Currents: May 16, 2024 issue

The month of May appeals to the gardener in all of us – it’s finally safe to plant in Northeast Ohio and many of us have been cleaning up beds, pulling out planters and pots, mulching and setting out for the garden center in search of this year’s favorites to add to our gardens. For ideas and inspiration, watch for the many local home and garden tours soon to take place, among them, the Chagrin History Center’s Historic Home Tour set for June 1.Read more about that tour on page C9.

C9 HOME & GARDEN

A4 PETS All the President’s Pets … through time

By Jeannie Emser Schultz

A9 FILM

Cleveland International Film Festival draws crowds to PlayhouseSquare

By Sarah Jaquay

B1-2 ART

Must-see exhibits at Cleveland Museum of Art this season

By Andrea C. Turner &

Linda Feagler

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

Saturday, June 1…Nature at Night, to benefit Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. An evening outdoors under the stars. Guests kick off summer from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Nature Center with local chefs, music, mingling, and fun!

Saturday, June 1…Renaissance: Night of Revelry and Renewal, to benefit Cleveland Play House, 5:30 p.m. at the Allen Theater, Playhouse Square. Cocktails, appetizers, pop-up performances, 7 p.m. Showtime! Vibrant stage performances, one-of-a-kind live auction packages and 8 p.m open bars and dinner stations, revelry on the dance floor. Black tie (gown, tuxedo) or Renaissance-inspired costumes and accessories are welcomed! For more information about Tickets or questions, contact: Evan Smittle, Development Associate216.400.7056, esmittle@clevelandplayhouse.com

Friday, June 7, 2024 … on behalf of the May Dugan Center serving those in need in our near West Side neighborhoods, it’s May Dugan Center’s Summer Soiree, “A New Season, Same Legacy ” 6 to 11 p.m. at Windows on the River, 1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland. Delicious food, silent auction, raffle baskets, fun interactive entertainment featuring Cleveland’s own Robin Swoboda and music from Sound Waves Entertainment. For sponsorship availability and more information, call the Development Office, 216.631.5800, ext. 125 or email pkaplan@maydugancenter.org.

Saturday, June 8…Magical Journey Gala, to benefit Centering Space, a prayer and retreat house in Lakewood, 5 to 7 p.m. at Lakewood Catholic Academy, 14808 Lake Ave., Lakewood, Ohio. The event features a performance by renowned magician Mark Paskell, along with an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music and a silent auction. Donation of $135 per ticket. All proceeds go directly to supporting Centering Space. Tickets can be reserved at ourmagicaljourney.org or by calling 216.228.7451

Saturday, June 8...Garden Gala: Dancing on the Dewdrops, to benefit Community Life Collaborative, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Rd, Bainbridge. Join us for a delightful summer evening of dining, dancing to the music by Tweed, special drink, lively games, unique raffle baskets, silent auction and fun. Proceeds to support the CLC›s mission which is to raise awareness, amplify voices and inspire shared action toward a just and sustainable world. Together. For ticket and sponsorship information contact admin@communitylifecollaborative.org or call 440.708.1961 or go to our website communitylifecollaborative.org.

Chagrin History Center to present popular Historic Home tour on June 1

By Rita Kueber

Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network

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

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

Published monthly by the Chagrin Valley Publishing Company

H. KENNETH DOUTHIT III

Publisher

AMANDA MARRS

Creative Director and General Manager KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN Editor

MAY EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Linda Feagler, Sarah Jaquay, Rita Kueber, Jeannie Emser Schutz, Andrea C. Turner

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peggy Turbett

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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.

All the presidents’ pets

By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ

For 109 years our nation has celebrated

National Be Kind to Animals Week, (this year it took place from May 5 through 11) and, according to worldpopulationreview.com, that ongoing American kindness translates to the U.S. enjoying the world’s largest pet ownership (surpassing #2 China, even though China has five times our population).

In January ’24, “Forbes Advisor” reported 66 percent of U.S. households own a pet: with dogs taking first place (65.1 million households); cats (46.5 million households); fish (11.1 million households). “Forbes” also noted the largest percentage of current pet owners are Millennials (33 percent), then Gen X (25 percent) and Baby Boomers (24 percent).

Some of America’s most famous pets have resided in our most famous household…the White House. High profile presidential pets included Caroline Kennedy’s Macaroni the pony and George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s Millie (subject of First Lady Barbara’s bestselling book about their English Springer Spaniel).

Most recently President Biden’s German Shepherds, Major and Commander, were banished from the White House after biting incidents (leading “USA Today” to call Major the “Biter-in-Chief”). But Biden’s dogs weren’t the first presidential pets who behaved badly. In an odd historical parallel, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s German Shepherd (also named Major) had to be rehomed after “tearing the pants of the British prime minister at the first state dinner FDR hosted in 1933.”

Another pet sent packing after an international incident was President Teddy Roosevelt’s bulldog Pete, after it bit the French Ambassador. And the story goes when President Andrew Jackson died, his foul-mouthed pet African Grey parrot Poll was whisked from the funeral room, according to the presiding Reverend,

after Poll “let loose perfect gusts of ‘cuss words.’”

The “first” White House pets came courtesy of the “first” president, George Washington. An avid rider and fox hunter, Washington brought a stable of horses and hunting hounds and is credited with assisting in the development of the American Foxhound breed.

Washington’s successor, Thomas Jefferson, opted for mockingbirds and two bear cubs as pets. Other unusual presidential pets included an alligator and silkworms (John Quincy Adams); an elephant and eagle (James Buchanan) and goats (Benjamin Harrison, William Henry Harrison and Abraham Lincoln).

While Congress usually has trouble making decisions, it was united in forcing President Martin Van Buren to send two tiger cubs (gifted by the Sultan of Oman) to a zoo, rather than house them at the executive mansion. President Woodrow Wilson found a novel pet solution to lower groundskeeping costs during World War I. He brought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds, including his famous tobacco-chewing ram, Old Ike.

Besides Macaroni the pony, the Kennedys enjoyed a menagerie of birds, hamsters, a rabbit, cat and dogs. Their pooch Pushinka (a gift from Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev) was a pup of Strelka, one of the first dogs to be shot into space and return alive. The Secret Service first checked Pushinka for electronic bugs before allowing her into the White House. Pushinka later birthed a litter the president called “pupniks.”

Hunter/naturalist President Teddy Roosevelt’s White House “zoo” included a bear, pony, hyena, guinea pigs, birds and Josiah the badger, a gift from a little girl. Roosevelt’s daughter Ethel, 12, wrote in 1903 that the badger “is always amusing us with his antics, shredding furniture with his sharp claws or chasing the gardener up a tree. Father just throws his head back and laughs

with his booming laugh.” When Josiah started biting visitors’ ankles, however, it meant a trip to the zoo.

But when it came to White House menageries, Calvin Coolidge wins hands down. It began with a racoon, a gift from a constituent who intended the animal to be eaten for Thanksgiving. Instead, Coolidge kept it as a pet, walking “Rebecca” on a leash around the White House grounds. The Coolidges were also gifted with exotic animals from foreign leaders, including a pygmy hippo, a wallaby, a pair of lion cubs and Pekin ducks (which Mrs. Coolidge attempted to raise in the bathroom).

Many of those creatures were later donated to the National Zoo.

Rebecca wasn’t the only animal that was a prospective meal-turned-pet. Presented with

a live turkey intended for his 1863 Christmas dinner, President Lincoln’s son Tad, 10, quickly adopted it, named him Jack and taught him to follow Tad around the White House. Christmas Eve Tad convinced his father to spare the turkey. Lincoln issued “an order of reprieve” for Jack, inaugurating what would become a tradition to pardon future White House turkeys. One pet that spiked controversy was FDR’s Scottish Terrier Fala (whose popularity catapulted the Scotty breed). FDR was rarely without Fala, taking him on a sea trip to the Aleutian Islands in 1944. A false rumor began that Fala was accidentally left on an island, requiring the Navy to send a ship to retrieve him. The next presidential campaign, Republicans accused FDR of spending millions

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The Kennedy children check out Macaroni the pony.

Derek Brennan captures cherished pets in special portraits

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

When it comes to fine art, there may be no more deserving a subject than man’s best friend.

Derek Brennan, a fine artist and muralist, has painted more than 300 dog portraits during his career.

“I started out as a caricature artist at Cedar Point, right out of high school. I’m from Sandusky. I enrolled at Bowling Green State University, where I studied fine art. I met my girlfriend, now my wife, and followed her to Cleveland,” he noted. “I had an opportunity to do a mural and that just started snowballing. The murals are obviously more lucrative.” Brennan said his murals can be seen at locations throughout Northeast Ohio, including the Metro Health Glick Center, Cleveland Public Auditorium, Cleveland State University and Lorain County Community College.

“During the first year of COVID, I couldn’t really leave the house. A lot of friends were getting dogs as companions. So, I figured it was a good time to just hunker down and paint some pictures of dogs,” he said.

“The process that I use with the pet portraits is encaustic. It is beeswax and oil paint, so it is hot while you are painting. It dries rather quickly on canvas, kind of like candle wax dries,” Brennan explained. “The first ever encaustic painting that I did was while I was in college. Since it was a new process that I was using for the first time, I thought that I would just paint a picture of my dog. I love animals.

Pets continued from Page 4

of taxpayer’s dollars to retrieve Fala. The President defended Fala in a famous speech. “These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, my wife or sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog Fala. Well, of course I don’t resent attacks, and my family doesn’t resent attacks, but Fala does resent them.”

I especially like painting the squishy-face dogs like bulldogs. There is so much character in the wrinkles in their faces.”

“With encaustic, I’m able to combine various

In the case of Lyndon B. Johnson, his beagles, Him and Her, weren’t the problem, the President was. When a photo ran in “Life” magazine showing him picking up one of the beagles by its ears to encourage it to bark for guests, public reaction was swift. Editorials, letters and calls swamped the White House. Presidential dogs seem to steal most of the limelight, however felines have also had their day with several presidents, including Lincoln

mediums in one composition, creating elements of complexity and discovery in each piece. The beeswax subdues the colors of the oil paint and creates a harmony throughout the entire

(who even rescued three kittens while visiting General Grant during the Civil War). President Rutherford Hayes became the proud owner of the first Siamese cat to arrive in the U.S. (a gift from an American diplomat in Bangkok). (Hayes also had a pet opossum.) Presidential daughters of Ford and Carter would also own a Siamese during their White House years. President Bill Clinton’s tuxedo cat Socks garnered more press than his Lab Buddy.

series, while giving the painting a nostalgic quality that makes each one like a memory,” he said. “The weathered panels and use of vintage magazine clippings further illustrate this affection for the past.”

Brennan said that about a third of the pet portraits that he does are of pets that have passed away. “People just want something that they can hang on their wall as a remembrance,” he added. The pet portraits are hand-painted to look exactly like your four-legged best friend. “I usually recommend starting the process by sending me five to 10 photos of your pet. Once we have decided on the size and price, all I need is a deposit of half the total. When searching for photos of your pet, please send the best quality photos that are sharp, well- lit and close up of the face,” Brennan advised. He said a smaller, 12-inch by 12-inch painting would start at about $300 and go up in price by size. The turnaround time depends on the season. “This time of year, I am painting more murals, so I have less time for the pet portraits. But, during the holiday season, I can probably complete a portrait in 30 to 45 days,” he said.

“I have studio space in the 78th Street Studios in Cleveland. We have an open house there on the third Friday of every month. Studio Brennan is on the lower level. Since I am a solo artist, you can also contact me and we can meet by appointment,” Brennan noted. To see more of Derek Brennan’s artwork, visit his website at www.derek-brennan.com.

The two animals didn’t get along, prompting Clinton to remark, “I did better with the Arabs, Palestinians and Israelis than I have with Socks and Buddy!”

Of all the presidents, only three were noted as not being White House pet owners: James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson and Donald Trump (although one story recounts that when Johnson discovered mice in his bedroom, he decided to feed and keep them rather than exterminate).

The process that Derek Brennan uses for his pet portraits is encaustic, a mixture of beeswax and oil paint. Photograph provided by Derek Brennan

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

Saturday, June 15…Tails at Twilight, to benefit Rescue Village, 5:30 p.m. at Chagrin Valley Hunt Club, 7620 Old Mill Road, Gates Mills, OH 44040. For more information and tickets visit rescuevillage.org/event/gala.

Friday, June 21…Elevation, to benefit The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), 6:30 to 11 p.m. at iconic Indigo Lake, off Riverview Road. Guests will enjoy an extraordinary evening in the park - a one-of-a-kind summer night that steps off with trail mix to complement your short hike to Indigo Lake. The event will inlude a steel drum band, activities in the meadow, a casual dinner via food trucks with beer and wine. The evening continues with dancing under the stars to Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean along with s’mores around the campfire. Cost: $100 per member ticket or $160 per non-member ($25 and $85, respectively, tax deductible). For Tickets: www.forcvnp.org/elevation.

Friday, June 21…Summer Solstice, to benefit Hopewell, 6 p.m. at The Orchid House Winery, 155 Treat Rd., Aurora. Exquisite wines, delicious cuisine and stunning surroundings – one of Northeast Ohio’s premier events. Visit hopewellcommunity.org.

Saturday, June 22…Topography, to benefit The Conservancy for Cuyahoga National Park (CVNP), 6:30 to 11 p.m. at iconic Indigo Lake, located off Riverview Road. The event begins at Howe Meadow with a short hike up a wooded path, a welcome cocktail in hand and live music in the air. The trail ends at Indigo Lake, where you will enjoy a curated selection of hors d’oeuvres leading up to a one-of-a-kind dining experience with special wine pairings. Then, finish the evening with good friends around a crackling campfire. Evening catered by Spice Catering Co. Cost: $350 per person ($130 tax deductible) Proceeds go toward the Trails Now Fund, which provides support for trail maintenance, visitor amenities and new trailheads within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For Tickets: www.forcvnp.org/topography.

Sunday, June 23 … Party. Period!, to benefit Apollo’s Fire, at University School’s Upper Campus, 2785 SOM Center Road. Cocktails, dinner, wine, silent and live auctions and a concert. The concert features Apollo’s Fire led by Jeannette Sorrell, and featuring MOSAIC Artist, Soprano, Sonya

Headlam. Dinner is provided by Thyme Catering. Event starts at 5 p.m., dinner and wine at 6 p.m. with performance at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $250. For more information, visit apollosfire.org.

Saturday, July 13…Sunflower Winefest, to benefit Prayers from Maria Foundation, 4 to 9 p.m. Depot St., Rocky River. Wine, craft beer gardens, live music and fabulous food. Garden wristband is $60 presale/$75 at the door admission. VIP wristband is $250, includes a private full bar, food and seating.

Sunday, July 21...Blossom Summer Soiree, to benefit the Cleveland Orchestra. Enjoy a festive dinner party complete with seasonal summer cocktails and friends in Knight Grove at Blossom Music Center. Then, you will be treated to a concert by Leslie Odom, Jr. and the Cleveland Orchestra. Tickets start at $300 and include cocktails, dinner, a concert ticket and parking. Visit http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/soiree or call 216.231.7412.

Tuesday, Aug. 13...Gift of Life, celebrates Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Sponsored by the Community West Foundation, the familyfriendly event includes access to the zoo and Asian Lantern Festival, rides on the Circle of Life Carousel, and Superhero and Princess character experiences. For more information, visit www.communitywestfoundation.org.

Saturday, Aug. 24...2024 Summer Soiree: Bicentennial Bash to benefit Dunham Tavern Museum, 6 to 10 p.m. at the museum and grounds, 6709 Euclid Ave. As the oldest building in Cleveland, Dunham Tavern has witnessed 200 years of history. The evening will include live music, an open bar, buffet-style dinner and some surprises. Tickets start at $125. Visit http://www. dunhamtavern.org for details.

Saturday, Aug. 24…Night at the Museum 2024 Gala, to benefit Canton Museum of Art’s Exhibition, Education and Art Therapy Programs. More information to come. Visit cantonart.org/ artinspiresgala.

Saturday, Sept. 7…Chefs Unbridled to benefit Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club Polo Field (7620 Old Mills Road, Gates Mills). Deemed one of the top benefits in Northeast Ohio, Chefs Unbridled is led by chef partners Chris Hodgson and Scott Kuhn of Driftwood Hospitality and supports Fieldstone Farm’s programs for people with special needs. Backdropped by a huge, decorated tent, the evening will feature new live cooking demonstration stations with chefs from Driftwood Hospitality, Flour, The Last Page, and Hook and Hoof. Guests

(21 & over) will also enjoy an expanded outdoor entertainment area, as well as food truck service, cocktails, a wine pull, a bourbon barrel raffle, live music, carriage rides around Gates Mills, and more. Tickets start at $175 and include a tax-deductible donation to Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. To purchase tickets, visit https:// www.fieldstonefarm.org/support-us/chefs-unbridled/ or call 440-708-0013 ext. 123.

Saturday, Sept. 7…Pandemonium 2024, to benefit Cleveland Public Theatre, at the Cleveland Public Theatre Campus. Event to honor with the PAN Award James D. Graham, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer & Secretary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. . Event to feature a labyrinth of theatre, dance, visual art and performances in every corner of the campus. Tickets will be available for purchase in July at cptonline.org. For more information, call 216.631.2727, ext. 120.

Tuesday, September 10…Cross Out Cancer, to benefit immunotherapy cancer care and research in memory of Mary Ann Cross. Join leaders from University Hospitals Wesley Center for Immunotherapy at 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. 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.

Saturday, Sept. 21…Cleveland Pickle Fest, to benefit Greater Cleveland Volunteers, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mall C, Downtown Cleveland. This fun-filled day includes Pickles from many local and regional companies, pickle-flavored beer, pickle-flavored desserts, drinks, candy and other fun food, plus a variety of pickle-themed merchandise from dozens of food and non-food vendors. Live music and a pickle eating contest, with both youth and adult divisions. VIP tent with exclusive features. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit clevelandpicklefest.com.

Sunbeam Board and Vocational Guidance Services “Friday Night on 55th”

The Sunbeam Board and Vocational Guidance Services (VGS) came together for an evening to support Ohioans with disabilities on April 12, at its Friday Night on 55th benefit. The event raises funds to benefit VGS, which has served individuals in the region since 1890. The organization works to create pathways for individuals with disabilities to engage in the community, achieve greater independence, and attain employment.

The organization’s history stretches back 134 years when a group of women known as the Sunbeam Circle joined together to support disabled patients in Lakeside Children’s Hospital. In 1986, the name Vocational Guidance Service was adopted with a commitment to serving those in need.

With a festive tropical theme, approximately 180 guests dressed appropriately in springtime attire with florals, whites and bright colors. Live music was performed by Brazilian musician Moises Borges.

Emcee Bob Hale led the organization’s “Call to the Heart” raise the paddle giving portion and attendees participated in a wine pull. Guests enjoyed cocktails and noshed on passed hors d’œuvres and food from stations provided by Marigold catering.

Elizabeth Horvitz and Sarah McWhorter served as co-chairs; Horvitz created the eyepopping floral displays that evoked a lush tropical landscape, complete with palm trees and colorful lighting.

Marianne Sanders and her brother John Fay, a recipient of services from VGS, spoke of their personal experience. Fay had the misfortune of suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident when he was 16 years old. Because of this, he developed memory issues and lost much of his executive functioning and organizational skills — leading to poor treatment from peers and potential employers. Sanders, his guardian for 17 years, explained how VGS provided her brother with the skills to secure a job and maintain a career where he could be successful and work alongside others. Because of his dedication and work ethic, he was promoted to a peer support leader, a cause for great pride in their family. Fay summed up his VGS experience by stating, “I feel comfortable here and I feel respected.”

The event’s main sponsors were Swagelok, Zeeba Clinic, Trish and John Dorsey, and Elizabeth and Matthew Horvitz. For more information, visit vgs.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

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Siblings John Fay and Mariane Sanders

Event Co-chairs Elizabeth Horvitz and Sarah McWhorter

VGS Board Chair Liz Gillmore, VGS President & CEO Susie Barragate and Sunbeam Board President Sarah Guyuron Maha and Fahim Gemayel

Lisa Lane and Ana Maria Osses

CIFF 48 attracts largest in-person audiences since moving to Playhouse Square

By SARAH JAQUAY

The Cleveland International Film Festival’s (CIFF’s) 48th annual downtown movie binge felt more like the good old days when moviegoers knew nothing about a spiky virus that could weaponize your row-mates. Indeed, CIFF 48 (April 3-13 in-person and CIFF Streams April14-21, 2024) experienced its best attendance since opening in its new forever home at Playhouse Square (PSQ) in 2022. With 137 feature films and 225 short films representing 60 countries, plus more than 300 guest filmmakers at CIFF48’s in-person run, the vibe was reminiscent of Tower City Cinemas’ crowded hallways where cinephiles compared notes, made suggestions for mustsees and passed along information about added screenings of audience favorites.

The first two years at PSQ, its sheer size seemed an impediment to community and camaraderie; but with increased attendance and movie buffs becoming familiar with these gorgeous theaters, that has all changed. This reporter was delighted to see the line for the closing film, “Devo,” snaking from the Connor Palace Theater almost to the the lobby of the Mimi Ohio Theater. Granted, this band has local roots; but it was really fun to “walk the line” and see folks we hadn’t seen since the pre-pandemic era.

Far and away the most inspiring film we saw was “False Positive.” It’s a documentary about Olympian (and Akron native) Butch Reynolds. Reynolds was wrongly accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs and banned from the Barcelona Olympics (1992) while he was still in his prime. In 1988 Reynolds won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay and a silver in the 400-meter dash at the Seoul Olympics. He’d also set the world record in the 400-meter earlier that year. The film highlights Reynolds’ litigation grind against the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and others (some of which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court) to overturn the ban and clear his name. Reynolds attended the CIFF premiere and happened to sit in front of us. This remarkable Ohioan was slated to be the next Jesse Owens but had the opportunity snatched away because the IAAF refused to admit its blatant error. Reynolds was shunned by other Olympians and unable to get a coaching job even at his own high school. Reynolds found a way past his righteous anger and moved beyond bitterness to start an at-risk youth program in Akron. At the end, there was hardly a dry eye in the house and Reynolds got a lengthy standing ovation as he took the stage for an audience Q&A. It was one of those CIFF moments that reminds viewers there are heroes everywhere. To this day the IAAF has never apologized or compensated Butch Reynolds for the ordeal they put him through. “False Positive” is part of ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary series and is available on Hulu. Other highlights included “Maestra,” about the annual Parisian competition for female symphony conductors and “Secret Mall Apartment” about renegade RISD students (and graduates) who lived in unoccupied space at a gargantuan Providence mall for four years. The ending is beyond ironic as viewers learn the fate of this Rhode Island “dead mall.” The best fictional drama we saw was “Ghostlight,” a modern take on Romeo & Juliet that was poignant, funny and hopeful about finding creative ways to move through unspeakable grief.

As always, a few films begged for better plot development or needed more concise editing. Yet all the films we saw provoked thought, lively discussions or suggestions for improvement. In short, watching and analyzing globally-sourced movies at Playhouse Square’s iconic theaters is a great place to be in springtime on the North Coast.

CIFF 49 will be March 26-April 5, 2025 at Playhouse Square.

See www.clevelandfilm.org for more information and for a complete list of CIFF 48 award winners.

Patrick Shepherd set for new chapter after success with Film Festival

By SARAH JAQUAY

“Twenty-six years is a solid run and it’s time for new leadership,” retired Associate Director of the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) Patrick Shepherd stated in an email. He was responding to: Why leave now, when CIFF is on the verge of its half-century celebration in a couple of years? Indeed, the recent CIFF 48 (in-person from April 3-13 and CIFF Streams from April 14-21, 2024) was another successful one with the festival’s biggest attendance since moving to its new forever home at Playhouse Square. Both Shepherd and Executive Director Marcie Goodman announced they would be leaving after CIFF 48. Those announcements portend huge changes in a lean, effective Cleveland nonprofit that’s garnered a well-deserved reputation as a festival for purists and one that filmmakers particularly enjoy due to its enthusiastic audiences and generous cash awards.

Continuity was another goal for Shepherd. “I wanted to make sure CIFF got settled into its new home and I think three years in, it is. There will always be some tweaking from year to year, but that was the case at Tower City too.” Shepherd and Goodman drew a big crowd to their joint “exit interview” at the Music Box on March 27, 2024, with owner Mike Miller quizzing them about memorable moments. “With the movie “Believeland,” we caught lighting in a bottle,” notes Shepherd. It was shown at Playhouse Square to a packed house on March 31, 2016, the same year (but before) the Cavs won a championship for a city starved for a title since 1964. “We were able to introduce CIFF to a huge new audience.”

In fact, it was the biggest single screening in CIFF’s history with some 2,049 attendees.

Some of Shepherd’s other memorable moments include the blizzard of 2008 and the cancellation of CIFF in 2020 due to COVID-19.

“We pivoted to streaming fairly quickly due to hard work and some luck,” Shepherd notes. In the days after a City Hall press conference cancelled the St. Patrick’s Day parade and CIFF 44, Artistic Director Mallory Martin reached out to CineSend, a Toronto-based firm with whom CIFF already had a relationship.

CineSend was able to upload CIFF 44 movies to the cloud and set up a streaming platform pretty quickly. “We cancelled CIFF 44 on March 11, 2020 and CIFF Streams started

on April 15, 2020.” While that change was a grand disappointment for in-person devotees, Shepherd says it was ultimately a good thing. CIFF Streams will remain a fixture for the future. “We found new audiences for those unable or unwilling to come downtown, even if it’s just because of geographic distance.”

Shepherd started at CIFF as standby manager at Tower City Cinemas when there used to be three lines for popular movies: one for pass holders, one for ticket holders and one for standby ticket holders. The standby lines often snaked outside into the RTA Walkway. He moved up to become CIFF’s development director, then associate director. Patrick is justly proud of his role in community engagement.

The Cleveland Pops’ Tribute to Our Armed Forces Concert

The Cleveland Pops invites you to our last subscription concert of the 2023-24 season on Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. with the annual tradition

of upbeat, toe-tapping, sing-along favorites honoring America. Lead by Conductor Carl Topilow, the Cleveland Pops will perform the magic of timeless

During Shepherd’s tenure, CIFF went from having one community partner (entities who sponsor specific screenings) in 2002 to having 138, many of which are nonprofits, for CIFF 48. “It’s so compelling to see people like you up on the big screen.” Whether viewers are members of the LGBTQ community, differently-abled or recent immigrants, they can find CIFF movies where they’ll be represented.

Patrick is excited about his next chapter. He’s going to work for the Greater Sandusky Partnership (GSP.) According to their website, it’s “a comprehensive economic development organization committed to cultivating a vibrant regional economy.” Shepherd explains his role will be similar to what he did at CIFF, “I’ll be working on fundraising and community engagement.” And although he’s going to miss everyone at CIFF, he’s thrilled about working for GSP CEO Eric Wobser. Shepherd has spent a lot of his free time in Sandusky the past few years and explained to the Music Box audience that one day he noted the rare presence of protesters in front of Sandusky City Hall. “What were they protesting: That Eric Wobser was considering taking a job offer out of town,” Patrick notes. That says a lot about the community support Wobser and GSP enjoys.

“I’m proud of my involvement in making Cleveland a better place to live, work, play and stay,” Shepherd says of his time at CIFF. It’s pretty clear he’ll be doing the same thing for Sandusky and its Erie County partners. Here’s hoping Patrick will come back and watch some flicks with his fans at CIFF 49 (March 26-April 5, 2025.)

hits from some of America’s best songwriters, including Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Carole King, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, and more. To

close out the night, there will be a special salute to our armed forces and first responders. To purchase tickets, visit clevelandpops.com.

Cleveland International Film Festival Associate Director Patrick Shepherd leaves a legacy of increased community engagement and partners after 26 years at CIFF. Photograph courtesy of CIFF

Since its inception in the 1960s, Hamlet at Chagrin Falls has provided a comfortable, beautiful and safe place for area seniors to age in place. Some 60 years ago, the leaders of Chagrin Falls were intentional in creating an active retirement community set on 47 wooded acres, which has since proved to be a strong and steadfast pillar in Cuyahoga County.

Hamlet has continued to evolve in its options for local seniors – first completing a $2 million revitalization and renovation plan and most recently, opening a new memory care neighborhood – creating a specialized place for those who require cognitive support due to memory challenges.

In memory care at Hamlet, residents live more confidently with specially trained team members to assist them with daily routines and purposeful activities. By incorporating innovative therapies into daily life – for example, sensory activities and relaxation techniques – memory care enhances residents’ wellbeing in mind, body and soul. Additionally, families find peace of mind knowing their loved ones always have support close at hand in a loving environment.

From independent living apartments and villas to assisted living and memory care, the natural splendor of the Chagrin Valley is apparent across all levels of living. Residents particularly enjoy being surrounded by nature,

yet a close stroll away from Chagrin Falls’ charming downtown. The community’s ideal location offers the chance for involvement in the village lifestyle, with many residents enjoying the area’s strong cultural and recreational outlets – not to mention the local charm of the many desirable restaurants and shops.

However, residents also remain happily occupied within Hamlet’s picturesque campus. They are able to embrace as many opportunities as possible – from yoga classes and gardening to entertainment events and happy hours hosted in The Atrium and Clubhouse. With an abundance of activities so conveniently available, it’s easy to keep busy and feel young at heart. Beyond that, it’s been proven that staying active and connected enhances health and longevity.

As a not-for-profit, full-service rental senior community, Hamlet provides greater flexibility and freedom while relieving residents of the extensive chores and additional costs of homeownership. There’s no need to worry about home maintenance, meal preparation, property taxes or snow and trash removal, which means more time and energy spent on having fun, pursuing your passions and making new friends. All this combines to create the close-knit atmosphere that Hamlet is known for – where neighbors become friends and even family.

ChamberFest Cleveland Concert

ChamberFest Cleveland’s “Sacred and Profane” concert of music by Mozart, Debussy and Medelssohn will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Mixon Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music. Playful Mozart sets the tone, kicking things off with a flourish. Debussy’s atmospheric work for harp and string quartet introduces the theme of contrasts, with the harp

sparkling like a mirror ball, strings swelling and swirling. Mendelssohn expresses a whole range of emotions with his string quintet, taking us on an intensely dramatic odyssey infused with his trademark elegance. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit chamberfestcleveland.com.

Icon with the Virgin Hodegetria Dexiokratousa, c. 1200–1225. Byzantine. Mosaic set in wax on wood panel; with mounting: 44.6 x 33 cm (17 9/16 x 13 in.) The Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai.

CMA’s spring exhibition ‘Africa & Byzantium’

By ANDREA C. TURNER

The message of “spreading the light of peace, cooperation and love — along with our artifacts” was shared by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Porphyrios of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai, as the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) unveiled its ticketed Spring Exhibition, “Africa & Byzantium” at a media preview on April 10.

The exhibit is on view through July 21. It’s the first international loan exhibition to consider the complex artistic relationships between northern and eastern African Christian kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire from the fourth century CE and beyond. It contains 160 secular and sacred artworks from across geographies and faiths, including large-scale frescoes, mosaics, and luxury goods such as metalwork, jewelry, panel paintings, architectural elements, textiles, and illuminated manuscripts. The art and faith of these historical kingdoms—including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—resonate with many worldwide today.

Three centuries after the pharaohs of ancient Egypt ended their rule, new African rulers built empires in the northern and eastern regions of that continent. Spanning from the Empire of Aksum in present-day Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen to the Christian kingdoms of Nubia in present-day Sudan, these complex civilizations cultivated economic, political, and cultural relationships with one another. The Byzantine Empire (Byzantium)—inheritor of the Roman Empire—also took part in these artistic and cultural networks as it expanded its footprint in northern Africa.

Together, these great civilizations created their own unique arts while also building a shared visual culture across the regions linked by the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Nile River, and the Sahara Desert, where discoveries are still being made today.

Loaned from collections in Africa, Europe, and North America, many works have never been exhibited in the US. Most were made by African artists or imported to the continent at the request of the powerful rulers of precolonial kingdoms and empires.

Dr. Kristen Windmuller-Luna, who joined the CMA in January 2020, as curator of African art, worked with a team these past four years to curate this extensive collection in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Amazingly, she’s a first-generation

The magic of Monet

By LINDA FEAGLER

Heralded as the quintessential Impressionist, Claude Monet’s exquisite masterpieces and vibrant subjects — ranging from snow-capped mountains to sun-drenched landscapes and iconic architecture — have been instrumental in ensuring his place as one of the world’s most celebrated artists.

Through August 11, the Cleveland Museum of Art is presenting “Monet in Focus,” an exhibition featuring five of his momentous works. Three of the paintings — Rouen Cathedral, Sunlight Effect, End of Day (1892); Water Lilies (1907) and Japanese Bridge (1918) — are on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. Two from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection — Water Lilies (Aguapanthus), which took the artist a decade to complete, and Gardener’s House at Antibes (1888) — are also showcased.

The exhibit, says Heather Lemonedes Brown, the CMA’s Curator of Modern European Art, is designed to chart Monet’s evolution from Impressionism to paintings

Japanese Bridge, 1918. Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). Oil on canvas; 100 x 200 cm. Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, Michel Monet bequest, 1966. Inv. 5106. Photo ©

evoking Abstractionism and Symbolism.

“We knew we wanted to feature a selection of Monet’s most important subjects and styles,” she says. “The Musée Marmottan

Monet is particularly strong in the artist’s later works because their collection is one Monet left in his studio after he died, and his son gave to the museum.”

Located in the Normandy region of France where Monet spent much of his life, Rouen Cathedral, Sunlight Effect, End of Day is one of more than 30 paintings of the historic structure the artist completed between 1892 and 1894. The series is the first in which he concentrated exclusively on an architectural subject. During this period, France was experiencing a revival of interest in Catholicism, and the Gothic-style house of worship, completed in 1506, was held in high esteem as a national treasure.

“One of the fascinating aspects of this painting is the way Monet literally laid the paint on the canvas to evoke the surface of stone, and created light and shadow to suggest late-afternoon sunshine,” Brown says. “It’s a wonderful foreshadowing of how Monet would create his water lily paintings by focusing on one subject,” she adds.

Water Lilies, 1907. Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). Oil on canvas; 100 x 73 cm. Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, Michel Monet bequest, 1966. Inv. 5118. Photo © Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation “Chef’s Fantasy”

“Chef’s Fantasy,” one of Northeast Ohio’s best and most original food, wine and auction events, attracted 150 guests to this year’s gala at the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland.

The evening included an exquisite dinner comprised of multiple courses, each prepared by a different stand-out local chef and perfectly paired with wine. The 2024 featured chefs included: Chef Vishwatej Nath with Progressive Field, Chef Richard Arnoldi from the Ritz-Carlton, Chef Ky-Wai Wong with Tri-C Culinary, Chef Todd Whitman representing Serenite Restaurant, Chef Matt Dugan with Vitamix, Chef Derek Ivancic from Jack Entertainment, Chef Brad Gambrell with Huntington Convention Center, and Chef Anthony Scolaro of One Eleven Bistro.

Chef’s Fantasy’s live and silent auctions included one-of-a-kind travel and culinary packages, art and more.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with cystic fibrosis the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the cystic fibrosis community and advanced, high-quality, specialized care.

Through improvements in treatment and care, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is adding tomorrows for people with the disease. A few decades ago, most people with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, people with the disease are graduating from high school and college, pursuing careers, getting married and starting families of their own. Chef’s Fantasy raised more than $150,000 to support this mission.

STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN.

College Scholarships for Foster-System Involved Youth

Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County (CFACC) is pleased to announce that limited college scholarships for local students formerly in foster care are once again available through the Kevin O’Boyle Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is now open for applications for the Fall 2024 academic term.

Kevin O’Boyle was a Cleveland native, St. Ignatius graduate, Cuyahoga County and Ohio CASA board member, and active CASA volunteer for 15+ years when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in June 2020.

Kevin served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer with more than 20 older teens experiencing foster care in both Cleveland and Chicago, and guided many to higher education and vocational training in his role as a CASA.

In honor of Kevin’s legacy, CASA of Cuyahoga County offers need-based scholarship awards for up to four students for the 2024-25 academic term. Eligible students must be:

● currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree, community college, vocational training,

or job certificate program in Cuyahoga County

● have a documentable foster care stay of at least one year with CCDCFS

● have achieved 50% degree or program/ certificate completion/required program GPA

● have documented financial needs based on the FAFSA filing and/or advisor recommendation concerning any unique financial circumstances

● referred by their school or program advisor using a CFACC-provided form

This scholarship is open only to former foster-system involved youth served by the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services, and is limited to postsecondary educational and job training services provided in Cuyahoga County.

The scholarship application and required reference & recommendation forms can be accessed at https://cfadvocates.org/scholarshipfund/. For additional questions about eligibility for the scholarship, please contact CASA of Cuyahoga County: info@cfadvocates.org or 216.325.7747.

Rob and Dianne Remington with Terry Johnson and Joe Heider

Mike and Denise Kmetz with Keeli and Matt Baumgartner

Gabrielle and Nicholas Kelly with Kathy Lipcsik

Andy Baskin, Suzanne Zak and Samantha Basile Lewis

Mike and Becky Darrah with Mary and Mitchell Drumm

Area retailers offer suggestions for Father’s Day gifts

By MICHELE COLLINS

With Father’s Day set for Sunday, June 16, we consulted with some local retailers who offered several great suggestions for gift ideas.

With everything from cool sneakers from Brazil, modern jewelry or an exciting outdoor adventure, Father’s Day gift-giving can be as fun for the giver as it is for the receiver.

Chad Schreibman, of Alson Jewelers in Woodmere, might have the glitziest gift of all for that father who has it all– a $10,000 Baccarat crystal bar set that allows the owner to chill his shot glasses and decanter- while impressing those around him.

Mr. Schreibman said this gift is certainly an “over the top way to impress every dad,” but is only one example of the many great gift

options in the showroom. “David Yurman has some really unique jewelry pieces, bracelets with leather straps, and with cool stones like onyx, and blue topaz,” he said. “A gift of jewelry is something that men really appreciate and will certainly be something that can be individualized to their tastes.” Alson Jewelers is also a certified Rolex dealer and has more than eight brands of men’s watches- a favorite gift for any dad.

At Fireside Books in Chagrin Falls, Carole Watson suggested offering dad an interesting read. “There are some really wonderful new books about sports, local landmarks or history,” she said. Some of her recommendations for Father’s Day gifts included “What’s the Deal With Dead Man’s Curve,” by Jim Sweeney, “There Are Dads Way Worse Than You”, by

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Glen Boozan-a humorous look at fatherhood, or a look at Ohio political history entitled “ Ohio’s Presidents,” by Heather Cole. Books are an excellent way to show a dad that you know what interests him and found something for him to enjoy learning more about, she said.

At Hedges Designs in Chagrin Falls, Sharon said, “We have some unique posters for the outdoorsman. They feature really beautiful scenes from the National Parks.” She added that there are also beautiful books that include amazing photographs, like one she has that showcases vintage cars, called “Beach Rides,” published by Johnny Vacay. Another popular gift item is to choose a food item that Dad really likes, for example a group of hot sauces. Or provide him with cocktail items or drink mixes. Hedges Designs also has a new line

of Brazilian sneakers called Veja, which are very popular with local men, Sharon said. She suggests tying the gift to something Dad enjoys doing, so something to wear while doing that activity is always an excellent gift, she shared. But sometimes a wonderful gift can be something the giver does not wrap at all — an unforgettable experience. Peter Alves of Chagrin River Outfitters offers guided fly-fishing trips that would give any dad a once in a lifetime memory. “We have charters that go all over the country and are planned by experts. We also offer everything you need in the way of gear and fly-fishing equipment. From flies to lines and everything in between,” said Mr.Alves. And for as little as $300 for a local trip, dad will receive something far more memorable than a tie or golf shirt.

Bountiful French country estate ~ great Memorial Day sale May 23 through the 26th in Bath, OH. GREENWALD ANTIQUES, Woodmere, greenwald antiques.com.

At Marshall Flooring you can take advantage of savings on all Karastan products during the semi-annual National Karastan Month Savings with Style event. You can receive up to $1,000 back on select styles. Bring home the unmistakable quality of Karastan carpet – or choose from Karastan’s LuxeCraft LTV and BelleLuxe wood collection. Marshall Flooring, founded in 1966, remains family-owned and is in the third generation of ownership. With the area’s most comprehensive selection of carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, rugs and more, why would you go anyplace but Marshall Flooring? Marshall Flooring is in the Eastgate Shopping Center in Mayfield Heights. Visit marshallflooring.com for hours.

Gift Planning Powers the Discoveries of Tomorrow

“There are a lot of areas in which we have a need for funding, including atrial fibrillation and sudden death research. Many of our studies could use this type of unrestricted funding for high-risk, high-reward research. It’s an amazing gift.”

—MINA CHUNG,

MD Cleveland Clinic cardiologist on the estate gift of Carmen Paradis, MD, and her husband, Brian McGrath, to support cardiac research and patient care at Cleveland Clinic.

Scan to learn more

Together, we can create your legacy and shape the future of healthcare. Call 216.444.1245 or email giftplanning@ccf.org

Rust Belt Fibershed grows the future of sustainable fashion

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Rust Belt Fibershed is planting the seeds to grow sustainable fashion in Northeast Ohio.

Twin sisters Jessalynn Boeke and Sarah Pottle are local educators and fiber artists teaching others about the future of sustainable fashion. They are building a community that supports locally grown textiles and decreases the consumption of fast fashion in order to restore the health of our environment. They promote ethical fashion and the use of natural dyes. And, they are passionate about engaging the community through educational events and highlighting the resources of this region of the Midwest and the importance of local labor, dyes and textiles.

As the co-founders of Rust Belt Fibershed, they are connecting the local resources to create fashion, from the soil to the farmers, from the dyers to the designers, from the shop owners to fiber enthusiasts of all styles. “A fibershed encompasses all points of the supply chain and includes everything needed to make clothing within 250 miles of Cleveland. We are localizing the industry and supporting businesses within that geographical location,” Jessalynn Boeke explained.

“My sister and I started this project in January, 2019. We are the only employees, but we have a board of directors. There is a really incredible community of makers in the area that support us,” she said. A volunteer organization, Rust Belt Fibershed received 501©3 designation to create financial capacity to increase direct impact for a local textile system to thrive.

Boeke and Pottle believe that our current globalized, industrial textile system promotes disconnection. It separates workers from the value of their labor, and consumers from the origins of their clothing. They contend that the industrial textile system robs human dignity, ecological stewardship, and connection to people and place, and trades them in for short-term benefits. “Alternatively, if we take the long view and create a new, regional, regenerative model for the textile industry, we can co-create a textile culture that will actively contribute to human health, planetary health and economic stability,” Boeke said.

Rust Belt Fibershed works to develop regional and regenerative fiber systems through community education, and connecting consumers to the biological and social sources of their clothing. Program objectives focus on a goal of developing soil-to-soil systems where textiles are grown, processed, designed, sewn, sold, worn and eventually composted. Boeke and Pottle set up and conduct educational events to develop soil-to-soil material awareness and build support through area communities. They recently conducted a class, “Fashioning a Fibershed: The Potential of the Local Textile Movement,” at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

“We are constantly presenting. We go to universities and community initiatives,” Boeke noted. “We are going to bring local industry into the spotlight and explain to consumers why it is so important.” Rust Belt Fibershed has provided keynote addresses to thousands of audience members at many institutions including The Sierra Club and The Handweavers Guild of America, as well as to students in college and k-12 classrooms. It has been featured on five different podcasts, most recently EcoSpeaks.Cle.

“We as an organization connect people to the farmers and to the designers. We are revamping our producer page on our website as a Value Chain Directory. It will be up on the website by the end of April,” Boeke said. “Our Circle Page invites you to join our free community of more than 500 members. Through it, you can make connections to learn new skills or just get involved with other artists.”

Ohio Contemporary Ballet “Up, Up and Away!”

The Ohio Contemporary Ballet lifted the spirits of 125 guests at its spring benefit, “Up, Up and Away!”

The party, held at the stunning Vocon headquarters, included multiple dinner stations, wine and drinks. Guests were invited to dive into sky-high adventures like a virtual lunar landing experience, craft an airplane symbolizing mankind’s age-old dream to fly and engage with robots firsthand. A live auction featured a stay at a townhouse in Spain, a hot air balloon ride, dinner at a landmark Shaker Heights mansion and a progressive dinner for

six with limousine transportation in Cleveland Heights. The event raised more than $100,000 to support the ballet’s programs. The gala committee was chaired by Mary Anne Garvey. Ohio Contemporary Ballet, formerly Verb Ballets, is steadfast in its mission to connect with the community through dance. This connection is made through programs held in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, arts institutions and healthcare facilities.

STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

To learn more and to connect with textile artists throughout the region, visit www. rustbeltfibershed.com.

Mary Anne Garvey, A.J. Cianflocco and Dr. Margaret Carlson

Mayor David Weiss, Ann Levin and Jim Farley

Carlton Jones, Dr. Margaret Carlson, Denver Booker and Richard Dickenson

David Dusek and James Graham

In honor of our founders Fred and Lucy Giel, come celebrate our 41-year Anniversary with the Giel family during the month of May! BURTON CARPET, 12300 Kinsman Rd., Newbury, 440.564.8151 or burtoncarpet.com.

Call us in time for your Fourth of July gatherings – we’ll help create a beautiful outdoor landscape oasis for your family and friends to enjoy this season. Serving the East Side… J&D Landscapes, LLC, (440) 834-4443, JPastor@ JDLandscapesLLC.com or visit us online at: www.JDLandscapesLLC.com

New outdoor collection that looks and feels like it could be inside. Unique fabric, foam and construction technique drains well and includes custom fit covers to help protect and prolong the life of the patio furniture. Flexible armless piece with movable backs can create infinite configurations. See this and many other outdoor furniture collections at WAYSIDE FURNITURE, 330.733.6221 or waysidefurniture.net.

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum to host Ida’s Ice Cream Social & Birthday Celebration

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum will host a brand-new event called Ida’s Ice Cream Social & Birthday Celebration on June 1 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM to celebrate the life of William McKinley’s wife, Ida Saxton. Join us for an event featuring a variety of treats to celebrate Ida McKinley’s birthday. Listen to live music played by a pianist and learn about Ida McKinley’s history. A selection of Ida’s personal artifacts will be on display. Tickets are $30 for members & $33 for nonmembers and includes ice cream & toppings, a dessert sampling, beverage, sparkling grape juice toast, live entertainment, and a program by Baillie Mosier, Education & Membership Coordinator. Prepaid reservations are required and can be made by calling 330-455-7043

or visiting the Events tab on the Museum’s website at www.McKinleyMuseum.org. Space is limited. The reservation deadline is May 28, 2024.

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW in Canton. The Keller Gallery is the Museum’s temporary exhibition space and features a variety of topics each year. The Museum also includes the McKinley National Memorial, McKinley Gallery, Street of Shops, The Stark County Story, Discover World, Ramsayer Research Center, and the Hoover-Price Planetarium. The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Museum is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Celebrating more than a century of service to children

The Christ Child Society of Cleveland was established in 1916, the very same year the internationally renowned Cleveland Museum of Art opened its doors. Both institutions show prominence in Cleveland – but not all treasures are on canvas and displayed in a beautifully lit marble room. Some treasures, like the CCSC volunteers, appear behind the scenes to help the lives of less fortunate children by offering basic items so many of us take for granted.

While logging 18,000 volunteer hours last year, members served 12,000 children, a remarkable increase of 50 percent from the previous year. Volunteers dutifully distributed numerous small treasures:

1,048 Layette bundles of infant necessities and a “Goodnight Moon” book swaddled in a cozy blanket

2,471 “My Stuff”™ bags serving the needs of children in shelters—offering clothing, underwear, socks, hygiene products and agespecific items to children who arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

1,058 New Winter Coats

755 Cribettes and Beds, complete with bedding

2,294 New School Uniforms

3,800 Hygiene Kits containing basic toiletries

Following the belief that literacy is a pathway out of poverty, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland offers both staffing and funding for the libraries at St. Rocco and St. Francis elementary schools. Devoted members interact with the students by reading with them and helping with book selection for their in-home reading. Volunteers are welcomed at Merrick House and St. Ignatius of Antioch Head Start program to provide “story hours” for their pre-school children. Many children have never owned a book of their own and are grateful for CCSC which provided thousands with thanks to donors and their partnership with the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank. More than 10,000 books were distributed to eager readers last year.

The Christ Child Society of Cleveland operates two resale stores: Lakewood Showcase at 15404 Madison Avenue and Fairview Park Showcase at 20470 Lorain Road. These resale shops are staffed, maintained, and managed by volunteer members. The income generated from these stores supports our programs serving children in need. Donations of gently used and like-new items of clothing and accessories, toys, books, housewares and decorative items, and small home furnishings are gratefully accepted during business hours. For store hours, please go to www. christchildsocietycleveland.org.

All financial donations received will be used locally in Challenging Childhood Poverty in Greater Cleveland.

Cleveland’s Take A Hike® Free Guided Tours Return June 1st

Celebrating its sixteenth year, Take A Hike® Guided Tours offer history buffs two unique series of tours taking place seven days a week throughout the summer. The first series will kick off June 1 and run through July 31, featuring new tours of Little Italy and Monumental Part 1. Take A Hike® will then kick off its second summer series, taking place August 1 through September 30, including new and expanded tours of Erie Street Cemetery, AsiaTown, Historic Euclid Avenue, and Monumental Part 2. Each unique Guided Tour will highlight historical Clevelanders, portrayed by actors, who will share their story and impact in shaping our city. All tours – which are free and open to the public – are no more than two miles, and are approximately 90-minutes, with the exception of Friday lunchtime tours taking place from 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m. Due to the popularity of the summer Guided Tours, pre-registration is highly encouraged. For full information on the 2024 Take A Hike® summer Guided Tour series, please visit TakeAHikeCLE.com.

Self-Employed or Own a Business?

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and Marketplace Health Plans.

Short-Term Rental Benefits, Risks, and Trade-Offs

After the spectacle of the 2024 total eclipse, along with NEO’s vibrant restaurants and top-notch sports, many are considering investing in residential real estate for rental purposes. With the rise of property rental platforms, renting your property is a breeze. The ability to customize rental rates based on special events, seasonal demand, and property type opens avenues for lucrative income opportunities. It also provides flexibility to ensure that your property is available when you need it. Additionally, these rentals provide a range of tax deductions, enhancing their cost-effectiveness.

Despite the benefits associated with short-term rentals, it’s essential to weigh accompanying drawbacks.

Certain local governments regulate short-term rentals with laws on licensing, zoning, and hotel ordinances, which require compliance with building codes and housing regulations. While the Village of Chagrin Falls currently lacks regulations on short-term rentals, efforts are underway to establish them, including an upcoming codified ordinance for registration. Furthermore, Chapter 5323 of the Ohio Revised Code mandates registration of “residential rental property” in counties with over 200,000 residents, which includes Cuyahoga.

If you belong to a homeowner’s association or condo association, review governing documents as they outline rules regarding listing your unit on rental platforms. Similarly, tenants should review

Mark your calendar for the 45th annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, presented by KeyBank, June 20-22!

leases for provisions on subletting, which may be prohibited or require landlord consent.

Although the business of short-term rentals may offer tax deductions, the owner will also have an increase in tax obligations based on income and lodging taxes, among other things. These taxes can be complex and vary by location. It’s essential to understand tax requirements in your area and keep accurate records of rental income and expenses. For safety reasons, it’s advisable to increase your insurance coverage to include specialized short-term rental insurance to cover property damage, liability for accidents, and loss of rental income due to covered events. In addition to augmenting your insurance policies, you should adhere to local safety regulations, conduct regular property inspections, and ensure safety equipment is available on the property. Safety equipment may include surveillance cameras, which should be disclosed to prospective renters.

Failure to comply with any of the above can lead to financial penalties, rental activity suspension, and a myriad of legal troubles.

It’s prudent to consider various factors around short-term rental properties. Contact one of McCarthy Lebit’s real estate or tax attorneys to understand how these factors impact you and your rental prospects.

— Danielle G. Garson, Principal McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA

Budget Lightscapes LED Landscape Lighting was founded 20 years ago on Quality and Excellence! Our founding legacy governs our business practices and illuminates our pathway of success. We are committed to meeting the highest of industry standards with up-to-date training, professional development, and organizational improvements. Staying at the peak of our craft brilliantly reflects our established reputation as NE Ohio’s Premier Nightscape Experts! Schedule Your Free Design Consultation/Quote: Call our office 216406-1900, email chris@budgetlightscapes.com or visit budgetlightscapes.com

Cleveland rocks — but in the summer, it SWINGS!

Thursday, June 20

Take 6

Mimi Ohio Theatre, 8 p.m.

Friday, June 21

Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Allen Theatre, 5 p.m.

Cécile McLorin Salvant

Mimi Ohio Theatre 6:30 p.m.

The artists in this year’s lineup are prizewinning creatives — pushing boundaries, advocating for social change and exploring the worlds of Broadway and Hollywood. But when they hit the stage and play live, the magic begins! From the legendary Charles Lloyd to the amazing Cuban pianist Harold López-Nussa to reigning vocal queens Cécile McLorin Salvant and Ledisi, you’re in for an exciting series! These 12 glorious acts will take the stages of the Connor Palace, the Mimi Ohio Theatre and the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Marcus Miller/Bob James Quartet

Connor Palace, 7:45 p.m.

Scary Goldings

Mimi Ohio Theatre, 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 22

Just imagine...

ARTEMIS featuring Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller/ Flying Home: A Trumpet

Summit

Mimi Ohio Theatre, 2:30 p.m.

Harold López-Nussa: Timba a la Americana/Diego Figueiredo Allen Theatre, 5:15 p.m.

Charles Lloyd Ocean Trio II featuring Gerald Clayton & Marvin Sewell

Mimi Ohio Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Ledisi

Connor Palace, 9 p.m.

And don’t forget about the free party outside

under the chandelier. Enjoy continuous live music and check out the other attractions, including:

• The Jazz Kitchen (jazz talk and cooking demonstrations)

• GE Lighting Kids Corner

• Artisan tents

• Food trucks

• Dancing under the GE Chandelier Join us — the music is better than ever! Visit Tri-Cjazzfest.com for event information. Single indoor concert tickets are now on sale through Playhouse Square. For ticket information or to purchase, visit playhousesquare.org or call 216.241.6000.

OUTDOOR SPACE

At University Hospitals, we take our commitment to our community seriously and are grateful for your ongoing support in this rapidly changing world. Together, we’ll continue to treat patients like family, find new treatments and cures, and prepare the next generation of caregivers. Join others who are helping advance the science of health and the art of compassion by leaving their legacy.

To learn more, contact our Gift Planning Team: UHGiving.org/giftplanning | 216-983-2200

Since 1990, the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic has collaborated with Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in Bainbridge to organize horse show classes for riders with disabilities from across the region. While most of the competitors are from Fieldstone Farm, the invitation to compete in the Riders with Disabilities Horse Show is extended to other local therapeutic riding centers which are expected to field entries this year when the classes begin at 10 a.m. at Chagrin Valley Farms in Bainbridge. The public is invited to cheer them on.

Seasoned carriage driver Brian Tobin will return to the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic (CHJC) Riders with Disabilities Show on July 8 to compete for the blue ribbon and show off his talents. The 47-year-old Highland Heights native, born with cerebral palsy, has competed in the horse show for more than a decade. He has participated in the show so many times it’s basically a part of his “normal routine,” said his mom, Donna Tobin.

“He did well at last year’s CHJC, placing second in carriage driving competition,” Donna said. “Brian likes the interaction and socialization. It doesn’t matter if he gets a ribbon or not. He just likes to be a part of it.”

In addition to the social aspect of the show, Brian enjoys watching his fellow riders compete at the event, and he especially likes getting dressed up. “He loves to wear his coat and tie,” Donna said.

Brian has taken lessons and has been grooming therapy horses at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center since he was a young boy. He started horseback riding there when he was six years old and transitioned to carriage driving in his late 30s.

“It has meant the world to him,” said Donna. “It really and truly has affected every part of his life.”

Brian’s equine experiences at Fieldstone Farm have helped him with speech,

concentration and many more aspects of his life, with the help of instructors who are tuned in to his needs. Through lessons, the instructors helped Brian to improve his speech. For example, “His horse wouldn’t move until he at least said ‘on’ when he couldn’t say ‘walk on’ yet,” Donna said. The instructors also helped Brian improve his attention span, switching tasks or altering the sequences of tasks while keeping things fun during lessons.

“It’s just a remarkable program, and they have excellent volunteers,” Donna said. “All the volunteers and instructors had—and still have—the patience and were/are willing to put in the time. I think that is why Brian loves going to Fieldstone Farm and why he loves driving as much as riding. They all helped him make a smooth transition and have helped him

to love both activities.”

“Brian and his family’s commitment to our lesson program have been incredible,” said Lynnette Stuart, Chief Executive Officer of Fieldstone Farm. “I love seeing Brian’s smile when he comes into the barn each week. Everyone at Fieldstone looks forward to seeing him driving our horses, and we hope he will do so for many more years to come!”

Chefs Unbridled

Chefs Unbridled, the annual fundraiser for Fieldstone Farm, will return to the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club Polo Field (7620 Old Mills Road, Gates Mills) on Saturday, September 7 at 6 p.m. with new enhancements to the popular dinner tasting event. Deemed one of the top benefits in Northeast Ohio, Chefs Unbridled is

led by chef partners Chris Hodgson and Scott Kuhn of Driftwood Hospitality and supports Fieldstone Farm’s programs for people with special needs.

Backdropped by a huge, decorated tent, the evening will feature new live cooking demonstration stations with chefs from Driftwood Hospitality, Flour, The Last Page, and Hook and Hoof. Guests (21 & over) will also enjoy an expanded outdoor entertainment area, as well as food truck service, cocktails, a wine pull, a bourbon barrel raffle, live music, carriage rides around Gates Mills, and more.

“Funds raised at Chefs Unbridled directly benefit our students and horses and allow us to provide assistance so no student is ever turned away,” said Lynnette Stuart, Chief Executive Officer of Fieldstone Farm. “It’s amazing that one night at a fabulous dinner tasting benefit can directly impact so many people with challenges as they achieve goals they thought were impossible.”

Chefs Unbridled has been the primary fundraiser for Fieldstone Farm since it began in 2010. Tickets start at $175 and include a tax-deductible donation to Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.fieldstonefarm.org/supportus/chefs-unbridled/ or call 440.708.0013 ext. 123.

About Fieldstone Farm

Fieldstone Farm serves students of all ages, including veterans, who face a variety of physical, cognitive, or social/emotional challenges. Students work with the horses to overcome barriers and achieve goals such as independence, self-esteem, strength, and socialization. With support from its annual Chefs Unbridled benefit, Fieldstone Farm serves more than 900 students each year and is one of the largest centers of its kind in the country. For details visit FieldstoneFarm.org.

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Seasoned carriage driver Brian Tobin will return to the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic Riders with Disabilities Show on July 8. He has competed in the horse show for more than a decade. Photograph by Frank Gwirtz

Great Lakes Theater “Backstage Bash”

Great Lakes Theater (GLT) held its Backstage Bash fundraiser on April 13, at the historic Hanna Theatre for 300 guests. The evening began with a cocktail party and silent auction, followed by a main stage performance and backstage bash party with food stations and dancing on stage.

VIP’s enjoyed a Gala-xy Cabaret performance in the Hanna Salon – a post-eclipse celebration— the brainchild of GLT artist Jillian Kates. It featured “out-of-this-world” performances from Kates and the star-power of Jodi Dominick, Jason Eno and Boe Wank, with musical accompaniment by GLT’s Music Director Matthew Webb.

Attendees also participated in a special “Starcatcher” Parachute Drop fundraiser (named for Peter and the Starcatcher, opening Feb. 7, 2025) and a 50/50 drawing.

The event celebrated the legacy of three “leading ladies” who have been long-time trustees and pivotal members in the success of GLT: Natalie Epstein (age 97), Georgiana (Jan) Roberts (age 92) and Janet Neary (age 91).

It was a full night of honoring women, appropriately so, as it was predominantly women who brought GLT to life in 1962. In 1972, women like Elaine G. (Lainie) Hadden and members of the Junior League helped save Playhouse Square from the wrecking ball. In 1982, women trustees of GLT made it possible for the company to move to Playhouse Square after its early days at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. Now, Sara Bruner will be the first woman to lead the company when Charles Fee retires in 2025.

The mission of GLT, through its main stage productions and its education programs, is to bring classic theater to the widest possible audience. Since the company’s inception, programming has been rooted in Shakespeare, but its commitment to great plays spans the breadth of all cultures, forms of theater and time periods, and provides for the occasional mounting of new works that complement the classical repertoire.

The company’s commitment to classic theater is magnified in its educational programs. GLT has a strong presence in schools, offering an annual series of student matinees— for nearly 20,000 students in 200 schools. For almost 40 years, an acclaimed school residency program led by teams of specially trained actor-teachers has reached 50,000 students in 70 schools.

David and Denise Maiorana served as cochairs along with Kristine Tesar. The event’s main sponsors were TRG and law firms Calfee, Jones Day, and Thompson Hine. Tricky Dick and the Cover Ups performed live music and In Season Catering Co. provided food. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

ChamberFest fun for the whole family!

ChamberFest Cleveland is committed to providing live chamber music experiences for everyone! This summer, two free festival events bring the music to even the youngest audience members in a fun and accessible format.

After a popular Father’s Day event in 2023, ChamberFest and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes are teaming up again for MUSIC ON THE PATH. On Sunday, June 16th from 11am to 1pm, audiences of all ages can stop by the Nature Center to enjoy live music on the All People’s Trail performed by CFC’s exceptional festival artists. Adding to the festivities are hands-on youth activities for an up-close experience in music, dance/movement, and visual art. EDWINS Leadership Institute will be back with treats for all attendees.

New in 2024 is a collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art for a fun day of art and music at their beautiful Community Arts Center. Join us on Sunday, June 23rd from 1-3pm for MUSIC & ART EXPLORATION. Get to know some of the festival artists, explore the collection of puppets from past Parade the Circle events, and spend time in the instrument petting zoo (courtesy of our friends at The Music Settlement). Visual arts activities from CMA teaching artists allow everyone to tap into their creativity.

From Our Heart, To Your Home!

HOME CARE SERVICES

CARE SERVICES

We provide compassionate and reliable

From Our Heart, To Your Home!

We

HOME CARE SERVICES

compassionate and reliable home health care services to help

From Our Heart, To Your Home!

and independent wherever they call home.

We provide compassionate and reliable home health care services to help keep seniors safe and independent wherever they call home.

compassionate and reliable home health care services to help keep seniors safe and independent wherever they call home.

HOME CARE SERVICES

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

We provide compassionate and reliable home health care services to help keep seniors safe and independent wherever they call home.

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

We provide compassionate and reliable home health care services to help keep seniors safe and independent wherever they call home.

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

ALZHEIMERS’ CARE

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

READY, SET, GO HOME

READY, SET, GO HOME

READY, SET, GO HOME

READY, SET, GO HOME

READY, SET, GO HOME

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

Conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia may come with unique care challenges, but you can lean on us to help you face those challenges today and everyday.

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

READY, SET, GO HOME

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

PERSONAL CARE

PERSONAL CARE

PERSONAL CARE

PERSONAL CARE

PERSONAL CARE

Ready-Set-Go Home is a transitional care program that is designed to help seniors make a successful transition home after hospitalization.

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

PERSONAL CARE

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

✆ (216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org

(216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org From Our Heart, To Your Home!

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

(216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org

(216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org From Our Heart, To Your Home!

Some every day and regular activities are hard to manage alone. Our services are available 24-hours a day or part-time to offer as much assistance as you desire or need

(216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org

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 RentaDaughter.org • ˆ 24/7

(216) 633-3604 (Nadine)• (216) 364-1111 (office) Nadine@rentadaughter.org

 RentaDaughter.org • ˆ 24/7

Serving Ohio and Florida

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Serving Ohio and Florida

Serving Ohio and Florida

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Serving Ohio and Florida

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Serving Ohio and Florida

Serving Ohio and Florida

Producing Artistic Director Charles Fee with Sara Bruner, Producing Artistic Director Designate

Event Co-chairs Denise and David Maiorana

Georgianna (Jan) Roberts (center) with son Stephen Roberts (left) and daughter Ellen Roberts (right)

Natalie Epstein (center) with son

Jonathan Epstein (left) and son-inlaw Marty Gawry (right)

David Hansen, James Alexander Rankin, Beks Freeman, Connor Krohn and Kelly Elliott

Harvest for Hunger “Market at the Food Bank”

“Market at the Food Bank,” the 29th annual food and wine event to benefit Harvest for Hunger, was attended by more than 1,000 guests.

The evening offered food and drinks served by many of Cleveland’s top restaurateurs and purveyors, musical entertainment and, most importantly, an opportunity to combat hunger in our community. Co-chairs for “Market at the Food Bank” were Pat Pastore of PNC Cleveland and Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic of the Cleveland Clinic. Honorary event chairs were Marc Bona of Cleveland.com and Brandon Chrostowski of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute. Honorary co-chairs were Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Executive.

The Harvest for Hunger campaign is a food and funds drive that spans 21 counties, managed by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In 2023, it provided more than 29 million meals to our neighbors in need. The past few years have been a difficult time and the challenges persist. In

2023, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank saw a steady increase in the number of people seeking assistance every month due to the rising costs of food, fuel, utilities and housing. This year’s “Market at the Food Bank,” held at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Partner Distribution Hub, raised over $350,000, or enough to provide a million meals. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOS BY ERIC EAKIN.

Summer at Holden Arboretum

Pollinators are pulling into the station at the Holden Arboretum. Get ready to be inspired by an imaginative world of miniature trains and botanical structures at Pollinator Express. Opening Saturday, May 25, and running through Sunday, September 8, this immersive exhibit is built from natural and botanical materials.

Pollinator Express

Pollinators come in a wide variety of species beyond bees. Butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, bats, beetles, and flies are all pollinators. Pollinators move from plant to plant, and even have preferences as to which they enjoy best. Researchers at the Holden Arboretum study the movement and patterns of pollinators to find

ways we can conserve these declining species.

“Pollinators are essential members of the ecosystem community to which humans belong. Our mutual success is interconnected, and we add tangible value to each other’s lives. Pollinators are beautiful, have fascinating life cycles & body structures, and help maintain plant diversity,” said Caroline Tait, VP of Horticulture and Collections. “To humans most pollinators are tiny creatures so our role as guardians is to provide and protect their habitats. ”

Pollinator Express will feature four tracks of G-scale model trains chugging through a colorful garden bed full of sculptures that depict unique plants from around the globe, paired

with the insects and animals they depend on for pollination. In an inventive twist, the support structures and sculptures are all made from unique and creative materials found in nature.

The garden area has been redesigned for the exhibit by the Arboretum’s horticulturists to highlight native pollinator species. These ten botanical sculptures are intentionally over scaled at 3 – 6 feet each for visual impact and to show the details of each pollinator and its accompanying flower.

Applied Imagination

Applied Imagination creates model train displays ‘grown from the earth.’ Pollinator Express is as much an immersive art installation

as a model train exhibit. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from children of all ages to fine art and railroad enthusiasts, to celebrators of the natural world.

Pollinator Express hours are Tuesday –Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Holden Arboretum will be open Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 5 – August 28. Please note that hours are subject to change, check holdenfg.org for updated information.

Pollinator Express is included in general admission. Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. The Arboretum is at 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, Ohio. For complete details about Pollinator Express, visit holdenfg.org.

Christian and Kristin Warzocha with Joe and Nelda Dirocco

Zachary Gibian, Marc Bona, Brandon Chrostowski, Griffin Buckley and Steven Robinson

Kristen Glazer, and Joseph and Diane Tira with Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps

Scott Seelbach, Karen Small and Chloe Seelbach

Robert and Ann Aber with Janet Rosel Smith and Mark Smith

Beech Brook “Bash for the Brook”

Beech Brook hosted its third Annual Bash for the Brook on April 26. This year, approximately 200 guests socialized and teed off at Topgolf in Independence. The event raised more than $140,000 to support the operations of Beech Brook’s critical services helping vulnerable children and families thrive.

Beech Brook offers a broad range of mental health, foster care, prevention, and early intervention programs. These efforts bring healing to children, strengthen and support parents, and plants the seeds of hope for a brighter future.

Celebrating 30+ Years of Impact

Thanks to our sponsors for bringing this event to life and impacting countless lives at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Together, we celebrate our partnership’s power to improve health for children throughout Northeast Ohio.

Attendees enjoyed cocktails and music by the Dave Sterner Quartet followed by a dinner buffet and dessert in the Chairman’s Suite. Board Chair Muffy Kaesberg welcomed guests and introduced President/CEO Thomas Royer. Beech Book Family Life Educator Darnell Carter, a staff member for 30 years, introduced special guest client Trevonya McClain, by stating, “her energy was profound.”

After escaping an abusive relationship and granting her mother temporary custody of her daughter, McClain came to Beech Brook feeling hopeless and alone.

McClain and her new partner successfully completed the Parenting and Healthy Relationships classes at Beech Brook’s Family Center where all programs are offered at no charge to participants. Now, she’s giving back and serves as a parent coach to others. As a result, she will soon gain full custody of her daughter and marry her partner.

“The family atmosphere allowed me to be myself and take care of my daughter,” said McClain. “Beech Brook helped us communicate better and grow — both individually and together.”

Peacock served as emcee and auctioneer for the event, which included raffles, a golf ball pull, hole-in-one contest, 50/50 raffle and raise the paddle. Pradco served as the event’s premier sponsor.

After 100 years in Pepper Pike, Beech Brook moved its community-based services to a location more convenient for its clients and staff – 13201 Granger Road in Garfield Heights. After exiting the residential treatment business in 2016, Beech Brook sold its 65-acre property at 3737 Lander Road, and signed a 10-year lease at the new space. Visit www. beechbrook.org for more details. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

Kristin Tull, Alison Borokin, Sarah Tull and Edda Owen

Jim Bowen, Scott Brokos, Ron Panaggio, Mike Wujnovich, Bob Tull and Corey Tull

Jeff and Lisa Plisko, Erin Mazza, Michelle and Scott Pike and Kelly McChrystal

Gwen Davis, Terri Davis, Lavisa Bell, Shaunetta Tucker and Debra Brown

Elaine Suarez and Michael Thompson, Jr.

Aleyna, Tom and Brittany Royer

Providence House “43rd Annual Luncheon”

On April 25, Providence House (PH) celebrated 43 years of Hope & Joy for children and families at its Annual Luncheon at the InterContinental Hotel in Cleveland. A group of 330 guests raised approximately $87,000 at the event.

The Hope & Joy theme honors the “dynamic duo” of PH founder Sister Hope Greener, CSJ, who passed away in March, just shy of her 96th birthday and Rena Joy Olshansky, longtime board member who spent 23 years helping guide and support PH. Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation delivered a blessing and explained that Rena means “joy” in Hebrew.

More than 15,000 children have been kept safe and families kept together since the organization openedits doors in 1981. Last year alone, PH served 1,077 children and families, with 203 children from 116 families in its Crisis Nursery. All the families were led by women, and 90 percent were women of color.

PHPresident and CEO, Natalie A. Leek, shared that they are “putting the finishing touches” on Hope’s House, the East Campus Crisis Nursery in the BuckeyeShaker neighborhood. It’s slated to open soon and will support up to 20 children at a time. Approximately 397 children were on the waiting list or completely unserved last year due to lack of space. The new facility will help bridge that gap and is planning to add 40 new staff members (childcare workers and social workers) in the coming months. For more information, visit provhouse.org Karen Dolan served as Event Chair & Co-Chair of the Giving Hope for the PH Future Campaign. Together, Dolan and Leek presented the EveryChild Awards to its outstanding supporters: Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians, DiGeronimo Companies, Every Child Club Members and PNC Bank. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER.

For purposes of first impression, sellers should focus on curb appeal

By RITA KUEBER

When it comes to the spring real estate market, the adage is true: You only have one chance to make a first impression. Four top-selling agents in the area are in total agreement on this and have tips on improving the curb appeal of your house whether it’s up for sale or just adding beauty and order to the neighborhood.

“Buyers are judges,” Adam Kaufman from Howard Hanna says. “If the outside indicates deferred maintenance, their antennae go up and they start wondering about the interior immediately. It’s very, very important to make a great first impression. It’s just like a job interview or a first date – you dress to impress. It’s the same thing with a house.” Michelle McQuade, also with Howard Hanna, agrees. “The first impression of the outside carries through to the interior of the home,” she says. “If a seller showcases a pristine home on the exterior including the property lot, then buyers automatically have positive expectations of the home itself.”

Karen Eagle/The Karen Eagle Group of Elite Sotheby’s International Realty drilled down on some details to consider. “Regarding the landscaping, make sure everything is trimmed, mulched, and tidy, and if there are huge, overgrown shrubs hiding your house get rid of them,” she says. “Have everything power washed if necessary. Cement, siding, and stone all look so much better when freshly cleaned.”

“Do a walk around your yard. Clean up the twigs and branches as soon as you can,” says Sharon Friedman, Broker Associate and realtor with Berkshire Hathaway. “Even now (late April at the time of this interview) put out potted plants and enhance the look of the exterior before most things are in bloom. Check your walkways and the deck or patio to be sure everything’s in good condition.”

“Think about adding as much color as possible with annuals in window boxes and borders,” McQuade says. “Focus on the existing

landscaping by pulling weeds, shaping the shrubs, deadheading flowerbeds, and perhaps pruning any low-hanging branches and mulching existing beds,” she adds. Eagle tells sellers to pay particular attention to the actual entry. “Have all the windows washed including the transom and side light windows, and the windows on the door. Wash the door or give it a new coat of paint if needed. Make sure the door lock is not sticky,” she adds. “I hate it when I’m with a client and I’m standing there for five minutes trying to get the door unlocked!”

“One of my pet peeves is leaving a window in the garage uncovered,” Friedman states. “It’s unsightly to see cars in the garage. Get a blind or a shade to hide that view. Also, check on the outdoor lighting over the garage, and over the front door. Be sure everything is working and add a railing if you have steps to the entry.”“Yes, make sure those lights are clean and have working light bulbs in them. If they are old and rusted or broken, replace them,” Eagle says. “The first impression is made at that entry. Make it a good one.”

“The front of the house is more important than the back – it’s the first thing people see. If there’s a broken mailbox, I make the seller fix it. If numbers are missing from the address, I get them to fix that too,” Kaufman says “And the For Sale sign has to be attractive. It doesn’t bode well for the house or the agent if there’s a rusty sign falling down in the front yard. I always make sure that sign looks good.”

“I have a checklist for my walk around,” Friedman says. “I also have one for the interior, which is more about decluttering and having clean surfaces. Have your realtor go through everything with you, for another pair of eyes on the property.”

“There’s no way to measure the return value for tidying up the exterior and the curb appeal of your home, but it certainly will help the home to sell faster which means more dollars for the owners,” McQuade states. “Spring real estate market and curb appeal definitely go hand in hand.”

Cleveland Browns staff Renee Harvey, Annie Kelly, Greg Rush (PH Board Chair), Jenner Tekancic, Drew Weeks, Brandon Moore and Victoria Guerra

Chagrin History Center’s historic home tour set for June 1

By RITA KUEBER

After a two-year hiatus, the Chagrin History Center is offering the Historic Chagrin Falls Home & Garden Tour on June 1. The tour will feature five homes and three historic buildings. Currents enjoyed a preview of two of the locations, as different as day and night, yet both filled with captivating historic elements and inspirational design.

One historic building that overlooks the gazebo and all of the Village was originally a meeting room for the Chagrin Falls IOOF Lodge 290 in 1855and eventually became the headquarters of the fire department. (The IOOF is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an international fraternal order founded in 1819.) Much later in 1938, the building housed Village offices and council Chambers. It became a commercial space and remains so today with commercial tenants on the first floor and a working/living space upstairs.

Entrepreneur John Gadd purchased HotCards in 2012 and carved out a creative loft in this space on East Main Street. After a series of family and personal changes, it worked out that the office space could be converted into a work/living space by changing out just a few rooms. Now the loft, with a large center hall and private offices on either side is both headquarters to HotCards but is also Gadd’s home.

And what a home! The center hall has a handcrafted table Gadd made with friends from a local tree, and easily accommodates 30 people. Private offices and a small kitchen are off to the left and right. Gadd’s son’s

Lindsey Neidus and Charles Indriolo marry in Austin, Texas

Lindsey Neidus and Charles Indriolo were married at an intimate wedding in Austin, Texas on November 8, 2023. The wedding, attended by close family and friends, was officiated by their dear friend, Mia Sakia. The ceremony and reception took place at Barr Mansion.

The bride is the daughter of Stuart and Sally Neidus of Gates Mills, Ohio. She is a graduate of Mayfield High School and Kent State University. She currently works as Chief Marketing and Development Officer at StoneWater Golf Course.

The groom is the son of Roseann Indriolo of Aurora, Ohio and the late Charles Indriolo. He graduated from Aurora High School and John Carroll University, and currently works as a Senior Content Specialist for PR Newswire.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, Stuart. Her sisters, Whitney Swaney and Kathryn Bak, served as her bridesmaids. The bride’s nieces, Sophia Bak and June Swaney were flower girls.

Brandon Hale served as Best Man. Nephews Oliver and Emerson Vreeland, Trey Swaney and Benjamin Bak were ring bearers.

The couple resides at home in Cleveland, Ohio.

bedroom, with a rock climbing wall, is at the front end of the space, as is Gadd’s own room. Then there’s a game room, a TV/sitting room/ den, all with20-foot ceilings throughout, and original artwork on the walls.

Most spectacularly, old and new intermingle seamlessly. In the TV room/den, Gadd displays his grandfather’s original artwork. Bela Zaboly’s illustrated Popeye comics from the mid-1930s until 1960. In the main room, there’s also a lovely painting Zaboly created as a young man of his father, a carpenter, with his tools at the ready. Even more intriguing, those very tools are displayed beneath this heirloom portrait.

The other home Currents previewed is equally sophisticated but in a much different way. This home is a cottage, built in 1850. The front yard sports an original stone hitching post. The interior is a charming, minimalist space that feels, counter-intuitively sprawling, even roomy. Surprisingly, the front door opens into a large central hallway with a distinctive Arts and Crafts fireplace. The original parlor, with its own fireplace, has been converted into a bedroom. To the left is a sitting/living room and further on, a small second bedroom.

At the back of the house is a spacious sitting room overlooking the yard and deck. The

kitchen, updated and inviting, has an eating area as well as a breakfast bar and opens to the patio and sitting room. Most importantly, the decor, straight out of the Ralph Lauren handbook has touches of Asian craftsmanship, tailored lines, and a sophisticated yet muted color scheme. Overall, this small but mighty house is something out of “Architectural Digest.”

Other houses on the tour include a historic

homestead near St. Joan’s built in 1893 and renovated in 2003, with many original materials retained, and integrated into the new look. The owners of this Greek Revival home are also organic gardeners growing native wildflowers, vegetables, and herbs. Another house, built by a Civil War veteran in the 1880s has been renovated into a cozy, family home, also with an organic garden. And don’t be surprised if you spot a hen or two. Then there’s a townhouse filled with eye-popping color and artwork. Also look for a Montgomery Ward kit house, reborn after a devastating fire. With a slightly different format this year, organizers hope to capture the attention of 600 home and garden enthusiasts. The tour happens one day only, Saturday, June 1. Advance tickets are $25, but $30 the day of the tour. There’s an option for admission and a boxed lunch from Lemon Falls Cafe/Marketplace for $45. Programs with a map and wristbands necessary for admission to the houses must be picked up from the History Center at 87 East Main Street, Chagrin Falls, between May 29 and June 1. This year there are no transportation services, and no stores in the area are selling tickets for the tour.

Visit chagrinhistorical.org or call 440.247.4695 for more information.

Lindsey Neidus and Charles Indriolo at Barr Mansion on their wedding day

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Anna Maria of Aurora recently lauded at 60th Anniversary celebration

The Anna Maria campus of Aurora recently celebrated 60 years in business.

One of the first continuing care organizations for older adults, Anna Maria of Aurora is now run by Chris Norton, grandson of the late founder Bob Norton Sr. and a resident of South Russell, and Aaron Baker, who is married to one of the founder’s granddaughters.

As pioneers in the business of senior living and care, the Anna Maria organization was lauded by the greater community at its anniversary event in April, at which members of the Aurora, Chagrin Valley, and Solon Chambers of Commerce joined the staff of Anna Maria at the organization’s Norwood

Cafe and Salon for a lavish celebration. They were able to see the renovation of the Norwood building which took place recently on the grounds of the Anna Maria campus, at 889 N. Aurora Rd., in Aurora.

The theme of the celebration was an “OldFashioned Celebration,” highlighting the business’s beginnings in 1964. Throughout the large meeting area were highlights of what life was like in 1964, including old photos, and information about the Aurora area during that time.

The celebration featured appetizers, cocktails and wine, and the featured beverage of an Old Fashioned, including a signature glass for attendees to take home.

Anna Maria started from humble beginnings, a rest home, to which the founder added a skilled nursing care addition, shared Mr. Norton. Today it encompasses independent living oneand two-bedroom apartments, assisted living residences with nurses on site 24/7 and skilled nursing facilities with a full slate of medical services for all medical care needs.

“We are celebrating our family-centered approach to senior care,” said Chris Norton. “We see our approach as having three pillars, those we serve, their families and our staff members, who we all see as a part of the Anna Maria family.”

Mr. Baker added that what makes Anna

Maria unique in the area is its offering of the full continuum of care. “We have independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care,” he said. “We also offer additional services like therapy and home care within our campus.”

For those who reside on the Anna Maria campus, residents enjoy an active, maintenancefree lifestyle while taking comfort in the safety and care services provided by a 24-hour staff, shared Mr. Baker. He added that residents enjoy chef-prepared meals, just like the attendees at the Old-Fashioned celebration did.

“We are going to have a community-wide celebration in June,” said Mr. Norton. “We want everyone to share in our 60th year.”

On Wednesday, April 10th, The Literacy Cooperative hosted its annual Read Across America Celebration at Cuyahoga Community College. The event underscored the importance of literacy, following the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day dedicated to fostering youth literacy. The evening kicked off with a delightful blend of appetizers, networking, and a presentation showcasing snapshots of The Literacy Cooperative’s impactful work alongside heartfelt testimonials from partners and Imagination Library families. Margaret Bernstein, Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives at WKYC, warmly welcomed attendees and introduced the evening’s first speaker, Dr. Michael Baston, President of Cuyahoga Community College, who delivered inspiring insights on adult literacy. Cleveland City Council Member Richard Starr and Cuyahoga County Council Member Meredith Turner further

Literacy Cooperative “Read Across America”

enriched the event with their perceptive remarks on the crucial role of literacy in our society.

“We live in a society where over 50 percent of our adults lack literacy skills, we have a challenge on our hands and we must do something about it,” said Cleveland City Council Member Richard Starr. “How can we educate our kids

when their parents also need the resources?”

Joan Spoerl, Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at The Literacy Cooperative, presented a heartfelt testimonial video featuring families who have benefited from the free, monthly, book-gifting program to children under the age of five.

“I think there are a lot of people in northeast Ohio who don’t have access to new books and they might not see books in their home at all,” said Erica Fitzpatrick, Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist at Swagelok. “So having a program where they’re getting books on a regular basis and they’re meant for the children is wonderful and adds an opportunity that those kids might not otherwise have.”

Actor, philanthropist, and politician Peter Lawson Jones infused the event with lively energy through an engaging “flower raise” activity, raising over $45,000 that will provide over

1,800 children with one book per month for a full year. Erin Deimling, Client and Community Relations Director at PNC Bank introduced the keynote speaker, Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive, who shared literacy’s role in the digital age and its impact on Cuyahoga County. The evening concluded with the presentation of the $20,000 Kurt Karakul Literacy Award, an award established by the Third Federal Foundation and The Literacy Cooperative, to America SCORES Cleveland for its outstanding contributions to advancing literacy in the community. “America SCORES Cleveland inspires Cleveland youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world,” said Kurt Karakul, former Executive Director at Third Federal Foundation. “Today over 2,000 youth in our community are positively impacted by the SCORES program.”

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Susan Blasko, Dick Pogue and Bob Paponetti

Cleveland International Hall of Fame “2024 Induction Ceremony”

The 14th annual Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Windows on the River was attended by more than 450 guests.

The ceremony is the largest annual gathering of Cleveland’s ethnic leaders. More than 100 worthy people were nominated for the awards. Past inductees helped to narrow the list down to a stellar six people. The 2024 class consisted of Dona Brady, Edward Crawford, Veronica Dahlberg, Dr. Eugene Jordan, Erika Puussaar and Johnny K. Wu.

Former Councilwoman Dona Brady has been a leader in the Albanian community and helped establish the Albanian Cultural Garden and 12-foot Mother Theresa statue. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Councilman Mike Polensek.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Edward F. Crawford revitalized the Irish Cultural Garden by establishing the Irish Garden Club and recreating the famous Dublin fountain in Cleveland. He was inducted by Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S., Geraldine Byrne Nason, who flew in from Washington, D.C. for the ceremony.

Veronica Dahlberg has been a non-stop worker for the Hispanic community for decades as founder of HOLA Ohio. Of Mexican heritage, Veronica led the creation of a $2 million Hispanic Community Center in Painesville. She was inducted by the first Latina Cleveland Councilwoman, Jasmin Santana.

Not only did the late Dr. Eugene Jordan provide quality professional dental services to those who could not afford care in East Cleveland, he was a force in the AfricanAmerican community. He was a leader of the African-American Cultural Garden, NAACP,

Black History Month at Cleveland City Hall, Underground Railroad and other groups and helped establish Juneteenth as a holiday. He was inducted by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

Erika Puussaar has been a leader in the local Estonian, Baltic and broader communities serving as Past Vice President and board member of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Vice President of the Baltic American Committee. She was inducted by Estonia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kristjan Prikk, who travelled to Cleveland for the first time to attend the ceremony.

Johnny K. Wu is of Chinese heritage, but his influence spans cultures from serving as president of the Organization of Chinese Americans, co-founder of the Cleveland Asian Festival, producer of One World Day and much more. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Margaret W. Wong.

The event featured the John Marshall High School Color Guard, Bagpiper Bruce Greig and TV3 anchor Russ Mitchell as master of ceremonies. Reverend Fr. Eric Orzech, pastor of both St. Casimir and St. Stanislaus churches, gave the invocation. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Cleveland International Hall of Fame co-founder Dan Hanson and Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin.

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame was established as a non-profit in 2010 to permanently recognize individuals who have made a valuable and lasting contribution to our multicultural city and region and to inspire a new generation of leaders. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN.

Toomas and Paula Tubalkain, and Haralds Mazedzedaris

Shirley Smith, Bracy Lewis, Richard Burney, Dr. Joy Jordan and Aaliyah McCol

Oanh Loi-Powell and Johnny Wu with George and Laureen Kwan

CJ Matthews II, Dr. CJ Matthews, Jose Feliciano and Blaine Griffin

Roberto Ochoa, Veronica Dahlberg, Rosario Chavez and Salome Espinoza

Ambassador Geraldine Bryne Nason and Edward Crawford