[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.

The Bay High Class of 1965 will dedicate a plaque in memory of classmate SGT. Kenton Henninger, A Co. 2-35, during its 45th reunion at a July 17 ceremony in Cahoon Park. The event, which begins at 10 a.m., will include presentation of Ken’s military medals and awards to the Bay Village Historical Society for permanent display at the Osborn Learning Center, as well as recognition of a generous donation by the Class of 1965 for a new cupola at the historic site in Ken’s memory.

Ken, who was killed in action on March 7, 1969, in the Chu Prong mountain region of Pleiku Province, Vietnam, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. He was the only child of the late Elwood and Adeline Henninger, who rest beside him at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted. The military awards have for many years been in the possession of Bill Papenbrock, Ken’s first cousin. Bill recently transferred the decoration to three of Ken’s friends and former classmates, Jody Krueger, Bob Lucas and Dick Hauzer. Bob and Dick are Vietnam veterans and Jody was a very close friend of Ken’s. Bob, who served as a Marine Officer and is a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, will emcee the ceremony.

After six years of effort, the Bay Skate and Bike Park entered its final phase on July 5. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the site of the park in Cahoon Memorial Park.
The idea of a Bay Village skate park started in the summer of 2004 when Bay teenager Adam Mentkowski wrote letter to mayor Debbie Sutherland, requesting that the city consider building a skate park. Throughout the following years, various sites were explored and rejected until Sutherland committed earlier this year to building the park near the corner of Wolf and Cahoon roads.
"Every project needs two things - I think it needs a passionate and dedicated leader as well as a skilled and motivated membership. Bay Skate and Bike Park has been fortunate enough to have both, truly," said Lawrence Kuh, a Bay Middle school teacher and the driving force behind the skate park.
Construction is scheduled to start at the beginning of August with completion targeted for early September.

Nationally known producer/director and Bay Village resident Terry D. Peterson is the first Clevelander ever appointed to the national executive committee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). NATAS recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Award for Daytime Programming, Sports, News & Documentary, Business News, and Public Service nationally, in addition to overseeing 19 regional chapters.  

On Sunday afternoon, July 25, 76 trombones will sound off at Huntington Playhouse and introduce the audience to surprise appearances of Bay’s newest “stars” in everyone’s favorite musical presentation of "The Music Man."  The stars will join the professional and very entertaining cast of "The Music Man" in a fundraising event for Bay’s upcoming Bicentennial weekend on October 9 and 10.

Bay’s Bicentennial Committee has received a most generous gift from local and well-known businessman, Jim Potter.  Jim has bought out the house at Huntington Playhouse and donated all of the tickets to the Bicentennial committee which is working to ensure a memorable 200th Birthday Weekend for all residents.

 

Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program staff with Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village returned a baby hawk back to nature in Shaker Heights using a bucket truck from the City of Shaker Heights Public Works Department. The hawk fell from its nest and was spotted by a passerby who contacted the Center’s Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program. Rehab staff had been caring for the unharmed bird for two weeks.

To return the young hawk to its wild family, Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator Amy LeMonds determined where the bird was found, contacted the homeowners and worked with the City of Shaker Heights on a re-nesting plan. LeMonds fashioned an artificial nest out of a laundry basket, attaching rough matting to the top edges to provide traction for the bird’s talons. Artificial nests are often successful in reuniting a baby bird back with its natural parent caretakers when the original nest cannot be reached or is destroyed. In this case, the hawk nest was beyond the reach of the bucket truck.

On June 25, a City of Shaker Heights Public Works Wildlife crew attached the artificial nest to the tree below the natural nest using a ratcheting harness. Wildlife Director Dave Wolf then made the bucket trip back up into the tree and placed the baby into the secured basket.

 

The HUGS  Foundation, a local non-profit focused on providing funding and support for families of chemically dependent adolescents, will be holding their annual golf outing Monday, July 26. Proceeds will help HUGS provide the necessary financial support to assist families in defraying the cost of extended addiction recovery treatment.

The HUGS Foundation was launched in late 2008 by Lakewood resident, Dianne Vogt, after she saw first-hand (first as a mother dealing with her own son’s addiction, then as a volunteer at Oakview Behavioral Health Center helping families dealing with the same problem) the need to “bridge the insurance gap” and provide funds to help families afford the staggering costs of addiction recovery programs. Since then, “donors and recipients alike have been very positive about what we are doing,” said Vogt.

 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a "non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children."

For 50 years, Helen Roberta "Bobbi" Burrows Schmid, a Bay Village resident, has more than fulfilled those DAR responsibilities as part of the Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter NSDAR. On June 5, 2010, Bobbi was awarded one of DAR’s most-cherished awards – a 50-year Member Certificate.

 

The Village Foundation held a raffle for guest passes to the "Jordin Sparks with Kate Voegele" concert at the House of Blues, Cleveland on June 17.  The winning tickets were pulled on June 8 and the winner were notified June 9.  The first place winner was Robert Brdar, Stephanie Jordan won second place, and third place went to Sarah Dockrill, all of Bay Village.

The Village Foundation thanks Kate Voegele and her family for the generous prizes. The first and second place winners received two tickets to the show and the pleasure of meeting with Kate Voegele after the performance; the third place prize was an assortment of Kate Voegele merchandise. All three winners were very excited.

Plans are underway for the city’s Bicentennial and, if discussions at a recent Community Council meeting are an indication, it will be a grand celebration.

Representatives from area community organizations gathered at Huntington Park on May 27 to report on recent activities and discuss Bicentennial news.

The Bay Village Bicentennial Committee will begin the Bicentennial weekend festivities on Oct. 9 with a 9 a.m. race. It will be followed by family fun activities in Cahoon Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lolly the Trolley will provide shuttle services between the park museums and Bay Arts, the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center and the Bay Village Branch Library. Special programs are planned at each destination.

Sunday, Oct. 10, is the date of the Grand Parade, beginning in early afternoon. The day will culminate in the lighting of the new cupola and a candlelight ceremony attended by representatives of the 26-member Bay Ministerial group. A combined church choir of 200 will perform at the ceremony.

Bay Village students in grades 5 through 12 logged a whopping 28,052 miles bicycling to school in just three weeks, transformed their schools’ transportation habits, helped the environment, and even inspired a school in Oklahoma during Bay Bike To School Challenge sponsored by Century Cycles and Chipotle. The award-winning program concluded on Friday, May 21, with school-wide assemblies at both Bay Middle School and Bay High School to celebrate the students' accomplishments and award the grand prizes of free bicycles, burritos for a year and more.  

Bay Village Mayor Deborah Sutherland praised the students and told them that Bay Bike to School Challenge has inspired her to bicycle more to work at City Hall. The inspiration wasn’t confined to Northeast Ohio, however. A high school in Edmond, Oklahoma had their very first Bike to School day on Friday, May 21, after being inspired by Bay Village’s efforts last year.

Sutherland and other officials praised their students' effort and encouraged them to keep bicycling all summer long. Other speakers included Scott Sanders, Executive Director of the Earth Day Coalition, Michael Patterson from Rep. Dennis Kucinich's office, and Scott Cowan, owner of Century Cycles.

Drug Awareness and Prevention Inc., of Cleveland, in partnership with the Cuyahoga and Lorain County Sheriff’s Offices and Boards of Health, WEB, Lorain, SEALE, and Medway Drug Task Forces in northeast Ohio, local police departments, P2P, Westlake Council of PTAs, and Home Instead Senior Care held its first jointly-organized Operation: Medicine Cabinet (OMC) on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 42 locations throughout Cuyahoga, Holmes, Lorain, Medina and Wayne counties.

Together, the partners helped residents in northeast Ohio safely dispose of over 2, 600 pounds of outdated or unwanted prescription medications.

On the weekend of May 21-23 thousands of local Scouts celebrated 100 years of Scouting with a weekend-long campout at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The centennial “camporee” featured activities and exhibits that showcased the rich history and tradition of Scouting, including archery, boomerang throwing and camping. Scouts from Bay Village’s Troop 159 were among the nearly 3,000 that participated in the weekend event, staying overnight in tents.  

Sponsored by St. Raphael Catholic Church, Troop 159 prides itself on the longevity of its leaders, committee members and Scouts who tend to stay involved with or return to the troop as adults, lending their experience and enthusiasm. Along with traditional camping, backpacking and canoeing trips, the troop travels across the country, and this summer is bicycling from Cumberland, Md., to Washington, D.C. 

Water Quality is essential to all of us – and the quality of our water affects the quality of our lives. Cleveland Division of Water is committed to providing its customers safe, high-quality drinking water.

That is why the Division maintains a rigorous quality control program and continues to invest substantial financial resources to improve our water treatment facilities and distribution system. Our water is constantly monitored and tested. The water produced and delivered by Cleveland Water far exceeds the most stringent water quality standards currently mandated by federal and state water regulations, and last year was no exception.

The Cuyahoga County Lineage Group [CCLG] induction ceremony and banquet was held on May 21, 2010 in the Colony Dining Room at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea. Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society that meets at Westlake Porter Public Library was the host chapter. Guest speaker, Dan Ruminski of Chesterland, entertained the group with the “Story of Cleveland Industrialist Thomas H. White and Family, from Sewing Machines to Automobiles.”

Each year, representatives from the five county-wide Chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society and other related interest groups, convene to honor the memory of early residents of Cuyahoga County, by recognizing their direct line descendants. The detailed and carefully sourced documentation of lineage, that each inductee is required to submit, is intended to encourage interest in customs, culture, genealogy and history of Cuyahoga County.

May is Older Americans Month and, to celebrate, the U.S. Administration on Aging is holding a national contest for Americans to share their stories on this year’s theme, “Age Strong! Live Long!” Entries in the My Recipe for Strength contest are accepted in three categories: video, photography and poetry/prose.

Bay resident Dianne Borowski, an active member of our community and regular Observer contributor, was chosen as one of the finalists in the poetry/prose category (Entry #100). All of the entries can be viewed and voted on at the Older Americans Month website. Winners of the contest will receive a certificate of recognition and have their entry prominently displayed on the Administration on Aging website. Visit http://olderamericansmonth.org/contest.aspx by May 28 to show your support for one of our own!

In 1990, the Bay Village Schools' second grade social studies curriculum was re-written by Normandy teacher, Arlene Karnatz.  For the first time, it included the history of Dover Township and the village of Bay from its settling in 1810 to modern times.

As a wrap-up to the unit, all the second graders take a bus tour past homes of early settlers such as Saddler, Wischmeyer, Osborn and Cahoon, etc. They also visit Lakeside Cemetery where so many are buried. 

Miss Karnatz and her fine volunteer guides for the past twenty years then take the students through the replica Cahoon cabin in the valley, all three floors of the antique treasures in the 1818 Rose Hill Museum and, in the past few years, the 1814 Reuben Osborn house which was moved to the historic Cahoon Park site in 1995. This year is especially important as we celebrate the 200 year anniversary of Bay Village, 1810-2010.

Bay Village native and popular actress Patricia Heaton will return home on July 6 to help BAYarts raise funds for the restoration of the Irene Lawrence Fuller House. The evening's host is local TV personality Dick Feagler of "Feagler and Friends" who is also a Bay Village resident.

Patricia is best known for her Emmy-winning role on "Everybody Loves Raymond" and the current hit "The Middle." She grew up in Bay Village, attending St. Raphael's and St. Augustine's before going to Ohio State. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, David Hunt, an actor and director and their four sons. 

The Hunts are part owners in Vento la Trattoria on BAYarts campus. Both Patricia and Mr. Feagler are donating their time to support the revitalization of BAYarts and to commemorate the Bay Village Bicentennial. Mr. Feagler admits to being a bit nervous, because, he says, "I'm a fan." It should be a lively evening!

Brian McNeill Jr., a Boy Scout with Troop 77 in Westlake, is collecting personal items for armed services veterans and patients at Veterans Affairs medical facilities in Ohio. The collection is part of Brian’s Eagle Scout project.

Items such as toothpaste, deodorant and soap may be dropped off at the collection box in the office at St. Ladislas Church, 2345 Bassett Road in Westlake. Money donations are also accepted (make checks payable to Troop 77, Eagle Scout Project fund).

BAYarts kicked off the renovation of the Irene Lawrence Fuller House April 29 with a groundbreaking ceremony on the BAYarts campus. In attendance were Senator Tom Patton, Representative Nan Baker, Bay Village mayor Debbie Sutherland, new Cleveland Metroparks Director Brian Zimmerman and other park directors, community leaders and educators.

BAYarts is a non-profit arts education organization funded by the Cuyahoga Cultural Facilities Commission, the Ohio Arts Council and earned income through education fees and membership. BAYarts was awarded at $250,000 grant by the Ohio Cultural facilities Commission with an addtional $100,000 commitment from Cleveland Metroparks for the renovation An additional capital campaign is underway with many of the naming rights already claimed.

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.

According to Kiwanian and Bay Village Schools superintendent, Clint Keener, the trees are from the same family as Ohio buckeye trees, but do not grow as tall or drop the buckeye nuts.  The trees are a dwarf red chestnut decorative shade trees with bright red flowers in the spring. The lush foliage also provides excellent cover for songbirds. The trees are expected to grow anywhere from 10 to 15 feet high. 

“This is a wonderful donation to our schools,” Keener said. “Students will be able to enjoy the beauty, color and shade of these trees for many generations to come.” See more photos of this event on the Observer website at www.wbvobserver.com/photoblogs.

90 Days In, New Executive Director Catherine Timko Sees Bright Future

Catherine Timko stepped into the role of Executive Director at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center on January 4, the fourth director to serve in the Center’s six decade history. After 90 days on the job, she sat down to answer questions that reveal her inclusive leadership style and where she hopes to lead the Bay Village nonprofit organization in the future. 

Q: You’ve held positions of leadership at several prominent Northeast Ohio and national nonprofits, including The Trust for Public Land. What attracted you to the job of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Executive Director? 

A: Several reasons, but first and foremost, I truly believe in the mission. As a child, my parents made sure our family spent time outside; hiking, camping and enjoying nature in all the amazing parks we have in Northeast Ohio. Secondly, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center has a distinctive combination of programs and services that sets a unique standard of excellence. I’m really no different than the huge numbers of visitors who are drawn to the Center’s blend of live animals, nature and science education, wildlife rehabilitation, planetarium and access to Lake Erie each and every year.

 

Westlake Porter Public Library honored its 192 volunteers during a Volunteer Appreciation Reception on Sunday, April 12. Those volunteers worked over 11,000 hours shelving material, staffing the reception desk, helping students in the Homework Help Center, staffing Portables Gift Store and the Book Nook, delivering material to the homebound, serving as Library Trustees, and much more.

Singled out for her hours of work in various volunteer capacities since becoming a volunteer in 2003 and for her cheerful, can-do attitude was Ingrid Bowman, who was presented with the 2010 Myrna Chelko Award. Also receiving special honors was Former Library Trustee Sharon Didion, who received the Thomas A. Fox Distinguished Trustee Award.

For the second year in a row Westlake Porter Public Library has been named No. 1 in the nation for its population category by Hennen’s American Public Library Rankings (HAPLR). This is the third time the library has achieved a No. 1 ranking, the first being in 2005. WPPL has been in the top ten in its population category since the HAPLR was established.

The rankings are based on usage and service data such as circulation, number of materials, reference service, number of visitors, staffing levels and funding.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this number one ranking for a second year in a row,” said Board President Laurie Forbush. “It is a reflection of our continued commitment to giving first class service to library users at all times. The Board of Trustees is grateful to the staff members for their commitment to this goal and to the community for their outstanding support. The two are an unbeatable combination.”

More than a hundred mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers attended the annual afternoon tea with their daughters at the fifth annual Victorian Tea held April 24 at the Dwyer Memorial Senior Center in Bay Village.

Models wearing frilly hats, period dresses and parasols were featured in a style show as attendees enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea.

Click here to view more pictures of the event.

It's been years since Debbie Bock has served any time in jail but it looks like the authorities are closing in on her. Plans call for her to be arrested on Wednesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. The elusive Bock has managed to stay clear of the law while serving the senior citizens of Bay Village for many years.

Now she is going to be locked up, for good. While on the run, we were able to track her down at one of her hide-aways, the Dwyer Senior Center. As she darted out the door, she gave a brief statement about her future jailbird status. Said Bock, "They finally caught me! I’m going to jail…but it’s for a great cause…MDA!"

That's right, the reason for Bock's "arrest" will be a good one. She has been chosen to be locked up as a participant in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) Lockup program. As part of the fun fundraising program community leaders are "charged" with being caring, good-natured and influential with friends and associates.

Bay Village City Council approved the design of the official bicentennial flag at the council meeting on Monday, April 26. The design incorporates the traditional sailboat and Old English letter B used on the Bay Village city flag along with two birds in the right hand corner and the dates of 1810-2010. City councilman David Tadych designed the flag and stated that the birds each represent 100 years of Bay Village history. The council resolution approved the the flag design to be displayed throughout the city during the year-long bicentennial celebration.

Each year BAYarts invites students from all over the area in grades K through 12 to enter the Youth Scholarship Show. In the past, it was up to local teachers to bring in the work that students had done in the classroom throughout the year.

But art teachers and BAYarts directors agreed that it would be more challenging (and fun!) for the students to work on a project independently and given a theme. The result has been exciting both for the students and their families who attend a gallery opening to open the show.

This year's theme is "Picture Yourself," a self-portrait using any medium: paint, ink, ceramics, or even the written word. Students who would like to perform may do so if time permits and by special arrangement with BAYarts gallery director Eileen Stockdale.

A Bay Village student has claimed the top prize in Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s 2010 T-shirt Art Design Contest. Nine-year-old Allie Maust’s winning design will be featured on the Center’s 2010 Limited Edition T-shirt, which goes on sale at Family Fun Fest, Sunday, June 6.  

The Westerly Elementary School student produced colorful crayon art, edged in black and featuring a snake, a fish and an owl (animals that all reside at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center) surrounded by the stars and planets from the Center’s planetarium dome.

Allie’s artwork was chosen from among 15 finalists and more than 100 entries from artists of all ages. Facebook fans, online survey respondents and Center visitors helped select the winner by submitting nearly 2,000 votes for their favorites!  

On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, the City of Bay Village is holding a special election. This specific agenda item relates to the concept of electricity aggregation for the City. If this ballot item is approved by a majority of our voters, the City of Bay Village will be able to negotiate the bulk purchase of electricity from a selected supplier for the residents and commercial organizations in our community. 

Simply put, opt-out electricity aggregation is a process where the City’s residents will, unless they specifically “opt out” of the aggregation program, receive their electricity generation from one supplier. The proposed aggregation term is nine years. In return, each resident who participates in the program will receive a guaranteed monthly savings, and hence, a reduction in their electric bill. 

One of the best kept secrets in this area of Ohio is the Cleveland Wing of the Commemorative Air Force located at the Lorain County Regional Airport. The Wing is a unit of the Commemorative Air Force headquartered in Midland, Texas.

The Wing has been in existence over twenty years. Our mission is to bring to the people aircraft preserved in flying condition flown by all the military services during World War II. Another facet is to perpetuate the spirit of these planes flown in defense of our nation while establishing an organization having the dedication, enthusiasm and esprit de corps to preserve and maintain these aircraft.

The CAF has wings all across this country and other countries as well. Our fleet’s queen of our over 140 aircraft is the only flying B-29 Superfortress left in the world.

State Representative Nan Baker (R-Westlake) welcomed Reverend Scott Patterson from Dover Congregational Church in Westlake to give the opening invocation for the March 24 Ohio House session. 

"It's a pleasure to have Rev. Patterson visit our statehouse and give the opening invocation. This is a special honor for me as Rev. Patterson is from the church I personally attend," Baker said.   

Rev. Patterson grew up in Kettering. He graduated from Heidelberg University in Tiffin and received a Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1974 and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Heidelberg University. He has been a part of several congregations, including churches in Kettering, Lawrenceville and Kenton. Dover United Church of Christ is a formerly rural church that now finds itself in a suburban community.

“[Westlake] will be celebrating [the city's] 200th anniversary in 2011, which I look forward to celebrating,” Baker said.

Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, will soon be here. The Westlake Kiwanis Club hopes you are planning to participate in our annual community parade and service.

The parade and service will honor those civilians and military that sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms and protect our shores – many of those fallen were members of our Westlake community. If you participated in the parade or in the services in Clague Park last year, the Westlake Kiwanis and the community appreciate your participation and hope you will take part again this year.

For the second year in a row, Bay Village resident Edward Beyer has won Best of Show in the BAYarts Juried Show. Although he’s won numerous prizes over the years, this year, the award was for his body of work. When asked to describe his work, Beyer says: "My paintings develop from 'impressions' of the locations and places that I've seen. The paintings become composite impressions in which the subject becomes subordinate to the stronger elements of design, shape, and color."

Respected and admired by his fellow artists, he is the catalyst who gets everyone together to paint, go to museums and galleries and enter shows. At BAYarts he formed a weekly portrait studio and plein air studio. John Carlson, a fellow painter, says of Edward's work: "He's a classic. A romantic. He has a superb sense of color and composition."

Approve or disapprove of the Cahoon Park location of the Bay Skate and Bike Park? Vote now in our Daily Question poll.

Have more to say than Yes or No? Sign up on the Observation Deck discussion board to share your opinion and read what others have to say. Start a conversation about the skate park or anything else on your mind!

At the March 18 Westlake City Council meeting, mayor Dennis Clough recognized Elizabeth “Lila” Greco for receiving the prestigious Prudential Spirit of Community Award, and proclaimed March 19, 2010, as “Elizabeth Greco our Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoree” Day in Westlake.

Of the more than 21,000 students nationwide who applied for the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, Lila was chosen by the state-level judges as “one of the top eight runners-up” for Ohio, earning her a bronze Distinguished Finalist medallion.

As a member of the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio in Macedonia, Lila worked with Building Hope in the City, an outreach ministry of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Cleveland’s west side. She collected 700 gently used uniform items and started a “school uniform closet,” where disadvantaged Cleveland school children can obtain their required school uniforms free of charge.

The Bay Skate & Bike Park Foundation continues to work with the city of Bay Village to make the dream of a public skate & bike park in Bay Village a reality.

After six years of patience and persistence, the foundation has acquired the official approval of the Bay Village City Council and Cahoon Will Trustees to utilize the location south of Rose Hill sledding area for the project.

The foundation now has to present to various boards within the city, starting with the Planning Commission on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, to receive approval of the design, landscaping, and overall construction details.

This is the fun part we’ve been waiting for! The kids involved in the project not only get to do fundraising, but finally get to make design recommendations that will positively affect future generations.

BSBP is making every effort to recommend a design that is sustainable, requires little maintenance, and serves the needs and desires of the local users.

After more than two hours of public comments and discussion at the March 15 meeting, Bay Village City Council voted 4-2 to refer the Cahoon Memorial Park location of the Bay Skate and Bike Park to Planning Commission.

Voting in favor of the location were: Dwight Clark, At-Large; Brian Cruse, President; Scott Pohlkamp, Ward 3; and Michael Young, Ward 4. Voting against the measure were: Dave Tadych, Ward 1, and Jim Scott, At-Large. Paul Koomar, Ward 2, abstained.

In their role as Cahoon Memorial Park Trustees, all councilmembers voted the same, with Mayor Debbie Sutherland voting in favor.

The proposed location is in Cahoon Park, between the RTA turn-around and Wolf Road.

The Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation will now present detailed drawings of the skate park for evaluation and review by the Planning Commission. After the review procedure, and any modifications that are necessary, the final plans for the park will be presented to City Council for a vote.

The Bay Village Historical Society, which opposes the proposed location, has promised legal action against the city to prevent construction once City Council gives final approval to the location. The society has argued that a skate park violates the terms of the Cahoon Trust and the historical designation of the location.

In honor of Bay Village’s two hundredth anniversary, the Bay Village Historical Society is offering prints of the historic Community House created by noted watercolor artist Thomas William Jones.

295 signed and numbered prints are available from the society through October 10, 2010, for $85. Originally a barn built by the Cahoon family in 1882, the painting shows the cupola atop the Community House as it appeared when the original structure was constructed. In the 1930s the barn was struck by lightning, destroying the cupola.

As part of the 2010 celebration commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Bay Village, the Historical Society will be restoring the cupola during the summer. Proceeds from the sale of the watercolor print will be used to fund the restoration.

Twenty-six years after it was moved to the BAYarts Campus, the Irene Lawrence Fuller House will finally be restored. Thanks to the recent announcement by the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approving a $250,000 grant, a commitment by Cleveland Metroparks for an additional $100,000 as well as other donations, the dream will become a reality just in time to coincide with Bay Village's Bicentennial Celebration in October. Peter Winzig, a Bay Village resident and BAYarts board member, coordinated the project for BAYarts.

The Fuller House was saved from demolition in 1984 when the organization's former director, Sally Price, saw its potential as an art gallery and education facility. Sparky DiBenedetto, whose company was building a new project on the site, agreed and, along with generous community support, helped make the move possible. Unlike the traditional means of moving a house down main roads, the Fuller House was transported on a barge on Lake Erie – a more affordable solution which drew international media attention.