Happy first day of spring! This Home & Garden issue of Currents will have you dreaming a little early of the beautiful season just ahead, when blooming flowers and blossoming trees will be cause for celebration after a Northeast Ohio winter such as this past one! See Section A for inspiration, ideas and advice from area experts about preparing indoors and out for the seasons ahead.
A6-14 Spring Home & Garden
Plan, budget now for stylish upgrades to your home, garden spaces
B4 Women’s History Month
Recognizing ingenious female inventors By
Jeannie Emser Schultz
B6 Parks & Recreation
Peace Park reopens for play in Cleveland Heights
Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.
Friday, April 4...A Night for Nature, to benefit Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, 5:30 p.m. at the Center, 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, 44140. Enjoy up-close encounters with animal ambassadors and see firsthand how LENSC education programs and wildlife rehabilitation efforts connect people to the natural world. $200 per person, includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer and a three-course dinner. Dressy casual attire. Visit lensc.org/ special events, call 440.471.8354, or email dianem@lensc.org.
Saturday, April 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...”Nourish,” the 15th anniversary celebration of the Village Project, a nonprofit organization providing meals and support to families battling cancer, takes place at 6 p.m. at the Emerald Event Center. Volunteers of the year will be honored. The evening includes dinner, and silent and live auctions. Visit http://www.ourvillageproject. com or call 440-348-9401 for ticket information.
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.
Saturday, April 12... “Heroes for Andy,”benefit gala to benefit the Andy Nowacki Foundation is at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Northeast beginning at 5 p.m. The evening includes dinner, silent auction, scholarship presentation and entertainment. Tickets start at $140. Visit http://www. nowackifund.org or phone 440-413-5991.
Friday, April 25…Broadway, My Way! With Helen Welch, to benefit Musical Theater Project, at Cleveland’s historic Union Club. Cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions and more. Helen Welch created a show just for the event. Helen will put a uniuqe spin on great songs from iconic musicals including “Kiss Me Kate,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “South Pacific,” “My Fair Lady,” and more. Tickets start at $175 per guest. Make reservations at 216.860.1518, ext. 701 or email ashley@musicaltheaterproject.org.
B13
Luxury Real Estate
Spacious Contemporary
Moreland Hills home with inground pool for sale By Rita Kueber
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
MARCH EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Sarah Jaquay, Rita Kueber, Andrea C. Turner, Jeannie Emser Schultz LAYOUT: Christine Hahn
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S: Shari Silk
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, 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.
Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.
Sunday, Apr. 27...”Market at the Food Bank,” to benefit Harvest for Hunger, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Partner Distribution Hub from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event features cuisine and beverages from Ohio’s best restaurants and beverage purveyors, entertainment and auction items. Tickets are $250 for VIP and $150 for general admission. Visit http://www. greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.
Friday, May 9...Romeo & Juliet Spring Fling Gala, to benefit Cleveland Ballet, 6 p.m. at Gordon Green. Shake off the cold and think spring while dancing the night away to the sounds of Tony Quarles and The Discovery Band. Exquisite menu by Spice Catering Co. and specialty beverages. Tickets on sale in March.
Sunday, May 18...Mandel JDS Spring Gala honoring Leah Spector, 6 p.m. at Mandel JDS, 26500 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Open Bar, seated dinner by 56 Kitchen’s Kosher Division. Tickets start at $180 per person. Visit mandeljds.org and scroll down to register by May 8.
Friday, June 6...Bash for the Brook, to benefit Beech Brook, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Topgolf, 5280 Rockside Woods Blvd., Independence, 44131. Cocktails, food, fun activities, live music and more.
Saturday, June 20….Summer Solstice, to benefit Hopewell Therapeutic Farm Community, at Chagrin Valley Hunt Club in Gates Mills. More information to come.
Tuesday, Aug. 12....”Gift of Life,” a familyfriendly event supporting programs for women and children at Fairview Hospital, takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Email events@ cwfc.org or call 440.360.7354 for ticket details.
Few names in fashion footwear evoke the kind of response that the mere mention of Donald Pliner does. Pliner is one of America’s most successful designers of high-end footwear to grace the shelves of the best retailers in the country. The label can be found in the closets of well-dressed women and men around the world.
In April 2025, the designer will be recognized as the 2025 inductee of Kent State University’s School of Fashion Hall of Fame, which Pliner considers the highest honor of his life. Joining Pliner at his induction ceremony will be his wife, muse and design partner, Lisa, who has been by his side for the past 28 years.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to have Donald Pliner accept this honor,” said Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., director of Kent State’s School of Fashion. “His contributions to the world of American fashion and his commitment to the belief that high fashion can be comfortable and accessible to everyday consumers have been transformative to the industry.”
In its 36th year, the prestigious Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame award celebrates the outstanding contributions to fashion made by an individual. The accolade honors the unique qualities of their leadership. It champions the aspiration and inspiration they and their business of fashion offer the next generation of fashion graduates at Kent State. Pliner joins an illustrious group of inductees that includes Kenneth Cole, Estée Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, Dana Buchman, Leonardo Ferragamo, Josie Natori, and most recently, Dame Zandra Rhodes.
“I am honored and awestruck to be inducted into the Kent State University School of Fashion Hall of Fame,” Pliner said. “Simply awestruck!”
Pliner grew up in the shoe business. His father, an immigrant from what is now Poland, was the proprietor of a chain of fashion footwear stores in the storied “Black Belt” of Chicago under the name of Pliner’s Florsheim Family Shoe Stores. As a child, Pliner would spend time in the stores playing with the store’s fitting machines and mingling with the customers while they were being fit for
their shoes. As he came of age, he began working in the stores as a salesperson.
A few years later, he followed an opportunity to move to California with the renowned Pappagallo shoe stores. Pliner’s vision, however, was much larger than the Pappagallo management would allow, and he left a few years later to open the Right Bank Clothing Co. on Rodeo Drive, one of the most fashionable addresses on Earth. The emporium became a place to be seen and to see such regular clients as Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Tina Turner, Elton John, Suzanne Somers, Wayne Newton and countless others.
It wasn’t long before he launched his own label, right around the same time as he met his soulmate, his wife, Lisa Pliner, who was working in Miami with legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace. The two met on a blind date, and the rest, as they say “is fashion history.”
Pliner hopes his legacy will be defined by him proving that fashion footwear can indeed be comfortable. Pliner has been compared to the greats in the global footwear business, and to this day, his label is still on the shelves of the best retailers in the country.
Pliner’s induction into the Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame will take place on April 26 as part of the school’s Annual Fashion Show. Featuring an eclectic mix of styles, materials and concepts, the Annual Fashion Show showcases the work and talent of Kent State seniors and graduate
students. For tickets and more information, visit www.kent.edu/fashion/annual-fashion-show. For more information about the Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame, visit www. kent.edu/fashion/school-fashion-hall-fame.
W EDNESDAY , M AY 21, 2025
Holiday Inn Cleveland, Independence
Featuring all your favorites: Fashions by Toni in Style Sweets & Treats Bake Shop, Boutique Vendors, Raffle Baskets, and more!
SAVE THE DATE
a wonderful day with your family & friends supporting Christ Child Society
Local artisans, makers, and small-batch producers are invited to showcase their talents at StoneWater’s highly anticipated Spring Artisan Market and Summer Farmers Market series. These vibrant community markets provide an opportunity for small businesses and creatives to connect with shoppers eager to support locally made, handmade, and homegrown products.
Spring Artisan Market – April 26, 2025
Taking place inside The Venue at StoneWater , the 2nd Annual Spring Artisan Market welcomes artists, crafters, jewelry makers, clothing designers, woodworkers, and more. Vendors can secure an eight-foot table and two chairs for just $50, making this an accessible event for entrepreneurs looking to gain exposure. The market will run from
An unforgettable evening awaits at the Derby Day Soirée! Last year’s sold-out event was filled with nonstop energy and celebration to raise vital support for Cleveland Clinic Children’s and our youngest and bravest patients.
Be part of the excitement this year—support a great cause while enjoying the most exciting two minutes in sports.
RSVP TODAY: ccf.org/derbyday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and promises a curated shopping experience for those seeking unique, locally crafted goods. Interested vendors can apply by submitting their Instagram or Etsy pages, along with product photos and descriptions, to stonewaterholidaymarket@gmail. com for consideration.
Summer Farmers Market Series –Select Sundays, 2025
For those specializing in handmade, home-
grown, and small-batch products, the Summer Farmers Market at StoneWater is the perfect venue. Hosted outdoors on the scenic grassy lawn of StoneWater Golf Course, the market will take place on select Sundays throughout the summer:
• June 8
July 6
• August 10
• September 7
Each market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ,
offe ring a prime opportunity for vendors to connect with the community and showcase fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal products, and more. To apply, vendors should email their website, Instagram page, or photos and product details to wneidus@stonewatergolf. com for consideration.
Both markets provide a welcoming platform for local creators to engage with shoppers, build brand recognition, and contribute to a thriving local marketplace. Vendors are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited.
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Cornerstone of Hope celebrated their 22nd Annual Benefit Gala, presented by Premier Truck Sales & Rental, Inc. | Kim and Joey Lojek. This year’s event was held at the newly
rebranded Hotel Cleveland and welcomed over 700 individuals to raise support and celebrate 2025 Champion of Hope honoree, Mel Kurtz, Jr. Over $1.25 million was raised to further the mission of Cornerstone of
Hope. Funds raised from this annual signature event play a pivotal role in providing much-needed programs and services to grieving children, teens, and adults in our communities. The evening marked over two decades of
to more than 55,000 individuals through its
AND PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED BY CORNERSTONE OF HOPE
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Spring is here and it is time to prepare your yard for the best outdoor season ever.
“The first thing you should do for spring is to make sure that you perform a thorough spring cleanup of leaf matter and debris from around your trees and the foundation of your house. This material is a place for insects and other pests to hide,” Joe Pastor of J & D Landscaping said. “In early spring through April, we do a lot of mulch installation. This is the time to
sign up for full-season maintenance. We offer package discounts for bundled services. These slots fill up very quickly.”
“We are wrapping up a large planting in Shaker Heights. The project is a formal winter garden. The existing landscape was original from the 1930s. Stepping out the back door of the house and down the natural stone steps, you would come to a long corridor of lawn with an English garden on both sides, surrounded
Turn to Outdoors on Page 7
No matter the size and scope of the project being considered, starting to plan and budget early is the best advice,
Landscape.
Landscaping dating from the 1930s is being transformed into a formal winter garden by J & D Landscaping. (Photograph courtesy of J & D Landscaping)
Pools and “outdoors for the summer” continue to be popular amenities for Vizmeg Landscape clients.
by a sandstone walkway,” Pastor said. “We removed the tired and outdated plantings and installed evergreen shrubs with formal symmetry that will provide color throughout the winter months. Within the evergreens are crabapple trees that will flower bright pink in the spring and provide colorful berries and food for native wildlife in the winter.”
“We have also installed shrubs that show color in their stems throughout the winter months when there is no foliage. This project is still in progress and we expect to complete it this spring. Several more plantings are yet to install, and there is lots of lawn to repair, but this formal winter garden will be something to enjoy year-round, with a multitude of colors throughout each season and, as the name implies, especially in the winter,” he said.
“Pools and ‘outdoors for the summer’ continue to be popular amenities for our clients in the greater Cleveland area,” James Arch of Vizmeg Landscape Inc. noted. “We are also experiencing a trend of updating homes from the early 1990s and early 2000s. Old decks are being removed and converted to update patio spaces with outdoor kitchens and covered entertaining areas to enjoy with family and friends.”
“As an experienced residential and commercial landscaping company, we cater to all aspects of landscaping needs. Our services span from innovative residential design and construction to year-round exterior maintenance to in-ground pool and spa construction,” he added.
“No matter the size and scope of the project being considered, starting to plan and budget early is the best advice. This gives time to explore ideas and options and get into a production schedule for completion and enjoyment. Careful planning and revisions to an initial concept is what leads to extraordinary results,” Arch said.
“Now is the best time to creatively upgrade your outdoor spaces to reflect the beauty of the seasons,” Chris Ursetti of Budget Lightscapes said. “Color your seasons with our high quality, affordable RGBW LED lighting.”
“RGBW LED low voltage lights are an advanced version of RGB lights, which create more colors and effects by combining red, green and blue light with warm white light to enhance color spectrum displays. This gives you the option of diverse colors or the classic warm white lighting integrated into one landscape lighting fixture,” he said. “The RGBW LED low voltage fixtures are crafted of quality solid cast brass for optimal durability, feature enhanced surge protection, are dimmable and backed by a lifetime warranty. True-to-color LEDs produce powerful and vibrant colors adding new dimensions to your landscape lighting designs. You can even light up your home for your favorite holiday or sports team celebration.”
Crooked River Building Supply was formed by Floyd Maxwell and Mike Kovach out of a shared passion and longevity in the building materials industry. After individual careers spanning decades spent growing relationships with builders, contractors, and homeowners in Northeast Ohio, they decided to build a team of the most qualified professionals in the industry.
That collaboration of experts turned into Crooked River Building Supply, headquartered
in Warrensville Heights. The Crooked River team, led by Floyd and Mike, brings a collective 200 years of experience to the table. We believe every home is a sanctuary. Each detail should be executed with care and precision. That’s why we have built a collaborative team of the most knowledgeable product experts and experienced carpenters in the industry. Together, we provide highly-customized window, door, and millwork solutions, ranging from ornately detailed architectural moldings
to the installation of beautiful wood-clad windows, to clients across Northeast Ohio. We are dedicated to ensuring that you have the highest quality of materials needed to complete your design with prime results. We take the time to understand your vision for your home building or remodeling project and help you make informed choices from our wide variety of products. Whether you are an architect, builder, or homeowner, we will work closely with you to determine the right
products for your budget and your application. We are committed to educating you at every step of the process, from the initial product selection through the installation and beyond, making your vision for your home a reality. We would love to discuss your dreams and plans for your home! Call us at 216.478.9700. Visit our showroom and speak with a member of our team at 19106 Miles Road in Warrensville Heights. Or check us out online at CrookedRiverSupply.com
For nearly four decades, Veneer Tree Service has been a trusted name in expert tree removal, disaster relief, and community service. Founded in 1985 by Mark Gamiere, the company is built on a commitment to professionalism, safety, and precision in every job. With an unwavering dedication to serving communities across the country, Mark and his team have become known for their swift, expert tree removal services in both routine
and emergency situations.
With over 20 years of experience in disaster relief, Mark has been at the forefront of some of the nation’s most challenging recovery efforts. From the raging wildfires of California to the devastation of major hurricanes on the East Coast and Midwest, Veneer Tree Service has provided essential support in removing hazardous trees and restoring damaged landscapes. His expertise in these high-pressure
environments speaks to his skill, efficiency, and deep understanding of tree removal under extreme conditions.
A proud Ohio native, Mark brings a strong work ethic and a passion for perfection to every project. Whether it’s clearing storm-damaged trees, providing routine maintenance, or ensuring a property’s safety, his team operates with precision, professionalism, and attention to detail. Customers can count on Veneer Tree
Service to handle tree removal with the highest level of care, ensuring each job is completed efficiently and expertly.
With decades of experience and a reputation built on excellence, Veneer Tree Service continues to provide top-tier tree care, disaster relief, and unmatched expertise to communities in need. When you need trusted professionals for tree removal, you can depend on Mark and his team to get the job done right—every time.
Exhibition opening Friday, April 11
WOLFS is pleased to present this exhibition featuring works from the artist’s estate including the debut of the Wilcox Western Collection.
Known as “the Dean of Artists,” Frank Wilcox (1887-1964) was a graduate of the Cleveland School of Art in 1910 and began his legendary teaching career at the Institute in 1913. As a student of Henry Keller and a teacher to Charles Burchfield, Clarence Carter, Carl Gaertner, and Paul Travis, among others, Wilcox grew to become one of the foremost leaders in the development of the Cleveland School.
Not only was Wilcox a masterful artist and nationally renowned watercolorist, but a historian, scientist and author as well, leaving an estate rich with artwork, publications, journals and sketchbooks. WOLFS is honored to be representing the Wilcox estate and proudly presents the second exhibition, featuring many fine works completed throughout his long and prolific career.
As a professor, Wilcox was able to use his lengthy vacation time traveling extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and parts of Canada sketching endlessly, becoming a chronicler of all he saw.
Beginning in 1937, Wilcox made numerous long excursions throughout the American West, resulting in voluminous sketches and paintings of western life, a collection virtually unseen until now. So vibrant and real are these many works when hung together, one needs to shade their eyes.
“My biggest thrill came when, somewhat east of Cheyenne, we saw the serrated distant peaks of the Rockies filling the whole western half of the horizon - a pale blue edge to the earth seen in the blinding light of sunset. For the first time, I saw a whole city lying like but a small dark patch in a wide basin, with the shadows of the foothills reaching towards it and the peaks now larger and dark beyond.”
-Frank Nelson WIlcox
Frank Nelson Wilcox exhibition opening Friday, April 11, 5:30 - 8pm.
On view through June at WOLFS (TuesdaySaturday 11-5pm) 23645 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio.
For more than 60 years, Home Appliance has been the trusted destination for homeowners, builders, and designers looking for premium appliances and expert service. With locations in Avon and Brunswick, we’ve helped countless customers create homes that blend innovation, design, and performance. Now, we’re expanding with our largest showroom yet in Twinsburg bringing an unparalleled selection of high-end appliances to Northeast Ohio.
Spanning nearly 30,000 square feet, the Twinsburg showroom will feature: 16 fully functional live kitchens where customers can see appliances in action
33 beautifully designed vignettes, including a live cooktop display, showcasing real-world applications
More than 70 of the industry’s top brands, including exclusive luxury lines not available anywhere else in Northeast Ohio
A dedicated team of private chefs offering unique culinary experiences in both Twinsburg and Avon
Professional installation and in-house service, ensuring a seamless experience from selection to setup
A Full-Service Appliance Destination
At Home Appliance, we offer more than just kitchen solutions. Whether you’re searching for a professional-grade range, a luxury built-in refrigerator, or the most reliable washer and dryer on the market, our showrooms provide a comprehensive selection of premium appliances. In addition to luxury brands, we carry a full range of mainline brands to fit every style and budget.
Beyond selection, our expert installation team ensures a flawless setup, while our in-house service team provides continued support long after the sale. From delivery to ongoing maintenance, we make sure every customer’s experience is seamless.
“Blue
Join the search for a missing pod of blue whales in the Indian Ocean and eavesdrop on a group of whales in the Gulf of California when “Blue Whales: Return of the Giants” plays at the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater at Great Lakes Science Center.
Blue whales are the largest animals to have ever lived, bigger than any dinosaur, yet we know surprisingly little about them. The film follows two scientific missions to learn more. First, join a high-risk mission to find a missing population of blue whales, not seen in 50 years, off the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. Then, travel to Mexico’s Gulf of California where Diane Gendron, the “Blue Whale Whisperer,” and her team eavesdrop on whale conversations and explore the important role these remarkable animals play in the health of our oceans. Experience their spectacular feeding habits, their awesome long-distance communication, and their tender mother-calf bonds.
Narrated by award-winning actor Andy Serkis and featuring a score by Academy Award-winner Steven Price, the film will entertain audiences of all ages as it transforms our understanding of these iconic ocean giants.
“This movie is incredibly uplifting and powerful,” Serkis said. “Everyone assumes that because blue whales are the largest mammals on the planet, we should know a lot about them, but in fact that’s not the case. Learning what scientists are trying to do, to understand their behaviors, has been a real education for me. We need to find out more about creatures like these, because they inspire us to have hope. The film is a wonderful marriage of storytelling, fact-giving and entertainment.”
Unmatched In-Store Experiences
Both our Twinsburg and Avon showrooms offer more than just shopping—they provide immersive experiences. Our private chefs bring appliances to life, demonstrating how high-performance ovens, cooktops, and built-in refrigeration enhance everyday cooking. Customers can test products, ask questions, and gain confidence before making a purchase.
Visit Us in Avon, Brunswick & Soon, Twinsburg
With showrooms in Lorain, Medina, and soon Summit County , Home Appliance continues its tradition of delivering highperformance appliances with a seamless, personalized shopping experience.
The Twinsburg showroom opens this spring, bringing exclusive events, special promotions, and the ultimate hands-on experience with the industry’s top appliances.
Visit Home Appliance in Avon or Brunswick today, and stay tuned for our grand opening in Twinsburg!
Learn more at YourHomeAppliance.com.
“Blue Whales: Return of the Giants” will screen at 1 and 3 p.m. daily, with an 11 a.m. screening on weekends and a 5 p.m. showing on Thursday evenings.
By RITA KUEBER
The remedy for our mid-winter blues may rest in a can of paint. If you’ve been longing to make a change to your habitat over the last few weeks, you may be able to convert your daydream into reality by making small tweaks to the kitchen, the room most of us use multiple times a day, every day.
Bath Designer for Somrak Kitchens. “Paint can make a huge difference in a kitchen, especially if there’s a lot of wall space,” she says. “Color makes a tremendous impact on how that space feels. If it’s white, maybe use a light beige. If it’s a medium tone, think about using paint a few shades lighter. Paint is the least expensive way to change a kitchen.”
Also for anyone on a budget, Nikki suggests
cabinet handles. “They don’t have to be crazy expensive – there are some that are under $10 per pull,” she says. “Or if someone comes to us and they have builder-grade cabinets with no handles, we can add them, and it completely changes the look of the room. We also have people who show us what they like but point out each pull is thirty dollars. Part of our job is trying to control the budget. We have many resources and can usually find something similar for a fraction of the cost. So many kitchens are white, but adding different pulls makes the room dressier or casual. Handles are the jewelry of the kitchen,” she adds.
Financially, one step up from a basic change like pulls or paint is a medium makeover and right now this includes adding color or texture into the kitchen. “Adding molding around the top of the walls makes the room look more finished and dresses up the space. Unless you’re very handy, you need a carpenter for this, but it’s a comparatively easy job for a professional,” Nikki adds. She mentions a mid-range financial upgrade could be changing out the countertops which now come in a wide array of materials, finishes, and colors.
“A new backsplash is a sort of non-committal way to add color without taking up the whole
space,” she says. “I see people adding four to six colors to the room with their backsplash, and if they get tired of it, it’s easy to replace just that area without ripping up the whole space.”
Nikki is also seeing appliances with more color options as well as color in the kitchen island – everything from blue to green. Color is also seeping into countertops and cabinets. “In our market we’re saturated with white kitchens, and as beautiful as they can be, we’re getting just a little tired of it, so we’re seeing more color. Ultimately, of course, there’s the whole kitchen makeover. “We ask people to come to our showroom for our first meeting so we can understand their lifestyle – what they love, what they hate. We look for the products that will meet their needs and expectations but also fit their budget,” she says. “Then we measure the house and make a 3D drawing and gather samples. This helps people visualize what they’re going to get and gives them a chance to make changes before we’ve ordered anything.”
Nikki recommends working with a professional design/build team to access to a wide variety of materials, as well as putting a good team in place, a team that will offer options, and stand behind their products.
“We’re mostly known for kitchens,” says Nikki Trivisonno from Somrak Kitchens. “But many times people come to us to do their bath first as a kind of warm-up.” She candidly admits that bathrooms are every bit as complicated as kitchens, and actually more so because a great deal is packed into a comparatively small space. When people think about redoing the bathroom, they usually think about colors and finishes, showerheads, and general comfort. “That’s the fun part,” Nikki says. “But that’s about ten percent of what needs to happen. Most of what I do is technical. We figure out what materials are right for the space, the electrical, the plumbing fixtures, and the mechanicals. If the shower has spray nozzles, are they set in the right places?”
She talks about clients who are in love with glamorous elements seen online and in magazines. Waterfall shower heads are a great example. “If a bachelor says he wants one, no problem,” Nikki
says. “But they’re awful for women, because they will wet everything, every time, including hair. So I need to point that out to women who then decide they don’t necessarily want soaked hair every time they shower.”
Similarly, she makes sure the lighting and mirrors are set correctly. “If the main light source creates a shadow, that ruins the makeup application process. The bath is a very personal space, so we want to make it relaxing and also be sure it works for the homeowner.
One of the trends interior designers are noting for 2025 besides the reintroduction of bold color, is the use of natural wood and quality wood
items from cabinets to chairs. The mixed metals that have been complementing the minimalistic monotone rooms are fading from popularity in favor of a more organic look, with natural and relaxed interiors.
Dannie Stoltzfus is the owner of Creative Edge, in Burton, Ohio. A craftsman and wood worker with a “sawmill in the woods,” as he says. Two years ago, he purchased a white oak, cut it into slabs and made benches, giving them away to friends. He decided to turn one of the slabs into a table and has been turning out one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture ever since.
Since his first slab, he’s worked with maple, walnut and more to create coffee and end tables, and kitchen and dining tables, as well as bar stools and shelves. His pieces are intended for indoor use, as they are not waterproofed.
Many of his pieces have a live edge, meaning the table’s edges have not been cut into perfect corners, but instead leave the wood’s natural edge, making the piece look alive. It also creates a piece totally unique, since no two trees are the same. The tables are sanded and finished with a clear or tinted stain, or epoxy allowing the character of the wood and the beautiful grain show through. Dannie also creates river tables, a slab with a gap that’s filled with resin, creating a look that resembles a river.
The craftsman creates about three pieces per week, some available at his shop, and some custom made. “My dad had a shop, and I always liked to play with wood. That’s how I got into this,” he says. While the business is just Dannie with assistance from his two daughters, he’s ready for additional work. “We’re always willing to work any length, any wood. My customers usually know exactly what they want,” he adds.
On Thursday, February 13, the Crawford Museum hosted a Mustang Party! The Western Reserve Historical Society was proud to have an amazing gathering showcasing the latest exhibit “Wild Horses: Sixty Years of Ford’s Mustang.” Many rare Mustangs were displayed including a one-off prototype from Carrol Shelby owned by Jamie Delapaz. The evening event was partially made possible by members of the Molto Bella Car Show Group which raises money for local charities at its annual car show at Hale Farm & Village every September. The event was curated by Larry Davis from the Crawford Museum with special guest Matt Anderson from the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. Several car club members attended and were recognized for their support including The Car Collectives Group, The Jaguar Club, the Solon Rock & Roll Club and the Emerald Necklace MG’s. A good time was had by all! STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED BY CRAWFORD AUTO-AVIATION MUSEUM
Get ready to experience spring in all its beauty at the Holden Arboretum. Immerse yourself in the emerging tree canopy on the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower, discover colorful blooms in our cultivated gardens, and explore 3,500 acres through a guided tram tour or miles of hiking trails. From onsite experiences to classes and events, spring comes to life at Holden Arboretum. The Arboretum hours are Tuesdays – Sundays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The first official day of the spring season is Thursday, March 20, 2025.
SPRING EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
MURCH CANOPY WALK AND KALBERER EMERGENT TOWER –OPENING TUESDAY, APRIL 1
Two of the top outdoor attractions in Northeast Ohio are back! The Emergent Tower is 120 feet or about 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area to Lake Erie. The Murch Canopy Walk invites guests on a 500-foot-long elevated walkway that is built 65 feet above the forest floor. This immersive experience takes guests in and out of the forest canopy to experience everything from the middle of a mature forest to a raised view of streams and the forest floor.
FREE ADMISSION DAY – ARBORETUM
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY APRIL 26 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Celebrate trees with one of the best living museums in the country! Enjoy free admission to the Arboretum, live music, food trucks and a free tree seedling giveaway while supplies last. More information to come.
HOLDEN GROWN PLANT SALE –
SATURDAY MAY 17 & SUNDAY MAY 18
Whether you are trying to naturalize your landscape or enhance a corner of your garden, this event will offer exclusively Holden-grown plants, including over 80 species of native wildflowers, ornamental perennials, shrubs, and
trees, including staff favorites and selections from our living collections including rhododendrons, spicebush, milkweed, skullcap, wild senna, wild columbine, toad lily and many, many more! Visitors are encouraged to bring their own materials to transport their plants home.
Holden Grown Plant Sale hours are Saturday, May 17 from noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Event included with general admission.
FOREST FORMS – OPENING
SATURDAY MAY 10
Forest Forms features eighteen sculptures ranging in height from a playful five feet to a monumental twenty feet tall. These larger-thanlife works include a majestic fox family, an intricate stack of flowers, an ethereal peacock, and much more and will be on display throughout the arboretum’s grounds. An avid nature lover, artist Huelani Mei uses a distinct “line work” style to convey the form, movement, and rhythm she observes in nature.
BUNNY’S BIG SPRING ADVENTURE – SATURDAY APRIL 5
The Easter Bunny has overslept! He needs help finding out if spring has arrived. On Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. – noon, kids can help the Bunny find the clues that mark the arrival of spring so the Bunny can bring wonderful springtime events to life. After a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, enjoy cookie decorating, a springtime craft and of course a photo with the Easter Bunny. Bunny’s Big Spring Adventure Registration
TRAM TOURS
Starting Friday, April 26, Arboretum Tram Tours will give guests an overview of the campus and gardens, with a focus on seasonal highlights. You may also learn a little history and information about the scientific work that happens behind the scenes. Cost: $10 per adult, $7 per child. Tours are scheduled throughout the day every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday May through October, and tickets can be purchased in person at the Arboretum’s Corning Visitor Center.
GET GROWING WITH SPRING CLASSES
AUDUBON SPRING BIRD WALKS: Celebrate Spring migration every Sunday, April 13 – May 18 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. with one of the oldest community science partnerships in northeast Ohio. The series is a celebration of migratory birds and the important habitats our parks and natural areas provide. Spring bird walks are led by experienced birders from local Audubon chapters and welcome birders of all ages and skill levels. Registration required. Cost: Free for HF&G members, Included with general admission. Audubon Spring Bird Walks Registration.
FIRST FRIDAYS GARDEN TOURS: Just like you, our Horticulture team loves to talk about plants! Join our staff on an informative tour select Fridays from 9 – 11:30 a.m. through the gardens at the Arboretum. A different garden will be featured each month, highlighting the beauty of our plant collections throughout the season, as well as new projects supporting our mission.
Friday May 2 – Main Display Garden | Sandi Cesarov, Horticulturist This program will meet in front of the Corning Visitors Center.
Friday June 6 – Layer Garden | Mary Lineberger, MaryAnn Thesing, Horticulturists This program will meet in the Layer Garden service lot. Directions will be sent prior to the program.
After the tour, enjoy light refreshments and conversation with fellow plant-lovers before heading home to work in your own garden. Horticulture & Collections staff will be on hand during the refreshments to answer any gardening questions you have. Cost: $7 per member, $22 per nonmember. First Fridays Garden Tour Registration.
TREES FOR BEES: Planting a meadow isn’t Turn to Holden on Page 13
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens opens for the 2025 season on Tuesday, April 1. In April, guests who buy a ticket for a self-guided Manor House tour and donate a non-perishable food item when they arrive will receive a second ticket for a self-guided tour at no charge. All food collected will be donated to the AkronCanton Regional Food Bank.
Stan Hywet begins the year with the Easter Egg Hunt (tickets required) on April 19. Inspiration in Bloom in the Manor House features fresh floral arrangements created by area designers and is on display, April 24-27. “Spring is such a beautiful season on the estate and we’re excited to welcome back visitors for a tour of the Manor House and gardens,” says Jennie Highfield, President and Executive Director. “We are especially thrilled to kick off the season with a food drive, giving back to our community while offering a special opportunity for our guests to experience Stan Hywet.”
Guests this season may take a self-guided tour, or opt for a guided tour including the Guided Manor House Tour, or the Nooks & Crannies Tour. Beginning in May, the Garden History Tour is offered once daily. All tours include “Blueprint to Bricks,” a permanent
Holden cont’d from Page 12
the only way to benefit native bees. Join us on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. - noon for a walking tour showcasing the essential role spring-flowering trees and shrubs play in supporting native bees and other wildlife. Participants will learn which native and ornamental species provide critical nectar and pollen resources when early emerging pollinators need them most. Come away with practical insights into creating pollinator-friendly spaces, improving the ecological value of built landscapes. Cost: $20 per member, $35 per nonmember Trees for Bees Registration
exhibit about the construction of the Manor House.
The 2025 season includes a robust line-up of public events including Founders’ Day Weekend commemorating the 90th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous, June 6-8; the Father’s Day Car Show, June 15; Off the Vine: An Evening Pairing of Food & Wine, July 25; and Ohio Mart, October 2-5. Murder in the Mansion is select nights in October, and Deck the Hall is select evenings November 28-December 30. Shakespeare returns this summer with two productions from the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. More information about all event, including registration for the Easter Egg Hunt may be found at stanhywet.org.
Beginning April 1, 2025 and through November 26, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is open for daytime tours Tuesday through Sunday from 10am-6pm; the last admission is at 4 pm. The estate is closed to the public on Mondays. Hours of operation for public programs (special events) may be different, and are posted at stanhywet.org.
LENS: On Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. learn to photograph one of Northeast Ohio’s most stunning landscapes.
At an elevation of 1,266 feet (571 feet above Lake Erie), Little Mountain catches the winds and storms that sweep off the lake. It gets twice as much snowfall as the rest of northeast Ohio in addition to more rain, creating its own wet, cool micro-climate. Today, all evidence of the resorts is totally gone, and Little Mountain is now home to towering white pines, diverse plant communities, unique geological formations, and
abundant wildlife. As a protected site, public viewing is limited to guided hikes with Holden Arboretum staff.
This photography workshop starts off with a brief orientation by Arboretum staff, followed by in-the-field guidance from professional photographer Debbie DiCarlo. A basic understanding of your camera is necessary. Tripods will be allowed. Cost: $70 per member, $110 per nonmember. Terrain: up to 2.0 miles, rugged, narrow, muddy, rocks, some standing water. Peak Perspectives Registration.
About the Holden Arboretum and Holden Forests & Gardens
The Holden Arboretum, located east of Cleveland in Kirtland, Ohio, sprawls over an enchanting expanse of land in Lake and Geauga Counties and offers gardens, trails, lakes and meadows. The Holden Arboretum is part of Holden Forests & Gardens along with the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland’s University Circle cultural district. Holden Forests & Gardens is making a positive impact through urban greening and forestry initiatives, environmental research, educational programs, and world-class visitor experiences at its two campuses. For more information, visit holdenfg. org.
The InterContinental Hotel Cleveland hosted over 200 guests gathered for the second annual “Haute for the House” fundraiser and fashion show on February 6. The event, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northeast Ohio, raised more than $150,000, was presented by sponsor SITE Centers. RMHC focuses on caring for families so they can care for their children in times of crisis. Its mission is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need
healthcare. In 2024 alone,1,250 families were supported in Cleveland and Akron’s houses, and the RMHC Family Room programs in four hospitals served 4,764 families.
In attendance were Asheba Brooks and Ronald Williams, parents of twin boys Riaan and Roman, who arrived nine weeks early. At 20 weeks in utero, Roman was diagnosed with restrictive growth. At birth in December 2023, he lived just 56 minutes, while his brother Riann survived. Despite this profound loss, the family found solace and strength through the love and support of Ronald McDonald House. Kent State University (KSU) School of Fashion, one of the top five in the world for Fashion Merchandising, presented a not-tobe-missed fashion show featuring original works by 16 students and 30 models. The fashion show was co-produced by seniors Amelia Gardner of North Carolina and Brett Ashley Richter of Seattle.
In order to graduate, students participate in a study away program – either in Florence, Paris, Hong Kong or New York City. Mourad Krifa, PhD, Margaret Clark Morgan Director of the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, stated that 93 percent of graduates land a job in the industry within one year of graduating.
Best in Show $1,000 scholarship winner was Matthew Williams, who coincidentally was commissioned by pop superstar Stevie Wonder to create an outfit for one of his performances. Best-dressed guest was Tiffany Roper. Guests enjoyed various food stations, open bar with specialty cocktails, a silent auction,
wine
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By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ
Throughout history, men have enjoyed the better PR machine when it came to acclaim for their inventions. Women? Not so much. History books taught us Marconi invented the radio, Eli Whitney the cotton gin, etc. The only women who received a modicum of history book print were Marie Curie for discovering radium and Betsy Ross for sewing the first U.S. flag (a story later proved suspect). So, to celebrate March’s Women’s History Month, we’re giving the fairer sex their props for a panoply of inventions that have bettered our lives.
Although today’s tech world is generally considered male dominated, many of its groundworks came courtesy of women. Back in 1843, English mathematician Ada Lovelace is noted as the first computer programmer, writing the world’s first algorithm for a machine, while Evelyn Berezin later invented the word processor (in addition to the first-ever computerized airline booking system). Evelyn, however, realizing her gender would prevent her from moving up the ladder, started her own company to ensure her inventions would be marketed. (Many women commonly listed male co-inventors on paperwork to curb bias against women.)
Movie star Hedy Lamarr was not only beautiful but brainy, inventing the World War II frequency-hopping communication system that could guide torpedoes while remaining undetected. That breakthrough led to the creation of Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi. Likewise, we have Marian Croak to thank for inventing Voice Over Internet Protocol, making it possible to use the internet to communicate through video and audio.
During the mid ‘60s, home security systems were almost nonexistent. Nurse Marie Van Brittan Brown, wanting to feel safer in her highcrime neighborhood, developed a closed-circuit television security system for home surveillance that incorporated remote control for locking and unlocking the door at a safer distance and emergency button to send an alarm directly to police
or security. While regarded as the inventor, her electronics technician husband Albert, undoubtedly helped, earning equal credit on its patent. The invention gained widespread recognition, forming the foundation of modern CCTV and home security systems.
Of course, after the blockbuster “Barbie” movie, the world knows the iconic doll was invented by Ruth Handler for her daughter. But did you know Barbie’s dream house would be without
its dishwasher, electric refrigerator, washing machine or even a rolling pin if not for the talents of a woman? (And those Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies in Barbie’s oven are courtesy of the original recipe by Ruth Wakefield.)
Women have gone unheralded for inventing such useful items as the standard food vacuum canning technique; wash-and-wear fabric; waterproof leather protector and windshield wipers. While some appliance designs would later be perfected by men, their prototypes were female created, like the first rotary washing machine by American Margaret Colvin. Consisting of a tub on legs with a hand crank to turn a drum containing the clothes, it was more efficient than the traditional washboard, but still labor intensive.
Likewise, Josephine Cochran invented a dishwasher using water pressure rather than scrubbers that were the norm of her time. Although other prototypes existed, Cochran’s 1872 design was considered the most effective. Then there was Florence Parpart, inventor of the first electric refrigerator in 1914 which circulated water through the fridge to keep it cold, revolutionizing food preservation and cooking. Parpart also patented an improved street-cleaning machine bought by cities throughout the United States.
Fans of pour-over coffee might be surprised to discover the company Melitta wasn’t named after an Italian coffee maker but the German entrepreneur Melitta Bentz in 1908. Bentz’s minimalist way of making coffee was by simply putting it in a filter and pouring water over it.
And…each time you reach for duct tape, thank one Vesta Stoudt. In 1943 while working in an ordinance plant, Vera noted paper tape tabs used on ammunition boxes could easily tear off, leaving soldiers in life-threatening situations while scrambling to open the boxes. She sent her idea for waterproof cloth tape to none other than President Franklin Roosevelt who passed it to the War Production Board and–voila–duct tape was born. (It turned out to be a multi-purpose quick repair for equipment, vehicles and weapons!)
If “family planning” has been critical to your
life, kudos go to millionaire philanthropist and biologist Katherine McCormick for the birth control pill. If you didn’t use the pill, you might be grateful that Marion Donovan came up with the idea for disposable diapers– a product she actually had a tough time convincing manufacturers that they were needed!!
In medical circles, credit goes to Dr. Leila Alice Denmark, a pioneering female American medical researcher, who co-developed the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, while Letitia Geer’s invention was the single-handed needle syringe (used to this day by medical practitioners). In 1986, Patricia Bath patented the laser probe doctors use worldwide to prevent blindness from cataracts by dissolving them fast and painlessly. Another medical credit goes to the mother-daughter team of Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers for the psychological test Myers–Briggs Type Indicator.
While working as a DuPont chemist in 1965, Stephanie Kwolek discovered a lightweight plastic for car tires plus a solid-but-lightweight synthetic material five times stronger than steel out of water and 20 times stronger underwater. The new corrosion and heat-resistant material—Kevlar--would be used for bulletproof vests among other things.
When typewriters were still in vogue, the mother of “The Monkees” guitarist Mike Nesmith, Bette Nesmith Graham’s invention of Liquid Paper correction fluid propelled her from a simple secretary into a millionaire.
And while Parker Brothers and “Monopoly” are synonymous, the board game was actually patented in 1904 by Elizabeth Magie under the name “The Landlord’s Game.” Elizabeth initially designed it as a teaching tool to illustrate the unfair distribution of wealth in America, Her game became popular on college campuses, and later among a Quaker community which added local neighborhoods’ names to the board. (Three decades later a game echoing Landlord’s Game would be patented by a man who sold it to Parker Brothers as Monopoly.)
By ANDREA C. TURNER
A self-described gym rat and workaholic, artist Rita Montlack works out five days a week. Although she may be a diminutive woman in size, her photographic artwork is larger than life.
Her show, “AI: Artificial Insanity” previewed March 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hedge Gallery located at 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th Street, #200, on the second floor in Cleveland. The official opening takes place Friday, March 21, from 5-9 p.m. Hedge features some of the
freshest contemporary art in Northeast Ohio.
This spring show is part of its Print Media Spotlight featuring a two-woman exhibition with work by Montlack and Meryl Engler. Their artistic voices converge through reduction woodcut prints, photography and installations, on view through April 26.
Montlack admits that she was overwhelmed after reading so much about Artificial Intelligence. “The show title addresses the issues of intelligence combined with the question of insanity. I mimic this concept in the contemplation and creation of my work; taking
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real photographs, then digitally manipulating them until they become surreal. I love taking things out of context and placing them where they don’t belong to make combinations of strange bedfellows,” states Montlack.
Engler, a native of California, will show a variety of new prints in her show titled, “The Constant Urge to Walk All Night.” She works as an adjunct faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
According to the gallery’s website, “Sharing the processes of sorting, layering and careful color selection, these artists create distinct imagery that interprets our ever changing world. They alter their subject matters with meticulous methods to create enchanting, even surrealist works on paper.”
“I put lots of combinations together in my work,” says Montlack. She takes photographs, then re-constructs them primarily using PhotoShop. She claims to have a compulsion to alter images, including colors and shapes – possibly stemming from an earlier time when she started as a textile artist.
“I’m obsessed with patterns – checks, plaids, stripes – I like to manipulate size, color and perspective. Some of the patterns created became patterns of personality traits.” So she added words to her pieces – adverbs like nifty, funny, sexy, trendy, trippy – thinking of people she knew. “I had a great time making these and I think the work will make people laugh,” she added.
Montlack remembers spending many hours early in her career as a photographer developing prints in a dark room. But going digital allowed her a sense of new freedom to make “living, breathing art” giving her the option to change an element as often as she liked.
Her exhibit features all new works – some to be displayed in the shape of pyramids, others are diptychs (two photographs framed as one) and many framed 11” x 14” prints. Her last show at the former Photocentric Gallery on Waterloo in 2022 was one of her most successful, selling out of almost
all 50 pieces.
Montlack’s work has been seen in numerous exhibits and public spaces throughout Northeast Ohio, most recently at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida and Kent State University’s Dixie Lee Davis Museum Store. Her work is also on display at the Cleveland Clinic, Progressive Insurance, Cleveland State University, MetroHealth Hospital, Case Western’s Dental School, Tri-C, and the Summa Health System in Akron.
Montlack received her BA from the University of Miami and then studied painting and design at The Cleveland Institute of Art and photography at Tri-C. She has served on boards of the Contemporary Art Society, Nova and the Ingenuity Festival.
By ANDREA C. TURNER
The snowy, blustery afternoon of February 16, did not deter children, their families and the Cleveland Heights community from enjoying the Heights Libraries’ grand re-opening of the Coventry PEACE Park Playground. The original playground, built in 1992, was demolished in November 2024 to make way for the new one.
The new playground and park are the result of years of planning and fundraising by the Heights Libraries, the FRIENDs of Heights Libraries, and the Fund for the Future of Heights Libraries (FFHL) – the Library’s foundation. FFHL has raised $1 million thus far and will pay roughly half the cost, expected to be $3.2 million. Other costs are being covered by the Library.
Organizers held a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony that afternoon to celebrate the new playground built outside of the former Coventry School. Designed by architect Drew Sargeant and built by Regency Construction, the property is owned by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library System.
The library’s board of trustees revised the original budget and timeline to incorporate additional features and services including Wi-Fi that extends through the park, more lighting, security cameras and construction of a retaining wall.
While the playground is open, the hillside and field must stay cordoned off so grass can grow in over the spring and work is done to stabilize the hillside and prevent erosion. Accessibility improvements to the park are being done to level some of the park’s steep hill to accommodate walkways and add seating.
A storybook loop and play equipment that is compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) will be added. The City of Cleveland Heights contributed to these improvements through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
A separate Tot Lot for young children was funded by a donor through FFHL, as well as the public performance pavilion – known as the Friendship Pavilion. It will be used for community events and performances from partners like the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival which regularly produces summer plays.
The new playground, featuring a climbing
Founded in 1896, Laurel is a nationally recognized, college preparatory, independent day school for girls, Kindergarten through Grade 12, with a coeducational Early Childhood program. Laurel has two campuses. The Lyman Campus is in suburban Shaker Heights and just seven miles away in Novelty, Laurel students immerse themselves in the natural world at the beautiful 150-acre Butler Campus.
The Lyman Campus covers 11 acres and features two libraries; two gymnasiums, one recently renovated; a bouldering wall; a maker space; a dance studio; dedicated science labs in all divisions; 2D and 3D art spaces; extensive outdoor play areas; and a Chapel Theater with seating for 350.
The Butler Campus features 150 acres of woodland and waterways; state-of-theart athletic facilities including eight tennis courts, two softball diamonds, a track, five playing fields, and a 16,000-square-foot Fitness Center; a Magic Tree House; two all-sea-
son lodges; a 16-element Project Adventure Course; and five classroom yurts. At Laurel, learning is dynamic, challenging, and designed to engage every student from Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school’s academic program includes hands-on, experiential learning with a focus on critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Signature programming in each division offers unique opportunities for girls to delve deeply into their passions. The Laurel Center for Research on Girls informs the curriculum, ensuring that teaching methods are rooted in the latest research on how girls learn best.
Explore Laurel at its 18 months - Grade 12 Open House on Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. The event includes opportunities to tour the Lyman Campus and hear all about Laurel’s curricular program. Attendees will also hear about the admissions process and Variable Tuition. For more information and to reserve your spot today, visit LaurelSchool. org/OpenHouse
structure shaped like Ohio’s state bird the cardinal, adds a colorful centerpiece to the park.
A construction official stated off the record that the entire playground should be open in the afternoons by the end of February. Once they receive asphalt – a material difficult to obtain at this time of year – the general construction company can begin paving sidewalks, and more landscaping can begin.
The location is not immune to controversy, however, as the tenants of the Coventry PEACE Campus, including Artful Cleveland, were required to vacate their spaces inside the old school at the end of January. The decision, made by the library board’s trustees, was
largely unpopular with the local community. According to its press releases, the Heights Library System has spent roughly $500,000 over the past six years on upkeep of the building that has not been recouped. And in March 2024, CRESCO Playhouse Square Management performed a facilities assessment of the building, estimating a need for $2.8 million in capital improvements, including a new roof and HVAC system. The Library is in the process of conducting further due diligence and assessment of the facilities to identify building conditions and study options for viable use of the property; the study will also include estimates for the cost of demolition. After the ribbon cutting, a family-friendly fundraiser was held at the Grog Shop with live music, food and kids activities. For more information, visit https://heightslibrary.org
On view through April 20 at the Maltz Museum, DEGENERATE! Hitler’s War on Modern Art explores how modern art was used as a tool to sway public opinion by the Nazi party. Featuring a collection of original artwork by world renowned artists who were labeled as ‘degenerate’ by the regime. The exhibition includes works by world-renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, George Grosz, and more.
In the early 20th century, radical new approaches to art flourished, but as Hitler came to power, that soon changed. Under the control of the Nazi regime, works of art across Europe were confiscated in the thousands. Some were destroyed. Some were sold to build the Nazi war machine. Others were used as propaganda, promoting the idea that certain perspectives and people were
“degenerate” and “unworthy of life.” DEGENERATE! showcases art from private and public collections, exploring movements, events, and outcomes of being branded “degenerate” to promote Nazi ideology. Part history, part art show, the exhibition displays works by artists that the Nazis blamed for the moral decline of German culture and society. Nearly 100 pieces will be on display and footage of the 1937 Degenerate Art (Entartete Kunst) Exhibition in Munich organized by Joseph Goebbels will also be shown to the public. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.maltzmuseum. org. Museum hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. The Museum is closed Mondays and for most major holidays. DEGENERATE! Hitler’s War on Modern Art, is an original exhibition created by and on loan from the Jewish Museum Milwaukee.
The evening featured cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and live entertainment by The Adjustments. Speakers included Gary Robinson, president of Centers for Dialysis Care, Greg Craddock of Fresenius Medical Care and Zoe Stewart Lewis of University Hospitals Transplant Institute Their presentations were followed by speakers Anne Huml of the Cleveland Clinic Department of Kidney
Medicine and Jeff Schelling, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University. The event was attended by more than 200 guests and raised over $140,000 to benefit patients with kidney disease through the foundation’s assistance programs.
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio serves a thirty-two-county area in northern and eastern Ohio and supports two affiliate chapters in
The Achievement Centers for Children (ACC) celebrated 85 years of service to the community at its signature “Sparkle” fundraiser event on a snowy evening, February 8, at Windows on the River. The event raised $620,000 with almost 400 guests in attendance, all benefiting children and adults with disabilities and their families. Since 1940, ACC has empowered people with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential and remains committed to helping its clients grow and develop. Over the years, it has served 4,000 individuals.
CEO Bernadette Kerrigan. (Photo courtesy of Achievement Centers for Children.)
Giesler, Jim Kacic and Philip
The Fine Arts Association Presents Disney’s ‘Newsies’ The Fine Arts Association (FAA) is excited to present Disney’s “Newsies.” Packed with nonstop thrills and a timeless message, Newsies is perfect for the whole family and every audience. The production opens on Friday, March 28 and continues through Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, “Newsies” is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When the titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right.
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, “Newsies” features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman, and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). The production includes the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.” “Newsies” is sponsored by Comfort Systems USA and supported by Tour Lake County and the Ohio Arts Council.
Production Dates and Times:
Fridays - March 28, April 4, 11 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays - March 29, April 5, 12 @ 2 p.m.
Sundays - April 6, 13 @ 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 30 @ 2 p.m. Sensory Friendly Performance. This performance is designed for individuals who may have challenges with sudden shifts in light or loud sounds. All tickets $10
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, passed hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and live music by the Dave Sterner Trio followed by a sit-down dinner. Tiffani Tucker, Channel 19 News Anchor and ACC Board Member, served as emcee for the 16th year.
The evening featured comments by the Synk family, whose youngest daughter Immy, age 3 1/2, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system and can cause developmental delays. After working in ACC’s two-week
intensive therapy program, Immy learned to stand independently, and now can walk on her own.
The Champions for Achievers award was presented by ACC President and CEO Bernadette Kerrigan to Jim Kacic, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of MAI Capital Management and 13-year ACC board member.
Kacic humbly calls himself the organization’s “Chief Thank-You Officer.” Anniversary sponsor was MAI Capital Management.
Laura Gambrell, president-elect of the Rotary
Club of Cleveland accepted the Champion for Achievers award on behalf of its partnership in helping to start the organization from its beginnings.
A live auction featured a painting by artist and former River Rock client Amanda Bagby, and the Paddle Raise funds will go toward building an accessible playground at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville. For more information about ACC, visit achievementcenters.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Where you choose to spend your dining dollars is your decision. But, some choices have more impact than others.
Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute recently opened its new location, inside the iconic former Nighttown in Cleveland Heights. The beautifully renovated space and new classrooms provide a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industries for formerly incarcerated adults and a support network necessary for long-term success. At Edwins, your meal has meaning and helps to build a better Cleveland.
“We believe in second chances,” Brandon Chrostowski, Edwins founder said. “We believe in empowering our students through an education in culinary arts and hospitality, so much so that we’ve named our restaurant to reflect that, ‘education wins.’ Through a six-month training program, Edwins students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become the next generation of Cleveland’s culinary leaders.”
“We tripled the size of the kitchen, making it as large as the kitchens of Edwins and Edwins Too combined,” Chrostowski said. “This is a real culinary school. We can watch each student. Downstairs classrooms allow the students to meet three times a week to go over recipes and review their skills.”
The move from Shaker Square to the Cleveland Heights location, tripling the size of the kitchen, allows Edwins to compete nationally. “I’ve been working in Michelin restaurants most of my life. We’ve at least got a star or two here. You just have to push for it,” he added.
When they arrive at the new restaurant, or make reservations, diners have a choice between two different experiences, each with its own menu, price point and atmosphere. The main room is the home to the fine-dining
portion of Edwins, while the smaller rooms, bar and patio are home to the more casual
“brasserie” version of Edwins. The salon lounge, a small room connected to the main dining room, opens at 8 p.m. for cocktails and light bites. The lounge has intimate tables for two and the bar. A climate-controlled cigar room has seating for about 40 guests.
The fine-dining menu offers classic French dishes along with three, five and seven-course tastings. Main offerings include dishes like bouillabaisse, duck confit with porcini risotto and filet of sole with lobster and black truffle mousse. The brasserie menu features entrees like beef short ribs with truffled mashed potatoes, coq au vin and
steak frites. A brunch buffet is served on Sunday and there is a children’s menu.
“We offer high-low cuisine, all in the same confines at the right price,” Chrostowski noted. “We want to bring dining back to where it should be. We want people to come out and have some fun.”
As a homage to Nighttown, which offered live music, music will be featured in the fine dining area of EDWINS every Friday and Saturday evening. Upcoming performers include contemporary jazz by Dominick Farinacci on Mar. 21, the Gruve Tonic Trio on Mar. 22, Dan Maier and Kevin Muhammed on Mar. 28, and Dan Maier and Dallas Coffey on Mar. 29. “Jazz is integral
to the fabric of Cleveland,” Chrostowski said. “We’re bringing that back.”
There is a lot of tradition preserved in the new Edwins space. Accordion glass doors separating dining rooms keep the old Nighttown etching. Nighttown was home to the Press Club of Cleveland. Edwins has a wall of plaques honoring local journalists.
“We want our customers to fall in love with our food, and with each other. We want them to see Edwins as having great food, great atmosphere and a great mission,” Chrostowski noted.
Edwins is at 12383 Cedar Rd. Phone 216-921-3333 or visit www.edwinsrestaurant. org
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Flurri – the fluffy blue mascot of Cleveland’s winter music and arts festival Brite Winter – is now driving age! All kidding aside, this was the 16th year of this popular event celebrated on Saturday, February 22, on the East Bank of the Flats. But no cars were necessary to celebrate the festival’s birthday as music lovers roamed the walkable, car-free area to enjoy local live music. Organizers marked the event with a huge cake art installation on display, complete with 16 candles.
Brite Winter is made possible by Brite Cleveland, a 501(c)(3) organization. Colorful art installations, light displays, and music vibes added energy to this year’s Brite Winter party atmosphere. Ticket holders explored interactive art and ice carvings, warmed up at fire pits, enjoyed beverages at beer stands and food from food trucks – all while taking in views of the Cuyahoga River and its lit-up bridges. The festival brings together people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds, allowing them to discover new music and art while enjoying their community. Since its beginning, it has welcomed tens of thousands of guests, showcased hundreds of bands and artists, and thrived in temperatures ranging from 8 to 69 degrees.
Thousands of Northeast Ohioans bundled up to enjoy nearly 30 musical acts on three outdoor stages and two indoor stages: Duck Brand Sweet Shop and Collision Bend Brewing Co. While the temperatures were chilly, the sun came out to brighten the day while a large disco ball lit up the night, courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. An impromptu dance party concluded the night outside with DJ E-V electrifying the crowd on the Main Stage.
By RITA KUEBER
Private but not isolated, tucked into the cul-de-sac end of a quiet street in Moreland Hills, this attractive contemporary built in 1990 has been well-loved and beautifully maintained. Don’t let the architectural label mislead you – this house is as warm and welcoming as any vintage center-hall Colonial. Beautifully proportioned with high ceilings, white oak hardwood floors throughout, and natural light flooding in from every angle, this house can accommodate minimalism or maximalism, monotones, or a riot of color. At the same time both traditional or modern furniture and accessories would fit right in. Think of it as a blank canvas ready for the next owner’s touch.
Inside the front doors to the left, roomy spaces flow one into the other. First, a semiopen sitting room, separated only by an unpartitioned path, from a slightly more formal living room that has a gas-burning fireplace, and walls featuring an intriguing dark rose marble. This room opens to the expansive back deck which runs the length of the house and overlooks the in-ground pool and the property’s two acres.
Past the sitting areas, a curved dining room with bayed windows offers flexibility and convenience. Next, the eat-in kitchen, designed by Somrak is completely state of the art with quartz counters, island and backsplash, but also tons of storage space, built-in cabinets with glass fronts, and a walk-in pantry. The white and gray kitchen has stainless steel appliances and a Zephyr range hood. Between the built-ins and the style, there’s little to clutter the kitchen’s clean, straight lines. A breakfast bar is on the other side of the workspace island, and a separate eat-in area nearby overlooks the backyard. There’s also a built-in desk area. Returning to the front door, there’s a library
or den with a walkout to the deck and built-in bookshelves up to the ceiling. Just past this room is the bedroom wing. This is one-story living at its best. The owner’s suite can be closed off for privacy with its sitting area, bedroom, glamour bath with heated floors, private shower and loos, plus quartz vanities.
This end of the house holds three additional bedrooms, two sharing a Jack and Jill bath, there are closets galore and a separate tidy laundry room adjacent to the bedrooms and closets. The bedroom at the end of the house has its own bathroom ensuite and displays a beautiful hand-painted wall-sized mural. With the light abounding throughout the house, the neutral walls and open surfaces are ideal for any collector to showcase their watercolors, oils, or any other type of artwork.
But even more, there’s a lower level that nearly doubles the living space. This level has an exercise room with mirrored walls. Adjacent to the walk out to the pool, there’s a changing room and full bath. There’s also a kitchenette, an enormous area that could be used as a game area, a media room, plus a huge space currently unfinished but could be used for a woodshop or a workroom, or for storage.
Overall, the main house at 95 Cableknoll has 7,838 square feet with four bedrooms, three full baths, and two half baths. In-ground pool with a retractable cover. Three-bay garage. Central air, central vacuum, security system, public water and sewer. Orange Schools. Convenient to dining, shopping, and parks, with highway access nearby, and just minutes to Chagrin Falls.
Represented by Sharon Friedman of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 95 Cableknoll is listed at $1,575,000 at press time with annual taxes of $17,694. Contact Sharon Friedman at 216.338.3233 or Sfriedman@ bhhspro.com
By SARAH JAQUAY
Hermione Malone, the new executive director of the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), is no stranger to Cleveland or to CIFF. Although she’s originally from Detroit, Malone came here to get her masters in business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management and ended up staying for 13 years. And while she has no prior film festival experience, Malone has extensive nonprofit management experience in Cleveland and, most recently, in New Orleans. “The search committee felt some strategic nonprofit management would be critical to sustaining the festival for the next 50 years,” she notes.
That said, Malone isn’t a CIFF newbie. She attended as a customer almost annually when she lived here. Malone thought CIFF had an “impressive array of films--I always saw something surprising.” And she wants current CIFF fans to know there aren’t any massive changes to programming in this year’s line-up. The films that will be included are the result of a highly competitive process: “We have over 3,500 submissions for about 300 slots.” Malone believes there’s something for everyone. “The line-up of films is really exciting. It’s diverse; it tackles issues and some have whimsy.”
Although CIFF regulars will have the opportunity to see films from familiar “sidebar” genres such as Asian, African-American, LGBTQ+, comedies and after-hours programming, there will be new voices and artists. Malone hopes CIFF 49 attendees “will see
films reflecting their lived experiences.”
One difference this year is there’s no theme for CIFF 49. Last year’s theme was “In the Glow” because the festival coincided with the total solar eclipse last April and some of the programming that day took place at the Great Lakes Science Center’s IMAX theater and was thematically connected to that rare celestial occurrence. This year, Malone wants to promote the festival as an institution and increase its brand awareness before its half-century mark next year. And
while the staff is always happy to have new CIFF attendees, she hopes CIFF 49 will attract locals who haven’t attended since COVID abruptly changed the festival to an online only experience for a couple of years.
This year’s CIFF is a hybrid festival again: in-person from March 27-April 5, and CIFF Streams from April 6-13,2025. “I want to reintroduce CIFF to locals. Sometimes it’s hard to know the quality of something in your hometown in isolation,” Malone explains. She then went on to say how special it is most of CIFF’s films are under one roof. Other, perhaps more famous film festivals, venues can be scattered all over town or even a major city such as Toronto. For CIFF cognoscenti, we know how easy the festival is to navigate. And Malone points out there are numerous dining options around Playhouse Square to take a break and fuel up between films. There’s also plenty of parking around PH Square and for CIFF members there will a limited number of parking passes offering in-and-out privileges in the attached garage.
So whether you’re a CIFF newbie or someone who hasn’t been since the festival moved to PH Square, this is the year to return. And while Malone didn’t reveal any sneak peeks into what’s being planned to celebrate CIFF’s 50th anniversary next year, she considers CIFF to be the “jewel in the crown of Cleveland’s cultural institutions.”
For movie buffs, that’s a completely accurate description.
CIFF tickets are on sale now. For more information, see www.clevelandfilm.org
‘You’ve
Got a Friend’Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes the stage at Near West Theatre
Near West Theatre presents “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” a heartfelt journey through the life and music of one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time. Running three weekends from March 28 through April 13, 2025, this inspiring production brings King’s legendary catalog to life, celebrating her enduring impact on music and storytelling. Performances will take place at Near West Theatre’s ADA-compliant venue, located at 6702 Detroit Avenue in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District. Tickets are $20, with additional Pay What You Choose options available. Visit nearwesttheatre.org or call the Box Office at 216.961.6391, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to fame, from her early days as a teenage songwriter to her emergence as one of the most successful solo acts in music history. Featuring beloved hits like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” this Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical invites audiences to experience the life and music of an icon. “There’s a lot of music in the show, not only from King and Gerry Goffin, but also another songwriting team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil,” says Music Director, Rachel Woods. “I love that the show features the evolution of King’s style while inviting audiences to connect with her story through her music”
For additional information including box office information, please visit nearwesttheatre. org. The theatre was constructed as part of the Gordon Square Arts District capital campaign and features climate-control and is fully accessible by wheelchair.
Marking its 36 th annual Chinese New Year Fundraiser, the Bratenahl Community Foundation (BCF) celebrated the Lunar Calendar’s “Year of the Snake” February 14, with the benefit once again taking place at Asiatown’s Li Wah Restaurant. The Chinese “Springfest” event featured the traditional 10-course Chinese dinner menu and accompanying Lion Dance. BCF Board member Chuck Bauernschmidt directed the event’s popular wine pull fundraiser. This year’s sold-out celebration boasted
visitors from as far away as Denmark, New York City and Vermont, with Bratenahl residents Thomas T.K. Zung and his Councilmember wife Joyce Burke-Jones making it a family reunion. Zung’s grandson, Kaikoa Zung, earned the title of Farthest Traveled Attendee, flying in from his home in Copenhagen. Joining them was Kaikoa’s father Tommy Zung from New York City (formerly of Gates Mills) and his fiancé Cheryl Boyle.
George Kwan’s famous Lion Dance
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Troupe was a returning highlight of the evening. The traditional and colorful Lion Dance artists were accompanied by the requisite gong player and Chinese kettle drummer (whose drumbeats signify the heartbeat of the dancing Lion). Guests were supplied with the time-honored Lunar New Year “hong pao” red envelopes. (Filled with money, the hong paos are then fed to the Lion, thus assuring donors prosperity throughout the year.)
Now celebrating its 47 th anniversary, the
Bratenahl Community Foundation continues its mission “to elevate community through connection, communication and caring.” BCF raises funds to serve a variety of Village needs. Among this year’s projects benefited by BCF fundraising will be a major police radio initiative, Village wellness-check program, new Bratenahl signage, holiday lighting and artistic beautification of utility boxes throughout the Village.
Past BCF benefits helped fund the purchase of police patrol bicycles, video equipment, bullet-proof vests for its K-9 Corps and participation in the multi-community Police EDGE program. BCF donations have also included: green space support via the Land Conservancy; donations to Cleveland Food Bank; “Welcome” gift baskets for new Village homeowners; the community information website; and the quarterly publication of the free Lamplighter magazine. The BCF’s ongoing support also includes the Village’s New Avenues for Independence, a group home for adult women with developmental disabilities. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ
