
Patriotism is always at a high level at VFW Post 3345, but was visibly on display during Community Day. A number of officials rushed in to make sure the American flag did not touch the ground when a gust of wind unfurled the red, white and blue. Submitted photo

The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce held its annual golf outing on Sept. 7 at Shale Creek Golf Club in Medina. The winning team of David Hurd, George Love, Bob Miller and Brian Fluharty carded a stellar 59. Submitted photo

The U18 CFC girls soccer team competed at nationals in Frisco, Texas. Team members are (front row, left to right) Kendra Kline (Kent), Elena Gutlove (Jackson), Vanessa DiNardo (Strongsville), Brooke Wentzel (Chagrin Falls), Aubrey Bechter (Cuyahoga Falls), Megan Sency (Medina), Emily Arellano (Wadsworth), (back row) head coach Ross Nicol, Tori Baker (Wadsworth), Shannon Narolewski (Strongsville), Brooke Parsons (Jackson), Kennedy Solymosi (Eastlake), Miranda Thomas (Strongsville), Kayla Fischer (Kent), Lily Menssen (Medina) and Ally Sidloski (Strongsville). Submitted photo
VFW Post 3345 held its annual Community Day on Sept. 9. The one thing the good people of the Strongsville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post could not control finally cooperated – the weather.
The previous two years the event had to be pulled inside the Strongsville Boulevard building due to inclement weather or at least the threat of such. There were no meteorological concerns in 2017.
Bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the upper 60s brought families to Community Day for food, games, music, safety vehicles and lots of fun. There were approximately 350 visitors at the event throughout the afternoon. The best part is everything was free.
“This event is not only to show the community about what we are, but it’s also to thank the community for allowing us to be here and for all the work you do with us,” said VFW Post 3345 Commander Tim Zvoncheck.
Military vehicles on site included a Marine Corps 7-ton troop carrier and an Army armored Humvee. Strongsville police and fire also had vehicles that children, and adults for that matter, could explore.
A special guest attended this year’s Community Day. William Thien, past national VFW Commander (2013-14), observed the local Post’s event.
Zvoncheck asked Thien how often individuals on the national level attend functions like Community Day at various Posts. Thien responded, “Almost never.”
“He (Thien) said there are 6,500 VFW Posts throughout the world and only a handful of us. We just can’t do it,” Zvoncheck said. “He said for this to happen was very unusual. I take that as a feather in our hat.”
A number of veteran-related organizations were on site to answer questions and direct veterans. These included the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Cleveland American Veterans Association, Honor Flights, Ohio Flags of Honor, Wags for Warriors, Rolling Thunder, Civil Air Patrol and Strongsville High School Junior R.O.T.C.
Chamber after hours
VFW Post 3345 was the host for a Strongsville Chamber of Commerce after hours event on Aug. 24. Members and their guests mingled, networked, relaxed, dined and drank under a beautiful, clear blue sky.
Chamber golf outing
The 49th annual Strongsville Chamber Golf Outing turned out to be a great success. The event was held at Shale Creek Golf Club in Medina with 108 golfers teeing it up. Best team score was awarded to (pictured) David Hurd, George Love, Bob Miller and Brian Fluharty with a 59.
Additional awards were given to Dawn Reichbaum (women’s closest to the pin), Vince Pacetti (men’s closest to the pin), Kelly Smith (women’s longest drive) and Dave Mader (men’s longest drive).
The Chamber of Commerce thanks Brunswick Auto Mart (hole-in-one sponsor), Altenheim Senior Living (dinner sponsor), Shoreline Express and Southwest General (lunch sponsors), Square 22 (cart sponsor) and all the hole sponsors for their generosity.
Successful summer soccer season
The U18 CFC girls soccer team has won seven consecutive Ohio north state cup championships. The team went to South Dakota to compete for the Midwest regionals championship this summer where they came out victorious going 5-0. They competed for the national championship for the U18 girls division in Frisco, Texas, their second trip to the national championship series in the past four years.
The team went 2-1, finishing second in group B. Vanessa DiNardo, of Strongsville, scored two goals to finish in the top 10 scorers for the division.
Correction
An article in the Sept. 2 edition of The Strongsville Post addressed steps the community of Strongsville is taking to tackle the opioid crisis. The article listed a three-part community drug and alcohol awareness forum. The site for these forums was incorrect. The first forum took place Sept. 12 with the following two being held Sept. 19 and 26. These forums, all beginning at 6:30 p.m., take place at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, 18100 Royalton Road.