Currents_March 19, 2026

Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network

Congress passed Public Law 100-9 on March 12, 1987 designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month,” a month in which we recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and contemporary society. In recognition of this, we’ve devoted part of Section B this month to spotlighting several talented and trailblazing women of Northeast Ohio. We salute and commend these women for their success and achievements.

IN THIS ISSUE

A 12

A 6

NORTH COAST SWEETS

Hop on over to Brookpark Road to find best sweet treats for Easter baskets

By Cynthia Schuster Eak

FOOD

It’s FISH FRY season in Northeast Ohio

By Cynthia Schuster Eakin

BENEFIT BEAT

Submit nonprofit benefit events to editor@currentsnews.com.

2026

Saturday, March 28....”Nourish: A Recipe for Hope” celebrates the Village Project at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon. Tickets support families fighting cancer. General admission is $150. Go to http://www.ourvillageproject.com. Saturday, April 11...Red Wagon Auction and Luncheon, to benefit Christ Child Society of Geauga County, at St. Noel Party Center in Willoughby Hills.  Proceeds benefit the needs, programs and activities for at-risk children in Geauga County. Join us for a delicious luncheon, raffles, auction and fun! For more information/ tickets, email: GCRedWagon@gmail.com.

Saturday, April. 11….Chef’s Fantasy, “A Taste of Mardi Gras,” to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is at the RitzCarlton Cleveland, 6 p.m. The event includes tasting stations followed by seated courses in the ballroom, as well as live and silent auctions. Tickets start at $250. Go to www.cff.org. Friday, April 17, Friday Night in The Flats; all proceeds benefit VGS programming and services for individuals with disabilities, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Collision Bend Brewing Company, 1250 Old River Road, Cleveland, OH 44113. The Sunbeam Board and The VGS Board of Directors welcome you to new venue for a western-style evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Tickets are $125. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://vgsjob.org/ fridaynight_tickets/.

Saturday, April 18, 2026...25th Anniversary Gala Celebration, to benefit The Gathering Place, 7 p.m. at InterContinental Hotel, Cleveland. Festive evening featuring dinner, live entertainment, and stories of impact – past, present and future. Cocktail attire. Visit touchedbycancer.org/25 years.

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.

B1

SPOTLIGHT

Legendary photographer Janet Macoska rocks on!

By Jeannie Emser Schultz

C12

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Steady, strong NE Ohio Real Estate market according to area Realtors

By Rita Kueber

Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network

The primary mission of Currents is to feature and spotlight the nonprofit, arts, educational and cultural organizations so vital to Northeast Ohio, as well as the volunteers and philanthropists who guide, support and sustain them. P.O. Box 150 • Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 • 525 E. Washington Street • 440-247-5335 / Fax: 440-247-1606 www.currentsneo.com

Published monthly by the Chagrin Valley Publishing Company

H. KENNETH DOUTHIT III Publisher

KELLI COTESWORTH MCLELLAN Editor

FEBRUARY EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Cynthia Schuster Eakin, Beth Schreibman Gehring. Rita Kueber, Kaley Richard, 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.

More than 250 guests enjoyed an evening at Windows on the River for the 23rd Annual Benefit Concert in support of Malachi House. The evening featured entertainment by the Lenaghan Academy of Irish Dance, and music by The Boys from County Hell. This year’s Malachi House Community Service Award

was presented to Frank and Barbara Sullivan of RPM International Inc. for their support and dedication to the Malachi House mission. Malachi House, nestled in the historic Ohio City neighborhood, was co-founded in 1987 by Fr. Paul Hritz and Catherine “Kaki” O’Neill to serve persons who are terminally ill and

have no financial means or caregiver support. Malachi House provides dignified care completely free of charge through the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. It receives no government support, insurance fees or Medicaid reimbursements. Malachi House has served more than 2,800 residents

to date. Its trained staff and volunteers offer spiritual, emotional and physical assistance under the medical direction of a hospice team, ensuring comfort and dignity in the final stages of life. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC

EAKIN

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND’S

Red Wagon Luncheon

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

May 3, 2026•2pm to 5pm

begins at 1:30pm • Family-style Dinner at 2:30pm The Banquet Center at St. Noel 35200 Chardon Road (Route 6), Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094 R.S.V.P. by April 26

Delight Cleversy, Patty Engel & Matt Willingham, James Harris & Doreen Lazarus-Harris, Gail Linda Kopp, Toby & Elaine Mintz, Marty & Anita Silverman, and Mary Treanor. We also appreciate support received from Victoria’s Bakery in Chesterland. Reservations and/or donations can be mailed to: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland, OH 44026. Please make checks payable to Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary. If using PayPal, go to www.HappyTailsCatSanctuary.org Include the name(s) of attendee(s) and/or donation amount. OR SCAN TO DONATE 

Achievement Centers for Children “Sparkle”

“Sparkle” at Windows on the River celebrated the launch of the next 85 years of Achievement Centers for Children.

More than 450 guests attended the gala dinner and presentation of the Champions for Achievers Award ceremony. Higley Construction was honored for its vision in shaping Achievement Centers for Children for decades. Amy Brady, KeyBank chief information officer, was lauded as a mission champion. Karen Sorace Thomas received the Acorn Award as a long-time agency advocate.

The Northeast Ohio-based Achievement

Centers for Children is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children and adults with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential through holistic and family-focused services. Programs include camps for children and adults, occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy, an autism school, therapeutic horsemanship, an adult day program and behavioral health counseling. The “Sparkle” event helped to raise $638,000 to support these programs. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

Treat yourself to a fantastic fish fry dinner during Lent

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Lenten fish fry dinners in Northeast Ohio are hardly a sacrifice. They are a delicious seasonal tradition.

Gather with family and friends to enjoy these area favorites.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland, 216-861-0116, www.annunciationcleveland.net

The fish fry menu includes baked cod or beer-battered fried fish, fried shrimp, fish tacos, New England clam chowder, pierogies, desserts and drinks.

Around the Corner, 18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-4413, www.atccafe.com.

Lenten selections are lake perch, beer-battered cod, shrimp Louisiana, homemade potato pierogies, New England clam chowder and cabbage and noodles.

Bonnie’s Bar and Grill, 22811 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, 440-734-3276, www. bonniesbarandgrill.com

The Friday menu features breaded or broiled perch, broiled walleye, Nashville hot cod sandwiches, fried shrimp, tuna melts and pierogies.

Cleveland Metroparks at the Emerald Necklace Café, 1500 Scenic Park Dr. in Lakewood;, Big Met Golf Course, 4811 Valley Pkwy., Fairview Park; or Merwin’s Wharf, 1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland, www. clevelandmetroparks.com.

Fish fry specials are served every Friday during Lent. The menu offers fried or baked cod, fried shrimp, fish sandwiches, pierogies, New England clam chowder, Caesar salad and hush puppies.

Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center, 7370 Columbia Rd., Olmsted Falls, 440-235-2646, www.donauschwabencleveland.com

The fish frys here are so popular that, in previous years, up to 1100 dinners were served each Friday in Lent. You can enjoy baked or breaded fish or shrimp served with fries, cole slaw or applesauce, potato pancakes and pierogies.

Gunselman’s Tavern, 21490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, 440-331-5719, www.gunselmans.com

Lenten treats include hand-breaded Lake Erie perch, crispy cod, blackened catfish, southern fried shrimp and house-made tartar sauce. Jake’s on the Lake, 32485 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, 440-933-8304, www.jakesonthelake. com

Jake’s is known for fresh Lake Erie perch and walleye. Opt for a perch dinner, perch tacos, perch quesadilla, blackened walleye, fried shrimp or jerk-seasoned salmon.

Prosperity Social Club, 1109 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland, 216-937-1938, www.prosperitysocialclub.com

The beer-battered fried haddock dinners, served with asiago mac and cheese, are re nowned. If you prefer a vegan meal, you can order beer-battered hearts of palm with vegan cheese pierogies. Reservations are recommended. Rowley Inn, 1104 Rowley Ave,, Cleveland, 216-795-5345, therowleyinn.com

The Lenten menu at this popular Tremont spot includes Lake Erie perch dinners, sandwiches or tacos, Pierogi Lady pierogi dinners, and four-cheese macaroni and cheese.

Rusty Barrel, 27026 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake, 440-892-1292

Lightly breaded lake perch or Guinness beer-battered fish are served with fries, cole slaw and hush puppies.

Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, 216-3615115, www.slovenianhome. com

Fish dinners with fries and

slaw are served in the Club Room from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Service is walk-in only. Reservations are not accepted. There is live music.

Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216932-3300, www.stsconstantine.com.

The menu includes fried walleye, shrimp dinners, fried whitefish and baked cod. Ala carte items are Greek salad, rich pilaf and spanakopita. A large selection of homemade desserts are offered.

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland, 216-941-5550, www.smroc.org

The oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the U.S., St. Mary Cathedral has been serving fish fry dinners for

Breaded or baked fish or fried shrimp are served with fries, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw or cabbage and noodles. A children’s menu is available. Cake, pie and cookies are offered for dessert.

Sachsenheim Hall, 7001 Denison Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-0888, wwwlsachsenheimhall.com.

The fish fry menu is available every Friday year-round. The bill of fare includes beer-battered or baked cod or swai served with vegetable and potato, panko-breaded fried shrimp basket, traditional fish and chips, pierogies and mussels with garlic sauce.

Practicing the art of kintsugi at home

By BETH SCHREIBMAN GEHRING

There is a Japanese practice I’ve carried with me for most of my life, even during the years when I didn’t yet have language for it. It’s called kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or other precious metals. Instead of hiding the crack, the repair makes it visible. The break becomes part of the story. The piece is not returned to what it once was. It becomes something else, often stronger, often more beautiful.

My understanding of kintsugi began early. When I was a child, my family often hosted foreign students, and one of them became like a brother to me. His name was Hisashi. He later married a wonderful woman named Kazuko. They were the first people who ever talked to me about kintsugi, the first ones who showed it to me. I remember holding a piece of pottery that had been broken and carefully repaired, its cracks traced with gold, and being struck by how wonderful it felt.

It wasn’t thrown away. It wasn’t hidden. It wasn’t dismissed as ruined. The break itself was honored. Even as a child, I understood that this way of seeing the world was different. Slower. More respectful of what had been lived through.

Years later, that same sensibility surfaced again when I was in my early twenties, working at Schreibmans. I spent my days surrounded by beautiful things. Porcelain and pottery. Glass and metal. Objects chosen to mark moments and carry meaning.

What I loved most, though, were the antique things. The silver and the porcelain, the crystal and the jewelry. Pieces that had already lived lives. Serving dishes worn soft at the edges, glasses that had caught candlelight for generations, silver shaped by countless meals and celebrations. Rings worn smooth by decades of hands. Lockets that had held photographs close to the heart. Bracelets repaired and resized, clasps replaced, stones reset. Gold that had been mended, adjusted, and carried forward rather than discarded. I was drawn to those pieces because they were not trying to be new. Those pieces asked to be used, not displayed. They had already survived time. They were ready for more life.

That is when I really understood that precious metal is not just decorative. It is connective. It holds story. It survives breakage. It is chosen again and again because it lasts.

This is not an argument against buying something beautiful and new. Beauty has always mattered, and there is deep pleasure in choosing a piece that speaks to you, especially when it

has been made with care. I have spent much of my life surrounded by fine things, and I still believe in craftsmanship, artistry, and the joy of bringing something lovely into the world. But I also believe that beauty deepens when it is chosen with intention, when it is cared for, and when it is allowed to become part of a longer story rather than a fleeting moment.

Gold, in kintsugi, is not accidental. It is chosen. Someone decides that what broke is worth mending, that the repair should be visible, that care itself has value.

I think about that now, especially as we talk more and more about sustainability.

We live in a time that values recycling and composting and reusing, and rightly so. But I sometimes think we’ve missed something essential. We talk about sustainability in abstract terms, while quietly discarding the most sustainable things we have.

Grandmother’s dishes. Mother’s silver. Old glasses that still catch the light just right. Antique jewelry that carries generations in its weight. Linens softened by decades of washing. These are the ultimate recyclables. Not only because they endure, but because they hold connection. They link us to the hands that held them before us. They bring memory into daily life. They remind us that beauty and usefulness were never meant to be separate.

In my home, I see the philosophy of kintsugi everywhere.

In a chipped tea cup that still feels right in the hand. In plates that have survived moves, marriages, and children. In cloth napkins and old linens that have been repaired instead of replaced. These things don’t just reduce waste. They deepen meaning.

Domestic life offers us countless chances

“A

Supporters, teachers and students gathered for Fairmount Center for the Arts’ 55th anniversary celebration on Feb. 21. The event, which had a theme of “A Night in Hollywood” took place at the Family Life Center in Bainbridge Township.

Founded in 1971, Ron and Jan Kumin had a vision to create a place for creative individuals in the community to gather. Fifty-five years later, the center is still bringing people of all ages and different creative crafts together.

to practice this kind of sustainability. We can choose to keep and tend rather than discard. We choose continuity over convenience. We can choose to live with the evidence of time instead of pretending everything must always be new. There is something deeply grounding about this, at the table especially, where old dishes and worn silver often invite the richest conversations. These are the objects that slow us down. They create a sense of belonging that cannot be bought new. They hold stories, and in doing so, they invite us to share our own.

Kintsugi teaches that repair is not a failure. It is an act of care. It asks us to stay with what has cracked, to look closely, and to decide how we will mend it.

In living this way, at home and at the table, we practice a quieter kind of sustainability. One that honors resources, yes, but also relationships. One that values what has lasted. One that understands that the most enduring things are often the ones that have been broken and lovingly repaired.

In a world that replaces easily and forgets quickly, choosing to keep, to mend, and to use what we already have becomes a form of wisdom and sometimes, a form of grace.

I usually end my posts with a recipe. Something nourishing. Something meant to be used. For this piece, it felt right to offer a different kind of recipe, one rooted in care rather than consumption.

Over the years, I’ve handled and sold a great deal of silver polish. We stocked it in the shop, and people bought plenty of it. But it was never what I reached for myself. I didn’t like the smell. I didn’t like the way it made my hands feel. I never loved the idea of rubber gloves and harsh chemicals just to make something shine quickly. It always felt out of step with the way silver, and really most beautiful things, want to be treated.

Fairmount Center for the Arts

Night in Hollywood 55th Anniversary Celebration”

One hundred and thirty attendees showed up in their Hollywood best for the event, ready to support the nonprofit. They helped to raise more than $35,000, through ticket sales, silent auctions and games such as “Heads or Tails,”

“The Oscar Goes To…” and the “Dessert Dash” where each table got to bid money on a dessert.

During cocktail hour, signature cocktails were offered by Melrose Mixers and live music by Danjo Jazz Orchestra was heard. After a catered dinner by Trifles, documentary-like videos

created by Mike and Johanna Wilkes showed the impact that Fairmount had on alumni.

For entertainment, members of the Spanish Dance Company performed, which has been around since the inception of Fairmount.

Spanish Dance Artistic Director Sandy Bohl introduced the group and acknowledged Libby Lubinger, who passed in 2024 and was instrumental in the creation of The Fairmount Spanish Dance Company and keeping the Fairmount Center for the Arts alive.

The method I have always chosen to use is far gentler.

Whiting, which is simply finely ground calcium carbonate, is what I trust. It’s what silversmiths, jewelers, and conservators have relied on for generations. Mixed with a little water into a thin, creamy paste, it removes tarnish slowly and safely, without stripping metal or leaving silver thinner than it should be. I use about one tablespoon of whiting with just enough water to make a smooth paste, then apply it gently with a soft cotton cloth or my fingers. Rinse with warm water and dry immediately. The result is a soft glow, not a glare.

What I love is that whiting isn’t just for silver. Used gently, it can also restore clarity to glassware and crystal, removing water spots and cloudiness without scratching. It works beautifully on porcelain and glazed ceramics, on pewter, brass, and copper, and even on gold jewelry that needs brightening without losing its character. It’s one of those old materials that respects a wide range of surfaces, provided you slow down and pay attention.

Whiting is still easy to find, often sold as calcium carbonate or whiting powder through art supply stores, woodworking suppliers, jewelrymaking shops, and online. A small container lasts for years, which feels fitting somehow. Caring for silver and glass this way has always felt like an extension of the philosophy behind kintsugi. Gentle attention. Respect for material. A belief that what has lasted deserves patience rather than force.

Sometimes the most meaningful recipes aren’t about adding something new. They’re about learning how to tend what we already love, so it can continue, quietly and beautifully, for generations to come.

“When you’re supporting Fairmount, you’re supporting the dancers,” Ms. Bohl said during the event.

The Youth Ballet Company also performed and the recently resurrected Fairmount Singers program closed the entertainment portion of the evening. Music followed to allow the supporters to get out onto the dance floor. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KALEY RICHARD

Brite Winter music festival wows Waterloo Arts District

By ANDREA C. TURNER

The sidewalks of Cleveland’s Waterloo Arts District overflowed with music lovers for the 17th Annual Brite Winter music festival on Saturday, February 21. The festival kicked off at 2 p.m. and the party continued into the early morning as folks strolled the neighborhood to check out acts in eight different venues including two outdoor stages.

Hundreds of ticket holders decked out in their Brite Winter pom-pom knit hats shuttled over on school busses from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Jergens parking lots over to Waterloo to gather for Cleveland’s favorite winter music event.

NuLife Fitness Center served as a kidfriendly zone while Cultivate Yoga (top floor of Pop Life) offered sound baths throughout the day. Neighborhood staples Praxis Fiber Workshop, Treelawn Social Club and Music Hall, Millard Fillmore, and the Beachland Ballroom served up local pop, rock, alt, bluegrass, country, folk, R&B, and rap.

“The new location offers Brite guests the opportunity to explore the Waterloo neighborhood, pop into a local bar or restaurant to grab a bite and hear bands on outdoor stages by a bonfire or inside at one of our indoor venues,” said Emily

Hornack, Brite Winter Co-Founder and Executive Director. “We get to bring all of Brite’s music and visual art programming and spotlight the amazing work being done in the neighborhood, making our February festival an even richer experience.”

People from all over Northeast Ohio get to discover new music and art while enjoying their community. Since its beginning, the festival has welcomed tens of thousands of guests, showcased hundreds of bands and artists, and thrived in Cleveland’s wide ranging February weather.

This year, organizers partnered with Ingenuity Cleveland, Waterloo Arts, and Praxis Fiber Workshop on its visual arts installations while fans enjoyed beverages from beer stands and noshed at food trucks.

Guests could wander through an ultra-vibrant wonderland in the DayGlo AFTERGLO installation rooms, located behind Waterloo Arts. The art was created in workshops facilitated by local artists. Participants used DayGlo paint to fill in life-sized undersea creatures that glowed brightly under black light.

Praxis Fiber Workshop illuminated the sidewalks with community-painted fabric lanterns created in collaboration with neighborhood residents. More than 55 yards of fabric were transformed into 100 lanterns

Hooked Like Helen elevates at the Main Stage outside

and installed throughout the district.

“Fans had a unique opportunity to wander between clubs, galleries and outdoor stages, catching more than 30 great bands in a single day without even missing a literal beat,”

said musician and Brite Music Director Brent Kirby. “It’s important we highlight and strengthen ties to a neighborhood that is foundational to the Northeast Ohio music scene.”

KENTUCKY DERBY RUN FOR THE ROSES FUNDRAISER!

KENTUCKY DERBY RUN FOR THE ROSES FUNDRAISER!

KENTUCKY DERBY RUN FOR THE ROSES FUNDRAISER!

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 the year’s start, Rise in Love receives continuous requests for housing support. Many families face eviction notices months for these requests, often involving 20-25 families. The average cost to resettle a displaced family is $7,000, 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 Derby fundraiser provides essential support for LOVE SAVES, an emergency relief program that provides

in crisis in our communities. Save the date for our annual fall gala, RAISE THE LOVE 2026, on November 14th at ments this year thanks to your support. We are thrilled to bring this event back to Fire 45 Grille + Social in North 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

. As we celebrate 11 years of love and service throughout 2026, this achievement remains a highlight of our efforts. Your support has always been 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 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.

LaChance Wealth Partners

Delegation done well is quiet, rather boring, and effective. Delegation done poorly is invisible until it is irreversible. At LaChance Wealth Partners, delegation and trust over client assets are fiduciary duties.

Most people delegate their investment decisions without recognizing that fact openly. If you self-manage and buy an ETF, you’ve delegated to an algorithm. If your 401k is in mutual funds, you’ve delegated to a plan administrator who has delegated to a series of fund managers. That is not a weakness. It is rational. And it is part of life.

Just as you do not need to be a professional chef to eat well, you do not need to be a professional investor to build or preserve wealth. Delegation allows you to focus on what you do best while relying on others for technical execution. Where delegation fails is not in the act itself, but in how it is approached. Too many individuals treat delegation as abdication. They outsource decisions without understanding what they are outsourcing, how those decisions will be made, or how to evaluate whether the advice they are receiving is competent. This has worked for the past 20 years because the market largely went up. It fails precisely when judgment matters most. During the brief, fast-moving periods when it doesn’t.

The Real Risk of Delegation

When people think about investment risk, they usually think about volatility or market crashes. Those are visible risks. Blind delegation introduces a quieter, more dangerous category.

Delegation risk is the risk of relying on advice you cannot evaluate, incentives you do not understand, and processes you have never seen tested under stress. It shows up when markets become unstable, liquidity disappears, and narratives break down. In those moments, the difference between competent advice and wellspoken reassurance becomes obvious. Unfortunately, by then it is often too late to change course without consequences. Delegation risk is not reduced by credentials. It is reduced by judgment, structure, and informed oversight.

What You Actually Need to Know You do not need to master macroeconomics, valuation theory, or behavioral finance. You need the minimum level of understanding to evaluate whether advice is coherent, identify the primary risks in your portfolio, maintain discipline during market stress, and ask questions that reveal depth of thinking, or the lack of it. The goal is informed oversight, not control. You’re already delegating. It’s time to do it skillfully.

More than 200 guests enjoyed a high-energy afternoon of runway fashion, gourmet lunch, and dazzling auctions at the third annual “Haute for the House” fundraiser and fashion show in February at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland. The event, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northeast Ohio, raised more than $150,000. RMHC focuses on caring for families so they can care for their children in times of crisis. Its mission is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Ronald McDonald House Charities “Haute for the House”

Colleen Shawk of Canton was the featured guest for the event’s Mission Moment. Shawk’s daughter Nori, at 11 years old, was struck by a car going 40 mph while crossing the street. She suffered several fractured vertebrae and a sever traumatic brain injury. While Nori was in a coma, she spent a week in the ICU of Akron Children’s Hospital as she fought for her life.

The family, (Colleen, her husband and son) were all able to stay at the Akron Ronald McDonald House to be close to Nori, physically and emotionally. Colleen said she stayed there the entire seven weeks that Nori was

hospitalized. “I didn’t go home. I had to be right by her side.”

After intensive physical and occupational therapy, Nori, now 13, is recovering well. In fact, she and her family were so grateful for the care they received, Nori raised $800 at a lemonade stand and donated the proceeds to the Akron Ronald McDonald House.

Kent State University (KSU) School of Fashion, one of the top 25 fashion programs in the world, and number one in the Midwest, presented a fashion show featuring original works by 25 students. Students Ana Beatriz

Fonseca and Ryan Gibson co-produced the show. The student designer who wins the Best in Show Award receives a $1000 scholarship. Guests enjoyed food stations, open bar with mimosas and sparkling wine, a silent auction, wine pull, and photo booth in the 2nd floor foyer and ballroom, while vendors displayed their wares. Attendees also bid on live auction items for a Mexican resort escape and Nashville stay with pub crawl or Belle Meade guided mansion tour. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY

ANDREA C. TURNER

USBG Cleveland Hosts “A Taste of Home” Cocktail Competition

By ANDREA C. TURNER

On March 1, the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG) Cleveland Chapter with host partner Edwins Restaurant and Leadership Institute hosted a fundraiser and creative cocktail competition at Edwins in Cleveland Heights. Some of the area’s finest bartenders battled it out for a chance at a coveted spot on Team USBG in the 2026 US Cocktail Championship.

The USBG serves as the official US delegate to the International Bartenders Association (IBA) — a global network representing more than 70 countries. Each year, the IBA brings together the world’s top bartenders through international competitions that celebrate craft, creativity, and excellence behind the bar. The theme of the cocktail competition,

“A Taste of Home” gathered eight local competitors who created original “long-drink” cocktails. The event was organized by National Board Director Clark Pope of Pope’s Kitchen & Pope’s Cocktails.

Three experts served as judges – in a separate room away from competitors – so as not to be swayed by personality or biases. The judges score based solely on taste and presentation.

Ticket holders to the event had the opportunity to taste all eight competitor’s cocktail samples while noshing on light appetizers and then voted for their favorite. Each participant presented the inspiration for their long drink – essentially a cocktail with a small amount of spirits to showcase the mixer(s) and garnishes. Each shared what ingredients were used and demonstrated how to prepare their creation.

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Toledo Spirits served as the event sponsor. All competitors were required to use their Orange Tiger bourbon barrel aged orange liqueur as an ingredient.

The overall winner, Andrea Whaley, of Flight Cleveland Wine Bar created “Edgewater at High Tide,” a concoction using Japanese matcha tea, meant to resemble the lake’s greenish algae bloom. But her cocktail is really a love letter to Lake Erie, with a message of preventing toxic runoff. Whaley received a $175 prize and a seat at the upcoming regional competition in Louisville, KY. The final winner of the national competition gets a full expenses paid trip to compete in Macau.

Lauren Tucker-Haywood of Never Ordinary Bourbon Society won the People’s Choice Award for her citrus-based “North Coast Prism” cocktail with ginger, honey, coriander, orange and sage, with an ode to Terminal Tower through the placement of large blocks of ice.

Kim Goldsberry, a USBG member since

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2019, says that Cleveland is one of the leading chapters in the country. She asserts that members are some of the most genuine, dedicated people she’s ever met. “People in the hospitality industry are like no other,” she added. A group of close to 50 makes up the local chapter.

Anyone can join the guild and enjoy its member benefits. Membership fees range from Bar Professionals ($50), Industry Associates ($75), and Community Enthusiasts ($80). For more info on the guild, visit usbg.org/newmember. Several members in the chapter travel as delegates to the international competition. Past years have taken them to Cuba, Portugal, Chile, and other exciting destinations. Pope, whose products are sold locally (Heinen’s, The Wine Spot, etc.) just launched a new product, Pope’s Espresso Martini Syrup, currently available online at popeskitchen. com. It’s a homemade coffee concentrate with fresh vanilla and sugar. His company is working to get it onto store shelves soon.

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April 1: Safari 102 Getting There & What to Pack

April 7: Safari 103 Camps & Vehicles

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Medwish Medworks “Just Gotta Laugh”

The second annual “Just Gotta Laugh,” an evening of comedy to benefit Medwish Medworks, drew a fun-loving crowd of 350 guests to Windows on the River. Attendees enjoyed a social hour with music by Jeff Zika, plentiful hors d’oeuvres, and a live and silent auction. The event was double in size from last year, according to Just Gotta Laugh team member Randy Geise. Other benefit team members were Kurt Kalina, Bill Painter, Brian Smith,

Sammy Lody, Kimberly Sanders, Shawn Callahan and Doug Lippus. Comedians on the program were Elijah Nevels, who also served as emcee, Randy Geise portraying Delmar Everheart, John Brown and Mike Polk Jr.

The event raised $100,000 for Medwish Medworks and the Honduran Children’s Rescue Fund. Medwish Medworks is a humanitarian nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity. The organization

provides essential care, redistributes surplus medical supplies, and connects medically underserved communities with vital resources in Northeast Ohio and around the world. According to Britta Latz, chief executive officer for Medwish Medworks, the nonprofit serves close to a million clients annually through a network of about 4,000 volunteers. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN

Hop on over to Brookpark Rd. for sweet treats for Easter baskets

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

Atisket? A tasket? What’s in your Easter basket?

Easter is Sunday, Apr. 5, so here are some “eggselent” tips for putting together gift baskets for your best bunnies. You had better get hopping!

Easter baskets originated from ancient spring fertility festivals, later evolving through medieval Christian traditions where baskets of food were brought to church for blessing after Lent. German folklore introduced Osterhase, the Easter hare, who left baskets of eggs for children, a custom brought to America in the 1700s. Originally filled with hard-boiled eggs, baskets transitioned to holding candy and toys during the 1800s.

Today, Easter is a major, sometimes top, candy-buying holiday. Based on trends leading into 2026, Americans are expected to spend about $3.3 to $3.5 billion on Easter candy, with 90 percent of consumers purchasing treats.

Multiple sources, including Instacart’s 2024 data and Axios’ analysis for Easter 2025, confirm that Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs are the top-selling Easter candy nationwide,

topping the list in 29 states. Consumers on the West Coast tend to favor Cadbury Crème Eggs. Other popular Easter candies include chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and Peeps. Peeps, while a classic, did not make the national top 10 list in recent Instacart data, despite being a local favorite in cities like Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. So, what do Clevelanders buy to fill their Easter baskets? According to a spokesperson for b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, the topselling Easter candy in Northeast Ohio is indeed Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. And b.a. Sweetie should know. For 75 years, the company has been providing sweets, treats and chocolates from its giant wholesale candy store. They carry the largest variety of candy available in the world. Whether you need a thousand pounds of Tootsie Rolls for a parade or a half pound of candy for your belly, they have it and they have it now. Sweetie stocks all of the national brands, and those hard-to-find candies. Their candy warehouse at 6770 Brookpark Rd. is one of the most visited attractions in Cleveland, with more than 500,000 visitors a year. In addition to the

candy store, b.a. Sweetie has two miniature golf courses and a 150-seat ice cream parlor. Another local candy industry giant, Malley’s Chocolates, has been supplying Northeast Ohio with hand-made fine chocolates since 1935. It was the height of the Great Depression when Albert “Mike” Malley aspired to achieve his version of the American dream: to own his own chocolate-making business. As a young husband, he borrowed $500, rented a small store and living quarters in Lakewood, and moved his family into the back rooms. By 1949, the second Malley’s Chocolate store and ice cream parlor opened not far away. On opening night, the Lakewood police had to be called in to control the crowds. Today, members of the third generation of the Malley family operate 18 retail stores across the region. A modern chocolate-making factory occupies a five-acre, 60,000 square-foot headquarters on Brookpark Rd. Chocolate eggs are also a top-selling Easter treat for lovers of Malley’s candies. In addition to peanut butter eggs, Malley’s fills Easter eggs with caramel, raspberry, coconut, maple nut and cherry fillings. They also stock

milk chocolate rabbits and their popular Bunny Bars for the holiday. For a treat sure to delight, try their Easter Survival Kit holding essential items any Malley’s lover needs to celebrate the holiday. Included in the kit are one Peanut Butter Luscious Egg, one milk chocolate Bunny Crunch Bar with crisped rice, one milk chocolate Pretzel Crunch Bar, a twin pack of milk chocolate Pretzel Twists, one snack-size bag of fruity Gummi Bears and a Malley Oh!.

If you want to ship a basket, you can always turn to Amazon for Easter treats. Prefilled Easter baskets for kids and adults are available online. The most popular shipped Easter baskets, based on 2026 trends, include Eva’s Gift Universe tins and gourmet curated options from Harry & David. Other top basket companies are Zingerman’s, Boarderie, Olive & Cocoa, Mouth, Knack, Gourmet Gift Baskets and Hickory Farms. You can also ship wine country gift baskets and CRAVEBOX healthy snack boxes. For a more personalized approach, there is a YouTube video with tips designed to help you fill your own high-quality Easter basket.

Focused on the Finish Line

Fourteen-year-old Evan knows what it means to keep moving forward. After seven intense months of chemotherapy, radiation, and recovery, Evan rang the Bravery Bell at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, marking the end of treatment for Ewing sarcoma. Surrounded by high-fives, hugs, and his care team, it was a moment that reflected his strength, perseverance, and the support that carried him through.

Evan’s journey began with pain in his right shoulder. A dedicated athlete who loved basketball, football, and lacrosse, he was initially told it was a sports injury. When the pain worsened, and he lost movement in his arm, his family turned to Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Imaging revealed a rare bone tumor growing near critical nerves, and treatment began immediately.

Over the next several months, Evan spent more than 70 nights in the hospital and underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Through it all, he stayed focused on one goal: getting back to the court. Even during treatment, he made a surprise appearance at a basketball game and scored a basket in front of cheering teammates, a moment that captured his determination and spirit.

As part of his recovery, Evan underwent a complex nerve transfer surgery to help restore shoulder function. With time, physical therapy, and persistence, his mobility continues to improve. In June 2025, he received the news he had been waiting for — he was cancer-free.

Today, Evan is part of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rock Stars, sharing his journey to inspire others and highlight the impact of compassionate care and community support. His story is a reminder that every child deserves the chance to keep moving toward the finish line.

On May 2, Derby Day will bring our community together to support children like Evan and advance pediatric care and research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

Learn how you can make a difference at ccf.org/derbysoiree

Hale Farm and Village

PENDING

Welcome the return of spring at Hale Farm & Village during the 2026 Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast, taking place March 21–22, and March 28-29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As warmer days arrive and maple sap begins to flow, visitors are invited to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of 19th-century farm life. Hale Farm & Village’s skilled makers and storytellers bring the season to life—from the bustling sugar camp and crackling hearths to open pastures, historic kitchens, and hands-on seasonal activities designed for all ages.

and early American agriculture. Visitors can also enjoy historic cooking and craft demonstrations, observe draft animals at work, and gain a vivid glimpse into daily life on 1800s farms set against the scenic backdrop of the Cuyahoga Valley.

Be sure to stop by Hale Farm’s MarketPlace, open throughout the festival, offering seasonal gifts and a curated selection of Ohio-made, historically inspired items.

Ticket Information

Adult General Admission + Pancake Breakfast: $25

PENDING

Begin your visit with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Gatehouse Visitor Center, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and proudly presented by Acme Fresh Markets. This farmfavorite meal is included with a combination museum and breakfast ticket.

Throughout the day, guests can explore the time-honored process of maple sugaring, including live demonstrations of tree tapping and sap boiling in the wood-fired evaporator at C.O. Hale’s 1910 Sugar House - a tradition with deep roots in Native American knowledge

Youth (ages 3–12) Admission + Pancake Breakfast: $16

Adult WRHS Member or Active-Duty Military Admission + Pancake Breakfast: $10

Youth WRHS Member Admission + Pancake Breakfast: $8

Girl Scout Museum Entry, Pancake Breakfast & Maple Sugaring Patch (ages 3–17): $14

Celebrate the season, savor a farm-fresh tradition, and make sweet memories with family and friends at Hale Farm & Village’s Maple Sugar Festival.

The Salvation Army, West Park, partners with Greater Cleveland Food Bank

The Salvation Army in Cleveland’s West Park partners with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to distribute 12,000 pounds of fresh produce monthly to residents who must show proof of residence and bring bags. Distributions occur on the third Friday of each month in 2026.

The Salvation Army in Cleveland’s West Park served over 600 individuals and 250 families. Due to growing demand, they increased distributions from seven per year to monthly, with individuals and families taking home multiple boxes of fresh produce for at least a week.

Future Dates:

Friday, April 17, 2026 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(while supplies last for this day and all below)

Friday, May 15, 2026

Friday, June 26, 2026

Friday, July 17, 2026

Friday, August 21, 2026

Friday, September 18, 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Friday, December 18, 2026

Janet Macoska rocks on

with award-winning photography

By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ

When 13-year-old photography enthusiast Janet Macoska sold her first photo for a whopping $2 to “Teen Screen” magazine, she could hardly have dreamed what lay ahead. Janet’s photography path would find her: shattering a glass ceiling for female rock photographers; allow her to rub shoulders with rock royalty from

photos would be the one selected for London’s National Portrait Gallery.)

Janet’s first post-high-school full-time job was as a Cleveland Indians phone operator where she met Tribe Promotion Director Jackie York. When Janet left her job to study photojournalism and began to work on local free news and entertainment, Jackie also hired her to be the Indians’ photographer to cover promotions and shoot photos of players during batting practice for use

Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie to Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen; and become one of Cleveland’s favorite daughters.

From that first $2 photo above (of Sonny & Cher visiting WKYC Radio preceding a 1966 Music Hall concert), Janet has been capturing rock music’s legacy, with her work appearing in magazines from Rolling Stone and People to Vogue and Sports Illustrated as well as newspapers including the New York Times, London Times and her hometown Plain Dealer Walk through our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you’ll see Janet’s talents displayed at every turn. The prestigious Smithsonian and the Grammy Museum likewise feature her permanent collections.

But the one of which she claims to be most proud is her photo of Paul McCartney in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

in the team’s programs and player announcements. She was a young Tri-C freshman when Janet first came to my office at rock promoters Belkin Productions requesting an upcoming concert photo pass. Belkin CEO Jules Belkin was a bit hesitant to offer a pass to such a young, non-professional photographer, but agreed to give her a chance—with the proviso she provide

announced, “Janet, I don’t think you have a photo with me!” He proceeded to hand Janet’s camera to a roadie to take their photo. As Janet expected Alice to place his arm around her to pose, he suddenly put both hands around her neck, beginning to (lightly) strangle her. Janet quickly caught onto the joke and appeared terrorized to produce a shot like no other!

For David Bowie’s 1983 Serious Moonlight Tour stop at Richfield Coliseum, Janet was disappointed no photo passes would be issued, with Bowie posting guards

the Soviet Union. Janet also credits late Plain Dealer rock writer Jane Scott with providing ongoing encouragement, while giving praise to Jules and Mike Belkin for continually allowing her access to all their concerts.

Time has changed Janet’s modus operandi in several ways—instead of film, it’s now digital, and whereas the rising young rock performers of yesterday were eager to be photographed, today’s access to performers is often thwarted by modern staffs of managers, bodyguards, publicists and extended entourages.

Janet’s achievements are legion, with her work

In fact, Sir Paul figures into the evolution of Janet’s self-worth. After hitting that proverbial glass ceiling, keeping female rock photographers from equality with male counterparts, came a 1989 credential invitation to chronicle a Paul McCartney tour announcement. Janet assumed her application would be denied, so when she found herself as one of only 10 assembled photographers--in the world-- permitted to shoot her favorite Beatle’s announcement, it was the realization she’d finally “made it.” She’d been accepted into the ranks of professional rock photographers regardless of her gender. (One of that day’s McCartney

us copies of the photos. Her work turned out to be impressive, and Janet would progress to photograph performers at every Cleveland concert venue, often hired by the venue or the artists’ record companies

Her stellar career would provide an endless string of amusing stories —from the time an uncooperative Rod Stewart dropped trou and mooned her (and, no…she didn’t take that shot) to being beaned by a tossed bottle of Jack Daniels at a KISS concert, to a surprise strangulation by shock rocker Alice Cooper. During the Alice photo shoot, he suddenly

onstage to spot fans with cameras and confiscate their film. Undaunted, Janet smuggled in her camera and proceeded to infiltrate closer into audience rows, hoping not to be seen.

But she WAS seen—by Bowie— who stopped and wagged his finger at her because he’d caught her in the act. But instead of calling his guards, he beamed a huge smile and allowed her to shoot the entire show! One of that night’s Bowie photos (and Janet’s favorite) has been seen worldwide. Janet was able to present it framed to Bowie when he appeared at Blossom Music Center with Nine Inch Nails in 1995.

A few weeks later she was perplexed to receive a letter postmarked from Switzerland—where she knew no one. It was a hand-written note from Bowie apologizing for his delay in thanking Janet and acknowledging the photo was one of his favorites. It hung in his home in Switzerland until his death.

Janet credits her love of photography to another bold Cleveland photographer-- Margaret BourkeWhite (1904-1971), whose work was used for the first cover of LIFE magazine, and was the first foreign photographer permitted to photograph in

regularly featured on VH1, Bravo, A&E and the BBC’s “rockumentaries,” and record companies regularly flying her to L.A. and London for assignments. In 2017 she was inducted into the Cleveland Press Club’s Journalism Hall of Fame, but the honor that most stunned her came in 2023, named a winner in that year’s Cleveland Arts Prize.

It was an emotional win for Janet since her hometown rock hero and friend, Michael Stanley, had won it in 2019…which she thought was totally fitting since he’d dedicated his entire life to music. (The same could be said of Janet.) She is currently working on a photo album/ narrative on Michael—the person and band she’s photographed more than any other performer, beginning in 1975 until Michael’s passing in 2021.

That book—tentatively titled “Michael Stanley: Favorite Son” -- will join Janet’s previous two books: “All Access Cleveland: The Rock and Roll Photography of Janet Macoska” and “Bruce Springsteen: Live in the Heartland.” Meanwhile Janet continues to photograph concerts, work on projects for private clients and sell her classic photo prints at janetmacoskaphotography.com, all, she says, with the same enthusiasm as that 13-year-old whose stellar career was jumpstarted by a candid

of

and

Kelly Falcone-Hall works to promote Ohio’s place in history

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

If anyone has knowledge of Ohio’s place in U.S. history, that person is Kelly FalconeHall, president and CEO of the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Falcone-Hall began her association with the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) in 1995. “I was working on my Master’s Degree in American History at Cleveland State and I discovered the WRHS library. I did research at special collection libraries around Northeast Ohio,” she said. “The Western Reserve Historical Society was offering a paid internship in archives. After three interviews, I was offered the internship for the summer. That was the eve of the Bicentennial, which took place in 1996. The museum was really busy and they needed help. So, I was invited to stay on. I have worked in many aspects of the historical society over the years, from fundraising to

serving as director of Hale Farm and Village.”

“I like everything about my job. I get to play a leading role in an organization that is responsible for safeguarding and giving access to our history,” she noted.

“It fills me with an incredible sense of pride. Every day is an honor. We are really in the people business.”

“The thing that stands out to me the most about Cleveland is the people. I get to work with incredible people,” Falcone-Hall explained. “The people of Northeast Ohio really have a commitment to Cleveland. They care about its historic places. They

Karine Garfield, Howard Hanna

have eternal optimism and I have found them to be very resilient.”

In addition to her position as CEO of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Falcone-Hall serves on the 29-member America 250-Ohio Commission. In 2026, the commission is celebrating and commemorating the 250 th anniversary of the United States by exploring all of the ways that Ohio has contributed to U.S. history for over 250 years. “When I heard that the state would be forming an America 250 commission, I reached out to the organizers and asked if I could be a part of it. The leaders of numerous American history museums are on the commission,” she said.

“Every month as part of America 250Ohio is a themed month. These themes reflect Ohio’s significance in America’s history. There are so many wonderful destinations in Ohio where you can learn

The story of Karine Garfield is not simply one of career success—it is also a journey of reinvention and discipline.

about our history,” she noted. The theme for March is, “Ohio Entertains: Music and Entertainment.” The April theme is, “Ohio Moves: Transportation.” For a complete list of monthly themes and events taking place all around Ohio, visit www.America250Ohio.org

“Everything that we do at the Western Reserve Historical Society is promoted as part of America’s history,” according to FalconeHall. “We have a special exhibit going on now. It is ‘Hollywood on the Cuyahoga’. We have a very robust film industry in our state. This exhibit is very specific to Cleveland.”

“We are in the process of creating an international heritage gallery. There are 120 different ethnic groups represented in Cleveland. We plan to tell the story of the ethnicity and history of all of those groups. That exhibit should open in November,” she said. “It’s a big year for history.”

Born in France, Garfield first built her life on the stage, where excellence was not optional and performance was everything. As a professional dancer—including performing with global music icon Prince— Karine mastered the elements of success with precision, confidence, and the art of commanding a room. As previously highlighted by the Cleveland Jewish News, those early years shaped not only her work ethic but her identity: fearless, focused, and unapologetically driven.

When Garfield relocated to the United States and eventually made her home in Solon, she once again stepped into unfamiliar territory—this time in the competitive world of real estate. What began as a new chapter quickly evolved into market leadership.

Today, she is recognized as the #1 Realtor in Solon and one of the top-producing agents in Northeast Ohio. As a leading force at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Garfield has built a reputation for strategic marketing, expert negotiations, and a results-driven approach that consistently positions her clients ahead of the market.

Her listings are known for generating strong activity and competitive offers. Her buyers benefit from her hyper-local expertise and sharp market analysis. Yet beyond the numbers, it is her presence—always poised, decisive, and deeply invested—that truly sets her apart. Being the #1 Realtor in Solon year after year speaks to her dedication and expertise and sets her apart from her competition Garfield’s journey from an acclaimed dancer born and trained in France to an accomplished real estate agent in Northeast Ohio is not just a career path—it is a legacy of giving her all and never accepting anything less. When asked, Karine’s mantra that drives her today is, “Leadership isn’t defined by how you start but by how you show up every day, and that the world of business and artistry can intersect in spectacular ways.”

Her negotiation skills are second to none. She has transformed choreography into strategy. She has taken the same relentless preparation that once fueled performances and applied it to guiding clients through life’s most significant financial decisions.

In an industry where longevity is rare and true market dominance is even rarer, Karine Garfield stands as proof that courage, adaptability, and unwavering standards create lasting impact. From spotlight to “SOLD” sign, her story continues to inspire—and her results continue to lead.

Carolyne Bloch, Block Bros. At Home

Since 1972, Block Bros. At Home has been a trusted destination for fine bedding and bath linens in the Cleveland area. Family-owned and operated, the store was founded by Paul and Carolyne Bloch, along with Paul’s brother Michael. Over more than five decades, the business has remained committed to quality, service, and thoughtful curation of well-made luxury items.

Carolyne and Paul first met while working at Higbee’s, where Carolyne worked in women’s apparel and Paul focused on home goods. They completed executive training while building their expertise that would later shape their own venture.

After a brief period in New York, the couple returned to Cleveland – now with two sons in tow – to open their own store, originally located in Bedford Heights. The store benefited from its proximity to large department stores, and drew in customers from all over Northeast Ohio who were seeking deeper product knowledge and a more personalized shopping experience. Customers were met with dedicated staff who possessed a deep understanding of textiles and design, often assisting clients in creating cohesive bedroom and bath spaces, unlike the big-box retailers.

After Paul’s passing in 2022, Carolyne has continued to lead her team at their stunning Pepper Pike location. With her eye for design, and knack for quality customer service, the company has developed and evolved in the face of a drastically changing economic and retail climate.

Block Bros. At Home offers a carefully chosen assortment of sheet sets, duvet covers, comforters, luxury pillows, plush towels, bath rugs, furniture, décor, and accessories. “Our defining principle has always been sourcing well-manufactured goods built to last for generations,” says Carolyne. “We emphasize craftsmanship and durability. And are always happy to work with our clients to help them choose the perfect pieces for their lifestyle.”

As an inspiring business leader, Carolyne continues to push the store forward, honoring its legacy while adapting to modern retail demands, ensuring that Block Bros. At Home remains a Cleveland institution for years to come. Call 216.360.8600 or visit blockbrosathome.com.

Laura Lamb, Vocational Guidance Services

Laura Lamb is the Chief Operating Officer of VGS, a 136-year-old organization that serves the disability community through program provision, employment services, and advocacy. In her 20+ year career at VGS, Laura has been influenced by the incredible history of the organization but has always been motivated by what the future looks like for people with disabilities. As COO, Laura provides oversight to all Vocational Service programming, Operations, Sales, and Facilities. Laura additionally provides oversight to agency compliance including CARF, Medicaid, ISO, CIMS.

Along with VGS’ President & CEO, Susie Barragate, Laura has ambitiously designed and launched a fully community-based services program for adults with disabilities who are ready to participate fully in their own communities. The program, Customized Community Engagement & Employment (CCEE), takes vocational rehabilitation services into our shared spaces – from libraries and arts organizations to employment at local businesses. CCEE is set to revolutionize programming for individuals with disabilities and create fully inclusive communities. Jessica Hardesty, VGS’ Director of Communications & Engagement praises Laura’s leadership: “Her knowledge, paired with her passion, is a unbeatable combination. She inspires everyone around her to do their best to create a world that gives full opportunities for people with disabilities. Her influence is undeniable.”

Laura’s leadership is critical to the success of VGS, she has developed partnerships with countless businesses and organizations that have helped individuals gain experience and earn a paycheck. With an eye for detail and a wealth of knowledge, Laura’s influence goes beyond VGS. She has long been a CARF surveyor, ensuring that organizations across the nation exceed expectations for service to people with disabilities. She serves as a board member of The Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA), an organization dedicated to building, strengthening, and advocating for Ohio’s provider community. The OPRA community consists of nearly 200 provider organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, delivering high-quality services and supports to more than 40,000 Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her role, she represents Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain counties.

Laura is also the current President of the Developmental Disability Provider Consortium (DDPC), a 16-member nonprofit consortium that advocates on topics and concerns related to services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County

Outside of works hours Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching countless hours of sports activities. Laura also enjoys attending concerts and art exhibits.

League of Women Voters of Geauga - Members Past and Present

Since its founding in 1949, the League of Women Voters of Geauga has been a steady and trusted presence in the civic life of the community. Emerging in the post-World War II era, when communities across America were rebuilding and redefining public life, the League reflected a spirit of service and engagement. Women who had stepped into leadership roles during the war years carried that momentum forward, channeling their energy into strengthening local democracy, educating voters, and fostering informed participation in public affairs.

Over the past 77 years, many dedicated women have carried the League’s banner. Generation after generation stepped up to host forums, study issues, publish voter guides, and advocate for transparency and good governance. Their work was often quiet and behind the scenes, but its impact has been lasting-helping to shape a culture of civic responsibility in Geauga County.

Like many volunteer organizations, League membership has ebbed and flowed over the decades, influenced by social change, shifting community priorities, and the rhythms of modern life. Yet even in leaner years, the mission never wavered. The League remained committed to its core purpose: empowering voters and defending democracy through education, engagement, and nonpartisan advocacy.

A hallmark of that commitment is the League’s Observer Corps, which provides factual information about what happens in local government meetings held across Geauga County. Through careful observation and public reporting, volunteers help residents understand the decisions shaping their communities while advocating for open, transparent government. This work reflects the League’s longstanding belief that informed citizens are essential to a healthy democracy.

Today, the League of Women Voters of Geauga County stands as a vibrant and growing organization of more than 125 members-women and men alike-united by a shared belief in the power of informed citizenship. Its programs continue to evolve, from candidate forums and voter guides to community dialogues on pressing issues impacting democracy, all grounded in the same principles that inspired its founders.

In an era marked by rapid change and complex challenges, the League’s enduring presence is both a testament to its past and a promise for the future. For more than three-quarters of a century, it has been a beacon of civic engagement in Geauga County, reminding each new generation that democracy is strongest when citizens are informed, involved, and committed to the common good.

For more information visit www.lwvgeauga.org.

First Year Cleveland wants every baby to celebrate their first birthday

By SARAH JAQUAY

“

rowing up, I experienced first-hand the challenges families in poverty face. I always knew I wanted a career that involved helping people,” says First Year Cleveland (FYC) Executive Director Angela Newman-White. First Year Cleveland is a nonprofit housed at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) dedicated to ensuring all babies celebrate their first birthdays. And although FYC doesn’t provide any direct services, they support and coordinate services among numerous organizations who work directly with pregnant women in Cuyahoga County, including Moms- First, Birthing Beautiful Communities, Centering Pregnancy and others. Newman-White started her career working with children transitioning from group homes into independent living. Then she was a case manager at Harvard Community Services Center working with MomsFirst, a City of Cleveland program designed to reduce infant mortality and support healthy pregnancies by pairing pregnant women with community health workers until their baby turns 18 months old. “I was a systems thinker and I was able to turn Harvard Community Services Center into a top-performing neighborhood center and was shortly offered an administrative position in the Cleveland Dept. of Public Health.” After that, Newman-White went to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health where she ultimately had responsibility for nine

programs ranging from maternal and child health to adolescent sexual health.

In 2015 when infant mortality rates in Cuyahoga County soared to 18 per 1,000 live births, civic leaders convened to see what could be done about it. To simplify and personalize the statistics around infant mortality, Newman-White says, “On average, 100-110 families lose their babies in Cuyahoga County every year.” Fortunately, NewmanWhite was at the table in 2015. “I was very vocal about forming a separate organization focused on advocacy, policy and fundraising because the direct service organizations needed help in their efforts to support the families they served,” and FYC was born. It was originally located at CWRU’s School of Medicine, but in 2022 moved to the Mandel School. Newman-White was recruited to be its inaugural executive director.

When asked why Cuyahoga’s rate of infant mortality is higher than the State of Ohio’s and the national average, Newman-White explains part of the answer is poverty and poor maternal health. The root causes of these are systemic and historical. “Pregnancy can be very isolating.” And this isolation is particularly prevalent in communities with the highest amount of pregnant women needing support. Red-lining lending practices that date to the 1920s had an isolating effect on entire swaths of the city that persist to this day. This isolation was exacerbated by the interstate system that demolished or bisected entire neighborhoods.

What works to reduce infant mortality rates:

Social support systems, economic stability and programs that break down isolation NewmanWhite says. One of FYC’s research programs supported pregnant women with housing, food and transportation for medical care for the duration of their pregnancies. Out of 21 births, 18 went to full-term. Since premature birth is a leading cause of infant mortality, carrying to term is critical. Other programs, including Centering Pregnancy, where women go to medical appointments in a group have also been successful. But group appointments aren’t for everyone and each health education

session ending with an appointment with a clinician lasts two hours. Not everyone can take off work that length of time for a doctor’s visit. “We meet people where they are and say ‘What do you need?’” Then FYC and its partners help pregnant women get it, including small grants for critical short-term needs such as diapers, car seats and utility assistance. Long-term investments from Birthing Beautiful Communities can provide doulas to accompany pregnant women to all their medical appointments and be there during

the birthing process if desired. That kind of support can be invaluable to navigating complex bureaucracies and interpreting medical information and directions.

And while high infant mortality rates here tend to be centered in Cleveland and inner-ring suburbs on the East Side, it’s a community-wide and national problem.

People lamenting America’s low-birth rates might not see the connection between reducing infant mortality and national economic viability, but economists know too well the results of a heavily-aging society with too few workers paying into Social Security to support retirees (see Japan.) Increasing infant survival and thriving families is also a national defense issue as healthy families produce our fighting forces and military leadership.

In the case of healthy pregnancies resulting in healthy babies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Newman-White notes there are enormous expenses associated with premature births. “On average, delivering vaginally a full-term, healthy baby with

Photographs courtesy of First Year Cleveland Nonprofit leaders from across Ohio convened at Infant Vitality Day 2025 to support Ohio mothers delivering healthy babies who celebrate their first birthdays and beyond.

little to no intervention in Cuyahoga County costs around $5,000-$10,000. A cesarean can cost $7,000-$32,000. The cost of delivering premature infants is astronomically higher.

“NICU stays [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Sarah Crupi, Cleveland Zooological Society

stays] can average $2,800-$6,500 per day!” says Newman-White. Ultimately, all healthcare consumers share some of that cost, not to mention the incredible debt burden NICU stays impose on young families, some of

Philanthropy catalyzes excellence at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the non-profit Cleveland Zoological Society is

Forest will reimagine the Zoo experience in ways yet to be seen in North America and bolster the Zoo and the communities it

whom leave the hospital without a child. While FYC and its direct-service partners in Cuyahoga County are providing vital services to families, Newman-White says the real solution is policies that prioritize pregnant women at the state and federal level. Most other developed countries have paid-leave policies for new parents. And while existing legislation does prioritize other groups such as veterans and the disabled (as is appropriate in any developed society), there are few legislative supports for pregnant women and families, including in Ohio. That’s why FYC spends time advocating for legislation that can take a systemic approach to supporting pregnant women and families. Newman-White wants Currents readers to know “There’s an opportunity to be actively involved in the solution of supporting women and babies in Cuyahoga County.” She urges people to go FYC’s website and sign up for their newsletter. “Babies are dying here and most of these deaths are preventable.”

Please see www.firstyearcleveland.org for more information.

the needed philanthropic dollars is a monumental undertaking that requires a tenacious staff, a dedicated Board of Directors, and a forward-thinking leader, and CEO Sarah Crupi is guiding the Zoo Society through this historic campaign with joy and shrewd focus – and breaking fundraising records along the way.

Crupi’s journalistic curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking has yielded new relationships in the donor community and shaped fresh approaches to supporting Primate Forest. She has built a philanthropy team with a range of expertise in seeking grant money, foundational support, corporate contributions, and individual gifts, and in 2025 they raised more than $20 million in support of the Zoo’s projects and programs. This represents the highest dollar amount raised by the Zoo Society in its history, and there is still more to accomplish.

Despite these ambitious goals, Crupi prioritizes work-life balance for her team and works to ensure that the Zoo Society provides robust benefits to support their well-being. Positive workplace culture is also nonnegotiable, with regular opportunities to connect with colleagues and pursue professional development.

Under Crupi’s leadership, the Zoo Society Board of Directors has achieved 100% annual giving, significantly increased annual philanthropic revenue, and deepened trustee engagement through new standing committees and an annual Board orientation, retreat, and mentorship program.

“Sarah is the kind of leader every non-profit hopes for at a transformational moment,” said Zoo Society Board of Directors Chair Lawrence Hatch. “She pairs bold vision with disciplined execution, and her ability to inspire donors, engage our Board, and build a high-performing team has positioned this organization, and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, for generational impact.”

As the opening of the first phase of Primate Forest approaches, the Zoo Society is celebrating the generosity of its donors while also actively fundraising to complete the vision of the project. Amid the rigors of this massive campaign – along with the annual fundraising the Zoo Society does to support Zoo operations and programs – Crupi remains people-focused and unified with donors, Board, and staff as well as her collaborators at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. With this ability to balance keen strategic thinking and genuine relationship building, Crupi is deftly guiding the Zoo Society into a new era.

Onyx Creative: Empowering Women’s Careers

Onyx Creative has long been recognized not just for its innovative design solutions, but also for its commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace culture. At the heart of this commitment is Carole Sanderson, one of the firm’s Partners and its Chief Financial Officer, who has become a driving force behind Onyx’s efforts to uplift and empower women across all levels of the organization.

Carole operates with a clear vision: to ensure that every woman on staff had access to the mentorship, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive. Drawing from her own experience climbing the ranks in a male-dominated industry, Carole supports women not only in their current roles, but also as they plan and pursue their long-term career goals.

Carole says “Our philosophy encourages an atmosphere of client service and mutual respect that guides project teams in the design and construction process. Our goal is to create experiences that are creative, obtainable, and cooperative. We have an open and shared work structure and support our employees’ professional and personal growth in a fun, casual, close-knit environment.”

Onyx Creative’s culture of empowerment and support is making a real difference and the firm’s retention rate among women employees is among the highest in the industry About the Firm

Onyx Creative is a privately held, architecture, engineering, and interior design firm headquartered in Cleveland, operating from seven offices across the U.S. Onyx Creative delivers national-scale projects for Fortune-500 retailers and provides local expertise to businesses in each of its regional markets.

With 50 years of history and a strong financial footing, this performance has earned Onyx Creative a place among the “Fast 50” fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio and continued representation in national industry rankings for top architecture/engineering and retail design firms. www.onyxcreative.com

Amy Keating, Zashin Law

Amy Keating is a life-long Clevelander. She attended John Carrol University for her undergraduate education and then Cleveland State University for law school, she is now a Partner at Zashin Law. Amy is a proud resident of Cleveland Heights.

Amy has succeeded at everything, as one would expect from a true trailblazer. She has previously been the Chair of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s (“CMBA”) Family Law Section. The Ohio State Bar Association has certified her as a Specialist in Family Relations Law. Also, Amy has earned Fellowship in the elite American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a national organization promoting the best practices in domestic relations law. In addition, for over ten years, Amy has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law, where she teaches the school’s foundational Family Law course.

A thorough and aggressive advocate for her clients and their families, Amy handles complex and varied cases. These cases involve intricate matters of dividing marital property where special business valuations are involved. Also, she routinely helps divide marital assets in complex situations, and helps parents in difficult child custody situations.

Amy’s trailblazing does not recognize borders! Amy’s practice is not limited to Ohio and at Zashin Law she has worked on cases throughout the United States and on international family law matters. She was deeply involved in representing clients in the two most important family law cases in United States legal history considering the international treaty known as the 1980 Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction. Both of these cases were heard by the Supreme Court of the United States and are now fundamental precedents cited both in this country and abroad.

In addition to volunteering her time as a family law professor, Amy is passionate helping others. She donates her time to the CMBA and other legal organizations helping to ease access to the legal system for the less fortunate. She is also passionate about the arts, music and enjoys the fine food scene Cleveland offers.

Zashin Law is extremely proud that London’s Chambers and Partners, the most respected lawyer rating agency in the world, has recognized Amy as among the best Family Law attorneys in Ohio for high-net worth cases. Amy Keating is a credit to the legal profession and a role model for other trailblazing women. No one could be more deserving of recognition for their hard work.

Kyleigh Weinfurtner, Zashin Law

Cleveland scored when Kyleigh Weinfurtner chose to attend Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law. Originally from Connecticut, she attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where she played Division 1 Lacrosse. Now, she identifies as a proud Clevelander.

In her practice, Kyleigh is an experienced trial lawyer who has handled a myriad of family law cases. She routinely represents parents with child custody and support issues. She also handles difficult cases involving pre-nuptial agreements. Moreover, Kyleigh often handles complex, high net worth and ultra-high net worth cases, both in Ohio and nationally

From the starting block, Kyleigh was a trailblazer. After only two years practicing law, her Family Law peers selected her as a “Best Lawyer,” in the prestigious legal rating guide bearing the same name. And she kept running, fast. From 2019-2024, Kyleigh was recognized as a “Rising Star,” by another prestigious lawyer rating guide, Super Lawyers. From 2024 until now, she is recognized as a “Super Lawyer.”

Kyleigh devotes considerable time giving back. She has served as the Chair of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s (“CMBA”) Family Law Section. Locally and nationally, Kyleigh frequently lectures to both lawyers and non-lawyers alike about family law related topics such as business valuation, estate planning, and pre and post nuptial agreements. She is a contributing author to OHIO: An introduction to Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth, an article for the international legal ratings guide, “Chambers and Partners.”

In addition, Kyleigh serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law, where she teaches the school’s Advanced Family Law course.

Kyleigh is the Managing Partner of Zashin Law. Her efforts have contributed to the firm’s national and international acclaim. Zashin Law is known for taking on unique, challenging, and high-profile cases, locally, nationally, and internationally. Best Lawyer’s rating guide has again selected Zashin Law as its “Top Firm,” in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area in 2026, having more recognized “Best Lawyers” than any other firm. The most prestigious lawyer rating guide in the world, London’s “Chambers and Partners,” has distinguished Zashin Law with it highest ranking, “Tier 1,” in the area of “Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth (2020 – present),” one of only a handful of firms so recognized.

Kyleigh is a devoted sports fan and is a vocal supporter of Cleveland’s sports teams. She is a dog lover, and a self-proclaimed “foodie.” She lives on the East Side, where she continues to blaze trails.

Thank you to the wonderful women who made Knuth’s a community shop for 60 years

When Sherri Bryan decided to retire and pass Knuth’s on to me, she did something remarkable. Before stepping away, she made sure to leave me with everything she possibly could -- her knowledge, her relationships, and the experience that comes from building a beloved community business over many decades. Most importantly, she left me with an incredible team of more than 30 women and thousands of loyal customers who have supported this local boutique for years. Today, I want to celebrate all of these women.

To our all-female staff of over 30 women who show up every day with energy, positivity, and care — thank you. I see you.

I see your enthusiasm as you greet every customer who walks through the door. I see your determination to find the right outfit for every woman who trusts you to help her feel confident and beautiful. I see the excitement on your face when someone looks in the mirror and lights up because she feels great in what she’s wearing.

And I see the moments that don’t always go perfectly, when a customer leaves without finding the right fit, our something didn’t sell and you feel disappointed because you wanted to help. That dedication says everything about how much you care.

I also want to thank the wonderful women who shop at Knuth’s. Over the years we have had the privilege of meeting so many incredible women from our community — women celebrating milestones, preparing for special occasions, refreshing their wardrobes, or simply stopping in to say hello. Many of you have been shopping with Knuth’s for decades, and some now come in with daughters, granddaughters, nieces or friends, creating new memories together. We are so lucky to have you supporting us.

I am also incredibly grateful to the many new customers who have recently walked through our doors and decided to give us a chance. It means a great deal when someone discovers our store, trusts our team, and becomes part of our community.

I see the staff’s excitement when we are out in the community supporting local causes and organizations. I see the creativity and care that goes into planning every event. I see the pride when the store has a strong month and the team celebrates together

Most of all, I see how you all show up for each other. You work hard. You support one another. You step in to help whenever it’s needed.

Knuth’s has been part of the Cleveland community for 60 years, and that legacy exists because of women like you and the amazing women we serve everyday.

This community shop would not exist without all of you. Thank you for making Knuth’s one of the best places to shop in Cleveland. I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

BENEFIT BEAT

Saturday, May 2...G-Clef Ball, to benefit Cleveland POPS Orchestra, at InterContinental Hotel Cleveland. 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

Submit nonprofit benefit events to editor@currentsnews.com.

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.

Heather Maver, Seniors Helping Seniors

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated every year on March 8, is a global recognition of women’s achievements and an urgent call to accelerate progress toward gender equality. What began in the early 20th century as a movement advocating for women’s labor rights, voting rights, and social participation has evolved into a worldwide observance embraced by communities, organizations, and governments across the globe.

At its core, International Women’s Day honors the countless contributions women make—often quietly and without recognition—in homes, workplaces, and societies. It also highlights trailblazers who have pushed boundaries in science, politics, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, the arts, and beyond. Their courage and resilience remind us that progress is possible when barriers are challenged and voices are amplified.

Yet IWD is not only celebratory; it is also reflective. Despite significant strides, gender inequality persists in many forms: wage gaps, barriers to leadership, limited access to education and healthcare, and disproportionate responsibilities in caregiving and domestic labor. Women and girls around the world continue to face discrimination, stereotypes, and violence that hinder their safety and opportunities. International Women’s Day helps bring these issues to the forefront, urging

collective action. International Women’s Day invites everyone to reflect, learn, and advocate. Whether by supporting women-owned businesses, championing fair policies at work, amplifying underrepresented voices, or simply taking time to appreciate the women who shape our lives, every action contributes to meaningful change. Ultimately, IWD reminds us that achieving true equality requires not just one day of recognition, but ongoing commitment,

empathy, and shared responsibility. There are trailblazers all across North East Ohio making a difference in their communities. One of these women is Heather L. M. Maver. As a business owner of two businesses in Cleveland, Heather is doing her own work to empower women through providing leadership and management opportunities, mentorship and encouragement for the other women on her team. At her delivery company these opportunities

have created paths for young women to start as entry level employees and work their way up to team leader and supervisory positions on a team of more than 100. For her home care business, women are towards the end of their career are encouraged to be caregivers for seniors in need, allowing women to find meaningful work later in life. Both companies offer equal pay for the position regardless if a man or woman is completing it and equal opportunities for advancement.

Welcome to The Hive. A curated collection of eateries and entertainment options designed to bring together families, friends and our entire community. You’ll find food, drink, shopping, music, movies and more. Plus, each space is uniquely sharable. Perfect for family parties, corporate outings and events of all shapes and sizes. Now accepting reservations for spring ‘26 and beyond

To schedule a private tour, call or visit us online: 216.702.6776 or TheHiveChagrin.com.

By RITA KUEBER

Haven’t we all been there? With spring on the way, we glance at the living/dining rooms, kitchen, or den and think ‘a change for warmer weather would be great.’ And that leads to the paint store, and that leads to… well, honestly, a touch of frustration and decision fatigue. Too many options – thousands of tints and shades, and dozens more choices – sheen, undertone, light and décor. OK, flat out – how can anyone actually decide on the right color from a paint chip?

Fortunately, Currents had the opportunity to talk with Sadie Bauchmoyer, lead designer for bldc design, an award-winning interior design collaborative of Blulens and Dawn Cook Design, and Sadie has suggestions for freshening your interior with paint.

“When you walk into a paint store, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, she says. “You need to start with an inspiration or direction. Take a look at Pinterest or Instagram. Use your own travels to inspire you and then look at the mood and personality of the space, and match color to your typical décor. As designers we usually create a space from scratch from the walls to the final accessories. But for a weekend project meant to refresh, make sure what you’re doing is cohesive with the rest of your home. Take stock. Look at what you have, and then for a quick fix stick within that palette.”

Sadie’s next piece of advice is slightly counter-intuitive: “Leave the paint store without the paint on the first trip,” she says. “Don’t shop and buy on the same day. Take the samples home and look at them – see them at different times of the day. One corner of your room will react differently than another corner: it’s just going to hit differently. Look at the sample on your wall and with the fabrics in your home.” Remember, too, that the light in your home is very different than the light inside the paint store.

She acknowledges that the white-on-white and gray walls are no longer on trend. “People are loving color right now,” she states. “Even the neutrals include creamy whites and taupes that highlight architectural features like molding. This is a ‘less is more’ approach, so add but don’t go crazy with the color.”

Sadie began her career at bldc design in 2011 and has participated in award-winning, press-featured projects. Sadie

manages her own clients and projects as a lead designer and also partners on projects led by Dawn. Sadie graduated with an associate’s degree in interior design from Cuyahoga Community College. She lives on the west side of Cleveland with her husband Scott and their two young children.

•

She has a few more recommendations, and a couple of just plain ‘don’ts:

•

“If you have an open floor plan do not use different colors

•

for the various areas – it will look like a circus. Find a color that works for the entire space then add the greens, reds and oranges you love in accessories such as books or pillows.

“When a client finds a color they love and it’s a lighter pastel, like lilac, I always caution them that in a large, formal space it’s going to wash out. Lilac is fine for a child’s bedroom, but for an adult space, you need something with more grit. It feels more appropriate. Or add your lilac with other purple tones, something with an earthier base.”

This leads to a deep dive into the concept of color drenching, which means bringing a big, bold color into a room and using it on all the walls, and sometimes the ceiling. “This is a chic way to address all of the surfaces,” Sadie says. “We usually see in with a darker, moodier color, but it works with lighter colors as well. It’s an easy way to approach a room. You can even use white. My favorite is White Dove from Benjamin Moore.”

The next step in color drenching is to use colors in the same family in the furnishings. So a den with deep blue walls may have a plush softer blue sofa, rug or chairs. “You may not want to paint the trim the same color as the walls,” Sadie says. “But if you add a contrasting color in a drenched room, add just one. Hold back a little bit.”

She indicates that grays are moving out. “Stay away from gray – it’s too cold. Pick a tone with a warmer base – always go for the warmer tone in the whites. Stark white is something we just don’t use any more. For a timeless look and a cozier feel try taupe instead of gray – it’s easier to look at and goes with furnishings more often.”

Finally, there’s the issue of the paint’s finish. While every company calls their finishes different things, Sadie sorts it out. “Use matte for the walls, flat for the ceiling, and trim now should be slightly less glossy, maybe a satin finish. We want the trim to either blend into the walls or be featured by going darker. This is where you go back to your inspiration for guidance. It’s like shopping for a dress,” she adds. “You have a general concept in mind, so follow that idea and stick with it.”

www.bldcdesign.com

216.600.5665

Offices in Cleveland OH and Detroit MI

www.earlagin.com

Through controversy and scandal… ‘Oscar’ is still March’s golden boy

By JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ

In Hollywood, March’s most popular and coveted man is dressed in gold, weighs only 8.5 pounds, is a mere 13.5 inches tall and answers to “Oscar.” Of course, we refer to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ golden statuette-- one of the film industry’s foremost honors.

Originally named the Academy of Merit, “how” and “when” was it nicknamed Oscar? While the Academy agrees the name was officially adopted in 1939, no one agrees on the name’s provenance. Its initial attribution was the Academy’s first librarian (and eventual executive director) Margaret Herrick in 1931. She supposedly said the statuette reminded her of her Uncle Oscar, but later claimed the name was an inside joke with her husband.

Another theory credited Bette Davis saying in her 1936 acceptance speech that the statue reminded her of the backside of then-husband Harmon Oscar Nelson, and another oft-repeated legend offers that Hollywood gossip columnist Sidney Skolsky coined the name Oscar in a 1934 column.

But the Academy’s 20-year veteran executive director, Bruce Davis, claims the nickname was born sometime between 1930–1933 (predating the Bette Davis-Skolsky stories) by Eleanore Lilleberg, an Academy secretary in its early days. Eleanore’s brother said she jokingly called the award Oscar in honor of a Norwegian army veteran she knew in Chicago. She described the veteran like the famous statuette as always “standing straight and tall.”

The Oscar is depicted by a knight holding a crusader’s sword, standing on a reel of film. The reel’s five spokes represent the original five branches of the Academy: actors; directors; producers; producers; technicians and writers. At the first Academy Awards, held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in May 1929, Oscar made his debut, designed by motion picture art director Cedric Gibbons and brought to life by sculptor George Stanley. Over the years, the Academy Awards have been touched by their share of controversy and scandal (2022‘s infamous Will Smith-Chris Rock slap comes to mind) with one such scandal involving Oscar himself. In March of 2000, 55 of the gold statuettes were heisted from an L.A. loading dock just weeks before the Academy’s ceremony. A media frenzy ensued, with a race to manufacture 55 new Oscars in time for the telecast.

It was later learned the frenzied race was for naught since the Academy always made the statuettes a year in advance. Thus, the stolen Oscars were actually for the next year’s ceremony! An unemployed junk scavenger discovered 52 of the Oscars in a dumpster and was awarded $50,000 plus two tickets to the event for turning them in. The thieves who dumped the statuettes were caught but received light sentences. (Three years later one Oscar was retrieved during a Florida drug bust, yet the other two remain missing.) The “found” Oscars were destroyed as the Academy was not about to present “tainted” statuettes. The theft prompted the Academy to change manufacturers—hopefully one with better security measures. (The statuettes they now produce are hand-cast in bronze, coated with a permanent layer of reflective 24-karat gold, taking approximately three months to produce 50 Oscars.)

One of Oscar’s earliest noted controversies occurred in 1940 when the first black Oscar winner, Hattie McDaniels, was seated at a segregated table at the ceremony-- away from her fellow “Gone With The Wind” castmates. Politics reared its head at both the 1973 and 1993 ceremonies. Marlon Brando refused his Best Actor Oscar and boycotted the ‘73 ceremony protesting the poor treatment of Native Americans in the film and TV industry. He sent Apache actress/activist Sacheen Littlefeather to the Oscars to decline his award and highlight the famous Wounded Knee standoff. Littlefeather faced significant industry backlash and, according to her, was nearly bodily removed by actor John Wayne. (She received a formal apology from the Academy in 2022 for the mistreatment she endured.)

In ’93, Richard Gere condemned China’s

invasion of Tibet, and Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins spoke passionately on the mistreatment of HIV-positive Haitians. That year’s awards producer was so furious he banned all three from attending future Oscars. (However,

Sarandon’s and Robbins’s ban didn’t stand when they both were nominated and won Oscars in ’96 and 2004 respectively. Richard Gere, however, has yet to reappear.)

Other Oscar black eyes included the 2015

awards when not a single actor of color was nominated. Oscar host Chris Rock joked that if a “host was nominated he wouldn’t even have the job that night.” He outright called Hollywood racist, saying “..we want opportunity…that’s it,” imploring the industry to grant more roles to actors of color. At the 2014 Oscars, John Travolta infamously murdered Idina Menzel’s name (calling her Adele Dazeem). The gaffe produced an immediate long-running viral meme, but the Academy’s biggest nightmare occurred in 2017 when presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the biggest award of the night—Best Picture—as “LaLa Land.” The cast and crew piled on stage only to have their producer Jordan Horowitz announce that “Moonlight” had actually won. (Beatty & Dunaway had been given the wrong envelope!) But perhaps Oscar’s most laughable incident occurred at the 1974 ceremony when a buttnaked man streaked across the stage as actor David Niven was addressing the audience. Niven delivered what is considered one of TV’s most composed moments as he famously ad-libbed, “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping and showing his shortcomings?”

For 60 years, you’ve welcomed our family into your homes. Thank you, Cleveland. MARSHALL CARPET.

Reimagine your favorite space with PERRINO HOME FURNISHINGS

stylish seating, rugs, and accents, plus select showroom pieces available for delivery within 24 hours. Start your transformation today! Stop in or contact us today! 440.919.1000 or visit PerrinoHome Furnishings.com.

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Where Performance Meets Architectural Style

In today’s competitive home improvement market, homeowners want more than just protection from the elements — they want a roof that lasts and looks exceptional. Distinctive Metal Roofing delivers on both fronts, combining unmatched durability with bold architectural appeal. Once reserved for barns and industrial buildings, metal roofing has evolved as the most beautiful, permanent, and desirable residential roofing option available.

Modern metal roofing systems are engineered for longevity. While traditional asphalt shingles typically require replacement every 15–20 years, a properly installed metal roof can last 60 years or more. Wouldn’t it be nice to never have to replace your roof again in your lifetime? And metal roofs with Kynar paint coatings resist fading and chalking with panel systems that stand strong against high winds, heavy snow, and even fire. In colder climates, they shed snow efficiently, reducing the risk of ice dams and structural stress.

Beyond durability, metal roofing offers striking visual versatility. Today’s options include metal shingle profiles in slate and shake-inspired designs as well as vertical standing seam — all available in a wide spectrum of colors. Regardless of the style of home, metal roofing enhances architectural character. The clean vertical lines of standing seam panels create a sleek, high-end appearance, while stamped metal shingles replicate traditional materials, both with unmatched permanence. Energy efficiency and sustainability further elevate the appeal. Metal roofs reflect a significant portion of solar radiant heat, helping reduce cooling costs during warmer months. Most systems are manufactured using a high percentage of recycled materials and are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan. Unlike asphalt shingles, which end up in landfills where they take 300 years to decompose, metal roofing supports environmentally responsible building practices.

For 16 years, metal roofing is all Distinctive Metal Roofing has done — no shingles, no shortcuts, no distractions. That singular focus has allowed the company to perfect its craft. Every installation is completed by its expert Amish installation team, bringing 16 years of hands-on experience, discipline, and meticulous attention to detail. Metal roofing requires precision — panel alignment, fastening systems, flashing details, and ventilation must all work seamlessly together. With a team dedicated exclusively to metal roofing, homeowners gain confidence that their investment is built to perform for decades. Distinctive Metal Roofing isn’t just installing roofs — it’s delivering lasting protection, timeless beauty, and craftsmanship homeowners can trust. Please contact Bruce Hicks, 440.597.4563 or visit distinctivemetalroofing.com.

Crooked River Building Supply

Your local supplier of windows, doors, millwork, hardware and more.

At Crooked River we provide windows, doors, and millwork solutions that range from ornately detailed architectural mouldings to the installation of beautiful wood-clad windows.

We are a trusted, locally owned and operated, source for designers, architects, builders, and homeowners. We have built a team of the most qualified professionals in the industry who have a combined 200 years of experience. Our industry experts are here to serve the Northeast Ohio community.

We are committed to providing high-quality products paired with premium customer service. We pride ourselves on finding product solutions for our customers that turn their home renovation visions into a reality. We do this by educating and informing our customers every step of the way, from the initial product selection, on-site measures, delivery, and beyond. You can be confident that we will meet or exceed your product expectations for performance, aesthetics, and longevity.

At Crooked River we boast a top-of-the-line showroom and interior door shop, located in Warrensville Heights. Our in-house custom door shop allows us to provide cost-effective, top-notch interior doors that have a minimal lead time. Our showroom also gives you the opportunity to discover premium quality brands that can have a lasting effect on any renovation. Whether you are looking to update your kitchen hardware or looking to begin a whole home window replacement project, we have the right product solutions for you.

Additionally, we offer a window and door replacement service that is convenient and straight-forward. Our products are backed by our service team and product warranties. We offer project financing to ensure that our customers have an easy and stress-free renovation option.

We specialize in historic window replacement. We work with homeowners in Cleveland and the surrounding areas to restore and preserve the original beauty of their historic properties. We collaborate with local experts, including the Cleveland Restoration Society, to navigate the complexities of a century-home renovation.

Brand Spotlight

Marvin

Marvin is a family-owned window and door manufacturer whose products encompass the ideas of customization, versatility, durability, and design. Crooked River is proud to be a certified Marvin installing retailer. We carry four Marvin product lines; Essential, Elevate, Signature Ultimate and Signature Modern.

Please call us at 216-478-9700, email us at showroom@crookedriversupply.com, or stop by our showroom at 19106 Miles Rd. Warrensville Hts. OH 44128, to hear more.

Make your home design dreams come true

By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN

After the winter that we have all endured, isn’t it time for a little sunshine, some light-coat weather, some daffodils poking their heads out, welcoming the warmth?

That is the feeling that you get when you visit The Great Big Home and Garden Show and realize that new hopes and dreams are just weeks away.

The Great Big Home and Garden show is the place to go annually for home and garden design inspiration. This year’s show features included the Taylor III modular home and Weaver Barns’ backyard man cave.

Built by Ritz-Craft Homes, the Taylor III is a three-bedroom, two-bath modular home with 1,380 square feet of stylish living space. An open-concept living room and kitchen create an inviting area for entertaining. The kitchen features white cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and convenient pantry storage. The master suite, located just off the main living area, has a large walk-in closet and a private bath with a double vanity and walk-in shower. Two additional bedrooms and a full bath are located on the opposite end of the home.

“The Taylor III model is a two-section modular home, constructed in a temperaturecontrolled space,” Tanner Berg of Ritz-Craft Homes noted. “It is full drywall and built to state codes. It can be built with a basement or a crawl space. The home can be gas or electric. Options include flooring colors, shingles, cabinets and counters.”

“A lot of our customers are downsizing

to one floor, or looking for an affordable first home,” he said. “The price per square foot is less than a traditional home. The base price for this model is $209,900.”

“We can construct this home on site in six days,” Berg added. “We sometimes construct these as a lake house. We have built several on Middle Bass Island. It’s fun to see your vacation home coming across the lake on a ferry.”

Weaver Barns, a construction industry leader with more than 30 years of experience and quality Amish craftsmanship, is currently featuring what they bill as, “The Ultimate Man Cave Experience.” The 16foot by 28-foot personalized building has a roomy interior including a loveseat, two armchairs and a live edge countertop bar to entertain friends. Weaver Barns offers a number of possibilities for different layouts and sizes.

Each man cave is built with distinct areas for watching television, playing pool or arcade games, having drinks and relaxing or reading. Comfortable seating is added to invite long stays. Good lighting, smart storage for clutter and hidden tech wiring are all organized around a theme like sports or gaming for a functional and personalized retreat. Weaver Barns, expert in building high-quality, customizable sheds and garages, designed the backyard man cave with durable materials that mirror residential construction.

Brevin Weaver of Weaver Barns said their structures can be found throughout the Midwest. “We work throughout Ohio, in Pittsburgh, Michigan and Indiana. If we can find crews, we will go there. We use only the finest, local materials,” he added.

WAYSIDE FURNITURE offers mid-level quality patio sets at below-market prices, featuring better scale and design compared to those found at discount stores. Waysidefurniture.com, 330.733.6221.

Spring 2026 Kitchen Design Trends

Each year, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) sets the tone for the design season ahead—and KBIS 2026 in Orlando made one thing clear: the modern kitchen is becoming more expressive, more intelligent, and more beautifully integrated than ever before. With more than 2,000 exhibitors unveiling new materials and innovations, we were there to see what the show revealed. A spring design landscape that aligns seamlessly with Somrak Kitchens’ commitment to refined craftsmanship and design for elevated living. Bold Color Expressions and color drenching with rich, saturated tones applied across cabinetry, hardware, and architectural details and continues its momentum into Spring 2026. Greens and blues bring nature inside the home. These expressive finishes offer homeowners a fresh alternative to traditional neutrals, allowing cabinetry to step forward as a true design statement. Integrated surfaces and seamless materials emphasize whole-home cohesiveness through integrated surfaces and materials. Several brands of countertop surfacing leaned into continuous veining, ultrathin profiles, and architectural applications that blur the line between countertop, backsplash, and wall cladding. This shift supports the Somrak design philosophy: cleaner, vibrant kitchens that feel intentionally designed from every angle. Smart appliances took center stage again this year with AI driven cooking technologies revealing homeowners expect performance without sacrificing beauty. Highly textural mosaics and natural stone compositions bring handcrafted warmth back to modern kitchens, a perfect complement to Somrak’s longstanding appreciation for artisanal detail. Finally, wellness continues to influence product direction, from clutter reducing fixtures to appliances engineered with safety and family friendly usability in mind. This aligns with an ongoing shift toward kitchens that support restoration as much as functionality.

As Somrak Kitchens brings these trends home to Northeast Ohio, Spring 2026 will be defined by beauty with purposes that are intelligently designed, colorful, and crafted to enhance the way families live every day.

Schedule your appointment today with a Somrak team member to discuss your upcoming kitchen or bath project and see how we can bring trends that last to your home. Visit our showroom at 26201 Richmond Road. Call us at (216) 464-6500 or go to www.somrakkitchens.com.

‘The Outsiders’ set to take center stage at Playhouse Square

By LINDA FEAGLER

Sixty-one years ago, a 15-year-old student at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began penning a story about an incident that would ultimately make an indelible impression on her future. The plot centered around a male friend who, while walking home from school one afternoon, was assaulted by a group of classmates because they didn’t like the fact he was a greaser.

“Although I wasn’t a member of a gang, writing it was just a way for me to let off steam,” she recalled years later in an interview with Viking Press. “I didn’t have any thoughts about getting it published.”

Fate intervened. Several days after finishing her tale, S.E. Hinton shared it with a classmate whose mother wrote children’s books. She, in turn, sent the manuscript to a New York agent who loved it.

Titled “The Outsiders,” Hinton’s book was published two years later when the author was 17. The narrative, which takes place in Tulsa during 1967, is told from the perspective of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis, who lives with his brothers — 16-year-old Sodapop and 20-year-old Darry — following their parents’ deaths in an auto accident. It follows the conflict between two rival gangs divided by their lot in life — the working-class Greasers group of “outsiders” and their rivals, the upper-middle-class Socs (short for socials). The plot centers on the greasers’ struggle for self-discovery as they worry about finding their place in a world that may never accept them.

The novel was named to the “New York Herald Tribune’s” list of Best Teenage Books in 1967, and more than 15 million copies have been sold and translated into 30 languages since then. Francis Ford Coppola directed the 1983 film adaptation which featured a cavalcade of fledgling stars including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe.

Now a four-time 2024 Tony Award-winning musical, “The Outsiders” takes center stage at Connor Palace April 28-May 17 as part of Playhouse Square’s Broadway Series.

“New York Magazine” proclaimed it to be “an exhilarating world of movement with highoctane choreography,” while “Entertainment Weekly” lauded the show as “having a heart of gold and the power to inspire an entire generation.”

Cleveland native Hank Unger agrees.

“We talk constantly about what makes a story stage-worthy,” says Unger, who, along with childhood friends, brothers Matthew and Michael Rego, are producing the show on tour. “Successful musicals usually center on some type of underdog who has a vulnerability they’re looking to overcome, or transcendent experience as they embark on a journey which leads them to realize the world through different eyes.

“Along the way, he adds,” they’re sharing their innermost feelings through song, and the audience invests in the character. The result is an experience that leaves the audience thinking ‘Wow, that was a great story to be part of.’”

Unger, who grew up in Bay Village and the Rego siblings, who hail from Rocky River, met in the summer of 1985, when they were cast in a production of “The Music Man” at Huntington Playhouse. Smitten by the magic of live performance, the trio began putting on shows in community theaters and high schools before heading to New York City and working as actors, directors and musicians Off-Off Broadway. In 1997, they co-founded The Araca Group. The company name is a tribute to the Regos’ paternal grandfather Charlie Araca, who immigrated to America a century before.

“We [started out being] serious theater kids doing shows extracurricularly,” Unger recalls. “One of the most important aspects Turn to Outsiders on Page C10

to our business partnership is that we trust each other because we’ve known each other for so long.”

In addition to “The Outsiders,” The Araca Group’s Broadway producing credits include “Wicked,” “Urinetown,” “The Wedding Singer,” “A View from The Bridge,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Rock of Ages,” “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” and “SpongeBob Square Pants: The Musical.” Today, the company has more than 250 employees with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London and Sydney.

“We’ve never seen a musical like “The Outsiders” that deals with the emotional, interior life of young men struggling with issues that are pretty universal for young men in America today, including questions of masculinity and identity,” Unger explains. “I think that what makes the story stage-worthy is that it’s fresh, alive and interesting in a way that is going to make audiences talk about it.”

Travis Roy Rogers, a 2024 graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama, is making his professional debut in “The Outsiders” as oldest brother Darry. When the Burbank, California, native saw the musical on Broadway, he fervently wanted to be part of it.

“Even though my family circumstances are totally different,” Rogers reflects, “Darry reminded me of my older brother Evan because he always looked after me at every step.

“I really felt for that character and all he was going through,” the actor adds, “I hoped and prayed that when a tour of the production came around, I would get a call to audition for Darry.”

He did — and landed the part.

During his university days, Rogers portrayed a wide range of roles on stage, including Motel the tailor in “Fiddler on the Roof”; hippie Claude Hooper Bukowski in “Hair”; and Jets gang leader Riff in “West Side Story.”

It didn’t take long for the actor to be instantly drawn to the poignant plot.

“I immediately had sympathy for Darry. He’s only 20, yet he’s met with the circumstance of keeping his family afloat — including making sure his

youngest brother stays in school and that the bills get paid,” Rogers says. “Darry is talked about as having been a star athlete with tons of promise, yet his dreams were ripped away by circumstances beyond his control.

“Ultimately, what’s at the heart of this story is a brother’s loving and caring for his younger siblings and wanting them to succeed. Not everybody’s family is naturally tight, and even if they are, there’s still moments of divide, where you may have to make sacrifices to love a person better.”

“And to do that for someone,” he adds, “can be a beautiful thing.” For tickets, visit playhousesquare.org.

Steady real estate market winning the race in Northeast Ohio

By RITA KUEBER

hile we are just finishing the first quarter of 2026 this month, Currents had a chance to touch base with three top-of-the-line, successful real estate agents to check the temperature of the local market. Local being the key word here, because despite what you might read about the condition of the real estate industry nationally, when it comes to Northeast Ohio, this market is robust, and for the most part flourishing as usual.

“Cleveland never follows the national norm,” said Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna. “We never see the highs and lows that other markets see. A market goes crazy and we don’t. We don’t see the huge increases or the big downturns. Cleveland is its own big little city. Our market over the last couple of years has been very strong and steady, and we’re continuing to see that.”

“The Chagrin Valley especially is its own micro-market,” Karen Eagle from Elite Sotheby’s says. “We’ve never had any sort of parallel with national trends. We have limited inventory with not much new construction. The trends you hear about relate to new housing but we can’t take that into consideration here – we simply don’t have it. Here we have a market that’s solid and has been for a long time.”

“We don’t match nationally,” says Sharon Friedman, broker/associate at Berkshire Hathaway. “Last year Cleveland was identified as one of the top seven marketing areas in the country that has not experienced a downturn. We don’t have the volatility like the east or west coasts. Not even during Covid.”

All three realtors agree that the biggest headache in the area continues to be lack

of inventory. “Our biggest problem is that we still have a shortage of houses – it’s out of control,” Kaufman says. “We need more housing stock in certain locations and price ranges. People who bought nine or 10 years ago are sitting on two percent mortgage rates and are staying in place longer than they normally would. But with interest rates coming down we should see more inventory.

“There’s a lot of influx into the area in the last three to five years,” he adds. “There are companies coming into the city. Sherwin-Williams and The Clinic are both expanding, as well as some great, small, privately-owned companies that are doing well. All of this influx helps the market.”

“Every situation is a bit different,” Karen states. “We’re talking to a lot of sellers and we’re getting quite a few listings. People are prepping now for spring market. Last year there were very few listings on the horizon, and it didn’t pick up until May or June. People have been waiting for the market to even out and it is. The buyer frenzy around Covid has quieted down in certain price points.

“Interest rates haven’t changed for a couple of years but buyers have - they’ve had some time to adjust,” she adds. “So now a higher interest rate is considered part of the purchase price or the cost of ownership. So now we’re back to seeing multiple offers on the higher end while prices at other price points have leveled out.”

Sharon says: “I’m already busy. I was looking at the calendar from last year and I feel like the Cleveland market kicks off a little earlier because spring market starts at the end of January – I think it’s related to the Super Bowl being over. But for now, buyers are competing in multiple offers. If they can, they should wait a little longer until there’s more inventory available.

“Real estate is local,” she muses. “You need to know the neighborhoods. National statistics don’t look at the neighborhoods – in Cleveland proper there is still some distressed housing, but there’s also Gordon Square and Little Italy where a few years ago condos were in the 300s, and now they’re in the 800s. I have clients from out of town who have purchased with me then purchased again because of our arts, sports, and medical. Plus, the Lake is a big attraction.”

The realtors have advice for both buyers and sellers in the current market:

“Sellers have to decide to sell as is or put money into the house, remembering investors don’t pay as much, there’s a margin to flip a house,” Sharon says. “But if it’s going to a family, the seller should freshen the house spending as much as they can, declutter, and repair as best they can. The high-end market is different than houses for first time buyers – maintenance is much more important.”

“The key to a successful purchase is knowledge,” she states. “Clients need to be educated to the market. Most people want to compare houses, but if it’s a resale, nothing’s perfect. If you get 85 percent of your wish list, you’re ahead. It’s a process – an education process to explore and see what your money buys you in various communities. If they have the time, I encourage my clients to drive around and learn the market. Online tools give you a gauge but they’re not the end all especially in a competitive market. Arm yourself with a lot of information.”

“A lot depends on price point, but I tell my buyers looking in the valley they will find a house – it takes a little bit longer, so it’s important that we know their timing,” Karen says. “A relocation is different than an optional buyer. Because of multiple

offers, we also tell them they might have to sacrifice one of their wants or needs.

“For sellers the house needs to be in good shape; people don’t want to pay top dollar, deal with the interest rates, then spend more for repairs. More moderate houses, well, sometimes it’s not practical to invest too much to get the house to market. You want to make the buyer feel confident; you want houses that feel fresh and tidy and don’t scream ‘deferred maintenance.’”

“Sellers need to know they will see multiple offers,” Adam says. “They need to aim at showing the house in its best light to get top dollar, but if there’s a shortage of inventory in the neighborhood, it’s going to sell. That’s the way it is and buyers are well aware. When you walk into an open house and fifteen other qualified buyers are also walking through, it doesn’t take much to figure out you need to be pre-qualified and ready to move. That’s the agent’s job – getting the client educated; competition is fierce in this market – you better have the upper hand.

“We’re already killing it. We’re really going to town,” Adam adds. “We’ve already sold almost 80 million in 2026. Barring any unforeseen world disasters, this is going to be a very good real estate year.”

Karen Eagle – Elite Sotheby’s International Realty karen@kareneagle.com / 216-352-4700

Sharon Friedman – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices sfriedman@bhhspro.com / 440-822-3222

Adam Kaufman – Howard Hanna Real Estate Services adamkaufman@howardhanna.com / 216-831-7370