Local News

At their December meeting, the members of Bay Village American Legion Post #385 heard an address by Lieutenant Colonel Scott Bartley, Battalion Commander of the US Army Recruiting in Cleveland.
 
LTC Bartley, pictured with Bay Village Legion Commander Stan Zeager, spoke of the new limits for volunteers wishing to join the all-volunteer Army. These limits include weight limits, past legal problems, tattoos, and an ability to pass a minimum intelligence test. All branches of the military are imposing standards for new recruits. Quotas for entry level service personnel are being met in spite of the new requirements.

The second annual Cahoon Christmas event at Cahoon Memorial Park on Dec. 7 ushered in the season for children of all ages with crafts, treats, Christmas carols and– of course! – Santa Claus. The festive afternoon included ornament crafts at the Bay Village Branch Library table and homemade baked goods and gifts from the Bay Village Women's Club, Village Project, Bay Village Historical Society and DAR. Devon Gess directed the Bay High Choraleers in a selection of Christmas songs that had the audience tapping their toes and clapping their hands.

Santa arrived in a Bay fire truck, and called in all of the kids around him for a "big Bay Village hug." He proceeded inside the Community House where Tom Meyrose read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and then took a seat in his red velvet chair to greet every child.

On Monday, Dec. 1, both a tribute and a celebration took place in the council chambers of Bay Village City Hall. On this evening, 18 of the 23 members of the Bay Village Auxiliary Police were recognized for their unit's service.

In 1964 the Civil Defense unit, which had existed since 1957, was disbanded. Someone, their name long ago forgotten, perhaps not even recorded, had the brilliant notion of forming the Bay Village Auxiliary Police Department. Yes, it has been 50 years and the unit is still going strong. The members contribute, without compensation, many hours to their fellow citizens and the police division. It takes a special, devoted type of person who will voluntarily step forward to handle jobs which are always challenging, infrequently exciting, often tedious, and rarely (but sometimes) dangerous.

Please join our Case Western Reserve University group starting Jan. 12, 2015, as we welcome Bruce Ackerman as our leader to investigate the journey of nine characters from single status to marriage plus a 10th that never makes it. In "Middlemarch," author George Eliot paints in exquisite detail a canvas showing how each character seeks answers to major intellectual and emotional questions. However, many times the questions are asked in the wrong way.  Marriage sometimes creates more questions than it answers.

Something unusual was on a roll at St. John Medical Center on Dec. 3 – turkeys. Frozen turkeys, to be exact. Employees from across the Westlake health campus braved the cold for a good cause in the hospital’s inaugural Frozen Turkey Bowling competition. For a small donation, staffers and their family members tried their hand at hurling 12-pound turkeys down a makeshift alley set up in the outdoor courtyard.

All of the money raised went to the SJMC Hope Fund, which offers assistance to employees experiencing a temporary hardship. Those who bowled a strike, knocking down all 10 regulation pins, were entered into a grand-prize drawing for a paid day off.

Are corporations people? Is money speech? Should there be limits on how much I can contribute to a candidate? On how much you can give to an interest group? Is the need to fund campaigns diverting our public servants' attention from good government?

To answer these questions and more, Susan Murnane, Bay League of Women Voters (LWV) Chapter and LWV-Greater Cleveland board member, has been named to the national League of Women Voters' Money in Politics Committee. This committee is charged with considering "the rights of individuals and organizations, under the First Amendment, to express their political views through independent expenditures and the finance of election campaign activities."

The Youth Challenge Dance and Drama program will kick off the season with a Holiday Show on Dec. 14 at Magnificat High School’s Performing Arts Center. The event will also include a Volunteer Recognition to honor the year’s top teen volunteers.

Youth Challenge offers free, year-round programs to over 160 participants throughout the Greater Cleveland area. The participants are children with such disabilities as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and hearing or vision impairments. Transportation to and from programs is also provided at no charge.

Would you like to win $100,000? How about a two-year lease on a Volvo or Mazda? A Harley Davidson motorcycle? Or a Mediterranean cruise for two? These are just a few of the 40 incredible prizes offered through the 11th annual Straight from the Heart Raffle to benefit cardiovascular services at Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals.

The Westlake Town Criers are proud to announce that Fred and Barbara Hammond have been selected as Mr. and Mrs. Westlake. Mayor Dennis Clough introduced the couple as this year’s honorees during the Nov. 22 tree lighting ceremony at Crocker Park. The Westlake Town Criers have been giving out the annual award for many years, to couples who have provided outstanding service to the citizens and youth of Westlake.

Since moving to Westlake more than 30 years ago, the Hammonds have been actively involved in the community. Their children attended Westlake Schools where Barbara volunteered in activities such as P.T.A., and both were involved in the Demon’s Club. Fred and Barbara are active at St. Ladislas Catholic Church.

Brenda O’Reilly, a longtime Bay resident and member of the city’s Green Team, was this year’s recipient of Earth Day Coalition’s volunteer of the year award. Brenda has long been a supporter of EDC and has also served on the ZeroWaste NEO committee of Sustainable Cleveland 2019.

Last spring, Brenda led a zero-waste initiative for the annual EarthFest event at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, working with a large group of volunteers, 250 vendors and 13 food trucks to minimize waste.

“Brenda educated all of our vendors and contractors and led the design of our Marquee Exhibit where every visitor to the festival could see the cumulative production of our streams of organic materials headed toward landscapers, recyclables off to be repurposed and a minimal amount headed to landfill as waste,” said Scott Sanders, EDC’s executive director and also a Bay resident.

The City of Bay Village has hired Connie Lupica as its new assistant director of community services.

Lupica is a licensed social worker, and has more than 25 years of experience working at the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. In addition, she has volunteered at Wellington Place Assisted Living for the past year, in the activities department.

“I’ve worked with children and I’ve worked with families, and I have wanted to work more with seniors, so this is a wonderful opportunity,” Lupica said.

The Bay Village Community Council is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Bay Village Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 and selections will be announced by the Community Council soon afterwards.

Although nominations for Project of the Year are being accepted, this award is not intended to be an annual designation. Special projects will be considered based on community impact and the involvement of volunteers and organizations.

Nomination forms are available at City Hall, the Bay Village Branch Library, and from members of the Bay Village Community Council. Electronic forms are also available for nomination by email. Download a Citizen of the Year or Project of the Year nomination form.

As part of their annual Veterans Day celebration, the Bay Village American Legion Post #385 retired 250 old, torn and faded flags using correct military protocol. The ceremony ended with taps played by the Post bugler, Ron Lundmark. The Post retires 500 to 600 flags each year.
 

Authors Mike and Janice Olszewski will autograph copies of their new book, “Cleveland TV Tales,” on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers; 198 Crocker Park Blvd. in Westlake. The event is free and open to the public.

The book profiles dozens of colorful men and women who helped invent local television programming from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Two of the best known personalities featured in “Cleveland TV Tales” are Ernie Anderson, who as “Ghoulardi,” the late-night movie host, got top ratings by trying to shock his audience, and Ron Penfound, who thought his job as genial cartoon-show host “Captain Penny” would last only a few weeks – and then stayed on the air for 16 years. Less-well-known innovators are included, too, such as confrontational talk show host Alan Douglas, who frequently baited his guests – sometimes to the brink of violence.

In celebration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, here is a profile of three local women who served during World War II. By war’s end, more than 350,000 women served in uniform.

Call to Duty

Rita Davidson, working in an office in Pittsburgh, joined the Marine Corps Women’s Reserves (MCWR) in April 1943. Her father was a former Marine. Boot camp was at the Navy’s Hunter College in the Bronx. Rita was in the last graduating class of Women Marines at Hunter College, before Camp Lejeune opened to women.

Mary Lou Gruber left her job at Ohio Bell in Cleveland in January 1944 and joined the MCWR. Her father and uncle were Marines in World War I. Boot camp was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Asked whether she wanted to be stationed on the East or the West Coast, the Clevelander naturally answered the East Coast. She was promptly sent to San Francisco. Her first assignment was to keep in line on the troop train to the West Coast the two dozen women Marines traveling among hundreds of male service men.

The Westlake Town Criers held one last celebration of 2014's Mr. Westlake, Rick Grane, Oct. 20 at Mahle's restaurant. The dinner, which Grane repeatedly reminded guests was "not a roast," did include some good-natured teasing of the honoree, who has earned the respect of many in the city.

Grane volunteers as an auxiliary policeman, as a member of the Kiwanis, Elks and Westlake United Methodist Church, and at many cancer fundraisers held in the city. His wife, Susan, who succumbed to cancer in 2003, is his driving force.

The Westshore Young Leaders Network (WYLN), an emerging coalition in Cuyahoga County that serves six communities in the Westshore region of Northeast Ohio, received notification that they have been selected to be mentored by The Community Awareness and Prevention Association (CAPA) for the Coalition of Excellence - Mentoring Grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The City of Bay Village is selling T-shirts in five different styles to benefit the Bay Days Fireworks Fund. Sue Kohl, assistant to the the mayor, worked with local graphic artist Christine Rinto on the design and colors for the soon-to-be-popular shirts. The cotton/polyester shirts, available at City Hall, cost $20 for long-sleeve and $15 for short-sleeve and are available in men’s and women’s sizes.

The men's/unisex crewneck styles are white short-sleeve, heather gray short-sleeve and white long-sleeve. The women's scoopneck shirts are heather blue short-sleeve and black long-sleeve; ladies sizes run small so consider sizing up.

Payment is by check or cash only. Purchases may be made at the City Hall receptionist desk Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The shirts will also be available at BAYarts starting Nov. 1. Call 440-899-3416 for information and availability.

This report is not an official League of Women Voters statement. Official minutes are prepared by Mayor Patton's office and posted on Fairview Park's website.

Present: Mayors Sutherland (Bay Village), Bobst (Rocky River), Kennedy (North Olmsted), Patton (Fairview Park) and Summers (Lakewood), Fiscal Officer Renee Mahoney, Cuyahoga County Council District 1 Representative Dave Greenspan.

RTA: There will be a public meeting about RTA's future on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at RTA headquarters. Lakewood's upgraded transit stations are due to be completed in November.

Cuyahoga County Mayors & City Managers Association (CCMCMA): Mayor Sutherland reported that HB5 municipal income tax changes will be taken up by the lame duck Ohio Senate and will require close monitoring to ensure progress. North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik is asking the CCMCMA to endorse his letter demanding that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources manage the deer population. Mayors Clough and Sutherland declined to sign this letter, but Mayor Sutherland stated that the ODNR is trying to shift the burden onto homeowners. In Avon Lake, homeowners can request permits from ODNR and the city to cull deer on private property. Mayor Kennedy noted that the Metroparks culls 30-120 deer a year in Bradley Woods. North Olmsted is examining options, including an ordinance similar to Avon Lake's. Rocky River sent residents an advisory on how to discourage deer. Bay Village has had 20 deer-vehicle accidents in the past year.  Mayors Sutherland and Kennedy agreed that aggressive wild turkeys have also been problematic.

More than 200 people gathered at Lakewood Country Club on a sunny September day to “do lunch” with the Westlake Garden Club. The group filled the dining room and overflowed into the bar area. This was the first event that nearly maxed out capacity for the country club since the new clubhouse opened. 

Tables were set with white cloths, black napkins and orange ceramic pumpkins filled with fall flowers, and with the sun filtering through the many windows, it was a perfect setting. Garden Club President Regina McCarthy welcomed everyone and introduced Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough. Mayor Clough talked about the importance of organizations such as the garden club in helping make Westlake a beautiful place to live and work.

The City of Bay Village said goodbye to Shirley Hostetler after 16 years. Shirley retired Oct. 3 from the City, where for the past 12 years she served as assistant to the director of Community Services, manager of the Dwyer Memorial Senior Center, and coordinator of Meals on Wheels.

Shirley’s love for seniors, and her dedication to assist them in any way she could made her a beloved member of the Dwyer Center family. Penny Dolski, a volunteer at the center, describes Shirley as “‘a champion of the seniors who needed help. She always listened to them and tried to answer their questions, researching until she found an answer. She was known for tucking little notes and cards in with the meals of the Meals on Wheels she coordinated. We will miss her.”

Bay Senior Transportation has received two new vehicles, a 14-passenger Ford van to replace the old 2004 vehicle, and a 2014 Ford Taurus to replace a 2007 Chevy Impala. 

These vehicles are used daily to transport Bay residents age 60 or older, as well as disabled residents, to medical appointments, banking and shopping trips to Heinen’s, Giant Eagle and Drug Mart. The van is also used for weekly outings to area restaurants for lunch, or special locations, such as an upcoming trip to Holden Aboretum.

Prior to every county-wide election, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections' human resources staff is responsible for filling several hundred temporary positions. These positions, which can last up to 12 weeks, provide a unique and fascinating perspective on the election process.   

Temporary employees at the BOE earn $10 per hour, and the work week is generally Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., although additional hours are sometimes required as the election draws near. Election Day itself, Nov. 4, is a long day (and night) for all temporary and full-time staff.

Wildlife specialists from Lake Erie Nature & Science Center successfully released a male bald eagle back into the wild on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Initially admitted on Sept. 1, the bird was found weak, unable to stand, dehydrated and underweight. As with most wildlife patients, the cause of the injury or illness is unknown. Initial treatment consisted of fluid, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy. Once stabilized and rehydrated, the animal was transferred to Medina Raptor Center (MRC) for additional conditioning in large flight cages. All caregivers agreed the animal was ready for release and were pleased at its quick response to treatment.

On Sept. 24, four members of the Bay Village Green Team gathered to install energy efficient lighting upgrades on the main floor of the historic 132-year-old Community House in Cahoon Park. The Green Team has been conducting its meetings at the Community House for most of its 7-year existence and recently decided to donate the project as a way to thank the city for its support. The project is also a way to show how energy efficiency upgrades can quickly pay for themselves and save money in the long run, even in old structures. 

A total of sixty 13-watt, compact florescent lamps (CFLs) replaced sixty 60-watt incandescent bulbs. That reduced the energy consumption of the lighting from 3,600 watts down to 780 watts without reducing the light output (measured in lumens). In fact, the light output of the new lighting is noticeably brighter. The old incandescent bulbs gave off 780 lumens each and the new CFLs are rated at 900 lumens each.

It was the hottest, the most humid, and a very stormy night in Bay. I know it sounds like the beginning of an Edgar Allan Poe story, but on Aug. 26, 82 to 100 residents (not everyone signed in) from Wards 1 and 4, and other wards, came together. Despite the weather, Bay’s Community House was buzzing!

Folks came to listen to Tom Henderson (Ward 4) and me, Dave Tadych (Ward 1). We also were proud to welcome County Representative for District 1, Dave Greenspan. We had stories, announcements, slides, tax explanations, city ideas and improvements, business changes, Ward information and pending Council legislation, along with Avon Lake’s new white-tailed deer legislation on the agenda for review. And review we did.

Bay Village's police chief and superintendent released statements in response to an incident that was recently reported to the police and media. A peaceful vigil to promote tolerance is planned for Friday, Sept. 5, 6:15 p.m., in front of Bay High School.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BAY VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

On Sept. 3, a Bay Village mother reported her 14-year-old son with autism was the victim of a prank "ice bucket challenge." Her son was with a group of youth and thought he was going to be doused with a bucket of ice water. Instead, a bucket full of water, urine and spit was dumped on him. The incident was recorded by the youth and posted to Instagram. 

As parents and those with friends who have children with autism, we are appalled by the actions of the youth involved in the assault on this young man. It is sad and disheartening to see this type of behavior from our youth. Those involved will be held accountable for their actions.

An attentive crowd of more than 100 Bay Village residents endured heat, humidity and an intense summer storm Aug. 26 to hear their city council representatives share the latest updates about their neighborhoods. Ward 1 Councilman Dave Tadych and Ward 4 Councilman Tom Henderson spoke at the Community House for nearly two hours about myriad topics including development, taxes, recreation and those pesky deer.

While they each presented their own ward updates, both councilmen commented together on the issues that affect both of their wards, or the city as a whole.

One hot-button topic brought up by Councilman Tadych was the attached residence district legislation, or “Chapter 1158” of the city’s code. Currently Bay has attached residences in Cashelmara and Bay Commons. They are a permitted use in retail and commercial zones, although none have been built in these zones. Any other development within the city would require 5 acres and a zoning change.

"He was so into flying. When I look up and see the plane trails go by I think, 'Well, he’s up there and he’s watching me and all of you, keeping us safe.'"

This is how Katherine "Kit" Overmyer, wife of astronaut Col. Robert Overmyer, described her late husband at the dedication of a historical marker in Westlake’s Cahoon Park on Aug. 23.

Her remarks came at the end of the ceremony which featured speakers honoring Overmyer, who grew up in Westlake and graduated from Westlake High in 1954. Ohio State Senator Thomas Patton, State Rep. Nan Baker and Cuyahoga County Councilman Dave Greenspan were among those who presented proclamations to Ms. Overmyer, citing her husband’s accomplishments.

This last spring, at the Bay Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, I purchased Raffle Ticket No. 4 for the Freedom Boat Club raffle offered by the Bay Days Fireworks Fundraising Committee. The prize was a one-year membership in the Freedom Boat Club, which entitles the winner to use a boat for free at any one of the club’s more than 80 locations throughout the United States.

I purchased the raffle ticket for my son-in-law’s birthday present and when the winner was announced on Memorial Day, our entire family couldn’t have been more pleased.

This year the Bay Village City Council enjoyed their summer recess during the months of July and August. Rob Massey, the director of the Freedom Boat Club and local resident, treated the City Council to a boating adventure on a beautiful Monday evening in August.

Silvia Meneghetti (pictured, fourth from left) was the winner of the Cleveland Indians suite for 16 persons offered by the Bay Days Fireworks Fundraising Committee, and she and her family and friends recently enjoyed a wonderful evening at Progressive Field, complete with fireworks display.

"It was very nice to watch the Indians game inside the suite that the Indians generously offered," Meneghetti said. "I went with my husband, extended family, dear friends and neighbors. The food, dessert and beverages were very good. The fireworks were fabulous. Thank you very much."

Five members of the Bay Village City Council accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge issued by former councilman Brian Cruse and got a good, icy shower Aug. 25 on the steps of Bay Village City Hall. The council members submitted to the national peer-to-peer fundraising craze of being doused with a bucket of ice water to raise funds for ALS research.

After their cooling experience, the members passed along the challenge to others in the city including school board members, family members, local politicians and residents.

Scouting has been around for more than 100 years. This legendary program has attracted millions of boys because of the emphasis on outdoor adventure, making friends, learning new skills, and most of all, camping. Parents are attracted to it because it is a family program. Siblings are often welcome and it is a wonderful opportunity for moms and dads to spend quality time with their son. Scouting focuses on character education and community service but mostly it is a movement that teaches leadership.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, Bay Village will be having a Cub Scout sign-up night at 6:30 p.m. in the Normandy School cafeteria. Come hear about the three different Cub packs in Bay and the wonderful events they have planned. Cub Scouts are open to boys in grades one through five.

Bay Village welcomed two new members to the police department last month. Gregory Engel and Ian Moore were sworn in as police officers in the council chambers of City Hall on Aug. 18. Both are attending the 18-week Lorain County Community College Police Academy that began Aug. 25. Upon graduation, they will complete a rigorous 14-week field training program.

Boy Scout Troop 41 is celebrating 50 years of scouting as a chartered organization of Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church in Bay Village. Our 50th anniversary reunion picnic took place on Aug. 9 at the pavilion in Huntington Reservation. Current Scoutmaster Randy Risch welcomed nearly 150 scouts, alumni and family members to the celebration, including 10 out of 17 scoutmasters and more than 30 of the troop’s 141 Eagle Scouts. Activities included historical displays of Troop 41 memorabilia, video slideshows, a mock campsite and a monkey rope bridge assembled by the scouts.

The Stickney Family Honeybee Exhibit has always been a popular one at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. A highlight is a hive framed in glass found inside the halls of the Center. Guests of all ages can get up close and peer into the heart of an active beehive. Regular visitors have watched this hive grow and strengthen over the past several years.

The exhibit also includes another hive located in the interior courtyard. With the help of beekeeper Scott Danniger, these hives have become extremely active and are thriving. Mr. Danniger anticipates that this is the first year honey will be able to be extracted from these outdoor hives. While the bees produced honey last year, it remained in the hives to strengthen and encourage the growth of the community.

The Village Foundation is getting ready to celebrate 20 years of public service to the community of Bay Village and is changing its name in the process, from The Village Foundation to the Bay Village Foundation. The board of trustees of the foundation voted to modify its name to broaden the recognition that the foundation is THE Bay Village foundation.

The Herb Guild Garden Club held their 30th annual scholarship luncheon on Aug. 6 celebrating "The Magical World of Herbs." The beautiful table decorations mirrored this magical theme of herbs, as did the boutique shop with its array of delicious herbal dips, mixes, vinegars and herbal bakery items.

Wagner's of Westlake put on its best appearance while luncheon guests, scholarship honorees and their family members, Herb Guild members, and guest fashion show models were all dressed in their lovely summer attire, with some guests arriving in style in a limousine. The main hall, the podium and entrance table decorations, and guests' lovely attire were reminiscent of a beautiful Monet painting.

Every year the Kiwanis clubs of Bay Village and Westlake hold a joint meeting of their members to highlight each club's past year's accomplishments and to plan for upcoming projects. The annual interclub meeting is also a friendly competition to see which organization can have the highest percentage of membership in attendance.

Since 1984, the winner is awarded a specially designed plaque with a gold-colored, nickel-plated railroad spike representing the Nickel Plate Railroad which divided the two townships at the turn of the century. The runner-up also receives a railroad spike, albeit a rusty one, on a plaque that states "There's always next year."

Westside Christian Academy in Westlake is pleased to announce that the 2014 Family Strong Series event will be “Revolutionary Parenting” with special guest speaker George Barna. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

The event focuses on one of the greatest challenges to parenting in the 21st century. Parents recognize that increasingly they are competing for their children’s attention with many other voices in our culture. Those voices may not respect them or their values.