The Collinwood Observer

Tradition continues: Entire class college-bound

Emily Robinson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:13:46 EDT

Janae Potts, Jordan Walker and Matt Bergant, all members of the National Honor Society, pose for a picture before VASJ�s twentythird
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For the second year in a row, 100 percent of VASJ’s graduating seniors are heading to college. In addition to this amazing accomplishment, the Class of 2013 earned over $3.4 million in college scholarships!

During the Baccalaureate service held on Friday, May 24, VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69 provided the opening remarks and addressed the graduates.

"In your time among us, the Class of 2013 has shown itself to be a class with class," Osborne said.

"Academically, spiritually and athletically, you are champions in every sense of the word."

The twenty-third annual commencement ceremony was held on Sunday, May 26, at Ss. Robert and William Church and the graduates couldn’t have asked for better weather on their special day.

Valedictorian Julia Humensky, Salutatorian Domenic Nicholas, Jazmine Dowdley and Jasmine Ross were elected by their class to serve as the senior speakers at graduation.

Duane Gibson named PD Player of the Year

Emily Robinson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:11:48 EDT

Duane Gibson �13 averaged 11.9 points per game for the boys basketball team.

Duane Gibson Jr. ’13, VASJ’s point guard who helped lead the team to its fifth basketball state championship in March, was named the Plain Dealer’s Boys Basketball Player of the year for 2013.

Gibson, who also represented the school in the North-South All Star game played in Columbus in April, will go on to play Division I basketball at the University of Evansville.

Gibson, as well as his senior teammates Patrick Mastalski and Demonte Flannigan, proved to be a great leader for the team, both on and off the court. He attributes this success to his coach.

"Coach thought I had potential to be a leader," Gibson said of Vikings basketball coach Babe Kwasniak ’94. "He just wanted me to bring it out in myself."

Other team members from VASJ to receive special mention were sophomores Carlton Bragg and Brian Parker, and senior Demonte Flannigan, who will go on to play Division I basketball at Cleveland State.

Viking Views

Richard Osborne — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:12:54 EDT

At the Baccalaureate ceremonies for the Class of 2013, I was struck by thoughts of the thousands of assemblies, games and other functions that have taken place in the same very gym since our building was built in 1950.

I told the graduates that as they joined the ranks of our alumni, they now shared a special bond not only with their classmates but all of us who are graduates of Villa Angela Academy, St. Joseph High School and VASJ.

From this point forward, we are members of one family. And the Viking Village will always be our home.

Scanning the gym, I saw myself as a student at dances, assemblies, basketball games and school plays. I saw memorable teachers such as Tim Robertson, Joe Farrell, Joe Radican, Jack Veasey, Frank Macuga, Gene Oberst, Mike O’Grady and so many others as they enjoyed the functions as much as we did.

I thought of rallies and games where legendary coaches such as Bill Gutbrod, Bernie Guilfoyle, Jim McDonough, Tedd Kwasniak, Bob Straub and Mike Moran shouted encouragement and made our spirits soar. Longtime coach John Storey still does that for us at football games.

Ursuline president addresses students

Emily Robinson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:13:23 EDT

Sr. Susan Durkin, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, visits with some of VASJ�s students during her visit to the school on May 9.

VASJ was fortunate to have Sr. Susan Durkin, OSU, the President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, visit the school on May 9 to speak to the students.

In her address to an all-school assembly, Sr. Susan brought to life the Ursuline charisms that VASJ students learn about all year long.

Sr. Joan Petersen, OSU, led the school in prayer before introducing Sr. Susan Durkin, who was elected President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 2012.

"Sr. Susan has been blessed with a unique gift," Sr. Joan said. "Her ability to relate to people of all ages and all backgrounds is outstanding."

"You are our legacy," Sr. Susan said. "You are our champions as Ursulines and Marianists."

Students honor vets

Emily Robinson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:12:14 EDT

VASJ students, along with math teacher Mr. Gary Minadeo �74, spent the day decorating veterans� graves with flags at All Souls Cemetery for Memorial Day.

A group of VASJ students have once again honored local veterans for Memorial Day by decorating graves with American flags at All Souls Cemetery.

VASJ math teacher Gary Minadeo ’74, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, has been taking a group of students to All Souls for the last few years for this worthy tradition.

Artists in Residence Grants Are Here

Nan Kennedy — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:48:38 EDT

Welcome to the Artists in Residence grants program, brought to you by Northeast Shores and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture. Through this exciting new program, we're giving artists who live and work in North Shore Collinwood an opportunity to propose creative solutions to some of the issues the community cares about the most.

The grant program is made possible through the generous support of Leveraging Investments in Creativity, The Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, ArtPlace, Educational Foundation of America and Charter One Growing Communities. The members of the panel that made the final grant recommendations were neighborhood residents Andrea Hinton, Charlotte Iafeliece and Brian Licht, assisted by Vince Reddy of LAND Studio, and Nelson Beckford of The Cleveland Foundation.

Here is one of the projects, we will feature more next time: AMY CALLAHAN'S STREET ART PROJECT This project imagines the walls, the alley ways, and all the nooks and crannies of the Waterloo Arts District as a canvas for a variety of skilled artists to create distinctive art work. This project embraces the street art movement which has been minimally represented in Cleveland, but is sweeping like wildfire across other parts of the world and transforming cities into outdoor museums. A half dozen murals will be created simultaneously as well as smaller scale temporary and permanent installations that will happen in alleyways, on sidewalks and other structures throughout the street. The installations and murals will be created/installed the week prior to the Waterloo Arts Fest. A walking map, providing information about the various artists and guiding visitors to the different pieces, will be given out at the festival. After the event the permanent pieces of artwork will remain as a proclamation that Waterloo is a vibrant arts district.

Holy Redeemer celebrates 89th Feast of St. Anthony June 8th & 9th

William McCulloch — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:24:36 EDT

Feast of St. Anthony Sunday Procession

Since Holy Redeemer Church’s founding in June 1924, the honoring of St. Anthony has played an integral part in the life of the parish. The annual Tredicina, or 13 days of prayer begins Saturday, June 1st and concludes Thursday, June 13th coinciding with the day of St. Anthony's death in Padua Italy in 1231.

For each Mass the church will host a different visiting clergy member who will expound on St. Anthony and the virtues and relevance of his message today. Patron Saint of the poor and oppressed, St. Anthony is also well-known as that of lost articles. Father Marty Polito, a Euclid native and Pastor of Holy Redeemer since 1996, adds that it is not just for lost things but for people who may have lost either faith, hope, and/or love. That this is an occasion for prayer for things needed to be found in one’s life and a time of self-renewal.

The Feast celebration itself will start Saturday June 8th at 5:00pm and is held in the school gymnasium and outside in the courtyard between the church till 10:00 pm. There will be concession stands featuring Italian food favorites, with musical entertainment along with games of chance and various raffles for dozens of different donated gift baskets, a Summer in the City package including Cedar Point and Cleveland Indian tickets, and for cash payouts totaling $5000.

Susan Dymanski and Bob Slusser, New Proprietors of the Euclid Garden Center

Susan Brandt — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:23:18 EDT

Susan Dymanski and Bob Slusser, proprietors at the Euclid Garden Center on E. 185th Street.

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May 8th marked the reopening of the Euclid Garden Center.

Bob Slusser is a client at the business I run and when he informed us of the Euclid Garden Center reopening, I, of course took notice, and waited with anticipation. So many people in and around the E. 185th street area are very familiar with the Euclid Garden Center, and were somewhat dismayed that they had closed their doors a few seasons ago.

Susan Dymanski was born and raised in Euclid, attended Euclid High School. Her passion for growing things and plants motivated her to reopen the Garden Center. Euclid Garden Center has available, currently, vegtables, plants, annuals, herbs. Hanging Plants, a few shrubs, weeping cherries, insect repellent, lawn care supplies, plant food, pots, gardening tools and a few odds and ends. Future plans includes a greenhouse which would make them more self-sufficient.

The Euclid Garden Center is located at 685 E. 185th Street, in Euclid. They are open 7 days a week from 8am til 6 pm. I would encourage you to stop in for a spell, you may find something your garden is craving.

We sat down with Susan for a few questions:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

If at the end of the day my customers are happy then I am happy.

What is your greatest achievment?

My two daughters, Bridget and Denise.

MAKE it a Great Summer! at Collinwood Library

Natasha Wells — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:03:03 EDT

Join our Summer Reading Club, programs and extended learning activities! June 10 - August 2 preschool through teenage kids can register for Summer Reading Club at http://readingclub.cpl.org or by visiting their local branch of the Cleveland Public Library. Free lunch will be served Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Make Some Noise! This is your chance to make some noise in the library! Make your own awesome noisemakers and musical instruments out of everyday materials. Tue, June 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Make Things Move! Put on your hard hat and get your inner engineer in gear! Build your own balloon rocket and a balloon-powered rocket car. Put them to the test to see who’s got the fastest vehicles around! Tue, June 18 at 1:30 p.m.

Zip! Zoom! Create the fastest paper airplane ever!Thursday, June 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Make Memories! Make your own mini memory book to save and share your summer fun. Tue, June 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Make a Mess! Get ready to get gooey! We're using kitchen-table chemistry to make slime and a hi-bounce ball out of everyday ingredients.Tuesday, July 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Mmmmm….. Help create and enjoy a 4th of July dessert. Yum! Wednesday, July 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Condolences to Councilman Polensek

Betsy Voinovich — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:10:37 EDT

As most Collinwood Observer readers know, Councilman Polensek usually has a column in this space, keeping everybody up on the latest issues, warnings, celebrations, news going on in Ward 11. This past week, I learned that he wouldn't be able to attend the community meeting for Collinwood High School because he was at his mother's bedside, and a day later Mary Louise Jesek-Daley, his aide, shared the news of his mother's passing.

CMSD unveils new website to better inform community

CMSD Communications — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:45:28 EDT

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has launched a new website that will be the doorway for students, parents, teachers, employees, clergy, stakeholders, partners and everybody else in the community to explore all the new initiatives that will grow out of The Cleveland Plan.

And just as the transformation plan is cutting-edge, so is the District’s new website.

While the palette of colors remains unchanged, not much else has. The website sports a different name: ClevelandMetroSchools.org. The site comes with a more contemporary look, packed with new features -- all designed to make navigating the website friendlier for users.

Hey, Hey, Hey!

Tonya Broach — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:42:07 EDT

This summer is going to be busy! From the implementation of art projects and events to the new Streetscape work beginning on Waterloo Road, North Collinwood is alive and buzzing with excitement! Prepare to be a witness and watch the transformation take place. You can learn about some of the projects by checking out the latest installment of featured Facebook pages listed below. As always, please feel free to visit, read about their wonderful services and click on the like button.

Callaloo Café and Bar Located inside of Arts Collinwod in the historic Waterloo Arts District, this Cafe specializes in dishes from Trinidad and Tobago, along with other world cuisines www.facebook.com/TheCallalooCafeAndBar?fref=ts

Euclid Beach Blast Euclid Beach Blast will challenge artists and community members to explore, reimagine, create, share and dream Euclid Beach Park’s past, present and future www.facebook.com/euclidbeachblast?fref=ts

Project Pop-up Galleries Hosts temporary art exhibits by utilizing vacant or underused residential and commercial properties. This project intends to increase awareness of available housing and business opportunities and to explore creative ways that vacancy can serve as an asset to the community. www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Pop-up-Galleries-in-Collinwood-Ohio/151183174929827?ref=ts&fref=ts

Waterloo Arts Fest Now in its 11th year, the Waterloo Arts Fest continues to grow into one of Cleveland’s most eclectic and vibrant street festivals with a strong emphasis on art and music. The Waterloo Arts Fest takes place every year on the last Saturday in June! www.facebook.com/WaterlooArtsFest?fref=ts

Zoetic Walls The finest street artists from around the world are bringing the walls of the Waterloo District to life. www.facebook.com/ZoeticWallsCleveland?fref=ts

Be sure to stay tuned for next month’s exciting lineup!

Ernie's Premium Coffee & Donuts

David Hirsh — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:41:31 EDT

Driving down E. 200th street, you may have noticed a new shop has recently opened its doors just across the street from The Home Depot. That new shop is Ernie’s Premium Coffee & Donuts and is located at 858 East 200th Street. It is now open six days a week Monday through Saturday from 6am to 1:30pm Ernie’s offers a wide selection of doughnuts, bagels, premium coffee and other assorted beverages. Ernie’s also is spicing up the ordinary bagel with their “bagelwich”, or bagel sandwich. The menu will offer half a dozen of these tasty sandwiches as well as hotdogs and more traditional breakfast sandwiches. Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, Ernie’s retro restaurant offers a fun atmosphere to enjoy a meal. Also offering take out, patrons have the option of calling ahead and picking food up. The owner decided to locate the shop in the district because he wanted to make an investment in the neighborhood and help it to grow. Ernie’s Premium Coffee & Donuts, with its local ownership and homey feel make it an excellent addition to North Collinwood.

CEO Eric Gordon & Board Chair Denise Link express gratitude for CTU contract approval

CMSD Communications — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:43:15 EDT

Upon learning that members of the Cleveland Teachers overwhelming approved a new 3-year contract with the Board of Education, Board Chair Denise Link expressed her gratitude to both sides for reaching a ground-breaking agreement prior to the end of the school year.

"This agreement will play a significant role in transforming Cleveland's schools and building on the culture of collaboration that has been so essential to our progress this year," said Link.

The tentative agreement, came after months of contract talks using Interest Based Bargaining, the assistance of federal mediation services and a Fact Finder. Both sides were committed to reaching a negotiated settlement prior to the end of the 2012-2013 school year, said CEO Eric Gordon.

“The negotiating process and the outcome of these talks are a testament to the culture change that is already taking place in the District," said Gordon. "Reaching agreement in our contract negotiations before the end of the school year means that all of us can put our focus on where it needs to be--on fully implementing the Cleveland Plan."

O.H. Perry celebrates bike safety with style: A bicycle only works, when it is safety first!

Janna Jackson — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:08:01 EDT

O.H. Perry students welcomed Senator and Mrs. Voinovich for their Bicycle Helmet Safety Program.

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On May 9, 2013, O.H. Perry students attended a Bicycle Helmet Safety Program. Fifth and sixth grade Major Work students from Mrs. Brunecz’s class put on a play for the program. Students entertained and informed the audience about bicycle safety. The play ended with a catchy rap that excited the students.

Senator Voinovich gave a speech about how important bicycle safety is. He told a story about how a helmet saved his wife’s life. The Senator also talked about a time when he was riding his bike in a parade. Everyone was yelling at him saying “Where is your helmet?” and “Wear your helmet.”

At the end of the program the representatives from the AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics said how important it was to wear a helmet. When they showed us how to wear a helmet, Nasir Jones, 6th grade Major Work student, was called up to model how you should and should not wear a helmet. At the end of the program every student who attended received a free helmet.

I learned that about 300,000 kids go to the hospital a year just for head injuries. I also learned that if you don’t wear your helmet you could die.

This was a great program for students to learn more about bicycle safety. I hope the message lasts for a long time.

Janna Jackson is in the 5th Grade at OH Perry.

Nan's Notes - June 2013

Nan Kennedy — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:02:27 EDT

AT ARTS COLLINWOOD: CALL FOR ARTISTS ARTS COLLINWOOD ANNUAL MEMBERS' SHOW June 7-29 Enter Arts Collinwood’s annual show and have your work seen by thousands – during the Waterloo Fest. Opening reception Friday, June 7th, 6PM-9PM (during the Walk All Over Waterloo) with live music, appetizers and refreshments, plus a chance to tour Arts Collinwood and see what we have been up to this year. All disciplines are eligible to submit up to three (3) pieces of work. Not a member yet? Join any time before June 4th, memberships are only $10; call 216-692-9500. Call Arts Collinwood at 216-692-9500 with any questions or email Ivana at I.medukic@artscollinwood.org. Arts Collinwood 15605 Waterloo Road, 216-692-9500, www.artscollinwood.org. Open for gallery receptions, opening nights, select weekends, and by appointment, by calling 216-692-9500. Gallery hours during a show: Thursday-Saturday 1-4pm Callaloo Café & Bar 15603 Waterloo Road: Tues 11am-9pm, Wed-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-3pm

Memorial School Students Weigh In

Betsy Voinovich — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:10:37 EDT

The Collinwood Observer visted Memorial School a couple of weeks ago, to check in with the students and give them a chance to voice their opinions about issues that are important to them. Here is what some of them had to say:

“Sticking with the Dress Code” by Tarriana Kimbrough

Memorial School is a dress-code school. I think we should stick with dress code because if we didn’t, kids in gangs would be wearing their gang’s color. There would be many fights because people would be repping gangs.

We should also stick with the dress code because some people would probably be talked about because of the clothes they wear. Some people might gt picked on because they don’t have or can’t afford the clothes other kids wear.

So it’s better to have dress code and have all the kids wearing the same uniforms, than different ones, and supporting gang colors.

"Major Work" is a major asset at O.H. Perry

CMSD Communications — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:46:39 EDT

In a school district that prides itself on offering school choices, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has given residents of the North Collinwood neighborhood a very attractive choice in O.H. Perry Academy.

Perry, rated effective in the Ohio Department of Education Report Card, is one of the District’s “Gifted and Talented Programs, called the “Major Work Program” for boys and girls in Grades 2-6 and “Honors Program” for Grades 7 and 8.

Programs for gifted children date to October 1921 in Cleveland’s schools. Denison Elementary School was the first in the nation. Within six years, the program had grown to 14 elementary schools and two junior high schools.

By the 1950s, Cleveland educators had developed a gifted program for students from primary grades through high school.

Today, entrance into Major Works is based on a statewide assessment. Students must meet required test scores to be considered for the “Gifted” programming.

At Perry, students in the Gifted Program benefit from the community partnerships that have blossomed around them. Those partners, including the unflagging support of former U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, contribute their expertise, and they help ensure Perry students face rigorous, enriching challenges.

"Untitled"

Chifaun Smiley — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:21:19 EDT

We wanted to go

we wanted to stay

with different directions

to show on our stage

with different perspectives

for our minds to engage.

Chauffeur I’m ready come take me away

to a new destiny, a new gateway

show me the light on all of these levels

show me the angels blocking the devils

I’m ready to embark on this journey ahead

give me the strength to carry ahead.

Paparazzi are taking pictures

for those who aren’t here and those who are with us

roll out the red carpet for us to walk

we’ll stop and pose and even talk

then when it’s over we’ll scream it

Class of 2013 and I mean it!

Chifaun Smiley will be a junior at Collinwood High School, where she is a member of the wrestling and track teams.

When it is safety first!

Jason Roberts, 6th grade, O.H. Perry — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:08:47 EDT

Senator George Voinovich demonstrates the correct positioning of a bike helmet, while describing how important bike safety has been to his family at OH Perry's Bike Safety Program.

The purpose of the bicycle safety program was to teach people that accidents can happen to anybody. Senator Voinovich was at O.H. Perry School watching a performance by the 5th and 6th grade gifted students. Their performance was both entertaining and informative.

During the play the students gave information about the hazards of not wearing a helmet. They also performed an entertaining story about a girl who didn’t think she needed a helmet and bright clothes. At the end of the play the students made up a rap that was so good that it may be turned into a music video.

After the play Senator Voinovich gave a speech about his experiences of bicycle safety. He said that when he was bicycling with his wife she fell and would have died if she wasn’t wearing her helmet. Voinovich said that the play was an educational and enjoyable experience.

The members of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) came up to the stage. They told the students that no matter what object you were using, bicycles, scooters, or skates, you needed to wear a helmet. At the conclusion to the program, they gave everybody a free helmet which was incredibly generous. This program will be remembered for a long time.