A Lots to Love celebration

May 25—SHARON — As her granddaughters scampered up and down the sidewalk, Arlene Mihalcin basked in their enjoyment and the early evening sun shining over a festive patch of grass.

Autumn, 2, and Caroline Mihalcin, 5, enjoyed themselves Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon's block party, and so did their grandmother.

"This is so nice of them to put this on for the kids, for the neighborhood," Arlene Mihalcin said.

The event marked the church's second annual block party on its Lots to Love lot at Fifth Street and Fullerton Avenue in Sharon. The church took on a vacant space through Sharon's Lots to Love program, which allows residents and local organizations to take ownership and care for vacant lots.

First Presbyterian member Jamie Goodwin said the group makes sure the lot's grass is mowed and manicured, but it gets help.

"What's kind of amazing is that the neighbors come over here and help," he said.

The church's mission team put on the block party, with grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and side dishes, with dessert provided by the Rita's Italian Ice truck and entertainment courtesy of Ukuladies Gone Wild.

Debbie Derrenbacher, from the church's mission team, said the block party was a repeat event from last year. She estimated that turnout was about 200 to 250 people, about the same as last year's first-time event.

"This is going to be a yearly event," she said. "This is a good outreach place."

The mission team also includes Derrenbacher's husband Lyle, Tracy Plyler, Goodwin, Lyle Beiber and Millie Milheim.

"Our plan is pretty much to get out on the corner of Faith and Life," Derrenbacher said, citing a motto emblazoned on the mission team's T-shirts, "But today, we're on the corner of Fifth and Fullerton."