Local News

For furry friends in need, Nancy Brown is a friend indeed. For over 20 years, Nancy has advocated for dogs and cats in Bay Village. She partners with the police department and animal control officer when support is needed for dogs who are lost, abandoned or have medical issues. She has strong working relationships with local veterinarians to contact in emergency cases and dog adoptions. And she is always willing to serve as a community resource for pet owners in need of references for animal care.

Nancy’s dedication to the animals in her community was among the many reasons that the Bay Village Community Council last month selected her as the 2024 Bay Village Citizen of the Year.

The holidays are a season of joy, and BVGC loves to share in it. Many of our service projects are in full swing – decorating our City Welcome signs, Christmas Wreaths for City Hall and Community Building doors, and creating small Christmas decorations for area shut-ins and cancer patients to liven their holidays.

The effort we put into creating our service projects is free, but materials are costly. To raise funds for greenery, ribbons, bows, and ornaments, we hold our annual "Holiday Greening" sale.

We have recharged our “make your own” workshops, featuring our lovely centerpieces. There are two sessions on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Bay Lodge. Please look for our ad in this issue for details.

Westlake Demons Athletic Boosters (WDAB) is thrilled to share its fifth annual Veterans Day Flag Display at Westlake High School. Twenty-five athletic teams from Westlake High School and Lee Burneson Middle School, along with the Athletic Department, have each planted a flag in honor of our American veterans.

Each veteran has a connection to the Westlake athletic community. They are grandparents, neighbors, friends, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Signs featuring specific honorees accompany the display. One large sign highlights all the honorees from the inception of the program.

The flag display is available to view through Sunday, Nov. 12, near the main entrance of Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

Things have been busy in Huntington Reservation! After years of planning, construction of BAYarts' new auditorium has begun in anticipation of opening in Spring 2024. The same week brought cheers when a fresh coat of green paint on the exterior brought the iconic building to life and tied it to the other historic buildings on the campus. The auditorium will be a multi-use flex space for all new education and community programming.

Speaking of fresh paint, have you seen the Fuller House lately? Thanks to a generous donation from Bay Village residents Michael and Abby Tomasone of Southwest Companies Inc., the exterior of the over-130-year-old Victorian (which famously floated on a barge, but that's another story) is being repaired and given a long overdue facelift, just in time for holiday shopping and festivities.

Leah Pettigrew’s fourth-grade son lives for sports.

“Every day, he has a ball in his hand,” says the Westlake mother, who has seen her fair share of playful jabs during games and flat-out falls. “There is nothing worse than when a game stops for a kid who hit the ground with some sort of head trauma.”

For this reason, their family has always played it safe and equipped their son with a protective hard-shell headband for playing flag football and other sports. Sure, tackle players are fully equipped, but usually flag football teammates do not wear helmets.

Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) announces the availability of teen driver education scholarships courtesy of funding from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO). The grant will help teenagers in low-income households and/or families that are struggling financially to get access to free driver training. 

Attendance at one of the Westshore high schools in Bay Village, Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted or Rocky River is required. Financially eligible families with students (ages 15-½ to 17) with a valid temporary permit can be referred through their school's guidance office for an application.

The inaugural session of the Community Police Academy commenced on Aug. 30 with an atmosphere of camaraderie and purpose. Eager participants gathered to introduce themselves, setting the stage for a journey of collaboration and understanding.

The room was filled with anticipation as Mayor Dennis Clough addressed the attendees, emphasizing the significance of unity between law enforcement and the community. Police Chief Kevin Bielozer followed suit, sharing his commitment to fostering transparency and trust through proactive engagement.

As introductions unfolded, a sense of shared responsibility and enthusiasm permeated the room, laying the foundation for a transformative learning experience that would bridge the gap between the police force and the community they serve.

Westlake's Farrell Foundation recently celebrated a 98-year-old volunteer and the expansion of its sensory garden.

The foundation held a celebration for a very special volunteer, Peggy Deierhoi, on her recent 98th birthday. 

“Peggy has been a volunteer at the foundation’s Center for Artful Living for six years, ever since a friend and board member, Gretty Meyers, introduced her to our mission and goals," said Executive Director Jerry Devis.

The Bay Village Chapter of the League of Women Voters commemorated the 75th anniversary of their founding with a party at Rose Hill Museum on Aug. 6. The event brought together League members from Bay and surrounding communities, as well as elected officials, Bay Village Historical Society members, and supporters of the League’s efforts to promote democracy.

Chartered in 1948, the Bay Chapter held its first meeting on April 26 of that year at Rose Hill Museum, which then served as the city library, to ensure all citizens had the information needed to cast an educated vote.    For the past 75 years, Bay members have been active at the community, state and national levels. Their nonpartisan work includes preparing voter guides, holding candidate forums, educating students about the importance of voting, and advocating for passage of legislation that supports public education and libraries, voting access for all, fair and representative districts, and transparency in government.

The Bay Village Senior Center held its annual Rummage Sale fundraiser on July 29, raising nearly $1,600 for senior activities and community services programs. More than 25 tables were filled with books, puzzles, toys, housewares, furniture and home decor generously donated by members of the community. In addition there were 15 vendor tables rented by area residents looking to sell their treasures.

For more information on the senior services and community outreach provided at the Dwyer Memorial Senior Center, visit cityofbayvillage.com/173/Community-Services, call 440-899-3442 or stop at the Center, 300 Bryson Lane, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Mid-summer special elections in Ohio have historically seen low voter turnout, as vacations, outdoor activities, and the infrequent scheduling of August elections combine to reduce voter participation.

But voters have multiple ways to cast their ballots that don’t require showing up at the polls on election day, Aug. 8.

Any voter can vote-by-mail or vote at the County Board of Elections office in downtown Cleveland during the month-long early voting period. Early voting for this year’s August special election will begin Monday, July 11, and will continue on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. until Friday, July 28. During the final week before the election, from July 31 through Aug. 4, voting hours will be extended and voters can also vote early on Saturday, Aug 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6. Early voting is conducted at the Board of Elections offices at 2925 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

Westlake High School 2023 graduate, Sadie DeAngelo, is the recipient of the Jeffery Owen Marriott Memorial Scholarship. This is the eighth year the scholarship has been awarded to a Westlake High School varsity student athlete with strong academics, outstanding character, and a commitment to community service – characteristics of which mirror those of its namesake, Marriott, a 1992 Westlake grad.

DeAngelo was a contributing member of Westlake’s girls soccer, gymnastics, and track varsity programs, all the while balancing a rigorous academic load. She graduated from Westlake as an AP Scholar, in the top third of her class, and with accolades from the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society. Athletically, she served as the captain of all three sports programs her senior year and took home the Coaches’ Choice and Scholar Athlete Awards as a part of Westlake’s 2023 gymnastics team.

Join Mayor Paul Koomar and members of the Bay Village Police Department Bike Unit on a moderately paced ride that will cover a 5.43-mile route through Bay Village, featuring the new Wolf Road bike lanes, and end at Bay Days!

The ride begins at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 3, rain or shine. Meet at the Community Gym at Bay Middle School, 27725 Wolf Road. Please arrive at 2:30 p.m. for last-minute registration and safety checks. Helmets and registration required for participation.

Jennifer Fuehrer (Bay High School Class of 2023) is the winner of this year's Veterans of Foreign Wars/American Legion Scholarship. Sponsored by VFW Post 9693 and Legion Post 385, this scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving Bay High graduating senior who will be affiliated with the U.S. military while furthering their education.

Military affiliation can be satisfied by joining an ROTC program, enlisting in the Reserves or National Guard, or attending one of the U.S. Service Academies. Eligible post-high school education includes attendance at a four-year college, two-year community or technical college, trade or vocational school, certificate program, or apprenticeship.

On April 2 the members of The Foundry Sailing Team, hailing from Bay Village, Saint Edward, Saint Ignatius, and Rocky River high schools, were prepared to sail in the Ohio High School Sailing State Championship Regatta in Westerville at the Hoover Sailing Club. The regatta was attended by four Foundry-based teams, consisting of 16 sailors all eager to compete.

The Foundry team brought back the State Championship High School Sailing trophy. This is the fourth championship in a row for a team from The Foundry. In addition to the State Championship title, the Foundry team was able to achieve first and second place in both the A fleet - B fleet overall ranking. This achievement is a reflection of the hard work all the athletes put in during practice sessions in Cleveland that paid off during the championship regatta.

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough shared a snapshot of each of the city’s departments, its financials and upcoming projects in his annual State of the City address to residents at the Westlake Community Center on May 12. The event was sponsored by the Westlake | Bay Village Observer as part of our commitment to making news and information accessible to all in the community.

Clough offered a shortened version of the presentation he made in March to the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, in order to allow more time for audience questions.

In his 38th annual address, Mayor Clough again emphasized the city’s focus on controlled growth and conservative fiscal policies, as well as his administration’s commitment to maintaining Westlake’s infrastructure.

Over the past three years, Westlake has spent $36.6 million on infrastructure improvements, from the new Community Center, to water and sewer lines, to road resurfacing.

The Interurban Pedestrian Bridge was set in place across Cahoon Creek on May 4. The bridge follows the route of the former Lake Shore Electric Interurban Railway and is 125 feet long and 12 feet wide. 

The bridge was recommended in the Cahoon Park Connectivity Study completed by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) in 2016. It is expected to cost about $700,000, $475,000 of which will be paid for by two grants from NOACA. The bridge was also awarded state capital funding in 2020.

Trails to connect the eastern end of bridge to the Bay Village Branch Library and Dwyer Memorial Senior Center are in the planning stages. The West Interurban Connector Trail will connect the western end of the bridge to the Cahoon Basin Trail and is planned for construction in 2023.

Westerly fourth-grade teacher Barbara Woodburn is ending her accomplished Bay Village career, retiring May 31. Woodburn has proudly served students, parents, fellow teachers, staff and the school system since her starting in 1972 – 51 years ago.

“Not one day has ever felt like work,” Woodburn stated in reflecting on her time teaching in Bay. She credited the sheer joy of teaching children as the motivating factor for her extensive tenure. She also credited the “team” teaching concept, which she helped establish in Bay, allowing teachers to split teaching duties 50/50, rather than teaching full-time every day. 

“I was truly blessed to have taught with two of the best teachers and friends with anyone you could hope for in Lu Laing and Mary Jo Mahall,” explained Woodburn. Mahall is also retiring this year.

Dover Congregational United Church of Christ in Westlake is an open and affirming congregation. No matter who you are or where you are in your life's journey, you are welcome here. We proudly fly the rainbow flag along with the American flag.

Someone wanted to make a statement regarding our stand and damaged the rainbow flag on Saturday, May 7. The following Sunday at the church service, Rev. Melinda Quellhorst stated, “A new flag will soon be flown and love will always prevail. Let’s pray for those who find hatred in their hearts.”

Sexual preference has been with us since the beginning of time. When I was in high school, many years ago, if you wore yellow clothing on Thursday you were labeled queer. Unfortunately, time has passed but attitudes and labels by some, toward people with alternative lifestyles, are consequential issues that perpetuate divisiveness.

Village Project's (VP) humble beginnings started in September 2010, when VP served its first four families in active cancer treatment from the Bay Presbyterian Church kitchen. We were small, but we were mighty!

Today VP serves Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake. And, last year, we served close to 6,500 meals! Today that number is only growing. We also know many people need our services but are unaware of what we do. 

"The Village Project name, logo and mission statement were created more than 12 years ago and have served our community well," said Meredith LaVecchia, Executive Director. "However, in recent years, we frequently hear from those who drive by our offices or see us at events that they don't know what the Village Project does. So, imagine the challenge this creates for families fighting cancer who still are not aware of the services we provide!"

On April 20 several members of the Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution joined the Vietnam Veterans of America Bay Village/Lakewood Chapter for their April meeting. The DAR members presented the VVA chapter with a Vietnam War Commemoration flag and stand, and a certificate of appreciation signed by the Secretary of Defense. 

The certificate read: “The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, Department of Defense, recognizes Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 249 as an Honorary Partner. This distinction is reserved for and conferred upon organizations consisting solely of those who “bore the battle” or “bore the loss” of the Vietnam War. A grateful Nation honors your collective service and untold sacrifices. Welcome home! Done this 8th day of March 2023. Signed Lloyd J. Austin, Secretary of Defense.

Westlake's 2023 primary election is Tuesday, May 2. The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The only issue on the Westlake ballot is Issue 5, the levy request placed by the Board of Trustees of Porter Public Library. (For more information about the levy, go to westlakelibrary.org/levy-12755 and westlakelibrarylevy.com.)

Early voting is available at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, until April 30. The voting hours at this location are listed at boe.cuyahogacounty.gov.

The New Bay Village Dog Kennel Fund is open for business and accepting donations to help us meet our $50,000 goal. We say thank you to all those citizens who have paid for supplies and advertising; Bay High students for their creativity and hard work in developing an exceptional door hanger and those Key Club members who will be delivering them city wide; and local merchants who have donated a percentage of daily sales to our cause.

Beginning on April 20, dependent on weather, Key Club members will begin canvassing the entire city providing each home with a door hanger. The hanger has the information of how and where to donate to this effort. There is also a QR code on the hanger to make donating to this 501c3 fund super easy!

Connecting for Kids has recognized the following Westlake and Bay Village residents with its 2023 Board Awards. These awards are given to those that exemplify the mission of Connecting for Kids to provide education and support to families concerned about their child.

2023 Professional of the Year
Lisa Ruman, a resident of Westlake and president & founder of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, has logged countless volunteer hours with Connecting for Kids over the years as a program facilitator.

On March 13, Bay Village City Council confirmed the appointment of Kathleen Messeri as Director of Community Services.

Human Resouces Director Jennifer Demaline introduced her to Council, saying: “Kathleen recently has been working with the City of Brooklyn and has most recently been serving as their community services coordinator, which would be the similar job title to our community services director here. She has a lot of expertise and a lot of experience, and we’re really looking forward to having her come on board."

Kathy grew up in Massachusetts before moving with her family to California where she attended high school and earned a bachelor's degree in business and marketing at Cal State Bernardino. After graduation, she moved to Portland, Oregon, to begin a career in banking. Kathy continued working as a loan officer after moving to the Cleveland area and worked as a reporter for several years before being hired by the City of Brooklyn, Ohio, in 2014.

Bay Village residents are well aware of the infrastructure improvements made last year when the two main thoroughfares, Lake and Wolf roads, each received a makeover. In 2023, Mayor Paul Koomar aims to go deeper – as in underground. 

The city is dealing with mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency – at both the state and federal levels – to reduce sanitary sewer runoff into Lake Erie during periods of heavy rain.  

Mayor Koomar discussed his administration’s plans during the annual State of the City address on March 3.

It’s time to announce the winners of the 2023 Cutest Pet in Westlake contest!

The contest is broken down into 4 divisions: Cat, Senior Dogs over 9 years, Dogs 2 to 9 years old, and Puppies. Our winners are listed in that order. Westlake is home to so many fabulous pets. Our judges always have a difficult time selecting our winners.

This year we have: Mia, a Russian Blue cat; Mandy, a Puggle; Farrah, a Labrador Samoyed; and Denali, a Giant Schnoodle.

Here is some backround information on each of our winners.

Mia is part of the Elswerth Family and she got her name from the Spanish word for “mine.” She quickly became her mom’s fur baby. This 8-year-old lady is a rescue who found her family at a Christian campground. Favorite things for Mia are morning breakfast from her daddy, Tasty Temptations, playing with her laser pointer, going for walks in her stroller, and enjoying naps on either her Mommy or one of her Sherpa blankets.

Huck Kurinsky, who just turned 8, won the USA BMX amateur series in the U8 division earlier this year at the U.S. Cycling Olympic Training Center in Woodward, PA. Huck began riding at 6 years old, and set a world record for youngest to land a backflip on a BMX bike. 

Now in second grade at Normandy Elementary School, Huck participated in the USA BMX amateur series, which traveled across the country for eight different competitions. He capped off the Finals with a National Championship win. Huck ranks fourth in the world for kids 12 and under, and is the best 8-year-old in the world. Huck is also a two-time Ohio State National Champion.

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.

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.

Bay Village Garden Club is one of more than 30 affiliate garden clubs from Northeast Ohio featured in Cleveland Botanical Garden’s “Twinkle in the 216” holiday display. The show is an honor to and celebration of Cleveland’s beloved historic neighborhoods.

Our creative president, Erika Mittermeier, chose E. 55th and Broadway – the old Brooklyn neighborhood – as the theme for our holiday door decoration. She based her design on Dick Feagler’s “Christmas at Aunt Ida’s,” a column Feagler wrote many years ago about a childhood experience in that neighborhood on Christmas, 1945. Erika framed old family photos and arranged antique toys to capture the style and mood of the period. Her stunning display reflects the warmth and community of one of Cleveland’s iconic neighborhoods.

The Bay Village American Legion Post 385 met with the student body at Normandy School to celebrate Veterans Day 2022. Principal Dan Sebring explained the history of Veterans Day to the 500 students of the kindergarten, first and second grades.  

The American Legion Americanism Chairman explained the history of salutes including both military and civilian salutes. He further told of the American flag design and construction by Betsy Ross. He told students when to stand and salute for the Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem and taps.

"Good Medicine, Hard Times," a book written by Bay Village resident Dr. Edward Horvath, has recently been published. Colonel Horvath served three deployments in Iraq from 2005 to 2011, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His book, a memoir about saving the lives of soldiers, enemies, and civilians amidst ongoing warfare, has been favorably reviewed by national media. A writer from the Wall Street Journal described it as “A must-read testament to acts of valor in one of our hardest wars.”

Throughout the year Bay Village police officers wear special badges honoring officers and causes. Below are some examples. Officer Ed Kanieski is wearing a special police badge which shows his service in the military (Marines).

“We are proud of our officers that were in the military. Our complement includes individuals from the Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard,” stated Chief Robert Gillespie. The pink badge is for Breast Cancer Awareness month (October).

The Kiwanis and Key Clubs of Bay Village invite you to the annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Nov. 19, from noon to 7:30 p.m. Take-out and dine-in options are available.

The meal features Tony Dostal's award-winning signature sauce and spaghetti, salad, roll and sweet for only $14. Drive through or dine in at Bay Middle School 27725 Wolf Road.

Proceeds directly benefit our community. Currently sponsoring Academic Achievement awards including scholarships for Bay High School students, and service and leadership clubs in the Bay schools. Also helps sponsor projects for community organizations like Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Village Project, helmets for youth riders, Fill This House and others.

I moved to Bay a little over a year ago from my hometown of San Diego. I have family in Bay, and over the years loved visiting so when the opportunity arose, I decided to move here.

I was pleasantly surprised when I came upon a group in Bay called the Bay Village Anti-Racism Network or BVAN. I learned BVAN was formed by Bay Village residents in response to the brutal murder of George Floyd. The abuse of power and tragic loss of life demanded a response, so the group organized a large demonstration against racism right here in Bay. Then, they persuaded the City Council to pass a resolution condemning racism.

Today, I am a member and we continue to work for an open, inclusive, diverse and equitable Bay Village. Our mission is to educate and empower ourselves and to educate, identify and eliminate racial biases, prejudice, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination that may exist among Bay Village citizens, businesses and government systems.

The Westshore Lions Club, originally the Westlake Lions Club, were recently recognized by the Lions of Ohio for 25 years of service to the community. During the club's Sept. 21 meeting, a certificate was presented to Lion Nan Baker who is a charter member and co-founder of the club. The Certificate of Appreciation read "Celebrating 25 Years! Congratulations on this milestone event! Thank you for your service to the Lions of Ohio and worldwide."

Since 1996 the Westlake/Westshore Lions Club has had a profound effect on the community in a variety of service efforts – both major community service undertakings as well as smaller service efforts. Major efforts included the engraved bricks at the Westlake Recreation Center Community Square, the Tile Mural located in the front lobby of Westlake Porter Public Library, playground equipment purchased for the Westlake Recreation Center and more recently the Safety Bucket Project which provided 570 safety buckets divided between the Westlake and North Olmsted public schools.

Bruce Hamilton, longtime Westlake resident and business owner, was recently honored by Mayor Dennis Clough at a luncheon at Claudette's in Westlake for his longtime service to the community. Bruce and his wife Charlotte, who died in 2018, lived on Westwood Road. There they raised their four children, Judy, Beverly, Dianne and Bruce Jr.

Bruce began his work career at age 13, working at Sauer's garage on Center Ridge and Dover roads. He then worked for various auto dealerships before starting his own auto repair business on Center Ridge Road which closed this year when Bruce retired at the age of 92, a 79-year work career.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center will host a grand opening for its new program space, the Cahoon Room, on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We are excited to welcome more preschool age children for session classes beginning the week of Sept. 12,” says Preschool Coordinator Teece Lester. “In these classes, children and their families will meet an animal, create a simple craft, enjoy playtime, and connect with nature through our live animal exhibits.”

Donations from visitors and businesses in the community totaling more than $50,000 made possible the renovation of a former retail space into an engaging and lively learning environment for children. The Cahoon Room will host classes for preschool children and was remodeled with this special audience in mind. Filled with natural light, the room offers plenty of space for social interaction and nature-based play, including a children’s restroom and an extra sink anticipating many fun hands-on activities.

Eagle Scout and former Westlake Youth Advisory Board member Paul Palmer worked with the Community Services Department to create a new way for patrons to memorialize lost loved ones. Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough thanked Paul for a job well done during a short dedication ceremony at the Westlake Community Services Center on Aug. 16.  

Paul connected with the Community Services Department when he joined the newly formed Westlake Youth Advisory Board in August 2020.

In October 2021, Paul approached the Community Services team with the desire to do an Eagle Scout Project that would benefit the department … and especially the department’s mission.