Talk of the Town

Finally, summer is here! I’m sure, like myself, we are all glad to shake off the frost that May brought us. Summer in Hudson is such a wonderful time with the farmers market in full swing and several activities on the green returning. I, for one, cannot wait to see what summer brings! Just like flowers blooming so do the people in our community, and these are just a few of the wonderful people and things that make Hudson great. 

Kudos to the Hudson Kiwanis Club for a $20,000 grant to help create a hydroponic gardening facility at the Hudson High school. Skipping the soil, hydroponic gardening uses recycled, nutrient-filled water to cultivate growing. The hydroponics labs teaches students about science but also how to grow food sustainably and provides a glimpse into the world of urban agriculture. Students are growing lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes that have been sold to HHS staff. A future goal is to sell the produce to the community.

“The Hudson Kiwanis willingness to first hear our district’s proposal to fund a hydroponics lab and then following up with additional inquiries to develop a deep understanding of what we were trying to accomplish says much about the long-standing partnership with a civic group that puts their words into action,” according to Principal Brian Wilch. “The new hydroponics lab at the high school is a great example of project-based learning that involves students of all ability levels.

Hudson Community Foundation hosted a May 4 donation drive to collect food and personal hygiene items for families in need, which resulted in nearly 1,800 donated items and filled to capacity a new mobile food pantry van serving northern Summit County. The donations were collected by volunteers from The Emergency Assistance Center and Hudson Food Pantry. The foundation also granted a total of $12,000 to HHS seniors in the fields of art, engineering, mathematics and nursing this year. Thanks for supporting our community in so many important ways!

Thanks to all organizations for their service to the community!

Hudsonite Dusty Matthews has been a soccer referee through rain, snow, sleet and sun. Thirty years ago, his children came home and told him about the game of soccer and how they wanted to play. Later as a referee, he became a well-known face on the field. Matthews was recently awarded Referee of the Year by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

“This award is truly awesome, and I am humbled by it,” he said. “The schools, coaches and kids are great to be around every single game. I enjoy being a referee. It’s a chance to get out and exercise and be around people that you know and have wonderful relationships with.”

Matthews has formed strong relationships with the parents, players and coaches in our community. He truly is one of a kind. Congratulations on a well-deserved award!

For the last 10 years, Christine Rich told herself she was going to write a book, but it never happened. Recently, Christine took a class at Georgetown University on how to write a book and soon began interviewing women on the topic of chronic illness, when everything shifted into place.

“I was going to write a book about chronic illness, but I realized ‘How can I write about other women’s chronic issues, when I have not reflected on my own chronic illness?’” she said.

Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 17, Christine spent years in denial, not taking the appropriate medication or doing what she needed to do. She carried shame, and the mental and emotional impact was just as debilitating as the disease itself. She had to come to some sort of acceptance. When doing her book research, she discovered that there are hundreds of different autoimmune disorders and 70-80% of them happen to women.

“Crohn’s is by no means sexy. I had made an enemy of my body, and then I finally accepted who I was,” she said. “I envisioned my Crohn’s as a broken child, one that needed to be cared for and loved. A child that was crying out when it needed me to be there. Once I change my perspective. I changed my life and how I deal with this disorder.”

Her book “Chronic,” which will be released in August, is her personal journey of denial, shame, acceptance and love. “I want readers to reflect and let them know they are not alone,” she said. Christine, you are not alone, thank you for being a brave warrior and sharing your journey.

Hudson High School graduates Alyssa and Will Jordan are crushing it this year. Alyssa, a 2017 HHS grad, will graduate from the University of Cincinnati with honors. She has studied organizational leadership with a minor in business administration and marketing. She plans on pursuing her MBA and career with Amazon. Will also will be graduating from the University of Cincinnati. This 2016 HHS graduate will be receiving a degree in mechanical engineering. He will go on to be an engineer with Jeep Division of automaker Stellantis. Congratulations to you both!

Hudson resident and Walsh Jesuit High School senior Kaitlin Mohlenkamp was named one of the top three scholars in her graduating class. Kaitlin is headed to the University of Notre Dame to major in biological sciences and journalism. She was recognized for her volunteerism, public service and strong community commitment to helping others with the local Zonta Club of Hudson scholarship. Congratulations!

John Wallen, a college senior pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts from Bob Jones University, was hired before graduation as a cook supervisor at Hyatt Regency Greenville in Greenville, S.C. Way to go, John!

Noah Goad was among nearly 200 Canisius College students who participated in Virtual Service Week 2021. Goad is from the Class of 2024 and pursuing a degree in sport management.

In other student news, Cara Korpics was among over 600 students who graduated from Bob Jones University last month. Dean’s list honorees include Korpics and Helen-Ling Wallen of Bob Jones University; Kali Chapas, Sarah Travis and Allison Weinzierl of Belmont University; and Michael Yuhos of Capital University. Grant Norman was named to the president’s list at The Citadel.

And last, but not least, Brendan Demuynck, a HHS senior and, yes, my son, will graduate this year and attend Michigan State University. He will study supply chain management. I could not be prouder of the man he has become. I would like to thank the high school football and wrestling coaches as well as all of his teachers for having such a strong, positive influence on my son’s life. I love you, Brendan. You are going to do amazing things; I just know it.

As always please share your good news at ddemuynck@scriptype.com and make it a great day! ∞