Carrying the torch
They were off and running for the second straight year as members of several area police departments and other law enforcement agencies carried the Special Olympics Torch through a good portion of Lorain County to raise money for the Ohio Special Olympics. When all was said and done, the group raised more than $3,000.

“Everyone is set to come back and do it again next year,” said Sgt. Vince Abt, a member of the North Ridgeville Police Department who was among a number of the city’s officers who ran just under seven miles along city streets and roads June 23.

“We hope it continues to get bigger and better, and that we can add a couple more departments next year.”

The event has already grown in its second year, adding participants including Avon Lake police and the Lorain County Community College Police Academy class to those from North Ridgeville, Avon, the Elyria post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, and the Lorain U.S. Coast Guard station.

Most runners ended their exertion at the city limits, but “a few adventurous officers” ran a couple more miles to the state patrol post on state Route 10, according to Abt. Funds raised by the torch run are distributed to Special Olympics athletes in training, and used for promoting the annual games.

Big bands and nostalgia
Workshop Players Theatre is bringing back one of its most popular shows, and what better time for a patriotic mix of comedy and song titled “G.I. Jukebox.”

The show is set in a World War II-era service canteen where soldiers relax and flirt with pretty women as they all enjoy such big band classics as “Moonlight Serenade’ and “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

Performances are at 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday and Sunday, and July 11 to 13. Matinees are 3 p.m. Sunday and July 13. Tickets are $12 each or $10 per person for groups of 15 or more. Call the box office at (440) 988-5613.

Butterflies and bugs
Check out some lovely butterflies and some big, funny, ugly bugs from around the globe at 11 a.m. July 15 during a free program at the North Ridgeville Branch Library. This free summer reading program features Connie and John Hurt of Butterflies and Things in Spencer. Preregistration is required. Call (440) 327-8326. The library is at 35700 Bainbridge Road.

50 golden years of books
Time-trip back to 1958 with a sock hop, ice cream social and car show to help the North Ridgeville Branch Library celebrate 50 years from 2 to 4 p.m. July 19. Registration for the car show, which is open to anyone, will be at noon. Prizes will be awarded at 3:30 p.m. Call the library at (440) 327-8326. 

Duct tape flip-flops
You can make flip flops from duct tape, a bag out of old jeans and old T-shirts to create new ones during a free craft program for kids in grades 6 to 12  from 2 to 4 p.m. July 17 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library. Those taking part are asked to bring old T-shirts and jeans. The branch library is at 35700 Bainbridge Road. Call (440) 327-8326.

Cheerleader camp
Girls who are in kindergarten through fifth grade can get a taste of cheerleading with the Future Cheerleader Camp Aug. 25 at Wilcox Elementary School gym.

The camp, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offers instruction by North Ridgeville High School varsity cheerleaders, including warm-ups and stretch, cheer, chant, dance and games. Girls who attend the camp will get to perform at the Rangers’ varsity football game Aug. 29. Cost of the camp is $20 per child and includes a T-shirt, snacks and drinks. To sign up, call (440) 327-9043, (440) 327-6888 or (440) 353-3147.     

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