PhotoBlogs by Denny Wendell

Queenswood Bridge Replacement - March 19 - April 12 (8 Photos)

The replacement of the Queenswood Drive bridge involved removing existing trees to allow heavy construction equipment to access the bridge structure for demolition, removing the road surface and then taking down the underlying concrete tunnel over Sperry Creek.

Westlake Fall Festival & Pumpkin Hunt 2017 (10 Photos)
Temperatures in the upper 70s made for a beautiful day on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Westlake Recreation Center. The annual event featured hay rides, bouncy houses, face painters, food trucks, plus the Pumpkin Hunt.
Bay Village- Lakeside Cemetery Tour – Oct. 16, 2016 (12 Photos)
If you were among the fortunate to visit Lakeside Cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 16, you were treated to an exceptionally good tour of Bay Village’s historic cemetery. Although the Bay Village Historical Society has hosted this event for many years, this year’s tour was especially wonderful due to the participation by some actors of the Bay Village Community Theatre, who portrayed a variety of the city’s famous ancestors. Having seasoned actors perform as of some of the famous folks buried at Lakeside lended a deep, theaterical richness to roles they donned, not only in the period attire they wore, but also in their performances as well. If you’re a history buff, the personas these volunteers took on surely made the history of Bay Village come alive. A great job well done, thanks to the historical society and the wonderful actors!
Westlake’s Fall Festival & Pumpkin Hunt 2016 (15 Photos)

More than 1,000 people attended the Oct. 15 event at the Westlake Recreation Center featuring free hayrides, balloon artists and treats.

26th annual Celebrate Westlake (18 Photos)
All ages participated in Westlake’s 2016 event, featuring a 5-mile run, a 5K run/walk, and a Kids Fun Dash, raising funds for local charities. Held on the UH St. John Medical Center campus, the day’s festivities included a health fair, face painting, raffles, and a first-ever Beer Garden sponsored by Westlake’s Sibling Revelry Brewing.
2016 Destination Bay! (15 Photos)
Cahoon Christmas in Bay Village 2015 (9 Photos)

The Bay Village Historical Society and The Bay Village Kiwanis & Bay Village Historical Society celebrated an old-fashioned community Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Cahoon Memorial Park. The 3rd annual event included a children’s gingerbread house contest at Rose Hill Museum, the reading of holiday stories, caroling and crafts for kids in the Bay Village Community House, the Kiwanis Christmas tree sale, and of course a visit by Santa Claus and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Bay Village Touch-a-Truck 2015 (14 Photos)

Photos by Bay Village Police Chief Mark Spaetzel


The Touch-a-Truck event held Sept. 12 featured vehicles from the Bay Village fire, police and service departments plus a landing of the Metro Life Flight helicopter at Cahoon Memorial Park. Kids could climb aboard and see and touch the equipment of many of the city's vehicles. Over 2,000 people attended the event and had an opportunity to meet police officers, firefighters/paramedics and service department employees.

Celebrate Westlake 2014 (18 Photos)

Over 900 participated in the annual Celebrate Westlake event at St. John Medical Center on Aug. 30. The 24th installment of Westlake's 5-mile charity run was a success once again, drawing runners from across Ohio and several states. Switching back to the Celebrate Westlake name after several years as the North Coast Challenge, the event included a 5K run/walk, kids' fun dashes and activities, and a health and fitness expo. Proceeds from the event benefit a number of Westlake charities. More than $1.4 million has been raised since 1991.


Photos copyrighted © 2014 Westlake | Bay Village Observer. Permission required for use.

Westlake's hometown astronaut honored (12 Photos)

Col. Robert Overmyer, who grew up in Westlake and graduated from Westlake High in 1954, was honored with the dedication of a historical marker in Westlake’s Cahoon Park on Aug. 23.


Photos: copyright © 2014 Westlake | Bay Village Observer. Permission required for use.

Westlake Corporate Challenge 2014 (19 Photos)

Westlake held the annual Corporate Challenge Aug. 4-8 with a week of sports, games and contests pitting Westlake companies against one another, all in good fun. Now in its eighth year, the challenge is organized by the Westlake recreation department. Alego Health, Applied Companies, Echo Health, Equity Trust, Q-Lab, Rae-Ann Suburban, Western Enterprises and the City of Westlake participated in the weeklong competition. This year's championship trophy went to Q-Lab, an international provider of material durability testing with corporate headquarters on Canterbury Road.

Bay Days 2014 (14 Photos)
Bay Village Fire Department Open House, June 14, 2014 (11 Photos)

Kids of all ages enjoyed a day with Bay Village's firefighters during the department's open house on June 14. Fire engines, rescue boats, and fire equipment were on display, plus hot dogs and pizza served by firefighters made for a fun day.

Relay for Life of Westshore 2014 (20 Photos)

The Relay started at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, and went non-stop for 18 hours, ending at 8 a.m. on Sunday at Westlake High School. The event was an overwhelming success, raising $10,000 above its goal. Congrats to the participants, organizers and sponsors for achieving so much in the fight against cancer.


And, special kudos to Amy Brediger for her tireless devotion and boundless energy to make this year's event the best in Northeast Ohio.

Westlake Memorial Day 2014 (12 Photos)

Westlake honored those that have served our country with the traditional Memorial Day parade down Hilliard Boulevard followed by a commemorative ceremony at Clague Park on Monday, May 26.

Bay Village Memorial Day Ceremonies 2014 (14 Photos)

Bay Village commemorated our nation's veterans with a opening ceremony at Lakeside Cemetery followed by a parade down Lake Road to Cahoon Park. Speakers at Cahoon Park, including Bay Village Mayor Debbie Sutherland, remembered those killed in action while serving their country. The Bay High Marching Band played patroitic music to the large crowd gathered around the gazebo.

Green & White Revue 2014 (32 Photos)

The 29th annual Green & White Revue showcased the student talent of 34 acts before sold-out audiences on March 15 and 16 at the Westlake Performing Arts Center. All photos are copyright Westlake | Bay Village Observer and may not be used without permission.

Bay High students raise $20,000 for cancer research (27 Photos)
Bay High students have raised $20,000, doubling their ambitious one-week goal of $10,000, to help fund promising cures for childhood cancer through St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Contributions were collected in just one week (which included a snow day with no school) through cash, checks and online donations, and a top motivator was the promise of art instructor Thomas Schemrich to shave off his longtime ponytail hairstyle, which he says he has worn almost always since he was 15 years old.
Bay High’s Youth Philanthropy Fellowship (YPF), along with Bay High’s Student Council and Key Club, sponsored the fundraiser.
Westlake covered in snow (8 Photos)

Although it has snowed a lot this winter, there are only a few unique times that the snowfall, wind and temperature come together for great winter photos. On Feb. 2, 2014, the conditions were perfect to run out and capture the snow gracefully adhering to trees before the wind blew it off the branches.

Rock N Bowl III benefits Village Project (6 Photos)
Allison and Scott Pohlkamp and family organized another great evening of music, bowling and comedy to benefit the Village Project on Jan. 25 at Bay Lanes. Local classic rock and pop bands the Feedbacks and the Showgoats will filled the evening with favorite tunes. Additionally local comedian Randy Geise’s character Delmar Everheart worked the crowd, and of course the 'king' made an appearance to highlight the evening as Scott “Elvis” Pohlkamp took the stage.
The hills of Lake Erie (3 Photos)

Teens explore the ice hills a hundred yards from the Huntington Beach shoreline at dusk on Jan. 28, 2014. Northern winds and two “polar vortex” deep freezes during January compacted the ice into mounds along the shore.

Bay Village Community Services 2014 SOUP COOK-OFF (9 Photos)
Sixth annual soup cook-off in Bay Village becomes first city-sponsored zero waste event. The atmosphere was warm and festive on a cold winter’s day. Approximately 230 people were in attendance. As the ballots were counted, the anticipation increased. Finally, a winner was announced. Although only three votes (out of more than 200) separated first and second place, Westlake Village’s roasted butternut squash soup edged out The Northridge’s Southwestern chicken chili soup for the coveted plaque.
This year, Director of Community Services Deborah Bock decided to partner with the Bay Village Green Team to make the event zero waste. This is a significant milestone as it is the first city sponsored event in Bay Village to be zero waste.
Dr. Dan Keenan honored as Ohio's best superintendent (13 Photos)
With more than 600 school superintendents in Ohio, being selected as the best in the state is an outstanding accomplishment. Westlake’s Dr. Daniel Keenan Jr. was named Ohio’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and honored during a BASA luncheon in Columbus last December.
The community of Westlake celebrated his achievement with a ceremony held in the rotunda of Westlake High School on Jan. 13 in which family, staff and students presented congratulatory messages of thanks to the school system’s leader. The evening featured accolades from students, teachers, principals and board of election members, as well as the honoree’s father, Dr. Daniel Keenan Sr., a retired superintendent of Steubenville’s schools.
Bay Mens Club Rake Out 2013 (16 Photos)
Members of the Bay Men's Club and their children helped out deserving city residents as part of the club's annual leaf rake-out on Nov. 16.
Bay Village Historical Society's Cahoon in June festival 2013 (13 Photos)

The Bay Village Historical Society hosted it's annual antiques and crafts show at Cahoon Memorial Park on June 15. The fundraising event was a perfect day for browsing the many booths featuring artisans, antiques, crafters, music and demonstrations, plus tours of the Rose Hill and Osborn House museums.

BAYarts Art & Music Festival 2013 (9 Photos)
The annual BAYarts Art & Music festival held on the BAYart's campus in Metroparks Huntington Reservation in Bay Village, drew large crowds to stroll among the works of fifty artists on a perfect summer day on June 15.
Memorial Day 2013 - Westlake (10 Photos)
Photos by Denny Wendell & Vic Rutkoski
Westlake students show talent at 2013 Green & White Revue (34 Photos)

The musical, vocal and dancing talents of Westlake students were showcased in the 28th annual Green & White Revue on April 12 and 13 at the Westlake Performing Arts Center. Over 62 acts, encompassing students from elementary to high school, auditioned for the annual event, and 34 were selected to perform at this year’s talent show. The Green & White Revue is the major fundraiser for the Westlake High School PTSA. All photos © Westlake | Bay Village Observer. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

Inaugural SNOWBALL Run (7 Photos)
Hundreds of runners and walkers didn't let the cold temperatures keep them from participating the Bay Athletic Booster's first annual SNOBALL 5k Race/Walk and 1-mile Fun Run held in Bay Village on Sat., Feb.23. The proceeds from the event will be used to promote and support Bay High and Bay Middle School athletic teams.
BAYarts Art and Music Festval 2012 (6 Photos)
The BAYarts annual Art and Music Festival was held June 16 on the grounds of the scenic BAYarts campus in Huntington MetroParks. The sunny day was perfect for art lovers to browse the artwork of over 40 regional artists.
Cahoon in June 2012 (10 Photos)
A sunny, summer day featuring artisans, antiques, pet contests, and children's activities took place on June 16 at Bay Village's Cahoon Memorial Park.
Rock-n-Bowl II (16 Photos)

A packed house enjoyed music, comedy and bowling during the second annual Rock-n-Bowl fundraiser to benefit the Village Food project at Bay Lanes on Sat., Jan. 28.

Zombies party at Bay Library! (4 Photos)
With Halloween fast approaching, kids had an chance to be transformed into scary characters at a make-up workshop and party held at the Bay Village Branch Library on Oct.1. Make-up artist Katie Lane of the Legion of Terror, the world’s oldest improvisational horror production company, applied make-up to create bruises and scars during the afternoon program that included games, crafts and a Zombie Parade.
Crocker Park LibertyFest July 3 and 4 , 2011 (9 Photos)

Crocker Park's LibertyFest had a bicentennial flair this year during the two-day event July 3 and 4. The annual celebration featured music by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, a spectacular fireworks display, childrens' shows and activities, a classic car show, patriotic speeches, carnival rides and special visit from officials of Westlake's sister city, Tralee, Ireland.

Westlake fireworks - July 4, 2011 (7 Photos)
Fireworks over Clague Memorial Park
Crocker Park hosts annual art fair and (11 Photos)

Thousands of art-lovers and dog-lovers came out to Crocker Park for the sixth annual Fine Art Fair and “Crocker Bark” event June 11-12. The weekend festivities included more than 100 artists selling their work and over 20 vendors offering canine-related products and services. The fair weather helped boost attendance at the event, and the Kalihari Splash Zone was a hit with kids and dogs, alike.

3rd Annual Emily's Rainbow Run held April 11 (2 Photos)

Over 700 entrants signed-up to participate in the annual Emily's Rainbow Run held April 10 in Westlake. This family activity, hosted by Emily’s Rainbow Fund, featured a 4-mile race and a 2-mile run/walk. Proceeds from the fundraising event benefited Emily’s Rainbow Fund, a member of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends program whose mission is to donate proceeds raised to support pediatric cancer research.

Bay Rec Bunny Hop (11 Photos)

Scores of kids and their families filled the Bay Middle School for the annual Bunny Hop presented by the Bay Village Recreation Dept. on Sat. April 9. Lots of fun activities were on store for the children including face painting, games, crafts, plus a soft, climbing environment, and visit by the Easter bunny. Kids were treated to a story read by Bay Village Branch librarian Joyce Sandy before participation in the traditional Easter egg hunt. There was also a surprise appearance outside the middle school by Bay firemen with their fire truck. The annual event was free to residents.

Rock-n-Bowl event draws huge crowd to support Village Food Project (9 Photos)

The first annual Rock-n-Bowl was great success as over 200 attendees partied the night away with music, bowling, dancing and special guest appearance by Elvis – all to benefit the Village Food Project.

The Village Food Project introduced to the community of Bay Village (11 Photos)

Citizens were introduced to the Village Food Project (VFP) at Bay Presbyterian Church on the evening of Jan. 9. The mission of the non-profit project is "to come together as a community of all ages, to love our neighbors who are experiencing a cancer crisis, by providing nourishing meals." The VFP is a multi-generational project where adults mentor Bay Village teens, training them in the kitchen to become chefs for the project. As VFP chefs, teens take responsibility for the major portion of meal preparation and packaging of meals for delivery to members of the community. Residents were introduced to the project during an evening of information, video presentations and a sampling of items from the VFP's menu.

Westlake Bicentennial Ball Drop (12 Photos)

Warm weather and a family-friendly atmosphere brought hundreds to Crocker Park on Dec. 31 to ring in the New Year. The event was the official kickoff for the city's Bicentennial year.

Great Pumpkin Roll, Nov. 6, 2010 (12 Photos)
The annual pumpkin roll at the Westlake Rec Center
Cleveland Restoration Society's report on the Community House (19 Photos)
The Cleveland Restoration Society presented a program at the Bay Village Planning Commission on Aug. 10 on the Community House. Their report examined the condition of the structure and made recommendations on needed repairs. CRS executive director Kathleen Crowther and Sr. Historic Presevation Specialist Kerrington Adams also addressed the possible historical status of the Community House pertaining to the cupola replacement.
Bark for Life, Bay village, Ohio (7 Photos)
Bark For Life, the unofficial kickoff of Bay Village’s Relay For Life events, was held at Bradley Park on Saturday, May 15. Hundreds of dogs and their owners showed up to enjoy a beautiful day and help support the American Cancer Society.
The event featured a doggie obstacle course, dog bones made by Westerly Elementary third-graders, face painting, music by the Bay High Jazz Band and a “beauty” pageant.
Bay Village Kiwanis plant Arbor Day buckeye trees at Bay Village Schools (5 Photos)
The Bay Village Kiwanis planted four buckeye trees, one each for Bay High School, Bay Middle School, Westerly Elementary and Normandy Elementary schools in Bay Village, on Friday, April 30, in honor of Arbor Day.
2010 Emily's Rainbow Run (8 Photos)
The second annual Emily’s Rainbow Run and Wellness Walk on Sunday, April 25, 2010 in Westlake, Ohio.
Victorian Tea hosted by Bay Village Historical Society (6 Photos)
The tradition of an afternoon tea came alive at the fifth annual Victorian Tea hosted by the Bay Village Historical Society.
Bay Days 2009 (10 Photos)
The Kiwanis Club-sponsored Bays Days was another great success with carnival games, fair food, rides, music and hometown fun!
BAYarts' One Artistic Yard Sale (13 Photos)
Fine art, a beautiful day, music, and yummy food made for a perfect setting at the BAYarts' One Artistic Yard sale.
Crocker Park Fine Art Fair (17 Photos)
Hundreds of art lovers attended the 4th annual Crocker Park Fine Art Fair on June 13-14, 2009 in Westlake, Ohio. In total, over 125 artists displayed their works at the fair which featured work such as jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass, woodworking. basket making, photography, fiber, wood and much more.
Westlake Fourth of July Parades (6 Photos)
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:10 pm
Posts: 12
Nothing is more traditional than a Fourth of July parade, and Westlake provided it's citizens with not one but two parades. The traditional Hilliard Road parade to Clague Park plus the mini-parade at Crocker Park.
The event at Crocker Park featured a parade, a antique car show and patriotic speeches by the city leaders.
Bay Days 2008 (38 Photos)
Thanks to the Bay Village Kiwanis Club for a great Bay Days celebration. The annual festival is a great example of americana in a small town. The local Kiwanis Club should be congratulated for this excellent event. This year's was as fun as ever. Fun rides, carnival games, the bike parade and, of course, the curly fries.
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