Peter Slater (left) and his brother, Robert, stand atop a rock at Joshua Tree National Park in California. Younger brother Christopher rests in a comfortable spot halfway up. The boys love rock climbing, camping and hiking and have explored more than 150 National Parks, earning over 50 Junior Ranger badges.

[Editor's note: Every four years the Boy Scouts of America holds a celebration of Scouting, a ten-day event where Scouts camp out, try new activities, interact with sports and entertainment role models, and reaffirm their commitment to the Scouting movement. More than 45,000 Boy Scouts and adult leaders from all 50 states and 26 countries converge on Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, to take part in the Jamboree’s many activities, including: boating, snorkeling, scuba-diving, flight simulation, wall climbing and archery, to name a few.

The Observer is proud to have two Scouts "on assignment" – Peter and Robert Slater of Westlake – reporting back to the community on their experiences at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. They will be working with journalists and educators as part of the “National Hometown News Service.”]

Day 1 of the 2010 National Scout Jamboree: Monday, July 26

The National Scout Jamboree is held every four years, but this Jamboree is special because this year is the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America and the 110th Anniversary of Boy Scouts world wide. This article features just a small glimpse of the story of Troop 1305 [one of four Cleveland-area Jamboree Troops] and their experiences at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.

It all started at around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday in the parking lot of the Cleveland Visiting Nurses Association building as the four buses departed for the Jamboree. We drove for hours, many of us unsuccessfully trying to get some sleep, while others loudly sang, shouted and generally goofed off. At 2:00 a.m., we stopped at a rest-stop where many scouts purchased soda, coffee, and energy drinks, fueling the noise and sleeplessness further.

After receiving her Safety Town diploma on July 9 from Mayor Dennis Clough, Kylie Nolan is about to give high-fives to (left-to-right) Community Service Officer Anna Cavender, Police Chief Richard Walling and Provisional Fire Chief Dale Kraus.
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This summer, Westlake Safety Town continued its three-decades-long tradition of educating children entering kindergarten about street-crossing safety, school safety issues and stranger caution. The program was spearheaded by Officer Anna Cavender, Community Service Officer for the Westlake Police Department, along with Safety Town Director Olivia Kostecke, Senior Assistant Rachael Delfing, Junior Assistant Dan Chida and an energetic team of student volunteers.

During each two-week session, children visit the fire and police stations for tours and end with a celebratory graduation ceremony, attended by Mayor Dennis Clough, Police Chief Richard Walling or Captain Guy Turner and Asst. Fire Chief Timothy Zack, along with a visit from police department safety mascot “Safety Pup.”

Matthew Spellman is new A.D. for Bay Village Schools

Matthew J. Spellman will be the new athletic/activities director for the Bay Village City School District. He was hired on Monday, July 12, at the Bay Village Board of Education meeting.

Spellman has served as an athletic director/assistant principal for the Vermilion Local Schools since July 2008. Prior to that, he was student activities director for the Chardon Local School District and assistant athletic director at Wickliffe High School. His background includes teaching high school mathematics and coaching varsity and junior varsity football, high school basketball and track.

Spellman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Education, Sport Management degree from Cleveland State University. His post-graduate work in educational administration was done at Ursuline College.

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The Westlake Kiwanis, along with the Westlake School District, sponsored the First Annual “Westlake Kiwanis Family and Westlake School District Special Olympics” on Saturday, July 17.

The event began with a parade around the Westlake High School Track, which was led by the Special Olympics Torch followed by the participants, parents, caregivers and members of the Westlake School District, Westlake Kiwanis, Westlake Key Club and Westlake Aktion Club. They marched to the Olympic theme music being played over the public address system.

The Rocky River Adult Center choir led the crowd in the singing of our National Anthem.

There were 67 entrants in the various events from Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. They competed in the 400 meter run, softball throw, standing long jump, 25 meter walk, 50 meter dash, 25 meter wheel chair run and the 25 meter assisted walk.

Bay Sweet Shop and the Volunteer store occupied the Bassett Road building in the 1940s.

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On the north end of Bassett Road is Lake Road and the old Sadler (Saddler) property (Lot #92). Sometime after the Lake Shore Electric Interurban track was laid through their property in 1897, the Sadler family sold a strip of land south of the track on the west side of Bassett Road and a two story building was constructed. The building fronted on Bassett Road with two large windows on either side of the front door. On the first floor was a store with parking in front. Upstairs were living quarters.

Across the street was the Thompson grocery store. It was housed in the old wooden Methodist Church building moved in 1909 from the corner of Lake and Bassett Roads to the interurban tracks. When this building burned down around 1911, the Thompsons moved their store across the street into the empty building.

Bill Sadler and a book about the Lake Shore Electric Interurban tells us the building was built by Mr. Pencik, and he leased it to the West Shore Supply Company in 1919. The West Shore Supply Company was opened to satisfy the needs of the farmers in western Bay and Avon Lake. The store sold grain, grape growing supplies, rope, feed and shovels, among other things. It was similar to the Cahoon Store on Dover Center Road near the railroad tracks. With few good roads, the tracks were the way to transport goods and people.

The heat is on. Summer has presented itself with plenty of warm weather and nice days. The Westlake Recreation Center has the programs and activities for you to beat the heat and get inside. Some of these programs might have you sweating but it is fun and a good workout. Others will teach you something new. Check out our Rec Gazette for additional programming an further information. For now here are several different activities we have coming up soon.

Soccer is a growing sport and more and more people are catching on. Westlake Soccer Camp will take place the week of August 2. Running Monday to Friday this camp is geared for kids ages 5-14. Get the chance to improve your skills and receive hands-on instruction from coaches and players.

Bay High guys on Team Avatar compete in the volleyball tournament at Young Life’s Saranac Village in June 2010.
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Young Life, an international non-denominational outreach organization, will celebrate its 40th birthday on Saturday, August 21 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. at the Westlake Performing Arts Center. Since 1970, Young Life staff and leaders have reached out to teen-aged kids in our West Shore communities—being available to kids, providing fun, safe and comfortable gatherings, giving kids the right to be heard and communicating God's love in terms they can understand and relate to. 

Young Life arrived in Cleveland in 1970 at the invitation of five Bay Village churches that were eager to share the message of God’s unconditional love to a changing culture of teen-aged kids who might never enter a church building. Since that time, thousands of kids have been impacted by Young Life. A young woman named Cynthia was there in the early days. Forty years later she says, “Young Life changed me, and gave me a hope I never knew existed. I owe Young Life everything.”

Young Life Cleveland West Shore invites teen-aged kids, alumni, parents, donors and friends from every decade to join the celebration. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and desserts; a band performing Young Life favorites; a silent auction featuring get–aways, autographed items, photography packages, art and other treasures; and a program with a few surprises and reflections by Tom Hammon, Young Life’s area director from 1973–1979, now serving as the Senior Regional Director of Young Life in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway.

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Charlotte Thibo, center, was honored at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the show, which she started 40 years ago. The annual show was originally held on a Saturday, but Charlotte took a risk and moved it to Sunday, in hopes of attracting the after-church crowd. "It was a lucky break for us," Charlotte said, as the move increased attendance. Standing beside Charlotte are Emily Wertz and Dr. Marie Albano, who dressed in period costumes and mingled with the crowd.

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Bill Pappenbrock (right) presented medals that his cousin, Ken Henninger, was awarded for his sacrifice in the Vietnam War to the Bay Village Historical Society. Accepting on behalf of the society was Tom Phillips (center), also a member of the 1965 Bay High class. Vietnam veteran and fellow 1965 Bay alumnus Bob Lucas (left) hosted the presentation.

Kenilworth Road Residents at the July Block Party

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A block party was held on Kenilworth Road in Bay Village on 7/10/10. The family-oriented event consisted of food, an inflatable bounce-house, and lots of summer fun.

Rainbow Garden Kindercamper Max Morscher of Bay Village gets a hand from Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Camp Instructor Amy Leamon, also from Bay. Although camps are still in full swing, the Center is beginning Fall Session registration this month with a variety of new classes and programs planned.

Although summer camp is still in full swing, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is already beginning registration for the fall session! A host of timely and brand new programs for families and adults are planned for the autumn season along with tried and true fall favorites.

Two opportunities for guided family exploration – one close to “home” and one at a seldom explored nature preserve are on the newly published fall program calendar. Lake Erie Family Day, for families with children ages 5 and up, takes place Sunday, September 19 from 1-3 p.m. Veteran instructor Bev Walborn will lead the exploration and introduce live animals that depend on the lake ecosystems for survival. "We'll be hiking to the beach along Porter Creek, searching for mussels, feathers and beach glass at the shore and testing water samples," Walborn said.

The gated Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (formerly Dike 14) is rarely open to the public, but families with children age 5 and up can also explore this hidden gem with Walborn during the Center’s Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Family Day on Sunday, October 17 from 1-3 p.m. Walborn says participants will learn how the preserve was created, demystify “lake effect” weather, search for animal tracks and discover unique plant and animal life during a 1.5 mile hike that crosses Doan Brook. The fee for either of these family days is $7 per person or $35 for a family of five or more and pre-registration is required.

BAYarts' intensive art camp, "Launching Pad," allows teens to have fun while preparing to attend art school.

BAYarts is offering a course, appropriately titled "Launching Pad," for students that have just completed their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school that is designed to encourage serious students to try new media and continue to build their portfolio. As students prepare for art school, they will work with professional artists and teachers in a variety of disciplines and locations. This intensive week-long "camp" will be a once-in-a-lifetime way for students to get close to real working studios and get focused attention on their portfolios. The camp is August 2-6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The course will include working in BAYarts ceramics studio, a life-drawing class with a nude model, plein-air painting, and a detailed look at the nuts and bolts of painting (like the best ways to stretch canvas, use materials and so on). The students will head out to Zygote Press for some hands-on print-making and visit the Cleveland Institute of Art. Also included will be  a portfolio review and a cook-out/chill-out on the last day.

CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT:

Tuesday, July 29 (7-8 p.m.) FAMILIES READING TOGETHER – You're invited to read a good book, try a related activity and enjoy a treat. For families with readers ages 8-12 years old.

TEEN DEPARTMENT:

Thursday, July 29 (1:30 p.m.) PERSONAL TREASURE MAP – Teens ages 11-18 are invited to join Jen Craun and use printmaking processes to design a unique map to your personal treasure.

ADULT DEPARTMENT:

Wednesday, August 4 (1:30 p.m.) WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BOOK DISCUSSION – Discuss Jamie Ford's novel "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet." Call or visit the library to pick up a copy.

Tuesday, August 3 (2-3 p.m.) Junie B's Bestest Summer Survival Guide! –  Be Junie B. for the day and enjoy games, stories and a craft. Wowie! For ages 6-9 with a caregiver.

Wednesday, August 4 (1-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-5 p.m.) Afternoon Movie: “Wimpy Kid” – Trying to escape that late summer heat? Come watch a movie with us! Relive all the hilarity of Greg Heffley's life as a "Wimpy Kid." All ages.

Wednesday, August 4 (7-7:45p.m.) Princess For A Day – Dress up as your favorite princess and join us for an evening of princess themed stories game and a craft. For ages 3-5 with a caregiver.

Thursdays, August 5, 12 and 19 (10-11 a.m.) Babygarten – Infants ages 1-18 months and their caregivers will share nursery rhymes, songs, and books and do fun projects that demonstrate their child's developmental milestones - usually a handmade toy or a baby book item. Register once for the three-week series beginning July 29.

Friday, August 6 (10:30-11 a.m.) Let's Sing and Dance! –  Join Miss Nancy for a fun session of singing songs and dancing to the music! For children ages 2-6 with adult caregiver.

Saturday, August 7 (2-3 p.m.) LEGO Club – Love your LEGO blocks? Can't stop building? Bring your ideas and imagination to the LEGO Club! Ages 6-13. Please register one week prior to each session.

From 1875 to 1930 Euclid Avenue's Millionaires' Row was considered by many to be the grandest avenue in the world.  Join us on Wednesday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. to learn about how this neighborhood was built as well as what happened to cause its decline and destruction. 

Local historian Dan Ruminski, who has thoroughly researched the history, will bring to life the day-to-day lifestyles, fortunes, and tragedies through actual photographs and stories of the families who lived in the mansions. He will also talk about the possible future plans to conserve the memorabilia in a permanent location.

The Bay High School Class of 1970 will hold its 40th reunion homecoming weekend, Sept. 24-26. Planned events include marching in the homecoming parade followed by remembrances at the Ironwood Cafe, a catered party at the Clifton Beach Club and a picnic. Cost is only $25 per person. For more details go to www.bhs70.com or call (440) 835-2718.

Are you creative? Yes! Are you unique? Of course! Are you a Teen between the ages of 11 and 18? Then do we have the program for you! 

Teens ages 11-18 years are invited to attend the program "Personal Treasure Map" on Thursday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m. Professional printmaker Jen Craun, a Cleveland-based printmaker and Associate Director of Zygote Press, Inc. wil take you on an exciting art making journey. Engage in a multiple printmaking process to design your own unique map to your personal treasure.

Dogs bred in puppy mills are often raised in inhumane conditions and sold at auction. The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions is gathering signatures to put a ballot initiative banning the practice before the state legislature.

Many readers are aware of the puppy mill problem in Ohio, where over 11,000 dogs spend their entire lives in small crates strictly for the purpose of breeding and generating income for those who view them only as a cash crop. Daily they suffer, with little or no vet care, no air conditioning, no heat, and often not enough food and water.

Yet many are not aware that at the dog auctions in Farmerstown, Ohio, these dogs are bought and sold in the same manner as livestock. The auctions are the economic engine for the continued sale of these poor animals to pet shops (as has been seen in various TV and newspaper reports) and to each other – the puppy-millers themselves – for the sole purpose of keeping the "breeding stock" and the money flowing in. Many buyers and sellers who attend this auction have long-standing, repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act and/or have been convicted of animal cruelty.

Beauty is the roses' hue                                                                                  
Bathed in sunlight
Kissed with dew.

A baby's face
Cherubic smile
Brightens up the darkest place.

Tiny kitten, soft and white,
Stately pine tree,
Colorful kite.

When life is cruel and filled with pain,
It's these  which lift
My spirit again.

Katelyn Vlastaris, a sixth-grader from Westlake, placed second at the Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) Conference in Minnesota. She qualified to represent the state of Ohio in the individual junior division after winning first place at the state level.

A student at Birchwood School, Katelyn has been researching the topic of “Green Living” for two months to prepare for the competition held at the University of Wisconsin from June 10–13.

As new owners of Bay Lanes Bowling Center in Bay Village, my husband, Mark, and I are working hard to create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere where kids, teens and adults can come bowl, eat and have loads of fun at extremely affordable prices. 
 
After years working in college admissions, Mark decided to leave his former position and take over Bay Lanes to fulfill his dream of owning his own business while still working with kids and families.

Too young to know what was going on,
Too young to know right from wrong.
I was just too young.
Too young to know where my parents were,
Too young to know where my siblings were.
Too young to know what courts were or social workers,
Too young to know what foster homes were,
Too young to understand what group homes were.
I was just too young. Too young to understand what
was being dished out to me.
Then...I wasn't old enough.
I wasn't old enough to go certain places

Saturday, July 3 (2-3 p.m.) Summer Stamps & Stationery – Make some neat summer cards, bookmarks or gift tags with us! For ages 6-10. Please register.

Monday, July 5 - Library Closed

Tuesday, July 6 (3-4 p.m.) Juggling Workshop – Learn how to juggle with world renowned juggler Matt Jergens! This will be a hands-on class. For grades 6-12. Please register.

Tuesday, July 6 (7-7:45 p.m.) Juggling with Matt Jergens – Bring the family to this juggling extravaganza! Tickets available in Youth Services starting June 29. No reserves.

Thursday, July 8 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The July selection is "Queen of the Road" by Doreen Orion.

Thursday, July 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) Options Market and How it Works – John Sawczak will present this program. Please register.

Friday, July 9 (2-2:45 p.m.) Trash Into Treasure – Put your recycling to creative use and make a cool treasure box! For kids in grades Kindergarten-2. Please register.