Community Service

Kiwanis promote prevention of kids' head trauma

The First Family Project, "Prevention of Kids' Head Trauma," is a program that was inspired by the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation "Safe and Healthy Kids Initiative." 

The Westlake Kiwanis are doing their part by providing safety helmets for all the youth who have graduated from Westlake's Safety Town for the past three years. Westlake Kiwanis want kids safe as they ride their bikes, go-carts, skateboards, scooters, etc. By making helmets available they hope to do their part as Kiwanians to help reduce the number of head trauma cases.

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Volume 14, Issue 13, Posted 9:35 AM, 07.06.2022

Village Project wins $25K grant

Of the more than 4,000 submissions nationwide, Village Project is honored to announce they are one of the top 100 winners of a $25,000 grant from the 2022 State Farm Neighborhood Assist program! 

“We can’t thank our supporters enough,” says Executive Director Meredith LaVecchia. “After we learned we made it to the top 200 organizations, it was up to our amazing supporters to push us into the top 100. Our volunteers, clients, supporters, donors, friends, family – everyone showed up to make sure we crossed the finish line. We are beyond grateful, blessed and are excited to use this funding to continue to provide nourishing meals and serve our communities.” 

In just 10 days this spring, 88,000 people cast more than 2 million votes to help decide the top 100 winning causes.

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 10:01 AM, 06.21.2022

Just in time for summer

Two second-grade girls learned about the power of determination and saving at Orchard STEM School in Ohio City. By exercising "earning power" developed by Assistant Principal, David Funk, these young ladies earned “dollars,” or points, through positive human interaction and community involvement.

Earned school “dollars” afforded them with their wish. They were able to earn their own bikes, something they could only hope for in the past.

The Village Bicycle Cooperative was thrilled to recondition and donate the two bikes they now possess. While other students might have used those “dollars” for candy, as an example, this learning process educated these young ladies in understanding the benefits of earning and owning through helping others. Just in time for summer!

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 10:03 AM, 06.21.2022

Elks Lodge donates use of facility to raise money for Connecting for Kids

Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350 once again generously donated the use of its facility at 24350 Center Ridge Road in Westlake to Connecting for Kids for a bowling fundraiser, which raised more than $5,000 for the Westlake-based nonprofit. In all, 60 bowlers participated in the event held on April 23. All funds raised will allow Connecting for Kids to further its mission of educating and supporting local families.

“The bowling event last year was such a success that we jumped at the chance to do it again,” said Mike Sheehan, Exalted Ruler of the Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350. “It is a win-win for all involved as our Elks members can combine their love of bowling with the opportunity to raise money and help out a local organization that does so much for families in our community.”

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 10:03 AM, 06.21.2022

The flowering of Bay

Bay Village Garden Club’s long tradition of civic beautification was in full throttle this May.

Early in the month members cleaned and groomed flower beds to prepare for spring planting. After the weather warmed up, green-thumbed gardeners planted colorful flowers around the Gazebo and City Hall, prepared fresh planters for the Wolf Road bridge, and settled new sprouts in the Welcome Sign saucers that adorn each entrance to Bay Village.

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 10:07 AM, 06.07.2022

Bay Men's Club awards scholarships

The Bay Men’s Club has awarded four $1,000 scholarships to four very deserving Bay High students: Sam Houk, Carli Mendelow, Norah Hamil, and Danny Kruzer.

Scholarships are awarded based on need, character, scholastic achievement and leadership qualities.

Houk will be attending the University of Cincinnati where he will major in business. Mendelow will be attending the University of South Carolina where she will be studying psychology and pre-med. Hamil will be attending The Ohio State University where she will be majoring in business. Kruzer will be attending the University of Cincinnati where he will be studying political science and pre-law.  

“The accomplishments of these four recipients, both academically and in other fields, is quite impressive,” scholarship committee chairperson Peter Gierosky said. “We are happy to provide this seed money for our leaders of tomorrow.”

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 10:07 AM, 06.07.2022

Students raise funds for historical society

Students in Mrs. Cathy Bogart's second-grade class at Normandy School in Bay Village, aided by a few moms, held a cookie sale recently to raise money for the Bay Village Historical Society. As part of the unit on Bay Village history, all second-grade students tour the Rose Hill Museum in Cahoon Memorial Park, and this fundraiser was part of that curricula.

Historical society president Cathy Flament and treasurer Eric Eakin recently visited the class to gratefully accept their $150 donation.

"We cannot thank you enough for this wonderful donation," Flament told the class. "We sincerely appreciate your efforts, and look forward to having you visit our museum soon and learning more about local history.”

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 9:49 AM, 05.17.2022

Bay Legion plans flag retirement ceremony for Flag Day

The Bay Village American Legion Post #385, plans to conduct a flag retirement ceremony on Friday, June 10, as part on their annual Flag Day celebration. The ceremony will take place at the post home, 695 Cahoon Road in Westlake at 6:00 p.m.

Citizens may bring old, torn and faded flags and deposit them at any time in the red and white box, American Flag Collection Bin, located at the post front door.

The ceremony is conducted in accordance with American Legion protocol and visitors to witness the retirement are welcome.

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Volume 14, Issue 10, Posted 9:49 AM, 05.17.2022

Bay LWV offers Voter Girl program to Bay Brownie troop

The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Bay Village held their first Voter Girl workshop with Brownie Girl Scout Troop 71943 at the Bay Village Library on April 10. The Voter Girl Project was developed by the LWV of Kent, Ohio, in partnership with Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. The Voter Girl Project aims to teach scouts of all levels – from Daisies to Ambassadors – about the responsibilities of citizenship, voting and leadership.

League members Evelyn Sobczek, Jane Blackie, Kari Eckel and Chapter Chair Cynthia White presented a program including principles of good citizenship, illustrated with a puppet show, and a book reading about what makes a good community member. They played a diversity game with a variety of yummy snacks and learned the meaning of the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as the significance of the colors, stripes and stars on our American flag. 

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 10:36 AM, 05.03.2022

Village Project named a finalist for $25K grant

Calling all community members: Village Project (VP) has a chance to bring $25,000 to our community!

“We are so excited to be named one of the top 200 finalists in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program,” said Executive Director Meredith LaVecchia. “We really need everyone to rally behind our cause and cast your votes for Village Project to help us!”

“It really is like a popularity contest,” Meredith says. “It will all boil down to the top 100 nonprofits that get the most votes. So, we’re really counting on the community and beyond to help us win.”

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 10:35 AM, 05.03.2022

Become a Village Project volunteer

Village Project is excited to invite incoming freshmen and current high school students to volunteer at Village Project this summer. Combining the experience of adults and the energy of youth results in an explosion of contagious enthusiasm. Village Project brings ordinary people together to make extraordinary differences. Volunteers are equipped, empowered and encouraged – reflecting the true strength of community. 

Volunteer opportunities for students include:

• Preparing/packaging meals under the supervision of encouraging adults

• Developing proficient culinary skills and gaining nutritional knowledge

• Learning the importance of kitchen cleanliness (vital to our clients)

• Assisting with fundraising and special events and other roles outside the kitchen (i.e., Project Shoppe, farmer’s markets, gardening, and so much more)

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Volume 14, Issue 8, Posted 9:27 AM, 04.19.2022

Bay students host 'Walk for Water'

Bay High Key Club, together with Westerly K-Kids and Bay Middle Builders Club, is changing lives one step at a time! These youth service organizations, sponsored by the Kiwanis of Bay Village, are designed to build leadership skills in young people through service to others. 

Our Walk for Water goal is to help end the global water crisis by raising $18,000 through our event on Sunday, May 1. Partnering with the Thirst Project, the world’s leading youth water activism organization, we strive to raise the money needed to build freshwater wells in eSwatini, (formerly known as Swaziland). Each dollar we raise goes directly to building the wells in the southern African country.

In these communities, women and children have to walk an average of 3.75 miles every day to collect water. Not only is the distance challenging, but the water is also unclean and used by animals. The dirty water often causes disease or death.

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 10:54 AM, 04.05.2022

Westlake teen creates outlet for positivity

Avery Junkins witnessed family struggling with stress from work and feeling overwhelmed by the pandemic. She is currently working on earning her Gold Award, the highest award you can earn in Girl Scouts. She wanted to make a difference in the community and create a sustainable way to get messages to both patients and caregivers, so over the last year and a half she developed a solution which she calls “The Positivity Postbox.” 

The Positivity Postbox is inside the lobbies of both University Hospitals St. John Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. It is a collection box for people in the community to submit anything for caregivers or patients. The contents are distributed to those who need them. Examples may include handwritten notes of appreciation, encouraging letters, small crafts, inspiring quotes, painted rocks, or tokens of appreciation.

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Volume 14, Issue 6, Posted 10:36 AM, 03.15.2022

Lakewood Elks donate to Westlake police

Lakewood Elks Lodge 1350 in Westlake donated $856 to the Westlake Police Department, enabling them to purchase specially designed light and mount for emergency personnel. This money was awarded to the Elks in the form of a grant from the national lodge.

Pictured are Rick Grane, Brian Gartland, Chris Johnson, Ruth Ann Witteman, WPD Chief Kevin Bielozer, and Mike Sheehan.

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Volume 14, Issue 6, Posted 10:36 AM, 03.15.2022

Cleveland's West Side grieving children need your help

Children and teens across the world are experiencing grief in ways that are more complicated and often more traumatic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joel’s Place for Children, a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides grief support to school-aged children and their families who have experienced the death of someone special in their lives. They are receiving more phone calls and emails than ever from caregivers needing grief support for their children.

The organization has been serving grieving families in Northeast Ohio since 2003. Non-denominational groups meet by age/developmental level at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village twice-monthly for pizza dinner, community, expressive arts and emotional intelligence activities, and discussion. Families do not pay to attend Joel’s Place; the organization is funded solely by donations. A Butterfly Release is also held every summer, where living butterflies are released in honor of those who have died, followed by a picnic lunch.

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Volume 14, Issue 5, Posted 10:30 AM, 03.01.2022

Bay Family Services is supported and sponsored by City of Bay Village

Bay Family Services is a program sponsored by the City of Bay Village for all Bay residents. In our 12th year now, we provide mental health assessments, consultations, counseling and referral services, as well as community resources. The caring and compassionate team of mental health professionals works in a private and confidential setting and is implemented by the McKeon Education Group.  

We can: 

  • Provide initial assessment and consultation during a time of crisis.
  • Implement social emotional programs on topics such as mental wellness, social skills, assertiveness, student leadership, and character development.
  • Consult with Bay Village Police Department and the Westshore Enforcement Bureau on student safety, substance abuse concerns and other legal matters regarding minors.
  • Serve as the community liaison to the Westshore Young Leaders Network, a regional student leadership program that includes Bay Village and five other districts.
  • Coordinate an adopt-a-family program during the holidays to connect lower income families with gift donors.
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Volume 14, Issue 5, Posted 10:31 AM, 03.01.2022

Garden Club Greenery

Old man winter gets a speck in his wizened old eye when he swirls around Bay Village. At each entrance to our city he is greeted by a splash of color, thanks to Bay Village Garden Club’s evergreen foliage tucked into our Welcome planters.

Placed in late fall to welcome the holidays, the greenery brings life throughout our notoriously grim winter months. When spring starts to wake up, Club members pull the pine and boxwood from the planters, and fill them with brightly colored living flowers and vines that thrive through the summer.

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Volume 14, Issue 3, Posted 10:16 AM, 02.01.2022

The Bay Village Foundation announces project funding

Trustees of The Bay Village Foundation announced that the foundation is accepting grant requests for specific projects of local civic and non-profit organizations. Applications are due the last day of February 2022. Awards will be announced in April 2022 and may range from $500-$5,000.

The Bay Village Foundation is primarily interested in supporting capital projects that improve the quality of life in the city of Bay Village. Projects must be responsive to community needs. The Foundation will also consider requests for support of programs that benefit the citizens of the Bay Village.

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Volume 14, Issue 3, Posted 10:12 AM, 02.01.2022

Bay Village scout pack celebrates 80 years

Bay Village Cub Scout Pack 39 is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2022. The Scouts most recently attended the Cleveland Monsters hockey game on Jan. 22, serving as Color Guard for the opening ceremonies. 

The community is invited to an anniversary celebration on Thursday, Feb. 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Bay Middle School. Bring your own Pinewood Derby car for a ride on a classic wooden track, or build one from plastic blocks provided. Light refreshments will be served. Please wear masks while indoors. The address is 27725 Wolf Road.

Visit tinyurl.com/bvpack39 to learn more about the Pack. 

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Volume 14, Issue 3, Posted 10:12 AM, 02.01.2022

Coming together as a caring community

For a while, we felt like Old Mother Hubbard over here at Village Project. Our kitchen shelves were looking pretty bare. Thank you so much to all of our friends and neighbors who answered our call for help and generously donated much needed pantry items and office supplies.

“I’m so grateful for the compassion and generosity our community continues to show us at Village Project,” said Executive Director Meredith La Vecchia. “These donations help us serve our clients while they’re going through one of the toughest times in their lives. No two cancer journeys are the same and we’re proud to walk with our clients through theirs.”

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Volume 14, Issue 2, Posted 10:14 AM, 01.18.2022

Community West Foundation awards $2.6M in grants, announces new grant cycle for 2022

The Community West Foundation board of directors approved $584,300 in fourth quarter grants bringing the grand total to $2.6 million awarded in 2021 to 81 non-profit agencies located in Cleveland, western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. The recipient organizations for fourth quarter grants include:

  • Connecting for Kids, $12,300: Funding for the Ask Us 1:1 program which addresses the needs of local families who have children struggling to cope with the after-effects of the pandemic
  • Galilean Theological Institute, $5,000: Capacity Building grant supporting the En Conjunto Community of Hispanic Houses of Worship Collaborative
  • Good Knights Inc., $5,000: General operating support to build and provide beds and bedding to children in Lorain County       
  • LifeAct, $20,000: Program support for suicide prevention programs for Grades 6-12
  • Love INC., $10,000: Program support for housing vulnerable Clevelanders
  • Rocky River Meals on Wheels, $10,000: General operating support to provide low-cost, nutritious meals to Rocky River, Fairview Park and Lakewood residents
  • Lakewood Community Services Center, $40,000: General operating support for emergency food programming
  • Church of the Open Door/Generations House, $20,000:Funding transitional housing for homeless families in Lorain County
  • Lorain County Safe Harbor, $25,000: General operating support for shelter and support to men, women and children of all ages who are victims of domestic violence
  • Seeds of Literacy, $35,000: Continuing support of basic education programs
  • Village Project, $40,000: General operating support to provide nourishing meals and extended care and services to people experiencing cancer
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Volume 14, Issue 1, Posted 10:00 AM, 01.04.2022

Village Bicycle Cooperative donates bikes to the needy

With the help of Bay Village Recreation Director Dan Enovitch and his crew, the Village Bicycle Cooperative was were able to donate 42 refurbished bicycles to the West Park Corps of the Salvation Army.

Major Ernesto, head of the Corps, said that these bicycles will be donated to needy folks throughout the Cleveland area, not just those served by the West Park Corps.

VBC donated seven more bikes to Blessed Trinity Parish that have been earmarked for a needy family on Cleveland's west side. There are an additional four bikes that are tagged for distribution to another Cleveland charity.

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Volume 13, Issue 24, Posted 9:47 AM, 12.21.2021

Local fire departments offering car seat installation

For parents who need help with car seat installation or have questions about the safest way to transport their children in motor vehicles, getting expert advice and assistance just got a little easier. University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s along with UH St. John and Parma medical centers, will open car seat checking stations at the following fire departments: Bay Village, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, North Royalton and Olmsted Falls.

Choosing and installing a car seat can be one of the most important parts of getting ready for a new baby, and an important part of baby’s transition from infant to toddler, and from toddler to preschooler. That’s because motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children over the age of 1. The proper use of child car seats is the simplest and most effective method available for protecting the lives of young children in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

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Volume 13, Issue 24, Posted 9:48 AM, 12.21.2021

Bay Village Historical Society helps with sale of items

The Bay Village Historical Society has partnered with the Sabrina Noelle Foundation to offer their hand-made items at the Rose Hill Museum gift shop.

The Sabrina Noelle Foundation’s mission is to promote and provide activities which aim to address mental well-being for young adults and teens. They will be selling hand-made jewelry and crafts made by friends of Sabrina. Proceeds go to the Sabrina Noelle Scholarship Fund and to the designers.

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Volume 13, Issue 23, Posted 10:29 AM, 12.07.2021

Bay Men's Club volunteers clean yards

Volunteers from the Bay Men's Club, the city's second-oldest civic organization, took time recently to clean the yards of some 22 needy and worthy Bay Village residents. The club has done this "leaf rake out" for more than 25 years.

"It's a great way to help those who might need a hand," President Matt Williams said, "and we are more than happy to lend a hand. This is what Bay Village is all about."

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Volume 13, Issue 23, Posted 10:38 AM, 12.07.2021

Help mend 'Your Neighbor's Cloak' this Advent

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village has a longstanding partnership supporting the missions of the community surrounding St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cleveland. Since 2004, St. Luke's has operated a gently used clothing drive each week so that community members may come choose what they need. The program has been expanded to distribute toiletries not covered under SNAP, such as toothpaste and toilet paper.

St. Barnabas keeps in close contact with St. Luke's to determine the most immediate needs for the community. Currently there is an urgent need for new underwear for both men and women. They are also accepting checks made out to St. Luke's Episcopal Church with "Your Neighbor's Cloak" noted in the memo.

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Volume 13, Issue 23, Posted 10:37 AM, 12.07.2021

Bay Village donation locations

Please support these Bay Village churches and organizations. They have kicked off their holiday campaigns to assist children, families and pets in Bay Village and Northeast Ohio. Some collect all year long.

  • Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church, 28807 Wolf Road, is collecting for Fill This House, a non-profit that helps young adults aging out of the foster care system. The organization provides the young adults with the household needs to live in an apartment on their own for the first time. Visit fillthishouse.org/donatingitems or call 440-871-2276 with inquiries.
  • Bay United Methodist Church, 29937 Lake Road, is collecting NEW children’s boots for Child & Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County. They currently have 65 fosters that have a need. They need a variety of sizes from toddler to older teen, both boys and girls. Collections are Nov. 21-Dec. 12. Drop off at the office Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Bay UMC also works year-round with The Haven House which is an emergency overflow shelter for women and their children. They collect toiletries, laundry detergent and whatever their greatest need is. Visit thehavenhouse.org or call 440-871-2082 with questions.
  • St Raphael Catholic Church, 525 Dover Center Road, is collecting non-perishable pantry items and also has a gift tree with specific requests for local families and the multiple organizations they interface with. Call 440-871-1100 with questions.
  • Bay Presbyterian Church, 25415 Lake Road, serves as the designated Bay Village community food bank year-round. They have a weekly shopping list posted of current pantry needs and a donation bin for non-perishable items located at the main entrance off Columbia Road.
  • Bay Village Community Services located at the Dwyer Center, 300 Bryson Lane, is always in need of gift cards to grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations and cash donations to help with utility bills for Bay Village residents. Contact Leslie Selig at 440-871-2200.
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Volume 13, Issue 22, Posted 10:16 AM, 11.16.2021

The Village Bicycle Cooperative delivers

It was a great day in early October at the Village Bicycle Cooperative (VBC). An anonymous donation of a completely unique and U.S.-made two-seat adult tricycle came through our doors. An even better day followed when the Sandusky Ohio Veterans Home accepted our "in turn" donation of the Worksman Team Dual Trike.

This bright red, nearly brand new tricycle, will be redeployed to service and used for recreation and exercise by those veterans receiving nursing care in the facility. Because the trike is a two seater, a "team" approach is used while riding, providing great exercise benefits. A skilled nursing practitioner will pilot the machine while the patient will participate in pedaling, maneuvering, and stopping the trike.

We thank Tracy, OVH Activity Supervisor, for accepting our donation. We thank Erica, an OVH nursing care professional, and Denis, OVH transportation professional, for coming to the VBC shop in the Community House to pick up the trike and take it to those that served us at the Ohio Veterans Home.

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Volume 13, Issue 21, Posted 10:27 AM, 11.02.2021

Workshop to help you stay in your home as you age

Most people want to stay at home as they age, but don’t know all that can be done to make their home safe and livable as they grow older. Or they don't plan ahead when making home improvements, which can mean the difference between staying in the home or moving as they age. There are also many small changes to make around the house to make it safe, as well as countless gadgets and adaptive devises that can make life easier and the home safer.

As part of its Aging in Place initiative, Bay Village Community Services is holding an online Aging in Place workshop, presented by Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio, to help residents plan for living in their homes as they age.

On Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m., a workshop on kitchen and bathroom modifications will be presented. Register by calling 440-899-3409, or emailing lselig@cityofbayvillage.com. Also watch for details of our Aging in Place Expo on Jan. 22!

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Volume 13, Issue 21, Posted 10:26 AM, 11.02.2021

BV Community Council celebrates Citizen, Project of the Year

The Bay Village Community Council honored this year’s Citizen of the Year, Nancy Trainer, and Project of the Year, the Bradley Park Playground renovation, in an outdoor ceremony Sept. 19 at the playground. Mayor Paul Koomar presented proclamations to Nancy Trainer for her decades of community service – specifically with the Women’s Club, Garden Club and League of Women Voters – and to the Drumm family for their efforts to raise funds to renovate the Bradley Park playground.

Pictured, from left: Mayor Koomar; Nancy Trainer; Peggy, Elizabeth and Andrew Drumm; and BVCC officers Tara Wendell, Mary Kay Wilson and Peggy Ludwig.

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Volume 13, Issue 19, Posted 10:58 AM, 09.21.2021

City of Westlake collects for hurricane relief

The Westlake Police Department, along with the city of Westlake, have set up a donation center to help victims of Hurricane Ida and several tropical storms in the southern states. The police have collected over 1,000 pounds of supplies such as water, food, blankets, toiletries, paper products, charcoal and tents. We are currently working on filling our third semi truck to send down.

The Westlake Police have teamed up with Nehemiah Network, a disaster relief center here in Cleveland. And they transport the supplies down.

You can still donate by dropping off donations at the police station, 27300 Hilliard Blvd, or contact Rick Grane at rickgrane@aol.com or 440-829-0974 with any questions.

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Volume 13, Issue 19, Posted 10:01 AM, 10.05.2021

Bay Board of Education Sept. 27 meeting notes

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the Sept. 27 meeting of the Bay Village Board of Education. It is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting.

Bay Village Board of Education President Lisa Priemer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay Middle School cafeteria. This larger space allows for more seating and better acoustics than the Middle School Library. Other Board members in attendance were Vice-President Dave Vegh and Mr. Paul Vincent. Mrs. Beth Lally and Dr. Scott Schultz were not in attendance.

Certified and Classified Personnel: Several staff contracts were approved, including the following for certified staff: extended day contracts at Normandy for a Lego Club (students will pay $4 per class session); a long-term sub for the Middle School; a home instructor; family medical leave contracts; special project contracts; summer special project contract; supplemental/pupil activity contracts for lacrosse and basketball; and extended leave with use of sick time.

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Volume 13, Issue 19, Posted 9:59 AM, 10.05.2021

BAYarts' Huntington House gets fresh look

Throughout the pandemic, the iconic Huntington House on BAYarts' campus, located in the Huntington Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, has remained a hub for community activities, drawing people to its open classrooms and galleries, beautifully manicured gardens and spacious porches and patios. Slated for a fresh coat of paint this year, BAYarts was working with Textbook Painting to estimate painting the exterior of the building.

The Huntington House is one of the only remaining structures of the hobby farm of industrialist John Huntington. Built in the 1880s, it originally served as the caretakers residence for the estate. After the Huntington property was purchased by the Metroparks in 1925, the building became a creative center for the arts in 1948, formerly Baycrafters and now BAYarts.

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Volume 13, Issue 17, Posted 10:42 AM, 09.08.2021

Bay Board of Education Aug. 9 meeting overview

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the Aug. 9 meeting of the Bay Village Board of Education. It is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting.

Board Vice President Dave Vegh called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay Middle School Library. Other Board members included Mrs. Beth Lally; Dr. Scott Schultz; and Mr. Paul Vincent. Lisa Priemer, President, was not in attendance.

Public Comments: At this meeting, tickets were distributed to those who wanted to speak and were randomly selected. Those people were given five minutes to share their ideas. A sampling of what was said is included in the following:

  • Some people were supportive of mandatory masking for the upcoming school year; some were against it.
  • A suggestion was made to require masks only in grades for which the vaccination is not available. Another suggestion was that masking should be consistent; if masks are required in the classroom, they should also be required in extra-curricular activities.
  • Several health care professionals reiterated that wearing masks can slow the spread of the Delta variant as vaccinated people can get sick from it and transmit it to others. It was appreciated that the Board is staying abreast of the data and is willing to revisit the masking guidelines when additional information is available in two weeks.

Change Order: The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Treasurer and Superintendent to act on behalf of the School District Board of Education related to the Bay Stadium Field House.

 

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Volume 13, Issue 16, Posted 10:10 AM, 08.17.2021

Car wash raises $600 for animal rescue

The staff and students at Bethesda Childcare Center in Bay Village held their fifth annual Charity Car Wash and Bake Sale on July 22 to raise funds for Golden Treasures Golden Retriever Rescue. This year's event raised more than $600 for the nonprofit organization.

"Thank you to everyone who stopped by and had their cars washed. It was a great success," said Jenna Portik, the Center's director. "All proceeds will go to Golden Treasures Animal Rescue. We even had a special visit from the Bay Village Police Department and the kids were more than happy to help wash their car!"

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Volume 13, Issue 15, Posted 9:56 AM, 08.03.2021

Past presidents of BMC award scholarship

The Bay Men’s Club recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to three very deserving Bay High students: Kaylee Buehler, Morgan Fischer and Levi Wunder.

Wunder, however, was out of town when the scholarships were awarded.

That changed recently when he was able to meet with past presidents of the civic organization to receive his award.

The scholarships are awarded based on need, character, scholastic achievement and leadership qualities.

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Volume 13, Issue 15, Posted 9:56 AM, 08.03.2021

Westlake man awarded ESPY

Jeffrey Dell of Westlake was presented with an ESPY by ESPN Cleveland's Emmit Golden on July 8 for his work as player/coach with the Cleveland Scrappers Beep Baseball Team for those who are blind and visually impaired.

ESPN asked for nominations of coaches who people felt went above and beyond to keep their athletes engaged and active during the pandemic shutdown in 2020 and early 2021.

Being an adapted sport with sight-challenged athletes spread throughout Northeast Ohio, Jeff devised a plan to run Zoom practices and instructional workouts with the help of the Scrappers sighted volunteers and thanks to some special equipment he was able to secure through grants from the Challenged Athletes Fund (CAF) and the Cleveland Foundation.

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Volume 13, Issue 14, Posted 10:26 AM, 07.20.2021

Sea Scouts offer free tire maintenance kit

Not content to research the problem of pollution from tire wear (see the Observer issue of Feb. 3, 2021, article: “How dangerous are vehicle tire microplastics?”), Team Tyres applied for and received a $5,000 grant to act upon our newly gained knowledge. Having learned that 1.8 million tons of microplastics are shed by tires in the U.S. each year, 15-20% of which end up in our lakes and streams, the team resolved to tackle the problem.

Our research project for the Army Educational Outreach Program, eCyberMission, placed Team Tyres State Champions, Regional Finalists, and winners of the STEM-in-Action grant. We learned that proper tire maintenance reduced wear and increased safety, and so with our funding, we purchased 500 each of the Victor tire pressure gauges and Morton tire depth gauges. Consumer Reports rated the Victor gauge as No. 1 in stick gauges, and we purchased the Morton gauge because of its ease of use.

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Volume 13, Issue 13, Posted 10:28 AM, 07.06.2021

Kiwanis to bring pancakes to art festival

The Westlake Kiwanis will serve a pancake breakfast in conjunction with the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Art Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 31, at Westlake Elementary School. Donations will be welcome.

Come on out and eat pancakes while enjoying this non-profit Art Festival and supporting countless local groups such as Connecting for Kids, RePlay for Kids, Lakeshore Day Camp, Meals on Wheels, Hospice for the Western Reserve, Safety Town and many more.

Mark the date Saturday, July 31, 2021 and support your local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs while enjoying yourself.

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Volume 13, Issue 13, Posted 10:30 AM, 07.06.2021

First female in Bay earns Eagle Scout award

Bay Village teen creates green solution for Village Project

Jennie Koomar, of Bay Village, has become the first female in Scouts BSA Troop 40 to complete the rank of Eagle Scout. To receive this honor, Jennie worked closely with the Village Project to design, construct and implement a food waste compost system.

The Village Project is a local non-profit organization that provides nutrient-dense meals to those who are fighting cancer in the surrounding communities. The compost system allows the Village Project to keep the compost on site and use it in their gardens to grow fresh and nutritious herbs and vegetables.

Jennie enjoyed activities as a member of the Girls Scouts from the time she was in kindergarten. Her troop eventually dissolved, and she joined Sea Scouts and then Scouts BSA to continue her Scouting adventures.  She was inspired to pursue this rank based on the experiences of her dad, Paul, who is also an Eagle Scout.

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Volume 13, Issue 12, Posted 10:08 AM, 06.15.2021