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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
The KIDSTUF music team at Bay Presbyterian Church rocks the crowd with their high-energy moves during a recent KIDSTUF production for families. They will be featured during a special afternoon of praise music at Crocker Park on Sunday, July 18, at the Vine Theatre (between Cheesecake Factory and Vieng’s Bistro). KIDSTUF kids will perform at 3 p.m., followed by Sounds of Hope and Friends.
The Westlake High School class of 1980 will have its 30-year class reunion the weekend of August 6-7. This will be the first time classmates have gotten together since the 20-year reunion in 2000. Many classmates are still living in the Westshore area, while others are scattered all over the country, and Europe!
We hope the reunion will inspire classmates to plan a return trip to Westlake. The weekend's activities will be casual, as a survey of classmates at the last reunion indicated that casual gatherings were preferred over semi-formal events.
Friday, August 6, starting at 7 p.m., classmates will meet at Panini's Bar & Grill, 23800 Detroit Rd. in Westlake. Plenty of free parking is available across the street at Unity Spiritual Center, 23855 Detroit Rd., if the Panini's lot is full.
Saturday, August 7, classmates will meet from 7-11:30 p.m. at Westlake FOP Hall, 26145 Center Ridge Rd. A light dinner buffet, beer and wine, and soft drinks will be served. Admission is $20 per person, payable at the door.
The 1940 graduating class of Dover High School (now Westlake High) celebrated their 70th anniversary by going to lunch at Athena’s in Avon Lake on Friday, June 18. There were 45 members in their class, but only 15 are left, as far as they know. Theirs was the last graduating class to have the letter "D" on their class rings, as the village of Dover's name was changed to Westlake shortly after the school year ended, in August 1940.
Those who attended the luncheon (pictured, left-to-right) were: Jim Linden, Eydie Kaase, Marie Salemi Reitz, Dorothy Wulf Boster, Helen Leonard Osterman, Dorothy Heitmeyer Mattern and Dr. Paul Kaase. Eydie Kaase, Paul’s wife, joined them even though she wasn’t a member of the class. Jake Marras, another classmate, was ill and unable to meet with the group.
The Phil Bova Baseball Camp made its Westlake debut June 21-25, after years of instructing students in Berea. The camp welcomed 185 boys, aged 7-14, from across the region and instructed them on the fundamentals of the sport.
Students were divided into groups of 30 and each group was assigned four coaches. The first half of each day was spent rotating between five separate skills training stations: hitting, ball-flipping, run-downs, cut-offs, and bunting. Training was put into practice during the afternoon games. At the end of the day, students were given individualized instruction specific to their preferred position on the field.
Phil Bova, a Westlake resident and member of the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, says the goal of the camp is to “teach our youth the right way to play the game, and hopefully get them to the next level.”
FRIDAY, JULY 2
CROCKER PARK
Carnival rides provided by Bates Brothers Amusements
3 - 7 p.m. – American Red Cross Blood Drive
5 - 11 p.m. – Beer Garden provided by Agave
Main Stage Entertainment:
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. – British Export (Award-Winning Beatles Tribute Band)
SATURDAY, JULY 3
CROCKER PARK
Carnival rides provided by Bates Brothers Amusements
Noon - 11 p.m. – Beer Garden
10:30 p.m. – Fireworks
Children's Entertainment:
11 a.m. - 6 p.m. – Chalk Art Demos
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Family Chalk Area
Noon - 3 p.m. – Sparkles
Noon - 4 p.m. – Jungle Bob
Noon - 4 p.m. – Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
Noon - 5 p.m. – Pony Rides
Noon - 5 p.m. – Joy Unspeakable
Noon - 6 p.m. – Face Painting
Noon - 6 p.m. – Stilt Walker
Noon - 7 p.m. – Magic Joe
2 p.m. & 5 p.m. – Ice Sculpting Demos
THURSDAY, JULY 1
BAY DAYS
12 noon - 10:30 p.m. – Booths and Rides Open
12 noon - 4 p.m. – $15 One Price Ticket for All Rides
7:30 p.m. – Live Music at the Gazebo: Keller Brothers Singers
FRIDAY, JULY 2
BAY DAYS
12 noon - 10:30 p.m. – Booth and Rides Open
12 noon - 4 p.m. $15 One Price Ticket for All Rides
5 p.m. – Classic Car Cruise-In at Cahoon Park with DJ Cadillac Mike
6:30 p.m. – Live Music at the Gazebo: Sloppy Joe Band
SATURDAY, JULY 3
BAY DAYS
12 noon - 10:30 p.m. – Booths and Rides Open
12 noon - 4 p.m. – $15 One Price Ticket for All Rides
6:30 p.m. – Live Music at the Gazebo: Aftermath - Experience the 60s
The Westlake Historical Society will be holding its 40th annual Antique Vintage & Craft Show on Sunday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Clague House Museum (1371 Clague Road in Westlake). Any antique or craft dealers interested in displaying at the show or volunteers who would like to assist with set-up, tear-down, or show operation may contact us by calling Lysa at 440-471-4090 or via email at westlakehistory@yahoo.com.
The show includes over 50 antique and craft vendors as well as a Pie Contest, Cutest Pet Competition, plant sale, a bouncy house for kids, snack bar, and tours of the historic Clague House. Proceeds benefit the Westlake Historical Society's efforts to educate children and the public about Dover and Westlake history.
Bay Village's annual Independence Day celebration, Bay Days, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Bay Village, will take place July 1 through 3, shut down on Sunday, July 4, (in accordance with the Cahoon Will agreement), and then resume on Monday, July 5—all at Cahoon Park.
Booths and rides will be open from noon to 10:30 p.m. daily, and from noon to 4 p.m. each day thrill-seekers can ride to their heart's content for the flat rate of $15 with a ride wristband.
The Kiwanis Club of Bay Village, along with the city of Bay Village, has once again lined up a spectacular Independence Day celebration for young and old alike at this year’s Bay Days celebration. Come on out and enjoy the rides, help local civic organizations raise money at their booths and of course, take your entire family to the incredible fireworks presentation on Monday.
The Westlake Historical Society is looking for the Cutest Pet in Westlake:
Reminder – Send your photo entry in to:
Cutest Pet Contest
P.O. Box 45518
Westlake, Ohio 44145
Please remember to include owner's name and contact info.
The society is requesting a $5.00 donation for each entry.
For more information visit www.westlakeohiohistory.org or call 440-471-4090.
A record number of rubber ducks were entered in Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s 7th Annual Great Duck Race on Sunday, June 6. Overnight thunderstorms also guaranteed one of the speediest races ever as Porter Creek ran high and fast. The Great Duck Race was a highlight of the Center’s popular Family Fun Fest that also featured live animal and planetarium shows, crafts, carnival games, bounce houses, hikes, face painting, an obstacle course, balloon twisters, food and more.
This year also marked the first Fun Fest appearance by the colorful PNC Grow Up Great Mobile Learning Adventure (MLA). The MLA is a traveling exhibit of fun, free interactive activities that reinforce the importance of early childhood education. Preschoolers dressed up in fantasy career costumes and posed for photos that included a background to matched their costume choice.
As most of Bay is well aware, the city’s bicentennial is 10.10.10. With this in mind, the design of Bay’s bicentennial flag was approved unanimously by City Council Resolution 10-39, adopted April 19, 2010.
The flag is on second order and will be available to residents by June 30. Its cost, which includes tax, is $40.00 and the flag is being sold through Bay’s Historical Society. Demand seems strong, as 24 flags have already been ordered since the flag’s informal unveiling and presentation at the Kiwanis annual pancake breakfast on April 18.
Have you ever wondered what things will be like 100 years from now? Have you ever thought about what you might want to say to someone who will be around in 2110? Well, now you have a chance to do just that!
The Bay Village Bicentennial Committee has given all residents of Bay a chance to communicate with one special resident, one special group of residents or the entire city of residents living here 100 years from now. Residents are invited to write a letter of no more than 300 words to folks living in Bay Village in 2110.
Three letters will be selected and added to the items placed in the city’s 2010 Bicentennial Time Capsule. The capsule will be sealed December 31, 2010, with a reopening date of October 10, 2110 – just in time for Bay’s 300th birthday!
Bay Skate & Bike Park Foundation (BSBP) would like to thank everyone that sponsored, supported, and/or attended the first BSBP Rib Rockin' Raffle on May 22. The fundraiser was a huge success, not only monetarily, but in bringing the community together. Nine teams competed for the title of Rib Rockin' Champ. Hog Wild Grillers and Salmon Cinco Brothers tied for 1st place, Almost Summer won 2nd place, and Clete's Good Neighbor Ribs won 3rd place.
With full stomachs, attendees enjoyed the rockin' music of Jim Brewer's band, Hipnotic Dog. Thanks to John Underation, Rhonda and Clete Schneider, Jacquline Stang, Diane Goldfarb, the Lufkin family and other members of the planning committee, BSBP raised $23,000 in one evening!
With energetic families, funnel cakes, snow cones and amusement rides, Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Westlake expects large crowds again for its Seventh Annual Community Carnival from Thursday, June 24, through Sunday, June 27, which is open to the public.
"This is a beautiful event that brings the community together in a very safe, family-friendly environment," says Deb Kowalski, carnival co-chair. She adds that her children, who get so much joy from this huge fundraiser, has encouraged her to co-chair the event for four years in a row.
There will be a host of activities every day including different bands, dollar draft beers from Great Lakes Brewery on Thursday, a fish fry on Friday and Italian food and pastries on Saturday. Sunday is "Kid Day" and includes two-for-one carnival rides.
In observance of Flag Day, June 6, Bay Village American Legion Post #385 will conduct a flag retirement ceremony prior to their monthly meeting on Friday, June 11. Members of the Post will conduct an official Flag Retirement Ceremony and retire the flags with full military honors.
Anyone with an old, faded or torn American flag is encouraged to put the flag into a plastic bag and hang it on the doorknob of the Legion Post prior to June 11. The Post is located at 695 Cahoon Road, just north of the White Oaks Restaurant.
The Post conducts these ceremonies twice a year, once on Flag Day and once on Veterans Day in November. In 2009 the post retired over 500 flags. If you wish to attend the ceremony, it starts at 6:30 p.m.
Jim Potter is the American Legion Post Americanism Chairman and lives in Bay Village.
The Bay Community Garden is a unique 2010 collaboration between the City of Bay Village, the Bay Schools and the Bay Village Green Team. After months of careful planning and partnership, the latest major development recently resulted in garden volunteers carefully staking out 4’ x 8’ plots, which can be purchased by the general public for personal use. Churches, schools and local organizations are using the planting process both as a learning area and as a way to provide food for the needy in Bay Village.
Square Foot Gardening will be the preferred method of planting, which carries with it many positive benefits, including: 1) efficient use of gardening time with less required physical work; 2) increased crop harvest; and 3) efficient water usage. The Bay Growing Guide is available online and can be viewed on the city’s homepage atwww.cityofbayvillage.com. The first five pages of the Guide provide a helpful explanation of this specific gardening method. The Growing Guide also gives many examples of vegetables, spacing and efficient planting within a square foot area.
The Westlake Recreation Center has set the dates for the 4th Annual City of Westlake Corporate Challenge. The challenge will take place August 4-7. Events will be held throughout the city at various locations including: Westlake Recreation Center, Meadowood Golf Course and the Westlake Center for Community Services. All corporations within the city of Westlake are invited and encouraged to field a team.
The Corporate Challenge is a chance for employees of Westlake-based companies to interact with one another outside of the workplace while competing in a variety of events. The events this year include: 5k run, basketball shoot-out, blood drive, bocce ball, cardboard boat race, cornhole, food drive (to benefit the Westlake Assistance Program), golf, kickball, sand volleyball, spirit banner, Texas Hold 'Em tournament, timed walk and tug-o-war.
The award-winning program kicked off on May 3 when a whopping 842 students from both Bay Middle School and Bay High School biked to school – the equivalent of one entire school forgoing motorized transportation altogether.
Since then, the Bay Middle School bike count hit 600 bicyclists on May 5, their top cycling day, and has averaged well over 50% of the school on even the most challenging weather days. The top day at BHS was 281 bikers (34% of the school).Each year the Muscular Dystrophy Association enlists the help of good-natured community leaders throughout the country to participate in local MDA Lock-Ups as part of a fundraising program to provide help and hope to hundreds of thousands of children and adults living with neuromuscular diseases.
The participants in the program are arrested, sentenced to serve time at a MDA maximum appreciation jail site from which they enlist friends and associates for donations to help them make bail.
Debbie Bock, Bay Village's Director of Community Services, volunteered to be a convict at this year's lock-up program held April 28 at Avon Oaks Country Club. During her incarceration, Debbie and dozens of other community leaders were able to raise over $34,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association programs.
May 24: Monthly meeting at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 7 p.m. The program is "A Full Circle: The Cleveland Woman," presented by Katherine Kohl. Refreshments will be served.
May 31: Join Westlake Historical Society members as we walk in the Memorial Day Parade. Please meet us at the Westlake Christian Church, 25800 Hilliard Blvd. For more information please contact Dave Pfister at 440-471-4090.
North Union Farmers Market is pleased to announce our first annual “Get Growing for Summer: Flower Day at the Market” at our Crocker Park location on May 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be the perfect opportunity to get everything you need to start your landscaping, gardening and yard work for the summer. Plus, it is a wonderful opportunity to support your local nurseries!
Did you know that in the late 1930s, Greater Cleveland was home to the largest concentration of farming acreage under glass (225 acres) in America? Greenhouses were popping up all over Cuyahoga County as early as 1887 when T.W. James built a greenhouse near Brooklyn Heights.
In an on-going effort to raise much-needed funds for the West Shore Senior Center, a rummage sale has been scheduled for Thursday, May 20, at the Knickerbocker Apartments, 27100 Knickerbocker Road, Bay Village.
We are asking for donations of gently used items to place in our sale. Items can be dropped off at the Knickerbocker Apartments Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The sale will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A bake sale will offer sweet treats and the concession stand will be open for lunch. Please join us!
The City of Cleveland Division of Water will observe National Drinking Water Week, May 3-8, and will host an Open House at two of its water works facilities, including free public tours and other family friendly activities. The Open Houses will be held Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the following locations:
Cleveland water system users are invited to tour either of these facilities to see firsthand how drinking water is processed and have their questions about water quality answered. Guided tours will take place continuously, throughout the day. A variety of giveaways for both children and adults will be available.
In order to ensure safety the following security measures apply:
If you stop by the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, you’ll find dozens of bright yellow ducks floating from the ceiling and lining the walls! Hundreds of the rubber quackers are waiting to be released into Porter Creek as the Center prepares to bring back its popular Family Fun Fest.
The Great Duck Race is a highlight of the early summer event which also features live animal and planetarium shows, nature crafts, an obstacle course, carnival games, bounce houses, nature hikes, food and much more!
Family Fun Fest’s non-stop activities will run from noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 6. During the 2:30 p.m. Great Duck Race, a swarm of rubber ducks (1,000 last year!) will dive into Porter Creek (with a little human help) and bob to the finish line where cash and great prize packages, await the cheering winners. (You don’t need to be present to win.) Individuals can sponsor a duck at $5 for one duck or 5 ducks for $20. Duck sponsorships are on sale now through 1:30 p.m. race day (or until they sell out.)The weather was perfect for the second running of Emily’s Rainbow Run and Wellness Walk on Sunday, April 25, in Westlake. Although the forecast called for rain, the race participants enjoyed close to ideal conditions for the event which included a 4-mile race and a 2-mile run/walk.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Emily’s Rainbow Fund, a member of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends, to support pediatric cancer research. The Fund is named in memory of 12-year-old Emily Lewis of Westlake, who, on August 8, 2009, passed away after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Hi, I'm Brandie Parker, winner of the 2009 Westlake Historical Society "Cutest Pet" contest. I will be marching in the Memorial Day Parade along with others from the Society.
Be sure to look for me – you can't miss me because, after all, I'm the cutest one there. I'll be dressed in my finest parade outfit. Please do come and pet me 'cause I really love everyone (especially other pets).
Remember, please wave to me and I'll acknowledge with an "Arf!" or two and later we'll see each other again as we observe silence during the ceremony. The Memorial Day Parade has been one of my favorite events for the past several years.
Back for its third year and recently awarded the city’s “Project of the Year,” Bay Bike To School Challenge sponsored by Century Cycles and Chipotle on May 3 – 21 strives to inspire 1,600 middle and high school students in Bay Village to ride their bikes to school as much as possible for three weeks, to help the environment and improve their health.
It includes a city-wide Bay Village Bicycle Safety Fair on April 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Bay Middle School (27725 Wolf Road), which is free and open to the public. At the fair, adults and children can bring their bikes for a free safety inspection from Century Cycles' professional bicycle mechanics.
Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park will be giving away 20 bicycle helmets to the first 20 attendees (limit: one helmet per family). Bay Village Police Department will be raffling off four bicycles and providing free bike licenses. Other information booths include Bay Bike to School Challenge, Earth Day Coalition, Bay Village Green Team, Bay Skate and Bike Park, and Project Earth Environmental club.
The Westlake Kiwanis will hold their spring pancake breakfast in conjunction with the Emily's Rainbow Run Sunday, April 25, 2010. The breakfast will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Breakfast includes all the pancakes you can eat! Plus – sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee and tea. The tickets are $6.00. Children 6 and under eat for free.
The breakfast will be in the Westlake High School Cafeteria, 27830 Hilliard Blvd. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Emily's Rainbow Fund benefiting pediatric cancer research at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
