Meet North Ridgeville Residents Giving Back to Their Community

Juana and Travis Reynolds

Zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, sunflowers, coneflowers and snapdragons (plus fragrant herbs including sage), grow in nine backyard flowerbeds owned by Juana and Travis Reynolds. The cut flowers and greenery are part of beautiful bouquets the couple sells in an adorable roadside flower stand at 6288 Greenview Trail.

Handmade cards designed by Juana, custom-made baked goods and other small gift items are also available.

The flowers represent more than just a garden’s bounty. Married since 2018, the couple earmarks profits toward their adoption fee fund. Juana, after being diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2023, and her husband are hoping to adopt a baby. Last year, an expected adoption match did not come to fruition.

“We have moved on from that disappointment but still think about it regularly,” Travis says. “We have to start the process all over again, but we want to be the face of hope for adoption.”

“If it doesn’t work out for us, we will still keep raising money and help someone else bring their baby home,” adds Juana.

Bob and Terri Marquis

The North Ridgeville Community Garden is the envy of many surrounding cities, some of which have had only minimal success with communal plantings. Much of the credit can be given to Bob and Terri Marquis, who serve as the garden’s manager and secretary.

The 2-acre garden on Chestnut Ridge Road has 95 15-by-20-foot plots, all of which have been sold out for the past five years. Before the couple became involved nine years ago, some plots were unused and others rented to non-North Ridgeville residents. Today, Bob officially designates plot assignments. Terri (also president of the Garden Club of North Ridgeville) handles communications and applications and also recruits volunteers. Bob, a retired construction electrician who worked in his grandmother’s commercial plant nursery at 10 years old, also offers gardening advice.

In addition, the couple gives lectures at local schools about gardening and the importance of planting for pollinators. They have also lent a green thumb to the North Ridgeville Community Care garden, which grows and donates produce to those in need.

“You get a sense of satisfaction when you help someone who really appreciates it,” Terri says.

Tom and Linda Morman

It’s easy to spot Linda Morman at the North Ridgeville Senior Center. It’s not only that she’s stationed at the front desk, answering the phone, greeting familiar faces or welcoming those who visit the facility for the first time. It’s her perpetual smile.

“I smile all day long — at the senior center and at home. I try to make people feel comfortable and welcome,” says Linda, who has been a volunteer for the center for the past six years. Two years ago, she also recruited her husband, Tom, to help deliver Meals on Wheels every other week in the community.

“Some people I deliver to just love to talk,” Tom says. “They generally don’t see a lot of people during the day. I’ll ask them how their day is going, wish them happy birthday. I’ve also changed light bulbs and batteries in remotes and carried in boxes.”

The Mormans are originally from Northwest Ohio but have lived in North Ridgeville for 40 years. They credit their upbringing in “old-time, rural farm families whose culture it was to help others,” for their interest in volunteerism. And they can always be counted on to help with the senior center’s spaghetti and chicken paprikash dinners.

“I’ve washed a lot of dishes,” says Tom.

Christina Piche

People may first come to 83 & Chestnut Pub and Eatery for the chef-prepared fish fry held every Friday of the year. The in-house breaded Lake Erie yellow perch and walleye are worth any drive. Or some customers like the 15 draft beers that range from craft to classic favorites.

But customers of all ages also come back because they feel comfortable. “We are like Cheers on steroids,” jokes the restaurant’s owner, Christina Piche.

The business helps to support its community in a big way, too.

For the past nine years, the pub has offered legal, regulated charitable instant bingo (paper pull-tabs), with all proceeds going to North Ridgeville or Lorain County causes. More than $1 million has been raised over the past four years. The North Ridgeville Band Boosters have been the most recent recipients.

“You can sell candy bars all day or have a lot of spaghetti dinners, but a lot of people want instant gratification,” says Christina, explaining the bingo’s popularity.

Money generated has helped buy new band uniforms and also supports students who may not have the financial means to participate in extracurricular activities.

“I was one of those kids who wasn’t able to participate because it was pay-to-play at my school. I know this is important,” Christina says.

Nicholas Lime

Remember the name Lime Skincare Co. If success continues to evolve as quickly as it has since its founding in 2018, the cosmetic company is destined to be top ranked nationally.

This fall, entrepreneur Nicholas Lime, North Ridgeville High School class of 2026, headed to The Ohio State University to study chemical engineering. Nicholas already has two associate degrees because he started taking college classes the summer before entering seventh grade.

Lime Skincare Co. products (handmade bar soap, lotion, exfoliates and a facial line) are sold online and in retail shops. Not bad for a kid who formulated his first product at 11 years old. Nicholas has been experimenting with a lip balm, but because his products are 100% vegan, the standard main ingredient — beeswax — is unacceptable to him.

“I am kind of a perfectionist,” says Nicholas, who won’t release a product until he is completely happy with it.

After college, Nicholas hopes to open a cosmetic manufacturing firm to assist small skincare companies with their lines.

“I want to make and formulate products for other brands, because I love the science behind it,” he says.