Currents_March 2023

Thanks to Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens for our March cover photograph. Sapphire Creek’s 15-acre property is beautifully landscaped by The Ohio Valley Group. It was designed, in part, to bring the Napa experience to Ohio, primarily by its seamless integration between the indoors and the outdoors, according to owner Kathleen Birkel Dangelo. Read more about the elements of restaurant design on page A12.

DEPARTMENTS

A6 FASHION Area retailers suggest fashion options for spring’s predicted showers

By Lauri Gross

A7 FOOD~Sweet Tooth Sweet Designs creates artistic, master painters-inspired fine chocolates

By Peggy Turbett

A9 EDUCATION Playhouse Square’s Education programs benefit thousands annually

By Rita Kueber

A10 ART Don’t miss “The Tudors” exhibit at CMA through May 18

By Linda Feagler

By Rita Kueber

Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic returns to Chagrin Valley Farms in July

The Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic (CHJC) will return to Chagrin Valley Farms in Bainbridge and will run July 7-9 for the unrated/local show and July 11-16 for the national A-rated horse show. The A-rated week will have a full roster of divisions including a $9,999 1.20m Jumper Classic and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Classic, formerly held at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, is the highlight of the equestrian calendar and local equestrians are determined to keep the biggest hunter jumper show in Northeast Ohio running.

The Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic will also continue its tradition of hosting the Riders with Disabilities Horse Show in partnership with Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center on Monday July 10. The partnership began in 1990 when the CHJC relocated to Chagrin Valley Farms. Fieldstone Farm is located less than two miles from Chagrin Valley Farms and the Monday competition for their riders, both children and adults, is a popular event.

Tonya Zimmer, Fieldstone Farm’s special events coordinator and PATH certified advanced instructor, emphasized the importance of the horse show, “We first started participating in the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic at Chagrin Valley Farms to offer an opportunity for our students to show in a setting that felt very special. It is important because this is the only opportunity our students have to show outside of Fieldstone Farm and it is fun to be part of a larger horse show. The Hunter Jumper Classic also offers a great opportunity for spectators to come and see the success of our riders and carriage drivers.”

The volunteer Board of Trustees is headed by Chairman Rebecca Brayton McNish, of Newbury. “The show settled into its new home at Chagrin Valley Farms in 2021 and the owners are continuing to make major investments and improvements to accommodate the national competition including state of art footing, which has become a standard at top shows across the country. We loved the magnificence of the Polo Field but continuing to host the show there was fiscally impossible. With the number of horse show venues on the decline in Northeast Ohio, we are thrilled to continue the tradition just a few miles away.”

The loss of equestrian competition in Northeast Ohio threatens the unique heritage of the Chagrin Valley that at one time was also home to polo matches, horse racing, fox hunting, carriage driving, and horse shows of every discipline. “The beautiful landscapes in northeast Ohio have been shaped by the equestrian industry, with much of the land originally used for horse properties. Preserving this heritage is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for those who call northeast Ohio home, as it celebrates our history and the unique character of our communities,” said Karen Schneider Mayor of Gates Mills and a long-time horse show supporter.

An updated Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic website, ChagrinHunterJumperClassic.org, shares history of the show as well as details of the 2023 event. Information for exhibitors as well as spectators and sponsors is available on the website.

The primary mission of Currents is to feature and spotlight the nonprofit, arts, educational and cultural organizations so vital to Northeast Ohio, as well as the volunteers and philanthropists who guide, support and sustain them.

P.O. Box 150 • Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 • 525 E. Washington Street • 440-247-5335 / Fax: 440-247-1606

www.currentsneo.com

Published monthly by the Chagrin Valley Publishing Company

H. KENNETH DOUTHIT III Publisher

AMANDA PETKIEWICZ Creative Director and General Manager

KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN Editor

MARCH EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Linda Feagler, Lauri Gross, Rita Kueber, Andrea C. Turner, Peggy Turbett

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Peggy Turbett

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S: Jim Dalessandro

AD DESIGNERS: Connie Gabor, Ashley Gier

Please call 440.247.5335 for editorial, advertising and deadline information. Currents is distributed in: Auburn, Avon Lake, Bainbridge, Bath,

Photograph by Anne Gittins Photography and courtesy Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center

See Naomi Jacobson in solo show titled ‘Becoming Dr. Ruth’

By LINDA FEAGLER

For 25 years, Philly native and California-bred Naomi Jacobson has performed at storied venues including Ford’s Theatre and the Kennedy Center, and narrated a variety of documentaries for NPR and PBS.

Jacobson

From April 1 though 23, she’ll be taking centerstage at the Cleveland Play House with the solo show, “Becoming Dr. Ruth.” The 90-minute production recounts the life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the celebrated sex therapist who changed the way we talk and think about the three-letter subject that was once too taboo to utter.

You’ve performed pivotal roles in a litany of productions ranging from “Macbeth” to “Cabaret” and “Death of a Salesman.” What led you to take on Dr. Ruth?

I heard about the production from Adam Immerwahr, who was the artistic director of Theater J in Washington, D.C., known for presenting works about Jewish culture. I had no interest in doing an imitation of Ruth Westheimer because, at age 94, she’s still very active. So I worked with the director to find a deeper way to tell the story of her essence, which is truly an emotional journey.

How did you prepare for the role?

I read many of her books, including her autobiography, watched her TV shows and listened to her radio broadcasts. Although she’s German and I’m Ashkenazi and we’re very different, I identified ways our lives intersected. That enabled me to find a portal, which allowed me to step into her persona and tell her story.

Is there a special connection you discovered?

Dr. Ruth is a Holocaust survivor, and I have relatives who perished. Although my family didn’t talk much about

that period in our history, it’s an emotional kernel that I was able to grow into a seed of connection with who she is.

Is there anything about her that surprised you?

What really struck me about her celebrity was how it began. [An activist], she started speaking out on public radio stations about the teen pregnancy and venereal diseases that were out of control in New York in the 1980s. She shared the message that there was nothing shameful about asking questions about sex or about your body.

What I love about her celebrity is that it started with benefitting the public and led to filling a void that resulted in positive change.

What’s the most challenging aspect of performing a solo show?

During early rehearsals, I’d stop and say, ‘It’s been 45 minutes and I’m still talking. It’s just me,’ so that took a bit of getting used to. My favorite part of the play is when I finally get to interact with another voice besides my own

through recordings we play on stage. Since in addition to English, Dr. Ruth speaks German, Hebrew and French, the director and I decided to put several different languages in the show, so that was challenging. German came a little easier for me since my parents spoke some Yiddish.

What do you admire most about Dr. Ruth?

Her willingness to keep reinventing herself. Despite adversity, she’s eager for new adventures and keeps moving forward. She doesn’t let her past define her. Having the opportunity to play this role gave me the chance to practice choosing optimism and create joy in my own life. It was a joy to take her on because her essence is one of honesty, directness and healing. Quite simply, she’s inspiring. You’ve had the opportunity to meet her several times. Will you clue us in on what she’s like?

She’s a force of nature who’s very funny. The one thing that was hard for me when preparing for the role — and I still haven’t gotten it quite yet — is her amazing giggle. Although Dr. Ruth has been a celebrity for so long and there may be other people nearby, when she’s talking to you, she’s so connected with you that it feels like you’re the only person in the room. She’s playful and full of chutzpah and curiosity which I admire, given the circumstances she came from.

What do you hope audiences take away from this production?

The idea that we have the capacity to overcome hardships and obstacles, and have the choice at every moment to look forward and not be victims of our circumstances. We don’t have to simply survive. We can actually move forward, create joy and a nurturing environment for ourselves and others — and practice what Dr. Ruth calls “healing the world.”

For show times and ticket information visit clevelandplayhouse.com.

United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio honored with Rotary award

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

The Rotary Club of Cleveland celebrated International Fellowship Day on Feb. 23 by honoring the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio).

A ceremony and luncheon were held at Windows on the River for the presentation of the International Service Award, accepted by Marta Liscynesky Kelleher, president of UUOhio. This award has been presented to different organizations annually for the past 20 years. Fund to Aid Ukraine, a not-for-profit entity, was established more than 30 years ago to provide support and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people in their unrelenting fight for democracy, independence and self-determination. The fund has supported Ukraine as it has persevered through an array of challenges in recent decades. These include a nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, floods, support of hospitals and orphanages, and treatment of the wounded during the Revolution of Dignity of 2014. Most recently, the Cleveland Ukrainian community came together to coordinate medical supplies packed into two ambulances obtained by St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Parma, OH. The ambulances and medical supplies headed to Ukraine via ship from the Port of

Cleveland through Antwerp, Belgium.

Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s mission to expand shipping on the Great Lakes provided the Ohio community with a route for assistance to Ukraine as it engages in its current war with Russia. In August, 2022, a

Dutch shipping company added an additional vessel to its Antwerp-Cleveland route. Congresswoman Kaptur, Captain Tom Waiter of Central Marine Logistics and UUOhio collaborated to set the stage for an opportunity to ship monthly.

Rotary International marks its 114th anniversary this year, and the Rotary Club of Cleveland is celebrating its 109th year of “Service above Self” to the people of the City of Cleveland and communities around the world. There are 51 Rotary organizations in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland is one of the oldest and largest with more than 100 members. The Rotary Club of Cleveland has a proud tradition of enthusiastic members who have enabled the club to thrive and achieve remarkable success in supporting community and international causes. The group’s goal is to have a vital and diverse club with individuals who are proven leaders and professionals, demonstrating growth, leadership, and holding to the club’s motto of “Service above Self.” Rotary Club of Cleveland seeks out community needs and works actively to make an impact. The organization has a specific committee dedicated to the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace by using worldwide Rotary resources. Rotary Club of Cleveland member Ingrida Bublys, Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania noted, “This is a very good group to work on something concrete and expand our horizons to do something good in the world.”

To learn more about Rotary, visit www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com. To lend support to the Aid to Ukraine Projects, go to www.uuohio.org.

From his lifelong work as an astronomer to his recent work in pottery and everything in between, Peter is always searching for new things to explore.

Bringing Independent Living to Life.

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Naomi as Dr. Ruth: courtesy of Cleveland Play House

Delegates from the United Ukrainian Organization of Ohio attended the International Fellowship Day event hosted by Rotary Club of Cleveland.

Weather-worthy yet stylish raingear for spring’s predicted April showers

By LAURI GROSS

What’s better than getting soaking wet in a chilly rain? Just about anything. Avoid that soggy fate with some new weatherworthy and great-looking spring gear.

Kilgore Trout, at Eton Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere has plenty of spring outerwear choices for men and women. Style advisor Aaron Jacobs notes that many of the season’s most stylish spring jackets for men are a little more casual and shorter than in past years, and they tend to feature natural fibers with a bit of high-tech stretch mixed in. In particular, Kilgore Trout is offering a full-zip style with pockets and another with jean-jacket styling and a snap front. These come in classic shades of navy and grey and they look great with casual outfits as well as dressed up a bit. “These are stylish and great for travel but they also have water-repellent properties,” Aaron says. He also mentions a vest that can be dressed up or down and is a great layering piece. The vest is a great choice, Aaron says, “when looking for something for work or to throw under a soft sport coat to make it more casual.” In addition to neutral shades, the vest also comes in a citrus orange.

For women, Rory Lenehan, Kilgore’s buyer for women’s clothing and accessories said he sees a slow resurgence in trench coat styling. “But these are redone in a fun, stylish A-line,” he says as he adds that, for spring, these are shorter than trench coats of the past and they feature a swingy silhouette. The treated cotton fabric offers water resistance. Rory also mentions a unisex line of spring wear in chic pastels including yellow, mint green and baby blue. These also feature the swingy A-line cut and come in a knee-length version with a hood and belt. Or, try a cropped windbreaker. “It’s very versatile,” Rory explains. “It’s waterproof and boxy and very cute.” Kilgore’s waterproof selections also include backpacks, a duffle bag, baseball caps and a bucket hat.

Sherri Knuth Bryan, who owns Knuth’s in Pepper Pike with her husband John says, “Our best-selling item is a sleeveless puffer vest that packs into a pouch and is 100

percent water resistant. We sell these all year. You can wear it over a sweatshirt or even with bare arms. It comes in navy, grey or black. It’s not just a winter item. It’s really useful for our kind of weather.”For waterproof footwear, try what Sherri calls a “fun little athletic lace-up

Art Sale to benefit Temple Emanu El and Welcome House held through March 31

Temple Emanu El is holding a public art sale through March 31 with proceeds to benefit the temple. Donated by temple members, the artwork is displayed in the building’s atrium, with each piece priced at one of four color-coded price points. Congregants and other visitors can purchase the artwork during all the hours that the building is open, with a staff person on-hand to assist. The collection of available pieces will change throughout the sale, as the temple will continue to accept donated artwork to sell.

“Our congregants have been very generous in donating art for past events, but we are running out of room,” said Renee Higer, Temple Emanu

El’s Executive Director. “We have created a sale that will honor the intent of these donations – to support the temple – while getting the artwork into the hands of people who will appreciate it for years to come. Anything that is not sold will be donated to Humble Design. A win-win for all of us!”

Temple Emanu El is located at 4545 Brainard Road in Orange Village. The art sale is open during regular business hours:

• Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

• Sunday 9:30am - 12:00pm when religious school is in session

Additional evening and weekend hours vary.

This spring, shoppers at Geiger’s will find Helly Hansen jackets like this striped option, which also comes in solid navy, or yellow.

Photograph courtesy of Geiger’s

sneaker that is waterproof” or a waterproof slip-on clog, also at Knuth’s. At Geiger’s in Chagrin Falls and Lakewood, shoppers

Nylon and suede waterproof sneakers with an ultra-cushy comfort insole, available at Knuth’s. Photograph courtesy of Knuth’s

will find all kinds of great options for facing spring weather in style and comfort. John Geiger, menswear buyer and web manager, says, “Our rain jacket focus will be with Patagonia and Helly Hansen for both men and women. You’ll see familiar colors like classic yellow from Helly Hansen, and brighter seasonal colors from Patagonia.”

From Patagonia, the Torrentshell 3L Jacket for men and women offers a long list of features including a fixed hood, a durable water-repellent coating that does not contain perfluorinated chemicals, and breathability. Plus, its Fair Trade Certified sewn and its shorter length makes it great for hiking as well as everyday wear.

John adds, “Helly Hansen probably has the most multipurpose styles. For men, the Dubliner Jacket which is available in both insulated and uninsulated has a stowable hood option. Men’s jackets from Helly Hansen will all be hip length, while women’s will be a thigh length.” Geiger’s selection of umbrellas includes large golf umbrellas plus a smaller metro style, and classic woodhandled choices. And don’t miss their rainboots from Barbour for men and women. Clearly, these retailers will keep Northeast Ohioans comfortable and stylish all season long.

Questions remain about the destruction of public artwork

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

All they had to do was call him.

In 2009, public sculpture artist Loren Naji began working on a 3,000-pound spherical structure and time capsule titled, “They Have Landed.” Two years later, Naji penned an agreement with the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to install it on their property, adjacent to the West Side Market and the Lorain Carnegie Bridge. Even though the sculpture was on RTA property, Naji retained ownership of his artwork. It stood there, prominently on display, and then one day it disappeared.

“Here is my latest theory on the situation,” Naji said. “I signed an agreement with RTA to install the artwork on their property. When construction began on a large development near the RTA station, there were revisions in the streetscaping. Harbor Bay Development brought plans to the City of Cleveland, showing that it was necessary to redo the area around the RTA property. RTA gave the city permission to do this and the city approved the plans. So, it became necessary for the sculpture to be moved. The site all around the property was fenced in by the construction company. I noticed that the construction workers were leaning stuff on top of the sculpture, defacing it, and I was a little hurt by this.”

In the summer of 2022, a friend called Naji and told him that his sculpture was gone. Thinking that it must have been stolen, he filed a police report. “I went to inquire about what might have happened to the sculpture and was sent to the temporary Panzica office at the construction site. The foreman told me that they tried to move the artwork and it fell apart, so they put it in a dumpster. Of course, it fell apart. It was bolted to the ground,” he said.

The construction firm was unaware that there was an interior steel plate holding the sphere down. They tore it off the ground, resulting in its destruction. All that remains is the eight-foot-deep cement pad and four bolts that held the sculpture.

“In order to move the sculpture, you had to go inside of it and remove that nuts that secured it to rods in the ground. Then, it could be safely moved. They didn’t know this. And, they didn’t contact me,” Naji explained. He said there was a plaque with his name and a description of the artwork on the sculpture.

“I feel that there is an overlapping responsibility for this whole thing. An analogy would be, if I called and asked if I could store a car in your garage and you later decided to sell the house, you would call me and ask me to move my car. If a new owner bought the house and the car was still in the garage, they would ask who the owner was. And, if they called someone to haul the car away, whoever was called to tow it should inquire about the car title,” he noted.

“Back in 2011, I had a gallery show and asked everyone who attended to bring items to put inside the sculpture/time capsule. There were CDs, tapes, letters, pottery, various art pieces, photos, kids’ drawings, newspapers and people’s mementos. I picked the year 2050 to unseal the time capsule at random, because it was half way through the century. I figured that some of the people would still be around for the opening of the capsule. If I’m still hobbling around, I can guarantee I would be there,” Naji said.

“My attorney suggested that the responsible parties should get together to commission me to create another piece for that area,” he added. “The sculpture was my property. I never got paid for it. It was a piece that I did for the community. I was excited about having my art displayed in such a nice, prominent spot. If I designed

another sculpture, RTA would have new artwork in that same area. I design these spheres that have intricate etching on the surface. I can envision the construction company creating an eight-foot in diameter cement sphere. I could cover the surface in intricate artwork. Then everyone would come off in a positive light.”

“There is a law, the VARA law, that protects public art. There is an area in Brooklyn, NY called Five Points. A number of buildings there were covered in murals and graffiti. It was like an outdoor museum. A developer bought the site and painted everything over white, destroying the art. The artists sued and won,” Naji said.

VARA is the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990. Under VARA, works of art that meet certain requirements afford the artists rights, regardless of subsequent ownership of the work itself. VARA grants artists rights that prevent distortion, mutilation or modification of artwork that would prejudice the artist’s reputation.

“When I signed the contract with RTA to put the sculpture on their property, I agreed to waive the VARA law. I also agreed that if I wanted to take my art back, I would give RTA six months’ notice. Conversely, if they wanted the art moved, they contracted to give me six months’ notice. That contract expired a few years ago. The waiving of the VARA law also expired at that time. As my attorney pointed out, you can’t pick and choose which law works for you,” he said.

“There are more than a thousand public art installations in Ohio. It would be nice if there was an entity that kept a record of public artwork. So, if one of these installations has to be moved, it should be approved by this entity,” Naji added.

“The biggest hurt is that they piled things on my art and destroyed it. After that, the second biggest hurt is that I still have not heard from anyone involved. They all know about this. But, no one has called to suggest that we meet to work this out. I would like all of this to end peacefully and with everyone happy,” he said.

This orange vest is a great spring layering piece, available at Kilgore Trout. Photograph courtesy of Kilgore Trout

Artist Loren Naji designs spherical structures with intricate carving. Pictured with Loren Naji, top, is Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman. Photograph courtesy of Loren Naji

In 2011, Loren Naji established an agreement with RTA to install his sculpture titled, “They Have Landed” on their property. Photograph courtesy of Loren Naji

Chocolatier introduces master painters-inspired Chokolatine

By PEGGY TURBETT

Abox of fine chocolates is a traditionally welcomed gift for many a dinner host. A twotiered palette of colorful confections that entertains an extended family over three holiday meals is sweet hospitality at an entirely different level. The intense sophisticated flavors caused grown siblings to slice and share each sample.

Inspired by the art world, the new Chokolatine collection from Sweet Designs Chocolatier in Lakewood is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. From “Dulce Degas” to “Lemonardo Da Vinci” to “Pablo Pistachio,” the pieces are crafted in the style of a dozen or so master painters.

“Chokolatine is the culmination of all my other creations in 30 years,” said Ines Rehner, master chocolatier and founder of Sweet Designs, where she has been developing, making and selling 80 different types of European-style chocolates. “I was always intrigued by cocoa butter spray paint, but being so busy running my classic chocolate business I had no time to develop Chokolatine on my own.”

Then five years ago, a conversation with her shipping manager fulfilled two dreams. Renee Fisher, a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, admitted she couldn’t use her artistic talents tracking boxes.

“That’s all she had to say,” said Rehner. “The sense of me wanting to play with cocoa butter and having an artist in-house was a perfect storm of ideas.” Polycarbonate candy molds became Fisher’s canvases, as she applied glass painting techniques with strokes of both bristle and airbrushes.

The duo starts by selecting artists to feature. Fisher pulls out one detail of a painting or an essence of the artist’s style to create a suitable design. That set, the kitchen goes to work. “Then we develop the center [of the candy] in our kitchen to reflect something close to that art so we can have a play on the name,” said Rehner.

For example, the “Pablo Pistachio” reflects Pablo Picasso’s rose period, particularly the painting “Garçon à la Pipe” (Boy with a Pipe). A floral detail in the painting inspires a swirl of scarlet cocoa butter surrounded by strokes of fresh green with a hint of pink in the white chocolate base. The filling is a rose-water nougat and

include heart-shaped Frida de La Passion, rose-water infused Pablo Pistachio, and the midnight, gold and teal streaks of Dulce Degas, among other master artistinspired designs.

Photograph by Peggy Turbett

lightly toasted chopped pistachios.

For “Lemonardo Da Vinci,” Fisher wanted to reflect the vibrance of Italy but still have a connection to Leonardo da Vinci’s muted “Mona Lisa.” Over a speckled yellow and green base, Fisher draws a swoosh of yellow ochre, thinking each time of Mona Lisa’s smile. Meanwhile the kitchen prepares a bright Chantilly filling made with Amalfi lemon juice and peel.

And then there’s the “Frida De La Passion.” The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was known for her expressions of vibrance and passion but also pain. “So Renee painted the broken heart,” said Rehner. How do you express that joy and dejection in chocolate? With the sting of tart and sweet passion fruit cream filling enrobed in a ruby-colored shell sprayed with purple spots.

While Rehner and Fisher are the co-creators, the entire Sweet Designs staff plays a part, helping to name the confections and taste-testing the centers. (Tough job but someone has to do it, right?)

To echo Edgar Degas’ style, Fisher designed an impressionistic marble of gold and teal on a midnight blue base. “We looked at what Renee created. So then we discussed what flavors, what rhymes with Degas,” said Rehner. Selecting caramelized sweet milk known as Dulce de Leche for the filling, she said it just made sense to have “Dulce Degas.”

With Chokolatine now available on the shelves and online at Sweet Designs, Rehner hopes they bring another level of appreciation for the artistry and handiwork of fine chocolate. “All pieces are unique,” she said. “It’s a piece of chocolate, but it’s also a piece of art.”

Even more, though, she wants to share her sense of how it makes her feel to share something with others.

“The name Chokolatine takes me back to my roots in Croatia,” said Rehner. “So when someone visits you and you have a box of chocolates in your house, you show the box. Because in my native Istria, the name Chocolatine means a piece of chocolate. When someone stops by, it’s a custom to share something special with them. Sharing is a reflection of your appreciation for your guests.”

Would you like a Chokolatine?

Sweet Designs Chocolatier 16100 Detroit Avenue Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (216) 226-4888

sweetdesigns.com info@sweetdesigns.com

Laurel School’s Changemaker Scholarships for Environmental Justice Semester

Laurel School is pleased to announce the availability of Changemaker Scholarships for students applying to its Environmental Justice (EJ) Semester. As part of Laurel’s mission-aligned commitment to socioeconomic diversity, Changemaker Scholarships and variable tuition are available to students joining the program from neighboring private, public, or faith-based schools. Changemaker Scholarships will cover 50 percent of the cost of attending the semester. Variable tuition is also available to those who qualify.

“EJ is a unique 15-week experience that will allow stu-

dents to deep-dive into environmental issues that impact our city,” said Angela Yeager, Director of Laurel’s Environmental Justice Semester. “We know students from across Cleveland feel passionate about this work and Laurel’s Environmental Justice Semester will provide a unique experience for those passionate about creating change. We do not want any interested students to feel they cannot apply due to cost.”

Laurel’s Environmental Justice Semester is a groundbreaking, immersive, academic program bringing student changemakers from across the Greater Cleveland area

together with local leaders in the environmental justice space to educate and inspire change. The 15-week semester will be based at Laurel’s 150-acre Butler Campus in Russell Township and is open to Tenth and Eleventh Grade girls from schools across Northeast Ohio.

“The EJ Semester and all its participants will benefit greatly from a cohort that includes both current Laurel students and girls from other Northeast Ohio schools who wish to do a semester ‘away’ at Laurel School,” continued Ms. Yeager.

At the end of this innovative and engaging semester,

students will return to their regular academic programs with a semester of credits, inspired and hopeful about solutions for protecting people and the planet in a complicated world. Applications are now open for the 2023 Fall semester. Visit www.LaurelSchool.org/EnvironmentalJustice to learn more and to begin the application process. Changemaker Scholarships are merit-based and can be combined with Variable Tuition. Visit www.laurelschool. org/admissions/tuition-and-affordability to learn more about Affordability at Laurel School.

Rehner

Artisanal Chokolatine

‘Yes, And’ illustrates a new approach to communication challenges

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation, in conjunction with Clague Playhouse, recently offered an extraordinary opportunity to learn new approaches for individuals experiencing communication challenges with someone with dementia.

“Yes, And…Adventures in Communication with Loved Ones with Dementia,” was a one-hour performance and conversation that played to a full house. Actress Anne McEvoy used performers and props to illustrate three scenarios that often result in communication conflicts with persons with dementia. Each vignette was followed by a positive approach to deal with the situations. McEvoy is a Cleveland-based writer, playwright, and nationally known actress who has appeared on stage, in films and on TV.

During the height of the COVID outbreak, McEvoy worked with the foundation to create the scenarios, which Thespis Media videotaped, with the support of the Three Arches Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. The video, which provides a positive approach to dementia care, is available to dementia and Alzheimer’s support groups and to individual families. The presentation at Clague Playhouse was the first opportunity that McEvoy and her fellow actors had to perform the series of vignettes before a live audience.

The scenarios for both the live performance and the video are based on the work of Anne Basting, PhD. Basting is noted for her book, “Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and Elder Care.” She is an expert on aging, memory and dementia, and on the use of song, dance, improvisation and theater to elicit joy.

In “Creative Care,” Basting lays the groundwork for her approach to elder care and uses touching stories to inspire and guide us all in how to connect and interact with those living with dementia. A MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, Basting noticed early in her career that today’s elderly, especially those experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s, are often isolated in nursing homes or segregated in elder-care settings, making the final years of life feel lonely and devoid of meaning. To alleviate their sense of aloneness, Basting developed an approach that combines methods from the world of theater and improvisation with evidence-based therapies that connect people using their own creativity and imagination. This approach fosters storytelling and active listening, allowing elders to freely share ideas and stories without worrying about getting the details “correct.” Basting’s research has shown that these practices stimulate the brain and awaken the imagination to add wonder to patients’ daily lives and provides them with a means of connection with the world and with those caring for them. Dr. Charlie Farrell of the Farrell Foundation attended a conference with Basting and, shortly

“Yes, And…Adventures in Communication with Loved Ones with Dementia,” a play and video, illustrates a positive approach to communication challenges. Pictured (left to right) are actress Anne McEvoy, Dr. Charlie Farrell and Luise Easton, his wife and care partner. (Photograph by Eric Eakin)

thereafter, contacted Anne McEvoy to help craft, “Yes, And.”

“Being a care partner is not a burden for the rest of your life. It’s a two-way street,” Dr. Farrell noted. “We teach families to communicate. Keep talking. Give the person with dementia an opportunity to tell you what is going on with them. People with dementia are alive and well and want to maintain their dignity. The majority of people who come to us at the Farrell Foundation aren’t necessarily living at home by choice. They don’t have access to a facility. Our programs are free. Through us, they can meet and talk with people just like them. We give them an opportunity to make their own decisions.”

Dr. Farrell added that the SHARE program (Support, Health, Activities, Resources and Education), offered in partnership with the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, can help a dementia or Alzheimer’s patient and their family or care giver plan their entire life journey. The Farrell Foundation has served hundreds of individuals with dementia and their families, with the focus on giving meaning and support in both practical and creative ways. Dr. Farrell and daughter Rev. Katie Farrell Norris started the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health in 2011 to make arts-based programming available to the community and in honor of Carolyn Farrell, their wife and mother. Their programs show that arts can bring peace, enjoyment and inspiration, and are an important part of increasing the quality of life. The arts enrichment program also provides opportunities for socialization, which research shows is beneficial for individuals affected by dementia. Visit www. farrellfoundation.org for more information.

Playhouse Square Partners “Jump Back Ball”

On Saturday, February 25, an inspirational young professionals group – Playhouse Square Partners – hosted its annual Jump Back Ball, a fundraiser to support the not-for-profit mission of Playhouse Square. A crowd of 700 attendees enjoyed “A Night On the High Seas” at the KeyBank State Theatre, raising $70,000

The theater and lobby were transformed into incredible swashbuckling sets. Guests donned creative costumes, from sea captains to pirates, mermaids to sea sirens. A life-sized capsized ship, named the Jolly Jumpback, devoured by colorful kraken sea monsters served as a centerpiece in the theater lobby. A record number of volunteers worked on creating the decor and building the sets and props weeks in advance.

Proceeds raised from this event benefit Playhouse Square’s education programs like Disney Musicals in Schools, the Dazzle Awards, Classroom Connections Workshops, as well as making live theater programming more accessible to a wider number of audiences through sensory-friendly programming. Since 1991, the Jump Back Ball has raised $3 million for Playhouse Square’s not-for-profit mission, according to Kristen Jantonio, Communications Manager at Playhouse Square.

Playhouse Squareis the second largest performing arts center, after Lincoln Center, in the United States with 11 performance spaces.

Craig Hassall, Playhouse Square’s new president and

chief executive officer, who replaced retired CEO Gina Vernaci, said, “Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of supporters of the arts; those under 40 are the next wave.” Hassall, a native Australian, came to Cleveland by way of London, as the former Chief Executive of Royal Albert Hall. “I’ve been blown away by the number of [theater] venues on this scale — it’s amazing. And the audiences have been enthusiastic and lovely,” added Hassall. “It was both the buildings and the trustees, who are so aspirational, that convinced me of making the move to Cleveland.”

“Craig is a visionary and innovator who brings unmatched ability in operations, a broad, international experience base and deep relationships across the performing arts industry,” said Amy Brady, chair of the Playhouse Square Board of Trustees and Chief Information Officer at KeyBank.

Jump Back Ball partygoers enjoyed buffet-style hors d’oeuvres prepared by Driftwood Catering, and seathemed aqua blue-green cocktails. VIP guests enjoyed musical entertainment by Andrew McManus in the Connor Palace Lobby. The band, Faction Cleveland, played pop covers for an energetic dance party on the KeyBank State Theatre Stage. Late-night ticket holders danced the night away in the KeyBank State Theatre Lobby with sounds spun by DJ Red-I.+ STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

Purchase tickets now for ‘Tina Turner –The Musical’ at Playhouse Square

By LINDA FEAGLER

For Zurin Villanueva, starring in the Broadway touring production of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” means more than playing the part of an iconic superstar she admires.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m thrilled to be getting the chance to give my entire self to a role — singing, dancing, acting — which is something I’ve never had the occasion to do before,” says the Brooklyn, New York native, whose Broadway resume includes “The Lion King,” “Mean Girls,” “Shuffle Along” and “The Book of Mormon.”

On stage at Playhouse Square April 25 through May 14, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” spans more than four decades of the 12-time Grammy Award-winner’s life, from her childhood in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her phenomenal success as a solo artist. The poignant production also explores Turner’s personal and professional setbacks, including her abusive relationship with musical partner and husband Ike Turner, and the obstacles she faced as a person of color.

Since the high-energy musical requires the actress portraying her to be on stage for all but five minutes of the two-hour-and-45-minute show, Villanueva shares the role on alternating performances with actress and pal Naomi Rodgers.

“My career has prepared me for this kind of stamina,” says Villanueva, who’s been on the road for six months and estimates the tour has taken her to 16 cities so far.

“Rest, water, sleep and meditation also help make it happen.”

While preparing for her Cleveland debut, Villanueva reflects on the lessons she’s learned about the woman she’s bringing to life on the Connor Palace stage.

“Katori Hall’s script for ‘Tina’ has so many beautiful alliterations that you can sit in for days,” she says. “I hope those who see the show see that they can take back some of the power they may have lost in their lives — and be reminded that nothing is over until you say it’s over. There is no journey that’s gone so far that you cannot stop and change direction.”

For showtimes and tickets, visit playhousesquare.org

L to R standing: Megan McNulty, Jacquie

Davenport Herman,Craig Hassall, Amy Brady, Zoe Ingram-Molls, Gina Foti, Sarah Shaw, Ryan Herman. Reclining mermaid: Lindsey Jump

Shelly & Todd Flichel

Clark Pope, Kayla Black, Shana Black, Stephanie Washlock and Sarah Pope

Craig Hassall, President & CEO, Playhouse Square; Amy Brady, Chair, Playhouse Square Board of Trustees; with Justin Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland

Vince & Krystle Momosor, Emily Kotowski and Brendan Siefring

Alecia Phan and Hannah Kim

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ in the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. Photograph by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade, 2022

Playhouse Square’s education programs benefit thousands

By RITA KUEBER

Playhouse

Square

is a lot of things to a lot of people. Entertainment district, cultural center, home to seven professional resident companies, steward to the City of Cleveland, host of the Broadway series, and a powerhouse of education and community engagement. Playhouse Square’s education projects are beyond extensive, with over a dozen programs for all ages and abilities, and almost all take place year-round. Running these programs are 13 fulltime and 13 part-time artists and administrators, all led by Daniel Hahn, vice president of education.

Hahn had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of the legendary education director, Colleen Porter, who died in 2011. Hahn considers her both a friend and colleague. In his role as education director for Great Lakes Theater, at first, he was giving recommendations for friends who were applying for her position. But the search landed squarely in Hahn’s lap. He was pursued, and multiple conversations with board members and staff were conducted. The lure of creating new programming was strong, but Hahn’s first thought was to be sure his employer would be unharmed by his departure. “Great Lakes hired from within, which is a testament to how good their staff is. I think their education programs are better and brighter than when I was there,” Hahn states. He accepted the position with Playhouse Square, and he celebrates his 10-year work anniversary in April.

His enthusiasm for education programs old and new bubbles over as he describes audiences and opportunities. He points to data that indicates today 200,000 people are served annually by the education programs.The ten live performances for student audiences alone serves 50,000, and many of those students travel to the theater from school via one of 700 free buses. During COVID, programs went virtual. “We took our time and created the highest quality work, tying all the curriculum together, and made it accessible to teachers for $20 per classroom,” Hahn says. “We went from 40,000 participants to 118,000 by the second year of the pandemic – our sevencounty area grew to include 23 Ohio counties.”

But at Playhouse Square, education goes much further than an audience populated by students who may or may not be exposed to theater in any other way. The Disney Musical in Schools program is a great example. Here, teaching artists from Playhouse Square go to four underserved public schools every year. “Disney came and trained us on this,” Hahn says. “There’s an application process. Any school in Cuyahoga, Lake or Lorain County with 50 percent of their kids below the poverty line with no theater program can apply.” The kids, third to fifth graders, are part of a 30-minute version of a Disney show like “The Lion King” or “101 Dalmatians.” The teaching artists work for 14 to 15 weeks as they guide volunteers at the school to produce the musical. The schools receive a show kit with scripts, of course, but also a DVD for choreography, and a guidebook with suggested staging.

“For the first couple of weeks we do the heavy lifting,” Hahn says. “By the last week we’re standing around ad-

vising. This program is sustainable, so we move on to a new school, leaving that school’s team in place to produce another musical the next year and beyond.” The participating schools are invited to the Ohio Theater to perform one song from their musical immediately after the March board meeting. “You have to be there – 150 performers from each grade school in the lobby, with Simba, and the warthog in the mix. We’re at our best when we open our stages to our community,” he adds.

Another program Hahn is excited to offer is SensoryFriendly Programming. “I didn’t invent this, but I talked about it in my job interview as something I wanted Playhouse Square to offer,” Hahn says. This program is a way for people with developmental disabilities to attend a live performance. Volunteer experts watch a show and suggest how to make changes to accommodate this audience. Playhouse Square sets up tents and runs pipe and drape to section off the lobby into private areas. Lighting is dimmed. Sound is muted. “We buy tons of supplies – fidget toys and headphones for hearing protection, and we’re able to offer these to parents as needed,” Hahn says. The program serves 9,000 people. Playhouse Square received the Ohio Rehabilitation Award for Excellence, and in 2015 they were recognized at the national level for this program as well.

There are also programs for another special population –kids who have been bitten by the theater bug. Playhouse Square offers master classes not only in acting but in dance, as well as the technical side. Pros from productions like “Beetlejuice” share information about lighting, sound and more. “These are 90-minute master classes from the theater professionals who work on Broadway,” Hahn states. “These are the kind of experiences I wished for when I was in high school.”

Playhouse Square also coordinates the Dazzle Awards, where high school musicals and actors are nominated in a Tony-like award ceremony, and winners go on to compete at a national level. Three thousand kids from 33 schools have participated so far.

The list of education programs goes on: theater fun for preschoolers, for children with Down Syndrome, for homeless Cleveland School District students and their families, plus Family Theater Day. There are Broadway surrounds, special presentations, and don’t forget about producing new work and supporting that work through partnership with Ideastream, the PBS-affiliated television and radio studios in the Playhouse Square complex.

It’s clear Hahn and his team believe in theater for everyone. More, he points to Playhouse Square’s unwavering support of these programs. “I’m blessed to go around the country for conferences at performing arts centers, and always you see these huge posters – images of the upcoming Broadway shows. At Playhouse Square, when audiences walk in from the garage, the first floor-to-ceiling display is about Disney in Schools, Sensory Programming and the Dazzle Awards. It’s the first thing every guest sees, and I don’t take that for granted. Giving away valuable ‘real estate’ to education, it’s clear we’re seeding the next generation.”

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Don’t miss ‘The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England’ at CMA

By LINDA FEAGLER

Ask Cory Korkow why America’s ardor for all things British — which spans the gamut from majestic “Downton Abbey” and the quaint villages setting the stage for PBS’ “Midsomer Murders,” to The Beatles, Princess Diana and then some — never wanes, and she answers with a knowing grin.

“Popular culture,” replies the Cleveland Museum of Art’s curator of European paintings and sculpture dating from 1500 to 1800. “It’s kept England’s history fresh in people’s minds.

“So I know,” she adds, “that our latest exhibition is one that will really resonate with visitors.”

On exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art through May 14 and organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art in collaboration with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, “The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England” features a treasure trove of more than 90 precious objects ranging from armor and porcelain to iconic portraits and magnificent tapestries woven with gold. Each was meticulously crafted during the dynasty that ruled England for 118 years. The artifacts are on loan from renowned arts institutions worldwide, including the British Royal Collection, Rijksmuseum, Folger Shakespeare Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Museum of Denmark, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent. Plans originally called for the retrospective to open in 2020. But those hopes ground to a halt when the pandemic struck.

“It would have been a huge shame if this exhibition had ultimately been a victim of COVID,” Korkow says. “It did require going back to the lenders to make sure works of art would still be available for inclusion. The effort truly was a labor of love and was absolutely worth it.”

Although the Tudor dynasty ruled for only three generations from 1485 to 1603, the curator credits that period with transforming England from being considered an impoverished backwater country to becoming a major European power on the global stage. Following the tumultuous Wars of the Roses — a series of civil conflicts fought in the mid-15th century over control of the English throne — the victor, Henry VII, was determined to make England a bastion of arts and culture. It proved to be a successful legacy his son Henry VIII and granddaughters Mary I and Elizabeth I would continue.

“We always hear about the Italian Renaissance. But thinking of England as being distinct from the very cosmopolitan culture of Europe is incorrect,” Korkow reflects. “The exhibition showcases works by artists from other areas of the European continent who were attracted to Tudor England because it was a place where they would find refuge from religious persecution and take advantage of the rich patronage possibilities available there.”

Under Henry VII, England quickly became a mecca for celebrated Florentine sculptors, German painters, Flemish weavers and French woodcarvers who enabled the country to compete on an international scale and blossom during the age that became known as the English Renaissance. The Tudor court also made it a point to send ambassadors and merchants to other countries to seek out artists and offer commissions.

“The continuity of having three generations in power over 118 years who established peace and relative stability helped foster a community of artists who made things which have long-term resonance,” Korkow says.

A case in point: Wallpaper samples designed for the Palace of Westminster by 19th-century architect Augustus Pugin. Displayed in the final gallery, they depict symbols that include the Tudor rose, an iconic floral emblem of England that continues to flourish.

“I want visitors to the exhibition to appreciate how complex this period in history really was — that it was full of intrigue and violence, but also virtuosity and beauty,” Korkow says. “For me, what it really comes down to is a chance to bring the people who invested so much in designing, giving and using these objects to life so we feel that human connection across time.”

‘Abd al-Wahid bin Mas’ood bin Mohammad ‘Annouri, unknown English artist, 1600, oil on panel

Curator’s Corner

• Field Armor for George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, c. 1586. Made under the direction of Jacob Halder. Steel, gold, leather, textile A costly commission for master armor workman Jacob Halder and a royal gift from Queen Elizabeth I to her courtier George Clifford, the suit consists of detachable

accessories designed to be worn in battle, as well as during jousting tournaments and court events. “One of the really cool things about this exhibition is that two suits of armor are displayed,” Korkow says. “The one made for Henry VIII is enormous. And this one, which was made decades later, is very ornate and a totally different style. It weighs approximately 60 pounds and is designed for

someone who’s about 5-foot-4-inches tall. Whereas the suit made for Henry VIII was more about proving your mettle, the one fashioned for Clifford during Elizabeth’s reign is about performing as a champion of the queen. As a result, the armor takes on the Elizabethans’ distinctive ideal male silhouette of a cinched waist, full hips and touches of color. You can’t help but think about the role that having a woman on the throne may have played transforming armor as a fashion statement.”

• Three Designs for Stained-Glass Windows in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, c. 1538. Dirck Vellert (South Netherlandish c. 1480/85-c. 1547. Pen-and-brown-ink, gray wash, over black chalk

This drawing by Flemish Renaissance painter Dirck Vellert depicts Biblical scenes on six lancets representing one full window and the bottom half of another that would be installed in King’s College Chapel. “It is interesting that the artist probably stayed in Antwerp to work on the design instead of traveling to England,” the curator says. “This [detailed drawing] includes the lead lines that would guide the glassmakers as they completed the windows at a stained-glass studio near London before sending them on to Cambridge. It’s an example of something designed by an artist trained on the continent, but brought to fruition in England.”

• Henry VII Cope. Cope: Florence or Lucca, 14991505. Velvet cloth of gold brocaded with loops of gilded silver and silver metal-wrapped threads. Orphrey and hood: England, c. 1500. Linen embroidered with silk and gilded-silver metal-wrapped threads

Part of a set of more than 32 liturgical vestments created to celebrate the Tudor monarch at Westminster Abbey, the cope was crafted by Antonio Corsi and siblings Lorenzo and Ieronimo Buonvisi in their native homeland of Italy. “It took five years to create these pieces in multiple workshops throughout Lucca and Florence,” Korkow says. “In the exhibition, the cope is displayed on a form that helps give a sense of how it looked when it was worn during Mass.”

• The Heneage Jewel, c. 1595-1600, Nicholas Hilliard (English, c. 1547-1619) and workshop. Enameled gold, table-cut diamonds, Burmese rubies, rock crystal and a miniature

Intended to be worn on the body or examined by hand, the exterior of the locket celebrates Elizabeth I’s majesty and constancy, while the interior honors her mortal charm. The lid’s interior features an enameled Tudor rose, along with an inscription in Latin of Alas, that so much virtue suffused with beauty should not last forever inviolate. “Given to [English politician] Sir Thomas Heneage who was in service to Elizabeth I, this is a beautiful example of the unity of painting and the goldsmith’s art,” the curator says. “It’s also an exquisite example of the Elizabethans’ love of symbolism, and represents both a public declaration of loyalty and an intimate experience.”

• ‘Abd al-Wahid bin Mas’ood bin Mohammad ‘Annouri, unknown English artist, 1600, oil on panel

The earliest surviving portrait of a Muslim made in England, Korkow considers it an extraordinary record of globalization in Elizabethan England. It depicts an ambassador representing the sultan of Morocco, who spent six months in England negotiating trade relations with Elizabeth I while working to form an Anglo-Moroccan alliance against Spain. “This image is so powerful and so utterly different from any of the other portraits in the exhibition,” Korkow says. “Morocco was a major exporter of sugar to England, and the painting reminds us that we can only begin to imagine the global networks at play in some of these works of art.”

• Jane Seymour, 1536-37. Hans Holbein the Younger (German-Swiss 1497/98-1543). Oil on panel

Henry VIII’s third wife — which he declared his favorite of the six — became his bride following the execution of second wife Anne Boleyn. The Cleveland Museum of Art is the only venue on the tour that’s displaying the portrait by German painter Hans Holbein the Younger alongside the artist’s preparatory drawing. “No description can do justice to this portrait,” the curator says. “It’s a virtuosic masterpiece — from the silver brocade underskirt to the embroidered cuffs and the gold latticework on the sleeves. I could look at it forever.”

For more information, visit clevelandart.org

Discover the fascinating history of the Western Reserve

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Most Northeast Ohio residents are familiar with the term Western Reserve. But, how many of us actually know what it means?

The Lorain County Historical Society recently kicked of its Bicentennial Speaker Series with a presentation by Eric Rivet, Chief Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the Western Reserve Historical Society. The topic was, “The History of the Western Reserve and Why It Is Called the Connecticut Western Reserve.” Rivet led a discussion about the fascinating history of the region featuring some of the rarest treasures in the Western Reserve Historical Society’s collection: its early maps.

According to Rivet, the history of the Western Reserve began with King Charles II of England when, in 1662, he granted a charter to the American colony of Connecticut. “The charter defined the boundaries of Connecticut as being from sea to sea, which would be from Narragansett Bay to the Pacific Ocean. This was still uncharted territory. So, in essence, the king was saying, ‘I don’t know what this means, but it’s all mine,” Rivet noted. There were a couple of problems with the charter. First of all, some of this territory had already been claimed by France and Spain. The colony of Pennsylvania had also claimed some of the land.

By 1783, the boundaries of the original colonies had shrunk to the point where they only extended west to the Mississippi River. The federal government asked the states to cede some of their land to the west so that it could be colonized. In exchange, the government promised to assume all of the states’ debts from the Revolutionary War. This appeared to be a win/win situation, Rivet said. The colonies had more land than they could manage and the federal government could create new states.

Connecticut ceded a large portion of its land in 1786, but retained 3.37 million acres along the Pennsylvania border. This land was then sold to the Connecticut Land Company in the 1790s. The Connecticut Western Reserve began at the Pennsylvania state line and ran 120 miles west, according to Rivet. However, Native Americans already lived on that land. In 1795, the government signed the Treaty of Greenville with members of the Wyandot, Delaware, Shawnee, Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi tribes claiming the land in exchange for a very small price. This meant that the land from the Pennsylvania line to the Cuyahoga River was now safe for white settlers. Rivet noted that three signers of this treaty were William Henry Harrison, who would go on to become president,

and the explorers Lewis and Clark.

The Connecticut Land Company, which consisted of 57 wealthy investors, sent Moses Cleaveland and his team of surveyors to the territory to divide the land into parcels for resale. It took Moses Cleaveland and his crew three months to travel from Connecticut to the new re-

gion. They arrived in 1796. The surveyors saw the land at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and decided that it would be a promising spot for a city. One of the surveyors was Seth Pease. Pease surveyed this land and laid out the streets. For all of his work, he was appointed Postmaster General in 1814. Moses Cleaveland arrived in the terri-

tory in the summer of 1796 and left in the fall, never to return again. He felt that he needed to return to Connecticut to help sell the recently surveyed land. The Seth Pease Map of 1798 stated that any unsurveyed land was subject to Indian claims. Cleveland is spelled without the initial A in Cleaveland on the Pease Map.

There were concerns about dividing and selling the land, Rivet said. Wealthy investors were given parcels of the territory in keeping with the amount of money that they invested. But, the parcels they were granted were not contiguous. Still, all of the land was sold by 1809. The Connecticut Land Company was poorly managed and collapsed. The original investors never fully recouped their investment.

Eventually, white settlers began to encroach west of the Cuyahoga River. Soon, it was necessary to negotiate a second treaty, the Treaty of Fort Industry in 1805, between the government and the people of the Shawnee and Delaware tribes. Rivet explained that Fort Industry may have been a temporary settlement, somewhere around what is now the city of Toledo. The treaty expanded the land in the Western Reserve to the Sandusky border.

In 1807, the entire population of the Western Reserve was barely more than 2,000. The population of the city of Cleveland was 100 to 150 people. The area to the west known as The Firelands was originally called The Fireland. It was set aside for families whose homes were destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War. This land was a hard sell, Rivet said. The families faced the choice of rebuilding on their original land, where they had nothing left. Or, they could get some of this free land out west, where there were no roads, no schools, no doctors, and the land was already occupied by Native Americans.

This land was ultimately folded into the Connecticut Land Company and sold off. By then, the Western Reserve consisted of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Trumbull counties, as well as parts of Ashland, Mahoning, Ottawa, Summit and Wayne counties. Rivet pointed out that, if you want to take a road trip, you can still find all four visible boundary markers.

Eric Rivet’s presentation on the history of the Western Reserve has been recorded and can be found on the Lorain County Historical Society’s website at www.lchs.org. Click on the yellow banner at the top of the page to learn more about the society’s Bicentennial Celebration events. The maps mentioned in the presentation by Eric Rivet are in the collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. They have been digitized and can be viewed on the society’s website at www.wrhs.org.

Field Armor for George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, c. 1586. Made under the direction of Jacob Halder. Steel, gold, leather, textile

Three Designs for Stained-Glass Windows in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, c. 1538. Dirck Vellert (South Netherlandish c. 1480/85-c. 1547. Pen-and-brown-ink, gray wash, over black chalk

Eric Rivet, Chief Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the Western Reserve Historical Society, is a frequent speaker about the fascinating history of Northeast Ohio. (Photograph provided by the Western Reserve Historical Society)

BENEFIT BEAT

Sunday, March 19…Strike It Big, to benefit Milestones Autism Resources, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spins Bowl in Independence, 5619 Brecksville Rd., Independence, 44131. Presented by Davis Automotive Group, this family-friendly event will feature painting, balloon artists, a raffle and more. To register your team or donate visit Strike It Big, call 440.728.6651 or visit mary@ milestones.org.

Saturday, March 25, 6 p.m., the Village Project presents, “Nourish: A Recipe for Hope,” at Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon. The eighth annual gala includes dinner, program and silent auction. Tickets start at $125. Visit www.ourvillageproject.com.

Sunday, Mar. 26...39th Annual Bishop’s Seminary Brunch to support seminarians at Borromeo College and St. Mary Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, takes place at noon at Landerhaven. Tickets start at $50 and are available at www.clepriesthood.org.

Saturday, April 1…Through the Looking Glass, to benefit Verb Ballets, 7 p.m. at Vocon Partners, LLC, 3142 Prospect Ave. East, Cleveland, 44115. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner stations, company dance at 8:30 p.m. with Live Auction and Raise-the-Paddle, dessert and dancing at 9 p.m. Cocktail Attire. Tickets start at $165 per person. Visit verbballets.org.

Saturday, April 1…A Grand Affair: Heroes for Andy, to benefit the Andy Nowacki Foundation Memorial Scholarship Fund, at Landerhaven. Roaring 20s or Black Tie Attire.

Saturday, April 15…Chef’s Fantasy, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland. The event features a seven-course feast prepared by stand-out local chefs and paired with wine. Live and silent auctions include one-of-a-kind travel and culinary experiences. For individual tickets, priced at $250, visit events.cff.org/chefsfantasy.

Saturday, April 15…Ratner Shines! 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala, to benefit The Lillian and Betty Ratner Montessori School, 6 p.m. at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland. Dinner, cocktails, auctions, private viewing of Rock Hall exhibits and dance music. Guests are encouraged to dress in elegant 1960s-inspired attire. For more information, visit theratnerschool.org.

Thursday, April 20…Northeast Ohio Sneaker Soiree, to benefit Girls on the Run, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Slip on your favorite sneakers for a unique after-work event to learn about the organization’s impact on more than 17,000 Northeast Ohio girls and show support by raising funds to help future Girls on the Run girls activate their limitless potential. Emcee Brady Marks 107.3 Alterna-

tive Cleveland, Music by Theron Brown, catering by Marques. Tickets start at $75. Contact Robyn Cutler at 234.206.0786, ext. 700.

Thursday, April 20…Pizza Bake Off, to benefit Parma

Police K9 Unit, 6 to 9 p.m. at Parma’s UAW Hall, 5615 Chevrolet Blvd.). Indoor, family friendly event to feature live music, beer and wine, dessert, raffles, games, entertainment and pizza. Event to also feature a face painter, a photo booth, a magician and a balloon artist. Enjoy sampling pizza from the area’s array of ovens and vote for People’s Choice. Tickets are available in advance online at ParmaPizza.org - $12 for adults and $6 for kids 6 six to 12. Tickets will also be available at the door for $18 for adults and $12 for kids. Visit ParmaPizza.org.

Friday, April 21…40th Anniversary Gala, celebrating 40 years of wishes, to benefit Make-A-Wish (Ohio, Kentucky Indiana chapter), 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 100 Lakeside Ave. Eat, Cleveland 44114. Event to celebrate 40th anniversary and MakeA-Wish’s 20,000th wish! Watch for more information to come.

Friday, April 21, Friday Night on E55th, to benefit Vocational Guidance Services, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at VGS 2235 E55th St. The Sunbeam Board and the Vocational Guidance Services invite you to an evening supporting VGS and Ohioans with Disabilities. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a dueling piano performance are event features. Tickets are $100. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://vgsjob.org/fridaynight_tickets/

Saturday, April 22…Academy of Rock, to benefit Gilmour Academy’s academic programming, student services and tuition assistance, 5:30 p.m. at the Gilmour Athletic Center. Event to feature dinner, cocktails, dancing and live and silent auctions. Auction offerings include sports memorabilia, entertainment packages, health and wellness bundles, Gilmour Academy pairings and more. Table sponsors are invited to a VIP event featuring rock and roll legend David Spero on Thursday, April 20 in Gilmour’s Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts. To learn more, visit gilmour. org/AcademyofRock.

Friday, April 28…A Night for Nature, to benefit Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 6 p.m. at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Be a part of A Night for Nature, a brand new event to benefit Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s programs. Enjoy up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors, and see how our animal programs and wildlife rehabilitation efforts connect people to the natural world. Your $150 ticket includes passed hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, and a threecourse dinner. A portion of the ticket price for A Night for Nature is tax deductible. Suggested attire is dressy casual. www.lensc.org/special-events For more information: dianem@lensc.org or 440.471.8354.

Friday, April 28…Breakthrough Bash 2023, to benefit Breakthrough Public Schools, at Hilton Cleveland

Downtown. The Future’s So Bright that we encourage you to wear your sunglasses at night! 12th annual Breakthrough Bash to honor Jane and Jon Outcalt for their transformational support of Breakthrough Public Schools and urban education in Cleveland. All proceeds benefit 3,100 scholars across Cleveland’s most underserved neighborhoods. Visit breakthroughschools.org.

Friday, May 5…Bash for the Brook! Cinco de Mayo to benefit Beech Brook, 6:30 pm at Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens. A gourmet “Cinco de Mayo” inspired dinner menu, tequila tasting station, fun and unique onsite raffles all for a great cause -- helping children and families thrive! $195 per person. For tickets and more details, visit www.beechbrook.org/bash.

Saturday, May 13…It Takes Two!, to benefit GroundWorks DanceTheater, at Tenk West Bank, 2111 Center St., Cleveland. A highly anticipated Dancing with the Stars-style competition featuring local celebrity dancers paired alongside GroundWorks DanceTheater dancers. More information to come.

Thursday, May 25…Let’s Celebrate Cleveland!, to benefit Coach Sam’s Scholars, First Energy Stadium, Cleveland. Event to honor 2023 Cleveland Legends, Eric Gordon and Clay Matthews Jr. Coach Sam’s will also honor one of its scholars with the Steve Friedman award. VIP tickets are $250. General Admission tickets are $150. Visit coachsams.org for details and more information.

Saturday, June 10…Band Aid Bash, to benefit MedWish International, at FWD Day & Nightclub. Save the Date, details to come.

Friday, June 16…Elevation, to benefit Trails Now Fund, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Indigo Lake, with parking at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Cost is $125. Oneof-a-kind summer celebration with hiking, trail mix bar, casual dinner buffet, beer and wine, live music, dancing and s’mores around the campfire! For tickets, visit forcvnp.org/elevation.

Saturday, June 17…Topography, to benefit Trails Now Fund, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Indigo Lake, with valet parking at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula. A dining experience like no other with cocktails, appetizers and gourmet dinner with wine service, followed by campfires beneath the stars with coffee, sweet bites and music. Cost is $300 per person toward the Trails Now Fund, which provides immediate support for trail maintenance and priority trail projects in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For tickets, visit www.forcvnp.org/ topography.

Friday, June 23…Summer Solstice 2023, to benefit Hopewell, 6 p.m. at ThornCreek Winery & Gardens in Aurora, Ohio. Proceeds from this event provide fee assistance to a majority of our residents’ families who otherwise could not afford our care. Hopewell is a farm-based residential treatment program for adults

with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessivecompulsive disorder, and major depression. Using the healing powers of nature, of meaningful work, of our therapeutic community, and of clinical engagement, Hopewell’s program treats the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Enjoy dinner catered by A Taste of Excellence and participate in our silent and live auctions, and Fund-a-Need. To purchase tickets ($250) and for details about the event, visit www.hopewellcommunity. org/events/summer-solstice-2023

Saturday, Sept. 9…Pandemonium, to benefit Cleveland Public Theatre, at the Cleveland Public Theatre campus, this year to honor Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group, which includes the Cleveland Cavaliers. In its 21st year, Pandemonium returns to transform the CPT campus into a labyrinth of theatre, dance, visual art and performances in every corner. Tickets are all-inclusive, featuring fabulous local food, free valet and complimentary drinks served all night long. Attendees highly anticipate the announcement of the theme each year so they can start planning their attire which has included people coming dressed in anything from jeans to dinosaur costumes. Details to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets will be available to purchase in July. Visit cptonline.org.

Saturday, Sept. 23…Discovery Ball Cleveland, to benefit American Cancer Society’s Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge in Cleveland, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More details at clediscoveryball.org.

Saturday, Sept. 23…Play the Night Away Gala, to benefit Children’s Museum of Cleveland’s Wonder Fund, 7 to 11 p.m. at the Children’s Museum. Adultonly play date after-hours Museum experience to showcase your favorite destination for play in a whole new light. Dance and mingle, explore strolling dinner stations, and cheers at the open bar. Proceeds benefit the Wonder Fund, supporting programs that make the Museum experience accessible to all families in our community. For more information, visit CMCleveland. org/gala.

Saturday, Sept. 23…Pickle Fest, to benefit Greater Cleveland Volunteers, at Mall B in Cleveland. The festival will feature many different pickle vendors and other food vendors, a variety of beer (including pickle beer), pickle eating contests for youth and adults, live music, and a VIP tent. Tickets are $5 each for general admission and $30 each for VIP. Children age 12 and under are free. Cleveland Pickle Fest(R) raises funds for Greater Cleveland Volunteers programs and services. For details and to purchase tickets: https://clevelandpicklefest.com/

Thursday, Oct. 26…Round Up for Grace House, to benefit Grace House Akron, 5:30 p.m. at The TangierFairlawn. Put on your cowboy hat and Save the Date for this annual gathering. All proceeds from the event will go toward supporting our residents, allowing them to die a dignified death without financial barriers.

“Something’s Rotten!” playing at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre through April 15

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre welcomes you to the Renaissance with “Something Rotten!” This hit musical comedy features music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award and Tony Award-nominee Karey Kirkpatrick, and book by Tony Award nominees Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling au-

thor John O’Farrell. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM from 3/17 - 4/15, with Sunday matinees at 2 PM on 3/26 and 4/2. Tickets are $21 at CVLT.org or 440-2478955. ($4 discount for students, seniors, and active military.)

In 16th century England, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play. But they are stuck in the

shadow of that Renaissance rock star William Shakespeare.

A chance meeting with a soothsayer gives them a glimpse of future of theatre – singing and dancing! The brothers set about writing the first hit musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, Nick and Nigel realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self and all that jazz.

CVLT is located at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls Village. “Something Rotten!” is part of the theatre’s 93rd Season, which continues into the summer with “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “Kinky Boots.”

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through individual and corporate contributions.

Restaurant design is just one part of a recipe for success

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

When it comes to opening a restaurant, great tasting food and excellent customer service are not the only elements in determining success.

Some restaurants have design features that make customers want to visit again and again.

A fixture of the historic Old River neighborhood since 1993, Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille commemorated its 30th anniversary by making a serious reinvestment in its future.

A floor-to-ceiling remodel of the iconic restaurant that began on Jan. 1 has been completed. Hospitality Restaurants established Salmon Dave’s as a high-end seafood restaurant in Rocky River. The company has since opened seven more restaurants in Northeast Ohio. Hospitality Restaurants had planned a major remodel of Salmon Dave’s in 2020, but the effects of the coronavirus derailed plans.

“Over the years, we have continued to reinvest in our properties,” founding partner George Schindler said. “Salmon Dave’s has been a local staple for decades and is one of a mere handful of west side restaurants to have endured this long. We don’t take that accomplishment lightly. We continue to embrace the future while respecting our past and are excited to show our loyal patrons how truly invested we are in the Rocky River community.”

The transformation of Salmon Dave’s began last fall when the entire building exterior was painted and updated. Changes inside were carefully thought out to respect the bones of the century-old space, built in 1910, in balance with new materials. The restaurant now has a more contemporary feel with the installation of a new marble bar top, updated lighting, mosaic tiled floors and chrome accents. When Salmon Dave’s raises the bar, they mean it literally. Visible throughout the space, the decades-old mahogany back bar was carefully disassembled and reconstructed to sit nearly two feet taller, creating a dramatic backdrop for a spirited bar scene.

In addition to transforming the building both inside and outside, Culinary Director Marc Standen worked for

Mind Over Matter –

Advancing Memory Care

Bill Reynolds realized that his wife’s memory lapses were more than forgetfulness when a decline in cognitive abilities was interfering with everyday life. Her early signs of dementia escalated into an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and a significant lifestyle change when the couple decided to move to Judson Senior Living’s South Franklin Circle community in Chagrin Falls to live in a more supportive environment as they navigated an unpredictable journey.

Reynolds, former president of Gencorp Inc. and a past chairman of the board for University Hospitals, was like millions of other families figuring out how to care for their loved ones with dementia. The statistics are staggering, with more than 55 million people worldwide living with the condition, according to the World Health Organization. Experts predict the number will reach 78 million by 2030, and in the United States today there are 6 million with dementia-related diagnoses with an expectation for that number to increase to 14 million by 2030.

“At Judson, we are in the business of celebrating older adults and bringing them together in community to age well and stay as healthy as possible,” says Beth Embrescia, vice president of Judson Foundation. “There is no doubt we have to pay attention to the statistics. We walk this walk every day with some of our residents, and we aim to ensure that everyone has the greatest degree of holistic health and independence as possible.” To that end, Reynolds gave a visionary gift to Judson Foundation to help construct a state-of-the-art dementia care facility at South Franklin Circle.

“A dedicated center is so important because dementia-related diseases are progressive, so in the earlier stages it’s easier to stay in your own home setting or independent living, but over time, the ability to stay safe and well at home declines,” Embrescia explains. Judson has a longstanding commitment to memory care as the only Northeast Ohio senior living organization accredited in Comfort Matters®. It requires organizations to adapt systems and best practices to deliver the right care in the moment, to anticipate care needs, and continuously educate staff and caregivers as researchbased practices evolve.

“It’s very person-centered and we have the vision of comfort for our residents in memory care—we really get to know the person and their routine so we can apply interventions and address problems quicker, and do to that, we are called to be detectives and observers,” says Jessica Kulczycki, Judson’s Executive Director of Community Life.

Dedicated memory care centers allow organizations like Judson to offer tailored living environments that are designed for adults dealing with dementia. For instance, rooms are arranged to avoid confusion and spaces allow for engaging interaction. “There is so much evidence to support that there are things we can do to help our brains be as healthy as possible,” Embrescia says.

Our population is aging—and the biggest risk factor for memory impairment is simply getting older. Risk reduction, early detection and elevating care is imperative. This is why Judson is committed to the Comfort Matters® standards and, with generous partners, providing the highest level of support in a living environment. “A person’s cognitive status could change at any time,” Kulczycki points out. “This took dementia care to another level, and we are constantly considering how we can be proactive and trial new concepts.”

M. U. S.i.C. ~ Stars in the Classics to present spring festival of music from Latin and South America

On Sunday, March 26 at Church of the Western Reserve in Pepper Pike, M.U.S.i.C. ~ Stars in the Classics will present a spring festival of music from Latin and South America featuring composers from Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Doors open at 3 p.m. with music starting at 3:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Admission is $35 for general, $60 for patrons and $15 for students. To purchase tickets, call 216.702.7047 or online with a credit card at www.starsintheclassics.org. For questions, email stars@intheclassics.org.

months with the restaurant’s veteran chef, Mario Brown, to create an eclectic new menu. Outfitting the kitchen with new state-of-the-art cooking equipment has provided Chef Brown’s team with an opportunity to embrace a wider variety of cooking techniques.

Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille is at 19015 Lake Rd. in Rocky River. Phone 440.331.2739 or visit www.salmondaves.com.

Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens is the vision of Kathleen Birkel Dangelo and husband Andy Dangelo.

“We spent quite a bit of time traveling and we loved Napa. We loved the fact that, in California, there is such a seamless integration between the indoors and the outdoors,” Kathleen Dangelo said. They designed Sapphire Creek Winery to bring the Napa experience to Ohio.

“My husband and I owned this property since 2004. He passed away last year. It’s a beautiful piece of property with lots of trees and streams,” she noted. “We were fortunate enough to also own The Ohio Valley Group, a landscape design and construction company.” The Ohio Valley Group only occupied a small portion of the 15-acre wooded property. In early 2016, they began the design and build process and opened Sapphire Creek in March, 2018.

“When we designed the restaurant, we wanted it to have a lot of natural light. The skylight on the roof lets in a lot of light, and we installed storefront doors that can fold all of the way back,” she said.

“We thought ahead to what sort of spot we would want to accommodate weddings and events. We wanted to create a nice spot to greet guests. You can see the space from indoors and outdoors. One thing that we did for the lawn area that we use for weddings is to install artificial turf. It has been an absolute game changer for brides, especially when the weather is wet,” Dangelo added.

“When we designed the space, we wanted to design it so that you discover something hidden around every corner. We want our guests to take the time to stroll and enjoy the journey,” she said.

Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens is at 16965 Park Circle in Chagrin Falls. Phone 440.543.7777 or visitsapphire-creek.com.

Salmon Dave’s now has a more contemporary feel with updated lighting, mosaic tiled floors and chrome accents. Photograph courtesy of Hospitality Restaurants

Sapphire Creek Winery brings the Napa experience to Ohio. Photograph courtesy of Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens

Clients choosing custom construction of a home today desire wide open spaces

By LAURI GROSS

Building a custom home can seem daunting but, having the right tools and knowledge goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth process and pleasing results. Often, this begins with having a good flow of communication with your builder. Pat Perrino, president of Perrino Custom Builders, LLC, describes an online scheduling tool that his company uses.

“Customers can log in and see, for instance, when their windows are going in or when the roof is going on,” he explains. Customers also use the tool to see photos of how their house construction is progressing or to request a change. “There’s always a record of it,” Pat says, as he explains that the system eliminates conversations or promises that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

“There is a running log of progress at the job site. The system keeps track of all the info.”

Communicating with your builder is also easier when the customer doesn’t have to run all over town visiting different vendors for different aspects of the job. The Perrino team includes designers who work with customers at the Perrino furniture and home-accessory showroom for a one-stopshop experience. “Our people are so phenomenal,” Pat says.

“They can help people build their file (of the look and style they like) on Pinterest or Houzz.” Then they collaborate to find just the right fixtures, furniture and accessories for each client. The company’s relationships with dozens of suppliers empowers the design team to keep projects on budget by offering options at many price points.

In addition to having options for what goes in your custom home, you’ll of course also want options for the construction of the home itself. Every home Perrino builds is custom, whether it’s part of a development or a build-on-your-lot situation. “We can start from scratch,” Pat says, “but 99 percent of our customers start out with a pre-designed plan and then change it to what they want.” Perrino’s selection of home plans is vast and includes popular styles from farmhouse to Tuscan to rustic ranch and many more.

Popular exterior choices include HardiePlank, vinyl siding, stucco or stone. “Brick is also coming back,” Pat says. “It depends on the price point.”

Open floor plans remain extremely popular. Referring to the 13-lot West Pines 55+ development in Willoughby Hills that Perrino plans to complete this summer, Pat says, “We specialize in 55+ open ranch floor plans.” Pat says his company developed their current open floorplan offerings,

“through years of experience and showcasing them at other neighborhoods and tweaking them over the years.” He adds, “People love these open floorplans with high ceilings and lots of windows and they want smaller lots that require less work.” HOA (home owners’ association) fees cover everything from mulching and mowing, to plowing and shoveling. “We’ve specialized in this type of maintenance-free community for the past 15 years,” Pat adds.

Emphasizing the customizable nature of everything he builds, Pat says, “We can do an optional second floor if someone wants a game room or an extra couple of bedrooms up there. Or, we don’t have to build a second floor at all, for someone who wants complete first-floor living.”

Inside, people are generally looking for granite or quartz countertops, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring, and tile in the bathrooms. “A lot of people are opting for twotone kitchens,” Pat says, referring to one in which the island cabinets are a different color from the rest, or all the lower cabinets are one color while the uppers are different.

Today’s customers also tend to look for energy efficiency. “We build 2x6 outer walls (which means more

Build your home’s style on the foundation of beautiful flooring

By LAURI GROSS

Things are looking up. Or, they could be, once you look down. Are you floored by what you see? Flooring puns aside, maybe the perfect spring upgrade for your home is right under your feet. With so many options available, the perfect floor for your whole home might be just a showroom visit away.

While many homeowners are choosing new products and high-tech materials for their floors, traditional solid hardwood remains a popular choice.

Sheoga Hardwood Flooring and Paneling in Middlefield offers American-made solid and engineered hardwood flooring and paneling produced by a team of local craftsmen. Noting some of the best attributes of hardwood, general manager Larry Yoder points out that, in addition to being beautiful, these floors do not harbor allergens, microorganisms, or pesticides that can be tracked in from the outside; it’s truly renewable; it can be sanded and refinished over a lifetime that can exceed 100 years; it helps fight climate change by serving as a long-term store of carbon; it can add significant value to a home; and it’s easy to clean. “You can’t beat the quality of Mother Nature,” he adds.

room for insulation). We use high-efficiency furnaces and windows,” Pat ticks off. “The water heaters and all appliances are Energy Star rated,” he adds.

As for what makes a good spot for a new development, Pat says people like proximity to work, to freeways and to shopping, as he mentions company projects in Solon and Pepper Pike as well more rural projects in places like Kirtland. “We also do knockdowns,” Pat says, describing jobs where customers are happy with their location but want to start fresh from the ground up.

Northeast Ohio overall is popular not just with those who are already here but with plenty from more congested and expensive areas of the country. Pat mentions New York, California and Chicago in his list of places where transplants come from. “They are relocating here because of high crime and taxes in those other places. Also, there’s less traffic here and housing is so much more affordable here,” he points out. Whether he is building large homes for customers from elsewhere in the country or smaller homes for Ohio’s snowbirds, Pat says everyone wants open floorplans. “They want the wide-open spaces so even smaller homes feel big inside.”

Modular homes showcased at Home & Garden Show

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Spring is just around the corner. It’s time to turn your home and yard design visions into reality.

The annual Great Big Home and Garden Show held recently at the I-X Center showcased the latest in home design with its JDM Structures modular idea home and Weaver Barns backyard living features.

“Today’s buyers are looking for a more ‘homey’ feeling home, with warm colors, rich textures and beautiful finishes that are durable and easy to maintain,” Patrick Miller of JDM Structures noted. “There is a shift away from the drab and gray ‘HGTV’ home-flipper look and the boring nouveau-riche McMansions. While painted cabinets and trim are still hugely popular, we are seeing an appreciation of wood stain growing, as well.”

JDM Structures’ Hudson modular home features an open floor plan that maximizes the 1,285 square feet of living space. The kitchen features a generous dining island that provides extra storage and counter space, as well as a dining spot for two. The master bedroom has a bathroom suite with a large walk-in closet, double vanity and a soaking tub. The main floor includes a second bedroom, full bathroom and first-floor laundry. The attached garage adds convenience and security, while a timberframe porch and a pergola create outdoor living spaces.

Modular homes like the Hudson showcase cuttingedge solutions for the housing market, offering new levels of innovation, efficiency and affordability. Constructed in a climate-controlled factory, modular homes are engineered to meet the same building codes as conventionally-built custom homes. With the option to finetune the floor plan and layout, home buyers can create the perfect living space for their current and future needs.

“Today’s homebuyers are looking for flexibility. They want a home designed for them, but they don’t want the complexity of starting from scratch and having to make all of the decisions. We’re seeing historic demand for our modular homes in light of this, as well as the shorter build timeline that the modular home affords,” Miller said. “Essentially, the site preparation and foundation can be completed while the home is being built in the factory, which saves time and gets you into your home more quickly. Our cur-

rent lead times for modular homes are seven to 10 months, versus about double that length of time for custom homes.”

“Modular homes are also more energy efficient compared to stick-built homes, as the construction methods allow for better control over air infiltration in the outer envelope. Modulars have to be engineered to be strong enough to travel to the job site without flexing and bending, so they are built more sturdily than comparable stickbuilt homes,” he added.

Visit www.jdmcustombuilders.com for more information about the company’s modular and custom homes, or call 877.536.2276.

Specializing in Amish-built sheds, pavilions, garages and cabins, Weaver Barns’ Backyard Oasis at the home and garden show highlighted its Willow Creek garage model and Timber Ridge poolhouse.

“One of our most popular garage models, the Willow Creek serves well as a workshop, all the way to a full home. The latest display built at our facility features our new textured metal option with a vinyl board and batten

siding. Our Willow Creek is set to make a statement on any property,” Matt Miller of Weaver Barns said.

“If you want a pavilion, but also need storage, then look no further than our new Timber Ridge poolhouse. The enclosed area can be used for a kitchen, changing room, workout room or for storage, while the outside offers the perfect spot for entertaining. Our versatile poolhouse is built around flexibility and is able to be adapted to any backyard,” he noted.

“As the pandemic shifted more focus into our customers’ homes and backyards, so did our structure offerings.

We are tailor-made to help transform your backyard into an inviting, value-adding space,” Miller said. “We are seeing that popularity continue to increase, so naturally our buildings continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers. Any of our structures are sure to be a hit with friends and family.” Weaver Barns, located in Sugarcreek, OH, can be reached at 330.852.2103, or by visiting www.weaverbarns.com.

Make a selection at Sheoga’s showroom and then head to Ernie and Sons Hardwood Floor Specialists, also in Middlefield, where their team will set you up with measuring and installation. The family-owned Ernie and Sons also offers repair, dustless sanding, staining, refinishing, crack and gouge filling, and pet stain removal.

Jerri Hutcheson who owns Ernie and Sons with her brother Ken Pierce, says, “All we do is real, solid, 3/4inch wood flooring. At Sheoga, customers can choose red or white oak, hickory, maple, walnut, cherry or beach, plus the width (of the planks), and the grade (which can produce a uniform look or one with color variations and knots).” Jerri adds that prefinished choices are available but most of her customers choose unfinished, “so they can choose the color they want.” Wood floors, she explains, are popular in any type of home and in any room, including kitchens, where she says the company installs plenty of hardwood.

Mother Nature offers another flooring option that Mark Wien, owner and director of sales at Marshall Carpet One and Rug Gallery in Mayfield Heights says is, “Literally the wool off the sheep’s back.” Mark adds, “We are the only dealer in Cleveland that I know of that offers a truly 100-percent chemical-free carpet. This wool carpet, Mark explains, contains no insecticides, no synthetic dyes (there are natural dyed and un-dyed choices), 100-percent natural jute backing, 100-perfect natural wool cushion, and no synthetic or harmful VOCs. “People drive 60 or 70 miles to see us because we offer this,” Mark adds.

While this wool carpet has a following, the most popular floor choice among Mark’s customers, is luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Mark says, “It’s the hottest flooring segment and the fasting growing. We don’t see that slowing down.” The grey shades that were most popular in recent years are now giving way to warmer earth tones like shades of brown and beige. “Wider plank white oak is the look people are gravitating toward,” he says but he cautions, “There is a lot of junk out there. We have the strictest standards for what products we allow in our showroom, in terms of overall quality and thickness of the material itself and thickness of the wear layer.”

Laminate flooring, which hit the market decades ago as Pergo, took a back seat to LVT but is now having a moment. “It’s waterproof and has some of the same characteristics of LVT,” Mark offers as he explains that it looks realistically like wood and is more likely to be made in the U.S., whereas a lot of LVT is made outside the country. “Once it’s down, it’s hard to tell the difference (between laminate and LVT),” Mark admits.

To help customers choose, Mark says, “We get to know the customer and what their expectations are.”

The team at Marshall Carpet One finds out if a customer is using the home as a rental, or is upgrading it to sell, or if they have children or pets and what’s important to them, such as a quiet, soft floor, or easy cleanup or all of the above.

Mark points out that there are some very soft carpets that also offer supreme stain resistance. “There’s a fiber called SmartStrand,” he says. “It has a high content of organic material to offset the amount of petroleum in it.”

Marshall Carpet One also offers plenty of choices in hardwood and tile. As for area rugs, Mark offers everything from thick, chunky looped wool in earth tones, to bright and colorful patterned selections, plus custom creations. For area rugs in stock, Mark encourages shoppers to take advantage of the store’s 48-hour test run. “Take it home and bring it back if you don’t like it,” he says

Soon, the Marshall Carpet One will be renamed Marshall Flooring, which, Mark says is more reflective of all the great choices available in the store.

Perrino Custom Builders finds that homes with wide open spaces remain extremely popular.

Photograph courtesy of Perrino Custom Builders, LLC.

One of the most popular Weaver Barns garage models, the Willow Creek has a textured metal option with a vinyl board and batten siding.

47-acre property known as Riverstone Farm for sale in Kirtland

By RITA KUEBER

Visitors will discover a magical place upon traveling the private, three-quarter-mile drive off Hobart Road in Kirtland where they will discover a very private sanctuary – historic yet updated, rustic and comfortable, yet stylish.

Originally the property, dubbed Riverstone Farm, was a hunting lodge/summer home for the Cleveland industrialist Frederic H. Chapin. If the name seems familiar, you may know of the National Acme Company, a machine-tool manufacturer in Cleveland for many years. Or you’ve been to Chapin Forest, a parcel of land close to the lodge that the businessman purchased, then donated to the State of Ohio before his death in 1958. Lake County Metroparks currently oversees this parkland, famous for its cross-country ski trails.

The Hobart Road property, dubbed Riverstone Farm when built in 1940, now includes four buildings placed around a beautifully landscaped paved courtyard. The main house has a turret and a river stone-clad exterior. Inside, the great room has a timbered cathedral ceiling. The hand-hewn beams are made of wormy chestnut and give the room a true lodge feel with a touch of Tudor elegance. The large fireplace has a hearth made from stones taken from the Chagrin River.

Through the sliding interior door is the updated and renovated kitchen, open to a dining area and family room. The kitchen has a large island, Sub-Zero appliances, hardwood floor, and a tall, beamed ceiling. Ivory-colored cabinets offset the dark tile counters and backsplash. The stove and cooktop are defined by a river stone backsplash. Behind the kitchen is a laundry room and a mud room off the attached garage.

The dining area has one of several entries to the back patio, and here’s where the property morphs from very cool to jaw-droppingly spectacular. The view from the back of the main house is probably the most magnificent in all of Lake County. Hundreds of feet above the treeline, this a bird’s-eye view of the Chagrin River’s east fork, plus miles and miles of pristine forest to the west. Eagles fly by regularly. Sunsets are absolutely breathtaking.

This view is also accessed from the first-floor main bedroom suite that includes a private patio, sitting area, and an updated bath with a skylight, twin vanities, soaking tub, and separate shower. Up the curving staircase housed inside the turret, the main house has two additional bedrooms and a full bath. This building also has a morning room, studio/office, and a bonus room above the garage.

Directly across the courtyard is the guest house, timbered and rustic, with a turret of its own, all matching the main lodge. This building has many flexible spaces from a paneled great room and fireplace on the first floor to an expansive space up the spiral staircase.

Two more buildings added more recently include a studio that has an open floor plan on both first and second floors. The first floor is currently an art studio and potting shed, while the second floor is an exercise and game room, but both spaces are flexible. The other newer building on the property is a four-stall horse barn, indoor/outdoor paddocks, hayloft, horse “shower” and tack room.

As charming and inviting as these buildings are, what makes the property truly unique is its setting. The 47-acre parcel extends along the bluff above the river for nearly a quarter mile, ending at a private waterfall called Moss Point. Wandering streams create other waterfalls along the multiple secluded riding and hiking trails. One path leads directly to the river, and there are two ponds on the property. The buildings are surrounded by original growth pine forests and open meadowland. Enchanting doesn’t begin to describe this private, peaceful corner of the world. Combined, the living space of the buildings is over

7,600 square feet, plus 3,000 additional square feet of storage space and a full, finished basement. In total, there are five+ bedrooms, four full baths, and 14 additional rooms. Public water and septic. Central air and geother

mal/electric heat. There are six garage bays, with electrical and water available.

Represented by David Malone of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, 10028 Hobart in Lake County is

The gourmet kitchen has been completely updated but retains traditional elements in the ceiling and walls.

listed at $2,500,000 at press time with annual taxes of $21,161. Contact David Malone at 740.507.3630 or davidmalone@howardhanna.com.

Spring Cleaning

Ah, Spring! A time of renewal and rebirth. And like the design ideas shared in this publication, a time for fresh inspiration. Spring is also associated with deep cleaning. This is natural, given all the time we have spent indoors. When it comes to the care of your carpets, rugs and upholstery, Spring cleaning is encouraged. But there are steps that should be taken throughout the year in caring for your soft goods in your home and office. Here are three easy care tips that are timelessly effective regardless of the season.

Top on that list is regular vacuuming. Not often viewed as a cleaning method, vacuuming frequently is the most efficient and effective way to remove a majority of soils, especially from carpets and rugs. Vacuuming floor coverings in a bi-directional manner is the most effective. Pay close attention to traffic patterns, as these should be vacuumed twice as often as other areas. In addition to the benefits for your soft goods, regular vacuuming has the added health benefit of improving indoor air quality.

Ever heard of damp dusting? Well, much like dusting a hard surface like your mantel, damp dusting your upholstery can make a big difference. Take a gentle, neutral pH cleaner and lightly apply it to a clean, white towel. Without heavy pressure, dust the fabric to remove body and pet oils. Doing this technique monthly can keep your upholstery looking fresh and helps prevent premature soiling and wear.

And while you are damp dusting, flip and rotate your loose upholstery cushions. Constant, one-sided use can distort the interior padding and cause abrasion to the outer fabric. Plus, many fabrics fade naturally with age. Exposing all sides of cushions allows for more even use and lengthens the life. Plus, rotating cushions for some families is like a mini treasure hunt for all those lost surprises!

As a bonus, rotate your area rugs for similar reasons. The Spring is an ideal time for doing so because professional cleaning is encouraged annually. This is a deep cleaning measure often associated with the season referenced earlier. Following these simple steps throughout the year can make the chore of your Spring cleaning, well, less of a chore. Doing so also maximizes the health of your fine fabrics, carpets and rugs in addition to increasing their lifecycle. Make rejuvenation a year-long thing by focusing on preventative care. ~ FIBER SEAL, 23860 Miles Rd. Suite E, Cleveland, 44128, 216.581.4144 or visit fibersealnorthernohio.com.

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The interior of the main house retains its lodge-like feel with a timbered ceiling and river stone framed fireplace.

The guest house is directly across the courtyard from the main house.

The main lodge offers rustic charm with an updated and inviting interior.

The view from the back of the main house, looking west, includes miles of old-growth forest and the Chagrin River.

to choose plants that offer color and

Start now to have your yard ready for best backyard season ever

By LAURI GROSS

Around this time of year, it’s hard not to get excited about the greenery nudging up through the mulch and the buds that bravely start to take shape on the tips of tree branches. Northeast Ohio will soon be in full spring mode and it’s best to prepare now, in order to get the fullest enjoyment from your yard all season.

James Arch, design/build manager at Vizmeg Landscaping in Stow advises people to “Take a walk around your property with an experienced professional who can make quality recommendations for both short and long term. Landscapes are always evolving and require foresight to manage correctly.” This is good advice, whether your yard just needs a spring cleanup, or you plan to install a whole new bed, or you have even bigger plans for a complete backyard re-do.

For large projects, James recommends starting the process six to nine months out. “When planning a new project, you can never start too soon,” he says. “The upfront design and permitting process can take longer than anticipated.” James says that while spring marks the traditional start of the landscape maintenance season, the Vizmeg design team and construction crews work all year long, only stopping to handle snow removal.

Vizmeg’s expertise ranges from firepits to patios, pergolas and pavilions, plus outdoor kitchens, water features, in-ground pools, outdoor lighting, lawn and garden maintenance, plant selection, tree and shrub pruning, pest and fungus treatment and more.

For every job, James says, “Our goal is to handle every project with the same commitment and attention to detail whether a modest addition or grand design layout. They both offer opportunities to help our clients express their unique style and make the project their own.”

The process starts with helping a client visualize the possibilities. To do this, Vizmeg uses 3-D imaging and other software. “It’s a game-changer,” James says. “The use of this technology makes a project instantly understandable and we find the conversations with clients to be more thoughtful and productive. Leveraging this technology is key to being lean and efficient as a company. This translates into a better experience for our clients.”

Of course, selecting the right materials is also key. “We find that combining quality materials with correct building techniques produces a project that will bring years of enjoyment,” James explains. “While we follow the current trends, we work closely with clients to achieve the look and aesthetic that matches their home and lifestyle.

When it comes to choosing the actual plants for a client’s yard, James says it’s a “relatively simple process. We talk to them about their desired aesthetics and color selection. In NEO, with our weather and deer and different soil conditions, we have a pretty good palate of plants that we recommend. We educate clients on the best selections to make and that gives them a low-maintenance project while still satisfying their aesthetics.”

Rather than follow trends of which plants may be more or less popular, James says, “making wise, thoughtful decisions based on the information that is available” is usually better.

Vizmeg uses a lot of paniculata hydrangea. “It’s a reliable bloomer from mid-summer through fall,” James explains. As for evergreen shrubs, James likes boxwoods since the deer tend to stay away from these. For perennials, James says, “It’s hard to overlook classics like blackeyed Susans, Shasta daisies or Echinacea (also known as cone flowers).”All of these, and the hydrangea, have the added benefit of attracting pollinators.

Looking to add annuals to your garden? James says, “I advise to plant annuals in pots. It’s much easier to keep them watered and maintained. Annuals in a pot by the front door or side entry adds a spark of color and they are easy to take care of.”

A low-maintenance yard is desired by most clients. James

and his team get asked about this nearly every day. He says, “With thoughtful design, solid construction, and correct plant selections we are able to minimize the maintenance required to keep a project looking both new and fresh.”

Many of Vizmeg’s clients are opting to remain in their current homes and embark on renovation projects to update their look and meet their changing vision for what their property can be. “Renovation projects are on the upswing,” James says. “We are always receiving requests for outdoor gathering areas with fire pits and patios to enjoy the summer and fall months, and swimming pools with areas to enjoy poolside are also still strong and growing.”

Whether you envision your yard as a favorite hangout for neighborhood kids, a tranquil spot for quiet evenings, a riot of nonstop flowering color, or the perfect expanse for a pizza oven and cocktail party, the journey will be smoother with help from the right technology, the right materials, and the right professional team.

Wayside Furniture has a large selection of better-quality outdoor furniture sets at severely discounted prices. Featuring high performance, all-weather polyester fabrics from Nuvella; easy maintenance HDPR (high density polyethylene) for durability and weather resistance with the look of wood; rust proof powder coated aluminum frames with hand woven resin wicker; and water-resistant solid eucalyptus wood with five-step protective coating process. WAYSIDE FURNITURE, 1367 Canton Rd. Akron, 330.733.6221 or visit www.wayside-furniture.com.

Cleveland International Film Festival unveils CIFF47 membership program

with the top level of membership (VIP Passholder) also including passholder access to all CIFF47 Streams films. For full membership details (including information about CIFF’s e-commerce, which is now powered by Eventive), please visit clevelandfilm.org/membership. CIFF47 will take place March 22-April 1, 2023 at Playhouse Square, followed by CIFF47 Streams, sponsored by PNC, which will take place April 2-9, 2023 online. The Festival lineup was announced on March 3, 2023. Tickets went on sale to CIFF members on March 6, 2023 and to the public on March 10, 2023. For information on CIFF, please continue to visit clevelandfilm.org.

Experts at Vizmeg Landscaping work with homeowners

interest all season. Photograph courtesy of Vizmeg Landscaping

Gracious living to be found in home on seven acres in Brecksville

Handsome and regal, this Colonial built in 2002 is sited on its own cul-de-sac.

By RITA KUEBER

Imagine a spacious stone and stucco manse on a private cul-de-sac with an in-ground pool and patio that overlooks a national park. Nope, not Jackson, WY or West Yellowstone, MT, but Brecksville right here in NE Ohio. This luxurious colonial has room after room of comfortable, welcoming areas that pinpoint the sweet spot between a warm family home and upscale executive living. This is gracious living on seven acres, and just minutes to Brecksville or downtown Cleveland.

The front door opens into a two-story foyer with a limestone floor and a reverse staircase with wrought-iron railing. To the left is a banquet-sized dining room that leads to a large butler’s pantry and the kitchen beyond. The living room at the back of the house has a white-on-white timbered ceiling and a marble-framed fireplace. The back wall is a series of windows overlooking the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The wall opens via French doors to a stone terrace that leads to the patio and pool below.

Past these lovely, formal rooms is a second living room, closer to the kitchen for more intimate gatherings. A gallery runs along the upper level of this two-story room that has its own fireplace. The adjacent kitchen has a center island/breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, and an intriguing harlequin pattern to the backsplash in off-white, which complements the wood custom cabinetry. The eatin area nearby is also two-storied.

The owner’s suite is an exercise in glamour with a curved window seat and fireplace. The bath has two vanities and a jetted tub plus separate shower and lav. The main floor also has a stylish office/library that has a fireplace and its own balcony.

The house has front and back staircases. The back stairs have a cozy landing/sitting area. Upstairs are five more bedrooms, including one that could also be a primary suite, four full bathrooms, laundry room, plus a bonus room and loft area.

The walk-out lower level, unusually, has a tray ceiling and a pass-through fireplace centrally located between the kitchenette/bar area and the sitting area. This level also has an exercise room with a sauna, a full bathroom, and a gaming area. It opens out onto the patio level and pool. There’s also an outdoor kitchen.

Just 20 years old, this house has the old-fashioned grace and elegance of much older homes located in the Heights with up-to-date amenities a modern family needs. Flexibility allows everyone to have their own space, while having plenty of room to gather together as well. Stately but not stuffy, the house has a solid, timeless element, yet is updated with a casual, chic feel, and all at the edge of one of the most pristine green spaces in the country.

7275 Canyon Point Circle has six fireplaces, eight baths (six full, two half baths) and six bedrooms with the

The kitchen has elegant architectural details as well as multiple areas for prepping and cooking.

owner’s suite on the first floor over 14,524 square feet. Built in 2002, the parcel includes over 6.8 acres. Inground pool, zoned heat/central air. Public water and sewer. Four-

car heated garage attached. Represented by Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, this house is listed at $2,600,000

This cozy, wood-paneled office has built-in shelves, a fireplace, and access to the back patio and park views.

at press time and with annual taxes of $49,054. Contact Adam Kaufman at 216.831.7370, or adamkaufman@ howardhanna.com.

The back of the house features a stone patio off the main floor, with pool and patio below off the walkout lower level, plus views of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

A private two-story family room off the formal living room has a fireplace and a gallery above.

MedWish International set to celebrate 30 years of saving lives

By ANDREA C. TURNER

MedWish International, the Cleveland-based nonprofit organization that repurposes surplus medical supplies and equipment to provide humanitarian aid to people in need, celebrates its 30th year in 2023.

Medwish’s Founder and President, Dr. Lee Ponsky, recently reflected on the early years when the organization got its start.

As a high school student, Ponsky volunteered at Cleveland’s now defunct Mount Sinai Hospital. “All my friends were getting cool jobs – lifeguarding, or hanging out outside. And I was working as a scrub nurse in the operating room, passing the instruments to the doctors. And I loved it … It was a gift to me,” said Ponsky.

He then sought out opportunities to use those skills as a volunteer during college. In the summer of 1991, he volunteered at a medical clinic in Ogbomosho, Nigeria.

Days there started with the medical team washing out the rubber gloves from the day before. “We would fill them with water. And if there was no water dripping from the fingertips, they were good,” he explained. They would make their own gauze or use bread bags to examine patients and use fishing line as suture.

It was there he witnessed first-hand the obvious lack of medical supplies in developing countries. He recalled a woman dying tragically simply because the clinic did not have a proper breathing tube she needed to survive.

Prior to starting medical school in 1993, Ponsky was determined to help resolve this need, and MedWish was born in an effort to repurpose medical surplus that would otherwise be discarded.

MedWish began internationally, then eventually launched its local and domestic giving program in 2018, helping save millions of lives across the world and in our own backyard. Now one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country, MedWish celebrates its accomplishments – almost 6 million pounds of supplies have reached 115 countries including the U.S. since 1993. Supplies include wheelchairs, MRI machines, boxes of gauze, operating room lights, examination gloves, microscopes, Neosporin, and everything in between. MedWish has sent significant supplies to Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia, and efforts are underway to help those affected by the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey.

“Thirty years feels like quite a milestone, considering I had some passion and idealism, and a lot of naïveté at an early age to create this concept,” said Ponsky, now Chair of the Department of Urology at University Hospitals.

He credits the philanthropic community of Northeast Ohio for supporting the organization and its mission, “I’m very proud of the community we live in and the way our mission has been embraced, both by volunteers, donors, and partner healthcare organizations. It’s much bigger than what I ever expected.”

“At the end of the day, I’m most proud of the number of people’s lives we’ve been able to either dramatically improve or save with medical treatment because of our efforts,” he added. “We always like to reach as many people in need as possible, so the enormity of that is very rewarding.

I also joke that MedWish is my fourth and oldest child,” he added. He and his wife are parents to three children.

From that first “warehouse” in Ponsky’s parents’ garage to where MedWish is today – 16 staff members and

thousands of volunteers -- they are planning ahead to make an even greater impact in the years to come to save lives and the environment.

Future goals include partnerships to help specific communities in need establish solid infrastructure to become more medically self-sustainable. To expand their footprint, they are looking into creating distribution centers in parts of the world for more efficient and quicker ease of transporting supplies.

“The mission of MedWish is undeniably powerful. I love meeting supporters and finding out how they got ‘hooked’ on MedWish,” said Executive Director Britta Latz. “For some, it was a medical mission trip, volunteering, or learning about the environmental impact. For me, it was a summer internship in 2009 and hearing recipient stories.” In 2021, Latz became the Executive Director, overseeing MedWish’s strategic direction and overall operations.

Opportunities exist to learn more or get involved. Warehouse volunteer shifts are open to sort through supplies and pack boxes at its warehouse location, 1625 E. 31st Street near Payne Ave. Humanitarian Happy Hour takes place at Whistle & Keg Taproom on March 16, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., whereby a portion of the proceeds benefits MedWish.

This summer, Medical Brigades will travel to Honduras (June 14-19) and the Dominican Republic (July 4-9). Medical professionals and non-medical participants are welcome.

And don’t miss the Band Aid Bash, MedWish’s annual fundraiser, on June 10, at FWD Day + Night Club.

To watch MedWish International’s “Where it all began” video, go to its website at medwish.org.

Holden Arboretum to open outdoor exhibit for summer 2023 on May 27

The Holden Arboretum is excited to announce it will open a new outdoor exhibit that will appeal to the kid in all of us. Sean Kenney’s “Nature Connects” Made with LEGO® Bricks features more than a dozen colorful creations that will pop out of garden and trail landscapes creating a magical new world at the arboretum.

“Nature Connects” opens Saturday, May 27, and runs through Monday, September 4, 2023. Tickets will be available for purchase in advance beginning in May at holdenfg.org.

The new exhibit brings some of nature’s most beloved flora and fauna to colorful life with 14 impressive sculptures built with over 350,000 simple toy blocks. As visitors explore the lush arboretum grounds, they will be greeted by a giant monarch butterfly, a gorgeous lily, a huge hummingbird pollinating a flower, and nearly a dozen more delightful creations.

Perrino Custom Builders specializes in homes that are designed to be open and grand! Come see our Model Homes at 7551 Royal Portrush in Solon or 320 Acacia Circle Lyndhurst from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Our homes are built with wide open space living with a lot of windows to let the outdoors in. Also ask about our 55 and older community with open floor plan ranches coming soon. We also will build on your lot. We are teardown specialists, too.

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ENGLISH COTTAGE REIMAGINED

“We are thrilled to bring this unique and playful exhibit to the Holden Arboretum and hope that folks will have fun seeking to find all 14 nature-inspired sculptures,” said Beth Kelly, Director of Guest Experience. “While many of artist Sean Kenney’s creations will stand out because of their enormous size or gravitydefying shapes, some will require keener observation skills!”

Sean Kenney is an award-winning artist who uses

LEGO pieces as a medium for contemporary sculpture, portraiture, and commercial art. He is recognized as one of the leading experts in the field and is a founding member of several global programs that aim to encourage and support this emerging art form. Millions of people have visited Kenney’s exhibitions, and his work has been acclaimed by The New York Times, PBS Arts, BBC Arts, and Vogue, and he continues to create every day at his studio in Amsterdam.

“We created sculptures that have thin flower petals, insect wings or antennae, and legs. Making these giant sculptures sturdy enough was one of the biggest challenges I faced,” said artist Sean Kenney. Balancing the delicate wispiness of nature with the sturdiness that’s required was quite a feat!”

Just as LEGO pieces interconnect, everything in nature is in a delicate balance. The narrative that accompanies the intricate displays in “Nature Connects” will remind visitors of the importance of conservation, the balance of ecosystems, as well as the relationships between humankind and the natural world.

Explore the beauty and wonder of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO® Bricks, open Tuesdays through Sundays to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a limited engagement through September 4.

MedWish crash carts are prepared to be shipped from its Cleveland warehouse, then put to use in a hospital just outside of Ukraine.

Photograph courtesy of MedWish International

Kitchen renovation reflects Colonial elements of 1920’s home

By RITA KUEBER

As much as the young married couple loved the 1920s-era Dutch Colonial in Cleveland Heights, they were well aware of its flaws.

The original kitchen was small, as was the dining room. They wanted a half bath on the first floor and there was additional work to be done on the second floor. The primary bedroom was large but lacked a closet. The upstairs bath needed renovation as well. Despite these flaws, they purchased the house and then engaged the services of Reflections, an interior design firm of Cleveland Heights, but soon to open in a historic property in Oakwood Village. (See sidebar.)

“There were definitely a lot of challenges. This is a really fun couple with fun personalities. They loved cooking together and we were excited to work with them,” says Marissa Matiyasic, owner and principal of Reflections. Together with her lead designer Katie Camino, they drew up plans for the first floor and most of the second, and work with the contractor began. Here, we’re going to give the kitchen project the in-depth look it deserves.

The first obstacle was huge. The idea was to swap out the kitchen and dining areas, combining them into a larger, more open room. Right in the middle was a large brick chimney, too big to move and too much a part of the original structure to eliminate. “We decided to use it as a way to divide the kitchen into zones – one for cooking and one for dishwashing,” Marissa says. “It was a cool feature that brought character to the space.” The chimney was stripped down to bare brick and put to good use as a way to anchor floating shelves facing the dishwasher zone.

The next obstacle was the issue all homeowners, builders, and designers faced during the supply-chain crisis. “We waited forever for the appliances,” Marissa says. “They still didn’t have the refrigerator they needed when they had family come into town.” Fortunately, through a good relationship between the designers and the vendor, the couple was able to borrow a temporary fridge to tide them over.

The designers named the project ‘Classic Meets Whimsy.’ Think traditional with a twist. No matter what you call it, the finished kitchen is a harmonious collage of materials and colors. The range, custom-ordered from Italy has a vintage feel with its glossy white enamel skin and retro gold knobs. Upper cabinets are white with silvery knobs for a cool tone. Lower cabinets are a dove gray with pulls in a warmer tone. The end cabinet is actually an appliance garage to keep counter clutter to a minimum, which works because the work area is spacious but

Beck Center for the Arts is excited to stage the upcoming Dance Education Production, “Cinderella Ballet.” Choreographed by Associate Director of Dance Education Melanie Szucs, this piece includes 65 students in the cast, ages 7-18.

This hour-long ballet production is perfect for adults and children of all ages and is filled with colorful costumes and sets. A retelling of this classic fairytale in dance features students from Beck Center Dance Educa

The Revival of Art Deco

According to some top interior designers, 2023 will welcome back the Art Deco movement with open arms. Art Deco is characterized as glamorous, modern and geometric. It mixes colors and patterns, while emphasizing art and rich materials.

If you are considering a new look for your home this season, try starting small with art or accessories that fit the Art Deco aesthetic. If you love the results, you can expand with furniture, wallpaper, paint or other more permanent options.

Emerald green three-quarters of the way up the wall, and then added a lively black and white wallpaper that reflects the homeowners’ style. A brass fitting emphasizes the sink and creates a towel bar without taking up wall space. Even the most mundane object in the room, the faucet, has a lot of personality.The designers even found extra space for a little walk-in mud room with shelves for storage.

The other factor in the renovation besides coordination was timing. When the project started in April 2021, both owners were working at home, so they were able to meet with contractors and confer with Marissa and Katie as needed. By the end of all the renovations in November 2022, the couple had not only returned to working outside the home, but they were expecting their first child. “We really snuck in under the wire. They left for the hospital to have their baby the same evening we finished the last part,” Marissa says. Now, of course, the couple is at home with their four-month-old, enjoying the house they helped design around their preferences.

Reflections Interior Design, 216.229.1000, reflectionsinteriordesign.net/

Vendors: Ferguson Kitchen & Bath (Appliances & Plumbing)

Shawnee Wood Products (Kitchen Cabinetry)

Thibaut Designs (Wallcoverings)

Thomas Brick Company (Tile)

Granex Industries (Countertops)

Hinkley Lighting (majority of lighting)

Reflections moves Southeast

Blending color and texture, designers created a sleek, welcoming kitchen with clean lines and modern amenities while honoring the traditional elements of the hundred-year-old house. Second floor renovations included adding closet space, and updating the guest bathroom with a calming color palette and spa-like touches throughout.

not huge. The refrigerator is also a glossy white and the countertops are smooth eggshell in places, and marble in others. White and gray hexagonal tiles with a random geometric pattern serve as the backsplash/cabinet lining.

The designers didn’t want the dish area to feel too utilitarian, so in a nod to the colonial elements of the house, they added cabinet doors in frosted glass with leaded brass detail. The same combination of glass and metal is seen in the star-shaped pendant light above the area. This part of the kitchen has a farmer’s sink plus a stylish faucet. Here the designers used beadboard on the walls and ceiling, as a nod to the traditional aspects of the house.

The eat-in area runs along the same wall as the dish area. Here, a custom-designed table in dark wood was created to fit the space. One side has traditional dining chairs, the other an extended window seat that works as a bench. This seat runs the length of the table, right in front of the windows lining the wall. A collection of throw pillows adds color and charm to the dining space.

The renovation included transforming the former dining nook into a powder room. This small, convenient space has a lot of style packed into it. The designers used shiplap in

Beck Center For The Arts proudly presents “Cinderella Ballet”

tion. We meet Cinderella as she copes with her domineering stepmother and zany stepsisters. We watch her transformation into a beautiful princess surrounded by dancing mice, birds, horses, and magical fairies, including her Fairy Godmother. Follow her to the festive ball which ends at midnight. And finally, we will celebrate with her as she is reunited with her handsome prince!

The part of Cinderella is being shared by sisters Elise and Paige Thomas. Marissa Ferner and Cas-

Don’t just get it on the market. Get it the attention it deserves.

sidy Cipollo will share the role of the Fairy Godmother. And Beck alumni and current faculty member Alexandra Cassidy will portray the Stepmother in this production. This limited showing of “Cinderella Ballet” will take place in Music and Creative Arts Therapy Building (MCAT) Oatey Stage at 7:30 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023, and Sunday, March 26, 2022, at 3 pm, Friday, March 31 at 7:30 pm, as well as Saturday, April 1 at 7:30

Reflections Interior Design left its Cleveland Heights location in the Cedar Fairmount area late in 2022 and is working on moving into a historic building in Oakwood Village. The structure, built in 1843, was originally the home of Alonzo Drake, a farmer who moved from Bristol, Vermont to Bedford. The building is in the Greek Revival style and was unusual at the time as it was built with bricks rather than timber.

“This is on the National Register of Historic Places,”

Marissa Matiyasic, owner of Reflections says. “A lot of people wanted the land but not the building, but the parcel couldn’t be separated from the house. We wanted the building even though it needed a significant amount of work. We’re the right people to do it.”

The building has been zoned for commercial use for nearly 30 years. Previously, a title company used the building for its offices. But Marissa has bigger plans than just offices for her new showroom. “We wanted a space that looks and feels like a house. We’ve opened up the walls, added a new staircase, eliminated a bathroom and now we’re in the waterproofing and drywall phase,” she says. She admits it’s been a long, grueling process. “But we’re very excited to use it for our clients, and maybe even some special events and classes,” she adds.

Marissa explains the new location is closer to the bulk of her clients in Solon and Hudson, plus has good highway access, more parking, and more room for deliveries. She is hoping for a soft opening this summer. Once they move into their newly renovated space, the business will be Reflections at The Drake, in Alonzo’s honor.

pm, Sunday, April 2 at 3 pm. Tickets went on sale to the public on March 6, 2023.

Beck Center is also proud to present Sensory-Friendly performances on Thursday, March 30, but both are already sold out.

Tickets for these performances are available for purchase and cost $12 for children and $14 for adults. Please call Customer Service for more details at 216.521.2540 or visit BeckCenter.org.

Room Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

Malachi House “The Merry Ploughboys Concert”

The Music Box Supper Club hosted the 21st Anniversary Benefit Concert to support Malachi House on February 10, featuring the Dublin band “The Merry Ploughboys” for an unforgettable evening of traditional Irish music and fun. A sold out crowd of 250 attendees raised approximately $80,000

Malachi House, nestled in Cleveland’s historic Ohio City neighborhood, was co-founded by Fr. Paul Hritz (1923-2013) and Catherine “Kaki” O’Neill, as a pioneering effort to preserve human dignity for terminally ill individuals who have no financial means or caregiving support. Caregivers, volunteers, staff, board members, along with the assistance of hospice teams, lovingly provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those embarking on life’s last journey.

Inspiration for the House came from the ministry of Fr. Hritz and St. Malachi Catholic Church parishioners who often encountered unhoused individuals dying under bridges, in cars, deserted buildings and other unsuitable places within the city in 1986. He wished to create a

“home for the dying poor” where compassionate people would provide care and attention to those who would otherwise spend their final days alone. Serving more than 2,600 residents to date, Malachi House provides dignified care to its residents free of charge through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations. It receives no government support, insurance fees or Medicaid reimbursement to provide the 24/7 individualized attention to residents.

Executive Director Judy Ghazoul Hilow, along with Board Chair John J. Schriner, presented the Community Service Award to Sean Lackey for his dedication and commitment to Malachi House. Lackey is co-owner of Gandalf’s Pub & Restaurant in Valley City with his wife Michelle. A graduate of the famed Second City improvisational theatre, Lackey has produced and acted in the audience-interactive comedy, “Flanagan’s Wake” at Playhouse Square since 2010, the longest running theatre show in Cleveland history. This hilarious interactive “Irish wake” runs through April 29 at Playhouse Square’s

Kennedy Cabaret. Guests enjoyed traditional Irish fare of corned beef, codfish, cabbage, potatoes, and beer, as they listened to the evening’s opening act, Cleveland Irish band “Half Craic’d,” followed by two sets of The Merry Ploughboys.

Tom Arbeznik, the event’s co-chair with wife Caroline, originally recruited the band to play for the fundraiser when he traveled to Dublin many years ago. The band has consistently returned to play this popular benefit, and even recorded a song in 2015 named “Achill to Cuyahoga.” The song, featured on the band’s “Irish National Volunteers” CD is an ode to the journey taken by so many from Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland to Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, in search of a better life. Event raffle winners won a one-week roundtrip package for two to Dublin (Grand prize), a bottle of Midleton Vintage Release Irish Whiskey (2nd prize) and an Irish gift basket (3rd prize). For more information, visit malachihouse.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY AN-

DREA C. TURNER

100 Women Strong OHIO Co-President Represents Giving Spirit of Northeast Ohio on “The American Dream”

Mary Jo Rischitelli Clark, Co-Founder and CoPresident of 100 Women Strong OHIO exemplified the giving spirit of Northeast Ohio while talking with Kyle McCort, Loan Originator, and ADTV Host of the Cleveland Edition of “The American Dream” about the organization’s mission and impact on the lives of women in children in the Cleveland-Akron region. Northeast Ohio is a generous community and Rischitelli Clark’s appearance on the show helps demonstrate that to people who are considering a move to the area. The segment of the real estate-focused show highlighting neighborhoods throughout Cleveland aired Sunday, February 19 on the CW. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Udi3Sq73ZLY.

100 Women Strong OHIO is a giving circle comprised of a diverse group of women who have joined together with a passion for giving back to the community and supporting charities in their efforts to improve the lives of women and children throughout the Northeast Ohio region. By pooling their resources, members are able to give even more money to the organizations selected to receive grants than they otherwise would have if making individual donations. The impact has been significant. To date, 100 Women Strong OHIO and 100 Girls Strong have granted more than $350,000 to over 28 organizations through grants and tangible items over the past four years.The formula is simple: ask members to donate a minimum amount of money to join and hold two Giving Events per year where three vetted organizations present their missions.Members vote to choose the large grant winner with the two remaining receiving lesser grants, so no one goes home empty handed. A Tangible Giving initiative is also included within the fiscal year impacting even more charities. Members are encouraged to work directly with charities for hands-on volunteer work, something most, if not all, members do. One hundred percent of all donations are granted. Operation expenses are funded separately.

Middle- and high school-aged daughters of current 100 Women Strong OHIO members are invited to participate in 100 Girls Strong, an offshoot organization offering at least two opportunities for girls to engage in philanthropic events geared toward young women. Managed by the 100 Women Strong OHIO board, 100 Girls Strong members participate in service projects that raise awareness of the community around them and foster a spirit and lifetime of giving.

Stan Hywet opens April 1 for 2023 Season

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens opens for the 2023 season on April 1; the Manor House exhibit, CONNECTIONS: LOVE & THE TIES THAT BIND, is a look at relationships within the Seiberling family. It explores the personal relationships in the multi-generational household of F.A. and Gertrude Seiberling, with a particular focus on the six Seiberling children and how their connections

made through marriage affected the family dynamic and the community around them. Stan Hywet’s robust lineup of public programs begins with the Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. The schedule of public programs also includes Founders’ Day Weekend, June 9-10; the Father’s Day Car Show, June 18; Off the Vine: An Evening Pairing of Food & Wine, August 18; the Molto Bella Auto Show, Sep-

tember 10; and Ohio Mart, October 5-8. Murder in the Mansion is select nights in October, and Deck the Hall is select evenings November 24-December 30. Monthly Twilight Walks run from April through Aug. May 20 is a class on building a pollinator garden and view the Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 12. For more information, visit stanhywet.org.

The American Dream is the vision of Craig Sewing who founded ADTV five years ago in California. The central focus is real estate and the people behind it. The show weaves its storylines between topics like home ownership, lifestyles, entrepreneurship, charity, neighborhood and family. With an audience of approximately 1.2 million viewers throughout the United States, the Emmy-nominated American Dream features eight to 12 power players of real estate, establishing them as the “expert of their market” within the show and the network. ADTV host McCort is one of the Real Estate and Lifestyle Experts for the Cleveland show.

For more information on 100 Women Strong OHIO and to join our Giving Circle visit https:// www.100womenstrongohio.org/.

Michelle and Sean Lackey, Community Service Award Honoree

Sponsors Jim and Jen Riley; Carolyn Bender, Clinical Director; Martha Cromleigh, Volunteer Coordinator Dianne and Jerry Sidley

Butch and Mary Lou Manfroni with Nancy and Mark Tinsley

John J. Schriner, Board Chair; Monica O’Toole; Kelly O’Toole; Judy Ghazoul Hilow, Executive Director and Tom Arbeznik, Event Co-Chair Terry Tulisiak and Debbie Onders with Kate and Brennen Randquist