Leaf Thursday, May 9, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 19 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Thompson Trustees Swear in New Police Chief Author Warns of Dangers of Misinformation at LWV Luncheon
By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Thompson Township Trustees were especially diligent when choosing Jeremy Jesenovec as the township’s new police chief. Jesenovec, 53, was officially sworn in as chief May 1 during a regular trustees meeting with no comments from residents in the audience, said Trustee Erwin Leffel in a phone interview May 2. “He is well qualified,” Leffel said. Jesenovec is the third chief of police hired by the trustees in the last few years and was a candidate for the part-time job when the former chief, Mitchell Kaspy, was hired in 2023. See Chief • Page A5
New Well for Auburn Fire Station OK’d By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com Too much salt in the water at Auburn Township fire station led trustees to vote 2-1 May 6 in favor of drilling a new, deeper well at an estimated cost of $36,875. Auburn Township Fire Chief John Phillips gave a brief history of the well that supplies the station. First built in 1977, the original well was 101 feet deep. The water was sufficient, but quality was poor, so a reverse osmosis system was installed to provide pure water, he said. When the station was enlarged in 2011, the well could not provide sufficient water, so the existing well was drilled down another 30 feet, See Auburn • Page A3
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Kenston Superintendent Provides Updates On Staffing, Materials page A5 ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Fire performances were held throughout the two-day inaugural Viking Fest in Burton. INSET: Dave Thorp, of Conneaut Lake, Penn. sports a bear hide.
Legendary Viking History Makes a Stop in Burton By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com The spirit of the Vikings swept through Burton Village last weekend. Viking Fest: A Celebration of Norse Culture and Heritage welcomed its inaugural two- day celebration May 4-5 at Century Village Museum. “I believe that teaching history is important, especially to the younger generations,” said Stefanie O’Connor, Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum curator, archivist and grant writer. “It teaches how different cultures influence the values that we have now and teaches our children.” Event highlights included a Viking encampment, Norse mythology and legends, storytelling demonstrations, Viking battles
and demonstrations, live music and performances, craftsmanship and artisan vendors, a traditional Vikings feast and children’s activities. “I would like attendees to be able to take away learning the history of a different culture,” O’Connor said. “Viking culture started around A.D. 800 into the 11th century. The Vikings had a profound impact on early medieval history. Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden).” Best known as highly-skilled warriors, Norwegian Vikings crossed raging seas to conquer territories and were known for their courage. Viking Fest visitors embarked on a journey through time as reenactors delved into the rich history and traditions of the legendary warriors known for their courage.
Adam Poplar said he and his daughter, Emily, had a great time. “It’s so cool,” Emily, 3, said, as she made her way through one of the first attractions. “I think next year, I’m going to have a costume,” Adam said. “Emily loved riding on the train and she even got to take a picture with the Vikings.” O’Connor expressed excitement about bringing a new event to the area. “Century Village is going in a good direction in teaching new cultures and history to the people in our community,” she said. “In order to be able to know our history today, we must look at the past to teach our future generations.” Century Village Museum board member Jenny Hynst-Brede sparked the initial idea for the festival. See Vikings • Page A4
Daycare Center Repurposes Landmark School In Middlefield page A15
Obituaries page A12
Sports pages B1-B2
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page B9
Classifieds start on page B11 Single Edition $1.25