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Lydia Gadd, director of Westlake’s Senior & Community Services Department (center, in white) joins in a ceremonial groundbreaking for Westlake’s new community center accompanied by staff members (from left) Nancy Fox, Donna Feorene, Susan Laschinger, Jennifer Yoo, Jodi Rodriguez, Mary Bodmann, Cindi Lindgren and Michele Hassan. Photo by Denny Wendell

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The City of Westlake officially broke ground for its newest and much anticipated community improvement project, the new Westlake Community Center. The gold shovel ceremony took place on Tuesday, Oct. 15, presided over by Mayor Dennis Clough. Attendees also included all members of City Council, several city directors and employees, the project architects and contractor, several of the center's patrons and community service department staff. Bulldozers working in the background added to the excitement of a dream turned into reality.

The Community Services Department serves a dual function bound by a singular mission to engage, enrich and empower those we serve. We offer a wide variety of programs, classes and social opportunities for the age 50-plus population. In addition, our outreach staff provide social services for residents (of any age) in need. Those services include, but are not limited to a food pantry, juvenile diversion and prescription assistance. Services are provided in a confidential manner.

Bay High seniors Ellie LaMotte (left) and Sarah Sutherland display items sewn to add comfort and convenience for Normandy Elementary students.

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The Bay Village Education Foundation awarded more than $15,000 in classroom grants, funding eight projects and benefiting all four K-12 Bay Village City Schools.

At Bay High School, family and consumer sciences teacher Bridgit McFarland and two high school seniors, Ellie LaMotte and Sarah Sutherland, were awarded $573 for "One Rocket Nation Service Project." The funds will purchase materials to create useful items for students at Normandy Elementary School. The students displayed some items they had already sewn, such as floor pillows (for Mrs. Hart's second-graders), pencil pouches (for Mrs. Bogart's second-graders), and seat pockets for the back of chairs (for Mr. Prebul’s Kindergarten classroom). The sewing supplies were funded through the Foundation’s Maynard Bauer Leadership Fund.

The flags shown by the Legionnaires are in need of retirement. Pictured are American Legion members Joe Cronin, 1sr Vice Commander; Stan Zeager, Commander; Harry Applegate, Facility Chairman; and 2nd Vice Commander John Jones. Photo by Dick Finlay

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Bay Village American Legion Post #385 is planning to formally retire old, faded and torn flags as part of their annual Veterans Day celebration. Citizens are requested to bring these flags to the Legion Post, 695 Cahoon Road, Westlake, next to the White Oaks Restaurant. There you will find a red, white and blue box next to the front door. Please place the flags in the box. Deposit the flags before Nov. 8, if possible.

The Legion retires flags twice a year, on Flag Day and on Veterans Day, following official retirement ceremonies.

Recently I came across a study, the result so fantastic that my first reaction was – it’s too good to be true.

But curiosity got the better of me. I tracked down the article and read it. (It was either that or rake leaves.)

Published in the October issue of the European Heart Journal, the study has a pretty name: Hygia (the Greek goddess of health) Chronotherapy Trial. And a simple goal: Compare health outcomes between taking blood pressure (BP) medications at bedtime and in the morning. Drugs are once-daily.

The researchers followed tens of thousands of people for about six years. Astoundingly, when compared to morning-pill-poppers, bedtime-pill-poppers had half the rate of heart attacks, strokes and deaths.

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Westlake High School’s Academic Challenge team took first place in the Ohio AcChal Tournament at Shaker Heights High School on Oct. 19. The WHS team finished 6-1, defeating Beaumont School in the championship round to take the title. High school teams competing in the tournament included Beaumont, Black River, Fairport Harbor, Riverside, Shaker Heights, Western Reserve, Wickliffe and Westlake.

WHS Academic Challenge team members are, pictured from left: Kevin Xu, Logan Evans, Richard Garber, Rhett Bilski, Matt Taylor and Zahraa Abdulameer.

The recent Browns meltdown against the Patriots – a mistake-prone atrocity which none of us thought was even possible given the "advantage" of the bye week, making the results even more mind-numbing – left me searching for something good to ponder in the aftermath. Obviously, the level of play was so poor that it took me quite a while to find something to grab onto, but eventually it did bring a smile to my face – and a big smile, at that.

My daughter Leah was married 9 years ago this past August, and as her way of saying thanks to me for participating in her wedding (I should state for the record that it wasn't like my wife and I were going to pull a "no-show" or anything) Leah got tickets for her and I to attend the Browns versus Patriots match-up on Nov. 7 that same year.

Ceramics, jewelry, and decor are all available at the BAYarts Holiday Shop each year. 

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Each year, BAYarts opens up its doors wide for the holiday season. It all kicks off with the Holiday Shop Open House on Nov. 23 and continues through December.

Artistic Director Karen Petkovic loves the handmade and local aspects of the shop. "We are so proud of our Northeast Ohio artists and love that we have the ability to showcase them in our shop throughout the year and provide more space for them to do what they do for us during the holidays."  

This year, Kili Watson-Samad of My Turquoise Kitten will be offering whimsical jewelry like no other, featuring mini items made into earrings. Bringing in repurposed handbags and accessories is Girl's Best Trend, who finds that neckties work as the perfect purse strap. Petkovic says, "They're always original works, beautifully designed and executed."

A wreath is one of four designs offered at the Christmas Greening workshops this December.

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This popular Bay Village Garden Club event is your opportunity to learn to make beautiful, fresh holiday arrangements to enjoy all season long. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Wednesday, Dec. 4, we'll greet you at Bay United Methodist Church with fragrant greens, accessories, ribbons and decorations along with expert demonstrators and member assistance to help you create one of four designs: a centerpeice, a mini-tree, a wreath and an outdoor/indoor pot to enhance your porch or hearth. The fee for each of the four workshops is $35. Take-home kits may also be ordered at the same price.

Come early to enjoy complimentary refreshments and shop our Accessory Kiosk for holiday arrangements to give to your favorite hostesses. Mini-lights, bows and other decorations will also be available.

As 2019 comes to a close, Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society concludes their speakers’ program with Christopher Staats on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Porter Room of Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road.

Mr. Staats is a well-known Cleveland-based professional genealogical researcher, presenter and writer, whose geographical specialty is in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Cleveland records. As a writer, he has contributed articles to "Family Tree Magazine," "Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly," "Ohio Genealogy News," "Western Reserve Historical Society Bulletin" and other publications. A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Chris serves as the chapter representative for the Great Lakes APG. He is also the seminar chairperson for Western Reserve Historical Society’s Genealogical Committee.

Andrew Lipian, Maggie Kinabrew, Jonathon Field, Tony Cho and Colin Anderson performed in W-WAC's FYI Opera program.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council hosted its FYI Opera event at Westlake Porter Public Library. Jonathon Field, director of Oberlin Conservatory of Music-Opera Theater, presented opera students Colin Anderson, Maggie Kinabrew and alumnus Andrew Lipian. Tony Cho, music director, accompanied the singers. Mr. Anderson is a bass baritone; Ms. Kinabrew is a soprano; Mr. Lipian is a counter-tenor. 

The three promising singers performed arias from their upcoming production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," Benjamin Britten’s 20th century opera adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play.

CHILDREN

Weekly Storytimes:

• Mondays (10 a.m.) Toddler Storytime – ages 19-35 months
• Tuesdays (10 a.m.) Toddler Storytime – ages 19-35 months
• Tuesdays (6:45 p.m.) Family Storytime – for all ages
• Wednesdays (10 a.m.) Baby and Me Storytime – ages birth-18 months
• Thursdays (10 a.m.) Preschool Storytime – ages 3-5 (not yet in kindergarten)
• Fridays (10 a.m. and 11 a.m.) Family Storytime – for all ages

Saturday, Nov. 9 (10 a.m.) Preschool STEAM – Ages 3-5: Join us for stories and a hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) activity. Space is limited. Registration required.

Monday, Nov. 11 (7 p.m.) STEAM On: Makey Makey – Join us for a hands-on STEAM program. Turn everyday objects, like bananas and clay, into controllers using Makey Makey invention kits. Registration required.

TEEN

Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 (3-4 p.m.) Teen Zone – Grades 5 & up: Hang out with something fun to do after school – gaming, art, movies, technology and more! Parents/guardians must complete a Release and Hold Harmless form.

Tuesday, Nov. 5 (7-8 p.m.) Big Spender: How to Beat the College Cost Game – It’s hard to know what’s “normal” to spend on your child’s higher education. College Tutors will help you discern what you should be looking for – and looking out for – when it comes to spending on college and offer tips on how to save. Please register.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 (9:30 & 10:15 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – Sing and move to the music with Miss Nancy! For children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Please arrive early to receive a ticket.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society Help Session – Please join the genealogy group for an informal walk-in help session. Please bring pedigree and/or family group sheets to aid the volunteers in helping you.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6 and 13 (3-4:30 p.m.) Tween Scene – Drop in after school to play board games and video games with your friends. Snacks will be provided. Grades 5-6.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first. Sign-ups begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Calling all horror film fans: Join us for another creepy classic from the vault ... if you dare! New members are always welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (7-8 p.m.) Alternatives to Cable TV – Frustrated with cable service? This program will help you sort through the variety of viewing alternatives available. Learn about digital media players, streaming services and additional options.

Thursday, Nov. 7 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, Nov. 7 (3-5 p.m.) Purrr-fect Reading Friends – Charlie the Cat is the purrr-fect reading friend! Drop in and share a story with Charlie, a reading therapy cat. Bring your own book to share or choose one of ours. Charlie’s environment adapts for those with allergies. Please call ahead if you have any questions. Sign-up at the Youth Services desk begins at 3 p.m.

For nearly 10 years, members of the Westlake Historical Society have remembered some of our city's historic families by placing holiday wreathes on their graves.

We believe placing a wreath on a grave is not only a symbol of remembrance, it is a sign of respect for that person, who they were and the contributions they made to our city. We would like to extend the opportunity for you, your family, organization or business to place a Christmas wreath this year in memory of your loved ones or one of our pioneer families.

Volunteers from the Westlake Historical Society will be placing wreaths on graves in both Evergreen Cemetery and Maple Ridge Cemetery until Dec. 10 for those individuals, families or businesses who would like to sponsor a wreath. You or your organization can sponsor a wreath from the historical society for a donation of $20 per wreath, then we will place it at the grave site.

Westlake Meals on Wheels is pleased to announce a new initiative to provide their recipients with a “We Care About You” bag filled with items to prepare them for the upcoming winter. Meals on Wheels prepares over 600 hot and cold meals Monday through Friday to homebound neighbors who cannot shop and cook for themselves. A majority live alone and may see only their Meals on Wheels driver during the day.

Community organizations in the five communities served by Westlake Meals on Wheels have agreed to assist in collecting non-perishable foods to provide to recipients in the event Meals on Wheels cannot deliver during the winter months ahead. In addition to non-perishable food items, the Westlake High School hockey team will be assembling hygiene kits, and several area churches will be donating blankets and shawls from their “Prayer Shawl” programs.

The Westlake Garden Club completes its evening speaker series with "Owls in Ohio" presented by Jim Tomko, president of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library. Come and learn about these fascinating creatures. Up to eight owl species reside in Northeast Ohio throughout the year and three of the most common include the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl and the Eastern Screech-Owl.

This presentation is free but space is limited. Please register by calling Porter Library at 440-871-2600 or by going online at westlakelibrary.org/events. For questions regarding Garden Club events or membership, please contact Kathy Bruening at 440-385-7566.

Have you wondered about what the Green New Deal is? What does it propose and how in the world might it be funded? You are not alone. It seems that many people do not know about the Green New Deal or maybe they have heard about it but do not know much about the details.The West Shore FaCT group hopes to change that by hosting a monthly speaker series on the topic.

The West Shore FaCT (Faith Communities Together for a Sustainable Future) is hosting an eight-speaker series once a month starting Nov. 5. The kick-off speaker will be Dr. Eric Schreiber, and will start at 7 p.m. The West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church (20401 Hilliard Blvd. in Rocky River) will host each guest speaker on the first Tuesday of the month, November through June.

Entrance to 2570 Dover Center Road. Photo by Will Krause

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The book “You’ve Come a Long Way Westlake” by William Robishaw, published by the Westlake Historical Society, has genealogical information about the Pease family in Dover. What becomes immediately apparent is that the Pease family were “movers and shakers” in the community at one time. During the years when most in the community made their living as farmers, they did not.

According to this book, Russell A. Pease was a doctor who practiced in Dover and the surrounding area. It also explains that Russell was the son of Herbert Pease and the grandson of James and Asenath Abel Pease. Asenath was a granddaughter of Lorenzo Carter, the first permanent settler of the city of Cleveland, who built a cabin on the east bank of the Cuyahoga River in 1797.

The desk sits in the 1818 parlor at Rose Hill Museum.

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Our Winsor family originated in Smithfield, Rhode Island. They were Rhode Island Baptists. (As were Lydia and Joseph Cahoon). We aren’t sure how many siblings there were in the family, but we do know four sisters by name: Sally, Julia, Elizabeth and Mary, and two brothers, Henry and Andrew.

Henry Winsor, a son, traveled to Dover Township by way of Cooperstown, New York, arriving around 1813 ( a son, Henry Jr., was born in Ohio in 1813.) The Winsor name is associated with Lot #91 on the west side of Bradley Road.

The family is in possession of a letter from Andrew Winsor to his brother Henry in Dover Township in 1817. Henry was a farmer. In 1818, his sisters advised him they would like to come care for his son, Henry Jr. Perhaps his wife had died.

Students from Westlake Elementary School were able to enjoy nice autumn weather on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and they did so for a good cause. The Westlake Elementary School PTA hosted its inaugural All 4 One Fun Run to raise money for student enrichment. The school exceeded its goal and was able to raise $30,000 to help support educational programming at WES.

The river birch in fall, some leaves have fallen gently at the feet of their mother or, in gusty winds, find new homes. Other golden leaves wait to say goodbye later in the season. Light now shines through the birch, the blue sky stands out and the full moon lights more of the tree. The trunk is shedding some of its bark in to allow expansion of the girth of each main limb. Shouldn’t we all try to shed something to allow new growth in our spirits?

Holiday wreaths at the Evergreen Cemetery gravesite of Westlake's first settler, Leverett Johnson, and his wife, Abigail.

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For nearly 10 years, members of the Westlake Historical Society have remembered some of our city's historic families by placing holiday wreathes on their graves.

We believe placing a wreath on a grave is not only a symbol of remembrance, it is a sign of respect for that person, who they were and the contributions they made to our city. We would like to extend the opportunity for you, your family, organization or business to place a Christmas wreath this year in memory of your loved ones or one of our pioneer families.

Volunteers from the Westlake Historical Society will be placing wreaths on graves in both Evergreen Cemetery and Maple Ridge Cemetery until Dec. 10 for those individuals, families or businesses who would like to sponsor a wreath. You or your organization can sponsor a wreath from the historical society for a donation of $20 per wreath, then we will place it at the grave site.

Westlake Porter Public Library will celebrate veterans and Veterans Day with a special program on Monday, Nov. 11, at 6:30 p.m. "WPPL Celebrates Veterans Day" will be a two-part program based on eyewitness accounts of wartime and military life.

The first part will feature Glenn Blair as he shares his recollections of growing up during the turbulent times of World War II. Following Blair’s presentation, three veterans will talk about their experiences in the U.S. military. All three participated in the Veterans History Project through the library. Clips from their interviews will be shown followed by remarks by the veterans about their time in the service.

For more information or to register, please call 440-871-2600 or visit westlakelibrary.org/events.

John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, pictured in 1885.

Join the members of the Bay Village Historical Society on Thursday, Nov. 21, to learn about “Rockefeller’s Cleveland,” as presented by the Cleveland History Center.

When John D. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company, he was met with immense success and wealth. However, he soon found himself vilified by the public as the battle between capital and labor came to a head. Learn about Rockefeller’s tumultuous time as a Clevelander, including the lasting mark his philanthropic work left on the city, and get to know the divisive figure who would become one of the richest men in the world.

The November meeting of The Herb Guild Garden Club will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Westlake Porter Public Library. The meeting will start at 10 am. After lunch at 11:30, a representative from The Olive Scene will talk about ways to include olive oils and balsamic vinegars in your holiday recipes. The Olive Scene is a store that specializes in high-grade olive oils and vinegars and has several locations in Northeast Ohio. After the presentation, there will be a workshop on growing paperwhites just in time for the holidays.

Panache Desai will speak at Unity Spiritual Center on Nov. 16.

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Panache Desai knows first-hand the experience of being an immigrant touched by xenophobia. Growing up in London's East End in the 1980s, he lived in a working class neighborhood. More and more immigrants were arriving and competing with the older, more established residents. 

Panache was of Indian descent who preferred the silence of meditation to the safety of gangs. In his teens, however, he began to turn his back on spirituality and worked to become who everyone else wanted him to be. He studied business and law in order to please his grandfather. He began to spend time in the East End underground music scene, partying at night with heiresses, gangsters and drug dealers.

Judith Saxton and Timothy Olsen will perform a trumpet and organ duet.

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The Rocky River Chamber Music Society is pleased to feature West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church’s spectacular Holtkamp Organ in an evening of works for the trumpet and organ on Monday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at West Shore Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd. in Rocky River.

Artists will be Judith Saxton, trumpet, and Timothy Olsen, organ, who have collaborated as a duo for over a decade while colleagues at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. They have commissioned pieces for their duo through competitions and connections. Both artists have extensive experience in music education, presenting master classes, and appearing in concerts throughout the United States and the world.

The KidCents Regional Grant will help YC to continue to offer its free recreational programs and transportation to young people with physical disabilities.

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The KidsCents Regional Grant program awarded Youth Challenge (YC) with $30,000. The grant will help fund the free adapted sports and recreational programs that YC provides for young people with physical disabilities.

"We are thankful to receive a KidCents Regional Grant," said Chris Garr, CEO. "The Rite Aid Foundation's support helps us to continue improving the lives of young people in Northeast Ohio."

Cuyahoga Community College will honor the courageous men and women who served in the nation’s military during a Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Westshore Campus.

The remembrance will take place in room 118 of the Liberal Arts and Technology building.

“Veterans Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have defended this nation,” said Rick DeChant, executive director of the College’s Veterans Initiative. “The peace we enjoy is because of those who served.”

On Oct. 15, the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council presented JoAnn DePolo, of JoAnn DePolo Studios and Gallery in North Olmsted, at Porter Library.

At a museum, visitors walk around an exhibit to see the progression of an artist’s work. At Porter Library, visitors only had to sit as DePolo revealed her journey. She did a wonderful presentation about beginning to draw at a young age, then began again while raising four boys and has been painting ever since.

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was opening in Cleveland in 1995, DePolo rode the wave of the city’s excitement and began painting famous rock 'n' roll stars like John Lennon and Yoko Ono onto rocks. She sold 140 painted rocks that summer.

The Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland voted on Oct. 22, 2019, to support Issue 71, the 0.375% levy request proposed by the City of Westlake as it appears on the Nov. 5, 2019, general election ballot.

In its review, based on the League’s positions on taxation, it was noted that the City Council has carefully evaluated the methods available to it for appropriating tax dollars and has made long-range plans for infrastructure improvements. In addition, the City Council has worked to ensure taxpayer understanding of this levy by providing detailed spending plans in a Special Edition of the Mayor’s Newsletter that has been mailed to residents and is readily available online.

– Janice Patterson, Chair
Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter
League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland