

LETTERS TO SANTA & MRS. CLAUS

Community Center  12/14

CANVAS PAINTING CLASS

Painters will follow step-by-step instructions from leading artist, Amber from Ariel Inspired Art Studio & Gallery. Painters are encouraged to express their inner creativity while learning different painting techniques. Painters will create a bright, vibrant, unique work of art on an 8x10" canvas. Paintings dry quickly and will be able to take home at the end of class. *Aprons are provided, but please keep in mind that paint will stain clothing. Dress for mess is recommended.   

T       6:30-7:30 P           12/3           Snowman    $20

LIBRARY TUESDAYS

iPhone Class

Want to take full advantage of your Apple iPhone but don't

know where to start? Join our class and learn tips, tricks and

information and will help you confidently navigate your

Apple device.

T        10:00-11:30 A                 12/3 Max: 12 participants

Jane Austen Christmas Tea

The program will consist of a brief (15 minutes or less presentation on the Regency period with some of the places Jane Austen lived in and some of the highlights of the era. You are welcome to dress up if you would like. Tea and scones will be served while playing some games. 

T        10:00-11:30 A                 12/10           Max: 15 participants

MAKE AND TAKE CLASSES

Join instructor Joanna Orgovan as she teaches you how to create soaps, perfumes, nail polishes, and more that are free from many of the harmful chemicals used in everyday brands!   Please check our website (or the Adaptive section) for more detailed class information below!

M      6:30-8:30 P  12/9 Christmas Duckies           Ages 12+

M      6:30-8:30 P  12/16 Christmas Soaps              Ages 12+

LET'S COOK

Carrot Cake Pancakes 

When you want carrot cake and it's way too early in the day to eat cake…Carrot Cake Pancakes to the rescue! These are moist and homey with just the right touch of spice to start your morning in the most delicious way. 

Th      6:00-8:00 P 12/19         $27/person     Min/Max: 4/8

Learn all about the many classes and programs available this winter by downloading our program guide!

If you have any questions about programs, please call the us at 440-639-4650. 

From the Chief’s Office

As I look out my office window this morning, I am filled with mixed emotions as the demolition of the old firehouse begins. This station, completed in 1966, initially served as a firehouse and community room. When the Community Center moved into their current space on Auburn Road, the fire department occupied the entire space of the firehouse. This building holds so many memories for both the firefighters as well as the Concord Township community. We hope to have bricks available from the old building available for community members to take.

The fire department extends its deepest gratitude to the Concord Township community for the approval of the operational levy for the fire department. This funding will go a long way to ensure that we are able to maintain a level of service that Concord Township deserves.

Below is a summary of our emergency response activity so far for 2024:

On November 21 we were happy to host Girl Scout Troop 70092 as we helped them earn their First Aid badge and give them a tour of the firehouse.

As we enter into the Holiday season, we have some safety tips to share with you from the United States Fire Administration:



1. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns and are in stable holders where they cannot be easily knocked over.
2. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles as an alternative to real candles.
3. Inspect holiday lights each year and throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
4. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
5. Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree can burn very hot and fast.
6. Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources light fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also make sure your tree does not block exits.
7. Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has shared a video demonstrating the importance of watering a cut tree in your home.

The Service Department is ready for the winter months ahead. Our plow fleet is prepped and ready to go. During the winter months the Service Department continues to perform ditch maintenance, pothole patching, and general grounds and building maintenance to the Townships properties. Additionally, the crews perform preventative maintenance of our equipment and begin evaluating Township roads for repairs and maintenance for the upcoming 2025 construction season.

Many residents took advantage of the Yard Waste Drop off this fall. The Yard Waste Drop off closes on December 6^th at 2:30 PM. The service Department will reopen the Yard Waste Drop off in the spring. The annual township wide curbside Yard Waste Collection will take place on December 2^nd beginning at 6 AM, Major Waste is contracted by the Township to perform the collection and intends to have it completed in one day. Residents are encouraged to have their yard waste bags to the curb the night before.

The Mailbox Snow Barricade applications are available on the Concord website or at Town Hall for residents who wish to purchase one. Barricades are $50 and are installed by the Service Department.

Lake County Storm Water Department continues to assist Concord Township with drainage improvements and maintenance throughout the Township. Several projects were completed this year adding to the mitigation of storm water runoff with Concord Township. These projects are funded with storm water funds collected through property taxes and are put back into the township.

As the winter weather approaches, we remind motorists to allow for more travel time in adverse conditions and to give the plow truck extra room to help the operators perform their operations safely. We hope all residents have a safe and healthy holiday season.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Service Department at 440-350-3225 or by email address available at concordtwp.com/service department. 

Karen Warner, Debbie Powall, and Cindy Sadler

cemeteries@concordtwp.com

Wreaths Across America

You are cordially invited to join us to Remember and Honor those who served and their families along with Teaching the next generation about the value of freedom at Concord Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America Ceremony. It will be held on December 14, 2024 at noon in the Concord Township Cemetery located on State Route 608, just east of Fire Station #1.

After the ceremony, please be patient when exiting the cemetery and do not drive on the grass. We will do our best to get everyone out in a timely manner. For Handicap Parking and Quick/Easy Access parking information, follow the signs or click the link below.

https://concordtwp.com/departments/cemetery/

The Fall & Winter edition of the printed Grapevine newsletter is available for download in the PDF format.

Concord Township, Lake County, OH | P: 440.354.7510 | F: 440.354.7511 | www.concordtwp.com