Irene Kinny, a resident of Lakewood Senior Health Campus Assisted Living since November 2009, will be turning 100 years old on August 29th. Irene has certainly had a full life. Born on a farm in Iowa City, Iowa, Irene learned early on how to do the chores that were required of her. Kerosene lamps helped to light the way as Irene cleaned the chimney, brought in the kindling for the wood stove, and much more. Irene worked on the farm until she was 17 years of age! After graduating from St. Mary's Catholic High School, Irene went to work at a commercial laundry because there was no money for college. Irene wasn't happy at the laundry, so she attended Brown Business College for 2 years, taking night classes. After graduation, Irene worked for 2 summers at a bank and her career took her to National City Bank for 19 years.

The Lakewood Social Security office, which is currently located at 14650 Detroit Ave, suite 200, Lakewood, OH, will be moving to a new location in late July. The new location will be 17513 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH. The Lakewood office will begin the moving process on Friday, July 16th. There may be reduced levels of service available from Monday, July 19th through Thursday, July 22nd. Members of the public will still be able to use our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov and our national toll free number at 800-772-1213. Both the current and the new office locations will be closed on Friday, July 23rd. The new office will be open for business to the public on Monday, July 26th.

On May 22, the Lakewood Senior Health Campus was transformed into a "Tropical Luau" as residents gathered for a Senior Citizen Prom. The event was organized by the CARE Youth Group at St. Joseph Academy, under the leadership of co-chairs Alison Roudebush and Jackie Bova. More than twenty students participated by providing decorations, music, food and fun. The residents and students enjoyed learning dance moves from each other and shared an evening of laughter.

Barton Senior Center recently honored the many volunteers who have assisted the organization during the past year. At a dinner show and reception held in April, 226 individuals were recognized for having volunteered a total of 22,960 hours at the Center during the previous 12 months. This astounding volunteer total is equivalent to more than 11 full-time employees. “Our volunteers are simply terrific” stated Center Director Tania Gheen. “Without the volunteers, our small staff would never be able to provide the many programs, activities and services offered at Barton Center. It is really a win-win, as our volunteers socialize, make friends and have fun, at the same time that they are helping others.” 

The Barton Senior Center will hold its 4th Annual Wine and Cheese fundraiser on Thursday, May 27 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Over 100 attended last year’s event and this one promises to be even bigger and better. This indoor/outdoor event is entitled “In Bloom” and will be held in Barton Center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor Courtyard, and in the adjacent indoor Rotunda and Greenhouse. Festivities will include wine, hors d’oeuvres, top-hat raffle and silent auction gift baskets filled with terrific items.

Delores Berish was voted by Barton Center members as the 2010 Barton Center ‘Sweetheart,’ or Volunteer of the Year. She was honored at a dinner held recently to recognize her many years of volunteer service at Barton Community Center. This was the 36th annual ceremony held to recognize Barton Center volunteers and was attended by 100 members, including 12 previous award recipients.

The Lakewood Senior Center, 16024 Madison will replace the Lakewood Main Library as the AARP Tax-Aide Site. The Tax-Aide program is staffed by volunteers who assist taxpayers free of charge with low and moderate income with special attention to those age 60 and older. Last year these volunteers electronically filed over 500 tax returns.

Tax help is by appointment Monday and Tuesday afternoons from February 1 through April 15. To make an appointment please call 216-521-1515. The volunteers do taxes elsewhere in Lakewood at the library’s Madison Branch, phone 216-228-7428 and at Barton Center, phone 216-221-3400.

On Art Mones 105th birthday (Feb. 7, 2009) Crestmont North Nursing Facility declaired February 7th "Art Mone Day." Back then I tried to determine if Art is the oldest resident living in Lakewood. Now that he'll be 106 on February 7, 2010 I think it's a pretty safe bet, but, I want to be sure, so I am asking LO readers. If you know of anyone born before February 7, 1904 please contact Bonnie Greenberg at Ctrestmont North Nursing Facility at 216 228 9550. THANKS!

You might have read a recent article from the LO Nov. 4th issue titled, "5 Couples Celebrate 266 Years of Marriage".  The second-longest married couple, Betty and Don Wilson, received two special gifts from their daughter, Mary, on their 64th wedding anniversary in September.  One was a DVD with pictures of the highlights of the couples lives together (including them as teen-agers, wedding pictures and pictures of Don in his Air Force uniform) set to music from their era.  The other anniversary gift was a beautiful, hard-cover, bound 8 X 10 inch book with more pictures of the couple and their family thru the years.  Both precious gifts took on new meanings to Don and his children when Betty passed away last week.  Now Don (who resides at Crestmont North Nursing Facility) is able to view the DVD of him and his beloved wife and children on a big screen TV, and he can look thru his hardcover "Love Story" and reminisce about the love of his life as he treasures the memories of their "Happily Ever After" at any hour of the day or night.

 

 As I watched Lakewood residents stream into the senior center, there was an unmistakable sense of community not only among the residents but also the volunteers and staff.  People were coming together over meals provided by the Division of Aging. While observing their interactions with one another, it is obvious that residents are not simply receiving a meal; they are building relationships and staying connected to their community.  It’s hard to say whether it was the smiles on their faces or the strong sense of fraternity within the center, but one thing is certain about the meal program; it has a positive affect on everyone it touches.

The Barton Community Center will hold its Barter and Buy Bonanza on Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Over two dozen vendors will be selling new and used household items, including Tupperware and Mary Kay products.  In addition, Barton Center’s craft and resale shops will be open.  The Snack Bar will serve lunch (hot dogs, pizza, potato salad, and deserts) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Barton Center is located on the ground floor of the Westerly Apartments at 14300 Detroit Ave.

The Barton Community Center will hold its 3rd Annual Wine and Cheese fundraiser on Thursday, May 21 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  Over 100 attended last year’s event and this one promises to be even bigger and better.  This indoor/outdoor event is entitled “In Bloom” and will be held in Barton Center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor Courtyard, and in the adjacent indoor Rotunda and Greenhouse.  Festivities will include wine, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a top-hat raffle for gift baskets filled with terrific items.   

By Rachel Harwood

Volunteerism is alive and well in the city of Lakewood. Of the multitudes who serve this community, few are more appreciated than the Home-Delivered-Meals volunteers working with the Lakewood Department of Human Services, Division of Aging. Coming from all walks of life, they are united in their desire to provide a hot meal and a friendly smile to Lakewood's vulnerable elderly. From the retired who are wanting to make productive use of their time, to the young moms who are wanting to teach volunteerism to their children, to the business people who are willing to take time out during their day, they are all working together to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Anna Ford, nutrition Supervisor for the Division of Aging states that she is proud to work alongside a team of such committed people. "These volunteers exemplify the community's willingness to care for each other."

Captain Harry Anderson, retired Cleveland Cliffs Great Lakes captain, recently celebrated his 99th birthday on October 5th, 2008, at the Oriental Palace Buffet at Warren Village Shopping Center...

The Barton Community Center will hold a Flea Market on Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Over 25 vendors will participate. In addition, Barton Center’s resale shops will be open and the Snack Bar will be serving lunch. Barton Center is located on the Ground Floor of the Westerly Apartments at 14300 Detroit Ave. with parking available in the adjacent Kucinich Office parking lot...

We all know that as the price of gasoline continues to increase, the prices of many other items, including food, are subsequently affected. In an effort to help offset the increasing cost of food for our seniors, beginning in June 2008, Lakewood Senior Health Campus is providing all Independent Living residents who have an apartment with us a FREE daily breakfast meal...

The 11 story apricot brick building on the corner of Ridgewood and Madison Avenues resulted from an idea generated during the committee work for SS. Cyril & Methodious's Diamond Jubilee in 1978. The Chairman of the celebration, George E. Fedor asked a group of the Committee Chairpersons to come to a meeting at the rectory in the spring of 1979 where he told of an idea of constructing an apartment building near the Church that would offer Federally-subsidized housing for those 62 and over...

The Barton Community Center will hold its 2nd Annual Wine and Cheese fundraiser on Thursday, May 22 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Over 100 attended last year’s event and this one promises to be even bigger and better. This indoor/outdoor event is entitled “In Bloom” and will be held at Barton Center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor Courtyard and Flower Garden, and in the adjacent indoor Rotunda and Greenhouse. Entertainment will be provided by the Barton Center Jazz Trio. Festivities will include a top-hat raffle with gift baskets filled with terrific items...

Ursula Randolph was voted by Barton Center members as the 2008 Barton Center ‘Sweetheart’, or Volunteer of the Year. She was honored at a dinner held recently to recognize her 19 years of volunteer service at Barton Community Center. This was the 34th annual ceremony held to recognize Barton Center volunteers and was attended by more than 100 members, including 12 previous award winners...

Cleveland Sight Center launched its first community-based, vision rehabilitation and technology training program, EnVision Independence, in Lakewood last week...

On Thursday, May 17th, at Harding Middle School, my dad, Robert Rice, was honored by being invited to return to conduct "The Harding March" that he wrote many years ago as the school prepares to relocate to the new building.

Barton Community Center recently honored the many volunteers who have assisted the organization during the past year. At a dinner show and a reception held in April, 257 individuals were recognized for having volunteered a total of 21,552 hours at the Center during the previous 12 months. This astounding volunteer total is equivalent to more than 10 full-time employees.

The Barton Community Center will hold a Wine and Cheese fundraiser on Thursday, May 24 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. The event is entitled “In Bloom”, as it will be held at Barton Center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor Courtyard and Flower Garden, and the adjacent indoor Rotunda and Greenhouse. Entertainment will be provided by Lakewood High School’s Four Seasons String Quartet. The event will also include a silent auction and a top-hat raffle.

Laurie Schaffer was voted by Barton Center members as the 2007 Barton Center “Sweetheart” for her extraordinary volunteer work. She was honored at a dinner held on February 22 to recognize her 15 years of service at Barton Community Center. The 33rd annual ceremony held to recognize Barton Center volunteers was attended by more than 100 members, including 15 previous award winners.

The Barton Senior Center rolled-out a full schedule of activities and programs for the New Year. Social activities topped the list with events planned daily. Table-top bowling leagues return on a bi-weekly schedule. BINGO is played every Monday afternoon and two Wednesday evenings per month. A dinner/show event is scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m., while a monthly Birthday Lunch with entertainment is slotted for the 4th Friday at noon. Interactive games like Wheel of Fortune and Name That Tune are scheduled on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Barton Center Singers are soliciting new participants.

Barton Center began the holidays with a successful craft and food fair on Saturday November 4, attended by more than 600 people. This annual event, held for more than 40 years, is the Center's biggest fundraiser of the year. The Fair featured homemade pastries, cakes, pies and candy. Various items made by Barton Center members were sold, including ceramic Christmas trees and figurines, crocheted items and hand crafts; jewelry, antiques and resale items were also popular. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were also on hand to spread holiday greetings and have their pictures taken with those who are young or young at heart.

Barton Senior Center enters a new and exciting future with a new director on board. Jean Anne Finlin has been named to the position, replacing Charlotte Crews, who served for 11 years and retired in May amid much fanfare.