ISSUE ELEVEN | January/February 2022 lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
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CONTENTS 04
from the locals
06 08
Things to do with Main Street Lorain
Ice Rinks are Back! 10
Where the story continues...
Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee
12
16
Feel the Power!
Our beautiful Jewel of the Port
18
Roses are red, violets are...
20
The newest of the department
23
A dream is a wish... And they can come true
27 30
Lots of laughs 34
37
Defining history
Help starts here
We love our nonprofits, helping to make our community better:
Blessing House Safe House, Safe Child God's Project of Hope
Nielsen Jewelers
Est. 1694 753 Broadway Lorain, Ohio (440) 244-4255 www.NielsenJewelers.com
439 West 4th Street #667 | Lorain, Ohio | 44052 connect@lorainlocal.com | (440) 253-9434 www.lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
Like. Engage. Share. Inspire.
Content
photo by Valerie Houghtland
from the locals
"Woohoo for '22!" is the motto among our team as we kick off the new year. There is a lot in store for everyone as we enter year three, and we could not be more excited to share all of it with you over the coming months. But first, we hope everyone's new year is off to a great start. We hope everyone has been happy, healthy, and kicking the year off right after getting through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Now we hope you have been settling nicely into a routine in this new Year of the Tiger upon us. The country is currently gearing up for the biggest football game of the year, and it just so happens that our state—albeit the other coast—has made it to the Super Bowl. Who Dey, Bengals! But that is not the only football team to have made it this far into the season. Two of our local teams have already returned home as champions, and we would like to congratulate Steele City Youth Football and NEO Monstars flag football on their championship seasons! Just like a sports team's success, we believe our community is stronger when we work together to achieve our goals. We've said it before, but Lorain is like a quilt. Our community comprises individuals working together every day to make our city a better place, just like a quilt's patches come together to make the final, beautiful design. This issue highlights our love for our city—and what makes each of us unique while working toward the same goal of bettering our future.
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We hope you enjoy this and every issue of Lorain Local Magazine, and we hope 2022 is the best year yet for everyone. Most importantly, we hope to see you around enjoying everything our great lake city on our Great Lake coast has to offer.
Happy new year!
Kelly Boyer Sagert Kelsey Leyva-Smith Brandon J. Wysocki Jason Shaffer Brooke Fenner Madison Maniaci Valerie Gonzalez Avrey Cruz Main Street Lorain Friends of South Lorain Power 89.1 FM, WNZN Photography
Jen Navarro Valerie Gonzalez Jason Shaffer Anthony and Ciara Scrofano Madison Maniaci Valerie Houghtland Mark Kempton Photography Power 89.1 FM, WNZN Lorain Historical Society Editing T.J. Heidler Kim Obbey
Lead Photographer Jen Navarro
Editor in Chief Brooke Fenner All photographs, including cover photo, were taken by Jen Navarro Photography unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2022 by Lorain Local. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted without prior written permission from the publisher. LORAIN LOCAL MAGAZINE (Print ISSN 2766-8207; Online ISSN 27668215) is published bimonthly, six times per year during the odd months by Hyphen Media, LLC, 439 West 4th Street #667, Lorain, Ohio, USA, and it shall not assume liability for any inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed information contained throughout any of its publications. For free mailing or digital subscriptions, comments, or requests, please visit lorainlocal.com or email connect@lorainlocal.com. Periodicals postage pending at Lorain, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LORAIN LOCAL MAGAZINE, 439 West 4th Street #667, Lorain, Ohio, USA, 44052.
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Lorain Welcomes New Outdoor, Seasonal Ice Rinks
Photos courtesy of Anthony and Ciara Scrofano
The city of Lorain has welcomed two brand-new outdoor ice rinks for residents and visitors to enjoy this winter. One is located at South Lakeview Park off West Erie Avenue, and the other is located at Oakwood Park off of Grove Avenue.
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Both ice rink locations have repurposed others sports’ arenas for use during their off-seasons, including the soon-to-be fully resurfaced tennis courts at Lakeview Park and one of the baseball fields at Oakwood Park.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 8
The Lakeview Park rink hosts views of Lake Erie while you are on the ice, and you can even catch a glimpse of the Lorain Lighthouse while you’re in the park. At this rink, skaters need to bring equipment of their own. But the rink is never crowded, so if you have skates, head on over and celebrate the six more weeks of winter that may be in our future. On our city’s south side, the Oakwood Park baseball fields are sporting a new look with the addition of our city’s second ice rink. The Friends of South Lorain offer Community Days on Fridays and Saturdays, where they offer free skate rentals, hot chocolate, music, and more! Both rinks are free to use and are available as long as weather conditions allow the ice to freeze.
Photos courtesy of Anthony and Ciara Scrofano
We hope to see you at the rinks!
"Lorain is where my story begins... Vision becomes your reality..." "The Lorain sign is to be enjoyed by the public. We, as a community, need to capitalize on one of Lorain's greatest assets. Beautiful Lake Erie will be the backdrop for sign photos, promote the pride of one's community, and embrace a work of art for many generations to enjoy. I started this project because I firmly believe Lorain is an up-and-coming community that deserves to be designated as a tourist destination." Andrea Neal, realtor, Russell Real Estate Services In January of 2021, we received word that our city would be gaining something that could be enjoyed for many generations to come. Our very own script sign overlooking our beautiful harbor was soon on its way. One year later, Lorain is where the story now continues for a team of individuals that have worked diligently to make this vision a reality. Renderings provided by Andrea Neal
The city of Lorain now has its own 3D-script sign that sits at the northeast corner of Broadway and West Erie Avenue overlooking our waterfront. The sign is already becoming a destination for residents and visitors to take photos, videos, and simply enjoy the beautiful backdrop consisting of Lake Erie, the Black River, and the historic Lorain Lighthouse. This spring, the sign will receive customizable lighting, accessible sidewalks, designated parking spots nearby, and beautiful landscaping surrounding it, giving all of us a new way to experience Lorain.
We hope to see you at the sign!
Lorain Local Magazine | page 11
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To everyone involved in turning this vision into a reality, thank you for believing in our great lake city on our Great Lake coast.
Food
& More
The Coffee Life written & photographed by Jason Shaffer
Coffee is life. But for me, nothing can compare to a flawlessly pulled shot of espresso. My attention is stolen by the smells, the process, the chemistry between the ground beans and hot water, and of course… the final product. The near-black, liquid gold espresso flowing into a tiny cup, followed by the frothy crema floating on top like a puffy caffeinated cloud—it’s like science and art.
Broadway Mary's, 939 Broadway
I’m sitting here at 12 a.m. about to drink a quad espresso and perk myself up so I can finish this article on time. It’s like threat level midnight over here, and without the extra caffeine, it’s unlikely that I’ll get my brain to engage properly. Oddly, I can also consume mass amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep like a baby. If you’ve ever been over for a late-night movie and coffee with me, you know this to be gospel because I’m falling asleep every time.
If you don’t live the coffee life like me and my fellow caffeine zombies, here’s a fair warning… If you talk to us before our first espresso of the day, we’re not responsible for the big mood you’re about to encounter. I’m pretty sure most of you can relate to this! Call it an addiction or an obsession, but I call coffee a friend and partner, and I’m basically a monster without it.
Union Town Provisions, 422 Broadway
So how do you like your rocket fuel? Straight-up espresso in a tiny cup? A flavored latte with a beautiful design on top? How about a classic cappuccino stacked high with milk foam? And you definitely can’t go wrong with a dirty chai or breve! Just don’t say decaffeinated because that’s what insane people drink. I love to try and guess what the person ahead of me is ordering. I can spot the Americano guy a mile away. And hey… extra foam, not too hot, and a dash of cinnamon guy—I see you in the back!
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And we all know Becky is ordering five blended iced caramel lattes with whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle. Me? I’m a triple macchiato kind of guy, lots of espresso and a little bit of foamed milk. That, or just give me a straight-up quad espresso to get me through the insanity of it all. I like to keep it basic. What about coffee shop vibes? Are you a drive-through/carryout kind of person? Or do you like to sit inside and savor each moment of your drink while it’s served in a ceramic mug? Which do you prefer, mainstream coffee chains or locallyowned shops? Monkey Island Coffee, 500 Shipyard Way Lorain Local Magazine | page 12
Fresco Bistro, 641 Broadway
Without a doubt, I'm all about the small, local joints. Even when I'm traveling, one of my favorite parts of the trip is seeking out little indie coffee shops. I've been to hundreds all over the country, and I heart them all. Speaking of local coffee shops… have you ever been on an awkward "coffee date" with a complete stranger? Guys, gals... don't ever make the rookie mistake and invite them to your usual hangout spot. Because if they turn out to be a complete psychopath, you can never, ever return to that place again. Don't find yourself texting your friends to get that emergency bail-out call. "Ummm, Bridgette… I'm so sorry, that was my sister, she had an emergency. Turns out she got locked out of her house while battling an army of rogue ninjas that showed up to steal her power crystals, and now they're holding her cat, Artemus, hostage. I've gotta leave right now and help her, I'm so sorry, let's not do this again. K byeeee." On the flip-side, I think it's cute seeing first dates happening. But guys, put your phones away and talk to her! People aren't texting while on coffee dates in the Hallmark movies, so take a hint from these important resources that are available to you!
Monkey Island Coffee, 500 Shipyard Way
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Broadway Mary's, 939 Broadway
Lorain Local Magazine | page 13
Food
& More Broadway Mary's, 939 Broadway
On a more serious note, which spot in Lorain is your go-to coffee shop? And which places do you still need to try? Currently, we have four unique shops that serve espresso!
At Broadway Mary's, you'll be greeted with comfy 1970's vibes and a coffee menu that has all sorts of specialty drinks like the Snowy Owl, named after the owl that hangs out at the lake nearby. Broadway Mary's brews up beans roasted locally from Cleveland's Rising Star Coffee Roasters.
The newest place in town is Monkey Island Coffee, located at The Shipyards. This cozy little spot brews up freshly roasted beans from Red Cedar Coffee in Berea and has a funky vibe, quick service, and a really unique setting. Grab your drink to go and walk down to the river overlook for the best views of the Bascule Bridge.
Monkey Island Coffee, 500 Shipyard Way
Food
& More
Right next door to my studio, you'll find Fresco Bistro. Sit inside and get a super tasty latte brewed from Colombian beans and watch how pretty the layers separate in the glass coffee mug. Later in the evening, check out their sister business, Brass & Bronze, and be sure to order an affogato off the dessert menu! If you've never had one, you need this! Fresco Bistro, 641 Broadway Union Town Provisions, 422 Broadway Union Town Provisions will brew you an extra frothy cappuccino for those who love their coffee a little more European in style. Their espresso and coffee beans are sourced from Lorain's own Earth & Oak, located just two blocks away. Have them add a shot of whiskey and make it an Irish Coffee! Having this many coffee shops around town is a blessing for the city. Coffee shops are beacons for social and business meetings, places where ideas are hatched, and the best hangouts for artists and creatives. They're also a place for friends to meet for the first time. I actually met 90 percent of my Lorain friends at Brew & Stew when it was across the street from the studio. Coffee shops are more than just a place for hot drinks and scones—If you know, you know! And if you're lucky, a coffee shop can be a place for an unexpected meet-cute with a total stranger, and maybe you'll get to have a movie moment in your life!
Let us collectively rejoice that our downtown is not devoid of espresso and freshly brewed coffee, that our tummies are warm with caffeine, and our minds are full of interesting conversations. Let us thank these places for investing in our city and bringing us hot, delicious bean water! And remember always to support your local businesses—It's good for your soul!
Broadway Mary's, 939 Broadway
A sincere passion and commitment to impact lives through uplifting and wholesome entertainment, positive programming, and inspirationallycharged content have always been the core of Lorain's listener-supported radio station, Power 89.1 FM WNZN. For Owner Mark Ballard, it all started about 45 years ago when his father, the late Clarence "Papa" Ballard, worked on the former Lorain station WRKG. Mark got the bug to own a station of his own someday where his parents—formerly known throughout our community as the "husbandand-wife radio team"—could talk as long as they liked.
photos courtesy of Power 89.1 FM, WNZN
Fast forward to 2014, and the thought of owning a radio station became a reality for Mark and his father. They purchased a Lorain-licensed radio station located in Berlin Heights at the time, and they moved it back home to Lorain, where it has remained at 1505 Kansas Avenue ever since.
The mission of Power 89.1 continues to be to provide family-friendly information, encouragement, companionship, and entertainment through Christian programming. WNZN creatively blends classic and contemporary gospel music with content that the entire family can enjoy. The station is committed to a high quality of workmanship and strives diligently to operate with fiscal responsibility while demonstrating Biblical stewardship, creating solutions for successful lives, and promoting a healthy community. Weekly programming includes: Power Up for Action, a canvas elevating community voice, especially for members of historically Black Greek and other civic organizations; the Traffic Jam, designed to help make the commute home from school or work less stressful; and The Mike Chandler & Friends Morning Show, highlighting leading thinkers and personalities throughout the faith-based community.
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By offering diverse media formats from news talk to faith-based programming streaming on-air and online, WNZN encourages community involvement to help ensure a brighter future for everyone.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 16
Power 89.1 is a proud partner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, broadcasting every game in Spanish and being a flagship for the rest of the country. The station has also partnered with the Cleveland Monsters hockey team, providing the first Spanish-speaking broadcast offering in Monsters franchise history beginning in 2021. From the very beginning, Mark always wanted to give our younger generations the same experiences he had growing up in radio: a safe space to grow, learn, and develop skills that will carry them through life. Through the Power 89.1 Youth Mentorship Program, youth in our community can learn many skills to carry them into their future. These station-based skills include radio production and technology; verbal, written, and digital communication; and project, time, marketing, design, and social media management. By allowing youth to receive on-the-job training, they are more prepared to enter the workforce at an advantage over those who solely received industry training through a book or a traditional classroom setting. The success of this program and everything that Mark Ballard believes is this:
photos courtesy of Power 89.1 FM, WNZN
231GO! students posing after ballet performance
The generosity of local Lorain businesses and individual donors provide services that are helping to make our future a brighter place, beginning with our youngest generations.
Then, be sure to tune in to Power 89.1 FM WNZN, your urban inspiration station.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 17
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If you would like to sponsor a youth to gain the valuable experience offered in the Youth Mentorship Program and become a part of the Power 89.1 family, please consider donating to the Pop Clarence Ballard Youth mentorship program.
Business Spotlight
Language of Love:
Valentine's Day at Zelek Flower Shop
by Kelly Boyer Sagert
Red roses are the classic symbol of romance, with more than 224 million roses, on average, grown annually for Valentine's Day bouquets. At Zelek Flower Shop, located at 1001 Reid Avenue in Lorain, second-generation owner Mary Zelek and her dedicated team are hard at work as they plan for their stunning arrangements—ones that often come with balloons, chocolates, wine, stuffed animals, cards, and more.
“You really can express your feelings through flowers,” Mary says, “and I’m often asked what each flower symbolizes. The reality is that there are traditional meanings and there are also personal meanings that uniquely exist between the gift giver and recipient. So individual taste matters, too.” During the 19th century Victorian Era, people who wanted to follow the complicated rules of etiquette would subtly share messages through the language of plants and flowers. From this came the more traditional meanings of flowers.
For example, a man in love might prepare a “Tussie-Mussie,” which was a small handheld bouquet. Also known as a nosegay, it would contain fragrant herbs with a single gorgeous flower in the center. When the suitor handed a Tussie-Mussie to the woman he adored, the meaning would have been clear. If she took the bouquet and embraced it towards her heart, she loved him in return. If she pointed it downward, the answer, alas, was “no.”
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When focusing on roses, red shared passion while pink meant affection. Yellow flowers indicated friendship, while white flowers signaled purity.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 20
“Today,” Mary says, “some people embrace traditional meanings of flowers while others focus more on what a specific person might want. Younger men often stick to red roses when sending them to a woman while couples who have been in a long-time relationship may send something different, such as yellow daisies, because they know the other person’s tastes well. Nowadays, people also send flowers to their children—even to themselves!”
Business Spotlight
Although men are more often gift-givers, here’s one big change from Victorian times: Women also send floral arrangements. Plus, Mary notes people of all ages send them.
“I love when people come in to send their very first bouquet,” she says. “They’ll often ask for advice, and so I share thoughts to help them send what’s in their hearts.” Thanks to the debut of the Internet, some people make uniquely customized requests. They may pick out a bouquet from Zelek’s website and then ask for a change in color or flower.
“Requests range from bouquets with candy to ones with junk food and beer.”
So when should you order your bouquets?
In 2020 and 2021—and now in 2022—more supply chain issues exist than typical, especially with fresh items like flowers. This is another reason why ordering early can make sense. You can stop by Zelek Flower Shop during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Saturday); call 440-244-5259; or use the website at zelekflowershop.com. Lorain Local Magazine | page 21
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Valentine’s Day in 2022 lands on a Monday, the day after the Super Bowl, making it a busy weekend, indeed. Valentine’s Day is, in fact, the second busiest day of the year at Zelek’s, with only Mother’s Day being more hectic.
“We’ve already received orders for Valentine’s Day,” Mary says, “and it’s always better to order earlier rather than later. That said, we’ll be prepared for same-day orders with half a dozen people out making deliveries. We’ll also be open on Super Bowl Sunday to take Valentine’s Day orders.”
Business Spotlight
The flower shop opened in 1951, long before Internet orders existed. Mary’s parents, Pete and Sylvia, opened the original shop at the corner of 12th Street and Reid Avenue in a former gas station. The couple, now deceased, actually met while working at a florist shop —and, when Pete shared that he wanted his own store, Sylvia was all in and continued to work by his side as Pete’s lifelong Valentine. Their business was so successful that they needed to have more space, so they built the current florist shop in 1966 and 1967. The shop truly was a family affair with young Mary, her two brothers, and one sister watering flowers and polishing leaves. After Mary studied business and marketing administration at the University of Dayton, she came back to the family’s shop and never left. (In fact, she’d always planned to return!)
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Although Valentine’s Day is clearly a huge day for Mary and her team, they provide plants and fresh flowers all year long in traditional and contemporary arrangements for a wide variety of events—including at weddings for couples who started out by... you guessed it: sending one another lovely flowers for Valentine’s Day!
Lorain Local Magazine | page 16
Introducing AVREY CRUZ Currently Lorain's Youngest Firefighter photographed & interviewed by Valerie Gonzalez
One of our fire department's newest and youngest firefighters is Lorain-native Avrey Cruz. With just six months with the Lorain Fire Department under his belt, this 2019 Clearview Local Schools graduate is currently a probationary firefighter getting to serve his hometown community that he loves. Avrey remembers playing sports growing up with Lorain Youth Baseball at Campana Park and under the lights at Oakwood Park for fun. He also played football and graduated high school with two varsity letters in those two sports.
Over a few summers, Avrey even spent time working for the City of Lorain's Parks and Recreation Department, where he learned the most about the city and tried his best to improve Lorain's various recreational activities.
"This city is filled with family, friends, and many familiar faces that make working on the fire department a true blessing that I am grateful for." Avrey always wanted to do something in his community, and he knew he wanted to impact others' lives directly. Growing up, he was interested in science and considered himself a "nerd of the science field." He was greatly interested in fire science, as there is much more to know beyond that fire is just hot. While taking multiple college science classes in high school, he developed an interest in somehow going into the EMS field. In 2019, one of his former high school football coaches had just become a firefighter. The two talked, and Avrey learned how the fire service consists of tradition and directly impacts the community in countless ways. Speaking highly of the camaraderie of the firehouse and how the job is impossible without teamwork, Avrey discovered his path leading to working with the fire department.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 23
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"I love the pride of the residents and the diversity of Lorain the most. Everyone from Lorain knows what this means. There is a special pride coming from and being a resident of the city of Lorain. We have and are called the "International City" with a festival to celebrate just that. America is often referred to as the "melting pot," and I believe the city of Lorain really exemplifies this."
Since a young age, Avrey has enjoyed attending Lorain's diverse celebrations, including the annual Memorial Day parade, which he participated in one year with his high school's marching band. Other favorite city-wide festivities include Lorain's Fourth of July Fireworks display and Rockin' on the River summer concerts.
"The fire service, especially the Lorain Fire Department, has a high standard of everything I value most: tradition, pride, camaraderie, physical and mental efforts, and continuous training not only to learn new things but to try to master the skills needed to provide firefighting and rescue services at the highest standard possible for the citizens that deserve nothing but the best." To become a firefighter in Lorain, Avrey shared that someone has to go through a fire academy capable of providing a "Firefighter II" certification that the State of Ohio accepts. Someone can also go through training for emergency medical certification as an EMT or Paramedic; however, this is not a requirement. Once someone is officially a part of the LFD, they will take part in many hours of continuous training to keep their skills sharp and consistently perform at the highest level. The first-year probationary period includes book and skills training and quarterly evaluations on multiple tasks to test for proficiency. From there, the training never stops, and firefighters constantly learn about their equipment, standard operating guidelines, and working knowledge of their city's geography. Firefighters can also gain certification in many different specialty areas.
The job can be challenging, but Avrey usually finds that comedy or joking helps the firefighters support one another through the day-to-day stress.
"Firefighters try to support each other by caring for what that fireman can't control. One thing firefighters are best at is problem-solving. When another firefighter is in trouble, others will step up to the plate to get him through it, usually with a little comedy involved." Avrey's favorite experiences in the LFD come from those he works with. Since he is currently the youngest member of the department, he said he feels like a sponge soaking up all the knowledge that his coworkers have to offer—not only about the job but life, too. Avrey said his department is filled with many people willing to help teach him to be the best he can be. A typical shift includes coming in and receiving a verbal report from the firefighter being relieved for the day. The report includes calls the previous shift went on, the truck's condition, and any equipment abnormalities. Once the off-going firefighter is relieved, on-duty firefighters check their personal turnout gear and their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to ensure everything is in working order and ready for the day ahead. A lot of the day consists of checking that equipment is prepared to respond in any situation the day may present. Once the equipment and truck are checked, firefighters have daily duties to ensure the station is clean and ready for the day. Firefighters also have weekly duties, including station ground maintenance and bay floor days. Once the station is in a ready state, the day consists of training, studying, preparing meals, and taking care of the equipment while standing by for emergencies.
Even though no workday is the same as another, Avrey believes there are lessons to learn every day. Some days will be harder than others, but he knows the day's lessons will help make responding to calls of a similar situation easier in the future. Through those difficult days and outside of the LFD, Avrey relies on the support of his family—especially his mother and father. He believes he wouldn't be where he is today without them.
"They have supported me all my life and especially supported me as a young adult going through school to become a firefighter. They have made me the person I am, and I'm truly blessed with the parents I have. They pushed me when I needed to be pushed, and they supported me when I needed support. They raised me to be strong, have pride in everything I do, and care for others who are less fortunate and in need. I don't know where I would be as a young man in today's world without them." Family and community pride are what drive Avrey to continue each day as a firefighter. The people he works with and being able to take part in events throughout the community are the highlights of the job for him. The citizens of Lorain also give acts of kindness that the entire department appreciates every day. Avrey says that any act of kindness shown by the community is felt and appreciated by the LFD. While they are out on the truck, a simple smile or a wave can make a great difference. And this past September, a man dropped off a wood-burned art piece to remember those lost on 9/11. That piece now hangs in the station day room. While acts of kindness are always appreciated throughout the fire service, Avrey also gives back beyond firefighting. He is currently an assistant high school football coach at Clearview High School. He enjoys working closely with this age group as they are finding out what they want to do after they graduate. Avrey says he tries his best to help guide the players in the direction they wish to go, and he encourages them to reach their goals like he was always encouraged to do growing up.
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"One of the biggest highlights about the job is getting out with the community. Since I've been on the LFD, I've been able to take part in many fire safety education tours at the firehouse and show and tell our trucks and equipment at the schools during October fire prevention month to the preschool/elementary-aged children. I've also gotten to take part in the Veteran's Day park clean-up, MDA Fill the Boot, and other volunteer events at Rockin' on River at Black River Landing. There are still many more events I am looking forward to participating in and connecting with the community." Lorain Local Magazine | page 31
Avrey has come a long way since he was a kid attending Safety Town at the former Southview High School. But the spark that started that day when he first saw the fire truck and learned his first lessons in fire safety from the Lorain firefighters is what continues to drive Avrey, now a part of that very same fire department.
"There is a community that trusts in us and believes that we will be there on their worst days, and I want to be the fireman I aspired to be when I was that kid in Safety Town." Avrey sees familiar faces and places every day on the job, and there's a special pride when you get to be able to work in your hometown. As the youngest member of the department, he also works with people who have far more job and life experience that have helped him in many ways since his journey first began. With their help, he is becoming a better fireman and also a better person.
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
"This city has such an amazing history, and working for the Lorain Fire Department has been such an eye-opener of history and tradition. I come to work, and I listen to the stories of the senior members of the department and the amazing things they have done for the city. Many other LFD members from Lorain also take pride in their city and believe the citizens who trust us deserve nothing but the best. I want to continue that tradition and support this community in a positive manner." As a member of the Lorain Fire Department—a service that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year—Avrey is just one of the firefighters working to respond to our city's nearly 2200 yearly calls covering approximately 24 square miles of land with a population of nearly 65,000 people.
"We are here to provide you with the safety you need whenever you call for us, and we will give every effort we can to help." Lorain Local Magazine | page 26
A LOCAL
Spotlight
Lorain Girl Fulfills Dream of Working for
Disney As tears rushed to her eyes, Madison Maniaci clicked on a link to an email that read, “You have been accepted to the Disney College Program.” When Madison first visited Walt Disney World in 2004, she could recall her earliest memories of riding on the carousel and watching the fireworks in front of Cinderella’s castle. Little did she know, she would someday be working directly behind that very castle in Disney's Magic Kingdom. Madison is a Lorain-native and, on her days off, spends her time volunteering as the Lorain International Festival secretary and working within the community. She first heard about the Disney College Program (DCP) her senior year of high school. After attending Lorain County Community College, she continued her studies at Kent State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in marketing. In the fall of 2019, she applied for DCP in hopes of working for the company and was accepted for the spring and summer months of 2020.
photos courtesy of Madison Maniaci
After news spread about the pandemic, her plans changed, and she received word that, for the first time in history, Walt Disney World would shut down indefinitely.
After months of waiting to hear a response, in the spring of 2021, the Disney company announced it would be offering positions to DCP participants again. Madison applied and heard back from them on August 13, with a move-in arrival of September 20. Her program would last until January 13, 2022.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 27
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“I figured that I would never be able to have a shot at the DCP again. That was the first time that they had ever stopped accepting college program participants even when they opened back up post-pandemic.”
A LOCAL
Spotlight
Once she learned that the program would be coming back, she knew she wanted to hurry and graduate to prepare for a future position within the company. After completing nine courses this past summer, she still had to take a couple more to obtain her degree—but she still managed to reach her goal.
“Being a part-time student while working almost fulltime for the company is a hard task, but I’m glad I was able to graduate early so I could get ahead in my career.” Madison graduated with honors from Kent State University in December during the program. Upon arriving in Florida, Madison moved into Disney’s newly-developed student housing complex and met her new roommates.
“The first week I was there felt like a fever dream. I was able to go resort-hopping, shopping shopping at Disney Springs, and even to Universal Studios in Orlando.”
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
The next week consisted of a few days of training and learning about her new role as a quick-service food and beverage cast member. She was selected to work in Magic Kingdom at Pinocchio Village Haus (PVH).
“When I found out I would be working at my favorite park, I was beyond excited to see where I would be placed. And when I found out it was at PVH, I thought it was the perfect fit for me.”
Lorain Local Magazine | page 28
She spent time in all four Disney parks on her days off, riding photo courtesy of Madison Maniaci every ride and trying *almost* every treat. It wasn’t hard for her to start making friends, and after the first week, she had a full social calendar of events for the next couple of months.
“My roommates would always joke with me and say they never saw me because I was constantly out at the parks or on Disney property doing something.”
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Madison had made a bucket list of everything she wanted to do at Disney and was able to fulfill it all.
“I was able to see every firework show, visit every resort, and ride every ride.” Throughout her experience working for the company, she was able to gain new skills that would help her in her future endeavors. Her role allowed her to talk with thousands of people a day from all over the world.
“When working, I felt such a strong sense of inclusivity and diversity from the other cast members and guests that it made it feel like home." "Growing up in Lorain taught me so much about other cultures that I carried that knowledge with me, and I was able to assist everyone to the best of my abilities. I even started practicing Spanish to help with some of the guests to make their experience even better.” Madison’s advice for college students wanting to pursue a career with a Fortune 500 company like Disney is to “just do it.” She never thought she would be accepted into such a prestigious program, as only a small percentage of applicants get accepted each term.
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“Working for Disney is hard work, but when I think of all the adventures I had with the friends I made and all of the long nights and days spent with my favorite coworkers, it makes it worth it. There’s no other place in the world that would allow you to watch fireworks during a shift and let you spend time in the parks on your days off."
photos courtesy of Madison Maniaci
For more information and to view applications for the upcoming term, you can visit Jobs.DisneyCareers.com.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 29
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Comedy in the City
with David Morales
by Kelsey Leyva-Smith
photos by Jason Shaffer
Growing the city’s comedy scene while building a comedic portfolio of his own has been the mission of one Lorain man for five years and counting. David Morales, 34, said what started as an interest in entertainment in general developed into his current role producing and hosting comedy shows in the International City and elsewhere. He recalled reenacting tv shows and movie scenes as a child and eventually performing at open mic nights in Lakewood and Cleveland in July 2016.
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
“I wasn’t that good,” Morales said with a laugh. “I didn’t really understand how to talk to a crowd. It’s something you obviously learn the more times you go up, but I felt challenged enough in it personally where I was like, ‘I’m going to try to just get better at this.’” With a goal in mind, Morales wasted no time in hosting his first show in his hometown. Lorain Local Magazine | page 30
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On August 18, 2016, Morales was one of eight comics to perform at the then Charleston Coffee House on Broadway as part of “Comedy in Lorain: Make Lorain Laugh Again.” “Being able to provide entertainment for people that live here in this area instead of having to go all the way out to Cleveland—it’s pretty dope,” he said, adding he doesn’t remember having comedy shows to attend while growing up. Morales said he started to take his comedy career more seriously after being a passenger in a car accident in November 2018. Since then, he said he likes to spend at least two hours a day networking, booking shows, scheduling shows, marketing, and producing content. And hard work paid off in 2019 when he was voted fourth “Best Male Comic in Cleveland” in Cleveland Scene Magazine’s Best Of. In Lorain, Morales has produced and hosted comedy shows featuring music at venues such as Union Town Provisions, Speak of the Devil, and The Shipyards Event Center. In 2021, Morales also coordinated a monthly open mic night on Wednesdays from May through December at The Palace Theatre. He said performing in the Cleveland area allowed him to build a network of comedians who now love to perform in Lorain.
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“All the comics who come out here from Cleveland and Akron and Youngstown—they love it. They have such a good time. They call me the King of Lorain even at their shows. I love it.” Morales said making those kinds of connections with other comics is one of his favorite parts of being in the area’s comedy scene. “I think the best part of it really, for me, is just all the people that I’ve met and friends that I’ve made and places that I’ve been fortunate enough to go,” he said. “To be backstage in different places and then being able to walk on stage through a curtain—it’s awesome. There’s no better feeling.” In general, Morales said comedy is fun, noting “everyone loves to laugh.” His material often centers around his personal life, such as family and relationships, and is not meant for younger audiences. To prepare for a performance, Morales will order a shot and a beer and listen to artists including Ye/Kanye West, Key Glock, and Tame Impala to get in the right headspace. “Every single time I perform it feels right, honestly,” he said. “I love it. There’s nothing I’ve ever done in my entire life that I love more.”
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Looking forward to a busy 2022, Morales said he plans to continue the monthly open mic nights at The Palace and produce shows in Lorain and out of state. Morales said he wants to perform in places such as Columbus, Cincinnati, Indiana, and Chicago, and he is going to New York in April. He said the pandemic interrupted his plans to perform and produce shows out of state, so he’s working hard to make up for lost time. “That’s all I want to do is just do more out of state shows all while producing shows here still in Lorain.” Morales will also be performing again as part of the FireFish Festival series of events, with one show in the spring and one in the fall. In June, Morales will be teaching a comedy workshop for students in the community.
“I’m ready to conquer,” he said.
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal Lorain Local Magazine | page 33
Defining History
As it continues to change through the years by Brandon J. Wysocki
Failing to be informed and inspired by history is one of the greatest disservices we can do to ourselves. However, just as it's easy for us to take the spectacular crown of our city, Lake Erie, for granted as we get wrapped up in current affairs and the day-to-day activities of life, it may be easier to lose sight of the rich and wonderful history which, in its own way, is just as intrinsic to and interwoven in our identity. History has a unique way of providing perspective, guidance, and drive. It gives us critical insight into how we have come to be where we are and how we might be able to get to where we desire to be.
We should cherish history—not in stubbornly clinging to the past or in any way confining ourselves to it, but in learning from it and using it to grow. In studying our history, you become more aware of some of the impressive heights of the past—along with the missteps —and you become more mindful of our own place and actions in the present. Viewing the present through the lens of it being the history of the future can give us the impetus to be more considerate in what we do, as well as how and why we do it. In my mind, history's most potent potential is to provide the inspiration to do great things and provide the proof that people can do such things here in a city like Lorain, one that is fighting to find a new sustainable identity and prosperous place in an ever-changing world. When we receive news about efforts to bring something new to our community, it's easy to think it won't happen or it can't happen. But when we see 1960s photos of the U.S.S. Cod submarine drydocked in Lorain for repairs or a 1910 photo of several large ships occupying the Black River—or when you learn that nearly half of the 1000-foot freighters on the Great Lakes, including the largest, were built here in Lorain—anything begins to feel much more feasible.
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
Photo courtesy of Lorain Historical Society
Lorain Local Magazine | page 34
Photo courtesy of Pete Donatucci
Regardless of what may come, I challenge everyone to reflect on some of the truly exceptional people and products that have come from Lorain. I wonder who of us might be the next inventor, entrepreneur, soldier, entertainer, athlete, artist, author, or any other person of positive impact to leave a lasting legacy in and for Lorain. Who of us will look to the greatness of the past and aspire to accomplish our own great things in the present? Like a guardian watching from behind, the shadows of the past do not loom over us to make us timid or limit us—but rather to provide us cover and courage so that we may achieve our own great feats in due time. Indeed, and again like Lake Erie, our history is a precious resource that we do well to study, promote, enjoy, and tend to as stewards. Fortunately for Lorain, Lorain Historical Society is doing a superb job with the latter and, as such, provides excellent opportunities for the former. They are an extraordinary organization whose effort to preserve and celebrate our history cannot be overstated. They serve our community by offering a variety of excellent presentations and programming for all ages, and they foster dialogue on important issues and productive efforts. This year, Lorain Local and Lorain Historical Society are collaborating to explore what Lorain being "The International City" means to us. With Lorain International Festival poised to return this summer, it is clear that Lorain signals an international importance. But how deep that spans is something we need your help to examine together.
We would love to hear why you think Lorain earns the title of "The International City." With your help, we hope to define this and determine if it has changed over the years and whether it means or has ever meant the same thing to everyone. Throughout 2022, we will ask individuals from various generations what this phrase signifies and how we can best build upon that moving forward into our future. To start, we are collecting responses on lorainlocal.com, and we will make posts through various social media platforms encouraging engagement from everyone who has ever experienced Lorain in any capacity. What did your time in Lorain show you? What did you discover while you were here? Is that something that can help explain why we are known as "The International City?" Maybe it won't explain it entirely, but please join us to help pinpoint this integral piece of the history that makes us the city we are today. Then, stay tuned to learn other people's responses and discover how all of us embody what it means to be #LorainProud.
Scan here to visit lorainlocal.com, where you can tell us what "The International City" means to you!
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal Lorain Local Magazine | page 35
617 Broadway | 440-245-2323
Upcoming Shows: NORTH COAST SUPERBOWL OF ROCK N ROLL Saturday, February 12, 6 p.m.
WINGER & FIREHOUSE
Friday, February 18, 8 p.m.
BACK TO THE FUTURE & BAD JUJU Saturday, February 19, 8 p.m.
JUST MERCY Sunday, February 20, 3 p.m.
E5C4P3 Friday, February 25, 7 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH TRAVIS TRITT Saturday, February 26, 8 p.m.
ON ANY SUNDAY Sunday, February 27, 3 p.m.
JEFFERSON STARSHIP Friday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
HEARTBREAKER Saturday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Visit lorainpalace.com for full schedule and to purchase tickets.