If you don’t have specific kitchen duties Thanksgiving Day morning and long for the time when your family — usually minus Mom — poured out to attend the annual Turkey Day Game, also known as the Akron Public Schools City Series Championship at the Rubber Bowl, you’ll be happy to know the game is back, with a few changes.
Planners Jacob Thompson, Jay Brophy Jr. and Greg Shook have their hearts in the right place, with the gate proceeds going to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
That long-running City Series/Thanksgiving Day game — which fell by the wayside nearly 22 years ago, courtesy of changes made by the Ohio High School Athletic Association state football system — is back, in its third year.
This year’s Turkey Day Game is set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22 at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School stadium, featuring All-Star talent from each of Summit County’s 28 high schools in an East against West competition. Coaching the East will be Stow-Munroe Falls High School’s Mark Nori, and Cuyahoga Falls High School’s Mike Miller coaches the West.
“We really want this game to stick and continue to be a tradition in the Summit County area,” Thompson said. “It is great for the senior football players in the area to have one last game that they can remember. Some players do not plan on playing at the next level, and by playing in our game they are able to enjoy one last game. …
“We also bring in college football coaches from all over to spend time watching players at practice,” Thompson added. “Our game is the only all-star game that is played before the national signing date, which is an added bonus for players who are on the bubble and or behind in college recruiting. We have had the former participants get recognized from playing in this from colleges.”
Last year’s event earned a Bronze Level award for donations to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “We also have a canned food drive for the North American Native American Culture Club,” Thompson said.
Cost to attend is a mere $5 and at least one canned food item.
“Our website — www.fbcsports.org — has information regarding all 28 Summit County high schools and if you follow us on Twitter we give live stats from games in the area and information about our game,” Thompson said. “It is a lot of work but we enjoy it! We love the fact that we can help our community through football and bring back which was once a big Akron area Thanksgiving Day tradition. If anyone wants more information regarding the game they can contact us at thanks4givinggame@gmail.com.”
McMahan memorial meet
Excitement is again building for the Brooke McMahan Memorial Invitational Swim Meet, Nov. 17 at the Ocasek Natatorium on the campus of the University of Akron. The official oath is at 10 a.m. with the event running until about 2:30 p.m.
This is a special time for the family of the young woman for whom the event is named, a way for Chris and Kim Hone-McMahan of Green and their son, Alex, to spotlight the talents of other Special Olympics athletes and to ensure Brooke is never forgotten. Brooke died suddenly as a result of a seizure in 2003 at the age of 23. (Kim is a Beacon Journal reporter.)
It’s also a way to honor the parents and members of the Summit Special Olympic Athletic Club (SSOAC), who were such a joy in Brooke’s life.
“The club, an Ohio-sanctioned Special Olympic program, was founded by the parents of individuals with developmental disabilities,” a spokeswoman for the event noted. “This year is the eighth year that swimmers from Summit, Stark, Medina, Mahoning and Portage counties will take part in the annual event, which draws about 130 athletes and more than 100 volunteers. Among those are several residents of Akron and surrounding communities. Businesses donate time, money, food and merchandise to help with the meet, which has become an Akron staple in honor of Brooke and the friends who influenced her life.”
In addition to the swim competitions, several relays reflecting Brooke’s fun, spirited personality are planned.
For more information, please email mcmahanmemorial@yahoo.com or call Cathy Parker, SSOAC president, at 330-733-4749. To speak with a member of Brooke’s family, please call Kim at 330-571-2016 or Alex at 330-571-6374.
Domestic violence session
Power of a Dream/Sisters Helping Sisters Ministries, in partnership with First Apostolic Faith Church (790 Easter Ave., Akron), will sponsor a domestic violence workshop, “The Voice Behind the Wall,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The program is free, with lunch provided. Reservations are a must. Please call 888-909-6723.
Honoring foster parents
Summit County Children Services is recognizing dedicated foster parents who have so willingly opened their homes and hearts to area children who find themselves in need of loving and stable environments.
The winners are:
• Retiring foster parents: James and Linda Schuster of Barberton, 28 years; the Rev. Bernard and Joann Christy of Mogadore, 27 years; Richard and Sandra Schafer of Tallmadge, 19 years; Ann Marie Quinn of Lewis Center, 17 years; Geraldine Montgomery of Akron, 16 years; Richard and Lisa Snyder of Canal Fulton, 16 years; Georgia Williams of Akron, 16 years; John and Crystal Abernathy of North Canton, 16 years; Lewis and Vanette Kreider of Akron, 14 years; Gerald and Gay Combs of Newton Falls, 12 years; and Curtis and Patricia Richardson of Akron, 10 years.
• Longevity Awards, 25 years of service for Regina Gladman, Gladys Johnson and Rose Mary Tucker, all of Akron.
• Twenty years for Bennie and Katie Hamilton of Akron, the Minick family of Mogadore, David and Pamela Patterson of Stow, and Donna Roberson of Barberton.
• Fifteen years for Richard and Carrie Brown, Evelyn Perry, and Carl and Melinda Williams, all of Akron; Kenzie and Deloise Jenkins Jr. of Barberton; Adrian and Estrella McNeil of Windham; Harley and Maureen Sanford of Sullivan; and Dennis and Janieta Tarter of Uniontown.
• Ten years for Betty Abrams, LaTonya Anderson, Joan Monroe, and Andre and Melody Williams, all of Akron; Keith and Grace Angel of Mogadore; David and Melissa Ross of Atwater.
• Five years of service: William and Rekita Adams, Denise Brandon, Sammie Edwards, Rebecca Fischer, Lois Gurley, Nathan and Charee Harris, Douglas and Carolyn Hausknecht, David and Julie Haydu, Doris Higgins, Tonya McCraney and Robert Dowdell, Garry and Vicki Prebynski, Christine Sabo and Edward Sunkin, April Tucker, Norris and Juanita Wagner, Marion and Lisa Ward, all of Akron; Todd and Kalli Alvis of Cuyahoga Falls; Bobby and Gloria Billingsley of Twinsburg; Sandra and Kelli Buckner, and Arnold and Sherri Herring of Uniontown; David and Marie Ellis of Norton; William and Brenda Gill of Kent; Mark and Tabatha Herrick of Wadsworth; Robert and Martha Loughney of Mogadore; Brian and Jane Pearson of Hartville; Norman and Pauline Rice, and Illinois and Susan Wilson III of Macedonia; Richard and Tara Russell Jr. of Atwater; Virgil and Kimberly Simmons of Uniontown; Daniel and Kathryn Weese of Wadsworth; Jennifer Wokojance of Barberton; and Lauren Woods of Canton.
• Foster Care Month slogan contest winners: Charles and Shannon Woods of Uniontown — “Be the Sunshine in a Child’s Life, Become a Foster Parent;” Brad and Sherry Teuton of Streetsboro — “Foster Care: Mission Possible.”
Interested in learning more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent? Please call 330-379-1990 or visit www.summitkids.org.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com