News roundup for Feb. 15, 2021

Vermilion Business Connection to talk TikTok One of the many things business owners learned during the pandemic was the importance of TikTok to the digital profile of a company. The video platform has similar characteristics to Facebook and Instagram, but emphasizes making localized content viral. Learn about TikTok and how to capitalize on it from guest speaker Nikki Hannaway, senior account executive at Marcus Thomas and Cleveland-based food influencer at this month's Vermilion Business Connection, hosted by Main Street Vermilion, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Hannaway will demonstrate the platform and how to optimize it for your business' peak exposure. The meeting is free for all Vermilion-area business owners and merchants. To find the Zoom meeting link, visit mainstreetvermilion.org. Black River Audubon Society to show 'Piping Plovers' film Join the Black River Audubon Society March meeting to view "Monty and Rose: The Story of Chicago's Piping Plovers," the first film by Bob Dolgan, a volunteer plover monitor in Chicago in 2019. It follows the advocates determined to protect a pair of endangered plovers who took up residence on a busy Chicago beach. It is an official selection of the One Earth Film Festival. Dolgan is the founder of Turnstone Strategies, a marketing firm, and a board member of the Chicago Ornithological Society. His articles have been published in a number of national publications. For information, visit blackriveraudubon.org for the Zoom link. The society is looking for board members to help protect wildlife and their habitats through science, education, advocacy and conservation. The society serves Lorain County and provides nature speakers, conservation programming, wildlife field trips and other community and member opportunities. Specific skills the group needs include previous nonprofit or board experience, fund raising, event planning, strong community connections and a passion for birds and conservation. If interested, email blackriveraudubon@gmail.com or text (440) 610-8626 for an application. New inductees for Amherst Athletic Hall of Fame The Amherst Athletic Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for the class of 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a combined ceremony will be held with the class of 2022. Two individuals and one team are part of the class of 2021: • Brian Cesear, 2002 graduate, was a football and wrestling champion. He won the Golden Helmet his senior year and Southwestern Conference Most Valuable Player, the second player in the team's history to earn either title. Among his many accomplishments, he was a three-year starter for state playoff qualifying teams, both as a fullback and a linebacker. On the wrestling mat, he was a two-time state qualifier and was Lorain County Wrestler of the Year in 2002. He continued to wrestle at Ohio University and was captain as a senior. • Heather Zehel, 1992 graduate, was a volleyball, basketball and softball standout. All three teams won Southwestern Conference Championships her senior year and the 1991 volleyball team was inducted last year. Her accomplishments included spots on the Lorain County All-Star teams, being named Lorain County's Miss Softball and broke the softball record with 90 at bats. She played all three sports at Baldwin Wallace College. • The 1981 Boys Cross Country team also was inducted. The team's many accomplishments included winning the Lakeland Conference Championship by 58 points. — from staff reports