Go native this spring with plant kits that make gardening easy: Around The Town

BEREA, Ohio — With temperatures reaching the 60s and lengthening days signaling spring’s imminent arrival, it’s the perfect time to “go native” with Cuyahoga Water & Soil District plant kits.

Each kit contains 50 plugs of 10 or more native species designed for an extended period of bloom and interest.

Plant species are labeled by common and botanical name, plant height, bloom time and color. The kits include additional growing information.

The native plant kits, when planted 18 inches on center, will cover approximately 100 square feet.

Native plant species are better suited to the local environment, establish faster and are hardier. They require less water, fertilizer and pesticide; can help control stormwater runoff and erosion with their long root systems; and provide habitats for native animals.

Stantec Nursery grows the following kits: Prairie Kit, Prairie Grass Kit, Shade Kit, Purple Rain Garden Kit, Monarch Garden Kit, Low-Profile Garden Kit, Keystone Pollinator Kit and Rain Garden Kit.

All kits are $160 plus tax (includes shipping), except for the Keystone Pollinator kit, which is $220.

The order deadline for native plant kits is March 21. To order or for more information, visit www.cuyahogaswcd.org.

Resource fair: Connecting for Kids will host a resource fair from 6 to 8 p.m. April 2 at the Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus Student Services Building, 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Heights.

This free event allows families to find help for individuals ages 0-22 who are facing anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, academic struggles, developmental delays or disabilities.

According to a Health Policy Institute of Ohio December 2024 study, approximately one in four children ages 3-17 reported one or more mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems in 2021 and 2022.

In Ohio, that same study reports that a fifth (20 percent) of middle school students and a third (33 percent) of high school students in 2023 reported that their mental health was not good most or all of the time.

With more than 70 providers, this free resource fair offers several options for families seeking help.

To register, visit https://www.connectingforkids.org/east-cuyahoga-fair or call/text 440-570-5908.

Senior art: “A Journey in Pieces, a Senior Art Exhibition,” featuring the works of Baldwin Wallace University art majors, will run Monday through Friday through March 28 (it will be closed March 10-14 for spring break).

The closing reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. March 28 at the Fawick Art Gallery, Kleist Center for Art & Drama, 95 E. Bagley Road.

Sondheim sounds: A celebration featuring Baldwin Wallace University theatre students performing songs by the man who reinvented the American musical — Stephen Sondheim — will be at 2 p.m. March 23 on the Mainstage Theatre, Kleist Center for Art & Drama, 95 E. Bagley Road.

New buttons: Audible pedestrian push buttons have been replaced at four intersections along Bagley Road in Berea.

Battery backups have also been installed to power traffic signals at those intersections. Thus, signals should function in the event of a power outage.

Berea Service Director Tony Armagno said the improvements will free up police officers from having to direct traffic during power outages.

Warner appointed: Wendy Warner of Berea has been appointed to a three-year term as trustee-at-large to the Woodvale Cemetery Board.

The cemetery is managed jointly by the cities of Berea and Middleburg Heights.

Warner has volunteered at Woodvale, helping to copy and digitize files.

She also photographed each gravesite and helped resolve missing records.

Warner also volunteers at the Berea Historical Society and is a member of the Medina Community Band.

Community garden: There’s still time to order garden plots in various sizes at Berea’s Community Learning Farm at berea-communitylearningfarm.org.

Newcomers, please attend an orientation program in April.

For more information, contact Farmer Joe at 440-668-5947 or email [email protected].

Gardening mistakes: Every gardener faces challenges in their landscaping and planting endeavors.

Master Gardeners will share lessons learned from their gardening experiences at 7 p.m. March 18 at the Cuyahoga County Library’s Berea Branch, 7 Berea Commons.

Berea Community Outreach Pantry: The Pantry has a new home and now serves from St. Paul’s Church at 276 East Bagley Road. (It is located in the very eastern corner of the building.)

Call (440) 826-4891 for more information, or email: [email protected]. Drive-up service only. Open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays. FOR BEREA RESIDENTS ONLY.

SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 398 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza, (440) 260-7226. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and 4-7 p.m. on the fourth Friday.

People’s Community Church Pantry: 628 Wesley Drive, 440) 234-0609. It is open from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. The next pantry is on March 15th.

Second Mile Outreach Pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, (440) 239-0549. It is open from noon to 2 p.m.,please Monday through Friday.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry: 8888 Prospect Road. It is open from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month and provides fresh food, staples, and toiletries. The next pantry is Saturday, and then on April 12.

Bread Ministry: Berea United Methodist Church, 170 Seminary St., (440) 234-3525. Bread and pastries only. Noon – 2 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Go to the church addition on the north side of the church off Seminary. The pantry is through double brown doors.

Rise in Love: A free hot meal on the third Sunday of the month, 2-4 p.m., Keller Center, St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 66 Adalbert St., Eat-in or Carry-Out.

No meals will be served in March and April. The next meal is on May 18th.

Free Community Meal: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road, serves this meal twice a month, 5-5:30 p.m., on the second and last Wednesday of the month. It is drive-up only.

Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Sundays of every month. Visit www.bereaanimalrescue.com or call (440) 234-2034 for more information or to donate.

Little Free Pantries Are near the Berea Branch Library and People’s Community Church. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive. St. Paul Lutheran Church has a food donation box near the side door. Please bring non-perishable items only.

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