Community calendar for May 2

Admiral King Class of 1966 plans reunion The Admiral King High School Class of 1966 is planning its 60th reunion on Sept. 4 at Brass and Bronze and Sept. 5 at IAV, both in Lorain. Email information and registration have been emailed. Classmates who have not received information may contact the reunion committee by email to ronsislowski@hotmail.com. Vermilion Poetry Society announces youth winners The Vermilion Poetry Society celebrated its second annual poetry contest with a reception April 25 at the Harbourtown Fine Arts Center to honor its award-winning young writers in the community. This year's contest, centered on the theme "friendship," drew 86 entries from 57 student poets from multiple local schools. Winners were selected across three grade-level categories, and included: Grades two to four:First place: June Moes, fourth grader, Sailorway Middle School, for "Friendship"Second place: Dionna Johnson, third grader, Vermilion Elementary school, for "Forever Friend" Grades five-eightFirst place: Kensie Robers, eighth grader, Vermilion High school, for "Exchanging and Unexpected"Second place: Scarlet Mulica, sixth grader, Sailorway Middle School, for "Everyone Needs One Good Friend" Grades nine–12First place: Jillian Leimbach, 11th grader, Vermilion High School, "Before We Grew Up"Second place: Haley Stepp, 11th grader, Vermilion High School, "The Golden Glow" First-place winners received a $50 cash prize, while second-place winners were awarded $25. Every student who submitted a poem was recognized with an honorable mention certificate in acknowledgment of their participation and creativity. Winners read their poems at the reception and received a copy of "I Feel a Poem Coming On — Now What?" by Joette McDonald, Vermilion's poet laureate, who attended the event and made a special reading in honor of the students and their work. For information about membership in the Vermilion Poetry Society, contact Jim Chapple at chappjw@aol.com or 440-225-1547. Plastic bag recycling drive Powers Elementary School PTO in Amherst is sponsoring a plastic grocery bag recycling drive. Bring donations to the offices at Powers Elementary, Amherst Junior High School, or to Room No. 405 or Room No. 207 at Marion L. Steele High School. The deadline is May 16. All donations will help Powers Elementary students win the Lorain County plastic bag recycling contest. Monday - The Friends of Grafton-Midview Public Library spring book sale will take place Monday to May 9. The library is at 983 Main St., Grafton. Sales are by donation. Friends member preview is Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sale hours for the general public are 1-8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to noon. Tuesday - Black River Audubon May native plant program at 7 p.m. at the French Creek Reservation, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield. This program is free to the public. For more information on programs, hikes, becoming a member or volunteering, visit www.blackriveraudubon.org. - Morning social at the Columbia Branch library 10 a.m. to noon. Drop in to play games, solve puzzles and have conversation over a cup of tea with other adults. - Weed management at the South Lorain Branch library 2-3 p.m. Join Thomas Becker from OSU Extension Lorain County as he discusses how to identify and effectively manage common lawn and garden weeds using an integrated weed management approach. - 'Star Wars' trivia at the Main Library 6:30-7:30 p.m. Compete in teams of four to answer trivia questions about the "Star Wars" movies and franchise to win a prize. Cosplay is encouraged. - Oberlin blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oberlin College — Knowlton Athletics Complex, 210 Woodland St. All who come to give through May 17 will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon for details. Wednesday - Ohio Means Jobs career counseling at the Main Library 1-4:15 p.m. Schedule a free appointment with an Ohio Means Jobs career counselor to assist you with resumes, cover letters, creating an effective job search strategy and interviewing tips. Call 440-244-1192 for more information. - Friends of Amherst Public Library spring book and media sale, beginning with a presale for members on Wednesday 3:30-8 p.m. New members may join at this time. Regular hours are on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and May 8 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monetary donations accepted during the sale; there will be no set pricing of items. All funds will help to support community projects, and the library's programming and services. For further information, contact the library at 440-988-4280. - Ohio's Canals program; learn the story of "Ohio's Canals: An Engineering Endeavor that Can Still Be Traced in Ohio's Landscape" in a program hosted by the Brownhelm Historical Association at 7 p.m.at the Historic Brownhelm School and Museum, 1950 N. Ridge Road, Vermilion. Presented by Tom O'Grady, professor of astronomy at Ohio University and lifetime Ohio history student and guru on many subjects throughout Ohio. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a monthly business meeting 6:15-6:30 p.m. The historical program is open to the public. - Friends of the Amherst Teen Inc.: Innovate and create, North Ridgeville Branch library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Decorate your own bookmark using the Cricut. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. Thursday - Author visit with Brian Ward, North Ridgeville Branch library 6-7 p.m. - Little Explorers story time, South Lorain Branch library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. A STEAM-focused adventure for children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. - Blood drive 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, 32929 Lake Road, Avon Lake. All who come to give through May 17 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon for details. Friday - Blood drive 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Elyria Public Library — West River Branch, 1194 West River Road N., Elyria. All who come to give through May 17 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon for details. - The Amherst Historical Society is hosting a World War II tea for victory at 6 p.m. at the historical society's hall, 113 S. Lake St. Guests will learn about teatime during World War II, connections that tea had to helping Allies win the war, Amherst homefront history, rationing and more while enjoying the most popular tea of the 1940s and snacks and treats that were made popular by rationing. Non-tea drinkers are welcome too, as there will be alternative beverage options. Cost is $40 or $35 for AHS members. Reservations are required; call 440-988-7255 or email office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org to reserve your seat. - Diabetes Empowerment Education Program, South Lorain Branch library, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn skills for managing diabetes and taking charge of your health in this six- week class led by staff from Fairhill Partners. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - Story time in the woods, Avon Branch library, 10:30-11 a.m. today and May 15. Music, movement activities and play will accompany nature-themed stories. Dress for the weather and bring a blanket. Weather permitting. This event takes place at Every Child's Playground, 36265 Detroit Road, Avon. - Drop-in floral acrylic earrings, North Ridgeville Branch library, 1-4 p.m. Create a pair of acrylic earrings with a floral design using the laser cutter and engraver. All materials are provided. Saturday, May 9 - The Amherst Garden Club's annual plant sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the Sandstone Village at 763 Milan Ave., Amherst. A great selection of perennials, hostas, herbs, grasses, bulbs, ground covers and garden items will be available at great prices, $3 to $10. Cash only please. Plants are grown and donated by club members and friends. Anyone with plants to donate to the sale should email amherstGC1934@gmail.com, or any club member, for further directions. The plant sale is the club's only fundraiser and proceeds are used to beautify public gardens throughout Amherst. The sale will be held rain or shine. - Schoepfle open house: Visit Otto Schoepfle's home, filled with antiques and reflection his passion for horticulture during an open house from 10 a.m. to noon at Lorain County Metro Parks Schoepfle Garden, 11106 Market St., Birmingham. Purchased in 1936, the home grew alongside his lifelong interest in gardening. No registration is required. - Rebinding books, Columbia Branch library, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn about rebinding your own soft cover books into beautiful hard covers. Enjoy a live demonstration about rebinding your own books at home. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs. - Browser's Library Birthday Bash, Avon Branch library, 2-3 p.m. Celebrate the Lorain Public Library System's 125th birthday with Browser featuring a magic show and dog-themed activities for families. - Nine Steps to Writing Your Family History, Main Library, 2-3 p.m. After gathering genealogy research and collecting family lore, you've got an amazing foundation for your ancestors' stories. Nine key steps can transform the information into a narrative to share with family or publish as a book. The steps will be shared in order throughout the year via these workshops that can work as standalone sessions or as a complete series.