Currents July 20, 2023

Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network

INSIDE

Summer soirÉes

Senior living

Luxury real estate

DEPARTMENTS

A6 FOOD Join the “know-your-farmer” movement

By Cynthia Schuster Eakin

A7 IN THE CLE Zoo set to soon open Susie’s Bear Hollow

By Lauri Gross

A9 THEATRE Sister playwrights bring Erma Bombeck’s story to life on stage

By Linda Feagler

B2 AT HOME Gracious Gates Mills Georgian Colonial set on six acres for sale

By Rita Kueber

FEATURES

A5 ANTIQUES ‘Antiques Roadshow’ crew visits Stan Hywet

By Cynthia Schuster Eakin

A6 SUMMER FUN

Popular Vintage Ohio wine festival set for Aug. 4-5 at Lake Farmpark

A11SENIOR LIVING

Experts say aging well requires activity, engagement and sense of belonging

By Rita Kueber

B2 REAL ESTATE

Empty nesters, retirees often seek newer, low-maintenance housing options

By Rita Kueber

EDITOR’S NOTE

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to abandon the July print version of Currents. Instead, please help us spread the word that Currents is, has been, and can be found online at currentsneo.com, where you will find the same benefit coverage and other content that you have come to expect and enjoy monthly in Currents. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The sunny, sweltering, longer days that typically fill the month of July seem to bring out the child in most of us…days full of promise, best spent outdoors in swimsuits, shorts and flip-flops, and light-filled evenings that call us outside to linger just a little longer until darkness falls, and the sky suddenly fills with a magnificent light show of tiny flashes from lightning bugs, a uniquely July phenomenon in my backyard.Ponder and reflect on all the things you most love most about summertime and focus on those … the season is short-lived, but beloved by the child in most all of us!

July is the month that I annually plan for a week’s vacation. The hectic daily routine at the office slows just a bit, and the phones don’t ring quite as often, allowing for some time away before the demands of late summer and early fall set in. I set out in my car and travel to a very special, small summer cottage in New York. My great-grandparents had it built as a wedding gift for my grandparents, who then lived in it, entertained, used and preserved it summer after summer, making it possible for generations of our family to travel there to rest, relax, refresh,and unplug. It’s not winterized and was never meant to be. So,we are not “snowbirds,” who choose to escape the cold, snowy winters we experience here.

Instead, we are summer birds, heading for this special place on a lake near some of the country’s best rivers and streams for fly-fishing, beautiful trails and parks for hiking and camping, back roads for exploring and rural yet beautiful countryside worth capturing in paintings and photographs.

I truly look forward to our “Gracious Living” time there. My maternal grandparents coined the phrase “Gracious Living” long before my sister and I were born. They would enjoy this special time in the summer, set aside each day just to be together, or with family and friends who might be visiting. It’s a time when people gather together on the screened front porch to talk and reminisce with a cocktail or a soda pop and snacks. It starts at 4:30 and lasts no longer than an hour. It’s short and sweet but it’s a tradition they started and continues to be relished by all of us still today. When life is good, we are all there vacationing together, and as nice as it is to float away our days on the lake in the sunshine as we do, we drag ourselves away to be present for Gracious Living! While my grandparents passed away long ago, I can still picture them both on that porch - Gram on the glider with a gin and tonic, Grandad on the chaise lounge with a cold Budweiser and my sister and me with a pink Tab can in hand … talking, laughing, and carrying on! I hope you will all be inspired to create a time for some Gracious Living of your own with family and friends before this summer ends!

If you’re not vacationing this month, there is still plenty to take in before sports practices and school begin once again. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is soon to unveil new exhibits in the form of Susie’s Bear Hollow, the new home for Andean and sloth bears and nearly triple the size of the former bear habitats. While there, don’t miss seeing Rocket, Cleveland’s newest male giraffe at 16 feet and still growing, and Tighee, the first bison calf ever born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Read page A7 for more details about all that’s new at the zoo this season!

Farmer’s Markets are going strong at this time of year, and Cynthia Schuster Eakin writes on page A6 about the get to “know your farmer movement” made possible through our many local farm markets, recipes included! Another way to spend a summer afternoon is to head to Lake Farmpark in Kirtland on August 5 or 6 for the perennially popular Vintage Ohio festival, with so much planned, you need to read page A9 and mark your calendars for two days of great food, refreshments, vendors and more! Sister playwrights, originally from Chagrin Falls, will bring Erma Bombeck’s story to life on stage at the Cleveland Play House in a one-woman show set to run July 29 through August 20, detailed on page A9. The BorderLight Fringe Festival will take place August 3-5 on 15 stages in the Playhouse Square Neighborhood, detailed on page A10.

Enjoy this July issue of Currents, and make some time this summer to rest, relax, reflect and recharge! ~ KELLI COTESWORTH McLELLAN

ON OUR COVER

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

AMANDA PETKIEWICZ

Creative Director and General Manager

Summertime is ideal for Northeast Ohioans to get out and support the many Summer Soirees taking place, with this issue full of such special events! Of course, it’s also an ideal time to take a vacation, which many do before school-related activities begin once again. Better yet, it’s prime time to visit the shores of our Great Lake, photographed at sunset on our cover this month.

KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN Editor

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

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Peggy Turbett

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S: Jim Dalessandro

AD DESIGNERS: Connie Gabor, Ashley Gier

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

ABOUT NEWMARK We Transform Untapped Potential into Limitless Opportunity

At Newmark, we don’t just adapt to what our partners need—we adapt to what the future demands. Our integrated platform delivers seamlessly connected services tailored to every type of client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and growing startups to leasing companies. We think outside of boxes, buildings and business lines, delivering a global perspective and a nimble approach. From reimagining spaces to engineering solutions, we have the vision to see what’s next and the tenacity to get there first.

‘Antiques Roadshow’ crew pays a visit to Stan Hywet

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

As seen on TV! The cast and crew of “Antiques Roadshow,” PBS’ most-watched ongoing series, recently made a stop in Northeast Ohio. They visited Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron for an all-day appraisal as part of the series’ 28th production tour.

“Holding events at properties like Stan Hywet provides an enriching experience for our guests and audiences that they may otherwise miss,” Marsha Bemko, Roadshow executive producer said. “Our cameras blanket the property, capturing appraisals with the action of the event as a backdrop and when possible, taking our audience ‘backstage’ to learn about meaningful history and cultures across the country.”

At each appraisal event, guests receive free verbal evaluations of their antiques and collectibles by experts from the country’s leading auction houses and independent dealers. Each ticketed guest is invited to bring two items for appraisal. The appraisers volunteer their time in exchange for being featured on the show, according to Bemko.

A ticket sweepstakes is held to determine who will be an attendance at each appraisal. There are five locations on the 2023 production tour. In addition to Stan Hywet, other locations are: the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, LA; North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC; Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA; and Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, AK.

The third location on the tour, Stan Hywet had the largest number of sweepstakes entrants, with 27,452 people from all across the country applying for 2,700 pairs of tickets. At each of the five tour events, the Antiques Roadshow crew records around 150 appraisals. Of those, about 30 will appear in each episode. Three shows will be produced from the Stan Hywet event.

As attendees gained entrance to the grounds, they were directed to the Triage area to have their items assessed. There, the items were divided according to the area of expertise of the appraisers. Those selected to be filmed were sent to the Green Room to prepare them for taping. There were seven filming areas at Stan Hywet, with one roving crew.

“We stay at each location until everyone in attendance has had an opportunity to have their items seen and appraised,” Marsha Bemko noted. “Everything is interesting. Some things generate real excitement among the appraisers.” Bemko said one attendee at Stan Hywet arrived with a painting that they claimed was by Whistler. “Our appraisers were scurrying to determine whether that was true by the end of the day,” she added.

“You might wonder if the items you brought have a hidden history, or if your find is worth a fortune. Our experts are ready to help solve that mystery. Even after hours of non-stop action, when appraising a unique item, we often hear appraisers say, ‘thank you for making my day’,” Bemko noted.

Antiques Roadshow paid its last visit to Northeast Ohio in 2015. Bemko said they like to visit cities all across the country. “Our advance team looks at all possible locations. We are careful where we go. Not every location will welcome us. We are a lot of company. I have huge pride in how well we pull these events off,” she added.

At the end of the day, attendees are invited to the feed-

back area to offer comments about their day at the show.

“Even if their items were not featured, they still have an opportunity to get on camera,” Bemko said.

Expert appraisers determine what items are worth or if they have a hidden history.

BENEFIT BEAT

Thursday, July 20...40th Anniversary Celebration, to benefit Family Connections, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave. Cleveland. Celebrate our past, present and future. Tickets are $125. Business Casual Attire. Call 216.921.2023 or 216.321.0079.

Sunday, July 23…Blossom Summer Soiree, to benefit Cleveland Orchestra’s summer festival at Blossom Music Center. Enjoy magic, music and merriment with a 4 p.m. cocktail hour and 5 p.m. dinner in Knight Grove and a 7 p.m. “Two Pianos” concert. Tickets start at $250. Visit clevelandorchestra.org.

Saturday, July 29…A Summer Night’s Dream, to benefit Future Heights, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. FutureHeights is an independent community development corporation (CDC). This fifth annual benefit celebrates 21 years of service to the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities. Enjoy music, dancing, delicious bites, and libations from a variety of the Heights’ finest establishments. Individual tickets start at $150. For more info, visit: https://www.futureheights.org/annualbenefit2023/.

Sunday, July 30…Butterfly Bash, to benefit Project White Butterfly, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Albert The Great Parish Life Center, 6667 Wallings Rd., North Royalton, 44133. An afternoon of fundraising that will include raffle baskets, Southern Thangs Food Truck, Project White Butterfly Card Corner, Dispelling Stigma Display and a Live Butterfly Release commemorating those we love. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children.

Tuesday, Aug. 1...Gift of Life, to celebrate Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital and the generations of people served, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The family-friendly event includes special programming, admission to the Asian Lantern Festival, complimentary carousel rides, raffles and refreshments.Visit http://www.communitywestfoundation.org for ticket information

Friday, Aug. 4...”Twilight at the Zoo” to benefit the Cleveland Zoological Society at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. One of the summer’s most anticipated parties features local music on various stages. Admission to the VIP area from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is $200. General admission from 7 p.m. to midnight is $90 during June, and $100 in July and August. Visit http:// www.clevelandzoosociety.org to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Aug. 12…New Moon Under the Stars, to benefit In Step with Horses, 6 to 9 p.m. at Laurel School’s Butler campus in the Conway Pavilion. Always the best party of the summer, enjoy a fun evening with friends with live music by Second Avenue, specialty cocktails by Tito’s, a specialty bourbon bar, scrumptious food stations, fabulous desserts, a silent auction, raffles and more! Proceeds support our mental health program that provides a safe place for children, teens and adults to balance their mental health.Tickets are on sale at https://instepwithhorses. org/new-moon-under-the-stars-2023/ and will not be available at the door.

Stan Hywet had the largest number of sweepstakes entrants, with 27,452 people applying for 2,700 pairs of tickets. (Photographs by Eric Eakin)

Expert Appraiser Richard Cervantes, SVP/ Director of Asian Works of Art for Doyle New York.

Join the ‘know your farmers movement’ at a local market

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

If you want to eat farm-to-table healthy, you have to know the farmer. The best place to get acquainted with your farmers is at your local farmers’ market.

Elm Run Farms has been family-owned for five generations, over the course of 125 years. “My husband’s great, great grandfather purchased the farm in 1893,” Sandy Ressler said. She and her husband Ken took over running Elm Run Farms in 2011. “It was always a dairy farm. My husband works in dairy nutrition, helping dairy farmers with their herd health and helping them get the most milk. He has been doing that for 40 years. When we bought the farm, we thought,‘How hard can it be to add a few beef cattle?’ It has been quite a process. It has been a learning curve.”

The Resslers operate their farm on the philosophy that food should be raised as naturally as possible. This is done through responsible farming and by producing naturally raised, minimally processed food. Cows are never given grain. They are 100 percent grass fed. Chickens, turkeys and pigs are pasture-raised and given only non-GMO feed. No chemical fertilizers are used on Elm Run Farm pastures.

“There is a know-your-farmer movement these days. There is a lot going on at those big company farms that you don’t know about,” Sandy Ressler said. “When you buy locally, you know what you are buying. You can visit the farm to see what is going on there. We have regular customers who tell us that our food tastes so much better than the food you can get at a chain grocery store. Our food is healthier. It is raised without hormones, steroids and antibiotics.”

Elm Run Farms, located in Orrville, OH, provides naturally raised food to itsneighbors in Wayne, Ashland, Medina, Cuyahoga, Holmes, Lorain, Stark, Summit and Geauga counties. Their grass-fed beef, pork, chicken and turkey, eggs and maple syrup can be purchased at the farm and at the Frostville Farmers’ Market. Go to www. elmrunfarms.com for contact information.

It has been a little over a year since longtime friends

Colin Casteele and Zach Douglas of Earthly Delights Mushroom Company started growing mushrooms. “The idea came to us gradually as we both began to learn about mushrooms through foraging, gardening, and small DIY grow projects here and there,” Douglas said. “Eventually, Colin pitched the idea that we set up a grow tent at his house and sell mushrooms at a market. In less than a year, that idea has now grown into a tent that is two times the

size of the original, a dedicated lab room for sterile procedure, and a second grow tent in the works at my house. Simply put, we are fascinated by fungi.”

Douglas said their priority is to build community through the local production of nutritious and tasty mushrooms, sharing their passion and knowledge along the way. Casteele and Douglas minimize their environmental impact by prioritizing low-waste packaging and giving any ‘waste’ a second life.

“Over the past year, we have experimented with quite a handful of mushroom varieties, but we have chosen Blue Oyster and Lion’s Mane as our mainstays,” Douglas noted. “That being said, we will be adding golden oysters and pink oyster mushrooms periodically throughout the warmer months, and king oysters this summer.”Earthly

Delights Mushroom Company mushrooms are available weekly at the Frostville Farmer’s Market. Visit www. earthlydelightsmushroom.co for contact information.

The Frostville Farmer’s Market, 24101 Cedar Point Rd. in North Olmsted, is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market has more than 35 vendors and market manager Angela Obbish lists the vendors in attendance, special guests and live entertainment each week on Facebook at www.facebook.com/frostvillemarket.

Brined Pork Chops on the Grill

(Elm Run Farms)

2 lbs. pork chops

2 C. water (or enough to cover chops)

Pink salt or Real salt (I T. per cup of water)

Dried basil (1 t. or to taste)

Dried sage (1 t. or to taste)

Onion powder (1 t. or to taste)

Black pepper (1/8 t. or to taste)

Dissolve salt in water and add seasonings. Pour over chops and let sit for one to four hours. Drain brine and discard. Grill chops over medium heat until top begins to turn white. Flip

May Dugan Center “Summer Soiree”

May Dugan Center marked 54 years of serving the community with its newest event, “Summer Soiree.”

The more than 300 guests who attended the benefit at Windows on the River enjoyed beautiful waterfront views, delicious food, a silent auction and raffle baskets, magic and music. The $50,000 in funds raised will support the center’s core service programming. From mental health counseling to victim services, to food or clothing, the May Dugan Center is there to help.

Last year, May Dugan Center served more than 20,000 clients. It is the largest food bank in the community, providing 561,285 meals to 6,700 families in 2022 through

its food distribution program. The center supported 412 survivors of crime through the Trauma Recovery Center, and served 501 people with mental health and addiction counseling. May Dugan Center offered individualized tutoring to 181 people through its Education and Resource Center and provided monthly well-child visits for 95 pregnant and parenting teens. These programs make a dramatic difference in the lives of Clevelanders seeking to overcome barriers such as poverty, mental illness and trauma.

STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

over and cook until done, or eight to 10 minutes on each side.

Adjust according to heat and preference for doneness.

Smokey Chipotle Oyster Sammie

(Earthly Delights Mushroom Co.)

½ lb. fresh Oyster mushrooms

Olive oil

3 T. mayonnaise

½ t. ground chipotle pepper

Juice from ½ lime

Kosher salt or smoked salt

Spinach, washed and sliced

Broccoli sprouts

Bread slices

Heat olive oil in a pan. Cook mushrooms thoroughly, tossing occasionally. You will know when they are done when they have released their moisture and browned slightly. While cooking, mix together the mayonnaise, chipotle, lime juice and salt. Toast the bread. Assemble the sandwich ingredients: mushrooms, spinach, broccoli sprouts, and drizzle with the chipotle-lime mayonnaise. Serves two.

Lion’s Mane “Lobster” Rolls

(Earthly Delights Mushroom Co.)

1 lb. Lion’s Mane mushrooms, trimmed and diced

1 t. smoked paprika

¼ C. mayonnaise

¼ C. celery, minced

2 green onions, diced

1 T. lemon juice

1 t. lemon zest

Kosher salt, to taste

¼ t. fresh ground black pepper

4 split-top brioche buns

4 T. butter

1 T. chives, minced

Heat oil in a pan. While cooking the diced mushrooms, sprinkle them with smoked paprika and a pinch of salt. Once cooked through, turn off the heat. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and refrigerate until chilled. In a medium bowl, mix together the chilled mushrooms, mayonnaise, celery, onions, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Toast or grill the buns and spread with butter. Dollop the mushroom mixture on the buns. Sprinkle with chives. Serve immediately. Serves four.

Photograph courtesy of Earthly Delights Mushroom Company

Photograph courtesy of the Frostville Farmers’ Market

Thomas Marzella and Rick Kemm with Christ and Jen Halapy

Libby and Tom McGraw with Gina Gavlak and Joyce Ng

Rebecca Monge Hidalgo, Kim Heinen and Patricia Loudermilk

Ricardo Pineiros with Sandi and Marvin Cox and Patty Kaplan

Steve Hurshman and Alicia Mathias with Connie, Angela and Dominic Vannucci

Karen Morris, Dolly Herschel, Butch Robbins and Ciara Ahern

Zoo set to unveil new exhibit called Susie’s Bear Hollow

By LAURI GROSS

Beginning in mid-to-late July, visitors to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will discover brand new bear habitats that put humans in close viewing contact with bears in four new exhib its known collectively as Susie’s Bear Hollow.

“We anticipate opening Susie’s Bear Hollow in the coming weeks,” Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo said in late June. “There is no set date but we will open it as soon as construction is complete and the animals are comfortable in their new home.”

Construction began last summer on the new exhib its that will be home to Andean and sloth bears, species that are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In addition to being nearly triple the size of the former bear exhibits – which were 50 years old - the four exhibits in Susie’s Bear Hol low are designed to enhance guest viewing and animal care efforts. Susie’s Bear Hollow is part of the Zoo’s Wil derness Trek.

With more complex habitats for the animals, features of the 18,600 square-feet Susie’s Bear Hollow include climbing structures, elevated resting areas and dig pits to provide opportunities for the bears’ natural behaviors as well as future reproduction of these keystone species.

New viewing areas will allow guests to get nose-tonose with the bears. An immersive treehouse, centered in Bear Hollow, will allow guests to have nearly 360-degree views of the new habitats. A separate viewing area will allow guests to get up-close views of animal care staff conducting training for bear health and husbandry monitoring.

Dr. Kuhar explains, “We have two sloth bears onsite and ready for the exhibit completion. We have identified a male Andean bear that we hope to arrive in time for exhibit opening. We are working on identifying a female Andean bear. We’re looking forward to opening up a new and dynamic space for our sloth and Andean bears and sharing more information on our animal care efforts

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit an event, wedding or announcement

Saturday, Aug. 12…Second Line Parade + Sneaker Ball, to benefit Karamu House, 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland. Dress code is all white attire and sneakers. This event to benefit Karamu House recognizes the African American tradition of the New Orleans second line parade, a funeral procession and a celebration of life and honors the many notable Clevelanders and Karamu alumni now residing in Lake View Cemetery. After the parade, guests will enjoy live music, dancing, Creole fare and drinks. Tickets are $250 per person; young professionals ages 25-40, $100 per person. Visit karamuhouse.org for more information.

Friday, August 18…Twilight Soiree, to benefit The Foundation for Geauga Parks, 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Meadow Ridge Events, 17305 Mayfield Rd., Huntsburg Twp. Enjoy an evening of dinner, music, live and silent auctions, and socializing with others who have the common interests of protecting natural resources and educating our next generation. Proceeds from Twilight Soiree directly impact our support of land conservation, park improvements and nature education in Geauga County. Tickets & details are available now at https://bit.ly/FGPTwilightSoiree.

Sunday, Aug. 20…Cleveland’s Top Chefs, to benefit International Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute’s Scholarship Fund, Inc., 4 to 7 p.m. at International Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute, 8700 Mayfield Road, Chesterland 44026. More than a dozen top chefs from Cleveland will donate their time and talent to raise needed scholarship funds for students to pursue their dream of becoming a chef in the Culinary and Pastry Arts despite their economic status. Enjoy tasting plates and sweet treats, Brix Chocolate Wine Pairing, Wine and Beer, Bourbon Tasting Bar, Music and Complimentary Valet Parking. Opportunities to win amazing prizes. Tickets are $150 per person. Visit icasischolarshipfund.org.

Saturday, Sept. 9…Chefs Unbridled, to benefit Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, 6 p.m. at Chagrin Valley Hunt Club Polo Field, 7620 Old Mills Rd. , Gates Mills. Enjoy an evening of delicious food prepared by amazing chefs led by Chefs Chris Hodgson and Scott Kuhn of Driftwood Hospitality, along with a food truck, cocktails, a wine pull, a bourbon barrel raffle, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Proceeds to benefit the programs and students at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. Tickets start at $175. To purchase, visit fieldstonefarm.org/support-us or call 440.708.0013, ext. 123.

Saturday, Sept. 9…BLOOMFEST, to benefit BigHearted Blooms, 6 to 9 p.m. at The Conference Center at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, 11890 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, 44120. This festive evening will include cocktails, food, live music, silent auction and community building. We celebrate five years of spreading joy and hope through recycled and repurposed flowers. Every five dollars raised will deliver another floral bouquet that brings comfort, healing and a sense of connection to those in care facilities throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Tickets are $100 per person. Visit bigheartedblooms.org to purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities.

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

Tuesday, Sept. 12…Fall into Fashion, to benefit University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Shoreby Club (40 Shoreby Drive, Bratenahl.) Fashions are provided by Toni-In-Style. Mistress of Ceremonies is Hollie Strano, meteorologist at WKYC Studios; and the speaker, Kerianne Hearns is sharing the story of her son, Brendan Hearns, “A Trauma Journey”. The event is a luncheon and fashion show to also include boutique shopping starting at 10:30am. A rose raffle and auction will be

This site plan for Susie’s Bear Hollow, the new home for Andean and sloth bears at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, shows the four exhibit areas of the new space, which, at about 19,000 square feet, is nearly triple the size of the former bear exhibits. Photograph courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

through the new habitat features like the training area.”

The $8.5 million Susie’s Bear Hollow project is supported by $3.5 million from the Cleveland Zoological Society including a leadership gift from a long-term donor. Of course, Susie’s Bear Hollow is not the only new development at the Zoo. Just in time for World Giraffe Day which is recognized annually in June, a new Massai giraffe arrived at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo from New Jersey’s Turtle Back Zoo. The new giraffe, named Rocket, is a seven-year-old male who joined Cleveland’s

present as well. For information on how to purchase tickets, or sponsor the event, please contact Sandra Treppo at 216.287.1934.

Thursday, Sept. 14…Cross Out Cancer, to benefit Seidman Cancer Center & Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at Rainbow Babies & Children’s, 5:30 p.m. at The Shoreby Club, Bratenahl, 44108. An evening to benefit immunotherapy cancer care and research in memory of Mary Ann Cross.

female adult giraffes Jada and Jhasmin. At about 16 feet tall, Rocket is the tallest giraffe in Cleveland’s zoo, and he’s still growing.

The Zoo’s new residents also include Tighee (pronounced ty-gee), the first bison calf ever born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Visitors will find him, and the rest of the Zoo’s bison, in the Zoo’s Wilderness Trek. Tighee is also the name of a Shoshone Chief and all funds generated by the bison naming opportunity that concluded earlier this summer will go to the Eastern Shoshone Buffalo

Enjoy a stunning sunset while sipping cocktails and samplings of exquisite wines on the shore of Lake Erie, followed by dinner, live entertainment. The evening will showcase cutting-edge immunotherapy clinical trials and celebrate the pediatric, adolescent and adult patients benefiting from this life-saving care and research. The evening includes a stellar silent auction.Complimentary valet parking. Sponsorships, tables and tickets available. Contact Sharon.klonowski@uhhospitals.org.

At 16 feet tall, Rocket, a seven-year-old male giraffe who recently arrived at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is the Zoo’s tallest giraffe and he’s still growing. Photograph courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Program that helps conserve the remaining bison. And, don’t miss the Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival on select days through August 27. The festival features live acrobatic performances every hour on the Fifth Third Bank Stage and a variety of culturally inspired cuisine at the MetroHealth Asian Food Market. There are Instagrammable moments and large-scale displays, including a nearly 40-foot-tall giant lantern, walk-through tunnels and a 150-foot-long Enchanted Garden Experience presented by CrossCountry Mortgage. On select nights, guests will be able to drive through the festival in their personal vehicles. This drive-through experience is presented by proud partner Serpentini Chevrolet. Asian Lantern Festival is a separate ticketed event that provides entry to the Zoo when the event begins each night. Regular Zoo admission does not provide entry to the Asian Lantern Festival. Visit ClevelandMetroparksZoo.com for more information.

Thursday, September 21…Chagrin Falls Community Builders Award, to benefit The Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, at the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club. This year’s honoree is Marcia Snavely, well known keyboardist whose talents are shared with many. This event is sponsored by the Free and Accepted Masons Golden Gate Lodge #245, Chagrin Falls. Tickets are $100 and include two free wine or beer, cash bar, dinner and dessert. Make reservations online at www.CVCBA.org.

Ingenuity Cleveland

“Bal: Biotique: Planting Seeds of Innovation”

Ingenuity Cleveland hosted Bal: Biotique: Planting Seeds of Innovation, a “one of a kind not quite gala experience” on May 6, at the Hamilton Collaborative for 500 attendees. This richly programmed costume ball and fundraiser is an annual event to unite artists, entrepreneurs, and performers in the creation of a unique landscape of music, dance, comestibles and a themed enclave to explore. Since 2004, Ingenuity Cleveland has ignited a creative spark among artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators through joy and collaboration to foster community progress.

Bal-goers donned flora- and fauna-inspired clothing for an enchanted evening during which fantastical human creatures roamed the space. Organizers even provided a hands-on craft bar for attendees to create their own accessories of masks, headgear, and floral arrangements courtesy of Big Hearted Blooms, a non-profit that delivers joy through recycled flowers.

The event is unique in that guests could have individual fortunes told by Madame Sascha, handle reptiles on display courtesy of Herps Alive Foundation, ride on bumper cars, and experience hands-on demonstrations of printmaking, soldering, and welding, all in the rapidly

Boys Hope Girls Hope “Evening of Hope”

The twelfth annual “Evening of Hope” took place during graduation season to celebrate the Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars who are completing high school and postsecondary programs.

The event began with a cocktail reception for 250 guests on Haslam athletic field. A seated dinner on the Campus of Hope was catered by Dante. The evening’s program included the presentation of the Pillar of Hope Award to Raylyn Trice. The Anne B. O’Donnell Heart of Service Award was given to Michael Boeschenstein, chairman of the Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH) board of directors.

The Pillar of Hope Award recognizes an individual who models the values that Boys Hope Girls Hope works to instill in the young people it serves. For the second consecutive year, the Pillar of Hope Award winner is a BHGH graduate. Raylyn Trice is an alumna who began her BHGH journey as a member of the first Academy cohort in 2007.

Named in honor of former BHGH board member and executive director Anne B. O’Donnell, the Heart of Service Award recognizes an individual who has made remarkable contributions and possesses an unwavering commitment to the scholars of Boys Hope Girls Hope. Under the leadership of Anne O’Donnell, the organization’s program grew from a single home for boys in Cuyahoga Falls to a program that today serves more than 200 scholars in Northeast Ohio. This year, Michael Boeschenstein was honored for his 18 years of service as a friend, volunteer and for the past four years, leadership as board chair.

Boys Hope Girls Hope inspires, nurtures and challenges academically capable and motivated young people to reach their full potential through over a decade of programming and partnership. “Evening of Hope” raised more than $100,000 to support scholarship programs.

STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

expanding IngenuityLabs facility in Cleveland’s St. ClairSuperior neighborhood, its year-round home.

Party-goers danced to music by Nathan Paul & The Admirables with funky soulful earth tones fronted by his saxophone rhythms. Trumpeter Wave Magnetik combined musical forces with Lebanese performing artist Rowan Atallah to deliver a musical blend of jazz and Middle Eastern influences. Entertainment also included salsa dance demonstrations by Viva Dance Studio, aerial and juggling performances by Crooked River Circus, and DJ sets by SqrBiz and Splice-Cream Truck. Guests enjoyed small bites from local restaurateurs, local brews from Goldhorn Brewery, and craft cocktails from Watershed Brewery.

Look for details of IngenuityFest 2023, Biologies & Geologies, taking place September 22-24. Visit ingenuitycleveland.org, with additional details on its Facebook and Instagram pages. The annual IngenuityFest has pushed boundaries, inspired audiences, and uplifted urban places, nurturing makers, doers, and learners of all types throughout Cleveland to come and fire up their imagination. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA

C. TURNER

Artists Archives of the Western Reserve “The Egg and the Obelisk”

An air of mystery hung over “The Egg and The Obelisk,” a scavenger hunt fundraiser to benefit the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve.

Each of the 250 ticket-holding detectives was given a secret clue to track down one of more than 65 ostrich eggs, hand-painted by some of Northeast Ohio’s premier artists. The search for the eggs was conducted on the grounds of the Artists Archives’ very quiet neighbors in historic Lake View Cemetery. As a reward for their efforts, participants got to keep the decorated eggs they uncovered. The $17,000 in proceeds raised at the benefit event will help the archives renovate and expand their gallery and office space.

The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve is an archival facility and regional museum that preserves representative bod-

ies of work created by Ohio visual artists and retains this cultural heritage for the benefit of the community. The Artists Archives was founded in 1996 by Cleveland sculptor David E. Davis and eight other prominent area artists: Shirley Aley Campbell, David A Haberman, William Martin Jean, Robert Jergens, Patricia Zinsmeister Parker, Phyllis Seltzer, Phyllis Lester Sloane and Randall Tiedman. The founders recognized that, upon an artist’s demise, important parts of the region’s culture heritage could be abandoned or mishandled. They envisioned a facility where archived work could be preserved, displayed and studied. The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve houses a 1500-foot art gallery, offices, and temperature and humidity-controlled storage space. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

George and Lisa Smith with Mike Bruder and Iris Mirelez

Megan Yousef with Nori Dubusker

Sue Weir, Kim Metheny, Christy Cunningham, and Chrystal Jones

Michael Harms with Hanna Matzek

John Rzeczycki and Laura Vergis Laura Cantley with Amia Wheatley

Alice Armstrong, Stephanie Eisele, Jean Gokorsch, Cindy Ames Huffman and Ann King

Susie Mead, Anne Ames, Susie Austin and Karen Converse

Edward and Barbara Marshall with Raylyn Trice and Tim Grady

Todd and Susan Locke, Carlotta Boeschenstein, Marilee and Dave Strang, and Gingy Lennon

Patrick Kane, Michael Boeschenstein and Julian Taylor

Doug Hebebrand, Shannon Maxwell, Brenda Bell, Liz North, Shelley Dicken, Melissa Duda and Avery Schneider

Char and Chuck Fowler

George Kocar, James Leslie, Luanne BoleBecker and Patty Flauto

Rebecca Kaler, William Martin Jean and Susan Squires

Kelly Pontoni, Laura Ospanik and Stephen Robbins

Ed Spellman and Chan Fowler Spellman with Roger and Joanne Laflamme

Elia Pestana, Jocelyn Ruf, Lee Heinen and Tom Jorgensen

Playwrights bring Erma Bombeck’s story to life

By LINDA FEAGLER

When playwrights Margaret and Allison Engel reminisce about the many idyllic times they shared while growing up in Chagrin Falls, the memories include a weekday ritual the twin sisters still chuckle about.

work has appeared in Lorain’s “The Morning Journal,” “The Washington Post” and “The Des Moines Register.” She and her husband, Bruce Adams, who reside in Bethesda, Maryland, wrote three editions of “Baseball Vacations,” a travel guide to America’s ballparks.

In 2000, the sisters collaborated on “Food

Finds: America’s Best Local Foods and the People Who Produce Them” and helped turn the book into a Food Network show that ran for seven years.

The

Vintage Ohio Wine Festival will take place at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland on August 4 and 5. Photograph courtesy of Vintage Ohio

Enjoy the best of summer at Vintage Ohio wine festival

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Introduce yourself to some of the finest wines Ohio has to offer while enjoying a picture-perfect summer outing.

Sip a little. Relax a little. Find some great food.

Vintage Ohio, the state’s original wine festival, is the place to discover new wines and wineries, and a place to find something that matches every palate. Held at the beautiful Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, OH, on Aug. 4 and 5, the festival offers viniferas, hybrids, natives, reds, whites, roses, ciders, “fun” wines, “serious” wines, sweet and dry wines and everything in between.

To celebrate Ohio’s fine wines, the two “All that Glitters is Gold” tents in the center of the festival field will showcase one gold wine from each of the 15 gold and double gold wines awarded in the 2023 Ohio Wine Competition. Coordinated by Kent State University’s Ashtabula campus wine program with supervision by the Ohio State extension enologist and funded in part by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, a subset of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the annual competition is judged by a dozen of the most respected wine judges from around the country.

Other specialty tents include the wine mixology tent, featuring cocktails created with festival wines, a hot new trend in wine appreciation. Tom Baker will be on hand in the Schott Zwiesel tent to talk about the difference great glasses make when serving wine. Regional wine authority and home winemaker with a mountain of amateur wine medals to his credit, Joe Hoover will be at the festival to help you launch your own home winemaking projects.

The cooking demonstration tent returns to Vintage Ohio. Led by Chef Lisa Pucci Delgado, now in her ninth year with the festival, the 2023 team of chefs includes Fred Stoldt, of Cleveland’s own hot sauce Fred Hot, Mark and Selene Gomez, celebrity chefs from Texas, and Mike McCourt, Blackstone Griddle ambassador. Each chef will present a unique menu item paired with wine from the festival field.

Delgado, a brand ambassador to a dozen companies, will be using products like Traeger grills, B and B charcoal, Tuxton China, Gunter Wilhelm Knives and Duck Fat Spray as part of her presentations. One of the region’s premier personal chefs and a barbecue pitmaster, she has appeared on Celebrity Chef, Food Network’s Chopped and on FOX News.

Stoldt, known as “Fred Hot,” will add humor to his presentation while featuring his own blended hot sauces and spice blends.

McCourt served in the army as a helicopter crew chief before becoming a student of all styles of cuisine. That passion led him to become a part of the Blackstone Griddle crew. He shares information about outdoor cooking on Mile’s Mess Hall social platforms.

Chefs Mark and Selene Gomez appear often on Univision, the Spanish television network. Mark Gomez has cooked for more than 70 well-known celebrities as well as two presidents.

“In addition to organizing the culinary demonstration pavilion and bringing in chefs from around the country, I arrange for top-of-the-line and big-name companies to sponsor our pavilion by featuring so many wonderful giveaways between each demonstration for the audience to take home,” Delgado noted. “We have given away Blackstone griddles, Big Green Egg grills, and many other beautiful prizes along with many smaller prizes that will enhance your culinary kitchen.” This year’s pavilion sponsors are Gunther Williams premium cutlery, Drouins woodworking cutting boards and trivets, Russell’s BBQ rubs and spices, Duck Fat Spray Company, MarDonaSpecialty Imports olive oils and vinegars, Snowville Creamery and Trices Spices. The cooking demonstration menu will be listed on Chef Delgado’s website, www.cheflisapuccidelgado.com, and on social media platforms prior to Vintage Ohio.

Many Ohio wineries have added ciders and craft brews to their beverage list. Vintage Ohio has recognized the interest among connoisseurs of craft beverages of every type by adding beers brewed by area wineries to the festival field. For an additional purchase price, brews from three wineries will be available. Ohio law does not allow beer and wine in the same designated area under the festival permit. Featured wineries include: Double Wing Brewing Company, housed adjacent to Debonne Vineyards in Madison, OH; Maize Valley Craft Brewery at Maize Valley Winery in Hartville, OH; and The Pine Lake Brewing Company in Columbiana, OH, the home of the Pine Lake Winery, restaurant and event center. Go to www.visitvintageohio.com/breweries for a list of craft beers to be offered.

Vintage Ohio will also feature dozens of gourmet food vendors and unique crafters. Live music can be heard all throughout the day at the festival. Attendees who want to make Vintage Ohio a wine getaway weekend can find lodging at the Lodge at Geneva on the Lake or at one of several nearby Lake County inns. There are more than 50 wineries to explore within an hour’s drive of Vintage Ohio.

Tickets to the Vintage Ohio festival are $37 in advance for adult samplers or $42 at the gate. Admission for non-drinkers, or for those under age, is $10. Tickets for children ages four to 17 are $4. Children three and under get in free. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets by calling 440-466-4417. Go to www. visitvintageohio.com for additional festival information.

“Our mom would get home from work about the same time we’d get home from school,” Margaret recalls. “Allison and I would grab the comics page from that morning’s “Plain Dealer” and flop down on the floor with it. Meanwhile, our mother would be sitting at the dining room table reading Erma Bombeck’s column and laughing so hard she could barely speak. After she was finished, we’d take a look and be engulfed in laughter, too.”

The Engels aren’t alone in their appreciation for the Dayton, Ohio, humorist. During a career that spanned more than 30 years, her thrice-weekly musings on the universal idiosyncrasies of family life were published in 900 newspapers across the country, garnering a legion of 30 million faithful readers. Bombeck’s flair for the funny explored eclectic subjects ranging from socks that disappear in the washing machine, leftovers that refuse to die, the newfound wonders of disposable diapers and the hodgepodge of items buried in the household junk drawer.

July 29 through August 20, Cleveland Play House is presenting “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End,” a onewoman show celebrating the humorist’s abundant brilliance. Written by the Engel sisters and starring Pam Sherman, the play chronicles Bombeck’s experiences as a stay-at-home mother of three, along with her stratospheric renown as a journalist, the staunch support she lent to the Equal Rights Amendment, and her unfailing ability to find comedy even as she battled breast cancer and the kidney disease that ultimately claimed her life in 1996.

“Erma’s humor is timeless,” Allison says. “So much of it is about relationships and the push and pull women feel while trying to balance career and family that’s still valid today. Erma never pretended she had the perfect life and wrote about experiences we can all relate to. Readers loved her because they could say, ‘I thought it was just me. Now, I know it’s everyone.’ ”

In addition to her column, titled “At Wit’s End,” Bombeck wrote for “Good Housekeeping,” “Reader’s Digest,” “Redbook” and “McCall’s”; and authored a dozen best-selling books including “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank”; “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?”; and “Family: The Ties that Bind ... and Gag!”

For more than a decade, she was a regular commentator on “Good Morning America” and a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Bombeck created, wrote and produced the ABC tele-

vision series “Maggie” and saw “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank” turned into a CBS madefor-television movie starring Carol Burnett and Charles Grodin.

Born in 1927, Erma Louise Fiste started showing signs of her burgeoning talent while writing a humor column for her junior high school newspaper. Upon graduating from high school in 1944, she worked as a copygirl at the “Dayton Journal-Herald,” saving for tuition money to attend the University of Dayton. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949, she was hired as a full-time writer at the newspaper and married college sweetheart Bill Bombeck. The couple moved to the Dayton suburb of Centerville in 1955.

“As much as she enjoyed being married and raising children, Erma was burning to be a writer, had gone to college to be a writer and had not expressed that part of her,” Margaret says. “Activist Betty Friedan’s claim that housewives in America weren’t living up to their full potential really hit a chord with her. So as soon as her youngest went to kindergarten, she started writing at age 37.”

Bombeck earned $3 a week for her early discourses, published in the “Kettering-Oakwood Times” in 1964. It didn’t take long for newspapers across the United States to take notice. They began publishing her columns a year later.

Fame quickly followed.

“The kids, not her career, always remained the center of Erma and Bill’s lives,” Margaret says. “By the time her children returned home from school, she would be finished writing for the day, the office door would be shut, and she’d be a mom again.

“Erma,” the playwright adds, “wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Chagrin Falls High School Hall of Fame inductees Allison and Margaret Engel are no strangers to the frenzied world of journalism. A former reporter for the “San Jose Mercury News” now living in Pasadena, California, Allison received her Master of Arts in screenwriting from the University of Southern California. Margaret’s

When eminent newspaper columnist Molly Ivins died in 2007 from breast cancer, the pair chose to eulogize her on stage by writing “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins,” which premiered at the Philadelphia Theatre Company in 2010.

Bringing Bombeck’s story to the stage, Allison explains, was a natural next step.

“[Margaret] and I believe both of these women need to be remembered,” she says. “We also liked the idea of writing a show for an actress over 50 because there are very few one-woman plays out there starring a female over 50 as a protagonist portraying a complicated, interesting, funny person.”

As the Engel siblings do, Pam Sherman admires Bombeck’s iconic humor.

“Erma was known for saying things that needed to be heard, and served as a voice for women who didn’t have a voice. She’s my idol,” says the Rochester, New York-based attorney-turned-leadership coach-turned actress whose syndicated column, “The Suburban Outlaw,” was published on the USA Today Network for 15 years. Like Bombeck’s missives, her words served as loving homages to irreverent, honest women and men willing to fully live their lives for their families and for themselves.

Sherman, 61, received her J.D. from New York’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1987, specializing in litigation.

“I thought it would be like playing a lawyer on TV – but it wasn’t at all,” Sherman recalls. “There were no smoking guns and no big reveals in the courtroom. I found the job to be soul-suckingly boring.”

When the law firm she worked for dissolved in 1993, Sherman knew the time had come to fulfill her dream of treading the boards.

“When I was a child growing up on Staten Island, I used to play piano with the door wide open, hoping a wandering talent agent would pass by and hear me,” she recalls with a laugh.

Sherman honed her budding craft at the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University and Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, which led to full-time acting work. She’s best known for TV and film appearances in “Homicide,” “Unsolved Mysteries” and “The Replacements.”

But portraying Erma Bombeck is a role the actress relishes. So far, Sherman has played to sold-out audiences at Rochester’s Geva Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Shea’s 710 in Buffalo New York.

“The Engels did a beautiful job of taking Erma’s writing and incorporating it into a dramatic journey with a poignant finish,” she says. “No matter their age or stage of life, audiences always admire Erma’s courage of following your dreams and, as she said, ‘not hiding them in the back of your mind.’ It’s a message that’s timeless, genderless — and human.”

Allison (left) and Margaret Engel wrote the one-woman show celebrating Erma Bombeck set to play at the Cleveland Play House July 29 through August 20. Photograph by Mark Berndt

Cleveland Ballet “A Celebration and Roast of Richard W. Pogue”

A celebration and roast of 95-year-old Dick Pogue, also known as Mr. Cleveland, took place May 18 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre to benefit the newly established Richard W. and Patricia R. Pogue Cleveland Ballet Endowment Fund. VIP guests enjoyed a reception at Cibreo Privato prior to the event, then walked a block over to Playhouse Square for the main event. Nearly 300 attendees raised $600,000 for the endowment.

Pogue is known for his distinguished law career with Jones Day, but also for his lifelong civic leadership and philanthropic contributions to the city of Cleveland. His wife, Patricia Pogue, died February 25, at the age of 91. Pat grew up in Bowling Green and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan, where she met law student Dick Pogue. They married in 1954, and after living in the Washington, DC area for three years, moved to Cleveland in 1957. She devoted the rest of her life to her family and to civic, cultural, and educational causes in Cleveland.

As current chair of the Cleveland Ballet, Dick has played a pivotal role in helping to reestablish this premier dance company, Playhouse Square’s resident ballet company. Dick’s impressive fundraising prowess has helped to raise more than $300 million for key organizations dedicated to various causes, helping them meet or exceed fundraising goals.

Dennis Lansdowne, Chair of the event’s Steering Committee, served as Master of Ceremonies. According to the committee, “Dick’s interest in, and commitment to, the city of Cleveland are unmatched, and we are pleased to be honoring him and his tremendous legacy.”

The “roasters” were a “Who’s Who” of Cleveland notables from the legal, business, development, and political worlds: Paul Carleton, former Ohio lieutenant governor Lee Fisher, Michael Horvitz, Susan Stevens Jaros, Hugh McKay, Randy McShepard, Ginger Mlakar, John Mulligan, Dick’s son CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue, P. Michael Pohl, Jan L. Roller, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, John Strauch, William B. Summers, Jr., and the Honorable Joan Synenberg. Albert Ratner gave his roast via a previously recorded video, as did Senator Sherrod Brown and former Senator Rob Portman.

“The No Name Band,” consisting of attorneys Peter Brodhead, Doug McWilliams, and Kris Treu, entertained

the crowd with humorous musical selections with lyrics such as, “He’s no rogue, he’s in vogue, he’s Dick Pogue.” “Outstanding arts organizations like Cleveland Ballet are built on creativity, passion, and generosity — as well as sound finances,” Pogue stated. “An endowment provides vital resources and stability for Cleveland Ballet to maintain its operation and delight audiences for generations to come.”

His support of organizations and campaigns over the years includes The City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland Leadership Center, Kent State University, United Way, Cleveland Institute of Music, Gordon Square Arts District, Cleveland Legal Aid Society, Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University’s College of Law, University Hospitals Health System, and more. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

BorderLight Fringe Festival presents innovative theatre experience

By ANDREA C. TURNER

The BorderLight Fringe Festival presents 30 live theatre experiences that push the boundaries of imagination, from Thursday, August 3, through Saturday, August 5, on 15 stages in the Playhouse Square neighborhood.

Founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theatre that inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding and celebrates the diversity of the human experience.

Fringe performances are self-produced theatrical productions by emerging artists, bringing together a wide spectrum of genres and shows for all interests. The term ‘fringe’ widely refers to work that resides on the edges of the mainstream.

The festival begins with an Opening Night Party, open to the public, on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. at Cibreo Privato, and ends with a Closing Night Party at The Hermit Club on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. Suggested donation for both parties is $10. Dance at the free Silent Disco on Friday, Aug. 4, at the US Bank Plaza from 9–11 p.m.

Since debuting in 2019, BorderLight has welcomed thousands of arts enthusiasts to downtown Cleveland, and showcased hundreds of international and domestic performances. The 2023 Festival includes 107+ local and national performances at six venues and 15 stages. In alternating years (in 2024), the Festival will once again feature international artists.

Performances take place at Cibreo Privato, the Middough Building at Cleveland State University, The Hermit Club, Parnell’s Irish Pub, and Playhouse Square’s Idea Center, Kennedy Theatre, and US Bank Plaza.

Ticket pricing is typically $12-$20 per performance. Purchase “Binge on Fringe” packages from $55 for a 4-pack to $200 for an all-access pass. The Festival includes a number of free, all-ages performances and special events. There is something for everyone in the diverse lineup (including family-friendly programming). Genres include: theatre, dance, circus, cabaret, puppetry, spoken word, stand-up comedy, and more.

Embedded in the festival’s operations are the values of access, equity, and inclusiveness. In addition to bringing vibrancy and foot traffic to downtown Cleveland and making theatre more accessible, the Fringe seeks to benefit emerging artists, BIPOC artists, and the performing arts community at large by creating a platform for new, self-produced work.

Organizers recommend using RTA Public Transit to get to Downtown Cleveland. If choosing to drive, consider carpooling. Walking or biking between venues is recommended to save time and money. The venue’s footprint is less than a mile.

BorderLight is a member of the US Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF),World Fringe Network, the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP). To check out the performance schedule, visit www. borderlightcle.org for updates.

Restoration of stone façade of Severance Music Center taking place through September

The Cleveland Orchestra announced that restoration work to the stone façade of Severance Music Center began on June 21.

Work on the 92-year-old Severance Music Center is expected to last through September. Crews will clean the stone at both ground-level entrances, coat the light poles at the main entrance, and replace broken stone panels. The laser cleaning process will allow workers to restore the building’s ornamental molding with precision and a coating on the cornice will help prevent copper stains from overflowing rainwater.

The Timken Foundation of Canton is a key supporter of the $1 million capital improvement project to help preserve this historic and iconic building. “We are delighted the Timken Foundation of Canton provided the underwriting needed to restore the stone façade of our beloved Severance Music Center. Their generosity will preserve the beauty and majesty of this iconic building for generations to come,” said Richard Smucker, board chair of the Orchestra.

Construction of The Cleveland Orchestra’s permanent

home was announced in 1928 with a $1 million pledge from John Long Severance and his wife, Elisabeth. The groundbreaking for Severance Music Center, then known as Severance Hall, was on November 14, 1929, and the hall was completed just 14 months later. It was designed by Cleveland architectural firm Walker & Weeks, the same firm responsible for Cleveland Public Auditorium, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the Cleveland Public Library. The building was recognized by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission in 1974 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

About The Cleveland Orchestra

Now firmly in its second century, The Cleveland Orchestra, under the leadership of Franz Welser-Möst since 2002, is one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world. Year after year the ensemble exemplifies extraordinary artistic excellence, creative programming, and community engagement. In recent years, The New York Times has called Cleveland “the best in America” for its virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color and chamber-like musical cohesion, “virtually flawless,”

and “one of the finest ensembles in the country (if not the world).”

Founded by Adella Prentiss Hughes, the Orchestra performed its inaugural concert in December 1918. By the middle of the century, decades of growth and sustained support had turned the ensemble into one of the most admired around the world.

The past decade has seen an increasing number of young people attending concerts, bringing fresh attention to The Cleveland Orchestra’s legendary sound and committed programming. More recently in 2020, the Orchestra launched several bold digital projects, including the streaming broadcast series In Focus, the podcast On A Personal Note, and its own recording label. A long history of strong community support from across the ensemble’s home region continues to drive the Orchestra forward and has provided remarkable energy and focus throughout the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New initiatives for audience growth and community service have been launched in recent years, including new technological infrastructure and capabilities at its home,

What Makes Arden Courts Unique?

Severance Music Center, to capture the Orchestra’s unique artistry and the musical achievements of the Welser-Möst and Cleveland Orchestra partnership.

The 2022–23 season marks Franz Welser-Möst’s 21st year as music director, a period in which The Cleveland Orchestra earned unprecedented acclaim around the world, including a series of residencies at the Musikverein in Vienna, the first of its kind by an American orchestra. The Orchestra’s 100th season in 2017–18 featured two international tours, concluding with the presentation of Welser-Möst’s Prometheus Project, featuring works by Beethoven, on three continents.

Its acclaimed opera presentations, including Verdi’s Otello (2022), Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos (2019), Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande (May 2017), Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin and Bluebeard’s Castle (2016), and Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (2014 and 2017), have showcased the ensemble’s unique artistry and collaborative work ethic.

Since 1918, seven music directors—Nikolai Sokoloff, Artur Rodziński, Erich Leinsdorf, George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Franz WelserMöst—have guided and shaped the ensemble’s growth and sound. Through concerts at home and on tour, broadcasts, and a catalog of acclaimed recordings, The Cleveland Orchestra is heard today by a growing group of fans around the world

Suzana Vujasin, David Legeay, Kristen Baird Adams and Dan Moulthrop

Ronn Richard, Gladisa Guadalupe and Dick Pogue

Randy and Gail McShepard

Dennis Lansdowne with Cici Riley

Ginger Mlakar, Margaret Wong, Michelle Blackford, and Brenda Cummins Maryann and Geoff Barnes

Activity, engagement and sense of involvement are key to aging well

By RITA KUEBER

For older adults, the key to having successful “golden years” is engagement, activity, and a sense of belonging. Senior living experts indicate the ideal setting for an older adult is the one in which they thrive as an individual, and that means different situations for different people. Even couples have varying needs depending on their health, mental and physical ability, and outlook.

Statistics* show that a person moving into senior housing is usually about 82. There were 10.6 million adults 82 and older in the US. By 2026 that number is projected to be 12.3 million, and 14.8 million by 2030. The ratio of adult children (ages 45 to 64) able to care for their parents will shrink from 6:1 in 2022, to 5:1 by 2026 and 4:1 by 2031. People in their 70s are not the people moving, as much as they are the people doing research and considering next steps.

Reasons to consider a senior living community address these touchstones, and today there is an ever-growing number of options for older adults. The senior living community industry refers to these options as the continuum of care. What a person needs at 65 may be very different at 85, and the industry is ready to accommodate people as those needs change.

The various types of senior living run a gamut, starting with independent living, and it’s just that – completely independent living within a senior community. Assisted living, sometimes called residential or personal care, offers help with certain tasks from sorting medication to aid with bathing, dressing, or meals. Memory care is a kind of assisted living set aside for individuals dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Skilled nursing (the term nursing home is not preferred by most) is for people who receive personal and medical care 24/7.

The potential mix of living arrangements is apparent.

A person in assisted living may have nothing wrong with their cognitive function – they simply can’t move well enough to dress or bathe themselves. A person in memory care may love to walk for exercise, they just need to be supervised for their own safety. For couples, one person may be able to live completely independently, but their spouse may need to live in memory care. Many senior living communities offer this sliding scale of care for just this reason. The couple can still live in the same community, even the same building, but maybe not in the same

BENEFIT BEAT

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

Saturday, Sept. 23…Play the Night Away Gala, to benefit Children’s Museum of Cleveland’s Wonder Fund, 7 to 11 p.m. at the Children’s Museum. Adult-only play date after-hours Museum experience to showcase your favorite destination for play in a whole new light. Dance

apartment. Yet, they get to see each other every day. There is also fluidity between the categories. Returning home from the hospital, a senior might need assisted living, but as they heal, they might return to independent living.

Trends currently mentioned in national industry media refer to in-unit amenities, including private spaces in which to cook and entertain. Additionally, just like any other updated home, continued tech integration is a thing, as many seniors not only continue to work but are reliant on social media and technology like Facetime and Zoom to keep them connected to their families and distant friends.

Nadine Hoffman, Director of Sales and Marketing of Hamlet in Chagrin Falls indicates area residents have more options than ever as new senior living communities of all types have entered the Northeast Ohio market. The

and mingle, explore strolling dinner stations, and cheers at the open bar. Proceeds benefit the Wonder Fund, supporting programs that make the Museum experience accessible to all families in our community. For more information, visit CMCleveland.org/gala.

Saturday, Sept. 23…Evolution Gala, to benefit Ohio Guidestone, 6 to 11 p.m. at Cleveland Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave. E, Cleveland 44144. Event to join the region’s most influential individuals and leaders from the corporate and philanthropic communities for a roaring good time. Honorees include Paul Hanna of Blue Technologies, Kristin Warzocha of the Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Betsy Kling of WKYC TV. with Monica Robins & The Whiskey Kings as entertainment. Sponsorship opportunities or registration to molly. martens@ohioguidestone.org.

Bringing Independent Living to Life.

At Judson, independent living is all about enjoying the comforts of home in a vibrant, maintenance-free retirement community. Residents take advantage of diverse, enriching programs that cultivate new friendships, maintain wellness, fuel creativity and ignite new interests. Seniors define their own way of living and find the inspiration that makes them come alive with the peace of mind that our staff is available 24 hours a day should help be needed.

reasons are a blend of the general population aging, and also the wide variety of activities and amenities available to seniors. “Isolation isn’t healthy for anybody,” Hoffman states. “Our activities keep residents going and give them something to look forward to every day.”

Hoffman describes a typical day at Hamlet which includes, on average, 18 activities from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We arrange trips to the art museum or have a speaker come in. We go to Chagrin Falls so people can shop.

There’s exercise every day, happy hour at 3 p.m., brain games at 6 p.m., and some form of music daily.” Hamlet offers a mix of services. Those in independent living have full kitchens and spacious apartments. Those in assisted living have a more modest kitchen, but meals are available all day. Anyone can go to the fine dining restaurant on campus or even have the meal delivered.

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

Friday, Oct. 6… Uncork a Cure, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6 p.m. VIP, 7 p.m. main event at the 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St. Enjoy an evening of fine wines, fabulous food, auctions and entertainment. Tickets are $90 general admission or $150 VIP. Visit events.cff.org/uncorkacurecleveland or

“People come to us for a variety of reasons but usually the move is preceded by an event, such as a fall,” says George Ohman, co-president of Ohman Family Living. “Some come to us for rehab or longer term stay, but whatever the reason, the individual can’t care for themselves.” Ohman, in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic is working on how healthcare is delivered on site and in freestanding homes. They are especially interested in those with Parkinson’s and other illnesses can access technology directly from the neuro labs for assessment, treatment and potential cures.

“Our unique program is derived from our mission statement,” Ohman adds. “We are called to serve, and how we can best serve is to position ourselves uniquely with doctors and other collaborators on how senior living is done. How healthcare is delivered and not in the ageold model. We work to find ways that meet the needs of each individual.”

Dianna Huckestein, VP of Sales and Marketing for Judson Senior Living is on top of all these trends and then some. “We want people to feel that living here allows them to be their best self,” she says. “We want our residents to maintain their independence and build it into their everyday life. So many people fear assisted living because it makes them feel like they can’t make it on their own and that it looks like nursing and long-term care. But those are different levels of assistance. If someone is struggling at home, even with the help of family, friends, and neighbors, it’s not a stigma. We will come up with the best plan to support that person.”

“Building a network for the little things – medications, doctor visits, grocery shopping can feel overwhelming, and people may feel like they’re failing,” Huckestein adds. “We can support and reframe all that and take the worry away. Life in retirement – you need your people around you. It’s about vitality, wellness, and prevention. At Judson, it’s also about culture and engaging the heart and mind, and our residents have a team of people to figure out the next steps. Senior living is so much more beautiful and vibrant than the old “nursing homes” of the past. We offer everything seniors would want in their own home and have a family of people to support them through the aging process.”

*https://blog.nic.org/emerging-trends-in-senior-housing

call 216.901.2873.

Saturday, Oct. 14, Creations Boutique, to benefit selected Cleveland nonprofit organizations, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family Life Center; 16349 Chillicothe Road; Bainbridge, Ohio. Shop for handcrafted seasonal gifts and decor, gourmet goodies and hostess gifts, jewelry, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories and artwork. Boutique raffle items and more, showcasing Guild artisans. Vintage Treasures a new addition to this large craft fair.

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

Dual Exhibitions Unveiled at Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls

Visit the Valley Art Center for THE BIG @SS @RT SHOW, running through August 23 in The Bowen Gallery. This is an exhibition created to display local artists’ sizeable talent (and equally substantially sized art) in Northeast Ohio. The show features an impressive lineup of artists, including Leigh Brooklyn, Bonnie McCormick, Raymond Bugelski, Alex Jasko, Don Lisy,Violet Maimbourg, Diana Rice, Sam Roth, John A. Sargent III, and Will Wilson.

THE BIG @SS @RT SHOW presents an eclectic collection of contemporary artworks, spanning various styles and mediums. Visitors will be captivated by an array of Realist and Abstract Expressionist oil paintings, a visually striking wall of large assemblages, a hanging sculpture constructed from a deconstructed sketchbook, and an awe-inspiring world premiere of the largest canvas painting by Will Wilson. This monumental artwork required special preparations, as it was meticulously stretched within the expansive walls of the Bowen Gallery to accommodate its grand size.

THE BIG @SS @RT SHOW also marks the first of four openings across Northeast Ohio galleries that are working together to create an exhibition so BIG, it takes up four venues. As visitors embark on a journey of artistic exploration at Valley Art Center, they can look forward to subsequent exhibitions hosted by Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (opened July 13), The Gallery at Lakeland Community College (opening July 23), and BAYarts (opening July 28). This collaborative effort promises a summer full of BIG @SS @RT, showcasing the immense artistic prowess within our community.

In conjunction with THEBIG @SS @RT SHOW, we are thrilled to showcase the breathtaking abstract artworks by Jordi Rowe in her solo exhibition in the newly expanded Patron Gallery, “Light Doesn’t Hear if You Ask it to Wait.” This exhibition unveils never-before-seen creations that invite viewers to immerse themselves in a world of abstract beauty. Rowe’s artistry transcends traditional boundaries as she explores the interplay of light, color, and form, creating spaces where the human element becomes insignificant and approaches the sublime. She is the recipient of the Women’s Art Club of Cleveland Scholarship and the CIA Gund Family Scholarship. Contact the Valley Art Center at 440.247.7507 or valleyartcenter.org for more information. VAC is located at 155 Bell Street in Chagrin Falls. While there, treat yourself or a loved one by signing up for an art class or workshop, and be sure to explore the newly re-imagined Valley Art/Shop.

Valley Art Center is member supported and receives additional support through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the Ohio Arts Council, and several other organizations and individuals. Exhibitions are sponsored by Premier Bank and TKM Print Solutions, Inc. For more information and directions, please visit thebigassartshow.com

The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning “Illuminate”

The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL), the Cleveland arts-education nonprofit threw its fundraiser, Illuminate, at Cleveland City Hall on June 1, recognizing Councilman Kevin Conwell as a local arts champion. Approximately 100 attendees raised funds to support arts-integrated programming for K-12 youth in Northeast Ohio.

The evening included entertainment from local artists, a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Attendees could view the “Inspiration Gallery,” which highlighted the creative works of students and local artists drawing connections to CAL’s mission. Musician Darnell Weaver played viola during the cocktail hour, then Blakk Jakk Dance Collective performed for the crowd, followed by a poem read by CAL employee and Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, Siaara Freeman.

“We were thrilled to have so many arts champions in the room. Through sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales we were able to highlight the impact of arts education in our city and meet our fundraising goals for the event,” said Sheffia Randall-Nickerson, CAL’s CEO and President.

“Arts education made such an incredible difference in my life,” added Randall-Nickerson, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. “Having opportunities as a youth to sing, dance, and act paved the way for my career as

an artist, but it also gave me the creative tools to be a leader and give back to the community. It’s what is so inspiring about Councilman Conwell. He’s also an artist and understands the impact that the arts can have on the kids here.”

“The arts help build self-discipline in children and teach the principles of character and transferable life skills like being a good parent and being a good citizen. Children are gaining confidence and self-esteem and learning organizational skills to help them be successful,” said Conwell.

Proceeds from the fundraiser support community arts programs like Inspiration Through Music: Play It Forward Cleveland which provides free musical instruments and entry-level music instruction to Cleveland youth. This year-long program removes high-cost barriers and allows students to attend free group lessons on the instrument of their choice while learning how to read and play music. Throughout the year, students participate in special performances to display their acquired skills to their community at partnering CAL locations.

The event also helps benefit ArtWorks, a teen apprenticeship program and CAL’s teaching artist professional development program which prepares artists for work in the classroom. For more information, visit arts-inspiredlearning.org STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

Near West Theatre presents “Bring It On – The Musical”

Get ready to experience the ultimate cheerleading showdown as the cast of “Bring It On - The Musical” gets ready to make their mark on the Near West Theatre (NWT) stage. The show will run for three weekends, starting on July 21, in the vibrant Gordon Square Arts District. Loosely based on the 2000 film of the same name written by Jessica Bendinger, “Bring It On - The Musical” features an original story by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights, Hamilton), music by Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), and lyrics by Broadway lyricist, Amanda Green (High Fidelity). “Bring It On - The Musical” will take audiences on a high-flying journey that is filled with the complexities of friendship, jealousy, betrayal, and forgiveness.

This hilarious, high-energy show is certain to have you doing aerials and high V’s in your seat!

“This show has a score you’ll leave humming, and I think it’s one of the most difficult NWT has ever tackled,” Director Kristy Cruz said. “It also has such impressive choreography and, of course, the cheerleading! I don’t believe any other musical currently in existence calls for ’stunting,’ so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some skills on the NWT stage that you won’t ever see again.”

“One challenge of choreographing ‘Bring It On’ is the sheer amount of choreography it requires,” Jailyn Harris said. “It’s one of those shows where dance and movement are integral to the storytelling. So, finding a way to keep the movement feeling fresh and aligned with what’s happening story-wise challenged me to think of different movement vocabularies for the different communities

showcased in this show.”

The musical runs three weekends through August 6, 2023. Pay What You Can tickets are available. Standard tickets are $20. Tickets are available at nearwesttheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 216961-6391 on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theater, constructed as part of the Gordon Square Arts District capital campaign, is at 6702 Detroit Avenue. The facility is a state-of-the-art, ADA-compliant building that is climate controlled and fully accessible by wheelchair. Near West Theatre, 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District. Box Office: 216.961.6391 or nearwesttheatre.org. “Bring It On - The Musical” runs July 21, 22, 28, 29, and Aug. 3, 4, 5 at 7:30 p.m.; July 30 and August 6 at 2:00 p.m. General Admission: Standard ticket price is $20 or Pay What You Choose.

Steve Sims, Sheffia Randall-Nickerson, Yvonne Conwell, Councilman Kevin Conwell, and Dr. Claude Jones

Lon’Cherie’ Billingsley, Sheffia RandallNickerson and Sydney Strickland Saffold

Siaara Freeman, Margaret Currie and Darelle Hill

Claudia Gomez, Emma Parker and Jeffery Allen

Tom Kondilas, Liz Conway, Holly Holsinger and Raymond Bobgan

Gracious Gates Mills Georgian Colonial set on nearly six acres for sale

By RITA KUEBER

Oh, do we admire the serene Colonials to be seen throughout Gates Mills, with their New England sensibility and Midwestern hardiness. Many of these gorgeous homes have been standing since Roosevelt was in office, but the opportunity to own one of them doesn’t come along very often. But here is your chance.

The stunning Georgian Colonial at 1789 Berkshire was built in 1932 and designed by Philip Small. Small and his associate Charles Rowley were the go-to designers for the Van Sweringen brothers, and their buildings include Higbee’s Department Store (now Jack Cleveland Casino), John Carroll University’s original buildings, demonstration homes in Shaker Heights, as well as the layout of Shaker Square and the brothers’ own estate, Daisy Hill. Very much like those iconic buildings, this house sits perfectly on nearly six acres of densely wooded rolling hills, with stunning views of the Chagrin Valley.

Set back from the road, the house has broad shoulders but is only one room deep throughout, so the forests and valley are always visible. The main entry has a curved staircase with an arched window to show off the view. To the right is a step-down living room that has floorto-ceiling windows, a walk-in wet bar, and a magnificent fireplace offset with molding and marble trim. Behind the living room is a private sunroom/three-season room that runs along the multi-level back terrace.

The dining room is to the left, beautifully appointed with dark green walls and dentil molding around the fireplace. There is also a magnificent walnut-paneled den/ library with its own fireplace, timbered ceiling, and tall built-in wooden shelving.

Just past the dining room is a kitchen that will quickly

become a favorite gathering place. This room has an eyepopping yellow wood floor, a hearth room, and eat-in area. There’s a large wood island with storage doors and

Viking and Sub-Zero appliances in a roomy but efficient preparation area at which any serious cook would love to work. The kitchen also offers views of the valley and

terraces behind the house. There’s even a private sitting room off the kitchen, once a space for the help but now a cozy and charming private parlor.

Upstairs, accessible by a front and back staircase, are six bedrooms, five full baths, a laundry room and a bonus room. The owners’ suite has a fireplace again, trimmed in marble, and a private balcony overlooking the valley. The bathroom has the original tile floor and twin sinks but also has some updates to the shower and loo. The next three bedrooms have private/semi-private baths, and the last two bedrooms were quarters for the help but are now suites with plenty of room for extra beds or space for studying or playing.

The lower level is half finished. Outdoors, in addition to the terraced patios, there is a charming pergola with an outdoor kitchen. It’s difficult to describe the quality of the craftsmanship here. The people who built this house brought decades of old-world experience and artistry to create this home. It’s easy to see where those who build today’s extraordinary properties draw their inspiration. It’s houses like these that remind us of our architectural history, but also demand we pay attention to the stewardship of irreplaceable properties like this one. The house at 1789 Berkshire has 8,082 square feet with six bedrooms, seven baths (five full, two half baths), and six fireplaces over two stories. Central air. The detached garage has three bays. Mayfield City schools. The house has 5.7 wooded acres overlooking the Chagrin Valley. Represented by Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, 1789 Berkshire is listed at $1,995,000 at press time with annual taxes of $33,760. Contact Adam Kaufman at 216.831.7370, or adamkaufman@howardhanna.com.

Seniors appreciate low-maintenance housing options

By LAURI GROSS

In home design and home building, sometimes less is more, and I don’t mean adopting a minimalist lifestyle or eliminating things you love. Instead, think less bending, less reaching, less climbing, less maintenance and less to clean. Now, doesn’t that sound like more fun? That’s especially true when you add amenities that include everything from community gathering spaces to pickleball courts. Northeast Ohio offers retirees and empty nesters this “less is more” lifestyle in a variety of home options, and there are plenty of local experts ready to guide your path there.

While this demographic is not a monolithic block, Pat Perrino, president of Perrino Builders and Remodeling says many in this age group are looking for “luxuries but in a smaller home.” He adds, “They are looking for ranches and first-floor master bedrooms and some upstairs living. A lot of customers we talk to have lived in their home for 40 years and they are looking to not necessarily downgrade but downsize. If they have been in a home for 40 years, it probably has older windows and things that need to be updated so they are excited about the idea of a new home with an open kitchen and open floor plan and everything brand new so they don’t have to worry about things like cutting the grass and getting a new furnace.”

Adam Kaufman, Howard Hanna real estate agent agrees. “Empty nesters,” he says, “are looking for the ease and convenience of maintenance-free lifestyle. It can be a townhouse or single-family dwelling where the maintenance crew is taking care of it or a condo or even an apartment.”

Adam calls it right-sizing and he thinks Northeast Ohio needs more housing to accommodate the need. “There is a shortage of inventory and so many people are interested in this,” he says. (Learn more about Adam’s offerings at JustAskAdam.com)

Pat says his company is always scouting spaces for new developments and they are currently building 55+ com-

munities in Willoughby Hills, Sheffield and more. (Details at PerrinoCustomHomes.com.) In addition to developing new neighborhoods, Pat’s company is happy to renovate existing homes or do a new build on a client’s lot if they opt to tear down their existing home. Pat and Adam have worked together. “Adam Kaufman has sold quite a few of our homes,” Pat says. “And we work with others too; all the realtors. They bring clients to us and we are happy to work with them.”

Like Adam and Pat, Linda Hilbig, president of Somrak Kitchens in Bedford Heights (SomrakKitchens.com) works with clients in existing homes as well as new builds. Either way, she says there is a growing need for spaces designed specifically for this demographic. She explains, “Obviously it is easier to design and create space for ADA allowances in a new home especially when it involves planning the structurals of a new space. In an existing home, you are limited to the existing space and budget and you may not be able to take advantage of all you can do as efficiently and cost effectively as starting from scratch in a new build.”

Adam mentions Moreland Commons as a good example of new homes meeting the need. “Moreland Commons has been extremely successful,” he says. “It is upscale and it offers a great lifestyle. The location is sensational.” As of early July, Adam said 75 percent of the 41 single-family homes in this development were already sold. The development also includes 18 villas. “We have not started selling the villas,” he says. “We break ground on those later in the summer. Payne and Payne is the exclusive builder in Moreland Commons,” he adds.

No matter the home style, there are many ways Linda and her team create kitchens for retirees and empty nesters, from ingenious features to functional floorplans that all make things easier for people as they age. Linda says it all starts with ease of access. “We recommend that our clients look to include more drawers than traditional base cabinets

with doors for storage as well as pull-out pantries for both food storage and heavy small appliances so that everything can pull out to you. This requires less bending and is easier on the joints. We also will include a pull-out kidney-shaped lazy Susan or include a super Susan in the corner or even design the corner with drawers for easy access.”

For floorplans, Linda suggests extra room for moving around and placing appliances where people are less likely to bump into them. And she adds that having a variety of counter heights makes the space work for “individuals that may have back issues or need to sit while working.” She continues, “Have the sink and cooktop close by or install a pot filler at the cooktop so you are not lifting heavy pots of water.” In addition, under-the-counter drawer microwaves mean less need to reach up and less chance of spilling something hot as you remove it from the microwave. Even ovens can be placed at different heights. “Think of raising your built-in under-counter oven 8 to10 inches off the floor,” Linda says, “and select a shallow sink so you are not bending over when you are working at the sink.”

Color also plays a role in making good choices for older clients. “Soothing colors with low sheen are less hard on the eyes,” Linda advises, as she adds, “We also look for nonporous materials for counter surfaces, and low-slip non-glare softer flooring surfaces such as hard wood. Less is more

when it comes to style. Keep it easy to clean, keep the edges eased and avoid angles.”

Linda also advises clients on the importance of good lighting, with plenty of natural and artificial sources and she points out how it’s helpful to have lights in uncommon places such as inside cabinets and inside the dishwasher.

For seniors babysitting grandchildren, Linda says food storage and prep remains a priority. “But,” she adds, “for entertaining, our clients are adding beverage centers and builtin coffee centers that include temperature-controlled wine storage as well as a separate place to prep the beverages for themselves and guests.” Linda also recommends steam ovens. “They’re great for re-heating leftovers, take out or food from delivery services,” she says and adds, “Everyone should have an under-cabinet vacuum system to avoid the pitfalls of bending over to use a dust pan.”

It makes sense that homes for this demographic include these types of safety and convenience features. As Pat says, “A lot of people are getting older and living healthier and longer so we find there are a lot of people that also have money and they want to enjoy the rest of their life instead of letting it slip away. They want to be close to grandchildren and live in something that is up to date.” He shares the sentiment and adds, “Moving into a new home is a special experience.”

Craftsmanship and artistry are evident throughout every part of this spacious home. Beautifully proportioned and well maintained, it is surrounded by acres of forest and has a commanding view of the Chagrin Valley.

WE ARE PROUD TO WELCOME

Elite

C. 216.407.9251

elitesothebysrealty.com

Feature Property

Chagrin Falls

Karen Eagle Group | 216.352.4700

Set on a private cul de sac, this state of the art home has been meticulously renovated and maintained to offer the very best of Chagrin Falls living. With 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and 5,500 square feet of living space on the first and second floor, this home offers unique spaces for entertaining, relaxing and everything in between. The fully finished lower level features a guest bedroom, full bath and an amazing walk-in wine room.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes “Nature at Night”

During summer in Northeast Ohio, some things don’t change – things like lovely women dressed in breezy, floral dresses and dapper fellows in neatly pressed shorts or slacks and colorful shirts at… fill in your favorite gathering. And in this case, the gathering was Nature at Night. The annual benefit for the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was sold out (as usual) with more than 500 attendees. Some things do change – the setup was slightly different from previous years, with tents and tables clustered in a sort of open courtyard and plenty of space for guests to get to the bars and delectable food stations. Tables also lined the boardwalk that overlooks the marshes of the Shaker lakes – one of the most stunning and unique settings for any benefit.

Notably, Nature at Night is one of the few special events that relies on neighborhood eateries to offer noshes and nibbles, and this year was no exception. Coordinated by Chef Doug Katz, the food stations dazzled with small plates and craft cocktails. Gigi’s on Fairmount offered a signature drink, The Red Cordial (vodka, rose cordial, pineapple, cranberry, and lime wedge – total yum). Nine area restaurants participated, plus a wine spot and a local brewery. The connections this organization has are deeply rooted in the Heights community.

This year marks the last benefit for Kay Carlson as the President and CEO. She is retiring after 15 years. To recognize her contributions, the Nature Center is kicking off

a new endowment fund, The Leadership Fund in Honor of Kay Carlson. Held at The Cleveland Foundation, the endowment will support the position of President/CEO in perpetuity, allowing more fund allocations to educational programs, habitats, and trails.

The benefit also provided an opportunity to introduce the incoming President/CEO, Peter Bode. After a national search, the new leader was found right here in Cleveland. Previously he was the Executive Director of the Community Life Collaborative, an organization that engages communities in social and environmental justice. He is a Cleveland State University graduate with a B.S. in Environmental Science. He is also a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) and a Qualified Data Collector for the Ohio EPA. “I grew up with Metroparks in my backyard,” he told Currents. “It’s time to get back to the trees.”

While the Nature Center has trails for people of all abilities, fitness walks, youth camps, workshops, and more, most importantly, it offers critical science programming to 7,500 students, pre-K to first graders. Board member Terry Wade Lyles stressed in her remarks the need for “equity, education, and engagement.” The organization does all of this through private donations and grants. Organizers were happy to report they raised over $110,000 from the event. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA

KUEBER

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre presents musical “Kinky Boots”

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is thrilled to round off its 93rd Season with the hit musical “Kinky Boots” this summer. Featuring a Tony-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a hilarious, uplifting script by fourtime Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, the production runs from July 21 to August 12, 2023. Performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with matinees on Sundays, July 30th and August 6th at 2 PM.

The production is presented with generous support from Winds of Change and Gypsy Sole (shopwoc.com).

Based on the 2005 film of the same name (which was in turn inspired by true events), this highly anticipated production promises to captivate audiences with its infectious energy, powerful performances, and heartwarming story. “Kinky Boots” follows the journey of Charlie Price, played by Josh Budd, who inherits his father’s struggling shoe factory. Desperate to save the business from bankruptcy, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with the fabulous drag queen Lola, portrayed by Anthony Woods-Mitchell. Together, they discover that they have

more in common than they thought, and that changing your mind about someone can change your whole world.

Directed by Greta Rothman, with musical direction by Andrew Novak and choreography by Jen Justice, “Kinky Boots” is exhilarating, inspiring, and downright fun! The exceptional cast includes Clay Anderson, Amy Brodsky, Ev Brodsky, Kaitlyn Carr, Billy Cummins, Christopher Fujikawa, Kyle Glascott, John Hickman, Demarco Jones, Sean Henderson Jones, Brad Kisner, Dimitri Kosteas, Jennifer Kubinski, Allen Littman, Abby Longshore, Jordon Matthew, Brayden Norvell, Raleigh Orosz, Eric Oswald, Elisabeth Roter, Debbie Schinker, Samm Schinker, Olivia Sharp, Kegan Sulamoyo, Jack Thompson, Genevieve Vince, and Christopher Wuehler

Tickets for “Kinky Boots” are $21 for general admission and $17 for students, seniors, and military personnel. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at CVLT.org or by calling the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre Box Office at 440.247.8955, Tuesday - Friday afternoons from 1:00pm - 6:00pm. Early reservations are highly recommended, as tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Hudson Society of Artists to present annual “Art on the Green”

The Hudson Society of Artists will present the 41st annual Art on the Green Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27 at a new location, on the JOANN Green at the corner of Terex Rd. and Rte. 91 in Hudson. Art on the Green is a juried fine arts and crafts show which features the works of more than 140 exhibitors. Categories include painting, sculpture, woodwork-

ing, jewelry, metalwork, photography, digital art, fiber arts and clothing, ceramics and pottery, glass works and more. Free admission and free parking. Food trucks will provide a variety of dining options. Art on the Green is a rain or shine event. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Co-chairs Kristin Lasky, Lauren Martin, Laura Dean, and Shaker Heights Mayor, David Weiss

Joanna and Peter Carfagna with Courtney and Dominic Valentino

Peter Bode and Kay Carlson

Kevin and Ann Malone with Brett and Michael Glotzbecker

Board chair Meg Hunter and board member Terry Wade Lyles Michael Zell with Katie and Michael Panzica

Burt Griffin writes memoir of serving on the Warren Commission

By SARAH JAQUAY

‘Truth was our only client.’ That’s what [Supreme Court] Chief Justice Earl Warren told us when we arrived to serve on the Warren Commission,” explains Burt W. Griffin. Griffin is a respected, retired judge in the Cleveland area. Many don’t know he’s also one of the few surviving attorneys who served on The President’s [Lyndon Johnson’s] Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy (a.k.a. the Warren Commission.)

Griffin has written a memoir of his experience serving the Commission, “JFK, Oswald and Ruby: Politics, Prejudice and Truth” (McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina, 2023, p. 318.) The book takes a comprehensive look at the processes and work-product of the focused, competent attorneys and their investigators. In addition, Griffin’s book summarizes much of the findings of other JFK assassination authors, even those with whom he disagrees, mostly the conspiracy theorists.

Father’s Day car show lures thousands to Stan Hywet Hall

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

The lure of antique automotive excellence, coupled with a beautiful historic venue and the love of fathers, and their love for cars, brought some 6,000 people to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron on Father’s Day for the 65th annual classic, antique and collector car show.

The event, hosted by the Ohio region of the Classic Car Club of America, showcased some of the finest rare and unique automobiles in Northeast Ohio. That’s the lure of this show. You never know what someone is going to bring, from antique boats and motorcycles to rare and expensive muscle cars to commercial and military trucks.

This annual Father’s Day show started in 1957, making it one of the longest running shows in the nation. What makes this show extra special is that all the vehicles on display are at least 25 years old and factory stock, meaning that they are displayed just like they were in the showrooms of their time, even if they are more than 100 years old.

The special feature this year was a large display of air-cooled automobiles, from Franklins to Volkswagens to Chevrolet Corvairs.

It cost participants $24 to enter a vehicle, and $29 to have it judged.

The judges’ choice award went to Massillon’s David Schultz’s 1936 Pierce Arrow 1601. The participants’

choice award went to a 1967 Ford Mustang owned by Patrick Tomazic. The Kids’ Choice Award, created by the ORCCCA to encourage the old-car hobby with young enthusiasts, went to Michael McCloskey for his 1957 BMW Isetta, a two-seat, 300-cc (13 h.p.) microcar with the door on the front of the vehicle.

Margus Sweigard, director of the Ohio Region of the Classic Car Club of America (ORCCCA), took first place in the “Full Classics, 1915 – 1936” category with his 1932 Buick Model 96C. Sweigard, president of Drycal, a family-owned screenprinting business in Mentor, has five Buicks currently in his garage, including one “parts car.”

“The car only took me 17 years to finish. I’ll never do that again,” Sweigard said. “They didn’t make many of them, only about 250, and parts are hard to find but it was absolutely worth it. There are only four or five left in the world.”

The ORCCCA has about 150 members and 70 associate members, Sweigard said, and put on car shows and meet-and-greets at least once a month. The website listing the schedule is https://orccca.com/.

Sweigard said 405 car owners registered to attend the 2023 Stan Hywet show. He thanked everyone that registered and attended, and promised the same beautiful weather for next year’s show.

Griffin was a Yale Law School graduate, young father and practicing lawer at Cleveland’s (then) McDonald, Hopkins & Hardy when he got a call from an acquaintance who believed Griffin met the criteria to serve as an assistant counsel to the Warren Commission. Griffin received an offer. After the holidays, he packed up his young family and moved to Washington, D.C. in January of 1964. When asked if he hesitated to accept due to personal circumstances Griffin says, “Not at all--I thought it might be the most exciting thing I ever did.” Once there he spent the next eight months analyzing testimony, conferring with colleagues working on other aspects of the investigation and writing up findings of fact. “It was an absolutely round the clock experience working for the Commission,” Griffin notes. “Diane [Griffin’s deceased wife] and the kids went on a vacation to Maine. I stayed in D.C. and worked,” including most weekends.

Many who know of Judge Griffin’s service on the Warren Commission might be tempted to think it’s a defense of the Commission’s conclusions Lee Harvey Oswald (LHO) and Jack Ruby acted alone and at the behest of no one except their own consciences/strange thought processes. This book plays way more than defense. Griffin interweaves his own work and that of his colleagues with the state of politics in Texas, nationally and internationally, focusing in part on the singular tale of LHO trying to defect to the Soviet Union in 1959 and many other failed attempts at becoming a politically important person on the world stage. Griffin’s assignment was to delve into the movements, activities and communications of Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby from the time of JFK’s assassination on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963 to Ruby’s assassination of LHO on Sunday morning, Nov. 24, 1963. So his book also takes an exhaustive look at Ruby’s whereabouts, activities as well as his possible motivation. It appears from Ruby’s own statements, Ruby was afraid Jews would be blamed for JFK’s assassination and he wanted to show the world “a Jew had the guts” to kill the President’s assassin.

Full disclosure: I’ve known and admired Judge Griffin for a long time. I have never read any other books about the JFK assassination because it was such a traumatic event.

I was eight years old when the announcement came over the public address system in our classroom. Our

principal, Sister Mary Marcella, said the President had been killed and Texas Governor John Connally had also been shot. There was a first grade teacher named Mrs. Connolly. I wasn’t so sure who this president guy was. (Oddly, we were probably the only parochial school classroom that didn’t have JFK’s picture on the wall next to the Pope’s.) But I was sure Mrs. Connolly’s husband had been killed. I burst into tears and couldn’t be consoled until it was explained there was more than one Connolly family in the world. The rest of that weekend we spent glued to the television. I never gave the conspiracy theories much credence because it seemed to be a cottage industry mostly about self-promotion. The theory I found most plausible, however, was mobster Sam Giancana, who likely delivered Chicago and therefore Illinois and the election for JFK in 1960, was angry the president’s brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, was going after organized crime in a major way. Perhaps Giancana hired LHO as a hit man. After reading LHO had no escape plan, had no car (indeed he didn’t even have a driver’s license and had only recently learned to drive) I’m convinced no self-respecting mafia member would hire him for any task, much less a high-profile hit. As my younger sister quipped, “The first line on any mafia job application asks if you have a trunk.”

Readers of Griffin’s book may discover much they didn’t know: LHO attempted the assassination of a major segregationist, General Edwin Walker, in April of 1963 with the same rifle he used to kill JFK. Oswald was intelligent and well-read. In 1963 Dallas was a hotbed of extremist right-wingers and home to various organizations, including the Committee for the Reinstatement of the Poll Tax! Only a few weeks before JFK’s visit, U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson had given a speech in Dallas for United Nations Day. Stevenson was heckled, struck and spit on by anti-Kennedy protesters. Dallas was so dangerous at the time, several prominent politicians and others warned JFK not to keep Dallas on his Texas itinerary, including Stevenson, Arkansas Senator William Fulbright and the Reverend Billy Graham.

An English teacher might wish Griffin had memorized the rules in Strunk & White’s “Elements of Style.” There are lots of double negatives and way too many “thats.” The content, however, is so rich and interesting, sentence structure is merely a blip on the panoramic screen of world history Griffin delivers. Any history buff will love this book, particularly if Cold War history is your thing. Perhaps most importantly, Griffin’s book doesn’t preach or advocate for agreement with the Warren Commission’s findings. He simply presents the evidence (lots of it) and gives readers the chance to make up their own minds.

“JFK, Oswald and Ruby: Politics, Prejudice and Truth” by Burt W. Griffin may be purchased at Loganberry Books on Larchmere Blvd. and also on Amazon. Visit McFarlandBooks.com for more information.

The Kids’ Choice Award went to Michael McCloskey for his 1957 BMW Isetta. (Photograph by Eric Eakin)