Sears reunion brought back great memories

BOUQUETS >> To the former employees of the Sears department store at 409 Broadway in Lorain, who gathered May 31 on the 50th anniversary of the closing of that location.

The group decided to have the reunion to catch up and reminisce on great moments from the past.

It took place at Moosehead Grill in Amherst.

Allan Murphy, former assistant manager of the Sears in Lorain, said, “I figured it would be a good idea to get a hold of everyone and see if we could all get together”

Murphy said the Sears in Lorain had 125 employees, a retail section and its warehouse was off of Fourth Street.

And Sears attracted a lot of businesses to downtown.

Murphy said, “They were our competitors, but we all kind of helped each other out.”

We congratulate the former Sears employees for reminiscing and keeping those memories alive.

BOUQUETS » To the United Way of Greater Lorain County for committing up to $304,286 over the next three years to continue building a system of healthy living options in North Ridgeville and Keystone School District communities.

Keystone Empowers You and North Ridgeville Heart and Sole are efforts in these communities to increase access to physical activity and healthy food options.

Lorain County Public Health is leading both collaboratives.

Bill Harper, executive director of United Way of Greater Lorain County, said, “We initially targeted these areas because we saw a high percentage of adults who are classified as overweight. There were increasing levels of poverty and a general lack of neighborhood walk-ability. We’re breaking through those barriers due to a strong commitment of the local residents and the partners in working together, and we’re proud of these communities for stepping up to the challenge to improve their health.”

Initial strategies that have been successful include improved walking paths connecting often-visited locations, outdoor exercise equipment, and shared use agreements with the school districts for indoor walking and the use of exercise equipment in the winter months.

The collaboratives have also organized farmer’s markets, Salad Wednesdays at senior centers, community garden support, healthier options at the schools and community concession stands, diabetes prevention programming and plant-based diet support groups.

We commend the United Way and Lorain County Public Health for their efforts to bring about healthier communities.

BRICKBATS » To the Westlake couple who police say were asleep when their 2-year-old was found walking alone in bare feet outside May 31.

Westlake police said the parents are facing child endangering charges after bystanders saw the child on Cornwell Drive in the city.

At 10:59 a.m., someone reported seeing the child walking and attempted to knock on the home where she believed the parents lived. There was no answer.

Officers were able to contact the parents, who indicated they had taken a nap and did not realize the toddler had walked out of the house.

Authorities referred the case to Cuyahoga County Children’s Services.

The parents are very fortunate this did not end tragically.

BRICKBATS » To Brandy L. Adams, the 39-year-old Lorain woman who was sentenced to one year of community control June 4 for attacking a Norwalk woman with a knife.

Adams pleaded guilty to an amended indictment of assault and domestic violence for the March 18, 2017, attack. She originally had faced a more serious felonious assault charge.

Police said the 26-year-old victim was a guest at Adams’ Vine Avenue house when she decided to sleep in an upstairs bedroom.

She later awoke to Adams on top of her screaming about her seeing other women. She said Adams repeatedly struck her in the face with a knife in her hand.

As the woman attempted to leave, Adams continued the attack grabbing her by hair and shoving her to the ground, resulting in her bottom teeth puncturing through her bottom lip.

The victim left the house March 19, 2017, and received treatment at Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk.

Hospital personnel contacted police.

Adams avoided jail, but at least the courts will keep tabs on her for a year.

If she messes up, she could face incarceration.