March 2017
Established in 1836
Message from Mayor Cyril Kleem
Volunteers are extremely important in any community, but especially in
a small town like Berea.
We are proud of the many
residents, businesses and
civic organizations that
give of their time and talents to help fellow citizens. We recognize those
outstanding
volunteers
every year at the Spirit of Community Banquet.
New opportunities for volunteerism are discovered all the time. Three very important ones involve Dinner to Your Door, Grindstone Elementary School and Safe Passages.
Dinner to Your Door is Berea’s own answer to
affordable, nutritious meals for seniors and disabled residents regardless of age. The meals will
be prepared in the kitchens of Collaboration Station in Cleveland and trucked to the Berea Community Outreach office twice a week. We are
looking for drivers to deliver those meals. If you
can help once a week or once a month or whatever your schedule allows, please contact Daune
Jaynes at Berea Community Outreach, (440)
826-4891.
Berea Cares, our collaborative effort among the
city, churches, organizations and residents, has
begun a tutoring program at Grindstone Elementary School. The school is looking for adults to
help kindergartners with reading skills. You don’t
have to be a teacher but you do need patience and
the ability to help a child become more proficient
by listening to the student read a book. Tutors
will be vetted and finger-printed by the Berea
City School District. Apply at the Board office,
390 Fair St.
Volunteers also are needed by Safe Passages, our
new drug interdiction program. Volunteers serve
as “guides” to addicts who come to the Berea
Police Station seeking help kicking their habits.
Guides interview the addicts and help officers
determine whether the addict is eligible for Safe
Passages. There is training involved. Apply at the
Berea Police Station.
If you can help in any of these or other critical
areas, we would be most grateful.
Our Facebook & Twitter
page name is: City of Berea, Ohio
Visit our website www.cityofberea.org
Cavs, Browns support new meal option for seniors
Dinner To Your Door is a new home-delivered
meal option for Berea seniors 55 and older and
disabled residents of any age. The Cleveland
Cavaliers cheer and spirit squads are signed on
to help with support from the Cleveland Browns.
Dinner to Your Door, sponsored by the City’s
Berea Community Outreach office, replaces Meals on Wheels, which ceased delivery to
Berea as of Dec. 31. Through the Berea Cares
Committee and MetroHealth Medical Center,
Berea has contracted with Collaboration Station
of Cleveland to provide the meals. The program
accepts SNAP/EBT and Ohio HomeCare Waivers and clients also can self-pay. The meals are
$4 each. The service is not income-based.
For those needing financial assistance, the Cavs
cheer and dance teams have volunteered to help
at two fundraisers with the Browns offering their
training facility in Berea as a venue.
The first fundraiser will be 2-5 p.m., Saturday,
April 1 at the Browns headquarters on Lou Groza Boulevard followed by another fundraiser later in the year, probably at Collaboration Station
headquarters. Details will be announced later.
Kellie Lightfoot, dance instructor with the Cavs,
said the Cavaliers Girls, the Scream Team, the
Q Spirit Squad and junior dance teams would be
available to perform and help at both events.
Collaboration Station, a non-profit started
14 years ago, will provide soups and desserts
through its Soup’s On program for the fundraisers. Proceeds from the sales of the food would
support Dinner To Your Door and those residents
who might need some assistance paying for the
service.
Daune Jaynes of Berea Community Outreach
said there also would be a 50/50 raffle, crafts,
autograph and photo stations where fans can
meet and greet with the Cavs Girls and nail- and
face-painting stations with Cavs staffers.
Lightfoot, who also is a physical therapist, works
with the Cavs adaptive dance program – Cavs
No Limits. Cavs No Limits provides dance and
performance opportunities for about 70 young
people from ages 4-25 with disabilities. Some
are in wheelchairs and the Cavs have provided
them with Cavs logo armrests. Lightfoot said
the teams perform at Cavs games and at Canton
Charge games.
Cheryl J. Smith, executive director of Collaboration Station, said the program’s commercial
kitchens are in the Hildebrandt Building. The
program can meet special dietary needs, such
as diabetic, gluten-free, kosher or vegan. Pureed
meals also can be provided.
Collaboration Station’s CCHAP (Crisis Chronic Health & Acute Program) prepares the meals.
CCHAP provides work experience for people
transitioning from welfare, for veterans and for
recovering addicts.
“Some have culinary experience, some with the
military, so we are capitalizing on that,” Smith
said. “Once we give them quality work experience, they can get a job almost anywhere.”
The menus are supervised by a registered dietitian and most of the food is organic.
Smith said her organization has worked at
Quicken Loans Arena, Progressive Field and the
Browns Stadium. “We were in the World Series,”
she said.
Jaynes and Jim Brown, audit committee chair at
Berea City Hall, toured the kitchen facilities and
sampled the meals. Both said they were “very
impressed” by the quality and taste.
Lightfoot said the Cavs were “delighted” to be
involved with Dinner To Your Door. “Not only
does it help seniors and the disabled in Berea but
it supports those who are working to build better
lives.”
To sign up for Dinner To Your Door or to volunteer to deliver meals, contact Jaynes at Berea
Community Outreach, [email protected] or
(440) 826-4891.
Monthly Berean Page 2
Construction highlights Mayor’s State of the City report
Construction and renovation projects by the City
and local businesses were spotlighted in Mayor
Cyril Kleem’s annual State of the City report to
seniors.
Nearly 90 seniors attended the report and luncheon at Polaris Career Center on Feb. 14. Each
was given a box of chocolates courtesy of Malley’s
Candy.
will keep its training camp in Berea. The Browns
had been exploring the possibilities of moving it
elsewhere.
“The less the truck weighs, the less we pay,” he
said. Right now, the City is saving $12,000 to
$13,000 a month in tipping fees, he said.
“Training camp is only three weeks,” the Mayor
noted. “If we were to lose that, it’s not a significant
The City installed new water meter systems in
houses and businesses throughout the City last
year. The automated meters send water usage
information daily to the water plant. “If there is
a leak somewhere, we’ll know about it quickly,”
the Mayor said.
“There are so many things going on, I can’t hit every topic,” Mayor Kleem said. “But here are some
highlights.”
Other major projects in 2016 included the annual road program, he said. The City did major
repairs to 13 streets. A list of the roads for 2017
will be announced shortly.
No. 1 on his list were changes to the Berea Recreation Center. The Rec Center building – a former
skating rink and bowling alley – is 50-60 years
old. It has been home to the Rec Center for the
past 20 years.
“It’s sometimes a challenge to work with a building of that age and retrofit it for another purpose,”
the Mayor said. With that in mind, the City spent
$175,000 on new equipment and major renovations to the weight room. Improvements also
were made to the basketball courts and the lobby.
The City is trying to accommodate more programs, the Mayor said, and is trying to meet the
needs and preferences of residents. Silver Sneakers is a popular program and more activities have
been added. The programs for youth have also
expanded. The Mayor said 450 children are enrolled in football, 350 in rec basketball, 100 in
travel basketball and 120 in travel baseball and
fast-pitch.
The Economic Development Department has
been especially busy. The Cleveland Browns built
a 19,000-square-foot addition to its training facility on Lou Groza Boulevard. “The City paid for
some of that,” the Mayor said, “but in exchange
the team signed an agreement to remain in Berea
through the 2028 season,” he said. The team also
The Monthly Berean is published monthly by
the City of Berea and is distributed to residents,
organizations and businesses in Berea.
Mayor Cyril Kleem
Linda G. Kramer, editor
Megan Pochatek, design editor
To submit information, contact:
[email protected]
(440) 274-5608
Please submit stories and information
by the 10th of every month.
Mayor Cyril Kleem visits with seniors after his
State of the City report. From the left are Mamie
Nicholson, Jennie Neely and Barbara Caves.
impact.” On the other hand, the City has a good
relationship with the team; they are the City’s
largest taxpayer. “We’re good with the Browns for
a long time,” the Mayor said.
An example of businesses expanding is Clamco, located on the industrial parkway. Clamco
looked into consolidating its plants and looked
into Texas and Wisconsin as well as Berea. Berea
won. A 25,000-square-foot expansion is under
way and the company expects to add $900,000 to
its payroll.
The storefront project in downtown Berea involving US Bank, China House and Papa John’s Pizza
is proceeding. The project features retail space on
the ground floor and housing for Baldwin Wallace University students on the upper floors. The
developer owns five rental homes in the college
area. In exchange for the parking area next to the
building, the developer will give the city those five
homes. Berea will renovate them and sell them as
single-family homes.
Recycling has expanded since the City switched
to automated curbside pickup of trash and recyclables in 2012, Mayor Kleem reported. The City
saw a 300 percent increase in recycling that first
year, he said. Last year, the increase was about 10
percent.
“We want to encourage everyone to recycle as
much as possible,” the Mayor said. “Obviously,
it’s good for the environment and reduces the
amount that goes to the landfill.” But, it also saves
the City money in tipping fees. Garbage trucks
are weighed when they arrive at the landfill. The
tipping fee is based on the weight of the truck.
Streets in the Blue Grass development were
completely renovated last year. A similar project is planned for the Jananna – Vivian - Kaye
neighborhood for 2017.
Phase 1 of Coe Lake included the construction
of a new pavilion. Phase 2 this year will involve
amphitheater seating. “The goal is to make
Berea a destination. We think Coe Lake will be
a major draw for entertainment in northeast
Ohio,” Mayor Kleem said.
The Fair Street area is undergoing a major infrastructure upgrade with new water and sewer
lines and roadway paving at a cost of $3.5 million. Phase 2 will begin later this year at a cost
of $2.8 million.
North Rocky River Drive will be resurfaced.
The North End will undergo a major sewer renovation project at a cost of more than $1 million.
The West Center Street Bridge over the Rocky
River is being completely replaced. The West
Center Street Bridge over the Parkway has been
closed and continues to deteriorate. Crews removed some beams earlier this year. Eventually, the bridge may have to be taken down, the
Mayor said. No decision has been made yet.
City finances continue to improve, he said, despite declining revenue. “We’re at the level of
government closest to the people, but the level
least understood, especially finances,” he said.
Last year, revenue returned to the level of 2007,
he said. Last year, the general fund balance
(the amount of money left after the City pays
its bills) totaled $3.1 million. That’s a $390,000
increase over the year before. In 2008, when the
Mayor first took office the balance was $1 million.
“We’ve been able to increase that balance despite declining revenue and no increase in taxes
or water rates,” Mayor Kleem said.
Monthly Berean Page 3
At Select Fire education is key
NEWS BRIEFS
Berea to take part in Polaris Career
Fair
The City of Berea is one of the co-sponsors of the
10th annual Polaris – Cuyahoga County Career
Fair and several Berea businesses are expected
to take part. The Career Fair will be 9 a.m. to
Noon on Wednesday, March 29 at Polaris Career
Center, 7285 Old Oak Blvd. The Fair is in collaboration with the Workforce Opportunity Resource Center. Up to 75 employers will be on site
with job openings in health care, manufacturing,
services, construction and various apprenticeship
opportunities. Job seekers should dress to interview and bring multiple copies of resumes. For
more information, visit www.cjfs.cuyahogacounty.us or call (216) 987-7010.
Southwest General joins regional
trauma system
Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and University
Hospitals have joined together to create a new
Northern Ohio Trauma System, which will coordinate care for patients in a seven-county area.
Because of its joint venture with UH, Southwest
will treat trauma patients as a Level III trauma
center. NOTS members coordinate with safety
forces and network hospitals to ensure that patients are taken to the appropriate level of care.
NOTS was formed in 2010. UH joined the network earlier this year.
Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt is April 15
The Berea Kiwanis Club’s 6th annual Easter Egg
Hunt is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15 at
St. Mary Catholic Church’s Garrity Center, 250
Kraft St. Children must be accompanied by an
adult and should bring their own basket or pail to
collect candy. The Easter Bunny, Sparky the Fire
Dog, McGruff the Crime Dog and Wally the Nutty BW Squirrel will make appearances. Kiwanis
also is accepting canned goods for donation to
local food pantries.
Ann and Mark DePhillips opened Select Fire in
2013 as a firing range with an emphasis on education.
“People have this misconception that once you
have your CCW (Conceal Carry permit), that’s
it,” Ann DePhillips said. “CCW is just the beginning. We want to make you a responsible community member.”
Her mantra is “Education, education, education.”
With that in mind, Select Fire offers several classes on handling firearms and how laws impact
their use. One class, conducted by an attorney,
details what to do if you use a weapon outside
of the range, especially if you fire the weapon to
intervene in a criminal situation, for example.
“Beginners have bad habits, especially ladies,”
said Anthony Winfield, Select Fire manager.
“That whole mindset is changing.” One class that
helps is a free class for new shooters that instructs
how to load, aim and shoot. DePhillips said a lot
of women assume a smaller, light-weight weapon is easier for ladies to handle. “That’s not true.
Lighter weapons have a bigger kick-back,” she
said.
Select Fire has 15 full-time and part-time employees, most of them U.S. military veterans.
They supervise the range, work in the store and
conduct classes. One class for women is conducted by a female vet. Class sizes are small: 10 is the
average.
Anthony Winfield, Air Force, left, and Bryan
Heath, Marine Corps, are two of the veterans
who work at Select Fire.
Military vets also get a discount on membership
fees, which regularly are $400 a year for one
shooter. Select Fire also offers vets a 10 percent
discount on ammunition and accessories.
Select Fire has outgrown its current 11,000-squarefoot location on Bagley Road. DePhillips said
they are looking at building a new 24,000-squarefoot range sometime in the future.
Select Fire is located at 1267 W. Bagley Road.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday
and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. For more
information, call (440) 973-4350 or visit www.
selectfiretrainingcenter.com.
Mark DePhillips is a Marine Corps veteran, who
retired as a gunnery sergeant after 27 years. He is
now a firefighter in Cleveland. Winfield served in
Air Force security for 13 years.
DePhillips sees advantages in hiring vets: They
are very familiar with a variety of firearms and
they are reliable employees. Plus it helps vets
transition to civilian life.
Water meter project nearly complete
17th Annual Auction
6:45 p.m., Thursday, March 9
Crowne Plaza Hotel
7230 Engle Road
Middleburg Heights
More than 75 Live & Silent Auction Items
The project to install new automated water meters in Berea homes and businesses is almost
complete. Service Director Paul Anzalone said
all homes except abandoned and vacant houses
have been equipped with the new meters. Once
new residents move into the vacant houses, the
Service Department will install the new meters.
Meters at Baldwin Wallace University will be installed over spring break.
Vacation Home on Cape Cod – Original Works
by Local Artists
Handcrafted Furniture
Craft Beer Pull
Tickets $45
(216) 898-8270
Anthony Winfield takes aim on the firing range.
Benefiting The Education Foundation of the
Berea Schools
Monthly Berean Page 4
Average Joes take on Harlem Wizards for charity
Fifteen local dads coached by Mayor Cyril Kleem will challenge the Harlem Wizards exhibition basketball team to benefit Grindstone PTA
and All Pro Dad on Sunday, March 5.
Brandon Callicoat of Grindstone’s All Pro Dad
said proceeds will help support projects for students and their families at Grindstone Elementary School. The local Average Joes team is made
up of four All Pro Dads plus representative fathers from almost every school in the Berea City
School District. Berea police officers will serve
as referees.
Mayor Cyril Kleem presents his drawing of
Martin Luther King Jr. to Rev. Donald Warren,
pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Support for ‘rights’ begins
with us: MLK prayer breakfast
Martin Luther King Jr. is often seen as a secular
leader, one of the driving forces behind the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. But he was a
religious leader influenced by the Rev. Billy Graham, Mayor Cyril Kleem told the annual MLK
Prayer Breakfast at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Mayor Kleem was the keynote speaker at the
breakfast, part of the 27th annual community observance of MLK Week in Berea.
King “saw himself as doing God’s work,” the
Mayor said. “Where do your rights come from?
They come from God. It’s the government’s job
to protect those rights.”
We have a right to disagree with the government,
he added. Civil disobedience is called for if a human law disrespects God’s law. MLK was neither a Democrat or a Republican, Kleem noted.
He received bi-partisan support. “Make both parties compete for your vote,” Kleem said.
“We’re a long way from Martin Luther King’s
dream,” the Mayor said. “We’ve accomplished a
lot but we have a long way to go. We’ve lost perspective of Martin’s beliefs.”
“It’s up to us – not the president or Congress or
City Hall,” Mayor Kleem said. “Social movements begin at the bottom, not with the elite. We
can’t wait for someone else to do this for us.”
Mayor Kleem presented Mount Zion with a
portrait of King. He said he was inspired by the
Night of Prayer and Unity held at the church on
Jan. 12. That service sought to bring together diverse sections of the community to seek common
ground.
Mayor Kleem said he agreed to coach the Average Joes because, “It will be a fun experience,
plus All Pro Dad is a great organization.” All Pro
Dad works closely with PTA. The fathers volunteer for activities in and out of school. Two years
ago, they helped to put together the new John
Mucklo Park playground equipment.
“They do fundraising but they also play to boost
communities,” Callicoat said.
Tip-off will be at 3 p.m., March 5 at Berea-Midpark High School. Tickets are $12 in advance
and $15 at the door. To order tickets online go
to harlemwizards.com, email allprodadsberea@
gmail.com or call Callicoat at (216) 309-8354.
You also can check out the All Pro Dad Facebook
page.
The Harlem Wizards is an offshoot of the Harlem Globetrotters but has operated independently
since 1962. They have played internationally in
such places as China and Brazil. Closer to home,
they performed in Newtown, Conn., in the wake
of the school shootings there.
Residents asked to contribute to historical society exhibit
The Berea Historical Society will reopen in April
with a new exhibit – “The Houses of Berea: Residential Architecture from the 1830s to the Present.”
and marketed by a specific person or company.
The catalogs, plans, invoices, sales brochures,
advertisements and similar items would be valuable for the exhibit.
Residents are asked to provide information for
this exhibit, which will highlight the architectural
features and items that make our city distinctive.
The exhibit will explore the history of Berea’s
homes from the oldest to the newest, largest to
smallest.
A sample of “Before and After” photographs
is being assembled. Pictures showing an open
porch that is now enclosed, all the phases of additions to a home, or a house with a tiny sapling
in the yard that is now a huge tree. Images of
houses that have been torn down or moved to a
different location are important. Family pictures,
birthday parties or holidays, are a good source
for interior changes.
Residents can help in several ways. They can contribute stories about their houses and the families
that have lived in them. Perhaps famous and/or
infamous people visited or historical events took
place there.
Unique objects can be loaned for the duration
of the exhibit or photographed for display. Examples might be windows, doors or decorative
devices such as molding, finials, doorknobs or
drawer pulls. Wallpaper, linoleum or kitchen
counter material like Formica or granite can reflect the styles of the times.
Many homes in Berea were “kit” or catalog homes
from companies like Sears, Aladdin or Montgomery Ward. These houses were sometimes
part of tracts or housing developments designed
If you have a question, interesting story, photograph, or item please email M.L. Moore at [email protected]
Bereavement support group begins in April
A Bereavement Support Group, Journeys
Through Grief, will meet on Thursdays, April
6-May 11 in the Active Senior Room at the Berea
Recreation Center, 451 Front St. The group will
meet 1:30-3 p.m. There is no charge.
Journeys Through Grief will be facilitated by
Pathways Hospice. To register, call Pathways at
(440) 835-2220.
Monthly Berean Community planning teams will help design new schools
The Berea City School District has invited members of the community to join staff, faculty and
architects to help plan the new high school and
changes to other buildings in the district.
house 1,800 students in grades 9-12. Cost of construction is $72.5 million. The building should
be open for students in August 2020 and will be
located behind the current school.
The GPD Group, which also designed and oversaw the building of Grindstone Elementary
School, is working on the new Berea-Midpark
High School.
The building of a new high school and a new
elementary school in Brook Park plus enhancements to other school facilities is made possible
by the passage of a 4.2-mill bond issue by voters in November. The bond issue will generate
$112.5 million for the construction projects.
In his State of the Schools report on Jan. 26,
Superintendent Michael Sheppard said, “These
new buildings will not look like classrooms of
the past.” He said with evolving technology in
education that teachers will be involved in the
design.
The first community design committee meeting
for Berea-Midpark High School was held in February. Members discussed roof designs and furniture, among other topics. A prototype classroom
might be set up to review possible selections.
There also will be outdoor learning areas. There
will be only one secure entrance to the building
for visitors. The large sculpture on the front of
the current BMHS will be saved and might be
incorporated into the interior design.
The new 325,000-square-foot high school will
SCHOOL NEWS
Friends of the Education Foundation
seeks charter members
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, The Education
Foundation of the Berea Schools has launched
Friends of the Education Foundation. Supporters
can join for $20 for the 2016-17 school year or
donate $120 for a lifetime charter membership.
Forms are on the Foundation web site, www.educationfoundationberea.org or call Executive Director Kim Dettmer at (216) 898-8270.
Moody’s Investment Service upgraded the district’s bond rating to A1 from A2. The bond rating determines the interest rate on borrowing and
a high bond rating attracts investors.
District Treasurer Ryan Ghizzoni said home sales
have increased in all three communities that
comprise the district – Berea, Brook Park and
Middleburg Heights. At the same time, he said
income from commercial and retail businesses has not increased as much. He pointed out
that, “When property values increase, the schools
don’t get more revenue but we are able to maintain what we have.”
The state outlook for education is iffy. “The
schools might get a 1 percent increase in state
Polaris hosts Career Tech Thursdays
Polaris Career Center is hosting a series of Career Tech Thursdays for high school sophomores
who are interested in a Polaris program. Students
can select to spend one-half day in one or two
programs of their choice. Visits can be scheduled
for the morning or afternoon. Available dates
are March 2, 9, 16 and 23. Schedule the visits
through the guidance office at the home school.
Polaris receives metalworking grant
Save the date: The 17th annual Education Foundation Auction will be Thursday, March 9 at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Middleburg Heights.
The Polaris Precision CNC Machining program
has received a $12,500 grant from (National
Institute for Metalworking Skills) certifications.
Industry credentials such as NIMS help students
get jobs.
Kindergarten registration begins
in March
Polaris business students advance
to state competition
Children who will be 5 years old on or before
Aug. 1, 2017, are eligible to attend kindergarten.
Registration for the Berea City School District
can be completed online at www.berea.k12.oh.us
or by appointment at the Berea Board of Education offices, 390 Fair St., Berea. Berea residents
can make appointments by calling Grindstone
Elementary School, (216) 898-8305. Registration appointments will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
Wednesday, March 22 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Saturday, April 8.
Twenty-six Polaris Career Center students placed
1st or 2nd in regional Business Professionals of
America competition and will advance to the
state contest in March. Among them are seven
Berea-Midpark High School students.
Placing first are: Ty Meder, Basic Office Systems
& Procedures; McKenzie Burghardt, Advanced
Office Systems & Procedures; Kassidy McKenney, Business Law; Raimondo Rocco, Global
Marketing Team; and Branden Kennedy, Interview Skills.
Second-place winners are: Ty Meder, Intermedi-
Page 5
funding,” Ghizzoni said, but schools across the
state are losing the inventory tax and a supplement meant to mitigate that. “I’m not sure how
changes at the federal level will affect us,” he
said.
Sheppard said updates on the progress of the construction projects will be posted on the district’s
web site. “This is one of the largest school construction projects in the state,” he noted.
School Board President Ana Chapman said passage of the bond issue was “an historic moment
and underscored how important community is.”
She said the board had devised a new motto for
the district: “A Community of Excellence, Integrity and Purpose.”
The motto goes hand-in-hand with the new vision
statement: “The Berea City School District is a
diverse community dedicated to inspiring lives
of character, learning, leadership and service.”
Chapman said the board worked with faculty, staff and community members to update the
district’s strategic plan, beginning last year. The
plan is posted on the district web site.
For more information, visit www.berea.k12.oh.us.
ate Word Processing; Michael Anderson, Basic
Office Systems & Procedures; Branden Kennedy,
Human Resources Management; Kassidy McKenney, Management, Marketing & HR Concepts.
Also going on to Columbus will be Dylan Bierman of BMHS, who placed 3rd in Intermediate
Word Processing.
Rock & Run supports
Grindstone Elementary
The sixth annual Rock & Run 5K run and 1-mile
Family Walk will be 8-10:30 a.m. on Saturday,
May 6 at Grindstone Elementary School, 191
Race St. The race is hosted by Grindstone PTA
and Grindstone All Pro Dad and proceeds will
benefit the students, staff and families at Grindstone. There are four sponsorship levels for businesses, organizations and individuals. Bedrock
Sponsor ($500): 6 race registrations, company
name and logo on T-shirt. Sandstone Sponsor
($250): 4 race registrations, company name and
logo on T-shirt. Limestone Sponsor ($100): 2
race registrations, company name and logo on
T-shirt. Shale Sponsor ($50): 1 race registration,
individual or family name on T-shirt.
Pre-registration by April 28 is $25 for adults, $15
for children 11 and younger. Race day registration is $30 for adults, $20 for children.
For more information, contact rocknrun5k@
gmail.com, visit signmeup.com/118361 or on
Twitter, #rocknrun2017.
Monthly Berean BW concert raises funds for Safe Passages
A concert by Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music faculty and students on Jan.
29 raised more than $2,000 for a new drug interdiction program.
BW piano professor Mary Dobrea-Grindahl,
who organized the benefit, said the program took
in $2,330 to be split between the Berea and Olmsted Township police departments, which run the
Safe Passages project.
On stage at BW’s Kulas Hall for the We Do RecovSafe Passages, which was introduced in August er benefit concert are, from the left, Berea Police
2016, invites drug addicts who are determined Chief Joe Grecol, BW music professor Mary Doto kick their habits to come to the police station brea-Grindahl, Nicole Walmsley of Safe Passages,
where officers will connect them with counselors
Berea Police Sgt. Patrick Greenhill, Samantha
and to recovery centers. So far, both Berea and Burkhart of Rebel Recovery support group, and
Olmsted Township police have aided around 60
Olmsted Township Police Chief Matt Vanyo.
addicts.
faculty blue grass quartet Front Porch and dancer
The concert was called “We Do Recover.” DoRachel Reszler. Professor Scott Plate delivered
brea-Grindahl said she had no problem recruiting a dramatic reading. Music theatre major Rose
performers, who included musicians and dancers.
Upton had the audience clapping along to “Fight
Song.”
“The performers really wanted to be part of this
experience,” she said. “I didn’t even have to ask. In between sets, speakers talked about Safe PasMany volunteered. They wanted to do this.”
sages and the heroin and opioid epidemic that has
made Ohio the state with the highest number of
The 250 patrons were treated to performances
ranging from the a capella student group Mr. deaths from drug overdoses.
Sun’s Echo and soprano Nanette Canfield to the
Nicole Walmsley, community liaison for Safe
TV journalist John Quinones
presents program on ethics
Emmy-award winning journalist John Quinones,
host of ABC’s “What Would You Do?”, asks
us to take a good look in the mirror during his
Changing Ethics in America program at BW on
March 14. What do we do when we witness injustice, racism, bullying? Do we step in or do
we step aside? As ABC’s first Latino correspondent, Quinones draws on his own powerful story
to challenge his audience. The program is part
of the Voices of Democracy Lecture Series and
the Enduring Questions: Mark Collier Lecture
Series. Tuesday, March 14, 8 p.m., John Patrick
Theater, Kleist Center for Art & Drama, 95 E.
Bagley Road.
All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
For a complete listing of events, visit www.bw/
edu/events or call (440) 826-2325. Other events
in March include:
Burrell Observatory Open House & Lecture:
Dr. Stacy McGaugh of Case Western Reserve
University will present “Cosmology and Dark
Matter.” Friday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., Center for
Innovation & Growth, 340 Front St.
Symphonic Orchestra Tour Kick-Off: A celebratory performance before the orchestra hits the
road for Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Guest
ensembles. Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m., Gamble
Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building, 96
Front St.
World Music Series – The Outside Track: A
marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music
and song featuring fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar,
flute, step-dance and vocals. For more information, go to www.theoutsidetrack.com. Wednesday, March 15, 8 p.m., Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building, 96 Front St.
Cleveland Chamber Symphony: Friday, March
17, 7 p.m., Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical
Arts Building, 96 Front St.
“The Diviners”: A boy with a mental disability
living in a small Indiana town during the Great
Depression meets a handsome stranger with a
hidden past. This intimate play about hard luck
and hope details the quiet tragedy that can happen when people try to confront their fears and
reach for their dreams. For tickets, go to www.
bw.edu/tickets. Thursday-Saturday, March 1618, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m.,
William Allman Theatre, Kleist Center for Art &
Drama, 95 E. Bagley Road.
Page 6
Passages, is a recovering addict. She said such
programs were not available to her and she got
clean by going to prison.
“An addict going to a police station for help. Really? But this works,” she said.
Berea Police Chief Joe Grecol emphasized that
Safe Passages in not an amnesty program. Addicts with warrants have to address those. “This
is about helping another human being,” Grecol
said.
Olmsted Township Police Chief Matt Vanyo
compared the program and its community partners to paintings using the pointillism technique.
If you look closely at van Gogh’s Self-Portrait,
for example, you’ll see tiny dots of paint. Those
dots combine to make the image as a whole.
“Safe Passages is like that,” Vanyo said. “We
can’t do this alone. We have taken different pieces – recovery centers, hospitals, educational institutions, police – and put them together to make
this work.”
Dobrea-Grindahl said she was very pleased with
the response to We Do Recover and will talk with
police about an encore next year.
“This was more like an experience than a concert,” she said.
Brass Choir and Brass Chamber Ensembles:
Works by Riegger, Nicolai and others. Sunday,
March 19, 7 p.m., Gamble Auditorium, Kulas
Musical Arts Building, 96 Front St.
Spring Innovation Summit – Exception to the
Rule, Virtues-Based Leadership: Peter Rea,
BW Center for Innovation & Growth co-founder and vice president for integrity and ethics at
Parker-Hannifin Corp., will lead a workshop on
leadership. How to empower the team, lead with
purpose and impact the bottom line. Register at
www.bw.edu/CIG or call (440) 826-2393. Thursday, March 23, 8:30 a.m., Center for Innovation
& Growth, 340 Front St.
“POP Goes the Professor”: Greg Harrell, baritone, and Jason Aquila, piano, present a program
of music theatre and pop songs by The Beatles,
George Michael, Shirley Bassey, Bette Midler
and others. Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m., Fynette
Kulas Music Hall, Boesel Musical Arts Center,
49 Seminary St.
World Music Series – Arcomusical: A nonprofit dedicated to the artistic advancement of the Afro-Brazilian berimbau and related musical bows.
See www.arcomusical.com. Wednesday, March
29, 8 p.m., Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical
Arts Building, 96 Front St.
Monthly Berean Page 7
Berea honors World War II hero
William Takacs, who will turn 99 on March 2,
saw some intense fighting in World War II as the
driver of an M-3 tank in Italy and North Africa.
He was burned when a German tank opened fire
on his tank in North Africa. The M-3 was destroyed and Takacs was the sole survivor of the
four-man crew. In Italy, his crew got separated
from the rest of their unit but thwarted a German
advance by taking out the lead two Tiger tanks.
Takacs earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze
Stars. He also received the American Defense
Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal,
the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the
Honorable Service Lapel Button.
In January, he also received a special proclamation from Mayor Cyril Kleem to honor his wartime service with the Army’s 5th Battalion, 1st
Armored Division.
Takacs was drafted in 1941 and was discharged
as a technical sergeant in 1944.
His daughter, Cyndi Eicher said her father never
talked about the war.
“Growing up we never knew a thing,” she said.
But for the last 10 years, he has opened up, she
said. “He’s telling how it was.” The family also
found some old newspaper clippings from the
Cleveland Press.
Takacs served in several memorable tank battles
against the German Army’s Afrika Korps commanded by Gen. Erwin Rommel, “The Desert
Fox,” as he was known then. Takacs was tagged
by the History Channel to describe those experiences as part of its series on “Great Tank Battles
of World War II.” He appeared along with some
of the German soldiers
he fought against.
His family said he was
especially touched by
an Honor Flight visit to
Washington, D.C., to
visit the war memorials.
After the war, Takacs
returned to Cleveland
and worked as a metallurgist.
Takacs and wife, Margaret, who died in 1999, had
four children – Cyndi of Mentor, Carol Fouch of
Brooklyn Heights, Alan of Brook Park and Garry
of California.
Takacs is a client of Pathways Hospice, which
arranged for family and friends to come together
for the proclamation presentation. Mayor Kleem
declared Jan. 17 William Takacs Day in Berea.
In the proclamation, the Mayor said he wanted
to recognize Takacs “for his bravery and for his
invaluable service to our country.”
Takacs said he was overwhelmed “but very honored. Thank you.”
VETERANS BREAKFAST
9:30 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, March 25
Berea Recreation Center
Active Senior Network Room
Free breakfast for all military veterans
Catering donated by Southwest General
Hosted by Pathways Hospice
Co-sponsored by the City of Berea and
Berea Cares
Special guest appearance by former
Browns Offensive Lineman
Al Jenkins
Family members, Mayor Cyril Kleem and
representatives of the Berea Police and
Fire Departments honor World War II
veteran William Takacs.
Vietnam Vet Rev. Willie Springer will explain
the Friends of Veterans Program
& Veterans Support Programs offered
through Pathways
RSVP to Pathways, (440) 835-2220
Veterans’ Corner is a monthly listing of activities and resources for military veterans. Submit
items to [email protected].
Auto-Rama celebrates women
in the military
“100 Years of Women in the Military” is the
theme of the Summit Racing Equipment Piston-Powered Auto-Rama at the IX Center on
March 17-19. Women veterans are invited to take
part in a special march to the main stage at 3 p.m.
on March 18. Auto-Rama will provide a free
pass and free parking. The VA will have a booth
at the exhibit as will the Army, Air Force, Navy,
Coast Guard and Young Marines. There also will
be a special 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War. General admission is $15 for adults but
there is a military discount with a valid ID.
Lady vets who like free passes and parking permits can contact Jack Forster at jackforster11@
yahoo.com or call (440) 759-3732.
Bob Evans fundraiser benefits
American Legion
A community fundraiser at the Bob Evans restaurant, 3198 Center Road, Brunswick, on Wednesday, March 8 will benefit American Legion Post
234. The fundraiser will be all-day during restaurant hours – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bob Evans will donate 15 percent of sales when the fundraiser flier
is presented. Go to www.bobevans.com/BEkind.
Legal Aid Society offers free
advice for vets
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is hosting a
special clinic for military veterans from 2:30-4
p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Volunteer lawyers
will offer brief advice on civil matters. Bring
along any important and relevant documents.
The sessions are free. Call (216) 391-0264 for an
appointment. For more information, go to www.
lasclev.org.
Memphis Belle headed for home at Air
Force museum
The World War II B-17F Flying Fortress the
Memphis Belle will be on display next year at
the U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base near Dayton. The Belle is being
restored and should arrive in time for the 75th
anniversary of the plane’s 25th mission over Europe – May 17, 2018. The aircraft will be part of
an exhibit on World War II bombing missions.
Eventually the Belle will be moved to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in
Washington, D.C.
Oberlin looking for
information on WWII
The Oberlin Heritage Center is looking for information relating to Oberlin during World War
II. Two community programs about the war and
Oberlin’s role in it will be presented in the spring.
The center would like anecdotes, photos and any
other information. Call (440) 774-1700, visit
oberlinheritagecenter.org or email sjohnson3@
oberlin.net.
Monthly Berean Page 8
Spirit of Community banquet honors volunteers
Mayor Cyril Kleem and the City of Berea honored two groups and one community volunteer at
the 8th annual Spirit of Community awards banquet on Jan. 17.
The award singles out those individuals and
groups that go above and beyond by volunteering
and contributing to the community.
Receiving the awards were Maria Sater, Pathways Hospice and the Safe Passages drug interdiction program.
Sater is what Mayor Kleem calls “a quiet volunteer.”
“She’s at just about every event we have. Sometimes people who are quiet are overlooked and
taken for granted. We never want to do that,” the
mayor said.
Sater is active with Berea Business & Professional Women, Berea Cares and Berea Community Outreach. She also helps with a number of
Berea events, such as Harvest Fest and the Jack
Frost Festival.
“She loves working with the kids and the kids
love having her there,” the Mayor said.
Pathways Hospice is a special organization, the
mayor said, because it reaches out to the community and doesn’t expect anything back.
“They do things that often no one knows about,”
the Mayor said.
Its list of activities includes donating and putting
together Easter baskets for Berea Community
Outreach clients; donating raffle items for the annual Princess Party, which raises funds to fight
childhood cancer; assisting at the Active Senior
Network, donating bikes and turkeys to less fortunate families in the city; and reaching out to
the veterans. Pathways has hosted a special picnic and a movie night for vets. Its We Honor Veterans and Veterans to Veterans programs provide
special support for vets in hospice care.
David Noggle, CEO of Pathways Hospice,
founded the business three years ago. He said
many businesses are started “just to make a profit. We started this to give back to the community.
It’s part of the fabric of our organization.”
Safe Passages is an innovative drug interdiction program adopted by the Berea and Olmsted
Township police departments last year. It allows
addicts who seriously want to kick their habits to
come to the Berea or Olmsted Township police
departments for help. There they are connected to recovery programs and follow up support
groups for them and their families.
The program is being looked at as a model for
use elsewhere.
“Their focus is the hope they are bringing to in-
Columbia Gas to replace lines in
North End
Columbia Gas is replacing its natural gas lines
throughout the North End of the City.
Lines will be replaced along North Rocky River
Drive from Grayton north to Sheldon Road, and
along Grayton, The Mall, Riveredge Parkway,
Emerson, Longfellow, Wesley, Shakespeare,
Shelley and other smaller streets in the area.
Receiving the Spirit of Community Awards
for 2017 are community volunteer Maria
Sater, Pathways Hospice and Safe Passages.
dividuals and families,” Mayor Kleem said. The
award was presented to both the Berea and Olmsted Township police departments.
Many of the officers involved in the program
donate their time and sometimes cash to enable
addicts to travel to rehab centers.
“What they have done has gone above the call of
duty and the job responsibilities,” Mayor Kleem
said.
Heroin and opioid addictions are everywhere,
he said. Those affected range from 70-year-olds
to one victim who was in second grade. “That’s
how serious this is,” the Mayor said.
Berea Police Chief Joseph Grecol said Safe Passages is a response to past programs that have
proven they do not work. Previously, police followed the mantra of arrest, convict and jail addicts. “This insanity of trying the same thing over
again has gotten us nowhere,” Grecol said.
“Our desire is to help them so that they can return to their families and be a positive influence
for them and society,” he said. “We’re having an
effect.”
So far, 60 addicts have approached the Berea and
Township police stations for help.
Lt. Mark Adams of the Olmsted Township Police
Department said police had to step “out of their
comfort zone” to make Safe Passages work. Adams said it was about helping people. Sometimes
that isn’t easy, he said. Multiple phone calls and
contacts are necessary to find the proper help for
each addict. “I tell them, ‘Somewhere from A to
Z, I will find a place for you’,” he said.
“In my 23 years in law enforcement, this is most
heart-warming, most rewarding thing I have
done,” he said.
The Spirit of Community Banquet was at the
Garrity Center of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Catering was by Union Depot Taverne. The Invocation was offered by the Rev. Willie Springer
of Pathways Hospice and the closing prayer was
by the Rev. D.T. Warren of Mount Zion Baptist
Church.
City Engineer Tony Armagno said around 4
miles of gas lines will be replaced. The project
will probably take until the end of the year to
complete.
Residents have been notified.
Columbia said it would mark the area with stakes
and flags. The main lines will be replaced in
the tree lawn or right of way. Service lines running from the main line to houses also will be
replaced. Indoor gas meters will be relocated to
the outside. Any damage to sidewalks, lawns or
driveways will be repaired.
The City has plans to upgrade the sanitary sewer
system in the North End and North Rocky River
Drive will be repaved. Armagno said the City is
working with Columbia to coordinate these projects.
According to Columbia Gas, the current gas
lines are aging. They are made of cast iron and
steel and will be replaced by specially designed
long-lasting pipes. Homeowners and businesses
will not be charged extra for this project.
Last year, Columbia replaced gas lines along
Prospect and Fair and nearby side streets.
For more information and an interactive map of
the area, customers can visit www.columbiagasohio.com/replacement or call (440) 242-7653.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
SUNDAY, MARCH 12
Move clocks AHEAD one hour
Also, check batteries
in smoke detectors
Berea Baseball Association
Annual Reverse Raffle
6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
Arts & Crafts Building
Tickets - $40
Sideboards – 50/50 – Basket Raffle – Dinner
Dinner Only - $10
For more information, call (216) 832-3643
Monthly Berean Page 9
MEET YOUR POLICE OFFICERS
This new monthly feature will introduce you to
Berea’s police officers. They come from various
backgrounds and had to take several written
tests, pass physical exams and interviews before taking the Oath of Office to join the Berea
Police Department. They are graduates of the
Ohio Peace Officer Academy or other police
training academies. Once they obtained their
Peace Officer Certifications, they trained with
a Field Officer for 18 months. The Officers you
will meet worked hard to get this opportunity to
serve you. They continue to work every day to
deserve the honor and responsibility you have
given them.
He received the promotion to sergeant in the
desert before the offensive. The promotion order
stayed in his flak jacket pocket until he returned
to the States and is stained black from the smoke
of the oil fields. He still wanted to be a police officer. The Hedingers moved to Maryland. Joe worked for the
State Department and Jennifer was an elementary school teacher. In the meantime, a Marine
buddy from Parma sent Joe an application for the
Berea Police Department. Hedinger was sworn
in on March 28, 1993, and was sent to the Police
Academy in London, Ohio, for training.
Lt. Joe Hedinger
Joe Hedinger grew up on a farm outside the small
town of Paullina, Iowa, with three younger brothers and an older sister. As a youth, he worked the
farm and in local restaurants and a meat packing
plant. But he always knew he wanted to be a police officer.
After graduating from high school in 1985,
he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was
trained as an infantryman. He was selected for
Presidential Guard Duty and served for a year at
Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington, D.C.
After receiving a Top Secret security clearance,
he was stationed at Camp David, Md., providing
security for Presidents Reagan and Bush. It was
during this time he met his wife, Jennifer, a native of Maryland.
In 1989, Hedinger was transferred to the First
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and
was deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS
Cleveland. His unit marched to the top of Mount
Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. Shortly after
returning to Pendleton, Hedinger’s unit received
orders to take part in Desert Shield/Desert Storm
in Kuwait. He and Jennifer were married in October. They spent two days together and he returned to California for training and deployment
to the Middle East in December. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1992
as a sergeant.
Since joining the department, Hedinger has
served as a patrolman, detective, sergeant and
now lieutenant. He and Jennifer have two daughters.
Lt. Hedinger is honored to have the opportunity
to serve the residents of Berea and proud to work
with the dedicated men and women of the City of
Berea and the Berea Police Department.
BEREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Old World Pasta & Meatball Dinner
5-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 25
Garrity Center, St. Mary Catholic
Church
250 Kraft St.
Catered by Santo’s Restaurant
Rigatoni – Meatballs – Salad – Garlic Bread
Beverages – Homemade Desserts
Auction items – 50/50 Raffle – Music –
Face-Painting
Tickets, $12 adults; $6 children 6-10
Available at the Historical Society
118 Bridge St.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays
OR
Call (215) 872-9725
Deadline is March 3 for Grindstone
Award nominations
The Berea Chamber of Commerce is seeking
nominations for its annual Grindstone Award to
an outstanding citizen as well as nominations for
the Courtesy Award.
Nominations for the 50th annual Grindstone
Award should include the following criteria:
•Nominees should be cited for activities outside of their employment.
•The award will recognize accomplishments or
overall community service.
•The award will be determined primarily
on services and benefits rendered to other
people or for other objectives over and
beyond excellence in a profession, business or
enterprise and extended over a period of two
or more years.
•The candidate must actively participate in
several community-oriented projects that are
beneficial to the community as a whole.
•Emphasis will be placed on accomplishments
within the past few years.
•Consideration will take into account what the
individual has done to make our community a
better place.
•Residency in Berea is not necessary but should
be given serious consideration.
•The award is not awarded posthumously and
the recipient must not have received the award
previously.
For a complete list of criteria, go to www.
bereaohio.com.
The Courtesy Award recognizes those who go
above and beyond to serve customers or the
public. There are three categories:
•Employees of for-profit businesses or
organizations.
•Employees of non-profits.
•Employees of government organizations.
Nominees must work for an organization within
the City of Berea but need not be a Berea resident. Previous Grindstone Award winners are not
eligible for the Courtesy Award.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone who
has been positively impacted by the nominee including employers, supervisors, co-workers, customers, students or the general public.
Nominations for both the Courtesy Award and
the Grindstone Award are due by Friday, March
3. Forms can be found on the Chamber Web site,
by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling Megan Baechle, the Chamber executive director, at (440) 243-8415. Submit nominations
by e-mail or to:
Berea Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 774
Berea, OH 44017
Forms also are available on the web site for sponsors and businesses that would like to advertise.
Monthly Berean Five Million Steps: Thru-Hiking the
Appalachian Trail
Experience the scenic beauty and challenging
adventure of author Robert Grau as you hear his
unique story and see photos of his 2,181-mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Signed copies
of his book will be available, with 100 per cent
of the proceeds to benefit the Christian Appalachian Project, a 501c(3) charity that aids destitute
people living in Appalachia. 7 p.m., Thursday,
March 9.
Reservations are requested for all programs
except weekly children’s story times. Visit
cuyahogalibrary.org or call (440) 234-5475.
Other programs at the Berea Branch during
March are:
For Adults
Pepper’s Back! – Meet Author Casey Daniels:
Join author Casey Daniels at our local library
Speakeasy to celebrate the return of Pepper Martin in the newest series title featuring both Al Capone and Eliot Ness. 2 p.m., Saturday, March 4.
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: Books
are available at the branch one month prior to
the discussion date. In March, we will be reading “Before the Fall” by Noah Hawley. 7 p.m.,
Thursday, March 9.
Music Memory: Exercise your brain. Participants will engage in a game of music bingo
where you’ll listen to a song clip from the past
and then find the song title randomly placed on a
bingo card. Sing along with song clips from the
40s, 50s and 60s including songs such as “I’ve
Been Working on the Railroad”, “Take Me Out
to the Ballgame”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and
many more. 2 p.m., Saturday, March 11.
At the Library
Drop In and Download: Learn how to borrow
free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, movies
and music from our digital collection anytime,
anywhere. Bring your devices and passwords and
the staff will get you started. The digital collection is available 24/7, 365 days a year and there
are never any late fees. 1:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15; 5:45-8:45 p.m., Thursday, March
23.
Coloring Club!: Experience the latest trend in
relaxation! We'll provide coloring pages from
books designed especially for adults as well as
colored pencils, markers and crayons. 6 p.m.,
Monday, March 20.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion: Join us
for a special discussion of “The Lake House,” by
Kate Morton. Copies of the book will be available at the check-out desk one month before the
discussion. 2 p.m., Monday, March 20.
Everyday Life Trivia: Join the fun and spark
your memory on topics common to life in America in the 1930s, 1940 and 1950s. Many of the
questions will bring back images of familiar people, places, and events that will encourage reminiscing while engaging in a friendly competition.
7 p.m., Wednesday, March 22.
Creative Gardening in Containers: Big yards,
small yards, no yards, learn how to garden creatively in containers. There is no limit to what
you can grow: perennials, annuals, vegetables,
or herbs. Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County
will share with you what you need to know to
get started and successfully garden in containers
through the seasons. 7 p.m., Thursday, March 23.
For Teens
Story Behind the Stories: This is a three-week
series to explore the true tales that shaped some
of our most famous and beloved books. Melanie
Deutsch will reveal the lives, loves, tragedies,
motivations and quirky facts behind the stories.
Week 1: L. Frank Baum; Week 2: Agatha Christie; Week 3: A.A. Milne & Dr. Seuss. 2 p.m.,
Tuesdays, March 14, March 21, March 28.
3-D Design for Teens: Explore hands-on digital
creation as you create your own design using 3-D
modeling program, Tinkercad! Your item will be
printed on Cuyahoga County Public Library's
3-D printer and will be available for pick-up
later. A valid email address and basic computer
skills are required. For grades 6-12. 6:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 14.
3-D Design for Adults: Explore hands-on digital
creation as you create your own design using 3-D
modeling program, Tinkercad! Your item will be
printed on Cuyahoga County Public Library's
3-D printer and will be available for pick-up
later. A valid email address and basic computer
skills are required. 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 15.
Tag Tuesday: Teen Activity Group Tuesday
meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Each
session features a different activity - crafts,
games, service, etc. Light refreshments provided.
A parent/guardian must sign a release form before the program. Registration is requested. This
program is for students in grades 6-12. 7 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 21.
Page 10
For Kids
K-2 Build and Do: Students in kindergarten
through Grade 2 learn through the fun of doing.
Each session will introduce a new challenge and
kids will build and create solutions using Lego
blocks and a variety of materials. Registration required. 2 p.m., Saturday, March 4.
Tween Time Tuesday: For students in grades
4-6. A different activity each month. Light refreshments are provided. Parent/guardian must
sign a release. Registration is required. 7 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 7.
Movement and Music: A high energy session of
music and movement using shakers, bean bags,
scarves and more. Register each child separately. Ages 1-5 with caregiver. 3:30 p.m., Monday,
March 13 OR 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14.
Young Explorers – Mo Willems: Students and
caregivers are invited to learn about the author
Mo Willems, hear some hilarious stories and do
some hands-on activities and crafts.
Registration is required and parent/guardian
must sign the Release and Hold Harmless form
prior to the program. The form can be found at
cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. For students
in kindergarten through Grade 5 and homeschool families. 7 p.m., Thursday, March 16 OR
10 a.m., Friday, March 17.
Pinkalicious the Musical: Presented by Brecksville Theater on the Square, this is the tale of
Pinkalicious, who can't stop eating pink cupcakes! Based on the book by Victoria Kann and
Elizabeth Kann, "Pinkalicious the Musical" is
about learning the power of self-control and the
importance of moderation. PLEASE NOTE:
Registration is required for all attending - children and caregivers. Participants may be recorded and/or surveyed to capture the program's effectiveness. Learn more about parent options at
cuyahogalibrary.org/parent-options. 2 p.m., Saturday, April 1.
Weekly Children’s Storytimes run throughout the month. Call (440) 234-5475 or visit
www.cuyahogalibrary.org for specific times and
ages. Programs are available for children birth
through age 5 as well as children of school age.
Registration is not required.
What Programs would YOU like to attend? Stop in to let us know. Fill out a very brief
survey at the library or online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCPLprogramsurvey. Copies
of the survey are also available at the Berea
Recreation Center display area.
Monthly Berean Page 11
Two residents graduate as Master Recyclers
Tami Egan and Alicia Hoskinson of Berea have
spent the past year immersed – academically – in
trash and how to recycle it.
They were two of eight Greater Cleveland residents who graduated in January from the Master
Recycler program sponsored by the Cuyahoga
County Solid Waste District. They are the first
Bereans to earn the Master Recycler title.
“We learned a lot,” Hoskinson said.
“The more we learned, the more we wanted to
learn,” Egan added.
Training involved classroom work plus field trips
to such places as the Republic Services Recycling
Facility, Kurtz Brothers and RET 3, which recycles electronics, and 20 hours of volunteer work
at local events. Egan and Hoskinson volunteered
at Earth Fest. This is the third session of the Master Recycling program. It began in the fall of
2015 and lasted nine weeks although participants
had a year to complete all the requirements.
“It was great to see the process of how items are
sorted for recycling,” Hoskinson said. For example, at the Republic Waste facility they learned
now shredded paper and small plastic objects fall
through the cracks and how shredded paper clogs
up the gears on the machinery.
Both said their enthusiasm for recycling and
helping to preserve the environment has transferred to friends and family.
Egan, who works at Hyland Software, said she
began a recycling program there and is teaching
the principles of recycling to kids in the day care
program. Her fiancé also is bringing recycling to
his workplace.
“Once you get into the habit, it’s easy,” she said.
Egan even threw herself a Zero Waste graduation
party. She said guests were amazed that nothing
was thrown away. They used cloth napkins and
reusable plates and utensils. Leftover food was
composted.
Hoskinson has her family on board too. “My parents do a lot already,” she said.
Now the two want to share their message. They
met and became friends through the Master Recycler program and plan to form a partnership to
help others learn more about ways to recycle.
They want to focus on composting. Many condominium associations and apartments have no
composting options, they said.
“We want to educate and assist people,” Hoskinson said.
Recycling is more than tossing plastics and paper
into the green recycling bins on Fridays. It’s using cloth bags when shopping or forgoing those
bottles of gourmet water and instead using a reusable water bottle when exercising.
“It’s cool to see how much can be recycled,” said
Recycling Tip of the Month
Plastics marked #1 through #7 can be recycled. Check the bottom of the container. Not
all plastic tableware (plates, cups, utensils) is
recyclable.
Caring for seniors is focus
of Berea Cares meeting
Tami Egan, left, and Alicia Hoskinson are
Master Recyclers.
Egan, who has a degree in environmental studies
from Cleveland State University.
The fourth class of Master Recyclers is under
way now. A fifth class will begin in the fall.
For more information, visit http://cuyahogarecycles.org/master_recycler_program or contact
Kathleen Rocco at (216) 443-3731 or krocco@
cuyahogacounty.us.
Bulk Trash Collection
Friday, March 24
Bulk trash includes large items such as furniture, appliances, carpeting & any large objects
that will not fit into the regular blue trash container.
Doors must be removed from refrigerators and
placed next to the refrigerator at curbside. If the
refrigerator contains Freon, a special pickup
should be scheduled.
Questions: Call Republic Services, (800) 4331309
RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15
Berea-Midpark High School
165 E. Bagley Road
Rooms 155 & 156
•
Learn about rain barrels, water usage,
conservation & runoff
•
Learn how to reduce the runoff utility fee
using rain barrels
•
Learn how to install rain barrel hardware
•
Pick up pre-ordered rain barrels
•
Cost $50 includes rain barrel, customized
paint job & hardware
Conducted by the AP Environmental Science
class
Contact Mary Draves, mdraves@bereaschools.
org
Two representatives of Cuyahoga County’s Division of Senior and Adult Services spoke to members of the Berea Cares committee in January.
Sharon A. Johnson, nursing director and a resident of Berea, and Lauren Forbes, a DSAS supervisor, told the committee about the wide range of
services the county can offer seniors.
Berea Cares is a collaboration among Berea
Community Outreach, area churches, schools
and civic organizations to bring needed services
to youth, seniors, veterans and the disabled. The
committee meets monthly.
“We can offer many services at a lower rate than
(some private businesses) and can offer adult
protection services,” Johnson said. That can include investigating concerns about abuse and neglect and providing a social worker and a nurse
to evaluate a senior for possible extra care.
“More people are aging in place,” Johnson said,
“but they may need some help.”
Forbes said anyone with concerns about an elderly relative or neighbor can make a referral
on www.onecuyahoga.com or call the hot line at
(216) 420-6700.
“People should be aware of what their benefits
are,” Forbes said. There are 88,000 seniors in
Cuyahoga County eligible for Division of Senior
and Adult Services. The fees are income-based.
Johnson said services include home support, light
housekeeping, emergency alert buttons and grab
bars, for example. DSAS also offers free income
tax preparation services and free legal advice at
various locations in Greater Cleveland. DSAS
also schedules a free movie day at the Cleveland
Playhouse.
Adults 55 and older can sign up for a web-based
Benefits Checkup at www.benefitscheckup.org/
link/cuyahoga. Benefits Checkup screenings
are also available at senior centers, including
Strongsville – (440) 580-3275.
By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be age 65 or
older, Forbes said. “Many will feel isolated and
alienated.” Agencies like DSAS are preparing
“to get on board to offer services that will be effective.”
DSAS also provides services to disabled adults
18-59.
For more information, go to www.dsas.
cuyahogacounty.us or call (216) 420-6750. The
DSAS office is at 13815 Kinsman Road, Cleveland.
Delinquent water, sewer
charges due by June 30
The Berea Water Billing Department reminds
homeowners that all delinquent water and sewer
charges are due by June 30. Unpaid bills will be
assessed to 2018 property taxes. This includes all
invoices with services through April 30.
Once the amounts are certified, a penalty of 20
percent and an interest rate of 18 percent will be
added to the unpaid balance. Cuyahoga County
will add an administrative fee of up to 2 percent.
The total will be reflected on property tax bills.
Partial payments are accepted year-round but the
unpaid balance must be paid by June 30.
Payment options include:
• Mail a check to City of Berea, P.O. Box 64456,
Cincinnati, OH 45264. Include the remittance
stub or write the account number on the check.
• Place checks in the drop box at City Hall.
• Pay at the Building Department counter in the
basement of City Hall, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday – Friday. A kiosk is available for credit card
payments but there is a charge of $2.95 for this
service.
• Pay online through a bank. Please note that it
may take the bank up to 2 weeks to submit the
payment to the City of Berea.
For more information, call (440) 891-3308 from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Upcoming Community Events
City of Berea
11 Berea Commons
Berea, Ohio 44017
March 3: World Day of Prayer. 9:30 a.m.
continental breakfast, $3; followed by program
at United Methodist Church of Berea, 170 Seminary St.; (440) 234-5985; sponsored by the
Southwest Church Women United.
March 4-10: Spring Break. Baldwin Wallace University.
March 5: Harlem Wizards vs. Average
Joes. 3 p.m., Berea-Midpark High School. Bas-
ketball game to benefit Grindstone PTA and All
Pro Dad. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the
door. [email protected], (216) 3098354.
March 9: The Education Foundation Auction. 6:45 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7230 Engle
Road, Middleburg Heights. Tickets, $45 per person. Proceeds benefit The Education Foundation
of the Berea Schools.
March 12: Daylight Saving Time Begins. Turn clocks ahead one hour.
March 15: Rain Barrel Workshop. 7-8:30
p.m., Berea-Midpark High School, Rooms 155
&156. Cost $50. Conducted by the AP Environmental Science class.
March 16: Red Cross Blood Drive. 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m., Berea Branch Library. Sponsored by
Berea Kiwanis. For an appointment, go to www.
redcrossblood.org or call (800) RED-CROSS or
(800) 733-2767.
March 16: Berea Republican Club, 7 p.m.,
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. PAID
BEREA, OH
PERMIT #333
ECRWSS
POSTAL PATRON
Phone: (440) 826-5800
www.cityofberea.org
March 20: First Day of Spring.
March 23: Southwest Republican Women’s Club. 11:30 a.m., Colony Room, BW’s
Strosacker Hall, 120 E. Grand St. Speaker is
Berea Police Sgt. Patrick Greenhill of the Community Engagement Unit. Call (440) 234-5985
for more information or for reservations.
March 24: Bulk Trash Pickup Day.
March 27-31: Spring Break. Berea City
School District.
March 25: Old World Pasta & Meatball
Dinner, 5-7:30 p.m., Garrity Center of St. Mary
Catholic Church, 250 Kraft St.; to benefit the
Berea Historical Society; tickets, $12 adults, $6
children 6-10.
March 29: Polaris – Cuyahoga County Career Fair. 9 a.m. to Noon, Polaris Ca-
reer Center, 7285 Old Oak Blvd., Middleburg
Heights.
March 29: Free Community Meal. 6 p.m.,
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road.
The community meal is served on the last
Wednesday of every month and is sponsored by
the Berea Ministers Association.
Berea Branch Library. For more information,
[email protected] or (440) 532-3442.
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day.
March 17: Berea City School District. No
School, Teacher Work Day.
March 18: Berea Cares. 9:30 a.m., Christ
United Church, 23114 West Road.
Free Tax Clinics
Baldwin Wallace University: 9 a.m., Sundays,
March 12, March 19 and March 26. Main lobby,
Kamm Hall, 191 E. Center St. Services offered
on a first-come, first-served basis. For details
and document requirements, visit www.bw.edu/
centers/tax-clinic/ or call Lynn Schulte at (440)
826-8140.
Division of Senior & Adult Services: Sponsored
by Cuyahoga County. Locations at DSAS, 13815
Kinsman Road, Cleveland, Community Room;
and Westshore Neighborhood Family Service
Center, 9830 Lorain Ave., Cleveland. Call 211
for an appointment.
Fire Department welcomes
new ambulance
The Berea Division of Fire has a new rescue squad – an Excellance ambulance on
a Freightliner medium duty chassis. It was
built with patient and firefighter/paramedic
needs in mind with input from the Service
Department. It is well-illuminated, has extra
storage, air brakes and a Cummins engine.
The Liquid Spring suspension will ensure a
more comfortable patient ride. The Stryker
Load cot system reduces strain on paramedics. The Excellance replaces a 15-year-old
International/Horton squad that was traded
in to the dealer.