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Sherri Reilly was named the 2023 Bay Village Citizen of the Year for her work at the Community Garden on behalf of the Village Project.

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If you or a loved one have ever experienced a serious illness requiring doctor visits, hospital stays, poking and prodding, fear and uncertainty, pain and fatigue, you know that there can be many dark days. Sometimes the thing you need most is the kindness of others, a small act that turns a stranger into a friend.

To those facing cancer, Sherri Reilly has been a friend. For the past 12 years, Sherri has turned her compassion into a nearly full-time volunteer endeavor as the Village Project’s garden leader. During the growing season, Sherri would spend up to 30 hours a week at the Bay Village Community Garden, tending vegetables, growing herbs and snipping flowers.

The vegetables and herbs go to the Village Project kitchen, where volunteers prepare nutritious meals for clients battling cancer. The flowers provide nourishment for the soul, as Sherri and her team would bundle the blooms into colorful bouquets and place them in hand-painted vases to brighten clients’ dark days. During the winter, Sherri partnered with the nonprofit BigHearted Blooms to use “recycled” flowers leftover from weddings and other events.

The Alumni History corridor at Bay High School was installed as part of the Centennial celebration.

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When the Bay Village Community Council is evaluating nominations for Project of the Year, among the main considerations are the impact of volunteers and involvement of community organizations.

It is always a difficult choice, as Bay has no shortage of community-based projects and programs. This year’s deliberation was no exception, with a long-awaited new library and many civic groups working to make Bay an even better place to live. But rising to the top was the year-long celebration of the Bay High School Centennial and the sheer number of groups and individuals involved in the effort.

The year 2022 marked 100 years of high school in Bay Village. In 1922, Parkview School opened at the corner of Cahoon and Wolf roads and housed grades K-12. Prior to that, Bay Village students traveled to other Westshore suburbs for high school.

Clague Playhouse, in conjunction with The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation, offers an extraordinary opportunity for individuals and families experiencing communication challenges with someone with dementia in a home setting to learn about new approaches.

"Yes, And … Adventures in Communication with Loved Ones with Dementia" is a one-hour performance and conversation that takes place at Clague Playhouse, 1371 Clague Rd., Westlake, on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m.

The current Bay Village kennel.

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The current Bay Village kennel, which is operated by the City of Bay Village, is situated in a former cable storage unit on the grounds of our Service Department at 31300 Naigle Road. This building, which houses lost or abandoned dogs, is worn and weathered and needs major structural improvements.

A group of volunteer residents has started an initiative, the New Bay Village Dog Kennel Fund (the Fund), to ensure the safety and comfort of the dogs housed at the kennel by assisting the City of Bay Village to improve and renovate the building.

Their goal is to raise funds for the current structure to meet the standards of a commercial-grade municipal building suitable to  humanely house dogs, and to improve the quality, durability, and functionality of the current, below-standard structure.

Westlake Porter Public Library celebrates Black History Month with special programs, displays and more throughout the month of February. There will be a display in the lobby highlighting African Americans who have had a major impact on our country, displays of library material focusing on Black History, blog posts and the following programs:   

Young Adult Book Club: 'Pet' by Akwaeke Emezi

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7-8 p.m. Those unable to attend in person can join us simultaneously via Zoom. Books available in Youth Services. Please register.

Adult Creative Writing Group

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7-8 p.m. Join us in person for an hour of creative writing prompts to inspire you to start and keep writing. This month’s meeting will be a celebration of poetry in honor of Black History Month. Please register.

This year, Bay Village City Council will sign a new electric aggregation agreement. What is an electric aggregation? A municipality can negotiate for the purchase of combined electric supply of its residents and small businesses. This benefits the residents of the city, as it is usually a lower price that is negotiated than one single household can obtain on its own.

Ok, I’m sure you are wondering why I am writing about this! Since our electric aggregation agreement is up for renegotiation this year, the Bay Village Green Team feels it is important for the city to offer residents a choice of how their household's electricity is generated within the aggregation. If the city includes a requirement when it goes out to bid that the contract must include both options, each individual household could choose whether they want their power to be 100% renewable or nonrenewable while remaining in the aggregation.

Cartoon by Megan Stewart

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Is your bedroom a symphony? You snore; your spouse snores; Noodles, your pug, snores. Noodles, with a short snout, was bred for a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But when should you worry about your snoring?  

OSA afflicts about 1 in 4 people. It’s pervasive, and its symptoms can be evasive. Most people with OSA are not diagnosed.

So how does this sleep disorder “obstruct”? When we sleep, we go from light to deep sleep. Our muscles become relaxed, at times temporarily paralyzed.

Westshore voters may notice some changes in how they vote in 2023, thanks to new state requirements and adjustments to ward and precinct boundaries following the 2020 census.

Tony Perlatti, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, told members of the Bay Village Democratic Club that the recently enacted House Bill 458 will strengthen the state’s voter identification requirement, reduce time for requesting and returning mail-in ballots, nearly eliminate curb-side voting, and cut the number of days of early voting. Perlatti spoke to Democrats at their Jan. 23 meeting.

In a January news release touting the signing of HB 458 by Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the changes will improve Ohio’s voting.

Before we had children, I used to throw out an occasional curse word. I'm not proud of it, but I did because it didn't mean anything to me.

When you grow up in an old-fashioned Irish Catholic household, some words come out regularly, and it's not intended to disrespect the Lord. It's just the way it was. Sometimes a good-bad word got the point across.

When I married and had children, my husband did not share the same appreciation for the language and felt it was not setting a good example for our kids. He was right, and I stopped, but it was hard. I had to think before I spoke, especially when I was upset. It made me realize I swore more than I thought, because it was hard!

Doggie piggy bank

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While antiques might remind you of your grandmother’s house, antiques (usually 100 years old) plus vintage (1980s or older) have gained popularity as households mix the old with the new. Local antique stores report increased buying levels from well before the pandemic as older items are meeting current needs. 

Many homeowners are looking for uniqueness, quality, immediate availability, and eco-friendly options. Researchers rate the carbon footprint of old furniture at 16 times less than newly-produced furniture. Reported decorating trends include warmth from natural woods, brighter colors, and accent pieces that add a nostalgic design.

For the 53rd year, shoppers can again buy antiques and vintage items in a charity show at Bay High School. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, to attend this annual fundraiser for college scholarships for Bay High seniors. This show is hosted by the Bay Village Women’s Club.

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"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle" – Robert Alden

Placing a burning candle in one's window is a common tradition that dates back to colonial times. Candle light often evokes the warmth of home and family. The fireplace was the center of family life in days gone by, and thus the candle was generally lit from that fire.

The candle was often placed in the window when a member of the family was away. The lit candle was also placed in the window as a sign of good news or as a beacon to weary travelers. Candles also represented friendship and were seen as a sign of welcome to others.

I was blessed to be given an opportunity to visit my family in Japan after a four-year hiatus. With my jetlag finally jettisoned, I want to share a "Top 5" list of observations I made while traveling that show the continued convergence of the real and digital worlds.

No. 5: Use the internet to check destination country entry requirements that can be fluid.

I spent two hours submitting my passport and vaccination information to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before my trip. Upon approval, a QR code was issued which made entry into Japan one of the swiftest I remember.

No. 4: Install the airline's app for on-demand access to your trip information.

Not only will the airline's app give you on-demand access to your itinerary, many airlines let you track your baggage.

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s upcoming calendar of events. All programs are subject to change. Please check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

Wednesdays, Feb. 8 and 15 (7-7:30 p.m.) Saturdays, February 11 and 18 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome.

Thursday, Feb. 9 (3:30-4:30 p.m.) Roblox Arcade – We have some private servers set up for Tweens in grades 4-6 to hang out with their friends and enjoy some of the most popular games via Zoom. Join us in person on online. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 9 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) Adapted Storytime – Join us for this storytime designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime. Content is geared toward ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.

Thursday, Feb. 9 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Lana Harper, Back in a Spell (Virtual) – Join us for a magical evening with New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper as she discusses the third installment of her immensely popular "The Witches of Thistle Grove" series. Streamed live. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 10 (11 a.m.-noon) Dance is for Every-Body – Active for Life presents a low-impact and fun seated dance program taught by a certified seated dance instructor. For all abilities and all bodies. For adults with disabilities and caregivers. Please register.

Linda Goik leads a painting class at BAYarts. Photos by Tara Wendell

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BAYarts is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Dwyer Senior Center in Bay Village. BAYarts is now offering a free monthly art class to area seniors.

On Jan. 18, BAYarts kicked off the program with a guided painting project, facilitated by Education Director Linda Goik. Acrylic sunflower paintings brightened an otherwise dark winter day as crafters enjoyed fun and fellowship in the Sally Otto Gallery of the former Huntington Playhouse.

The next class is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 1-3 p.m. at BAYarts. Get ready for spring with a colorful brooch/lapel pin created with felt! Participants can create two pins, one to share and one to keep.

Sometimes you just can’t figure people.

Odd, because everyone knows I’ve always fancied myself as a “people person.”

I mean, after going upwards of six months (which, if I’m not mistaken, is half a year) with nary a single negative comment launched in the direction of the Cleveland Browns owner, I write one mildly critical piece focusing on the managerial misdeeds of one Mr. Haslam, and people react as though I’m sitting around taking cheap shots at the Vatican. (Also strange, since everyone knows I’m a Popel person, too).

Dr. Scott Schulz, new president of the Bay Village Board of Education.

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During its Jan. 10, 2023, Organizational Board Meeting, the Bay Village Board of Education elected new officers for the 2023 calendar year. Dr. Scott Schulz was voted President and Dr. Andrey Stojic was elected Vice President.

“As a Board, we are excited about the direction the district is headed with the refresh of our strategic plan and the knowledge we gained at the recent Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Capital Conference,” said President Dr. Scott Schulz. “We have an incredible team of teachers and administrators, who have a genuine passion for serving our students and community. We look forward to taking Bay Village Schools to the next level while honoring our shared values and strategic vision.”

The Osborn Learning Center. Photo by William Krause

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The second in a series of articles to be published as a walking tour of Lake Road by the Bay Village Historical Society in 2025.

The Reuben and Sarah Osborn House was originally located at 29202 Lake Road, west of Lakeside cemetery. Reuben Osborn arrived in Dover on the afternoon of Oct. 10, 1810, the same day Joseph Cahoon and family were the first non-native American settlers to arrive in Dover Township.

Reuben brought his wife and children from New York the following May.

This was the first frame structure constructed in Dover Township and is the oldest existing frame structure between Cleveland and Lorain. It is a simple gabled structure with roofline, massing, and fenestration which hint of the Greek Revival style popular at the time.

Bay High School – Artist: Quinn Ryniak

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Bay Village Schools Superintendent Scot Prebles has turned a corner of the Board of Education office into an art gallery. Prebles recently initiated the Superintendent’s Choice Award by selecting one piece of art from each K-12 building. The pieces were chosen from the Fall District Art Show. The pieces will be proudly displayed outside of Supt. Prebles’ office for one year. New pieces will be selected in the fall of 2023.

Congratulations to the following students and their teachers:

Normandy Elementary School
Artist: Molly Gillette
Teacher: Jama Jennings
Students learned facts about Mexico to connect them to the language they learn at Normandy. The Holiday Dia de Los Muertos is the inspiration for this piece. Molly's artwork was influenced by Amate's bark painting of Mexico.

BVPD Chief Rob Gillespie serves up the Village Project's vegan quinoa stew. Photo by Tara Wendell

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Over 150 participants, volunteers, and vendors were in attendance at the 13th annual Bay Village Senior Center Soup Cookoff on Friday, Jan. 27. This event is a fundraiser put on each year to help raise funds that directly support new and existing senior center and BV60+ programs. New programs that have been introduced to the senior center this year include exercise programs such as Tai Chi, Brain/Balance/Barre, and Music and Mocktails.

The goal of the senior center is to provide a wide variety of activities, events, and programs to residents of Bay Village and surrounding communities for little to no cost. Fundraising events such as the soup cookoff helps financially support programs such as these.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, community members are invited to view the new West Side Home Furnishings Resale Shop Showroom at The Gathering Place’s Westlake location from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The shop features high quality, donated furniture, décor and home accessories from premiere brands such as Arhaus, Baker Furniture, Henderson, Waterford, Val Saint Lambert and more at greatly reduced prices. All proceeds from the sales support the free programs and services The Gathering Place provides for individuals and families currently coping with the impact of cancer.

The Aesthetics and Permanent Collection Committe of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church (20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River) is proud to host a very special exhibit of work by emerging and professional artists from West Shore, other Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania UU Churches. The media includes drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, fiber art and more.

The show is open to all who enjoy art or have an interest in experiencing a Sunday morning at a church that they have not attended. West Shore's services start at 10:15 a.m. You are welcome to attend the service and then view the show in the Fireside Room or just stop in to enjoy the art from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. The exhibit runs through April 22, 2023. 

Since 2009 the Observer has strived to fulfill our founding mission – to strengthen our community by informing and engaging Westlake and Bay Village residents. 

Times are tough, and the pandemic has presented an added challenge at a time when emotional connection and togetherness matter so much. Please help us continue to provide a free medium where the community can share news, share stories and share laughs.

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