Recreation

Capping a long season of highs and lows, the 11U Bay Rockets made the trek to Medina July 14-16 to compete in the Cuyahoga Valley Baseball Association’s year-end tournament.

The Rockets arrived as one of two teams that had to win a play-in game on Friday, July 14, to qualify as the 16th seed. Bay won, 11-10, squeaking past the Parma Heights Wings.

The next morning, minus their leadoff hitter and starting pitcher, as well as a key member of the coaching staff, the Rockets shut out the No. 1 seed Berea Braves, then later in the day bested the Premier Jammers of Brunswick. Sunday was the Final Four and the climb just got steeper.

​In what has become a summer tradition in the Westlake community, more than 200 area youth, along with 40 experienced coaches and counselors, recently converged on the grounds of the Westlake Recreation Center to participate in an activity-filled week of baseball, at the 44th annual Phil Bova Baseball Camp.

The camp, founded by Phil Bova, a respected educator, NCAA basketball official and veteran baseball instructor and clinician, who previously played in the Cleveland Indians and California Angels farm systems, is dedicated to teaching boys and girls from across Northeast Ohio the proper ​fundamentals of the game of baseball, along with developing important life skills, including responsibility, sportsmanship and respect for others.

The 2017 Boating Safety Youth Award, sponsored by the Boat U.S. Foundation, was given to Explorer Club 360 for their youth-oriented education program. The Boating Safety Youth Program Award is designed to recognize organizations that have created and successfully implemented innovative youth boating education programs targeting safety issues and concerns of national interest.

“Boat U.S. Foundation in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council, is proud to support the Boating Safety Youth Award and help encourage safer boating among youth,” said Chris Edmonston, President of Boat U.S. Foundation. “This year’s winner developed a strong boating safety educational program coupled with important lessons about healthy marine environments.”

The Westlake Recreation Department invites all employers in the city to join the 11th Annual Westlake Corporate Challenge on Monday, July 31 to Friday, Aug. 4. The competition is designed for athletes, non-athletes, and everyone in between with a list of more than 20 events. All team must be registered before Friday, June 16, by calling 440-808-5700.

The goal is to have a lot of fun while meeting and getting to know your fellow employees whom you may rarely see and network with other Westlake companies that could lead to a new business relationship. Some of the events are open to employees’ families too. Of course, it is also a way to show off your athletic prowess. (Or at least that is what you can tell your kids and co-workers who didn’t know you in high school!)

St. Ed’s Tournament Drama

Team tournaments once again provided season highlights for the Westlake Demons tennis team. The Demons once again were invited to do battle with seven of the region's top tennis powers in the all-day St. Edward invitational on April 9. All nine varsity members played and won at least one match.

In one of the best match-ups of elite players in Ohio, the Demons' Aris Jhaveri treated the throng of appreciative onlookers to a dramatic battle against St. Ignatius first singles player Josh Hsia – falling to the eventual champion in a third-set tiebreaker by a score of 11-9.

As the day wore on it became evident that Westlake would have a chance at an unexpected second-place finish – but after its second doubles team of Leah Chobin and Darin O'Meara fell in the finals, it would need victories in its final two matches to get past Perrysburg.

March Madness invaded the Westlake Recreation Center! Thursday, March 23, and Saturday, March 25, saw over 100 teams in grades 3-8 participate in the annual basketball event. Teams from all over the area came to showcase their talents on the hardwood court. 

On Thursday night, 38 girls teams with names such as the Hot Shots, Beastly Ballers, Ninja Ballers and Storm Squad caught the March Madness Fever. The winners of the girls division were: Crazy Cavs (grades 3/4), 4K (grades 5/6), and The Older 4K (grades 7/8).

Over 60 boys teams stormed the hardwood on Saturday. Teams like The Lane, C-Town Swish and Shamrock Shake started things off for the third and fourth grade boys at 8:30 a.m. Other teams like Legit Ballers, West Side Savages and Dunkin Demons followed suit. The winners of the daylong boys tournament were: Just Ballers (grades 3/4), Dunkin Demons (grades 5/6), and the Swat Team (grades 7/8).

For 13 years, SOAR! (Sports Opportunities & Active Recreation) has provided recreation and wellness activities for adults with developmental disabilities. From bocce ball and mall walks to dancercize, aerobics, bowling, indoor/outdoor games and baseball, SOAR! offers activities year-round in six-week sessions at locations in western Cuyahoga County. Each activity is hosted in an environment of kindness, caring, love and mutual respect.

On Saturday, May 13, at 11:00 a.m., SOAR! will celebrate the lives of two people who embodied the SOAR! mission with a spirit-filled 5K and mile walk. Bob Thomas (formerly of Thomas & Thomas Photography) was a long-time volunteer, and Jim Leisz was a beloved and avid bocce ball participant, "Razzle Dazzle" performer and SOAR! cheerleader. We lost these two friends last year and the 2017 “SOAR! Spirit Walk” is dedicated to their example and friendship.

Recreation in Westlake, what does that mean? Westlake residents often are stunned to find out what Westlake has to offer. With winter winding down and spring on the horizon, let us take a look at what Westlake has to offer in the field of recreation. For starters, the City of Westlake has one of the premier recreation centers in the area.

The Westlake Recreation Center is the focal point of recreation in the city. The center is open to all residents who may purchase an annual membership or a day pass. People who work in the city but don’t live in the city may purchase a corporate membership. Not to be left out, if you don’t live in or work in the city, but know someone who is a member of the recreation center, they can sponsor you under our Friends and Family package. The center also participates in the Silver Sneakers program, which is available through many secondary health insurance providers.

It may be cold outside, but inside the the Westlake Recreation Center we are all warm and toasty. Stop by and see what we have to offer. Better yet, sit back and relax, pour a nice cup of hot cocoa and check out these programs. We have even more fun for you in our full program available at www.cityofwestlake.org.

16th Annual Presidents Day Beach Party

Monday, Feb. 20, 12:30-3 p.m. What a great time to have a beach party! Enjoy music and games including the famous Big Kahuna Cannonball Classic. Please register by Feb. 17. Fee: free for members; $5/residents; $10 non-residents.

Ultimate After Hours Bash – 5th & 6th Graders

Friday, Feb. 24, 8:30-10:30 p.m. We close the doors and stay open late. Bashers will be able to enjoy some pizza and play games in the gym. Swimming in the pool while listening to DJ Eazy spinning the tunes is also an option. This program is open to all 5th and 6th graders who live in or go to school in Westlake OR are members of the Westlake Recreation Center. Please register by Feb. 23. Fee: $10/members; $15/residents.

The Westlake Recreation Department is proud to announce that kids don’t get to have all the fun. Adults can play too, regardless of age and or ability. We offer many different types of sports and or activities for all ages. These sports are held both inside as well as outside. Are you looking to do something once a week or are you feeling adventuresome and willing to play two or more times a week? Don’t worry, we have you covered.

We have team sports as well as individual activities. You can try everything from basketball to bocce to pickle ball. Here is only a sampling of what you can do:

Adult Softball: Leagues are now forming for the following divisions: Sunday Men DH, Sunday Night Coed, Monday Men DH, Tuesday Night Coed, Wednesday 40 & Over, Thursday Men DH. We also offer a 55 and Over Gray Eagles League on Friday nights.

As the weather turns colder the sports simply go indoors. Basketball season is upon us. The Westlake Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for its Youth Basketball Leagues. These leagues are open to any child in grades 1-12 who lives in or goes to school in Westlake, or is a member of the Westlake Recreation Center. Leagues are as follows: Girls: grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-9; Boys: grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12.

All of the boys’ leagues are played in the Westlake Recreation Center. The girls in grades 5-6 and 7-9 will participate in the West Suburban Rec League, unless there are enough girls to form at least four teams. This league features other rec teams (non-travel) from cities like Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Fairview Park and Berea. Half of the games are at home and the other half are away.

Fall has arrived and the Westlake Recreation Department is ready to go. Two special events are on the calendar, so stop on in and register before the leaves fall and you are left holding the rake!

The annual Fall Festival & Pumpkin Hunt will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-4 p.m., on the grounds of the Westlake Recreation Center. Come for this fun-filled festival for ages nine and younger with a pumpkin hunt, face painters, hay rides, refreshments and more fun and games than you can imagine. The event is free and open to the public, however, pre-registration for the pumpkin patch is required and will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, or when the maximum is reached (whichever comes first).

Westlake's annual Corporate Challenge concluded Aug. 5 after five days of events pitting teams from six local businesses against each other in a wide range of team-building events. The competition was staged between teams from Applied Companies, the City of Westlake, ECHO Health, Q-Lab, UH St. John Medical Center, Western Enterprises and West Shore Bar Association.

Among this year's 20 events were LEGO building, bocce ball, sand volleyball, bowling, a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament, golf, air hockey and a trivia competition.

Late July and early August signals the annual approach to football season. Be it traditional tackle or the less hectic flag, Westlake has an option for you. The Westlake Youth Football Association offers two divisions of tackle football, 3rd/4th Grade and 5th/6th Grade. The WYFA competes in the Little SWC with teams from Lakewood to Avon, Fairview to Olmsted Falls making up the competition. Westlake Youth Football follows the USA Football Heads Up Program. Tackle football will start with conditioning the week of July 25. Practices then start the week of Aug. 1. Registration is happening right now; visit westlakeyouthfootball.org for more information. 

The 12U Force Ohio baseball team from Westlake has won their fourth consecutive Nations State Championship Title. This team has won the Nations State Championship every year since 2013, and this year defeated their opponents by a margin of 36-6 in their march to the title.  

The 12U Nations State Tournament took place June 16-19 in Canton, and drew teams from all over the state. Force Ohio defeated the Grizzlies Baseball Club (Cincinnati) 9-0, the Muskingum County Muck Dogs (Nashport) 12-4, Ohio Glaciers McCleery (Canfield) 4-2, and Northern Ohio Baseball Club/Premiere Athletics (Strongsville) 11-0.

In an effort to help promote safe boating, Sea Scout Ship 41 has partnered with the National Safe Boating Council to give away “Wear It” trailer hitch covers. The idea is two-fold. When the cover is removed it will remind the boaters to wear their life jackets and secondly as other drivers around town see the “Wear It” symbol it will remind them to wear their life jackets when they go on the water.

The Sea Scouts will be handing out the hitch covers on Tuesday evenings at Bay Boat Club, weather permitting, until the supply runs out. All that is asked is the completion of a short email survey at the end of the boating season to determine the effectiveness of the program.

Bay Village Mayor Debbie Sutherland and members of her administration gathered at the Bradley Park tennis courts on May 31 to recognize the generosity of a former resident.

The City greatly appreciates Tom Coulton's donation of $10,000 per year for the next six years in order to maintain and improve the tennis court facilities in the city. Mr. Coulton is a 1981 graduate of Bay High School and is an accomplished international professional tennis player.

As the school days start to wind down there is one major question on every parent’s mind: "What am I going to do with them for the whole summer?" Yes, parents, that golden time has arrived. After your child sleeps in the first morning, then gets up, brushes the sleep from their eyes and promptly yells out: "I’m bored, there is nothing to do!"

Don’t worry, the Westlake Recreation Department has you covered. We offer activities for almost every age group. Daily programs, weekly camps, swimming lessons, sport-specific camps and much more. The best part is, you can register right now for these camps and have the whole summer planned out even before they run out of school on the last day.

Summer Day Camp (ages 6-12)

Running weekly from June 6-Aug. 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Weekly field trips. Before and After Care available.

Spring has finally sprung! Well maybe not totally, but it will, I know it will! As we move into May, the Westlake Recreation Department has several exciting programs for you and your family. Check these out:

Family Fishing Derby (Ages up to 12)

Saturday, May 14 (9 a.m.-noon) – Enjoy a morning of fishing in the Westlake Recreation Center’s lake. The lake is stocked with plenty of bass, channel catfish, crappie, trout and blue gill. Please bring your own equipment. Parent/guardian is required; however there is no cost for the parent. Bait (while supplies last) and prizes will be provided. All children must be registered to receive bait and prizes. Cost is $10 per child. Pre-registration is preferred.

As the flowers of spring start to bloom and the crack of the bat of baseball signals the return of warm weather, the Westlake Recreation Department turns its attention to the annual Summer Classic known as Corporate Challenge.

The 10th annual City of Westlake Corporate Challenge will take place Aug. 1-5. Last year eight different teams took part in the event, including the champions, Alego Health. Other teams included the City of Westlake, the West Shore Bar Association, Applied Companies, ECHO Health, Q-Lab, St. John Medical Center and Western Enterprises. Events included sand volleyball, corn hole, bocce, golf, bowling, billiards, carnival games at Dave & Buster’s, Texas Hold 'em, team trivia, as well as cardboard boat races and a family fun walk.

The Bay Village Recreation Department office will be open on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through May 28.

Outdoor Afterschool Youth Tennis (Ages 2-13)

Thursdays, May 5-May 26. Location: Dover Center Courts. Ages 2-4: 3:30-4 p.m. (Fee: $20; non-resident: $27); Ages 5-8: 4-5 p.m. (Fee: $35; non-resident: $42); Ages 9-13: 5-6 p.m. (Fee: $35; non-resident: $42).

Bay Village USTA Adult Tennis Leagues

Play USTA team tennis this summer! A fun, competitive program, playing other USTA teams from all over the area. Season begins in May and ends in July. Women’s, Men’s, Doubles, and 40 & Over teams. Locations: Bradley, Dover, Reese courts & surrounding communities. Register your team today or if you do not have a team we will find you a team!
Call Kristine Gambrell, 440-342-2791, or Rec office, 440-871-6755, for more information.


As March comes in like a lion, our thoughts turn to longer days, warmer temperatures and, of course, MARCH MADNESS! The Westlake Recreation Department once again will hold its annual March Madness 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, March 15, for the girls and Saturday, March 19, for the boys. 

This tournament is open to any boys and girls in grades 3 through 8. The teams will compete in the following grade divisions: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th. This is a double-elimination tournament and each team is guaranteed at least two games.  

Each team may have up to and no more than 4 players on their roster. Obviously any 3 players may play at one given time. Each game consists of no more than 15 minutes or 15 points, whichever comes first.

ICE SKATING

Outdoor ice rinks have been filled. Rinks will be open weather permitting. Locations: Reese Park and Cahoon Memorial Park.

ITTY BITTY FIT & PLAY (Ages 2-5)
Improve your tots’ motor skills, counting and colors with fun games, obstacle courses, ladders, hula hoops and puffy tennis balls!

Thursdays, Feb. 4-25, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $40 (NR: $60).

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME (Ages 5 & under)
Bouncing balls, tumble mats and more! Parent supervision required.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $2/child (non-resident: $4); 10-day pass: $15 (NR: $35).

HOLIDAY FUN DAY WITH SANTA!
Join us to share some holiday cheer! Visit with Santa, make a holiday craft, face painting, and write a letter to the North Pole! Free. For Bay Village residents only.

Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-noon. Location: BMS Community Gym Hallway

ITTY BITTY FIT & PLAY (Ages 2-5)
Improve your tots’ motor skills, counting and colors with fun games, obstacle courses, ladders, hula hoops and puffy tennis balls!

Thursdays, Jan. 7-28, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $40 (NR: $60).

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME (Ages 5 & under)
Bouncing balls, tumble mats and more! Parent supervision required.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $2/child (non-resident: $4); 10-day pass: $15 (NR: $35).

The holidays are fast approaching and 'tis the season to give ... and also have a little fun! On Saturday Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, Black Dog Lacrosse, in conjunction with the Westlake Recreation Department will host its annual Charity Lacrosse Clinic. This clinic will be held in the gym of the Westlake Recreation Center and is open to all boys and girls in grades K-6. There is no fee to participate; however, all participants are required to bring in a FULL grocery bag of dry, nonperishable food items. No expired food, please. These items will be then donated to the Westlake Assistance Program.

This is an introductory clinic for those players new to the game or with less than two years experience. This clinic will focus on stick skills as well as basic passing/team building skills. Bring your lacrosse stick or you may borrow one from us. All participants must be pre-registered in order to attend. Register at the Westlake Recreation Center.

CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES (Ages 5 & up)

Students will learn how to decorate fun cupcakes! Students will bring home their decorated creation in a carrying case to share with the family. All supplies are included!

Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Location: Community House. Fee: $28 (NR: $48).

Holiday Fun Day with Santa

Join us to share some holiday cheer! Visit with Santa, make a holiday craft, face painting, and write a letter to the North Pole!

Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-noon. Location: BMS Community Gym.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME (Ages 5 & under)

Bouncing balls, tumble mats and more! Parent supervision required.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $2/child (non-resident: $4); 10-day pass: $15 (NR: $35).

CREATIVE CUPCAKES/ COOKIES (Ages 5 & up)

Students will learn how to decorate fun cupcakes and/or cookies for the holidays! Students will bring home their decorated creation in a carrying case to share with the family. All supplies are included!

Christmas Cupcakes: Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Location: Community House. Fee: $28/session (NR: $48).

As the weather turns colder the sports simply go indoors. Basketball season is upon us. The Westlake Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for its Youth Basketball Leagues. These leagues are open to boys and girls in grades 1-12 who lives or goes to school in Westlake or is a member of the Westlake Recreation Center. Leagues are as follows – girls: grades; 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-9; boys: grades; 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12.

All of the boys’ leagues are played in the Westlake Recreation Center. The girls 7-9th graders will participate in the West Suburban Rec League. This league features other rec teams (non-travel) from cities like Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Fairview Park and Berea. Half of the games are here and the others are away. Each team will get at least 12 practices and 8 games during the season.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME (Ages 5 & under)

Bouncing balls, tumble mats and more! Parent supervision required.

Sept. 28-May 27. Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. (times subject to change). Location: Community Gym. Fee: $2/child (non-resident: $4); 10-day pass: $15 (NR: $35). Resident children 14 months and under are free.

ITTY BITTY FIT & PLAY (Ages 2-5)

Improve your tots’ motor skills, counting and colors with fun games, obstacle courses, ladders, hula hoops and puffy tennis balls!

Session II: Thursdays, Oct. 29-Nov. 19, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $40/session (NR: $60).

Around 200 years ago on Sept. 10, 1813, there was a naval battle on Lake Erie just off Put-in-Bay, the United States Navy against the British Royal Navy. The Americans had nine vessels, and after a fierce battle, they defeated the six British vessels. This battle promised control of Lake Erie for the rest of the War of 1812.

On a recent Sunday in August, Bay Sea Scouts, in a 44-foot Navy yawl sailing out of Spitzer Lakeside Marina, had a reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie. Bay's "Intrepid" crew fought against Lorain Sea Scouts in their 32-foot sailboat “Bananas,” which sails out of the Lorain Sailing and Yacht Club.

Fall has arrived and the Westlake Recreation Department is ready to go. Three special events are on the calendar so stop on in and register before the leaves fall and you are left holding the rake!

First up is our third annual Spooktacular Scarecrow Contest. For $20 you will receive the wood frame and straw. The rest is up to you. Deadline to register is Sept. 30, and then on Saturday, Oct. 3, you will stop in and pick up your supplies from the Recreation Department. Take them home and get your scarecrow together. Return your assembled scarecrow to the Recreation Department by Oct. 15 for display and judging.

Several new features will be installed at the popular playground, Play in Bay, in just a few weeks. The new equipment is a gift from The Bay Village Foundation in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Foundation.

According to the city's director of recreation, Dan Enovitch, it won’t be a long wait. “We are scheduled to begin the installation on Oct. 5. Providing that the weather cooperates, the new equipment will be ready for play by mid-October. The Service Department is going to install the new features, weather permitting. The build out will take only a few days.”

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME (Ages 5 & under)

Bouncing balls, tumble mats and more! Parent supervision required.

Sept. 28-May 27. Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. (times subject to change). Location: Community Gym. Fee: $2/child (non-resident: $4); 10-day pass: $15 (NR: $35).

ITTY BITTY FIT & PLAY (Ages 2-5)

Improve your tots’ motor skills, counting and colors with fun games, obstacle courses, ladders, hula hoops and puffy tennis balls!

Session 1: Thursdays, Oct.1- Oct. 22, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Location: Community Gym. Fee: $40/session (NR: $60).

On Saturday, Aug. 8, more than 50 kindergarten and pre-K children came to Clague Park to play ball on a beautiful summer day as the city of Westlake hosted Major League Baseball's Play Ball initiative. Children had the opportunity to run the bases, hit off a tee and field ground balls. 

As an added bonus, Slider, the mascot of the hometown Cleveland Indians, made an appearance to help the children learn the game of baseball. Slider even picked up a bat, ran the bases and offered tips as only a mascot can.

August signals the annual approach to football season. Be it traditional tackle or the less-hectic flag, Westlake has an option for you. The Westlake Youth Football Association offers two divisions of tackle – 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade. The WYFA competes in the Little SWC with teams from Lakewood to Avon, Fairview to Olmsted Falls making up the competition.

Westlake Youth Football follows the USA Football Heads Up program for player safety. Tackle football will start with conditioning the week of Aug. 3. Practices start the week of Aug. 10.  Registration is happening right now; visit westlakeyouthfootball.org for more information.

The Bay Bandits, the U10 Bay travel softball team, won four consecutive games to win the Emerald Necklace Softball Championship in North Royalton, on July 16-18. The girls snapped an 11-game losing streak and beat the three top-seeded teams of North Royalton, Independence and Brunswick.

Sophia Anghilante pitched four phenomenal games. With a tie score in the final inning of the championship game, Ryann Marcis hit into a fielder's choice, scoring the winning run. The team is coached by Robert Marcis and Jason Martin.

Summer may be well underway, but the Westlake Recreation Department still has plenty to offer. Check out these upcoming camps and programs:

Pre-K Sports Camp (ages 3-5)

This 4-week camp meets daily Mondays-Thursdays during the morning or twice at night on Mondays and Wednesdays. Offerings include T-Ball, Jr. Hoopers basketball and Little Kickers soccer along with a session of good old fun and games. Multiple times available. Next session starts on July 13.

Soccer Camp with Coach Besu (ages 5-14)

This camp meets Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, from 9-11:30 a.m. Basic fundamentals of soccer are taught and practiced. As you gain more experience the drills become more challenging.

The 11U Force Ohio baseball team won the 2015 Elite division Nations Baseball state championship last month. The team went undefeated in seven games, and outscored its opponents 57-12 in the tournament overall and 30-4 in elimination games. 

This is the third consecutive Nations Baseball state championship for the majority of the boys on this team, including Luke Roggenburk and Michael Van Etten (Avon Lake), Micah Murtha (Bay Village), Joey Pfaff (Rocky River), Macklin Miller (Marblehead), and Tommy Harrison (West Park). Andrew Gormley (Medina) won his second consecutive state championship as a member of the Force Ohio team, and Billy Adams (Medina), Peter Levin (Shaker Heights) and Ashton Montgomery (Richmond Heights) captured their first state championship trophy with the team.

Everyone loves a parade, and this year is no exception. The City of Westlake will hold its annual parade on the Fourth of July, with motorized units starting at 10 a.m. at Lee Burneson Middle School on Dover Center Road. The marching units will assemble at Westlake Christian Church on Hilliard Boulevard and will fill in the parade as it progresses by. The parade will then travel east on Hilliard to Clague Park.

Following the parade, Mayor Dennis Clough and members of the City Council as well as other elected officials will assemble on stage to honor America with various patriotic readings and of course "The Star-Spangled Banner."

As the school days start to wind down there is one major question on every parent’s mind. "Oh no, what am I going to do with them for the whole summer?" Yes, parents, that golden time has arrived. After your child sleeps in the first morning, then gets up, brushes the sleep from their eyes and promptly yells out: "I’m bored, there is nothing to do!"

Don’t worry, the Westlake Recreation Department has you covered. We offer activities for almost every age group. Daily programs, weekly camps, swimming lessons, sport-specific camps and much more. The best part is that you can register right now for these camps and have the whole summer planned out even before they run out of school on the last day.