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The Rural-Urban Record

“Your FREE Community Newspaper”
“Celebrating 66 Years of Community Service!”

www.rural-urbanrecord.com

Volume 67 No. 19 Columbia Station, Ohio March 14, 2022

A gem of a library in the heart of LaGrange GMPL Partners with
Multiple Breed Rescue
can go to get lost in a good book, including one corner area
with comfy chairs and a fireplace.
If kids are looking for a quiet place to do homework, there
are smaller rooms set up just for that purpose. A game room
offers a big-screen TV for video-gaming and tables and chairs
for board games.
Visit the restored library card drawers near the lobby where
the “Seed Library” is located. Families can fill out a form and
choose up to 5 free seed packages per month, per household.
The Seed Library offers packets of various, popular herb,vege-
table and flower seeds to start your spring garden.
Larger rooms with tables and seating are available for meet-
ings and other events. Just stop by the circulation desk for more
information.
Kids story times, family-friendly programs, teen activities
and adult workshops are on the schedule for the upcoming
months. Stop by for a brochure of the times and dates. Adults
can join other readers in the “Book Nook” to discuss the book
of the month. Current titles are available to check out today.
March 21 through March 25 is the “Keystone Spring Break
Spectacular,” with fun activities for kids of all ages!
The Library is also a part of the Keystone Empowers You Maggie (left) and Stephanie (right) kneel by the donation box for
collaboration. KEY has funded the Storybook Stroll at La- Multiple Breed Rescue in the Library’s main front entrance.
Grange Community Park and Penfield Park in order to tie to- Join Grafton-Midview Public Library during 2022 as we
Standing in front of the Seed Library are (from left to right): Assistant gether literacy and exercise. The Storybook Stroll features a partner with various organizations each month to help bring
Librarian Holly Matjasic, Community Engagement Director Jennifer children’s picture book posted along a trail where families can attention to their needs and their services. In March, we partner
Harmon, Librarian Jennifer Sallay and President of Friends of the walk and enjoy a story at the same time. KEY also provided with Multiple Breed Rescue as they offer information about pet
Keystone Library Wendi Zwaduk. the blood pressure kits that are available for checkout at the safety, adoptions and fostering. In return, GMPL is accepting
In case you haven’t discovered the offerings at the new lo- Keystone Library. The Keystone Library was also the site for donations for items needed by MBR. Bring your new squishy
cation of the Keystone Branch of the Elyria Public Library Sys- KEY’s recent pop-up produce initiative during the summer and dog toys, leashes, meaty treats and more, and leave in our do-
tem, you are in for a treat. fall of 2021. nation box located in the front entrance vestibule. To see the en-
In the fall of 2018, the library purchased the site of the for- Friends of the Keystone Library Book Sale is November 18- tire MBR needs list, visit their website at http://www.mbrohio.
mer Firefighters Community Credit Union building, 133 E. 20 at Village Hall in LaGrange. They are currently accepting com/donate or visit gmplibrary.org.
Commerce Drive, at the corner of Rt. 301, just over the tracks donations for the sale. More on the Book Sale dates and times
from LaGrange Town Square. Then in March of 2020, due to will be published at a later date. Lorain Soil & Water Conservation
the COVID pandemic, the library system closed to the public. Story/Photos by Randi MacWilliams/Staff Writer
Renovations with the Keystone Library continued at the for- District's annual Tree Seedling Sale
mer credit union, along with a 3,200-square-foot addition. On
June 15, 2021, the library opened as a curbside/drive-through The Lorain Soil & Water Conservation District’s (SWCD)
location only due to the pandemic, and then on August 17 of annual tree seedling sale is scheduled for Friday, April 15. The
that year, the library on E. Commerce Drive opened its doors seedling sale is on a first-come, first-serve basis since there is
to the public. There was a one-year anniversary celebration on a limited number of seedling packets available. Orders must
August 18, with a “Grand” opening event. be placed in advance by mail or by dropping off at the District
The new library has more than tripled its capacity in com- office. Tree species available will consist of evergreens (White
parison to the previous location on West Road. Pine, Norway Spruce, Shortleaf Pine); hardwoods trees (Red
Early beginnings: Oak, American Elm, Wild Black Cherry, American Hornbeam,
In 1985, the Bookmobile started service throughout the Black Gum, Swamp White Oak); fruit bearing trees (Domes-
Elyria and LaGrange areas, making weekly stops in various tic Apple); plus flowering and fruit bearing shrubs (Spicebush,
locations. By 1999, the EPLS’ Bookmobile was parked in the Witchhazel, Elderberry and Northern Bayberry). We are sold
Keystone High School parking lot to provide the Keystone area out of American Chestnut Hybrid (Potted). Seedlings are
with the library materials. Open for 20 hours per week, the bare-rooted stock, anywhere from 5-18 inches in height, and
Bookmobile was considered the first step in providing a branch will be sold in packets of five for either $8 or $10 depending
library for the Keystone area. on size of seedling. Order forms are available on their website,
In 2002, Elyria Public Library decided to pursue the acquisi- www.lorainswcd.com.
tion of a larger and more permanent facility. The Veterans Hall They are pleased to offer a new selection of native peren-
in Veteran’s Park, at 101 West Street, was leased from the La- nial wildflowers at this year’s 2022 seedling sale. Native wild-
Grange Township Trustees in early summer, and renovations flowers not only offer aesthetic beauty, they add many ecolog-
began. On March 30 of 2003, the Keystone-LaGrange Com- ical benefits to our landscape. Native wildflowers require less
munity Library opened to the public. The building was approx- maintenance than traditional landscaping plants, decreasing
imately 1,400 sq. ft. the amount of water and fertilizer required for optimal growth,
By September of 2014, the Keystone-LaGrange Library ex- filter pollutants from stormwater, improve soil health and at-
tended its hours to offer services in both the mornings and eve- tract pollinators and other wildlife. The new species offered
nings. In November of 2017, voters passed a 30-year, 0.9-mill this year are Columbine, Whorled Milk Weed, Halberd Leaved
levy to improve its facilities. Rosemallow, Little Blue Stem, Culvers Root, Great Blue Lo-
belia, Royal Catchfly, Compass Plant, Ohio Spiderwort and
Today, the library boasts a brand new, up-to-date facili-
ty with all of the standard offerings, plus so much more. The Spotted Joe Pye Weed.
squeaky-clean, well-lit and totally remodeled building is a joy Spacious aisles allow for easy flow throughout the library.
to enter. It’s warm and inviting and there are areas where one

Community Carlisle 10 Grafton Twp. 7 Shop Local 5
LaGrange
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Columbia
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Directory Eaton 12 Wellington 16 SENIOR LIVING 14-15
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Classifieds
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New interior layout options and color choices! Call T.J. at 440-926-3950
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