The Grapevine

The late Betsy Marchetta’s family hosted a Lights of Hope Across America event on Aug. 26 at their Bath home. The event marked one year since Betsy passed away from cancer.

Around 100 people (all wearing masks and making best attempts to social distance) gathered at the Marchetta home to honor Betsy’s valiant battle and honor loved ones. All in attendance prepared a Lights of Hope bag that displayed a photo of Betsy with encouraging messages remembering those they had lost.

Betsy’s husband, Vince, said the evening was about celebrating those they had lost, but also remembering and feeling gratitude for the time they had with those they loved. Some of the bags celebrated friends and family who had fought cancer and come out on the other end cancer-free.

Friends from all over the country donated and supported the special evening, including friends from Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C., who donated and participated from a distance. 

During the evening, Vince spoke about the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where he serves as a legislative ambassador volunteer. He also discussed the work the ambassadors put in advocating for continued cancer research funding.

Vince emphasized the need for regular screening for early cancer detection and for creating a safe, supportive environment for patients requiring treatment. He said this was especially important in today’s world and acknowledged that the fight against cancer and COVID-19 were not mutually exclusive. He explained that many are passing up screenings for fear of contracting COVID-19 in an office or hospital, but emphasized that early detection is the best way to treat and cure cancer.

The event at the Marchettas’ home raised over $17,000 toward the cause. The national Lights of Hope event took place virtually on Sept. 12, as ambassadors across the country could not assemble at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., as was tradition in past years.

Readers of this column, have you had your yearly exams and screening? If not, making an appointment today would be a wonderful way to honor those who are no longer with us.

Lights of Hope attendees create paper luminarias in memory of Betsy Marchetta and other loved ones who have battled cancer. Photo courtesy V. Marchetta
Paper bags line the outside of the Marchetta home. Photo courtesy V. Marchetta
Masked attendees embrace next to a photo of the late Betsy Marchetta. Photo courtesy V. Marchetta

Justin Gregory Bean, son of Greg and Pamela of Bath, graduated from Capital Law School in May. Unfortunately for him and his family, and so many other 2020 graduates, there was no graduation ceremony to celebrate this accomplishment.

Bean has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Denison University and is a 2012 graduate of Revere High School. He will sit for the Ohio Bar exam in October, which is delayed this year due to COVID-19.

Justin Bean

David and Lisa Craine, Bath residents who have been married for 31 years, were honored at the 17th annual Butterfly Gala benefiting Stewart’s Caring Place on Aug. 1.

Proud parents of Jacob, 28, and Noah, 22, the Craines were recognized for their years of cancer awareness advocacy, fundraising and mentorship since Lisa was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2010. They were celebrated for working tirelessly to help raise money and support research. The couple has mentored more than 300 patients and caregivers over the years and raised over $250,000 for research.

The Craines were featured in a video narrated by Emmy-award winning television journalist Sara Shookman of WKYC that outlined Lisa’s decade-long journey since her cancer diagnosis. After dozens of surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, Lisa’s cancer has recurred five times, yet she has persisted with a positive attitude and giving spirit.

This year’s reimagined Butterfly Gala included socially distanced open house tours of Stewart’s Caring Place’s new location in Copley, curbside dinner pickup of a reheatable gourmet dinner and an at-home gala program.

The gala committee included the service of Ana Betro, Tamara Boyazis, Lisa Craine, Christine Cusimano, Mary Ann Freedman, Brandi Gangel, Carol Jones, Lisa Kane, Robin Kousaie, Lori Krohn, Emma Liebert Osborn, Lisa Mandel, Amy McMillin, Chris Miner, Traci Mockbee, Kathy Moock, Cheryl Murphy, Traci Peltz, Carrie Pozsgay and Brenda Spear. Bath resident Jeannine Marks serves as the executive director of Stewart’s Caring Place. 

David and Lisa Craine are the recipients of the 2020 Stewart’s Caring Place Spirit Award. Photo courtesy L. Craine
David and Lisa Craine, pictured with sons Noah (l) and Jacob (r), display their Spirit Award outside their Bath home. Photo courtesy L. Craine

All across the country, sports and extracurricular activities are being postponed or cancelled for the fall season, leaving many experts concerned about the long-term effects of the pandemic on the social-emotional health of children.

While medical professionals and government officials adjust to the current landscape with recommendations to postpone activities, Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio has found a way to continue delivering its confidence-building program this fall. Alongside a wide range of changes to in-person meetings, such as individually packaged materials for each girl, new cleaning protocols and adjustments to activities to reduce and/or eliminate physical contact among participants, Girls on the Run is introducing a new virtual programming option this season. 

“At this age, girls are learning social cues from each other, such as how to empathize, negotiate and building confidence,” said Girls on the Run NEO Executive Director Robyn Cutler of Bath. “These skills are a large part of their development. With many schools continuing with virtual learning and limited opportunities for girls to interact with peers, we knew we needed to find a way to support the continued growth and development of these social skills in a new way.” 

Registration for the fall season is open, with sessions set to begin the week of Sept. 21. For more information about programming, locations and registration, visit gotrNEO.org or call 234-206-0786. 

More than a dozen members of the Akron Bicycle Club met early on Aug. 22 at Bath Community Park to prepare for a beautiful ride to Doylestown. Members rode almost 40 miles that day. For information on how to join the club, visit akronbike.org.

Members of the Akron Bicycle Club start their ride at Bath Community Park. Photo by J. Towell

It has been such an honor to write the Grapevine column for the past three years. When I took over the column from Mary Colarik, I was not working, and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and write about the amazing residents of Bath.

Last year, I was appointed as a magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court, and as I complete my first year, I have decided to turn my focus fully to my legal career and our young family of three children.

I am incredibly grateful for the chance to get to know so many of you amazing readers and share your beautiful stories. I am also grateful to Mary for encouraging me to write this column and to ScripType Publishing for entrusting this important job to me. I look forward to reading about the wonderful residents of Bath and seeing you all out in the community. Peace and blessings to each of you, and thank you for taking the time to read the monthly Grapevine.