est. 2006 April 2021 • Volume 15 - Issue 4 The Many Stages of Melissa Fitzgerald Editor’s Are you where everybody Corner Do Tell: What’s the SAFE HOME knows your name? By John O’Brien, Jr. New to Cleveland? We’d like to help: Craic in April? April 2021 Vol. 15 • Issue 4 @Jobjr Í Publisher & Editor John O’Brien Jr. THOMAS BODLE teacher at both VASJ and St. Edward hen you are this close in life experiences and writing, that Design/Production Christine Hahn February 1, 1952 - March 5, 2021 High School. He was a devoted basket- Help you get started, to the fire, you can’t affect their columns each month. Website Rich Croft THOMAS M. BO- ball coach, educator and dear friend to Columnists get situated or get always see who is get- I won’t rehash what is within; what Akron Irish Lisa O’Rourke DLE “Coach Bodle,” many student-athletes throughout the tingW warmed. You usually hear the is filling the website, podcast and settled! An Eejit Abroad Conor Makem age 69. Beloved hus- years. Passed away unexpectedly due to screams of those getting burned, but eBulletin; the content continues to At Home Abroad Regina Costello band of Margaret A. complications from COVID-19 on March The road has been paved, and Behind the Hedge John O’Brien, Jr. we are a celebratory paper - not the speak for itself, and surprises are “Margie” (nee Lack- 5, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial con- we pay it forward, by helping scorched earth discussion of divorc- good for the soul and the sedentary. Blowin’ In Susan Mangan Cleveland Comhra Bob Carney ey); loving father tributions are suggested to Villa Ange- those who come after us. es, defeats and incendiary dialogue Rest and recovery are the plan, with Cleveland Irish Francis McGarry of Nori (Lydia) and la-St. Joseph High School, 18491 Lake- some relish and run amok with on a great cup of Barry’s, Reilly’s Brown Columbus Irish Molly Truex John; brother of Ken shore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44119 or St. Call or email us: social media. That is obviously in Bread, Casey’s via Winston’s Black Cooking Up a Hooley Katie Gagne Crossword Puzzle Linda Fulton Burke (deceased) (Patricia), Edward High School or St. Mark Church [email protected] overdose level supply, even though it Pudding and Bangers, Larry Kir- Fields of Glory Vincent Beach Larry (Joan) and Outreach Program, 15800 Montrose Ave., or 216.6 47.114 4 accomplishes absolutely nothing in wan’s too close to home but very in- Illuminations J. Michael Finn Jim (Barb) (both deceased); dear uncle of Cleveland, OH 44111. Obituary courtesy making the world a better place. sightful new book, Rockaway Blues, Kids Craic Megan Lardie many. Coach Bodle was a longtime math of ChambersFuneral.com “Follow me where I go, Madigan Muses Marilyn Madigan Instead, we have tried our best to and the pup glued to my ankles like Off Shelf/On This Day Terry Kenneally what I do and who I know; focus on preserving, presenting, and a great pair of always warm slippers. Out of the Mailbag John O’Brien, Jr. BEVERLY CONNOLLY from the University of Toledo where promoting all of the good things of Feed her and weep. Speak Irish Bob Carney May 4, 1946 - March 3, 2021 she graduated Magna Cum Laude. O’Bent Enterprises includes: Terry From Derry Terry Boyle our rich heritage and our people. Beverly June Connolly, age 74, of To- Beverly is survived by her loving www.twitter.com/jobjr Though I am probably biased toward Toledo Irish Molly McHugh OhioIANews is published monthly ledo, Ohio passed husband of 53 years, John J. Connolly; our work, I am struck by how strong, Nuair a stadann an ceol, stadann an www.twitter.com/IANewsOhio rince (12 issues a year) on the first day of each month. away on Wednes- daughters, Ann Connolly, Laura (Cliff) insightful, and entertaining our is- (When the music stops, so does the Subscription is by first class mail. 1 year $36, day, March 3, 2021. Cranston, Beverly “Jackie” (Mike) Kiss, www.facebook.com/ sue is this month. We have continued 2 years at $70, 3 years $100. To subscribe go She was born on Breda (Michael) Osburn, Kathleen dance) online at OhioIANews.com, or Email us at OhioIrishAmericanNews to grow, evolve and get better, thanks May 4, 1946 to Eu- Connolly; grandchildren, T.J. (Ashlee) John [email protected], or call us at www.linkedin.com/in/jobjr to the work of our columnists, both 216.647.1144 or mail to address below. gene and Maxine Dietz, Amber Kiss, Dakota Dietz, Ha- OhioIANews is available for free at 367 locations in and around (Harbaugh) Braun ley Connolly, Mikey Kiss, Eve and Isla Ohio, PA. NY. IN. MI. & KY. For information on the locations go to www.OhioIANews.com and click on the Ohio Distribution button. in Toledo, Ohio. Osburn, Jacob Rodriguez; great-grand- She loved to trav- children, Taylor, Cameron and Tucker CONTACT: LIVE MUSIC Ohio Irish American News 216.647.1144 el and lived for her Dietz; siblings, Shirley Schwake, Sharon e-mail: [email protected] children and grandchildren; Beverly Dietrich, and Gene Braun; along with EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT SUBSCRIBE! or mail to: 14615 Triskett Rd Cleve OH 44111-3123 was an avid reader, highly educated and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. SUPPORT Makes Subscriptions: [email protected] loved to learn and research genealogy. and Ireland. 1114 Center St. Cleveland, OH 44113 a GREAT Receive the Ohio Irish American On the Internet: www.OhioIANews.com She was a strong, pure, funny, youthful, In lieu of flowers, the family requests 216.696.6968 OUR News in Your Mailbox! GIFT! www.facebook.com/ kind, and loving woman. 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Circulation: 9,500 For a list of distribution We have a FREE TWICE A MONTH KNOW Address: points, go to www.OhioIANews.com and click on the word “Distribution.” you saw their City: State: Zip: eBulletin Phone: ( ) About Our Cover: that goes out to 16,000 opted-in ad in the Ohio The Many Stages of E:mail Melissa Fitzgerald, OhioIANews fans? Irish American from West Wing to Card# Expires CVC# leading non-profit It contains updates and reminders, or for events Justice for Vets, that came in after we went to print! News! Contact: [email protected] or Irish Roots fuel the Mail to: 14615 Triskett Rd., Cleveland OH 44111-3123 Fire. See Part 1 on Sign up at www.OhioIANews.com or our Facebook page, OhioIANews, pages 4-5 to get yours. We NEVER spam or sell our list! 2 OHIO IRISH AMERICAN NEWS We’ve Always Been Green APRIL 2021 APRIL 2021 WWW.OHIOIANEWS.COM OHIO IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 3 really great teachers. Sandy Dennis a year before they shot the pilot. My Inner recommended The Neighborhood now ex was auditioning for some- Playhouse. thing; his agent had given him the View I went there (Neighborhood Play- script from that [and one from The By John O’Brien, Jr. house School of Theatre), in what was West Wing]. He gave them to me to an intense two-year Conservatory read. @Jobjr Program, wonderful. It was full time; He asked what I thought. I said Í you couldn’t work professionally Sports Night was brilliant. I also said while you were there, because they The West Wing is going to be the best don’t want you [to continue] your show ever on TV. I still stand by that old bad habits. I am so glad I went to statement. The Many Stages of that, [I learned] so many incredible Aaron and the team that they built life lessons and acting lessons. in every department, every single Melissa Fitzgerald, It was intense: the first year we role, they just really committed to Part I had almost 100 in the class, then the excellence, and talented hardworking From West Wing to the Non-Profit second year we had twenty-four or people who really wanted to put the twenty-five. Almost 3/4 of our class best work that we all could togeth- Justice for Vets, Irish Roots Fuel the Fire got cut. It was really great training. er put out in the world. I feel very Are there a lot of similarities lucky. You know Melissa Fitzgerald. Your that. There is a joy to that, and a mel- between you and the character Carol The West Wing cast reunites for Justice for Vets. mind immediately snaps to The West ancholy and sadness to that, that feels Fitzpatrick? There are so many space limits in Wing when you see her face. The Irish to me. I carry that with me. I think she’s more organized than print. We are out of space for this West Wing veteran, and now, Direc- So, you are a sap? I am! I think there are actually some really, really lucky.