Mucklo Playground to be renovated

 May 2014
Established in 1836
Message from Mayor Cyril Kleem
May 6 is Primary
Election Day in Cuyahoga County. Although there are no
City of Berea or Berea
City School District
issues or candidates on
the ballot, there are
important county and
state issues and primary races for voters to
consider. If you do not
wish to vote in a party
primary, you can request an issues only ballot.
Mucklo Playground to be renovated
Mucklo Playground near the Berea Municipal
Pool will be completely renovated. Plans are to
have the project completed by the Memorial Day
weekend when the outdoor pool is set to open.
Named after the late John Mucklo, a Berea High
School teacher and coach, the playground will be
updated with state-of-the-art equipment plus special play areas for children with disabilities.
Robert Pochatek, recreation director, said all of
the equipment in the playground will be replaced
with aquatic-themed equipment featuring a large
pirate ship. There will be four swings, one of
which will be handicapped accessible.
Remember polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to
7:30 p.m. If you are unsure of your polling location, you can call the Cuyahoga County Board of
Elections at (216) 433-8683 or visit the board’s
Web site at www.443vote.com.
The playground will sport a turf surface, which
experts recommend as being gentler on children
as they tumble and run around the 1,000-squarefoot playground. Seating for parents and caregivers will also be available.
Applications to vote by mail will not automatically be sent to all registered voters. You must apply
for a vote by mail ballot. For an application, go to
www.443vote.com, call the Voter Hot Line at
(216) 443-8683 or visit any public library.
Cost of the project is $100,000. It was purchased
Vote by mail applications must be received the
Board of Elections by noon on May 3. Completed
vote by mail ballots must be postmarked by May
5 and received by the Board of Elections by 10
days after Election Day. Do not return a completed vote by mail ballot to a polling location. It
must be mailed or hand-delivered directly to the
Board of Elections offices at 2925 Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland.
A summary of ballot issues and candidates is included in this issue of the Monthly Berean. A
complete list of issues and candidates is online at
www.443vote.com.
Thank you for taking the time to study the issues
and candidates and for exercising your right to
vote. The choices you make on May 6 will determine which candidates will appear on the ballot
in November.
Like us on Facebook to stay
updated on Berea’s community
news and events.
Our page name is:
City of Berea, Ohio
Visit our Web site
www.cityofberea.org
City hires two new auxiliary
police officers
This artist’s rendering of the proposed renovations to
Mucklo Playground depicts the main piece of equipment,
the pirate ship, plus swings and rest areas. The actual configuration of the park may differ from this drawing.
through a state purchasing agreement to keep the
costs down. A representative of the manufacturer
will be on site to ensure correct installation.
The Berea Municipal Pool will be open, weather
permitting, from noon to 8 p.m. May 24-26 and
again May 31-June 8. Daily hours of 1-8 p.m.
will begin June 9 - Aug. 18.
15th Annual
Berea Community
James Peterman and Brenin Davidson were
sworn in as auxiliary police officers recently.
They take the place of Auxiliary Officers Dan
Biddlecombe, who retired, and Scott Donato,
who is now working for the Medina County
Sheriff.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Sidewalks of
Downtown Berea
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Mayor Cyril Kleem said, “The administration
and City Council have made significant efforts
to maintain the staffing levels of our safety
forces.”
Patrons are invited to explore the City from
the sidewalks of Downtown Berea and shop
for treasures from over 150 different tables.
The Auxiliary was formed in 1993. The addition of Peterman and Davidson, who are both
Berea residents, maintains the unit at seven officers. The Auxiliary assists patrol officers with
curfew violations, animal calls, street light outages, booking and care of prisoners, disturbance calls, welfare checks, traffic control, parking violations and other duties.
Peterman has worked at Whitey’s for more
than 30 years. Davidson previously worked at
the Berea Recreation Center and at Parmadale.
Spaces are still available.
Please reserve a space by May 2.
For more information, please contact
Megan Pochatek at (440) 891-3316
or e-mail [email protected]
Monthly Berean
Page 2
Shred Fest
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
Berea-Midpark High School parking lot
Drop off documents for shredding
Drop off outdated prescription medicines
for disposal
By Southwest General Health Center
Donate eyeglasses, cases, sunglasses
for recycling
By Lions International
FREE
($5 fee per box for businesses)
Donations accepted to support Berea Rotary
community projects
Sponsored by City of Berea &
Rotary Club of Berea
**
Computer & Electronics
Roundup
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 7
Berea-Midpark High School parking lot
Learning farm raises more than vegetables
As a therapist at Guidestone, Lori Hanson deals
with disadvantaged children, some of whom are
on Medicaid and food stamps. She noticed that
around every four weeks, there were discipline
problems and anger issues.
“I figured out that’s when the food stamps ran
out,” Hanson said.“It’s really hard to teach kids
when they’re hungry.”
So she started raising vegetables in a home garden and donating them to the families. The need
grew but the space at home didn’t. That’s when
she approached Mayor Cyril Kleem about a
Community Learning Farm – a place where children could learn about sustainable practices
while at the same time getting a bit of exercise
cultivating the gardens. The food would be donated to local pantries.
The mayor and Hanson then talked to Berea
School Superintendent Michael Sheppard. With
the two officials on board, Hanson was in business. The school district approved the temporary
use of the former Riveredge School property and
will supply fencing. The city is donating water,
mulch and Service Department workers to help
prepare the beds. Polaris Career Center construction trades students will build a storage shed.
On April 3, Urban Organics of Brunswick donated 24 cubic yards of SweetPeet, a 100 percent
Trash Collection
Because of the Memorial Day holiday,
curbside trash collection will be
Saturday, May 31
Jack St. Clair, Donna Bunce, Dana Kavander, Roy St. Clair,
Lori Hanson, Vaughan Rochek, Sandra Vozar, Mayor Cyril
Kleem and School Superintendent Michael Sheppard.
Mayor Cyril Kleem
Linda G. Kramer, editor
Megan Pochatek, design editor
To submit information, contact:
[email protected]
(440) 891-3316
Please submit stories and information
by the 10th of every month.
organic product made from farm animal and zoo
animal manures carefully blended with wood
shavings, a specified bedding from the animals’
stalls. This is composted and used as mulch and
soil amendment.
Mayor Kleem said the SweetPeet “will go a long
way in getting the project under way.”
Hanson said the donation was unexpected but
greatly appreciated. She said she relies on donations and volunteers from the city, schools and
community to get the project off the ground. In
fact, the 5-ton truck used to deliver the SweetPeet
was donated by St. Clair Construction Co. of
Elyria. Owner Jack St. Clair and his son, Roy,
were on hand to make multiple trips to Brunswick to pick up the mulch and unload it.
Superintendent Sheppard said the farm “is another great example of the cooperation between the
schools, city and the many volunteers that make
this possible.” Students in the Berea Schools will
use the farm as a learning lab.
Urban Organics’ CEO Mark Bishop said he read
about the farm project and found it “very interesting.” He e-mailed Hanson asking for more information and then authorized the donation of 24
cubic yards of SweetPeet, which translates into
about 24 tons.
Bulk Trash Pickup
Friday, May 23
The Monthly Berean is published
monthly by the City of Berea and is
distributed to residents, organizations
and businesses in Berea.
Mayor Cyril Kleem, Lori Hanson and Dan Morgan
Hanson has about 1,200 seedlings growing in her
basement and ready to be planted.
Community Farm soil tests show no contamination
Random soil samples taken from the Berea Community Learning Farm are negative for contaminating chemicals, including lead and arsenic.
Lori Hanson, project manager, said Spectrum Analytic Inc. of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, tested 24 soil samples for acidity, organic matter, cation exchange rate and desired agricultural nutrients and micronutrients. In addition, the samples
were analyzed for lead and arsenic. The arsenic
concentrations measured at less than the lowest
measurable amount and the lead concentrations
were at levels that naturally occur in soils. Hanson
said the results showed that there were no residuals from diesel fumes, oil, other fuels, lead-based
paint, metal pipes or other potential sources of
lead contamination.
Hanson said the findings are important because
the Community Learning Farm is located on the
site of the former Riveredge Elementary School
and the school district’s bus garage is nearby.
While all food crops will be grown in raised beds
above the existing soil, Hanson said she wanted
the public to be absolutely certain of the safety
and quality of the Riveredge soil. Because of the
extremely low levels of lead concentration, further soil sampling and analyses are not warranted.
The Berea Community Learning Farm is a joint
project of the City of Berea and the Berea City
School District.
Monthly Berean
Page 3
OhioGuidestone celebrates its 150th anniversary
OhioGuidestone has come a long way since its
beginnings as an orphanage back in 1864. Then a
group of local women wanted to help children
who lost parents in the Civil War or in the sandstone quarries.
“Back then, women didn’t have the influence
they do today,” said Kelly Likes, advancement
coordinator for Guidestone, but they did convince the men to take action. The result was the
German Methodist Orphan Asylum. There were
only nine children in the beginning, Likes said.
The first child was named Mary and she stayed
for 12 years.
The children’s routine was a bit rigorous by today’s standards. They got up at 4 a.m. and did
chores, such as laundry and milking the cows. At
8 a.m., they headed off to school and then did
more chores when they returned in the afternoon.
The focus of the organization has changed over
the years as has the name. In 1924, it became the
German Methodist Children’s Home; in 1937,
the Methodist Children’s Home; in 1952, the Berea Children’s Home and in 2012,
OhioGuidestone to reflect its more regional impact. Guidestone now has programs in seven
Ohio counties – Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Stark and Summit – and has impacted more than 100,000 clients over the 150
years.
Education is the focal point now with the center
offering academics, job training and counseling
to families and children.
Counselors make home visits to help prevent
problems from escalating. Admission to the Berea residential treatment facility is a last resort.
The 75 children in residence receive classroom
instruction and daily doses of counseling and
therapy.
OhioGuidestone will host a black tie gala, Legacy of Caring: Future of Hope, on May 10 at the
Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Cleveland to
mark its milestone anniversary. President &
CEO Richard R. Frank said Guidestone hopes to
raise $250,000 at the event to support its many
programs. For more information or to purchase
tickets, visit www.OGgala.org or contact Laurel
Wirtanen-Siloy, director of development, at
(440) 260-8357 or e-mail
[email protected].
Berea honors fallen firefighter
Mary Frances Toddy was just shy of 5 years old
and her sister, Kathleen Dorsey, 11, when their
father, Berea Firefighter James McDonnell lost
his life fighting a fire in the North End of Berea
on April 19, 1949.
Mahler Museum opens
Guidestone exhibit
The Berea Historical Society’s Mahler Museum
will re-open for tours on Sunday, May 4 with a
new exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of
OhioGuidestone.
The exhibit, “Celebrating 150 Years from the
German Methodist Orphan Asylum to
Guidestone,” will feature the history of the organization from its beginnings in 1864 to its evolution into a agency for at-risk children and families.
Tours will begin at 2 p.m. Rebecca Dickenson,
creator of the exhibit, will be on hand to answer
questions. Also attending will be past and present
administrators along with former residents. On
display will be the wedding dress worn by the
wife of “Papa” Hauser, superintendent of the
Children’s Home.
For more information, call the museum at (440)
243-2541.
McDonnell remains the only Berea firefighter to
die in the line of duty. This year on April 19, 65
years later, the sisters watched as Berea paid
tribute to their father, lowering the Berea city
flag on the Triangle to half staff in his memory.
Fire Chief Mark Kaufhold noted that in 1949
there were no smoke detectors and there often
was a long wait for extra help in fighting fires.
“You should be very proud of your father,” he
told McDonnell’s daughters. “I believe he is
looking down right now and is proud of you.”
Dorsey and Toddy, who both live in Berea,
thanked the city for remembering their father,
Mary Frances Toddy and Kathleen Dorsey contacted
the city about a memorial ceremony for their father,
James McDonnell, the only Berea firefighter to die in
the line of duty. The flowers were presented by Fire
Chief Mark Kaufhold.
who was a volunteer firefighter. He joined the
department in 1931. He was 48 when he died.
“My Dad would appreciate this,” Dorsey said.
“My Mother would appreciate seeing everyone
here.” Their mother, Cecelia Schneider McDonnell died in 1983.
The family contacted Mayor Cyril Kleem requesting the lowering of the American flag to
half staff. However, only the President of the
United states can order the lowering of the
American Flag and only the Governor can order
the lowing of the State flag. The Mayor decided
to have a City flag lowering ceremony on the
Berea Triangle.
Fire Capt. William Eisenhardt and Firefighter Tom Emling lower the Berea city flag to half staff. Monthly Berean
Page 4
Southwest General
Community Nurses
Healthy Events
Free Skin Cancer Screening
More than 1 million Americans are diagnosed
each year with skin cancer. Prevention is the best
defense; early detection is the surest cure.
Screenings will be provided by a Southwest physician. Call the Community Nurses at (440) 8164037 for an appointment for this free screening
held at Southwest General Health Center.
8 a.m. to Noon, Monday, May 5
Southwest General Health Center
Conference Room C-1
Screening provided by Dr. Vasu Pandrangi,
plastic & reconstructive surgeon
At the Library Free Comic Book Day is May 3
BAM! POW! ZAP! Dress up as your favorite
superhero or villain for a costume parade and
other fun stuff as the Berea Branch Library celebrates Free Comic Book Day from noon to 4 p.m.
on Saturday, May 3. Pick up a free comic book,
too, while supplies last. For kids of all ages –
adults, too.
Book Discussion: “The Burgess Boys” by Elizabeth Stout, 7:30 p.m. May 8.
Mini Book Sale: Friends of the Berea Branch,
sale of magazines and paperbacks, Noon to 4
p.m.
Plant Favorites: Noelle Akin from Pettiti Garden Center, 7 p.m. May 12.
Become a Foster Parent: May is National Foster Care month. Representatives from Applewood Centers will present information, 7 p.m.
May 14.
Read Around the World: Kiwanis volunteers
and library staff will offer storytelling, crafts and
a free book. For ages 2-6; 10 a.m. to noon, May
17.
Book Discussion: “WILD” by Cheryl Strayed, 2
p.m., May 19.
Tween Time Tuesdays & Tag Team: Variety of
fun activities, light refreshments and some service opportunities. Parent/guardian must sign release. For grades 4-6 & 6-12; 7 p.m., May 20.
Cashing in on Craft Shows: Lori Paximadis of
Cleveland Handmade will tell how to turn crafts
into cash, 7 p.m. May 22.
8 a.m. to Noon, Wednesday, May 14
Southwest General Health Center
Dewitt Conference Room
Screening provided by Dr. Roman Ringel,
plastic & reconstructive surgeon
Dash4Dignity
5k run, 1 mile walk
Saturday, May 10
Middleburg Heights Junior
High School
7000 Paul Drive
5k begins at 9:30 a.m.
1 mile walk at 9:45 a.m.
Fee for 5k: $20 for runners 14 & younger
$25 for runners 15+
Fee for 1 mile walk: $20
Proceeds benefit Jason Suplita, diagnosed with
neurological Lyme Disease
Register at:
speedysneakers.com/2014dashfordignity
Kids bored? Borrow toys from the Berea Library
With more than 700 toys in stock, the Cuyahoga
County Library System can keep children of all
ages happy and engaged.
There are toys for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and older children who like to play board
games or work on science and math projects.
There are blocks, puzzles, toy trucks, puppets,
Legos, games to help with numbers and the alphabet. There are family games, such as Sorry.
“Once families discover the Toy Lending Library, they are hooked,” said Marlene Rodgers,
children’s librarian at the Berea Branch. “It’s a
way of switching out toys, so kids don’t get
bored.”
You can borrow toys like you borrow books, said
Pam DeFino, Berea Branch manager. The toy
collection is stored at the Library System’s administrative offices in Parma with a smaller collection at the Brooklyn Branch. Patrons can access
the
toy
catalog
online
at
www.cuyahogalibrary.org or peruse a hard copy
in the children’s section of the Berea Library.
The catalog contains a picture of each toy and a
description. Once a toy is requested, it is usually
delivered within two to three days, DeFino said.
Mayor Cyril Kleem and Berea Library intern Andrea Csia Widder display some of the materials available through the Toy Lending Library at a recent Senior Luncheon at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Andrea is a student at Kent State University and is helping to market the toy collec‐
on program. Rodgers said toys are sometimes borrowed for
special occasions. “We had a pastor borrow several for a church carnival,” she said. Grandparents faced with a visit from out-of-town grandchildren often reserve age-appropriate toys, too.
“The toys are fun and educational. This program
has become really popular,” DeFino said.
Once toys are returned, they are sanitized before
they are loaned again, DeFino noted.
“It’s delivered in a box. You pick it up as you
would a book,” she said. Loans are for three For more on the Toy Lending Library, call (216)
weeks and are renewable. Late fees on returns are 749-9525, visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org or call
the Berea Branch at (440) 234-5475.
10 cents per day.
Monthly Berean
Page 5
Police chief to retire
NEWS BRIEFS
City has no immediate plans for the property.
The house on the lot has been razed and the land
could be used to build a new home or be convertThe top officers in the Berea Division of Fire ed into green space. Neighbors had voiced conattended the Fire Department Instructors Confer- cern that the land could be used to build an acence in Indianapolis in April.
cess road to the rec center. The City has no plans
to do that.
The officers attended at staggered times so that
supervisors were always on duty and available at
the fire station. Capt. Brand Eisenhardt said the Berea Youth Works begins May 23
conference is a good place to view the latest The Berea Youth Works program, which proequipment and attend classes on such topics as vides summer jobs for teens, will run May 23
legal issues and towing and cutting through vehi- through Aug. 16. The program is open to stucles in emergency extraction situations. Much of dents 16-26 attending Berea City School District
the training is hands-on. More than 200 vendors schools or living within the Berea City School
District while enrolled in higher education elsedisplayed firefighting gear and equipment.
where. Students can provide such chores as cleri“It’s like non-stop shopping,” he said. The offic- cal and office duties, grass cutting, gardening,
ers then bring the information back to the station painting, cleaning garages and attics or any other
miscellaneous jobs homeowners or area busiand share with firefighters.
nesses may require. The fee for employers is
Along with Eisenhardt, attending the conference $10.50 per hour. The program is run through the
were Chief Mark Kaufhold, Capt. Brett Stani- North End Foundation. Students and potential
slaw, Capt. Mickey Herreid and Lt. Terry Led- employers can contact the foundation at (440)
243-2988
for
applications
or
visit
well.
www.northendfoundation.org.
Firefighters attend
leadership conference
Tri-C to conduct
Civil Service tests
The City has contracted with Cuyahoga Community College’s Western Campus to conduct the
written and physical Civil Service tests for police
officers. Candidates will apply directly to Tri-C,
which will charge them $60 for the tests. Candidates also can opt to join a pool of candidates for
other communities in addition to Berea. The list
will be good for two years. Safety Director Ken
Adams said Berea expects to hire about six new
officers because of anticipated retirements from
the Berea Division of Police.
City obtains Kurtz Road property
from Land Bank
The Cuyahoga County Land Bank has transferred a vacant and foreclosed property at 470
Kurtz Road to the City of Berea. The road is located behind the Berea Recreation Center. The
MAYFEST
Southwest General levy renewal
on November ballot
Police Chief Mark Schultz has announced his
plans to retire as of Aug. 29 after 32 years with
the Berea Division of Police. His last day on the
job will be June 19. A Civil Service test will be
conducted to select a successor. ON THE BALLOT
Primary Election
May 6
A 1-mill, five-year operating levy to support
Southwest General Health Center will be on the
November ballot in Berea. The levy was first
passed in 1952. The cost for the owner of a home
valued at $100,000 is $6.36 in property taxes.
Since this is a renewal, there would be no increase in taxes.
Issue 1: State-wide. Proposed Constitutional
Amendment to fund public infrastructure improvements through the issuance of bonds. The
improvements would include roads and bridges,
waste water treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, storm water
and sanitary collection, storage and treatment
facilities.
Yard waste pickup runs
through Nov. 29
Issue 7: County-wide. Proposed extension of the
alcohol and cigarette taxes for maintenance of
sports facilities. Extension would be for 20
years, beginning April 15, 2015.
Republic Services, the City’s waste hauler, began
collecting yard waste at curbside on April 18.
Yard waste can be left in special heavy duty yard
waste bags available at area stores or in specially
marked trash cans. Branches should be bundled
and tied with twine if left separately at the curb.
Yard waste is picked up on regularly scheduled
trash collection days.
Tiara Ball goes cruising
Fine Art Show
Party primaries are being held for Democratic, Republican, Green & Libertarian parties:






16)






Saturday, May 31
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coe Lake
www.BereaArts.org
State Representative (District 7)
County Executive
Member of County Council (District 5)
Justices of the Ohio Supreme Court
Judges of Court of Appeals
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
(General Division, Domestic Relations Division, Probate Division)
Free Admission
For more information, please call:
(216) 570-8201
Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Auditor of State
Secretary of State
Treasurer of State
Representatives to Congress (District 9, District
Southwest Community Health Foundation’s Tiara
Ball on April 5 “Set Sail” at the new Cleveland Convention Center. Patrons cruised to music by the
Shout Band featuring The Legends of Soul. Proceeds will benefit Southwest General Health Center.
Please note: One portion of Berea is in Congressional District 9 and one portion is in Congressional District 16.
Monthly Berean
FREE
AT THE COE LAKE Gazebo
4
201
Ronnie fiorentino
June 14
Clayton Brothers
JUNE 20
TBD
JUNE 27
Joe Moorhead
July 11
Abby Normal &
The Detroit lean
July 18
Don Disantis
July 25
New Century Beatniks
aug 1
Cats On Holiday
aug 8
The summer band concert series is free and
family friendly. Bring your own chair or blanket
and enjoy live entertainment on the lake.
Bands play from 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: The City of Berea, Berea Arts Fest
& Cuyahoga Arts and Culture
CITY OF BEREA
THURSDAY, JULY 3
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Kids Fun Night
4th of July Parade
Live Bands
6 p.m.
Downtown Berea
County Band: TBD
Outdoor Movie
1988
“Frozen”
Shown on a 30-foot
inflatable screen
4 - 6 p.m.
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Cleveland’s tribute to the
1980’s hard rock music.
28 Days
9 - 11 p.m.
June 14:
July 3:
July 19:
Aug. 16:
Oct. 11:
Dolphin Tale
Frozen
Lego Movie
The Blind Side
Monsters University
9 p.m.
9 p.m.
9 p.m.
9 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
All movies are shown at on a 30-foot inflatable
screen at Coe Lake. Please bring your own chair
or blanket.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
For questions, please contact Megan Pochatek at
(440) 891-3316 or [email protected]
FRIDAY, JULY 4
One of Chicago’s premier party
cover bands performing songs from
the oldies to today.
Live Entertainment
Beer tent
Clayton Brothers
7:15 - 10 p.m.
ALL DAY
EVERY DAY
Fireworks
Food
Games
Rides
Paddle boats
New Century Beatniks
4 - 7 p.m.
10 p.m.
For more information, please contact Megan Pochatek at
(440) 891-3316 or e-mail [email protected]
Monthly Berean
Page 7
BW
HAPPENINGS
BW Circle K Club
named Best in Ohio
BW’s Circle K International Club, affiliated with
Berea Kiwanis, won the Daniel J. Romanello
Achievement Award at the 57th annual Ohio District Circle K Convention. The award is given to
the best overall Circle K Club in Ohio. The Berea
Kiwanis Club was named Outstanding Kiwanis
Sponsor.
BW Symphony Orchestra
& Symphonic Wind Ensemble
8 p.m., May 2, Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building. Dwight Oltman’s final concert
as director. Tickets $20 for adults, $5 for students
with proceeds going to the Oltman Family Instrumental Performance Prize.
Men’s Chorus Spring Concert
4 p.m. May 4, Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at
the door.
Alumni Celebration and
Class of 1964 Reunion
May 16-17. Call the Alumni Office at (440) 8262104 or e-mail [email protected].
ArtSong Festival
8 p.m. May 20, Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building. British soprano Joan Rodgers
and pianist Roger Vignoles. 8 p.m. May 22,
American baritone Andrew Garland and pianist
Warren Jones. Tickets $30 adults, $27 seniors,
$10 students in advance; or pay what you can at
the door.
Zap! Laser tag at Rec Center a huge hit
Around 50 youngsters attended the first-ever laser tag and video game night at the Berea Recreation Center on April 19. The kids played laser tag
on the gym floor and had access to the latest video games on a mobile gaming truck in the parking lot. The program was part of the City’s new
FYI (Family & Youth Initiative).
For photos of the children taken in the gaming
truck, visit www.cityofberea.org.
ARF Rummage Sale
City of Berea
11 Berea Commons
Berea, Ohio 44017
Sunday, May 25
“Of Faith & Freedom Cantata”
1 p.m.
Coe Lake Gazebo
Presented by St. Paul Lutheran Church
(In case of inclement weather, the program will
be in the sanctuary of St. Paul Lutheran
Church, 476 E. Bagley Road)
Monday, May 26
Services by American Legion Post 91
8 a.m. Adams Street Cemetery
9 a.m. Woodvale Cemetery
Memorial Day Parade
10:30 a.m.
POSTAL PATRON
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
Berea-Midpark High School cafeteria
165 E. Bagley Road
Phone: (440) 826-5800
May 3: Shred Fest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., parking lot of
Berea-Midpark High School, 165 E. Bagley Road.
Sponsored by the City of Berea & Berea Rotary.
Coats, Shoes, Purses, Sporting Goods,
Household Items
(No appliances, furniture or clothing)
All proceeds benefit Berea Animal Rescue Friends
Kevin Costner may have top billing for the new
football flick “Draft Day,” but Berea gets to
shine, too.
“I remember making eye contact with Patrick
several times and playing off him in terms of reflecting his emotions,” Dave said.
It made for a long day: Reporting to the set by 7
a.m. and spending hours waiting for his scene
and working through several takes. Much to his
surprise, Dave was called back for a second day
of shooting. It turned out to be another day of
sitting around and waiting. By mid-afternoon,
May 8: Stroke Awareness & Prevention, 6:30-8:30
p.m., Southwest General Health Center, Williams
Conference Center, Rooms A-D; talk by a neurologist, stroke coordinator available, information on
stroke warning signs, free blood pressure & carotid
artery ultrasound screenings.
May 11: MOTHER’S DAY
May 11: BW Commencement
May 14: Quarry Masonic Lodge, 366 Eastland
Road, Ladies Night Out, 7:30 p.m., $10. Crafts
(making bracelets & earrings), refreshments. Call
(440) 235-5888 or e-mail [email protected].
Much of the movie was filmed at the Cleveland
Browns training facility. Look for shots of Costner driving over the Front Street overpass. The
Berea Union Depot Taverne is in the background
in several scenes. And Berea’s own Dave Purdy
garnered his 15 minutes of fame (or maybe it
was a couple of minutes anyway) playing an executive with the Seattle Seahawks.
Knowing he would be affiliated somehow with
the Seattle team, Dave wore their colors – a lime
green tie and a blue shirt. That proved to be a
good omen. After a turn in wardrobe and makeup, Dave and two other extras were assigned to
the Seahawks “war room,” preparing for the
NFL draft. Director Ivan Reitman told him to
“play off” the actors, react to the dialogue. As an
extra, Dave had no lines of his own. He sat
across from actors Patrick St. Esprit and Chi
McBride.
www.cityofberea.org
Upcoming Community Events
Drop off donations
5-9 p.m., Friday, May 2
Berea-Midpark cafeteria
Berea resident ‘drafted’ for the big screen
“It was an awesome experience,” said Purdy,
who is a retired guidance counselor and girls’
basketball coach with the Berea City School District. Purdy applied to be an extra on the set at
the urging of his neighbor, Adele Borchetta. He
got the call and spent two days in Mayfield
Heights filming in the Elk & Elk building.
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. PAID
BEREA, OH
PERMIT #333
ECRWSS
May 17: Front & Center Art Walk, Noon to 4 p.m.,
downtown Berea and Parkway Shops; art, demonstrating artists, music while you shop Berea. For
more information, go to www.bereaartsfest.org.
May 17: Berea Streamside Cleanup, 9-11 a.m., Coe
Lake. To register or for more information, (216) 524
-6580 ext. 14 or e-mail [email protected].
Dave was napping when a crew member approached. “I’m looking for the guy with the
green tie,” he said.
This time Dave had to sit on a couch next to Patrick St. Esprit and then move to a window. “Be
real,” Reitman advised him. Apparently, Dave
was. They did that scene in one take.
“I was impressed with how hard these people
work,” Dave said. “From lighting to make-up to
sound to actors.” At the same time, they were
“very professional but warm, very cordial.”
Dave has seen the movie twice. The first time he
and his family “giggled” through it. “It was
strange to see myself up there,” he said. The second time he took a more serious attitude. “I think
it’s a really good movie.”
Could this launch another career? Not hardly.
But, Dave added, “You can bury me with a basketball, a pair of hiking shorts and that incredible
green tie!”
May 18: Berea Historical Society annual Spring
Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., Mahler Museum, 118 E.
Bridge St. James Jaworski will recreate the 1908
Great Race from New York to Paris. For reservations, call (440) 243-2541.
May 20: Rotary Club of Berea, Judge Michael
Astrab of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court,
“Heroin in the Suburbs,” Colony Room, BW’s
Strosacker Hall, 120 E. Grand St., doors open at 6
p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. $10
members, $15 guests. For more information, go to
www.berearotary.org or call (440) 234-5966.
May 26: MEMORIAL DAY
May 31: Mayfest fine art show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Coe Lake. Free.
May 31-June 1: Southwest Relay for Life, Noon
May 31 to 5:30 a.m. June 1, Brook Park Community
Center, 17400 Holland Road. For more information,
www.relay.acsevents.org or call Gina Hart, (888)
227-6446 ext. 1221.
May 31: Bowling for a Paws, 6-8:30 p.m., Yorktown Lanes, 6218 Pearl Road, Parma Heights; buffet
and raffle baskets; tickets $20 in advance or $25 at
the door; proceeds benefit Berea Animal Rescue
Friends.
June 3: Berea-Midpark High School Commencement