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RURAL-URBAN RECORD, May 24, 2021 Page 5

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Columbia ELYRIA Grafton

STation Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home Grafton Sparkle Market

38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 460 N. Main St. | 440-926-3328
9858 E. River Rd. 440-322-4626 | www.laubenthalmercado.com www.graftonsparkle.com
440-235-2766
www.gibbsbutcherblock.com Dempsey Appliance

433 Oberlin Rd. | 440-322-8170 1007 Parsons Rd. | 440-926-2880
Sanitary Septic Tank Cleaning With over 64 yrs of experience! www.graftonmowerservice.com
440-322-0927 | 440-236-9200 | 330-725-3175
www.SanitarySeptic.com Century Landscaping LLC
$10 Off Cuyahoga, Medina & Lorain wellington 11749 Avon Belden Rd | 440-343-7003
with this Reasonable Rates Complete Landscaping Services
ad Prompt Reliable Service Wellington 121-123 E. Herrick Ave
Senior Discounts AUTO PARTS 440-647-4965 Protech Automotive & Cycle LLC

Frank Clarke Insurance Agency M-F 8-5:30pm, Sat 8-4pm 788 Main St. | 440-926-3499
Serving Grafton for 30 years
25070 Royalton Rd. | 440-236-5041
www.frankclarkeagency.com Beriswill Insurance
173 Depot St. | 440-647-6010
The Rural-Urban Record www.beriswillins.com 905 Main St. | 440-865-3565
P.O. Box 966 | 440-236-8982 www.courtneycarnesphotography.com
www.rural-urbanrecord.com A.T. & T. Parts Co.
130 E. Herrick Ave | 440-647-3838 1021 Main St.
440-926-2048
LAGRANGE M-F 7:30-5:30, Sat 8-4, Sun 10-4 www.dukefuneralhome.com

Olmsted Falls Beriswill Insurance

Burnett’s Septic 35581 Grafton Eastern Rd.
440-926-3312
Services 25438 Sprague Rd. www.beriswillins.com

120 W Commerce Dr, 440-235-4317 Grafton, OH
440-355-5526 www.tsmower.com 440-653-3617
www.burnettssepticservice.com www.highlandfloorrefinishing.com
valley city

540 N. Center St. Eaton
440-355-8920 Furniture & Home Decor
www.lagrangeiga.com 280 Columbia Rd. | TH, SAT, SUN 10-4 Schild’s IGA
www.catsjazzyjunk.com RT 82 & Island Rd. | 440-748-3751
How to celebrate grads despite www.schildsigagrafton.com
unique circumstances and the emergency of various technologies over the past two

decades has made it easier than ever for families to document
those milestones. Parents can pore through the many photos
and videos they’ve created through the years and create a
“This Is Your Life” video montage documenting all the spe-
cial school-related moments students have had on their way
to earning their diplomas and degrees. Parents can share the
video with relatives if they still can’t gather en masse come
graduation season.
• Plan a special dinner. Graduation dinners are one tradi-
tion that need not fall by the wayside, even if meals might not
resemble traditional meals. Families comfortable dining out
can book a reservation at the grad’s favorite restaurant, while
those who prefer to avoid dining out can order takeout from
that establishment. But families also can gather and prepare a
special meal together. Even if dining at home, everyone can
get dressed up and go the extra mile by creating a restau-
rant-like atmosphere at home. Fête the guest of honor with
The end of a school year has traditionally been a time of a toast before the meal, and reserve a special surprise for the
celebration. Students may celebrate because summer vaca- graduate that’s only revealed during the meal. For example,
tion has arrived, and families typically gather to celebrate parents can uncork a special bottle of wine to commemorate
students who have earned their diplomas and degrees. But college grads who can legally drink. Parents of newly minted
just as it’s compromised many other traditional celebrations, high school graduates can present a special video with well
the COVID-19 pandemic is changing how families can safely wishes from all the relatives who would normally attend the
celebrate graduation. dinner but cannot due to the pandemic.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of medical researchers, a • Organize a ceremony at home. A lighthearted graduation
handful of COVID-19 vaccinations have been developed and ceremony in the living room or the backyard can ensure grad-
approved since the end of 2020. As more and more people uates don’t miss out on their chance to stride across the stage
become vaccinated, the world is gradually emerging from the and receive their diploma. Invite a favorite teacher over to
pandemic. However, members of the class of 2021 will likely give out the diploma or present it yourself while doing your
have to celebrate in unique circumstances. Such celebrations best school principal/president impersonation. This can be a
may not be traditional, but they can still be fun. Families may fun way to add some levity to celebrations and will be a fun
even enjoy finding new and unique ways to celebrate gradu- memory for grads to look back on in the years to come.
ation this spring. Graduation celebrations will be different in 2021, but fam-
• Create a school-themed “movie” where grads are the ilies can still make the most of their chances to honor grads in
stars. Students’ academic careers are filled with milestones, these unique circumstances.