Old Brooklyn Serving our community since 1978 News

“Local businesses are the places to buy holiday gifts this year”

Published by the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation Winter 2020 Economic Stability. Education. Social & Community Cohesion. Health & Healthcare. Opportunity. ese are the social determinants of health, and these are the conditions Old Brooklyn Community Development Corpora- tion (OBCDC) strives to improve, so that all residents recognize that our neighborhood is the place where they can GROW.

An individual’s and family’s economic and community connectivity is impacting lives now more than ever. As the world continues to carry the weight of a global pandemic, structural racism, political unrest, and economic bifurcation, support for our work addressing the conditions of a vibrant community is needed that much more. Your support can change a neighborhood, and neighborhoods change lives. Your support has helped our organization thrive during a year of great tumult. Because of you, we have been able to invest in the Brighton Corridor, not only with our new building, but with catalytic redevelopment projects and enhancements to the quality of life, we have advanced our commitment to community health, and deepened our brand as Cleveland’s ideal family-friend and accessible neighborhood.

In order to ensure your support is able to respond to neighborhood areas with the greatest need, Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is launching the Old Brooklyn Fund. is is OBCDC’s best tool to be responsive and agile to the ever-changing needs of our neighborhood. is global pandemic has shown us that nothing is certain, and the need to be adaptive, responsive, and dynamic will forever be present.

 e Old Brooklyn Fund is your chance to help write the story of our neighborhood.

is year, your investment to Old Brooklyn Fund will help our organization to deepen its development of the Brighton Cor- ridor, infuse resources to the Community Ambassadors, continue to provide community health interventions that address basic needs as well as community conditions, uplift neighborhood businesses, and forever present the neighborhood of Old Brooklyn as A Great Place to Grow. Visit oldbrooklyn.com/oldbrooklynfund to provide your support With gratitude,

Name: ______

Address: ______

Email: ______Please accept my donation of:

_____$20 _____$50 _____$100 $_____Other Please mail this form and payment to: Old Brooklyn CDC. 4274 Pearl Rd. Cleveland, Ohio 44109

2 Nearly every year this column asks you to support small businesses and Winter 2020 shop small. That message has never been more critical than in 2020.

Economic Stability. Education. Social & Community Cohesion. First due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, then the demand shock of Old Brooklyn News: consumers not returning this summer and fall, and now due to a third wave of the coronavirus, our small businesses need your business to make 5 / Explore Nature in Our Neighborhood it through the winter. Health & Healthcare. Opportunity. 6 / Old Brooklyn Community Mural The small businesses who fill Old Brooklyn work every day to add to ese are the social determinants of health, and these are the conditions Old Brooklyn Community Development Corpora- the neighborhood vitality and reputation. These are the businesses who 8 / Old Brooklyn Ambassadors tion (OBCDC) strives to improve, so that all residents recognize that our neighborhood is the place where they can GROW. donate to your child’s school, community programs, and help out needy seniors with basic repairs around the house. The best time of the year 11 / Become An OBCDC Member An individual’s and family’s economic and community connectivity is impacting lives now more than ever. As the world to ensure that your favorite diner, coffeeshop, artist, service provider, or greenhouse gets to the spring of 2021 is right now. continues to carry the weight of a global pandemic, structural racism, political unrest, and economic bifurcation, support 12 / Old Brooklyn Recycles for our work addressing the conditions of a vibrant community is needed that much more. Beyond that, shopping local makes economic sense. Study after study 14 / Founders Awards shows that local businesses have a larger impact on our economy than national chains. They keep more dollars in the neighborhood and 16 / Partnership Revitalizes Historical Landmark Your support can change a neighborhood, and neighborhoods change lives. region, and they are more likely to support local charities, churches, and non-profits. By shopping there, you are investing back in yourself. Inside 20 / Christmas Memories (part VIII) Your support has helped our organization thrive during a year of great tumult. Because of you, we have been able to invest We encourage you to make your list and check it twice to ensure that you in the Brighton Corridor, not only with our new building, but with catalytic redevelopment projects and enhancements to can get all your holiday gifts in Cleveland and in Old Brooklyn. Restau- w24 / Church & News Events the quality of life, we have advanced our commitment to community health, and deepened our brand as Cleveland’s ideal rant and dining experiences through gift cards are great ideas. Quirky, fun, and historical gifts from book stores or museums are unique. Home 25 / Classifieds family-friend and accessible neighborhood. improvement and home beautification from art galleries, hardware stores, and greenhouses will warm any house. 26 / Community Meetings In order to ensure your support is able to respond to neighborhood areas with the greatest need, Old Brooklyn Community 27 / Town Crier Development Corporation is launching the Old Brooklyn Fund. is is OBCDC’s best tool to be responsive and agile to Once you have met that need, you may want to take some time to reflect. Old Brooklyn’s houses of worship will welcome you with open arms the ever-changing needs of our neighborhood. is global pandemic has shown us that nothing is certain, and the need to during a period of introspection and wonder. Or perhaps you can find be adaptive, responsive, and dynamic will forever be present. that calm and tranquility in nature with a hike through Brookside Reser- We are the accessible, family-friendly Cleveland neighborhood vation or down the Treadway Creek Trail and out to the Towpath. where business and people come to grow.  e Old Brooklyn Fund is your chance to help write the story of our neighborhood. Be safe, check in on your neighbors, and never forget those in need. To accomplish that vision, we provide: is year, your investment to Old Brooklyn Fund will help our organization to deepen its development of the Brighton Cor- Happy New Year, Community and Special Events, Community Meetings, Small Business Assis- ridor, infuse resources to the Community Ambassadors, continue to provide community health interventions that address tance, Real Estate Redevelopment, Community Gardening, Housing Rehabili- basic needs as well as community conditions, uplift neighborhood businesses, and forever present the neighborhood of Old tation, Neighborhood Marketing, Code Enforcement, Old Brooklyn Advocacy, Brooklyn as A Great Place to Grow. Youth and Families Engagement

Visit oldbrooklyn.com/oldbrooklynfund to provide your support Interested in advertising in our full color & large distribution magazine? Jeffrey T Verespej Kristen Wilson Contact Sandy Worona at 216-459-1000 or [email protected] With gratitude, Executive Director President, Board of Directors

Staff Jeffrey T. Verespej Marissa Jones Executive Director Community Engagement Specialist [email protected] (Healthy Homes Initiative) [email protected] Jayme Lucas-Bauer Board of Directors Neighborhood Development Project Manager Carlos Laboy Name: ______Kristen Wilson President; , Tiffany Sedlacek Vice President; Dave Margolius Secretary; [email protected] Community Otreach Coordinator [email protected] David Robinson, Treasurer, Mike Caparanis, Reggie Clark, Ramon Claudio, Devin Cotten Address: ______Liz Hernandez, David Martin, Adam Saurwein, Philena Seldon, Kate Warren. Director of Advancement Lucas Reeve [email protected] Director of Neighborhood Development Email: [email protected] Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) - it holds Hope Fierro Board Meetings at MetroHealth Old Brooklyn Health Center, 4299 Pearl Rd. Community Engagement Coordinator Johnese Sherron Please accept my donation of: every fourth Tues. of the month, 6 - 7:30 pm. [email protected] Neighborhood Development Coordinator johneses @oldbrooklyn.com Britiny Hubbard _____$20 _____$50 _____$100 $_____Other “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board meetings may be held virtually. Americorps VISTA Sandy Worona To inquire on the status, call 216-459-1000 [email protected] Outreach Coordinator and Please mail this form and payment to: Old Brooklyn News Amber Jones [email protected] Old Brooklyn CDC. 4274 Pearl Rd. Meetings open to the public but the board reserves the right to close portions of the meetings. Director, Community Health Cleveland, Ohio 44109 [email protected] Ed Zubek Wi-Fi Support [email protected]

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4 Nearby natural escapes provide benefits year round

by Clara Harb

henever someone asks me what I enjoy about urban landscape that is Old Brooklyn, we realized that what we Northeast Ohio, I immediately think about the thought was hours spent outdoors did not amount to more than 45 four seasons: spring, fall, winter, and summer. minutes. Yet we felt rejuvenated, nonetheless. The burst of energy Old Brooklyn is especially lucky because we have and the feeling of rebirth that followed just 45 minutes outside is accessW to a variety of parks, green spaces, and even the Cleveland something which I have never experienced before. I was able to stay Metroparks Zoo (that is free for Cuyahoga County residents on focused on my work for the rest of the day and was able to stay mo- Mondays). These spaces are the perfect window from which to tivated for much longer than I have been in months. To ensure that observe days passing and the changing seasons. It is amazing to my experience were accurate and replicable, I made it my mission to not only observe these changes but to take part in them by safely spend some time outside, even if I only had the time to take a quick coming together as a neigh- walk around my block, fre- borhood in a time we need quently. What had started to be physically apart to as gathering information for keep one another safe. We an article had slowly turned all know that spending time into something I wanted to outside is one of the steps do. Not that I was forced to towards living a healthier do it, but rather because I life, so why not start that felt amazing after spending journey now? time outdoors, even if for I am by no means an only 10 minutes. If I had “outdoorsy” person and not emphasized this point I usually only leave my enough before, I would not home when necessary. Liv- have spent any time out- ing during a pandemic has doors if it not for this arti- made this behavior some- cle. However we have access what acceptable. With to so many great areas to how the weather has been be outdoors right within lately (I am writing this on our neighborhood. I used an 80-degree day in No- to take this for granted. vember), it would border- Spending some of my free line offensive to not take time outside in green spaces advantage of the benefits recently has done wonders of being outside and hav- for my mental health and ing the weather to do so I could not recommend it comfortably. For my first enough. Having this access venture, I went to the out- leaves room for a world of door space which is closest Photo by Clara Harb possibilities: a neighbor- to my home: the Cleveland The beauty of fall in Old Brooklyn will soon give way to the solace of winter. hood walking club (check out Metroparks path along Wild- Turning Point Dog Training’s life Way. With walking paths weekly pack walk if you have along both sides of the road, I went with a friend after stopping by a special dog in your life), a book club that strictly meets outdoors Coffee Coffee Coffee for a quick caffeine break. While my friend (weather permitting), or even the opportunity to spend some time and I spent the majority of our time outside focused on our socially with your thoughts and reflections. Needless to say, I am slowly distanced catch up session, we also consistently found ourselves turning into a moderately outdoorsy person and I hope I have in- commenting on the beauty of our surroundings. Over time the spired you to take the first step towards a similar mindset. colors of the changing leaves deepened, the stillness of our sur- roundings became less intimidating, and we relished in how peace- ful everything felt, how time seemed to stand still. We also saw a Clara Harb is a resident of Old Brooklyn few dogs, which was just the icing on top of an already incredi- who still finds something new to love about bly decadent cake. Throughout our conversation we were consis- the neighborhood every day. She is a world tently interrupted by birds singing their final songs before winter, traveler who follows the best foods, but has squirrels stocking up on food, and the occasional runner. After we always found the best company at home. emerged from our venture into the “wilderness” surrounding the

5 Old Brooklyn Community mural project creates unity and hope

by Susan Nieves ld Brooklyn residents and business owners have always the Old Brooklyn Families Group and from her personal network. found a way to join together to lift up their neighbors Since group gatherings were not possible she used virtual methods during times of crisis, and this year has been no excep- to get volunteers on board. Bernadette spoke with residents and tion. In keeping with existing plans the Old Brooklyn business owners one-on-one, and developed the vision for the mu- OCommunity Development Corporation (OBCDC) held a weekly ral that would promote the vibrant life and surroundings in the Farmers Market on Pearl Rd. every Saturday morning from June neighborhood. OBCDC provided support financially and as the 13th through October 24th. Adhering to the state-wide guidelines project liaison, helping navigate the many complex steps involved on safe protocols, OBCDC and the vendors did their best to carry in bringing the project to fruition. on with as much normalcy as Bernadette had done possible. many murals over the years, Amber Jones, Director of but never in the midst of a Community Health at OBC- global pandemic with so- DC, reflected that “we saw the cial distancing challenges. need for a community project She discussed her ideas for to bring people together, but the project with some com- it wasn’t clear what type of munity residents and stake- activity could be done safely holders before coming up while also observing the social with the final concept. Ber- distancing protocols.” nadette envisioned a mural It was at the Farmers that would depict outdoor Market that two Old Brook- activities using the geomet- lyn residents, Emily Hoag and ric shapes and colors in- Bernadette Glorioso, first met spired by the Old Brooklyn last year and discovered their flag. The idea was to create common passion for commu- the initials “O B” in large nity art. Emily is Outreach letters. The design would Coordinator at Broadway feature two outdoor activi- Photo by OBCDC Staff School of Music & the Arts, ties that represented the Old and Bernadette is a professional The newest mural in Old Brooklyn can be found on the southern wall of Brooklyn community, one in artist and art instructor. 4196 Pearl Rd. the center of each of the let- The two of them began to ters. She decided on a person brainstorm and as Emily explained, “we wanted to do something walking a dog for the letter “O”, and a bicycle for the letter “B”. hopeful and uplifting in the community during such a challenging This mural design was a first of its kind for Bernadette. It was time.” This idea fit the bill for the type of project OBCDC had unique because it involved painting most of the mural on a wall, been looking for, and the results of the work that followed would then adding two boards depicting the outdoor activities. The de- become the Old Brooklyn Community Mural Project. sign incorporated a four by eight-foot, heavy duty cement boards Being well versed in community outreach, Emily was the proj- that would hold up to the harsh elements. They would be painted ect lead, and began seeking out volunteers via Facebook through separately and later anchored to the wall as the center of the “O” and the “B”. Continued on next page

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6 The paint by number system she developed would ensure the She elaborated on the many connections made and lives boards lined up perfectly, blending into the wall to provide one vi- changed. “Justin Johnson experienced life challenges, and found sually seamless piece of art. Given the short time frame to complete healing in participating in the mural. Carolyn Widdowson recon- the project, the advantage this process afforded was proper social nected with the owner of her first job, and discovered her neighbor distancing measures and allowing for more volunteers to partici- owns Coffee Coffee Coffee. A partially blind man found a way to pate simultaneously. do an activity with his fiancée, and worked together to paint sec- Although other options were considered, the location cho- tions of the mural.” sen for the mural was 4196 Pearl Rd., on the wall directly facing Bernadette emphasized there was a lot of work that went on the site of the Old Brooklyn Farmers Market. This had become a behind the scenes with faithful volunteers that showed up to help popular gathering hub in the neighborhood. Once permission was on a regular basis. Notably, Holly Rosby assisted with the initial obtained from the owners, Emily and Bernadette moved quickly, laying out of the design, sorting paints and setup and Renatta Jelito obtaining letters of support from stakeholders and completing all helped with the many details of the mural and clean up. the other requirements for the plan, which was presented to and In the end, over 65 volunteers, ages 18 months to over 70 approved by the Near West Side Design Review Board and the City years, from every corner of Old Brooklyn and beyond, had a hand of Cleveland Planning Commission in July. in bringing the mural to life. Bernadette reflected, “During a time Meanwhile, Emily was also hard at work continuing with out- of such challenges, I watched passersby smile and compliment the reach efforts, securing paints and other materials, and raising funds progress. The greatest reward was the people coming together and for the project through the crowdfunding platform, ioby (In Our having a positive experience that will be remembered for years to Back Yard). Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, a local non-profit organi- come.” zation whose mission is to inspire and strengthen the community The mural reveal and celebration took place on October 24th by investing in arts and culture provided matching grant funds. during the last Farmers Market event of the season. Many volun- Everything came together as planned. By the end of July they were teers who had participated in the project agreed it was the best ready to begin on-site work. thing they did all summer, and some said, all year. Time was scheduled for mural painting Saturday afternoons, Amber noted how curious community members were from Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning August 3rd through October the very beginning. “People initially asked what was going on. 8th. Bernadette recalled, “At first it was challenging to get volun- Once it was completed everyone agreed it looks really great, and teers to show up, so I began canvassing the local businesses, and they enjoy the brightness it brings to our main street.” Amber add- engaging those who showed interest in the project. Once the mural ed that the enthusiasm that stemmed from this project showed us started taking shape, excitement grew and more volunteers wanted how we can work together and there has been talk about the possi- to participate.” bility of additional community art projects in the future. They were especially grateful for the involvement of Pearl Road United Methodist Church (PRUMC), who partners with OBCDC to store materials for the Farmers Market, for making Susan Nieves is a native Clevelander and for- it possible to store the paint and materials for the mural as well. mer OBCDC Operations Manager, where Emily said, “Even though their church was closed at the time, they she formerly contributed to the Old Brook- would come down to coordinate retrieving and storing the supplies lyn News. She is delighted to be pursuing for us.” her dreams as a freelance writer. Susan is Bernadette added, “Platinum Pooch provided water for the currently the Operations Manager at Espe- volunteers and came out to see the progress each day, and Helen ranza, Inc. In her free time, she enjoys gar- from PRUMC met with me three times a week and watched the dening, spending time with family and ad- vocating for a variety of causes that promote amazing stories unfold.” diversity, empowerment and inclusion.

7 Old Brooklyn starts community Ambassador program to improve the neighborhood by Laura Bednar

eople nationwide have been confined to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic and many have only travelled within their neighbor- hoods. The Old Brooklyn Community Devel- Popment Corporation (OBCDC) has decided to invest in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood during this time to improve the visual appearance, while connecting the people and businesses who give the neighborhood life. OBCDC has created a Community Ambassador program to make this a reality. Neighborhood Develop- ment Coordinator, Johnese Sherron, explained that the goals of the program are to clean the streets, beautify corridors, and build a sense of community by having welcoming faces to make connections with residents, business owners, and visitors. “The Ambassadors are the boots on the ground,” said Sherron. Aside from making visual improvements in areas on Pearl, Broadview, and Memphis Rds., an Ambassador’s job is to speak to passersby in the neighborhood and be a resource for people who are unsure who to talk to about an issue. Sherron said whether someone is asking about where to find a good restaurant or talking about a con- cern, the Ambassadors are the first line of contact. “It’s great to have face-to-face contact, especially when people have been isolated during the pandemic,” said Sherron. “The hope is that in seeing the investment in the neighborhood, others will want to invest in their communitys as well.” Photo by Heather Raeburn The program started on October 19th, and the four Old Brooklyn Ambassadors - Front Carmen Hardwick Ambassadors, who were selected after an interview pro- Back (L) - (R) Erik Piskac, Alex Deliz, Darlene Glass. cess, have already made headway in their efforts. Darlene Glass serves as the supervisor of the team. In addition to Her hope is that if businesses and other residents keeping the neighborhood clean, assisting visitors, and see that the Ambassador team is helping to improve the contacting businesses, Glass also makes plans for daily area, they will have pride in their shops and homes and tasks and is in charge of training new Ambassadors. make improvements to their own property. She hopes She said that she and the other Ambassadors are fig- their efforts will also attract new businesses to the area. uring out the new program together. While the main “By being a presence in the neighborhood, it builds concern is cleaning garbage and landscaping, they are a sense of community,” Glass said. working to create a list of special projects to complete “The team is excited, and everyone is taking the bull in the future. One such project Glass wants to complete by the horns.” in is the repair and repainting of benches. Carmen Hardwick said she found the job posting Glass, an Old Brooklyn resident, said, “My job is for a Community Ambassador when she was searching to make the neighborhood nicer, and charity starts at Contiued on next page home.”

8 for work during the pandemic. After reading the job “The community will benefit [from the ambassa- description and reading through the program’s goals, dors] by us bringing smiles to the neighborhood,” said Hardwick said she wanted to become an Ambassador Piskac, a Navy Veteran. because she believed in OBCDC’s mission to redevelop Alex Deliz is an Old Brooklyn resident who wel- the neighborhood. comed the opportunity to be an Ambassador and beau- Hardwick said so far, the team has been picking up tify his own neighborhood. He said that in some areas trash and doing light landscaping as well as introducing where the team has cleaned up, it seems as though it themselves to people and businesses in the neighbor- has been years since anything was done. The efforts in hood. “We are there if you need help,” she said. cleaning the area and explaining to business owners Erik Piskac said he wanted to become an Ambas- about the program has not gone unnoticed as Deliz said sador because he found it to be an intriguing position. there has been a lot of positive feedback from residents. He said that he is usually introverted, and this position “They have stopped to tell us ‘thanks for cleaning would help him overcome this by introducing himself up’,” he said. to the community and building a rapport with residents Deliz is looking forward to everything being main- and business owners. His first week involved a lot of tained and hopes that other communities will see what “pounding the pavement” with the team to meet with they are doing and start a similar project in their own local business owners. neighborhoods. “I am committed to the job. I want to The Ambassadors have already been discussing their make the area look nice for the community and for peo- goals for the season and Piskac said there will be many ple to walk around,” Deliz said. landscaping projects they hope to complete before win- Currently, the Ambassadors are focused on Brigh- ter. ton; from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo south to the People have already began communicating with South Brooklyn library. In the future OBCDC hopes the Ambassadors and Piskac said as his team speaks to expand the program to cover more of Old Brooklyn. with residents, they in turn talk to their neighbors and Ambassadors can be contacted by emailing ambas- business owners, resulting in news of the Ambassadors [email protected], or by calling OBCDC at spreading just by word of mouth. 216-459-1000.

Before After Photos by Darlene Glass Before and after photos of clean up on Pearl Road

Before After

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10 11 Despite challenges, Old Brooklyn continues recycling

by Sam Hoag

he three pillars of environmental sustainability are often and care; when she moved to Cleveland, she noticed that was not taught in middle or elementary school science classes. the case here. Reduce what you use, reuse what you can, and recycle ma- “It started to feel urgent around the spring and summer” ex- terials instead of throwing them in the trash. When these plained Dugan. “Being in lockdown made my household a lot Tconcepts were introduced, recycling was not a wide- more familiar with how much garbage we make.” spread phenomenon in Northeast Ohio. Many may After tossing around a few ideas, the remember family trips to the Ridge Road Transfer three decided to pursue a partnership Station after accumulating all of the paper, cardboard, with Metropolitan Coffee on Broad- and plastic containers from the week. view Rd.. On Thursday nights the group While the effort may seem tedious to ensure that would meet in the parking lot of the cof- materials went into a recycling stream instead of the fee shop and collect dropped-off recycla- trash at home, these efforts turn into habits that can bles from neighbors, bringing them to a help transform a community and the environment. recycling location to ensure that they did Such efforts are being exemplified by Old Brooklyn not end up in the landfill. residents Kiera Kurak, Katie Dugan, and Sarah Tan The group also decided to collect for committing to undertake the same task on a much aluminum cans to bring to Aluminum wider scale in our community. Cans for Burned Children, a foundation As reported by numerous news sources in Cleve- that collects aluminum from cans for land, the City of Cleveland did not renew its recycling scrap metal. ACBC uses the profits gen- contract early in 2020. erated by scrap metal collection to pay for Citing a loss of profitability and a lack of com- special medical equipment for pediatric petitive bidders, the City decided to end its current burn victims. contract and will not sign another until the market shifts back and While there are two access points for dropping off cans for recycling becomes a feasible fiscal option for the municipality. Old ACBC in Old Brooklyn, as Kurak explains, “for or a lot of people Brooklyn residents Kurak, Dugan, and Tan felt called to do some- it’s kind of out of their way to get to those places.” Old Brooklyn thing about this. The three connected with Hope Fierro, Commu- Recycles’ goal is to make recycling as easy and accessible to Old nity Engagement Coordinator at the Old Brooklyn Community Brooklyn residents as possible. Development Corporation (OBCDC)to begin brainstorming ways The Thursday night pickups coincided with the CityFresh to continue recycling in the neighborhood. All three have lived in CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) pickup, also at Met- Old Brooklyn for several years. Dugan grew up in the neighbor- ropolitan. This was intentional; Dugan explains that by having a hood and moved back after college and Kurak has been here for 11 recycling drop-off at the same time, “hopefully we could reach a years. Tan mentioned that she grew up in New York, where recy- broader audience so more people could participate.” cling was legislated more robustly and it was given more attention Besides word-of-mouth, Old Brooklyn Recycles utilized so- cial media’s far-reaching web to spread the word about their work. They started a Facebook page to publish information and began crossposting to the Old Brooklyn Families Group Facebook page. Kurak took an active role; whenever she would see a post about how Cleveland stopped recycling she would reply and ex- plain how Old Brooklyn residents were FINANCING! Great Rates! working around the problem. So far, the program has been successful – displaying the power that the Old Brook- lyn community has when we work together. Dugan said on their most successful night they collected recyclables from 15 partici- pants. The group owes its success in part to Deirdre Faranda, the owner of Metropol- COOL Expires 2/28/2021 itan Coffee for creating the space for this DEALS project and advertising the pickups on the business’ Facebook page. OBCDC has also been a key facilitator, Expires 2/28/2021 Expires 2/28/2021 bringing Kurak, Dugan, and Tan together, promoting the pickups, and bringing the group in to participate in a virtual market-

Expires 2/28/2021 Expires 2/28/2021 place. The grassroots character of the Continued on next page

12 project has really emphasized community connection, says Dugan, the tight-knit community aspect of the program. enabling us to get to know our neighbors better even amid the Despite the name, Old Brooklyn Recycles is not planning on pandemic. By spreading the word through little networks – coffee restricting itself to the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The group shop patrons, CityFresh customers, members of the Old Brook- would love to have volunteers from other neighborhoods in Cleve- lyn Families Facebook Group – neighborhood residents were more land help out with the project and serve as recycling hub ambassa- likely to hear about the recycling project. dors. Nor will the group dissolve if Cleveland signs a new contract Recycling is not the only community sustainability initiative and resumes recycling. that Kurak is familiar with. She is an active member of the Old “I think this could be an opportunity for educating on how to Brooklyn group of the Buy Nothing Project – a Facebook group recycle correctly,” says Dugan. This could be key; one of the factors in which community residents post household items that they no that discouraged the city from renewing its contract was the high longer want for free, creating a “hyper-local gift economy” of ex- contamination rates that Cleveland streams suffered. Other cities changes an reuse. in Cuyahoga County had much lower contamination rates. “It’s because I don’t like anything in my house” jokes Kurak, The future, in fact, is a motivation that Kurak, Dugan and Tan and to make your neighbors’ lives easier while keeping things out share that drove them to undertake this project in the first place. of the landfill. “We all have children” says Kurak, “and they’re going to be Sarah Tan also mentioned composting as another sustainable left with what we leave them. We want to do better.” Clearly, Old option that Old Brooklyn Recycles may promote when the sea- Brooklyn is a great place to grow our commitment to a more sus- sons change and weather is more gardening-friendly. While other tainable planet. Northeast Ohio composting organizations exist – like the Rust Belt If you are interested in volunteering to help Old Brooklyn Riders, who collect food waste and sell the nutrient-rich compost- Recycles or want more information on recycling best practices, ed soil back to clients – Tan emphasized the wealth of resources look for the group on Facebook or email oldbrooklynrecycles@ already here in Old Brooklyn. “We’re sitting next to the largest gmail.com urban garden in Cleveland,” she said, referring to the Ben Franklin Community Garden. The group is looking ahead, both short- and long-term. As the Samuel Hoag is writing remotely about weather turns colder and the days get shorter, a weekly night pick- Old Brooklyn from Washington, D.C. up outdoors is becoming less feasible. To overcome this, the group Normally he is a student at Georgetown plans on recruiting block ambassadors to serve as recycling hubs, University, but is taking a semester off so their neighbors can drop off recycling and the ambassador will to volunteer full-time at a Spanish re- ensure it makes it into a recycling stream. Their goal is to have these source center. He is missing his fami- ambassadors all throughout the neighborhood, so residents do not ly, front porch, and all the rest of Old have to travel far to recycle, keeping it accessible and reinforcing Brooklyn.

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13 Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation awards three with Founders Awards, given to individuls and organizations who have made a profound impact in our community.

John Jenkins ew people have done more for Old Brooklyn than John Jenkins, who recently accepted one of Old Brooklyn Com- munity Development Corporation’s (OBCDC) Founders Awards. If you know John, you know about his commit- Fment to the welfare of the neighborhood and the Benjamin Frank- lin Community Garden, the wisdom he carries with him, and the goodness in his heart. The award comes after countless volunteer hours within the community, years of service as an OBCDC Board member and Ben Franklin Community Garden Committee mem- ber, as well as being the driving force for many initiatives to help improve the community as a whole. Beyond Old Brooklyn, John Jenkins dedicated his working career to service in the military. Having signed up for the Army during the Korean War, he spent time in Germany, where it was recommended he consider a commissioned position. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and was assigned to the 112th En- gineer Battalion in the Cleveland area. “I went to military schools and graduated from Command and General Staff College and the National Defense University,” said John, “I was a second lieutenant, then I was promoted to first lieutenant, and then to captain. From captain to major, and from major to lieutenant colonel to colonel.” After a successful career in Photo by Sandy Worona the military, he retired around 2002. John Jenkins’ lifetime of service to our community and our While in Germany, he met and married his wife, but they country. came back to Cleveland to be closer to John’s family. “We liked it here,” said John, “there were hospitals around and supermarkets “We now have two bee hives there,” said John. “We leave and a lot of merchants that were in this area. You didn’t have to run enough food for them to get through the winter and the other downtown or anywhere else. It’s still a good neighborhood, so we’re amount of honey we jar and sell to residents. It’s truly a product of here for the duration.” Old Brooklyn.” Until his resignation from the committee this year, John has Benjamin Franklin Community Garden Steward been a committee member every year since its inception in 2008 It was around the mid-1970s that John got involved with the and was chairman for seven of those years. Throughout that time, Benjamin Franklin Community Garden. “My two boys were going he’s taken leadership roles in writing Garden policy, grant writing, to school, and the school had plots for students that were interest- leading initiatives such as acquiring the bee hives and planting trees ed, but they had to be accompanied by parents or an adult,” said in the orchard, and generally helping to maintain the Community John. Garden’s status as an important landmark in the neighborhood. All He has been involved with the Garden ever since then, eventu- while being an active gardener in the Community Garden, himself, ally leading to his forming of the Benjamin Franklin Community maintaining up to two plots of land at certain points. Garden Committee. “The idea was to facilitate the growth of the “He’s had a vision, and that vision made a world of difference,” Garden and to make sure the Garden is able to stay there,” said continues Tapajna. “He’s passed the baton on to the rest of us.” fellow gardener and longtime committee member Mark Tapajna. “John was the one who came up with the idea of being stewards of OBCDC Board Member the Garden.” In 2010 Jenkins joined the Board OBCDC which allowed John helped identify strong candidates to join the committee him to, among other things, help the Community Garden in new who were good gardeners that showed interest in improving the ways. While serving on the Board he helped to make important Community Garden, and in 2008 the Garden Committee was ini- decisions regarding the neighborhood, raise funds, and assist other tiated. The committee helps to raise funds, write grants, keep the community groups. And he’s never been afraid to speak up for what Garden in order, enforce rules, and make sure the Garden is ready he thinks is best for the neighborhood, even if no one else will. to plant each year. The committee has been able to raise funds “In my mind, John Jenkins is a very genuine, very authen- necessary to purchase tools for the gardeners to use, the bee hives tic human being,” said longtime friend and Old Brooklyn News that help pollinate the vegetables, new gates, raised beds, a large writer Lynette Fillips. “He wasn’t on the OBCDC Board for any container, two tractors, and other equipment. The committee also reasons of self-interest; he was just there because he cares about helps put on events and run drives such as this year’s drive to collect the community. And he didn’t just sit at the Board meetings; he pumpkins for composting purposes. All of which help improve the was informed about the issues being discussed and always shared Garden, and all of which would not be possible without the com- intelligent and well-thought-out observations about things. Being mittee that John helped form. Continued on next page

14 retired, he was able to come into the office during the day whenever to step down, but he will continue to be a pillar of this commu- he was asked to do something, and thus he had a better idea about nity. His service, both to this country in the US Army and to this what was going on there and in the neighborhood than many of neighborhood have not gone unnoticed. The Founders Award he the other Board members had.) received this past October is just a small symbol of the appreciation After 10 years of serving on the Board, John Jenkins decided those of us lucky enough to know John have for him.

Mariela Paz

ariela Paz epitomizes what it means to be a great neighbor. As the owner of Sabor Miami Café & Gallery she has created a warm and en- thusiastic environment. She puts love into her food, her art, and her community. For that she has been awarded Man Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation Found- ers Award. Nearly five years ago Paz turned the vacant storefont at 4848 Broadview Rd. into Sabor Miami, now a regional destination for delicious food. Her business has helped put Old Brooklyn on the map, receiving recognition regionally and nationally for the cre- ative Latin fare. Her artwork adorns the walls, and her warmth is exuded throughout the space. Photo by Mariela Paz More significantly, she has established a culture of giving, lov- ing, and embracing the cultural diversity that is Old Brooklyn. She Mariela Paz poses with neighborhood youth after a painting class has hosted painting nights at Sabor Miami, both before and during held in Loew Park during the summer of 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic at a safe distance. Live music nights have brought in visitors from throughout the region. She has led Mariela Paz is more than an entrepreneur and the owner of painting classes at community events, and established a following Sabor Miami Café & Gallery. She’s a giving member of the com- focused on giving, diversity, and community. munity, who is admired and a critical part of Old Brooklyn’s story.

Pedal for Prizes ew community events last more than Pedal for Prizes happens every year a season or two. Pedal for Prizes has, due to the countless hours from many for more than a decade, brought joy volunteers. Each year the event represents and cycling to the Old Brooklyn the kickoff of the summer season by at- Fcommunity. Its leaders and organizers were tracting hundreds of riders to the streets of recently recognized for that impact through Old Brooklyn. New participants and busi- receiving the Old Brooklyn Community De- ness locations, new methodologies during velopment Corporation Founders Award. road construction and global pandemics, Pedal for Prizes started as an idea to get and new leaders keep the event fresh each the community connected when little else spring. was happening in Old Brooklyn. Business When most event organizers were owners from Honey Hut, Speed Exterminat- stopped by COVID-19, Pedal for Prizes ing, neighborhood residents, and friends first kept going with a virtual scavenger hunt. generated ideas to coincide with Bike Cleve- Riders had the opportunity over the land’s bicycle week, and ultimately settled on course of a month to visit more than two a bicycle themed scavenger hunt. Pedal for dozen locations and win prizes. Hundreds Prizes was selected as the name, and the first started the event, and nearly 100 complet- event was off to the races. ed the full list, bringing joy and commu- Now the event has grown into one of nity during a challenging year. the greatest cycling events in northeast Ohio. Photo by Pedal for Prizes As integral to the neighborhood as Consistently the event attracts half of its any event, Pedal for Prizes has become an hundreds of attendees from Old Brook- Pedal for Prizes organizers including John Young institution beloved by all near and far. lyn, a quarter from other neighborhoods in (with microphone), Jeff Sugalski (against tree), Cleveland, and a quarter from the remain- and Bruce Page (yellow hat) announce winners der of Cuyahoga County and beyond. It has from a prior year’s bicycle scavenger hunt helped thousands of participants discover Gabriel A. Galletta is a proud resident of new businesses and community treasures. Old Brooklyn who can be found biking all around the city when he isn’t on the tennis courts, cooking up something delicious, or relaxing on his front porch with his wife, Julia.

15 OBCDC continues evaluation and potential future for the former St. Luke’s Church by Jacqueline Mitchell

partnership between the Old Brooklyn Community De- the church. The northern branch has since closed.” velopment Corporation (OBCDC) and one of Cleve- PRUMC moved to its current site around the 1840s, Rife land’s oldest worshipping groups seeks to breathe new said. The building the church is housed in now was constructed in life into an iconic corner in Old Brooklyn. the 1920s, but it was initially intended to be a schoolhouse, before A “There are a number of significant corners and intersections tragedy struck. in Old Brooklyn, and this one may well be amongst the most im- “They had just finished renovating the church building in portant, if not the most important,” said Lucas Reeve, Director of 1924, and it burnt down,” Rife said. “That was kind of a disaster. Neighborhood Development at OBCDC. “It’s essentially at Main They were uninsured, and now they were in debt for renovations to and Main in terms of the context of Old Brooklyn between Mem- a building that they did not currently own.” phis Ave. and Pearl Rd. on that corner.” The church moved into the schoolhouse building, and that’s where it’s been ever since. History “To survive, they actually sold the land around the church The corner of Memphis Ave. and Pearl Rd. is home to some building to a used car dealership, and that was how they made it of the oldest community focused buildings in the neighborhood. through the Great Depression,” Rife said. “Ultimately, they bought St. Luke’s Church was constructed in 1905, with an addition the land back, and that’s now where we do the farmers markets.” completed in 1925. Its striking architecture boasts vaulted ceilings, The church has a long history of partnering with other orga- detailed woodwork, original stained glass and a bell tower. The ad- nizations to share its space. It housed the Old Brooklyn YMCA for dition, connected to the original structure, housed former class- almost 20 years and a Head Start program for 27 years. rooms and office space, while the basement offered a large open “It’s an interesting space, because it was never specifically in- gathering area where the church used to hold meetings, communi- tended to be a church,” Rife said. “It’s been retrofitted to be one, ty events and fish fries. and the people in the parish, some of them have grown up in It has been a while since the church has seen any lively com- this their entire life. It’s never been, in their lifetime, exclusively munity gatherings. For the past five years, the building has sat va- a church.” cant, and for the past three years, it has not had any utilities. “Because of that, the deterioration of the interior and exterior Partnership of the building are pretty significant,” said Reeve. In January 2020, Old Brooklyn took control of the old St. To better assess the building, OBCDC commissioned the Sa- Luke’s building, and shortly after that, OBCDC formed a partner- cred Landmarks Support Initiative, part of the Cleveland Resto- ship with PRUMC. ration Society, to determine its structural condition and historical “It was really rooted in just being good neighbors with them,” value. Reeve said. “Once we took control of the church, the first people “They go through the building from top to bottom and pro- we talked to – just like you would if you moved into a new home – vide a report,” Reeve said. were our neighbors, just to get background on their building, their “Through that report, they came back and essentially said that congregation and their history on the site, and really talk about the building is in very poor condition and would take a significant what the future holds for them.” amount of investment just to stabilize it so it could be used for Through those conversations, OBCDC learned that one of something else in the future, church or otherwise.” PRUMC’s biggest challenges over the years has been visibility. Project details are still coming into focus for the property. In “PRUMC sits directly behind St. Luke’s, which is kind of odd, the meantime, OBCDC installed plexiglass n the outside of all the but when you think about it from the perspective of their original original stained glass windows to preserve them, secured the doors, church burning down, which had sat right beside St. Luke’s, up and patched active water leaks. against the street, it does make more sense,” said Reeve. “With The Pearl Road United Methodist Church’s (PRUMC) build- them sitting so far back from the sidewalk and the street, it’s diffi- ing, which sits directly behind St. Luke’s, also has an interesting, if cult for them to be found. They often had their mail delivered to slightly more complicated, history. According to PRUMC Pastor St. Luke’s or had people go to St. Luke’s thinking that they were Harlen Rife, the parish is about 200 years old and is possibly the going to PRUMC.” oldest continuous worshipping group in the City of Cleveland. One of OBCDC’s goals for redevelopment of the site is to “It’s a little bit fiddly, though, because we started meeting as position PRUMC in a place to thrive in the future, Reeve said. a study group in people’s homes back in 1814, before Old Brook- PRUMC has also been encountering problems with its building lyn was even called Old Brooklyn,” explained Rife, pastor at the infrastructure due to its old age. Rife said the church was actually church since July 2016. “And then in 1818, the church formally thinking about relocating to a different building in Old Brooklyn became a church and was assigned its first pastor. ... So if you count before OBCDC brought up the possibility of a partnership. that as our founding as a church, then we’re a little bit younger “We were concerned, in the long-term, with some of the ma- than St. John’s Cathedral, but if you count the study group, then jor overhauls that were necessary, that we weren’t going to be able we’re just a little bit older.” to stay there,” he said. The church itself was originally constructed on the other side As part of the project exploration, OBCDC and PRUMC are of the river, near what is now Brooklyn Centre, Rife said. jointly evaluating renovations to the current PRUMC building, “They got tired of people riding through the muddy creek bed so the church can funnel its financial resources into mission-based all winter, so they actually split into two churches: one to the north work in the community instead of infrastructure repair. and one to the south,” he said. “So we were the southern branch of Continued on next page

16 Photo by Jeffrey T. Verespej Former St. Luke’s church on a fall day in 2019

“Our work and the work that they do is very much aligned, ly can and should be a community gathering and connection place, so it was very easy for us to have a conversation with them,” Reeve a public space of importance in Old Brooklyn, like it has been in said. “We share many of the same values and the same language.” the past,” he said. “But our hope is really to make it much more of Some of those values include working to address homeless- that in the future.” ness, food desserts and housing accessibility, said Rife. The church Plans for redevelopment of the area include could include res- is a homeless hospitality center, and its members have been deliver- toration, new construction, or “yet-to-be-determined level of pres- ing meals to homeless encampments for the last three years. ervation” of the churches, Reeve said. “We’ve been taking these steps to address housing and food “The financial aspect of our ability to do that is something insecurity in and around Old Brooklyn,” Rife said. “And so we that we need to figure out because of how poor the condition is see that reflected back in a project that would provide housing, currently, and whether or not it makes financial sense and to what especially affordable housing that would allow families to stay in extent we can preserve it.” Old Brooklyn and move into Old Brooklyn and allow seniors to “We just finished the master plan study with an architecture age gracefully in place.” firm that has experience dealing with historical properties and He added that as a progressive parish, PRUMC promotes in- working with church properties,” said Reeve. “The master plan clusivity, an essential component of Old Brooklyn’s farmers mar- study really dives into the historicity of the site, of the Brighton ket. corridor itself, the context of the building within the surrounding “We found a lot of that reflected in what the CDC was doing, neighborhood, the zoning and parcel numbers and all of those im- talking about the farmers market and wanting to make sure it was portant codified city-related aspects of it, and also then imagines something accessible to folks of different ethnic backgrounds who what we could potentially do in partnership with Pearl Road UMC live in Old Brooklyn, wanting to make sure it was accessible to in developing the site.” people of different economic backgrounds, so we have WIC and Any work that’s been done to date has been funded through SNAP and all those other important things,” Rife said. “Method- OBCDC. ists practice an open communion, so you don’t have to be a mem- “We’ve been very lucky that many of the folks that we’ve ber of the church to partake in communion, it’s just if you feel brought through the church – beyond Sacred Landmarks, we’ve moved. And so if we practice open communion in our worship brought in a number of consultants to take a look at the church service, we really didn’t want to host a farmers market that was and make their own independent assessments – many of those closed off to people on our front lawn.” folks have done it free of charge, I think out of support of what we’re trying to do, and I think sometimes, too, just out of interest,” Redevelopment plans he said. “Folks that are structural engineers and things like that Reeve explained that PRUMC’s rare stretch of green space is don’t often get a chance to go into a 120-year-old church and look vital to the community. around. So there’s a level of curiosity there, too.” “Maintaining that green space, hopefully adding to the green space, and making that a key and central part of the project, it real- Continued on page 19

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18 Continued from page 17 He estimates the project will take about two to three years “We would love to see something where we can be in a symbi- “from start to finish, once we adopt the master plan and engage otic relationship with whatever is on our block, where we have the with the developer, to somebody moving in or opening up a shop capacity to do good and to reach new people and to welcome new on the ground floor.” people, and also where other folks have the opportunity to come and experience what Old Brooklyn has to offer,” he said. Looking forward, honoring the past He added, “We are a church who have seen this neighborhood Reeve said OBCDC’s ultimate vision is to preserve the signif- fluctuate and change and grow and shrink for 200 years. To see icance of the corner as part of the Brighton corridor, to enhance what the CDC is doing is something that gives us a lot of hope. We the area by reinvesting into the space, to ensure that PRUMC is see a lot of reasons to be optimistic.” healthy and thriving and to create a community connection point within Old Brooklyn that benefits all residents and surrounding businesses. Rife said older parishioners who grew up in Old Brooklyn are excited to see the area become a destination that people gravitate toward in ways that are reminiscent of the community of their youths. Jacqueline Mitchell is a journalist “Folks who grew up here remember shopping in the stores living in Old Brooklyn with her pug, near the church for all of their different needs, back when this was Van Geaux. She is the editor of sev- more of a walkable community, or one that had a lot more public eral local publications at ScripType transportation infrastructure,” he said. “We’re kind of moving back Publishing in Richfield and presi- that way. When they opened Coffee Coffee Coffee [on Pearl], some dent of the Society of Professional of my older members were very excited to be inside, because it was Journalists Cleveland chapter. In her actually the fabric store in the early 1960s when they were in home spare time, she can be found reading ec. That’s where they would buy the fabric for their aprons. [They her way through the never-ending were excited] to see it being used for something that reminded stacks of books in her apartment and them of the good old days.” hiking her way through all 18 of the Rife said the church is looking forward to participating in Cleveland Metroparks. a project that encourages its mission of engaging with the larger community.

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19 Writing down family memories about Christmas is a fun holiday gift for siblings, part VIII by Lynette Filips lmost seven years have passed since I began this Christ- toys and their ‘Little People’, originally called a ‘Play Family’ when mas series and sometimes I feel as though is turning into they were first introduced in 1950. a mini-book, an extended article in that popular Reminisce And so this year I’m briefly back in East Aurora, New York, magazine, or even an adjunct to the Facebook group called where Fisher-Price is GrowingA Up on the West Side of Cleveland! It’s been fun reminiscing still located and has about the Christmas holidays for kids who grew up in the post World reportedly manufac- War II decades of 1950 and 1960. tured approximately In case you missed them, the first four articles in the saga dealt 5000 different toys! with toy catalogues; fruitcakes and cookies; Christmas cards; down- Although I bought town department store display windows; visits to Santa and Mr. many Fisher-Price Jingeling; school Christmas pageants; St. Nicholas Day for Catholic toys for my children, kids; decorations on live Christmas trees; brightly colored, hot-to- I don’t remember the-touch, light strands both inside and out; Christmas stockings; receiving them as gift wrapping; window, door and outdoor decorations; nativity sets; Christmas gifts my- and family gatherings. self. But I’ll mention Fisher-Price Play Family Farm, 1967 edition In 2017 the topic turned to toys, that part of Christmas which a few more of the clas- was nearest and dearest to most kids’ hearts. Instead of my own sic Fisher Price toys and the year in which they were each introduced memories, however, that article contained memories which two read- – ers had shared with me -- a Toni doll for girls; toy rifles and handguns, Pretend TV/Radio (1959) and subsequent updates; an erector set, trains and baseball cards for boys; and Lincoln Logs, Chatter Telephone (1961) and subsequent updates; Tinker Toys, telescopes, microscopes and science/earth science kits Carousel Music Box (1964); for botwh genders. Play Family School Bus (1965) and subsequent updates; In 2018, in addition to remembering some of my own child- Pretend Musical TV (1966); hood toys, I also referred to a few online lists of favorites. Gilbert Pretend Transistor Radio (1966); chemistry and biology sets and plastic (replacing lead) soldiers/ mili- Play Family Farm (1967) and subsequent updates; tary figures were on my list for boys, and a Gilbert lab technician set Music Box Teaching Clock (1968); and many different dolls -- Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, Chatty Cathy, Play Family House (1969) and subsequent updates; Barbie, Ken, Troll, G.I. Joe, Flatsy, Tiny Tears, Betsy Wetsy, Ginny (and Play Family Action Garage (1970) and subsequent updates; other teen-age fashion dolls with more realistic proportions than Bar- Record Player with plastic records of nursery rhymes (1971); bie’s), “walking dolls”, and a doll packaged with a “Deluxe Beauty Play Family School (1971) and subsequent updates; Parlor” -- were on my list for girls. Play Family Jetport Airport with airplane (1972) Child-Guidance products, a popular educational children’s toy and subsequent updates; manufacturer from my youth, were also part of the 2018 story. A Play Family Village (1972); Teach-A-Time Clock and an Add-A-Count Scale were among the hard Play Family Camper (1972); plastic unisex educational toys which they made. Play Family Houseboat (1972); Then last year I was back to the combination of my memories, Pretend Movie Viewer (1973); online lists and the genre of educational toys. I pretty much finished Play Family Circus Train (1973); Playskool, but a discussion of Fisher-Price toys could seemingly go Cash Register (1974); on forever! Last year I talked about some of their early pull and push Pretend Instamatic Camera (1970s) and subsequent updates; Play Family Firehouse (1979). Now onto some of the gifts I do remember receiving as a child in the Fifties and Sixties – Little Golden Books were what the parents, grandpar- ents, aunts and uncles of every well-read preschool and pri- mary grade school child were buying. The first Little Golden Book, Three Little Kittens, was published in 1942, and the eighth book, The Poky Little Puppy, is reported to be the best-selling children’s book of all time. Books in the Little Golden Books series deal with nature, science, Bi- ble stories, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, Christmas, Disney and characters from pop culture. An early Little Golden Continued on next page Book, copyright 1949

20 After we Boomer children outgrew Golden Books for our some of the card games we played. One Christmas I received a pleasure-reading, we graduated to juvenile series books. Most vinyl mat for a tabletop used to play a classic card game called of them evolved around solving mysteries and were published by Tripoly. It combined elements of Michigan Rummy, Hearts and Grosset and Dunlap. One of my aunts got me started with Cher- Poker. Before the advent of games on the screen, playing board ry Ames (a mystery-solving nurse), but other girls were reading games and cards with family and friends was a much more popular Nancy Drew (an amateur detective), social activity than it is today. The Bobbsey Twins (family life with My View-Master was another of two sets of twins), Vickie Barr (a my favorite Christmas gifts. The ver- mystery-solving flight stewardess), sion I had was made of hard black plas- Judy Bolton (an amateur detective), tic, and in addition to looking at the The Dana Girls (amateur detectives), pictures on the reels inside with the aid Beverly Gray (a school girl turned of daylight or the light of a lamp, mine amateur detective), and, from other also had a battery-powered accessory publishers, Trixie Belden (an am- which could be attached to the bottom ateur detective), Donna Parker (a to provide an artificial light source. I popular teen and sometimes mystery believe that the older reels are quite solver), and The Happy Hollisters collectible now and remember that View-Master E of the (siblings/family life). some of mine were of fairy tales and 1950’s line Boys were reading The Hardy others were of travel scenes. Boys (amateur detectives), The Lone Before researching for this article, Vol. I of the Cherry Ames Ranger (an adventurer), Chip Hil- I hadn’t realized that View-Master is now a Fisher-Price/Mattel series, copyright 1943 ton (an athlete), Tom Swift (a futur- company, and that View-Master was one of the initial toys in- istic, but not realistic teen scientist), ducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame (class of 1998-1999). Tom Corbett (a space cadet), Rick Brandt (a teen scientist) and Founded in Salem, Oregon, that The Toy Hall of Fame is now in Ken Holt (an amateur detective). the Strong Museum of National Play in Rochester, New York. Board games were another popular Christmas gift in my child- If you would like to read the previous articles in this Christ- hood; Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Schaper Manufactur- mas series in the January 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the December ing Company were the main companies which marketed them. 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 issues of the Old Brooklyn News, find Even in those days the littlest children started out with Candy them at www.oldbrooklyn.com. Land, Shoots and Also, there are lots of pictures of vintage toys, especially in Ladders and Sor- the “Kid Stuff” chapter, in Gray & Co., Publishers’ book, Cleve- ry! but we especial- land Christmas Memories by Gail Ghetia Bellamy (2012). The ly loved to play our company’s entire line is related to Cleveland topics, and Metro- Uncle Wiggily game. politan Coffee on Broadview Rd. at Portman Ave. is one of the When we got older, local retailers which carry them. we received games like Monopoly, Parcheesi, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Stadium Checkers, Uncle Wiggily Game, 1961 edition Lynette Filips has lived over 50 years Cootie, Tickle Bee, of her life in Old Brooklyn and writ- Go to the Head of the Class and Scrabble, most of which are still en for the Old Brooklyn News for 30 popular today. I also loved my Park and Shop game but I haven’t of them. She’s most known for her heard of that game in many decades. local history articles and The Town Decks of playing cards were popular stocking stuffers; Old Crier and for her work as the former Maid, Rummy, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, War and Memory were monthly OBN copy editor.

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23 Church Notes Christ Church Christmas Day - Dec. 25th - 12 Sun., 9 am & 11 am. Polish. Lenten Fish Dinners - February- 6400 Memphis Ave Mid; 6:30, 8:30 & 11 am. Weekdays Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am. Check website for updates. 440-236-8282 Mobile Food Pantry - Sat. Dec. Confession - Sat. 3:45 - 4:15 & christchurchohio.org 19, Jan. 23, Feb. 20; 9 - 11 am. Sun. 10:45 - 11am. St. Mark Evangelical Christ Church is a contemporary, (Drive-through ONLY). Lutheran Church nondenominational, Bible based St. James Lutheran Church 4464 Pearl Rd. 216-749-3545 church. Sunday live stream & Community Meal - 1st & 3rd Sunday service - 11 am. facebook live 9:30 & 11 am. on Sundays of the month; 1 pm. 4771 Broadview Rd. https://christchurcholb.online. (Drive through-Only) 216-351-6499 Wednesday service, 6 pm. www.stjameslcms.church Bible Class - Sun. - 12:30 pm. Please check our updates page for Weekly AA Meetings - Daily Re- Worship services with commu- Wed. - 6:30 pm. more info. flection; Mon. 7:30 pm. Men’s nion - Sat. Sun.; Big Book; Wed. 7:30 pm. Men’s ; 5 pm. & 10:15 Sunday School - 11 am. Gateway Church Old Brooklyn Meeting Thurs, 8 pm. am. Temperatures will be taken & 4542 Pearl Rd. masks are required. You may view Unity Evangelical 216-302-4409 Pearl Road UMC the Sunday service live steamed or Lutheran Church [email protected] 4200 Pearl Rd. 216-661-5642 anytime on YouTube. 4542 Pearl Rd at Behrwald Ave. gatewaychurcholdbrooklyn.com Christmas Eve service pearlroadumc.org -2 & 7:30 216-741-2085 pm pm. Worship Services - every Sun; Worship - Sun., 10 am. Sun. Worship - 9:30 am. & 7 pm. 10:30 am. Facial mask covering Check out our Daily Devotionals Christmas Day service - 10 am. Registration for these two services Bible Study/Sun. School: 11 am. both mouth & nose required. & Sunday Worships on facebook. Christmas Eve Candlelight Check website for updates & com/PearlRoadUMC with Pastor are required to allow safe distanc- Service - more info. Harlen. ing. Masks are also required. Call 7 pm. or email stjamescleve@sbcglobal. New Year’s Eve Service - 6:30 pm. Immanuel Lutheran Church Refuge Community Church net to register. Call or check our facebook page 2928 Scranton Road (Inside Broadview Baptist Church) AA Groups - Tues., Thurs. & Sat. (search Unity Lutheran Church) 216-781-9511 4505 Broadview Rd. Meetings are limited to 50 people for possible updates to the regular German & English Mass - each 440-281-4290 & masks are required. Check the Sunday. schedule. German - 9 am. ​English Sun., services 11 am. & 6 pm. website or call for more up to date - 10:30 am. To ensure the safety Tues., Wed., Fri.; 7 pm. Follow info. on meetings & bible studies. of all our members & guests, we us on Facebook as we engage the request everyone maintain appro- community & seek to meet needs. St. Leo The Great Church priate social distancing & wear We are distributing to those with masks in church. 4940 Broadview Rd. needs. Please reach out for needs 216-661-1006 leothegreat.org 4542 Pearl Rd. Cleve., OH 44109 Mary Queen of Peace we are here to help. Mass Schedule - Sat. 4 pm, Sun. 216-302-4409 4423 Pearl Rd. 216-749-2323 8 & 11am. Weekday - Mon. - Fri. Pastor: Tony Loseto Masses - Sat; . Sun; 4:30 pm St. Barbara Church - 8:30 am. Sunday mornings - 10:30 am. 6:30, 8:30 & 11 am. Daily; 6:15 Community group meetings 1505 Denison Ave. Christmas Eve: 4 pm. & 8 am. 216-661-1191 throughout the week. Christmas Eve - Dec. 24th - 4:30 Christmas Day: 8 & 11 am. www.gatewaychurcholdbrooklyn.com & 9 pm. Mass Schedule - Sat., 4:30 pm. Confession - Sat. - 2:45 - 3:30 pm. News & Events

Santa Claus Photos- Wolf Lodge minutes, face coverings & social distancing OBCDC Holiday Lighting Contest $50 2 hrs. rentals require food & at the Zoo. Sat. & Sun. Now - Dec. are required. $20 nonmembers; $15 mem- - Residents & Businesses beverage purchase. Facial coverings 20. 11 am. - 3 pm. Packages start bers; $12 children (ages 3-12); group rates enter to have your home or are required for guests age 6 & old- at $24.99. Stop by Santa’s Workshop available. Reservations required. For more business judged, call Sandy er inside the restaurant, retail shop, in the Palava Hut! Ice carvers, snow info. call 330-666-3711 ext.1736 or email Worona 216-459-1000 or when ordering food &beverage or email [email protected] by interacting with staff & while ice ball toss game, a train display & hol- [email protected]. iday themed food and hot beverages. Wed., Dec. 16. Judging will take skating. Call 216-664-5696 or go to For more info. call 216-661-6500 or * * * * * * * * * * * * * * place by Mon., Dec. 21. One win- www.clevelandmetroparks.com. go to clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ ner in each category will receive gift * * * * * * * * * * * * * * programs-events. Wild Winter Lights Cleveland Zoo certificates from area merchants. The Rink at Wade Oval - Open Fri., - Fri., Sat., & Sun. until Sun. Dec. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dec. 4 through Mon., Feb. 15. Wade * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 27 & Mon., Tues., Wed. Dec. 28, Winter Riverfest - Merwin’s Wharf Oval, 10820 E. Blvd. Fri: 3 - 9 pm. Holiday Lantern Tours at Hale Farm - 29 & 30. 5:30 - 9:30 pm. Tickets 1785 Merwin Ave. Now - Jan.18. Sat: 12 - 7 pm. Sun.12 - 5 pm. Wed. 2686 Oak Hill Rd, Bath. Now - Dec. 23. are limited & advance online res- Wed. - Sun., 11 am. - 8 pm., Mon., Dec. 5th & 12th open 3 - 9 pm. 19th 5:30 - 9 pm. Visit historic houses, decorat- ervations are strongly encouraged. Dec. 21 - Sun., Jan. 3: 11 am. - 8 & 26th open 12 - 9 pm. Admission: ed for the season. Experience the traditions Zoo members $18, $20 non-mem- pm. Christmas Eve: 11 am. - 6 pm.; $2 admission, $3 skate rentals. $1 of the holiday season as celebrated in the bers, or a 4-pack $54 members & Closed Christmas Day. Ice skating, admission, $2 skate rentals for stu- 19th century Western Reserve. Afterward, $60 non-members. Children under igloo rentals, food & drink avail- dents. Skates are sprayed with san- enjoy holiday treats. Tours depart every fif- 2 free. Tickets for the drive-through able for purchase. Free parking. Ice itizer after each use. No more than teen minutes. Dress appropriately for this experience $54 per car for members, skating: $7 adults, $5 chidlren 12 & 30 skaters at a time. Masks required outdoor activity. The tour lasts about 90 $60 non-members. under. skate rental $3. Igloo rentals universitycircle.org/events.

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News & Events BROOKLYN SENIOR CARE WANTED A Christmas Story House - 3159 62 & over) $12.95 children (ages A Faith Based In-Home Service UNFINISHED W. 11th St. Open 7 days a week 10 2 – 11). Free for children under two. Laurie Meglich, Owner INCOMPLETE am – 5 pm. $15/adult, $13/senior Call 216-661-6500 or visit cleve- 216-262-5445 and $10/child ages 3 -12. 3 & un- landmetroparks.com for more info. 2213 Tampa Ave. 44109 PROJECTS der are free. The price of admission * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CARS includes a guided tour of the house Great Lakes Science Center - 601 [email protected] TRUCKS TOP $ PAID & yard & admittance into the mu- Eireside Ave. open, Mon. through https://brooklyn-senior-care.business.site VANS; SUV’s, RV’s seum. Admission tickets can be pur- DUNE BUGGIES, ETC. chased online & in person at the Sat. 10 am. - 5 pm. Thurs. 4 - 8 pm. house & museum. Call 216-298- Sun. noon - 5 pm. Closed Christmas CALL JOHN: 216.905.6328 4919 or www.achristmasstoryhouse. Eve & Christmas day. Tickets must com for more info. Masks are re- be purchased in advance online quired for those 2 yrs. of age & old- greatscience.com/tickets or by calling er, we cannot make any exceptions. 216-694-2000. Guests will select an Your Ad Here * * * * * * * * * * * * * * arrival time & tickets are in capacity Means  ousands will See it! CLE Metroparks Winter Recre- to allow for social distancing. Guests For more info contact : ation Fun - Sledding, cross-coun- 3 yrs. of age & older are required to Sandy Worona try skiing, ice fishing & ice skating wear a facemask. at various locations. Use caution & * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 216.459.1000 or [email protected] proper equipment; use area only Home Weatherization Assistance when proper weather/snow/ice con- Program (HWAP) - Ohioans with ditions exist. Call any Park District a household income at or below facility, 216-635-3200, or visit cleve- ment. Applications will be accepted City of Cleveland landmetroparks.com for more info. 200 percent of the federal poverty online or at CHN locations Mon. Department of Public Works - * * * * * * * * * * * * * * guidelines are eligible for the pro- gram. Priority is given to Ohioans - Thurs. 8:30 am. - 4 pm. For ap- Division of Waste Collection Toboggan Chutes - The Chalet at 216-664-3711 who are older than age of 60, those plications, locations & more info. go Mill Stream Run Recreation Area, to ceogc.itfrontdesk.com or call 216- www.cleveland-oh.gov 16200 Valley Parkway. Reservations with disabilities, those with children 350-8008. Call or go to website for informa- are required. Fri., 6 - 9 pm. Sat., 12 in the home, & households with a * * * * * * * * * * * * * * tion on 2021 holiday waste pick-up - 9 pm. Sun., 12 - 5 pm. Adults $12 high energy usage and/or burden. schedule, guide- all day ticket, chidren 11 & under Valley Save-A-Pet - Program offers To learn more call 800-282-0880, a discounted rate to cat & dog own- lines on waste carts, $10 all day ticket, One-Ride $6. All Mon. through Fri. 7:30 am. - 5 pm. bulk item pick-up riders must be at least 42” tall to ers who otherwise cannot afford tho Visit website: development.ohio.gov/ have their pets sterilized. Modest ad- (3 items only), yard ride. Facial coverings are required waste disposal & for 6 yrs. & older. For more info call is/is_hwap.htm for more info. & ditional charges are required for all guidelines. animals not current on vaccinations more. 440-572-9990 or visit clevelandmet- computer, cell phone * * * * * * * * * * * * * * & for large dogs whose weight might Year round roparks.com/tchutes. drop off. Year roundshredding at * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HEAP - we are not conducting face require special anesthesia. Hours: Mon.;11 am - 2 pm. Wed., 11 am. 5600 Carnegie. Household hazard- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - open to face appointments at this time. - 3 pm. Feral cat caretakers, call on ous waste, first Fri. of the month; no 9:30 am.- 4 pm. daily. General Instead of going into an agency, a latex paint. If you need to set out bulk HEAP Intake Specialist will contact Mon. only. Call: 440-232-2287 or admission tickets: non-members check for updates at: valleysaveapet. items other than the 1st full week of you by phone, or video conference the month, you must call to schedule. $16.95 adults, $14.95 seniors (age on the day & time of your appoint- org.

25 Community Meetings Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Confirm details and updates with organizers. Big Creek Connects - if you masks please! For more call 216- Old Brooklyn Community more info. on future meetings have interest in or concerns about 749-2804, Barb 216-941-0160. Meetings - Virtual meetings call Michael McDonald 216-664- preserving greenspace, improv- e-mail:groundhogsgarden@ start at 6 pm. If interested in 3293. ing conditions of Big Creek & wowway.com. Facebook learning more about block clubs the natural environment, & im- Brooklyn Historical Society or & neighborhood engagement, The Historical Society of Old proved quality of life for our res- brooklynohiohistory.gov. call Hope, 216-459-1000 ext. Brooklyn - For further details idents. Contact info@bigcreekcon- 206 for more info. about the Jan. & March, 2021 nects.org to be notified of future Cuyahoga Valley Genealogy - meetings, please check our web- events. The CVGS board has made the Old Brooklyn Crime Watch site at www.oldbrooklynhistory. decision to temporarily suspend meetings are on hold until fur- org or call the museum at 216- Brooklyn Genealogy Club Meet- our in person meetings due to ther notice. For more info. email 337-8200. ings - All meetings are canceled COVID-19. We are explor- Bill at: [email protected] for the next few months. Contact ing the use of virtual meetings. The Polish Genealogical Soci- BGC Secretary Sue Hill, 440-865- Check the website cuyahoga- Old Brooklyn Families Group ety of Greater Cleveland - Due 0402, for more info. genealogy.org or call President Check out www.oldbrooklyn- to COVID we are planning to try meeting virtually via Zoom. Brooklyn Historical Society - Bobbi Hamm 330-225-0890 for families.com for new meeting more info. dates & the latest OBFG hap- Meetings held first Tues. of the Museum, 4442 Ridge Rd. Tem- month, 7:30 pm. Check web- porarily closed to the public. We penings. Grindstone Knitters’s Guild site for meeting updates. https:// are maintaining the museum as - For more up to date info. on 2nd District Police Commu- sites.rootsweb.com/~ohpgsgc/ needed with “essential services” upcoming meetings check web- nity Relations & receiving queries regarding lo- meeting - due to site: grindstoneknitters.wordpress. Western Reserve American Glass cal history & donations of most- the pandemic, the meetings will com. We welcome new members Tues., Dec. 8 Club meetings - first Mon. of the ly memorabilia i.e. yearbooks, be virtual. ; 6 pm. interested in knitting & friend- Webex month; 7 pm. For the next few vintage newspapers etc. Tues. 9 -meeting number (ac- ship, & look forward to meeting months meetings will be on zoom. am. - noon for small donations cess code): 172 128 3181, pass- you! Please email or call for zoom invite by the side door, church side, word: 87t4mTxJbAA or to join by phone 1-415-655-0003. For information. [email protected] or 440-799-1618. Immanuel Lutheran Church RIVERSIDE CEMETERY A German\English Lutheran Church “A tradition 2928 Scranton Road, Cleveland, OH 44113 of personal 216-781-9511 care & concern for your loved ones” A Cleveland Landmark Serving our Community Since 1876  All Faiths  Personalization  Traditional and Natural  Above Ground and Flush Burials Memorials  Cremation Columbaria  Ample Space Available and Urn Garden Including New Group  Chapel - all types of Sections services  Pre-Planning Jerry Jablonski, Pastor 9 Horst Hoyer, Pastor Emeritus Offi ce Hours: Mon. - Sat. 8 am - 4 pm Sunday Services: German 9:00 a.m. English 10:30 a.m. Sunday School during English Service 3607 Pearl Road @ I-71 Cleveland, OH 44109 Serving God’s people since 1880 [email protected] (216)-351-4800 [email protected] www.riversidecemeterycleveland.org

26 efore I start to and rescheduled Play House Square events formation about the event. write my Town and/or to order tickets.) Unfortunately, the Singing Angels’ an- Crier columns, Karamu House. 2355 E. 89th St., is nual Holiday Spectacular didn’t take place whether they are Cleveland’s multi-cultural company and the downtown this year, but the Angels will still be Bin our current quarterly oldest African-American theater company in performing at Wild Winter Lights. The An- magazine format or were the United States. This holiday season its the- gels have been based in Old Brooklyn (in the in our former monthly aters, too, will be closed, and there will be a building on State Rd. and Biddulph Ave., next newspaper, I always do break in its longstanding tradition of staging to St. Mary’s Crystal Chalet) for approximately two things – I re-read the Black Nativity in its Jelliffe Theatre. Visit three years now. Visit www.singingangels.org previous column to see if there are any updates www.karamuhouse.org for more information. for more information about the group. to topics which I’ve already talked about and I The lights are also down atNear West Historic Gateway Neighborhood Cor- re-read the column from one year prior to re- Theatre, 6705 Detroit Ave. (in the Gordon poration, the community development cor- member the seasonal events which I’d covered. Square Arts District), which is doing all its poration which oversees the downtown Gate- In view of the coronavirus which is cur- productions online. This holiday season they way District, is currently presenting a holiday rently stalking our city -- as well as most of the had planned to be performing All Roads version of their popular Take a Hike tours world -- I must have been delusional to think Lead to Home, a family-friendly show, with a of downtown and beyond. This past summer that my December 2019 column (which was multi-generational cast (age 7 to older adult), the organization had altered its usually live all about holiday entertainment options, most- but COVID-19 changed that. Visit www. Take a Hike tours so that they would be safe ly theatrical, and mostly in downtown Cleve- nearwesttheatre.org for the latest information for COVID-19 times. Gateway’s executive land) could provide many repeat options for about Near West. director, Tom Yablonsky, (collaborating on 2020! Have you been downtown and driven Cleveland Public Theatre/Teatro Publi- two of the tours with his daughter Elise, the Euclid Ave. through Playhouse Square lately? co de Cleveland will be open and presenting director of planning at University Circle, Inc.) What a ‘downer’ it is to see all those dark mar- The Rousch Sisters in its James Levin Theatre, put together and narrated twelve beautifully quees and the boarded up Heinen’s store. 6415 Detroit Ave. (also in the Gordon Square done historical presentations. From last July And so I’m sad to have to write that this Arts District). Show dates are Thursday, De- through last October anyone could access three holiday season there won’t be Cleveland Play cember 5th, through Saturday, December 7th. a month on their cell phones and computers. House’s A Christmas Story at the Allen The- Visit www.cptonline for more information Even though some people chose to just atre or Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas about it or any other Cleveland Public Theatre view the presentations from home, many did Carol at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Cleveland performance. walk the routes, making the downtown streets Ballet’s The Nutcracker isn’t on the schedule A trip to Tremont for Arts Renaissance again alive with people looking at the sites ref- of events, either. This dance company had Tremont‘s annual performance by Burning erenced in the presentations. This past summer hoped to replace last year’s twelve sold-out per- River Brass was a holiday tradition for quite a the tour sites expanded to include Tremont formances at the smaller Hanna Theatre, with number of folks. It was held at Pilgrim Con- and University Circle. And this holiday season four performances (Friday, December 18th gregational United Church of Christ, 2592 two of them are again available for self-guided through Sunday, December 20th) at the much W. 14th St., and people could donate whatever tours at www.takeahikecle.org -– Grand De- larger Connor Palace Theatre. But under- monetary amount they chose. Since the on- partment Stores and Historic Hotels. standably, Playhouse Square has opted not to set of COVID-19, all of the Arts Renaissance In addition to the historical information open their theaters for any performances this Tremont programs have been cancelled indef- about the tour stops which Tom and Elise nar- month. initely. rated, there were also ‘first person’ accounts In recent years the Cleveland Ballet has Another ‘not happening in Tremont this portrayed by Cleveland actors and actress- also been presenting an abbreviated version year’ is St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathe- es. For me the most exciting one was of disc (less than one hour) of the holiday classic. dral’s annual a cappella Cleveland Landmark jockey Alan Freed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Called The Little Nutcracker, it could be ex- Christmas Concert on the Sunday before Fame stop. Not only was it a super wild pre- perienced at numerous locations in Northeast Christmas. There won’t be any tours of St. sentation, but I was totally amazed when Tom Ohio. Some performances were ticketed and Theodosius that day either. I am so glad that I Yablonsky told me that the person playing it some were free, and last year I was fortunate to was able to attend both events last year. was ‘Luther Heggs’. Luther Heggs!, I exclaimed. have learned last minute about a free mid-day The house in whichA Christmas Story That’s my neighbor Frank Smith on Merl Ave. performance in the atrium of MetroHealth (the movie) was filmed is also in Tremont at (He’s also the guy who does the super wild Medical Center’s Main Campus. It was ‘up 3159 W. 11th St. (accessed off Rowley Ave.) A Halloween displays in his front and side yards.) - close and personal’ and included a question Christmas Story House, the Christmas Story Gateway has also coordinated a scavenger and answer period with the dancers afterwards. House Museum across the street, and the gift hunt of Vintage Santa Claus figures; find out I was hoping for an encore this holiday season, store next to the museum are still open year- about it, too, at https://www.clevelandgate- but alas! MetroHealth is not on the 2020 Little round. There’s an admission charge for visiting waydistrict.com/holidayseason. Nutcracker calendar. the House and the Museum, but a visit to the Looking forward to January and Febru- Patrons determined to see the mini ver- gift shop is free. Everyone aged two and older ary, I’m reminded that The Maltz Museum sion this season do have a few options, though. must wear a face mask to enter the buildings. of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd. in If they don’t qualify for the Shaker Country A Christmas Story House and Bumpus Beachwood, reopened during the summer and Club, which is a members-only event, they House next door are available to rent over- I am hoping that they will again have some free could still see it at Stan Hywet in Akron on night, with admission to the house and mu- days over the next three months, but I haven’t December 6th or Thorncreek Winery & Gar- seum included in the price. Check out the been able to confirm anything. In the past dens in Aurora on December 13th. In addi- details and extended holiday hours at www. they have offered free admission on Martin tion, at press time the Cleveland Ballet was still achristmasstoryhouse.com. Luther King Day in January and on Presidents’ looking for a venue willing to host The Little Happily, Wild Winter Lights, (Tuesday, Day in February, Find out more closer to those Nutcracker on the dates it was originally sched- November 17th to Sunday, January 3rd), at the holidays at www.maltzmuseum.org. uled at the Palace. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is also a ‘go’ this The next quarterly Town Crier won’t be At press time I am also still trying to learn holiday season. Like the Asian Lantern Festival out for another three months, but it’s never too if The Cleveland Play House will be present- which preceded it, some evenings are for walk- soon to give me your suggestions for it. Mail ing its Festival of Trees in the lobby of the Al- ing and some are for drive-throughs. Visitors them to: Lynette Filips, c/o Old Brooklyn len Theatre, 1501 Euclid Ave. For decades lo- will be dazzled by more than one million lights Community Development Corporation, 4274 cal sponsors and designers have made this free in the displays. Visit https://www.cleveland- Pearl Rd., Cleveland, 44109. Or email them display of themed trees possible. (Visit www. metroparks.com/zoo/programs-events/2020/ to: [email protected] and she will be playhousesquare.org for updates about future special-events/wild-winter-lights for more in- sure that I get them.

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