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A healthy holiday approach
Howland’s Fourth of July celebration continues to grow
By SEAN BARRON
HOWLAND
An upcoming area cleanup event and other community-service projects are on the mind of Barb Rosenblum, but on Sunday, she seemed content simply to try to stay cool under a tent — and promote good health practices.
“We’re trying to improve the health and wellness of residents by getting them walking, biking and into more outdoor activities,” said Rosenblum, assistant chairwoman of the three-month-old Howland Health Committee.
Rosenblum had plenty of opportunities to promote healthful lifestyles because she was a vendor who dispensed information to plenty of people who attended Sunday’s annual Howland July Fourth celebration at Howland High School, 200 Shaffer Drive NE.
Preceding the three-hour gathering was the annual Howland Township parade, which began near and proceeded on East Market Street before ending at the school.
Rosenblum, who’s also a Scoutmaster with Warren-based Girl Scout Troop 598, said the Scouts are planning a cleanup in August of a nearby wetlands area. They also hope to open a food pantry for local residents in need, she added.
Hundreds of people endured high temperatures and humidity to watch the parade, then enjoyed plenty of Celtic and other music as well as food and numerous festivities. Activities for youngsters included a dunking booth, a speed-pitch setup and a variety of small rides.
Among the performers was the Top Notes of Warren, who played big-band standards such as “In the Mood” and “In a Mellow Tone” to the delight of people of all ages. The group also gave its rendition of “There I’ve Said it Again,” a hit by singer Bobby Vinton, and dedicated it to a couple celebrating their 58th anniversary.
The main purpose of both events was to celebrate as a community, explained township Trustee Matthew G. Vansuch. The parade continues to grow each year, he added.
Also part of the celebration was a farmers market, where many participants bought organic produce, said Vansuch, who also praised township Administrator Darlene St. George for organizing the parade.
“It’s awesome. It’s the community as a whole that makes it so special,” added Katie Gray, event coordinator. “We get tremendous help from the community, and it’s such a blast.”
Roughly 20 vendors took part in the celebration, Gray noted.
For the sports-minded, tickets to a Cleveland Cavaliers game were being raffled, courtesy of the Howland High majorettes. The drawing is set for Aug. 17 at the school.
Some attendees who wanted to beat the heat found refuge in the nearby Howland Senior Center, 8273 High St., site of the Chat a Chew Choo Modular Railroad Club’s model-train layout.
Each member of the three-year-old Howland club built a 2-foot-by-4-foot section of the train display, noted Richard Thomas, club president. The result is the oval-shaped modular, which is about 250 square feet, he explained.
In addition, members added their own pieces that included steel mills, hills, buildings, factories and city skylines.
“It’s whatever your skill is, or your inclination to do something,” Thomas said, adding that his club volunteered to be part of the local celebration.