Currents, September 2023

ON OUR COVER

Thanks to Sarah Jaquay for our September cover photograph, featuring cabins on Laurel Lake in Virginia’s Breaks Interstate Park, with balconies for relaxing and viewing the beautiful fall foliage. Read more about fall getaways within driving distance of Northeast Ohio on page B5.

INSIDE

A7 FILM

14th annual Chagrin Documentary

Film Fest set for Oct. 4-8

A9 BOOKS

Strongsville native pens suspense novels set in Cleveland and beyond

EDITOR’S NOTE

Oh, how I love the Currents cover this month, photographed by our travel reporter, Sarah Jaquay on one of her fall leaf-peeping excursions. She’s written on page B5 about several places we can visit within driving distance, to enjoy everything the season has to offer. We’re fortunate to have a system of beautiful parks surrounding us in Northeast Ohio, so make it your mission to head outdoors to hike, bike, run, picnic, photograph – whatever, before the leaves come falling down and it’s time to rake!

The entire team at Currents wants to thank our loyal readers and advertisers for sticking with us though some recent changes. Rather than being printed on the big, beautiful glossy paper stock, which became cost-prohibitive and unsustainable in July, Currents is now being printed on smaller sized, but heavier, 50-pound white paper as a Supplement to the award-winning Times papers, the way it first was launched in 1985. So, we’ve come full circle in terms of the new look, but the content you have come to expect in Currents remains the same. We have received mostly understanding and positive feedback and we appreciate that so many of you are continuing to support us through this transition.

You’re in for a treat this month if you enjoy reading about our region’s many nonprofits and their special fundraising events. Our Benefit Beat reporters were out and about in full force of late, with coverage of about a dozen benefits in this issue. The 14th annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival is set to take place October 4 – 8, to feature 83 films selected from more than 600 submissions. Sue Reid interviewed Mary Ann Ponce, founder of the Film Fest, about what to anticipate this year to be found on page A7. On the home design front this month, we spotlight a home in Moreland Hills on page B2 that was designed and built with energy efficiency in mind. The home is in the running for a national award from the U.S. Department of Energy, and it has already qualified as a 2023 Housing Innovation Award Winner, with the Grand Award winner to be announced this October.

Visit currentsneo.com to submit information about your upcoming nonprofit fundraising event, or to submit information for a wedding announcement. Email editor@currentsnews. com if you have feedback or Currents story ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!

Correction

Ellen Stirn Mavec, Board Chairman of the Cleveland Museum of Art, was misidentified as Helen on page B8 of the August issue of Currents. We apologize for the error.

Northeast Ohio’s First Social Network

Sarah

Rita

ADVERTISING

Sue Reid, Jeannie Emser Schultz, Peggy Turbett, Andrea C. Turner

Peggy Turbett

S: Jim Dalessandro

B2

HOME DESIGN Moreland Hills home designed, built with energy efficiency in mind

B5 TRAVEL

Colorful fall foliage lures travelers outdoors this season

AD

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.

THE COYNE TEAM

ABOUT

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

Beck Center for the Arts “Spotlight”

The theme of this year’s “Spotlight” fundraiser for Beck Center for the Arts, “Celebrating Our Past and Creating Our Future,” reflected the organization’s 90-year history.

Following a welcome by Artistic Director Scott Spence and Board President Lucinda Einhouse, the more than 200 guests in attendance at Gordon Green enjoyed dinner catered by Chef Chris Hodgson and the Driftwood Restaurant Group. Entertainment was provided by Beck Center artists and Moss Stanley and the Nitebridge Vocal Revue.

A special posthumous tribute was paid to Richard Kay, founder of Lakewood Little Theatre. What was incorporated in 1933 as an all-volunteer community theater group under Kay’s leadership evolved into a vibrant community arts center serving more than 60,000 people each year through five counties in Northeast Ohio.

Steve Routman, Austin Pendleton and

BENEFIT BEAT

Michael Chernus were inducted into the 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame. Routman grew up in Lakewood and Westlake and has appeared in more than 70 productions in over 30 regional theaters nationwide. An Ohio native, Pendleton is a distinguished theater artist and instructor, playwright, director and actor on both stage and screen. Chernus, an actor well known for “Orange is the New Black,” and “Men in Black 3,” grew up in Rocky River and took theater classes at Beck Center before heading off to Juilliard School’s Drama Division.

This year’s “Spotlight” gala raised more than $125,000 to support Beck Center’s mission to inspire, enrich and transform lives through dynamic arts experiences. Access to arts education, performances, exhibits and community programming is provided to all in the community, regardless of age or ability.

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

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

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

Saturday, Sept. 23…Play the Night Away Gala, to benefit Children’s Museum of Cleveland’s Wonder Fund, 7 to 11 p.m. at the Children’s Museum. Adult-only play date afterhours Museum experience to showcase your favorite destination for play in a whole new light. Dance and mingle, explore strolling dinner stations, and cheers at the open bar. Proceeds benefit the Wonder Fund, supporting programs that make the Museum experience accessible to all families in our community. For more information, visit CMCleveland.org/gala.

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

Saturday, Sept. 23…Pickle Fest, to benefit Greater Cleveland Volunteers, at Mall B in Cleveland. The festival will feature many differ-

ent pickle vendors and other food vendors, a variety of beer (including pickle beer), pickle eating contests for youth and adults, live music, and a VIP tent. Tickets are $5 each for general admission and $30 each for VIP. Children age 12 and under are free. Cleveland Pickle Fest(R) raises funds for Greater Cleveland Volunteers programs and services. For details and to purchase tickets: https:// clevelandpicklefest.com/

Thursday, Sept. 28… Welcome Home, to benefit Humble Design Cleveland, 6-9 p.m. at Humble Design Cleveland’s new warehouse, 29050 Aurora Rd., Solon. Emceed by FOX 8 News in the Morning’s Kenny Crumpton, second cool, casual event includes cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and live music by Dan Mills & Jenny V of Robbing Mary. Enjoy a tour of the new warehouse space, a scavenger hunt, sip wine and paint canvases for future homes, the fun fund-a-need, and more! Welcome Home generates vital funding in support of our mission to help Cleveland families, individuals, and veterans emerge from homelessness. Tickets are $125 each and sponsorships are available. Visit https://www. humbledesign.org/clevelandevents/welcomehome-cleveland.

Sunday, Oct. 1…Historic Tea at Cleveland Grays Armory Museum, “Tying the Knot: A History of Western Wedding Fashion,” 1 to 4 p.m. Tea, light fare, lecture, raffles and more. Presented by Patty Edmonson, Museum Advisor Council Curator of Costume & Textiles Chisholm Halle Costume Wing Cleveland History Center. 1234 Bolivar Rd. Cleveland, OH 44115. Ticket $50. Order Tickets Online, ht tps://2023graysarmoryhistorictea.eventbrite. com or Mail-in Form at www.graysarmory.org Checks payable to Cleveland Grays Armory Museum.

Monday, Oct. 2...Taste of the Browns, to benefit the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cleveland’s finest restaurants and beverage purveyors will be preparing their best dishes and mixing up an array of cocktails. Event cochairs are former Browns player Joe Thomas, Pro Bowl Guard Joel Bitonio and restaurateur Rocco Whalen. General admission is $225 and VIP tickets are $300. Visit http://www. clevelandfoodbank.org for details and tickets.

Holden Forests and Gardens “Twilight at the Arboretum”

A steady downpour pattered on the tarp overhead, adding a layer of percussion to the mellow strains of “Box of Rain.” The Grateful Dead classic covered by the optimistically named Sunshine Daydream band proved an apt soundtrack for the 2023 Twilight at the Holden Arboretum.

But organizers of the annual fundraiser for Holden Forests and Gardens were well prepared for the drenching elements. The Corning Visitor Center bustled with patrons toting brown paper bags to family-style table settings in the building and under an array of tents outside. Each compostable sack held a delectable dinner complete with a monogrammed kit of reusable cutlery.

Known for bringing fine dining to the outdoors with seasonal and local ingredients, Spice Catering Co. prepared exceptional picnic fare of marinated chicken breast with a honey mustard crema; carrot salad with raisins, tahini and agave; Caesar pasta salad; pickled cucumbers and coriander potato chips. A summery berry oat crisp added a sweet finale. Vegans could opt for crispy tofu tenders, while children enjoyed chicken tenders with ketchup, chips,

veggies and chocolate chip cookies.

Bright spots on a gray day included the brilliantly hued Mark, a panther chameleon native to Madagascar and now residing at the Cleveland Botanical Garden with animal specialist Matt Edwards. Reveling in the rain was Butterfly Ally Russell and the creepy clingy Majestic Vines Kaye Vander, both of

A NATURAL

Robert and Nancy Bostwick, Holden supporters, with Lynn Shiverick, Holden Forests and Gardens board member.

Pickup-Stix Stilt Walking.

To further support the Holden mission programs, a silent auction offered such familiar outdoor activities as garden consultations, a family campout, and lunch at the Leach Research Station during peak bloom. One item unique to this year’s selection: a oncein-a-lifetime chance for a 360° view of the

Surrounded by 47 acres of nature’s beauty, yet still tightly linked to the charming village of Chagrin Falls, Hamlet offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and even Short-Term Respite Care — where the incredible views are only matched by the genuine connection among residents. You’ll find everything you want for a comfortable, fulfilling way of life within our close-knit community. There’s no place like Hamlet. Call us at 440-561-6466 to learn about our latest special offers and to schedule a visit.

Joel Alpert, co-interim CEO of Holden Forests and Gardens, with his wife Kati Alpert.

total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, from atop the Holden Emergent Tower. Next time that comes up for bids will be in 2099, rain or shine. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEGGY TURBETT

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

Tuesday, Oct. 3…Barrel Aged Bash 3.0, to benefit Rec2Connect, City Dogs Cleveland and the Malone Scholarship Program, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Butcher and the Brewer, 2043 E. 4th St., Cleveland, 44115. It begins with a craft beer. Add a barrel and time and you create a version that is well worth the wait. Eight Distilleries and 10 brewers have created an offering of special Cleveland Beer Week Barrel aged beers. Join us for a high “spirited” evening of sipping barrel aged beer and spirit companions, amazing food and music by Thor Platter and friends. Advance tickets are required at $55 per person. Ten beer samples and paired spirit samples along with delicious fare by Butcher and the Brewer .Proceeds benefit Rec2Connect, City Dogs Cleveland and the Malone Scholarship Program. Must be 21 and over. ID required *All ticket sales are final, non-refundable. Check in by 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6… Uncork a Cure, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6 p.m. VIP, 7 p.m. main event at the 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St. Enjoy an evening of fine wines, fabulous food, auctions and entertainment. Tickets are $90 general admission or $150 VIP. Visit events.cff.org/uncorkacurecleveland orcall216.901.2873.

Saturday, Oct. 7…Harvest Homecoming: Cultivating Healthy Ground, to benefit Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development. Cocktails, dinner and live auction under a tent on the great lawn at Hanna Perkins Center, 19910 Malvern Road, Shaker Heights, OH.Held every two years, rain or shine, this benefit provides scholarships and funding for programs to support our work with children and families to support healthy social-emotional development in children. Call 216.991.4472 or visit hannaperkins.org/harvest-homecoming-2023.

Saturday, Oct. 7…Medfest, to benefit Medworks, at the Agora Theatre in MidTown. In its sixth year, this beloved event and fundraiser will bring great music and people together that Medfesters have come to anticipate annually. This year, we are taking a different approach, bringing Medfest to an urban setting, surrounded by the very neighborhoods we serve. On the eve of our 15th anniversary, we are returning to the location of Medworks’ inaugural fundraiser 15 years ago. The historic Agora Theatre will bring you to Cleveland’s MidTown neighborhood, a region which like Medworks is built around individuals, world-class healthcare and community- wide vitality. Our Headliner will bring an upbeat vibe with the bluesy and funky Eddie Roberts (back from Medfest 2021) & The Lucky Strokes. Provisions will feature local Cleveland farm fare.

It takes a village to run the Chagrin Documentary Film Fest

An eventful year is on tap for the 14th annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, a time-honored event that attracts thousands from more than 25 states nationwide.

“This is a pretty momentous year on several levels,” Film Fest Founder Mary Ann Ponce said.

One of the key aspects of the fest, which welcomes filmmakers locally and from around the globe to venues throughout Chagrin Falls, is that the CDFF is celebrating the opening of its permanent home along North Franklin Street in Chagrin Falls’ downtown historic district.

“That has been a dream for us — to be right in the center of Chagrin Falls,” Ms. Ponce, a Chagrin Falls resident, said.

Another highlight of this year’s fest, which is slated for Oct. 4-8 and features 83 films chosen from more than 600 submissions locally and worldwide, is that the CDFF is launching a “Big Watch” in conjunction with Ohio Humanities.

“It will be a statewide program where everyone will watch a documentary together and talk about it,” Ms. Ponce explained.

The film selected for the Big Watch is “My Name is Annabel,” which features the story of Annabel Hernandez, who has Down syndrome.

Gabe Spiegel of Fox 8, father of a son with Down syndrome, is opening the festival at the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School theatre.

Beginning in 2024, the film, which is a familyfriendly movie, will be streamed on demand.

Also notable about the Big Watch film is that Amity Hoffman, executive producer, Ida Joglar, director, and Lauren Coleman, associate producer, actually met for the first time at the 2021 CDFF. They each had directed a selected film at CDFF that year, Ms. Ponce explained. born to work together on a project,” she said. “Now, two years later, ‘My Name is Annabel’ is the inspiring result of that collaboration.”

back Amity, Ida and Lauren and to present the premiere of ‘My Name is Annabel,’ she added. “And we are really excited and honored to have this partnership with Ohio Humanities.”

pandemic in “full force,” Ms. Ponce continued of highlights of this year.

adding that the fest showcases “83 remarkable documentary films.” The inspiration for the entire festival stems from Ms. Ponce’s late son David, an aspiring documentary filmmaker.

people from all over, Ms. Ponce continued, with thousands descending on Chagrin Falls, with attendees representing 140 ZIP codes from all over the state as well as hailing from 26 states nationwide.

“People from the whole spectrum of geography, ages and interests get together and experience films and talk about it,” she said. “There’s a real draw to that.”

“There’s the human spirit component to it,” she added.

The festival also encompasses a huge range of topics for its films, which is an appeal to many ages. This year topics range from a race car driver to a female inventor in Kenya who attempts to solve the plastics crisis “and everything in between.”

The CDFF also has more than a dozen special events woven around the documentary films and 11 specially curated “deep dive” panel events to give the audience a chance to explore documentary films with related food, music and meaningful discussions.

Special events and film showings are all around town in Chagrin Falls, ranging from an opening night VIP party at the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School to special events and film showings around town. Venues include Chagrin Falls Township Hall, the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, South Franklin Circle, the Chagrin Falls Historical Society, and more.

Last year, 7,000 people took part with another 20,000 taking advantage of the live stream option.

Three “not to miss” events at this year’s fest include; “Everyone’s a Critic,” at 5 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. The event, which highlights three great short films, invites people to select a documentary short winner of the “Everyone’s a Critic” award. The fun starts at 5 p.m. with appetizers and a cocktail and the film begins

at 5:30 p.m., with voting occurring after each film. The second must-do event includes the “Focus on the Future of the Cleveland Municipal School System,” at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. Revolving around the film “Momentum: From Pandemic to Cleveland’s New Way of Learning,” attendees can hear directly from the former Cleveland Municipal School CEO Eric Gordon, who was the driving force in shepherding the district through the pandemic and created the momentum for a successful future. What challenges and opportunities the district will face in the coming years will be discussed, with Mark Naymik, founder of Signal Cleveland, serving as panel moderator. Another key event during the festival includes the actual Festival Closing, at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8, also at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. Centering on the film “The Orchestra Chuck Built,” guests are invited to celebrate with CDFF as the in-person festival draws to a close and CDFF on Demand is on tap. The evening will include a performance by the acclaimed Contemporary Youth Orchestra, the only youth orchestra in the country dedicated to the study and performance of contemporary orchestral literature. It is in residence at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. Bringing the festival to life each year is also

roughly 200 volunteers, who handle a variety of tasks, from film selection to assisting in the variety of events, hosting filmmakers and much, much more.

“You name it,” Ms. Ponce said of their vast responsibilities. “Every one of the venues showcasing films are staffed and run by our volunteers, who are just brilliant. The way they step up is incredible, and we turn the festival over to them until the last get together.”

These volunteers and all the individuals who make the festival thrive are at the root of the ongoing lessons she herself learns each year, Ms. Ponce said.

“I’ve just learned how amazing people are through the years,” she said, from the filmmakers who are filled with passion to the volunteers who take the time from their own lives to be there and the audience, which has so much fun while also being so welcoming to the filmmakers.

“I have to stand back and look,” she added. “It’s not me. It’s all these people making it happen.”

Tickets went on sale earlier this month and are found at chagrinfilmfest.org. Options include passes for all of the movies or an individual ticket as well as entry to special events and more.

The festival will be live streamed Oct. 9-16, giving people the option to watch films from the comfort of home.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind experience,” Ms. Ponce noted, “where you are in this beautiful century village and watching a film or walking to a venue or catching some lunch.”

“It’s just so spectacularly beautiful,” she said. “You will see films you would not get a chance to see otherwise, and meet a ton of filmmakers from all over.”

“It is so remarkable,” Ms. Ponce said. “Our filmmakers and everyone who makes this happen.”

Family Connections “40th Anniversary Celebration”

Family Connections celebrated 40 years of strengthening families in Northeast Ohio at a fundraising benefit hosted at the Music Box Supper Club on July 20.

The nonprofit organization engages families with young children (from birth to age six) to nurture social connections, enhance child development, and improve school readiness. It was first established in 1983 by two kindergarten teachers, Carolyn Grossman and Barbara Soules, who found that children were not ready for school and parents of young children often felt isolated.

Baby & Me family playrooms started in 1992, to reduce isolation, provide information around early developmental milestones, and build community among parents and caregivers of babies through their first birthday. In 2008, Shaker Family Center became Family Connections and in 2010, the Heights Parent Center and Family Connections merged into Family Connections of NEO. From 2020-21, the organization moved its headquarters to Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, while maintaining library playrooms.

Programming has grown in the four decades to include a toy lending library, Caledonia Family Resource Program, SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids), Play & Learn Stations at the Shaker Library, Woodland Wonderland at Cleveland Public Library, and Heights Even Start GED for moms, offering schooling and childcare for their kids.

Guests at the event enjoyed music by singer/ songwriter Norah Marie, while noshing on hors d’oeuvres, hot food prepared at food stations, as well as cocktails. Rebere Sparks served as the evening’s emcee. Sparks spoke with Carol White, business owner of Convenient Vegan restaurant in the Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland. White, birth mother to six children

and raising children in a combined family of 10, talked of how she and her children have benefited from programming through the years.

“My kids were reserved when first moving here,” said White, a Cleveland native who lived in Israel for 18 years. “Family Connections does exactly what its name says,” she added. “I met other parents and my children learned to play with others. It was good for my children socially and academically — it improved their reading readiness and math preparation, while giving me confidence. I joined the PTA, and began leading the PTA’s multi-cultural night for my kids’ school.”

Tiffany Scruggs, a former Family Connections participant and current board president, presented an award to the event’s presenting sponsor, PNC Bank, accepted by Erin Deimling, PNC’s Client and Community Relations Director. PNC has contributed more than $50,000 to support the non-profit’s mission, while also providing employee volunteers to help with early childhood learning projects. Other honorees of the evening were Hathaway Brown School and The Eaton Charitable Fund.

Jason Weiner, Philanthropic Advisor at the Cleveland Foundation, said that Family Connections was one of the leading providers of Kindergarten readiness in Cuyahoga County. He manages an endowment fund that honors former and long-time executive director Louisa Oliver.

Long-time employees Ellen Barrett and Ellen Barcus, program coordinators at the Family Playrooms at Heights Libraries and Shaker Library, respectively, were honored for their combined 40-plus years of unwavering commitment to bringing early childhood literacy and connections to families. To learn more, visit familyconnections1.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY

Strongsville native pens suspense novels set in Cleveland

Novelist Lisa Black can’t resist a riveting whodunit.

“In the most satisfying stories, the reader figures out who did it just a couple of pages before the detective does,” she says. “I like books that suddenly have a huge twist in the middle which makes me say, ‘I totally did not see that coming, but it makes a whole lot of sense now that it has.’ ”

And Black should know.

Since 2005, the Strongsville native — now a latent print examiner and certified crime analyst for the Cape Coral, Florida, police department — has been penning suspense novels set in Cleveland and beyond that continue to garner legions of fans. (One of them is Tess Gerritsen, author of the acclaimed “Rizzoli & Isles” series, who proclaims Black to be “one of the best storytellers around.”)

For her 17th book, “What Harms You,” which was published in August, she delves into the world of a Washington, D.C., forensic science institute where murders are becoming daily occurrences.

“Story ideas come to me in different ways,” Black explains. “Sometimes I start with a setting, sometimes I start with an event. And sometimes, it’s just something I want to see happen. Ideas keep bouncing around in my mind. Usually, they’re not something I’m really thinking about for a book, but they just keep popping up and popping up, and my subconscious adds to them as I go on.”

As the author discusses the plots she’s constructed — which include a hostage situation at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (“Takeover”) and a modern assassin who patterns his crimes after those of Cleveland’s Torso Killer during the Great Depression (“Trail of Blood”) — it’s clear each book serves as a love letter to her favorite literary genre, as well as a homage to the years she spent working at the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s office in the ’90s.

Like the women in her novels, Black analyzed gunshot residue, clothing, hair, DNA, blood and trace evidence found on bodies and at crime scenes to decipher potential clues.

“My time at the coroner’s office was busy, incredibly stressful and intense,” she recalls. “But every day was an adventure.”

It’s a career that was a lifetime in the making. While childhood friends played with Barbies, Black spent her formative years writing mysteries based on TV programs she never failed to miss.

“My dad and I watched every cop series on the air — “Adam 12,” “Perry Mason,” you name it,” she says.

Her hands-down favorite: “Ellery Queen.” Set in the 1940s, the NBC series starred Jim Hutton as the title character who, when he was not writing them, helped his New York City police detective father solve mysteries. Although the show lasted only one season, it made a big impression on the budding author.

“I wanted to be a detective just like Ellery Queen,” Black says. “It seemed to be the kind of job where you worked your own hours, and then you’d call everybody into the library and tell them who committed the crime.”

Black went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in political science from John Carroll University, and spent a decade as a secretary

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

Thursday, Oct. 12…Fostering HOPS, to benefit Fostering Hope, at the new 1899 Social Club in Shaker Heights. Tickets and sponsorships include opportunities for golf, food, and beverages. For 10 years, Fostering Hope and a wide network of volunteers have been providing personalized celebrations and health and wellness programs for youth in foster care and residential treatment in Northeast Ohio. Please join us at Fostering HOPS to learn more about the kids we help, celebrate our milestones, and look ahead to the future. More information and tickets: www.fosteringhopeohio.org

before heeding her true calling. She returned to college and earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Cleveland State University. The goal: to land a job in forensics.

“There are not a lot of openings for nonpolice detectives, so this was the natural choice for me,” she explains. “I always liked science, and forensics is the best of both worlds.”

Although literally immersed in the world of crime, Black’s passion for creating her own stories never waned. The idea for writing books sparked during the years she spent in the secretarial pool.

“Since I sat in front of a word processor all day, I thought, ‘What the heck, I’ll write a novel. How hard can it be?’ ” Black recalls with a laugh.

The answer was very, very difficult.

“Six of the manuscripts I wrote remain tucked

away in the back of my closet,” she says. “And that’s where they probably should stay.”

Her first and second novels, “Trace Evidence” and “Unknown Means” were published by Hyperion under her real name, Elizabeth Becka. When the author signed with William Morrow — and currently Kensington Publishing — she adopted the pseudonym Lisa Black (based on a nickname and the desire for her moniker to remain near the top of alphabetical book lists).

As she puts the finishing touches on her next mystery, “The Deepest Kill,” which will be released on February 20, the author reflects on why her books resonate with readers.

“I strive to create female characters who are just ordinary people, not some kind of superwoman genius,” Black muses. “They’re believable, but definitely not weak — even when they think they are.”

World on Stage series serves as a passport to diverse cultures

This summer, you could have traveled the globe without leaving Cleveland.

The World on Stage events at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens were our passport to experience different cultures, with music and dance performances, along with ethnic food, at the Centennial Peace Plaza.

A celebration of Middle Eastern culture was held on July 22, and featured the music of Mehmet Gencer and Friends, Persian Fusion and Tony Mikhael and Band, with ethnic fare provided by Sittoo’s Lebanese Grill. Cleveland American Middle East Organization President Pierre Bejjani served as emcee. An African Heritage celebration on July 1 featured drummers, dancers, West African food and an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. It drew audience members from many African countries including Liberia, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia. Attendees at the Aug. 12 World on Stage performance experienced the culture of Latin America, featuring the music of Brazil performed by the Moises Borges Band, as well as Samba dancing from Samba da Cidade and Oye Dance Company.

“The current Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) President Dr. Wael Khoury, along with architect and CCGF board member Berj Shakarian, were the driving force behind the creation of the Centennial Peace Plaza. Before that, performances and events were

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

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

The band Mehmet Genser and Friends performed at the Middle Eastern Heritage World on Stage event at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and included: Victor Beyens, violin; Mehmet Gencer; Brendon Phelps, cello; Torrell Moss, percussion; vocalists Ayla Gencer and Faruk Orge; and Henry Samuels, bass. Photographs by Eric

cultural people and events in the city. “With a central amphitheater and stage, new activities could be planned. So, the World on Stage series was created to bring people together in that space. Last year, there were about five World on Stage events including a community night with the Famicos Foundation and Glenville residents,” he added.

“I promoted the events and covered them for ClevelandPeople.Com, but wanted to get more involved this year. Instead of having five events with five acts over the summer, I wanted to cover a region and bring people from that region together and have people from outside learn about it. I envisioned a day that would include performances, a fashion show, cooking demonstrations, resource tables and time to connect,” Hanson explained. “Dr. Khoury was in favor, but we soon realized that this was overly ambitious. So, we scaled down to some performances, some authentic food and cut each event to two hours.”

Friday, Oct. 20...Celebration of Goodness, to benefit Values in Action Foundation Project Love, 11:30 a.m. at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Heights, 44124. Awards event. Free to attend. Must register by Oct. 6 to Amanda@projectlove.org or 440.463.6205.

Thursday, Oct. 26…63rd Annual Cleveland Arts Prize Awards, at Cleveland Museum of Art. The evening will unite artists, patrons of the arts, community leaders, and arts enthusiasts to celebrate the honorees’ accomplishments and contributions. The program will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies Kenny Crumpton of Fox 8 News in the Morning. A VIP reception will take place in the Museum’s atrium between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. followed by the ceremony. This year’s program will feature performances by Arts Prize

held exclusively in the individual cultural gardens,” Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople. Com noted. ClevelandPeople.Com works to promote and celebrate the various ethnic and

winners Dominick Farinacci (CAP ’22), Sujatha Srinivisan (CAP ’22), Kisha Nicole Foster (CAP ’19) and Mariama Whyte (2019 Verge Fellow).

Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Donna Collins will give a special tribute to arts advocacy giants Barbara S. Robinson (CAP ’01) and William P. Blair III (CAP06).

The World on Stage events led up to One World Day held on Aug. 27. The 77th Annual One World Day celebrated ethnic diversity and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens’ shared motto of peace through mutual understanding. The free and educational event, hosted by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946, included a parade of flags, cultural performances, ethnic food, a children’s village, family activities and a naturalization ceremony for new citizens. For more information about World on Stage in the Cleveland cultural Gardens, go to www.clevelandculturalgardens. org.

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

Piano Cleveland “Clair de Lune Gala”

The Founders Ballroom of the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel was the elegant setting July 16, for the Clair de Lune Gala presented by Piano Cleveland. The sitdown formal dinner event, which served as a culmination of the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists, raised more than $400,000.

Six young stars who earned a top spot as finalists in the junior and senior division competitions performed French classics alongside their mentors for a room full of 500 guests. The competition, now in its 50th year, had 213 applicants from 27 countries and regions; 33 are accepted, and only six virtuosos, aged 12 through 16, were chosen as finalists. Each of them had the privilege of playing with members of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Canton Symphony Orchestra during the competition.

Yaron Kohlberg, President of Piano Cleveland, and Cleveland Institute of Music graduate and concert pianist Chengzi Li served as enthusiastic co-hosts. (Li flew to Cleveland after playing the previous evening at Carnegie Hall.)

The fête was presented by Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, in honor of cardiac surgeon Dr. Gösta Pettersson and his wife Ninna Pettersson. Originally from Sweden, the couple have been long-time supporters of Piano Cleveland.

Many of the musical selections were arranged by Russian-born composer and performer Konstantin Soukhovetski, an international superstar among the pianists of his generation, and former winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, among many other accolades.

The evening’s musical performance began with a piece by the young 12-year-old sensation Elisey Mysin from Russia, first-prize winner of the Junior Division. Mysin, a student at the Moscow State Conservatory, is already a

veritable star on YouTube, and has competed around the globe.

Selections by French composers Ravel and Milhaud and more arrangements by Soukhovetski were performed by other young prodigies Yanyan Bao, 16, of China; Saehyun Kim, 16, First Prize Winner, Senior Division, of South Korea; Ryan Wang, 15, of Vancouver, BC, Canada; Qinyaoyao Ji, 13, of China; and Zhonghua Wei, 14, of China.

When interviewed, Wang humbly explained how he had played Carnegie Hall when he was just five years old, and also had been a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show. He had only begun playing the piano at age four. Now a

resident of London, he attends Eton College and is pursuing his artist diploma from Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. After the event, he’d fly home to spend time back in Vancouver

with his parents and younger sibling for five days, before setting out for a European concert tour. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER

Cleveland Public Theatre to present “Reverie Oracle” Sept. 22, 23

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) presents the World Premiere of Reverie Oracle conceived and directed by Raymond Bobgan. What do you get when you combine performance art, an art exhibit, and an oracle? The answer is Reverie Oracle, Cleveland Public Theatre Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan’s newest theatrical experience that is an improvisation of song, movement, poetry, and yes, flying. A highly immersive experience, patrons may walk through the “gallery” for a few minutes

BENEFIT BEAT

Visit currentsneo.com to submit your events or wedding.

Friday, Nov. 3...32nd Annual Epilepsy Association Gala, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. Honorees include Chinasa Nwankwo, M.D., Sarah-Maria Riffle and Samuel Wiggers. Individual tickets are $235. Visit http://www.epilepsyinfo.org for ticket information.

Friday, Nov. 3...Night to Fight Hunger to benefit the Hunger Network, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gordon Green, 5400 Detroit Ave. Make hunger disappear at the most magical party of the year. Early bird tickets are $100, and VIP tickets are $175. For more information, visit http://www. hungernetwork.org.

Saturday, Nov. 11…Future Vision Foundation Awards Banquet at the Cleveland Institute of Art. We invite you to join us as we honor this year’s awardees for their extraordinary accomplishments in vision care. The evening will move you with inspirational film tributes to our awardees’ contributions to vision research, along with good fellowship, appetizers, and libations. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. We will be honoring Dr. Catherine Bowes Rickman, Dr. Carol Shields, Dr. Phillip Rosenfeld, and Dr. David Pyott.

or stop longer to watch the oracle unfold. Patrons may come and go as they please from 7pm to 10pm. The event is free to the public, and while no tickets are required, donations are suggested.

“Dreams reveal so much about who we are. Reverie Oracle is a collective dream of performers, who are engaged in a rigorous game where imaginary landscapes are embodied, poetry is given voice, and songs are shared.“― Raymond Bobgan

Ensemble: Hosea Billingsley, Katie

Boissoneault, Jordan Ficyk, Kynnedy, Brooke Lynlee, Colleen McCaughey, Martinique Mims, Zyrece Montgomery, Nnamdi Okpala, Kat Shy, Kalindi Stockton, Alija Toles, Anastasía Urozhaeva, Eric Wloszek.

THE CREATIVE PRODUCTION TEAM

INCLUDES:

Producer: Raymond Bobgan

Line Producer: Anastasía Urozhaeva

Technical Director: Joshua Smith

Stage Manager: Angela Warholic

Lighting Designer: Benjamin Gantose TICKET and SHOW INFORMATION

Reverie Oracle is free and open to the public from 7pm to 10pm Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23, 2023, in CPT’s Gordon Square Theatre located at 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102. Tickets are not required; however, donations are suggested. The Gordon Square Theatre is ADAcompliant featuring a patron elevator and an all-gender, wheelchair accessible restroom.

Bagpipes, dancing, fiddling and jousting at Ohio Scottish Games

Despite the humidity of a sunny June afternoon, the wool tartan pleats were crisp and the bagpipes in tune for the 2023 Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

Competitions whirled throughout the grounds, from the sheaf toss to jousting, fiddling and Highland dancing. In one field, sheep grazed lazily until a zealous border collie zoomed out to chase the docile flock into even greater order before getting rewarded with a cool dip in a kiddie pool.

Pitched at the far end of the festival were the tents of competing pipe and drum bands, with the skirl of practicing bagpipes lilting in the air. Cutting no slack for the heat, the musicians sported the full wool of the Scottish kilt, complete with long sleeves and high socks.

On cue, each band in signature tartans marched to the green circle of competition, to perform its section in steady unison as judges penned scores on expression, musicality, clean starts and prompt cut-offs.

With the games done, the competing musicians moved as one across the fields to the

Competitors during the day, the pipe and drum bands march together to the grandstand for a unified performance at the Twilight Tattoo. Photographs by Peggy

their

performs a vic-

tune with the Michigan Pipes and

after winning their division. grandstand for the Twilight Tattoo. There the scores of bagpipes and drums swelled to life with “Scotland the Brave,” “Flowers of the Forest,” and “Amazing Grace,” putting the Ohio Scottish Games to rest for another year. ~ STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEGGY TURBETT

Fiber-Seal preserve your interior design investments and eliminate worries about your fine Area Rugs, Carpet & Furnishings.

Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc.

“Summer Soiree”

“Summer Soiree” drew more than 130 guests to Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar at Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc. The event featured a buffet dinner of Latin American cuisine and dessert, a silent auction and raffles, and live entertainment by Dino Merlini of the Hot List Duo. Anna McClelland served as chairperson for the summer fundraiser. Sponsors included the Fortney Foundation, Centers for Dialysis Care, Excalibur Auto Body and TeamLogic IT. “Summer Soiree” raised more than $30,000 to benefit patients with kidney disease through

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation set for 22nd Annual Halloween Run for Justice

Registration is now open for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation’s 22nd Annual Halloween Run for Justice on Saturday, October 28 at 8 a.m. Hermes Sports and Events Cleveland will manage timing the 5K and 5-mile races as we run wild at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We’ll also have a fun one-mile walk for little monsters!

Following the run, we’ll celebrate our achievements with family-friendly games, costume contests, face painting and more! Refreshments will be provided. Each year, we are grateful for tremendous participation as it truly is a help for us to achieve our mission to fund programs that give back to the community and invest in the next generation of lawyers and legal leaders. In our 150th Anniversary year, funds raised during the Halloween Run for Justice will go to our Legacy150 Fund that will establish the Cleveland Legal Collaborative (CLC), a transformative incubator designed to eliminate the legal services gap in greater Cleveland that impacts our fellow citizens of low and modest means. The Legacy150 Fund will also expand workforce development initiatives that are creating a more inclusive profession and increase the Bar Foundation’s Endowment to enable the expansion of our award-winning community and pro bono programs, including The 3Rs, High School Mock Trial, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and others providing law-related education and direct service.

To register, visit clemetrobar.org

the Kidney Foundation’s assistance programs, which provide transportation, medication and emergency assistance to dialysis and transplant patients.

In addition to providing direct assistance to persons with kidney disease, the Kidney Foundation of Ohio provides educational programming for the general public, renal professionals, patients and their families. The organization serves 32 counties in northern and eastern Ohio and supports two affiliate chapters in Lake and Summit Counties.

(STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN)

Kisling, Nestico & Redick empowers Akron’s homeless students

Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR), a prominent personal injury law firm known for its commitment to community welfare, has donated school supplies valued at over $1,000 to Project Rise.

Project Rise, a vital initiative in Akron through Akron Public Schools, is dedicated to eradicating educational barriers for students facing homelessness. KNR’s contribution supports this crucial mission and underscores the firm’s unwavering dedication to uplifting its community– while helping equip local students with the tools they need to thrive academically, despite their challenging circumstances.

Dr. Michael Robinson, Superintendent of Akron Public Schools, shares, “I am heartened by the compassionate efforts of KNR to support Project Rise and uplift our students experiencing homelessness. This collaboration exemplifies the power of community engagement, reminding us that education is not simply confined to the classroom walls but extends to the broader responsibility of nurturing every young mind.”

KNR’s philanthropic arm, the KNR Cares program, has long been a driving force in improving communities. By supporting

New Listing

initiatives like Project Rise, KNR demonstrates its commitment to creating a more equitable and supportive environment for the communities it serves. The firm’s involvement echoes its belief that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to quality education.

“We are honored to stand alongside Project Rise in their pursuit of providing a brighter future for homeless students,” stated John J. Reagan, Managing Partner of KNR. “Our KNR Cares program embodies our core values of compassion and community support. We understand that education is a cornerstone of personal growth, and we are dedicated to fostering that growth for children in our community.”

The donation to Project Rise is not just a monetary contribution; it is a testament to KNR’s dedication to empowering local communities. By collaborating with organizations like Project Rise, KNR actively participates in building a stronger, more inclusive society. For more information on KNR Cares, visit knrlegal.com/community. If you’d like to make a donation to Project Rise, please visit akronschools.com.

FutureHeights “A Summer Night’s Dream”

FutureHeights hosted its fifth Annual Benefit, “A Summer Night’s Dream” on July 29, at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. The event’s proceeds of $65,000 benefit FutureHeights’ programs and operations in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

Approximately 175 guests enjoyed signature cocktails on the center’s picturesque boardwalk as well as libations from some of the Heights’ finest restaurant establishments.

FutureHeights serves as the Community Development Corporation (CDC) for the City of Cleveland Heights, with an emphasis on community building, fair housing, civic engagement, and planning and development. It publishes the monthly community-written newspaper and weekly e-blast, “The Heights Observer,” and produces the Heights Music Hop, a local music festival, which celebrates its 10th year on September 23, 2023.

The guest of honor, John Zagara, was named FutureHeights’ Person of the Year for his 31 years of service to the community operating Zagara’s marketplace, a local grocery store on Lee Road. The grocery store was acquired in October 2022, and is now a Dave’s Market and Eatery, run by the Saltzman family. Jason Hallaman, owner of Mitchell’s Chocolates on Lee Road, presented the award.

Zagara’s family were Italian immigrants who emigrated to the US after World War I, and started their neighborhood grocery in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood, eventually moving to Cleveland Heights in 1988. It was one of the last independent grocers in Cuyahoga County.

“We [Zagara’s and Heights residents] were symbiotic,” said Zagara. “Without you, we had no customers. Without me, you had no food.” He went on to thank his wife for her longtime support, his deceased parents for showing him what a commitment meant to a community, and to his loyal customers. “Zagara’s was a community asset; it served as

FutureHeights Executive Director

Kent State Museum to open “Knitting Beyond the Body” Sept. 29

The KSU Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition, “Knitting Beyond the Body.” When you think about today’s technological advances, knitting may not be the first activity that comes to mind. However, this ancient craft is at the forefront of exciting research and innovation across many industries including automotive, medical, architecture, interior design and, of course, fashion.

The KSU Museum and the KSU School of Fashion Design and Merchandising have joined forces to explore how knitting is often at the heart of today’s innovations.

“Knitting Beyond the Body,” evolved from research generated by the School of Fashion’s KnitLAB. “The KnitLAB has a 10-year partnership with industry leader Stoll by Karl Meyer and serves as one of the few such studios in the country at a state university,” according to KSU Museum Director Sarah J. Rogers and co-curator of the exhibition. “Linda Ohrn-McDaniel, Professor in the School of Fashion, and cocurator of “Knitting Beyond,” has grown the KnitLAB and engaged a range of partners including the KSU College of Nursing, College of Architecture and Environmental Design and Design Innovation Hub. The exhibition stems from conversations around the remarkable value of knitted fabrics over time and today.”

a crossroads where diversity was on display, and gave others confidence to invest in our community,” he added.

Musicians with Opus 216 performed and DJ Neilism spun tunes, while local artists Robin VanLear and her daughter Story Rhinehart Cadiz entertained the crowd with dancing in larger-than-life butterfly and bird wings.

We Frame Life’s Treasures

“Knitting Beyond the Body” is organized into five sections: “Introduction” displays examples of garments from the 20th century;

“The Body” looks at 21st century garments and medical applications; “Place” showcases products for the home and office;

“On the Move” shows knits applications for automobiles, skateboards and more;

“The Future is Now” highlights innovative architecture that is knit, interactive devices, and research in a range of fields. Visitors will enjoy hand-knit items, as well as machine and technical knits by familiar names like Missoni, Mikyae, Nike and less familiar brands including TeKnit, Stoll and Myant.

The exhibition opens September 29, 2023 and continues through August 2024.

“Knitting Beyond the Body” is made possible by presenting partner Linda Harper, partner Leslie Royce Resnik, supporting partner Duvaltex, as well as Stoll by Karl Meyer, Pat Brownell and a sustainability grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

A digital catalog will be available in early October.

About the Kent State University Museum

The Kent State University Museum is located at 515 Hilltop Drive, at the corner of East Main Street and South Lincoln Street in Kent, Ohio. It features more than 29,000 pieces in its collection, amassed from many generous donors. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the museum or in advance through the museum’s online ticketing service.

Community West Foundation “Gift of Life”

Community West Foundation’s “Gift of Life,” a family-friendly event held at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, celebrated the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital and the generations of families it has served over the past 125 years.

More than 1200 attended the fundraiser, which raised over $50,000 to support programs and services geared toward women and children at Fairview Hospital. Guests enjoyed access to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Asian Lantern Festival, rides on the Circle of Wildlife Carousel, animal experiences provided by the Zoo Education team, Superhero and Princess appearances, refreshments, raffles and prizes.

The Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital provides services for women preparing to become mothers, for babies when they make their arrival, and care for children at every stage. In the past year, Fairview Hospital has delivered more babies than any other hospital in the state of Ohio.

The Community West Foundation is focused on helping people by supporting organizations that provide basic needs programs in Cleveland, and in Western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. Because of its history, Community West Foundation is deeply rooted with the Cleveland Clinic Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals. Their partnership includes managing funds, campaigns and events to support the programs and services the hospitals provide to both employees and patients.

Project White Butterfly “Butterfly Bash”

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Butterfly Bash Volunteer Planning Committee, we are excited to share that our inaugural Butterfly Bash Fundraiser on July 30, 2023, presented by Trionetics and supported greatly by many sponsors, raised nearly $40,000 for our organization! This amount is over four times the goal we set for the event when we began planning in February.

Additional successes for this event included: more than 200 event attendees, over 20 volunteers who helped at the event, media coverage of the event by three local news stations (Channels 3, 5, and 19), donated auction baskets and silent auction items from over 30 individuals and companies, a total of 24 individual and corporate sponsors, a release of 48 live butterflies, over 180 meals served at the event, and a very exciting 50/50 prize of over $600 for the lucky winner! STORY SUBMITTED BY PROJECT WHITE BUTTERFLY/PHOTOGRAPHS BY AMY

Today’s homeowners more conscious of energy efficiency

According to a 2023 survey of members of the National Association of Realtors, homeowners and prospective buyers have been increasingly interested in “green” homes and energy-efficiency features. Whether homeowners intend to stay in their home or sell it, making it more energy efficient makes sense. It’s better for the environment, better for one’s budget and better for the sake of comfort. Making energy-efficient upgrades doesn’t have to mean covering the roof in solar panels, or having a wind turbine installed in the yard (although those are options). Energy efficiency can be as simple as switching out an old thermostat for a digital “smart” version, or having the attic insulated.

To start, consider an energy audit. Homeowners can ask their electric utility provider to conduct this service which reveals potential causes of excess energy consumption and suggests improvements. The audit typically involves visual inspections of the home, as well as testing to see how airtight the home is.

When building a home, remodeling or just upgrading some appliances, choosing the right contractor affects more than the look of the job: The right contractor can also ensure that the job is done with minimal negative impact to the environment.

As a Certified Green Builder, Perrino Builders and Remodeling utilizes “Green Building” practices and materials as a standard in all new construction and renovation projects. For instance, the company says they landscape in a way that takes advantage of the natural setting of each property to benefit from the sun and wind, they install energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, they build homes with proper ventilation and insulation and ensure healthy indoor air quality, they take steps to reduce and recycle construction waste, and 98 percent of the lumber they use meets the

standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. In addition, Perrino partners with companies that share the same eco-friendly philosophy, including suppliers of cabinets, windows, water heaters, heating systems and appliances.

Linda Hilbig, president of Somrak Kitchens in Bedford Heights agrees that choosing the right products is a smart way to reduce the environmental impact of building and remodeling. She says customers “can choose products such as our custom cabinet manufacturers, who have zeroed in on the standards set by the KCMA Environmental Stewardship program, including a focus on air quality, resource management of produce and process, environmental stewardship, and community relations.”

Linda explains that buying American-made is also important because these products are “most likely being held to strict environmental standards, and the consumer is doing a great deal in being energy efficient and friendly to the environment,” she explains. “It is when they purchase materials that are being made outside of those standards whether it be by purchasing products from overseas or from manufacturers that are not held accountable for their environmental output, that they are foregoing those considerations.”

Rather than sending old cabinets and appliances to the landfill, Linda suggests that customers, “recycle their current kitchen cabinets and appliances, donate them to Habitat for Humanity or repurpose them or even sell them.”

As for the question of gas versus electric appliances, Linda points out that there are many considerations. “I believe that consumers still prefer and love their gas appliances, especially gas cooktops over electric cooktops, but are being pressured by the media and the current movement to appear more environmentally friendly, when in fact, the natural gas industry is doing more to help in this area than they are getting credit for doing,” she explains. “Most consumers still like the instant on/off of gas

cooktops, the ability to easily adjust heat levels and how quickly the burners cool down.”

She points out that there are energy-efficient models of gas and electric appliances. “The industry is doing its best to make sure that we make every effort to achieve energy efficiency in both products, however, the consumer is paying for this in higher costs and delays in manufacturing due to the ever-changing demands the manufacturers are put under by the various agencies our tax dollars are spent on, to monitor this,” she says.

Here are several common, popular and effective ways of improving your home’s energy efficiency.

Heating and cooling

Electric heat pumps are efficient replacements for oil and gas boilers and furnaces, and they can cool air, too. Some use your existing ducts, and others are ductless.

Super-efficient water heater

After boilers and furnaces, water heaters use the most energy. Electric water-heater heat pumps save money and power.

Smart thermostat

These thermostats can automate temperature changes and adjust to your daily routine for greater energy efficiency.

Well-insulated and sealed attic

Save up to 10 percent off your annual energy bills by insulating and sealing your attic to prevent heated or cooled air from leaking outside.

High-performing windows

Replace old, drafty windows with modern efficient choices which also filter UV light to reduce damage to interior finishes and textiles. Upgrade your electrical panel

Update your home’s electrical panel and wiring to accommodate future needs like car chargers and electric stoves.

Keep your HVAC running efficiently Change the filter(s) monthly.

Have your HVAC system inspected at least yearly (or in the spring and the fall).

Seal your heating and cooling ducts.

Control Mother Nature’s impact

Thermal curtains block hot sunlight in the summer to give your air conditioner a break. Add awnings on windows that receive direct sunlight or plant trees nearby. In the winter, open your blinds to soak up the sun’s heat.

Change a few habits

■ Wait until you have a full load to run your dishwasher or washing machine.

■ Keep appliances clean, especially the dryer exhaust and lint trap.

■ Unplug unused devices to avoid phantom power use.

■ Air dry your clothes.

■ Keep your oven closed while food is cooking, and minimize preheating time.

■ Use natural light for illumination.

■ Shut off lights not in use.

■ Bump up your thermostat a few degrees in summer and down a few in winter.

Install Solar panels

Zillow indicates that homes with solar panels sell for four percent higher than those without. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory agrees having a solar array increases a home’s resale value. Estimates vary but some sources say a typical solar array saves homeowners about $1,000-$2,000 per year.

SOURCES

NYTimes.com

EnergyStar.gov

Homeserve.com

Energy.gov

Forbes.com

Zillow.com

NREL.gov

National Association of Realtors

Writers take note of The Lit’s many classes, programs

Its heritage reaches back to 1974. You could say its grandparent was the Poets League of Greater Cleveland, and its parent was the Poets and Writers League of Greater Cleveland, which was active beginning in 1991. That iteration dissolved in 2011, yet the need for affordable writing classes and support for the local writing scene was deeply felt. From the Lit’s website: “In August of 2015, Literary Cleveland was formed with a commitment to elevate and serve the Northeast Ohio community of writers and readers. “The most recent iteration has had the greatest success, partly because of focused vision and great leadership, but also, partly because of the pandemic.

Today The Lit is a nonprofit with solid footing. The organization has over 900 members, and it had its first benefit earlier this year –not the cocktail/dinner/auction kind, but their own kind – a Story Slam, in which three writers from different career levels - one a speaker, one a student and one a community leader were each invited to describe a real event in their own way, to demonstrate the power of storytelling.

Lit Cleveland also just moved into new headquarters on Larchmere, near Shaker Square. While the staff creates more than 200 programs a year, courses for writers of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, as well as courses for readers, its most prominent event is the annual Inkubator, a free days-long conference that offers writing workshops, author readings, and community engagement both in person and online. In just eight years, Cleveland’s Inkubator has become one of the largest free writing festivals in the country.

“We serve more than 5,000 individuals each year in Northeast Ohio. Our goal is to advance the skills and careers of local writers, and transform our community through storytelling,” says Matt Weinkam, the Lit’s

Executive Director. “Other cities have book festivals – most of them author signings or talks, and the audience pays to attend,” he adds. “All of our author events are free, and not to overstate it, but this level of programming could easily cost hundreds to attend in another city.”

There’s more interest in writing and storytelling today,” he says. “There’s wider availability of writing, due in large part to the internet. We don’t have to go through a gatekeeper. And there’s a hunger for stories.” He compliments another local arts organization, the Cleveland International Film Festival. “See how it went from city-wide to regional, then international. Something like that can happen with reading and writing, although we want to maintain a focus on Cleveland and Cleveland writers.”

He admits he and his staff didn’t think the pandemic would be a benefit to the Inkubator, but it was. “Suddenly we found an audience beyond the Cleveland city limits. We had participants from England, Germany and India in 2019. And we’d like to maintain that group of people from all over the world, but we also wanted to be back in person, and we’re hoping people from the area and beyond will attend.”

He estimates the last conference had more than 1200 people over two days, with the venue at capacity for all the workshops and break-out sessions. Mainstage events were recorded for later distribution. All this created by a staff of four – three full time and one part time person. The next round of strategic planning will address staffing as well as the best use of their new headquarters.

“We started out with offices in Gordon Square and during the pandemic had a very small office in Cleveland Heights. While we worked virtually, we held our own classes and events, partnering with community centers on both sides of town. But we were missing a home base,” Weinkam says. “We thought of a co-working space, but a lot of those spaces didn’t have the community presence we were looking for – plenty of storefronts were available too. But we were looking for an exciting, integrated, and diverse community, and we found it on Larchmere. This is the community that’s home to Porchfest, the annual free-concert series – no big corporations, or fancy organizations – a 30-concert series is put together by grass-roots community support and the merchants working together. We have just an ideal space, both the physical office space and the community.

He describes the storefront – directly across the street from Loganberry Books – coincidence? We think not! The headquarters will have space for office staff, but then also a large common area for classes, readings, open-mike nights, craft talks and more. While they are still doing some testing, they hope to seat up to 25 in the space.

From his modest former-restaurant building, Weinkam and crew hope to address the question on their website: “How many vital stories haven’t been told due to a lack of access to writing and publishing opportunities?”

None, if the Lit has anything to say about it. The organization has many programs, among them is the Word for Word Scholarships, so an aspiring author can attend paid classes for

free. The Amplify Projects provides funding and support to writers who are members of historically underrepresented groups in the writing and publishing industry so they can create programs for their communities. The Breakthrough Writing Residency helps people learn how to write and publish a novel, with one-on-one mentoring over the course of a year (most similar classes last 4 to 8 weeks).

Through a revamped, more robust internship program, participants were encouraged to create a community project specifically for people who have been left out of publishing. “We thought we would get intern assistance on literary programming,” Weinkamp says, “But we got so much more.” In 2021, Dr. Tisha Carter explored the fact that black women have the worst outcomes and worst quality of living in Northeast Ohio. She collected their stories, creating an anthology project about living in the city, got it published and is consulting with Ideastream on a podcast series. Isaiah Hunt, who writes Afro-futurism developed a class he had the opportunity to teach via a fellowship at John Carroll University. “We applied for and received grants so we could expand the internship from $1,000 for10 weeks to $8,000 for a four-month fellowship,” Weinkam says. “We’re so excited that this has become a launching ground for careers and projects.”

The Lit’s most recent strategic planning timeline was surpassed in March 2020. As the organization looks forward, Weinkam describes working to establish a more sustainable, mature organization, raising awareness, creating financial stability and programming in person and on line. While many goals have already been achieved, he looks forward to The Lit being able to make an impact on the city with more resources and programs. “Who can we affect, and how do we get there?”

For more information and a listing of classes and programs, visit litcleveland.org.

“We serve more than 5,000 individuals each year in Northeast Ohio. Our goal is to advance the skills and careers of local writers, and transform our community through storytelling.” Matt Weinkam, the Lit’s Executive Director.

Drivable fall getaways for leaf-peeping pleasure this season

When Northeastern Ohioans’ hectic summer schedules fade, some families crave getting back to the academic-year routine. But some also crave one more autumnal adventure! See some suggestions below of drivable getaways from which you are sure to enjoy this year’s beautiful fall foliage.

Virginia is for Elk Lovers: A little-known state park on the border of Kentucky and Virginia is Breaks Interstate Park. It’s nestled in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains and abounds with natural beauty and myriad recreational possibilities (its nickname is “Grand Canyon of the South”). Whether you’re interested in hiking through dense forests, zip lining across Breaks Canyon, kayaking the Russell Fork Gorge or taking an elk tour, this park has it all. The Eastern elk was declared extinct in 1877 but through consistent and rigorous conservation efforts, the Va. and Ky. herds have been restored and now number in the thousands. Breaks Interstate Park offers elk tours on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 7, 2023. Or maybe your happy place is just relaxing on one of their lovely cabin balconies overlooking Laurel Lake with your favorite beverage and a good read.

West Virginia is for Forest Celebrations: The tiny town of Elkins, West Virginia has some outsized attractions, including summer music festivals on the campus of Davis & Elkins College (If you’re a fan of American roots music, check out the College’s Augusta Heritage Festival for next summer) plus opportunities for scenic railroad excursions aboard the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. This railroad offers various trips on vintage, steam-driven locomotives from depots in Elkins, Durbin, Cheat Bridge and Cass through December. History buffs may want to overnight at the elegant Graceland Inn on Davis & Elkins’ campus or sleep in one of the restored employee houses in Cass, once a thriving company-owned coal town. But if you want to experience Elkins‘ big seasonal celebration, be there for the annual Mountain State Forest Festival (Sept. 30-Oct. 8, 2023.) It’s right out of a Hallmark movie for witnessing small town local color and flavors. The events include everything from lumberjack competitions to concerts, plus arts & crafts, including quilts and photography. And don’t miss the annual coronation parade where the “Queen of the Forest,” a.k.a. Queen Sylvia, is crowned. Sylvia is derived from the Latin word for forest, silva, that literally means the spirit of the wood. There are lots of sylvan settings to discover throughout Randolph County while enjoying the festival.

Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands is for Luxury Seekers: There’s always something new at Nemacolin Woodlands and this year is no exception. This upscale, eclectic resort situated in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel

Highlands offers a wide range of accommodations, restaurants and activities from clay shooting and horseback riding to golfing and

exceptional fly fishing endorsed by Orvis. This year’s big reveal is the renovation of their Grand Lodge, slated to reopen in September,

2023. Don’t miss touring some of the famous architecture in the vicinity, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s seminal residential commission, Falling Water, and Kentuck Knob.

Northeast Ohio is for Foliage Lovers:

Whether you only have an afternoon to explore a trail in this region’s Emerald Necklace, a.k.a. its Metroparks, a few minutes to stroll around one of the parks containing a Shaker Lake, or all day to hike to a remote location in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (what I like to call the “pendant” on the necklace), locals are fortunate to live in an urban area replete with green space that displays its fall plumage as well as any New England hamlet (depending of course, on the weather and time of year.) Popular trails in the CVNP include the spectacular Ledges Trail and Brandywine Falls. They rarely disappoint those seeking a “forest bath” as the Japanese call relaxing in the woods.

Happy autumnal trails wherever they lead.

For more information on these locations, please see www.breakspark.com, https://elkinsrandolphwv.com/, https://www. forestfestival.com/ https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/, www. nemacolin.com, https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/ and https://www.nps.gov/cuva/ index.htm

Foundation for Geauga Parks

Administrative Associate Erin Stevenson, Director of Development and Marketing Paige Orvis, Marketing Communications Manager

Amanda Fisher and Executive Director Christine Davidson

Foundation for Geauga Parks “Twilight Soirée”

On Friday, August 18, the Foundation for Geauga Parks held the sixth annual Twilight Soirée, its signature benefit. The event brought 194 guests to picturesque Meadow Ridge in Huntsburg, raising $58,220 to advance the foundation’s mission.

The Foundation for Geauga Parks’ (FGP) mission is to help the community engage in – and to work on the conservation and preservation of – the unique natural character of Geauga County.

“We are the only foundation that is strictly fundraising for our green spaces,” Executive Director Christine Davidson said. “We also are about helping this next generation to foster an interest in environmental science and conservation work.”

“The funds collected from the event are unrestricted, allowing trustees and staff to use where needed to advance the Foundation for Geauga Parks’ mission,” Director of Development and Marketing Paige Orvis said. “FGP focuses all efforts on supporting the protection of natural resources, improving parks and trails, and underwriting nature education programs and scholarships.”

The event celebrates the projects and programs FGP supports, including its conservation scholarship and Nature Scopes Binocular programs.

Since 2020, FGP has awarded $8,000 in college scholarships to students pursuing environmental studies.

All fifth graders in the county participate in the year-long Nature Scopes program – in its 20th year – which involves interactive outdoor sessions and supplies every student with binoculars and a field guide.

Anne Kinkopf’s experiences in programs FGP supports – first as a student, and later, working with students – led her to pursue a career in the environmental field, rather than as an eye doctor as she had thought. She enjoyed watching students’ initial fear of wildlife transform into confidence among nature.

She realized, “I want to change kids’ lives in that way – get them excited about the things that I am also excited about.”

In her new position as a service forester covering two West Virginia counties, she responds to wildfires, helps landowners create forest management plans, and more.

The Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society and Geauga Skywatchers set up telescopes at the outdoor venue for night sky viewing.

Guests enjoyed live and silent auctions and acoustic music from guitarist Jim Anderson and vocalist Denise Geisler, of the band No Moss. They dined on appetizers and a farm-to-table buffet dinner catered by the Smith family of Meadow Ridge Events. Desserts came from D.S. Cakes and Sweet Café. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANASTASIA NICHOLAS

International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute

“Cleveland’s Top Chefs”

“Cleveland’s Top Chefs,” a benefit for the ICASI Scholarship Fund, Inc., provided an unforgettable culinary experience for the 330 guests in attendance.

Party goers strolled through the classrooms and the grounds of the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute (ICASI) and indulged in a variety of delectable small plates prepared by some of the most talented area chefs. The chefs donated their time and talent to help raise close to $80,000 in scholarship funds for students to pursue their dreams of becoming a chef in the culinary and pastry arts. In addition to providing some of the best food Cleveland has to offer, the event featured unique raffle items including a gastronomic tour of Sicily, private cooking classes with Chef Loretta Paganini at ICASI, and “Dine around Cleveland” gift card baskets. The all-volunteer staffed benefit was chaired by Mara Amedia, president of the ICASI Scholarship Fund, Inc.

The ICASI Scholarship Fund was established several years ago as a way to provide culinary arts students with an opportunity to pursue an education regardless of their economic status.

As the Northeast Ohio culinary scene continues to grow, the demand for talented trained chefs is rising along with it. ICASI recently earned national recognition as one of the top 25 culinary schools in the country. The success of its students has helped Cleveland achieve its ranking as the seventh Best Food City in America according to www. time.com. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN.

Nick and Lorie Howley contribute $6 million to expansion of Rock &Roll Hall of Fame

Nick and Lorie Howley, in conjunction with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, recently announced a $6 million donation to benefit educational programs and spaces in the Museum’s new expansion. The gift is the first in a series of major gifts that will be announced leading up to the Museum’s expansion and renovation groundbreaking event this Fall.

This gift will support the renovation and build-out of the new state-of-the-art “Howley Family Student Center,” the first space in the Museum’s history uniquely designed and built for the tens of thousands of K-12 students who visit the Rock Hall each year. Awardwinning Museum educators will deliver impactful programs in this space engaging every student group during their visit.

“We are grateful for the Howley’s generous support of our mission to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock & roll. This gift will allow us to impact students for generations,” said the Museum’s President & CEO, Greg Harris.

Additionally, the funds will create the “Howley Rockers Program,” which will provide free on-site and online education programs, led by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame educators, for school-age students (K – 12) at both private and parochial schools nationwide that are supported by the Howley family and/or The Howley Foundation. It will also underwrite the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s participation in the Saint Martin de Porres High School Corporate Work Study Program for the next 16 years.

Nick Howley has served as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since May of 2016, and is a member of the Education committee. Further information about the Rock Hall’s expansion is forthcoming including the date of the groundbreaking.

Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary

Sunday Dinner with a “PURR-pose” helped the non-profit Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary deal with the continuing impact of inflation. Approximately 150 people attended the benefit in the Banquet Center of St. Noel in Willoughby Hills. The event included a family-style Sunday dinner, an open bar, silent and Chinese auctions, and a 50-50 raffle. The fundraiser’s net proceeds, including additional donations sent both before and after the event, totaled nearly $10,000.

Happy Tails President Tom Vasko said, “We are grateful that the event’s attendees, along with donations provided by supporters who couldn’t attend, helped us provide for the cats’ needs. Our budget continues to take a big hit from inflation with higher costs for food, litter, cleaning supplies, and veterinary care, so the fundraiser was – and future donations will be – very important for us. The sanctuary’s cats reside in a mostly cage-less, no-kill, indoor environment. When possible, we place them in foster or adoptive homes, but a number of them are senior and/or special needs cats who will remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.”

He added, “We thank the Cynthia Slezak Charitable Trust for its generous support of this benefit. We’re also grateful to the businesses, organizations and individuals who donated items and services for the auctions. In addition, we were blessed with the great efforts of volunteers who helped before, during and after the event. Among those hard-working volunteers were students from local schools.”

Vasko very recently revealed that the Happy Tails 2024 benefit has already been scheduled for April 21, and it will again include a Sunday dinner in the Banquet Center at St. Noel. For “way in advance” inquiries about that event, email HappyTailsCatSanctuary@ gmail.com or call or text Doreen at 440.7590076.

Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens

The theme for this year’s Summer Soiree event to benefit Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens, “Welcome to the Neighborhood,” celebrated the many changes happening around the almost 200-year-old landmark.

More than 250 guests attended the fundraiser, which included live musical entertainment throughout the evening, a silent auction and a buffet-style dinner served in a dining tent surrounded by the beautiful gardens. The evening’s honoree was Lillian Kuri, CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. Kuri was lauded with testimonials from Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, James Ratner, chairman of Forest City Realty Trust, and Robyn Minter Smyers of Thompson Hine.

James Edmonson, president of Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens, noted that the first steps in the landmark’s master plan have begun. The fencing and barriers around the grounds have been removed and the preparation of an event lawn extending north to Chester Ave. has started. This will be followed by the laying out of a Heritage Trail encircling the grounds and plotting of themed gardens along the route of the trail. All of these moves are designed to help share greenspace as an

amenity for the MidTown community and all of greater Cleveland.

“We’re not abandoning our history, however. In fact, in 2024 we will be celebrating Dunham’s bicentennial, our 200th year as a Cleveland landmark, with events and programs throughout the coming year,” Edmonson noted. The 2023 Summer Soiree raised $75,000 to sustain Dunham Tavern Museum’s operations and programming.

“Sunday Dinner with a PURR-pose”

Wedding planning from across the Pond worked well for this Cleveland couple

Victoria Polisena and Randy Leopold met six years ago. At first, they were co-workers, then teammates on a co-ed softball team, and after a year of hanging out with other work buddies, they started dating. Victoria is from Brecksville and Randy is from Carrolton, Ohio (outside Canton). Besides working for Ernst & Young – they are both directors, but on separate teams – they bonded over their shared love for all things Cleveland, especially the Browns. After dating for two and a half years, they got engaged in July 2021, just as they got the opportunity to work in London. To keep stress at a minimum, the couple decided to move overseas, plan their wedding, and then return to Cleveland to get married. Their wedding day was Saturday, June 17, 2023. “I’m sad for the wedding to be over, but I’m excited to not have to plan anymore,” Victoria says.

As excited as the couple was to be in London, they knew 95 percent of their guests would be from Ohio, and it was unrealistic to expect 180 people to fly from Ohio and back again. Besides, they found everything they wanted in Cleveland.”

About a month after their engagement, the couple made plans to tour 10 to 12 venues, based on suggestions from relatives and friends. The couple wanted food and drinks to be included with the venue, and they wanted a place that was already beautiful, one that wouldn’t need a lot of decoration to make it look good. “The Arcade wasn’t on our radar, Victoria says. It was the eighth or ninth place we toured, but as soon as we saw it, we knew.” “We canceled the tours to all the other places left on our list,” Randy adds. “We weren’t expecting to get married there – I think we walked through it a couple of times on our way to some Browns games, but the venue helped us from start to finish. The people were great, and it checked all the boxes,” she says. Victoria describes how having a two-year engagement really took the pressure off. While slightly more difficult to plan, because of the distance and time difference, one by one decisions were made, and because they were planning so far out, the couple got every one of their first choices.

“The music was very important to us,”

Victoria states. “We said we’re not picking a date unless we can get our first music choice,”

That choice was for The Cleveland Keys, a live performance dueling piano group, because the couple’s priority for their guests was to keep everyone entertained and on the dance floor.

With the music and venue in place, next, was the dress – a beautifully structured plain crepe dress, from Lovely Bridal in Cincinnati.

“My mom’s friend helped tailor it. She added

pearls to the veil and added a bustle to the dress,” Victoria says. Randy was in a black tux. Next, the photographer was chosen, based on recommendations from friends.

Then, the flowers, which came from a Louisiana-based company, Something Borrowed Blooms. These highest-quality silk-flowers took the place of live bouquets and boutonnieres, in both a cost-cutting and stress-cutting move. “They ship four days

before your event. They have all sorts of different collections,” Victoria says.

“It was so cool to wake up in the venue,” Victoria states. “The rooms were so beautiful. We had a block of 35 rooms, plus the bridal suite, all overlooking the arcade. It was so convenient.” The bride and groom had six attendants each. In the morning, the bridal party went to Studio Taylor in Cleveland Heights for hair and makeup, while the guys went to brunch. Then, after the couple’s first look on one of the balconies at the Arcade, a hired bus took the party to areas throughout Cleveland for photos, from the Art Museum to the Cleveland sign at Edgewater Beach overlooking the lake. Then, back to the hotel for the 5:30 p.m. ceremony.

Victoria and Randy decided to write their own vows, which caused the couple a touch of stress. The officiant was Marissa Ward, Victoria’s cousin. “Reading our own vows made the ceremony a lot more personal,” she says. “It was nice to hear each other’s vows rather than having something written for you,” Randy agrees. But once the vows were said and enjoyed, the couple relaxed.

In fact, they agree, they were so relaxed and having such a great time if something went wrong they didn’t notice. After the ceremony, and a cocktail hour, the couple hosted a sitdown dinner of sirloin, chicken, and gnocchi, a meal they had tasted and decided on, with their moms, during one of their trips back to Cleveland. As Victoria sliced into a tomato, a bit of juice squirted onto her dress. “It was right before all the dances,” Victoria says. “My mom had an emergency bag with a Tide pen and she was able to get it out.” Since the venue is also a hotel filled with other guests, the reception had to end at 11:00 p.m., but the wedding party walked over to East 4th Street afterward, turning a few heads with their formal attire.

Besides a long engagement to take the urgency in planning out of the picture, Victoria has a few ideas for the newly-engaged. “Because of the move, I couldn’t be hands-on. It was a bit difficult to plan from over here, but working with experts, we were in good hands.”

Victoria admits she was never one of the girls who planned her wedding for ages. “I really didn’t have a vision of it until we got engaged. I didn’t have a ton of opinions, so we got to plan our wedding together,” she says. “We didn’t have to compromise on our first picks,” Victoria says. Also, she had a wingman all day on her wedding day. This was a designated helper, not a planner or vendor, but just a friend, who assisted with last-minute details. “I don’t think I picked up my phone all day,” she recalls. Finally, she says recommendations from friends are the best way to get ideas.

So relaxed and drama-free was their event, it changed Randy’s opinion of the wedding industry. “When it’s your turn to be the person getting married, it’s awesome to have all those events – the small party, the parents near, and a chance to see some of your best friends. It’s a bummer you only have a little bit of time with each person. Maybe something did go wrong, but if it did, we didn’t even notice.” he says.

The couple is back in London, working away. On the weekends in the fall, they find time to meet with other Browns fans and watch games together in a rented venue. You can take people out of Cleveland, but… After all the traveling the couple had done to arrange the wedding, they decided to take their honeymoon this August, a cruise around Norway.

For now, Victoria is keeping her maiden name, due to her visa. “We love it in London,” she says. “We’ve found some amazing friends and we love our jobs, although it’s hard to be away from family.”

Dress: Lovely Bride in Cincinnati

Music: Cleveland Keys

Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms

Photographer: Brittney Zivcsak Photography

Videographer: Blue Home Productions LLC

Venue: The Arcade/ Hyatt Regency

Cleveland At The Arcade

Hair/makeup: Studio Taylor

Cruise into marriage – plan for a wedding at sea or portside

TV’s “The Love Boat” premiered September 1, 1976, and …according to industry experts as reported by CNN Travel…transformed the cruising industry, boosting holiday cruising from 500,000 annually to 5 million by 1997. The romance of a cruise then kickstarted the popularity of shipboard weddings.Today nearly every cruise line offers cruise/honeymoon packages (yes, even Disney Cruises) with a variety of budgets and destinations.

Whether it’s a simple ceremony, renewal of vows or an elegant extravaganza, cruise weddings can take place anywhere from onboard (some ships even have a dedicated wedding chapel) to a Caribbean beach, a Santorini winery celebration or saying vows atop a glacier in Juneau, Alaska.

Cruise wedding advantages? They come with a built-in honeymoon plus onboard live entertainment and activities including swimming, ziplining, rock wall climbing, Flow Riders, waterslides, bowling, miniature golf, wine tastings, movies, spas, gyms, art auctions, fitness classes and, surprisingly, even ice skating on some ships. Add to that an array of specialty dining and drinks (many ships now include Starbuck’s cafes).Most cruise lines offer wedding planner services, whether it takes place onboard during your sail, at one of the ports of call or a pre-sail/bon voyage wedding(the latter offering the benefit of more guests allowed to receive boarding passes; attend the wedding and reception; then disembark before the ship sails).

Wedding cruise packages can begin at around $1,500 (in addition to the price of your cruise), with costs climbing depending on the cruise line chosen and ceremony/ reception add-ons (especially if the planner aids in your port-of-call wedding). Most lines now offer an online gift registry that simplifies gift contributions to the couple’s shipboard or destination wedding. Couples can enjoy a wedding website, blog, email wizard, photo album and tools to upload to social media. Some of the ships include technology that allows the ceremony to be broadcast via live webcam to family and friends on land.

The majority ofpackages include a dedicated, private venue for the ceremony, a photographer, floral arrangements and a private reception space, whether for a sit-down plated meal or simple champagne and cake cutting event. Add-on fees might include videography or live entertainment at the ceremony or reception.

Bianca Christina Immormino and Matthew Douglas Tomlin wed at Shoreby Club in August

Bianca Christina Immormino and Matthew Douglas Tomlin were married August 19, 2023 at the Shoreby Club in Bratenahl, where a reception followed.

The bride is the daughter of Ms. Ivette Immormino of Cleveland and Mr. Joseph Immormino of Cleveland. She graduated from Magnificat High School in 2012 and from DePaul University in Chicago in 2016. She is currently employed by Hyland Software.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Tomlin of Avon. He graduated from Avon High School in 2012 and from Ohio University in 2016. He is currently employed by American Iron and Metal.

The couple plans to travel to Greece for a September honeymoon, and is at home in Lakewood.

(For instance, Carnival Cruises charges $150plus for songs during the celebration.)

Researching the cruise line’s personality is imperative for the perfect fit and ship size. Party atmosphere? Upscale or lower cost? Adult? Family oriented? Lines like Regent, Oceana or Holland-America passengers skew older while Carnival cruisers tend to be younger. Blended family weddings where children will attend can’t choose better than Disney Cruises. Disney has transformed “the happiest place on earth” to the “happiest wedding at sea!” Naturally Disney is known for catering to kids, but the line also offers adults-only dining and activities (with babysitting available). And

what other wedding can experience Mickey and Minnie dropping by with congratulations, or a wedding photo op with Captain Hook?

With at-sea ceremonies, you can request the ship’s captain to perform the nuptials but… unless the captain is also a judge, notary, minister or justice of the peace, the ceremony will be symbolic, not legal. However, a notary or religious officiant is usually provided in the cruise’s wedding package if you aren’t providing your own. (At-sea weddings must take place in international waters, and Captainsas-officiants are only available on a few lines; because they are so popular, couples may need to book their captain-officiated wedding a

Point-of-departure ceremonies can precede your cruise. (Michael Vu Photographer)

year in advance!)

For that at-sea wedding in international waters, the ship may require specific documentation from their country of registry. (Celebrity Cruises, for example, requires couples to obtain a marriage license from Malta, where their ships are registered.) For ports-of-call ceremonies a marriage license may also be required from that country, but the cruise line’s wedding services will assist in obtaining the license. The line will also note the amount of time needed to obtain licenses (for example the process can take up to 90 days for The Bahamas). To marry at your pre-sail port, only a license from that port state is required.

Cruise weddings can range in size to a maximum of 150, but each line has strict rules on how many non-sailing guests can attend pre-sail ceremonies. Royal Caribbean, for example, allows a maximum of 75 guests (out of 150 total) as day visitors for pre-sail weddings. Onboard weddings offer lavish grand ballroom settings to private Chef’s Tables. Unforgettable photography can include the ocean as background or the lushness of an exotic port, and all larger lines have jaw-dropping grand staircases (including an MSC ship where couples can be photographed on a dazzling Swarovski crystal-encrusted staircase).

Brides-to-be can compare and contrast wedding packages by visiting the website of any of the cruise lines. But to get started with thumbnail introductions to cruise lines weddings, a good independent source is cruisecritic. com/articles/10-best-cruise-lines-for-weddings.

Cornerstone of Hope “Taste of Hope”

Cornerstone of Hope hosted its annual tasting event, “Taste of Hope,” on the beautiful grounds of its headquarters in Independence, OH.

More than 500 guests enjoyed a casual evening of food and drink samplings from 45 local restaurants, along with entertainment and raffles. Each year, the event honors a community member who has been an advocate for Cornerstone of Hope both personally and professionally as the, “Toast of the Night.” This year’s honorees were Edward and Jennifer Miller, founders of the Eddie Miller Memorial Foundation.

“The Miller family epitomizes humility, strength and courage amidst the grief journey after the sudden death of their son Eddie. Their family and close friends decided to continue to celebrate Eddie’s life while giving back to the community in his memory and honor. Cornerstone of Hope is beyond blessed to be the recipient of

their generosity,” said Mark Tripodi, Cornerstone of Hope founder and CEO.

Presenting sponsor for “Taste of Hope” was Enerco Group Inc., represented by Cynthia and Allen Haire, supporters of the organization since 2004. The 2023 fundraising goal was $130,000. Proceeds will be used to provide professional grief support service to as many as 50,000 clients a year at its three Ohio locations.

Cornerstone of Hope is a nonprofit comprehensive bereavement support center that has served Ohio communities for the past 20 years. It offers individuals and families a supportive environment to express their grief and emerge from its pain with a renewed sense of purpose. Cornerstone’s counseling services are conducted by licensed clinicians with extensive experience working with grief and trauma.

CVLT opens 94th Season with world-premiere of Vietnam drama “1970” By Scott Lax

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre will begin its 94th Season of plays and musicals with the world premiere of 1970 by award-winning novelist and journalist Scott Lax. CVLT will stage the play on Fridays 9/22 and 9/29 and Saturdays 9/23 and 9/30 at 7:30 PM. Sunday

matinees will be at 2:00 PM on 9/24 and 10/1. Tickets are $21 with a $4 discount for students, seniors, and military. Group discounts available.

Adapted from Lax’s acclaimed novel “The Year That Trembled,” 1970 is a story about

war, but also about friendship, love, loss, and forgiveness, among a small group of friends. This coming-of-age story is set in the fictional village of Chestnut Falls, Ohio during the Vietnam draft.

Tickets for 1970 can be purchased online

24/7 at CVLT.org or by calling the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre Box Office at 440-2478955, Tuesday - Friday afternoons from 1:00pm - 6:00pm. Early reservations and arrival are highly recommended. CVLT is located at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls Village.