Lakeland Avenue Block Club held its Second Annual Lakeland Lights Celebration this year. Neighbors illuminated and decorated their homes to celebrate the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, New Year, Kwanza, or just to chase away the winter darkness. Prizes were awarded in the categories of Winter Wonderland, Best Traditional Decoration, Most Humorous, and Honorable Mention. All decorators were also entered into a drawing for participation prizes.

Prizes were generously provided by Lakewood favorites: Aladdin's, Blackbird Baking Company, Forbici Salon, Melt Bar and Grilled, Dewey's Pizza, 56 West, and Sweet Designs. We celebrated together at our Block Club Holiday Party, sponsored by The Merry Arts and Roman Fountain Pizza.

The Lakeland Avenue Block Club is co-chaired by Mara Manke and Carol Mason. Lakeland Lights coordinators are Joan Tropf and Lynnette Guttmann.

The Lakeland Avenue Block Club recently completed a street beautification project. Lakeland neighbors planted over 300 mixed daffodil bulbs in their front yards for all to enjoy next spring.

One could almost hear Judy Garland’s voice as this year the residents on Virginia Avenue went Somewhere Over the Rainbow for their 42nd consecutive block party on August 21 and 22. That’s right -- this street has too much fun for just one day! There were plenty of Dorothys, several munchkins, a tin man, a couple of witches, the cutest Glindas and even a few folks from the Emerald City.

If it sounds like a strange way to celebrate, it is! But that was the theme of our annual Arthur Avenue block party held on August 1st. If you have never had a block party on your street, you may want to consider organizing one. We met some brand new neighbors and even convinced some long-time residents to come out and mingle. You can keep it simple, or have lots of fun activities like we do. All you need to do is contact the city and request a permit. They will drop off barricades for your block and they even provide some recycling signs and bags.

Lakeland Avenue Block Club held its first Lakeland Lights celebration this year. Neighbors illuminated and decorated their homes to celebrate the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, New Year, Kwanza, or just to chase away the winter darkness.

As Indian Summer faded, the residents of St. Charles and Onondaga Avenues were blessed with one last burst of great weather for their Annual Block Party. Food, coupled with fun activities for the kids made it a night to remember. There were candy relays, parachute games, and a scarecrow making event. Meanwhile the adults enjoyed fun conversations about the new block watch, new neighbors, careers, and family lives. Neighbors have high expectations for the next gathering.

Neither rain nor wind nor more rain would keep the folks of Northland Ave. (south of Hilliard) down for their Annual Summer Block Party. This year, the Block kicked off events with the parade of decorated bikes following our street's Grand Marshal (and elder stateswoman) Jane, who has walked this earth for 93 years...