Staff Writer

MEDINA TWP. — The Medina County Health Department will be at the Medina County Fair next week, but don’t expect a typical lecture on the benefits of exercise and the hazards of smoking.

Instead of just talking about the effects of smoking to children, the health department will have a “tar jar” that shows the amount of tar in the lungs of a pack-a-day smoker. And if kids still think smoking is cool, there’s the “slum jar,” which demonstrates how much mucus a pack-a-day smoker coughs up on a daily basis. The booth is also for adults.

Dentists will be there to provide free oral health screenings from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The screenings will give county residents a chance to meet the dentists that offer services at a low cost at the Board of Health clinic, 4800 Ledgewood Drive.

“We really want to encourage people to see us at the actual health department,” said Colleen Rice, a health educator who organized the health department fair booth.

There also will be Nintendo Wii Sports tournaments all week at 7 p.m. and all day on the weekends. Wii Sports is a physically interactive video game in which the players actually swing the controller like a racquet when playing Wii tennis or a bat when playing Wii baseball.

The tournament is for all ages, and Rice suggests older people try playing Wii even if they think it isn’t for them. Seniors in nursing homes have found playing Wii a fun way to improve mobility, she said.

Other activities planned include an interactive watershed model to demonstrate how the health department keeps drinking water safe, complete with pudding for runoff; a contest to win an emergency preparedness kit; car seat safety screening; free hearing loss, blood pressure and body mass index screenings; and a clinic to demonstrate proper hand-washing techniques to help residents “beat the bug” this year.

Hlavinka may be reached at 330-721-4048 or lhlavinka@ohio.net.

Donald Rinehart Jr., 28, was traveling east on Chippewa near Ryan at 6:40 p.m. when his motorcycle hit the back of a car backing out of a driveway, a state highway patrol spokesman said.

Rinehart, who was not wearing a helmet, was flown by helicopter to Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center because he cracked his skull and broke several bones in his face. The damage to a muscle in his right arm was severe and doctors had to remove an artery from his leg to repair his arm, the spokesman said.

The woman whose car Rinehart hit was wearing a seat belt and was treated and released at the scene, he said.

Rinehart is listed in critical condition, according to a nursing supervisor.

The accident remains under investigation.

CHIDINGS: to big oil companies for apparently being less than clear about where their record profits are going. While corporate leaders emphasize the portion of profits used to fund oil exploration, last year 55 percent went to shareholders, according to a Rice University study. It’s good news for Americans whose retirement or investment portfolios contain oil stocks, but not much solace when they’re filling their gas tanks.

CHEERS: to Lodi’s Jeff Arrington, who two years ago founded the Northeast Ohio Catfish Angler’s Tournament Series, a competitive catfish fishing league that is growing in size and stature. Arrington treasures the memories of being taught how to fish by his father and grandfather, and hopes the league will foster that sense of togetherness for others. “Any family that fishes together makes the family closer,” he said.

CHIDINGS: to a state bureaucracy that has poor and disabled Ohioans waiting an average of 200 days for their Medicaid applications to be processed. Officials blame a lack of funds and staff, as well as increased enrollment, for the delays in processing applications. In one case, a request for a new wheelchair for a 16-year-old boy with cerebral palsy was refused five times in two years — once because of a typo.

CHEERS: to Medina’s Patty Salvatore, who is one of just 38 referees from around the globe chosen to officiate volleyball matches at the Beijing Olympics. It’s Salvatore’s third Olympic appearance, following the 1996 games in Atlanta and the 2004 Games in Athens. She’s the only referee to officiate indoor and beach volleyball at the Olympics. “It truly is a blessing to be a part of the Olympics while doing something I love,” Salvatore said.

He was born April 5, 1932, in Bedford, Ohio. Mr. Daly was employed for 35 years as a terminal operator for Union Oil Co. and for 18 years as a greenskeeper for Pine Hills Golf Course.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janice M. (nee Forbis) Daly; son, Timothy R. (Sandra) Daly of Columbus; daughter, Theresa Ann (Robert) Siegfried of Medina; and grandchildren, LeAnne (fiancé Rick Stone), Meghan and Andrew Siegfried, and Andrew, Ali, and Tyler Daly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Timothy J. and Catherine (nee Hurite) Daly, and brother, Edward Daly.

Service: 2 p.m. Sunday at Waite & Son Funeral Homes, Brunswick Chapel, 3300 Center Road (state Route 303 at Interstate 71). Allen C. Alexander will officiate.

Visiting hours: 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 803 E. Washington St., Suite 110, Medina, 44256.

He was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Cleveland to Michael and Susie (Pizak) Furda. Mr. Furda was a lifelong dairy farmer. He was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church. He was an avid hunter and loved to paint.

Mr. Furda is survived by his sister-in-law, Irene Furda; brother, Joseph; nephew, Michael S. (Penny) Furda; niece, Carol (Gary) Cox; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Michael.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. today at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 16150 Center St., Parkman, Ohio.

Burial: Overlook Cemetery, Parkman.

Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Garrettsville, is handling the arrangements.

On the Net — www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com

Dr. Gibbs celebrated his 84th birthday on July 11, 2008, with his wife of 47 years, Betty, in Cumming, Ga., where they resided for the past three years. He was well known in Medina after practicing orthodontics for more than 25 years. He was a lifetime member of First Christian Church, where he contributed many joy-filled solos with the church choir. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the condolences of so many lifetime friends in the Medina community.

Dr. Gibbs will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Betty; sister, Mary Alice Fulton; children, David, Edward, Robert and Edna Gibbs and Larry, Carol and Lynda Blake; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church of Medina, Disciples of Christ, 4797 Sharon Copley Road, Montville Township. Family and friends are invited to share in the Celebration of Life for Dr. Gibbs.

Interment: Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina, in the Gibbs family burial plot.

McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory of Cumming is handling the arrangements.

On the Net — www.mcdonaldandson.com

Stephanie Guiley, of Medina, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2008, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born April 22, 1936, in Cleveland. She was retired from B.F. Goodrich Research Center. Mrs. Guiley was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Wadsworth, where she was a member of the choir and a the Koinonia Committee. She also was a volunteer with the Salvation Army.

Mrs. Guiley is survived by her husband, C. Dale Guiley, with whom she celebrated 24 years of marriage; daughters, Susan (Raymond) Lehotski of North Royalton, Karen Gause of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., Kelly Masters of Medina, Karen Drew of Medina and Kim Wheeler of Wadsworth; and 12 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephanie and James Finn.

Service: 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Church of Christ, 215 High St., Wadsworth. The Rev. Daniel Doty will officiate.

Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Wadsworth.

Visiting hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

She was born July 28, 1912, in Chestnut Lick, W.Va., to Ira and Myrtle (Meadows) Minney. Mrs. Lambert worked for a basket factory. She was an accomplished seamstress and made her own clothes and quilts. She loved to crochet and garden, and enjoyed traveling with her husband when he showed his fox hounds.

Mrs. Lambert is survived by her husband, Don; son, Edsel (Louise) Minney; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; half sister, Darlie Schoolcraft; half brothers, Audie and C.A. Minney; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ressie and Renis Minney; and sisters, Ena Allan, Ina Cotrill and Cressie Hunt.

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Garrettsville. Gene H. Miller will officiate.

Interment: Windham Township Cemetery.

Visiting hours: 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

On the Net — www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com

River Styx Road, between Blake and Wadsworth roads in Guilford Township, will be closed Thursday, July 31, due to bridge repair.

Marks Road, at its intersection with Spieth Road in York and Medina townships, is closed through Monday, Aug. 15, to improve the intersection.

Click here to view road construction projects listed on the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Web site. Medina County is part of District 3.

Staff Writer

BEREA — Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker isn’t ready to practice but said he’s hoping to return in time to play in a preseason game in preparation for the regular season. The preseason finale is Aug. 28 and the season opener is Sept. 7.

“I’m just here every day working,” Tucker said Thursday. “I’ll get out there as soon as I can.

“I still have to get a lot of strength back in my leg. I’m feeling good, the strength is coming back. I’m healing really well.”

Tucker broke his hip in May during organized team activities. He termed it a “freak” accident and elected to have surgery.

“It was just a bone, thank God,” he said. “They put a plate in there, so structurally it’s sound and it’s healed.”

Tucker said a return to practice “sometime in August” is realistic. For now, he’s rehabbing and attending meetings. He opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list and can be activated any time.

He started the final eight games at right guard last season and was projected to fill that role this season. Free-agent acquisition Rex Hadnot has taken his place with the first team.

“We have so many good players on that line,” Tucker said. “I’m just going to get healthy, then do what I can on the field, whether I start or whether I back up.”

Tucker (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) spent most of his career at right tackle, so a return to health would provide needed depth across the line.

During his rehab Tucker spent time as a fill-in manager for his son’s recreation baseball team in Westlake.

“I know nothing about baseball,” he said. “I stunk at it.

“But I enjoyed it. My kid loved it.”

 HARD KNOCKS: Running back Jamal Lewis was in the middle of a couple of physical exchanges during the morning practice. After a run down the sideline, Lewis was knocked down by linebacker Shantee Orr. Lewis didn’t appreciate it and jawed with defensive lineman Shaun Smith on his way back to the huddle. “I’m just trying to get Jamal ready for the season,” said Smith, the biggest talker on the team. “Do not touch No. 31,” Smith added during stretching before the evening practice. The next time Lewis touched the ball on a swing pass, he sent Orr to the ground with a forearm. “If a player’s not expecting the hit, that’s when he gets a little surprised or gets a little upset,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But generally he goes back to the huddle and the next time he runs the ball, he runs with more aggression and protects himself better.”

 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: With the Browns short-handed at cornerback, Crennel was asked if trying special teamer/receiver Joshua Cribbs there ever crossed his mind. “Sure, because he’s an athlete,” Crennel said. “If the situation gets to the point where we might need an athlete to fill in for us, then he’s a consideration. But at the present time, he’s got a lot of things he’s trying to learn. We don’t need to unnecessarily put a bigger load on his shoulders.” Cribbs was a quarterback at Kent State before making the switch with the Browns.

 FASHION STATEMENT: Safety Sean Jones was the only player wearing shorts in the morning, while everyone else wore uniform pants for the full-contact practice. Any reason? “He had his pads on underneath the shorts,” Crennel said. “It’s just a look. Fashion.” Jones made a nice play to break up a pass to tight end Kellen Winslow near the sideline.

 EXTRA POINTS: The Browns have yet to install a speaker in the helmet of a defensive player, which will be allowed for the first time this year. Crennel said they’d implement it at the end of this week, with linebacker Andra Davis wearing the special helmet (only one player on the field can have the radio). … A capacity crowd of approximately 2,500 fans attended Wednesday’s practice. … Receiver Donte Stallworth (hamstring) missed his second day of practice. … Backup running back Jason Wright missed the second practice with an undisclosed injury.

Petrak may be reached at spetrak@chroniclet.com or 440-329-7136.