About Town

St. Basil’s fifth-grade girls’ volleyball team ended its season by winning the St. Peter’s volleyball tournament. The team was undefeated in the tournament and sported a regular-season record of 7-1. The nine-girl team was 15-2 in competition for the season.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Brecksville hosted its annual Blessing of the Animals service on Oct. 6. The church pews were filled with a variety of furry friends, including dogs, cats and even a chinchilla, all eagerly awaiting a special blessing.

The Rev. Stephanie Pace and Deacon Dave McBee presided over the service, offering individual blessings to each pet. The event was a heartwarming celebration of the bond between humans and animals. As a token of the occasion, each pet received a commemorative tag to wear on their collars.

The Blessing of the Animals is a longstanding tradition in the Episcopal Church, held in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. It provides an opportunity for pet owners to express gratitude for their beloved companions and seek a blessing for their well-being.

Mayor Daryl Kingston elected to carry on a longstanding tradition founded by former Mayor Jerry Hruby this fall by honoring the city’s long list of volunteers.

The Human Services Center alone has about 200 volunteers, including several women in the kitchen who help to prepare, serve and clean up brunch every Tuesday as well as the hot meal offered by the facility on Thursdays.

Additionally, there are several drivers who take seniors to medical appointments, along with almost 40 residents who serve on the city’s boards and commissions, including members of the Beautification Committee who have never met a flower they haven’t liked.

Every year, the traditional annual volunteer pot luck picnic takes place in the Human Services Center Courtyard.

Part of the tradition involves the mayor grilling sausages and hot dogs, ably assisted by the service director and members of his staff.

Pictured: Mayor Daryl Kingston and Service Director Joe Kickel carrying on the grilling tradition. ∞