Mayor Benjamin I. Holbert, III
FROM THE DESK OF NICOLE Y. CULLIVER, PHD
Dear Residents and Friends of Woodmere,
The founders of Woodmere envisioned a place where families could thrive, friendships could blossom, and community could ßourish. Today, we honor that vision and the countless contributions of those who came before us.
Over the past eight decades whether it was Woodmere’s early development, growth and expansion, community and culture, or the modern emergence, Woodmere has continued to grow and evolve. Efforts are being made to enhance public spaces, improve local amenities, and support community initiatives and busineses. The village prides itself on its commitment to safety, education, and quality of life.
Today, Woodmere is a testament to successful suburban, or as residents selfproclaim, semi-rural living balancing growth with a commitment to our rich history and community values. As we celebrate its 80th anniversary, the village reßects on its past while looking forward to a vibrant future.
I am Þlled with pride and gratitude for our vibrant community, my neighbors and all the people that do the daily hard work to keep our village strong . This milestone is a testament to the resilience, unity, and spirit of our residents who have built and nurtured our village over the decades.
Let us take this opportunity to reßect on our rich history while looking forward to a bright future. Together, we will continue to make Woodmere a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey. Here’s to many more years of success and community spirit!
Warm regards,
Nicole Y. Culliver, PhD. Council President
Village Council
Councilman Tennyson Adams
Councilman Hillman Lindsey
Councilwoman Nakeshia Nickerson
CouncilmanWaymond Scott
Councilwomen Vivian Walker
Councilman Seth Young
Forward by Elizabeth Macklin
It is with immense pride that I congratulate the Village of Woodmere on its 80th anniversary. Serving this incredible community for 44 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Working with ten mayors, each contributing to the village’s progress, gave me a unique perspective on Woodmere’s growth, and I am proud to have been part of its legacy. I also commend Mayor Benjamin Holbert for his dedication to serving our village.
When my late husband, Moses Macklin, and I moved to our new home on Brainard in January 1967, we were welcomed by our neighbors with warmth and home-cooked meals. Over time, Woodmere became more than just a place to live—it became an extended family built on kindness and support.
As the first woman police officer in Woodmere and the Chagrin Falls area, I am proud to have broken new ground. I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles—helping residents with everyday concerns and mentoring children on safety. My career was filled with meaningful moments, from my time as Village Secretary and Administrative Assistant to being a Precinct Committee Representative. Each role allowed me to give back to a community in which I deeply care.
Woodmere’s strength lies in its people. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside countless employees, residents, and volunteers who embodied the village’s values. We worked together to support our local schools, where my son Earl earned his Eagle Scout badge and served as a volunteer firefighter.
As Woodmere celebrates its 80th anniversary, I reflect on the village’s remarkable history and express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success. Woodmere will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to its continued prosperity and unity in the years ahead.
God bless Woodmere Village.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Macklin
Retired Woodmere Village Employee
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
P R E S E N T E D T O
woodmere village
80th anniversary
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November 20, 2024
DATE
Shontel M Brown
Member of Congress
Sia Nyorkor
Tonight, Emmy-winning journalist Sia Nyorkor serves as Mistress of Ceremonies, bringing her extensive expertise and engaging presence to our event. With over 20 years in journalismimage0. jpeg, Sia is a respected storyteller who has worked across television, radio, documentary, digital, and OTT platforms.
Currently a Multi-Skilled Journalist for WTHR, 13News in Indianapolis, Sia is deeply connected to Cleveland, where she previously served as Weekend Anchor and Multimedia Reporter at WOIOTV, the CBS affiliate. During her time in Cleveland, Sia’s groundbreaking work included co-creating The Next 400, a nationally recognized series that tackled issues like systemic racism, housing discrimination, and social justice in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. She also earned awards for her powerful reporting on Black hair culture and for her investigative series that spurred safety improvements to Cleveland’s infrastructure.
Sia holds degrees from Indiana University’s Ernie Pyle School of Journalism and Columbia University, where she completed an award-winning documentary as her thesis. She has been featured on networks like TV One, Oxygen, and Investigation Discovery.
An active leader in the National Association of Black Journalists and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sia is a mentor to young journalists and a proud advocate for public service. Born of Liberian heritage, Sia’s name means “first daughter of the father,” reflecting both her roots and her commitment to community.
Tonight, we are honored to have Sia bring her experience, insight, and warmth as Mistress of Ceremonies, guiding us through an evening that resonates with Greater Cleveland and Woodmere Village’s commitment to excellence, diversity, and community.
FORECAST - Contemporary Jazz Band
Celebrating Woodmere Village’s 80th anniversary, FORECAST brings their dynamic contemporary jazz sound to the festivities. This Cleveland-based band has been captivating audiences with a rich blend of instrumental jazz, funk, rock, reggae, and pop, featuring Lem Adams on vibraphone, Riley Richard on saxophone, Kevin Byous on guitar, Alphonso McDuffie on keyboards, Gary Stevenson on bass, and John Turner on drums.
FORECAST is renowned both locally and nationally, having opened for legendary artists like Earl Klugh, Grover Washington Jr., Bob James, and Kirk Whalum, among many others. Their versatility has made them the go-to band for high-profile events, including serving as the house band for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002-2003 season and the stage band for the Regional Emmy Awards from 2015 to 2019. They have also graced the stages of prominent music festivals, such as the Tri-C Jazz Fest and Multi-Music Fest.
FORECAST’s music is deeply rooted in the Cleveland sound and reflects the spirit of innovation and community that defines Woodmere Village. Their unique blend of genres and mastery of performance make them the perfect choice to celebrate this milestone. We are thrilled to have FORECAST join us as we honor 80 years of history, culture, and unity in Woodmere Village.
CONGRATULATIONS
As Stark Enterprises celebrates 80 years of progress, I reflect on our journey and the incredible growth of the Village of Woodmere. From the beginning, our vision has always been about community, sustainability, and creating spaces that bring people together. Woodmere has been central to that vision. The growth we’ve seen here—both commercially and culturally—has been remarkable. It’s been a privilege to work alongside community leaders, residents, and businesses to turn ideas into reality. Our shared success is a testament to the power of collaboration, and I’m proud to have played a role in helping shape Woodmere into the thriving community it is today.
Robert “Bob” L. Stark Founder/President Stark Enterprises
Reflections on Growing Up in Woodmere Village
As Woodmere celebrates its 80th anniversary, I am filled with fond memories and heartfelt gratitude for the place we’ve called home for generations. Growing up in Woodmere was an experience steeped in family traditions, natural beauty, and the enduring values that made this village a special community.
My sister, Jan and Alyson, and I, had fond memories in Woodmere in a time when fields, forests, and patches of wild blackberries and strawberries filled the landscape. We would occasionally see deer and foxes crossing the roads, adding to the quiet charm of the village. My maternal grandmother would pick the blackberries and make cobblers, or gather dandelion greens to cook—a family ritual that brought us all together. We’d wait for the school bus at the corner of Roselawn Road, often bundled up in the car on chilly mornings, with our parents making sure we stayed warm until the bus arrived.
Our connection to Woodmere runs deep; my sisters and I were actually the second generation of the Pulley family to grow up here. Our mother, Bettie J. Pulley Perry, her brother Roy, and cousins Ralph Pulley, Florence Pulley Morrow, and Grace Pulley Bolden all grew up in Woodmere, likely before it became an independent village in 1944. If you ever find yourself at Orange High School, you might see their class photos from the late 1940s on the wall, a testament to our family’s early roots in this community.
Woodmere was a very different place back then. Chagrin Boulevard was a modest two-lane road known as Kinsman Road, with the closest grocery store located miles away at Warrensville Center Road. The Greyhound bus was the only public transportation, winding through Woodmere only once an hour. From Richmond Road to Lander Circle, there was little more than dense forest, with only Garfield Memorial Church marking the landscape at Lander Circle. A humble Quonset hut served as the Village Hall.
Before Woodmere became its own municipality, it was part of Orange Village. My grandfather Roy Pulley and his brothers, Harry and Walter, moved from East Cleveland to build homes on Irving Park Road, where they raised their families. My parents, Samuel and Bettie Perry, moved into their home on Roselawn Road in 1955, fulfilling what I saw as the “American Dream”—a home with large front and back yards, a station wagon, beloved family dogs, and the chance to attend an integrated school.
My father, Samuel S. Perry, was a graduate of Adelbert College and Cleveland State Law School. In 1966, he was elected as Woodmere’s mayor—the first Black mayor in Ohio. He oversaw the development of the shopping center on Chagrin near I-271 and led the construction and dedication of the current Village Hall. However, those times were marked by the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, and we faced challenges as a family. I vividly recall the night someone burned a cross in our backyard—a dark reminder of the racial tensions of that era. My mother, undaunted, took measures to protect us, even buying a shotgun to defend our home. Through it
all, my father served two terms as mayor and later as the village’s law director, remaining a steadfast leader for our community.
My mother, Bettie J. Perry, was equally dedicated to Woodmere. She earned degrees from Cleveland State and Kent State University and later served two terms on the Woodmere Village Council before being elected mayor. Under her leadership, she brought running water to every street in the village, liberating us from septic tanks. Bettie was also a Girl Scout leader, a musician, a clinical social worker, and an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve. She played the organ at churches and even at a roller rink. Her impact extended beyond Woodmere to her work on the board of Severance Hall and as a central figure in Mt. Zion Congregational Church. She once even helped her youngest daughter deliver newspapers through the village—an example of her commitment to community service.
As we reflect on our family’s journey and the rich legacy of Woodmere, we are proud of the progress the village has made. On behalf of my family, I congratulate the mayor, council members, and the residents of Woodmere for their dedication to building a thriving business and community hub that stands as a regional example.
May Woodmere continue to flourish, and may its spirit of resilience and unity inspire future generations for decades to come.
Warmest regards,
Gail W. Perry
Mulholland & Sachs is a proudly independent, family-owned retail business celebrating our twentythird year in operation. It feels like just yesterday we moved into Eton Center, where our gift store, located in the inner court, is easily recognized by the two bears that warmly welcome visitors at our entrance.
Originally established in the Van Aken district of Shaker Heights, we relocated to Eton in 2006. Woodmere has been an ideal central location, and the community’s response to the exceptional events hosted by Stark Enterprises has been wonderful. With our indoor location, families enjoy a safe and comfortable place to gather, whether it’s for memorable events like Halloween or Grandparents’ Day. Woodmere is much more than a stop along Chagrin; it’s a lively community hub where people of all ages gather—from daily mahjong players to morning and evening walkers. Good neighbors make this community thrive, and we’re grateful to be a part of it!
When you stop in, please let us know you’re from Woodmere. We especially love meeting our neighbors. Thank you for welcoming Mulholland & Sachs at Eton Center!
I, Reginald “Regie” Crosby, moved to Woodmere Village at the age of 5 in 1954 with my adoptive parents, Grace and Jeptha (“Jeff”) Crosby, from Cleveland’s Glenville area. My father, Jeff, played a pivotal role in Woodmere’s history. While working as a bus driver for the Cleveland Transit System, he founded the Woodmere Volunteer Fire Department, which led to his appointment as Woodmere’s Service Director. In recognition of his contributions, the Service Center was later named in his honor.
Growing up in Woodmere allowed me to attend Orange Schools, where I received a quality education and was actively involved in basketball, track, and band. Woodmere was a close-knit neighborhood where I built lifelong friendships. We spent our days playing football and baseball, hosting house parties, learning to dance, and growing up together. As a newspaper delivery boy for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Press, the Call and Post, and Jet magazine, I had the privilege of getting to know nearly every resident. I’ll never forget those collections rounds with my trusty card punch—some customers would even tip me with cookies, making it a rewarding job.
When we first moved here, Chagrin Boulevard had few businesses—just Hazel’s store, Dairy Queen, and eventually Manners Big Boy, which quickly became a favorite spot. I could never have imagined that years later, a marijuana dispensary would stand on the corner where I once waited for the school bus—but as it turns out, I’m now a happy customer!
Living near Chagrin Boulevard opened up opportunities for me as a teenager. I became a caddy and shoeshine boy at Beechmont Country Club, where I not only kept in shape for cross country and track but also made lifelong friends from all over the area. After caddying on Saturdays, we’d often gather at my house to play music, dreaming of stardom.
Woodmere has changed tremendously since those days, but its people remain close to my heart. Congratulations to Woodmere on 80 years, and may the next 80 bring even greater things.
With warm regards,
Reginald “Regie” Crosby
What It Was Like Then
By Dawn R. DuBose
In 1954, at just 4 years old, my family moved into our beautiful home on Roselawn Road in Woodmere Village, freshly built just for us. My earliest memory is of a giant slide in the backyard and dirt perfect for making mud pies. It wasn’t until I graduated from Orange High School in 1968 that I realized Woodmere Village wasn’t just “the sticks,” as we called it; it was a unique and diverse community that I proudly called home.
Woodmere’s six streets each had their own charm. Avondale, the quietest, was home to Maud Harris, the village hairdresser, and Mr. Hass, who was like a real-life Sanford and Son with his yard full of treasures. The Couch family, owners of Couch Sausage, lived on the corner and provided sausage for community pancake breakfasts at City Hall.
Roselawn Road was my favorite. Dr. and Mrs. Rosza lived at the end, with trains winding around their basement. The Smiths, also on Roselawn, were a former mayor and a school educator. Mrs. Smith would let me sit at her kitchen counter, smoking her cigarettes and chatting for hours—a real Dorothy Fuldheim. Then there was Mr. Sanders, a retired railroad worker, who would let us pick mulberries from his tree and tell us stories. Other memorable neighbors included Attorney and Mrs. Perry, Attorney and Mrs. Chavers, and Mrs. Petrelli, who walked her goats daily, greeting everyone with her heavy Hungarian accent. Mrs. Harper on the east corner fostered children and paid us to pick blackberries. Woodmere’s residents were as colorful as they were kind.
At the corner of Brainard and Chagrin was Hazel’s store, run by a Hungarian family, where we cashed in glass bottles for penny candy. Later, the street gained a gas station, a Dairy Queen, and even a Manners Big Boy. Woodmere was evolving!
Irving Park was another favorite street, home to some of the village’s kindest residents. Mr. Perkins, who called me his “little Beula baby,” lived next to the Crosbys, who were among my family’s closest friends. Mr. Crosby, a ham radio operator, amazed us by talking to people across the world without a phone—a marvel back then!
Woodmere Village was a melting pot of multicultural families—doctors, lawyers, educators, stylists, caterers, and more. They became my role models, showing me the value of community and the importance of giving back. The love and guidance from the people of Woodmere will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Congratulations, Woodmere, on 80 wonderful years, and may the next 80 be even better.
Reflection on My Journey in Woodmere Village
Sergeant Mark Johnson, Woodmere Police Department
I joined the Village of Woodmere Police Department on June 15, 2001, when Mayor Broadie swore me in, and Chief Lamont Lockhart became my first Chief. At that time, our patrol cars were white Ford Crown Victorias with powder blue insignias—a classic look for a young officer’s start. I was assigned to Sergeant Gerald “Gerry” Tate’s platoon, where I gained invaluable knowledge from him that I still pass down to the younger officers. Gerry’s influence and guidance have shaped my approach to law enforcement, and his legacy continues to impact our team.
Woodmere was vastly different back then. Eton Collection Mall hadn’t been built, and instead, we had vast open fields and remnants of old landmarks like Pepper Lanes and Bob’s Big Boy. Charter One Bank stood on its own, and the historic Gino’s Jewelry store was a vacant reminder of earlier days.
I’ve witnessed significant transformations over the years. In 2004, I had the honor of providing security for President Clinton’s book signing at Barnes and Noble, working alongside the Secret Service. I watched Eton Mall rise from the ground up, the Schreibmann brothers’ Alson’s Jewelry store expand, and the entire intersection of Chagrin Boulevard and Maryland evolve from pager stores and car audio shops into a thriving commercial area. The original Brainard building, home to Blockbuster and various professional offices, was replaced by Starbucks, Chipotle, and Texas de Brazil—emblems of Woodmere’s growth.
Chagrin Boulevard itself expanded from a two-lane road into the busy hub it is today. New businesses replaced older ones: CVS took over where a small building housed a jewelry store, hair salon, and meat mart, and Fifth Third Bank replaced Dairy Queen, owned by Mr. Kelley’s family for many years. Even familiar places like Corky and Lenny’s, which was a staple for decades, have recently closed their doors, marking an end to an era.
The evolution of Woodmere over the past two decades has been incredible. I’m proud to have been part of its growth and to continue serving this vibrant community. Please feel free to reach out if I can provide any more insights or assist further.
Respectfully,
Mark Johnson Sergeant, Village of Woodmere Police Department
