Experience a Geauga Amish farm-style pancake breakfast as United Way Services of Geauga County kicks off the 2010 campaign on Sept. 8 from 7 to 9 a.m. at Joe and Sara Miller's home, 15020 Shedd Rd., Burton. Cost is $5 per person; reservations not necessary but much appreciated. Please contact Kathleen Munch at 440-285-2261, extension 223 or by e-mail at kmunch@uws.org.

Women breastfeeding or considering it are welcome at La Leche League meetings in Geauga. Free monthly meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St., and the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in Claridon Congregational United Church of Christ, 13942 Mayfield Rd. at Claridon-Troy. Little ones are welcome. For information and support, come to a meeting even before baby is born or call Pam, 440-285-1893; Adele, 440-286-6872; Brandy, 440-285-8532; or Shawna, 440-358-1632.

Geauga County Habitat for Humanity (GCHH) will hold a public meeting for local families wanting to learn if they are qualified for a Habitat home on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chardon Library, 110 E. Park, Chardon (44024). (Parking in the rear).

Many people are qualified to apply for a Habitat home but don't because they are unsure of what it means to participate in the Habitat experience, what their responsibilities would be, or how to apply. That is why GCHH holds public meetings throughout the year – so people in need of affordable housing can learn if Habitat for Humanity is right for them.

A Habitat home is only for those who are willing to partner with Geauga County Habitat for Humanity, says Christine Bucknell, the development director for this affiliate. Families who are approved for a Habitat home are referred to as "partner families" because the success of the Habitat program relies on a partnership between families, staff, volunteers and the community.

There are many myths about a Habitat home. A Habitat home is not free. "Families with whom we partner," says Ms. Bucknell, "must commit to 500 sweat equity hours. In other words, the sweat they put into building their homes is the down payment. Then, once the home is completed they must pay back a no-money-down, zero-interest loan. Because families typically only pay back the cost to purchase the land and the cost of materials (not the appraised value), their monthly mortgage is less than what they are paying in rent. The repayment of the loan goes back into this Christian-based, nonprofit affordable housing organization to help fund future Habitat homes in Geauga County.

This program is not a charity, but it is a charitable organization. Through the investment of sweat equity and the repayment of the home loan, Geauga County Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out. It is a program that provides families the hope of a brighter future through affordable home ownership.

Recognizing that the Habitat experience and the road to home ownership can be long, confusing and emotional, all approved families are assigned a caring family support person. This person works with the family from the time they are approved to the time they move in to their new home. Family support provides guidance, support, information and sense to the whole process. This is particularly important since many of these families are first time homeowners.

Ms. Bucknell encourages people to come and learn more about the program keeping in mind the commitment to the 500 sweat equity hours and the ability to pay back the no‑money-down, zero-interest loan. For more information, please call Christine Bucknell at 440-564-5848.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 the American Legion Post No. 459 Color Guard will "post the colors" at 8 a.m. on Chardon Square. For details call Newell at 440-834-8764.

Vancura Gallery and the rest of Settlers' Village at 14279 Old State Rd., Middlefield, will be bringing "art to life" at this year's Ye Old State Renaissance Faire on Sept. 11, 12, 18, and 19. Vote for your favorite artist as Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo vie for your vote to paint the royal portrait. The count will be announced daily until a winner is decreed. The winning portrait will be hung in the gallery for all to view.

Other events featured throughout the faire will be daily costume judging with award ribbons. Show off your skills to your friends and family alongside the Highlanders and their games of skill. Mother Goose will be on hand to entertain the children three times a day both weekends. Comedy acts will be provided featuring Eli the Erratic on Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. Become mesmerized with feats of juggling and circus artistry. The Dueling Fools show (sword comedy act) will be here throughout the faire. A Renaissance favorite, Terry Griffith, will sing favorites and new songs for visitors.

Sign up daily for corn hole tournaments; the final championship game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 19. Entry fee is $1 per team with all money from the tournament going to Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). Sign up today, and may the best team win, as well as the Middlefield charities.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) will be back this year on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 to teach true Medieval skills of yesteryear. Fencing demonstrations are always the highlight of their presentations.

Some of the gallery artists who are lined up for the event are as listed: Tom Antonishak Plein Air workshop on Sept. 11; Jaymi Zents on Sept. 11 and 18; and Laura Fields (candle smoke artist) on Sept. 12 and 19. James Seward (Somerset artist) will be demonstrating on Saturday, Sept. 18 and holding a Sunday morning service on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Sign up today to receive lessons from Tom Antonishak (a nationally and internationally award winning published artist). Bring your own supplies for the workshop and pay a fee of $50 for a class from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breaks as needed. Call the gallery at 440-632-1124 to sign up today. Walk-ins during the faire will pay $60.

We have our year-round vendors open during the Renaissance event, with The Craft Cupboard and Tiny Stitches participating in the 2010 Jingle Bell Shop Hop-featuring snowman tales and patterns. The Craft Cupboard will also be demonstrating Iris folding with fabric. Tiny Stitches will display and demonstrate how to create your own t-shirt quilt. (All those Renaissance and sports shirts can be made into a colorful one-of-a-kind quilt).

The Amish Co-op will be open all four days of the faire with all their Amish hand-made merchandise available, but to visit with the Amish managers, Jonathan and Marietta Hershberger, one must come on the Saturdays of the Faire. They will have their Yankee friends running the Co-op on both Sundays, due to their customs and religious beliefs; they will not be with us the Sundays. Bring this article in and receive 10% off your total purchase at the Amish Co-op.

Settlers' Trains, Cargo and Toys will be celebrating with sales on some of their model trains and offering many Renaissance-related toys featuring pirates, Vikings, princesses, and fairies.

A new shop that will be christened at the fair by Oberon King of the Fairy people is found in Vancura Gallery, and that shop is Oberon's Garden. This shop is the combination of art by two sisters: Robin Payne and Susan Lucas. Enter the magical room and awake to nature's art and lore. If you are in need of a fairy house, fairy furniture, fairy wings, a toad house, or that unique gift that is inspired by nature and fantasy, check out Oberon's Garden.

Many other vendor's will be on hand on the weekend, like Vincent and his Dragon's Head Forge, The Bored Housewife and her Renaissance clothing, Renaissance and Rainbows Stain Glass, and Cearweddwen's Creations (chainmail jewelry and head dresses) and much more.

Admission is only $2 per car and $1 per walk-in patron. Children under 12 enter for free. Take advantage of our low introductory admission price, as this is the last year at this reduced price. We invite everyone to come dressed as a pirate, Viking, fairy princess, Renaissance royalty or peasant, or just as you!

Half of the price of admission goes to support Middlefield Police Charities: Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). All monies raised at the auction and cornhole tournament go to the listed charities.

Please come support our charities while enjoying a faire at an affordable price!

For more information or for an up-coming schedule call Vancura Gallery/Settlers' Village at 440 632-1124, www.vancuragallery.com, www.settlersvillagemiddlefield.com or follow Settlers' Village on facebook

On Sept. 11, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for KIDS of Geauga County will host the fourth Annual Kids Safety Day. This free event will be held at Century Village, on the corner of Routes 87 and 168 in Burton, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the entire family to enjoy a variety of interactive experiences including bike, fire, outdoor and firearm safety, Safety Town, and many more.

Over 14 organizations collaborate to make this an educational and fun experience. Participants include Geauga County Sheriff's Office, police and fire departments from Bainbridge, Burton, Middlefield and South Russell, Friends of CASA, University Hospital's Geauga Medical Center, Help Me Grow, Mental Health Association, Geauga Health Department and Park District, radKIDS, and others. Entertainment will be provided and refreshments available; free bike helmets while they last.

To find out more about this free event, call CASA for KIDS at 440-279-1699 or visit the website: geaugacasa.org. CASA for KIDS recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in juvenile court.

American Legion Post No. 459 hosts a spaghetti dinner Friday, Sept. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m., 14052 Goodwin St., Burton. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for those 5 and under. Dinner includes spaghetti and two meatballs. Additional items available. Call Bruce at 440-897-2396 or Newell at 440-834-8764 .

American Legion Post No. 459 will host a dance on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m., 14052 Goodwin St., Burton. Cost is $10 per person at door. Call Bruce at 440-897-2396.

What does it feel like to net a butterfly and gently ask it to tell you where it's going?

Find out by joining us for monarch butterfly tagging Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Rd., Middlefield/Parkman Townships.

Come help Monarch Watch's study of cross-continental monarch migration by netting monarchs as they are en route to their winter havens in Mexico.

Not only will you get to enter each butterfly's life for a few moments, but your name will be recorded with each tagging so you can be contacted in case of another recovery along the way or in a Mexican wintering area.

This program begins with an overview of the monarch life cycle, followed by collecting north of the Lake Side Shelter. Join in at any time or watch naturalists tag butterflies from the sidelines. Visitors can also play Monarch Migration, a life-sized board game along a paved trail dramatizing the hazards of this amazing journey.

Feel free to catch other insects with meadow homes, too, but no collecting for removal from the park – it is their home, after all!

Sun protection, socks, hats and long pants are recommended for moving through this meadow environment. Nets are provided, but it's also OK to bring your own.

Registration is not required for this free activity, which is open to all ages and partially wheelchair/stroller accessible, depending on your level of participation. Call 440-286-9516 with questions. Geauga Park District is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Other events featured throughout the faire will be daily costume judging with award ribbons. Show off your skills to your friends and family alongside the Highlanders and their games of skill. Mother Goose will be on hand to entertain the children three times a day both weekends. Comedy acts will be provided featuring Eli the Erratic on Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. Become mesmerized with feats of juggling and circus artistry. The Dueling Fools show (sword comedy act) will be here throughout the faire. A Renaissance favorite, Terry Griffith, will sing favorites and new songs for visitors.

Sign up daily for corn hole tournaments; the final championship game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 19. Entry fee is $1 per team with all money from the tournament going to Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). Sign up today, and may the best team win, as well as the Middlefield charities.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) will be back this year on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 to teach true Medieval skills of yesteryear. Fencing demonstrations are always the highlight of their presentations.

Some of the gallery artists who are lined up for the event are as listed: Tom Antonishak Plein Air workshop on Sept. 11; Jaymi Zents on Sept. 11 and 18; and Laura Fields (candle smoke artist) on Sept. 12 and 19. James Seward (Somerset artist) will be demonstrating on Saturday, Sept. 18 and holding a Sunday morning service on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Sign up today to receive lessons from Tom Antonishak (a nationally and internationally award winning published artist). Bring your own supplies for the workshop and pay a fee of $50 for a class from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breaks as needed. Call the gallery at 440-632-1124 to sign up today. Walk-ins during the faire will pay $60.

We have our year-round vendors open during the Renaissance event, with The Craft Cupboard and Tiny Stitches participating in the 2010 Jingle Bell Shop Hop-featuring snowman tales and patterns. The Craft Cupboard will also be demonstrating Iris folding with fabric. Tiny Stitches will display and demonstrate how to create your own t-shirt quilt. (All those Renaissance and sports shirts can be made into a colorful one-of-a-kind quilt).

The Amish Co-op will be open all four days of the faire with all their Amish hand-made merchandise available, but to visit with the Amish managers, Jonathan and Marietta Hershberger, one must come on the Saturdays of the Faire. They will have their Yankee friends running the Co-op on both Sundays, due to their customs and religious beliefs; they will not be with us the Sundays. Bring this article in and receive 10% off your total purchase at the Amish Co-op.

Settlers' Trains, Cargo and Toys will be celebrating with sales on some of their model trains and offering many Renaissance-related toys featuring pirates, Vikings, princesses, and fairies.

A new shop that will be christened at the fair by Oberon King of the Fairy people is found in Vancura Gallery, and that shop is Oberon's Garden. This shop is the combination of art by two sisters: Robin Payne and Susan Lucas. Enter the magical room and awake to nature's art and lore. If you are in need of a fairy house, fairy furniture, fairy wings, a toad house, or that unique gift that is inspired by nature and fantasy, check out Oberon's Garden.

Many other vendor's will be on hand on the weekend, like Vincent and his Dragon's Head Forge, The Bored Housewife and her Renaissance clothing, Renaissance and Rainbows Stain Glass, and Cearweddwen's Creations (chainmail jewelry and head dresses) and much more.

Admission is only $2 per car and $1 per walk-in patron. Children under 12 enter for free. Take advantage of our low introductory admission price, as this is the last year at this reduced price. We invite everyone to come dressed as a pirate, Viking, fairy princess, Renaissance royalty or peasant, or just as you!

Half of the price of admission goes to support Middlefield Police Charities: Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). All monies raised at the auction and cornhole tournament go to the listed charities.

Please come support our charities while enjoying a faire at an affordable price!

For more information or for an up-coming schedule call Vancura Gallery/Settlers' Village at 440 632-1124, www.vancuragallery.com, www.settlersvillagemiddlefield.com or follow Settlers' Village on facebook

Find out by joining us for monarch butterfly tagging Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Rd., Middlefield/Parkman Townships.

Come help Monarch Watch's study of cross-continental monarch migration by netting monarchs as they are en route to their winter havens in Mexico.

Not only will you get to enter each butterfly's life for a few moments, but your name will be recorded with each tagging so you can be contacted in case of another recovery along the way or in a Mexican wintering area.

This program begins with an overview of the monarch life cycle, followed by collecting north of the Lake Side Shelter. Join in at any time or watch naturalists tag butterflies from the sidelines. Visitors can also play Monarch Migration, a life-sized board game along a paved trail dramatizing the hazards of this amazing journey.

Feel free to catch other insects with meadow homes, too, but no collecting for removal from the park – it is their home, after all!

Sun protection, socks, hats and long pants are recommended for moving through this meadow environment. Nets are provided, but it's also OK to bring your own.

Registration is not required for this free activity, which is open to all ages and partially wheelchair/stroller accessible, depending on your level of participation. Call 440-286-9516 with questions. Geauga Park District is also on Facebook and Twitter.

At 78, Grandma Moses began painting to enjoy the arts during retirement. Geauga Council for Arts & Culture celebrates local seniors in the arts on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bond Building in Century Village, Burton. A distant relative will describe "Grandma Moses, A Life of Simple Beauty." Lunch follows. Door prizes will accompany a raffle for an original print by Grandma Moses. Reservation forms available at local libraries and some area businesses, and by download from www.geaugaartscouncil.org, e-mailing presidentgcac@gmail.com or calling 440-537-3344.

Senior Center in Middlefield, 15820 Ridgewood, hosts a monthly gathering the 3rd Thursday of each month, 4:30 to 7 p.m. for fellowship and dinner. Seniors attending are asked to bring a dish to pass. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 5 p.m.; evening is free. Call 440-632-0611.

The Fall Scavenger Hunt gets you out to 10 local businesses to answer questions. Activity can be done in one day or several. Participate in this month-long adventure by downloading your Scavenger Hunt sheet from www.TourGeauga.com or by calling the office at 800-775-TOUR. Simply return your completed "hunt" by mail or bring it to the Hometown Hoe-Down on Oct. 16 to be in a drawing for a great Geauga gift basket!

The Fall Scavenger Hunt gets you out to 10 local businesses to answer questions. Activity can be done in one day or several. Participate in this month-long adventure by downloading your Scavenger Hunt sheet from www.TourGeauga.com or by calling the office at 800-775-TOUR. Simply return your completed "hunt" by mail or bring it to the Hometown Hoe-Down on Oct. 16 to be in a drawing for a great Geauga gift basket!

Chesterland Chamber of Commerce holds a one-day Community Crafts, Antiques and Flea Market at Chesterland Mini-Storage, 11695 Chillicothe Rd. (Route 306) in Chesterland (next to Truline Industries) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. (Please, no early birds!) Event is open to the public, rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the Chamber's Beautification Program. Covered, lockable display areas will be made available for sellers. Contact John See at 440-729-0099 or e-mail him at storeoneinc@yahoo.com for details.

Friends of the Burton Public Library will hold a book sale Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the library basement, opposite the Burton park. Items for everyone include books, magazines, vintage materials, maps, records, CDs, tapes, videos, and puzzles. Please enter the sale through the white door located at the back of the building.

Vancura Gallery and the rest of Settlers' Village at 14279 Old State Rd., Middlefield, will be bringing "art to life" at this year's Ye Old State Renaissance Faire on Sept. 11, 12, 18, and 19. Vote for your favorite artist as Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo vie for your vote to paint the royal portrait. The count will be announced daily until a winner is decreed. The winning portrait will be hung in the gallery for all to view.

Other events featured throughout the faire will be daily costume judging with award ribbons. Show off your skills to your friends and family alongside the Highlanders and their games of skill. Mother Goose will be on hand to entertain the children three times a day both weekends. Comedy acts will be provided featuring Eli the Erratic on Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. Become mesmerized with feats of juggling and circus artistry. The Dueling Fools show (sword comedy act) will be here throughout the faire. A Renaissance favorite, Terry Griffith, will sing favorites and new songs for visitors.

Sign up daily for corn hole tournaments; the final championship game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 19. Entry fee is $1 per team with all money from the tournament going to Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). Sign up today, and may the best team win, as well as the Middlefield charities.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) will be back this year on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 to teach true Medieval skills of yesteryear. Fencing demonstrations are always the highlight of their presentations.

Some of the gallery artists who are lined up for the event are as listed: Tom Antonishak Plein Air workshop on Sept. 11; Jaymi Zents on Sept. 11 and 18; and Laura Fields (candle smoke artist) on Sept. 12 and 19. James Seward (Somerset artist) will be demonstrating on Saturday, Sept. 18 and holding a Sunday morning service on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Sign up today to receive lessons from Tom Antonishak (a nationally and internationally award winning published artist). Bring your own supplies for the workshop and pay a fee of $50 for a class from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breaks as needed. Call the gallery at 440-632-1124 to sign up today. Walk-ins during the faire will pay $60.

We have our year-round vendors open during the Renaissance event, with The Craft Cupboard and Tiny Stitches participating in the 2010 Jingle Bell Shop Hop-featuring snowman tales and patterns. The Craft Cupboard will also be demonstrating Iris folding with fabric. Tiny Stitches will display and demonstrate how to create your own t-shirt quilt. (All those Renaissance and sports shirts can be made into a colorful one-of-a-kind quilt).

The Amish Co-op will be open all four days of the faire with all their Amish hand-made merchandise available, but to visit with the Amish managers, Jonathan and Marietta Hershberger, one must come on the Saturdays of the Faire. They will have their Yankee friends running the Co-op on both Sundays, due to their customs and religious beliefs; they will not be with us the Sundays. Bring this article in and receive 10% off your total purchase at the Amish Co-op.

Settlers' Trains, Cargo and Toys will be celebrating with sales on some of their model trains and offering many Renaissance-related toys featuring pirates, Vikings, princesses, and fairies.

A new shop that will be christened at the fair by Oberon King of the Fairy people is found in Vancura Gallery, and that shop is Oberon's Garden. This shop is the combination of art by two sisters: Robin Payne and Susan Lucas. Enter the magical room and awake to nature's art and lore. If you are in need of a fairy house, fairy furniture, fairy wings, a toad house, or that unique gift that is inspired by nature and fantasy, check out Oberon's Garden.

Many other vendor's will be on hand on the weekend, like Vincent and his Dragon's Head Forge, The Bored Housewife and her Renaissance clothing, Renaissance and Rainbows Stain Glass, and Cearweddwen's Creations (chainmail jewelry and head dresses) and much more.

Admission is only $2 per car and $1 per walk-in patron. Children under 12 enter for free. Take advantage of our low introductory admission price, as this is the last year at this reduced price. We invite everyone to come dressed as a pirate, Viking, fairy princess, Renaissance royalty or peasant, or just as you!

Half of the price of admission goes to support Middlefield Police Charities: Shop With a Cop and Middlefield Cares! (food cupboard). All monies raised at the auction and cornhole tournament go to the listed charities.

Please come support our charities while enjoying a faire at an affordable price!

For more information or for an up-coming schedule call Vancura Gallery/Settlers' Village at 440 632-1124, www.vancuragallery.com, www.settlersvillagemiddlefield.com or follow Settlers' Village on facebook

A few days ago I had the pleasure of talking with Deacon Karen Smith of Huntsburg Congregational Church about their exciting grand re-opening called "God's Open House" that is taking place on Sept. 18 from noon till 4 p.m.

I asked Karen what the motivation was behind re-opening the church, and she happily explained that they were moving from affiliating with the United Church of Christ (UCC) to uniting with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (the 4 C's).

This was not an easy decision made on a whim. Pastor Bob Barber held many meetings over the last year with his congregation, along with members of surrounding churches, trying to decide as a unit in which direction everyone wanted to move. Curious, I asked why they felt the "need" for change. What prompted change?

Karen said that some felt as if some churches were getting away from the basics such as the teachings of Christ found in the Bible. There seemed to be a general movement away from the foundation that the church was built upon and a need to get back to the original roots … the guidance that comes from reading and utilizing His words in our everyday life.

Not everything about the old church will fall by the wayside. It is still maintaining the food shelter in which they store donated items to help those in the community that need a hand. In fact, they will be displaying a list of activities the church offers its members during the grand re-opening.

Karen wanted everyone to know that this event will be held inside and out and the public is welcome to join the congregation in celebrating. They are providing free food, live music as well as special speaker Royce Gregory, a representative from the "Life Brand Ranch" located on Clay Street (affectionately known as the Cowboy Church) – who will talk about their mission in bringing inner city kids out to the ranch to teach them about animals and the outdoors.

The new Conservative Congregational Christian Conference is located at 12435 Madison Rd. (Route 528) in Huntsburg, just a little south of Route 322. They hope you'll stop in for this merry jubilation. Call the church for details at 440-636-5044.