Thanks to New Image Photography for the beautiful, floral January Currents cover photograph, taken at the Recreation League of Cleveland’s 87th annual Assembly Ball held in late December at the Union Club. Read more about this special event on pages B1 and B2.
A4-14 WEDDING BELLES
Bridal trends & traditions
B1-2 RECREATION LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND
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
KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN
Editor
JANUARY EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Rita Kueber, Anastasia Nicholas, Jolie Higazi, Jeanne Emser Schultz, Andrea C. Turner
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Peggy Turbett
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S: Shari Silk
AD DESIGNERS: Connie Gabor, Ashley Gier
Submit nonprofit benefit events to editor@currentsnews.com.
Thursday, Feb. 6…Haute for the House, to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Northeast Ohio, at InterContinental Hotel Cleveland. Join us for a night of fashion, gourmet food, specialty cocktails, irresistible auctions, raffles and more! The evening culminates with an exclusive, cutting-edge fashion show created and produced by Kent State University School of Fashion students, faculty, and alumni. 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities. For more information, contact Katie Spring, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at kspring@RMHCneo.org or visit rmhcneo.org/event/hauteforthehouse/.
Saturday, March 1 Annual Gala, Celebrating 75 Years of Kidney Foundation of Ohio, at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown. Join us to honor the past, present, and future of the Foundation, and recognize the achievements and progress of dialysis, transplantation, and research. This black-tie optional event will bring together nearly 300 healthcare professionals, business leaders and community members. As our largest fundraiser, this event is critical in raising funds to benefit our direct assistance programs that provide medication assistance, transportation reimbursement, and emergency support to more than 1,000 individuals impacted by kidney disease each year. For more information, tickets & sponsorship, contact Emily Powell, Assistant Development Director at epowell@kfohio.org, or visit https://e.givesmart.com/s/:DNgk82EPWXM/e/ G7i/.
Correction
Escape winter’s chill by visiting an area museum or art gallery
Recreation League of Cleveland hosts 87th Assembly Ball B NEO MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Please call 440.247.5335 for editorial, advertising and deadline information. Currents is distributed in: Auburn, Avon Lake, Bainbridge, Bath, Bay Village, Beachwood, Bentleyville, Bratenahl, Brecksville, Chagrin Falls, Chesterland, Cleveland Heights, Fairview Park, Gates Mills, Hudson, Hunting Valley, Kirtland Hills, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Moreland Hills, North Royalton, Orange Village, Pepper Pike, Rocky River, Russell, Shaker Heights, Solon, South Russell, Strongsville, University Heights, Waite Hill, Westlake, Akron, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Hinckley, Montrose, Peninsula, Richfield and Silver Lake.
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Since 2016, Radiant Bride owner Ellen McFadden has witnessed the changing landscape in trends for new brides as her business has grown. Her award-winning bridal shop, located at 19415 Detroit Road in Rocky River, serves brides in Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown.
Now at 25 years into the new century, McFadden asserts, “This year holds a bigger shift in trends than we have seen in years and we’re loving every single element of it!”
“We are embracing some beautiful and significant shifts in bridal fashion for 2025,” says McFadden. “The return of the Basque Waist is right at the top of the new trends. The waistline drops to a V in the front, elongating the figure and creating a very narrow waistline. It’s classic, refined and flattering.”
There is a return of Chantilly lace and lace-up backs for an ultra feminine look. Asymmetrical detailing and 3-D floral motifs are new favorites. Neckline trends are changing too, with fewer deep plunges and more squared and ruched options.
Intricate textures, rich embroidery and corset bodices also dominate this year’s designs. Experts suggest that brides identify what makes them feel their best, most confident version of themselves. Come see what’s in store for your special day.
Nestled in the heart of University Circle's cultural hub, the Cleveland History Center is an elegant wedding venue in Cleveland, OH. Part of The Western Reserve Historical Society, this is a venue unlike any other. The center is a treasure trove of classic architectural details and historical collections, offering distinctive settings for sophisticated soirees. Intimate gatherings and lavish events can be held in a wealth of unique spaces, from the lush courtyard to the nostalgic interiors of the glass pavilion. Whether you have a taste for ornate design or a deep appreciation for classic cars, this eclectic venue has the space for you.
LISA MORAN LTD. will have this beautiful gown and the entire Frascara and Audrey + Brooks Spring lines at their Trunk Show February 6-8. 216.464.0800 or lisamoranltd.com.
The Cleveland History Center personifies versatility and diversity. Boasting seven acres of stunning backdrops amid a beautiful array of indoor and outdoor locations, you are guaranteed to find the suitable space to bring your vision to fruition. The Hanna Courtyard Garden is an idyllic outdoor setting with luscious greenery and historic stonework. The area is comfortably suited for micro weddings or cocktail receptions of up to 200 guests, including access to the indoor gallery. Within The Norton Gallery, 130 seated friends and family can enjoy a delightful banquet surrounded by enticing exhibitions. Inside, the Crawford Rotunda
is a celebration of vintage cars and antique motors. Immersed in Ohio's rich transportation history, 500 guests can soak in the collection with signature drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
The Hay-McKinney Mansion is the height of Guilded Age decor with access to the impressive Hay Vanderbrook Garden. Its reception hall and formal dining room are perfect for micro weddings, while the garden can accommodate 80 guests for a personal ceremony. Nearby, an open lawn space is available for a standout tented reception.
The Cleveland History Center is a spectacular setting for receptions, ceremonies, renewals, and micro-wedding events. The
staff is ready and waiting for you to make your first steps toward achieving a timeless wedding event. Dedicated to milestones, this team can assist you with any detail needed for your day, including valet parking, catering, and decorations. The venue also provides access to a large selection of outside vendors with extensive experience transforming its distinct spaces. From traditional tastes to forward-thinking visions, the center's online little white book of chosen vendors has something for you.
To schedule your tour, email sales@wrhs. org. Your Happily Ever Starts Here at the Cleveland History Center.
A handmade British tradition since 1950. These enameled bangles are hand crafted in workshops located in the West Midlands and feature a hinged clasp for easy fit. They feature timeless design admired worldwide and available at MULHOLLAND & SACHS at Eton Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere, 216.831.4444 or mulhollandsachs.com.
Located in the heart of downtown Chagrin Falls, Glass Asylum 2 is quickly emerging as the premier event venue in Chagrin Valley. This extraordinary space combines industrial charm with an eclectic flair, offering an experience unlike any other. Whether you’re hosting a corporate meeting, celebrating a milestone, or planning an intimate wedding, Glass Asylum 2 is designed to accommodate events of all kinds with a unique blend of style, creativity, and artistry. Spanning an impressive 4,500 square feet, the venue is a visual masterpiece.
High ceilings, distinctive woodwork, and custom lighting set the tone for an atmosphere of sophistication and innovation. But it’s not just the space that makes Glass Asylum 2 so special—the venue also features rotating art installations and stunning glass-blown lighting designed by renowned artist Christopher Crimaldi. These dynamic pieces continuously evolve, ensuring that each visit brings something fresh and inspiring for your guests. In addition to its artistic allure, Glass Asylum 2 offers a minimalist design that provides a perfect “raw space” for any event. This flexibility is what makes it so appealing to event planners and individuals alike. The venue is a blank canvas waiting for you to personalize and transform it into
your ideal setting. From stylish corporate seminars and lively art shows to private micro-weddings and celebratory gatherings, Glass Asylum 2 is a versatile space that adapts to your vision. No matter the scale or tone of your event, this venue provides the backdrop for something truly unforgettable. Behind the venue’s design is Christopher Crimaldi, the visionary behind the original Glass Asylum, who seamlessly blends elegance and creativity. His use of handcrafted live-edge tables, elegant soft seating, and eyecatching lighting installations brings the space to life, while the ever-changing glass art pieces continuously offer a new perspective for each occasion. Glass Asylum 2 isn’t just a venue; it’s an experience. Its atmosphere is designed to foster creativity, connection, and celebration, making it the ideal place for any event, whether casual or formal. The venue invites guests to be inspired, relax, and immerse themselves in an ambiance that exudes sophistication and artistry. For those looking to bring their vision to life in a setting that perfectly blends creativity, elegance, and artistic flair, Glass Asylum 2 is the place where every event becomes an unforgettable experience. GLASS ASYLUM 2. 440-3370007. WWW.GLASSASYLUM2.COM
Great Lakes Science Center hosts first ever Dog
In honor of Great Lakes Science Center’s current special exhibition Dogs! A Science Tail, the museum is partnering with several local agencies to present Canine Chemistry, its first-ever dog adoption event! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, dog adoption and rescue organizations will take over the Science Center’s Promenade with potentially adoptable furry friends. Participating groups include ARF Berea, GRIN (Golden Retrievers in Need), Muttley Crue, One at a Time K9, and Rescue Village. Guests can talk to the volunteers and learn more about how to help their nonprofit organizations care for their animals, find out about each group’s adoption process, and maybe even meet a new furever friend. After visiting with the dogs and volunteers for Canine Chemistry, guests can discover life from a dog’s point of view in the Dogs! A Science Tail exhibition, included in general admission. Experience the extraordinary way a dog sees, hears and smells the world through fun and unique hands-on exhibits, and uncover the science of our enduring bond. From lovable companions to loyal protectors, dogs have evolved over thousands of years from ancient wolves into the cuddly canines that live and work alongside us today. They can rescue us from peril, provide help to people in need, or offer a furry shoulder to lean on. Dig deeper into these incredible animals and how they communicate with each other – and with us! Explore how science is helping us better understand our tail-wagging companions and what makes our relationship one of the most successful interspecies partnerships of all time. Train a virtual dog to heed your commands, clock your running speed against the world’s fastest dogs, and unearth replica fossils of wolves and dogs to reveal their surprising similarities. Guests will also enjoy walking an invisible dog through a neighborhood maze, listening to hidden sounds that dogs can hear but humans can’t, playing a special game of “pup culture” Jeopardy, and exploring the various careers that involve these intelligent animals. Be sure to record your own story of a special dog and proudly share your puppy pictures in the exhibition photo gallery.
(Editor’s note: We know you love your furry friends, but they do need to stay at home during your visit to the Science Center. You can tell them all about it when you get back! The Science Center does welcome service dogs. A service dog is defined as one that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a guest with a disability. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, pets and therapy dogs are not permitted in the Science Center.)
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. To make it as perfect as you envision, plan ahead.
Henry Wilkes and his bride-to-be Rainie Wilkes plan to wed at The Ballroom at Park Lane in University Circle this coming June 21, with a reception to follow at the InterContinental Hotel.
“Our wedding plans are similar to a lot of couples,” Wilkes noted. “Rainie and I are looking to have a ceremony followed by a reception. We did choose to find separate locations for both, so that does add a little to the complexity.”
“The Ballroom at Park Lane is a great choice for us because, in my opinion, it is small enough to feel intimate and personal without having to worry about fitting in enough seats. The venue has a lot of personality and gives us ways to personalize what we want, too. It is also close to the InterContinental, so that makes logistics easy,” he said.
“I have appreciated how organized everything is with the planning stages. The wedding industry is very developed, so all of the steps have been refined and organized by many professionals in the field,” he added. “There are a lot of details that neither I nor Rainie would have considered, so it is great to have another set of eyes looking over everything, especially since they have done a lot of these events before.”
“If there is any advice that we would give to others, it is to hire a planner. Of course, everyone knows a family friend or a relative who is a good planner, but having an outside source to help is great. It’s nice to have someone experienced who we can speak candidly to without worrying about hurt feelings or having to balance social relations. A planner’s experience
and connections cannot be overstated,” Wilkes said.
“For us, we can be very efficient about knowing what we want and choosing quickly. We still chose to interview several different planners beside the one we initially favored. If any of our friends choose to have a wedding in the future, we will push them to sit down and talk, preferably in person, with at least three different planners,” he suggested. “The planner they choose will be the person who they will need to trust with a lot of their choices in the future. Taking the time to figure out who matches with them is worth every moment. There are a lot of talented planners in Cleveland,
so finding the right planner should be a fairly easy process for most couples.”
“Also, starting to plan at least a year ahead is extremely helpful. It’s an obvious bit of advice. Since a lot of companies get booked solid during the time we looked to have our wedding, I’m glad we started doing this early,” he added.
“Rainie is from China. Her mother has been able to help with the planning. Of course, the language barrier is a tough obstacle, but Rainie has done a phenomenal job translating between her and everyone else. Her mother trusts a lot of the opinions my family has and the opinions of our planner as well, so that had made the planning
process easy. We send out images and ideas to her and she is quick to respond. Since we started planning early, we have avoided any situations that would require urgent help,” Wilkes said.
“Besides Rainie, my mother has been a huge help. She has helped plan and run a wedding or two before, so having a reference like that within the family is invaluable,” he noted. “Of course, we also have to give credit to our planner Ajia from Kirkbrides. The references for vendors and contractors she has given us have been great. We have gone with several of her recommendations, so that should speak for itself,” he said.
“Ajia has been helpful in keeping our files organized and online so that we can access it as needed. She also reminds us about placing deposits and getting paperwork done on time. By setting up timelines and getting all of our reservations made early, we have cut down on a lot of stressors. Another way that we have avoided stress is by being flexible with the challenges that come up. Rainie is great at finding several options and our planner is great with finding solutions,” he added.
“Without revealing any surprises, we have found some fun ways to incorporate our personalities and hobbies into the wedding. With invitations, centerpieces and other decorations, there are a lot of ways couple can make a wedding feel personal to themselves,” Wilkes said. “I am fortunate to have a sister who is very artistic, so having her help with designing the Save the Date and invitation cards has been very helpful in making the wedding feel personal. As an example, three roses have been an element we have had come up a lot in our relationship. Rainie even has a tattoo of three roses. With that element, we are finding ways to use that on our invitations, letters and centerpiece designs.”
More than 900 shoppers attended the 113th Sunbeam Holiday Boutique to benefit Vocational Guidance Services (VGS) held at the Country Club in Pepper Pike. The three-day event included an Opening Night Party on Nov. 13, Ladies’ Night and general shopping hours. Vendors collectively donated $70,000 to support VGS. A group of young women known as the Sunbeam Circle came together 134 years ago to support children bedridden at Cleveland’s Lakeside Hospital, beginning the Sunbeam Board and Vocational Guidance Services. Today, VGS’ mission is “to create pathways for individuals with disabilities to engage in the community, achieve greater independence and attain employment.” VGS annually serves more than 700 individuals and establishes more than 140 business contracts.
More than 35 vendors from near and far brought high-quality items including clothing of all kinds, home goods, food, toys, and more. Vendors donated 15 percent of all sales to Vocational Guidance Services.
“The Boutique was born from young women selling handmade items, and today, for example, we have a vendor from California who makes exquisite diamond jewelry,” marketing co-chair Allison Wuliger said. “We have always adjusted
to the times – and we have photos from every decade to prove it!”
Eight new vendors participated this year, including an antique dealer specializing in designer handbags, jewelry, and antiques and others bringing eyeglass readers and dress socks. The sight of beautiful amaryllis potted by individuals in VGS welcomed guests as they entered the Opening Night Party. They enjoyed cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANASTASIA NICHOLAS
The Key Bank State Theatre provided the perfect setting for the annual Lake Ridge Academy benefit gala, “Royals Take Center Stage.”
More than 250 guests attended the event, that began with a “mix, mingle and be merry” reception in the holiday-decorated theatre lobby. Lake Ridge Academy theatre students posed as paparazzi, snapping pictures of attendees as they arrived on the red carpet. An awards program followed a seated dinner on the State Theatre stage. The Donald W. Kaatz ’70 Alumni Award was presented to Thommy Butchko. The Wilfred Hemmer Headmaster Award was given to instructor Jutta Swoboda. Janna Dresing received the Founders Award. Kate Dake and Sheri Terens were co-chairs for the gala. Lake Ridge Academy is the only independent college preparatory school on Cleveland’s west side. Its’ co-educational curriculum offers a blend of academics, extracurricular activities and a focus on character development, all on a 93-acre campus. With a student to teacher ratio of eight to
Tom Dake, “Roary” portrayed by Ben Dake, and Kate
one, the faculty provides personalized attention to help every student thrive. The $230,000 in proceeds from “Royals Take Center Stage” will be used to support the school’s theatre program. STORY BY CYNTHIA
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC
EXCLUSIVE OFFER : Schedule a tour today and explore our stunning model homes!
nce again, beauty and tradition melded on Saturday, December 28, 2024, as 12 debutantes in long white gowns, and two bachelors and 10 escorts clad in black tie were formally presented to society at The Union Club for the Recreation League of Cleveland’s 87th Assembly Ball.
Amidst a marble staircase swathed in flowers in an enchanting palette of lavender, French blue, blush, and cream, members of the Recreation League of Cleveland’s class of 2024 were presented to doting mothers, fathers, grandparents and friends. The fragrant garden roses, lush hydrangeas, stock, delphiniums and Bells of Ireland spilled gracefully among the stair bannisters as Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Samuel Shattuck Hartwell, opened the Grand March by introducing the head ushers and bachelors, Chase Chandler Greppin and William Edward Monaghan. Once the young men had ceremoniously lit taper candles at the top and bottom of the main staircase, Mr. Hartwell introduced the 12 lovely debutantes one by one, along with the young women’s presenters -- fathers or uncles -- who proudly ushered the beaming young ladies to the main floor below.
During the Grand March, the debutantes carried delicate bouquets designed by Heather Thomas, of Heather Lily, Inc., featuring Clooney ranunculus, garden roses, Belladonna delphinium, and accents
of gumdrop eucalyptus. These refined arrangements complemented the overall atmosphere and added an elegant and romantic touch to the evening. Upon completion of the Grand March, guests adjourned to the third-floor ballroom for a formal receiving line and family dancing, then enjoyed cocktails and appetizers to the tunes of the Don Day Orchestra.
Shortly thereafter, the second half of the presentation commenced: the Promenade. As 300 guests gathered in the main floor lobby, the debutantes were once again introduced by Mr. Hartwell – this time accompanied by their escorts. At the top of the stairs, each young couple had choreographed an adorable dance routine as they descended the grand staircase to the shouts and cheers of their glittering and fabulously attired friends and family below.
The rest of the evening was full of smiles and laughter throughout dinner and then dancing to the tunes of a fantastic 16-member orchestra. At 11:30, donuts and French fries were brought out to the enjoyment of those on the dance floor. And at 12:30 am, it was time to say so long and farewell to an elegant and wonderful evening.
The next day, The Recreation League donated the event’s flowers to Big Hearted Blooms, which repurposes them into gorgeous arrangements to brighten the lives of those confined to hospital and those living in local care facilities.
The Recreation League of Cleveland was formed in 1927 by ladies concerned about passing on modes of good behavior and values to the younger generation.
Assembly cont’d from Page B1
Its original mission was to, “instill social grace and responsibility to future generations.” Since then, the Recreation League of Cleveland has evolved and grown. Families are invited to join based on common values of service to community, appreciation of etiquette and grace, and a desire to strengthen the engagement of members to the Northeast Ohio community. Today, the Recreation League of Cleveland boasts 217 family members and children from a variety of schools, including Hathaway Brown, University School, Laurel, Gilmour Academy, Hawken, St. Ignatius, St. Joseph Academy, St. Rita, Shaker Heights and Orange High Schools, Gesu, and Lawrence School, as well as various boarding schools.
The Assembly Ball is traditionally held during the winter holiday break, when members’ children return home after their first semester at college. The Recreation League views this timing as an excellent way to remind these young men and women, who are experiencing their first real taste of independent living outside of Northeast Ohio, that they have indelible roots among family and friends in their community, where they will always be cherished.
The Recreation League is dedicated to
offering programs that provide real value. In addition to multigenerational social events, it also offers meaningful service opportunities and skills-based training in areas such as etiquette, interview preparation, and
personal safety.
This year’s Assembly Ball was co-chaired by Ms. Christine Maria Croissant and Mrs. Peter William Richer. The debutantes and their presenters were: Abigail Thea Steffee
and father Mr. David William Steffee; Sydney Hannah Steffee and father Mr. David William Steffee; Frances Rackliffe Berglund and father Dr. Ryan Kent Berglund; Genevieve Caroline Comar and father Mr. Joseph Allen Comar; Alexandra Jessie Haas and father Mr. Michael James Haas; Augusta Briggs Halle and uncle Mr. Michael Gelston Halle; Jane Logan Hartford and father Mr. Robert Logan Hartford III; Mary Elizabeth Kearney and father The Honorable Keith Joseph Kearney; Sidonie Louise La Benne and uncle Mr. John Allston Sargent III; Emily Rose Levanduski and father Mr. Joseph James Levanduski; Sloane Catherine Richer and father Mr. Peter William Richer; and Julia Catherine Weinberg and father Mr. Ronald Elliott Weinberg, Jr.
McKinley Presidential Library & Museum presents Soup for Six lecture series
Collections Manager Kait Bergert will present “When It Snows, Ain’t It Thrilling?” at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum on January 30 at 6 p.m. The program is part of the Museum’s Soup at Six lecture series.
The program will feature some of the winterrelated objects in the Museum’s permanent collection, including antique winter clothing, sleighs and sleds, ice skates and snow shoes. Learn about popular winter leisure activities before there was TV and WiFi.
The cost is $25 per person and includes soup, bread, dessert, a beverage and the program. Prepaid reservations are required and can be made by calling 330.455.7043 or visiting the Events tab on the Museum’s website at www.McKinleyMuseum. org. The reservation deadline is January 28.
The Museum is also offering a Soup at Six season pass for its entire 2025 lineup. Save $5 per program with the season pass. The cost is $180 for nine Soup at Six programs. The deadline for purchasing a season pass is Jan. 23.
About the Museum
The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW in Canton. The Keller Gallery is the Museum’s temporary exhibition space and features a variety of topics each year. The Museum also includes the McKinley National Memorial, McKinley Gallery, Street of Shops, The Stark County Story, Discover World, Ramsayer Research Center, and the Hoover-Price Planetarium. The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays. Visit www. McKinleyMuseum.org.
By ANDREA C. TURNER
There are more than 15 million widowers and widows in the country and every day, 2,500 people join the ranks. That’s more than six percent of the entire population, and these numbers are expected to increase as Baby Boomers age.
A new film documentary, “Hiking Through Grief” follows four widows and two widowers as they navigate grief, healing and hope and begin to rebuild their lives by “putting one foot in front of the other” — the perfect metaphor. By forming a strong supportive community through hiking, they find strength and hope in a compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment.
The film’s mission is to illuminate the journey of grief and to spread a message of hope, resilience and community. The filmmakers hope to educate, support, and offer hope to those grieving the loss of loved ones.
The local production crew includes director Stephen Burks of Good City Concepts in Bainbridge, Cinematographer and Director of Photography Henry Ortlip, based in Twinsburg, and Producer Engelina Koberna of In the Bubble Productions in Chagrin Falls. The collaborators are committed to storytelling that uplifts and inspires.
The crew began filming in August and continued through early December. Ortlip filmed the hiking group on location at Chagrin and Geauga County parks to showcase a touching and uplifting narrative crafted by Burks. The team brings Koberna’s vision to life; she first met one of the widows at her gym.
Hiking Through Grief delves into the transformative journeys of these six adults who seek to rediscover joy in their lives. It places a strong emphasis on mental health and the power of overcoming adversity through community support and movement. Greg Randall, cofounder of the Power of JOy’s Hiking through Loss group, is one of the film’s subjects.
The unique needs of individuals in mourning are often under-recognized, with too little understanding and support provided, so the film underscores the power of community, where individuals can find resilience by sharing their experiences with others who understand
Submit nonprofit benefit events to editor@currentsnews.com.
Saturday, Apr. 5...”Chef’s Fantasy” to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is at The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland, 1515 W. 3rd St., starting at 6 p.m. The event includes interactive tasting stations followed by seated courses prepared by different chefs and paired with wine. Individual tickets are $250. Visit http://www.cff.org.
Saturday, April 5...Spring Gala, to benefit Ohio Contemporary Ballet, at Convivium 33 Gallery, 1433 E. 33rd St., Cleveland. The evening will include wine and cocktails, dinner and dessert by Trifles Catering, and a captivating performance by Ohio Contemporary Ballet. The celebration will conclude with music and dancing. This event will raise funds to support the company’s high level of artistry, general operations, and educational opportunities. More information to come.
the pain of loss. It seeks to foster a sense of solidarity and strength for those navigating the often overwhelming journey of grief.
A companion guidebook is being developed to complement the film, so grief and mental health care providers may show the film and offer the companion curriculum in group sessions for grief support groups, organizations and churches. Jennifer Stern, LISW of Transformative Grief, and Dr. Ellen Luebbers Weaver, co-founder of Power of JOy’s
Hiking through Loss, are developing the grief counseling guide. Stern specializes in working with individuals and families on grief, loss, bereavement, and difficult life transitions. Dr. Weaver is a retired pathologist, who lost her husband in 2018.
The filmmakers will be submitting the film locally to the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival.
Everyone on the film crew worked on
spec—meaning they’ve worked without upfront payment, driven by their belief in the project’s powerful message. The filmmakers have launched a crowdfunding campaign through which supporters can donate to pay the crew. Only after enough funds are raised will they be compensated. So far, they’ve raised 42 percent of their $30,000 goal as of this writing. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/mr39fj65 or go to www.hikingthroughgriefthefilm.com for more info.
While there are dozens of special events that benefit children, Currents is hard-pressed to identify a benefit that expressly caters to children – their interests, their industry, and their immersion into the arts. The Sugarplum Fairy Tea held to support the City Ballet of Cleveland, a pre-professional dance studio, is definitely the exception.
Not only are children welcome to attend, but they have a brilliant series of activities to pursue – photos taken with the Sugarplum Fairy. Tea and cakes (and much more) at a designated table, games of chance, plus a raffle for unique nutcracker and ballet-oriented prizes. Then there’s hand-decorating one’s own toe shoe. As explained by one artist, “The more sparkles the better.”
Of course, the afternoon’s highlight was the performance by the company’s student dancers. Technically, this performance should be taken in whilst seated at said tables, but even dressed in our special outfit, with longish, floaty skirts and glittery shoes, the performance is best
observed seated cross-legged on the floor, up close and personal, since creating one’s own row is clearly superior to being seated in row A. Proceeds from this decidedly familyoriented, open-hearted event go to support the annual production of “A Uniquely Cleveland Nutcracker,” as well as the company’s outreach presentations throughout the year. This year their Nutcracker is being performed at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium on December 14. Its premise is similar to the classical ballet, although this one is set in Cleveland in the 1920s. Students from other dance studios throughout the area as well as parents and supporters participate and perform as well.
City Ballet of Cleveland offers classes in ballet, hip-hop, African Dance, tap, jazz, acro (acrobatics + dance), and recently added yoga to the mix. Students range from preschool to senior citizens. For more information, visit cityballetofcleveland.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA KUEBER
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
This January and February may be two of the darker months of the year, but they provide an exceptional opportunity for enlightenment.
Cleveland museums have some visually appealing and intellectually stimulating exhibits on display.
“Picasso and Paper” at the Cleveland Museum of Art features nearly 300 works that allow visitors to see the iconic Spanish artist through the framework of his lifelong engagement and experimentation with paper.
The exhibit offers a chronological overview of Pablo Picasso’s career, which spanned nearly eight decades. Picasso was very prolific with traditional techniques that used paper, and he produced thousands of prints and drawings. Lesser known are innovative and sometimes sculptural works made from cut paper. These works span paper cutouts that the artist made as a young boy to his most revolutionary Cubist collages and intimate torn, or even burned, shapes created for his closest friends. When seen alongside Picasso’s prints and drawings in more familiar media, these artworks offer an opportunity to see that artist at his most radical.
“Picasso and Paper” is on display in The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Hall and Gallery through Mar. 23. (Read more about the “Picasso and Paper” exhibit on page 8)
“Kelli Connell: Pictures for Charis,” a moving photography exhibition, opens at the art museum in late January. Connell examines the relationship of photographer Edward Weston with the writer Caris Wilson by creating portraits and landscape photographs featuring the artist’s partner at the time, Betsy Odom, at sites where Weston and Wilson shared their creative lives together. The show is in the Mark Schwartz and Bettina Katz Photography Galleries through May 25.
“Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior,” co-organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum, opens on Valentine’s Day. Sikander’s art is presented in relation to South Asian objects from the Cleveland museum’s collection that inspired her, making the exhibition a unique experience of the artist’s work.
The exhibition is in the Julia and Larry Pollock Focus Gallery through June 8.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is at 11150 East Blvd. in University Circle. Visit www.cma.
org
“Dogs! A Science Tail” at the Great Lakes Science Center explores the bond between humans and dogs.
The multisensory exhibit enables visitors to learn first-hand how dogs experience the world around them. Get a dog’s eye view into learning how canines communicate with each other. The show is loaded with information about breeds, genetics and more. Experiences range from listening to sounds that dogs can hear but humans can’t, to walking a dog through an interactive neighborhood. Kiosks throughout the exhibit allow museum visitors to share digital photos and stories about their dog. Admission to the “Dogs!” exhibit is free with museum admission. The exhibit is on display through the end of March.
To complement “Dogs! A Science Tail,” the science center is bringing a favorite film back to the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater.
“Superpower Dogs” is a big-screen adventure featuring dogs with life-saving powers and bravery. The movie plays at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily through March 30. Tickets for the DOME are $5 when combined with the cost of general admission to the center. Single theater tickets are also available. Great Lakes Science Center is at 601 Erieside Ave. Phone 216-694-2000 or visit www.greatscience.com
“Wild Horses: 60 Years of Ford’s Mustang” at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum celebrates the 60th anniversary of the legendary automobile.
The 20 cars on display are in chronological order, starting with a 1966 first generation mustang. Most cars in the exhibit come from Mustang clubs, both locally and from as far away as New Hampshire. Some of the cars were driven to the museum by their owners. Each car in the show has placards that show the history and evolution of the vehicle. The museum is at 10825 East Blvd. The Mustang show runs through May 4 at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Go to www.wrhs. org for ticket details.
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre opens the new year with Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from January 24 through February 7, with matinees on Sunday, February 2 and Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 with a $3 discount for senior, student, and military.
This 2017 adaptation of Christie’s suspenseful classic invites audiences to step aboard a luxurious train where mystery and intrigue unfold as the legendary detective Hercule Poirot tackles one of his most perplexing cases. When a murder is discovered, every passenger becomes a suspect. Poirot must use his brilliant deductive skills to unravel the tangled web of clues and deceit. Ken Ludwig, one of America’s most produced playwrights, captures the essence of Christie’s storytelling in this adaptation while adding his signature dose of humor.
The production is directed by Don Bernardo (who also directed Ludwig’s adaptations of “Robin Hood” and “The Three Musketeers” in the previous two CVLT seasons) and produced by Kate Bernardo. The set design is by Steven Savanyu, with lighting by Marcus Dana and scenic painting by Mark Hobak.
Following the Sunday matinee on Feb. 2, the director will present a talk entitled “Agatha and the Train,” revealing the history and lore behind the real Orient Express and the train’s influence on fiction and film, including Christie’s iconic novel.
Tickets for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express are available 24/7 at the CVLT.org website. . Due to limited parking and construction projects in Chagrin Falls, early reservations and arrival are highly
Budget Lightscapes LED Landscape Lighting was founded 20 years ago on Quality and Excellence!!
Our founding legacy governs our business practices and illuminates our pathway of success.
We are committed to meeting the highest of industry standards with up-to-date training, professional development, and organizational improvements.
Staying at the peak of our craft brilliantly reflects our established reputation as NE Ohio’s Premier Nightscape Experts!
Schedule Your Free Design Consultation/Quote: Call our office 216.406.1900, email chris@budgetlightscapes.com or visit budgetlightscapes.com
recommended. CVLT is located at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls Village.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Now that the holiday rush of visitors has diminished, it’s the perfect time to linger over the Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) exhibit, “Picasso and Paper,” on view through March 23, featuring 287 original works, many of which are on display for the first time in the United States.
The long anticipated exhibit, organized by the CMA and the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in partnership with the Musée national Picasso in Paris, was originally scheduled to open at the CMA in September 2020, but was delayed by the global pandemic. It took nearly a decade to bring it to Cleveland – its only North American venue.
This alternate perspective of Pablo Picasso’s works feature his lifelong fascination and experimentation with paper in his almost eight decades as an artist.
From expressive prints and drawings to colossal collages, Picasso’s works on and with paper showcase his extraordinary capacity to innovate and reinvent himself using a material with limitless possibilities. These are juxtaposed with some of the artist’s celebrated paintings on canvas and bronze sculpture.
Picasso began drawing as a young child and showed early gifted ability, thus some of his earliest works are on display. As a young man, he lost a close friend to suicide, leading to his “Blue Period.” His immense grief is revealed in the famous painting, “La Vie” (1903) also on view.
“To create the innovative works for which he is remembered today, Picasso returned again and again to paper, ultimately producing thousands of prints and drawings,” said Britany Salsbury, CMA curator of prints and drawings.
These works are featured alongside experimental paper cutouts, Cubist collages, and even torn and burned shapes created for his closest friends.
“Reclining Nude Woman,” Nice, summer 1955. Oil paint, charcoal, cut wallpapers, cut wove paper, and pins and thumbtacks on canvas. Musée national Picasso-Paris.
“They allow us to better understand the collaborative relationships—with printers, publishers, dealers, models, and partners—that contributed to his canonical reputation,” added Salsbury.
Picasso used traditional materials, but also others that were unusual, including massproduced wallpapers and daily newspapers. He drew portraits of those in his social circles including Igor Stravinsky, Auguste Renoir, and Sergei Diaghilev.
Museum visitors can view the artist’s private sketchbooks, including studies for his best-known paintings; constructed paper guitars from the Cubist and Surrealist periods; prints that reveal Picasso’s complex working process; and an array of works related to the artist’s most celebrated paintings and sculptural projects. During his Surrealism
period, he acquired a printing press which was pivotal to producing much of his own work.
The exhibit traces some of the most significant shifts in modern art through his practice and features rarely seen artworks from the most internationally significant holdings of his work including a life-sized costume he created for the Ballet Russes.
Tickets for adults are $22; seniors and groups $15; member guests, students, and children ages 6–17 $11; children 5 and under and CMA members free. Reserve tickets at clevelandart.org/exhibitions/picasso-andpaper, by phone at 216.421.7350 or on-site at one of the ticket desks.
The museum offers these upcoming complementary programs: MIX:España on February 7, from 6–10 p.m. in the Ames Family Atrium; Spanish guitarist Pipo Romero at Transformer Station for his Cleveland debut on February 26 at 7:30 p.m., Cleveland Ballet’s “ Impressions of Picasso” on March 14 in the CMA Gartner Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. and Play Day: Paper Play on March 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Atrium.
by Michael Wolf
Consider the humble wall. More than mere room dividers, each and every wall represents a multitude of aesthetic possibilities. While many people obsess over wall treatments and paint finishes, it’s important to remember that no vintage wallpaper or Pantone Color of the Year can be more transformative to the gestalt of an interior space than a tastefully curated art collection. Don’t worry about the hole you’ve created in your pristine wall; worry instead about what you’re going to hang on that nail! Certainly the most memorable interior environments are those that reflect careful personal attention to subject matter, intelligent placement, color, and an overall sense of harmony. It is the quality and configuration of the artworks we hang on our walls that tell the world who we are, what we value, and what we find beautiful.
Do you want to stimulate or relax your guests? Is there a place within your home for provocative or political works of art? Questions such as these can be a good starting point when choosing artworks for your home. Another good strategy is to consider the function of the room at hand. The walls of your dining room are terrific for still lifes from any period, whether you prefer a more traditional still life depicting a loaf of French bread and some wine, housed elegantly within a gilt frame, or a modern cubistic depiction of a colorful fish. A living room, especially with wide open wall space, can really bring out one’s individual creativity. Alternatively,
a living room presents a great opportunity for creative collaboration amongst couples. Hallways make fantastic galleries for smaller prints and drawings grouped together. A den can lend itself to a more intimate expression, and certainly a bedroom is an opportunity for romance and sensuality. There are no hard and fast rules, of course, but a little structure can help you make these kinds of decisions. Finally, a little information about value. Many people have bought into the myth that all fine art is prohibitively expensive. While this certainly can be true, most accomplished works are surprisingly modest in price. Investing in art is always a wise choice, as the importance of feeling good within your surroundings cannot be overstated. When choosing a painting or sculpture, try to apply the same prudent judgment that you would when purchasing an automobile, undertaking home improvements, or even buying a new appliance. Do not waste time on less than reputable galleries, and always do your homework when considering a work by an artist you aren’t familiar with in order to ensure that your investment is sound. Arming yourself with at least a basic level of knowledge will incentivize an art dealer to substantiate their asking price. Yes, everybody knows what they like when they see it, but make certain that the artist being considered, whether dead or alive, has the pedigree and training one would expect of a successful artist.
WOLFS www.wolfsgallery.com
Santa Claus made an unforgettable appearance at the 19th Annual “Breakfast and Educational Fun with Santa” event hosted by Project GRAD Akron on Sat., Dec. 7, 2024, at Buchtel CLC.
The festive morning brought together children, parents, and volunteers for a unique blend of holiday cheer and educational activities. From 9 a.m. to noon, families gathered to enjoy breakfast, engage in hands-on crafts and games, and hear heartwarming holiday stories read by volunteers. Santa was the highlight of the day, spreading cheer while posing for photos and delighting young attendees with his presence.
Project GRAD Akron extends its heartfelt gratitude to this year’s generous sponsors
“Breakfast
and fun with Santa”
— Molina Healthcare, Ideastream, and Akron Public Schools — for their invaluable support in making this event possible. Their contributions helped create a memorable family experience while promoting education and community connection.
“We are so grateful for the incredible support of our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who made this year’s event so memorable,” said Jacqueline Silas-Butler, Esq., Executive Director at Project GRAD Akron. “The joy and learning we saw in the children’s faces truly embodied the spirit of the season.”
In addition to holiday fun, the event offered parents access to educational resources, reinforcing Project GRAD Akron’s commitment to
Santa Claus spread smiles and good cheer at the 19th annual Breakfast and Educational Fun with Santa event to benefit Project GRAD Akron.
community support. Project GRAD Akron provides Akron families and students with educational opportunities, resources, and community-building initiatives.
Project GRAD Akron is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes and expanding student opportunities within the Akron Public Schools system. Through innovative programs,
Project GRAD Akron provides Akron families and students with educational opportunities, resources, and community-building initiatives. Volunteers, guests and everyone involved enjoyed the annual Breakfast with Santa event held on Sat., Dec. 7.
comprehensive services, and scholarship support, Project GRAD Akron empowers students to achieve academic success, pursue higher education, and realize their full potential.
For more information on upcoming events or to get involved, please visit projectgradakron.org/. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED BY
It was a two-fold celebration for the May Dugan Center.
The 15th annual holiday tree lighting ceremony also served as a retirement celebration honoring Executive Director Rick Kemm for his 16 years of dedication to the center and devotion to the community.
More than 200 guests braved the snowy weather to attend the mid-afternoon festivities. They enjoyed an array of appetizers,
cocktails and musical entertainment. The Urban Community Schools students and Seniors on the Move sang holiday tunes prior to the lighting of the 40-foot tree at dusk. Guests enjoyed a hot cocoa and cookie bar.
For more than 50 years, the May Dugan Center has provided services that include food, clothing, behavioral health counseling, adult education, job searches, victim services and trauma counseling. The May Dugan Center, like
many human service nonprofit organizations, has experienced a massive demand for food aid and other essential programs. Deputy Director Andy Trares said the center serves more than 24,000 clients annually. The holiday tree lighting raised about $80,000 to support the center’s programs.
The May Dugan Center was built in 1974 with the support from the City of Cleveland’s Department of Community Development. It
was named the May Dugan Multi-Service Center to honor the late May Dugan, a longtime resident of the neighborhood who had been a one-person advocate and counselor for her neighbors in need. Today, the center continues the tradition of its namesake by providing programs to people that improve their quality of life and strengthen the community.
STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN
Beck Center For The Arts saves day with Superhero Project
Beck Center for the Arts: The Superhero Project will rescue and revive viewers experiencing the winter blues in Beck Center’s HoffmanStach main gallery, on display January through February 2025.
This is a free visual arts exhibition, open to the public, great for all ages, including young children. To learn more about The Superhero Project, and see a preview, please visit www. shpkids.org. Dive into the world created by these powerful visual artists at www.superheroprojectkids.org/artists.
Melinda Placko, Associate Director of Music and Visual Arts at Beck Center for the Arts, shared, “ Beck Center for the Arts is proud to partner with The Superhero Project to present this tremendous exhibition of transformative art.”
The Superhero Project’s goals align closely with Beck Center’s. Beck Center welcomes and engages every individual who shares the goal of enhancing the human spirit through arts experiences. Beck Center believes in the transforming and transcending power of the arts, the strength of collaboration, an inclusive and safe environment, and diversity as an essential component in all Beck Center does. Beck Center is committed to continuous learning for deeper understanding of equity and inclusion, using this understanding to create an environment that connects all people, communities, and cultures through the arts.
Using the power of art as a tool for healing, the Superhero Project empowers youth impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, community trauma, and other complex mental health or medical needs. Kids are interviewed about who they are beyond their diagnosis. Professional illustrators create a poster of this superhero alter-ego, as described by the children. These images are visual representations of their strength, courage, creativity, and resilience. Families receive inspiring posters of their superheroes to treasure forever.
Beck Center will offer a free art experience with Lisa Kollins, founder of Superhero Project. Lisa will give a tour of the exhibition and guide families in creating their family hero in the Beck Center Art Studio, details at BeckCenter.org. Please note this event is fully booked at this time. For more information on this exhibition please visit beckcenter.org
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Wildscapes Gallery in Chagrin Falls recently celebrated its grand opening by showcasing the majesty of the world’s amazing wildlife.
Resident artist Peter Balunek has had the good fortune to travel the world photographing wild animals. In his role as wildlife ambassador of Peter’s Safaris, he leads privately guided, socially conscious luxury safaris to Africa for families and small groups. Helping the communities living among the majestic animals is an important goal for Peter’s Safaris. So, a percentage of the sales of Balunek’s artwork goes to the Satao Wildlife Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) charity he founded to support conservation projects in Africa.
“In 2014, I went on a photo safari to photograph big cats. But, I was especially moved by the photos of the elephants. I was in the insurance business for a living and when I got back home, I wanted to save enough to take my family on safari,” he said.
“Satao was a tusker elephant, which meant that each one of his tusks weighed at least 100 pounds. I learned that he was born the same year as me. Satao died when he was shot with a poison dart and his ivory tusks were taken. The image of his death stuck with me. I wanted to make a more lasting impact. I thought that, if I could get more people over to Africa, we could collectively make an impact,” Balunek noted. “I sent an email out to friends and acquaintances offering to lead a safari. Now, 10 years later, Peter’s Safaris is a full-time business born out of a passion to create awareness.”
“Three things are impacting the environment in Africa. They are illegal trade, loss of habitat and human to animal contact. The first thing we did through the Satao Wildlife Foundation was to build a school in Kenya. I fell in love with the people and wanted to make a difference for them. Next, we got water to the school. Now, we are trying to raise $75,000 to buy a ranger vehicle to patrol and protect tusker animals,” Balunek said.
“Over the years, I have collected many images along the way and thought they should be shared with people. The arts are important,” he said. “The idea behind Wildscapes Gallery is multi-purposed. It is a place to showcase my photos from my safari travels. It is also
Wildscapes Gallery in Chagrin Falls is also home to Peter’s Safaris and welcomes visitors to learn about safari life.
a place where local artists can share, market and sell their work. There will be a new artist each month and we will welcome them with a First Friday Artist Reception. One room in my gallery is dedicated to visiting artists. I can provide gallery space that they may not be able to afford themselves.”
“Another reason for the gallery is to promote socialization in the community. We will be hosting Third Thursday happy hours each month for the community to network, socialize and enjoy the art,” he added. Each happy hour will begin with a short presentation from one of the many safaris Balunek has hosted over the last 10 years.
“I’m not unknown in the Chagrin Falls community. I was past president of the Chamber and helped lead the efforts to remodel the township hall. This gallery is one of the ways I hope to give back to my community,” he noted.
Wildscapes Gallery, 516 E. Washington St., is also home to Peter’s Safaris and welcomes visitors to learn more about safari life. “The world is changing. We are giving people this experience while it is still there. All of my safari guests get a book of my photographs documenting their journey,” Balunek said.
The 29th annual best holiday party in town, “Deck the House” to benefit Providence House, returned to Cleveland Browns Stadium.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the award and Chubb’s second time as recipient.
Providence House is Ohio’s first and one of the nation’s longest-operating crisis
More than 500 revelers attended the sold-out event for an evening of delicious food, cocktails and silent and live auctions. Bloomdaddy from WTAM Radio served as celebrity host, while journalist Andrea Vecchio acted as celebrity emcee. Guests had the opportunity to deck their own house by bidding on one of many professionally decorated holiday trees. Cleveland Browns player Nick Chubb was honored by his teammates with the Ed Block Courage Award for being a role model for children.
nurseries among the 70-plus in the U.S. and Canada. The organization offers free, voluntary, non-custodial emergency shelter to children newborn to 12 years old who are living in crisis situations and support services to their families to help them stay together. Natalie Leek, Providence House executive director, said they aided 876 children and their families in 2024. Over the years, Providence House has cared for and advocated for more than 15,000 children and families in crisis. In the last five years, an average of 99 percent of families who brought a child to stay in the crisis nursery reunited after engaging Providence House services. “Deck the House” raised over $250,000 in support of these programs. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOS BY ERIC EAKIN.
By RITA KUEBER
For much of the last few years, the topic that’s been haunting the residential real estate industry is the lack of inventory. The building blocks are formidable – baby boomers own
A festive crowd of 300 holiday revelers packed the West Side Irish American Clubto raise funds for Jamaican Hurricane Relief.
Clevelander Packy Malley, a major force in Northeast Ohio’s reggae music community as a DJ and promoter, hosted the party. In recent years, Malley joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Jamaica, where he has been living in a remote farming village helping to build infrastructure. On July 2, 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone, caused extensive damage to Jamaica. Farmlands, crops and structures got hit hard. The $10,000 raised at the Cleveland holiday party will purchase farm tools, generators, first aid supplies and sheets of aluminum zinc for roofing.
Malley was back in Cleveland for a holiday break, but his Jamaican friends are always on his mind. “The people of Jamaica could not be more supportive, friendly and welcoming to me,” he said. The Christmas party began with cocktails, followed by swing dance lessons, music by the Dan Zola Big Band Orchestra and a buffet dinner. Football fans cheered on their team while watching the Ohio State versus Tennessee football game on a big screen.
most of the three-bedroom (or larger) houses in this country. AARP indicates 80 percent of people who are 50 and older currently own a home. Many have been in place for so long their mortgages are paid, and ownership is free and clear. While many would like to move to a smaller, less complicated living arrangement, interest rates stay stubbornly mid-market, so those with no mortgage are less likely to leap into paying a mortgage with higher interest rates than they used for their house originally.
There’s a growing sense, however, that eventually this bough will break and a “silver tsunami” is expected by at least half the real estate industry, while the other half claims this progression has been predicted for years – since the 2008 bust, in fact, but has yet to become a reality.
Working to address the housing shortage is builder Pat Perrino, who is busy with two senior (55+) housing developments. His are independent living communities: West Pines in Willoughby Hills in Lake County, and Magnolia Meadows in Sheffield Village in Lorain County. Both offer state-of-the-art, open-floor-plan, freestanding ranch homes from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet, and all are
completely customizable.
“West Pines has 13 single family homes. Three are sold and a few more are reserved,” Perrino says. “These are on Route 91 – right across from the Metroparks, with its paths for walking and biking.” He notes that while the location is convenient to freeways, shopping, and medical facilities, and just twenty minutes to downtown Cleveland, the setting is picturesque and private. He also describes the development as ‘lock and leave,’ with the community taking care of landscaping, snow removal and pond maintenance. “There’s a pond, a gazebo and a firepit,” Perrino adds, “with park benches around the pond. It’s very serene. This is a way for people to remain independent, rightsizing their home, in order to age in place.”
These homes are ranch style, with an option for a second floor, as desired. They are two- and three-bedroom houses, with two- to three-car garages attached. The design is universal – zero entry (meaning gentle slopes, not stairs), and Perrino’s homes eschew hallways and other wasted spaces, opting instead for rooms to flow from one area to the next without traditional transitional areas. “We work to get a sense of
where people really spend their time,” he adds. “So we invest in the most popular rooms, and we make these rooms larger than traditional dimensions, because that’s where people live.” Magnolia Meadows, an Epcon Community, is slightly larger with room for 63 houses of 1,800 to 3,000 square feet each. Located off Detroit Road, five homes are already sold. This community has a clubhouse with swimming pool, and 2,000 square feet for exercise and fitness programs. There’s also a common firepit, lake, fountain, bocce court and pickleball courts. Like West Pines, the homes are all free-standing ranch homes, with an option for a second floor, if desired. While the floor plan is slightly different than the east side development, the homes are still all open, and lock and leave as well. Models are open and available for tours. “These models are so hot,” Perrino adds. “We’re getting a great response.” West Pines homes begin at $689,000, including the lot. Magnolia Meadows homes begin at $538,000, landscaped, including the lot. For tours and information call Pat Perrino at 440.487.4021.
perrinocustomhomes.com/luxury-retirementwest-pineslivemagnoliameadows.com/
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Many adults do not remember the last time that they visited the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Well, get in line to see it now. The museum’s $115 million transformation is absolutely stunning. A ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration for the transformed museum was held December 12.
The transformation features an expanded campus totaling more than 375,000 square feet, more than two acres of outdoor visitor areas and completely reimagined exhibits. The building’s new architecture, designed by DLR Group, was inspired by the geological history of Northeast Ohio, with flowing white forms paying homage to the glaciers that carved out the Great Lakes.
Reconceptualized exhibits, developed with the help of design firm G&A, aim to put the visitor at the center of the experiences, encouraging audiences to deepen their connection to science and the natural world. Through immersive experiences and hands-on interactives, the new exhibits highlight how all living things are connected, emphasizing the interdependence of human health and the health of our planet.
“Every aspect of our transformed museum aims to achieve one unified vision to promote healthy humans, a healthy planet and a better future for all,” Sonia Winner, president and CEO said. “By placing visitors at the center of the story of our planet, we’re inspiring all to foster a deeper understanding of science and a connection to nature.”
Dynamic exhibits, media-enhanced displays and flexible spaces now allow the museum to integrate active research and the newest scientific knowledge into its galleries, with thousands of specimens and artifacts from its collection representing the evidence scientists use to answer questions about the world.
“We have always been in the top 10 natural history museums in the country because of our collections. We have over five million objects,”
Winner noted. “Over time, the exhibits had become static. Now, we can switch out and swap exhibit items.” The museum’s reimagined exhibits include 2,900 specimens and objects, 22 specimen and object platforms and 140 specimen and object cases.
At the center of the transformation are four new, dynamic spaces. The Visitor Hall features 21-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears Dynamic Earth Wing encourages visitors to explore the 4.6-billion-year history of the Earth. Through engaging fossil displays and visualizations, the gallery illuminates the cycles that have shaped our planet and reveals how all living things are connected to the physical world. “We’re All Stardust,” sponsored by the Outcalt family, invites visitors to step into the exhibit and use their bodies to control the life cycle of a star, uncovering the fundamental truth that we are all made of elements forged in stars long ago. The Earthquake Simulator
sponsored by Nordson, a museum favorite, has been reimagined to demonstrate how seismic activity works.
The Evolving Life Wing traces the story of life on Earth, highlighting how all living things, human and nonhuman, adapt and evolve over time. The Ames Family Curiosity Center invites visitors of all ages to engage with real museum specimens and discover how science shapes our everyday lives.
In addition to the new wings and public spaces, updated features and innovative programming have been added to visitor favorites.
The Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium features flexible seating, six projectors, a seamless dome, new cove lighting and a new audio system. There are three astronomers on staff and, according to Winner, two of them are graduates of Euclid High School and were taught by the same teacher.
The Smead Discovery Center, designed for the museum’s youngest visitors, invites
children to explore science and nature through hands-on activities like digging for fossils and designing constellations. The Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard has been redesigned to connect with Ohio’s natural landscapes and the beauty of native plants.
“The key to success is to have a lot of great partners. We utilized a lot of Cleveland partners. We tried to use local firms and to use our regional strengths,” Sonia Winner noted. “We want Clevelanders to be really proud. We want them to think, ‘We’re so lucky to live here and to have this’. We are very family-oriented. We think of ourselves as the family room of museums. Everything here has a unique Cleveland connection.”
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a place for the community to gather, learn and find inspiration. Every Sunday, residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland are invited to visit the museum free of charge during the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation community days. Beginning on Jan. 26, Mandel community days will expand to include free admission for residents of Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights. The program is also growing from Sunday only to include Saturdays. Located at One Wade Oval Dr. in University Circle, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and encourages visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Visit www. cmnh.org for more information.
Eleanor Roosevelt, longest-serving First Lady.
By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ
White House administrations come and go, each with one of its most visible members actually an “unelected” one...the First Lady. The total number of first ladies at 58 outnumbers the 47 commanders in chief because not all the women who carried out “first lady duties” were married to their presidents.
Case in point, President William Henry Harrison’s daughter-in-law, Jane, assumed the duties of first lady because his wife Anna’s health problems had prevented her from joining him in Washington. But while Anna never actually served as first lady, she became the first president’s wife to be awarded a first lady’s pension when Harrison died from pneumonia after serving only one month in office. Thus, Jane’s tenure as First Lady was brief, hosting just two official receptions.
Like Jane Harrison, other female family members would be tapped to carry out first lady duties for Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Chester A. Arthur and Martin Van Buren, all of whom were either widowed or unmarried prior to becoming president. Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, served as his first lady (also giving birth to the first child born in the Executive Mansion in 1806). President Andrew Jackson’s wife Rachel passed away just two months prior to his inauguration, so his 21-year-old niece Emily Donelson served as White House hostess. However, Jackson “removed” Emily from the position when she refused to socially accept the scandalized wife of one of his Cabinet members. Replacing her was the President’s daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson.
While James Buchanan was a lifelong bachelor, Chester A. Arthur began his term as a bachelor but married during his presidency. Three presidents, John Tyler, Benjamin Harrison and Woodrow Wilson all were widowed while in office with Tyler and Wilson quickly remarrying during their term. Research on the lives of past first ladies reveals an impressive list of “firsts” attributed to many. That list includes “the first to”: graduate from college (Lucy Hayes); found a presidential library (Lucretia Garfield); institute a White House china collection (Caroline Harrison); both marry and bear a child in the White House (Frances Cleveland); write a memoir (Julia Dent Grant) although it went unpublished for 70 years; vote, operate a movie camera, own a radio, fly in a plane and invite movie stars to the White House (Florence Harding); to make regular nationwide radio broadcasts (Lou Hoover); travel to a war zone (Pat Nixon); deliver a presidential radio address (Laura Bush); run for president (Hilary Clinton); enjoy the longest marriage of 77 years (Rosalynn Carter); run and complete a marathon in 1998 (Dr. Jill Biden).
Outgoing First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was actually the oldest first lady at the time she began her tenure at 69, whereas the youngest was Frances Cleveland at 21, and the longestlived first lady was Bess Truman at 97. While First Lady Melania Trump, 54, will enter the record books as the first first lady to serve two non-consecutive terms, the first lady
Turn to First on Page 16
who holds the record for longest tenure was Eleanor Roosevelt at 12 years. While the original duty of a first lady was simply to play hostess for official affairs, the position morphed into the expectation for them to adopt a cause or charity. Eleanor Roosevelt’s support was for women’s and civil rights and humanitarian efforts, while Lady Bird Johnson’s environmental protection concerns spurred the passage of some of the 200 environmental bills passed during her husband’s term. Pat Nixon advocated volunteerism, and Jacqueline Kennedy championed White House restoration efforts and the arts. Many of the first ladies (including both Bush wives) espoused literacy, while Rosalynn Carter’s cause was mental health.
Tackling drug and alcohol abuse was espoused by both Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan. Betty had admitted her own struggle with alcohol and opened the now-famous Betty Ford Center. Nancy Reagan’s ”Just say no…to alcohol and drugs!” would become a popular preventative anthem.
Two of Washington, D.C.’s top tourist attractions can be attributed to first ladies’ efforts. While Helen Taft is credited with planting the capital’s first Japanese cherry trees in 1912 as part of the first public project spearheaded by a first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt initiated the annual tradition of the cherry blossom festival. In 1934 Eleanor invited a delegation from the Japanese embassy for a full day celebration beginning at dawn.
Pat Nixon could claim credit for the “pandamonium” that swept the nation following the Nixon’s historic 1972 trip to China. After exclaiming her adoration of pandas to China’s Premier Zhou Enlai, he gifted pandas LingLing and Hsing-Hsing to Mrs. Nixon and the American public. The gesture marked a symbolic easing of relations between China and the U.S. The pandas lived into the 1990s, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the globe to the Smithsonian National Zoo.
A first lady of the United States (FLOTUS)
is often under as much scrutiny as her POTUS husband, whether for her fashions, comments, interests or background, with several enduring controversy. Dolley Madison was one example. While first ladies Martha Washington and Dolley Madison had both been previously married then widowed, only Dolley was chastised for remarrying. Raised as a Quaker, Dolley was expelled by religious leaders following the death of her first husband when she remarried “outside the faith” to Episcopalian James Madison.
Only two women were divorcees before becoming first lady. The first, Florence Harding (who was five years senior to husband Warren), famously lifted the informal ban on “unacceptable women”—which translated to “divorced”—instituted under Theodore Roosevelt. Dr. Jill Biden was the second divorcee to become a first lady.
Only two first ladies have been foreign-born, Melania Trump (Slovenia), and John Quincy Adams’ wife Louisa (England). Louisa’s father
was an influential U.S. merchant living abroad, so Louisa’s U.S. citizenship was automatic. Reared in France, Louisa became a target in political rhetoric, being portrayed as an out-of-touch European who demanded to be treated as an aristocrat. In response, she became the first first lady to deliver a rebuttal in print…for which she was also criticized.
Melania’s infamous 2018 jacket choice that sported the message “I don’t care, do you?’” for her visit to migrant children on the border, sparked criticism and speculation. In her recent memoir Melania’s explanation was that it was a message to all the media she felt were constantly criticizing her.
Melania also isn’t the first president’s wife to come under fire for not fully embracing her role as first lady. President Zachary Taylor’s wife Margaret preferred-and-ferociously protected her privacy by remaining a recluse on the second floor of the White House during the Taylor term. The Taylor’s youngest daughter would act as White House hostess.
One first lady who Washington society would likely have preferred to be a recluse was James Polk’s wife Sarah. Sarah didn’t win many fans when her devout Presbyterianism led her to ban all hard liquor and even dancing in the White House during her husband’s presidency. Administration party-goers breathed a sigh of relief when Polk became only a one-term president.
(Did you know nearby Canton, OH is home to the only First Ladies national historic site? The fully restored Saxton-McKinley Victorian mansion at 205 Market. St. S.-former home of President William McKinley and wife Ida Saxton--houses the National First Ladies Library & Museum. The museum showcases exhibits featuring First Ladies and their contributions to American history, offering three 50-minute tours daily. For hours and additional information visit the website at firstladies.org.)
