Page 1 - THE VILLAGER - February 18 - 24, 2021 “Celebrate the Power of Community” Complimentary Copy see page 3 Volume 27 Issue 10 February 18 - 24, 2021 SEE AD ON PAGE 8 www.TheVillagerNewspaper.com With God, all things are possible.... Avon Kindergarteners Westlake’s Dover Elementary School Coming Down are 100 Days Smarter! Relationships and Memories Remain As contractors tear down Westlake’s Do- ver Elementary School over the coming weeks, former students, teachers and administrators agree that relationships created over its 70- year history will continue to stand. Tim Barrett, Dover’s Principal for 11 years until its June 2019 closure, said, “It was a neat old building. It had character and so did the people in it.” Not everything was perfect. The building was old. “We were constantly blowing circuit breakers,” Barrett recalled. There was also a bomb scare and a teacher’s strike that caused emotions to run high. “But we banded together and were at the elementary schools, including Dover. In 2014, they part of problem solving, rather than the problem.” Barrett surveyed families and held forums to discuss options. Ul- noted he remains in touch with staff members and families timately, the district decided to focus its efforts and funds whose children attended Dover. on building a state of the art building for all of its youngest Dover first opened in 1949. The two story brick build- students after determining that the four existing elemen- ing at 2300 Dover Center Road is nearly 44,000 square feet tary buildings, which ranged in age from 50 to 70 years, and sits on a 14 acre campus. An addition was added in could not be outfitted for the technology used by today’s 1970 to accommodate increased student enrollment. learners. In addition, repairs and upgrades to roofs, HVAC Superintendent Scott Goggin said when the district and other mechanicals proved increasingly expensive. began planning for its long-term facility needs more than During construction of the new Westlake Elementary Hailey Esber and her fellow Avon Early Learning Center ten years ago, there was apprehension about a potential School, the district invested considerable time in transition Kindergarteners celebrated 100 Days of school last week by loss of connection that was significant to staff and families continued on page 6 dressing up as centenarians. See pg 4 for story and photos. Westlake Police Awards My Neighbor, Sam Sheppard by Nancy MacMillan, February 06, 2021 It was July 5, 1954. The Cleveland Press banner headline shouted, “DOCTOR’S WIFE MURDERED IN BAY VILLAGE.” Below a large picture of Marilyn Sheppard stared back at me. “The wife of handsome, thirty year old neurosurgeon, Sam Sheppard, was found brutally mur- dered in the bedroom of their home in Bay Village, Ohio on the shore of Lake Erie. Sam Sheppard denied any involvement in the murder and described his own battle with the killer, which he de- scribed as bushy-haired.” The investigation was laced with intrigue and corruption. Ap- palling, yet compelling. What was true? Who was lying? And why? As a teenager, I remember seeing the headlines and read- ing all the gory details. Everyone was talking about it. Each had their own opinion. Still their extensive case lacked evidence. The trial was grueling. Person- ally, I never thought he did it. “The trial of Sam Sheppard opened on October 18, 1954. On The City of Westlake recently honored five police officers with special rec- December 21st, after deliberat- ognition for their commitment to the department’s mission to protect and serve ing for 4 days, the jury found him the community this past year. Pictured are Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough with guilty of 2nd degree murder. He Lifesaving Award Winners Matt Craig and Rick Dudas along with Westlake Police was sentenced to life in prison.” Dr. Sam Sheppard holds a news conference outside his Rocky River Dr. Chief Kevin Bielozer. See page 11 for story and more photos. continued on page 10 condo after his 1964 release from prison. Page 2 - THE VILLAGER - February 18 - 24, 2021 A Breath of Relief A respiratory therapist is breathing easy now after a knew he needed to make significant changes to his lifestyle to help prevent heart attack nearly took his life another heart-related event in the future. For David Diaz, 43, of Olmsted Township, the eve- “I had a 43-year love affair with ning of Sept. 23 was initially like any other. But, things cheeseburgers,” David recalls. “But, I want soon changed. After going to bed as his usual time, he was to live for many more years, so I have com- awakened in the middle of the night by a tingling sensation mitted to doing the things I need to do in in his arm. Thinking that he must’ve slept on it wrong, he order to make that happen.” tried to shake it off. But, it got progressively worse and was The staff at UH St. John Cardiac and followed by sweating and chest pain. Pulmonary Rehabilitation are helping Da- A respiratory therapist with significant medical train- vid on his wellness journey. “Those girls ing, David knew he needed to get to the closest emergency don’t play,” said David with a laugh. “We joke department. So, he drove the eight miles to University Hos- around during my rehab sessions, but then pitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake. it’s all business.” Just three-quarters of the way through his 36 sessions, David had al- A Heart Attack in the ER ready lost 45 pounds and his A1C (an indica- “I was triaged quickly when I arrived at the ER,” said tion of blood sugar) went from 13.8 to 7. David. “Based on my symptoms, I was given an EKG. Then, “I’m eating healthier and exercising, the attending physician declared a STEMI (heart attack) and it’s working,” said David. “My goal and the catheterization lab team was called.” While he was weight is 190 and my goal A1C is 6.5.” in the ER, David’s heart went into ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) twice, requiring physicians to use a defibrillator to A Team Approach Between shock his heart back into rhythm. Patients and Caregivers David has regular follow-up visits David Diaz at UH St. John Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Placing Stents to Open the Coronary Arteries with Dr. Coletta, either in-person or virtu- In the catheterization lab, John Coletta, ally, where they discuss his progress. MD, an interventional cardiologist at UH St. “The whole process is a team approach between the ER, catheterization lab, coronary John Medical Center, quickly went to work, care team and the cardiac rehab team,” said Dr. Coletta. “It starts when the patient comes performing a cardiac catheterization on David through the doors of the emergency department and it doesn’t end when they leave the via his right wrist. This radial approach (versus hospital. It continues with cardiac rehab and our follow-up visits. We’re here to help, but the femoral approach through the groin) often we believe that establishing a partnership with our patients provides the best results.” enables patients to heal more quickly. “David’s right coronary artery was 99 per- The Difference Between Life and Death: Call 9-1-1 Instead cent blocked,” said Dr. Coletta. “Additionally, Dr. Coletta recommends that someone who is experiencing symptoms of a heart at- his left circumflex artery was blocked in two tack, as David did, call 9-1-1 rather than drive themselves to the ER. “While David’s case spots, at 75 and 85 percent. With the heart, time was successful, if he had experienced v-fib as he was driving to the ER, he could have seri- is muscle. We needed to place stents quickly to ously hurt himself or others. Studies show that being transported via ambulance can shave restore blood flow.” David was under twilight 10-20 minutes off the time from the presentation at the ER to the stent(s) being placed. sedation during the procedure, and talked with Those 10-20 minutes could mean the difference between life and death.” Dr. Coletta as the stents were placed. David is on the right path to a healthy lifestyle, and is enjoying his two children, his fiancé and his work. “I thank Dr. Coletta and the entire cardiac team at UH St. John every A Life-Changing Experience day. They not only saved my life, but they provided the knowledge and support I needed to Within 24 hours of his arrival at the UH St. make a healthy, new start.” John emergency department, David was feel- To learn more about the care offered at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at ing well enough to be discharged home. But, he UH St. John Medical Center, visit this site or call 216-844-3800. Westlake Meals on Wheels Receives Meals on Wheels America & PetSmart® Charities Pet Assistance Grant If you are a pet owner, you understand how important pets are to our families. For portant their animals are in many senior citizens, they are a great source of companionship and support, especially their daily lives. Fred, who during this past year of extreme isolation. Westlake Meals on Wheels received a grant from lives alone, has three dogs, all Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart® Charities to assist their recipients with pet food, APL rescues. He phoned to treats and supplies. Like many Americans affected by the pandemic, some seniors have had let us know “the girls, Sadie, to make difficult financial decisions, including choosing to feed their pets before them- Foxy and Roxy all love all their selves, or sharing their food with their pets.