Currents reporter Sarah Jaquay snapped our April cover photograph while on a Holland America cruisetour in Alaska. Pictured is the rustic modern Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island near Juneau, where guests may enjoy classic Alaskan salmon bakes. Read more about her Alaskan and Yukon adventures on page B1.
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HOME & GARDEN
Spring Gardening tips from horticulturalist
By Cynthia Schuster Eakin
SENIOR LIVING
Area seniors, caregivers advise about aging well
Submit nonprofit benefit events to editor@currentsnews.com.
Friday, April 24...Bash for the Brook, to benefit Beech Brook, at Huntington Bank Field. The event will offer guests a unique experience inside Huntington Bank Field, including behind-the-scenes stadium tours, interactive games, raffle prizes, and food and beverages. Tickets are $195 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Organizers encourage early registration as attendance is expected to be strong. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.beechbrook. org/bash or contact Heidi Lang at hlang@ beechbrook.org or 216.831.2255, ext. 2240.
Saturday, April 25…Fourth Annual Pickle Charity Event to support the nonprofit Power of Joy, a charity to help others access joy in their lives. Fun and competitive Round Robin play at all levels. Instruction for new players included. To be held at The Chagrin Valley Racquet Club (formerly Chagrin Valley Athletic Club), 17260 Snyder Rd., Chagrin Falls from 5 to 9 p.m. $100 donation to play. $75 donation to spectate. Sponsorship available. To register: www.powerofjoy.net.
Sunday, April 26....The 31st annual Market at the Food Bank to benefit the Greater Cleveland Food Bank takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 13815 Coit Rd. The event features restaurant and beverage purveyors and a silent auction. General admission is $150. Visit www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.
Saturday, May 2...G-Clef Ball, to benefit Cleveland POPS Orchestra, at InterContinental Hotel Clevland. Cocktails, dinner with wine, silent auction, special concert followed by dancing to the Cleveland POPS Orchestra. Event to honor Brian Gevry, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Boyd Watterson Global Asset Management Group LLC. Tickets start at $350 per person. For more information, call 216.765.7677.
Sunday, May 3...Sunday Dinner with a “Purr-pose,” to benefit the Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, 2 to 5 p.m. at The Banquet Center at St. Noel, 35200 Chardon Rd. (Route 6), Willoughby Hills, OH 44094. $75 per person. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. Family-style dinner at 2:30 p.m. RSVP by April 26. Silent and Chinese auctions and 50-50 raffle. Free photos of attendees by Pure Image Photo Booth. Call or text Doreen at 440.759.0076 or mail checks for reservations and/or donations to: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland, OH 44026. To use PayPal, go to www.HappyTailsCatSanctuary.org and go to Donations page.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Earth and Arbor Day events, Garden and Tram tours & more
LUXURY REAL ESTATE
Unique contemporary Pepper Pike home on private lake for sale
By Rita Kueber
The primary mission of Currents is to feature and spotlight the nonprofit, arts, educational and cultural organizations so vital to Northeast Ohio, as well as the volunteers and philanthropists who guide, support and sustain them. P.O. Box 150 • Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 • 525 E. Washington Street • 440-247-5335 / Fax: 440-247-1606 www.currentsneo.com
Published monthly by the Chagrin Valley Publishing Company
H. KENNETH DOUTHIT III Publisher
KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN Editor
APRIL EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Linda Feagler, Beth Schreibman Gehring, Sarah Jaquay, Rita Kueber, Anastasia Nicholas, Andrea C. Turner, Jeannie Emser Schultz LAYOUT: Christine Hahn
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE S: Shari Silk
AD DESIGNERS: Connie Gabor, Ashley Gier
Please call 440.247.5335 for editorial, advertising and deadline information. Currents is distributed in: Auburn, Avon Lake, Bainbridge, Bath, Bay Village, Beachwood, Bentleyville, Bratenahl, Brecksville, Chagrin Falls, Chesterland, Cleveland Heights, Fairview Park, Gates Mills, Hudson, Hunting Valley, Kirtland Hills, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Moreland Hills, North Royalton, Orange Village, Pepper Pike, Rocky River, Russell, Shaker Heights, Solon, South Russell, Strongsville, University Heights, Waite Hill, Westlake, Akron, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Hinckley, Montrose, Peninsula, Richfield and Silver Lake.
Kent State School of Fashion to induct Fern Mallis into Fashion Hall of Fame
Kent State University’s School of Fashion announces it will induct Fern Mallis into its prestigious Fashion Hall of Fame, recognizing her transformative impact on the American fashion industry and her enduring role in shaping what the world now knows as New York Fashion Week.
Widely regarded as the “Godmother of Fashion Week,” Mallis redefined the structure and global visibility of American fashion presentations. While designers had shown collections in New York for decades, it was Mallis who centralized and professionalized the shows at Bryant Park for nearly two decades. Her leadership brought cohesion, international press attention, corporate sponsorship and global stature to what had once been a scattered series of individual designer showings.
Under her direction, New York Fashion Week became not simply a trade event but a cultural institution, elevating American designers to the world stage and establishing New York as a capital of fashion equal to Paris, Milan and London.
“Fern’s vision transformed the way American fashion presents itself to the world,” said R. Scott French, a representative of the Kent State School of Fashion Advisory Board. “Her ability to unite designers, press, sponsors and the city itself into a singular, globally recognized moment changed the trajectory of our industry.”
Mallis’ career spans decades of leadership across fashion production, consulting and thought leadership, but her most enduring legacy remains the framework she built for New York Fashion Week – a model that influenced fashion week structures worldwide.
The Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame honors individuals whose contributions have fundamentally shaped the industry and inspired future generations of designers, entrepreneurs and creative leaders. Mallis’ induction recognizes her innovation, executive acumen and unwavering commitment to
championing American fashion.
“I am so honored to be receiving this ‘Hall of Fame’ honor from a university that has such
an incredible fashion program and museum,” Mallis said. “I’ve worked with many alums through the years. It is always special to be acknowledged for my work at this point in my life and career and to share what I learned along the way and give back to the next generation. They are the future of the fashion industry, and we can learn so much from them.”
Mallis will visit Kent State to accept the honor during its fashion school’s annual year-end celebrations. She will present the annual Hall of Fame lecture on May 1. The induction ceremony will take place May 2, bringing together students, faculty, alumni and industry leaders to celebrate a woman whose vision continues to define the fashion calendar.
“Fern Mallis is a true industry titan whose vision and leadership have fundamentally shaped American fashion,” said Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., Margaret Clark Morgan Director of the School of Fashion at Kent State. “From creating New York Fashion Week to her tireless
advocacy for emerging talent, her impact is immeasurable. We are honored to welcome her to Kent State to share her insights with our students.”
In its 37th year, the prestigious Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame award celebrates the outstanding contributions to fashion made by an individual. The accolade honors the unique qualities of their leadership. It champions the aspiration and inspiration they and their business of fashion offer the next generation of fashion graduates at Kent State. Mallis joins an illustrious group of inductees that includes Kenneth Cole, Estée Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, Dana Buchman, Leonardo Ferragamo, Josie Natori, Dame Zandra Rhodes and most recently, Donald J Pliner.
Mallis served two decades in influential leadership roles at the Council of Fashion Designers of America and as senior vice president of IMG Fashion. She is currently president of her own international consulting firm.
For the past 15 years, she has hosted the acclaimed and consistently sold-out conversation series “Fashion Icons With Fern Mallis” at 92NY. She is also the author of two companion books published by Rizzoli that chronicle her in-depth interviews with the industry’s most celebrated figures.
A passionate advocate for emerging talent, Mallis has advised multiple regional fashion weeks – including Nashville Fashion Week, Charleston Fashion Week and Philly Fashion Week – and continues to nurture the next generation of innovators. Most recently, she has mentored nine-year-old designer and internet personality Max Alexander as he develops his early career.
Mallis has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Fashion Industry Lifetime Achievement Award from Pratt Institute, which was presented to her by designer Calvin Klein, and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She was also
inducted into the Business of Fashion’s BoF 500 Hall of Fame.
Mallis was a founding board member of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA) and currently serves on the board of the FIT Foundation, the advisory board of Shop Repurpose, the Conservation Council of Panthera and the Ecofashion Corp Board of Advisors.
Over the past several years, she has continued to receive major recognition for her leadership, philanthropy and impact on the industry. Her latest honors include the Icon of Innovation Award from the Fashion Group International; DIFFA Dallas’ Legend in the Fight Against AIDS Award; recognition as one of the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders for 2024; the Accessories Council Excellence Hall of Fame Award; Giving the Glam’s Making the Difference Award; Delivering Good’s Impact Speaker Award; and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s Fashion Cares Award.
Most recently, she has received the Fashion Group International’s Founders’ Award; the Connect2Vision and Culture Award from CaringKind; and the 2025 Impact Award from the American Heart Association for her work creating the Red Dress initiative.
Mallis remains one of the most influential and respected voices in global fashion, celebrated for her leadership, mentorship and unwavering commitment to advancing and shaping the industry.
Mallis’ induction into the Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame will take place on May 2 as part of the school’s Annual Fashion Show. Featuring an eclectic mix of styles, materials and concepts, the Annual Fashion Show showcases the work and talent of Kent State seniors and graduate students. For tickets and more information, visit kent.edu/fashion/ annual-fashion-show.
For more information about the Kent State School of Fashion’s Hall of Fame, visit kent. edu/fashion/school-fashion-hall-fame.
ROBERT & GABRIEL JEWELERS has been a Cleveland landmark for 100 years and three generations. We custom design and create beautiful jewelry for every occasion. We are truly “Jewelers For Generations!” KILGORE TROUT always has an inspired mix of styles. Our Spring/Summer Look Books are here! Find your new look at kilgoretrout.com/magazine LISA MORAN LTD. has an extensive selection of sportswear. Designers from the United States, Canada and Europe including Canadian designer Iris Setlawke.
After a long winter, springtime renewal flourished at Playhouse Square (PHS) on February 28, as guests stepped into a larger-than-life dream-like garden full of flowers, butterflies, and mushrooms.
The Playhouse Square Partners – its official young professionals group — hosted its 35th annual Jump Back Ball (JBB) fundraiser to support PHS’s education initiatives. A sold-out crowd of more than 800 attendees lavished in the “Bloom: Unlock the Magic of the Secret Garden” experience at the KeyBank State Theatre.
Since 1991, JBB has generated nearly $3 million
to benefit PHS’s education programs, serving hundreds of thousands of students, educators and community members – making arts accessible to all. Organizers expect to reach their $100,000 fundraising event goal.
In the Parker Hannifin VIP Lounge, guests nibbled on passed hors d’oeuvres and imbibed on specialty cocktails. Tito’s Handmade Vodka photo booth, blackjack tables and Bella Faccia face painting rounded out the activities, as OPUS 216 charmed with lovely chamber music.
A seven-foot tall silk mushroom in an island
garden served as the lobby centerpiece, setting the tone for an outdoor English tea party in the Yorkshire moors.
The band, Follow the Sun, played dance tunes on the KeyBank Main Stage as attendees filled up at a heavy hors d’oeuvres and Buddha bowl station, drank champagne, and sashayed to the music.
Floral dresses and rose-patterned suit coats dominated the attire, along with creative twists like the bee and beekeeper, a biblical Adam modestly covered in fig leaves, a garden gnome, and a bouquet of roses with multiple women in green
dresses and huge colorful floral hats. A wishing well of pressed gold-colored wood coins made for a fun souvenir.
Party-goers could strike multiple poses at the Data Genomix 360 Camera station on the mezzanine and test their luck at casino gaming tables. Late night partygoers danced until midnight with DJ ESpinz while delighting in late night bites, soft pretzels, and treats from the dessert bar. Save the date for next year’s event, taking place February 27, 2027. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C.
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Spring has officially sprung and gardeners are eager to tackle the tasks at hand. But, where do we begin?
Stefanie Verish, horticulturist at Holden Forests and Gardens, offers these valuable tips for channeling spring garden energy.
“By now, seeds have been started, late winter pruning is finished, and preemergent herbicides have been applied in anticipation of the growing season to come,” she noted. “Where does one start when everything begs to be done at once? You can take two good lessons from nature. Everything happens in its own time, and nature is self-remedying. The plants will grow without your eager hands and the timelines you impress are often the ones you create. The challenge is to take a step back and stroll slowly into this beautiful season.”
“If leaves are unfurling, the time to prune the trees and shrubs is over. Springflowering shrubs can still be pruned during flowering, or you can wait until after the blooms have faded. Most trees are pruned during dormancy in winter. Now is the time to put your pruners away and enjoy the clouds of petals for their debut,” Verish said.
“If you have a wooded lot, you can direct your energy into spotting invasive species. Non-native, invasive shrubs leaf out long before our natives. Look out for thickets of honeysuckle, barberry, buckthorn, and other aggressive invasives that will take over your habitat, and plan your attack for removal,” she instructed. “You can also scout for spotted lanternfly egg sacs and destroy them immediately. Insect invasives are just as problematic as invasive plants.”
“The loveliest treasures are native spring ephemerals, or plants that flower before the tree leaves emerge and shade them out for the season. The fleeting nature of bloodroot, hepatica, Dutchman’s breeches, trout lilies, trillium and Virginia bluebells somehow makes them more magical,” she added. “They are there to capitalize on the early pollinators; the flies, bumblebees and butterflies that have overwintered as adults. Including these native plants in your yard can outshine the visual impact of tried-and-true bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths and tulips, and they serve such an important ecological role. Long-term spring natives include common blue violets, wild columbine and Jacob’s ladder, and they persist in offering nectar and pollen as summer encroaches.”
“In your eagerness to get out and spring clean your yard, you can do more damage than good. If you want your garden to thrive, try to think holistically about your yard as a living ecosystem, full of plants, fungi, invertebrates, birds and mammals. Each of them is important and interdependent in their roles,” Verish noted. “Leaving the leaves in your flower beds will serve as habitat and shelter for overwintering invertebrates and pollinators. Wait for the soil to warm up and the temperatures to stay above freezing before clearing your debris. Remember that leaves are free compost. You can also leave some of your hollow plant stalks standing eight to 18 inches tall to support native bees. They will lay their eggs within the cavity, and they will be the next generation of pollinators for your garden. The old stalks will disintegrate with time, but not before they are hidden by fresh, new growth.”
“If you need a third reason to take your time, consider that treading on the soil while it is still soft will compact it, reducing drainage, and making it much harder for roots to grow. You will also want to wait before you mulch, because spreading a top dressing over soil too soon will drastically slow its warming process,” she said. “You will also save money, because allowing plants to fill in until May or June means less space to cover. If you intend to prepare a bed for planting, avoid the rototiller that will destroy your soil structure. Instead, opt to use a spading fork to make channels. Your soil will be better in the long-term.”
“So, as you wait and take your time
to allow yourself and nature to breathe, you still want to channel some of that energy into productive projects. If you are an edible garden grower, you will be wanting to set out your cold crops, as they are frost-tolerant and thrive in cooler temperatures. Once the ground is thawed, you can have your soil tested to determine what nutrients you may need for amending and fertilizing. You can treat or pull some of those early-flowering invasive weeds so they won’t be so much of a problem in the future. You can tidy and clean hardscaping, seating, paths, and other non-living features in your garden space,” Verish suggested.
“Your garden is a part of nature, as well as your haven. Allowing it to follow spring’s natural progression is as healthy for it as it is for you,” she said. “Don’t feel the need to force the timeline when spring and all of its wonders invite you to take a thoughtful stroll and watch the magic of the season unfold, rather than add it to a list of must-do tasks. That is channeling good energy, mind, body and soil!”
By ANDREA C. TURNER
The Checkered Shelf Bookshop is a passion project for Cleveland Heights resident Mary Pat Jolivette.
A longtime leader of literacy advocacy in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, Jolivette has worked as a stay-at-home mom for the past 20 years, and previously as a social worker. She and her husband Greg Jolivette have six children, ranging from twin boys in elementary school to their oldest in her early 20’s.
The shop opened to the public in the former Appletree Books space, 12419 Cedar Road, in the historic Cedar Fairmount neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. Appletree was a staple in the community for 50 years, but closed in May 2025 when owner Lynn Quintrell retired.
“It has been a dream of mine for years to open my own bookstore,” said Jolivette. “I am an avid reader, but most importantly my kids are avid readers.”
The bookstore offers a wide range of literary genres, but also has a focus on children’s books, young adult literature, as well as hosting community events. Book lovers can also peruse their assortment of gifts, puzzles, writing accoutrements, and stationery, as well as locally-made jewelry.
Its dedicated space for special events like book club gatherings and private parties makes it unique for community gatherings. And youth are encouraged to sit and read in the loft – appropriately appointed with bean bag chairs.
Conveniently located on the same block as MOIO clothing and homewares store, Parnell’s Pub, Pour Wine & Gifts, Starbucks, Vero Pizza, and Zhug restaurant, it’s easy to pop in while waiting for a dinner reservation, etc.
“I had a small soft opening last night and I have been walking on air all day,” said Jolivette. “I am so excited for the fun casual community space this little bookshop will
be.” The grand opening took place the second weekend of April with storytime, crafts for kids, snacks, and free giveaways.
The shop is far from little though – as its footprint covers approximately 2,200 square feet. The store has a partnership with bookshop.org (traditional books) and libro.fm (audiobooks) where customers can pre-order online and have items delivered to their door, while proceeds go to the independent bookstore of your choice. This alternative to ordering through Amazon helps independent bookstore owners compete in a big box world.
Normal hours of operation are TuesdayWednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
The woman-owned book store has already held a poetry circle in March for middle school girls in celebration of Women’s History Month.
On a recent preview visit, the Jolivettes’ oldest child, Georgina “Georgie,” was helping her mother set up – opening boxes and stocking shelves. With a demanding work schedule as an attorney, I wondered how she could squeeze in the extra hours to help out. She explained that she was “decompressing” from her work day in the book store.
That’s the type of place it is — relaxed, unpretentious, and welcoming for all ages.
The entire family and close friends have been part of the team preparing the bookstore for full operation by installing shelves, painting, ordering, stocking, and managing the register. The checkered shelves near the front door display the family’s reading recommendations.
Jolivette hopes to offer a warm inviting place for every member of the community.
“It’s a place to find your next favorite book, connect with other readers, and inspire the next generation of little bookworms,” she
Children enjoy the gathering space
added. “There’s a book here for every reader.” For more info, visit them on Instagram at @thecheckeredshelfbookshop.
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
This Mother’s Day, celebrate the ones who care for you with flowers and a little creativity. Area florist shops offer hands-on classes where you can learn to design seasonal centerpieces filled with fresh stems. These arrangements are perfect for your table, or as a heartfelt, handmade gift.
Blossom Flower Bar in Lakewood and Chagrin Falls holds floral arranging workshops in a relaxed atmosphere. Guests are welcome to bring drinks or treats to enjoy while designing. Tickets are non-refundable, but guarantee an arrangement. If you become unable to attend a scheduled class, you can notify Blossom Flower Bar 24 hours in advance to arrange for flower pickup. The cost is $95. Mother’s Day floral workshops are scheduled for May 6 in Chagrin Falls and May 7 in Lakewood. Contact the Chagrin Falls store, 37 W. Orange St., at 216.482.0322 or go to chagrin@blossomflowerbar.com . Phone the Lakewood store, 14526 Detroit Ave., at 216.512.0700 or visit lakewood@blossomflowerbar.com
The Red Truck Flower Farm is hosting a bouquet-making class at the Concord Community Center, 7671 Auburn Rd., on April 30, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Join Nate and Carolyn Miller for a flower-filled class where you can hear about their local farm, celebrate the season’s first blooms and get your hands busy creating a specialty tulip bouquet to take home. Arrive ready to play with flowers and leave with a little piece of spring. Phone 440.639.4650 for reservations.
Pawlak’s Florist, 5264 State Rd. in Parma, has been teaching floral design courses for several decades. Classes are usually held on Monday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A wide range of topics are covered, from new designers to fresh floral designs. Classes are $60 each priced individually, or $55 each for five sessions paid in advance. You take home an arrangement valued at least $60 weekly and all tools are provided. Current openings are Perfect Pincushion Proteas on April 20 and Wire Ball Horizontal Bouquet on April 27. Call 216.351.4242.
“Daddy, I’m getting a heart.”
Those were the words Ava Cooper had been waiting to say after more than 200 days in the hospital. In that moment, everything changed.
Ava’s journey began just days after she was born. Diagnosed with multiple complex heart defects, she underwent her first surgery at only six days old. By the age of five, she had already endured four open-heart surgeries. For a time, she was able to live like any other child, full of creativity, joy and a love for art.
Then, in the summer of 2024, everything shifted.
Ava began experiencing severe symptoms, struggling to breathe and losing energy. Doctors determined she was in heart failure. She was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Children’s, where a dedicated team worked to find a path forward. After careful evaluation, it became clear that a heart transplant was her best chance at life.
What followed were months of uncertainty, resilience and strength.
While waiting for a donor heart, Ava faced daily challenges. She relied on oxygen, a feeding tube and a mechanical heart pump to survive. Yet through it all, her family created moments of joy. Holidays were celebrated in her hospital
room. Birthdays were honored. And in one unforgettable moment, caregivers transformed her hospital space into a dance floor so Ava could share a father-daughter dance with her dad.
Then came the call.
A donor heart had been found.
In March 2025, Ava underwent a successful heart transplant. Just weeks later, after eight months in the hospital, she finally returned home. Today, Ava is regaining her strength, playing with her sister and embracing the simple joys of childhood once again.
Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion, innovation and generosity come together. It is also a reflection of the families, caregivers and donors who make moments like this possible every day.
On May 2, the Derby Soirée brings our community together to support children like Ava. Your presence and generosity help fuel life-changing care, breakthrough treatments and moments that mean everything to families in need.
Join us. Because every child deserves a second chance. CCF.org/DerbySoiree
By RITA KUEBER
The catalyst for Amy Hunt to become the founder of Multiple Breed Rescue (MBR) was a German Shepherd mix named Joey. In 2006 Amy was the co-head of the Ohio chapter of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. Her errand that day was to pick up a Jack Russell at the Lorain County animal shelter. She was asked if she could take Joey too but originally, she said she couldn’t. Then she realized Joey was being led down the hall – it was his last day. She changed her mind, and when asked what rescue she represented to take Joey, she came up with… Multiple Breed Rescue. “I put him in my car and brought him home – a Shepherd in a house filled with Jack Russells,” she recalls. “But he did well and lived until 2022.”
On her own Amy took in 60 dogs that year, mostly from Lorain County, and all were adopted. From there the rescue grew organically starting with her first foster parent, April, who still volunteers. “My vet’s wife was a lawyer and CPA. “She told me I needed to make it official. She did the paperwork, so I had a 501(c)(3). I had people around me saying ‘okay, now you need to do this.’”
Today, 20 years later, MBR has rescued 4,000 animals, mostly dogs, but the occasional sheep, goat, chicken, or pig. On their website, MBR lists dogs available for adoption, but the headquarters on a 50-acre farm in Grafton is not open to the public. There’s a stringent vetting process as MBR works to place their dogs with the right families. When it’s time to meet the potential adoptee, the entire family – everyone living in the house, including other dogs – needs to show up at the farm to interact with and meet the dog being considered. MBR’s placement success rate hovers at nearly 100 percent.
In addition to the nonprofit rescue, Amy runs a separate business, a training and boarding facility, MBR Farm. A graduate of The Ohio State University, she worked in HR for American Greetings in the early 2000’s where she was not only encouraged to follow her passion of working with dogs but was recognized by the company for her work with rescues. She has many certifications, including membership in the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is a member of and is certified through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP-CDT), and has many more certifications.
“I always dreamed of having my own facility/ shelter,” she says. “It all came to fruition a little at a time. A lot has changed in the dog world –we’ve moved from shock collars to science-based training – cooperative learning instead of forced learning. Consideration of the well-being of dogs is a little worse among the general public but better in shelters and rescues. We’re making slow progress, but I can see the shift. The public still thinks of dogs as a commodity, but dogs are much more like human beings with thoughts and opinions of their own.”
Some of Amy’s time is dedicated to the rescue, but her training and boarding business pays the bills. She explains how the need for supporting pets is constant. “We have people saying they need to surrender their dog because they’re going on vacation and can’t afford to board the pet. I had an owner state their puppy wouldn’t housetrain.” She indicates these issues are solvable and using a different business model, she works to keep her prices for boarding and training reasonable. These days the majority of adoptable MBR dogs are from Cleveland, although Amy gets calls from Lorain County and other pound/ government-run facilities throughout Ohio. Amy
and MBR are well-known, and she often gets calls from officials to take a specific dog. “We always use foster homes,” she says. “We have homes all over from Ashland and Erie counties to Mansfield.”
In terms of finances, MBR is completely funded by donations. Which sounds doable until it becomes apparent that every available dog has to be cleared medically. When first discovered, many are injured with a broken bone, have an obstruction or have some curable condition such as heartworm. “The bills can run between four and six thousand for one dog,” Amy says. “I’m always happy when the bill is under three. So, when we ask for an adoption fee of $350, you can see there’s a big difference.”
To cover that gap, the organization runs special events such as their upcoming, sold out A 1920’s
The event which features vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and a dog parade is scheduled for July 19.
Amy also founded the Lorain Pet Pantry, which assists struggling owners, so they don’t have to choose between pet food and their own food or medication. As of this interview the pantry was empty. Meanwhile, the wish list for the rescue is long and varied. Volunteers, donations, and foster homes are always needed. MBR can also use sheets, dog treats, paper towels, puppy chew bones, and double-handled leashes and martingale collars. “For the dogs, you name it, we can use it,” Amy states.
www.mbrohio.com (The rescue) www.mbrfarm.com (boarding & training)
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND’S
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
Holiday Inn-Independence
6001 ROCKSIDE RD, INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131
DOORS OPEN AT 10:30 AM
LUNCHEON BEGINS AT 12 NOON
FASHION SHOW BY J.MCLAUGHLIN, ROCKY RIVER
JEWELRY RAFFLE SPONSORED BY PETER & CO. JEWELERS
CHRISTCHILDSOCIETYCLEVELAND.ORG
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio’s 34th annual gala, “A Night of Wonders,” honored Lavinia Negrea, MD, as the 2026 Person of the Year. More than 300 guests attended the circusthemed gala, held at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. Dr. Negrea was honored for her commitment to the field of
nephrology and her dedication to the mission of the Kidney Foundation of Ohio. The evening included cocktails, dinner and dancing to the music of The Adjustments band. Guests also enjoyed live and silent auctions. The benefit raised $150,000 to support patient service programs.
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio is a local nonprofit established to provide a broad program of direct assistance to persons with kidney disease and promote and provide education programs for the general public, renal professionals and patients and their families. The foundation serves more than 1,100
individuals impacted by kidney disease each year, in a 37-county area in Northeast Ohio. The foundation remains an Ohio-based organization and all funds raised in Ohio, stay in Ohio to help patients. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Former NFL player and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs has entered the restaurant business realm. He and local restaurateur Akin Affrica of Soul Republic Hospitality Group (Zanzibar Soul Fusion, Angie’s Soul Cafe, Cleveland Breakfast Club, The Vegan Club) have partnered to open their upscale seafood dining restaurant, Sazani Oceana. The restaurant’s soft opening took place Valentine’s Day weekend, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting March 4.
It’s located at 13220 Shaker Square in the former EDWINS Too space, which closed after a four-year run in February 2025, when chef Brandon Chrostowski consolidated and relocated his restaurant spaces to the former Nighttown on Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights. Doug Katz’s Fire Food & Drink occupied the space for the 20 years prior.
The space has been completely renovated with a chic atmosphere of exposed brick walls, wood floors, plenty of window lighting and an avant-garde chandelier – brought together by SoMo Interior Design Studio. Rounded high back booths with seats resembling blue seashells provide table privacy but encourage conversation for groups of five to six.
Inspired by the coastal Sazani Beach in northern Zanzibar off the eastern coast of Africa, an Instagram influencer describes it as a restaurant with “low key coastal luxury vibes.”
In an interview with ABC News Channel 5, Cribbs acknowledged that opening a restaurant is a risky business venture, but he’s confident that its location in historic Shaker Square will
be a boon to its success.
“This is not an unknown location,” said Cribbs. “It’s already an environment with a nice restaurant scene.”
Led by chef Joshua Scherger, the menu highlights fresh seafood prepared with creativity and care. Guests can expect a variety of coastal favorites, including oysters, crab cakes, and seasonal seafood dishes, alongside thoughtfully crafted options featuring beef, chicken, Southern influences, and vegan selections. According to Scherger, menu favorites include Steamed Mussels ($13), The Gilded Wedge ($18), The Oceana Fish Sandwich ($27), Seafood Pasta ($38), and Lobster Wellington ($56).
According to the restaurant website, every dish reflects a commitment to quality ingredients, balanced flavors, and an elevated yet approachable dining experience. Sazani Oceana purports to be a destination where Cleveland’s culinary energy, culture, and community come together –driving the future of Shaker Square’s next chapter.
Brunch is now available on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Happy hour is weekdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Normal hours of operation are:
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 4:30-9:30 p.m. (dinner)
Monday through Thursday: 4:30-9:30 p.m
Friday: 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 4:30-10:30 p.m. (dinner)
Reservations are recommended at sazanioceana.com
The restaurant includes a full bar complete with signature cocktails and mocktails, first bites, and dessert options. Reservations are highly suggested. Bar is first come, first serve. While the restaurant is working to secure valet parking, guests are encouraged to use free parking in Shaker Square, or behind the restaurant or movie theater.
The Junior League of Cleveland (JLC) held its fifth annual Spring Together black-tie fundraising event on March 14, at Key Tower’s St. Clair Ballroom with close to 170 guests in attendance.
The mission of this organization is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Founded in 1912, the chapter is one of the oldest in the nation.
This year, the organization launched its Women of Impact Awards honoring 12 remarkable women who uplift others, champion equity, and create meaningful, lasting change in the
communities they serve.
JLC President Lisa Mayhew opened the presentation, while various board members announced the winners, runner-ups, as well as three college scholarship recipients – to support emerging female leaders who’ve overcome major obstacles.
The event recognized extraordinary individuals who are shaping the future of Greater Cleveland through leadership, service, and advocacy. Women were nominated by JLC members and other community members, but must not have been a prior member of JLC. A winner and
runner-up were recognized across each of the following categories:
NextGen Leader winner: LeAirra Lacy. Runner-up: Erika Stoss.
Service Through Action winner: Tiffany Ashley. Runner-up: Tricia Kuivinen.
Community Catalyst winner: Laura PotterSadowski. Runners-up: Brianna Mejak and Brandi Hill.
Civic Leadership winner: Divya Sridhar. Runner-up: Kayla Goodwin.
Equity in Health winner: Dr. Mirriam Knight. Runner up: Dr. Shamarah Hutchins.
Torchbearer Award winner: Dr. Shamarah Hutchins. Runner-up: Ylonda Rosenthal-Greene. Madison Stonebrunner, Fundraising Chair, concluded the program as folks enjoyed an open bar, sit down dinner, 50/50 raffle, wine pull, silent auction, raffles, desserts, and dancing with music from the band Alt95. Proceeds from the event directly support community programs and partnerships that promote public health, foster civic engagement, and empower women to lead lasting change. STORYAND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER
Retrospective Celebrating one of America’s finest
Opening May 8, 2026
W illiam Sommer, one of America’s great modernists, will be the sub retrospective this spring Sommer, a master lithographer by trade, w respected artist in Cleveland at the turn of the last century In1913, Show of modern art in New York City and viewed innovative works He was especially captivated by the work of Henri Matisse, whose critics so much that they called Matisse and his colleagues “fauves these avant-garde Europeans, Sommer created his own shocking p career, often using his rural milieu to create brilliant modern compos
The core of the exhibition is derived from the 60-year collection of M curator best known for his tenure as the Senior Curator of Indian an Museum in New York City, a position he held from 1972 until his ret during Lerner ’s tenure at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he w and continued throughout his life Sommer ’s work is housed in the of Art, the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Clev Museum, the Akron Museum of Art, and the Butler Museum of Am
Siegal Lifelong Learning at Case Western Reserve University will host Lee Yaron, award winning Israeli author and journalist for two upcoming in-person lectures. Beyond The Headlines: Hope, Resilience, And Israel’s Future will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Words That Move The World: Journalism As The Catalyst For Societal Change will be held on Thursday, May 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Both lectures are free for members and $5 for nonmembers and will be held at Siegal Lifelong Learning, Landmark Centre Building, 25700 Science Park Drive, Suite
100 in Beachwood.
Lee Yaron’s visit offers lifelong learners a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Israel’s most compelling young journalists documenting one of Israel’s most tragic events in recent history. A reporter for Haaretz, Yaron is known for investigative journalism that has exposed corruption and social injustices and has even prompted government inquiries and policy discussions in Israel.
Her recent book, 10/7: 100 Human Stories, presents deeply researched accounts of individuals and communities affected by
William Sommer Retrospective
Opening May 8, 2026
William Sommer, one of America’s great modernists, will be the subject of WOLFS long overdue retrospective this spring. Sommer, a master lithographer by trade, was also the most well-known and highly respected artist in Cleveland at the turn of the last century. In1913, he visited the ground breaking Armory Show of modern art in New York City and viewed innovative works by Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh. He was especially captivated by the work of Henri Matisse, whose bold and unnatural use of color outraged critics so much that they called Matisse and his colleagues “fauves” (French for “wild Beasts”). Inspired by these avant-garde Europeans, Sommer created his own shocking palette highlighting a remarkably prolific career, often using his rural milieu to create brilliant modern compositions.
The core of the exhibition is derived from the 60-year collection of Martin Lerner, an art historian and former curator best known
for his tenure as the Senior Curator of Indian and Southeast Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, a position he held from 1972 until his retirement in 2003. This collection began during Lerner’s tenure at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he was first introduced to Sommer’s work, and continued throughout his life. Sommer’s work is housed in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Nelson-Adkins Museum, the Akron Museum of Art, and the Butler Museum of American Art.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated publication featuring original essays and scholarship by William H. Robinson, former Curator of Modern European Art and Head of the Department of European and American Painting and Sculpture at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The exhibition will be supported by public programming, including guided tours and lectures. Additional lenders include both public institutions and
the October 7 attacks. The book received the National Jewish Book Award and the Natan Notable Books Award, and Yaron was also honored with the Yitzhak Livni “Knight” Award for Free Speech in Media.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated publication by W illiam H Robinson, former Curator of Modern European Art an and American Painting and Sculpture at the Cleveland Museum of A public programming, including guided tours and lectures. Additiona and private collections WOLFS is proud to present the work of this much a part of Cleveland’s cultural heritage
According to Dafna Ben Yosef, Director, Jewish Lifelong Learning, “audiences are drawn to Yaron’s lectures because she combines rigorous journalism with deeply human and personal storytelling. Rather than focusing only on political analysis, she brings forward personal voices and authentic lived experiences that allow audiences to understand the broader historical and social
WILLIAM SOMMER Retrospective
impact of the October 7 horrific events. Yaron’s talks will offer both insight and meaningful reflection on Israel’s reality.” Siegal Lifelong Learning at Case Western Reserve University provides accessible, academically rigorous, and socially relevant educational programs for adult learners across Greater Cleveland and beyond. To learn more and register for upcoming programs, visit www.case.edu/lifelonglearning or contact Dr. Dafna Ben Yosef, Director, Jewish Lifelong Learning at Siegal Lifelong Learning at dafna.benyosef@case.edu or 216.368.56
Opening Friday, May 8, 5:30-8pm On view through August 15th at WOLFS (Tuesday-Saturday 1 23645 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 w w w wolfsgallery com 216.721.6945 | info@wolfsgallery.com
private collections. WOLFS is proud to present the work
Train
By SARAH JAQUAY
My husband and I wanted a reward last August. Last winter, spring and early summer, we were in the throes of cleaning out the almost 100 year-old house we’d lived in for 30 years. We were “right-sizing” to a townhouse. To say we were overwhelmed was an understatement. We wanted an itinerary removed enough from the move date (mid-May) to be somewhat settled and exotic enough so we’d stop obsessing about things like, “Where’s the reading lamp that used to be in the den or the salad spinner?”
We chose an Alaskan “cruisetour” (usually the Inside Passage then Denali National Park.) This destination feels semi-domestic; has stunning scenery and interesting gold rush history, especially the fever that swept bankers, teachers and other “tenderfoots” up into the Yukon when the Klondike strike occurred in 1896, including a young writer named Jack London.
We wanted to start with a cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage, where our minds could drift as whales breached and nothing would be required of us other than eating and relaxing. We investigated several cruise lines and people seemed to like their preferred brand from Norwegian to Princess and Viking. But our choices narrowed considerably when a travel-writing friend said, “Besides the Inside Passage and Denali, you’ve got to see the Yukon. Dawson City is really cool.” So we chose Holland America because they’ve been doing business in Alaska for more than 75 years and seemed to be one of the few operators offering combination tours of cruising, seeing the Yukon and Denali National Park. By the time we came home after Labor Day, we were delighted with our selection.
Our Holland America tour (11-day Denali & Yukon Y4C) started with an afternoon of
guests considered the Koningsdam to be midsized compared to some ocean-going behemoths carrying 5,000-6,000. The Koningsdam was nicely laid out with numerous choices for dining and entertainment, but our most memorable moments were sitting on our balcony watching for whales with mountains in the background. We cruised only three nights. After we disembarked in Skagway, AK, to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, our much smaller tour group (about 40) traveled by motor coach, trains and a private plane to get from Dawson City to Fairbanks. A word about the land accommodations: Holland America owns several of the hotels we stayed in and they were fine. The company leases rooms at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, owned by Princess Cruise Lines, LTD, and that’s lovely. We wished we had more time there. There were so many jaw-dropping moments, including a desert landscape popping out of the Yukon wilderness near Carcross; but our primary terrestrial highlights were the Klondike National Historical Park in Skagway, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway train ride, the Riverboat Discovery cruise in Fairbanks and seeing Denali National Park.
Skagway is a must-see for gold rush history buffs. It lies at the end of the Lynn Canal, the Inside Passage’s northernmost fjord. It was a quiet hamlet until gold was discovered about 500 miles north in the Klondike in August, 1896. Due to its deep port, Skagway became the gateway to the gold fields. Hotels, saloons and brothels plus all manner of suppliers for the “stampeders” as the prospectors were called, sprang up almost overnight. There were two ways to get to the Klondike: The daunting Chilkoot Pass, an old Tlingit trail that ended in the precipitous “golden stairs.” Miners had to climb the roughly 1,500 icy steps to cross into Yukon Territory where they could catch a boat at Lake Bennett and continue their journey to Dawson City, the boomtown nearest the strike. The other option was to cross the White Pass to get to Lake Bennett. There was an aerial tramway built from Skagway and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to ease the trip for those who could afford the fares. Unfortunately, the railroad opened just as the gold fields were played out.
Skagway visitors can stroll through this town that seems frozen in time and visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park to learn more about the thousands of men, women and children who went so far north to Dawson City (or attempted it) in search of fortune. The Park’s interpretive quality is excellent and photos of prospectors standing cheek-by-jowl on the golden stairs is particularly heartbreaking. At the height of the rush, Canadian Mounties manned the top of the staircase to insure miners had a minimum one ton of supplies before allowing them to enter so they wouldn’t starve over the winter. If a miner didn’t have enough, they had to go back to the bottom and start the arduous ascent again. If men even stepped out of line on the narrow staircase, sometimes it could be days until a miner would be allowed back onto it. Nearly 100,000 people set out for the Klondike during the two-year rush, but only 30,000-40,000 actually made it. Even fewer (estimates range from 4,000-15,000) actually found gold. Many abandoned their journey or perished due to starvation and treacherous weather conditions.
we stopped in Dawson City for two nights. Dawson City is pretty much the way it was when miners and suppliers left in droves because gold was discovered in Nome in 1898. Our group felt like we were stepping into an episode of “Gunsmoke.” The town’s wooden sidewalks are still intact and many of the roads aren’t paved. Holland America’s Victorian-looking hotel seemed like it could have been attached to the Long Branch Saloon. Speaking of saloons, the Sourdough Saloon in Dawson City’s Downtown Hotel offers one of Canada’s most unique elixirs: the sourtoe cocktail. It’s a well-preserved human toe served in a shot (often Yukon Jack Canadian whiskey.) The tradition started with a couple of rum-runners, Louie Linken and his brother Otto, in the 1920s. Louie froze his toe and Otto chopped it off to prevent gangrene. The severed toe was kept in a jar of alcohol as a keepsake. Captain Dick Stevenson discovered the pickled toe in a remote cabin in 1973 and decided to use it as a drinking dare. Saloon guests who drink the cocktail and take an oath become members of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. A few of our courageous (or foolhardy) fellow travelers who became members of this exclusive club reported if you swallow the toe, there’s a hefty fine ($2,500CAD) as the mummified toes are hard to replace.
One of the strangest landscapes Holland America cruisetour guests see in the Yukon Territory, is desert sand surrounding evergreen trees near the town
that swept through the bus and finally gave us colds. So we missed the Park’s guided Tundra Wilderness Tour that’s a 5.5 hour bus trip into the Park’s interior. (The lodges are mostly on the edges of this massive national park.) The trip is primarily to see wildlife such as grizzly bears and if possible (but not probable) the peak of Mount Denali that’s often shrouded in clouds. Visitors who succeed in seeing the peak are considered members of the 30% Club, because 70% of the time Denali’s peak isn’t visible.
soaking up the sun and dinner at the rooftop pool at Vancouver’s Pan-Pacific Hotel, right across the street from the cruise ship terminal. Although we had to wade through a cluster to find our guide for the first daily excursion to Capilano Canyon, things calmed down after that and the boarding process for our ship, the Koningsdam, went smoothly.
The cruise portion was our first big-ship experience (approximately 2,600 passengers.) We’d only cruised on small riverboats. Other
As with Levi Strauss (think blue jean king) and other suppliers during the California gold rush, a couple of women became very prosperous. Harriett Pullen made a good living in Skagway selling apple pies to miners and Belinda Mulrooney, known as the “richest woman in the Klondike,” sold miners food, silk underwear and cotton. Mulrooney also owned a Dawson City hotel and restaurant. After touring Skagway our group boarded the White Horse Pass & Yukon Route Railway, for one of the world’s most scenic train rides to the White Pass Summit while viewing Dead Horse Gulch (where many miners’ horses froze or were worked to death), Glacier Gorge and Bridal Veil Falls. After spending an unremarkable overnight in White Horse,
After Dawson City, we flew on a private plane to Fairbanks (the gateway to Denali), where we spent a night at the comfortable Princess Riverside Lodge, famous for its friendly staff and scenic deck overlooking the Chena River. A highpoint was the Riverboat Discovery Tour that was part of our group package. It’s an immersive 3.5 hour tour of Alaskan history and culture aboard a vintage sternwheeler with a hearty lunch served in the boat’s dining room. Along the banks, the boat stops so guests can watch how sled dog puppies are trained for the Iditarod; how Alaskan salmon is traditionally smoked, plus there’s a visit to an authentic Athabascan summer camp, where Native American guides demonstrate their connection to Alaska’s land and animals, including their clothing made of hide and furs, decorated with beautiful beadwork. We couldn’t get enough of the adorable sled-dog puppies, not to mention Captain Jim’s scrumptious smoked salmon sold onboard.
Our penultimate stop was Denali National Park. Unfortunately, we succumbed to a bug
A final train ride with glass-domed cars took us from Denali to Anchorage and provided spectacular views and more chances for spotting moose, bears and other wildlife.
When we left Anchorage, we were content with the amount we’d seen and convinced the Yukon portion was worth giving up cruise nights for. Fortunately, Holland America (and other lines) offer so many choices, travelers can indulge their preferences focusing on cruise time, seeing glaciers, wildlife or gold rush history.
A note about daily excursions: While our Holland America tour included some excursions for the entire group, including the Riverboat Discovery Tour in Fairbanks and Denali National Park’s Tundra Wilderness Tour, many are separately priced. Some of them are excellent and others seemed to be a reach, particularly the “spa” package in Dawson City, a cramped rooftop with a hot tub and a few other pieces of equipment.
For more information, see www.Alaska.org and for information about Holland America’s cruisetours, see https://www.hollandamerica. com/cruisetour-finder
Living to 100 may sound extraordinary, but research suggests it’s more achievable—and enjoyable—than many people think. Studies show the majority of centenarians rate their health as good, and large numbers of people in this age group are mobile, active and optimistic.
According to the American Medical Association, adopting these seven habits can improve longevity and quality of life:
1. Eat healthy. Think of food as medicine. Choose nutritious, whole foods. Eat more fruits that are dark in color — blue, purple and red — to get the most nutrients, as well as fiber-rich vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and leafy greens. Incorporate whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean meats and fish. Drink more water, or as an alternative, flavored or sparkling water with no added sugar.
Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy ultra-processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Eat fewer processed meats, which tend to be high in fat and heavy on added salt and preservatives. Limit your intake of refined grains, such as breads, crackers, baked goods and white rice. Drink less alcohol.
2. Exercise. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity weekly. A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the television remote and walking can improve healthy aging — highlighting the importance of small everyday habits.
3. Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep improves memory, reduces stress, improves
mood, and primes the body’s natural defenses against disease. But sleep quality decreases with age. Improve your sleep quality by setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time, insulating your bedroom against noise, avoiding exercise within an hour of bedtime, maintaining a cool and dark bedroom, and limiting fluids within two hours of bedtime. Also avoid alcohol before bedtime and make your bedroom a tech-free zone as screen-time can impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
4. Live with purpose. A sense of purpose can lead to increased energy, motivation, emotional stability and resilience. Take time for self-reflection and try meditation or yoga. Prioritize your values and beliefs and put them into action toward a goal that’s meaningful to you and benefits others.
5. Stay positive. To bust stress, take a break from decisions, connect with others, pet your dog or cat, write a to-do list (stick to three items), take time to recharge, laugh, sing, curb clutter, set boundaries, perform
mindfulness exercises, practice gratitude, and seek help from a professional when stress becomes overwhelming.
6. Stay connected. Research shows that having social connections is a significant predictor of longevity and better physical, cognitive and mental health, while social isolation and loneliness are significant predictors of premature death and poor health. Unfortunately, there is a nationwide loneliness epidemic that medical experts consider a major public health concern. Combat loneliness with social clubs and community groups, or by taking up a hobby, learning something new or volunteering. If you’re struggling with loneliness, reach out to a professional, your doctor, family member or friend. You can also call the 988 crisis helpline for support.
7. Get screened. Schedule preventive care, tests and health screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious. Your doctor can recommend needed tests based on your age, gender and health conditions — including colonoscopies, mammograms, gynecological and prostate exams, and vision screenings. Today, there are many at-home screening options available. Some are more effective than others, and all work best – and minimize stress around results – when taken in consultation with a doctor.
For more resources on staying healthy, visit www.ama-assn.org.
“Everyone strives to live longer, but the goal should be to live as healthy as possible for as long as we live,” says AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH. “Simple steps today – eating well, staying active, sleeping enough, and seeing your doctor – can add quality years, or even decades, to your life.”
Source: StatePoint
You’ve noticed the changes—mom forgetting her medications, dad struggling to keep the house in order, or a loved one feeling isolated and overwhelmed. You want the best for them, but life’s demands make it hard to give the care and attention they deserve. The worry keeps you up at night: Are they safe? Are they eating well? Are they lonely?
At Senior Solutions, we bring families peace of mind by providing personalized, compassionate care around the clock. Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks, companionship to lift their spirits, or full 24/7 support, we’re here to make their life—and yours—easier.
Let us handle the care, so you can focus on making memories.
Call Jamie Berns at 216-925-3042 or email jberns@seniorsolutions.site Visit seniorsolutions.site to learn how we can help. Because every family deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved one is in caring hands.
On the evening of Saturday, March 7, more than 390 guests packed Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights for the Emerald Ball, Leadership Geauga’s signature annual benefit. The event helped raise more than $125,000 to support leadership development in Geauga County.
Ann Blair was honored as the 2026 Emerald Leader, an individual set apart by volunteerism and leadership.
The Call to the Heart portion of the live auction raised $50,000 for Maple Leaf Community
Residences, the Emerald Leader’s chosen charity. It is close to her heart because her oldest son, Michael, has cerebral palsy. For 10 years, she volunteered as a parent mentor of the county, helping families of children with disabilities.
Maple Leaf Community Residences provides safe and affordable housing and promotes independence for adults with disabilities. The nonprofit housing corporation provides housing to 100 individuals with developmental disabilities. It owns and maintains 26 homes
that change with individuals’ needs. The presentation featured Betsy, a tenant. Asked how she felt the first time she called her place, her place, she said, “Happy,” adding, “This is my home now.”
“The waiting list for another location – not Maple Leaf – is 10 to 20 years,” Leadership Geauga board member John Lateulere said.
“We’re talking about people like you just saw that want independence, that can live independently, that can’t get that independence.”
The live auction included several experiences
including an Amish Country adventure for six, a one-week escape to the Emerald Isle, five all-inclusive nights in Punta Cana, and a private coursed dinner for 10 with a custom menu at The Hive. The fun continued into the night during an afterball with a DJ, games, and photo booths.
Emerald Ball volunteer committee members Rebecca Klein and Katie Kafarakis decorated the beautiful green entryway and all centerpieces. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANASTASIA NICHOLAS
Currents reached out to several of our loyal advertisers who specialize in senior care and wellness. We supplied a few questions to be asked of a senior and a caregiver from each, with their responses compiled below.
Anna Maria of Aurora
Q. What is your secret or personal advice to others about staying young at heart and aging well?
A. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Anna Maria, it’s that staying young at heart has a lot less to do with age and a lot more to do with attitude. The residents who thrive here are the ones who stay curious. They try new activities, even if they’re unsure. They laugh easily, keep a sense of humor about life’s changes, and don’t take themselves too seriously. That alone goes a long way. Connection is everything. Whether it’s over morning coffee, a lively bingo game, or cheering each other on, those shared moments keep spirits high and create a sense of belonging. And honestly, it’s the little things that matter most. Dance when there’s music, enjoy dessert, celebrate small wins, and stay involved.
If I had to sum it up, stay engaged, stay connected, and keep finding reasons to smile. That’s the real secret we see every day.”
Q. What skills/personality/experience is most helping in caregiving for seniors?
A. “At Anna Maria, we’ve learned that
great caregiving is just as much about who you are as what you know. Skills and clinical knowledge matter, but it’s the personality behind the care that truly makes the difference. Patience, empathy, and the ability to listen help residents feel respected and understood. A sense of humor goes a long way too. There’s a lot of laughter in our halls, and those moments can brighten someone’s entire day. Flexibility is also key. Every day is different, and the best caregivers adapt with a positive attitude. At the end of the day, you can teach the tasks, but you can’t teach the heart.”
The Campus Of Anna Maria Of Aurora, 330.562.6171, annamariaofaurora.com or info@annamariaofaurora.com.
Seniors Helping Seniors Chagrin Valley proudly employs compassionate, experienced caregivers and is excited to share the story of a client and caregiver who have been working together for over a year.
Q. Describe how you are best supported and encouraged by your caregiver?
A. She is my cheerleader! She understands my needs and goals and helps me achieve them. She does not do what I can do for myself but is at my side if I need a helping hand.
Q. What are your hobbies that you and your caregiver do together?
A. We like to work in my yard. I do the high-stuff, Cindy does the low-stuff, we make
a great team! We enjoy sitting on the porch admiring our work. We also like to eat, we’ll go to lunch or for an ice cream sundae. We enjoy the Cleveland theater scene as well, and venture out to see local productions.
Q. What experience is most helpful in caregiving for seniors?
A. It’s bonding coming from similar generations and upbringings. We share similar childhoods and early life experiences. We have a similar sense of humor and make each other laugh all the time!
Q. What type of activities do you suggest from your experience that help keep seniors active, engaged and happy?
A. Being out and not staying inside constantly is important. Even if outside is on the porch on a nice day or going shopping or to a movie- just stay active and involved. If you’d like to join the team as a Caregiver or could benefit from support, call/text us at 216.998.2273 or email info@shschagrinvalley.com
Q. What is your secret or personal advice to others about staying young at heart and aging well?
the things you love, stay socially connected, and welcome support that helps you continue living life with dignity and joy.
Q. Describe how you are best supported and encouraged by your caregiver(s)?
A. At Senior Solutions, we support seniors best by providing compassionate, dependable caregivers who respect each client’s preferences, routines, and independence. We encourage seniors by building trust, offering companionship, assisting with daily tasks, and helping them stay involved in the activities that bring them comfort and happiness. Our goal is always to provide support in a way that promotes confidence, safety, and a higher quality of life.
Q. What type of activities do you suggest from your experience that help keep seniors active, engaged and happy?
Laurel Lake, a community that checks all the boxes. Comfy, zeromaintenance homes. Friendly neighbors. Inspiring activities. Delightful dining. Resort-style amenities. And an array of on-site health services that will surprise you!
Get a worry-free plan for the future with our Independent Living with Life Care option.
The potential savings are eye-opening. The peace of mind for you and those you love? Priceless.
A. At Senior Solutions, we believe staying young at heart starts with staying connected, active, and purposeful. Aging well is about more than physical health — it is also about emotional well-being, meaningful relationships, and maintaining as much independence as possible. Our advice is to keep engaging in
Live your best life at any age
A. From our experience at Senior Solutions, the most beneficial activities are those that reflect each senior’s interests, abilities, and personal history. We often encourage activities such as light exercise, walks, music, games, crafts, reading, puzzles, conversation, reminiscing, and community or family involvement when possible. The best activities are the ones that create enjoyment, encourage movement or mental stimulation, and help seniors feel connected, valued, and engaged.
Senior Solutions, 216.925.3042, seniorsolutions.site or email jberns@seniorsolutions.site.
It is a powerful reminder that fulfillment, joy, and growth aren’t limited by time. Whether you’re 18 or 80, here are a few timeless principles to help you do just that:
1. Define What “Best Life” Means to You
Your version of happiness or success may look different from someone else’s. Reflect on your values, passions, and goals—and let those guide your choices.
2. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and your world expanding. Read, take up hobbies, travel, or take courses—there’s always something new to discover.
3. Prioritize Health and Wellness
No matter your age, caring for your body and mind is foundational. Regular movement, balanced nutrition, rest, and mental health practices go a long way.
4. Nurture Relationships
Meaningful connections—whether with friends, family, or community—are essential to a rich life. Don’t underestimate the power of shared experiences and mutual support.
5. Embrace Change and Let Go of Regret
Life brings transitions. Embracing them with resilience and learning from the past without being stuck in it allows you to grow forward.
6. Contribute to Something Bigger
Whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or creating, contributing gives purpose and can bring deep satisfaction.
7. Celebrate Every Season of Life
Each stage has its own beauty. Appreciate the wisdom, freedom, or vitality that comes with where you are now.
Lee Ann O’Brien is the Chief Marketing Officer with The McGregor Foundation. Her philanthropic commitment has helped many organizations. She can be reached at (216) 268-8999 or leeann.obrien@mcgregoramasa.org
For the millions of Americans touched by Alzheimer’s disease, 2025 brought major advances in understanding of brain health and progress in diagnosis and treatment. Here are the year’s biggest advances, along with how you can take action with this knowledge in 2026:
1) A structured plan can sharpen brain health.
In a major U.S. clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive decline, two healthy lifestyle plans in the Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. POINTER study improved memory and thinking skills over two years. Both interventions included exercise, brain-healthy nutrition, cognitive training and heart health monitoring. However, participants in a highly structured program that also included regular coaching and peer support showed significantly greater brain health gains, demonstrating that when brain-healthy habits are organized and supported, people stick with them and thinking skills benefit.
Next steps for families: Start small but structured: aim for 150 minutes of weekly exercise of at least moderate intensity, Mediterranean-style meals, 7–8 hours of sleep per night, and 2–3 short brain-training sessions each week. Put goals on a shared calendar, find an exercise or brain-health buddy, and schedule regular check-ins with your clinician or healthcare professional.
2) Simple blood tests can help spot changes earlier.
In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared two blood tests that detect Alzheimer’s-related brain changes, offering a less invasive, less expensive option for those experiencing memory changes to support diagnosis and potentially reduce the need for PET scans or spinal taps. Blood tests are not stand-alone diagnostic tools, but their use can help guide next steps for testing, treatment and planning. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed clinical guidelines
to help specialists determine when to use blood tests alongside established “gold standard” tests and clinical judgment.
Next step for families: Ask your health care team whether an Alzheimer’s blood test makes sense for you or a loved one, and how your results would affect lifestyle and health care plans. If they recommend testing, ask them to refer you to a specialist who can explain the results and next steps.
3) Americans want to know and act sooner.
A recent Alzheimer’s Association national survey of adults 45 and older found most want to learn early if they have Alzheimer’s before symptoms impact their lives, and 9 out of 10 would take a simple test, if available, to clarify next steps. Nearly 3 in 5 respondents said they would accept a moderate or high level of risk to take medication that could slow the disease’s progression.
Early awareness unlocks time to live healthfully and plan finances and care preferences.
Next step for families: Bring your top concerns, what’s changed (memory, mood, function), and goals for the next three months to your next appointment.
4) Treatment can be easier to take.
The August 2025 FDA approval of Leqembi for delivery via weekly subcutaneous injections may ease treatment for some patients. Those who complete initial infusion treatments as directed for 18 months can now receive their subsequent weekly treatment using at-home autoinjectors.
Fewer infusion clinic visits can mean less travel and lower caregiver burden, making it easier to stick to treatments for eligible patients. Decisions depend on eligibility, monitoring requirements, side-effect profile, and your clinician’s judgment.
The Alzheimer’s Association encourages clinician participation in ALZ-NET, a nationwide program collecting real-world data on Alzheimer’s treatments.
Next step for families: If treatment is on the
table, ask whether at-home injections might be an option after the initial phase, and what monitoring you’d still need.
5) A new clinician hub helps care teams stay current.
When clinicians have fast access to evidencebased resources, patients get clearer answers and more consistent care. The new centralized professional portal, ALZPro, launched by the Alzheimer’s Association, now curates practice guidelines, professional training,
Strength Training That Works
The MaxStrength Solon Difference
For many adults, staying strong, healthy, and energetic becomes harder with age. Busy schedules, lingering injuries, and confusing fitness advice often make traditional gyms feel overwhelming or ineffective. At MaxStrength Solon, the approach to fitness is refreshingly simple: brief, personalized strength training designed to deliver real results.
MaxStrength Solon is not a typical gym. Instead of crowded floors and complicated workouts, members train in a private, one-on-one environment with a certified coach guiding every session. The program focuses on slow, controlled strength training that maximizes muscle engagement while minimizing joint stress. The result is a highly efficient workout that takes just 20 minutes, twice per week.
This science-based method has helped thousands of people improve strength, increase energy, reduce aches and pains, and regain confidence in their bodies.
“Our goal is to make strength training safe, effective, and sustainable for busy adults,” says owner Tim Dardis, who opened MaxStrength Solon to bring a smarter training model to the community. “You shouldn’t have to spend hours in the gym to see meaningful improvements in your health.”
The MaxStrength program is especially popular with professionals over 40, active retirees, and individuals who have struggled with traditional workout programs. Because every session is
and point-of-care tools for earlier detection, appropriate test use, treatment eligibility and safety monitoring.
Next step for families: Let your health care professional know that the Alzheimer’s Association has new research, training and support materials for professionals.
For information, support, research and public policy, visit The Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Source: StatePoint
fully coached, members never have to guess whether they are exercising correctly or safely.
Each client begins with a personal consultation and strength assessment, allowing coaches to tailor the program to individual goals and physical needs. Sessions are scheduled in advance, eliminating waiting for equipment and making workouts easy to fit into even the busiest schedules.
Members frequently report benefits that extend far beyond the gym, including improved posture, greater stamina, stronger bones, and enhanced overall well-being.
What truly sets MaxStrength apart is the focus on quality over quantity. Rather than high-volume workouts, the program uses precise resistance training techniques that stimulate muscles deeply and efficiently, helping clients build strength while protecting joints.
For many members, it’s the first time fitness has felt both achievable and sustainable.
Residents of the Solon area who are curious about a more effective way to train are invited to experience the MaxStrength difference. MaxStrength Solon is currently offering introductory consultations and two free sessions for new clients interested in learning how a smarter strength training approach can transform their health, strength, and confidence.
Because when it comes to fitness, sometimes less really is more. If you need help finding your balance, visit www.maxstrengthfitness. com/solon or give us a call at 440-692-2345.
“Nourish: A Recipe for Hope” brought more than 250 guests to the Emerald Event Center in support of the Village Project.
Attendees enjoyed drinks and appetizers, creating arrangements at the flower bar, sipping complimentary beverages at the bourbon bar, a photo booth, live and silent auctions. Ed Trela,
Emily Krueger and Clair Kelley were honored as adult volunteers of the year. Kristen Bender was named student volunteer of the Year. Jim Flynn was the keynote speaker.
Village Project, established in 2010, works together as a community to provide nourishing meals and extended support to families fighting
cancer. Over the years, the organization has cooked and delivered thousands of meals and extended care to hundreds of families in five communities.
Village Project operates and is funded by private donations. “Nourish” helped to raise more than $60,000 to support these programs. Volunteers include adults, high school students and children
who help in the garden, cook, pack and distribute the food, create cards and crafts for the clients, and assist with client-related intake and delivery services. Village Project also operates a market with local specialty items and nutritious meals to-go. STORY BY CYNTHIA
SCHUSTER
EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC
EAKIN
Charak Mind Body Wellness represents a forward-thinking expansion of care, bringing together aesthetic, functional, and cognitionenhancing therapies under one integrated roof. Designed as a physician-led environment, the clinic emphasizes non-invasive, evidence-based treatments that support how the body naturally functions, rather than relying solely on medication or surgical intervention. This approach allows patients to address concerns ranging from physical discomfort and mobility limitations to cognitive performance, and overall vitality, all within a time-efficient and accessible framework. At the core of Charak Mind Body Wellness is a commitment to technologies that enhance the body’s ability to recover, adapt, and perform.
Among these offerings is EmVital, a next-generation treatment developed by BTL Industries, which reflects the clinic’s broader philosophy of working with the body’s natural systems. EmVital is a noninvasive, energy-based therapy designed to deliver targeted tissue heating through advanced laser technology, supporting comfort, relaxation, and functional recovery, as well as a reduction in inflamation, in affected areas.
Using a laser and proprietary technology, EmVital combines precision with a hands-free design to create a consistent and comfortable treatment experience. The energy emitted gently elevates tissue temperature, which can help promote increased circulation, reduce muscle stiffness, and provide temporary relief from minor joint pain, muscle spasms, and arthritis-related discomfort. Unlike more invasive approaches, treatments are typically completed in under 30 minutes, require no downtime, and can be seamlessly integrated into a patient’s routine.
What makes EmVital particularly valuable within the Charak model is its ability to complement other functional and aesthetic therapies. By supporting muscle relaxation and mobility, it enhances outcomes across a range of treatments, helping patients move more freely, recover more efficiently, and maintain long-term physical wellness.
Incorporating EmVital into its suite of services, Charak Mind Body Wellness continues to prioritize solutions that are not only advanced, but also practical. The result is a care model that meets patients where they are, offering measurable improvements in comfort, function, and overall quality of life without disrupting the demands of everyday living.
Contact us today to learn more about EmVital and how it can support your path to improved comfort, mobility, and overall wellness. If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing discomfort or limitations, our team is ready to help you take the next step toward mind-body wellness.
Browse and shop one of the nation’s most comprehensive displays of fine prints at the Print Club of Cleveland’s 41st annual Fine Print Fair, from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 19, 2026, in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) Ames Family Atrium. Learn about works on paper through demonstrations and consultations and enjoy a day at the world-class CMA. The fair’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Fine Print Fair is the Print Club of Cleveland’s annual benefit for the CMA’s print collection, supporting the club’s mission of promoting prints and print collecting. The fair is free and open to the public.
“We are happy to welcome back the Print Club’s Fine Print Fair each year,” said Emily Peters, curator of prints and drawings at the CMA. “The dedication of the club’s members over the past four decades has helped grow the fair into one of the nation’s premier print events. It has truly become a highlight of Cleveland’s cultural calendar.”
“Featuring 15 print dealers from across the country and an exceptional range of works, from historical to contemporary, the Fine Print Fair offers a unique opportunity to better understand prints,” said Britany Salsbury, curator of prints and drawings at the CMA.
“Whether visitors are new to or familiar with the medium, the fair invites close looking and
the chance to begin or expand a collection.”
On Thursday, April 16, the Print Club of Cleveland kicks off the fair with its Preview Party from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Be the first to view and acquire outstanding pieces at one of the largest displays of works on paper in the country, featuring dealers whose inventories range from Renaissance prints to contemporary editions. Mingle and shop with fellow print enthusiasts and dealers while enjoying appetizers, soft drinks, wine, and beer.
For additional information about the Fine Print Fair or the Print Club of Cleveland, visit the club’s printclubcleveland.org, follow the museum on social media, or search the hashtag #FinePrintFairCLE.
By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ
If last month’s epic winds left your household experiencing an extended power outage, read on to prepare for “next time.” (Weather emergencies know no season. Even on weatherperfect days, your electricity could fail because of your suburb’s inadequate or old sub-station.)
BEFORE THE NEXT OUTAGE: Should weather even threaten, make certain to run your garbage disposal before the power fails—or you’ll need to reach down the disposal to clean out any yukky debris before it either hardens or begins to smell!
Also check your supply of batteries so blackouts don’t find you with only AAA batteries when your device needs AA or D sizes. Glow sticks
(yes…those party and trick-or-treating favorites) are good to have on hand—they’re inexpensive, last hours and safe for children. Simply crack and shake sticks to activate, and use wherever illumination is needed. (Kids love to wear them as necklaces—fun and a good identifier in the darkness.) Hang them throughout the house at night as navigation points.
QUARTER-IN-A-CUP TIP: Fill a plastic cup ¾ with water and freeze. Place a quarter on top of the frozen water and keep the cup in the back of your freezer. After an extended power outage, if the quarter is in the bottom of the cup, your freezer food has likely thawed too much to save. If it’s mid-cup, your foods are probably safe, but you still may need to toss vulnerable items. If you’ve suffered frequent power outages you
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By Andrew Zashin
For years, one statistic has remained consistent across the United States: women initiate the majority of divorces, often estimated at nearly 70 percent. At first glance, that number is easy to misinterpret. Some see it as a sign of dissatisfaction or a broader cultural shift away from commitment. But in reality, it reflects something deeper, namely how the nature of marriage in the United States has changed.
Marriage is not just a personal relationship, but it is an economic one as well. In the past, women often had fewer opportunities to earn independent incomes, and marriage provided a level of financial stability that was difficult to replace. Leaving, even an unhappy marriage, came with real and lasting economic consequences.
That is no longer the case. Today, women are more educated, more present in the workforce, and more likely to earn incomes that allow them to support themselves and their families. In many households, women are equal or even primary earners. With that shift has come something significant, which is the ability to make choices that were not as accessible in previous generations.
As marriage has shifted from something people depend on to something they choose, expectations have changed as well. Modern marriages are often built around partnership, shared responsibility, and emotional support. When those expectations are not met, people are more willing and more able to leave. The fact that women initiate divorce more often may say less about dissatisfaction
alone and more about who is in a position to act on it. In many households, women still take on a larger share of caregiving and day to day responsibilities, even when both spouses work full time. Over time, those imbalances can create strain, and when combined with greater financial independence, they can make the decision to leave more feasible.
At the same time, the financial dynamics of divorce itself are evolving. As more women become primary earners, courts are increasingly seeing cases where women pay child support or spousal support. While still less common, it is a noticeable shift, one that reflects broader changes in the workforce and in family structure. None of this suggests that divorce is taken lightly. It remains one of the most difficult decisions a person can make, often involving significant emotional and financial consequences. What we are seeing is not simply a change in behavior, but a change in conditions. As economic dependence has declined, personal expectations have risen. As barriers to leaving have lowered, the ability to leave has become more realistic. In that context, divorce is less about instability and more about autonomy. Now, both husbands and wives have a greater ability to make choices that determine their own happiness. Understanding that shift helps explain not only why women initiate divorce more often, but also how modern marriage continues to evolve in response to broader social and economic change.
already know a fully packed freezer offers better insurance foods will remain frozen longer. (It’s also a good practice for extended vacations to learn if power failed during your trip.)
IMMEDIATE ACTION: As soon as power fails, unplug any appliances you feel might be damaged by a power surge when electricity is restored such as TVs and computers. (Surge protectors can be worth their weight in gold!) If your fridge has an automatic icemaker, do what we failed to do in a previous extended outage: remove all ice from the door compartment (before it melts and puddles on the floor). If you don’t already own a cooler, purchase an inexpensive Styrofoam one to immediately transfer ice from your icemaker bin then quickly remove the most perishable items from fridge or freezer to the cooler. But then refrain from opening the fridge or freezer until power has returned.
HOW LONG FRIDGE FOOD IS SAFE: While experts suggest unopened fridge food is safe for four hours and an unopened, full freezer for 48 hours, these times can vary. (Food in my unopened freezer was still frozen after one four-day outage, but the five-day August 2024 power failure did force us to toss seafood that had thawed).
STAY HYDRATED: If you have city water, this won’t be a problem, but if you have a well, no power means no water, and it is important to stay hydrated—especially during summer outages and for elderly residents. It’s suggested to keep bottled water on hand to equal one gallon per person, per day.
STERNO SAVES: If you haven’t tossed your non-electric fondue set, or own a chafing dish, keep a few cans of Sterno canned heat handy, and you’ll be set to boil water for coffee or tea, or heat canned items like soup, baked beans or spaghetti. (Hello Chef Boyardee!) Use a camp stove or outdoor grill any time of year or, in winter outages—if your fireplace is wood burning—consider a weenie roast or heat foods in flame-proof pans over the fire (as we did throughout the remnants of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy).
BE CRANKY: Invest in an emergency radio with NOAA weather alert that can operate on batteries, solar or crank. (Amazon has models starting at $30 that include a portable power bank; AM/FM; USB/solar/hand crank charging for your phone; battery operated; SOS alarm, flashlight and reading lamp along with the NOAA and AM/ FM radio.) There are also crank flashlights that create a limited time of illumination.
SOLAR//BATTERY POWERED
DEVICES: During one extended outage the best gift we received was from a neighbor—LED120 Solar Motion Lights featuring three light modes
The Gates Mills Garden Club will host its biennial Through the Garden Gate Garden Tour Friday and Saturday, June 19–20, inviting visitors to explore private gardens in historic Gates Mills and a neighboring village. The tour provides rare public access to private gardens that reflect a range of styles, from established estate landscapes and perennial borders to secluded outdoor retreats.
Self-guided tickets are $35 and can be purchased online. $40 tickets are available the day of. A Tour and Lunch experience at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club is available for $75. Visitors can walk through each garden at their own pace. For an enhanced experience, visitors may choose The Grand Tour, a docent-led tour of the gardens on a motorcoach plus a bonus garden for a unique surprise. This deluxe tour includes a seasonal luncheon at The Chagrin Valley Hunt Club and other perks, making for a memorable day for garden enthusiasts seeking inspiration and beauty. Tickets are $175 and sell out quickly. New for 2026, the tour features original artwork of the Garden Club’s iconic arbor by local watercolor artist and club member Patricia Ingram of Brushworks Studio. The illustration highlights this longtime symbol of The Gates Mills Garden Club and will appear on tour materials and commemorative items, celebrating the beloved garden tour. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit thegatesmillsgardenclub.com/ garden-tour-2026. Follow the club on Instagram at @GatesMillsGardenClub and Facebook for tour updates.
(including motion sensors for indoors or out). The lights are small enough to be stored on a sunny window year-round, ready anytime and can double as flashlights. (We bought extras on Amazon to use as motion activated nightlights. Another great
purchase was an LED lantern—portable and bright enough to light the entire room.)
When power fails, your mobile phone may be your only line to emergency service, news and weather updates. In addition to being able
to charge cell phones via your car, invest in portable power banks (also great for travel). Keep power banks fully charged, checking every few months, making certain they’re ready at a moment’s notice. (Solar power banks are also available.)
AQUARIUM OWNERS: In winter wrap blankets or hot water bottles around the tank to retain its warmth (paying attention to the hood where most heat is lost). An inexpensive bubble up filter powered by a battery-powered air pump (or in a pinch, a bicycle pump) will keep the water as oxygenated as possible. WHEN TO CALL YOUR UTILITY
PROVIDER: Keep the number of your electricity provider in your phone to report full or partial outages. (The utility’s website will also have instructions to deal with outages.) However, if you see a downed power line, call 9-1-1 immediately to report. Did you know you can be placed on your utility’s priority restoration list if someone in your home relies on an electric-dependent medical device? (Portable battery backups are advised or speak to the patient’s healthcare provider for additional contingency measures.)
GENERATORS: If your area is prone to frequent outages, a good investment might be a generator. Deluxe models can power your entire household (important if you need electricity to pump water from a well). Smaller models can be purchased to power only selected parts of your home e.g. refrigerators/freezers or your heating/ cooling. (DO follow the fuel safety and annual maintenance guides for generators.)
Get ready for another amazing Rise in Love event! On May 2 2026, we will host our annual Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses fundraiser. in requests for housing assistance. Almost immediately at
just after the holidays. January and February are the peak months for these requests, often involving 20-25 families.
around $3,000. It breaks our hearts that each year we are unable to assist every family that reaches out to us. This having to turn any family away. In addition, the Kentucky Derby fundraiser provides essential support for LOVE SAVES
continue expanding our outreach and provide for all those in crisis in our communities. Save the date for our annual RAISE THE LOVE 2026, on November 14th at Encore Event Center and hear about all our accomplishments this year thanks to your support. We are thrilled to Royalton and can’t wait for you to experience all the amazing food and prizes! This event has very limited seating and the tickets will sell out fast! Get ready to don
ROSES with us! Tickets are on sale now. Event sponsorships are available; if you would like your business featured at this sell-out event, call (440) 590-0621 or proud to operate as an all-volunteer charity. We have upheld this commitment and continue to promise that ing programs. As we celebrate 11 years of love and service throughout 2026, this achievement remains a love and generosity.
Get ready for another amazing Rise in Love event! On May 2 2026, we will host our annual Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses fundraiser. Why is this spring supplemental fundraiser so crucial? Each year, Rise in Love sees a surge in requests for housing assistance. Almost immediately at the year’s start, Rise in Love receives continuous requests for housing support. Many families face eviction notices just after the holidays. January and February are the peak months for these requests, often involving 20-25 families. The average cost to resettle a displaced family is $7,000, while preventing an eviction and resetting a family costs around $3,000. It breaks our hearts that each year we are unable to assist every family that reaches out to us. This spring fundraiser helps us move closer to our goal of not having to turn any family away. In addition, the Kentucky Derby fundraiser provides essential support for LOVE SAVES, an emergency relief program that provides immediate assistance for those in crisis. We are eager to continue expanding our outreach and provide for all those in crisis in our communities. Save the date for our annual fall gala, RAISE THE LOVE 2026, on November 14th at Encore Event Center and hear about all our accomplishments this year thanks to your support. We are thrilled to bring this event back to Fire 45 Grille + Social in North Royalton and can’t wait for you to experience all the amazing food and prizes! This event has very limited seating and the tickets will sell out fast! Get ready to don those fabulous derby hats and outfits and RUN FOR THE ROSES with us! Tickets are on sale now. Event sponsorships are available; if you would like your business featured at this sell-out event, call (440) 590-0621 or email info@riseinlovecenter.org today! Rise in Love is proud to operate as an all-volunteer charity. We have upheld this commitment and continue to promise that 100% of your donations go directly to our life-changing programs. As we celebrate 11 years of love and service throughout 2026, this achievement remains a highlight of our efforts. Your support has always been vital, and we are immensely grateful for your continued love and generosity.
Get ready for another amazing Rise in Love event! On May 2 2026, we will host our annual Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses fundraiser. Why is this spring supplemental fundraiser so crucial? Each year, Rise in Love sees a surge in requests for housing assistance. Almost immediately at the year’s start, Rise in Love receives continuous requests for housing support. Many families face eviction notices just after the holidays. January and February are the peak months for these requests, often involving 20-25 families. The average cost to resettle a displaced family is $7,000, while preventing an eviction and resetting a family costs around $3,000. It breaks our hearts that each year we are unable to assist every family that reaches out to us. This spring fundraiser helps us move closer to our goal of not having to turn any family away. In addition, the Kentucky Derby fundraiser provides essential support for LOVE SAVES, an emergency relief program that provides immediate assistance for those in crisis. We are eager to continue expanding our outreach and provide for all those in crisis in our communities. Save the date for our annual fall gala, RAISE THE LOVE 2026, on November 14th at Encore Event Center and hear about all our accomplishments this year thanks to your support. We are thrilled to bring this event back to Fire 45 Grille + Social in North Royalton and can’t wait for you to experience all the amazing and prizes! This event has very limited seating and the tickets will sell out fast! Get ready to don those fabulous derby hats and outfits and RUN FOR THE ROSES with us! Tickets are on sale now. Event sponsorships are available; if you would like your business featured at this sell-out event, call (440) 590-0621 or email info@riseinlovecenter.org today! Rise in Love is proud to operate as an all-volunteer charity. We have upheld this commitment and continue to promise that 100% of your donations go directly to our life-changing programs. As we celebrate 11 years of love and service throughout 2026, this achievement remains a highlight of our efforts. Your support has always been vital, and we are immensely grateful for your continued love and generosity.
Get ready to experience spring in all its beauty at the Holden Arboretum. Immerse yourself in the emerging tree canopy on the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower, discover colorful blooms in the cultivated gardens, and explore 3,500 acres through a guided tram tour or miles of hiking trails. From onsite experiences to classes and events, spring comes to life at Holden Arboretum. The Arboretum hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For registration and more information about any of the activities
and events listed below, visit holdenfg.org.
Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower
Two of the top outdoor attractions in Northeast Ohio are back. The Kalberer Emergent Tower is 120 feet, or 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area to Lake Erie. The Murch Canopy Walk invites guests on a 500-foot-long elevated walkway that is built 65 feet above the forest floor. This
immersive experience takes guests in and out of the forest canopy to experience everything from the middle of a mature forest to a raised view of streams and the forest floor.
Free Admission Day – Arboretum Open House, Saturday, April 25
Celebrate trees with one of the best living museums in the country! Enjoy free admission to the Arboretum from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., live music, food trucks and a free tree seedling giveaway while supplies last.
Holden Grown Plant Sale – Saturday,
May 16 and Sunday, May 17
Whether you are trying to naturalize your landscape or enhance a corner of your garden, this event will offer Holden-grown plants, including over 80 species of native wildflowers, ornamental perennials, shrubs, and trees, including staff favorites and selections from our living collections including rhododendrons, spicebush, milkweed, skullcap, wild senna, wild columbine, toad lily and many, many more! A curated selection of artisans selling nature-inspired wares will round out this spring shopping experience. Visitors are
encouraged to bring their own boxes and containers to transport their plants home.
Holden Grown Plant Sale hours are Saturday, May 16 from noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Returning by popular demand, Holden Forests & Gardens members can access the sale early, on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Event included with admission.
Starting on Saturday, April 25, Arboretum Tram Tours will give guests an overview of the campus and gardens, with a focus on seasonal highlights. You may also learn a little history and information about the scientific work that happens behind the scenes. Cost: $11 per adult, $8 per child. Tours are scheduled throughout the day every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday May through October, and tickets can be purchased in person at the Arboretum’s Corning Visitor Center. Visit holdenfg.org/ tram-tours for more details and information about booking private tours.
Our Gardens
Whether you’re a budding plant-lover or a deep-rooted botanist, our gardens offer something special for everyone. As winter gives way to spring, our campus awakens with bursts of color and life. Beginning in May, we will highlight a different garden area or flower at its peak during our new Gardens Alive! series, offering special activities, learning experiences, and unique ways to enjoy our collections. At Holden Arboretum, look forward to one featured weekend each month filled with themed activities, food trucks, and festivities that showcase the beauty of our landscapes. From wildflowers and peonies to the stunning Butterfly Garden, Gardens Alive! is the perfect way to celebrate the vibrant blooms of the season. Visit holdenfg. org for details.
Working Woods Field Day – Saturday, June 6
Learn about woodland stewardship while walking through the Working Woods Learning Forest at the Holden Arboretum. Join guided
tours to explore how forestry, research, and conservation initiatives impact our Northeast Ohio forests, or explore on your own, and connect with regional natural resource organizations and professionals.
Get Growing With Spring Classes
Deep Dive Tours at Leach Research Station: With over 2,300 accessioned plants, the David G. Leach Research Station in Madison, OH is a treasure trove of unique trees, shrubs, and other botanical gems. New this spring, join Rhododendron Collections Manager Connor Ryan for a monthly tour of the grounds, focusing on a different plant group or theme each time. Learn about each plant’s biology, identification, and use in the landscape, then join us for light refreshments and conversation after the tour. All tours include informational handouts to help bring your learning home.
Friday, May 15: Rhododendrons & Azaleas to Know & Grow
Friday, June 19: After the Dust Settles: Plants to Continue the Show Tours are located at Leach Research Station in Madison, OH. Cost: $10 per member, $20 per nonmember.
Stebbins Gulch: A Hike Through Geological History: Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., experience the wonders of the woods on a guided hike through one of Holden Arboretum’s preserved natural areas. We’ll descend into the ravine and follow the streambed as it cuts through bedrock dating back millions of years, keeping an eye out for unique geological features and fantastic natural beauty. This is a rigorous hike that requires sturdy footwear. Tall, waterproof boots are recommended. For safety reasons, traction cleats (Yaktrax, Crampon, etc.) or micro spikes (Kahtoola, Black Diamond, etc.) are also highly recommended. Participants will not be permitted on the hike without proper gear. Terrain: 2.0 miles, rugged, steep hills, slippery rocks, fallen logs, areas of deeper standing water. Weather will affect trail conditions. Age: Adult, children 12 years & over. All minors must be accompanied by
a participating adult. Cost: $12 per member, $22 per nonmember.
From Kombucha to Wild Fermented
Sodas: On Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., join this immersive workshop to learn about the ins and outs of crafting bubbly beverages with creativity and fun flavors. Guided by Trevor Ring of Community Cultures, participants will learn how to make kombucha and wild-fermented soda utilizing seasonal ingredients. Walk away with the confidence to make these products on your own, some starter cultures, and a jar of wild soda to ferment at home!
Day camps at the Holden Arboretum this summer are for children ages four to 13. Each unique themed camp is packed with outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and physical and creative activities that will get
kids connected and excited about nature.
The Holden Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Arboretum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $21 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for Holden Forests & Gardens members.
The Holden Arboretum, located east of Cleveland in Kirtland, Ohio, sprawls over an enchanting expanse of land in Lake and Geauga Counties and offers gardens, trails, lakes and meadows. The Holden Arboretum is part of Holden Forests & Gardens along with the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland’s University Circle cultural district. Holden Forests & Gardens is making a positive impact through urban greening and forestry initiatives, environmental research, educational programs, and world-class visitor experiences at its two campuses. For more information, visit holdenfg.org
Great Lakes Theater “The Witches’ Ball”
Great Lakes Theater celebrated its 45 th anniversary year with a backstage bash at the Hanna Theatre, “The Witches’ Ball.” The event, attended by 350 guests, highlighted the organization’s education programs by honoring its actor-teachers. Costumed in bewitching attire, attendees enjoyed a dazzling performance by Great Lakes Theater artists, then ventured onstage for spirited dancing to live music. In addition to its seasonal theater offerings, Great Lakes Theater offers school residency programs, student matinees, Great Lakes Theater camp, teacher resources and a teacher workshop series. The benefit raised $150,000 to support educational programs. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN
Celebrate all things trees in honor of Arbor Day at Holden Forests & Gardens. The Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum celebrate the planting and care of trees every day of the year, but especially during April when spring is in the air. Join us in celebration with free admission, tours, seedlings and more!
“Last year’s Arbor Day celebrations across both campuses were truly special, bringing our community together in such a joyful and meaningful way,” said Ed Moydell, President and CEO of Holden Forests & Gardens. “We love sharing this day with our community and look forward to welcoming everyone back for a variety of activities, expert-led tours, and hands-on experiences at both campuses. Let’s come together to celebrate trees, nature, and the impact we can make when we work as a community.”
Free admission - Holden Forests & Gardens is offering free admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and free admission to the Holden Arboretum on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bring family, friends, or just yourself to enjoy a day immersed in nature at either campus. Advance tickets are not required.
Cleveland Botanical Garden Community Day – Friday, April 24
Join us for a day of environmental awareness, community engagement, and fun activities in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.! Enjoy FREE admission, giveaways, music, garden tours and more. HF&G will also hold a community resource fair from noon – 5 p.m. featuring organizations including Cleveland Public Library, Therapy Art Studio, City Fresh and more. Other programming includes Power of Plants, children’s tree climbing and crafts, which will take place at select times throughout the day. Visit holdenfg.
org for a full schedule of events.
Holden Arboretum Open House –Saturday, April 25
Immerse yourself in a day of nature exploration, entertainment, and community fun at the Arboretum Open House, with activities running from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Join us for FREE admission, a seedling giveaway, crafts, drop-in guided tours, and talk with our staff experts. This celebration will see the return of tram tours, running throughout the day (tickets can be purchased at Corning Visitor Center). Guests can also enjoy live music by Jul Big Green and food trucks while exploring the beauty of the Arboretum.
Seedling Giveaway – American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is an adaptable, native Ohio shrub. Its flowers attract many beneficial pollinators, and its fruit is favored by numerous songbirds. Holden Forests & Gardens will give away 400 seedlings at each campus, one seedling per household. The seedling giveaway at Cleveland Botanical Garden will take place on Friday, April 24 beginning at 10 a.m. and continue as supplies last. The Holden Arboretum seedling giveaway on Saturday, April 25 will begin at 9 a.m. and continue as supplies last.
Tree Planting: Join Holden Forests & Gardens for ceremonial tree plantings on Friday, April 24 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Saturday, April 25 at the Holden Arboretum. Come by and learn more about the trees, where they came from, and why we chose them.
At the Cleveland Botanical Garden, a member of our leadership team will plant Magnolia acuminata, Yellow Cucumber Tree magnolia, at 2:30 p.m. in the Gateway Garden at Cleveland Botanical Garden.
At the Holden Arboretum, Ethan Johnson, Plant Records Curator, will provide remarks and go in-depth about the newly planted Red Maple (Burgundy Bell), at noon at the peninsula on Lotus Pond.
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
“The America 250-Ohio theme for April is Transportation. What a great time to feature what we have in the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum,” according to Angie Lowrie, director of the Cleveland History Center. “We have extended our current exhibit for an extra week and are offering a special program on April 16 called, ‘Big and Bizarre! Last Look at the Hidden Treasures of the Crawford Museum’.”
The April 16 program at the Crawford Museum will be an evening dedicated to the misfits, giants and enigmas of the museum’s collection. Not a standard gallery stroll, the show is an intimate, final look at the oversized and unusual objects that rarely go on display. The entry cost is general museum admission, and just $5 for members. A cash bar and snacks will be available for purchase.
“After that, we will transition the main gallery to open a new exhibit on May 8 called, ‘Keep on Truckin’: The Rise of the Great American Truck’. Also, we have just recently updated our ‘Racers and Pacers’ exhibition to include a fabulous history of the Cleveland Grand Prix,” Lowrie said.
The Cleveland History Center is at 10825 East Blvd. Phone 216-721-5722 or visit www. wrhs.org
Anyone interested in planning a short road trip, should make plans to visit the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, OH. The museum is celebrating Ohio’s impact on transportation with a Transportation Celebration on April 25 and 26. The two-day showcase will include vintage aircraft flyovers, a B-17 plane model, a steam engine display, a 250 -vehicle car show, food trucks with Ohio-themed snacks and WWII reenactors. The Goodyear Blimp will make an appearance on Apr. 26.
The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is the site of a historic WWI and WWII canteen that served 1.5 million soldiers. It is located at 400 Center St. in Dennison. Visit www. dennisondepot.org or phone 740-922-6776 for more details.
The Lake Erie Commission is honoring Lake Erie’s place in our country’s semiquincentennial through a special photo contest category, “America’s Story—Lake Erie’s Legacy.”
This category welcomes images that show the evolution of shoreline communities and businesses, generations of family life on Lake Erie, and both historic and current photos with patriotic themes. The photo deadline is June 3. Go to www.lakeerie.ohio.gov or call 419.357.2775 for more information.
Welcome spring and show your pride in one of Cleveland’s most beautiful historic landmarks, The Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Volunteers will gather at the Centennial Peace Plaza on Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive (across from brand new parking spots on St. Casimir’s Way), get tools and then go to different gardens to beautify them for the 110th season of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Water and snacks will be provided. Please call 216.220.3075 to volunteer or to ask for more information.
This event will take place Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
Every kid needs a pal. The Cleveland Police Athletic League (PAL) reaches out to mentor and support our community’s children.
The Cleveland Police Athletic League has a long history of service. It was started in the late 1930s by then safety director Elliot Ness. Cleveland PAL was officially incorporated in 1956 and is one of the oldest community/ police organizations in the United States.
For nearly 90 years, Cleveland PAL has been providing a broad range of positive, wholesome programs and activities for children between the ages of five and 21. PAL sponsors many sports activities throughout the year. Programs have expanded to include educational opportunities, vocational guidance, tutoring and computer learning.
self-esteem, discipline and actualization. PAL coaches provide positive role models for children as they develop into adulthood.
The Cleveland PALSITE Program employs off-duty police officers to interact with children during non-school hours. The program is hosted by the City of Cleveland’s Recreation Centers and Cleveland Municipal School District Elementary Schools.
PAL stands alone as the only program that provides daily interaction with police officers in the community. In fact, it is not unusual to find present day PAL volunteers, coaches and police officers who participated in PAL as children. The vast majority of today’s PAL kids come from minority and low-income families.
“The most important mission of the Cleveland Police Athletic League is to have as many positive encounters with youngsters and law enforcement officers as possible,” Robert Kumazec, Jr., Cleveland PAL executive director noted. “In that way, we want youngsters to be much less fearful of the police, especially in today’s volatile environment.”
“Cleveland PAL tries to provide youngsters with alternatives to the street with good, positive activities that they would otherwise not be able to experience,” he added.
PAL’s goal is to divert children from negative influences and enhance a child’s
PAL partners with the Greater Cleveland Peace Officer’s Memorial society to educate children about the dangers and challenges inherent in police work. The program discusses how police officers risk their lives and how citizens can interact with police to make a better world. The Cleveland Police Explorers Program is designed to initiate young adults, ages 13 to 21, to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a possible career in the police profession.
In partnership with the Cleveland MetroParks, Cleveland PAL helps staff youth outdoor activities like archery, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, rowing and wind surfing. For many inner-city youth, this is their only opportunity to be exposed to these types of outdoor activities.
The Builders of Tomorrow program sponsors young adults to enter apprenticeships in the skill trades such as carpentry, welding, electrical, pipe fitting and HVAC. PAL provides the entry into the programs, training and needed tools and equipment. Once trained, the participants are accepted by the Union Trades and hired by local construction companies partnering with PAL. This program provides young adults with a life-long skill and the potential for a lucrative income.
The Cleveland PAL motto is, “Our police officers helping today’s youth become tomorrow’s citizens.” For more information, visit www.clepal.org
By ANDREA C. TURNER
Atrip to New Orleans in mid-March provided a much needed break from the snowy cold of the MidWestern Great Lakes climate. With an average of 70-75 degree spring temps, the city was warm enough to walk the streets, ride the historic St. Charles line open-air streetcars, and take a relaxing swim at the hotel while soaking up sun.
A bus from the airport passing Caesars Superdome, a short trek on the affordable streetcar at $1.25 per ride, and a short walk brought us to the Garden District Hotel. Just under a year old, this well-appointed respite boasts two floors, a full indoor bar open to an outdoor patio, lounge areas, and an outdoor heated pool with swim up bar (in season). It’s conveniently within walking distance to fashionable Magazine Street, the World War II Museum, and several outstanding restaurants – making renting a car unnecessary.
We met a delightful family from Alabama on Spring Break, and shared happy hour around the outdoor pool with them. To tide us over until dinner, we noshed on a fresh Caesar salad with blue cheese from the hotel’s kitchen. They recommend a short walk to the SeaWitch Restaurant and Oyster Bar – no reservation necessary.
The first thing you’ll notice at this restaurant is a staff member shucking fresh oysters. Our dinner order of signature chargrilled oysters with Dong Phuong bread included absinthe, fennel butter, herbs and parmesan cheese. Paired with a glass of fume blanc, the meal satisfied the stomach and the soul. Seated on the upper level outdoor wrap-around-style porch at dusk was divine for catching a breeze through the Southern Live Oak trees and watching the historic streetcar ramble down the street.
When given enough room to grow, these oaks dot the city parks, with sprawling limbs reaching toward the earth before shooting upward – giving the illusion that branches are growing out of the ground. A natural playground for tree climbers of all ages.
A visit to Frenchmen Street provided a cornucopia of live jazz music to please everyone’s tastes. Sometimes referred to as the “local’s Bourbon Street,” this vibrant alternative to the French Quarter also offers a nightly outdoor art market. We enjoyed time at the Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, the Spotted Cat Music Club, Cafe Negril, D.B.A, and 30°/-90°, to hear traditional brass bands, funk, reggae, old timey groups, and piano jazz. Dinner at the Marigny Brasserie included a live jazz pop group with orders of a shrimp po boy, beans and rice, gumbo, and jambalaya – all followed by a pleasant walk at dusk around nearby Washington Square Park.
Some of the best service and hospitality was experienced at Lula’s, which distills its own bourbon and other spirits. We sampled shrimp brochette, boudin rolls and a garlic butter shrimp boil, washed down with their signature piña colada.
We were glad to get an early start to visit the National World War II Museum, within walking distance from our hotel. Now celebrating 25 years, one could spend a day and a half at this behemoth building honoring the sacrifice of what Tom Brokaw referred to as the “Greatest Generation.”
Ranked the number one attraction in NoLa, exhibits and cinematic sensory exhibitions recall the global human cost it took to retain democracy and freedom from fascism in the last century. “Beyond All Boundaries” is a 4D movie experience narrated by Tom Hanks that leaves you aghast at the sheer loss of life from the war – taking visitors through the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the atomic bombs dropped on Japan’s Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
The revolving Freedom Theater recounts the virtues of the four freedoms that U.S.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stressed as the most crucial to a democracy: freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship.
Covering the war from North Africa, Europe and Asia, the museum brings history to life with stories of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the Battles of Iwo Jima and
Okinawa, the Holocaust, and more.
An afternoon walk through Bourbon Street gave us the flavor (and often smells) of the Mardi Gras party scene for which the city is so famous. We ended up at lovely Jackson Square in the French Quarter, across from the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. It’s the historic site of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer, and named in honor of Andrew Jackson for his role in the War of 1812’s Battle of New Orleans.
The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, is the oldest continuously active Catholic Cathedral faith community in America. The church respectfully created an homage to honor the 14 fatal victims of the murderous attack on January 1, 2025, in Bourbon Street.
We couldn’t leave NoLa without a stop to the famous Café Du Monde for their soft beignets (French doughnuts fried and covered with powdered sugar) balanced with bitter-tasting coffee flavored with chicory. If you go, be prepared because they take cash only. But for a mere $11, you can savor a heavenly mouthful of three sweet beignets and an iced coffee.
To work off the calories, keep walking south, and you’ll hit the Mississippi River – in all its muddy glory.
By LINDA FEAGLER
As the cast of “Moulin Rouge” was taking a final bow on July 2, 2023, at the State Theatre, David Greene, Playhouse Square’s senior vice president of programming, was well on the way to setting the stage for the 2026-2027 KeyBank Broadway Series.
A Tony Award voter, who also serves on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee for the Broadway League — the national trade associate for the Broadway Theatre industry — Greene travels to New York at least monthly to see what’s playing. This season, he’ll see 29 new shows. In 2024 and 2025, he attended 41.
As the lights go down, Greene pays meticulous attention to what he knows captivates Cleveland audiences most, including artistic quality and what makes a production stand out from other Broadway options.
“When choosing shows for the KeyBank Broadway Series, we strive for a mix of new, fresh, original productions, as well as those that feel more familiar to our audiences,” he says.
Greene and his team are also in frequent discussions with New York producers, agents and general managers about the possibility of launching a show’s national tour in Cleveland.
He explains that conversations happen early as the entire tour route is dependent upon where the show opens. As soon as the possibility arises that a production might tour — which often occurs before it commences on Broadway — the organizers start shopping for the place from which it will originate.
“Cleveland is a very desirable location,” Greene says. “We have 40,000 Broadway Series season-ticket subscribers annually
which makes Playhouse Square the largest season-ticket community in the country. We also offer three weeks of performances, excellent venues with top-caliber resources, ease of travel back and forth to New York, strong industry relationships and the financial incentive from the Ohio Film & Theater Production Tax Credit.”
Playhouse Square is no stranger to Broadway tour launches. Over the years, they’ve included The Drowsy Chaperone , Rent, Fun Home, Waitress, The Lion King (post-COVID), Les Misérables, The Notebook, Hell’s Kitchen and Monty Python’s Spamalot
This season, Death Becomes Her, which opens the Broadway Series, will be added to the list. (The Who’s Tommy, while not part of the Broadway Series, will also launch here later this year.)
“Being selected as a launch site is something we’re very proud of,” Greene says, adding that a production is at its most vulnerable when the company prepares to get it ready for the road.
“There will have been some rehearsals in New York prior to coming to Cleveland, but they’ll actually be putting the entire show together here,” he adds.
The task is a tedious one involving three to four weeks of constructing the set — which sometimes leads to the onerous decision to tear it down and start over — along with ensuring the tech works and the lighting does what it’s supposed to. Time is also set aside for the actors to bond with each other and perfect their roles before heading out.
“Cleveland is a very comfortable place for the cast, crew and company to bunk down and do their work in,” Greene says. “There are lots of restaurants to choose from, good hotels and
apartments right here at Playhouse Square.
“We take,” he adds, “very good care of them.”
Here’s a look at the 2026-2027 lineup: Death Becomes Her (September 12-October 3, 2026)
Based on the 1992 cult classic movie starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, the musical comedy centers on two friends-turned-rivals obsessed with staying eternally youthful.
The duo’s relationship is further complicated when a love triangle forms which involves a plastic surgeon.
“Audiences will see big songs, big attitude and incredible special effects,” Greene says. “The show is fast, funny and fearless.”
Mamma Mia! (January 5-24, 2027)
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down Memory Lane is in store when the jukebox musical based on the songs recorded by ABBA — and named after the group’s 1975 chart-topping single — returns to town.
containing warm, touching moments. It’s filled with themes of love and humanity, loneliness and isolation, finding hope in small moments and what it means to be human.”
‘It’s the kind of show,” he adds, “that when you leave, you think about and want to talk about for days after.”
The Phantom of the Opera (April 14-May 9, 2027)
From the thunderous opening chords to the dazzling chandelier, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed production has mesmerized more than 160 people in 58 territories and 205 cities in 21 languages since it debuted in 1986. Based on French author Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, the tale centers on a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and falls obsessively in love with soprano Christine Daaé, thereby setting the scene for heartbreak.
“It is THE essential Broadway experience,” Greene exclaims. “What’s fun about this tour is that it’s the first time since 2010 that features Maria Bjornson’s original designs.”
“It’s back,” he adds, “to its big, beautiful self.”
Set in Greece the story centers on a brideto-be’s quest to discover who her real father is by inviting three men from her mom’s past to her wedding.
“This is the first time Mamma Mia! has returned to the KeyBank Broadway Series in 25 years,” Greene says. “It’s fun, it’s upbeat and it takes place in Greece, so it will warm up our cold January.”
The musical recently completed a 26-week limited engagement at the 1,509-seat Winter Garden Theatre, which marked its first return to Broadway since debuting there in 2001. During the show’s run, which began on August 2 and concluded February 1 of this year, audiences filled the house to 99 percent capacity.
Boop! The Musical (February 2-21, 2027)
Lauded as “The Original It Girl” of animation for almost a century, Betty Boop leaves world she’s used to and finds adventure and romance in Manhattan.
“I just love the spin on this show,” Greene says. “It’s so creative the way Betty Boop is taken out of her black-and-white cartoon world and enters present, modern-day, full-color New York City.”
The score was penned by David Foster, known for a litany of hits recorded by luminaries including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and Andrea Bocelli. Jerry Mitchell, whom Playhouse Square audiences will remember from dazzling productions that include Kinky Boots and Hairspray , is the director and choreographer.
“The musical,” Greene he adds, “is great for families and anyone who loves big Broadway ensemble numbers with tap-dancing and great music. It’s like a classic Broadway show with a modern sense of fun.”
Maybe Happy Ending (March 2-21, 2027)
Winner of six 2025 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show officially premiered in Korea in 2015. The stage is set in futuristic Seoul, Korea, where Oliver and Claire — two helperbots that look human and were created to help humans — have been put out to pasture in a retirement home. Together, they learn to look beyond oneself for happiness while questioning how love can last in a world that ultimately leads to loss.
“This is a small musical that’s deceptively large,” Greene reflects. “It has a beautiful score, a very clever [story] and performances
And, thanks to the advancements in technology, the iconic chandelier and staircase promise to be truly awesome in brilliant new ways.
Buena Vista Social Club (July 27-August 15, 2027)
Experience the vibe Havana, Cuba, exudes from the 1950s through the ’90s in this soulstirring musical inspired by a true story. It charts the inspirational journey of four musicians, along with a record producer who makes it his mission to breathe new life into a diva who’s faded from the spotlight.
The ensemble the musical is based on released their debut album, Buena Vista Social Club in 1997. It quickly became a global sensation, received the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album and changed the course of Cuban music.
The dialogue is in English, the lyrics are performed in Spanish and the music is comprised of styles that include son, danzón and bolero.
“The reason I love listening to this music and watching the show is that the music drives the show,” Greene explains. “Even if you don’t understand Spanish, you’ll feel the emotion for the music. I saw the show twice, was completely mesmerized and couldn’t wait for it to come here.”
“It will,” he adds, “touch your soul and touch your heart.”
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (August 24-September 12, 2027)
Fans of all ages can’t wait for the latest adventure J.K. Rowling’s famous wizard and his friends are embarking on. In their newest escapade, Harry’s headstrong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival Draco Malfoy. The result: Spectacular spells and a mind-blowing race through time. The show won six Tony Awards in 2018, including the prestigious Best Play.
“Harry Potter fans of all ages from five to 95 will love it,” Greene says.” And even if you’re not a fan, the storytelling is epic, the special effects are so ground-breaking — and the magic is really something to be seen.”
For show times and tickets, visit playhousesquare.org
By RITA KUEBER
“The more people who know about gardening, the better off we all are,” Hedy Westa says. “Our mission is to provide research-based information about all things horticulture.” Hedy has been a MGV, master gardener volunteer since 2009. She is also president of Friends of the Beachwood Library, so her hours spent volunteering is off the charts.
Hedy’s interest in gardening was sparked by the move into their first house in University Heights. “I always loved plants, and the gardening piece is part of home ownership,” she recalls. “You start with the house, then next year you’re focusing on the yard. Perennials were my first choice – then I planted spring bulbs,” she recalls. “I love tulips, but they’re natural food for wildlife, so next I tried daffodils, which no one eats, then hyacinths.”
Her repertoire expanded – tomatoes for her husband, strawberries “which wildlife also like,” she says with a small sigh. “I learned to protect what I grew. I read books. I’m really a library person. These days more people are likely to use Google,” she adds. “But let me tell you – when you search for something online, add dot-edu to your search. That way you get real information from universities. Many other sites simply aren’t that reliable.”
Hedy, originally Hedeij, was born in the Netherlands and moved to the US at age three, first to Springfield, Ohio, then to the Cleveland area. She worked for the federal government where she met her husband, Tony Supan. The couple has two children and three grandchildren. When she retired in 2008, with over 30 years in an office, she started to take classes, and in 2009 she had earned the designation, Master Gardener. (Tony recently retired as well. “I get to draw him into gardens in other countries – that’s fun,” she adds.)
“We don’t master all things gardening – you see a lot you don’t know,” she explains. “We have people who are experts in dahlias or roses. Being a master gardener means you’re willing to learn more. And be sure to mention its MGV, master gardener volunteer,” she states.
With a quick inquiry regarding what to volunteer for, the information pours out. There’s a minimum
of 25 hours a year of volunteer time, plus 10 hours of continuing education. But Hedy indicates most everyone does more and learns more, always wanting to know about new discoveries from researchers and universities.
If someone is interested in gaining a MGV certification, the place to start is the county extension service, which is linked to The Ohio State University. The connection maintained is that students are getting information direction from professors in person – most often in a classroom, sometimes via Zoom.
To qualify, applicants attend a listening class information session, often offered at libraries in the area. Then they file an application (free), provide references and complete a panel interview. Successful candidates are invited to join classes (which are not free, although there is some consideration for people in need of financial assistance.) Next is fifty hours of volunteer service. “The process isn’t for everyone, especially people who are still working, unless they have a lot of flexibility,” Hedy states.
And where to volunteer? A more likely question is where not to, since the MGV programs are myriad and varied, working with students from toddlers to senior citizens. There are volunteer programs at The Cleveland Clinic Children’s rehab hospital. “We have raised beds there and a courtyard with a garden,” Hedy says. “We just did a project with rice, lavender and lavender oil. Tie all that into a tube sock and gently warm it in the microwave – you have a very fragrant neck pillow. The kids adored this project,” she says.
Additional programs are running at various senior communities and memory-care facilities, schools, libraries, and the group is looking into creating a therapy program for veterans. There are MGVs at local farmers markets at Crocker Park and Shaker Square, and also at the Cleveland Botanical Garden to answer questions in person, as well as a hotline and an email for anyone with questions about their gardens or plants. They speak at local garden clubs as well. The gardeners also maintain nine herb gardens inside the Cleveland Botanical Center: from a medicinal garden, a dye garden and more.
One program Hedy obviously enjoys is work done at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Old
Brooklyn. “We have five acres there, fruit trees, gardens, and a glasshouse/greenhouse. That’s where we offer our lessons. Every fourth grader comes out and works with us. Some have knowledge about gardens from home, but for others it’s all brand new. We don’t stand and lecture. These kids are visual learners, and they love being outside, planting and watching things grow.” This program is adding additional gardens, even offering music on weekends for the community’s pleasure. She mentions opportunities she might not have had except for the MGV program. One was a trip to the Smithsonian for its extensive gardens, and one a trip to Ecuador where her group planted trees, taught classes, and helped with school gardens all while learning about the country’s music, culture and traditions.
Another outstanding program in Hedy’s pantheon of programs is called Nature in My Backyard, a partnership with the Audubon Society. Here, two MGVs will come to a homeowner’s backyard and more or less catalog what plants are considered invasive,
and which are native, as well as make suggestions for what’s called a keystone plant. “Oaks, for example are so much better for the environment than other trees, especially something ornamental that no native bug or bird will touch,” Hedy says. “An oak will feed a wide variety of species all year round, and that’s important for the environment.”
The MGV program has an annual fundraiser, a plant sale that offers perennials and vegetables, with a focus on native species. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 30 from 9 am to 1 p.m. at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Independence. “You’ll find things there not necessarily available at nurseries,” Hedy says. “We bring plants from our own yards and some we’ve propagated in our greenhouse at Ben Franklin.”
For information about the MGV program or questions about plants: Ask2.extension.org
By RITA KUEBER
This unique contemporary/ranch was designed by architect William Morris whose ideal was to bring nature indoors. Originally built in 1971, the core colors were black, red, and white. But between the architect’s vision and the most recent owners’ preference for natural materials, the interior has had multiple face-lifts using wood and earth tones to brighten the rooms and soften the corners.
The setting is both charming and spectacular. The main road leads to a cul-de-sac, then to a private road that brings the visitor from the front of the impressive structure to the side. Set on a natural hillock, this house has its own private lake, views of which are seen from every room in the house. The lake itself is spring fed by a tributary of the
Chagrin River and eventually flows naturally to Lake Erie. The owners built a dock that allows for a rowboat, because what use is a private lake if you can’t access it? Of course, the boater must share the surface with wild ducks, geese, and herons who not only visit but occasionally nest.
Inside the main entrance, directly ahead is a sunken living room with a beautiful, slatted hardwood ceiling and a sliding door to the outside at the far end. Down the hall to the left, the spacious private dining room has intriguing light fixtures. Across from this room is the kitchen, pantry and eat-in area, all overlooking the lake and the inground pool and patios.
Further along this side of the house is the very large, open laundry room, a bar room, closets and bathroom. This hallway leads to the garage. At the
By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
CentroVilla25, situated in the heart of Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood, has transformed an old warehouse into a new venture full of opportunity.
The 32,500-square-foot facility is a bustling center of economic development and cultural activity. From micro-retail spaces that nurture Hispanic entrepreneurs to a commercial kitchen that promotes culinary arts, CentroVilla25 is designed with the community in mind.
“CentroVilla25, the long held Hispanic community dream of creating an anchor and catalyst for a “Hispanic Village,” began over 30 years ago. The original vision was the brainchild of Angel Guzman, an important Hispanic leader who served as executive director of the Hispanic Business Association,” said Richard Levitz of R.K. Levitz LLC, an architecture, planning and
graphics firm. “I supported this vision as a board member of the Northeast Oho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since 1998, and most recently through completing all of the exterior and interior signage, graphics and branding for the new building. Over the years, several studies were conducted, but real progress did not begin until we were fortunate to gain new leadership through Jenice Contreras, president and CEO of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development,” he noted. “Jenice took the reins in 2023 and through her determination, strategic intelligence and unwavering commitment, she was able to move this project from aspiration to reality. Jenice represents a new generation of Hispanic women leaders who grew up in the neighborhood and understand deeply both the process and the impact of projects like this.”
“This project is definitely my baby,” Jenice Contreras said. “When I became director of the Hispanic Business Center in 2013, we were looking at redevelopment and had conversations with the city of Cleveland and several planning bodies about what we could do for the neighborhood. This neighborhood has the largest population of Hispanic residents in the area. We wanted to create an opportunity for entrepreneurs to open their small businesses at an affordable price.”
“I traveled to Minnesota, where they had a Latino market. After I learned their story, I had an aha moment. It still took us a decade
to figure out how to make it work. We had to raise $14 million, and that is not an easy task. It required energy, work and support from a lot of folks,” she added.
“We started with a warehouse that had housed a flooring company for 50 years. Cleveland is an industrial town and we wanted the building to look like a warehouse. But, we also wanted to bring color. The Latino community is colorful,” Contreras said. “I have had people say that this place is so happy. I am very proud of that. The space is a celebration of culture and community. It celebrates diversity in a place that is safe.”
“There are two sides to the market. The
green side is the food hall with eight kiosks representing several countries. The pink side of the market houses 12 kiosks offering products and services. There is also a commercial kitchen, which food producers selling outside of the market can rent by the hour,” she noted.
“We are still a non-profit. It takes a lot to make this market function. We are giving entrepreneurs an opportunity who have never had a physical business location before. We opened a year ago in January and we are celebrating our anniversary,” Contreras said. “Where else can you go to experience six countries under one roof?”
