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Volume 11, No. 12
Friday, July 3, 2026
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CHRONICLE ONICLE ND KIR TLA
Coffee with Council
CHRONICLE CHUCK BICKART
ND KIR TLA
Coffee with Council is Saturday, July 18 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall. For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
Kiwanis Keep Sweet Traditions Alive By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com Since 1960, the annual Kirtland Strawberry Festival has been a staple of the Kirtland community, taking place each year over Father’s Day weekend at the Kirtland Schools on state Route 306. “This is a wonderful family friendly event that allows our local and area community to gather and enjoy fun, food, and festivities together with kids, grandkids and friends,” Kirtland Kiwanis President Kent Packer said. “Admission is free, food is plentiful, rides are reasonable...and don't forget our wonderful strawberry treats.” Attendees can enjoy strawberry shortcakes, sundaes and chocolate-covered strawberries, and this year’s newest special treat – strawberry bread, thanks to the continued commitment of the Kiwanis members. Kiwanis member Mary Sams inherited the sweet responsibility of the dipped berry treats about 6 years ago. “I am proud and privileged to be a part of such a wonderful group like the Kiwanis,” Sams said. “And I
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Kirtland Kiwanis Club members, from left, Mary Sams, Betty McGinnis, Donna Blum and Stephanie Lowery carry on a sweet Strawberry Festival tradition by preparing the fresh-dipped chocolate covered strawberries for sale at the festival.
am proud of being able to continue the strawberry dipping tradition.” She loves hearing the old-timers and their stories of the festi-
val’s beginnings. “The core group would go out to Madison and Perry with their children and pick berries at the
farms and go back to the school and almost live there with cots set up for sleeping, making the biscuits See Festival • Page 2
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