Celebrate the season! ~ Autumn officially begins next week, on Monday, September 22, with plenty of fun fall happenings and special events planned in Northeast Ohio, a sampling of which are detailed in this month’s issue of Currents. ’Tis the season for festivals, bonfires, apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn maze meandering, clambakes and more. Enjoy this “It’s All About Fall” issue of Currents and set aside some leisure time to head outdoors during one of the best, most beautiful seasons of the year here on the North Coast!
ART/FASHION
DINING OUT
Currents’ ‘Date Night Couple’ visits Augie’s in S. Russell
By Kimberly & Jimmy Gibson
FOOD
Get set for clambake season in NE Ohio
By Cynthia Schuster Eakin
BENEFIT BEAT
(If you have a nonprofit charity/fundraising event you wish to be included in this monthly listing, please send information to editor@currentsnews.com)
Sat. Sept. 20, Chagrin Valley Community Builders Award will honor Mary Ann Ponce for her many contributions to the community which includes the founding of the Chagrin Documentary Film Fest. Proceeds will be donated to LifeAct, whose critical mission is to prevent youth suicide by educating young people to recognize warning signs. Reservations may be made online at cvcba.org/tickets. A single reservation is $150, and includes cocktail hour, live music and dinner. The event will begin at 6 p.m., cocktail or business attire.
Saturday, Sept. 20...A Night in the Garden: Celebrating our Stars, to benefit Gilmour Academy, in Tudor Gardens behind Tudor House on the Gilmour campus. Event to be held outdoors under a tent and will include dinner, cocktails, entertainment by the Bluewater Kings Band and silent and live auctions. All proceeds will support faculty and student programming. For tickets and information, visit gilmour.org/stars.
Saturday, Sept. 20...Pickle Fest, to benefit Greater Cleveland Volunteers, at Mall C Downtown from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pickles from many local and regional companies, pickle-flavored beer, pickle-flavored desserts, drinks, candy and other fun food, plus a variety of pickle themed merchandise from dozens of foo and non-food vendors. Live music from Billy Likes Soda and Old Skool, plus Deejay JT. Two pickle eating contests, youth and adult divisions. General admission ticketing, plus a special VIP tent with exclusive features. Find more information at clevelandpicklefest.com.
Saturday, Sept. 20...Evolution Gala, to benefit OhioGuidestone, 6 to 10 p.m. at Hotel Cleveland, Public Square. Emceed by WKYC’s Betsy Kling, this event will feature live music from Monica Robins and the Whiskey Kings, delicious food, raffles and live auction experiences. Cocktail attire or anything superhero-themed. Costumes welcome! Complimentary valet on site. Tickets on sale now at OhioGuidestone.org
Sunday, Sept. 21...2025 Historic Tea fundraiser, to benefit Cleveland Grays Armory Museum. “Dining with the Presidents, Presidential China & White House State Dinners,” presented by Janet Weir Creighton. 1234 Bolivar Rd., Cleveland. Tea, light fare, lecture and raffle baskets. 1 p.m. $60. Tickets EventBrite: 2025graysarmoryhistorictea.eventbrite.com or visit graysarmory.org.
Saturday, Sept. 27...Shine on Harvest Moon, to benefit The Two Foundation, 6 p.m. at Two & Co., 177 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls. For more information, visit twoandcompany.org. (use the events tab), email lisa@twofoundation. com or call 234.346.2228. Comfortable and Casual Attire. Tickets start at $300.
Cleveland-born artist Gary Bukovnik’s paintings to be displayed in Slovenian palace in homage to his ancestral roots; silk scarves of his paintings being created by designer there
By Andrea C. Turner
CELEBRATIONS
Three area retailers set to celebrate milestone anniversaries this year
By Rita Kueber
Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network
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
AUGUST EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Margaret Cibik, Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Rita Kueber, Linda Feagler, Anastasia Nicholas, 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.
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Open Doors Academy shares scholar success stories
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Open Doors Academy (ODA) started in 1992, with a simple idea – the importance of helping kids feel safe and secure after school. Several parishioners at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights saw that students from Roxboro Middle School needed a place to go after the school day ended, so they opened their church doors, welcomed the kids in, and met the need. In the 30+ years since, the program has grown substantially – serving kids in grades K-12 at 28 locations across Northern Ohio.
The impact of ODA on students and their families can be life-changing. Since 2018, 98 percent of students (scholars) who attended two or more years of the high school program graduated from high school.
Approximately 93 percent of scholars surveyed pursued a post-secondary college or career option. And scholars who attended school year and summer programs saw an average reading grade increase across the summer of 15 percent. There is no doubt that ODA helps students achieve success.
High schooler LaMarcus Idom is an example of one such success story. In May, he won the City Club of Cleveland essay writing competition in the 11th/12th grade category for the 2025 Hope and Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest. With encouragement from his ODA advisor, and support from his school community at Max Hayes High School in Cleveland, Idom submitted the winning essay titled “Protest Provides Us a Platform.”
Through ODA’s after school program in Sandusky, fifth grader Finnley Jaunzemis has experienced cooking, nail art, and jewelry making, but it was the theater program that lit a spark in her. She enjoys the opportunity to express herself creatively through singing and acting. But ODA’s impact extends beyond enrichment. “This year alone, she went from
achievement roll to merit roll to honor roll,” said her mother Jill Jaunzemis.
Brothers Brandon and Braxton Worthen wrote and published their own book as a result of ODA’s Pitch Challenge program, part of their Entrepreneur Showcase. A powerful collection of daily affirmations, it celebrates strength, self-love, and resilience. Their book encourages young readers to embrace their potential. It is available for sale on Amazon.
ODA is strong on stats: 1,884 scholars participated during the 2023-24 school year. That’s up 45% from the previous year. And 2,150 family members were engaged during the same time frame, an increase of 32% from 2022-23. Scholars are African American (60%); Caucasian (22%); Hispanic/Latino (9%); Multiracial (7%); Asian (1%); and Other (1%). ODA scholars improve school attendance, boost math and English grades, and graduate ready for the future.
“ODA makes learning fun, and I always look forward to being with my friends after school,” said Parker Brown, an upcoming sixth grader at Breakthrough Public Schools. “I really enjoy the Stride program (an online interactive math and English skills platform). She’s also participated in ODA’s Entrepreneur Showcase for the past three years. “I’ve pitched business ideas to judges and made products to sell. That was cool,” she added. Brown served as the emcee of the 2024 ODA Clambake Annual Benefit.
If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the 2025
ODA Clambake, please contact Joe Hollings, ODA Director of Engagement at jhollings@odacle.org or 440-231-1395. This year’s event takes place Saturday, October 11, from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Cleveland Rowing Foundation. Why attend? It’s a given that you’ll enjoy a delicious traditional clambake with great company including friends, neighbors, and local leaders, while supporting kids and families through proven afterschool and summer programs. And lastly, you’ll help make communities stronger by providing safe, supportive afterschool care and wraparound support. Tickets (ranging from $150-$225) are available at https://www.opendoorsacademy. org/calendar/2025/10/11/annual-benefit-clambake
Lamarcus Idom, a rising senior at Max Hayes High School, reads his winning essay for the 2025 Hope and Stanley Adelstein Free Speech Essay Contest at The City Club of Cleveland.
ODA Sandusky scholar and theater aficionado Finnley Jaunzemis with her mom Jill Jaunzemis.
Brandon and Braxton Worthen published a book, titled, “Brown Boys Affirmations.”
Fall festivals, outdoor fun on tap in Northeast Ohio this season
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Summer may be winding down, but the cooler fall weather still brings many opportunities for outdoor fun. Celebrate the season with family and friends at these autumn festivals. Patterson Family Fun Fest runs through Nov. 2. Experience what it is like to grow up on a family farm. Activities include various slides, pedal tractors
covered straw pile, play buildings and wagon rides. Face painting and pumpkin painting stations are available for an additional fee.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission is $12 per person and $7 for seniors. Children under age two are admitted free of charge. Patterson Family Fun Fest is at 8765 Mulberry Rd. in Chesterland. Call 440.729.7144 or go to
Festival takes place on downtown Ely Square, Sept. 19 through Sept. 21. Stop by to enjoy live entertainment, food and crafts, a pickleball tournament, apple baking contest, a princess pageant, Kids Zone, children’s costume contest, 5K run and fun walk and 45th annual car show. Admission is free. Phone 440.324.2255 or visit elyriaapplefestival.com
Celebrate autumn with the Shaker Historical Society on Sept. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at Applefest. There will be a petting zoo, goods from local artisans, the unveiling of a new mural inside the museum, a Shaker Sheep Scavenger Hunt, local history walking tours, live music and seasonal desserts and beverages for sale. Admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or use the RTA. If you are driving, parking is available on the north side of South Park Blvd. The museum is at 16740 South Park Blvd. Visit shakerhistory.org. Stan Hywet’s 58th Ohio Mart, an annual artisan craft showcase, is Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 on the estate. Enjoy gorgeous autumn weather and major retail therapy with 149 artisans talented in sculpture, garden art, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and hand-crafted furniture. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for ages three to 17. Parking is $5 cash on the Great Meadow, or free with a free shuttle at 989 N. Portage Path in Akron. Visit stanhywet.org or call 330-836-5533 for additional information.
Howl into fall at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo when Boo at the Zoo returns on Thursdays through Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 2 through Oct. 26. The zoo will be transformed after dark with immersive Halloween displays and photo opportunities. Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating at a dozen candy stations, meet-and-greets with costumed
characters, dance in the Monster Mash Dance Party and ride free on the Boomerang. The first 1,000 guests each night receive a complimentary trick-or-treat bag. Boo at the Zoo tickets are on sale at futureforwildlife.org Tickets are $19 for zoo members and $21 for non-members. Children under age two are admitted free.
Back by popular demand, the Howl-O-Ween Bash returns to the zoo for one night only on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The limited capacity event is for adults age 21 and over. Party goers are encouraged to wear their best costume and enjoy an evening of enchanting entertainment including live bands and a DJ, silent disco, magicians, stilt walkers, henna tattoo artists, tarot card readers and giant games. There will be a costume contest. Snacks are included and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. Event tickets are $30 for zoo members and $35 for non-members.
The zoo will host an inaugural Halloween 5K on Oct. 25 at 8:30 a.m. Runners and walkers are invited to come in costume to race through the zoo. Registration is online with early registration at $30 through Oct. 23. Registration is $35 starting Oct. 24. All participants will receive a race t-shirt and commemorative medal.
Century Village Museum in Burton presents its 77th annual Apple Butter Festival and Ox Roast on Oct. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate autumn with balloon artists, bouncy houses, barrel train rides, corn hole games, educational crafts, pumpkin carving and entertainment. Century Village Museum offers historical demonstrations, from blacksmithing to woodworking, that transport visitors back in time. A highlight of the festival is the traditional method of making apple butter in large copper kettles over an open flame. Festival admission is $12 for adults and $6 for youngsters ages four to 10. Go to centuryvillaemuseum.org or call 440.834.1492.
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio celebrated 75 years of service with its annual Summer Soiree, “Shine Bright…Down by the Shoreby.”
More than 180 guests attended the party at the Shoreby Club and enjoyed a buffet dinner and desserts, a silent auction, basket raffles
Kidney Foundation of Ohio “Summer Soiree”
and a raffle for a diamond pendant donated by Diamonds Direct. Live musical entertainment was provided by Ronnie Clinton. The event helped to raise more than $50,000 to benefit patients with kidney disease through the foundation’s assistance programs which provide transportation,
A Heart Full of Hope
Bella Jordan’s journey changed in an instant. At just two months old, she went from laughing with her sisters to fighting for her life. After her parents noticed rapid breathing, they rushed her to the hospital where imaging revealed her heart was dangerously enlarged. She was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood. Doctors made it clear that without a transplant, Bella would not survive.
Transferred to Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Bella was placed on the transplant list and
medication, and emergency assistance to dialysis and transplant patients.
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio serves a 32-county area in northern and eastern Ohio and supports an affiliate chapter in Summit County. The Kidney Foundation remains the only health
connected to a Berlin Heart, a mechanical device that kept her alive while her care team worked tirelessly to make her stronger for surgery. For five long months, her family stayed by her side, reading books, singing songs, and filling her hospital room with love.
Then came the call they had been waiting for. A perfect donor heart was available. In September 2023, at eight months old, Bella received her new heart. The surgery was a success, and with rehabilitation, she began hitting milestones she had missed during her long hospital stay. Today, she is a happy,
and human services agency in Northeast Ohio that continues to provide direct dollars to patients to assist them through kidney disease. All funds raised in Ohio stay in Ohio to help kidney patients. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN
thriving little girl who loves being home with her family.
Bella is now part of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rock Stars, a program that celebrates the courage and resilience of young patients while showing how philanthropy fuels healing and innovation in pediatric care. Her story is a testament to what is possible when expert care and donor generosity come together.
This year, Bella will take center stage at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Golf Classic 30th Anniversary, hitting the first ball to
open the tournament. Her presence will be a powerful reminder of the lives forever changed through the generosity of donors and the skill of dedicated caregivers. Bella’s journey is more than a medical story. It is a story of hope, gratitude, and the impact of giving. From the lifesaving gift of a heart to the therapies and follow-up care that help her thrive, every step has been made possible by those who choose to give.
See Bella’s journey and meet more of our Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rock Stars at clevelandclinic.org/rockstars.
Barbara Toncheff and Leslie Wazbinski
Mary Kay, Sally and Richard Balch
Beth Christie and Lynn Kalinowski
Aaron Matchett, Kat Hoyt and Nick Stefano
The Date Night Couple visits Augie’s in South Russell
As a mom and dad to three young ones and small local business owners, Date Nights are sparse – but very important to us! This husband and wife Chef couple love nothing more than getting out and supporting one of the Independents. We should preface this by stating we love it all – we’re not “stuffy” –we like a good, hidden, “Hole in the Wall” gem just as much as a five-diamond dining experience!
We truly believe that it’s an honor to be able to write about our passion – food & hospitality –even more so, to write about it in the community in which we love and live. It’s something we don’t take for granted and we truly feel that words on paper have power to boost or decline a business.
This month’s review, in our opinion, is long overdue. We’d like to dub this place as “Old Faithful,” and we feel you, the reader, will understand why.
There are good people and great people in this world just as there are good cooks and great chefs. There are men and women grinding day in and day out in the hospitality industry, most of whom do not receive the recognition they deserve – it can be a rough life balancing a restaurant, a home, children, weekends and holidays away from family, etc. This is one of those food reviews that isn’t all about the food – even though that piece is just as spectacular as the man preparing it.
We are seated at a table against the wall, able to see guests walking in the front door, carryout orders stacking up minute after minute on the front counter, the phone keeps ringing with eager potential guests, the afterchurch Saturday p.m. crowd is making their way in. The restaurant is filled by 5:30 p.m. We are facing the open kitchen and admiring the hustle and bustle of what’s happening
around us while witnessing the calm, organized, commanding - yet gentle force on the kitchen line that is Danny Jenks, the owner of Augie’s in South Russell. To know Danny, is to love Danny. This is a man that exemplifies service above self. Danny is always the first one to step up on behalf of the community he serves - especially with the schools. Firsthand, we have witnessed Danny’s generosity when we ran out of very important supplies for an event – his response, “whatever you need.”
Now … the food. When you say Augie’s, you may immediately think “PIZZA” – but oh, for those of you that are not regulars (yet), it’s so much more! Like Sirna’s and Pizzeria DiLaurio, Augie’s Sauce is amazing. Everything we ordered, was devoured and loved – the lasagna - beautiful, authentic, delicious – this is obviously a family recipe with deep roots of tradition in its preparation. The Shrimp Scampi Pasta – we were shocked by the size of the shrimp and loved the pesto sauce. One of our favorites time and time again is the Original White – a pizza with Garlic Butter, Cheese, Broccoli and Cauliflower. In our opinion, Danny does Italian exceptionally – you can tell how much thought and attention to detail goes into his dishes. However, if you really want
your mind to be blown, order his ribs. You’ll thank us later. Great sauce, tender meat, just enough char. PERFECTION.
If you like a good cocktail with your meal, Augie’s has a full bar with an extremely extensive and impressive Bourbon list! Our Extra Dirty Vodka Martinis were perfect. We feel it appropriate to finish this review with a simple statement – most people can cook; many establishments do it well … but there are places like Augie’s and people like Danny that keep the loyal guests loyal. They walk their talk, they
show appreciation, they love their craft and more so the guests that give them the opportunity to keep doing what they love. We watched Danny interact and hug at least a dozen people while we were there. Augie’s and Danny Jenks, in our opinion, are part of the fabric that makes this community a great one! Support Them!
And as always, Tell Them The Date Night Couple Sent You!
Kimberly & Jimmy Gibson Hungry Bee, The Hive, Honey Hill, The Tanglewood Golf Club
Irresistibly, deliciously easy. That’s Hungry Bee Carryout + Catering. Whether you’re interested in gourmet, chef-made dinners tonight or every night, visit our website for a new menu each week. And while you’re there, take a look at our custom catering menus. Perfect for the upcoming holidays, larger gatherings and events. When you’re ready to choose delicious dishes over doing dishes, we can’t wait to see you at Hungry Bee.
FutureHeights welcomed more than 100 guests to the Heights Theater, 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd. in the Coventry business district of Cleveland Heights for its annual benefit. The nonprofit’s mission is to facilitate an equitable, prosperous and vibrant future for the communities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, and to promote economic and social development through meaningful engagement of residents and collaboration with local organizations, businesses and governments. The event raised $25,000, to continue to offer programs, resources, events and more for the Heights community.
Matthew Gierke, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, spoke of his love of Cleveland Heights. He’s lived in Chicago, NYC and London, and says there’s no place he’d rather live. He said the organization is at “an acceleration point” with exciting development thus far for 2025. Some of those developments include its ARPA partnership with the city for infill housing, launching a new website for the Heights Observer community newspaper, hiring Lee Chilcote III as Executive Director and Housing Program Manager, and promoting Brenda Bailey to Chief Operating Officer.
Jacob (Jake) Orosz, proprietor of The
FutureHeights “Elevate the Heights”
Fairmount Cocktail Bar, was honored as 2025 Person of the Year. The restaurant and bar’s Event Manager, Jerome Comella, presented him with the award. Orosz built The Fairmount from a handful of staff into a 75-person team since purchasing the business in 2011, and has provided complimentary catering for countless community events. Orosz is also a real-estate investor who plans to open a new bar/restaurant concept at 2214 Lee Road in the former Rib Cage location in Cleveland Heights.
Heights resident Rhonda Davis Lovejoy, a long-time board member, received the Community Service Award, presented by City Council President Tony Cuda. Davis Lovejoy reminisced about her time as a young person working with her grandmother in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood on Cleveland Mayor Mike White’s campaign. She participated in the FutureHeights leadership training program which gave her a tremendous opportunity to grow. Cuda says that she stepped up and worked round the clock on the past Heights Music Hop. “She rolls up her sleeves, and gets things done,” said Cuda.
Emily Dahnert, recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award, has been involved with FutureHeights since she was a master’s degree
student at Cleveland State University.
Brenda Bailey, who presented her award said, “She possesses exceptional emotional intelligence. She’s touched every project of FutureHeights, from a quiet participant to a leader. While it takes many volunteers to help run the organization, Emily is at the heart of it.”
Guests enjoyed food, drinks and desserts courtesy of The Fairmount Cocktail Bar, The Whiskey Bar, and Stone Oven Bakery & Cafe, with cocktail hour entertainment by Opus 216. Following the awards ceremony, AJ and Woods performed, and silent auction winners were announced. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER
BENEFIT BEAT
Saturday, Sept. 28...Annual Family Clambake, to benefit Ohio Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, 3:30 to 8 p.m. at StoneWater Golf Club, 1 Club Dr., Highland Heights. Live music, great food, kids’ activities, silent auction, wine toss and more. Tickets are $125 for Patron members and $135 for non-Patron members. R.S.V.P. required by Sept. 18 at vaticanpatronsohio.org. For questions, call 440.498.1300, ext. 105. Casual attire.
Friday, October 3... “Getting to Know You,” The All-Request Cabaret, Musical Theater Project, 6 p.m. at Chagrin Valley Hunt Club. Join Bill Rudman, Nancy Maier and friends for a relaxed evening of cocktails, dinner and an intimate cabaret. Tickets are $135 and include dinner, cabaret and a cocktail. Make reservations at MusicalTheaterProject.org or call 216.860.1518, ext. 701.
Saturday, Oct. 4...Heritage Gala: A Night to Remember, to benefit Chagrin History Center at 5:30 p.m. at Tanglewood Country Club, 8745 Tanglewood Trail, Bainbridge. Event to feature The Swamp Boogie Band; dinner; open bar; complementary valet; auction; raffle; and more. RSVP is required. Tickets are $195 per person or $1,800 for a table of 10. Purchase online by going to www.chagrinhistory.org or call 440.247.4695 to make your reservations.
Lee Chilcote III, Brenda Bailey, Matthew Wymer, and Matthew Katz
Brenda Bailey and Emily Dahnert
Rhonda Davis Lovejoy and Tony Cuda
Jerome Comella, Jake Orosz, and Michael Hrvatin
‘AN APPLE A DAY’… ripe for picking, now at area orchards
By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ
While National Apple Day isn’t celebrated until Oct. 21, from now until the end of October Northeast Ohio’s area apple orchards are buzzing with visitors picking their own apples and stocking up on orchard offerings of apple cider, Halloween pumpkins and local honey. (September is also National Honey Month!) Some of the orchards and farms also advertise wagon or tractor rides, corn mazes or entertainment on specified days.
Visit the website of these area farms/ orchards for daily hours & events: Patterson’s Fruit Farm; Eddy Fruit Farm (Chesterland); Mapleside Farms (Brunswick); Heavenly Hill Farm (North Royalton); Miller Orchard, Hillcrest Orchard (Amherst); Red Wagon Farm (Columbia Station); Hillside Orchard (Hinckley); Kiraly Orchard (Ashtabula); Blue Jay Orchard (Hiram); Bauman’s Orchard (Rittman).
The apple has become part of American idioms and expressions (“an apple a day keeps the doctor away;” “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree;” “one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel;” “the apple of my eye”), however the saying “American as apple pie” is slightly inaccurate.
The first known record of an apple pie recipe was actually found in an English cookbook compiled by King Richard II’s chefs around 1390. But the only “apple” native to America at that time was the crab apple until European colonists introduced apple trees. French Jesuits first brought seeds and seedlings to the New World in the late 16th century, followed by the Pilgrims in 1620. The first recorded mention of apple pie as a dessert in the U.S. was found in a 1697 diary.
A significant role in establishing and expanding Ohio’s apple orchards is credited to the legendary Johnny Appleseed. Appleseed wasn’t a mythical figure, but a man named John Chapman. Born in Massachusetts, he moved westward in the late 1700s and early 1800s, strategically planting apple trees (often in exchange for land), from western Pennsylvania through Ohio and into Indiana.
Depicted as a wandering folk hero who traveled barefoot wearing a burlap sack and a tin pot for a hat, Chapman, by all accounts, was an astute businessman and successful entrepreneur. Staying just ahead of settlers moving onto the frontier, Chapman would cultivate nurseries and orchards, then sell them off to arriving settlers. While he lived a modest life, in line with his Swedenborgian religion, it was believed he died a wealthy man in 1845, still owning many properties.
Johnny Appleseed’s botanical accomplishments and conservation efforts are linked to various Ohio locations including Mansfield (celebrated with the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway), Urbana (which houses artifacts and information at the Johnny Appleseed Museum) and Bucyrus where he supposedly interacted with the Wyandot Indians. September 26 happens to be National Johnny Appleseed Day!
By the 1800s, American farmers were growing a multitude of apple varieties, but the American dessert of “apple pie” didn’t become a cultural icon until the 20th century. A 1902 New York Times editorial called the apple “a symbol of American prosperity.” The term “American as apple pie” did began to appear in print in the 1920s and was finally cemented into our culture when soldiers enlisting to fight in World War II declared their service was for “mom and apple pie.” Ohio ranks in the Top 10 states for apple production, growing about 50 different varieties, some of which are Ohio originals. For example, the Melrose apple, a cross of Jonathan and Red Delicious, is considered the unofficial state apple.
Other popular varieties found in Ohio orchards include Gala, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, McIntosh and Granny Smith. According to the staff on HGTV’s The Kitchen, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious are some
of the best apple choices to use for apple pies. But to bake an apple pie… if the saying “easy as pie” doesn’t exactly ring true for
EASY AS...APPLE TART
(This few-ingredient-big-flavor tart can be served warm or at room temperature with ice cream or whipped topping. Recruit the kids to sprinkle on the sweet toppings! Pears can be substituted for apples—or—mix the two.)
• 4 apples (skin on, but cored & thinly sliced into wedges)
• 3 T cold, unsalted butter Ground cinnamon to taste
• 2 T sugar (not white sugar; use brown sugar, coconut brown sugar or Turbinado)
• 2 T Ohio Maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
• Milk (to brush on pastry edges) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out chilled pastry to a 9x12” rectangle, dusting with flour to avoid sticking. Transfer to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Pinch or fold tart edges to form a ridge. Prick pastry in several places, and brush milk on pastry edges. Overlap apple slices in three rows. Crumble butter over the tart; sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle maple syrup over apples and bake for 12-17 minutes, or until tart is golden brown.
you due to time restraints or lack of cooking skills, this recipe is a simplified apple pie even novice cooks can easily master. Are you ready to enjoy the last of summer and fall outdoors? It all starts with a conversation with Vizmeg Landscape. Give us a call to explore how we can help you build summertime memories –VIZMEG
Fall is clambake season in Northeast Ohio
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
A clambake in Northeast Ohio is a unique experience. Unlike the Eastern Seaboard where clambakes are celebrated in the summer months, in Northeast Ohio, we call the fall clambake season.
Catanese Classic Seafood is a major area source for clambake supplies. The business began when Jim Catanese started selling seafood out of the back of his 1971 Dodge Dart. He went door-to-door convincing people that his seafood was the freshest in town. In 1982, Jim and John Catanese opened Waterfront Seafood. Twenty-two years later, the brothers partnered with Kevin Durkin and set up shop in a 7,500-square-foot warehouse on the east bank of the Flats. Catanese Classic Seafood was born. Today, the Catanese family is still serving seafood to the finest restaurants, country clubs, hotels and retailers. The staff has grown from three employees to 120, including a sales team of food professionals. Catanese now operates out of a much larger facility on S. Waterloo Rd.
During clambake season, Catanese opens its wholesale catalog to all customers, available for will call pickups. Items include, but are not limited to fresh fish, shellfish and the
company’s specialty lines of cheeses, appetizers and desserts. They can even supply rental clambake steamers.
“Every year, clambake season in Northeast Ohio starts earlier,” according to Matt Swingos,
Catanese executive relationship manager. “When I started here, it was always around the 15th or 16th of September. Now, by midAugust, we are almost full go. Although, I don’t personally understand why you would want to have a clambake in the heat of the day, when it is 90 degrees. We are busy all of October. And, we are seeing bakes go into the first and second week of November.”
“Most people order a traditional bake, with chicken, clams and corn. But, we sell chowder, refrigerated or frozen. Other options are your steak choices, lobster, lobster tail, King crab, mussels and shrimp. Some people even like to mix in a New Orleans twist, with crawfish and andouille sausage,” he said.
“Our company has three divisions. We started a specialty line about 18 years ago, featuring cheeses, spices, chocolates and bread. Then, we have our meat department and seafood. Back when we were located in the Flats, we were operating out of three different buildings. We wanted to combine all of our operations in one building,” Swingos added.
“We supply a lot of restaurants that do clambakes. We don’t have retail space in our new building yet, so customers need to
Clambake Basics (tips from Catanese Classic Seafood)
Equipment Needed
Stainless steel steamer and lid, with rack insert (for water level) and stand.
Propane burner and tank
Ingredients
• Dozen washed & bagged middleneck clams
• 1⁄2 chicken
• Sweet potatoes
• Sweet corn (husked)
• Cole slaw
• Rolls and butter
• Clam chowder
• Chopped carrots, onion, and celery can be added in clam bag for broth
• Butter and clam juice can be added to water to enhance flavor
Setting Up Your Clambake
1. Pick an outside location on level ground, avoiding wind.
2. Add water to the bottom of steamer, level with the rack, and add optional seasoning or vegetable bag to create broth. FOOD SHOULD NOT BE IMMERSED IN WATER.
Pack steamer as follows (from bottom to top):
call and preorder everything they need for a bake. I still do 15 to 20 clambakes a year for various charities,” he said. “The largest clambake I have ever done was for 700 people. I do a big clambake every year with a friend for the Anselmo Family Foundation’s Annual Nateapalooza. It’s an Italian-style clambake with a polenta bar and proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Society. This year, 400 people are expected to attend. We also do a large bake in September for Stella Maris.”
“When it comes to clambakes, everybody seems to be an expert. We offer instructions,” Swingos noted. “But, for the past 12 to 15 years, I still get phone calls at 7 p.m. with someone asking, ‘Why aren’t the clams opening?’ Invariably, it is because they have filled the steamer up to the top with water. We steam clams. We don’t drown them. Often times, I end up going to bail them out. I’ve also seen 30 gallons of chowder get burned because someone put it over high heat. Burned is not a good flavor.”
Contact Catanese Classic Seafood, 15500 S. Waterloo Rd., at 216.696.0080, or visit cataneseclassics.com to see their full line of clambake supplies.
• Bottom Level: Clams
• Second Level: Chicken 1⁄2 and Sweet Potato 1⁄2
• Sweet corn (add 30 min prior to serving)
• Any additional seafood items (approximately 30 min prior to serving)
3. Place packed steamer on stand with lid closed.
4. Ignite burner which should be centered underneath steamer.
Cooking Your Clambake
Allow approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
for clams, chicken, and sweet potatoes to cook, and 1 hour and 45 minutes in total for a complete cooked clambake.
Please note: Cooking time will vary based on the size of the bake, intensity of heat, and weather conditions. On windy and/or extreme cold days the fire should be shielded to keep heat concentrated under steamer. Wind blocks can be created using bricks or sheet pans. Once the burner is lit, you should see steam coming out from under the lid within 45 Turn to Clambake on Page 13
Rocky River
Popular annual Apple Butter Festival set for October 11, 12 in Burton
On Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Geauga County Historical Society is set to host the 77th Apple Butter Festival at the Geauga County Historical Society & Century Village Museum, nestled in the Village of Burton, Ohio. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual celebration ushers in the autumn season, highlighting the age-old tradition of crafting homemade apple butter, bringing together families and visitors alike. Skilled crafters will demonstrate the making of apple butter. The festival features activities, including artisan crafts, delicious food, and engaging historical exhibits that showcase the rich heritage of the region.
minutes or so after you start cooking. When you see steam, start your timer as the bake will need to cook for an additional 30-45 minutes.
***IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT OPEN THE LID AT ANY POINT THROUGHOUT THIS TIME***
Once your timer goes off, and it has been 30-45 min since you first saw steam, your chicken should be finished cooking. If finishing chicken on the grill, now is the time to
Making, and Pumpkin Carving Contest.
Activities for Adults:
Open Historical House Tours, Threads of Valor Exhibit, Beer Garden and Wine Vineyard, and Apple Peeling.
For Everyone: Ox Roast (Menu: Sandwich, Coleslaw, Apple Butter Baked Beans, and Chips), Pumpkin Rolling Contest, enjoy live entertainment all day long. Performance by Twisted Toyze Band 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Saturday Performance only), Special Dance Recital by Burton Ballet Company (Saturday Performance Only at noon). Discover a variety of vendors and crafters showcasing unique products. Indulge in delicious treats from food vendors. For more information, visit geaugahistorical.org.
remove from steamer.
Once the chicken is removed, add the husked sweet corn and any additional seafood items. You can baste the additions with clam broth and again before serving. Continue to cook for 30 minutes.
Total cook time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Remove the lid, check to make sure additional items are fully cooked, and reduce the heat.
Your bake is now ready to serve!
Hear Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Saturday, Sept. 27
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will perform with Terrell Stafford “Totally Trumpet” on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Rd. in Cleveland. Cleveland Jazz Orchestra welcomes the terrific trumpet talent, Terell Stafford. Called “one of the great players of our time” by McCoy Tyner, Stafford is an
incredibly gifted and versatile player and equally inventive writer. In addition to his own projects, he has appeared with Tyner, Diana Krall, the Clayton/ Hamilton Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie AllStar Alumni Band, Matt Wilson, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson and many others. For tickets and more information, please go to: clevelandjazz.org
Superhero Project evolves as beacon of light to children, families worldwide
By MARGARET CIBIK
Superheroes are everywhere. They live within the community disguised as everyday pedestrians, going about the world the same as everyone else. And sometimes, they don’t even know they are a superhero. Sometimes, it takes a special group of sidekicks to show them who they truly are and inspire them to come out of the shadows and shine the way they were always meant to shine.
Those trusty sidekicks are none other than the extraordinary team at The Superhero Project, a nonprofit organization that encourages children with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, complex mental health and trauma, to share their superhero identities with the world, telling their own stories through the power of art and wonder.
Founder, Lisa Kollins, was a counselor and program specialist for Camp Sunrise, a camp in Ohio that was dedicated for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The camp gave kids a safe space to play without stigma and just be kids.
“Many of the families were from really underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods and kids impacted by poverty.” says Kollins. “For some of them, this was the only week of the year when this caring group of adults was totally attentive and there just to make sure that they were happy, having fun and safe.”
Every summer, the camp would roll out a new theme and Kollins would try to come up with something special that the campers may not have ever experienced before.
“In 2016, the theme was about finding your inner superhero. I don’t even know where I came up with the idea, but I thought, wouldn’t it be fun if the first day of camp, we asked the kids who they would be as a superhero and then the last day of camp we surprised them with themselves as the superhero they described?”
Kollins cold called and emailed as many artists and graphic designers as she could. She was able to get some but not enough for the whole camp to participate. So, she messaged a friend she knew in Los Angeles that worked in animation asking for help. Touched by the sheer fact the camp existed and her ingenious idea, he
was able to get her 50 more artists.
As soon as the designs started rolling in, Kollins was flabbergasted by the quality of the work. These super creations depicted the campers so beautifully, capturing their strength, their humor and their spunk.
“I thought, this is a cool thing that I just invented.” remembers Kollins. “When I saw the kids’ reactions, it was reinforced because they were so blown away by it and were so happy for each other, cheering and clapping and laughing. It was just like joy had filled the room.”
A year after the success of that summer, Kollins launched The Superhero Project and almost a decade later, the organization has brought the superhero out of kids and teens from all over the world, using the child’s own narrative to create something wholesomely magical.
Like all great superhero legends, it starts with an origin story. A two-part interview is set up with the child and his or her family. The first part is all about the child and who they are, giving them a break from monotonous medical questions that focus on what is wrong or needs to be fixed. The Superhero Project flips that on its head by focusing on what is going right and what makes them proud to be them.
“We talk with them about who they are and what they love.” says Kollins. “We ask them about their favorite things, who’s in their family and how they like spending their time. What makes them a good friend. What they are curious about and want to learn.” The interviewer will also ask the parents or caregivers what they love about the child and about the times that make them smile.
Inclusion is a huge factor in this part of the process as the interviewer also makes sure to reach out to the child on their level. Some kids will use sign language, while others communicate through eye blinks and smiles. No matter where their abilities fall, the interviewer will always communicate with the child in the way the child feels most comfortable.
The second half of the interview is the conceptual part where they get to tap into their imagination and conceptualize their superhero
alter-ego, deciding everything from their superpowers to their costume and think about what their hero’s mission is and what makes them so super.
All this information is then relayed to a vetted artist selected by creative director, Taryn Cozzy, who picks applicants she believes will be a good match.
“And it’s not necessarily reflective of whether or not we think they are a good artist.” says Kollins. “There are all kinds of amazing artists who just aren’t necessarily the right fit for what we’re doing because it is a very specific ask that we’re making.”
Kollins goes on to explain that not only does the artist need to take art direction from a child, but they also need to include disparate elements based on what the kids say and make it resemble them. They also need to be able to get it done in 12 to14 days, but the final product is worthwhile, giving artists a chance to make a huge difference in a child’s life and forge a lifelong connection.
Through the Superhero Project’s core values of representation, inclusion, imagination and joy, what was initially a creative activity for Cleveland campers, has become a beacon of light for kids and teens all over the globe,
spanning 49 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, nine Canadian provinces and 25 countries so far, serving more than a thousand families. They also have had over 700 artist volunteers from six continents (currently working on adding Antarctica to the list.) They have collaborated with studio and corporate sponsors and curated exhibitions that gives a voice to those unheard. Their inspiring message and incredible outreach have touched the lives of so many, offering families agency, bringing back happiness at a time when happiness feels lost. Like any good sidekick, they help their heroes level up for their next big mission. Every child deserves to see themselves as a hero. Because that is exactly who they have been this entire time.
For more information on donating to or volunteering for The Superhero Project, visit superheroprojectkids.org.
Mister E Extraordinary - created by E. (age 5) and designed by Tiffani Brown
Berackat - created by B. (age 11) and designed by Josh Thompson
Avoid the Wrong Path. Partner with the Right Agent.
Life is full of unexpected turns, surprise expenses, and opportunities you didn’t see coming. A real estate transaction is no different—you’ll face offers, counteroffers, inspections, and the occasional detour. Partnering with the right agent is like having the ultimate game guide by your side—helping you avoid costly missteps, seize the best opportunities, and land exactly where you want to be when you reach closing day.
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Karen Eagle 216-352-4700 info@kareneagle.com
Kelsey Wolf, Jane Shami, Karen Eagle, Maddie Clegg
Not pictured: Liz Murphy + Cheryl Clegg
My Grandma and Grandpa ROCK!
Rock Legends Benatar and Giraldo promote children’s book in Cleveland
By ANDREA C. TURNER
The legendary rock duo Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo promoted their new children’s book at the “Turn Up the Volume on Reading” Rock & Read Author Talk on September 3, at the new Martin Luther King, Jr. branch of the Cleveland Public Library (CPL). The event was one of many of the inaugural Cleveland Book Fest, and was presented by CPL and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
More than 500 fans gathered in the new state-of-the-art library, which opened on the first two floors at 10601 Euclid Avenue at Stokes Boulevard this past February – around the corner from its old location. The first 300 to show up were lucky enough to receive a free signed copy of their book, titled, “My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!”
Singer Benatar and her husband, musician/producer Giraldo, a native of Parma, wrote the book to set the record straight after some confusion in talking with their own three grandchildren. One of them apparently thought ALL grandparents were working musicians who traveled the globe performing for thousands of music fans. The book celebrates the diversity of grandparents–in all walks of life. Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director of CPL, welcomed the crowd, as well as University Circle Inc. President Kate Borders and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Greg Harris. Borders shared that University Circle consists of 40 non-profit institutions – all within one square mile. Harris stated that 15 million people have visited the Rock Hall since its opening 30 years ago.
When discussing their first meeting, Giraldo described a “synergy between her and I. It was like finding my other half,” who lovingly refers to his wife as Patricia.
“[Our relationship] fired on all levels,” commented Benatar. “I was trying to find my voice,” said Benatar, who’d had classical training, but wanted to record with a strong female voice and was looking for a musician to match it. “His playing was so intense, melodic, and conscientious.” It led to them becoming romantically involved. The partnership was obviously successful on many levels. They’ll celebrate 44 years of marriage this year, with two daughters, and three grandchildren.
A native of New York, Benatar says that her husband introduced her to the Midwest. “I’m a Clevelander by marriage,” she added. Several of Giraldo’s family members from Mayfield Heights in attendance brought Italian cookies from an east-side bakery for the couple.
The two were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Benatar was the first female featured on MTV; while Giraldo was the first guitarist. Several of their mementos were donated to the Rock Hall through the years including one of his guitars, one of her dresses, and the original drum
machine used on the hit song, “Love is a Battlefield.”
The MLK, Jr. library features flexible spaces for community meetings, dedicated spaces for children and teens, private meeting rooms, a 24-hour book locker, a laptop bar, exhibit spaces, and more. The new campus replaces the original MLK Library, which operated on Stokes Blvd. for more than 50 years. Set above the branch is Library Lofts, a nine-story, luxury high rise apartment building. According to Thomas, the old location is to be re-purposed into a hotel.
Above: Dr. Jason Hanley, VP of Education and Visitor Engagement at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moderates the discussion with rock/pop legends Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
Photographs by Amber Patrick, courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On August 20, a dynamic group of fashion professionals gathered for “Fashion Meets Art: Makers & Innovators,” a panel organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) Column & Stripe young professionals group. The event attracted an engaged crowd of more than 100 people in the Gartner auditorium to hear the perspectives of what’s it’s like to work in the industry.
In the past few years, the museum has committed to exhibiting the “art” of fashion with the Egyptomania, The New Black Vanguard, and the Korean Couture exhibits.
The panel featured leading local voices who are shaping the future of fashion through design, storytelling, and innovation: William McNicol of William Frederick, Aimon Ali of Fashion Talks Foundation, Aidan Meany of Found Surface, and Tamara Maroño Garza, Council of Fashion Designers of America Scholar & Kent State University (KSU) graduate.
The first installment of the series, “Art of Fashion” with “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano, took place August 6, at CMA. More than 600 people attended to hear from one of most renowned young American designers. Siriano’s collections include evening gowns, cocktail dresses, sportswear, shoes, and accessories, and his designs have been worn by First Lady Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, and Lizzo.
The conversation opened with introductions from Hilary Stone, KSU Fashion School’s Industry Liaison & Internship Director. Dr. Andrea Rager of Case Western Reserve University served as moderator.
Panelists asserted that fashion is not an inconsequential industry; it is a culturally-significant form of art – a visceral way for individuals to express identity and truth. It serves as a powerful art form representing race, gender, politics and sustainability.
William McNichol claims that Cleveland has
the potential to become a fashion innovation hub. Up until recently, all his collections were produced here in Cleveland. McNichol, who grew up in Wellsville, Ohio, has focused his designs on work wear with high-end craftsmanship. He tries to take the spirit of Cleveland wherever he travels, whether it be in Paris, with buyers from around the globe, or recent markets that he’s tapped in Canada and Japan. McNichol uses natural dyes, paper from Japan, sourced wool from Ireland, and Old World techniques in his designs.
“Fashion made art come to life with runway shows at the CMA. Our events bring the two communities together,” said Ali.
Aimon Ali, a member of the Column & Stripe board, is a Clevelandbased stylist and fashion event producer. When she moved here in 2019, she was surprised by
how many design entrepreneurs were trying to work. Through her organization, Fashion Talks, the local fashion community has the opportunity to network, learn, and showcase their work to other professionals in and around the fashion industry. It strengthens the fashion landscape here by bringing industry professionals together through quality, fashion-focused events.
“Fashion made art come to life with runway shows at the CMA. Our events bring the two communities together,” said Ali.
“People want to reconnect to where their clothing comes from,” she added. “When people attend our events, they want to know what’s happening behind he
scenes. The story is important.”
Aidan Meany says that he makes clothes so people forget what they’re wearing. In other words, wearers can move freely without hindrance or self consciousness. His mission is to create clothing that “removes the dissonance between product and process.”
Tamara Maroño Garza, who is interested in the correlation between garments and the physical body, takes the opposite approach. She designs clothing so that mundane movement is an afterthought. Her innovation with fabrics and her dance background have informed her design process, with influences from the choreographic works of modern dance pioneers Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham.
Cleveland has a rich history in fashion production, but Meany admitted that the US is struggling compared to what it used to produce. Most of it is done in New York City, as well as Los Angeles, which is predominantly where most of his clients reside.
“There has been an exodus of options in talent and machinery,” said Meany. “Either you build from the ground up or you don’t. Overproduction is an issue for all designers, as is waste, and labor issues. Meany is known for using cuttingedge digital technology.
McNichol asserted that KSU’s Fashion School has fostered so much talent in the Cleveland area, but there is still a “talent leak.” Many head to NYC after graduating.
It’s important to keep them here” asserted Ali. Without a doubt, Instagram has skyrocketed the way brands have evolved since the 1920’s,” said Meany. But, he hopes people are making purchase decisions based on the fabrics and sourcing, not just the most economical garments which are often produced with petroleum and in substandard labor factories. He reminds people that skin is an organ. “The stuff you wear is absorbed into your body…whether you want to believe it or not.”
Photography by Andrea C. Turner
CMA’s Column & Stripe Fashion Meets Art: Makers & Innovators Panel: Left to Right: Dr. Andrea Rager, Aimon Ali, William McNicol, Aidan Meany, and Tamara Maroño Garza.
This year’s “Corks on the Concourse,” a benefit for the International Women’s Air and Space Museum (IWASM), revolved around the theme, “The Glory Days of Aviation.” The event at Burke Lakefront Airport, an evening of wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres
and a first-ever airline fashion show, supported the museum’s mission to preserve and promote the role of women in air and space.
The 20 models in the fashion show wore vintage uniforms as well as some original
themed creations. Vintage stewardess uniforms on loan from the Kiwi Club were also on display throughout the museum. Speaker Vicky DePiore wore a recreation of a Katherine Wright dress. Guests also enjoyed a silent auction, raffles, a live “Off
the Runway” auction and a trivia contest. Music for the event was provided by DJ Fallon Schwab-Davis and catering was by Nomad Catering. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN
Barbie Siegel, Vicky DePiore and Diane Schmenk
Alexandra and Benjamin Lausin
Toni Mullee, Leslie Buck and Catherine Mullee
Dominicque Smith, Margie Carr and Tatiyana McDowell
Tanisha Carlgren models “Take Flight,” an outfit designed by Chrystal Robinson, IWASM director.
Dont’ miss ‘El Sueño Americano/The American Dream’ exhibit at Maltz Museum
By ANDREA C. TURNER
A special exhibition exploring the migrant experience at the US/Mexico border will be on view at the Maltz Museum beginning September 18. It runs through February 16, 2026.
Photographer Tom Kiefer’s “El Sueño Americano / The American Dream” features still-life photographs of the countless “non-essential” or “potentially lethal” items confiscated from migrants at the border crossings. His photographs are complemented by Mexican American contemporary artist Elizabeth Z. Pineda’s artwork which explores complex issues related to immigration.
“El Sueño Americano tells a part of the migration story that many people never see. This exhibition uniquely humanizes the experience that takes place when people leave their lives behind in pursuit of the American dream,” said Aaron Petersal, Executive Director of the Maltz Museum.
The exhibition features nearly 300 works of art distributed through 12 sections, revealing a selection of migrant belongings.
Kiefer’s contemporary still-life photographs feature the personal possessions of migrants and asylum seekers that U.S. Border Patrol agents confiscated and discarded from 2003 to 2014. Although the names and stories of the migrants are unknown, each photograph evokes a unique story bound to the lost owners of the objects. Through his lens, Kiefer provides a forum for discussions on borders, humanity, and compassion.
Elizabeth Z. Pineda is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Mexico City. Her work explores complex issues related to immigration, identity, displacement, and migrant deaths in the Arizona desert. Included in the exhibition is her film, “Ceremonia” from the Sin Nombre en Esta Tierra Sagrada series, honoring the thousands of migrant lives lost in the Arizona desert.
The film is shown alongside artworks from her Maíz series of cyanotype prints on corn husks and “Reverencia” series of printed silk banners documenting migrant deaths in the desert.
“Many immigrants must give up connections to the past on their journey, and those objects tell their stories—about who they are and what
is important to them,” added Peterson. “Kiefer’s photography, alongside Pineda’s imagery and artwork, asks visitors to consider what it is to give up everything for a chance at a better life.”
Visitors may enter a reflection space where they can process the exhibition and explore ways to take action.
The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Rich-
mond Road in Beachwood, OH. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors (60+) and students, $5 youth (5-11), and free for Maltz Museum members and children under 5. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays and most major holidays. For more information, visit maltzmuseum.org/buy-tickets/
Photos courtesy of the Maltz Museum
Billfolds and Wallets by Thomas Kiefer
Reverencia: Arizona Migrant Death Mapping by Elizabeth Z. Pineda
Blanket Assembly by Thomas Kiefer
Great Lakes Theater stages ‘Dial
M for Murder’
By LINDA FEAGLER
Throughout the 20 seasons she’s spent at Great Lakes Theater, producing artistic director Sara Bruner has excelled at bringing classics to life. That mission continues October 24 through November 9, when “Dial M for Murder” takes center stage at the Hanna Theatre.
Filled with betrayal, greed and manipulation, the plot revolves around Tony Wendice, who plans the murder of his wealthy wife Margot after discovering her affair.
Based on a story written by English playwright Frederick Knott, the thriller debuted on Broadway in 1952, and was brought to the screen two years later by Alfred Hitchcock in a film starring Grace Kelly and Ray Milland. The latest adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher, which will be staged at Great Lakes, remains true to the suspense the story is known for — but with some new twists.
“We did an adaptation of Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” several years ago at Great Lakes as a theatrical whirlwind of the entire story told by four actors,” Bruner says. “And like Hitchcock did with Knott’s original story, Jeffrey Hatcher created another iteration of
“Dial M for Murder” in 2022.
“What I’m most excited about,” she adds, “is how Hatcher updated his script to raise the stakes, with the female characters given more agency. I say characters because two women are now involved. This truly brings the story to the next level.”
We talked to Bruner about why tales of suspense continue to garner legions of fans and the challenges of bringing the story from stage to movie and back to stage.
Great Lakes Theater takes pride in having something for everyone, including this season which features Sunday in the Park with George, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth. How does Dial M for Murder complement the playbill?
One of my passions is to remind people — or maybe let them know for the first time — that the theater is a place for them. We live in a technological age where, when it comes to storytelling, people are shifting to a solitary experience with their phones and their screens.
Something we all share is that we’re not alone in loving thrillers like “Dial M for Murder” that examine fear in different ways. At their core, good thrillers and good horror stories become social commentaries. People
say, “Oh, I love that story. I’d love to see it again. I’d love to see it live.”
Stories like “Dial M for Murder” open many
doorways for people who don’t ever come to the theater, or who have been only thinking about coming to the theater but love the genre. They may decide that instead of a podcast, they’ll go see the play version, or instead of watching Dateline, they’ll come here to see a crime story played out live. We’ve had a lot of success with this kind of storytelling in the past because it’s speaking to America in these moments.
Do you remember the first time you were introduced to Alfred Hitchcock’s genius?
The first movie I saw was “The Birds,” and it will always remain one of my favorites. My mom let me start watching his movies when I was younger than most parents probably advised. But I love the chill of all things horror — thriller, suspense, you name it. This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to direct the genre I’ve adored for most of my life because I’ve grown up doing Shakespeare and other classics. But now, we’re expanding the notion of “classics,” and “Dial M for Murder” fits right in.
What captivates you about Dial M for Murder?
There’s such a beautiful, haunting story at the center of it, which is “Who can you trust?” The play takes place right after World War II, when the Cold War was at its height. It was a time when nobody knows who they can trust, nobody knows what the truth is. That’s the world Margot lives in. Her home is not safe. What I’m most drawn to as I watch the story play out in rehearsal is this notion of not feeling like you know up from down: Can Margot trust her husband? Can she trust the inspector? Can the inspector trust her husband? I think the play is about trust and truth — an oppressive theme for the times we’re living in.
In this adaptation, Jeffrey Hatcher makes Margot’s affair be with a woman, not a man as in the original work. Does this put a new spin on the story?
It certainly does. The story takes place in 1953, and we have two women who agree that their past affair can’t be spoken of because it will destroy their life, their reputation and Margot’s marriage. Sometimes, fans of a certain movie want us to just recreate the film. My answer to that is, “We’re making something new. Our job is to create, not re-create.”
We’ve kept the core of the story so it will have the same impact with today’s audiences that it had with audiences in the ’50s when they saw Hitchcock’s film. But our world has changed, and that’s clearly reflected on stage. What do you hope audiences take away from attending the performance?
I hope they take away the inevitable thrill of watching a story like this play out live in front of them. We’re distanced when we listen to a podcast. We’re distanced when we watch a movie. But in this case, the audience is going to be in a live theater with actors living, breathing and reacting right in front of them. I hope they enjoy going along on a ride with us that excites them enough to come back and share more experiences with us.
Great Lakes Theater stages the riveting thriller Dial M for Murder October 24 through November 9 at Playhouse Square.
Photography by TRG Multimedia
Cleveland-born artist Bukovnik
displays work in Slovenia, to be featured in documentary
By ANDREA C. TURNER
This September, Cleveland native Gary Bukovnik returns to his ancestral roots with a deeply meaningful art exhibition in Ljubljana, Slovenia, his family’s hometown, titled, “Eternal Spring.” It will be on view from September 15-29, at Atrij ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana, Novi trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Set in the heart of the city in a Renaissance palace, the venue often hosts events that celebrate Slovenians abroad.
Bukovnik, who grew up Cleveland’s Slavic neighborhoods, says that his childhood experiences informed his aesthetic life – a sort of Eastern European depth of feeling. As a young man, he began painting flowers and plants growing nearby his grandmother’s general store in Painesville. Later, in his professional life in San Francisco after moving on to painting landscapes, a gallery owner encouraged him to return to painting flowers.
He never imagined that painting flowers could be a career, but the impact of his art tells a story of beauty and persistence, and of blooming where you are planted. His work now bridges continents, gracing galleries, film, and even silk.
Though Bukovnik has previously exhibited in Slovenia, this time is more personal. In 1989, after years of separation, he helped reunite his father with their Slovenian family. Now, decades later, those once-estranged relatives will stand alongside him as his paintings fill the grand halls of the Slovenian palace, to celebrate the family’s heritage. The exhibition will include many of the artist’s signature watercolor works, including “Spring Composition.” This monumental painting will be donated as a gift to the Republic of Slovenia.
Meanwhile, another collaboration is beginning. Bukovnik is working with Lidija Drobež, founder of Galleria L’Arte di Seta, to transform select paintings into luxury silk scarves. Produced by a fourth-generation silk atelier established in the 19th century, each scarf is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic silk and finished with delicate hand-rolled hems.
Bukovnik’s paintings weren’t merely printed, but thoughtfully interpreted into wearable compositions. Designer Sašo Urukalo preserved the soul of his florals while reimagining them into kaleidoscopic patterns that drape like bouquets.
Now, another tribute to Bukovnik’s legacy is taking shape. Award-winning director Grant Thompson is filming a documentary that will follow Bukovnik through his time in Slovenia. Filming will then continue in California, incorporating animations that trace his journey from a young man unsure of his future to the celebrated artist he is today. The project also includes Academy Award–winning actor Peter Coyote, who appears in the film and serves as a producer.
“My life is a reflection of the kindness of
other people and what they have done for me,” Bukovnik shared. “Aim for what you really want, no matter what anyone tells you. If you really want it, and work toward it, it will happen.”
A special exhibition focused on the migrant experience at the U.S./Mexico border, featuring the photography of Tom Kiefer and works from contemporary artist Elizabeth Z. Pineda.
MALTZ MUSEUM IN BEACHWOOD, OH
Photograph courtesy of garybukovnik.com
Rosarium yellow silk scarf
Photograph courtesy of the Galleria L’Arte di Seta website Rosarium Roses scarf
Photograph courtesy of garybukovnik.com
Gary Bukovnik
‘LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style’ to be exhibited at Kent State
The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation announce “LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style,” opening at Kent State University Museum on Oct. 31, 2025. “A Keen Observer of Style” turns to the eclectic artist’s early career as a fashion illustrator and explores how this lesser-known work influenced his lifelong interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of his subjects, spanning illustrations and sketches from the 1950s through the 1990s.
LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was one of America’s most prolific painters, celebrated for his instantly recognizable style characterized by bold color and dynamic brushwork. He was best known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, musicians and major cultural moments, capturing hundreds of historic events and legendary figures over his six-decade career.
Preceding this renowned legacy is Neiman’s career as a fashion illustrator. For a decade, he taught figure drawing and fashion illustration at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and, throughout the 1950s, Neiman made a living producing commercial illustrations for fashion brands and retailers, including the Chicago department store Carson Pirie Scott & Co., where he would go on to meet his future wife, Janet Byrne.
“This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into LeRoy’s lesser-known but just as important –work in fashion illustration, capturing a pivotal and early stage of his career,” said Tara Zabor, Executive Director of the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. “It’s a great moment to look closely at how he encapsulated design and gesture, and how this visual language would later shape some of his most iconic work.”
“A Keen Observer of Style” unites 85 illustrations – many on public view for the first time – spanning Neiman’s early work in retail and commercial illustration and his sketches and studies throughout the ensuing decades, showcasing themes such as masculinity, celebrity and the formal elements of gesture, line and color. Neiman was rarely without his sketchbook, and his art
reflects both his curiosity and observational skill. The exhibition additionally includes garments from the artist’s personal wardrobe.“LeRoy Neiman is so closely associated with sports and celebrity, but I wanted to show that it was his early work in fashion illustration that actually informed his compositions throughout his career. He captured so much of his subjects’ personality through his attention to their clothing and style,” said Sara Hume, Ph.D., curator of the Kent State University Museum.
The exhibition opening will be celebrated on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 30, as part of the museum’s 40th anniversary gala.
“As we celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary, we’re committed to making space for untold stories and building bold new partnerships,” said Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., director of the Kent State University Museum. “This collaboration with the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation reveals a rarely seen side of an iconic artist and invites students and
visitors to see fashion illustration as a powerful lens for storytelling. We hope it inspires the next generation of designers, illustrators and educators.”
“LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style” is curated by Hume and organized in partnership with the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. It is on view from Oct. 31, 2025 to June 28, 2026.
About The Kent State University Museum
The Kent State University Museum houses one of the world’s most important collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts, spanning the mid-1700s to the present. With a collection of more than 30,000 objects and seven gallery spaces, the
museum provides invaluable experiences for both the university community and the broader public. It is recognized regionally and nationally for the depth and scope of its collection.
About The Leroy Neiman And Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation
The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation aims to preserve and promote the legacy of LeRoy Neiman, supporting organizations that advance the arts and provide opportunities for at-risk youth to build successful futures. The foundation shares Neiman’s ideals, philanthropic spirit and artistic contributions throughout the United States and beyond.
Custody of the family pet is a real bone of contention for divorcing couples
When parties divorce, it seems that both sides want the family dog. Courts and legislatures across the country know it, and they are acting accordingly. Because the issue is so contentious, the law concerning pet custody, and the family dog specifically, continues to evolve. Traditionally, pets were treated as chattel, that is, personal property. A pet was no different from a chair or a cabinet, irrespective of its value to the family. This required courts to consider if the pet was the separate property of a spouse, either because it was owned by that spouse prior to the marriage or gifted to the spouse during the marriage.
The legal system has started to adjust its considerations of pets and their possession upon divorce, with courts increasingly considering the factors like their owners’ best interests, the pets’ best interests and the best interests of children central to divorce proceedings when deciding who should retain the pets. The psychological connection between children with their pets is often intense, and especially important, during a divorce. For this very reason, some divorce lawyers encourage their clients to make sure that their children do not go without a pet in a post-divorce household.
Litigants generally have gravitated to alternative dispute options to resolve their marital problems in recent years. And solving the question of what to do with the family pet fits out-of-court conflict resolu-
tion models quite well. Encouraging co-ownership, or at least cooperation, as opposed to the traditional adversarial litigation process of court, is surely good for all parties, including children and the pet. Some states have passed laws designed to further a pet’s best interest. Illinois specifically passed a law intended to look at which party was more involved with caring for the pet. This reflects a broader move nationally to considers all aspects of the family, including the pet. Some of these evolving considerations look at which party was the pet’s primary caregiver; with whom the pet has the greater emotional connection; and with whom the pet will have a better living situation.
If the parties agree, the court may allow a petsharing arrangement. Experienced practitioners can regale willing listeners with stories of clients who transport their pets in designated vehicles, on designated days and at designated times according to a set schedule not unlike a parenting plan for a child. One can argue whether courts have gone too far considering the “custody” of the family pet. It is fair to ask whether the court’s involvement with this issue helps the families they are supposed to serve or does the consideration of these issues needlessly slow down, complicate and increase the expense of the administration of justice in family law cases. Either way, pet custody is here to stay.
LeRoy Neiman, “Ladies and Gentlemen at the Nite Club,” 1957, tempera on paper.
Area retailers share latest in fashion, accessory trends for fall
By MARGARET CIBIK
Fall is finally here! Time to break out the leaf blower, sip on that hot PSL you have been waiting for all year and get fashionably cozy with this Autumn’s latest trends, from frothy sweaters and elegant coats to the most popular colors and textures. Whether you are a regular fashionista always on the prowl for the sleekest looks or want to put your best ankle boot forward this season, Base Boutique and Knuth’s are two incredible local businesses who know their stuff and are spilling the stylish tea to help you look nothing less than fab for fall.
For Base Boutique owner, Allisa Romanini, the best parts about the leafy season are all things pumpkin and the cool, crisp vibes it brings. With high-quality pieces that are made to last and never go out of style, Romanini is excited to kick off her first fall season in her Chagrin Falls shop. This time last year, she was getting ready to open for the holidays and is looking forward to seeing all the fall items come through for the first time. “I’m really excited because I have a lot of fun jackets coming, suede jackets, corduroy jackets and sweaters.” she says.
According to Romanini, dark-washed and boot-cut jeans are great basics to have for the season, and you can never go wrong with a little boot that goes with everything.
For dressing up, Romanini advises that sweater dresses make for a great night out and throwing a sweater over a dress can create a whimsical autumnal look perfect for hitting the town. Not to mention, leather jackets are always a classic that give any outfit an extra boost.
And one thing that has remained a timeless fall staple is color. “A base that everyone needs to have is anything in fall color palettes, like, mustards, rust colors, olive greens, and Bordeaux reds.” says Romanini. “Sweaters in those colors are always a classic.”
Tina Figurella, buyer of clothing and shoes for Knuth’s believes that the hot color to watch this year is none other than brown. “It’s all about brown.” she says. “It’s an understandable color for a lot of people and there are so many shades.
It’s a great fall color that goes with whatever you pair with it.”
Figurella also dishes that the western look from last year’s season is still very much in vogue, but don’t break out your lasso and rodeo get-up just yet, the western vibes this year are more of a nod to the genre. Sleek and understated, like a smooth, suede jacket with a touch of fringe, a cute cowboy boot paired with a skirt or witchy charmed loafers that add a little spirit to the season. Animal prints are also on the horizon with sexy leopard and casual cow patterns showing up in sweaters, blouses, shoes and even belts.
Unleash your creativity in the Canyon Lake Community! Collaborate with our expert team to design a home that reflects your unique vision on your lot. Come see our new model under construction at 409 Crescent Ridge in Canyon Lakes.
Discover a stunning 7151 sq. ft. open floor plan featuring walk out basement, modern French Normandy with an elegant, timeless charm and a modern twist with “estate living”.
For Knuth’s social media, marketing and events coordinator, Courtney Koken, a musthave for fall is a good coat. “You can wear leggings and a sweatshirt under it, but if you have that cool trench or whatever you have,” she says, “it really elevates the look.” Trench coats are making a big wave this year as well as barn coats and faux furs.
This Pepper Pike institution only serves the very best items needed in every closet. They have the gamut on selections and brands that level up wardrobes for women of all generations in just one store. Teenagers can shop Free People while their moms browse around for a chic look for work. There is something for everyone and every occasion.
And even though Base Boutique and Knuth’s have the latest trends, they want their customers to know that regardless of what is “in” or “out,” the rules are, there are no rules, it’s more about doing it how you want to do it. They are just there to guide you toward your most fashionable self, making this season’s looks full of endless possibilities.
Base Boutique is located at 100 N Main St #220, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 and Knuth’s is in Lander Plaza at 30619 Pinetree Rd, Pepper Pike, OH 44124. For more information, please visit their websites at shopbaseboutique.com and shop-knuths.com.
Discover 5301 Charlotte Way, a vibrant 55+ Community with 63 lots, 53 still available! More than just a neighborhood; enjoy amenities like club house, fitness center, bocce and pickleball courts, swimming pool, fire pit and serene lake. Luxury single-family ranches with private court yards await. Snowbirds look for their preferred summer retreat!
Discover stunning floor plans in our luxury ranches! These single-family homes feature private, fenced courtyards for your favorite pets, embrace a lifestyle of comfort and elegance. A lock and leave community.
Perrino
Base Boutique
Base Boutique
Knuth
Knuth
Photographs by Margaret Cibik
WOLFS to present first major exhibition, sale of work by August Frederick Biehle
WOLFS is pleased to present the exhibition and sale of the remarkable Cleveland School artist August Frederick Biehle (1885-1979). The exhibition will highlight the breadth of styles that Biehle explored throughout his artistic career. This lack of commitment to a single style is one of the most distinctive features of Cleveland art between the world wars.
An early member of what is known as the Cleveland School of Artists, Biehle made important contributions to the artistic character of the city during this era, including creating artwork for the legendary, prominent, and provocative Kokoon Club.
August Biehle joined the Cleveland modernist movement in 1912, contributing to its gathering momentum. The son of a German-immigrant decorator, Biehle received his initial art training in Cleveland before going to Munich in 1903 and again in 1910 for two years of study.
One of northeast Ohio’s most prolific and distinguished artists, Biehle combined masterful draftsmanship with a superior sense of design. He assimilated aspects of German Expressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism, and moved skillfully between a range of styles, from Jugendstil (a German modernist style) to American Scene realism. He also displayed his versatility by mastering a variety of media and techniques, from graphite drawing to painting in oil, gouache, pastel, and tempera.
AUGUST FREDERICK BIEHLE
• Opening Friday, October 10, 5:30-8 p.m.
• On view through December 30 at WOLFS (Tuesday-Saturday 11-5pm)
• A fully illustrated catalog accompanies the exhibition and can be purchased for $20
CMA Chalk Festival
The Chalk Festival features sidewalk artistry by professional chalk artists and local community groups, families, and individuals, all using the CMA’s south plaza and walkways that wind through the Fine Arts Garden and down to Wade Lagoon as a colorful canvas.
The Chalk Festival is a modern expression of a Renaissance tradition from 16th-century Italy in which artists copied paintings of the Madonna by Raphael and his contemporaries using chalk on the plazas outside cathedrals.
Everyone can participate at the Chalk Festival! To chalk your own square, purchase a square of pavement (chalk pastels included) at the registration tent: $15 small square (includes a 12-count set of chalk pastels), $20 large square (includes a 24-count set of chalk pastels).
The CMA reserves the right to cover any work that contains a political message, hate speech, or other content that may be inappropriate for a family-friendly program.
Saturday, September 20, 2025, noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 21, 2025, noon to 5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Garden at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
BENEFIT BEAT
Saturday, Oct. 4 … Dress to IMPRESS, at the Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland. A night of exotic and wild paper fashions and wearable art, celebrating paper and print as fashion. Given the current climate – of the environment, of politics, of the balance between public and personal life – the theme for this year’s artist-designers to address is Reduce. Redact. Reuse. Recycle. Guests will enjoy a stellar fashion show, auction, raffle, drinks, bites, and an after party. For tickets to this fantastic fundraiser, visit morganconservatory.org/dress-to-impress.
Saturday, Oct. 4...Harvest Homecoming, to benefit Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development and Hanna Perkins School, at Hanna Perkins. Dinner, auction, entertainment and more. Event to honor Karen Baer and Tod Oliva, and recognizing Elaine G. and Dr. John A. Hadden.
Photograph by Greg Nold
‘Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa’ on view at Kent State Museum
The Kent State University Museum presents its fall exhibition, “A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa,” through May 10, 2026. Displayed in the museum’s Broadbent Gallery, the exhibition features works by 25 contemporary North African designers and artists, including more than 40 ensembles and accessories alongside photography by fashion photographers, journalists and social media influencers, as well as art installations and videos.
“The Kent State University Museum is dedicated to inquiry, research and discovery,” said Kent State University Museum Director Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D. “Exhibitions like ‘A Meeting of Cultures’ reflect our commitment to sharing new perspectives, advancing scholarship and fostering dialogue on campus and in the wider community.”
Kent State University Museum Curator Sara Hume, Ph.D., stated, “This exhibition represents the second in a series presented by the Kent State University Museum on fashion on the African con tinent. Rather than pack the tremendous diversity of African fashion into a single exhibition, we have developed exhibitions looking at smaller regions. In this way, we counter the mistaken notion that Africa is a single monolith. In 2016, we began the series with ‘Fashions of Southern Africa,’ which featured looks from South Africa and Namibia.”
“A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Af rica” reflects the museum’s mission to advance the understanding of world cultures through the lens of fashions and textiles. The exhibition is or ganized around three themes: Disruptors, Threads and Our Land, which each bring together the work of designers from different countries and draw out the myriad approaches to retaining cultural distinc tiveness while adapting to contemporary concerns.
“Disruptors” looks at how brands such as Boau na and Born in Exile present streetwear styles that break from older conventions and traditions. “Threads” focuses on the materials and techniques that designers use – both raw materials cultivated in the region as well as techniques and craftsman ship passed down across generations. The final section, “Our Land,” looks at the ways that art ists and designers have drawn inspiration from the architecture and landscape of the region. For instance, both Anissa Meddeb of Anissa Aida and Samia Ben Abdallah of AwA received training in architecture before switching to fashion, and their structural designs reflect this background.
This exhibition is co-curated by Hume and Nada Koreish, a lecturer across multiple disci plines with over 15 years of experience in the de sign industry and a doctoral scholar, focusing on decoloniality and fashion in North Africa. A 150page catalogue will be published and distributed internationally by Hirmer Verlag.
The exhibition will be open to the public through May 10, 2026.This exhibition is gener
BENEFIT BEAT
ously sponsored by Linda Harper, the Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation and DutchCultureUSA, a program of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United States. The Kent State University Museum receives operating support through a sustainability grant from the Ohio Arts Council. ABOUT THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
The Kent State Museum holds one of the world’s most important collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts, from the mid-1700s through the present. With 30,000 objects and seven gallery spaces, the museum serves a public university campus of 25,000 students, as well as
Don DrummStudios & Gallery
Saturday, Oct. 4 … Dress to IMPRESS, at the Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland. A night of exotic and wild paper fashions and wearable art, celebrating paper and print as fashion. Given the current climate – of the environment, of politics, of the balance between public and personal life – the theme for this year’s artist-designers to address is Reduce. Redact. Reuse. Recycle. Guests will enjoy a stellar fashion show, auction, raffle, drinks, bites, and an after party. For tickets to this fantastic fundraiser, visit morganconservatory.org/dress-to-impress.
Saturday, Oct. 4...Harvest Homecoming, to benefit Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development and Hanna Perkins School, at Hanna Perkins. Dinner, auction, entertainment and more. Event to honor Karen Baer and Tod Oliva, and recognizing Elaine G. and Dr. John A. Hadden.
Saturday, October 4...Creations, to benefit The Children’s Guild, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Federated Church Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Rd., Bainbridge. An arts and crafts extravaganza. For the 81st year, The Children’s Guild of Cleveland’s talented members have handcrafted “all occasion” gifts, seasonal decor, children’s items and clothing, home and garden art, unique jewelry, wearable items and gourmet goodies. There are also vintage treasures and raffles you won’t want to miss. Entrance donation $5. Help us help a child!
Saturday, Oct. 4...Butterfly Bash, to benefit Project White Butterfly, at St. Albert the Great Parish Life Center, 6667 Wallings Rd., North Royalton from noon to 3 p.m. Family-friendly celebration featuring Southern Thangs Food Truck, auction baskets, a 50/50 raffle, children’s activities and more. For more information and to purchase tickets visit projectwhitebutterfly.org.
COA shirt and pants by the brand Born in Exile, collection of the Kent State University Museum
Two ensembles from the Teta Chic collection by Reem Atout, image by Baiba Photography.
Fall Days, Fresh Displays, new skeleton installation at Holden Arboretum
When it comes to fall, the Holden Arboretum has it all. The season begins with a new signature exhibit, Skeleton Grove, featuring nearly a dozen 10- to 12-foot-tall skeletons decorated by local artists, and will keep the autumn fun rolling with the familiar favorite, Fall Forest Fest. The official start of the fall season is Monday, September 22. Enjoy unique fall experiences with engaging classes, fun family activities, and the best views of fall color in Northeast Ohio.
EXHIBITS
SKELETON GROVE
Saturday, September 20 – Sunday, November 2
NEW THIS YEAR - Wander through Skeleton Grove at the Holden Arboretum, where ten artist-designed skeletons ranging in height from 10 to 12 feet strike playful poses among vibrant fall foliage. Guests can find these towering pieces throughout the Main Display Garden and in front of Corning Visitor Center. This exhibit is included with admission.
Skeleton Grove Artist Meet & Greet
Join us on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. - noon to meet the local artists behind this year’s exhibit. Visitors can stroll through the Main Display Garden while they will learn more about the inspiration behind these playful skeleton scenes. Included with admission.
FALL COLOR WATCH
The Holden Arboretum will be a top spot to view fall colors. A color thermometer is updated daily and features the trees and plants showcasing their fall color best as the season progresses. Visit holdenfg.org for Color Watch updates.
Enjoy festival feels at the Arboretum with marshmallow roasting, food trucks, crafts, and garden games. Check out our Spooky
Science Lab to discover how weird and wild plants can be. New this year, get tickets for family-friendly mini tram tours so the whole family can see Skeleton Grove! Enjoy a variety of alcoholic (Saturday only) and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase.
LEAF DISCOVERY TRAIL
Starting on Saturday, September 20, appreciate the beauty of fall color by learning about leaf and tree identification at the Holden Arboretum. Pick up a brochure at the Corning Visitor Center and follow the Leaf Trail, an immersive autumn leaf identification activity. Learn how to identify the trees around you by collecting leaves and organizing them by their characteristics, as well as identifying 26 deciduous trees, including tulip trees, dawn redwoods, and pawpaws, marked with numbered tags on the grounds. Included with admission.
A cozy winter marketplace — indoors. Guests are invited to browse seasonal selections from a curated group of local artisans while enjoying the warmth of a roaring fire. A variety of beverages will be available for purchase, including alcoholic options on Saturday only, as well as non-alcoholic offerings. This natureinspired marketplace experience is included with admission.
EXPERIENCES
KALBERER EMERGENT TOWER
Experience fall color from a new perspective at the Arboretum. The Emergent Tower is 120 feet or approximately 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area all the way to Lake Erie. The tower is open 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until the end of October. Through November it is open weekends only (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Free with admission.
CANOPY WALK
CLASSES & HIKES
Fall Foray with the Ohio Mushroom Society
Immerse yourself among the warm autumn hues with the Murch Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walk invites guests to stroll along a 500-footlong elevated walkway that rises 65 feet above the forest floor. Walking among the treetops is the best place to see Instagram-worthy fall foliage. The walk is open 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until the end of October. Through November it is open weekends only (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Free with admission.
MURCH
Photographs courtesy of Holden Forests & Gardens
Saturday, September 27 from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Fall is perfect for fungi! Join us at the Long Science Center for a day dedicated to wild mushrooms and other fungi. We will start with an orientation to mushroom forays, then divide into small groups to search for fungi in Holden’s natural areas. We will reconvene in the afternoon to identify our findings with the help of field guides and experienced mycologists from Holden and the Ohio Mushroom Society. Cost: $30 per member, $40 per nonmember. Registration necessary at holdenfg.org.
PIERSON CREEK HIKE
Saturday, October 18 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Challenge yourself with a morning hike on our newest trails! Join Holden Arboretum staff for a challenging hike through the stunning forest ecosystems of the Pierson Creek Valley. This woodland area was closed to the public
for years before opening with newly imagined trails in Fall 2024 thanks to our hardworking trail crew and volunteers. Age: Adult, teens 16 & over with adult. Cost $10 per member, $20 per nonmember. Registration necessary at holdenfg.org. ART WITH HEART: Fall Nature Paint & Snack
Saturday, October 25 from 1 – 4:30 p.m., Unwind with a beginner-friendly afternoon of art at Holden Arboretum. Local artist M.E. Kuzma will guide participants through acrylic painting techniques while highlighting the benefits of creative engagement and mindfulness.
Enjoy a drink, light refreshments, and fun conversation as you complete a beautiful painting (16×20″ canvas) to take home. Cost: $48 per member, $63 per nonmember. Registration necessary at holdenfg.org.
The Holden Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closed to the public on Mondays, except on Monday, October 13, 20 and 27 when the Arboretum will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is $21 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. 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.
Pillar of the Cleveland School
WOLFS
Opening Friday, October 10
On view through December 30
Berea Woods, Meredith Falls, c. 1954, Oil on masonite, 36 x 27.5 inches
Photographs courtesy of Holden Forests & Gardens
The Kalberer Emergent Tower is 120 feet high offering views all the way to Lake Erie.
On Friday, August 22, 180 guests attended Wish Upon a Star: A Night of Hope and Wishes at Encore Event Center in Strongsville. Proceeds will go directly toward granting more wishes through the Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana chapter. The crowd of 180 guests raised $350,000, which amounts to 35 wishes.
W.A. Smith Financial Group’s annual MakeA-Wish fundraiser has surpassed a total of $1 million in eight years, earning it the Hope Stout
Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana “Wish Upon A Star”
Award, named for a young girl who wished to grant other kids’ wishes. “Not only is that really impressive, but it’s the fastest company that’s ever done it in our chapter,” Wish OKI President and CEO Juli Miller said in presenting the award.
“All of this is possible because of the generosity of our community,” W.A. Smith Financial Group CEO and Founder William “Bill” Smith said. “This event is one of the most meaningful things we do all year. Seeing the joy and hope on
these children’s faces is a powerful reminder of what really matters. We’re grateful to everyone who joins us in making these wishes come true.”
Wish kids J’ior Spraggins, 6, and Harper Samuel, 11, and their families were on hand for the celebration. J’ior said meeting Mickey Mouse and spending time with his family excited him most about his trip to Disneyland. Harper, a football fan, got his wish to go to the Super Bowl with his family.
More than 400 kids in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are waiting on their own wishes. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and silent and live auctions. Brooks Ames of KIKO Real Estate auctioneered off prizes including a yellow Labrador puppy, a Pitmaster pro package, and Robin Swoboda’s framed biscuit, autographed by Paula
AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY
Compassionate, Personalized Care with Senior Solutions
You’ve noticed the changes—mom forgetting her medications, dad struggling to keep the house in order, or a loved one feeling isolated and overwhelmed. You want the best for them, but life’s demands make it hard to give the care and attention they deserve. The worry keeps you up at night: Are they safe? Are they eating well? Are they lonely?
You’ve noticed the changes—mom forgetting her medications, dad struggling to keep the house in order, or a loved one feeling isolated and overwhelmed. You want the best for them, but life’s demands make it hard to give the care and attention they deserve. The worry keeps you up at night: Are they safe? Are they eating well? Are they lonely?
You’ve noticed the changes—mom forgetting her medications, dad struggling to keep the house in order, or a loved one feeling isolated and overwhelmed. You want the best for them, but life’s demands make it hard to give the care and attention they deserve. The worry keeps you up at night: Are they safe? Are they eating well? Are they lonely?
Berns, to find the perfect care solution.
At Senior Solutions, we understand the unique needs of our seniors and their families. That’s why you’ll always connect with our dedicated owner, Jamie Berns, to find the perfect care solution.
At Senior Solutions, we bring families peace of mind by providing personalized, compassionate care around the clock. Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks, companionship to lift their spirits, or full 24/7 support, we’re here to make their life—and yours—easier.
At Senior Solutions, we bring families peace of mind by providing personalized, compassionate care around the clock. Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks, companionship to lift their spirits, or full 24/7 support, we’re here to make their life—and yours—easier.
At Senior Solutions, we bring families peace of mind by providing personalized, compassionate care around the clock. Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks, companionship to lift their spirits, or full 24/7 support, we’re here to make their life—and yours—easier.
Let us handle the care, so you can focus on making memories.
Call Jamie Berns at 216-925-3042 or email jberns@seniorsolutions.site Visit seniorsolutions.site to learn how we can help. Because every family deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved one is in caring hands.
Deen. STORY
ANASTASIA NICHOLAS
Robin Swoboda
Wish kid J’ior Spraggins and Shauna Spraggins
Clinton Samuel, wish kid Harper Samuel, and Abby Samuel
Lauren Coletto and Ross, the yellow Lab puppy
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland held its annual summer fundraiser, Jam for Justice, at the Beachland Ballroom. Proceeds raised in excess of $150,000 will support Legal Aid’s work to secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with people who have low incomes. Their valuable work helps neighbors stay housed, safeguard their rights, and navigate the legal system. Together, they’re building a
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland “Jam for Justice”
community where justice is truly for all.
Nearly 700 people packed the Waterloo neighborhood music venue to support the organization’s work – while enjoying musical acts headlined by local attorneys, judges, law faculty and students.
Jam for Justice 2025 included a staggered schedule of 12 bands performing on two stages that rotated between the Beachland’s
Ballroom and Tavern. Emcees Stephanie Haney and Delanté Spencer Thomas kept the party going, along with music from DJ Brad Wolfe. All the bands included members of the legal community from across Northeast Ohio who understand the importance of extending justice throughout our community.
Performers included 12 bands: Driver 8; Faith & Whiskey; Hayden Gilbert and The
State Road; The Tortfeasors; and new this year, U4U.
Guests enjoyed a food buffet, cash bar, dancing, and a special raffle. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER
Ruckus; K.G. Mojo; Luke Lindberg & The Hung Jury; The No Name Band; Out of Order; Razing the Bar; Six Sometimes Seven;
Headliners Faith & Whiskey played upbeat rock anthems and high-energy tunes. The band includes Rich Wesorick, Justice Mike Donnelly, Dr. VJ Velez, Keith Merritt, Stephen Zashin, Dan Krueger, Joe Barone, Jim Reesing, Jim Pujolas, and Rich Kline.
Rich Wesorick of Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino LLP, right, a vocalist with Faith & Whiskey, entertains the crowd.
Left: U4U Band is a collective of talented Ukrainian musicians who resettled in Northeast Ohio, as well as several American musicians. The band’s music is a fusion of traditional Ukrainian sounds with modern rock influences, celebrating resilience, unity, and diversity.
The Tortfeasors include Ryan Harrell on bass guitar, vocals (Legal Aid Society of Cleveland); Brian Kraft on electric guitar, vocals (Law Office of Brian D. Kraft LLC); Scott Kuboff on electric guitar, vocals (Lowe Trial Lawyers); Nathaniel McDonald on lead vocals, acoustic guitar (Cuyahoga County Public Defenders); and Paul Shipp on drums, vocals (Weston Hurd LLP).
Veneer Tree Service:
A Legacy of Excellence in Tree Removal
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 twenty 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.
2025 Lake/Geauga Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association invites Northeast Ohioans to register for the 2025 Lake/Geauga County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, taking place on Saturday, September 27 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the Promise Garden Ceremony at 9 and the Walk immediately afterward.
With more than 600 Walks taking place across the U.S. each year, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraising event and supports the Association’s free educational programs and support groups, Alzheimer’s care services and advancements in treatment and research.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a missionfocused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. Walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.
“Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a day filled with emotion, inspiration, inclusion and hope,” said Melissa Shelton, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio and Cleveland Area chapters. “Walks bring people together and reassure them that they’re not alone in their journey. Every step we take as a community takes us closer to a cure and to achieving our mission of a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we raise money that will directly benefit Northeast Ohio families.”
Participation is free. Walkers and teams can set fundraising goals and earn incentives including t-shirts, bac packs, water bottles, blankets and more. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk, visit the Walk website
To learn more about Alzheimer’s or other dementia and to access free support and resources, visit alz.org/cleveland or call the Cleveland Area Chapter at 216.342.5556 or the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
As the days are getting shorter...Now’s the time to secure your Home and Property with Professionally Installed Landscape Lighting. Trust BUDGET LIGHTSCAPES Premier Nightscape Experts to provide the increased security and peace of mind you desire! Call Us Today @ 216.406.1900 to schedule your Free Design Consultation.
Hunting Valley home set on cliffside cul-de-sac surrounded by woods for sale
By RITA KUEBER
Four Valley Ridge Farm is outstanding, even extraordinary, borrowing a great deal of style from fine European traditions, especially when it comes to flexibility and built-in, unobtrusive storage space. Overall the vibe is chic and glamorous, yes, but also bright and clean, and surprisingly, irresistibly cozy.
Set on two parcels above Chagrin River Road, the setting is private and traffic free, since this house is set on a cliffside cul-de-sac, surrounded by woodlands. Adjacent to the main house is a guest house, the driveway connecting them. Originally designed by Cleveland architect Stephen Bucchieri in 1981, the house has been updated and improved by subsequent owners.
To picture the floor plan, envision two cubes with a narrow overlap, which becomes the front door and the vertical space above the entry. The rooms are mid-sized but are stacked so they seem to glide inside the interior, sometimes at different levels – one room over can mean one room up or down as well, so all the rooms feel spacious and airy.
All of the high-end finishes take their cue from nature, so finishes are warm and natural throughout. A stone terrace starts at the front door and curves its way around the house. Floors are oiled white oak, and the kitchen has Carrara marble counters. From the entry, and up a few stairs, the galley-style kitchen seamlessly blends work and storage areas and ends in an eat-in nook. Integrated into the design are appliances by Gaggenau, Smeg, and Fisher & Paykel.
Nearby, the dining room has a glass wall overlooking the curving patio and the woods and is visually connected to the main floor living room that has a wood-burning fireplace and tall ceilings. This room opens onto the curving patio that overlooks the ravine and the creek below. The main floor or maybe call it the firstand-a half-floor has the primary suite with super-high ceilings, private bath with a walk-in shower and finished in natural stone.
A semi-private group of bedrooms, bath and open play area/hallway is perfect for kids or guests. At the top of the house is a magnificent mixed-use room that could be a study, entertainment/living area or the primary bedroom.
At 39 x 18, this loft-like space has its own bath and sweeping views of the property. Down several levels is another living space, though we hesitate to call it a lower level. This houses a media room, with a dining area plus storage. This room also opens up to that winding patio outside.
The property also has a one bed, one bath guest house separate from the main house. The main floor is a large one-room space, filled with natural light, perfect for a painting or dance/
yoga studio. The bed and bath are one floor down, with additional space for a game room.
Best of all, this property has its own staircase to a creek at the bottom of the adjacent ravine and also backs up to Case Western Reserve’s 400-acre University Farm. It’s also just minutes away from Chagrin Falls, and Cleveland Metroparks hiking and equestrian trails.
The main house at 4 Valley Ridge Farm has 4,819 square feet over four floors. Four bedrooms and four full and onehalf baths. The guest house has one bed, one bath, and a kitchenette. Attached three-bay garage. Well water and septic with state-of-the-art water treatment and filtration systems. Radiant heat floors, central air, and generators. Nest thermostats. Orange School District. Represented by Karen Eagle of Elite Sotheby’s International Realty. At press time the property with the main house, guest house and two parcels (10 acres) is listed at $1,695,000 with annual taxes of $32,909. Contact Karen Eagle at 216.352.4700 or karen@ kareneagle.com
J&D Landscapes team proudly serves homeowners across Northeast Ohio
What began in 2014 with a PT Cruiser, a small trailer, and a single mower has grown into J&D Landscapes—a full-service team proudly serving homeowners across Geauga, Cuyahoga, Portage, and Lake counties. Founded by owner Joe Pastor and formalized as an LLC in 2015, J&D Landscapes now operates dedicated enhancement, construction, and maintenance crews that bring the same “start-from-scratch” attention to detail to every project—whether it’s a simple seasonal clean-up or a complete outdoor living transformation.
J&D Landscapes specializes in thoughtful design-build and meticulous care. Construction crews craft patios, walkways, retaining walls, steps, lighting, and drainage solutions that are engineered for Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles and built to look great for years.
Enhancement crews elevate curb appeal with plantings, bed renovations, edging, mulch, and lawn repair that blend horticultural know-how with an eye for color and texture. The maintenance team protects those investments with seasonal clean-ups and weekly mowing as part of comprehensive service packages—so properties
look polished from early spring through late fall. Behind the scenes, J&D runs on communication and accountability. Each estimate starts with a site visit to understand goals, budget, and timelines. Proposals are clear, scheduling is coordinated by geography to reduce drive time, and crews document progress with notes and photos. Materials are selected for durability and aesthetics, and final walk-throughs ensure clients feel confident about care and warranties.
Local roots matter here. The team lives and works in the communities it serves—from Burton to Chagrin Falls, Moreland Hills, Pepper Pike, Gates Mills, Mentor, and beyond—and takes pride in keeping neighborhoods beautiful, one property at a time. That community focus shows up in little things: tidy job sites, friendly crews, and proactive updates when weather shifts the schedule.
Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy fire-pit patio, need drainage solved before the next storm, or want a clean, low-maintenance landscape that fits your lifestyle, J&D Landscapes brings craftsmanship, reliability, and a no-surprises process to every yard.
Cheers to area retailers set to celebrate milestone anniversaries this year
By RITA KUEBER
Join Currents as we congratulate three longtime area retail advertisers who have beat the odds and then some – and all are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2025! Lisa Moran Ltd. at Eton Chagrin Boulevard is 35 years old this year. Maison Maison in Rocky River is 40 years old, and Cindy Halle, whose boutique is in Gates Mills now, is enjoying the start of her 50th year in retail! As supportive Currents advertisers, these three reached out to let us know of their important milestones, and we wanted to share their unique stories and secrets to success.
Lisa Moran Ltd.
“I love clothes,” Lisa Moran states. Armed with a business degree, her partner, Lee Burkons, and experience working at Milgrim’s, Lisa Moran opened her boutique in 1990 in the old plaza on the westbound side of Van Aken, near Chagrin. “I was getting married. I wanted to have kids and do it my way,” Lisa recalls. “My kids were all in the store with me until they were about six months old.
I carved it out to be a mom and a business person.”
After about 10 years, Lee left. “She was terrific,” Lisa says. “I’ve had a lot of amazing women in my life – clients, of course, but others who have been so supportive in other ways as well.” Lisa credits her mother, a decorator who taught her design and tailoring, with giving her “the bug” for beautiful things and an appreciation for fabrics.
In 2006, the store moved to its present location in Eton. “We’re two stores in one – the European sportswear, cashmere sweaters, and tank tops, and then the gowns. We have over 500 gowns in our back room,” she says. “We have manufacturers all over, mostly with reps in New York. We have trunk shows several times a year, so customers see a manufacturer’s entire line. We have all sizes – maybe not in stock – but that’s the best thing about these shows. We have lines no one else in town has. I’m very protective of the lines I’ve curated and learned to work with for sizing and styling.”
For her 35th, Lisa held a party on August 27, 35 years to the day she opened. “On my one-year anniversary, I was having a baby,” she laughs.
“We never did much for the anniversaries – it was always getting the kids ready for school or college – most years the day would pass, and I didn’t even realize it, but this year it just felt like the year to do it.”
It hasn’t all been one big party, of course. “In the 2008 recession, I was afraid I was going to have to close, but there were Saudi families at the Clinic, and they bought every piece of cashmere I could get my hands on,” she recalls.
working with the second and third generations in terms of customers and their families. Her clients are local, of course, but also travel from Columbus, the Mahoning Valley, and from out of state.
Lisa muses about her success and what advice she’d give to a startup retailer. “Service is key for one. Don’t think this is a business just about money. You have to have that relationship with your customers but also your manufacturers.
“Then Covid closed me down for two months, but people bought gift cards, and we delivered birthday presents to people’s homes. I have also been lucky enough to have two good landlords who agreed to work with us, and amazing people who have supported the store.
Lisa’s aiming at a 40-year anniversary and hints that maybe her two daughters might join her soon. It would only be fitting, since she’s already
I want to do business with people who are interested in my business so if I have a problem they are on it. It’s priceless to have those kinds of relationships,” she says.
Lisa Moran Ltd., 28601 Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere, lisamoranltd.com
Maison Maison (nee Paysage) Richard and Jane Marquard invented their original operation, Paysage, in 1985 with a
The team at Maison Maison, back row: Jesse Marquard, AnnMarie Barta and Michele Ross Samek; front row: Richard and Jane Marquard
Paula Minello, Tina Tournoux, Pam Leikin, Olivia Dottore, Lisa Moran, Mary Simoncic, Liese Vito, Gina Palmer and Chris Fondas at Lisa Moran Ltd.
unique vision of blending French Country décor with a casual California
and in 1991, they opened on the east side, consolidating their stores in Cleveland Heights in 2001. In 2005 they moved to Wilmington NC, but by 2015 sold the business and the name Paysage to their employees, returning to their roots in Ohio. Today, they continue to offer the same inspired vision and service under the name Maison Maison.
Founders Richard and Jane Marquard have worked with their son Jesse for 25 years. The trio works beautifully together, their thoughts and comments tumbling out all in sync with each other. “When we started in 1985, French Country was very hot. We went to France regularly to buy,” Jane says. “But then the French government grew concerned they were losing their antiques too fast, and the economy started doing weird things, so we quietly drifted away from that style and brought in some modern elements. And it turned out – it all went well together,” Jane says.
“In 1985, there was no internet. Not even cell phones – the market was very different. But we wanted to offer a place where people could get furniture that was well-made, beautiful, and different than anything available at a big box store. We wanted people to be able to take their things home that day, and that set us apart at the beginning,” Richard says.
“Jesse was only 11 when we started,” Jane adds. “But even then, we were offering not only goods but services. We asked clients ‘how can we help with the rest of your house?’ and the answer was everything from upholstery to custom pieces, and a willingness to work with clients on their houses top to bottom, not just a little corner of the living room.”
“For clients these days, I think Jane and (designer) Michele consider all styles, including French country and twist it with traditional, and that’s now a style unto itself,” Jesse says. “We have 4,000 square feet of space filled with dozens of brands, but always offering a style that’s evolving. Something more than what’s in design magazines or websites. We offer comfort, style, and something you can’t quite put your finger on.” “Nobody in the city does what we do,” Richard adds. “We are a
potpourri of influences and exclusive vendors. Plus, we have experienced, knowledgeable designers with life experiences that other places just don’t have.”
Both Jane and Jesse (the ‘creatives’) indicate the business owes its success to Richard’s diligent leadership. “He’s navigated us through economic ups and downs, challenging times, even a pandemic,” they say together. For his part, Richard states that it’s the long-term customers who have offered tremendous support through various trends over the years. The family loves the fact that they are now working with children and grandchildren of their first clients, reveling in the tradition of buying quality items that will last for decades.
To recognize their milestone, Maison Maison is offering their affaire de chance this month. For their one-year anniversary in 1986, they obtained an antique ‘wheel of fortune,’ and tacked discounts on the wheel. This month, once a customer has committed to a purchase, they spin the wheel to receive 20 – 50% off.
Additional store events will continue through April 2026 to honor the 40th anniversary.
“As Richard says, we just want people to make their house their favorite place in the world,” Jesse says.
Maison Maison, 19126 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, maisonmaisoninteriors.com
Cindy Halle
“September 29, 1975, was the beginning of everything for us,” Cindy Halle says. Her family history is synonymous with fine fashion, furnishings, and attentive service ever since The Halle Brothers Company opened in 1891 in downtown Cleveland. The rise and decline of urban retail are topics worthy of economic white papers. However, retail is something Cindy Halle just can’t quit, and today her stand-alone store is a beacon of couture and style in Gates Mills.
at Eton with Chisholm Halle, a designer-driven boutique, which closed in 1996. “After that, I was a rep for Nina McLemore,” she says, referring to a top American designer who founded Liz Claiborne Accessories.
“Our clients come from all over. We offer very personal service, and I’m very involved. I try to be at all the fittings – that’s one of my things,” Cindy says. “And we are constantly getting new customers. We offer things to wear on an everyday basis. Our customers travel to Florida, so we have a summer room – cotton dresses and basic white shirts. We started with 700 square feet of space, but now we have 2500 square feet.”
Cindy talks about her stock. “We do a big business with Clara Williams, who perfected the magnetic clasp for jewelry. We have trunk shows, and I go to New York to buy. My niece Portia Hyde and my daughter Courtney Halle go with me as well – it’s sort of a family operation.” Like the other retailers profiled here, Cindy is on her second and third generation of customers.
She has recently added small gifts to her collection. “We have hostess gifts, notepads, and decoupage cocktail trays. I don’t have a lot of competition in Cleveland, but I don’t like stepping on other shops’ feet. I try to bring in things that people didn’t know they wanted. But we can also help people stock up for three or four months in Europe with a wrap or stole, shoes, everything.”
“When we started, most people worked in an office and you had to dress for it,” she says. “The business suit was sixty percent of your clothing, with the other forty percent was for social occasions. All the heads of Cleveland’s companies were our customers, dressing for business, for board meetings. It was a much dressier era. But that’s gone now.”
She mentions how Covid affected the whole system of retail with Zoom calls rather than in-person shopping. Long-time suppliers closed or stopped altogether. “I love getting dressed up,” she muses. “But it’s a whole different world that’s very casual now. Occasionally, girls come in wearing jeans – we would never have seen that years ago. But you can’t be back in the dark ages.”
She mentions retaining a loyal following of customers in the Cleveland area, but also has sales through her website. “We’re doing a lot of out-of-town business. We ship dresses all the time to buyers with their own tailor. We also have a seamstress and take care of fittings here,” she adds.
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Cindy and her team were one of the first tenants
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Cindy believes flexibility is key. “If you’re not flexible, you’re in trouble,” she says. “The staff talked me into a new point of sale system. And if you’re going to do this properly, it’s a way of life. Our hours are very civilized, 11 to 4. We all have lives, but for me, the job is 24-7, and text me on the weekends. I was on vacation last month. I can’t just say ‘I’ll be back in a week.’ No – I call the store – I tell my staff who’s coming in, and this is what they’d like. It’s a way of life. Worst of all, it’s addictive.
“We have a reputation for caring and quality, and we’ve proved it. We’re very focused on details. My success is in the details,” she adds. Cindy Halle, 1501 Chagrin River Road, Gates Mills, cindyhalle.com
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Cindy Halle at the door of her Gates Mills boutique, Cindy Halle!
“Summer Soiree 2025,” a benefit for Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens, continued the tradition of hospitality that the Dunhams started.
More than 200 guests attended the event on the museum grounds and helped to honor
Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens “Summer Soiree”
two prominent organizations. A round of applause was given to the Winery at Chateau Hough led by Brenda Frazier and Leo’s Casino Arts and Music Collaboratory founded by Ron Fuqua. In addition, attendees celebrated the ground breaking for the new
Ellner Saltzman Visitor Center. Construction of the Heritage Trail, a fully accessible walking pathway around the perimeter of the museum campus, is set to begin soon.
The evening included dinner and wine under the tent, a silent auction in the barn
and a musical performance by the R&R Rhythms Band. More than $30,000 was raised to benefit Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY
ERIC EAKIN
Car enthusiasts converge at Ursuline College for special show
The Jaguar Club of Ohio held its 52nd Concours d’Elegance and hosted the Sixth Annual European Auto Show at Ursuline College, Saturday, August 2, 2025. This is the 20th year for the Jaguar Club of Ohio to hold the Concours on the first Saturday of August on Ursuline’s beautiful front lawn.
The Jaguar Club of Ohio Concours celebrated the Jaguar
XJS models’ 50th year anniversary. On the front of the t-shirts this year, the club had the XJS growler symbol to give as a gift to all the volunteers, scorers and judges who helped with the shows. There were 65 Jaguars and the European Auto Show had 90 cars on the show field that day. Both the Concours and EAS had a total of 150 automobiles on the show field, a record for this event. Admission was free for spectators. There was music, food, 50/50 raffle and door prizes the show’s car owners. After the judging and scoring of points, awards for both the Jaguar Concours and the European Auto Show were
Fine automobiles on the lawn at Ursuline College at the Jaguar Club of Ohio’s 52nd Concours d’Elegance and sixth annual European Auto Show held on Saturday, Aug. 2.
given out to the recipients.
The Charity shows’ proceeds go to “New Directions”- which provides addiction recovery treatment services and rehabilitation programs in Cleveland, Ohio and “Sub Zero Missions”- which delivers hats, coats, gloves, boots, sleeping bags and other warming items to the homeless in Northeast Ohio and other regions during the winter.
Watch for the show to be held again next year on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Diane and Duncan Virostko
Bill and Laurie Nice, Martha Towns and Ellen Ilkanic
Fred Wheatt, Stephanie McHenry and Ron Fuqua
Andy Ellner, Brenda Ellner, Moses Ellner, Christine Pace, Pippa Ellner
Brenda Frazier and Lauren Murray
Theatre in the Circle: A Comeback Production
Theatre in the Circle was established in 2013 as a new theatrical incubator in the University Circle area. Founded by Bill and Mark Corcoran as an extension of Judson Senior Living’s internationally renowned program for cultural enrichment for its residents and members, Theatre in the Circle regularly produced shows until 2020, when the COVID pandemic changed the world and halted theatrical performances nationwide for several months.
On October 3, 4, and 5, 2025, Theatre in the Circle will partner with Judson Senior Living to stage a comeback with their production of “Always...Patsy Cline.” Based on a true story, it was created and originally directed by Ted Swindley. It powerfully documents Patsy’s life and career, featuring many of her recorded hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “You’re Cheatin’ Heart,” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.”
Starring Braelin Andrzejewski and Jacqi Loewy, with musical direction by Artistic Director Bill Corcoran, the show will once again transform Judson Manor’s historic and elegant Ballroom into a high-quality, intimate Theatre.
Theatre in the Circle is a production created by older adults for their peers. Thanks to the generous support from donors to Judson Foundation, this innovative program brings a vibrant touch of culture and creativity to the community. It truly embodies Judson’s mission of Bringing Community to Life by engaging older adults in meaningful artistic experiences.
Venue: Judson Manor Ballroom, 1890 E. 107th Street, Cleveland, OH
Show: “Always...Patsy Cline”
Dates: October 3, 7:30 pm, October 4, 7:30 pm, and October 5, 2 p.m.
Ticket price: $20 for the public – to purchase tickets or for more information visit: theatreinthecircle.org.
Center For The Arts presents ‘Rita Elswick: Photography Exhibition’
Beck Center for the Arts is proud to present “Rita Elswick: Photography Exhibition,” featuring this local artist’s framed photographs, prints, and cards. Inspired images of landscape, nature, and wildlife grace the walls of Beck Center’s Music and Creative Arts Therapies Building (MCAT).
Melinda Placko, Beck Center’s Associate Director of Visual Arts, and the curator for this exhibition says, “Rita is an actively exhibiting local photographer who has made photographs for over two decades. Beck Center is honored to celebrate her work with a solo exhibit.”
From the artist statement: “Capturing moments through photography allows Rita to help others see how beautiful the world can be, even with the struggle of pain or disability. Rita suffered a spinal cord injury 20 years ago that left her in so much despair, but photography has been a healing source of HOPE. The human spirit is amazing and has the ability to heal itself through art.”
These images will be on display and free for the public to experience from September 20, 2025 through January 15, 2026. All are welcome to a FREE, open to the public Artist Reception which will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., also in the MCAT building lobby.
Thank you to The Harry K. and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation for their generous support.
Lovely contemporary home with beautiful private yard for sale in Bratenahl
By RITA KUEBER
What made the current owner of 12866 Lake Shore in Bratenahl buy the property is the utterly amazing backyard. It’s like having your own private arboretum. Here, several slow-growth Japanese maples are well established and have a ‘wingspan’ of 20 feet. Here are 15-foot-high rhododendrons, there, a six-foot-high hydrangea, plus a holly tree that rises 40 feet, all on a very manageable .69 acres. Garden paths were deliberately graded for maximum views and enjoyment, reminiscent of the Japanese tradition of ‘forest bathing.’ “You can’t live in the backyard,” you say. Hold that thought.
When purchased, the house was a 1,700-square-foot ranch with two beds and a bath. The owner, an artist, used his months of Covid isolation to completely reimagine the house, and At Home is here to tell you – what an imagination! Working as his own general contractor, he used local, family-owned businesses to complete the work.
The result is a vastly improved contemporary space with clean lines and high ceilings. The new house is built around the old house with massive improvements and upgrades throughout. “Unique” is an overused term, but in this case, no other adjective will do, since At Home hasn’t seen anything like this previously.
The house is set back from the road, and one of those magnificent Japanese maples sits by the front door. Inside, the foyer has white walls and a soaring ceiling. The house-wide art-hanging system begins here, so bright colors or panels of texture and artwork can
easily be placed and rearranged.
To the right, the two original bedrooms show the bones of the house, built in 1954. These would be perfect for kids’ bedrooms, as they share an updated full bath, and down the hall, a staircase to a semi-private loft that floats above the kitchen, perfect for a play or study area.
From the foyer to the left, the original front room is now an airy, comfortable office space. The north-facing wall overlooking the front yard is all glass. Behind the foyer, using an L-shaped path, the gourmet kitchen is the heart of the house. A beautiful space, it too has a 19-foot-high ceiling, tons of storage in frosted-glass cabinets, tile backsplashes, a large center island made of poured quartzite, two Sub-Zeros, and a Viking range.
Just beyond the kitchen, separated from the ‘hallway’ by a built-in countertop, the back of the house reveals a huge open floor plan. The dining area is by the kitchen, the sitting area by the gas-burning fireplace, and all of it highlighted by a 38-by-10-foot-high movable glass wall that folds back to create seamless entry to the patio and the yard beyond. Here, the indoor and outdoor spaces marry, with an Arts & Crafts-style low fence to help define the area.
OK, hold it – a wall-sized opening in the great room? Insects, you say. Creatures, you say. The owner/builder has them beat. First, the air is in constant motion due to several ‘industrial strength’ Big-Ass Fans. (Yes, the company’s real name.) Plus, there’s the UV lighting, which encourages bugs to flit elsewhere. With the wall drawn open, the backyard looks like a
painting, and it’s not “out there,” but rather, “right here.”
Further back the house has a cozy family room or den, laundry room, and the primary bedroom with a very large, updated bath and walk-in closet. This suite also has a private patio, separate from the terrace off the dining/ great room. There is also a suite on the second floor which could be used as the primary suite, and it too has a spacious bedroom, private bath, and enormous walk-in closet.
The house at 12866 Lake Shore has 4,117
square feet with four bedrooms and four full baths on two levels – owner’s suite is on the first floor. No basement. Separate laundry room on the main floor. Attached two-car garage. Central air. Public water and sewer. Cleveland Municipal School District. Minutes to University Circle, highways, and downtown Cleveland. Represented by Craig Cantrall of Chestnut Hill Realty, the house is listed at $1,500,000 at press time with annual taxes of $5,369. Contact Craig Cantrell at 216-956-4090 or Craig@chr-inc.com
UPCOMING FINE ART AUCTIONS
Post War and Contemporary Art | September 25
Prints and Multiples | September 26
Impressionist and Modern Art | October 28
Old Masters and 19th Century European Art | November 4
Western and Contemporary Native American Art | November 6
American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists | December 7
INQUIRIES
Vaughn Smith | 216.292.8300 cleveland@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM
Line up for Cleveland Silent Film Festival’s fall screenings
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) will present its fall lineup through September 27, with screenings at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), as well as the fall festival’s closing screening at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.
The CMA is partnering with CSFF on the screenings below, all celebrating centennials:
Lady Windermere’s Fan (1925), directed by Ernst Lubitsch, accompanied by a live quintet of musicians from Cleveland Photoplayers, directed by Rodney Sauer
A double bill of René Clair comedies with live music by Philip Carli and Eric Charnofsky, commemorating 100 years of the Art Deco movement, presented in conjunction with CMA’s exhibition Rose Iron Works and Art Deco
Buster Keaton’s beloved 1925 comedy Go West , with a Cleveland-based ensemble enhanced by sound effects by Radio on the Lake Theatre.
The final screening of the September festival will be Faust (1926), at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, accompanied with an original score by the Los Angelesbased metal band the Silent Light, who play live. Cinematheque is partnering with CSFF on this event.
Tickets are required for all screenings. Visit clevvelandsilentfilmfest.org/events. Or, events at the Cleveland Museum of Art may be purchased at clevelandart.org/ performingarts. Tickets to Faust are available at cinematheque.cia.edu/showtimes/faust.
Lady Windermere’s Fan, adapted from the play by Oscar Wilde and considered one of director Ernst Lubitsch’s most sophisticated silent comedies, screens at 7:30, Friday, Sept. 19.
René Clair’s surreal comedies, Paris Qui Dort (1925) and Entr’acte (1924), will be presented Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m., with a compilation score using French music from the 1920s. This screening will be preceded by
a 1:30 p.m. panel discussion on silent film music moderated by pianist Eric Charnofsky (Cleveland, Ohio). The panelists include some of the best local and regional practitioners of the art: Philip Carli (Rochester, N.Y.), Rodney Sauer (Louisville, Colo.), David Blazer (Cleveland, Ohio), and Donnie Rankin (Ravenna, Ohio).
Go West will be presented on Sunday, Sept 21, with a compilation score, with sound effects by Radio on the Lake Theatre (ROLT). Radio on the Lake Theatre previously provided sound effects for the CSFF screening of All Quiet on the Western Front in 2024. ROLT creates opportunities for a new generation through script development, voice acting and sound effects instruction, educational initiatives and outreach to underserved communities, including low- and no-vision children and adults.
Gabe Pollock, Director of Performing Arts for the CMA, said: “Building on the success of last year’s partnership, CMA is excited to host screenings in Gartner Auditorium as part of the Cleveland Silent Film Festival. We know folks love to see films being presented at the museum and the fact that the Cleveland Silent Film Festival is showing films from the same era as the metalwork on view in the Rose Iron Works and Art Deco exhibit allows visitors to really immerse themselves in art and culture from the 1920s.”
Faust, which will be shown at the C.I.A.’s Cinematheque, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. will be accompanied live by The Silent Light, a Los Angeles-based metal band that specializes in playing for silent films. Bilgesu Sisman, director of the Cinematheque, said, “I’m excited to host the Silent Light at the Cinematheque. Musical scores have a tremendous impact on how movies are enjoyed. Modern approaches to silent film accompaniment like the Silent Light’s metal offerings turn classics like Faust into novel experiences for those who already love the film and invite new audiences to see and appreciate silent films.”
CSFF Executive Director Emily Laurance, a Cleveland Heights resident, said, “I’m thrilled to be back at the Cleveland Museum of Art this year and to be working again with the Cinematheque. We’re excited about the variety and the high quality of the guest
musicians, and the opportunity to showcase a diverse set of films to the Northeast Ohio community. We’re also pleased to be partnering with the Radio on the Lake Theatre sound effects team in our screening of Buster Keaton’s Go West. Combined with Rodney Sauer’s original compilation score, it should make for a fun and engaging show!”
ABOUT THE CLEVELAND SILENT FILM FESTIVAL & COLLOQUIUM: Founded in 2022, The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium is dedicated to bringing the highest quality silent films to Northeast Ohio with live music from some of the world’s leading practitioners of film music accompaniment. We believe in the timeless power of visual storytelling to move people through gestures and music, and we strive to make these experiences accessible to our community. For more information, visit clevelandsilentfilmfestival.org
