Cleveland Magazine - June 2023

WE’RE BACK!

49TH ANNUAL BOSTON MILLS

ART FEST

Artists traveling from 34 STATES, millions of dollars of ART ON DISPLAY AND FOR SALE, nationally ranked show, 18 UNIQUE MEDIUMS on display, nearly 300 ARTISTS SHOWING in total over the TWO WEEKENDS GENERAL SHOW PREVIEW PARTY!

The BOSTON MILLS ARTFEST is a nationally recognized annual traditional in the art community. Proudly celebrating its 49th year, this juried fine art show consists of a two-weekend event happening the last weekend in June and the first weekend in July, JUNE 23 - 25 & JUNE 30 - JULY 2. Nestled in the beautiful CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, patrons can explore over a dozen unique mediums while enjoying the breathtaking views the National Park has to offer. Enjoy live music, a beer garden, selection of wines and foods, and music while interacting directly with the artists, viewing their works, and taking home your favorite piece for that empty space above your mantel.

The Boston Mills Artfest has established itself as a cornerstone in the national art circuit and therefore attracts the most talented artists throughout the country. This year, for the 49th Annual Artfest, Boston Mills is proud to feature artists traveling from 34 STATES across the country to show their FINE ARTS AND FINE CRAFTS at this prestigious show. Each weekend is unique to itself, featuring roughly 300 ARTISTS OVER THE TWO WEEKENDS. Visit the Boston Mills Artfest for one or both general shows for an incredible weekend of fine arts, fine crafts, music, food, and an atmosphere that will captivate your senses.

Happening on JUNE 23 AND JUNE 30, a special Preview Party is held on the FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE each of the two Artfest weekend general shows. This exclusive party includes your first chance to view and buy the works on display from some of the most talented artists from across the country. Enhancing your experience, this Preview Party will feature a wine and craft beer tasting, passed hors d’oeuvres, all you can eat catered food by our friends at Giant Eagle Market District, live music, cash bar, and a chance to mingle with other Artfest patrons and artists. All artwork on display is for sale.

SECURE YOUR PREVIEW PARTY TICKET IN ADVANCE AND SAVE!

ON THE COVER

55 BEST PL ACES TO LIVE From its 'burbs to its neighborhoods, there are hidden gems in every corner of Northeast Ohio. Plus, our annual Rating the Suburbs research project. Edited by Dillon Stewart

Cover Photo by Jeani Brechbill

Assisted by Sophie Sand Kannberg

FEATURED

82 PRIDE FOR ALL From humble beginnings at Edgewater to statewide LGBTQ+ celebrations, we track the history of pride in Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs. By Ken Schneck

8 FROM THE EDITOR

10 CONVERSATION

LAY OF THE LAND

15 TR AIN TRACK WONDERLAND Local artists like Charlie "Guice Mann" Malta are working to transform abandoned rail cars.

20 CELL PHONE GROCER These local apps save you time and money, while ensuring good food doesn't go down the drain.

22 PRESERVING CLE Can restorations revive these historic neighborhoods?

24 CELEBR ATING ROBERT CONRAD The legendary WCLV DJ turns 90 this year.

26 TURNING UP The WonderStruck founders create a music fest haven in Cleveland

FOOD & DRINK

31 CLEVELAND ICE CREAM Snack your way through these iconic local pints.

34 BLUE DOOR CAFE Fresh off Hell's Kitchen, this chef makes a splash in Cuyahoga Falls.

38 FOOD NEWS Sapphire Creek, Verbena nonalcoholic bar and Dukes N Boots.

40 DINING GUIDE The eateries, bars and hotspots that make Lakewood delicious.

HOME & GARDEN

183 CITRUS GARDEN REDUX This Cleveland Heights home received a vibrant update.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

158 TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS Who to trust with the next big move in your life.

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED:

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED:

KAULIG COMPANIES CHAMPIONSHIP AT FIRESTONE COUNTRY CLUB HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

KAULIG COMPANIES CHAMPIONSHIP AT FIRESTONE

COUNTRY CLUB HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

This year is the 70th anniversary of professional golf at Firestone Country Club, and with a new title sponsor from Northeast Ohio, the Kaulig Companies Championship is elevating the fan experience.

This year is the 70th anniversary of professional golf at Firestone Country Club, and with a new title sponsor from Northeast Ohio, the Kaulig Companies Championship is elevating the fan experience.

From July 12-16, golf’s legends will return to Firestone Country Club to compete in this PGA TOUR Champions major. Jerry Kelly will look to defend his title and seeks his third win in four years at Firestone. The defending champion will compete against the likes of World Golf Hall of Fame members Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples, along with John Daly, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and other greats.

From July 12-16, golf’s legends will return to Firestone Country Club to compete in this PGA TOUR Champions major. Jerry Kelly will look to defend his title and seeks his third win in four years at Firestone. The defending champion will compete against the likes of World Golf Hall of Fame members Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples, along with John Daly, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and other greats.

Tournament officials are excited to announce the launch of the Kaulig Infinity Zone, bringing the fans all-new experiences and exclusive access to the Kaulig Companies Championship! At 15,000 square feet, the Kaulig Infinity Zone will be your destination for live music concerts and much more.

Tournament officials are excited to announce the launch of the Kaulig Infinity Zone, bringing the fans all-new experiences and exclusive access to the Kaulig Companies Championship! At 15,000 square feet, the Kaulig Infinity Zone will be your destination for live music concerts and much more.

Rock Out at Firestone! All tournament ticket purchases will include access to that day’s Concert at the Course, which will begin once play concludes. The headliner for Friday, July 14 is WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band, with opener Jaluski, a Cleveland-based group that incorporates funk, pop, classic rock and prog. On Saturday, July 15, The Vindys, one of the most sought-after bands in Northeast Ohio whose alt-rock sound is distinct yet familiar, will be the headline act. The Sublets—an indie/alternative band with punk influences—will open.

Rock Out at Firestone! All tournament ticket purchases will include access to that day’s Concert at the Course, which will begin once play concludes. The headliner for Friday, July 14 is WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band, with opener Jaluski, a Cleveland-based group that incorporates funk, pop, classic rock and prog. On Saturday, July 15, The Vindys, one of the most sought-after bands in Northeast Ohio whose alt-rock sound is distinct yet familiar, will be the headline act. The Sublets—an indie/alternative band with punk influences—will open.

Spectators are also encouraged to try the different local food trucks that will be on site, including: Veteran-Owned Taco truck Barra De Taco (located at the driving range); Scott’s Fire & Ice which offers pizzas that are cooked in custom-built wood fired ovens (Firestone Flats) and Italian style gelato and sorbets that are made with the freshest ingredients; and The Bus Stop with bratwursts, smoked sausages, grilled cheese, and PB&J served on Texas Toast next to the 16th Green. Fans can also enjoy the Tito’s Stillhouse in Firestone Flats.

Spectators are also encouraged to try the different local food trucks that will be on site, including: Veteran-Owned Taco truck Barra De Taco (located at the driving range); Scott’s Fire & Ice which offers pizzas that are cooked in custom-built wood fired ovens (Firestone Flats) and Italian style gelato and sorbets that are made with the freshest ingredients; and The Bus Stop with bratwursts, smoked sausages, grilled cheese, and PB&J served on Texas Toast next to the 16th Green. Fans can also enjoy the Tito’s Stillhouse in Firestone Flats.

New this year, the Monster Deck presented by Westfield will provide great views to all ticket holders of the signature 16th hole, nicknamed the Monster by Arnold Palmer, measuring 667 yards. This area will feature a bar with beers that are half price right after a birdie is made on the 16th green.

New this year, the Monster Deck presented by Westfield will provide great views to all ticket holders of the signature 16th hole, nicknamed the Monster by Arnold Palmer, measuring 667 yards. This area will feature a bar with beers that are half price right after a birdie is made on the 16th green.

Throughout the week, admission for guests 18 and under will be complimentary with a ticketed adult, offering a chance for families to take in the tournament and surrounding experiences. The Kids Zone presented by Meijer will feature putt-putt, face painting, and other fun activities for the whole family. Kids can also get autographs and pictures with players after their rounds.

For more information on the 2023 Kaulig Companies Championship and to buy tickets, please visit kauligchampionship.com.

Throughout the week, admission for guests 18 and under will be complimentary with a ticketed adult, offering a chance for families to take in the tournament and surrounding experiences. The Kids Zone presented by Meijer will feature putt-putt, face painting, and other fun activities for the whole family. Kids can also get autographs and pictures with players after their rounds.

For more information on the 2023 Kaulig Companies Championship and to buy tickets, please visit kauligchampionship.com

SCAN TO BUY TICKETS

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Dillon Stewart editor

managing editor Ron Ledgard

senior editor Annie Nickoloff

associate editor Anthony Elder

associate digital editor Abigail Kussow

editor - at - large Colleen Smitek

contributing writers Kate Bigam Kaput, Becky Boban, Kristen Hampshire, Allison Jack, Chris Manning, Henry Palattella, Ken Schneck, Grant Segall, Cassie Tomaselli, Lynne Thompson, Patrick Williams

editorial interns Abigail Preiszig, Kiara Rodriguez, Karyssa Rose

art director Erin Stinard

associate art director Abigail Archer

contributing artists Jeani Brechbill Photography, Alex Denver Photography, Erik Drost photography intern Hayley Vitale

illustration intern Emily Zhang editorial@clevelandmagazine.com

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vice president Paul Klein

senior account managers

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account manager Julie Bialowas

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traffic coordinator Kristen Brickner adsales@clevelandmagazine.com

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Finding the "X" Factor

PHEW — I'M EXHAUSTED. I know my team is, too. After all, you're holding in your hands our biggest research project of the year.

When Rating the Suburbs started, the goal was to provide homeowners with the vital stats they needed to make the biggest decision of their lives. Where you live decides not just where you hang your hat, but where and with whom you spend time, the school your children attend and the overall convenience of your day-to-day.

But over the years, we found that statistics, while important and illustrative, cannot determine the Best Places to Live alone. Numbers don't lie, but they don't tell the entire story either. Beyond education results, home value and crime statistics — all essential to our calculations — there's an unquantifiable X factor that makes people fall in love with their community.

That's why, for the first time, we're expanding our Best Places to Live package to not only explore Northeast Ohio's suburbs but also to

100+

highlight a few of Cleveland's charming, historic, eclectic and growing neighborhoods.

Why wasn't Cleveland included in our Best Places to Live guide in the first place? It's a good question — one I had myself when I first joined Cleveland Magazine eight years ago.

What I found was that so many of the mea surables used to understand our suburbs simply didn't apply to neighborhoods or didn't accu rately represent residents' experiences in them. Most of the time neighborhood-specific stats aren't even collected. Measuring a major city like Cleveland as a whole against a suburb such as Pepper Pike, this year's No. 1 suburb, isn't any less of an applesto-oranges comparison.

So this year, we're taking a step forward by including the city in our editorial package, but it's important that we con tinue to improve this process. If you have ideas, we'd love to hear from you at conversation@ clevelandmagazine.com. Until then, I'll be relaxing with a beer and a book on my Lakewood porch. It's not a Top 20 suburb, but it's home. I hope wherever you're at feels like home, too.

Dillon Stewart, editor stewart@clevelandmagazine.com

Reasons to Love Where You Live in Cleveland on page 55

Love Bites

With the release of our Best Restaurants and Silver Spoon winners, it's evident why Cleveland deserves the spotlight as a flourishing foodie destination. Readers and winners alike exploded with excitement at the news. Eat your way through the list at clevelandmagazine.com/restaurants23.

From the readers:

@sellwithwendy: Big congratulations to @chefvinniecimino and all the staff @cordeliacle for the Silver Spoon award for Best New Restaurant! Well deserved �� �� ��

@jprexta: This is the best issue of 2023! ��

@johanesjonathan: Its well deserved!!! �� �� now its time to get it right or fix the sushi or Japanese food scene in Cleveland by nominating to the right criteria such as taste and quality not by the design interior!! more important!!! Let’s go @clevelandmagazine

@rnetmom: Can’t wait to explore all your recommendations

From the winners: @the_green_kitchen_cleveland: With very good company, thank you all!

@cockysbagels: So honored to be amongst these amazing businesses! Love our CLE community!! ❤ ❤

A Seafood Legend

Locals remember the infamous Captain Frank's Lobster House with nostalgia and reverence. The long-lost gem provided everything from only-in-Cleveland antics to celebrity sightings.

@thaithailakewood: Congratulations to all the winners �� Thank you @clevelandmagazine and @arthritisfoundation

@parilyacle: Congratulations to all the winners!! Thank you so much for this honor! We can’t wait to celebrate with you all next month ��

@amba_cle Thank you so much for the love, friends. ��

Mike Bradley: We need Captain Frank’s again.

Gayle Poyer Wochele: I remember my parents taking us there in the '70s, so good!

Steve Jurkovic: The Who went there after one of their concerts (I think it was in the '60s). Keith Moon decided to jump into Lake Erie. That was actually pretty tame for him.

QUESTION OR COMMENT ABOUT THE MAGAZINE?

John Lodge: Pick your live lobster out of the tank. One of Cleveland’s best lost treasures along with the New York Spaghetti House and many others.

Reach out to us at conversation@clevelandmagazine.com.

Follow us @clevelandmagazine

@clevelandmag

THE COURT OF NISI PRIUS'S GRAND ASSIZE |

AN ANNUAL COMEDIC SHOW by Cleveland’s most respected lawyers saw over-the-top costumes, musical numbers and, even, a Jimmy Buffett impersonator wearing a Speedo in April. The Court of Nisi Prius's Grand Assize is invite-only, limited to performers’ biggest clients, families and friends (oh, and a few of us from Cleveland Magazine ). This unique, vaudeville-styled event has taken place for more than a century in Cleveland, making it one of the city's longest-running performances.

“I don’t really know any other cities where this happens,” says Rick Manoloff, the most recent judge of the troupe, and partner at Squire Patton Boggs.

Just days after the weekend shows, Manoloff was named Cuyahoga County's new law director.

April 14-15, 2023

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THE LAND

Brightening The Engines That Did

Guice Mann’s paint strokes put vibrant color back into locomotives as part of Midwest Railway Preservation Society’s restoration project.

Alocomotive graveyard resides on the stretch of Quiggley Road near the Towpath Trail, a barren field lined with tracks where once-great steel cars, now dull, rusted and tagged with amateur graffiti, lay in waiting.

Eventually, they will be restored to glory by the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, a nonprofit, volunteeroperated organization headquartered just around the corner, which acquires, renovates and preserves vintage rail-

road equipment in its mission to preserve Cleveland’s historic ties to the railroad industry.

In the meantime, the busted rail cars may be more safely labeled eye sores than classic beauties. Sick of the obscene graffiti that peppered his property, Midwest Railway’s Executive Director Steve Korpos envisioned a twist on their preservation efforts.

Enter Charlie Malta, known online and through his vibrant, uplifting art style as “Guice Mann,” who is one of a handful of local artists transforming

the defunct locomotives.

Since Malta began working on the project in November, psychedelic directives to send peace, love and good vibes have slowly overtaken the rough exterior of the Pennsylvania E-8 locomotive that has acted as his canvas. Since originally intending to paint only the side of the train seen from the road, the passion project has evolved to include a blackand-white contrast across its opposite length, as well as a secret message on its roof, which can only be seen from the Towpath Trail: "You are rainbows. I love you."

"I thought, This is a little pocket of Cleveland I could brighten up with my work," says Malta.

“I knew I wanted to do some nice phrasing on there, that people could receive while they’re driving,” Malta says. “Just uplifting stuff, and bright, vibrant colors, that [people] would hopefully glance at and think ‘that was helpful,’ or ‘that made me feel good.’”

Malta’s groovy train car art is a style he’s carefully perfected since originally delving into serious art-making, which he did in a unique way: painting on shoes. At first selling his colorful custom kicks to teachers and peers while attending Lake Catholic High School, Malta’s shoes gained some notoriety via coverage in niche online publications, just when he began attending Columbus College of Art and Design in 2010.

Since using shoe design as a business venture, notably creating 325 pairs during the course of 2011 and selling his shoes through MySpace and at events, Malta’s portfolio has grown to include murals around Cleveland, such as the lobby of the Carnegie Food Hub.

For Malta, the project allows him to showcase his work in an industrial part of Cleveland yearning for a fresh coat of paint.

“It’s very kind of bleak and dreary looking,” says Malta. “I thought, ‘This is a little pocket of Cleveland I could brighten up with my work.’”

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Up to Speed

With $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program funds on the line, stakeholders are voicing how to close Ohio’s connectivity gaps.

Wanda Davis, Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center founder, says the DEA grants are more applicable to Cleveland’s needs: investment in local tech support, hardware and training, plus connectivity. Creating a model that unites these components while eyeing the “tech support for tomorrow,” Davis says, would move toward a permanent solution, since Cleveland’s infrastructure wastelands exist in pockets.

Husted calls East Cleveland a highspeed internet desert. Last fall, BroadbandOhio supported PCs for People’s tower construction there. The nonprofit charges users $15 a month for reliable internet. A forprofit provider wouldn’t build where it couldn’t pay for the infrastructure within seven years, says Husted. “We had to create favorable economics to make this happen, meaning that we had to subsidize.”

IN APRIL, MidTown’s Tech Hive buzzed with businesses, residents and nonprofits looking for information on a five-year plan with BroadbandOhio for a historic $42.45 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. They also discussed the Digital Equity Act: $2.75 billion, geared toward creating digital opportunities.

Lt. Governor John Husted says at least 1 million Ohioans want reliable internet. The stakeholder insight gleaned from MidTown is vital to closing broadband disparity, given data gaps.

For example, if one home is connected, internet providers report the entire census block served. Meanwhile,

home-connected, wireline broadband isn’t distinguished from broadband retrieved from mobile phones across communities in the 2021 American Community Survey — not showing which populations lack service.

As stakeholders help BroadbandOhio probe for accuracy, plans must come together to allocate BEAD funds — likely, to infrastructure in Appalachia.

“BEAD is all about rural broadband,” says Bill Callahan, Connect Your Community director and National Digital Inclusion Alliance research and policy advisor. “Talking about BEAD in Cleveland is irrelevant unless you can figure out a way to do multifamily with it.”

DigitalC CEO Joshua Edmonds says affordability rules Cleveland’s connectivity discussion, adding context like the predatory nature of package rates, digital redlining and a lack of choice. “The standard shouldn’t be [for] everyone to just have some type of internet connection; the standard should be that choice is baked in,” Edmonds says.

Back in the days of dial-up, Callahan says Cleveland had more than 40 internet providers riding Ameritech’s phone system. Today, with DSL, Cleveland has about two.

Edmonds believes infrastructure and affordability could be solved by constructing an open-access network, like UTOPIA Fiber, which leases lines to multiple providers. “Treat internet just like you would treat a road. Build it, then allow private, public, municipal, anyone who can just drive traffic on that road,” Edmonds says. “Anything that makes affordable internet a reality — not subsidized internet, but legitimately affordable internet — that’s what we need to be prioritizing.”

The idea is to make internet access affordable for all. Not subsidized. That is the priority.

Conscious Budget

These three food apps can help you keep mindful of the environment while not draining your pocketbook.

GROCERY SHOPPING CAN BE HARD sometimes; it’s OK to admit it. From planning out the shopping list to finding another store when the one you’re at doesn’t have something you’re looking for, it can be tough to not want to pack it in and place yet another order at that Thai place down the street. And while we’re all for visiting as many local eateries as possible, we also understand the importance of having a stocked fridge. What better way to do that than with these three food apps that help the environment just as much as your wallet?

CAFILIA

Coffee Subscription

Coffee can be at the top of the food pyramid, especially when it comes to early-morning meals. And the choices are numerous. A Clevelandbased subscription network plans to make it easy to find local options: with Cafilia, you pay a monthly subscription fee (between $14 and $90), and then take your reusable cup to a selection of 21 Northeast Ohio cafes to fill up for free. Subscribers are able to choose between five, 10, 15 or 20 coffees a month, and are able to customize the experience by including info about what kind of coffee they like. becafilia.com

FLASHFOOD

Grocery Savings

Buying produce can be intimidating. Flashfood aims to eliminate that hassle by having a free app that lets users find food and produce near them for 50% off its sticker price. Users can pay in the app using a credit or debit card or SNAP EBT card and then can pick their order up in the Flashfood zone in the grocery store they ordered from. Along with saving users money, Flashfood is built to stop food waste. Flashfood zones are available at almost every Giant Eagle in Northeast Ohio, along with certain Save-A-Lots and Meijer. flashfood.com

BY HENRY PALATTELLA

EWG

HEALTHY

Wellness Guide

LIVING

Nutrition facts, sustainable selections, cost, brands — there's a lot to consider and keep track of while shopping. Environmental Working Group’s app can help you while you're roaming the aisles, as its website offers food scores for more than 80,000 products, which are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 using a formula that includes nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. The site also includes a vast library of sustainable eating guides and reports to help consumers figure out how to best implement the information from the ratings. ewg.org

Shaking Off the Rust

Developers across the country are restoring Cleveland’s most iconic buildings. Could this signal a neighborhood revival?

WARNER & SWASEY’S graffiti-tatted husk once manufactured telescopes at 5701 Carnegie Ave. Yet, where urban epitaphs scrawl MidTown’s biggest eyesore, so do incantations of rebirth.

“I think of it as my Shrek project,” says Geoff Milz, Pennrose’s director of development for Ohio. “It’s a monster that everybody wants to win.”

Milz reimagines Warner & Swasey as 140 residential units, an 18-month construction project with a $66.3 million price tag. The project, dating to 2017, received major encouragement last December.

Through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, 60 projects throughout Ohio were collectively awarded $81,693,579 in historic tax credits. Seven in Northeast Ohio transform once iconic Cleveland buildings into residential spaces. Two of them are in MidTown.

“I think MidTown’s going to be the story of the next 20 years in Cleveland,” says Shawn Neece, Renew Partner development member, who’s codeveloping the Agora Complex with Sabor Group USA into 13 loft apartments with $242,800 tax credits. (Completion of the complex’s current West Tower conversion into 34 units is expected next January.)

An estimated 2,200 live in MidTown, says Ashley Shaw, MidTown Cleveland's executive director.

“It’s hard to experience a place from behind the steering wheel,” Shaw says, dismantling MidTown’s “drivethrough” image. “The Agora and Warner & Swasey would provide both market rate and workforce housing, which would hit [MidTown’s] gaps. Diversity in housing options is what creates a healthy neighborhood.”

Meanwhile in Cleveland Heights, WXZ Development vice president Matthew Wymer hopes to resurrect the city's 1920s commercial district. A resident since 2005, Wymer awaited OHPTC for a trio of Taylor Tudors on South Taylor Road. With $5,955,232 OHPTC, construction begins this summer for 44 mixed-appeal apartments on the tudors’ upper floors. The first floors, ranging from 5,144 to 8,103 square feet, will be commercial space.

More OHPTC projects shaking off Cleveland’s rust: the Havyn Apartments on East 89th St., Glenville’s 1373 East Blvd. Apartment Building, down-

town’s Erieview Tower and Ohio City’s YWCA at 3105 Franklin Blvd.

In 2021, Blue lofts scored $5 million OHPTC to transform 45 Erieview’s 16 floors into a residential utopia, complete with a rooftop pool and lounge.

Ike Bams, co-founder of the Dal las-based developer, believes 20,000 to 30,000 people will find Cleveland in coming years as it transitions from manufacturing to tech.

Bams’ claims seem seconded: Re new Partners and Sabor Group USA are constructing 64 more units on East 70th Street.

As a part of the YWCA’s conversion into 37 apartments, 49 new units will be built; South Taylor Road will see a 200-some apartment complex.

Here’s to the future, Cleveland — built on good bones.

Sixty Ohio projects got more than $80 million in historic tax credits.

The Radio Man

One of the longest running DJs in the world, Robert Conrad — the founder of classical radio station WCLV and host of Weekend Radio — turns 90.

The Bug: Conrad was born to announce — even if his love of music came as a bit of a surprise to his piano teacher. Despite having “no musical talent whatsoever,” the Kankakee, Illinois, native says he was apt to “show off” in class. Outside of school, he listened to broadcasts in his basement and even took speech lessons. “I made toy microphones out of toilet paper rolls and wrote scripts to read into them.”

A Foot in the Door: Conrad was 14 when Kankakee’s first radio station opened. “I went down and hung around until somebody said, ‘Here, carry this.’” Soon he was engineering broadcasts of high school basketball games and leading a Saturday afternoon series that he named High School Matinee. At 17, he hosted jamborees as Sagebrush Bob.

Good Press: Later on, The New York Times’s radio guide called him Robert. So Robert he became. “Who am I to argue with The New York Times?”

Robert Conrad sits in his namesake studio at WCLV’s headquarters in the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. “When I started in radio, we were still playing CDs,” broadcaster John Mills says to him. Conrad gives one of his frequent soft smiles. “We were playing 78s when I started,” he says. The broadcaster, who turns 90 in July, started his career at the age of 14. Except for a few months of his Army Reserve, those 75-plus years are believed to be the most for any classical radio broadcaster. Inquiries to Billboard, the National Association of Broadcasters and Musical America Worldwide yielded just one longer tenure for a broadcaster: the late California DJ Art Laboe’s 79 years. Conrad is admired not just for quantity but quality and innovation. He and the FM station he founded are decorated, including his second place from NBC Radio for America’s most beautiful voice. He staged Cleveland’s first high-definition broadcast, the nation’s second fundraising marathon for an orchestra and the world’s first radio webcast in full fidelity and stereo. With help from longtime colleagues, Conrad built WCLV’s value from $70,000 to an estimated $45 million in 38 years. In 2001, he turned the station nonprofit. When neither Conrad’s late son nor his four daughters pursued radio, he gave WCLV to Ideastream in 2011 to keep the station alive. We look back on his illustrious career.

Everyone's a Critic: Imposing Cleveland Orchestra conductor George Szell sometimes critiqued the broadcasts. “The strings are too loud...” Once he summoned Conrad to his home to improve reception there. The visitor found speakers hidden behind the sofa and an antenna behind the hi-fi.

Still Broadcasting: In the past two years, Conrad has finally cut back a little. In 2021, he ended more than 40 years of teaching broadcasting to students from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Last year, he ended 57 years of broadcasting the Cleveland Orchestra and 30 years as WCLV’s president, which followed 30 as vice president. He still broadcasts institute concerts, updates Weekend Radio recordings, and records holiday shows.

In 2011, Robert Conrad gifted WCLV to Ideastream in order to keep his 75-year legacy alive.

Festivals, Elevated

Northeast Ohio’s Elevation Group has made Cleveland a music festival city with WonderStruck — and it’s not stopping there.

THESE DAYS, CLEVELAND might not have a Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo or Coachella — but it does have WonderStruck, its own two-day music festival featuring major acts, put on every year by the Elevation Group.

This summer marks the festival’s seventh iteration, with a lineup of 26 bands and musicians that features headlining acts Khalid, Walker Hayes, Nelly and Flo Rida. Other lineup highlights like Coin, Jimmie Allen, The Struts and Aly & AJ are also set to take the stage at Kirtland’s Lakeland Community College, July 8-9.

For Elevation Group co-founders

Denny Young and Steve Lindecke, the 2023 festival is a culmination of two decades’ worth of work building up their company. The two former IMG executives branched off to found the IMG offshoot in 2002. Ever since, they’ve been coordinating entertainment events like WonderStruck, NASCAR races and more.

Elevation Group has gradually built up a portfolio of events, experiential marketing campaigns and musicians, running every kind of show for 20 years — all from its offices in Beachwood and, more recently, Chagrin Falls. So, what’s it been like to be at the helm of this entertainment empire?

“It’s been quite entertaining,” Lindecke says, simply, “and, I think, something for us to be quite proud of.”

With Elevation, there’s always something new to find pride in. This summer, the company will introduce another two-day Cleveland festival: Victory Live, a revival of former Northeast Ohio festivals WMMS Buzzard Fest, and WGAR’s Country Jam, set to take place Aug. 4-5, respectively, at North Ridgeville’s Victory Park. The fest — a collaboration between Elevation,

Victory Park and iHeartMedia — is headlined by Incubus, Bush, Chris Young and Brian Kelley.

Then, there are, of course, the company's three other two-day music festivals: Columbus’ WonderBus (Aug. 25-27), Indianapolis’ WonderRoad (June 17-18) and Pittsburgh’s WonderWorks (May 27-28) — potentially, with more on the way.

“God willing, we would like to continue to add festivals,” Young says. “Our philosophy has always been to have a certain size of festival. Where we might not be Lollapalooza or Coachella in size, when you add up all of the events we’re doing, we become that size. We just always felt that volume was better than sinking your teeth in one event only.”

It’s an approach that’s worked for Elevation in what can be a turbulent industry. WonderStruck, in its first four years, was a festival with a different name and location: LaureLive, taking place at Laurel School’s Butler Campus. In late 2019, following four successful

MUSIC

Northeast Ohio's WonderStruck festival will feature Khalid, Walker Hayes, Nelly and Flo Rida this July.

years at Laurel School, the festival announced it would change locations to its new home at Lakeland Community College, and go by the “WonderStruck” moniker.

In January 2020, Laurel filed a lawsuit against Elevation Group claiming the organization owed the school money from a 2019 event contract. (“The only thing I can say about the lawsuit was, it was all very unfortunate, and amicably resolved,” Young says.)

Just a couple of short months later, while the Elevation team was busy prepping for the festival’s debut year at Lakeland, the coronavirus pandemic reached Ohio and shut down live events: suddenly, a year off.

“There is no promoter in the world that would say, ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea:

Let’s run a festival under a certain name for four years in a certain location. Let’s do a good job. After four years, let’s change the name, find a new location and start all over and take a year off,’” Lindecke says, bluntly. “I think given what we’ve done and the fact that we’ve actually taken a step up and are taking yet another step up — that’s nothing short of amazing.” With those choppy currents swirling around the music festival world and leading to a dip in 2022 ticket sales, Young and Lindecke changed tack when it came to the 2023 WonderStruck lineup, leaning away from its alternative and indie roots and toward pop and country music. The mix is meant to appeal to a greater fanbase, Young says.

“Alt-indie is absolutely, from a personal perspective, my favorite music and has been my entire life. But Cleveland is more than that,” Young says. “Cleveland has huge support for country music, and especially crossover country; huge support for urban, R&B and pop.”

WonderStruck, soon to reach its third summer since the pandemic, might still be in its rebound phase, the organizers say — but Young and Lindecke remain steadfast.

“It’s going to take time, and we’re very confident that we will get back to pre-pandemic numbers and then some,” Young says. “We’re confident, but we’re not there yet.”

Tickets to WonderStruck, ranging from $69-$150 for general admission ($299-$499 VIP) are available at WonderStruck’s website, wonderstruckfest.com.

MARK MINDLIN

DRINK

FOOD &

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream: Blue Monster

Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream: Mint Cookies & Cream

Frosty's Cake and Ice Cream: Cookies and Cream

Honey Hut Ice Cream: Chocolate Caramel

Toasted Coconut

34

Mason's Creamery: Ube

SAPPHIRE CREEK WINERY EXPANDS

36

CHEF ALEJANDRO'S NEXT STEP

40

GUIDE: GOOD EATS IN LAKEWOOD

DESSERT

Made for Each Other

Local ice cream pairs perfectly with warm Cleveland summers. Wait, who are we kidding? It's good all 365 days.

THERE’S AN UNDENIABLE CHARM to waiting in line at an ice cream shop amid the hustle and bustle and the inevitable youth baseball team that comes in for a postgame treat — but sometimes you just want to enjoy your favorite flavor on the front porch or on the deck. When you don’t have the time or the inclination, grab a pint to-go from one of these local favorites.

FROSTY’S CAKE AND ICE CREAM

Ever looked at the flavor board and discovered that the one you want doesn’t fit your dietary needs? That never happens at Frosty’s, where everything is dairy-free and 100% vegan. They’re all available in pints ($9).

13343 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 440-857-0845

HANDEL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

This Youngstown-based ice cream company lives by the motto “We never skimp,” promising a mouthful of fixins and flavor throughout each cup, cone or pint ($6.95). With 11 locations throughout Northeast Ohio and 100 flavors to choose from, you can't go wrong. handelsicecream.com

HONEY HUT ICE CREAM

The word “honey” is in the name for a reason: For nearly 50 years, Honey Hut has served up super-creamy ice cream sweetened with — you guessed it — all-natural Ohio honey. Seasonal flavors rotate every two weeks at locations in Brecksville, Brunswick, Old Brooklyn, Parma and Solon. gohoneyhut.com

MASON'S CREAMERY

Summer is officially on its way when this Ohio City stand switches from its winter ramen menu to its ice cream offerings. Flavors change at least once a week, and they’re all available by the pint ($9). Most in-demand is ube, or purple yam.

4401 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 216-7621095, masonscreamery.com

MITCHELL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

Mitchell’s is open year-round but shines in the summer, when all nine locations are jam-packed with Clevelanders. Pick up an in-shop pint ($6.95) at locations in Ohio City, Rocky River, Shaker Heights and more or in local grocery stores like Heinen’s, Dave’s and Giant Eagle. mitchellshomemade.com

A visit to rural Calvert County, Maryland provides the perfect opportunity to explore impressive natural formations, parks and beaches. Enjoy historic and cultural sites nestled in waterfront towns on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and explore local museums, lighthouses, galleries, wineries, breweries, waterside restaurants and shops.

One County. Five National Parks. Come hike or bike, soak in the scenery, sip our wines and craft breweries, watch our Civil War history come to life, and visit our quaint historic towns along one of our three Scenic Byways… Hagerstown HAS It! The Best View is yours.

El Jefe's Mission

Chef Alejandro Najar, after a big run on Gordon Ramsay's competition show Hell's Kitchen , moves forward with a new gig at Blue Door Cafe.

Breakfast service at the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery has just closed on a Tuesday afternoon, and chef Alejandro Najar is drinking wine.

His big bear claws, tattooed with El Jefe across the knuckles, clutch a clear glass, into which sommelier Kyle Hardy pours a bright orange Basque cider. “This goes really well for me with —”

“Shellfish,” Hardy interrupts excitedly. He’s just been training a group of servers and chefs at a table nearby.

“That’s fantastic,” says Najar. “With oysters? Ridiculous. I love how orange it is. We had orange wine earlier today.” Najar takes another sip, turns back to me and smiles his big, squinty smile. “I mean, we have a sommelier on staff,” he says. “Who has a sommelier on staff? It blew my f— mind.

Then again, the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls has never been just another brunch spot. Opened in 2009 by Marine veteran Michael Bruno, the cafe had a dedication to local and scratch-made food before those were buzz words. Bruno’s upbringing in Germany gave him a love for European bakeries and French

cooking. Locals took to its brunch menu quickly — but until now, it’s never really offered regular dinner service.

Meanwhile, Najar, who joined the Blue Door team as executive chef earlier this year, is a big man with big dreams. He talks of winning James Beard Awards and Michelin stars; fostering incubator-like kitchens for young, creative chefs in Northeast Ohio; and turning Summit County into a foodie destination. Nothing really seems off limits for Barberton High School’s most famous offensive lineman since Bo Schembechler.

“Summit County has never really experienced anything like Blue Door — and they definitely haven’t experienced anything like Blue Door dinner,” says Najar. “We’re seriously trying to change the whole food scene in this area out of one small restaurant.”

After all, he’s done it before.

In 2022, Najar was cooking at UnHitched Brewing Co., a former bowling alley largely responsible for reviving its Louisville, Ohio, street. Brewer Garrett Conley served locals classic saisons and lagers made from Midwest hops, and the Big Man, El Jefe, churned out flatbread pizzas and Bavarian pretzels in an open kitchen. Najar played on Asian and Mediterranean undertones to reinvent classic American gastropub grub. Some of his most successful dishes included the puffy hearth-roasted pita with farmhouse cheese and za’atar and the harissa fried cauliflower.

But on the weekends, the Chef’s Counter — a beer and food tasting experience with a prix-fixe menu — gave the then-28-year-old a space to experiment. Over four courses, the young chef impressed with dishes like koji-aged beef Ssam and scallops in butter with fermented corn. “I felt I’d helped cultivate a different food scene in Stark County,” Najar says.

Najar made his name at UnHitched Brewing Co. before taking over the Blue Door Cafe kitchen earlier this year.

Others took notice. In January 2022, Najar was invited to appear on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. When the show aired in September, viewers watched the young chef quickly transform from a deer in set lights to a leader on the “20-somethings” team — even winning a challenge with his UnHitchedinspired za’atar-dusted wings. Spoiler alert: Najar made it to the final round.

“It's a fight or flight situation,” Najar says of the show. “You're in a new kitchen working dinner service with seven other chefs who you’ve never met, but at the same time, it's a competition that you need to win.”

Behind the chaotic game show, Najar built a unique bond with his teammates and mentorship from its host.

“Off camera, (Ramsay) is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Najar says, despite the celeb’s persona as a dictator in the kitchen. “I learned so much from him just about being a better chef and

WHEN YOU GO

Blue

a better person.”

When he returned home after Hell’s Kitchen, things had changed.

“Celebrity life is weird,” says Najar. “In Barberton, where I live, I can’t even go to the grocery store any more.”

Furthermore, he’d outgrown brewery food. He decided to take a new opportunity at Blue Door earlier this year.

“[UnHitched] has one of the best management crews I've been part of, and the clientele was very open to the new foods I was trying,” he says. “But it was time to focus on taking the next step in my life and building a brand.”

Blue Door embodies that step forward, both for the Summit County food scene and Chef Alejandro, who sees it as a chance to bring his food to a larger audience.

While he takes cues from the country’s big food cities, Najar finds some of his best inspiration right here in Cleveland. Inspired by Larder chef Jeremy Umansky, Najar brought on sous chef Roman Moretti, a gifted butcher who also spent time working at Cordelia. His sharp knife breaks down whole shoulders of pork from Gifted Grass

Farms or slices copa steak, a rare loin cut from near the pig’s neck that Blue Door serves as a ribeye.

As for influence, he also mentions the shareable plates and ever-changing menus at Douglas Katz’s Zhug and Jill Vedaa’s Salt.

“I’m all about big, bold flavors,” he says. “Those are the dishes that are remembered by customers.”

They also inspire memories, like the wafer-thin pizzelle ($16), topped with ramps, capers, pickles and a spicy spread of cheese, which tasted like a delicate summer hot dog. Meanwhile, the fried chicken ($16) in hot honey masa miso is a take on the famed Barberton fried chicken: a poke in the eye of his new clientele and former rivals.

“I’m a Barberton boy,” says the former lineman. “We played Cuyahoga Falls every year for the bell. It was a big rivalry. So, I had to put fried chicken on the menu and just make it way better.”

The night we visited, the special — a deboned, sausage-stuffed Ohio trout served in a pool of “Midwest” green curry — was the showstopper.

Now a food scene savior and reality TV star, Najar can't stop reinventing local cuisine. After such a whirlwind year, some might expect Najar to slow down. But to him, one objective remains.

bluedoorcafebakery.com

“How do I chase a James Beard Award?”

Door Cafe & Bakery: 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls

Inspired by pizza, the house-made pizelle (left) is adorned with liptauer and house pickles.

From your exemplary work to your continuous dedication. You reflect our world class care.

Congratulations to the nurses being recognized as the Faces of Care Award recipients. Thank you for the impact you’ve made in the nursing community.

Growing Vines

Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens has expanded by purchasing Thorncreek Winery in Aurora and rebranding it as Orchid House Winery.

Since 2016, Sapphire Creek has created an otherworldly food, wine and garden experience in Chagrin Falls. Now, it is expanding its footprint by acquiring the former Thorncreek Winery & Gardens in Aurora.

Rebranded as Orchid House Winery and re-opened in March, the eight-acre property features a restaurant, two event spaces and a bourbon bar.

“It was a really nice fit for our brand because Thorncreek had the same kind of emphasis on the indooroutdoor integration that we do at Sapphire Creek,” says Kathleen Birkel Dangelo, who founded Sapphire in 2016 with her late husband Andy Dangelo.

The Orchid House offers two event spaces: the Hibiscus Garden, a tented area for weddings and outdoor dining, and the big 225-capacity Lotus Garden, featuring an enclosed Gable Barn.

Sapphire fans are sure to rejoice over a second option for its Grand Brunch ($65), an over-the-top buffet that's

almost always sold out. The kitchen is limited until Dangelo finishes a buildout with an entirely new menu.

Both Orchid House and Sapphire Creek source their wine from a private Napa Valley vintner, which crafted eight new wines specific to Orchid House, including a sparkling rose, two pinot noirs and a Vionnet. Visitors can enjoy the exclusive watering hole in the aging cellar — called the Never Ordinary Bourbon Society, aka “No BS” — with a 20-foot raw bar, single pours of bourbon and its own food menu.

With the restaurant, Dangelo hopes to serve both a new audience and its existing clientele. That said, the location certainly has its own character.

“Sapphire Creek is very modern with rustic undertones and Orchid house is traditional with some rustic undertones,” says Dangelo. “We’re really excited to embrace a whole new county.”

DUKES N BOOTS, Dante Boccuzzi’s new country-themed bar in Downtown Willoughby, opened last month in the former home of Burgers N Beer and All AXS LGBTQ+ bar.

VERBENA, a new non-alcoholic bar, is opening this summer in Hingetown. At Verbena, a menu of curated NA spirits will be sold by the bottle. Zero-proof booze will also be used to carefully construct a menu of mocktails.

PATRON SAINT, an Italian-inspired cafe and aperitivo bar, is one of a few brands set to open in Ohio City’s historic Vitrolite Building in May. The lounge plans to offer low-alcohol spritzes, Italian beer and wine while chef David Kocab delivers a menu of light Italian fare.

ROASTED, a Tremont coffee shop, opened a hip sister location on Madison Avenue in Lakewood. The cafe seats at least 40 and includes seating for those seeking a destination to work. Couches and cozy corners invite in patrons who wish to simply relax and chat.

For more food news, visit clevelandmagazine.com/fooddrink or subscribe to our CLE Eats newsletter at bit.ly/3zfyh5m.

BY DILLON STEWART

Orchid House Winery opened its doors and garden in March.

Dining Guide

BEST RESTAURANTS IN LAKEWOOD

ANGELO’S PIZZA

WHY WE LOVE IT: Toted as one of the best pizzas in Cleveland, this longtime casual family pizza joint is known for its tasty “deep dish” (pan) style pizza lovingly made with slightly sweet homemade sauce and provolone cheese. TRY THIS: Grab a friend and devour a large deluxe pizza ($25.65) with pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and sausage. 13715 Madison Ave., 216-221-0440, angeloslakewood.com

BAR ITALIA

WHY WE LOVE IT: The modern “white tablecloth” Italian ambiance coupled with fresh pasta specialties and perfectly crafted house-made sauces make the newer restaurant designed to resemble a New York City bistro a hit. TRY THIS: Bar Italia serves up a delectable Parmesancrusted crispy chicken limone ($18.50), topped with arugula and a delicate lemon butter sauce. 15625 Detroit Ave, 216-303-9699, baritalia.com

Get

Harlow's

Quartz | Quartzite | Granite | Tile Marble | Soapstone | Porcelain Slab

BARRIO

WHY WE LOVE IT: The second location of what has become a regional chain sports black and white Day of the Dead wall art, build your own tacos and margarita flights in a lowkey setting. TRY THIS: Crunch into a two-layered “green goddess” (soft and hard shell) filled with queso and guacamole, with braised short rib ($6.45), and all the cheese, veggies and other toppings of your choice.

15527 Madison Ave., 216-226-7714, barrio-tacos.com

BARROCO

BORDERLINE CAFE

WHY WE LOVE IT: This popular brunch spot serves fresh Southwestinspired breakfast specialties. TRY THIS: This cash-only restaurant excels at hearty dishes like the BBQ pulled pork hash ($15) with crispy home fries, caramelized onion, Cleveland Ketchup Bacon and Bourbon pulled pork, sharp cheddar and eggs, with chipotle aioli and Texas toast. 18510 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-367-2494, borderlinelakewood.com

WHY WE LOVE IT: Enjoy a vibrant ambiance with colorful lights, neon signs, art and a massive, covered patio for Latin American fare and giant mojitos at this original location in Birdtown. TRY THIS: Barroco’s showstopper is the arepa (house-made stuffed corn tortilla). Try out the birriarepa ($18) with guacamole, mozzarella, curtido slaw and a side of choice, like the maduros (fried sweet plantains).

12906 Madison Ave., 216-221-8127, barrocoarepabar.com

COURTESY BARROCO

Home of the 2022 and 2023 Division IV Boys High School Basketball

State Champions

Mayor & Safety Director

Kim A. Thomas

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEIGHTS

• Beautiful Neighborhoods

• Broad Range of Housing Choices

• Diverse and Inclusive Community

• Superb Safety Services

• Welcoming Business Location

• Home to Leading Aviation and Tech Companies

• Recently Renovated Richmond Heights Community Center

• Coming Soon – $280 Million Belle Oaks Marketplace Planned Mixed Use Community

Mayor Kim A. Thomas

City Council Members

Bobby Jordan – President

Frank Lentine

• Juanita Lewis

• Accessible Recreation

• Natural Environments

• Summer Concerts in the Park

• State-of-the-Art Richmond Heights Schools Campus

• Mark Alexander

• Erron Bell

• Cassandra Nelson

• Daniel Ursu

BUCKEYE BEER ENGINE

WHY WE LOVE IT: A neighborhood favorite with a massive craft beer menu, this joint offers up juicy burgers and other American staples (and Eastern European favorites, like schnitzel) in a laid-back, hipster-friendly atmosphere. TRY THIS: Locals love the West Side burger ($11.75) with caramelized onion, New York sharp cheddar, Parma-made Rudy’s Strudel potato and cheddar pierogi and sour cream. 15315 Madison Ave., 216-226-2337, buckeyebeerengine.com

CLEVELAND VEGAN

WHY WE LOVE IT: Cleveland Vegan is a goto pick for scratch-made baked goods and flavorful cafe and catering menus highlighting organic locally sourced delights in a “colorful cafe in a walkable neighborhood,” says owner Laura Ross. The cafe recently unveiled “a new collection of artisanal hand-crafted vegan cheese from top vegan cheese companies throughout

the country.” TRY THIS: Stop by for “handsdown the top selling item,” the fried chicken sandwich ($14), crafted with a breaded seitan cutlet with slaw, chipotle mayo and lettuce on a locally made bun from Blackbird Baking Company. 17112 Detroit Ave., 216-221-0201, clevelandvegan.com

COZUMEL MEXICAN RESTAURANT

WHY WE LOVE IT: If you’re looking for a

simple neighborhood spot serving up high-caliber traditional casual Mexican cuisine, Cozumel has all your taco, fajita and margarita needs. Head there on the next Taco Tuesday. TRY THIS: Go for the sizzling steak fajita ($20.50) with grilled onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms, and all the fixings, served with rice and beans. 16512 Detroit Ave., 216-228-1415, cozumel.us/lakewood

BOOM’S PIZZA

WHY WE LOVE IT: Owner Ben Bebenroth says what stands out about the new NYC/Neapolitan pizza spot that finally got its own brick-and-mortar in 2022 is the “house-made dough, high-quality ingredients, and our amazing hospitable staff." Plus, there's the ‘grab your own’ beer cooler stocked with beer and wine. TRY THIS: “We spent a substantial amount of time creating our dough recipe and gained a lot of expertise on the baking technique,” says Bebenroth. “But across the board, the number one selling pie would have to be the OG Pepperoni ($19).” 14730 Detroit Ave., 216-465-1130, boomspizza.com

HEALTH EQUITY STARTS WITH LISTENING.

And no one listens like an excellent nurse.

MetroHealth is proud to celebrate our outstanding nurses, today and every day. Their clinical excellence and commitment to patient experience results in healthier outcomes for every person in our community.

Congratulations to our 2023

Faces of Care Nominees: Ann Fiorta, Megan Kalal, Aisha Parnell, Megan Raffel

metrohealth.org

KATIE HOLUB

FORAGE PUBLIC HOUSE

WHY WE LOVE IT: “We pride ourselves on the use of local, sustainable ingredients throughout our menu,” says general manager Lucas Zodo. Additionally, the wide offerings of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menu choices at this charming American restaurant make the spot a go-to. TRY THIS: Guests love Braised Berkshire Pork Shank, affixed with honey and mascarpone polenta, spring peas and jus ($32). The weekend brunch is also a hit, says Zodo. 14600 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2000, foragepublichouse.com

DEAGAN’S KITCHEN & BAR

WHY WE LOVE IT: An American gastropub with a vintage design showcases traditional dishes and new twists on old favorites, featuring bourbons, wines, cocktails and 28 beers on tap. TRY THIS: The hot chicken and waffle is a top pick ($16) with whipped honey butter and Ohio maple cayenne glaze. 14810 Detroit Ave., 216-767-5775, deagans.com

EL CARNICERO

WHY WE LOVE IT: The modern Mexican menu at this sister restaurant to Ohio

City's Momocho stands out for its vibrant innovative lineup of drinks and fare (including guac and margarita trios), and festive decor (think Lucha Libre masks and art) from Chef Eric Williams.

TRY THIS: Two words: Carnitas taquitos ($15), featuring adobo-citrus braised pork and pickled jalapeño mustard crema. 16918 Detroit Ave., 216-226-3415, elcarnicerolakewood.com

HARLOW’S PIZZA

WHY WE LOVE IT: Delicious wood-fired Neapolitan artisan pizza, modern color-

ful Mexican-inspired decor and a beautiful intimate chic patio make Harlow’s a true gem. TRY THIS: The Leonardo pizza ($20) is a culinary masterpiece: mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, pistachios, grape tomatoes, arugula, garlic and sea salt. 14319 Madison Ave., 216-712-6502, harlowspizza.com

THANK

Your generosity creates a powerful ripple effect. Funds raised at the Derby Day Soirée enable care that allows children to thrive, advance the education of Cleveland Clinic caregivers, and, most importantly, seed and speed research into pediatric illness. Your support today will impact the lives of millions of children and families around the world tomorrow. Thank you.

Parks and Recreation

10 tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, 10 baseball fields, playground areas, two sand volleyball courts and a full-sized basketball court. Additionally, the Park offers a walking path/fitness trail and a large pavilion. Plus, 1,200 acres of Cleveland Metroparks.

Community Center

Ohio Solon

Solon is ranked in the Top 3 for 2023 Best Places to Live in the Cleveland Area by Niche.com.

Solon Schools has received the #1 education ranking from Cleveland Magazine for 15 consecutive years.

Solon Arts

Center for the

Theatrical and orchestral performances and theater, art, dance and musical programming and exhibitions.

Indoor and outdoor pools, gymnasium, jogging track, meeting and banquet rooms, aerobics studio, free weight room, rock climbing wall and a fitness area.

Solon Business Community

Home to over 900 businesses from global headquarters to our favorite mom-andpop shops and 60 restaurants that cover every craving. Solon’s economy is perfectly suited for new and expanding businesses. Contact ashaker@solonohio.org for business development needs.

HUMBLE WINE BAR

WHY WE LOVE IT: Hand-stretched Neapolitan pizza, charcuterie, wine and an open-air patio overlooking Detroit Avenue make Humble a reliable staple for dinner alongside rustic chic decor.

TRY THIS: The basic-sounding Margherita ($18) is far from ordinary-tasting, featuring tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, tomatoes, house-made mozzarella and basil. 15400 Detroit Ave., 216-767-5977, humblewinebar.com

INDIA GARDEN

WHY WE LOVE IT: Lakewood locals visit India Garden for authentic North Indian dishes in a colorful, cozy eatery known for “our authentic flavors and consistency of spices that we still roast inhouse and blend with different foods,” says owner Sonny Sharma. TRY THIS: Try the chicken tikka masala ($17.95) with marinated tender pieces of chicken, cooked with fresh onion and tomatoes, one of the most popular dishes for regulars, says Sharma. Any dish can be made gluten free, vegan or at any spice level. 18405 Detroit Ave., 216-221-0676, indiagardencleveland.com

we are CLEVELAND STATE

MOLTO BENE ITALIAN EATERY

WHY WE LOVE IT: This bright modern Italian pick packs it all in a small space: homemade Italian specialties, fresh pasta, pizza, bellinis and gelato. TRY THIS: The sachetti panna e prosciutto ($22) showcases four cheese purse pasta topped with Alfredo-style creamy pink sauce and prosciutto. 18401 Detroit Ave., 216-273-7333, eatmoltobene.com

PIER W

WHY WE LOVE IT: Boasting one of the long-standing best views of Lake Erie from a window-filled upscale restaurant, Pier W features fresh sea and land fare, thoughtfully crafted drinks and an iconic weekend buffet. TRY THIS: Go all out with the seared Georges Bank diver scallops ($45) with lime and basil coconut sauce, roasted carrots, turnips and sweet potatoes 12700 Lake Ave., 216-2282250, pierw.com

csuohio.edu

AND TOGETHER, WE’LL STARE SUCCESS IN THE FACE. SCHEDULE A VISIT

NATALIE SEEMANN

Perfect Location: Grand River access, 2 miles from Lake Erie & 30 minutes to downtown Cleveland

Young at Heart: Median age just 32, with a growing population. Home to Lake Erie College & diverse cultures

Historic Charm: One of the oldest communities in the Western Reserve & full of unique architecture

Hard Working: Entrepreneur friendly! Development is happening, come be a part of it!

painesville.com l @CityofPainesville

ROOD FOOD AND PIE

WHY WE LOVE IT: “Located on the west end of Lakewood, Rood’s executive chef Rachelle Murphy offers a modern fresh approach to American cuisine using locally sourced unique ingredients,” says owner Brian Ruthsatz. “The atmosphere is artsy, upbeat and yet relaxed.” TRY THIS: “The pork

SARITA A RESTAURANT

WHY WE LOVE IT: Housed in the former iconic Player’s location, Sarita focuses on New American dishes in an approachable, slightly upscale atmosphere with casual traditional vibes. TRY THIS: Indulge in the molten blue cheese-encrusted beef tenderloin ($38) with roasted garlic whipped potatoes, prosciutto-wrapped grilled asparagus, tomato-bacon jam and balsamic syrup. 14523 Madison Ave., 216-226-5200, sarita-restaurant.com

sausage cappelletti features butter bean velouté with charred cavolo, herbed sourdough crumb, Calabrian chili oil and pecorino,” Ruthsatz says.

17001 Madison Ave., 216-712-4506, rfpie.com

SALT+

WHY WE LOVE IT: A seasonally rotating menu of modern interpretations of

elevated American cocktails and small plates celebrating globally inspired flavors developed by the acclaimed duo of Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison make Salt+ a must-visit. TRY THIS: Order up a plate of the calamari with coriander coconut glaze and cilantro ($13) with a friend. 17625 Detroit Ave., 216-221-4866, saltcleveland.com

SOUTHERN CAFE

WHY WE LOVE IT: Chef Tony Fortner brings new twists on Grandma’s cooking at this soul food destination, whipping up locally sourced Southern creations ranging from buttermilk fried chicken and red velvet waffles to a traditional fried chicken dinner. TRY THIS: Start out with the fried green tomatoes ($6) served Southern style, lightly dusted in corn flour, and deep fried to a golden brown, served with a spicy remoulade. 11817 Detroit Ave., 216-801-4535, southerncafeohio.com

COURTESY SARITA

Live and Work in Our All-American Hometown

WESTERN RESERVE DISTILLERS

WHY WE LOVE IT: This family-owned craft spirit distillery also whips up some delicious American grub (think pizzas, burgers and sandwiches) in a casual space, channeling brick and industrial vibes. TRY THIS: Grab a tasty crispy chicken sandwich with green tomato chow chow and herb aioli on a brioche bun ($13) served with a simple salad, to go with your bourbon flight. 14221 Madison Ave., 216-333-9291, thedistilleryatwrd.com

THAI THAI

WHY WE LOVE IT: “We love introducing our customers to new authentic Bangkok street food,” says owner-chef Kiwi Wongpeng. Stop here for authentic curries, stir fry and bubble tea. TRY THIS: The roasted duck noodles soup ($13.95) with bean sprouts, cilantro and roasted garlic "is complex and delicious, with earthy flavors and aromatic scent from herbs like star anise,” says Wongpeng. 13415 Madison Ave., 216-2264890, thaithailakewood.com

THE ROOT CAFE

WHY WE LOVE IT: The cozy community

art-filled cafe sources organic ingredients locally. A menu of coffee and teas meets baked goods "daily-made inhouse, and all gluten-free and vegan,” says owner Julie Hutchison. TRY THIS: "Our star menu item is the Root biscuit sandwich ($11),” says Hutchison — it's complete with egg, cheddar, avocado, spinach and chipotle aioli. 15118 Detroit Ave., 216-226-4401, theroot-cafe.com

WANT MORE?

Check out more recommendations at clevelandmagazine.com/ food-drink

S A I N T I G N A T I U S like no other a brotherhood

J o i n o u r c o m m u n i t y t h a t t r a n s c e n d s t h e

t y p i c a l s t u d e n t - t o - s t u d e n t c o n n e c t i o n s .

F o r m r e l a t i o n s h i p s a k i n t o t h a t o f a b r o t h e r .

T h e u n i q u e b o n d s y o u w i l l e s t a b l i s h a t S a i n t

I g n a t i u s w i l l e x t e n d b e y o n d t h e i n s t i t u t i o n

i t s e l f , c u l t i v a t i n g l i f e l o n g f r i e n d s h i p s .

Quiet residential streets are nestled within walking distance of amazing shopping and dining experiences

▶ Top-Rated Orange City School District

▶ World-class dining options

▶ Convenient shopping: luxury and boutique shopping all within 1 mile

▶ Just 2 miles from Ahuja Medical Center and 30 minutes from Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

“I love that I feel like I’m in the country and the city at the same time. One minute you’re in the hustle and bustle of Chagrin Boulevard, and then you turn down the side streets and it’s like another world. You always feel safe.”

Resident, Vivian Walker

Come see all that Woodmere Village has to offer.

Mayor Ben Holbert

BEST PLACES TO *LIVE

*work, play, eat, shop, learn, earn, grow, get outside, have fun, find purpose and THRIVE IN NORTHEAST OHIO.

VITAL STATS

Rebecca Groth Mandel Scholar

I earned my first degree at Tri-C®

Learning That Fits Your Life.

At Tri-C, we meet you where you are with flexible learning options.

• Online, on-site, hybrid and on-demand classes

• Credit for prior learning/experience

• Class schedules ranging from 5 – 16 weeks with day, evening and weekend options available

Top 15

Best Bargains

We

Top 15 School Districts

Top 15 Safety Rankings

Lowest Property Taxes

How We Rate: In the years that we’ve rated Cleveland’s suburbs, we’ve evaluated three major factors: safety, education and housing. We’ve added other qualities that make a suburb desirable such as public services, diversity and walkability. Scores are assigned to each suburb for every category used in the rankings. Those scores are based on the year’s available numbers. We then add up the category scores, weighting certain categories more than others. Safety and education, for example, are given more weight than property taxes, which is given more weight than environmental infractions

The Top 20 are those suburbs with the highest combined scores — in other words, the suburbs that perform best in all of the categories combined

How We Did It: Overall rankings are determined using raw data that is converted into points calculated from the average in each category. Rankings for safety and education are awarded based on the total scores in each category.

Safety: Sources: Statistics for the calendar year 2022 are provided by each suburb. Crimes per 1,000 in Richfield Village are based on the combined populations of Richfield Village and Richfield Township, since the Richfield Village police patrol both and do not keep separate village stats. As noted on the Safety charts, data submitted by suburbs after the deadline are reflected on the chart but were not calculated into the overall ranking.

Education: Sources: Individual school districts and the Ohio Department of Education 2021-2022 and 2018-2019 School Report Card district data files.

The state’s 26 possible indicators for student performance are based on standardized tests, a gifted indicator that measures how gifted students are performing, a chronic absenteeism improvement indicator measuring the number of students who are chronically absent (missing at least 10% of the school year) as well as schools’ efforts to reduce that number, and an end-of-course improvement indicator measuring the performance and improvement on retaken end-of-course tests. Each school’s possible indicators vary depending on which tests its students take. The state’s Performance Index rewards the performance of every student, not just those who score “proficient” or higher. The scores range from 0 to 120, with 100 being the goal. The state tests students in reading and math every year from third through eighth grades. It also tests science in fifth and eighth grades. The state has transitioned from its Ohio Graduation Tests to end-of-course tests. Those include English I & II, math I & II, geometry, algebra, American history, American government and biology. In our rankings, the end-of-course tests are expressed as an average percentage of all students who scored at proficiency or above. The state’s value-added ranking measures the impact schools and teachers have on students’ academic progress rates from year to year or another period of time, using student achievement data. There are four value-added measure grades combined to get a Progress Component Grade: The state calculates this progress made for all students, and then for subgroups of gifted students, students with disabilities and students whose academic performance was in the lowest 20% of students statewide. Through 2019, state law stipulated that if any of these subgroup grades were lower than a B on an A-F scale, and the

overall grade was still an A, then the overall grade would be demoted to a B to reflect this discrepancy. We calculated the students per full-time teacher ratio using the state-reported figures for enrollment and full-time teachers.

In line with legislative action allowing schools to forego certain state tests since the start of the pandemic, limited data is available. Therefore, we repurposed 2018-2019 state data regarding achievement scores, end-of-course tests, performance index scores and overall value-added rankings.

As a measure of college readiness, we asked school districts to provide the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes offered. In addition, we requested the percentage of seniors from the class of 2022 who took at least one of those classes during high school and who scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP test or a 4 or higher on at least one IB test during high school.

Median Home Sale Price: Sources: The county auditors or fiscal officers’ offices provided figures for valid sales of single-family homes in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

Property Tax: Sources: 2022 rates of taxation are from county auditors, treasurers or fiscal officers and the Ohio Department of Taxation. They include each community’s rollback and reduction for owner-occupied residential property for levies passed before November 2013.

Population, Poverty, Diversity & Owner-Occupied Housing: Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Diversity points are awarded based on the suburb’s percentage of minority residents (nonwhite, Hispanic or multiracial), with the most points given to those suburbs closest to a 50% balance.

Environmental Infractions: Source: The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s database of reported polluted sites, which is continuously updated and includes reports of polluted sites that the EPA has not fully investigated.

Community Services: The mayor’s office of each suburb informed us which of the following services are available to all residents: tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball and softball diamonds, indoor or outdoor ice rinks, indoor swimming pools, outdoor swimming pools, public playgrounds, recreation centers, public skateboarding parks, senior services, youth services, free mulch, free leaf pickup, free garbage pickup and recycling programs.

Roads With Sidewalks: Each suburb provided information on the miles of roads and sidewalks. Percentage of roads with sidewalks was determined by dividing centerline miles of roads by half the miles of sidewalks and converting to a percentage.

Alternative Commute And Commute Time To Work: Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

SAFETY STATS

COMMUNITY

PEPPER PIKE IS 2023'S NO. 1 SUBURB

Pepper Pike is a city that embraces space, greenery and a small-town feel. Every home in this 7.15-squaremile suburb is built on at least a one-acre lot, giving its residents plenty of room — and much of that room is filled with trees. For 22 years now, Pepper Pike has been recognized as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation. “What I love about Pepper Pike — other than the natural beauty of the community — are the residents who live here, and how much they love their community and are engaged with seeing it prosper and be maintained," says Richard Bain, mayor of Pepper Pike. "People invest large amounts of money in maintaining their properties, coming to our community events and giving the place a real sense of neighborhood and community.” A 12-point jump in safety ratings helped propel the city from No. 3 in 2022 to our No. 1 spot.

BUSINESS/ DEVELOPMENT

Avon Lake

Last year, Ford Motor Co. announced a nearly $1 billion investment to expand its Ohio Assembly Plant. The new factory is designed to build electric vehicles. The company hopes to add 2,000 jobs by 2030.

Brook Park

By 2025, Blue Abyss hopes to open a $235-million complex designed to train astronauts for deep space. The main feature is a specialized pool that's 17 times larger than Olympic regulations. “The technology needed to get a rocket from the ground to space is built here in Brook Park,” says Mayor Edward Orcutt.

Euclid

Northeast Ohio inspires dreams of lakefront living

In most cities, that dream carries a multi-million dollar price tag — but not Euclid. According to the Multiple Listings Services, this city features Cleveland’s cheapest lakefront property. Many of those properties also feature private beach access.

Oakwood's Angelo Petitti

In the past 50 years, the owner of Petitti's Garden Center, which is headquartered here, has beautified Northeast Ohio through his nine area plant stores. By Jacob DeSmit

BUILT OF LOVE: Petitti’s green thumb sprouted after his uncle, an avid gardener with whom he lived, suffered a stroke. Taking on the physical brunt of landscaping duties, Petitti learned the trade and discovered the beauty of watching a seed bloom. “No matter how many times you see it, it’s like a miracle.”

INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION: After touring a garden center in England, which featured concrete pathways and a covered complex, the seeds were sown for what his business could become. “It’s like we were living in the stone age. I was so inspired that I bulldozed the whole store in Oakwood over that winter and rebuilt it. It was really the start of what we’ve built today.”

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY: Petitti, who immigrated from Faeto, Italy, at the age of 16, views continued service to Northeast Ohio as the company's key to the future, though the business decisions are up to the family’s next generation. “From my perspective, we’re much better served by serving our community best.”

ON THE AIR: Since 1982, his weekly WTAM 1100 radio show Gardening With Petitti connects the industry authority to his fans. “It’s like you’re talking with your friends on the phone. I think it’s a good service to our community and customers.”

Independence

To celebrate moving its headquarters to Independence, Cleveland's Wild Republic toy company donated $100,000 worth of plush toys to children in need.

Lakewood

Ohio's densest suburb, with 9,138 people per square mile, has also seen a 210% increase in home value in the past decade.

Mayfield Village

Headquartered here, Progressive Insurance gives back often, like offering $250,000 grants to Black small business owners. It's also one of the area's biggest employers with 43,000 workers.

Astronauts train for deep space in the depths of Blue Abyss, which would be the first of its kind in the U.S.

Painesville's HOLA Ohio

The 20-year-old nonprofit, which focuses on supporting the NEO Latino community, celebrates its one-year anniversary in its new community center. By

Cassie Tomaselli

A MISSION TO SERVE: Executive director Veronica Isabel Dahlberg founded HOLA Ohio in 1999 to assist the Latino community of Northeast Ohio with immigration support, healthcare access and resources and programming for families and children.

RICH HISTORY: As a daughter of immigrants, Dahlberg intimately understands her community’s hardships. “I was one of those kids that interpreted for my parents and family members — so many kids today continue to do so for their parents,” Dahlberg says.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME:

HOLA celebrated one year in its community center on North State Street in Painesville last month with a major Cinco de Mayo bash in Veterans Park. HOLA received more than $2 million in grants and donations to renovate an abandoned building in the heart of the city's Latino neighborhood. Today, the center is buzzing with activity ranging from children’s programs to adult support services. “We’re very busy over here — and that’s how I like it,” Dahlberg says.

Richmond Heights

Big spenders head to Cuyahoga County Airport to lease private jets from Richmond Heights-based FlexJet

Rocky River

700 Lake , a contemporary community of 25 condos and eight townhomes, may soon bring luxury options to Lake Erie's shores.

DIVERSITY/ CULTURE

Chardon

Bar and restaurant Element 41 showed its support for the LGBTQ+ community by hosting a popular drag brunch event in April despite targeted protests.

Olmsted Township

The West Side Irish American Club's nearly 100-year history celebrates the area's deep and vibrant heritage in green, white and orange.

University Heights

This year marks the second Annual University Heights Juneteenth Celebration , honoring the abolishment of slavery with a mix of education and entertainment.

EDUCATION/ CHILD CARE

Berea

Baldwin Wallace University's campus centers the city around unique programming, productions and festivals.

Brecksville

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Bees gymnastics team has earned national recognition for its 20-year streak of Ohio State Championships.

Kirtland Lakeland Community College offers more than 135 associate degrees and technical certificates.

Maple Heights

Men's Health named Corwyn Collier the "Ultimate Guy" after he overcame losing limbs to a roadside bomb in Iraq with body building, coaching and teaching at Maple Heights High School.

Moreland Hills

Nestled on 172 acres in the Chagrin Valley, Hiram House Camp is Ohio's first settlement house and one of the oldest camps in the natio

North Ridgeville

Victory Sports Park offers everything from basketball to cornhole with 60 acres of fields and tournaments for adults and kids alike.

North Royalton

The North Royalton City Schools are set to receive a $195,000 makeover with new lockers, bus garages, parking and more.

Sagamore Hills

Lawrence School is considered one of the best schools in Northeast Ohio for children living with ADHD, dyslexia and language-based learning disorders.

Solon

Solon City School District isn't just No. 1 on our list. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Solon amongst the best in the country.

Willoughby Lost Nation Sports Park is a 98,000-square-foot former airplane hangar with virtual driving ranges, batting cages, fields, courts and more.

FOOD/DRINK

Amherst

Downtown Amherst’s active bar scene is exemplified by longtime standby Ziggy's

Bainbridge

Balaton Restaurant , a Shaker Square staple since 1964 that closed in 2022, reopened here this year.

Concord

Since 2013, locals have enjoyed craft beer and elevated gastropub food at Concord's Pub Frato

Garfield Heights

The last remaining Arthur Treacher's, a fast-food fish and chips joint, recently reopened in Garfield Heights.

Mentor-on-the-Lake

Fine dining in a strip mall: Ninja Sushi's Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi and hibachi meals are a hidden gem.

Richfield Village

Whitey's Burgers and Bar isn’t just a corner pub — it makes and sells its own Ukrainian-inspired, 80-proof vodka distilled from Ohio potatoes.

Willowick

For more than 50 years, Wickliffe residents have shopped Alesci's Food Store for specialty Italian ingredients and prepared foods.

Hiram House in Moreland Hills, one of the oldest camps in the country, teaches archery, boating and more.

Parma's Lidia Trempe

The owner of Rudy's Strudel & Bakery is pushing her city toward a fresh future.

By Annie Nickoloff

HELPING HAND: Trempe grew up in the bakery her mother, Eugenia Polatajko, purchased in 1979. Trempe didn’t plan to run things, getting a degree in international relations from Cleveland State University, but she returned in 2008 to help out for "a few months." Fifteen years later, her smiling face has been a constant presence behind the counter. “It’s a privilege," Trempe says. "I can’t believe I get to do it.”

FRESH IDEAS: Since taking the reins, Trempe has kept familyfavorite recipes while upping the store's energy. Her annual Paczki Day festival, held every Fat Tuesday, attracts hundreds of early-morning fans in a line that wraps around the block. She invited The Current Year, Parma’s only record store, into the building in 2020. It’s all contributing to the new buzz Trempe has perceived in Parma. “I look out of my front door and I can see a comic book store, an empanada store, and then there’s Twisted Taino, Schnitz Ale; the evolution of ‘What is Parma?’ is this microcosm of, truly, ‘What is Cleveland?’”

NEW IDEAS BREWING: Trempe aims to add to the Rudy’s Strudel building in an upcoming remodel, opening one of the only local, non-chain coffee joints in Parma.

PARMA PRIDE: “There’s been a beautiful impact of not white-washing everything and [celebrating] old architecture,” Trempe says. “We have such a cool landscape.” And while she aims to keep that fresh forward momentum moving in Parma, she acknowledges one holdback, with a laugh: “I just need to sell a lot more pierogies.”

HEALTH CARE Beachwood

The 53-acre UH Ahuja Medical Center is one of the area's premier hospitals thanks to its 144 beds and nearly 1,000 physicians. A $236 million expansion includes a specialized sports medicine facility and a birthing center.

Mayfield Heights

Hillcrest Birth Center currently serves the community as one of the only places to give birth on the East Side. The facility now provides low-intervention births for mothers seeking a more natural approach to the experience.

Hillcrest Birth Center is one of few places to get a lowintervention delivery, a more natural birth alternative.

Seven Hills

Seven Hills boasts a rich history, evidenced by the interviews conducted with the Seven Hills Golden Agers, seniors who've stuck close to the place they gladly call home.

OUTDOORS Avon

Every September, an Avon field is filled with bursts of orange and yellow sunflowers for Prayers for Maria , a photo-worthy attraction with a good cause. Funds raised through the sunflower field are used for cancer research, in honor of Maria McNamara, who died of a brain tumor in 2007 at seven years old.

Bath

Hale Farm and Village is the historic homestead of farmer Jonathan Hale. Now run by Western Reserve Historical Society, it gives a glimpse into 1800s life.

Bay Village

Huntington Reservation hosts a popular beach, The Noshery concession stand, and is situated neatly near BayArts and Chatty's Pizzeria, making this park a must-visit in Bay Village.

Bedford Don't listen to TLC — you go ahead and chase those waterfalls. And start with the variety of stunning waterfall features at The Great Falls of Tinker's Creek in Bedford Heights.

Brunswick

Find pumpkin patches, pig races, corn mazes and apple picking — plus, prime photo spots at the giant pumpkin wall — at Mapleside Farms ' annual Pumpkin Village festivities.

Broadview Heights

What’s better than one golf course? Two golf courses! Broadview Heights is home to both the 18-hole Briarwood Golf Club and 36-hole park-style Seneca Golf Course.

Chester Township

For six generations, Geauga County residents have relied on Patterson Fruit Farm for not only apples but also a community gathering place and fall family fun.

Summer marks Prayers for Maria sunflower field's bloom, and beach season at Huntington Reservation.

East Cleveland

In December, Nela Park lights up with millions of twinkling, festive lights, creating one of Northeast Ohio's biggest holiday lights displays, right in East Cleveland. Though GE Lighting put it up for sale last year, the lights display continued to run in 2022 and will, we hope, continue in the future.

Elyria

Cascade Park's towering waterfalls and adventurous hiking are underrated treasures of Northeast Ohio's parks systems.

Fairview Park

Tri-City Park is operated and owned by Fairview Park, Westlake and Rocky River. We can't wait to see the friendly, cross-town rivalries that form over the soon-tocome pickleball and tennis courts.

Hinckley

The towering Whipps Ledges make for the perfect summer hike — and an extra-adventurous rock-climbing opportunity, for those who want to scramble up the towering boulders.

Painesville Township

Lake Erie's beachiest vibes are found in Fairport Harbor , a village built around its nautical connections and lakeside vantage point. It's complete with two lighthouses: the Breakwater Lighthouse and the Grand River Light.

Parma Heights

At Greenbriar Commons, residents dip into a pool with a massive water slide and splash pad or go for a hike in the nearby forest. Next door, stop at the Cuyahoga County Public Library's Parma Heights branch for your next great read, or see a community performance at the Cassidy Theatre.

Sheffield Lake

Sheffield Lake’s boat launch, which serves as one of the only free boat launch sites on Lake Erie, is somewhat of a celebrity with a daily boat launch live feed and having served as the background for a local Ford trucks television commercial.

Stow

A dog park like no other, Bow Wow Beach offers 7.5 acres of fenced in park with sandy beaches, access to doggysafe water, dog washing stations, grassy knolls and a three-acre lake open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

The falls at Cascade Park are surrounded by 145 acres of forest and trails belonging to Lorain Metro Parks.

IN THE CITY

Cleveland is a city of unique neighborhoods, each with a distinct character of its own.

La Villa Hispana

Cultural districts are for more than just entertainment. That's why ClarkFulton, which has the largest density of Latino residents in the state of Ohio, is building up La Villa Hispana. "We want to create a destination so people know this is a prideful neighborhood and a colorful, active community," says Jenice Contreras, president

PARKS & REC

Cudell Recreation Center

Cudell residents swim, play basketball, work out, enjoy the sauna and meet their neighbors at this city-run gym on West Boulevard.

and CEO of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development. In 2017, the organization launched business incubator Las Tienditas del Mercado. This year, it breaks ground on CentroVilla25, a market with 20 microretailers.

Slavic Village Revival

Once the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis, the

neighborhood centered around Fleet Avenue is back. "This is a really easy neighborhood to get involved in," says Chris Alvarado, executive director of Slavic Village Development. In the past 10 years, occupancy is up 40%. With help from local activists, the organization's rehabbed houses, which have seen a 100% increase in value. Don't miss the village feast, an outdoor community dinner in June.

Ray’s Mountain Bike Park

Daredevils from across the country visit West Boulevard to enjoy ramps and tracks inside this 92,000-square-foot warehouse.

Rid-All Green Partnership

A once-forgotten vacant lot in Kinsman is now a booming urban farm with a community focus on growing fresh food and economic opportunity.

QUICK BITES

KoKo Bakery

Enjoy sweet and savory patisserie, cake and bubble tea in Goodrich-Kirtland Park ’s AsiaTown.

The Crispy Chick

DOWNTOWN LIVING BY THE NUMBERS

Since 2019, owner Senayt Fekadu has served the Central Neighborhood fast food with a local touch.

Goldhorn Brewery

Sip a Polka City Pilsner at Goldhorn Brewery, which also serves as an event and gathering space in the St. ClairSuperior neighborhood.

PIECE OF HISTORY

Karamu House Theatre

Fairfax is home to the oldest African-American theater in the country. Don't miss its annual benefit, a parade and sneaker ball on Aug. 12.

League Park

The original home of Cleveland Baseball, located in the Hough neighborhood, is now a museum that hosts baseball games played by historic rules.

6 22 percent of homeowners in Downtown Cleveland

percent growth of residents in past 10 years

200

about how many new homeowners over past 10 years

57

amount of foot traffic in February 2023 compared to February 2019

83% Cleveland’s Walk Score

clevelandmagazine.com/bestplacestolive.

More: For our full list of reasons to love Cleveland’s neighborhoods, visit

20,750

$15 million amount HUD granted the Huntington Building to create affordable housing

current number of residents target number of residents by 2032

30,000

Ariel Pearl Center

This former bank built in 1923, which features bank vaults, chandeliers and marble columns and floors, is now a wedding venue in Old Brooklyn

75

— Peter Brown, owner of Six Shooter Coffee and the forthcoming Doinks Burger Joint on Waterloo Road.

“People miss that sense of community. In Collinwood, you feel this brotherhood toward a common goal.“

Mentor's Headlands Beach State Park Manager Gary Gerrone shares what it takes to protect visitors and restore plant and animal life at Ohio's largest beach. By Patrick

Williams

MEET GARY: With a career spanning roughly 40 years of parks management, Gerrone became manager of Geneva State Park and Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor in 2019. Headlands is the largest beach in Ohio and the northernmost point of the 1,440-plus-mile Buckeye Trail.

ON THE LEVEL: The sand at Headlands Beach State Park has broken off from a nearly 200-year-old federal break wall. Wind and water form sand dunes on the 40-acre beach that Gerrone’s team level off with bulldozers. They then sift out debris to make the sand comfortable for beachgoers.

NATURE’S RESILIENCE: Gerrone’s job includes environmental efforts, like establishing a wetland on the park’s west end where plants and groundwater had overtaken a parking lot. “Why not let nature win? Because she's going to win anyhow.”

ECLECTIC ANIMAL SIGHTINGS: A medley of species — including bald eagles, river otters, foxes, minks and hundreds of species of birds, live and pass through Headlands Beach and its adjacent parks, Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve and Mentor Marsh. Last fall, Gerrone witnessed the annual monarch migration. “Everything was covered with monarch butterflies.”

SUBURBS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 73

Streetsboro

Boulder Creek Golf Course is an experience expanding more than 200 acres with each of its 18 holes built in synergy with the natural features of the land.

Strongsville

The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation sends winter adventurers 50-mph down a toboggan ice chute.

Willoughby Hills

Squire's Castle — located on the sprawling North Chagrin Reservation — is a photo-worthy hotspot surrounded by pristine hiking and horse-riding trails.

From the beach days to snowy adventures, Northeast Ohio affords fun times no matter what season you're in.

THINGS TO DO

Bedford Heights

Play Whirlyball , a mix between lacrosse and basketball, while also operating a bumper car — in a Bedford Heights entertainment complex.

Brooklyn

SHOPPING

Aurora

Aurora Farms Premium Outlet hosts dozens of name-brand outlet stores offering steep savings.

Chagrin Falls

Open for more than 165 years, the longevity of the Chagrin Falls Hardware Store stands as a testament to the community's love for its town and shopping local, especially in its Downtown.

Lyndhurst

Stroll through the bustling streets of Legacy Village to shop traditional retail and restaurants accompanied by a playful green space central to the village and home to markets, art, live music and more.

North Olmsted

For a taste of '80s and '90s mall nostalgia, head to Great Northern Mall , one of Northeast Ohio's few remaining indoor malls.

Orange Village

Pinecrest is more than just specialty shopping, chef-driven restaurants and quality entertainment. It's also a gathering space for community events like the weekly “Dogs Night Out” and “Yoga in the Park,'' along with seasonal artisan markets, concerts and movies in its outdoor space.

Shaker Heights

Unique shopping and dining opportunities await at the Van Aken District , highlighting primarily local businesses at a chic new retail hotspot.

Kid-friendly thrills await at Memphis Kiddie Park , the pint-sized amusement park that's been open for local tykes since 1952.

Cleveland Heights

Experience live music at two of the city's greatest venues , both located in Cleveland Heights. Sit on the hill under the stars for shows at Cain Park or rock out inside the fiercely independent Grog Shop.

Cuyahoga Falls

You could spend an arm and a leg to see a show at Blossom Music Center, or you could check out the free Falls Downtown Fridays series, featuring a lineup of local musicians, in Cuyahoga Falls.

One of NEO's newer shopping complexes, Pinecrest already features some its best food and shopping.

Olmsted Falls

Olmsted Falls resident Alan Perkins makes his home a popular Halloween attraction every October, installing massive skeleton-hand decorations, a pumpkin head and other attractions in his yard.

Highland Heights

Stonewater Golf Club encompasses the natural beauty of Highland Heights as the 18-hole, 180-acre course sits upon lush greenery and is recognized as one of Northeast Ohio’s finest tour-quality golf clubs.

Hudson

Golfers looking for a new adventure head to Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club, which offers the chance to ride the course on electric scooters instead of golf carts. On the Finn Cycle scooters, which get up to 15 mph, you carry your clubs between your legs and use a drive kick stand to hop off for a shot. Leave the old-school golf cart in the dust, as you veer off cart paths on one of the course’s four vehicles.

Macedonia

Longwood Manor's 300 acres were gifted to the citizens in 1984 upon the death of Colonel William Frew Long, the founding mayor. It now serves as a museum and gathering space that hosts tea parties, rummage sales and haunted events.

Medina Festivals are the lifeblood of this city's programming. Stop by the square for a variety of events, and especially the neighborhood's festive Candlelight Walk every holiday season.

Westlake's Emily Roggenburk

Emily Roggenburk is a Crocker Park staple since opening her store there in 2019. The Indiana native also lives in Westlake with with her husband, Kyle, and dogs, Lilly and Billy. She's a firm believer that we're all Clevelanders. By Dillon Stewart

ORGANIC GROWTH: Roggenburk never had a business plan. It all started when she rented a helicopter to capture a now-iconic aerial view of the Cavs 2016 championship parade. "It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing," she says. "Over time, we moved into apparel to serve our growing fan base of Cleveland sports fans."

CITY IN THE SUBURBS: Crocker Park is part of a larger trend to create walkable, mixed-use spaces in the suburbs. "A lot of people don't realize that in Crocker Park there are a lot of businesses above the retail shop, so you have a corporate community, you have a neighborhood here and then obviously the shoppers, so there's a lot of business all the time. It does feel like a mini city."

LOCAL INSPIRATION: As a designer and owner of a retail shop, Roggenburk finds Crocker Park to be a hub of creativity. "We love so many of the boutiques around here. There's a lot of local places opening in Crocker Park. It's nice to be in a community like that."

Westlake resident Emily Roggenburk offers trendy, localinspired clothing in her Crocker Park shop.

Lorain's Jevon Terance

The owner and designer behind Jevon Terance Fashion Designer Boutique may be internationally recognized for his high-fashion designs, but his roots in Lorain are what keep him inspired to create. By Cassie Tomaselli

FASHION FORWARD: The 37-year-old showcases his work in New York showrooms and at Paris Fashion Week, and has also dressed celebrity clients like WWE Wrestler Nattie Niedhart, NBA All-Star Chris Paul and rapper B.o.B.

EXPERIENTIAL SHOPPING: Terance’s designs have been on display at his own store on Broadway Avenue since 2012. Customers see not just a showroom but a working area with sewing machines and cutting boards where the magic is made. “We’re just making the pieces right there, right in your face to show you this is real,” Terance says.

LOVE FOR THE GAME: Falling in love with fashion came early as Terance was growing up playing basketball with his friends and family. He’d look up to Michael Jordan and watch to see which sneakers he was going to wear in games. “Then I wanted to work for Nike. I started designing shoes in the fourth grade,” Terance says.

SETTING THE STAGE: As much as Terance loves traveling the world to connect with new fashion networks and find inspiration, he believes his edge comes from his Northeast Ohio roots and he plans to remain right here. He also enjoys inviting the outside fashion community to Lorain, where he has set up runways to show his collections on the city’s MileLong Pier, the Rose Garden at Lakeview Park and the Lorain Lighthouse. “I like to do shows where people haven’t had an artistic experience,” he says.

Middleburg Heights

Visit the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds for flea markets, the county fair and Cleveland's Oktoberfest in the summer, then come again for haunted houses in the fall and, even, impressive lights displays in the winter.

South Euclid

Appreciate the 20th century architecture of the William E. Telling Mansion while touring the Museum of American Porcelain Art , which features a collection of American Belleek porcelain.

Twinsburg

One of Northeast Ohio's quirkier annual events arrives at Twinsburg's Twins Days Festival. The event, which takes place Aug. 4-6 this year, brings one of the largest gatherings of twins together every summer for a unique parade.

You'll be seeing double at Twinsburg's annual Twins Days festival, attended by sibs from across the country.

Eastlake's Alan Miller

Along with partner Jon Ryan, Miller bought the Lake County Captains in January. Their goal: Make Captains a fixture of Lake County summer nights. By Chris Manning

MUSIC ORIGINS : The SoCal native started his career doing marketing in the music industry and with brands like Dr. Martens and Hard Rock Hotels. That morphed into sports about eight years ago. "At that time," he says, "the more I learned about it, the more I realized I could do it better."

FINDING NICHES: "When you cut your teeth in music, there's nothing much harder than getting people to try and experience music that they've never heard before. You learn really, really tough grassroots marketing tips if you're going to make it."

WHY THE CAPTAINS: "This is a team that could use a shot in the arm of energy." One change he's made since buying the team in January is converting ballpark suites into interactive areas for fans. For instance: One old suite is now a vintage arcade that only plays music from the 1980s. Another was turned into a speakeasy.

UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCT: "This is Americana at its best. It's a summer day, an intimate experience with your family and friends. You can experience something here every night that you never expected to see."

LAKE COUNTY FAVES: "We've fallen in love with the area and bars like Sylvertros Train Depot and Trader Jacks."

Warrensville Heights

Put your inner warrior to the test at Adrenaline Monkey with its challenging Ninja Warrior Obstacle Courses, rock climbing walls, an aerial ropes course, basketball and arcade for ages five and older. For small plates and cocktails, check out the “monkey bar.”

Wickliffe

Suburban city hall buildings can often equate to drab office spaces, but that's not the case in Wickliffe. The city's offices are housed within Coulby Mansion , the historic home of the city's first mayor Harry Coulby. The grounds of the building became the public Coulby Park, complete with a swimming pool, pond and gazebo.

The historic Coulby Mansion makes an elegant home for Wickliffe's City Hall offices.

LET EXPERTS AT THE BREMEC GROUP CREATE YOUR ESCAPE AND PRIVATE REFUGE. WE SPECIALIZE IN LARGE SCALE PROJECTS AND WANT TO HELP MAKE YOUR DREAM LANDSCAPE A REALITY. • Decades of experience showcased in our award-winning designs • Knowledgeable, qualified professionals with a landscape architect & designer on staff • Innovative technology and the use of color plans and renderings

What started as a small gathering at Edgewater Park in the '70s has turned into a monthlong celebration.

Pride in Northeast Ohio now encompasses many subcultural festivities surrounding the big Cleveland bash on June 3.

WRITTEN BY KEN SCHNECK

That’s how a 1975 article in High Gear, a legendary Cleveland LGBTQ+ publication, described the “second annual Gay Pride Celebration.” A description of the day’s events followed:

“While nothing was done in the way of a parade, or mass meetings in Public Square, a very successful Friday night Coffeehouse, and a Gay Pride Picnic at, where else? Edgewater Park!”

Nothing exists in print about that first Pride, which local LGBTQ+ elders say was effectively a bunch of people gathering at local gay bars. For the second Pride, there were an estimated 100 participants throughout the day, a majority of whom were members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Cleveland and Akron. Attendees followed the picnic with a worship service, communion and a raucous chorus of “We Shall Overcome.”

In 1975, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland did not yet exist, but a fledgling activist group at Cleveland State University soon became GEAR (Gay Educational and

Awareness Resources). GEAR filed its articles of incorporation in 1975 but did not hold its first annual meeting or open its first space until 1977. Thus the “quiet success” of that second Pride was quite an accomplishment and a far cry from the 2022 Pride in the CLE, Cleveland’s most recent citywide Pride celebration.

Last year, 10,000 attendees marched through downtown Cleveland, culminating in a 15,000-person festival on Malls B and C with dozens of booths representing nonprofits, small businesses and corporate giants flanked the grand stage, featuring local luminaries and international superstars alike.

The upcoming 2023 celebration promises to be even bigger.

Although much has changed in the almost five decades that separate that second Pride from the June 2023 celebration, so many of the circumstances remain the same.

The 1975 Pride took place under the threat of anonymous phone calls to organizers, threatening those who

would gather together to celebrate. The 2023 Pride will take place under the threat of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that seems to be in endless supply in the Columbus statehouse.

The 1975 Pride featured participants who were “enthusiastic, happy, and Proud.” It is a guarantee that the 2023 Pride will showcase the same attitudes within the assembled masses.

But perhaps most striking in similarity, both Prides put forth an experience that fit the times and the culture.

Only a few years after the Stonewall Riots, Cleveland’s 1975 “quiet success” of a Pride was a decidedly low-key affair as the LGBTQ+ community began to explore its nascent political power. The 2023 Pride will exponentially amplify this power, with the sheer strength of LGBTQ+ visibility helping to scaffold the movement toward the nondiscrimination protections that are lacking here in Ohio.

So many Pride celebrations across Northeast Ohio will embrace this approach of creating a celebration specifically tailored to their community. Whether it is planning a Pride party for Black, queer attendees; hosting an event for a rural community; or developing a program that centers LGBTQ+ youth, event organizers are keeping their local communities in mind as they craft a unique experience that reflects the culture around them.

Some celebrations will be looking to make their voices loudly heard, and others will indeed be striving for “a quiet success.”

We present to you here six local events that draw inspiration from Cleveland’s early days of celebration even as they put their own modern spin on serving their communities in the best way they know how: with Pride.

“A quiet success.”

Mx. Juneteenth: A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration

June 17, noon-6 p.m., Blk PunX Press Studio, 4701 Perkins Ave., Cleveland

June is home to a host of holidays, including Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates the day that news of the formal end to slavery in the United States finally reached Galveston, Texas, nearly two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

The confluence of Juneteenth and Pride Month provides a unique opportunity to celebrate at Mx. Juneteenth: A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration.

Event organizers say that the Mx. Juneteenth provides a day to come together without having to compartmentalize the different facets of your identity. This is especially important for the Black LGBTQ+ community members who not only experience disproportionately higher rates of

discrimination in public spaces but also in LGBTQ+ spaces.

“Mx. Juneteenth is a celebration from an intersectional lens, where you can show up with both your Blackness and your queerness,” says founder and project director Avery Ware.

The event features a lineup of entertainment including drag performers, live bands and burlesque. There will also be a deep bench of health, educational and community resources present.

“You’re going to have a good time, but you’re also going to leave with some vital information that’s going to help you and those around you,” Ware says.

Now in its third year, Ware says Mx. Juneteenth stands on solid footing, having spent the past two

years building an infrastructure of community support. This year, that support will be more important given the rash of legislation designed to limit both the lived experience of LGBTQ+ Ohioans as well as the teaching of Black history and culture.

“This year, the event is about speaking truth to power but also about joy as a form of resistance,” Ware says.

All who support Black and queer liberation are welcome to attend Mx. Juneteenth, but organizers offer advice for white attendees to be mindful that this is an event was created for a specific community.

“We ask that white attendees honor that Mx. Juneteenth was designed around Blackness and queerness and to not center yourself in that space,” Ware says.

Pride Shabbat

June 9, 6 p.m., Suburban Temple-Kol Ami, 22401 Chagrin Blvd., Cleveland

RABBI ALLISON VANN knows that the relationship between LGBTQ+ individuals and their faith can be a fraught one. But the spiritual leader of Suburban Temple — Kol Ami in Beachwood has two words for those who have experienced a spiritual disconnect.

“B’tzelem Elohim,” Vann says.

The Hebrew words from the Book of Genesis translate to “in the image of God,” and Vann says they form the basis of reminding LGBTQ+ individuals that they are valued.

“We start with that journey of just knowing that who we are is holy,” Vann reiterates.

To help celebrate that inherent holiness, Suburban Temple — Kol Ami will be hosting a Pride Shabbat, a longtime Cleveland tradition that allows LGBTQ+ Jewish individuals and allies alike to gather in community. Vann explains that Shabbat, the weekly observance of the Sabbath, is an ideal time to weave together faith and Pride.

“Just as God rested for a day, so too can we all come together to see each other in all of our uniqueness,” Vann says.

The Pride Shabbat celebration is being planned by LGBTQ+ members of the temple and will feature a guest speaker, music and readings chosen especially for the occasion. Vann explains that the evening will offer both celebration and validation.

“Pride Shabbat can provide LGBTQ+ individuals ownership and leadership within their own community and a real sense of feeling in being seen by those around them,” she says.

Whether individuals come to Pride Shabbat or celebrate in their own homes, Vann hopes that even knowing such an event is taking place can provide a moment of healing needed by so many LGBTQ+ individuals who have felt shunned by their faith.

“There really are spaces of faith out there that can provide that affirmation. We just all need to walk that walk and talk that talk of loving everyone around us,” Vann says.

MEDINA'S PRIDE BILLBOARDS

Awhirlwind 24 hours last June in Medina, saw the installation of 29 LGBTQ+ Pride flags around the Town Square, the removal of some of those flags by the city, and then their restoration.

“I was doing a happy dance. And then I wasn’t,” says Sandy Varndell, founder and president of OutSupport, a Medina-based LGBTQ+ support organization. Varndell and members of OutSupport had been asking city administrators for years to approve the installation of Pride flags in their Northeast Ohio municipality.

When they finally received approval, 29 rainbow flags were installed around the Medina Town Square on June 1, the first day of Pride Month. The excitement at seeing the flags was short-lived as the Mayor’s office began removing them the next day.

A month earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled unanimously in favor of a petitioner whose application to fly a Christian flag on Boston city property was denied. Medina had joined in choosing to not fly any LGBTQrelated flags for fear of not being able to deny the petitions of flags the city finds questionable.

Citizen outcry quickly ensued and the Pride flags were re-installed a few hours later.

“They’re so much more than pieces of fabric,” Varndell says. “These flags say, ‘You are welcome here.’”

Rather than wait for an official new policy, OutSupport Medina has come up with a new display idea for Pride Month that doesn’t require legislative approval: billboards.

June will see the installation of at least six billboards along major thoroughfares with messages proclaiming that “Love is love” and “Medina has Pride.” The goal for the billboards is to make LGBTQ+ individuals and families feel loved, seen and welcome.

“Whoever cried happy tears with the flags last year will do so the same with the billboards this year,” Varndell says.

Pride in Geauga

June 25, noon, Century Village, 1465 E. Park Street, Burton

When we think of fertile ground for Pride celebrations, our minds don’t usually go to Geauga County. The rural locale just east of Cuyahoga County has long been known for being staunchly conservative.

Organizers of the second annual Pride in Geauga keenly know the reputation of their county but are excited to again provide a space for the LGBTQ+ residents to come together and find community.

“We know that Geauga County can be a tough place to identify as LGBTQ+, and our goal again this year is to host a Pride celebration that reflects who our community is and where we are at,” says Chris Steigerwald, board president of the Geauga Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Support Network.

With the inaugural Geauga Pride event in 2022, organizers weren’t sure what to expect. A few protesters had sent e-mails to city officials and law enforcement before the event, complaining about “amoral” activity and the possibility of “indecent exposure.” Undeterred, the event went forward as planned and the expectations of modest attendance were blown out of the water.

“We counted more than 540 individuals who came from not only Geauga but also surrounding rural counties,” Steigerwald says.

For 2023, attendees can expect the same family-friendly atmosphere as last year, just more of it. Food trucks, entertainers, community organizations and affirming churches will gather together in the expansive green grass of historic Century Village, a deliberate choice for location.

“Century Village provides a private atmosphere where people can come and be themselves and not feel the pressure of being so visible, especially as they might not be out in their local community,” Steigerwald says.

As opposed to other Pride celebrations where everyone is tightly packed together, organizers of Pride in Geauga want their festival to reflect life in Geauga County itself.

“Our event is all about comfort and for so many LGBTQ+ in Geauga County, that means being able to spread out, have meaningful conversations and be surrounded education, support and celebration,” Steigerwald says.

BBH Pride

Saturday, June 10, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., BrecksvilleBroadview Heights Middle School, 6376 Mill Road, Broadview Heights

WHEN A SPEAKER at a 2021 Veteran’s Day public event in the Cuyahoga County sister cities of Brecksville and Broadview Heights veered suddenly off-script to make some decidedly homophobic remarks with schoolchildren in attendance, some attendees were understandably offended. But they also were immediately determined: They saw the verbal calamity as an opportunity to create support structures to educate the community about their LGBTQ+ neighbors.

On that day, BBH Pride was born.

At the heart of the organization was the desire to do everything they could to address the alarming statistics indicating that LGBTQ+ youth disproportionately consider suicide and are at even higher risk when they live in hostile communities.

“That is something we won’t accept,” BBH co-organizer Vicki DeMar says.

To create a more welcoming community, the organization has been working with local businesses to provide them with best practices to make their establishments more friendly to LGBTQ+ people.

For 2023, its efforts include an inaugural Pride celebration.

Held at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School, the day will be a distinctly family-friendly event, complete with food trucks, arts and crafts, music, dancing and even yoga. The organizers say their goal is to provide a joyful celebration that furthers their mission of promoting awareness, instilling acceptance, advancing inclusivity, and fostering a welcoming community.

“We feel strongly that, ultimately, this understanding not only helps all of our residents thrive, but also helps save lives," DeMar says, "and that will truly be something to celebrate!”

COLORS+ YOUTH CENTER

Colors+ Youth Center has had a roller coaster of a time these past couple of years.

The Fairview Park nonprofit experienced an explosive growth in support of their mission to strengthen LGBTQ+ youth and allies by promoting individual and community wellness.

That growth included a $134,000 grant, enabling it to move into a 3,500-square-foot space, a substantial increase from the 250-squarefoot office it opened in 2019.

Then, less than two weeks after the 2022 grand opening of Colors' new space, an act of vandalism resulted in the front windows being smashed and racist graffiti spray-painted on the brick wall adjacent to the windows.

“We knew this was a possibility with more visibility, but more than anything we want youth to know that we’re not going anywhere,” says Colors+ co-founder Kristen Pepera.

For this year’s Pride Month, Colors+ is ready to remind the community that it is here to stay with “Show Your Colors+,” a familyfriendly Pride event.

“We want to provide a space for LGBTQ+ families to get together, an alternative to other events that might be more adult-themed,” Pepera says.

Show Your Colors+ features a drag story hour, carnival games, karaoke and a keynote from Erin Reed, a popular trans activist and content creator known for her informative TikTok videos. Organizers have also put together a mile-long march through

Fairview Park, so that LGBTQ+ youth can feel seen and heard.

“Especially with all of the antitrans legislation right now, the march will help us spread both the awareness and the importance of our LGBTQ+ youth and families being recognized,” Pepera says.

Organizers describe the event as “deliberately low-key,” focused more on showing the community their programming and counseling space as opposed to parades' typical floats and parades. Above all, Colors+ wants families to know that the organization is here to stay, to support their journey.

“Every single LGBTQ+ youth needs a safe space and we are here to help celebrate just how wonderful they are,” Pepera says.

19 PRIDE EVENTS ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO

JUNE 2

Be Nashty – Be Proud at Symposium Nightclub

$7-$10, June 2, 9 p.m., 11794 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, studiowest117.com

Pride Weekend: Trash Unreal at No Class

$10-$15, June 2, 7 p.m., 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, noclasscle.com

Flat Out Pride

Free, June 2-3, 7 p.m., 10 p.m., the Flats East Bank, Cleveland, facebook.com/events

JUNE 3

GlamGore: 5th Annual Pre-Pride on the East Side

$15-$240, June 3, 8 p.m., 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights

Pride in the CLE

Free, June 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 300 St. Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, lgbtcleveland.org/pride

Pride After Dark: Official Pride After Party at Studio West 117

$35, June 3, 9 p.m., 1384 Hird Ave., Lakewood, studiowest117.com

JUNE 4

Family Day: Pride at Akron Art Museum

Free, June 4, 1 p.m., 1 South High St., Akron, akronartmuseum.org

JUNE 10

Gaga-4-God at the Cuyahoga County Public Library

Free, June 10, 10 a.m., 500 Som Center Road, Mayfield, eventbrite.com

Stark Pride Festival

Free, June 10, 2 p.m., Canton Centennial Plaza, Canton, starkpride.org

Lake County Pride

Free, June 10, 11 a.m., 415 Riverside Drive, Painesville, lgbtlakecounty.org

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland: Big Butch Synergy Pride Flag Making

Free, June 10, 2 p.m., 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, mocacleveland.org

JUNE 12

Put-in-Bay Pride

Free, June 12, 10 a.m., Put-in-Bay, shoresandislands.com

JUNE 17

6th Annual Pride Bar Crawl in Cleveland

$10-$15, June 17, 4 p.m., 1384 Hird Ave., Lakewood, eventbrite.com

Pride in the Valley in Warren

Free, June 17, noon, 161 High St. NW, Warren, fullspectrumcommunityoutreach.org

JUNE 22

History on tap — PRIDE at the Cleveland History Center

$15, June 22, 5 p.m., 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, eventbrite.com

JUNE 23

Sandusky Pride Festival

Free, June 23-24, 2 p.m., Downtown Sandusky, facebook.com

JUNE 24

Read With Pride at the Cuyahoga Public Library Solon

Free, June 24, 3 p.m., 34125 Portz Parkway, Solon, cuyahogalibrary.org

JUNE 29

Pride Night — Moulin Rouge! The Musical

$39+, June 29, 7:30 p.m., 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

AUGUST 28

Akron Pride Festival

Free, Aug. 28, 10 a.m., Downtown Akron, akronpridefestival.org

View from the

Residents share why they love their neighborhoods

SEEKING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Mayor Justin M. Bibb

Our Division of Neighborhood Services needs construction contractors to perform repairs and rehabs for City Seniors, address lead hazards in housing to protect children, and revitalize single and multi-family homes for affordable homeownership and rentals.

Minority, Women and Cleveland-Based contractors are strongly urged to participate.

Contractors can call the Division of Neighborhood Services at 216-664-2045

SCAN AND LEARN MORE HERE!

The Storefront Renovation Program offers a rebate incentive for comprehensive building rehabilitations. A sign-only rebate is also available for commercial tenants. CONTACT THE COMMERCIAL OFFICE FOR DETAILS - (216) 664-4000.

Photo by Lance Aerial Media

The first step in MAKING YOUR CHILD’S DREAMS COME TRUE IS…

The first step in MAKING YOUR CHILD’S DREAMS COME TRUE IS…

CHOOSING A CMSD SCHOOL

CHOOSING A CMSD SCHOOL

SUPPORT SERVICES/ SCHOLARSHIPS

FREE college and trade school tuition scholarships for four-year CMSD grads!

FREE college and trade school tuition scholarships for four-year CMSD grads!

FREE college and trade school tuition scholarships for four-year CMSD grads! Go to SayYesCleveland.org to learn more.

FREE college and trade school tuition scholarships for four-year CMSD grads!

The City’s Alive!

Areimagined riverfront, ambitious lakefront development and infrastructure to connect the city’s core and shores is a palpable plan already in play, steered by a collaborative city administration and public-private investments.

Eyes are on Cleveland — and there’s real buy-in, says Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. As one initiative, a master plan was revealed for the Cuyahoga riverfront in partnership with Bedrock and well-known architect David Adjaye.

By Kristen Hampshire

The city selected James Corner Field Operations — which designed Public Square’s renovation — to lead a broad-based master plan for the Downtown lakefront.

“I see new neighborhoods arising in Cleveland where you can live, work and play year-round,” Bibb says, adding that the “real actionable momentum” in the city’s center is garnering attention from all levels of government, along with public and private enterprise.

“The Biden administration is excited about our vision for the waterfront,” Bibb relates. “I had a very interesting conversation with Secretary Blinken, who said, ‘Mayor, your city just screams infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure,’ in terms of our waterfront.”

Connecting the Core to the Shores

“We are committed to real action on the riverfront and the lakefront,” Bibb says. And though discussions related to Burke Lakefront Airport and coastline development have been ongoing — for 106 years, actually — the difference is, now the city has “an unparalleled spirit of collaboration.”

Already, a series of community conversations centered on the North Coast Connector land bridge have been in play. And Bibb will announce the results of a traffic feasibility study that started in 2021 to gather data on existing conditions, along with collecting and reviewing community members’ ideas to help shape the outcome. “This will help us realize the North Coast Connector project in the short-term,” he says.

The project will bridge the lakefront to the city’s core.

“At the end of the day, having access to our waterfront is about equity, improving the urban experience and placemaking in an intentional way,” Bibb says, relating that development momentum also will attract new investments to Cleveland.

Mayor Bibb and his administration’s commitment to urban core economic development and equitable access to the waterfront are fueling a spirit of collaboration — and real action.

The comprehensive Cuyahoga Riverfront master plan is a 15- to 20-year vision reimagining 35 acres of riverfront, transforming Tower City Center and unleashing 3.5 million square feet of new development and adaptive reuse projects. Those will include 2,000 residential units, 850,000 square feet of office space, parking, public space and opportunities for hospital, retail and entertainment venues.

And in April, Bibb announced legislation to create a Waterfront Development Authority — a public-private partnership to raise capital with a sole focus on Lake Erie’s waterfront, including Burke Lakefront Airport.

“We are in the early stages of really thinking differently about what that asset can be,” Bibb says, noting the city completed an operational study and is embarking on an economic impact study that will better identify opportunities.

Meanwhile, near-term investments include a $3.5 million plan to replace the jersey barriers in Public Square with more than 60 new bollards that will make the square safer, more aesthetically pleasing and easier for pedestrians to navigate.

Also, the city will replace coin-operated parking meters with smart meters by

Flowbird with a payment service platform by ParkMobile. That way drivers can pay by app, text or by scanning a QR code.

“These investments fit my vision of changing Cleveland from a central business district to a community district,” Bibb relates. “It’s a community now with 20,000 residents, and we need to make sure the amenities are there so we can attract and retain companies and new talent.”

Improving Safety with Economic Opportunity

There are 24.52 square miles — the equivalent of 506 First Energy Stadium sized lots — equaling about 17,000 parcels of city-owned land that could create up to 23,000 jobs in the urban core. This insight from a Sorenson Impact Center study measures the opportunity in neighborhoods like Union-Miles and Lee-Harvard on Cleveland’s southeast side.

“My administration is continuing to focus on community safety and preventing violent crime,” Bibb explains. “But to do that, we have to make sure young people have productive things to do so they have pathways

to opportunity. The prerequisite to safety is jobs and economic development.”

Historically, the southeast neighborhoods have been neglected or overlooked for investment. “The amazing thing about Union-Miles and Lee-Harvard is they are resilient and have amazing assets to build, and the possibilities are limitless in terms of what they can become,” Bibb says. “They are a real bedrock of the Black middle class. Think about the amazing faith-based institutions in Cleveland. Many of them are on the southeast side.”

“More jobs will lower violent crime and create a new destination neighborhoods of choice,” Bibb says.

He identifies demand for jobs in the health care and smart manufacturing sectors. The city invested $10 million from the American Rescue Plan for workforce initiatives. It will announce a major investment of ready-to-go sites for companies that want to grow and create jobs in the urban core.

Overall, Bibb says, “There is renewed attention to Cleveland being a mecca for development and a prime place as a leading mid-sized city in the country.”

“I see new neighborhoods arising in Cleveland where you can live, work and play year-round.”

MAYOR JUSTIN BIBB

An Active Lifestyle

One couple opted to live in Duck Island for the next stage of their lives.

WELCOME HOME

Coming out of the most unprecedented period in real estate, the Cleveland market has started to stabilize with residential pricing adjustments in the higher price point markets as well as fewer extreme bidding wars, says Ted Theophylactos, president of Ted & Co. Real Estate Team at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

“Slowly but surely we’re seeing some improvement in pricing,” Theophylactos says, adding that sales are still strong and it remains a seller’s market. “We are still attracting a lot of people to the city neighborhoods. And this is creating some more opportunity for people to get a home.”

Theophylactos says he’s thrilled to announce that he has an 11-unit project coming in Ohio City. Then there’s North Park Place, a new development of 34 residences on a tree-lined neighborhood in University Circle, walking distance from world-class institutions, museums and attractions. New construction of luxurious, curated, higher-end single family homes in the highly coveted Clinton Avenue District and Duck Island neighborhoods are providing more options.

FOR LONG-TIME SUBURBANITES HEATHER AND MATT SNYDER, moving into their three-story townhome in Cleveland’s Duck Island aligns with the vibrant, active city life they envision as soon-to-be empty nesters.

That means a two-mile, two-wheel commute for Matt, who works for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in Downtown, and the same short commute for Heather, a teacher with Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and Cleveland State University, who drives only because of the work items she has to tote daily.

The couple, who relocated in November to the neighborhood tucked between Tremont and Ohio City from their family colonial in Olmsted Falls, has always loved going Downtown for dinner, entertainment and nights out, as well as taking in a game or accessing the Metroparks.

“What was wonderful about this particular location in Duck Island is we’re able to be so close to whatever we want to do,” says Heather, adding that both their boys are

in college. “We walk now to the West Side Market just to go grocery shopping. We walk to all the restaurants and we walk to go see a basketball game. We can jump over to the Metroparks for a walk or a run or ride the bike.”

The city views are spectacular from the open and airy modern home that overlooks the Cuyahoga River and its illuminated bridges and spans just under 3,000 square feet with a rooftop deck.

He’s especially excited about The Residences at The Guardian, which is the first of its kind development in more than 15 years. This Downtown high-rise of 14 luxury condos offers spectacular city views, a prime location at E. 6th and Euclid and the rare chance to own a piece of Downtown with attractive tax abatement incentives.

“We can see Guardians on the Hope Memorial Bridge and the Terminal Tower with the lights changing at night,” Matt says. “We can see Progressive Field, and we can turn another direction and see the West Side Market. The river is right below us so it’s really neat when a ship comes through. We are excited to have this type of living as our next chapter.”

— Chrissy Kadleck

“There are more equitable chances coming in the tax abatement program as well to encourage buyers to invest in the city,” he says. — CK

TREMONT

The Right Address

Downtown Cleveland was the right choice for a new Ohio resident.

THE HEART OF IT ALL

The 202 modern, high-end luxury apartments — one bedroom, two bedrooms and penthouses — at Residences at 55 offer all the amenities of Downtown Cleveland living. Residents enjoy beautiful finishes, the conveniences and proximity to all the attractions from the city’s iconic Public Square. It’s a five-minute walk to the Browns Stadium, five minutes to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and five minutes to the Flats.

“We’re kind of right in the heart of everything,” says Doug Price IV, vice president of K&D Group, which owns the Residences at 55. The building will also soon have Rocco Whalen’s two-story Fahrenheit restaurant with a rooftop deck.

K&D Group is also redeveloping the former United Church of Christ site at 700 Prospect Avenue in the Gateway Neighborhood. The 120 residential units will be within walking distance to East Fourth Street, Public Square, Playhouse Square, Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

CLEVELAND HAD BEEN ON SHANNON WILLIAMS’ MIND for some time before he moved here from Atlanta in January.

Having lived in Atlanta, Georgia, for 34 years, Williams was met with disbelief when he told his family and friends he was moving to the 216.

“They’re like, ‘Why Cleveland? You travel the world and why did you end up in Cleveland?’ But I had been here for some political campaigning with presidential election in 2004, 2008 and 2012 and I liked the vibe of the city,” says Williams, who is director of programs for the Society of International Business Fellows, which has about 1,700 C-level executives in 46 countries.

A planner in his remote job and a lover of the lock-and-go lifestyle, Williams says he did an extensive amount of research before coming to look at places to live in the city. His research led him to explore the Residences at 55.

“I like the urban lifestyle and here you are in the heart of the city — Public Square,” says the 57-year-old. “I like the location here (at Residences at 55) because you’re close to the Warehouse District, you’re close to the Flats, and I can still walk over to Playhouse Square. The property management staff here was terrific. They were very patient with me. I probably looked at about eight or 10 until I finally chose the one that worked best for my lifestyle.”

Exploring the sights and sounds of a new city has been good for his soul, Williams says.

“In second-tier cities like Cleveland, there’s opportunity here for people to attract remote workers and other people who are looking for a city with a little bit lower cost of living,” he adds. “From my two-bedroom apartment (that cost the same as a one-bedroom in Atlanta) I can overlook Terminal Tower right out my window every night.” — Chrissy Kadleck

This is the eighth historic conversion project in the city of Cleveland for K&D Group. “It’s kind of become like a specialty of ours,” Price says. “We have units as small as 300 square-foot studios with Murphy beds and furniture to 700 square-foot, two-bedroom units.”

Residents will be able to move in as soon as the first quarter of 2024, Price says.

“It’s a great area. The nightlife there is always great because there’s so many good restaurants plus you have all the events that happen across the street. That’s really a core area to the city.” — CK

JEANI BRECHBILL COURTESY K&D GROUP

DOWNTOWN

Gather Together

Buckeye-Shaker is home to a positive and healthy place to unwind.

DAY, UNBAR IS A FULL-SERVICE COFFEE SHOP

BY

that has everything you can find at Starbucks and more. By night, it has a lounge feel with mocktails, warm energy and special events. The vibe is positively constant: Think better, feel better, be better.

“People need to come to UnBAR because they need to be in an atmosphere where they can actually socialize and remember what happened the next day,” says owner Melissa Garrett-Hirsch. “We offer a third space in a community where people can come, and they don’t have to worry about the things that go with alcohol sometimes.”

The concept of UnBAR came to her when she was talking to her son, who is now the operations manager. “I worked in corporate America for many years, and it was always this thing about happy hour after work. I used to always say, there’s nothing happy about an hour with a bunch of people I just worked all day with and I’m ready to go home.”

Consistent feedback is making GarrettHirsch consider applying for a license to sell wine. “People have told me that they love the atmosphere and if they could have a glass of wine too, they’d never leave,” she says.

UnBAR has healthy sandwiches, salads and sides, as well as plenty of vegan offerings including a meatless Polish Boy.

“My goal was to create a diverse, eclectic vibe that reflects the people and businesses here, and I think I’ve achieved that hosting everything from poetry nights and breakdance competitions to comedy shows and book clubs to civic events,” she says. “Whatever the community asks for, I try to give it to them.

— Chrissy Kadleck

BUILDING COMMUNITY

SUPPORT SYSTEM

Burten Bell Carr Development Inc. is a community development corporation serving the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods, as well as the Buckeye/Shaker Square area. It is working with the featured businesses and others through the Community Navigator Pilot Program in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program shares educational tools, resources and funding opportunities with entrepreneurs in the city of Cleveland.

Local businesses are being launched with the help of a central space.

For Dr. Lisa McGuthry, building community is more important than building a business. As owner–relationship manager of Our Favorite Things Boutique and Event Center for the last seven years, McGuthry has created a hub for people to connect at her Larchmere Boulevard storefront.

“It’s a safe space — a place to help people in our community by nurturing local entrepreneurs, helping them to build business and the economy because most of the dollars from local small businesses do go back into our community,” she says. “We’re more than a business; it’s a social mission. There is inclusiveness.”

Products from 16 local entrepreneurs are featured in our store, ranging from body butter, sugar scrubs, handcrafted jewelry, custom hats, to name a few. Shoppers will also find two lines close to her heart — Lauren’s Tees designed by McGuthry’s 17-year-old daughter and Too Good Eats, artisan healthy fruit-and-veggie drinks made by her 32-year-old daughter and business partner.

McGuthry offers a vibrant collection of affordable fashions for women of all sizes. And she recently added men’s clothing. “I really want people to know that you don’t have to be a size two. If you’re a size 26, there’s something here for you,” she says. — CK

BUCKEYESHAKER

Incubating Ideas

Glenville’s GlenVillage houses local start-up businesses trying to make their marks in the community.

IN GLENVILLAGE,

SIX INSPIRED LOCAL

ENTREPRENEURS have the opportunity to launch their passions into free-standing businesses within a supportive, nurturing space.

From fashion designers to restaurants and hair salons, the micro shops at GlenVillage are designed to be a hub in an underserved area of the community, says LaRese Purnell, operations manager of the business incubator and managing partner of CLE Consulting, which, through its partners, provides comprehensive technical support, training and mentorship to the entrepreneurs while they test their business ideas. GlenVillage is funded through the City of Cleveland, the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative and Cleveland Citywide Development Corporation.

“The whole project was to create opportunities and to bring another space where the Glenville community could support small businesses,” says Purnell, who has worked with hundreds of first-generation entrepreneurs throughout the region. “The purpose is to bring the minority owned and operated businesses in, work with them, provide them technical assistance, and then help them to continue to catapult their businesses.

“Those are pure examples of success,” Purnell says. “When we talk about minority-owned businesses, specifically

black-owned businesses, there hasn’t been a lot of success nationally in their ability to keep their doors open. This speaks to their strength and their ability to be able to navigate tough times as well as their work ethic.”

Purnell says it takes more than an incubator space to make a business successful.

HOME FOR HIP HOP

Community residents, local political figures and area partners and corporations have been supportive. “It takes a village when you’re talking about a small business that’s already plagued with issues of trying to be successful.”

— Chrissy Kadleck

Cleveland’s own Grammy-award winning Bone Thugs-n-Harmony will headline Glenville Live’s summer festival in Sam Miller Park on Aug. 12 — a daylong celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.

Hosted by the Famicos Foundation and Ward 10 Councilman Anthony Hairston, the annual community event draws thousands of residents, visitors, vendors, community resources and artists each year.

“The birthday of Hip Hop is August 11, and we will be having a street naming ceremony for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony,” says Kristian Hunter, center director with Five Pointe Community Center, adding that the group’s performance will be joined by other pillars of Hip Hop. “It’s really exciting to be able to attract performers on a national level to perform who were actually born and raised in Cleveland. This is also a great opportunity for tourism and to be able to showcase Cleveland itself and what we have to offer in the Glenville neighborhood.”

The event, which will be from Noon to 8 p.m., will also feature graffiti art, break dancing, food trucks, an old school car show, youth boxing showcase and a community performance stage. — CK

GLENVILLE

SCHEDULE YOUR APARTMENT TOUR TODAY!

2075 W. 25TH STREET CLEVELAND, OHIO 44113

Life in the

City

By Jill Sell

Four residents who have made their mark in Cleveland share why they love living in their neighborhoods.

“I just fell in love with this neighborhood.” It’s a phrase repeated over and over by Clevelanders who might have initially chosen the location of their home because it was close to their job, they had friends who lived nearby or they liked a particular house, apartment or townhome.

But then they realize how convenient walking to their favorite restaurant is, how friendly their neighbors are and what it means to be a real living-in-the-city, in-aneighborhood Clevelander.

Kenny Crumpton

Feature Reporter, Fox 8 News in The Morning

Unless there is a storm, the waves off Lake Erie aren’t really big enough for bodysurfing. That was an activity that Fox 8’s News in the Morning reporter Kenny Crumpton enjoyed in California before he moved to Cleveland in 1999. But he owns a paddleboard and a kayak. Plus Edgewater Beach is practically in his backyard.

Crumpton has lived in Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood that overlooks Lake Erie for the past nine years. The Kickin’ It With Kenny host “fell in love” with the neighborhood even before he moved in.

“I was doing a story years ago in Detroit-Shoreway and they were just starting to build

all the condos and apartments. I thought it would be a great place to live. It’s new lakefront property and that’s very scarce anywhere in the United States anymore. I love water, and the view … You have a beautiful lake that looks like an ocean right there,” says Crumpton.

The WJW features reporter also said it doesn’t hurt that his neighborhood is close to Downtown. Crumpton’s work schedule often means he’s up and about before snowplows can get to all the streets. So he may have to travel on snow-covered roads, but not for too long.

Being near water and work are major reasons Crumpton chose the neighborhood to call home. But he also proudly declares him-

self “a theater minor,” and the Gordon Square Arts District is a huge plus. Cleveland Public Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Near West Theatre and other venues’ stages are just part of what makes the area a cultural arts destination.

“I love the fact that the whole neighborhood places a huge emphasis on the arts. First you have theaters, then art galleries follow and after that, restaurants,” says Crumpton. “There are a lot of start-ups here, people who say, ‘I only have a 900-square-foot place, but it’s always been a dream of mine … I am putting my heart and soul into this.’ These are the risk takers.” Crumpton says many folks start with a smaller place but then expand over time.

Housing options are plentiful in this neighborhood, he says.

Crumpton says “the arts welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities,” an attitude that permeates his neighborhood.

“There are homes here that have been here forever, as well as new townhomes and apartments. It’s a nice blend of up-and-comers and empty-nesters. These are people who say, ‘Let’s walk over to that gallery. There’s a nice young artist, I met them, and I think we should support them,’” he says.

Crumpton also appreciates the “high concentration of women and minority-owned businesses in Detroit-Shoreway, which adds to the inclusive attitude you feel in the area.”

Here’s what your neighbors have to say:

Craig Hassall President and CEO, Playhouse Square

Craig Hassall hasn’t had a chance to use the thermal underwear he specifically bought when he moved to Cleveland from London this past winter.

“Where was the polar vortex everyone was talking about?” asks Hassell, who became president and CEO of Cleveland’s Playhouse Square in February. “I was told it was such a mild winter, but not to be disappointed. The vortex would be back.”

Indeed. But we think even frigid cold temperatures would not stop the former chief executive of the Royal Albert Hall in London from walking the Playhouse Square neighborhood that he now calls home.

“Cleveland is a great walking city. I’ve walked everywhere downtown. It’s flat, the streets are wide and there is lots to see,” says Hassall, who bought a “big old car” when he first moved here, but parked it in what he calls the “car park” of his residential building and never moved it for six weeks. “I did notice that people here really love their cars. I was used to the Tube and walking in London.”

Obviously, Hassall chose his neighborhood because he “has never seen a collection of theaters in one area that are so ornate, beautiful and well-maintained.” He is also impressed

with Playhouse Square’s resident companies, the Broadway series and its educational programs. (Hassall’s assessment is enough to make a proud Clevelander sit up straighter in a theater seat.) Of course, Hassall (born in Australia) is now surrounded by it all.

But Hassall also heard about “that East/West thing” and decided locating somewhere neutrally in the middle would be diplomatic. He’s open to

other housing possibilities down the road, but for now Hassall is happy with patronizing The Copper Moon in The Statler apartment lobby, “which has really great coffee,” Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen and other eateries within walking distance. He is also a big fan of Heinen’s of Downtown Cleveland and other repurposed grand old buildings with classic architecture.

“London is so odd,” says Hassall. “Here I come out my

door, hop on my floor’s elevator, people say ‘good morning, how are you?’ That would never happen in London. It was a little unnerving. At first, I thought, what do they want? What are they after? But people here are just genuinely friendly and there is no hidden agenda. I do wish that the streets would be more animated. We need more people enjoying cafes and bars and the fantastic streets. That will happen.”

Cleveland is a great walking city. I’ve walked everywhere downtown.”

Eric Williams

When Eric Williams moved to his first house in Old Brooklyn in 1999, he went to South Hills Hardware, a nearby, family-owned business, and bought an 8-foot ladder.

“I figured I was an adult then, a real homeowner. I became lifelong friends with the owners of the hardware store because they made me feel welcome,” says Williams, who moved to the neighborhood with his wife, Heather. “And one time I heard that a deli in the neighborhood had great lobster bisque. But I got there a few minutes after they closed. I went home and started to work in my front yard. Someone from the deli pulls into my driveway, hands me a couple quarts of lobster bisque and says, ‘Enjoy your afternoon.’ That’s some Mayberry stuff right there.”

Currently, the couple and their 20-year-old son, Jaxson, live in their second home in Old Brooklyn, a classic Tudor that Williams calls his wife’s “dream home.” His mother now lives in the brick bungalow he calls his first Old Brooklyn home.

“I thought it was important that my son grow up close to his family and grandmother. And Old Brooklyn is a nice, tight-knit neighborhood,” says Williams, executive chef and owner of Momocho, an inno-

vative, modern Mexican cuisine restaurant in Cleveland. “We own and operate businesses in Cleveland and so it’s important to me to live in the city. I feel we should support the community that supports us.”

Old Brooklyn also has a reputation for being home to many other of Cleveland’s most renown chefs, many of whom are friends of Williams.

“I kept thinking what was it about Old Brooklyn that others

in the restaurant community knew that I didn’t know,” says Williams, who has been featured on the Food Network, nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef Great Lakes Region, and taught Guy Fieri how to make a favorite Momocho dish over Zoom.

The chef likes being only eight minutes from downtown Cleveland and having easy access to both sides of town, as well as to Cleveland Hopkins Interna-

tional Airport. He appreciates his neighborhood’s amenities, including a fire department station, new and well-established small businesses and parks.

“It’s also a very walkable neighborhood,” says Williams. “It’s like clockwork around here. You can tell what time it is by just seeing who is out walking their dog. There’s a real sense of hospitality here and community connection. We look out for each other,” says Williams.

Executive

Chef

and

Owner, Momocho

Someone from the deli pulls into my driveway, hands me a couple quarts of lobster bisque and says, ‘Enjoy your afternoon.’ That’s some Mayberry stuff right there.”

Phyllis Seven Harris

If Phyllis Seven Harris, a resident of Shaker Square’s Larchmere neighborhood, wants to be a self-described “cool mom,” she knows what to do.

“My daughter loves The HoneyBirch Bakehouse and especially their baguettes. I’ll run in there and get one of those and maybe a cinnamon knot,” says Harris, who has lived in the Larchmere neighborhood since 2011, first geographically in Shaker Heights and now within the City of Cleveland for the past three years.

But Harris feels it is more than just the pastries in Larchmere that have given her daughter and son, whom she co-parents, a nurturing upbringing.

“Last year my daughter who is 17 got a summer job at Loganberry Books. She walked to work.

I know she was in a safe place and I could always walk up to meet her after work if I wanted to. It’s been a pleasure watching her grow up in Larchmere. She was four when we moved here,” says Harris, executive director of The Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland.

As “a middle-age, working professional,” Harris also appreciates the safe walking environment of a neighborhood that does not sacrifice its vibrancy. As a member of the LGBT community, she enjoys introducing friends to the area. Harris belongs to “an unofficial group” called Lesbians of Larchmere (LOL) and is a friend of Lesbians of Larchmere Ally (LOLA).

“I already had that city feeling when I lived in what I call East

Larchmere. But when I moved to West Larchmere, what came was not only a pride for my neighborhood, but a pride for the City of Cleveland,” says Harris, a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2019.

Harris’ list of favorite Larchmere places includes: Academy Tavern with its patio for entertaining friends; Batuqui, The Flavor of Brazil for showing off to company; Big Al’s Diner for breakfast; DaVita’s Deli and Beverage for chips and drinks; and Fiddlehead Gallery for jewelry and retail shopping, as well as other unique establishments. And of course, Larchmere is well-known for its antique shops.

“You also can’t live in Larchmere without being part of a festival, including the Larchmere Porch Fest,” says Harris, who,

when she first moved to her home, had to get used to more noise than she was accustomed to. Now she associates city sounds as part of the neighborhood’s beat.

“I am not a homeowner — that’s not for me,” says Harris. “I rent space and have been very lucky. (The management company) has been very gracious and they take care of any needs I have and keep up the property. It’s not a big residential space, but it’s affordable, and we all need affordable places to live in our neighborhoods. I know that may be changing with some of the new development here. But now I have a great place to live and I am planning to stay here as long as it suits the way I want to live. I want to be mayor of Larchmere. Let’s keep Larchmere great.”

But when I moved to West Larchmere, what came was not only a pride for my neighborhood, but a pride for the City of Cleveland.”

Executive Director, Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland

TOP of the CLASS

Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Say Yes Cleveland program helps students prepare for continuing education.

By Jill Sell

RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE KHLOE POPE is off to college this fall. Pope will probably pack her favorite electronic devices, desk lamp, clothing and maybe even her special bed pillow. But the student, who attended the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), will also have (at least figuratively) a Say Yes scholarship tucked under her arm.

Say Yes Cleveland is a multi-faceted, nonprofit program that strives to help all students in the school district thrive and graduate. As of fall 2022, all 104 CMSD and partner charter schools have Say Yes Cleveland support services that serve more than 37,000 students.

The Say Yes college scholarship is a gap-closing scholarship available to all eligible CMSD high school graduates planning to attend an Ohio public four-year university, two-year college or (Pell-eligible) trade/certificate program in addition to more than 100 private schools across the country.

With its scholarship opportunities, Say Yes hopes “to increase education levels of Cleveland residents, boost and retain population in the City of Cleveland, improve college access for middle- and low-income families in Cleveland, and spur economic growth and expansion in Cleveland.”

To Pope, the scholarship means the beginning of her future.

“Initially, Khloe wanted to go into medicine, specifically becoming a doctor,” says Gesta Miller, Khloe’s mother and a parent ambassador for her daughter’s magnet high school. “But I think that has changed a bit because of the exposure she has had to other healthcare professions and the other sciences through the School of Science and Medicine. There have been lots of opportunities to find out more about a variety of career paths.”

Khloe, Miller’s oldest daughter, was home-schooled and then enrolled in a charter school until the ninth grade. When it became time to send Khloe to a high school, Miller says the choice was between a public or parochial school. She chose CMSD because she thought the School of Science and Medicine’s extensive and expanded programs, early college placement and other opportunities would help prepare Khloe for a vigorous secondary health care education.

“Many people choose Cleveland schools for their children because of the Say Yes scholarship,” says Miller. “We really didn’t know about the Say Yes program until Khloe was already enrolled in the public school. The scholarship is important, but I

“Many people choose Cleveland schools for their children because of the Say Yes scholarship... but I believe the Say Yes support services and the Family Support Specialists are as equally vital as the scholarships.”

GESTA MILLER

believe the Say Yes support services and the Family Support Specialists are as equally vital as the scholarships.

“Khloe was able to speak with Donna Dixon, the Family Support Specialist at my daughter’s high school, who helped her through this whole process,” notes Miller.

Dixon says she thinks many students shy away from college because “they are worried about student debt and how much it effects their lives. But if we have students who believe they can go to college because of Say Yes and possibly be tuition free, especially if they attend a

school in Ohio, then we have students who can focus more on their studies and have less stress.”

The family support specialist emphasizes that Say Yes scholarships cover tuition and standard fees, not room, board or books. But the financial help is obviously still quite significant.

Say Yes assists those students thinking about college or higher education in various ways besides the awarding of scholarships. For example, students have access to tutoring and checklists that are designed to help them navigate the path “to and through” college, reminding them what to do and when to have a successful and complete experience.

Students also can explore career opportunities through internships, participating in panel discussions and being assigned

mentors. In conjunction with College

Now Greater Cleveland, assistance is also given to parents and students when applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and filling out college applications. College information nights are also planned at schools for families.

“Recently a student reached out to me who was really interested in military psychology. Normally you don’t have students be that specific. But we were able to connect her with someone who works in military mental health and who could answer the student’s questions,” says Dixon, who, like many other family support specialists, utilizes the Say Yes’s Postsecondary Planning System.

Donnae’jah McRae, a sophomore at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, is a Say Yes

Donna Dixon

Cleveland scholarship recipient who credits the program for providing her with “resources, support, supplies, academic guidance and more.”

“I am a first gen college student with little to no family support,” says McRae. “Say Yes has been that support for me. From getting me to college to getting me through. The scholarship closed a financial gap and lifted that financial barrier for me. Now I will graduate college debt free. Say Yes still makes sure that I and many others have connections and mentors to help me through life and school experiences, which I feel makes a big difference in my confidence and academic ability.”

Say Yes is a city-wide collaboration that includes the school district, government officials and the philanthropic and nonprofit sector. Currently, Say Yes also assists in obtaining basic needs (including food requirements) for all students. Funding for Say Yes is provided by a number of sources, including city and county funds (some of which are federal in origin) as well as money from charter schools in CMSD. Recently, some concerns over disbursements of

funds and deficits have been raised. However, school officials say scholarship money is not in jeopardy.

“Student scholarships will not be affected,” says Dixon. “That funding is secure and specifically set aside. We are good to go. We are with these students every step of the way. We celebrate their college signing day, their time through college and students who have graduated college and are still in touch.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In spring 2022, 1,329 students were enrolled in college or career training with a Say Yes Cleveland scholarship.

More than $7 million has been awarded in tuition scholarships since Say Yes Cleveland’s launch in 2019.

In 2022, Say Yes Cleveland students enrolled in more than 50 colleges, universities and career-training programs.

As of spring 2022, 58 Say Yes Cleveland students earned an associate degree or career training certificate; 19 have earned a bachelor’s degree.

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course

(source: Say Yes Cleveland)

Say Yes is helping students access higher education at institutions including Cuyahoga Community College.

Building THE LAND

Cleveland is a dynamic whole city composed of unique neighborhoods.

By Jill Sell

DESTINATION CLEVELAND, the area’s nonprofit destination marketing and management organization, IDs our city as The Land. Cleveland’s authenticity comes from the realness you feel and see in every corner of town. Destination Cleveland will also tell you that The Land is made up of 34 individual, fascinating neighborhoods with people who are passionate about them.

“Every neighborhood is different, but they all complement and support each other,” agrees Allison Halco, vice president of neighborhood marketing for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. “Every neighborhood has a story to tell with people who build vibrant places to visit and live.”

THE PIVOT CENTER FOR ART, DANCE AND EXPRESSION

The Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression, for example, is the transformation of a 74,000-square-feet industrial complex in Clark-Fulton. Once the site of the Astrup company that made ships’ sails and later commercial and residential awnings, the Pivot welcomed its first tenants in 2021.

The Rainey Institute, which provides affordable arts education to young people, is one of the building’s newest tenants. It joins Cleveland Museum of Art Community Art Center, Inlet Dance Theatre, LatinUS Blackbox Theater, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, ICA – Art Conservation, Future Ink Graphics and the Cleveland Family Center for Missing Children and Adults, as well as others.

“Everything at the Pivot is founded on collaboration and creativity,” says Rick Foran, owner of Foran Group Development. “Our mission here is to change — to pivot — the perception in Clark-Fulton to a more positive, engaging resource that

reaches out to residents and visitors with quality programs, especially the arts.

“This is not a hot market. You are not going to find a lot of young people here yet who want upscale housing like in Ohio City. But Clark-Fulton is very authentic. We don’t want to displace any residents. It’s very much a working-class neighborhood. With the Pivot, we are touching all the bases in the cultural world for everyone in this neighborhood,” says Foran, who renovated his massive building by opening two major sections of a formerly solid brick exterior wall, adding windows and letting in light and engaging the neighborhood and passersby.

44TH ANNUAL

2023 Performers

• Herbie Hancock

• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

• Angélique Kidjo

• Richard Bona Presents ASANTE Trio Featuring Osmany Paredes (Piano) and ÍIario Bell (Drums)

• Dominick Farinacci and Triad

• Bra xton Cook

• Samara Joy

• Chr istian McBride

JUNE 22-24

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

• Dan Wilson: 7 Decades of Wonder: The Genius of Stevie

• Nor man Brown

• Ger ald Albright

• Steve Smith and Vital Information: Steve Smith (Drums), Manuel Valera (Keys), Janek Gwizdala (Bass)

Get tickets and passes at tri-cjazzfest.com

Fran and Jules Belkin

SAUCISSON

Historically, Cleveland’s Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood has been the home to many residents of Eastern European descent. But, like many of Cleveland’s neighborhoods, it has expanded to embrace other cultures.

“We are probably one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland, and I love that,” says Melissa Khoury, who opened a farmers market business in 2013 and her brick-and-mortar boutique butcher shop, Saucisson, six years ago.

The butcher shop sells beef, pork, chicken, lamb, steak and hard-to-find charcuterie items like guanciale. The locally sourced products and quality meats have earned the

shop praise from Oprah Winfrey and a national reputation as a destination for foodies and hand-cured meat lovers.

Khoury says Slavic Village was, and still is, an affordable spot to open her business. The neighborhood also “is very accessible, just off 77 and nine minutes to City Hall, but not as well known as it should be.”

“For the past two years. I have made it my mission to figure out what it is that we need. We now have some new, affordable housing. We need to figure out what else we need to attract first-time home buyers,” says Khoury. “And it will happen.”

Foran and Khoury represent entrepreneurs and dreamers who refuse to take no for an answer. There are others like them in

CAMPS

all of Cleveland’s neighborhoods. They help create the destiny of The Land.

Halco admits it’s impossible to suggest just one or two Cleveland neighborhoods for out-of-towners to visit.

“For recommendations, it depends on the season and the person,” says Halco. “Not every neighborhood is for every person. But there is a neighborhood for every person.”

GO PLAY

Plan a day (or more) to enjoy 10 top ways to have fun in the city.

2 SWIM IN LAKE ERIE.

1 DISCOVER THE TOWPATH TRAIL. Regardless of your preferred method of mobility, head to the Towpath Trail and you’ll have 90+ miles of unencumbered paths that weave through the heart of the Ohio and Erie Canalway. Run, walk, bike or skateboard your way around Cleveland neighborhoods. Or head south to New Philadelphia if you have the endurance. ohioanderiecanalway.com/explore/the-towpath-trail/

The greatest perk of living in a waterfront community is swimming — obviously. It’s one thing to see the water; it’s another to jump right in. Make waves at Euclid Beach Park in Collinwood on the East Side or splash around at Edgewater Park on the West Side. These two popular locations managed by Cleveland Metroparks are loved and appreciated by residents and visitors alike. clevelandmetroparks.com/ parks/visit/parks/lakefrontreservation/edgewater-beach clevelandmetroparks.com/ parks/visit/parks/euclid-creekreservation/villa-angela-beach

3 CYCLE THE CITY.

Biking is picking up speed in popularity. And Cleveland offers hundreds of miles of bike lanes throughout the city so hardcore and amateur cyclists alike can traverse the city on two wheels. Anyone looking for a fasttrack cycling environment can head to Slavic Village to visit the Cleveland Velodrome, which is open May through September. clevelandvelodrome.org

4 DIY TRIATHLON. When a city like Cleveland offers a beautiful lake, hundreds of miles of multipurpose trails, and bike and pedestrian-friendly roadways, a do-it-yourself triathlon is always in play. You can map out a swim/bike/run route or just wing it and create your own course on the fly. While “Ironman” status is impressive, shorter distances are still respected here in the city.

6 GO FOR A LEISURELY HIKE.

5 PLAY IN THE WATER.

For those who prefer a buffer between themselves and the waters of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, activities such as rowing, kayaking and even windsurfing are great options. There are two rowing facilities Downtown (The Foundry and Cleveland Rowing Foundation) and other companies catering to the outdoor recreation-loving crowd. If you’re an interested spectator, consider attending the Head of the Cuyahoga, Cleveland’s popular annual regatta and one of the largest in the nation. clevelandfoundry.org/ clevelandrows.org/

The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, Whiskey Island, the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail and the Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive provide perfect settings for casual and leisurely hikes. Each location offers unique and aweinspiring scenery in the best location in the nation.

8 VISIT A RECREATION CENTER.

The City of Cleveland manages 19 recreation centers that are free for all guests to use. A variety of activities are offered, including swimming, basketball, tennis, weightlifting, soccer, yoga, table tennis, pickleball and much more.

Check here to see which one is closest to you: clevelandohio. gov/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/ ParksRecreationandProperties/DivisionofRecreation/ RecreationCentersandPools

7 LIFE’S A BEACH. Just because you’re at the beach doesn’t mean you have to go swimming. Build a sandcastle, fly a kite, toss a frisbee or join a pickup volleyball game. Truly committed individuals might even sign up for a beach volleyball league. All of this — and so much more — happens at our beaches.

9 RIDE INDOORS.

Ray’s Indoor Mountain Biking is a unique West Side adventure palace offering multiple tracks and activities for riders of all ages and skill sets. Open year-round with bike storage options available, Ray’s is worth your visit. raysmtb.com/

Trust builds community.

10 CLIMB SOME WALLS. While there aren’t mountains in the CLE you can try indoor climbing at Cleveland Rocks in Ohio City or Climb Cleveland in Tremont. clevelandrocksclimbing.com/ climb-cleveland.com/

DID YOU KNOW?

The City of Cleveland offers 8 MILES of lakefront and 455 TOTAL ACRES of lakefront park space (Edgewater, Detroit Shoreway, Downtown, St. Clair Superior, Collinwood).

Cleveland is home to TWO OF THE LARGEST JOBS CENTERS in Ohio (Downtown & University Circle are home to approx. 140,000 total jobs).

Over 3,000 ANIMALS representing over 600 SPECIES are on display in Old Brooklyn at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

At 48 FEET HIGH, Mill Creek Falls, on the border of Slavic Village and Union Miles, is the TALLEST WATERFALL in Cuyahoga County.

Designed by the famous Van Sweringen brothers, Shaker Square is the nation’s SECOND OLDEST PLANNED OUTDOOR SHOPPING CENTER.

The 111-YEAR-OLD, nationally renowned West Side Market has 100+ VENDORS (Ohio City).

On average, there are 115 DAILY NONSTOP DEPARTURES out of Hopkins International Airport (West Park).

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has provided grant funding to 472 DIFFERENT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS since 2006. Arts districts and destinations can be found all across our city (Waterloo, Gordon Square, Tremont, Superior Arts, Downtown, Little Italy, Larchmere).

4,200 CRYSTALS may catch your attention as the WORLD’S LARGEST OUTDOOR CHANDELIER hangs in Playhouse Square.

The 88-ACRE Lakefront Nature Preserve was created by dredging the Cuyahoga River (on the edge of Glenville and St. Clair Superior).

Cleveland is always respected as a TOP FOODIE DESTINATION and was recently named a TOP 10 CITY by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Maybe it was the 50 HOT DOG TOPPINGS at Happy Dog (Detroit Shoreway) that sealed the deal.

There are over 100 ETHNICITIES AND CULTURES represented in our community. At present, 33 of them have a presence in Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, which bisects Glenville and Hough. Cleveland’s diversity is also on display in AsiaTown, Westown, Kamms Corners, Slavic Village, Buckeye, Little Italy and all across the city.

Land Bank Homes

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Throughout Greater Cleveland Neighborhoods

LAYOUT OPTIONS:

3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH;

3 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH

1,400-1,700 SQUARE FEET

PRICE RANGE: FROM LOW $200’S

CUYAHOGALANDBANK.ORG/ LAND-BANK-HOMES

Land Bank Homes are synonymous with beautiful, modern designs specific to Cleveland neighborhoods and crafted with high-quality construction. Experience ENERGY STAR Certified, stunning homes with today’s most exciting features, such as open floorplans, soothing natural light, efficient layouts, spacious kitchens designed for gourmet cooking, spa-inspired baths and comfortable master bedrooms — including many first-floor primary suites. Granite countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring and ceramic tile are standard features. With utility cost-savings and convenient connections to every Cleveland hotspot, your new home qualifies for the city’s 15-year tax abatement. Land Bank Homes are family-friendly for all generations and backed by our genuine promise of quality and satisfaction.

The Stockbridge

The Stockbridge is a touch of modern living in the former historic Stockbridge hotel. This building was home to some notable tenants such as Henry Sherwin, co-founder of Sherwin-Williams Corporation, as well as famous visitors including Bob Hope and Lucile Ball. This 77-unit apartment building, under new ownership, has a wonderful array of offerings including 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom and studios apartments. These are located throughout both the main building and the Annex. Situated in the up-and-coming Midtown District between East 30th Street and East 36th Street, Stockbridge sits right on the Euclid Corridor connecting Downtown to University Circle. It makes for easy access to many entertainment, shopping and dining options. The modernized units have new appliances, stunning flooring and renovated kitchens and baths. The building is pet friendly and includes amenities such as a trash butler, included utilities, on-site laundry area, secured indoor and outdoor parking, on-site management and much more. The Stockbridge is a great place to call home.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown District

LAYOUT OPTIONS:

STUDIO;

1 BEDROOM, 1 BATH;

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH;

2 BEDROOM, 1 BATH

PRICE RANGE:

$725-$1,800 A MONTH

3328-EUCLID-AVENUE.

CPDHOMES.COM

Residences at 55

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Civic Center District

LAYOUT OPTIONS:

1 BEDROOM, 1 BATH;

1 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH W/DEN;

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH;

2 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH W/OFFICE PENTHOUSE;

3 BEDROOM, 3 BATH PENTHOUSE

PRICE RANGE: $1,365-$2,810

RESIDENCESAT55.COM

Reflective Sophistication. Uncompromising Convenience. Brand new suites offer the Smart Apartment App to lock/unlock keyless entry doors, control heating and cooling, and monitor utility bills remotely; 9-foot ceilings; expansive windows; stainless-steel appliances; in-suite washers and dryers; quartz countertops; modern gray finish soft close cabinets; hard surface flooring and built-in electric fireplaces. Community highlights include Fahrenheit Restaurant, garage parking, convenience market with cafe, community lounge, rooftop deck, fitness center, bike storage and a pet washing facility. Residences at 55 is located on Public Square near the Warehouse District, shopping, dining, JACK Casino, professional sports venues, Lake Erie, Playhouse Square, public transportation and freeways.

The Equinox

Introducing the Residences at The Equinox in Ohio City’s Historic Clinton District! Presenting 11 luxurious townhomes being built by Driven4 Builders in the perfect location at W. 48th St. just south of Detroit Ave. These luxurious townhomes feature stylishly curated interiors by Stella Interior Design studios, roof terraces, modern architecture and smart floor plans for the best in city living! Built to qualify for the City of CLE’s 15-year tax abatement program.

The Guardian

Ted+Co. is excited to be representing The Guardian, which is the first condominium conversion of its kind in over 15 years in the heart of Downtown CLE! It features 14 luxuriously appointed high-floor units ranging from one bedrooms that start in the high $200s to ultra-spacious, two-level penthouses close to a $1 Million. With unbelievable views and the finest finishes, they are built to qualify for the city of Cleveland’s 15-year tax abatement program.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Ohio City

LAYOUT OPTIONS: 1-2 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES

PRICE RANGE: STARTING AT MID 400’S EQUINOXCLE.COM

NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown

LAYOUT OPTIONS: 1 TO 3 BEDROOMS

PRICE RANGE: $200-$1 MILLION

THEGUARDIANCLE.COM

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY CLEVELAND PUBLIC

CONNECTING YOU

CONNECTING YOU

Opportunities Await At Your Neighborhood Branch

Opportunities Await At Your Neighborhood Branch

Cleveland Public Library has 28 locations across the city serving over 260,000 library cardholders annually. We are home to the Ohio Center for the Book, Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and CLEVNET library cooperation spanning 12 counties across Northeast Ohio.

Cleveland Public Library has 28 locations across the city serving over 260,000 library cardholders annually. We are home to the Ohio Center for the Book, Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and CLEVNET library cooperation spanning 12 counties across Northeast Ohio.

Sign up for a Cleveland Public Library card today to enjoy FREE access to books, movies, and more! Apply in-person or at cpl.org

Sign up for a Cleveland Public Library card today to enjoy FREE access to books, movies, and more! Apply in-person or at cpl.org

Locations are temporarily closed for reimagination Follow our progress at courbanize.com/collections/cpl

Locations are temporarily closed for reimagination Follow our progress at courbanize.com/collections/cpl

Closures accurate as of June 1, 2022

Closures accurate as of June 1, 2022

From your exemplary work to your continuous dedication. You reflect our world class care.

Congratulations to the nurses being recognized as the Faces of Care Award recipients. Thank you for the impact you’ve made in the nursing community.

Shaping Today’s Nursing

The Greater Cleveland Nurses Association empowers the nursing community and promotes the health and safety of residents in Northeast Ohio.

BY SARAH WEBB

Without nurses, there would be no health care, says Carol Sams, executive director of the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association (GCNA).

Penni-Lynn Rolen, past president of GCNA, agrees.

“Nurses protect and care for the public in unique and divergent ways to promote health, wellness and safety,” she adds. “There is a nursing shortage, and there is a great need for a dedicated and competent nursing workforce today for the future.”

AN IMPORTANT MISSION

Established in 1909, the Graduate Nurses Association of Cleveland was started to maintain and conduct a registry of trained private duty nurses, uphold standards of care and provide services for those unable to pay. In 1921, the group became District 4 of the Ohio State Nurses Association and an affiliate of the American Nurses Association. Today, GCNA continues to represent nurses by improving health care for all people, fostering high professional standards and promoting the professional development of nurses.

“GCNA collaborates with area schools of nursing in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties to promote professionalism in nursing, honor distinguished graduates and offer scholarships,” Rolen says.

She adds that GCNA offers continuing education programs at its quarterly membership meetings, which address current topics and issues in nursing. Some of the programs are tailored for members with specific interests, while others cover topics that apply to the general membership.

Held at various locations in the Cleveland area, the association’s district meetings engage members to meet and socialize with colleagues during dinner, learn about the organization’s activities, offer input to the board of directors and dive into topics of interest related to nursing, such as local disparities.

Involvement in GCNA can also include staying up to date on local and state policy issues that affect nurses and taking opportunities to influence local policy makers. Several GCNA members serve on state and local boards of health agencies and volunteer for various projects.

The GCNA is one of 13 local districts of the Ohio Nurses Association. Membership to the organization is open to all nurses who live or work in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties.

GCNA’S COMMUNITY IMPACT

In addition to supporting the nursing community, the GCNA also supports the greater population. “GCNA has a long history of addressing various health-related needs in Cleveland and beyond,” Rolen says.

“We have a long history of dedicated, brilliant and courageous nurses working to promote the profession locally, regionally, nationally and internationally,” Rolen says. “Without the commitment of these women and men, nursing may not be what it is today.”

GCNA's current community initiatives include:

Many current GCNA members volunteer at MedWish International, a nonprofit organization that saves lives and the environment by repurposing surplus medical supplies and equipment to provide humanitarian aid to people in need, including people in Ukraine.

GCNA is recruiting volunteers to promote the Lead Safe Cleveland project, a collaboration between nursing organizations in Northeast Ohio and Concerned Citizens Organized Against Lead that strives to protect children, families and future generations from lead poisoning.

Various members of GCNA have volunteered to provide vaccinations and support public efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, GCNA members participated in the Love A Nurse Walk to help raise funds for the Alice Flaherty Excellence in Nursing Scholarship Fund.

GCNA further supports scholarships with The Boys and Girls Club and the St. Luke's Nursing Alumni Foundation.

Answering the Call

LAURA Goliat

“Do we get to see surgeries?”

It was a question posed by a student in Laura Goliat’s Medical-Surgical Nursing I class that she wished she could answer with a resounding “Yes!” But the Ursuline College Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions, like many of its counterparts across the country, had dropped the clinical component dedicated specifically to perioperative nursing, which consists of patient care before, during and after surgery.

“A nursing student may go through their education and never see a surgery,” Goliat explains. “The focus, in the last years, has been a more generalist education.”

It’s just one of the things the Richfield resident has worked to change during her decade-plus at the college.

Goliat first experienced the love of nursing as a high-schooler performing nursing-assistant duties at Shaker Medical Center, where her mother was director of nursing. “It was beyond rewarding seeing a patient in their most vulnerable state and being able to help them regain health or be able to cope with something that is chronic,” she says of the appeal. An interest in teaching developed at Ursuline, where she served as a clinical instructor while earning her master’s degrees as a family nurse practitioner.

“I found it very valuable and very fulfilling, helping students understand the patient experience,” she explains. Her plans to work as a family nurse practitioner changed when the college asked her to stay on as a full-time clinical instructor and rounder after her 2012 graduation.

In 2017, Goliat, by then a tenured associate professor, contacted University

Hospitals, then the Cleveland Clinic, to arrange four-hour clinical “immersions” that would bring her perioperative-nursing lecture to life and place students right at the point-of-care at the hospitals to learn. For “class,” students don gowns and gloves, tour an operating room, collaborate with the interdisciplinary team from scrub technicians to surgeons and rotate through stations where they learn about preparing skin for an incision, providing oxygen to a patient, monitoring and assessing patients after surgery, etc.

A similar clinical immersion at University Hospitals designed to introduce Ursuline’s Medical-Surgical Nursing I students to radiological procedures such as CAT scans and MRIs as well as the patient prep, education and assessments required for them was added in 2019. That same year, two-day immersions in radiology and surgery for Medical-Surgical Nursing II students were introduced, involving one-on-one time with

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

“The reward [of nursing] is when you see healing, when you see acceptance, when you see all of those things that really help the human condition.”

—Laura Goliant

a perioperative and radiology nurse, actually placing each student into surgery and the radiology departments.

“We must work collaboratively and effectively in teams for the best patient outcomes,” she says.

To fully meet that need, in 2021 Ursuline named Goliat interprofessional education coordinator, a responsibility she took on in addition to those of her associate professorship.

Meet nurses who are working hard to uphold the profession's quality of care.

BY LYNNE THOMPSON

DOROTHY Hamilton

Dorothy Hamilton initially rejected a mentor’s suggestion that she consider teaching full time at Cleveland State University (CSU). She was happily employed as an acute care nurse practitioner at University Hospitals (UH) Cleveland Medical Center — a job that provided a bigger paycheck. And she already enjoyed the satisfaction of teaching part-time on the adjunct clinical faculty of the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. But the South Euclid resident had observed that some clinical instructors just didn’t seem to be able to convey their vast experiential knowledge to students and help them apply it.

“Just being at the bedside is not enough to teach people going into nursing, going into healthcare. … [Teaching] is a science of its own,” she says.

Hamilton has spent the last 16 years at CSU, first as a clinical assistant professor then as a clinical associate professor. In the early years of her tenure, she took teaching-education classes — something she continues to do — and became a certified nurse educator. At the same time, she’s helped develop a diverse nursing workforce. She talks to young people about the profession at high schools, churches and health fairs in racially and ethnically diverse inner-city communities. She says just seeing a person of color succeeding in the nursing and teaching professions can inspire someone to do the same, make it seem possible.

Teaching is the latest iteration of a career Hamilton discovered as an 8-yearold accompanying her mother to the hospital to visit her father, who suffered from diabetes. She still remembers how they interacted with him, “the touching, the stroking of his arms and his hands.” She served as a preceptor for recently graduated nurses as a staff nurse in the cardiac telemetry unit, then as an assistant nurse manager in the cardiothoracic intensive-care unit, at the Cleveland Clinic. She decided against pursuing a nurse manager position, instead opting to earn a master’s degree in nursing from CWRU so she could work as a nurse practitioner.

During her tenure at CSU, Hamilton continued working as a per diem acutecare nurse practitioner at UH Cleveland Medical Center until June 2021. “I still maintain my certification,” she points out. “And I can always go back.” She completed a doctorate in nursing at Kent State University in 2020; her research was on how homeless individuals manage Type 2 diabetes. Some might question why a 68-year-old would want to continue teaching, let alone earn an advanced degree.

“This is my lifelong dream, to be a nurse and to help people,” she explains. “So throughout the various changes of my life, that’s what I want to do.”

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

“My biggest challenge, I would say, particularly post-pandemic, is helping the students succeed and maintain their focus. [Nursing] is a people skill. You can’t learn it remotely through Zoom classes. Some of the students that graduated within the last two years, their skills really are not there like they should be as far as their study skills and having the ability to apply certain concepts.”

—Dorothy Hamilton

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

“I feel like students keep me on my game. There’s a lot of times they’ll ask me questions and, even with a master’s degree, I’m like, ‘Hmmm. That’s a good question. I don’t know that. That’s why we’re lifelong learners. So let’s look it up together.”

“What a gift it has been to be with people in the two most vulnerable moments of someone’s life. How many times I’ve been there when people have come into the world and when they’ve left! How many people can say that?”

—Kristina Lester

KRISTINA Lester

The nursing care Kristina Lester’s father received in the hospital as a cancer patient wasn’t what a loving child would wish for a parent. The Chardon resident, then a labor-and-delivery staff nurse at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, remembers nurses talking about her father instead of to him when he was confused, not taking the time to coach the family in discussing end-oflife issues or explain what palliative care (also known as supportive oncology) was when it was offered.

It wasn’t until the last 24 hours of her father’s life that he got what she thought

he’d deserved all along: a nurse who talked to him even though he was confused, asked family members about his life, provided updates honestly yet sensitively and gave the ideal combination of care and privacy. Watching her work changed Lester’s career path.

“I was going to do this for somebody else,” she says.

In 2022, six years after her father’s death, Lester received a master’s degree in nursing from Ursuline College and landed a job as a nurse practitioner in Supportive Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. She helps patients manage

the physical, psychological and spiritual symptoms of their cancer and serves as an advocate for them.

It’s a radical change from the world of labor and delivery, which Lester first entered in 1997 as a float nurse in the Cleveland Clinic health system. Lester went on to teach as a clinical instructor at Ursuline College, Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State University, Lakeland Community College and Cleveland State University. In each contracted role, she strived to make the clinical experience a more positive one by making a point of welcoming students’ questions; planning activities such as student presentations of patient cases to their peers; and providing resources such as YouTube videos, Zoom tutoring sessions, charts and graphs, even old-fashioned flash cards.

“Nobody learns the same way,” she says. “I found that when I went back to school as an older person.”

Lester, now 49, anticipates completing her doctorate at Ursuline next year. She wants to use it to educate people about the importance of palliative care.

“[Treatment for] every chronic health condition should have palliative care in it,” she declares.

DEB Lindell

In 1999, Deb Lindell enrolled at the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing to finish what she’d started years ago, before the birth of her children and multiple moves necessitated by her husband’s career: work on a doctorate of nursing practice in public health. As a visiting nurse she’d discovered she belonged out in the community rather than by a hospital bed.

“It involved promoting health and helping people stay healthy, preventing disease,” the Solon resident remembers. “I liked looking beyond individual patients to looking at groups and communities.”

The decision is one that has kept Lindell at CWRU for over two decades — and taken her around the globe. Wherever she’s gone, she’s helped improve public health and furthered nursing both as a profession and a discipline.

“I want to help build the next generation of nurses, whether it’s one on one, working with students in small clinical groups, teaching in a classroom setting or running a program,” she says.

Lindell’s climb up the academic ladder began in 2004. She applied for and was granted the rank of assistant professor. She led the development of a master of nursing degree for students who had a bachelor’s degree in another area of study and were returning to school to become nurses. In 2015, she became an associate

professor. After becoming a full professor in 2020, she served as faculty-development coordinator.

At the same time, Lindell was helping advance nursing practices internationally. In 2000, while still a doctoral student working at CWRU as an instructor, she was assigned to lead a project in which her team collaborated with University of Mexico faculty in developing public-health sessions for residents of a village outside Mexico City. She went on to teach nursing theory and advanced public health nursing once or twice a year, two weeks at a time, at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, then Wuhan University in China. In September 2021, she landed at a public college in a remote area of northwest Kenya on a Fulbright Scholarship. Over the next seven-plus months, she helped the two-yearold institution plan a nursing program.

“It gave me an opportunity to help nurses everywhere progress in their practice, in their education, in moving these countries’ discipline and profession of nursing forward,” Lindell says of the motivation to continue her international work.

At 76, Lindell continues working parttime as a professor. She also is coordinating the nursing school’s Curriculum Transformation Initiative to align four of its five programs (all but the Ph.D. course of study) with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education” for curricula that better assess and evaluate students’ ability to meet specific competencies.

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

“Nursing is very key, is very critical, to our healthcare system and to the health of all the individuals who engage in our healthcare system. Without nurses, it couldn’t function. It’s very important, at least for me, in working with people of other countries, other cultures, even within the U.S., that I’m a collaborator. But it has to be in a way that works for you in your values, your beliefs, your goals, your healthcare system.”

—Deb Lindell

DAVID SCHWARTZ

JANE F. Mahowald

As a young woman graduating from a Michigan high school in 1950, Jane F. Mahowald believed she had two career options: teaching and nursing. She chose nursing for the same reason so many enter the profession: “I thought I wanted to help people.” That thought was confirmed after she entered the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Marquette, Michigan. She remembers caring for an elderly man recovering from a retinal detachment.

“When you took care of patients who had retinal detachments when I was in school, they had to stay in bed for weeks, have sandbags on both sides of their head,” she recalls. “They could hardly move. I thought, Oh, my goodness! To be able to see this fellow through this illness is really quite worth it.”

Mahowald stepped down as executive director of the Ohio League for Nursing, the Rocky River-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting nurse educators and nursing education, in late 2022 — at the age of 90.

“When you commit your whole life to something and you believe in it, it’s fun,” the longtime North Olmsted resident says.

Mahowald arrived in Cleveland in 1974 as Lutheran Medical Center’s director of nursing education. “[I liked] helping people understand what nursing is all about,” she explains.

At Lutheran Medical Center, Mahowald designed a marketing approach to increase student enrollment in its school of nursing and spearheaded a curriculum revision focused on utilization of the nursing process and meeting patient needs throughout the life span. After the school closed in 1984, she served as director of a resources-management program she developed and implemented, then head nurse in a chronic pain-management program she helped establish — work that was cut short in 1986 by a breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment. The experience reinforced the importance of treating each patient as an individual rather than a diagnosis.

“Because I had breast cancer — and that was at the time when you often didn’t recover from it — they weren’t treating me

like an individual who could live again!” she exclaims.

Just as Mahowald was recovering from surgery, the Cleveland Area League for Nursing began looking for a new executive director. “One of the major focuses of that job at that time was to recruit people into nursing, to speak to students,” she remembers. She applied for and got the job, one she kept after the league merged with the Ohio League for Nursing in 1987.

Among Mahowald’s achievements during her tenure was participating in a project that helped establish an Ohio Board of Nursing system that facilitated data collection about the number of different kinds of licensed nurses in the workforce — hospital staff nurses, public-health nurses, etc.

Mahowald still truly hasn’t experienced retirement. Now she’s reviewing

applications for continuing education programs for the league — the organization is one of the Ohio Board of Nursing’s “approvers” — as a volunteer.

“When you like and love your work, it’s never work; it’s just something you enjoy,” she says.

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

“Being certain that we have qualified nurses to care for patients, providing education in such a way that [nurses] are doing what I think is necessary and what other people think is necessary, like helping the individual through a time in their life when they can’t do things for themselves — that’s what challenges me.”

—Jane F. Mahowald

A Careful Choice

Graduate nurses start on a path of service and caring for others.

BY CHRISSY KADLECK

75 Years

NATASHA DUMAS, CUYHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Taking care of people has always been the real attraction to nursing for Natasha Dumas.

“In the healthcare world, nurses are looked at as angels,” says Dumas. “You're able to help people in their worst times and make them feel better.”

Dumas, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a driven mentor to help other nursing students be successful, recently accepted an RN position at Cleveland Clinic on the cardiovascular intensive care unit.

“Cardiovascular health has been something that has been a demise for my family as a black family,” she says. “I’ve had three people in my family that have passed on due to cardiac related death. I wanted to have that specialty in order to help others and their loved ones because I have a lot of understanding and empathy for my experiences with my family.”

Dumas, whose dream job is to become a perfusionist, aspires to eventually obtain

her critical care certificate and become a flight nurse.

FAITH GEHO, URSULINE COLLEGE

Faith Geho had a long list of career goals as a child and nursing was not one of them.

“But when I was a young teenager, I got sick for several years and I spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital,” she says. “Some of the nurses I had made a huge impact on me, and I wanted to be able to do that for other people. I decided to become a nurse when I was 15.”

Geho, who works as an aide at Cleveland Clinic, accepted an RN job in an emergency department at a hospital system in Columbus, Ohio.

Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence in Nursing Education

A community of faculty and students advancing the nursing discipline.

• #10 Bachelor of Science in Nursing*

• Master of Nursing

• #11 Master of Science in Nursing*

• #15 Doctor of Nursing Practice* (DNP)

• DNP Nurse Anesthesia

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

*U.S. News & World Report, 2023

“As I went through all my rotations, I really liked labor and delivery and women's health but it can be difficult to find a position as a new grad,” she says. “I think a nursing position in the emergency department will be better for general experience. I don’t know that I’ll stay in that department forever, but I'm excited to start there as my first job.

GOJKO MAJERLE, CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY

For Gojko Majerle, he points to his mother as the role model who led him to enter the healthcare field. First a nutritionist and now in HR, her three decades of caring for others at The MetroHealth System were inspirational as well as aspirational.

“I just saw the care and compassion that she had for all of her patients, and not even only limiting it to that, but to all the people that she connected with outside of the hospital,” he says. “It was a huge catalyst for me. It helped me decide that this was the path that I wanted to choose for myself.

NATASHA DUMAS

FAITH GEHO

And I'm happy to say that it's the right fit.”

Majerle currently works in the medical intensive care unit at MetroHealth, and he hopes to pursue additional training to become a nurse anesthetist.

“My faith is also something that has helped shape my path and allowed me the ability to provide compassionate care to those I am serving,” he says.

ALISHA MCATEER, CHAMBERLAIN COLLEGE OF NURSING

Coming from a medical family, Alisha McAteer initially fought the idea of following their footsteps into the scrub life.

But the draw was strong. Her mother is a registered nurse. Her father is a former

surgical technologist and his wife is a registered nurse. Even McAteer’s brother is a licensed practical nurse.

“As I've gotten older and understood what the job entailed and what it was actually about, I saw how much they were helping people and the good they did for the community, it just blew my mind,” she says.

Once it finally clicked, McAteer knew it was what she wanted to do with her professional life.

“I want to help people, that’s the real goal,” says McAteer, who graduates in May and has accepted a RN position in the OR at Hillcrest Hospital, where she has been working as a surgical technologist for six years. “My short-term goal is to stay in the OR and achieve an advanced CNOR

2023 FACES OF CARE

HONORING NURSES MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE NURSING COMMUNITY THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONGRATULATE ALL OF THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS AND NOMINEES!

certification. Blood and guts are kind of my thing.”

MEGAN RODRIGUEZ, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

Early on, Megan Rodriguez gravitated to the idea of a unique hands-on job that would harness her social skills.

“I really love learning about people through my work,” she says. “Throughout my time in college, I realized that I really wanted to focus on areas involving women and women’s health.”

In the summer of 2022, she had an internship on a postpartum unit, and earlier this spring she accepted a job in labor and delivery at a health system in Virginia.

GOJKO MAJERLE

MEGAN RODRIGUEZ

ALISHA MCATEER

“I always thought the woman's body and pregnancy was incredibly interesting to me as a physiological process,” she says. “I loved making those relationships with families and new moms, and all of the education that come with having a child and going through that entire experience. Nurses are special everywhere, but this area reminds me of how special the connection between a nurse and a patient is.”

ANYA WU, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY

Ever since she was in preschool, Anya Wu wanted to be a pediatrician and even has vivid memories of drawing pictures of herself wearing a white coat. In fact, it was a professional destiny without question until she started volunteering at a hospital as a sophomore in college and she saw firsthand the roles of doctors and nurses.

“The more I shadowed and the more I volunteered, I really saw the differences. It was the nurses who were at the bedside. It was the nurses who patients were asking for

and it was that patient-nurse relationship that I really desired,” says Wu, a local of Hawaii who earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular cell biology from the University of Hawaii.

She is most interested in specializing as a labor and delivery nurse. “It’s such a special relationship that I haven't seen in any other setting,” she says. “The nurse really gets to know the mom and the family. That’s why I wanted to go into healthcare.”

ASA ZOECKLER, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE

As a young person, Asa Zoeckler saw the way their newborn brother and their mother were taken care of in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Rainbow Babies and

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON IS

PROUD T O S UPPORT

nurses

AND CELEBRATE FACES OF CARE

Children’s Hospital and it set their career trajectory in motion.

“I kind of fell in love with how the nurses took care of my little brother and also how they took care of my mom,” Zoeckler says. “Then I was lucky; my high school had an internship program where it gave me the opportunity to be trained as a patient care assistant when I was 15 years old.”

Zoeckler’s brother is now a happy and healthy 11-year-old, and Zoeckler accepted a job at Akron Children’s NICU.

“I always knew I wanted to work with kids. I looked at pediatric nursing and for a long time I’ve been working in pediatric behavioral health,” Zoeckler says. “My goal is to be a pediatric psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner.”

We salute our remarkable nurses, who make sure nothing stands in the way of caring for kids and their families.

Compassionate. Courageous. Unstoppable.

ANYA WU

ASA ZOECKLER COURTESY INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS

Rocky River Destination

Vibrant Living Vibrant Living

Rocky River is brimming with opportunities for older adults to have fun, stay active and live life to the fullest.

Plus: Summer Events Why We Love Our Library Student and Senior Connections

From the City of Rocky River

Mayor Pamela E. Bobst

Mary Ellen Umerley

For advertising information, call 216.377.3693

Vibrant Living at Any Age

Rocky River is a city that celebrates its seniors, and a visit to our state-of-the-art Senior Center makes that evident. At the helm is the director of senior services, Deborah Huff, who’s made it her mission to ensure the Senior Center offers programming with a broad appeal that empowers seniors to live their lives to the fullest. Whether it’s performing as part of the acting group, digging in the dirt at the Senior Center garden or hopping on a bus to visit a new lunch spot as part of the Good Grub Social Club, there is no shortage of opportunities for seniors to stay active and engaged. In addition, the city is home to several first-class senior living facilities that offer programming to keep residents busy, active and best of all — smiling.

There are plenty of opportunities for residents from different generations to come together, too. Students from Rocky River High School’s Key Club, for example, have been visiting the Senior Center to serve as tech experts, offering troubleshooting help with tablets, computers, cell phones and more. And, a new program at the Rocky River Public Library has seniors and younger residents engaging in friendly Esports competitions on Nintendo Switch gaming consoles.

No matter your age, Rocky River has so much to offer — and our Summer of Fun is a testament to that. From Pie in the Park to epic pool parties at the Water Zone and the annual Taste of River event, we encourage you to come and explore our vibrant, welcoming community.

With kindest regards, Mayor

Pamela Bobst

Executive Assistant to the Mayor

Helping our Residents Return Home

Experience the Not-For-Profit Difference

The mission of the Welsh Home is a “Legacy of the Heart” following the traditions of the Women’s Welsh Clubs of America to respect the spirit of each resident.

After a hospital stay, our number one goal at the Welsh House is for you to return home safely.

Recover in our Private Rehab Suites with:

· Physical Therapy

· Speech Therapy

· Occupational Therapy

· Skilled Nursing

22199 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River 440-331-0420

Read It AND REAP

Discover how the Rocky River Public Library is connecting the community and creating exciting experiences for all ages.

By Rachel Hagenbaugh

The best libraries aren’t those that cultivate the largest book collections; they’re the ones that create a community hub. At the Rocky River Public Library (RRPL), there’s no better destination for people of all ages to connect and get inspired to learn something new.

“We have some really wonderful programming and ideas and ways to engage with people,” says Stacey Hayman, RRPL outreach coordinator. “We make sure everyone has something to look forward to, enjoy and get inspired by.”

Here’s a look at just a few of the many programs offered:

CHILDREN

With a goal to bridge generations and honor area veterans, RRPL’s Thank a Vet program invites children to create drawings and write letters thanking veterans for their service. The program provides children with a better understanding of sacrifices and challenges veterans endure.

TEENS

Available to readers of all ages, teens are encouraged to make RRPL’s annual Summer Reading Program a family affair. Invite siblings, parents and friends for a read-a-thon of logging minutes read and programs attended for the chance to win prizes. Join other avid readers for the program’s kickoff party on June 10.

ADULTS

For gardeners, RRPL has partnered with the Cleveland Seed Bank to host a seed library, which offers a selection of 24 varieties of organic, open-pollinated, vegetable, herb and edible flower seeds that are available to “check out” for free.

GAME ON!

This summer, RRPL is launching an Intergenerational Gaming Program, which connects youngsters with older adults at local senior living facilities. With Nintendo Switch consoles, the two groups will engage in some friendly Esports competitions. “It’s a chance for a connection that wouldn’t have been there before,” Hayman says. “It’s opening a door and providing a way for everyone to have fun and learn something new.”

Scene from the City

The Rocky River School District is forging meaningful connections between students and senior citizens. By Rachel Hagenbaugh experts for older adults. From smartphones and tablets to laptops, the teens help older adults with everything from troubleshooting and downloading apps to browsing the web, texting and everything in between.

Engaging in service. Building character. Developing leadership. That’s the mission of Rocky River High School’s Key Club. This year, students are participating in a new venture at the Rocky River Senior Center, where twice a month for about an hour, they serve as tech

“It can be such a simple thing, but it’s so rewarding for both students and seniors,”

300+ years of combined experience

Family-owned and operated since 1984

says Kate Hamm, Key Club advisor. “We were looking for a way to get back involved in the community. My students help me with technology in the classroom all the time.”

Freshman Angelina Cini says she joined Key Club as a way to help the community. When it comes to visiting the senior center, she likes how grateful and appreciative the older adults are for the students’ help.

“You show them how to send a text or send a photo, and they are so happy afterward,” she says. “It’s nice to give back to them and also interact with different crowds that you’re not usually around.”

In addition to tech help, Senior Center visitors also have had the opportunity to meet about 15 middle school student council members for lunch and engage in some friendly competition playing chair volleyball.

“I honestly don’t know who has more fun and laughs harder — the seniors or students,” says Joyce Lampp, Rocky River Middle School student council advisor, adding that this year, the sixth, seventh and eighth graders each got the opportunity to spend a Friday afternoon at the senior center. “It was so fun to watch.”

ready to serve you!

Right Place AGING IN THE

When you think about how you want to spend your golden years, what images come to mind? For many, it’s living in a supportive community filled with activities and services that can help them remain active, mentally and physically fit and independent for as long as possible and as their needs change. That’s what it means to age in the right place, and it’s the key for older adults to live their best, most vibrant lives.

From Rocky River’s bustling Senior Center, lively downtown atmosphere, dedicated safety forces, plethora of parks and variety of independent and assisted living communities, Riverites rave about the city’s unique ability to support residents through every stage of life. It’s a tight-knit town where the

BY RACHEL HAGENBAUGH

same people who lived next door to each other as children are now neighbors in the same retirement community.

“People who are residents at the Normandy, the majority of them have lived [in Rocky River] for most of their lives,” says Kim Zdanowicz, marketing director for the Normandy Senior Living Campus. “There are three ladies who live here who all grew up on the same street.”

So what makes Rocky River such a desirable destination for older adults? First, it’s the dedication of the mayor’s office and members of city council, both present and past.

“Everything older adults need that we could possibly provide through a municipality, we do,” says Deborah Huff, executive

director of the Rocky River Senior Center (RRSC). “Rocky River is very special in that way. Mayors and city council members have always supported senior services and seniors living in Rocky River. They supported older adults when they decided to build a new center from the ground up while other communities used existing buildings.”

RRSC is dedicated to creating healthy aging opportunities for older adults through social engagement, physical well-being, civic involvement and lifelong learning. The center offers a variety of services, including one-day and overnight tours, golf leagues, cultural experiences and special events featuring prominent speakers, entertainers and musicians. Those looking to further fill their calendars can participate in a wide range of

Rocky River is brimming with opportunities for older adults to live their best, most vibrant lives.

classes, from art, drama, history, language and fitness to wellness, travel, literature, movies, music and technology.

In addition, the Senior Center provides daily transportation service, as well as a licensed social worker who is equipped to handle any life transitions older adults may face. One of the staff’s newest additions is Tanner, a cocker spaniel therapy dog who visits the Senior Center every Tuesday.

“We have one of the only senior acting groups in Ohio,” Huff adds, showcasing

the center’s 300-seat auditorium. “We have seniors who put on productions for the community. It’s like a high school musical, except instead of parents coming, it’s children and grandchildren.”

MULTIGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS

Forging multigenerational connections is an important component to active aging, and one that is prevalent in Rocky River. Huff boasts of the positive relationship

between the Senior Center and school district. While high school students visit the Senior Center to help older adults learn to use tech devices, middle schoolers mingle with them for lunch and afternoon chair volleyball matches. The center’s acting group also performs for the students and attends dress rehearsals of middle school and high school plays.

“We’ve been on a crusade here in Rocky River to reframe aging and change how people are talking about aging and view older

Happily Ever After... lives in Rocky River

Happily Ever After... lives in Rocky River

Happily Ever After... lives in Rocky River

Happily Ever After... lives in Rocky River

No need to wish upon a star, we are right here in downtown Rocky River! We have the dream homes you want, the real buyers you need and the best agents to make it all go smoothly.

No need to wish upon a star, we are right here in downtown Rocky River! We have the dream homes you want, the real buyers you need and the best agents to make it all go smoothly.

No need to wish upon a star, we are right here in downtown Rocky River! We have the dream homes you want, the real buyers you need and the best agents to make it all go smoothly.

Don’t

Wish, Just Call The SALEmaker Team!

Don’t Wish, Just Call The SALEmaker Team!

No need to wish upon a star, we are right here in downtown Rocky River! We have the dream homes you want, the real buyers you need and the best agents to make it all go smoothly. Don’t

Don’t Wish, Just Call The SALEmaker Team!

Meredith and Gloria Hardington

Meredith and Gloria Hardington

Meredith and Gloria Hardington

19204 Detroit Road, Rocky River 216-618-2040

19204 Detroit Road, Rocky River

19204 Detroit Road, Rocky River 216-618-2040

216-618-2040

Meredith and Gloria Hardington

19204 Detroit Road, Rocky River 216-618-2040

Tanner, a therapy dog, visits the Rocky River Senior Center.

The Rocky River Senior Center has an auditorium and acting group. Above, seniors rehearse for an upcoming show.

Rocky River Middle School students engage in a friendly game of chair volleyball with local seniors.

adults in the community,” Huff says, revealing how people’s beliefs on aging influence their health and well-being as they get older.

Built in 1983, RRSC is one of 100 senior centers that are nationally accredited and one of four to receive state accreditation. Recently, the city awarded RRSC with funding to expand and add a 100-seat lecture hall, gymnasium and new restrooms. Plans also are in the works to renovate current restrooms and office spaces.

“When people think of a senior center, they think of a residential center where

When people think of a senior center, they think of a residential center where it’s quiet. Ours is more of a rec center — like a college campus.”

Deborah Huff Rocky River Senior Center executive director

it’s quiet. Ours is more of a rec center — like a college campus,” Huff says. “We offer all of the things that are required for healthy aging.”

THE WELSH HOME

As a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, The Welsh Home cares for older adults during some of the most frustrating times of their lives. From post-surgery recovery, stroke and neurological disorders to cardiac recovery, orthopedic injuries and joint replacement, The Welsh Home’s

Top: Seniors participate in a blanketmaking class at The Welsh Home.

Below: Residents enjoy gardening at The Welsh Home.

No. 1 priority is providing residents with the mental and physical enrichment they need to get better and return home. For those with ongoing needs, The Welsh Home also offers a long-term care facility and assisted living units.

“Everyone who lives in Rocky River knows someone who’s been at The Welsh Home,” says Sheryl Kinser, life enrichment director, adding that The Welsh Home is home to 89 residents. “It warms my heart to sit among groups of men and women and see them belly laugh in their wheelchair. You don’t see or hear that often, and to be successful at doing that is really important.”

What’s the key to making that happen? A lot of personal interaction. The Welsh Home’s staff sees every resident every single day.

“We encourage them to get out of their room, which keeps them from getting depressed and also keeps them active and upright, which gives them the motivation to go to therapy and eventually get back home,” she says, highlighting activities that include everything from painting and

music programs to trivia, card games, bingo and jewelry making.

The facility also hosts special events, such as the upcoming car show on June 10, to keep residents engaged with the community.

Inspiration for the car show was sparked by a gentleman who is close to one of the women who lives at The Welsh Home. She’s unable to return home but is very well liked in the neighborhood where she lived. Many

in the neighborhood have antique cars, and the gentleman wanted to put on a car show with the neighbors. It’s that personalization and dedication to serving the residents’ unique needs that Rachel Toth, admissions and marketing coordinator, most appreciates about The Welsh Home.

“We get a lot of freedom to do what the residents are interested in and tailor activities and experiences toward that,” she says.

Senior Living, Rede f ined

Residents celebrate Father’s Day at The Welsh Home.

EMBASSY OF ROCKPORT

For Embassy of Rockport, an assisted living facility featuring 118 studio and one-bedroom units, active aging is all about catering to residents’ needs. That not only includes assisting them with activities of daily living, such as housekeeping, cooking and bathing, but also encouraging them to stay social and mobile.

“We want residents to be as independent as possible,” says Jean Hollenbeck,

administrator. “We help them be as active as they can be, regardless of what their limitations are.”

That means providing a range of experiences for all abilities, from a gardening program, walking trail and courtyard that provides the backdrop for summer cookouts to festive holiday parties and celebrations. The St. Patrick’s Day Carnival, for example, encourages people to dress up, enjoy some entertainment and participate in games to win prizes.

“One resident voluntarily trims our hedges,” Hollenbeck says with a smile. “We really tailor this place to our residents’ lifestyles so they can make it their own and make it home.”

For those who want to go shopping, dining, visit the Senior Center or local library or plan a daytrip to Downtown Cleveland, Embassy’s transportation services offer plenty of opportunities for residents to connect to the community. Located on Center Ridge Road, Embassy also is close to Starbucks, Westgate Mall, Fitworks and a variety of dining options.

We really tailor this place to our residents’ lifestyles so they can make it their own and make it home.”

Jean Hollenbeck administrator at Embassy of Rockport

Overall, Hollenbeck says Rocky River is an ideal destination for older adults.

“Rocky River has a great senior center,” Hollenbeck says. “And it’s a safe, closeknit community. The police are aware of things, and the crime rate is low, so it’s OK for older adults to go out walking, night or day, and feel safe.”

Embassy of Rockport residents celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a carnival.

Embassy of Rockport offers a wide range of activities for residents, including games and gardening.

THE NORMANDY SENIOR LIVING CAMPUS

Located near Lake Erie on more than 30 acres of beautifully landscaped and wooded grounds, the Normandy Senior Living Campus combines top-notch amenities and connected community lifestyle to provide care for older adults during every stage of the aging process. From Breakwater Independent Living and Lakeside Assisted Living to the Normandy Care Center, the location’s three buildings each offer a different level of care.

“Our campus allows people to be as independent as possible,” says Kim

Zdanowicz, marketing director, adding that each building has its own activities and life enrichment department. “That allows us to cater to the needs of that particular building and serve everyone’s needs at different stages.”

At Breakwater, residents have access to all the campus has to offer, including a nine-hole golf course, putting green, 24/7 fitness center, game room, pub with weekly live entertainment, walking trails, garden plots, firepits, library and full-service beauty salon. Residents also can participate in various fitness and cultural programming, from seated yoga, balance and

bars classes to special guest speakers and Case Western Reserve University classes. Residents also can leave the campus for scheduled or impromptu outings to local entertainment destinations — either on their own or through transportation provided by the Normandy. In the past, excursions have included trips to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Playhouse Square, Lake View Cemetery, Severance Hall and Cleveland Art Museum.

“People come and meet with me to learn about how they can remain active. A lot of people I meet are recently widowed or with their spouses and looking to

Ru ng Montessori School

Children’s House (3-6 years) Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3) Upper Elementary (Grades 4 and 5) Middle School (Grades 6 – 8)

Founded in 1959, Ru ng is proud to have been a pioneer in the Montessori method of education. We provide an authentic Montessori education for students aged 3 through 8th grade.

Visit ru ngmontessori.org/admissions to sign up for a classroom observation and a personalized tour featuring our state-of-the art middle school addition.

Cleveland’s Premier Montessori Grade School 440-333-2250 | ru ngmontessori.org

Normandy residents enjoy the on-site pub.

Normandy employees are devoted to care.

downsize,” Zdanowicz says, adding that people choose the Normandy because of the social opportunities that are available.

At Lakeside and Normandy Care Center, activities are geared toward keeping residents as physically and mentally fit as possible. Holistic wellness activities include Opening Minds Through Art (OMA),

an intergenerational art program for people with dementia; intergenerational choir; pet therapy; musical entertainment and exercise programs. Sensory programs also are available to help stimulate and comfort the mind, body and spirit.

“There’s something for everyone to enjoy,” Zdanowicz says.

Our campus allows people to be as independent as possible.”

Kim Zdanowicz marketing director at the Normandy Senior Living Campus

This summer, Rocky River’s parks and streets will come alive with events offering fun for everyone. Dubbed “Summer of Fun,” the city’s goal is to spread the events throughout the summer to make sure everyone has a chance to partake in the excitement, says Bob Holub, Rocky River’s director of recreation.

Here’s a look at some upcoming events. For the full Summer of Fun schedule, visit rrcity.com/special-events.

Whether you’re a foodie, fitness enthusiast, car lover or music fan, Rocky River has it all this summer.

By Ann-Marie Vazzano

HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY

As part of the National Recreation and Park Association, the Rocky River Recreation Department hosts a Health and Fitness Day at Linden Park, with an inflatable bounce house, three-point basketball shootout, a bike parade and more. “Kids participate with a police officer,” Holub says of the bike parade. “An officer rides them around the park and goes through setup of a bike and safety precautions.” Last year, Meijer sponsored the event, donating eight bikes and more than 40 helmets. This year’s event is scheduled for June 10.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Scheduled throughout the summer, enjoy live music at locations around the city, such as the picturesque Rocky River Park right on the lake. The city strives to include bands from varying genres so there’s something for everyone. The popular Pie in the Park concert returns this year on June 25 at 7 p.m., featuring Beatles tribute band Revolution Pie. “The mayor’s office is always able to secure a donation of 70 or so pies that we have sliced and city council and the mayor’s office serve at the Pie in the Park event,” Holub says.

19545

MEMORY LANE ANTIQUE CAR SHOW

Scheduled for July 9, this event draws upwards of 100 cars to City Hall campus. Vehicles must be at least 25 years old to be registered, and trophies and door prizes are awarded in the afternoon. There’s no entrance fee, and food and beverages are available on site.

TASTE OF RIVER

Taste of River returns to Linda Street on June 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. This Rocky River Chamber of Commerce event highlights the city’s many culinary delights, with more than 20 local food vendors participating — and some new surprises in store this year. “Last year was the first year we took the event outdoors, and we were overwhelmed by the response of the community,” says Angela Barth, Chamber executive director. “We’re so excited to bring it back — and bring it back in a bigger way.”

A new sweet spot dedicated to delicious desserts is new for 2023, as is a pet area sponsored by State Farm Insurance Agent Robbie Anderson, with support from Paws & Effect Pet Grooming. “The event is not possible without the support of our sponsors, including Gold Sponsors Earnest Machine Products and Cox Business,” Barth adds.

Live bands will entertain attendees all day, and there will be plenty to keep the kids busy, too, including a magician, balloon artists and face painters.

Barth describes Taste of River as a “choose your own adventure” event. Admission is free, and food and beverages are pay-as-you-go. Parking is available at Rocky River Middle School, with shuttles provided by The Welsh Home.

The event will take place rain or shine, with tents available in the case of inclement weather. “Last year we lucked out with the most perfect weather, so we hope to have that again this year,” Barth says.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? SCAN FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS:

We would like to extend a big “Thank You” to Rocky River and surrounding communities. We are grateful for your continued business and look forward to meeting and welcoming residents to our wonderful community.

Vendors

MEET THE Two Taste of River vendors discuss what they love about the event and give us the lowdown on their signature dishes.

JOHN OWEN

Participating in Taste of River is a no-brainer for John Owen, owner of three restaurants in Rocky River — Market, Rocky River Wine Bar and Tommy’s Place. “It’s good for the community to see what we have restaurant-wise for the whole city of Rocky River,” Owen says. “I also think it’s good for us to support the local Chamber, so it’s a win-win for everybody involved.”

Here’s a look at some signature dishes from Owen’s restaurants:

MARKET

The 48-hour braised chicken wings are a fan favorite, with your choice of sauces and rubs, including Nashville Hot, Salt & Vinegar and Cajun, to name a few. “Everyone says we have some of the best wings in town,” Owen says.

ROCKY RIVER WINE BAR

The 8-ounce certified angus beef burger reigns supreme here, topped with mouth-watering blistered tomatoes, aged Gruyere Swiss, crispy onion shallots and horseradish aioli on a brioche bun. “It’s a very unique burger,” says Owen.

TOMMY’S PLACE

Locals flock to Tommy’s Place for its cocktails and friendly neighborhood vibe, but Owen says Tommy’s is also known for its always-satisfying bar food such as juicy burgers and flavorful French fries.

(Market, Rocky River Wine Bar and Tommy’s Place)

JIM GRIFFITHS (Bearden’s)

Jim Griffiths, in real estate and health care by trade, jokes that he was reluctant about buying Bearden’s when the storied Rocky River establishment went up for sale in 2011, but his daughter insisted he do everything possible to keep the restaurant alive. “We’ve been doing it now for over 10 years, and we’re proud that we’re part of the community,” Griffiths says, adding that the restaurant, known for its steakburgers, has been a Rocky River staple for more than seven decades. When

he purchased Bearden’s, he also inherited the recipes from three generations of the Orange Family, who had run the business since the 1940s.

Griffiths is excited to participate in Taste of River again in 2023. “We want to be part of Rocky River and the celebration of restaurants and the Taste of River because we have a role to play in the nostalgia that we bring to the table,” he says. He adds that he is a former resident and current land owner in Rocky River, so he wants to be part of preserving and strengthening the city going forward.

While Griffiths says the famous burger recipe is top-secret, he does share three tips for a delicious, juicy burger:

1. Use fresh beef. “If people freeze their hamburgers, they’re not going to get the quality that you do when you have a fresh burger,” he says.

2. Consider the protein-to-fat ratio. “A lot of people think that having a 90%/10% or even higher ratio is a good balance between protein and fat, but it doesn’t lend itself very much to flavor,” he says. “The fat content and the mixture between the meat and the fat is very important.”

3. Use the proper heat. An overcooked burger will be too dry, but you do want to make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F.

COURTESY BEARDEN’S

WEEKENDS ONLY

JUNE 10 , 11, 17 and 18

NOON-5 PM

HOME LOCATIONS:

AVON LAKE, CHAGRIN FALLS, HINCKLEY, HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, MAYFIELD VILLAGE, STRONGSVILLE, THE VILLAGE OF GRAND RIVER, AND WADSWORTH

PARTICI PATING BUILDERS:

JEMM CONSTRUCTION, KENSINGTON HOMES, PARKVIEW CUSTOM HOMES, PRESTIGE BUILDER GROUP, PROBUILT HOMES, PAYNE & PAYNE BUILDERS, SKODA CONSTRUCTION, AND MORE!

Find Homes.

Browse Photos. Get Directions.

All within the HBA CLE Parades mobile app. Get the app! Available from

For more information and a complete list of all of the homes in this year’s parade, visit HBAcleveland.com or call the HBA at 216-447-8700

For more information and a complete list of all of the homes in this year’s parade, visit HBAcleveland.com

ProBuilt Homes

Payne & Payne Builders

Top Real Estate Agents

HOW WE DID IT: DataJoe Inc., a Colorado-based research and publishing company, conducted exhaustive research using a combination of public data and industry surveys to create this list of Top Real Estate Agents. All Northeast Ohio agents licensed by the state of Ohio were eligible. DataJoe’s proprietary scoring algorithm factored in 2022 sales and transaction volume, and peer nominations. This list of Top Real Estate Agents represents approximately the top 5% of agents in Northeast Ohio. Agents do not and cannot pay to be included as a Top Real Estate Agent. There are many fine real estate agents who are not included in this list. It is intended as a sampling of the quality of work done in the industry in Northeast Ohio. For more information on the selection criteria, contact toprealestate@clevelandmagazine.com

DISCLAIMER: DataJoe and Cleveland Magazine use best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Chris Bergin

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Lucien Realty Lakewood 216-244-7175

Kimberley Guelker

Berkshire Hathaway

Homeservices Lucien Realty

Lakewood 440-346-0915

Eric Lowrey

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Lucien Realty Lakewood 216-650-0365

Anne Marie Rath

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Lucien Realty Lakewood 216-272-9770

Donna Trunko Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Lucien Realty Lakewood 440-567-9024

Diane Russo Armington Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty

Chagrin Falls 216-390-0910

Allie Carr

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Cleveland 216-952-8884

Sharon D. Friedman

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty

Moreland Hills 216-338-3233

Annalie Glazen

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Chagrin Falls 216-544-8769

Angela Griffiths Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Cleveland 440-213-4547

Michael Kaim

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Mentor 440-637-3443

Eric Lakia Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Mentor 440-413-9171

Susan Metallo Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Chagrin Falls 440-477-3465

Brian Miller Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Chardon 440-487-5566

David J. Reimer Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Shaker Heights 216-798-0750

David Sarver

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Moreland Hills 216-214-0221

Seth Task Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty

Moreland Hills 216-276-1626

Seth Young

Century 21 Premiere Properties

Pepper Pike

216-374-8589

Larry Steinbacher

Century 21 Transcendent Realty Medina

440-503-5820

Craig Cantrall

Chestnut Hill Realty Inc

Beachwood 216-249-2021

Jon Mavrakis

Citiroc Real Estate Company

Cleveland 216-245-3343

Jennifer Burke

Coldwell Banker Schmidt

Realty

Brecksville 216-905-8240

Christopher Frederick

Michael Henry eXp Realty LLC

Chagrin Falls 216-973-1402

Amy Hoes eXp Realty LLC Medina 330-416-1597

Sam Livingston eXp Realty LLC

Westlake 216-659-1540

Will Penney eXp Realty LLC Stow 330-760-2866

Dustin A. Purtan eXp Realty LLC Westlake 800-477-3519

Brian Salem eXp Realty LLC Avon 216-244-2549

Katherine Anne WhiteRidley Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Shaker Heights 440-241-4624

Joseph A. Zingales Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty Concord

440-346-2031

Alison Baranek

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Stouffer Realty Fairlawn

330-289-5444

Kimberly Mowers Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Stouffer Realty

Salem

330-722-3302

Asa Cox

Century 21 Asa Cox Homes

Painesville

440-479-3100

David Breslin

Russell Real Estate Services

Westlake

440-835-8300

Ryan Corrao

Century 21 DePiero & Associates Inc

Parma

440-669-1295

Chris DePiero

Century 21 DePiero & Associates Inc

Parma

440-842-3556

Patricia Gouker

Century 21 DePiero & Associates Inc

Parma

440-537-8975

Mary Kerlin

Century 21 DePiero & Associates Inc

Parma

440-842-7010

Mark Vittardi

Century 21 DePiero & Associates Inc

Parma

440-666-3405

Mike Ferrante

Century 21 Homestar

Solon

216-373-7727

David Gurary

Century 21 Homestar

Solon

216-438-8888

Donna Hamblen

Century 21 Homestar

Solon

440-725-9369

Linas Muliolis

Century 21 Homestar

Solon

216-387-3204

Christine Pratt

Century 21 Homestar

Solon

440-420-0073

Sheree Klausner

Century 21 Premiere

Properties

Pepper Pike

216-505-4568

Harvey R. Lewis

Century 21 Premiere

Properties

Pepper Pike

216-253-6497

Katerine Michalopoulos

Century 21 Premiere

Properties

Pepper Pike 216-704-6020

Coldwell Banker Schmidt

Realty

North Ridgeville

216-210-7653

Patricia Frederick

Coldwell Banker Schmidt

Realty

North Ridgeville

440-537-4685

Brian Gilbert

Coldwell Banker Schmidt

Realty

Westlake

440-315-5761

Majdey Taye

Coldwell Banker Schmidt

Realty

North Ridgeville

440-454-2456

James Arnos

Cutler Real Estate

Cleveland

216-407-5347

Gladimir Lobo

Dwelling Network

Solon 440-232-9111

Veena Bhupali

Elite Sotheby’s International Realty

Pepper Pike 216-598-1477

Karen Eagle Elite Sotheby’s International Realty

Chagrin Falls 440-773-6187

Michael Rath ERA Rath Realtors Rocky River

440-263-8615

Jeff Rath ERA Rath Realtors

Rocky River 440-382-3337

Jennifer Campanella

eXp Realty LLC

Strongsville 330-636-6438

Brady A. Secre eXp Realty LLC Westlake 440-537-2332

Lenny Vaccaro eXp Realty LLC Rocky River 216-650-8188

Michael Coleman Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Chardon 440-478-2770

Yvonne Leduc Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Mentor 440-667-7510

Barbara Levine Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Beachwood 216-559-4408

Michael Monaco Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Mentor 216-536-9585

Latonya Oliver Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Beachwood 216-215-4317

Greg Pernus Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Mentor 440-823-6491

Joseph Rutkowski Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Westlake 216-337-6656

Krista Viola Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Westlake 440-668-2482

Mary Weidner

Homesmart Real Estate

Momentum

Westlake

440-554-2065

Amy Price

House To Home Real Estate Professionals LLC

Sheffield Village

440-308-9151

Michael Balog

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Aurora 330-562-6464

Helen Barnett

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights 216-269-8895

Janet Biel

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Macedonia 216-702-8407

Paul Blumberg

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike

216-548-1072

Melanie Bowen

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-667-6589

Bobbie Burey

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Olmsted

440-503-3591

Ernie Cahoon

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights

216-440-1210

John Caristo

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-238-1400

Janice Carson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 440-622-8181

Jenny Chin

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 216-323-1216

Kathleen Cislo

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon 216-258-5886

Eileen Clegg McKeon

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights 216-233-6726

Jackie Collesi

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Shaker Heights 216-780-8607

John Craighead

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-999-2127

Kimberly Crane

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

440-652-3002

Kim Crane

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 440-652-3002

Judie Crockett

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor 440-974-7444

David Crockett

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor 440-336-0662

Jeffrey Curtis

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Lakewood 216-316-2317

Chris Davidson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Brecksville 440-263-2669

Mary Beth DeClerck

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 440-263-7481

Suzanne Deering Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 216-496-9365

Michael Della Vella Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-821-9181

Margie DeMastry Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor 216-695-5276

John DeSantis Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor 440-974-7283

Lori DiCesare Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Aurora 216-548-2608

Mary Kay Dykes Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-503-1444

Kristen Eiermann Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon 440-935-0993

Autumn Enovitch Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland

216-973-8694

Linda Febus

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Medina

330-722-6662

Valarie Fendrick

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services North Royalton 216-789-5400

Aileen FitzGerald

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 440-227-5878

Lee Freeman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon 216-701-6407

Karine Garfield

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

216-695-9677

Caprina Gates

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-465-0074

Minnie Gautam

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

440-759-0808

John Gepperth

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 216-598-2757

Angelika Geyer

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville

440-829-5727

Erin Giannetto

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor

440-974-7444

Janet Gommel

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Medina

330-242-2020

Pat Graham

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake

216-952-5556

Nadia Groedel

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

216-389-2826

Stan Gudalevich

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

216-905-9635

Sonja Halstead

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Wadsworth 330-388-0566

Meredith Hardington

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

216-618-2040

Anne Harmody

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls 216-287-0864

Laurel Worley Heater

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls

440-821-7100

Susan Hennenberg

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike

216-469-5169

Jill Hensel

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Bay Village

440-506-2054

Jennifer HerronUnderwood

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-371-2862

Christina Higgins

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon

440-227-3636

Jennifer Hite

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Amherst

440-864-4844

Jodi Hodson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Stow 234-205-8410

Geoffrey Hoffman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights

216-496-4212

Sherry Hornak

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Aurora

205-533-4555

Carly Horner

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-333-9860

Irene Iammarino

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-878-6181

Ronda Jedrzejek

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 216-337-9941

Chris Jurcisin

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights 216-554-0401

Marilyn Kahn

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Shaker Heights

216-554-3930

Adam Kaufman Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 216-831-7370

Joseph Keller

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 440-971-5633

Scott Kennedy

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon 440-503-3120

Tammy Koleski

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Elyria 440-935-4910

Denise Kovatch

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor

440-669-8826

Kim Kramer Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 216-570-7060

Tatyana Krilova

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-878-6229

Meredith Kronenberg Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon 440-636-3069

Lindsay Kronk Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland 216-536-2446

Sharon LaBuda

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 216-906-9047

Suzanne Lambert

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Brecksville 440-539-5981

John Lambert Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Brecksville 440-539-5981

Cathy LeSueur Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Shaker Heights 216-999-8408

Sharon Lockman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

216-272-9098

Misti Mancuso Howard Hanna Real Estate Services North Olmsted 440-668-3299

Katie Manos Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Bay Village 440-258-5304

Amy Margiotti Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Bay Village

440-221-8657

Julie Marous Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland 440-479-4681

Angelo Marrali Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Mentor 440-974-7846

Tracy Marx

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services North Royalton 440-915-5417

SharonDail Matia Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

440-241-7449

Anthony May Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-570-2999

Stephanie McFearin Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Solon 440-554-7712

Amy McMahon Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-999-2139

Michelle McQuade Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls 440-823-2448

Julia Mellon

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Macedonia 330-348-1243

Dax Mellon Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Macedonia 330-274-1287

Sally Messinger Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 216-240-9911

Kelley Meyer

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

440-263-1066

James Miller

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon

440-222-0403

Colleen Milner

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-793-0135

Maureen Miner

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 440-382-3187

Terry Mitchell

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls 440-465-9611

Angie Molitoris

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mayfield Village

216-299-9503

Bev Montgomery

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake

440-821-8585

Debra Moore

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon 216-701-3002

Karyl Morrison

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Hudson 330-903-6448

Debbie Mottl

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 216-215-7542

Benjamin Murphy

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 440-865-0255

Marysue Murray

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mayfield Village 216-598-2104

Marie Nader

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Olmsted 216-407-1974

Kathleen Novak

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Aurora 330-607-6012

Judy Nupp

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-337-0247

Thomas O’Dougherty

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-978-7878

Kristie Ohlin

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-773-7760

Paul Paratto

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Willoughby 440-516-4444

James Patti

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon 216-254-3621

Leslie Pavlich

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Amherst 440-752-0907

Ann Paydock

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-669-1294

Sean Payton

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland 216-509-6418

Dolores Pescatrice

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 216-870-2600

Sharon Gay Phelps

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Cleveland 216-331-8743

Annette Pisco

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon 216-410-1468

Diane Podway

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-476-5007

Jamie Powers

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Medina 330-805-5197

Aaron Powers

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Lakewood 440-523-9187

Heather Price

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls 216-526-4402

Inna Prudinnik

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 330-741-9036

Michelle Ramirez

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Elyria 440-371-3750

Todd Reinart

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

440-567-6643

Cici Riley

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Pepper Pike 216-410-3114

Kristin Rogers

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland

440-279-7080

Zachery Rollins

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Wadsworth 330-591-1289

Michael Ross

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Willoughby

440-520-9294

Katherine Rothman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton 440-864-3782

Wendy Rounds

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon

888-897-7770

David Rudolph

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Medina 330-714-0066

Jamie Samaha

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake

216-925-2063

Mary Sams

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Mentor 216-347-0771

Santina Saporito

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

North Royalton

440-521-7800

Ashley Saxe

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

440-862-2568

Lisa Kinsner Scheer

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon

440-670-6024

Michelle Schenker

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Solon

440-289-4068

Mary Shoemaker

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Elyria 440-452-9156

Arlene Smith

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Avon

440-785-9196

Katy Sopko

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-773-7652

Heather Srodek

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland 216-544-7171

Jeremy Stauffer

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon 419-569-1433

John Stevens

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Medina 330-722-8313

Mary Strimple

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Aurora 330-671-3179

David Sturgeon

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland Heights 216-375-4486

Michele Sues

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon 216-470-2965

Kathryn Taylor

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Bay Village 440-668-2249

Ted Theophylactos

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Cleveland 216-375-7060

Haley Turner

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Lakewood 234-380-7654

Susan Turner

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Brecksville 440-724-2321

Sarah Urbancic

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Bay Village

440-263-0612

Brian Victor

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake

440-728-7535

Mike Vonderau

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 440-871-3050

Danielle Voytek

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake

440-793-0100

Michael Warren

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Madison

440-667-7046

Gregg Wasilko

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River 440-521-1757

Marikate Wazevich

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

440-823-3504

Julie Weist

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

216-288-3403

Dan Weist

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

216-288-3404

Teresa Slowey Whitham

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Solon

440-263-0504

Greg Willis

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Westlake 216-389-9715

Barbara Wilson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Medina

330-721-7355

Carolyn Wilson

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Bay Village

440-759-9903

Mary Beth Wolfe

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Chagrin Falls 440-785-4334

Hope Yantek Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Rocky River

216-212-7208

Sandy Chrisant Keller Williams Chervenic Realty

Fairlawn 330-472-1706

Jerry Kayser Keller Williams Chervenic Realty

Canfield 440-478-7078

Brad Miklovich Keller Williams Chervenic Realty Stow

216-287-6357

Julee Alexy Keller Williams Citywide Westlake

440-667-5097

Jessica Allgood Keller Williams Citywide Westlake

440-420-1368

Lori Baker Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-527-0501

Jayne Bialecki Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 419-277-0651

Mark Colucci Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-590-5219

Casie Crawford Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-829-0592

Kathleen Foxx Middaugh Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 216-533-1873

Mark Gepperth Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-477-0166

Suzanne Herron Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 419-304-2351

Megan Hornsby Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 419-559-5699

Edwin Huck Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-617-2500

John R. Hysong Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-823-0555

Charlie Jaite Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-476-9726

Thomas Kelly Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 213-356-1427

Sheila Korek Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 440-892-2211

Virginia Lindsay Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 216-407-7759

John J. Lynch Keller Williams Citywide Westlake 216-533-7007

BEST WEBSITE

Brickhaus Partners

PERFORMANCE IN NEW HOME SALES

$3-5 MILLION

Lindsay Artzner

ProBuilt Homes

$5-10 MILLION

Amanda Bundy

Drees Homes

George Pelesky Jr.

Drees Homes

Michael Yoe

Payne & Payne Builders

Michele Mave

Drees Homes

Jason Baylor

Payne & Payne Builders

David Kronenberg

ProBuilt

Dave Hesse

Payne & Payne Builders

$10 MILLION OR MORE

Larry Underwood

Drees Homes

Keith Stumpf

Drees Homes

Erin Rodgers

Drees Homes

Emily Gentry

Petros Homes

Jill Scot

Drees Homes

Carla Houdek

Drees Homes

Debbie Meyer

Drees Homes

David Binder

Petros Homes

Chelsey Berkey

Petros Homes

Chris Whalen

Drees Homes

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Dean Tompkins, Payne & Tompkins

Design Renovations

INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR

UNDER $500,000

Cuyahoga Land

HBA 2023 CLEVELAND CHOICE AWARD WINNERS

Reutilization Corporation

$500,000 - $750,000

Perrino Custom Builders

$750,000 - $1,000,000

Perrino Custom Builders

$1,000,000 - $1,500,000

Perrino Custom Builders

$2,000,000 - $2,500,000

Brickhaus Partners

OVER $2,500,000

Ovation Interior Design

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE YEAR –SINGLE FAMILY

$500,000 - $750,000

Otero Signature Homes

$750,000 - $1,000,000

Drees Homes

$1,000,000 - $1,500,000

MJ Builders Inc.

$2,000,000 - $2,500,000

Otero Signature Homes

INTERIOR

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE YEAR – CONDO/ CLUSTER/TOWNHOME

UNDER $500,000

ProBuilt Homes

OVER $500,000

Brickhaus Partners

EXTERIOR

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE YEAR –

SINGLE FAMILY

UNDER $500,000

Cuyahoga Land

Reutilization Corporation

$500,000 - $750,000

Edgewood Homes

$750,000 - $1,000,000

Drees Homes

$1,000,000 - $1,500,000

Payne & Payne Builders

$2,000,000 - $2,500,000

Larry Bloch Builders

OVER $2,500,000

Larry Bloch Builders

EXTERIOR

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE YEAR – CONDO/ CLUSTER/TOWNHOME

OVER $500,000

Brickhaus Partners

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BEST URBAN INFILL DEVELOPMENT

Knez Homes

OVERALL CONDO

CLUSTER TOWNHOME OF THE YEAR

UNDER $500,000

Kensington Homes Inc.

OVER $500,000

Petros Homes

CONDO CLUSTER

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

ProBuilt Homes

SINGLE FAMILY

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

Payne & Payne Builders

REMODEL OF THE YEAR

BEST BATHROOM RENOVATION

UNDER $50,000

Keselman Construction Group

$50,001-$100,000

Otero Signature Homes

OVER $100,000

Payne & Tompkins Design

Renovations

BEST BASEMENT RENOVATION

Payne & Tompkins Design

Renovation

BEST KITCHEN RENOVATION

UNDER $80,000

Keselman Construction Group

80,001-$130,000

Mancuso Homest

OVER $130,000

Studio 76 Kitchens & Baths

BEST INTERIOR RENOVATION

UNDER $150,000

Keselman Construction Group

OVER $150,000

Payne & Tompkins Design

Renovations

BEST EXTERIOR RENOVATION

UNDER $100,000

HTZ Construction, Inc.

$100,000-$250,000

Bennet Builders & Remodelers

BEST OVERALL ADDITION

UNDER $150,000

Mancuso Homes

$150,000-$300,000

Mancuso Homes

$300,000-$450,000

Mancuso Homes

OVER $450,000

Payne & Tompkins Design

Renovations

BEST ENTIRE HOME RENOVATION

UNDER $250,000

Cuyahoga Land

Reutilization Corporation

$250,000-$500,000

Mancuso Homes

OVER $500,000

Bennet Builders & Remodelers

CUSTOM HOME OF THE YEAR

BEST SPECIALTY ENTERTAINMENT ROOM (INDOORS OR OUTDOORS)

Horner Networks, LLC

BEST GREEN BUILT HOME

UNDER 2500 SQ. FT.

Keystate Homes & Development

2501-4000 SQ. FT.

Keystate Homes & Development

OVER 4000 SQ. FT.

Payne & Payne Builders

BEST OVERALL CUSTOM HOME

UNDER $500,000

Skoda Construction Inc.

$500,000-$750,000

Simcon Homes

$750,000-$1,000,000

Perrino Custom Builders

$1,000,000-$1,500,000

Simcon Homes

$2,000,000-$2,500,000

Otero Custom Homes

OVER $2,500,000

Larry Bloch Builders

Pradnya Martz

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-935-8280

James Matheos

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-309-6720

David Mitnick

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-781-7292

Michael Mooneyham

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-773-4050

Christy Morek

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-341-3225

Marcella Musat

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

330-635-3521

Renee Musat

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-342-0032

Elyse Nedrow

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-570-7979

Maria Pettet

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-567-4498

Melissa Porcelli

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-215-7117

David Reddy

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-406-4746

Susan Sasseville

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-317-0422

Sabrina Semidey

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-903-7710

Gavriel Septon

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-262-4700

Jessica Smith

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-387-6846

Jill Smith

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

419-787-4559

Zlatko Zee Sukalic

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-235-6125

Kevin Szymczak

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

419-290-6101

Rachel Tanzilli

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-346-3415

Ashleigh Vasi

Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-822-7973

Jane Vitou Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-725-1434

Matthew Watson Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

419-913-7570

Stacy Watson Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

440-829-2355

Maureen Zappone Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake 216-513-5552

Rose Baker Keller Williams Citywide

Westlake

216-956-8109

Antonio Biasiotta Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-223-0575

Ahren Booher Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville 440-537-4502

Corinne Bozin Grizzell

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville 440-342-9873

Troy Bratz

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-702-2196

Ivana Carson Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-401-8686

Erin Chappelle Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-373-1950

Maureen Davis

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

330-283-7943

Jennifer Duncan

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

330-241-3723

Emily Duncan Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

330-800-6265

Richard Ganim

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-781-1374

Gina Grassi

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-952-9078

Beth Hedtke

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-783-2115

Jason Hoag

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-287-8500

Melissa Hollingsworth

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-382-9367

Diana Ilievski

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-655-0067

Kathy Joy

Keller Williams Elevate

Lakeside

419-341-0142

Mara Kaulins

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-590-5656

Kristopher Kramer

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville 330-391-1545

Joy Larson

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-732-0711

Daniela Maragos

Keller Williams Elevate

Brunswick

440-292-5656

Ashley McTaggart

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-572-1200

Mark Metz

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

330-690-3122

Christopher Moscarino

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-227-2615

Roger Nair

Keller Williams Elevate

Medina

330-350-0016

Stacy Nugent

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-299-5092

Sajag Patel

Keller Williams Elevate

Brunswick

440-263-0553

Robert Blaise Rosser

Keller Williams Elevate

Medina

330-419-0420

Frank Ruma

Keller Williams Elevate

Medina

440-212-5626

Laura Schuller

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville 440-371-1467

Pamela Simon

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-403-3981

Michael Smith

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

330-401-7473

Jennifer Starinsky

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-804-4292

Christine Stowell

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-263-8630

Bruce Trammell

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-970-2143

Nick Virzi

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

440-821-5737

Pamela Vogel

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

419-348-9283

Diane Weseloh

Keller Williams Elevate

Brecksville

216-440-0432

Justin Weseloh

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-832-9015

Christine Williams

Keller Williams Elevate

Strongsville

216-695-6972

Jennifer Allen

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast

Mentor

440-796-4833

Tim Ambrose

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-862-0560

Natalie J. Antosh

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-364-4663

Darren Burke

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-341-2002

Linda DiPietro

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast

Mentor

216-390-6969

Jody Finucan

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-299-5137

Joseph Gentile

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-479-3545

Shannon Gerome

Keller Williams Greater

Cleveland Northeast Mentor

216-536-9669

Emily Kerwood

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-255-5500

Paul Koerwitz

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Cleveland 440-487-9730

Marianne Prentice Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor 440-463-2970

Kortney Ramacciato Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor 216-780-3840

Tiffany Schwegel

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor 440-477-3065

Sharon Zunkley Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Mentor

440-477-3276

Kathleen Bergansky Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southeast Solon 216-316-0788

Sandra Braun Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southeast Solon

216-299-0575

Stacey L. Jones Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southeast Solon 216-577-5874

Carol Hull Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southwest Strongsville 440-823-9166

Dominic Picione Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southwest Strongsville 440-390-9510

Lori Schwarz Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Southwest Medina

330-725-4408

Michael Arko Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-520-4270

Jason Baran Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-280-5357

Patrick Barmann Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-990-5719

Evanne Barone Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland

216-532-3310

Jason Beard Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-659-5520

Sophie Boehlen Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-849-8032

Jermaine Brooks Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-224-4326

Jermaine Burge Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-215-5727

Scott Carpenter Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Lakewood 216-262-1723

Christine Case Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-702-5494

Matt Chase Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Rocky River 440-452-2000

Teri Chmielewski Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-407-7249

Joseph Cicero Jr. Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-343-7503

Lincoln Coverdale Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 720-588-4626

Wesley Croft Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Rocky River 440-941-1377

Lori Dague Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-796-0301

Lanz Dela Roca Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-823-4690

Ryan DeLuca

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 440-413-5193

Ankur Dhasmana Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 732-718-1188

Eddie Donley Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 330-289-0047

Maria Eder Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-956-1303

Nancy Emerman Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-409-8890

Jane Evans Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-401-3052

Pete Formica

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan

Rocky River 440-496-5823

Sally Frye Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-785-5955

Lisa Gaines Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-990-1721

Deborah Garson Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-509-4275

Andrew Ginter Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 440-781-8737

Edward Golden Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-821-7985

Gale Grau Keller Williams Greater

Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-513-8467

Margarita Hubert

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Rocky River 440-503-1693

Heidi Huffman Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-714-1353

Doxie Jelks Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-470-3492

Carol Joiner Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-554-3413

Rudolph Jones III Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Beachwood 440-665-4165

Kim Kapustik Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-396-2108

Jake Lohser Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-408-8795

Jeffrey Longo Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-554-3949

Polly Lorenzo Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 330-354-7014

Clifford Louis Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 203-554-9020

Daniel Malloy Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Rocky River 440-308-2468

Michael McCandless Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-287-0877

Nicole McHale Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan

Cleveland 440-409-2834

Colleen Miklus

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 440-479-8766

Lindsey Mooney Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-777-9177

Inna Muravin Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland

440-568-0255

Jon Murchison Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-256-6179

Sean Nowak Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 904-909-0506

Art Obleton Jr Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-482-9035

Jeremy Ols

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-263-8915

Uday Patel Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-780-7000

Scott Phillips Jr Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 330-696-2166

Wendy Poltorek Dickson Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-337-3521

Linzie Potoczak Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-650-0407

Rebecca Runge Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 330-803-6519

Lisa Sisko Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan

Wendy LaForce Zambo Promotion

Mega Million Dollar Producer, Wendy LaForce Zambo has over 45 years of experience in real estate. She has become a top professional who specializes in the luxury/waterfront market. She listens and has the insight to strategize a winning path to success for her clients’ dreams, while at the same time, being able to adapt to the current market challenges. Her joy has always come from her “very special clients,” thousands of which have become her dear friends. She says she loves seeing “Happy” in their future. Her motto says it best, “Always Moving You Forward.” Wendy is in the top 1% nationally, with over 16 million sold in 2022, as part of the National Sales Excellence Team.

wendylaforcezambo@howardhanna.com

Wendy LaForce Zambo*

Rocky River

Cleveland 440-796-8043

Shoshana Socher

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike

216-255-7377

Alexandra Spino Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-322-7655

Melanie Sweeney Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 216-288-0199

Darian Thomas Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 440-328-5709

Eric Uchbar

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike 440-342-1408

Larry Wanke Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike

216-215-1165

Lauren Witt Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland

216-543-9424

Ryan Young

Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike

216-859-1201

Setrena Young Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland 216-390-0682

Robert Zimmer Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Cleveland

216-406-5729

Jade Kim Zivko Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Pepper Pike

216-338-5918

Jenny Salvaggio

Keller Williams Impact Group North Canton 440-724-5581

Jose Medina

Keller Williams Legacy Group North Canton

330-605-9185

Michaleen Paul Keller Williams Living Solon

440-840-3538

Amanda Pohlman Keller Williams Living Solon

216-526-8302

David Preseren Keller Williams Living Solon

440-339-3060

Carly Sablotny

Keller Williams Living Solon

440-521-1704

Donna Toth Keller Williams Living Solon

216-210-8684

C.J. Trivisonno Keller Williams Living Solon

440-941-7707

Jessica Chodaczek

Lofaso Real Estate Services

Brunswick

216-407-8896

Sam LoFaso

Lofaso Real Estate Services

Brunswick

330-220-4780

Renee Beech

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-488-5141

Shelly Blankenship

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-622-0348

Rick Bocchieri

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-227-1857

Stephanie Bosworth

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-231-0458

Terri Brandetsas

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-669-1008

Jeff Carducci

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-749-5358

Jodi Consolo

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

216-210-8436

Scott Davis

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

Theresa Hadad

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

440-530-6386

Melissa Harford

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

440-463-2424

Courtney Hatfield

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

330-704-2621

Melissa Kaufman

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

330 415-5931

Amanda Kritzer

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

216-469-0535

Melissa Lendvay

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

216-970-2902

Jerry Lesak McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-487-2157

Gina Meyer McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-226-1642

Laura Mokwa

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-463-7531

Cari Nelson McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-840-2845

Mimi Osbourne

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

216-559-6464

Damir Paulic McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-220-2225

Nicole Peterson McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-901-9696

Denise Quiggle

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-251-9985

Jeff Reesnick

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

216-526-2633

Nicole Rodriguez

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

Kay Zabivnik McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-477-4382

Adam Zimmerman McDowell Real Estate Mentor 216-513-2728

Joyce Molnar MSL Realty Wadsworth 330-419-9427

Chris Olsen Olsen Ziegler Realty Brecksville 216-702-0537

Ericka Bazzo On Target Realty Inc Rocky River 216-799-6283

John Vrsansky Jr On Target Realty Inc Rocky River 216-849-6775

Gregg Boehlefeld Platinum Real Estate Mentor 440-975-5854

Tim Cline Platinum Real Estate Mentor 440-749-5182

David Sharkey Progressive Urban Real Estate Inc Cleveland 216-619-9696

Timothy M. McMahon Jr PWG Real Estate LLC Mentor 440-305-8090

Kathryn Dix Brahler RE/MAX Above & Beyond Westlake 440-724-4313

Jeffrey Cimbulich RE/MAX Above & Beyond Middleburg Heights 216-406-6275

Anthony Colantuono RE/MAX Above & Beyond Broadview Heights 216-299-2359

Sally Crist RE/MAX Above & Beyond Brecksville 330-999-9234

Judy G. Darwal RE/MAX Above & Beyond Brecksville 216-396-1955

Community magazines have a long history of helping local businesses by giving them direct access to readers who buy local to support where they live.

Melinda Chamberlin

Keller Williams Living Solon

216-598-7085

Audrey Jenks

Keller Williams Living Solon

330-388-0789

440-364-4485

Clorice Dlugos

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

440-812-2542

Kathy Fawcett

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

440-821-4558

440-227-3444

Theresa Seese

McDowell Real Estate Mentor

216-666-1411

Shannon Velotta

McDowell Real Estate

Mentor

440-477-1906

Silvana Dibiase RE/MAX Above & Beyond Broadview Heights 216-347-9990

Beverly Gates RE/MAX Above & Beyond Broadview Heights 216-554-7200

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Constantine Glaros

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Middleburg Heights

216-695-1813

Steve Junker

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Westlake

440-537-0567

Danielle Mayo

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Westlake

216-970-7951

Kenneth A. Myers

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Brecksville

440-934-7707

John Oskowski

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Westlake

440-785-4999

Bogdan Ben B. Parojcic

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Middleburg Heights

440-667-3735

Roger J. Scheve

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Westlake 440-477-1188

Cheryl Wiegand Schroer

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Broadview Heights

440-897-7771

Richard Ward

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Broadview Heights

440-488-8659

Tabatha Whewell

RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Broadview Heights

216-978-7933

Katherine Bartlett

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Medina

330-858-0257

Kristin L. Baum

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Medina 330-921-8918

Brent M. Burke

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Rocky River

440-258-2248

Sherri G. Costanzo

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Fairlawn 330-807-2722

Joseph E. Dirk

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Rocky River 216-702-7247

David J. Fox

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Strongsville 216-789-6890

Lisa Humenik RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Strongsville 440-476-4959

Anthony Latina

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Rocky River 440-465-5611

Gary L. Post

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Avon 440-935-0341

Holly S. Pratt RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Strongsville 440-925-6774

Jose F. Rodriguez

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Rocky River 216-310-7609

Chris Schlenkerman

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Rocky River 216-798-4100

Artnetta Vines

RE/MAX Crossroads

Properties

Avon 440-452-7580

Debbie L. Ferrante

RE/MAX Edge Realty

Canton 330-958-8394

Michael M. Azzam

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-503-9609

Jamie Claxon RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-382-7775

Cameron Divella RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 561-317-6796

Robert F. Gallmann

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-343-0314

Suzanne A. Gallmann

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-343-0130

Connie Jiang RE/MAX Haven Realty

Garfield Heights 216-312-3177

Barbara J. Kachenko

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Twinsburg 330-388-2771

Gus Kazek

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 330-242-6937

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Nicolette Maksim

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Twinsburg 616-839-0954

Steven Morris

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 216-386-2686

Amy J. Pendergrass

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Twinsburg

330-801-1673

Brian M. Polomsky

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon

216-401-3660

Daniel R. Rogers

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Cleveland 440-543-1725

Rebecca L. Schilling

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Twinsburg

330-425-2222

Lynn B. Simon

RE/MAX Haven Realty Solon 216-577-2223

Richard P. Smatana

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon

440-476-4593

Gretchen Spacek

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-343-0313

Heather Spirko

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon 440-667-0560

Michelle Tyszka

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Twinsburg 330-562-1685

Jill Wurst

RE/MAX Haven Realty

Solon

216-970-0238

Elizabeth A. Sill

RE/MAX Innovations

Madison 440-428-8803

Michael Atkinson

RE/MAX Real Estate Group

Avon Lake

440-899-8626

Lou Barbee RE/MAX Real Estate Group

Avon Lake 440-899-0000

Kathleen F. Chisar RE/MAX Real Estate Group Avon Lake 216-973-3500

Charlotte Baldwin RE/MAX Results

Ashtabula 440-812-3834

Dennis M. Falvey RE/MAX Results

Concord Township 440-477-4310

Bettie J. Schmikla RE/MAX Results Concord Township 440-354-3334

Ann E. Blair RE/MAX Rising Burton 440-668-1771

Richard Chambers RE/MAX Rising Burton 440-344-5261

Patricia Bourne RE/MAX Traditions Chagrin Falls 216-403-5321

Nancy A. Frederico RE/MAX Traditions Beachwood 216-299-3599

Susan Loparo RE/MAX Traditions Beachwood 216-390-8500

Dan McCaskey RE/MAX Traditions Chardon 440-773-5542

Dan O’Reilly RE/MAX Traditions Chardon 440-821-3484

Lucien Pruszynski RE/MAX Traditions Streetsboro 330-785-8550

Mark B. Schecter RE/MAX Traditions Chagrin Falls 216-215-6118

Steph Snavely RE/MAX Traditions Chagrin Falls 440-503-0222

Nancy L. Bartlebaugh RE/MAX Trends Realty Uniontown 330-564-5632

Nikki Fanizzi RE/MAX Trends Realty Uniontown 330-807-7005

Brittany Bosch Redfin Cleveland 216-350-0713

Roger Peters Regal Realty Inc Parma 216-789-0262

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

David Axford

Russell Real Estate Services

North Ridgeville

440-281-3010

Adam Bellinski

Russell Real Estate Services

Medina

330-416-0975

Robert Bodossian Russell Real Estate Services

Brecksville

440-376-4630

Alex Carney

Russell Real Estate Services

Brecksville

440-382-7720

Aaron Dolata Russell Real Estate Services

Medina 440-364-7031

Tammy Frazier Russell Real Estate Services

Medina 330-321-6508

Michelle Green

Russell Real Estate Services

Strongsville

440-342-0269

Nicole Guizzotti

Russell Real Estate Services

Brecksville 216-906-2694

Jodi Kidd Russell Real Estate Services

Westlake 216-973-9698

Chris Kilbane Russell Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-915-8257

Jesse Kracht Russell Real Estate Services Brecksville 440-212-5656

Jill Mader Russell Real Estate Services

Westlake 216-905-5902

Christopher Meekins Russell Real Estate Services Medina 330-473-1698

Kathy Montgomery Russell Real Estate Services

Strongsville 216-466-4442

Kevin Russell Russell Real Estate Services Westlake 440-554-3297

Chad Schneider Russell Real Estate Services

Strongsville 440-225-8449

Emily Simkovich Russell Real Estate Services North Ridgeville 440-897-2078

Michelle Stanifer Russell Real Estate Services Strongsville 440-572-3100

Jodi Stevens Russell Real Estate Services North Ridgeville 440-221-6437

Libbie Tenaglia Russell Real Estate Services Brecksville 440-915-8331

Michael Terrigno Russell Real Estate Services Strongsville 440-773-4619

Trista Tharp Russell Real Estate Services Amherst 440-452-9117

Jonathan Wright Russell Real Estate Services North Ridgeville 440-739-0533

William Bambrick Smartland Realty Highland Heights 216-410-5899

Amanda Ondrey The Amanda Ondrey Team M.C. Real Estate Wadsworth 330-802-9618

Drew Vaneck Westway Realty Cleveland 440-899-5044

Leslie Worsech Worsech Real Estate Services Lakewood 216-513-7497

VISIT AND EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY

WITHIN ITS 9.73 SQUARE MILES, THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE EMBRACES ALL THE CHARACTER AND CHARM OF A SMALL-TOWN COMMUNITY WHILE MAINTAINING ROBUST BUSINESS DISTRICTS.

• Central location with easy access to major highways

• Lowest city property tax rate in Cuyahoga County

• Independence Local Schools earned a 5-Star Rating for exceeding academic achievement standards

• Highly-responsive Safety Services

• Beautiful civic and recreational facilities that offer a variety of activities and programing to residents throughout the year

• More than 1,300 acres of park land

• Access to the 87-mile Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and municipal parks

• 14 hotels providing more than 2,000 rooms

• More than 50 restaurants

• 7 educational institutions that offer post-secondary credit courses, including Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine

Gregory P. Kurtz | Mayor

Lou Barbee

Real estate from a different perspective — YOURS. After 25 years of real estate (and more than $500 million in property transfers), so much has changed: marketing, pricing, interest rates and often the very way we conduct business.

The one thing that hasn’t changed: the people.

“I am so grateful,” Lou Barbee says. “Without reservation, I can say that I have the most fabulous and fascinating clients, and the real mark of any success is when a client becomes a friend.” Does Barbee sell properties? Yes, of course. “But what I really do is help create environments that support people’s lives.” She understands real estate — and it’s not about houses.

Our 2023 outlook is great. Northeast Ohio has been significantly under-valued for a very long time. Despite rising interest rates, housing is still highly affordable. While many other markets have escalated beyond their “true value,” Northeast Ohio has had more of a “correction” than an escalation, making our real estate a solid investment, and Greater Cleveland is the # 2 hottest market in the U.S.

Thinking of buying or selling a home? There are so many new programs making home ownership more affordable — especially for first-time buyers. Don’t wait. It’s the American dream.

Lou Barbee*

Chris Case

You will quickly discover that Chris Case is no ordinary agent. Her unique approach is centered around listening to your needs, understanding the vision and thorough communication. Case feels it’s all about the experience when buying or selling a home, which is evident on her social media.

Case started in broadcasting and spent many years in hospitality, where she mastered her technique of working with people. Her commitment to her clients is apparent from the moment you meet her. Her energy and passion for real estate are contagious.

Her original Happy Home mascot is one of a kind in Cleveland. Case enjoys seeing the smiles her mascot brings to clients, children and its social media following. In addition, Happy Home enjoys a celebratory dance at house sales and appears at open houses, grand openings and parades. Case believes, “Everyone deserves a happy home!”

Case is a 2023 Member of Associate Leadership Council, 2022 Silver Pinnacle of Performance award winner and sold her first luxury listing over $1 million within her first two years in real estate.

Chris Case*

Virginia L. Lindsay

Virginia Lindsay believes there are a few things that separate top producers from average agents. Great agents must have the ability to think outside the box. They also need the willingness and fortitude to always keep trying, because every time we fail, we learn. It is also important to get to know your fellow agents and help newer agents when given the opportunity.

In 2008, after more than a decade in real estate, Lindsay went back to school as a working single mother and graduated with a master’s degree in business in 2010. She is passionate about always furthering her knowledge and education.

Being named a Top Real Estate Agent in Cleveland Magazine has become a major highlight of both her and her team’s careers, and she is incredibly proud of the Lindsay Team. “I am so blessed to have these amazing women in my life and on my team,” she says. “I consider them family, and helping them and watching them all grow and learn has helped me to become a better person and better agent.”

The Lindsay Team sponsors the Summer Concert Series for BAYarts to help raise money for the organization. Also, the Lindsay Team, along with BAYarts, will launch the first annual Bark in the Park, a dog-focused event on Aug. 19 from 11-3 p.m. to raise money for the Bay Village Dog Kennel Project.

Virginia Lindsay*

Sally Messinger

Sally Messinger has been so well known for listing and selling houses that, when the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo needed a new home for its ambassador animals, they turned to her. The result: Messinger and her husband funded the zoo’s new Nature Innovation Station, which is now the home for the Ambassador Animals including owls, a stork, a vulture, box turtles and Sally’s favorite ambassador animal, Quillber, the porcupine.

Messinger has been a full-time REALTOR (days, nights, holidays and weekends) for more than 40 years, receiving a quality service award every year. She was selected as one of Crain’s Cleveland notable real estate agents for 2021 and was named one of 18 Northeast Ohio Difference Makers for 2022. Messinger also received a national philanthropy award from Howard Hanna at its annual conference in Las Vegas last year and continues to be recognized by Cleveland Magazine

sallymessinger@howardhanna.com sallymessinger.howardhanna.com

Sally Messinger*

Art Obleton Jr.

One of the achievements Art Obleton Jr. is most proud of is being the first person in his immediate family to become a REALTOR. Under his mentorship, Obleton’s sister became a full-time REALTOR, and his brother had a successful real estate career as a dual agent while also working as a firefighter. His mom is continuing to learn and make strides in the real estate business, too. Obleton was also able to work with his sister and brother in guiding their parents in purchasing homes in cities that provided them much higher appreciation. Now they are able to enjoy the ammenties and lifestyle of their new communities.

Obleton is also grateful to have had the opportunity to help a family move to a more affluent community in which their sons were able to improve their social and academic skill development. They joined the cross country team and have achieved honor roll status in a top-rated school district. The move to the new community in 2020 was perfect timing, enabling the family to benefit in a greater capacity from the gains in the real estate market as second-time homeowners.

Teresa Slowey Whitham

It may be hard to find someone who loves real estate more than Teresa Slowey Whitham. Her personal experience with corporate relocation took her through four states in 10 years and has given her a passion to help families relocate happily and well-adjusted in their new communities.

Buying, selling and building homes is what prompted her to spend a few years renovating and flipping houses before becoming a licensed real estate agent. Slowey Whitham knows all aspects of real estate. Her work ethic is strong, and she treats clients like friends. Her motivation comes from the joy her buyers feel when she finds the perfect home and sells theirs quickly at a good price. Living in Solon for the past 20 years, she is an expert in her market and the surrounding areas.

Slowey Whitham has been recognized as one of Howard Hanna’s Best of the Best and was named a Cleveland Real Producers Magazine Top 100. She also received the Ohio Association of REALTORS Pinnacle of Performance award.

teresasloweywhitham@howardhanna.com

teresasloweywhitham.howardhanna.com

Teresa Slowey Whitham*

In a world where the real estate market feels overwhelming, Troy Bratz is here to guide you with 20-plus years of experience. A Lakewood resident, his career spans residential home sales, HUD inspections and affordable housing development. With his team of professionals, he provides exceptional service and preparation to sell or buy your next home, whether across town or the country. He is repeatedly recognized as a Keller Williams top producer while holding leadership roles on multiple community boards. “The Community REALTOR” is coming to a neighborhood near you.

CONTACT

Since obtaining her REALTOR license at age 18, Sharon Friedman has maintained her passion and drive to serve her clients in the region with the highest level of service. A graduate of Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs, Friedman received her broker’s license in 1986. She shares her vast knowledge of Greater Cleveland’s communities with clients and friends, saying, “My clients brought me to where I am today, and I never want to lose sight of that.”

Sharon Friedman*

Troy Bratz*

Sharon Friedman

Seth Task

The Task Team has been recognized in the top 1% of all U.S. REALTOR teams and the top 100 worldwide Berkshire Hathaway teams. Team Leader Seth Task has nearly two decades of experience and is certified CRS, GREEN, C2EX, CNHS and AHWD. Task serves all of Northeast Ohio with the goal of enhancing quality of life for his clients and communities. He also has served as director for the National Association of REALTORS and president of the Ohio REALTORS Association.

CONTACT

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Professional Realty — The Task Team 2217 E. Ninth St., Suite 300, Cleveland

CONTACT

216-276-1626

sethtask@taskhomes.com taskhomes.com

Kathryn Taylor

Experience, integrity and enthusiasm define Kathryn Taylor’s approach to real estate, which has led Taylor to consistently being a Bay Village top office listing leader and sales producer. Taylor takes great pride in her clients’ satisfaction by always striving to deliver fully on their needs and goals. Taylor’s superior customer service skills have resulted in her routinely earning the annual, distinguished Quality Service Award, as well as ranking her in the top 1% company wide and top 5% nationally.

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 27115 Knickerbocker Road, Bay Village 440-668-2249

kathryntaylor@howardhanna.com kathytaylor.realtor

kathryntaylor.realtor

Kathryn Taylor*

Seth Task*

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

David

27121 Center Ridge Road, Westlake 216-407-8696

davidbreslin.russellrealty.com

David Breslin* consistently ranks in the top 5% of REALTORS nationwide. His most important goal is to provide excellent service to buyers and sellers to earn their trust, referrals and repeat business.

2001 Crocker Road, Suite 200, Westlake 440-341-3225 christy@nextmoveclevelandohio.com

Ranked in the top 5% of REALTORS nationwide, Christy Morek* is dedicated to helping her clients make educated real estate decisions for both their present and future needs, while also providing #ResultsThatMoveYou.

Melissa Lendvay

Melissa Lendvay is a fullservice agent serving Lake, Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. With over 10 years of experience, she uses cutting-edge marketing to get her sellers top dollar for their homes and provides strategic advice to help make her buyers’ dreams come true.

Melissa Lendvay*

CONTACT

7230 Mentor Ave., Mentor 216-970-2902

melissalendvay@mcdhomes.com

216-272-9770

facebook.com/rathhomes instagram.com/rath.homes linkedin.com/in/annemarierath rathhomes.com

Ranked in the top tier of agents nationwide with a master’s degree, Anne Marie Rath* is a valuable and irreplaceable asset to her clients, helping them make educated and informed decisions in all matters of real estate. Contact her today.

20525 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River 216-322-7655

alexandra.spino@kw.com

Alexandra Spino* recognizes and values the trust her clients place in her and strives to exceed their expectations. Offering the highest level of local expertise, service and integrity, forging personal relationships with each client is the cornerstone of her business.

8949 Brecksville Road, Brecksville 440-724-2321

susanturner@howardhanna.com susanturner.howardhanna.com

Energy, experience and integrity are essential in any transaction. Susan Turner* thanks her many clients who depend on her for those qualities. Top 5% REALTORS — nationwide.

Howard Hanna Rocky River Office 19204 Detroit Road, Rocky River 440-227-5878

aileenfitzgerald@howardhanna.com

elizabethgleim@howardhanna.com

Aileen FitzGerald* and Elizabeth Gleim bring over 40 years of full-time real estate experience to each and every transaction. They pride themselves on knowledge and personal service from first meeting right through the entire transaction.

Breslin

Alexandra Spino

Aileen FitzGerald Team

Anne Marie Rath

Christy Morek

Susan Turner

unwind.

3946 Broadway Grove City, OH 614-991-0338

plumrunwinery.com

118 West Front Street, Suite G Napoleon, OH 419-599-WINE (9463) thelumberyardwinery.com

Plum Run Winery

Locally owned boutique winery in the heart of downtown Grove City, featuring 22 varieties of house wines & ciders, 40 taps of artfully crafted beers, along with a full scratch kitchen and large pet-friendly patio. Great space for meetings & private events as well!

The Lumberyard Winery

& Supply

The Lumberyard Winery & Supply is situated along the scenic Maumee River in a historic lumberyard in Napoleon, Ohio. With a combined 40 years of winemaking experience, our winemakers are producing a variety of wines. Come in and enjoy an appetizer with your favorite wine or try something new in a tasting or flight.

Stonegait Winery

1700 55th Sreet NE Canton, OH 330-497-1000 Gervasivineyard.com

Gervasi Vineyard Resort and Spa

This summer, escape to Gervasi Vineyard and experience the beauty of a unique, Tuscan-inspired winery resort and spa. Three distinct restaurants offer casual and upscale cuisine paired with award-winning wines and spirits. Retreat to a luxurious suite and enjoy the comforts of high-end amenities, as well as an outdoor patio providing beautiful lake views. Treat yourself to a tranquil Spa treatment or experience the intimate wine-tasting room in The Cave.

Red Fern Inn at

Rocky Point Winery

111 West Main Street Marblehead, OH 419-967-5344 redferninn.com

Located in the historic Marblehead Schoolhouse just steps from Lake Erie and down the street from the Marblehead Lighthouse, the Red Fern Inn is the perfect getaway. Guests have access to complimentary bicycles, a private lounge and several fire pits. We’re open year-round, with live music and special events April-October.

White Timbers Winery

4275 Bates Road Madison, OH 440-307-9571

stonegaitwinery.com

Stonegait Winery is a family-owned winery. Featuring estate and American wines all crafted on-site. We offer a full menu showcasing our wood-fired pizzas, appetizers, sandwiches and more. Along with our large wine selection, we have beers on tap, bourbons and specialty drinks. We invite you in to enjoy our beautiful patio and relaxing atmosphere.

Chateau Winery & Vineyard

525 State Route 635 Helena, OH 419-638-5411

chateauwineryandvineyard.com

Experience Chateau Winery & Vineyard, a hidden gem where guests can sit by the koi pond, stroll the vineyard, or relax in the tasting room. All of the wine is made on the premises, including a few estate grown wines. Open year round. Food menu, craft beer, live entertainment, and tours available. Owners: Bill and Michele Hollister

10036 Rittman Road Wadsworth, OH 330-331-7383

thewhitetimbers.com

2376 OH-850 Bidwell, OH 740-245-9463 merryfamilywinery.com

White Timbers is a new uniquely tranquil winery, vineyard and event center located at 10036 Rittman Road, Wadsworth Ohio, in Medina County. Find us online at thewhitetimbers.com and on Facebook and Instagram. Email: whitetimberswinery@gmail.com. Join us for a “Sip and a Sunset”!

Merry Family Winery

Come sip, sit and relax at Gallia County’s first winery/ brewery. Take in the picturesque views of the countryside, stroll through the vineyard. Sample handcrafted wines and beers, try our homemade root beer soda. With so many great varieties to choose from you are sure to find something to love!

16982 Country Road M2 Napoleon, OH 419-758-3442

leisuretimewinery.com

9050 West Old Lincoln Way Wooster, OH 330-804-9463

lincolnwayvineyards.com

Leisure Time Winery

As our name implies, Leisure Time Winery is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon or evening. Tucked into the peaceful countryside of Napoleon, Ohio, we offer a little something for everyone. We proudly craft an assortment of wines, including several fruit options.

Lincoln Way Vineyards

Come sit in the tasting room, on the patio, picnic area or our event space, relax and enjoy our wine, hard cider, fruit-based wine slushies and more. Check out our website or like us on Facebook to see our year-round food truck and entertainment schedule.

Knotty Vines Winery

2920 County Road 19

Wauseon, OH

419-446-WINE (9463) knottyvineswinery.com

Welcome to Knotty Vines Winery, where friends become family, stories are shared, and memories are made. Tasting room open Wednesday through Saturday with weekend entertainment. Take a day trip to the rich farmland of Fulton County and let us share the fruits of our labor with you.

Laurello Vineyards

978 Catawba Avenue

Put-In-Bay, OH 419-285-2811

heinemanswinery.com

Heineman Winery

Celebrating 135 years of family traditions, Heineman’s is the oldest family-owned and -operated winery in Ohio. This award-winning winery is also home to the world’s largest known celestite geode and offers combined tours of the winery and Crystal Cave. Visit the tasting room featuring wines made on-site, while enjoying a fresh-cut cheese plate. Check our website for hours. Online ordering 24/7 to 38 states!

Gillig Winery

1720 Northridge Road Findlay, OH 419-408-3230

gilligwinery.com

432 North Whitewoman Street

Coshocton, OH 740-622-4877

threeriverswinetrailohio.com

Enjoy a relaxing environment and extensive wine menu. A full lunch and dinner menu is available to visitors. The winery is located off Interstate 75 and Northridge Road and is open Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Three Rivers Wine Trail

4573 Route 307 East Geneva, OH 440-415-0661

laurellovineyards.com

Laurello Vineyards is a familyowned winery providing handcrafted, award-winning wines and specially prepared foods as well as beer on tap. Laurello offers premium, vinifera wines in addition to unique blends and delicious ice wines. We invite you to stop by to experience our boutique winery.

Fill Your Glass on the Three Rivers Wine Trail!

Enjoy the wide-open spaces of the Appalachian foothills and explore the eclectic mix of seven unique wineries and a craft brewery, all within a short drive of one another in beautiful Coshocton County. It's the perfect romantic getaway or girlsʼ weekend adventure.

Fill your glass on the Three Rivers Wine Trail! Enjoy the wideopen spaces of the Appalachian foothills and explore the eclectic mix of seven unique wineries and a craft brewery, all within a short drive of one another in beautiful Coshocton County. It’s the perfect romantic getaway or girls’ weekend adventure.

Crooked Tree Vineyard

Crooked Tree Vineyard is a quiet oasis on Kelleys Island. The tasting room, with both indoor and outdoor seating, offers eight wines from dry to sweet produced on-site. Grapes grown on the property are the foundation for the wines. Prime season is May through September. Visit us online for hours.

GARDEN HOME &

A room redesign's inspiration came from Citrus Garden, a bold Schumacher brand fabric pattern.

Before and After

Inspiration for the upgrade to the home comes from a vibrant Citrus Garden fabric pattern.

The husband-and-wife owners of this 1920s Cleveland Heights Tudor wanted to upgrade the living, dining and family rooms so they could entertain their large extended families in a transitional style. Hudsonbased interior designer Lindsey Putzier notes that while some furnishings were of a quality and condition worth keeping, others definitely needed to be replaced.

“They wanted [the decor] to be cohesive because all three rooms do flow together,” she says. “They wanted some pattern and color in there, as well” — features that were desperately needed in the existing neutral decor.

Inspiration came from Citrus Garden, a bold Schumacher-brand pattern executed in shades of blue, teal, green and yellow. Putzier originally suggested purchasing a pricey single yard to make a couple of accent pillows for the living room sofa. But the clients liked it so much that the colors, if not the lemon-themed fabric itself, found their way into all three rooms.

THE LIVING ROOM

Before: Putzier points out that while the furniture and rug were of the correct scale for the space, it lacked adequate lighting and the side tables to support it. The light-beige sofa’s back cushions sagged, casualties of a dog and cat that sat on them to look out the bay window.

After: Putzier’s upholsterer re-stuffed the back cushions, an easy way to refresh a quality sofa that costs a small fraction of buying a new one. “You don’t even have to take the whole sofa there — you just drop off the cushions,” she says. She replaced the accent pillows with two counterparts in the Citrus Garden pattern, both with a welt in a more-affordable, light-blue fabric used to make two other accent pillows. More color was added by flanking the sofa with two navy-blue grass cloth-covered side tables and blue-swirled white lamps.

THE DINING ROOM

Before: Putzier observes that, unlike the living room, this space needed new furniture. The table was too narrow, and the chairs were “$50 big-box specials” with legs that had to be rescrewed to the frames before each use. Sadder still were the yellowing drapery sheers the previous owner had hung at the window to screen a view of the neighbor’s kitchen.

“Sheers are very plain,” she adds. “They just don’t look finished.”

After: While the clients couldn’t afford the amount of Citrus Garden fabric required to make full drapery panels to hang over new white sheers, they could manage the cost of five yards. Putzier’s workroom used them to produce panels with a less-expensive light-blue fabric at the tops, the seams between the two fabrics hidden by blue grosgrain tape.

Lindsay Putzier refurnished the dining room with a maple table that expands to seat 10.

© DAVID ALAN PHOTOGRAPHY

“The result was some really unique drapes,” she says.

Putzier refurnished the room with a maple table that expands to seat 10 and chairs constructed of a solid North American hardwood frame and upholstered in a blue-herringbone performance fabric that’s easy to clean. “They’re going to stand up to a beating, even from little nieces and nephews,” she declares. She ditched the “builder-basic” lighting fixture for an eye-catching, recycled-glass chandelier that suits the scale of the fur-

nishings underneath it. The finishing touch: replacing the books filling the built-ins with an artful display of decorative glassware.

While Putzier encourages using bookshelves for their intended use, she advises against packing every square inch with volumes.

“You want to be able to have your eyes rest on different objects,” she says.

THE FAMILY ROOM

Before: Putzier discovered that the clients required a new coffee table — the top of the existing one was susceptible to staining. The side table was too small to stick next to the large sectional. And there wasn’t adequate task lighting for, say, reading a book.

After: As in the living room, Putzier injected color and pattern with custommade accent pillows and furnishings — in this case, a navy-blue, linencovered side table topped by a white gourd-shaped lamp and blue paisley ottoman with nail-head trim. The new coffee table, with its stain-resistant quartz top, has special meaning: The husband’s father made the base from a tree felled on the family’s property. She used the built-in shelves, once randomly filled, to display items the homeowners had picked up during their many travels, along with things she purchased, like the bicycle and horse sculptures, to augment them.

“She rides horses; he loves bikes,” she explains. “So they’re still things that are meaningful to them.”

The new coffee table, with its stain-resistant quartz top, has special meaning: The husband's father made the base from a tree felled on the family's property.

Distinctive Homes

RESULTS. GUARANTEED. LOU BARBEE | 440-899-0000

LAKEWOOD

Wonderful all brick mid-century 3 bedroom. Oversized fenced lot on one of Lakewood’s most coveted streets. Updated. Sun-drenched family room. Unique for the location. Steps from Lakewood Park. Meticulous maintenance, Central air. Move in ready. Attached 2 car garage.

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BRATENAHL

Outstanding free-standing cluster home just steps from Shoreby Club and Lake Erie. The 2-story entry opens to the great room. Open. Bright. High volume ceilings. Elegant dining room. Home office. Kitchen and dinette open to a spacious “hearth room.” All redone.

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SAGAMORE HILLS

Greenwood Village cul-de-sac. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial sits on a beautifully landscaped lot. Family room with fireplace. 1st floor laundry and office. Deck. Patio. Walk-out lower 2 car attached garage, community pools (indoor and outdoor). Will not last.

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AVON LAKE

Bright 4 bedroom colonial with open floor plan. Spacious living room features a gas fireplace. Casual dining area and vaulted family room surrounded by windows. Private master suite with walk-in and remodeled bath. Close to parks, playgrounds, and much more.

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BAY VILLAGE

Imagine Summer in your own private pool. This lovely ranch sits on a deep lot - just minutes from Lake Erie. One floor living. Family room overlooking the yard and in-ground pool. Easy living. Excellent schools, parks, and city services. Attached garage.

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BRATENAHL

One floor living. 1st floor master with walk-in tub and jacuzzi. Large private brick courtyard.  2nd floor loft overlooks the great room. 2 generous guest rooms. Over 4000 sq. ft. above grade plus 2400 sq. ft. in finished lower level with rec. room, bar, full bedroom suite.

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WESTLAKE

Ranch cluster with wonderful open spaces. Walls of windows. Exceptional light. High-volume ceilings throughout. Generous room sizes. Vaulted great room with gas fireplace. Solid maple flooring. Upgraded kitchen opens to the great room. 2 car attached garage.

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UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS

Classic 4 bedroom colonial offering outstanding “work from home” opportunities. Private 2-story addition with an exceptional home office on the 1st and huge master suite up. Many upgrades. New HVAC. Replacement windows. Hardwood floors. 2 car garage.

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Look Back

HOISTED ATOP Terminal Tower’s 70-foot flagpole, a camera captures the secondtallest view outside of New York in 1927. Automobiles are black beetles; Hotel Cleveland is a yawning pit 771 feet below.

Built in 1918, the $4.5 million, 1,000room hotel joined the new Union Terminal complex (officially dedicated June 28, 1930) in the 1920s. The rapid transit tunneled beneath. For almost 30 years, the towerhotel duo incinerated night’s pitch; the hotel’s name like filament, the sepulchral tower a phosphorescent ghost.

When the tower’s highest steel was raised in 1927, its skyward climb arrested the attention of a young photographer named Margaret Bourke-White. In July 1928, Jean A. Lussier offered to fly from the tower using hand-propelled wings, for a $25,000 advance.

Roughly 250 feet below street level, the tower continues on a skeleton of steel and caissons. Bedrock buried 226 feet was the clay’s first hostage. In October 1928, Patrick Cleary and Patrick Toolis worked themselves into a 103-foot grave after their shaft filled with 40 feet of cement. Their bodies were chiseled out.

Operations fell after the ’40s. In 1976, Save-the-Square paid the slouching hotel’s creditors, the terminal went on the National Register of Historic Places and Ashby Leach slipped to the tower’s 32nd floor with a sawed-off shotgun. By 1978, the last passenger line left.

K&D bought the tower in 2016 for $38.5 million, spending $100 million converting 11 floors into 297 luxury apartments. Resurrected as the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, the hotel remains at its side.