Vermilion man lauded for his essays to patients

BOUQUET >> To Al Thiery, the 86-year-old Vermilion resident who writes and distributes essays he’s penned to patients in local hospitals and assisted living facilities to educate and entertain them.

A musician by trade, Thiery now writes religiously-themed stories, reflections and essays four days a week nearly every week to share and discuss with up to 45 people.

Thiery said, “I try to give them something to learn from, always. I try to give them something to encourage them. I try to give them something that makes them think, but I have to admit that I am expressing myself a lot, too.”

Thiery’s work recently landed him with a lifetime membership to the International Writers Association/Friends of Helen Steiner Rice, which has only gone to three members, according to the association’s president, Mary Hilaire Tavenner.

About 10 years ago when his health prevented him from playing guitar and banjo, Thiery began writing essays and joined the International Writers Association/Friends of Helen Steiner Rice.

We applaud Thiery for his craft and giving patients something positive and encouraging to read every week.

BOUQUET >> To the Lorain City Schools Board of Education for recognizing students Rico Mercado and Sariana Rivera for their outstanding ACT scores.

At the board’s Nov. 19 regular meeting, Lorain County Community College early college seniors Mercado and Rivera received certificates of recognition from Board President Tony Dimacchia.

In accepting the recognition, Mercado urged the board to continue supporting the early college program, which allows Lorain High School students to obtain associate degrees through LCCC.

Mercado said, “I just have nothing but good things to say about early college. I really think it’s a good program, and I hope you guys continue to stay with it.”

Rivera, who thanked her mother and the support of her family and teachers in helping her along the way in emphasizing academics, said, “In the beginning when I was a freshman, I didn’t think I could handle it, early college, just being in the college classes being a freshman. I did want to get out of that program.”

Dimacchia added, “And for us Board of Education members, one of the greatest things that we could do is graduate kids. And part of getting to graduation is how you guys achieve in the classroom and how you handle these state test scores and state standards.”

We commend Mercado and Rivera for accomplishing this feat and wish them the best in their future endeavors. BRICKBAT >> To Caitlynn R. Kelling, the 25-year-old Sheffield Lake woman who will serve three years of community control for crashing her car into a house Feb. 25.

Kelling, who was sentenced Nov. 26, also must enroll into Lorain County Drug Court and her license were suspended for two years.

Kelling pleaded guilty Sept. 18 to vehicular assault, two counts of possession of drugs and single counts of OVI and possessing drug abuse instruments.

A Sheffield Lake police report on the crash indicated Kelling drove her red Ford Focus through the stop sign at Ferndale Avenue and Harris Road at about 40 mph then struck two vehicles in the driveway of 791 Harris Road.

The car then traveled into the house’s garage, pinning the 61-year-old victim between her car and a refrigerator.

When officers arrived on scene, Kelling was slumped over unconscious. They removed her with hydraulic jaws and then revived her with two doses of naloxone before transporting her to a hospital.

Officers discovered a syringe, burnt spoon and a white powder in Kelling’s purse and two clonazepam pills in a medicine bottle.

A blood test later showed Kelling had drugs in her system at the time of the crash.

At least the courts will keep tabs on Kelling for the next three years. If she violates the terms of her probation, she could face jail.

BRICKBAT >> To Mark A. Ryder, the 51-year-old Elyria man facing felony charges after he allegedly tried to rob an Elyria family at gunpoint Nov. 25, only to be shot at by one of his victims.

Ryder was charged with aggravated robbery, having weapons while under disability and using weapons while intoxicated.

An officer on patrol heard what sounded like three gunshots at 11:38 p.m. near Foster Avenue between Lake and Woodland avenues.

The officer noticed three people standing in the 900 block of Foster who said a gunman wearing a hoodie and blue jeans attempted to rob them.

One of the victims, a 64-yearold woman, fired shots with her .38-caliber revolver, missed him, but caused him to run.

A short time later, police found Ryder in the 300 block of Woodland behind two large bushes and arrested him.

Ryder is innocent until proven guilty. It’ll be interesting, however, to hear his defense.