Community calendar for April 25

Lorain Public Library returns with seed libraries, produce pickups Lorain Public Library System announces the return of seed libraries and fresh produce pickups in partnership with High Mowing Organic Seeds. There are 19 varieties of organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable and herb seeds from which to choose. Patrons are welcome to select five free packets per month on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Simply fill out the "Seed Library Checkout Form" and give it to staff, then take your seeds home to plant. The seed varieties available are: Genovese basil, provider bush bean, champion collards, green finger cucumber, Ping Tung long eggplant, Lacinato kale, optima lettuce, salad bowl lettuce, Cascadia snap pea, early jalapeno hot pepper, orange picnic pepper, New England pie pumpkin, regiment F1 spinach, honeynut butternut squash, Amish paste tomato, rose de berne tomato, supernova cherry tomato, dark green zucchini, and yellowfin F1 zucchini. For those that enjoy fresh produce but prefer to not have to grow their own, the library system will offer fresh produce pickups from their partners at City Fresh and Heart & Sole. City Fresh is a community supported agriculture program working to create access to fresh, local vegetables for all. With a weekly payment, participants receive a grab bag of fresh seasonal produce known as a "share." Shares come in single or family sizes and are offered at tiered prices. Limited income and EBT shares are available. Order for as many or as few weeks as desired at cityfresh.org for pick up at either the Main Library or South Lorain Branch on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. starting June 16. For more information on any of these initiatives, visit or call your local Lorain Public Library System branch. Public Art Vermilion to hold donation drive Public Art Vermilion is having a donation drive to benefit the Showse Park Fish Sculpture project and the future of public art in Vermilion. "In partnership with Patronicity, a civic crowdfunding platform, we're working to meet the challenge of raising $2,000 that will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the Lorain County Community Foundation," announced Marilou Suszko, chairperson for Public Art Vermilion. The colorful, interactive sculpture will be a hub for community art projects, she said, and is on target for a summer unveiling in the revamped park, where it will be accompanied by activities including a coloring contest, a name-the-fish contest and collaborative events with child-focused service groups including Girl Scouts and Ritter Public Library. "While its primary intent is to be a climbable piece for children, we know the fish has potential for other creative uses including reading activities, creating art, socializing, storytelling and more," she said. The Community Foundation of Lorain County will match donations, making all donations, no matter the size, valuable. To find out more about the project and to donate, go to patronicity.com/project/fund_the_fish_at_showse_park. Today - The Lorain County Metro Parks will screen "Ripples of Plastic'' 1-3 p.m. at Lakeview Park, Sunset Terrace, 1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, following by a panel discussion and beach cleanup. Registration required at loraincountymetroparks.com. - Brownhelm Historical Association Grandma's Attic Sale will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Historic Brownhelm School, 1950 North Ridge Road, Vermilion. All proceeds will go toward the restoration and maintenance of the Historic Brownhelm School. - There will be a Lorain County Metro Parks hike "Reading the forest landscape'' at 10:30 a.m. at Indian Hollow Reservation, Sheldon Woods. - The American Red Cross will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Clinic Elyria Family Health Center, 303 Chestnut Commons Drive. Those who come to give April 13 to 30 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details. - Vermilion River Reservation's Mill Hollow will host an herb fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by the Lorain County Metro Parks. The event is free, and no registration is required. Some vendors may require cash payments. - Checkmates, the chess club just for younger patrons, from grade school to teens, will gather 3-5 p.m. at the Columbia Library branch. Learn how to play chess, solve puzzles, watch live international competitions and compete head-to-head in friendly matches. All skill levels welcome. - The Avon Library branch will share the story 1-2 p.m. of Lake Erie's perfect storm about violent storms in 1916 that sank several ships and killed 51 people. Sunday - The Lorain County Metro Parks will have a walk and talk hike at 9 a.m. at French Creek Reservation; a birding hike at 9 a.m. at Carlisle Reservation, Equestrian Center; and an 11 a.m. wildflower hike at Schoepfle Garden. Monday - Learn what questions to ask the doctor, surgeon and oncologist from 6-7 p.m. at the Lorain Main Library. - Smartphone basics covered from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Lorain Main Library. Both Android and iPhones covered. - Share & Support is a peer support group where caregivers of those with ADHD, anxiety, autism or other concerns can meet families on a similar journey. Run by Connecting for Kids, the virtual program at 7 p.m. requires registration at www.connectingforkids.org/register, info@connectingforkids.org or (440) 570-5908. - The Vermilion Sit and Stitch quilt guild will meet at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Trinity Lutheran Church on Liberty Avenue. Member Barb Wentz will be presenting a program on making two kinds of Christmas ornaments. Members will also be bringing in quilt blocks to be incorporated into Snuggle in Hope quilts. For information, contact Sandy Neiding at 440-967-4190. - Drop in during regular hours at the Columbia Library branch for a take-home spice kit that includes a small amount of a featured spice, a brief history and recommended recipes. Available while supplies last. - Memory Cafe, a gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers, will meet 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Avon Library branch. Tuesday - The Avon Lake Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Avon Lake Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The meeting will feature a discussion of the state of the city of Avon Lake. All are welcome. - The Vermilion Historical Society in partnership the Ritter Public Library will present a video narrative "Vermilion Views – Part 2," at 7 p.m. in the Ritter Library, lower level. The program is free and open to the public. - Local poet Elliot Nicely discusses his latest haiku collection, "Sine Qua Non," from 10-11 a.m. at the Avon Library branch. - Poetry contest open mic night from 6-7:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Library branch. Local poets are welcome to perform their original poems during our open mic event where the winners of our Toni Morrison Poetry Contest will be announced. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. Wednesday - Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, in collaboration with Prevent Blindness/Ohio Affiliate, will provide information and education about eye care, identify risks for eye disorders or disease and conduct free vision screenings for participants from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the South Lorain Library branch. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - Join the Western Reserve Historical Society to dive into the history of the Cleveland suffragist movement from noon to 1 p.m. at the Lorain Main Library. Bring a bag lunch; snacks and drinks are provided. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - Celebrate 100 years of legacy and culture by learning about the founding of Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson and how it was transformed into Black History Month in 1976 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Avon Library branch. Thursday - American Red Cross will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Library branch. Appointments are needed and can be scheduled online at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. - The North Ridgeville Library branch will have bad art night from 6-7:30 p.m. Supplies provided. For ages 13 and older. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - Celebrate National Poetry Month with an open mic night featuring local voices, original works and favorite poems shared in a welcoming space 6-7:30 p.m. at the Lorain Main Library. Registration is encouraged for those who would like to perform at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - The American Red Cross will have two blood drives — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Public Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Ridge Academy Bettcher Convocation Center, 37501 Center Ridge Road. Those who come to give April 13-30, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details. - A PowerPoint Party hosted by the Avon Library branch from 6-7:30 p.m. Prepare a three-to-five minute presentation on something you love, hate or just find funny. Use any slide program. Look out for an email a week before the program to submit your slides. For ages 12 and up. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. Friday - The Kiwanis Club of North Ridgeville and a special visitor host a community helpers-themed story time, craft and activities from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the North Ridgeville Library branch. - Located at Ship-to-Shore, 201 W. 10th St., Lorain, the Lorain Library System will have a family story time from 11-11:30 a.m. Recommended for birth to preschool. - Observe and ask questions of maker-in-residence, painter Maia Arabuli, during open studio hours from noon to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Library branch. - "The Ed Sullivan Show'' and the rise of pop music is the focus of a discussion from 3-4 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Library branch. Saturday, May 2 - Instructor Kennedy Nagel will lead songwriting for teens from noon to 2 p.m. at the Avon Library branch. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - A spring art showcase, an exhibition features artwork created by patrons during previous art programs guided by Camara Goodrich, will be highlighted 2-3 p.m. at the South Lorain Library branch. - History on the Radio Part II 2-3:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Library branch. - A "Star Wars" celebration 2-3:30 p.m. at the Domonkas Library branch. Costumes encouraged but not required.